Lactanet partners with Angus group to help dairies that are moving towards becoming meat producers as well
Glacier FarmMedia – More dairy producers are interested in getting a slice of the beef pie these days. That’s led Lactanet to work with an U.S.-based Angus association to share genotyping of Angus bulls from Canada, the U.S. and Australia and improve breeding decisions for those hybrid farms. Brian Van Doormaal, chief services officer for […] Read moreArchives
Brown and white layer hens prefer different environments
Research conducted as part of a new hen house study shows feed efficiency in cage free systems can be quite good
According to a U.S. hen house environment study, not all systems are created equal for brown and white egg layer performance. “When we look at per capita egg consumption in the (United States) specifically, we see an absolutely dramatic increase there,” said Dr. Benjamin Alig of North Carolina State University. “One of the main (reasons) […] Read more
Calcium, ketosis big issues in cows post-calving
Glacier FarmMedia – New research on transition cows shows that dairy farmers should adjust some traditional ways of handling post-calving calcium levels and ketosis. More than half of dairy cows in highly managed herds go through the transition period to milking with at least one health problem. Recent research shows those problems reduce the cow’s […] Read more
Feed options needed during drought
Growing perennial and annual crops can stretch the grazing period to provide farmers options during a drought
REGINA — This year could be another dry one and cattle producers may have to consider management options. This includes whether herd numbers can be maintained with available feed sources or whether animals can be moved elsewhere. “Do I work with my neighbour, who is a cropping guy, and maybe strike up a deal to […] Read more
Dry conditions require focus on cow nutrition
REGINA — Several years of drought may have taken a toll on feed supply and quality in some areas. Feed testing is critical to make sure cows receive adequate nutrition leading up to and after calving. University of Saskatchewan beef and forage researcher Dr. Bart Lardner said pregnant cows should be at a body condition […] Read more
Farm debt has room to grow
At the end of 2017, Canadian farm debt topped $100 billion. At the time, it was a bigger number than the national debt of 135 countries, noted Country Guide columnist Gerald Pilger. As of 2022, the most recent year on Statistics Canada’s published record, it reached $138.9 billion. Interest rate increases since early 2022 also […] Read more
Federal budget draws mixed reaction from Canadian ag groups
Livestock tax deferral, capital gains exemption praised; overall lack of investment in agriculture noted
Glacier FarmMedia – The 2024 federal budget, released Tuesday afternoon has drawn mixed reactions from ag groups across Canada. While some have praised aspects of the plan, others have condemned the lack of attention paid to agriculture and farmers. The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) stated that they were “cautiously optimistic” to see recognition of the […] Read more
ADM recalls animal feed
Reuters – Archer-Daniels-Midland said its division is expanding a recall to include 17 additional lots of chicken, swine and rabbit feed products due to elevated levels of magnesium, sodium, calcium and/or phosphorus that may harm the animals. ADM Animal Nutrition in late March had recalled select Pen Pals chicken feed, MoorMan’s ShowTec swine feed, AMPT […] Read more
Where there’s no will, there’s still a way through intestacy
Everyone has been told it is important to have a will, but not everyone has heeded that advice. What happens when a person dies without a will, a situation known as intestacy? In some limited circumstances, this is not a big problem. If all assets (house and bank accounts) were held jointly with someone who […] Read more
How did this winter’s weather stack up?
When you hear statistics about winter, the data usually describes meteorological winter — December to the end of February. In some parts of North America this makes sense, but in our part of the world, not so much. I often discuss our winter in terms of the extended winter, the months when we actually see winter conditions across the Prairies. That span […] Read more
