Top dollar paid for genotyped heifer | The science of DNA analysis is changing the cattle breeding business
TORONTO — Big money was paid for youthful genomic-tested dairy heifers at the 60th annual Sale of Stars at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto Nov. 8. “We are on the threshold of some great things,” said sale organizer Donald Johnston at the start of the sale. “Every year we go forward, the higher […] Read moreTag Archives Cattle
Red Angus takes top title at show
Stockade Round Up | Greenwood Limousin, Vikse Family Farm win grand championship titles
LLOYDMINSTER — A Limousin heifer and a Red Angus bull rose to the top at last weekend’s Lloydminster Stockade Round Up, taking home the supreme champion titles. The animals were among more than 200 purebred entries at the annual cattle show. Grandfather and grandson duo Bernard and Jayden Payne co-own Greenwood Wisteria Lane, the female […] Read more
Cattle producers brace for higher feed costs
Drought, recalls take toll | Feeder cattle prices fall amid rising corn, barley prices; herd size shrinks to adjust to market
STRATHMORE, Alta. — The drought in the U.S. corn belt and a month long closure of the XL Foods plant in Brooks, Alta., have had wide ranging affects on North American beef markets. As the corn crop shriveled, the price per bushel increased by $3 from June to July to hit $8, said market analyst […] Read more
Predator losses prompt call for more trapping, hunting
Predators are raiding British Columbia ranches at an increasing rate. Two cattle loss surveys conducted in 2010 and 2011 show predators like wolves and cougars are getting bolder, snatching calves from farmyards, while elk are helping themselves to feed supplies. Those responding to the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association 2011 survey reported 2,734 cattle were lost to […] Read more
New antibiotic for bovine respiratory disease expected for this fall’s calf run
A new antibiotic is scheduled to be available in time for the fall calf run to protect and treat cattle for bovine respiratory disease (BRD), one of the most common illnesses affecting cattle. Merck Animal Health officially launched Zuprevo July 29, following the drug’s approval for use in Canada. Zuprevo was approved for use in […] Read more
Study focuses on rumen acidosis
SASKATOON — Rumen health is an animal welfare issue, say re-searchers, and its effects on cattle health are now being explored. Greg Penner, an assistant professor and researcher from the University of Saskatchewan, is exploring the effects of sub-acute rumen acidosis, the kind that doesn’t kill the animal but may affect its health and productivity. […] Read more
Western Beef Development Centre searches for ‘just right’ herd size
LANIGAN, Sask. — The Western Beef Development Centre is trying to find out if there is an ideal cattle herd size for producers in Western Canada. Kathy Larson, an economist with the centre, said it has been conducting an annual cost-of-production study since 2001. Finding the optimal herd size was a motivating factor of this […] Read more
Animal welfare survived BSE crisis, statistics show
BSE’s darkest days | Welfare of older cows was at risk following BSE crisis but record was good
SASKATOON — Cow welfare held up surprisingly well during the dark days of Canada’s BSE crisis, according to data collected by the cattle industry. Market prices plummeted when the border closed to all Canadian cattle after an Alberta cow was found to have BSE. Four months later, the U.S. border re-opened to boneless young beef, […] Read moreCheck-off idea sparks debate
Refundable checkoff pondered | ABP says directional checkoffs would be ‘worst of all worlds’
EDMONTON — It’s been more than two years since the Alberta government changed a $3 mandatory beef checkoff to a refundable checkoff, but concerns about the process haven’t disappeared. Alberta Beef Producer chair Doug Sawyer told delegates at the organization’s semi-annual meeting to expect discussions about a possible “directional checkoff” soon. “I may be the […] Read more
Diagnosing lumps and bumps
Lumps on the head and jaw area of cattle are common. There are several potential causes, and treatment can vary depending on the cause. Lumpy jaw is a bacterial infection of the jaw bone of cattle. It can affect either the lower or upper jaw but is most commonly seen on the lower jaw in […] Read more
