Beekeepers say the BeeConnected app has positive possibilities for their industry, but it’s going to depend a lot on uptake
A smartphone app imported from Australia might be the next big tool for beekeepers to manage their sometimes complicated relationship with surrounding farmers. BeeConnected, an app piloted in Manitoba last year and about to make its full-scale national debut, looks to facilitate communication between beekeepers and pesticide users. The app for Apple and Android allows […] Read more
Horse Health: A horse’s behaviour is the best sign of a salt deficiency, rather than subtle and non-specific symptoms
Salt is the most important mineral required by horses, yet its importance is often overlooked in favour of seemingly more important minerals. Although the majority of a horse’s mineral quota will be met with a good-quality long-stem forage, the salt content in grasses and hay is too low for the needs of a horse. Consequently […] Read more
Horse Health: The condition in horses refers to the inability to swallow rather than an obstruction of breathing
Whenever the term “choke” is used in horses it refers to an obstruction or blockage in the esophagus. This is very different than the extreme medical emergency of choking in humans, whereby an obstruction of the airway or trachea has occurred. The choking horse can still breathe — but the choking horse cannot swallow. Choke […] Read more
When it comes to animal protein, Canadians, despite having the longest coastline in the world, don’t think about fish
Typically when Canadians discuss protein-related foods, they look to our key livestock industries: cattle, hogs and chicken. In comparison to those terrestrial food sources, fish stocks are transient and invisible. That can make oceans and their issues easily overlooked. But fish and seafood must be part of any discussions about sustainable food systems. Oceans feed […] Read more
Beekeepers say their death losses are falling, but nobody is exactly sure why
Winter bee mortality rates seem to be dropping, according to data submitted to Health Canada by the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists. The group told the Health Department, that has been heavily involved in a multi-stakeholder study into the issue, that all provinces either saw similar death rates, or lower death rates than the previous […] Read more
But domestic production is static and processing capacity is declining
Prices generally for commercial and purebred lambs were up a little bit from last year, say organizers of this year’s Manitoba Sheep Association Show and Sale held at Carberry on August 28 and 29. For commercial lambs, pens of five averaged $197.50 per head, and for pens of two the average price was $214 per […] Read more
There is only a limited number of paddlefish that can be caught per year
North Dakota is known globally not just for prolific oil production, but also, it turns out, for caviar. A distinctly American version of the salty delicacy prized for centuries by Russian czars gets its start each May in the cool waters where the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers converge, the same spot where explorers Lewis and […] Read more
Three of North America’s leading colt raisers compete against one another in timed training challenge
A highlight of Brandon’s Horse3 event demonstrated the unique connection that is made between horse and trainer in the initial stages of colt raising. The North American Equine Ranching Information Council (NAERIC) hosted the Trainer’s Challenge during the Horse3 event, which saw three clinicians take a young horse out of a supplied select group and […] Read more
You can minimize the level of stress by practising horse-trailering skills well ahead of when it’s necessary
A trailer ride is a formidable undertaking for a horse, as it is in strong contradiction to their inherent nature. Acceptance of loading into the trailer, travelling calmly and unloading quietly from the trailer requires mental preparation and conditioning of the horse. Horses that are properly prepared mentally for trailering arrive at their destination with […] Read more
Mould can convert the naturally occurring chemical coumarin into an anticoagulant
Improperly curing hay made from certain sweet clover varieties such as white and yellow sweet clover can cause severe and often fatal hemorrhages in livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats. “Unfortunately, proper harvesting can be difficult,” says Gerald Stokka, North Dakota State University Extension Service livestock stewardship specialist and veterinarian. “If cutting is delayed […] Read more
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