“If you’re decreasing the number of days on feed, you can improve all of your sustainability metrics.” – Kim Ominski, University of Manitoba animal science professor.

Burps and belches next cow environmental target

It’s a natural byproduct of a rumen — and the cattle sector’s next big challenge

Enteric methane will be the federal government’s next big target agricultural producers are expected to aim for. It’s the methane cattle produce when they digest food. It’s released mainly through respiration. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) made two big announcements recently that brought methane to the forefront of their climate change policy. In December, at

  Photo: Thinkstock

Sask. livestock drought program extended

Ten RMs added to area eligible for per-head payment, application deadline lengthened

Governments have expanded and extended the Canada-Saskatchewan Feed Program available to the province's livestock producers. Ten rural municipalities have been added to the area eligible for the initial $150 per head payment, and the application deadline has been extended to March 15.


Klassen: Positive fed outlook buoys feeder market

Klassen: Positive fed outlook buoys feeder market

Market telling producers to own lighter cattle sooner rather than later

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices for 800-pound plus cattle were $2/cwt to $4/cwt higher on average for the week ending January 27. Feeders in the 500-800-pound category were up $3/cwt to $6/cwt with higher quality groups up as much as $10/cwt in some cases. Feeders 500 pounds and lower were unchanged from seven days earlier.



Cold keeping cattle, buyers at home

Cold keeping cattle, buyers at home

Sales were cancelled and shipping animals difficult during frigid days

Frigid temperatures, especially in southwestern Manitoba, led to one cancelled sale and very few cattle going through the rings at other auctions during the week ended Jan. 18. Severely low temperatures and bitter wind chill values prompted Heartland Livestock Services in Brandon to cancel its sale on Jan. 16. Winnipeg Livestock Sales and HLS Virden

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

CCA disappointed, not surprised by breakdown in trade talks

Yesterday, federal officials said bilateral negotiations with the UK had been paused amid unhappiness on both sides

The Canadian Cattle Association says it's disappointed but not surprised by the UK's decision to pause talks on its free trade deal with Canada. “CCA has been following the bilateral negotiations closely and has been concerned at the lack of ambition and cooperation from the UK in these negotiations," said Nathan Phinney, the CCA's president, in a news release late yesterday.





In early December, the Saskatchewan River was at its second lowest level in the past 23 years.   Photo: Alex McCuaig

Alberta expands livestock drought recovery supports

Only a narrow band of the province remains exempt from the aid program

The 2023 Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance initiative, funded through the AgriRecovery framework by the federal and provincial governments, offers payments of up to $150 per head to livestock producers who have 15 or more animals per type of livestock, and have altered usual grazing practices for more than 21 days due to drought.

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Hormones benefit young calves

Study demonstrates performance of growth implants on suckling calves

Results are in from a case study at the Manitoba Beef and Forage Institute on growth implants in suckling calves. The study, jointly conducted by the institute and Manitoba Beef Producers, confirms what years of research already suggest: hormone implants are an effective and economical strategy to promote growth and feed efficiency in suckling calves.