How will the Canadian cattle industry fare if global temperatures continue to rise? Count a reduced feed demand, a longer grazing season, and higher forage production among the benefits — but also expect more extreme weather, pests, and transport headaches, according to University of Manitoba research scientist Kim Ominski. “We know the future of our
‘Change’ is the watchword in a warming world, says researcher
Longer summers and milder winters sound nice, but even the pluses come with some negatives
Just a bad patch? Or is the cattle sector in denial?
Charlie Gracey says an ambitious plan to revitalize the beef sector isn’t working, but Dave Solverson says give it time
The cattle industry needs to stop patting itself on the back and face an uncomfortable truth — its grand plan to create a bright new future isn’t yielding results. That’s the view of Charlie Gracey, one of Canada’s most renowned experts on the beef industry. And all you have to do is look at the
Parasites could be costing you big bucks without you even realizing it
Infected cattle often look healthy, but their daily gain might be up to half a pound lower than it should be
Little is known about the impact of parasites on Canadian cattle production. But one thing is sure — resistance to the medication used to treat these parasites is growing. “There’s a lack of local information and a lack of information on parasites in Canada. That’s a problem,” John Gilleard, professor of parasitology in the University
New verified beef program makes a timely debut
Revamped VBP program means producers can document their animal care, biosecurity, and environmental practices
The newly launched Verified Beef Production Plus program is taking Canada one step closer in its quest towards verified sustainable beef, says one of its designers. “This is just from my perspective, but we have always had early adopters — the people who believe in it — but there have never been clear market signals,”
Study digs deep into state of cow herd
Five-year project generating hard data on topics such as antibiotic use, trace minerals, and Johne’s disease
Cattle in Western Canada tend to be deficient in copper, have a low incidence of Johne’s disease, and cow-calf producers don’t use antibiotics excessively. Those are three of the findings from the cattle health network, a five-year project begun in 2012, and based on the National Animal Health Monitoring System in the U.S. “This year
‘Sustainable’ beef pilot a success — but the job isn’t done yet
McDonald’s pilot is complete but now the Canadian beef industry has to create and implement its own standards
After being the first to source and track “verified sustainable” beef for McDonald’s, the Canadian cattle industry has a new challenge — create its own standards that all of its buyers can use. The wrap-up event drew more than 300 ranchers and industry players to celebrate the accomplishment — a sharp contrast to the quiet,
Industry enthusiastic about McDonalds’ approach
Fast food chain worked with producers
Producers who participated in McDonald’s “verified sustainable” pilot are enthusiastic about the project and the lessons learned. “It felt like they (McDonald’s) were going to the grassroots where the other competitors were not,” said Les Wall, feedlot operator and owner of KCL Cattle Company near Coaldale, Alta. “I felt like the other competitors were doing
Earls’ reversal wins battle, not war
One of Canada’s highest-profile food and agriculture commentators says the beef industry shouldn’t be celebrating victory over getting Earls to roll back its humane beef certification decision. Sylvain Charlebois, a professor of marketing studies at the University of Guelph who frequently writes about food consumers and how they interact with the agriculture and food industry,
Beef data lets you follow the money
A study of carcass data shows cattle from an elite breeding program were worth more than $200 a head than the average calf
The data shows someone is making more money on the calves produced by superior bulls in the beef value chain, but it isn’t always the producer. McDonald’s Canada, Beefbooster, and BIXSco — the company now running the Beef InfoXchange System — recently collaborated with Livestock Gentec to analyze two million records of carcass data. The
Pig producers warned to be on the lookout for virus
Seneca Valley virus is a concern because its symptoms are the same as those for foot-and-mouth
Pork industry leaders are warning producers to be on the lookout for a new virus that has been showing up in hogs in the midwestern U.S. and Canada in recent months. Producers are advised to contact their veterinarians immediately and not move hogs if they detect blisters around their mouth, hoof, or nose. Seneca Valley
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