Good times don’t last forever, so use them wisely. That, in a nutshell, is the advice of four Alberta cattle producers who were asked for their thoughts on the current state of the sector and what lies ahead. A decade of misery following the BSE crisis in 2003 has been followed by record-high prices, and
Make hay while the sun shines, says producer panel
It’s good times in the cattle business, but there are things that need to get done before the next downturn
New pain control medication for livestock hits the market
Calgary-based company creates affordable medication for horses and cattle just in time for new code-of-practice rules
A Calgary-based company has created a pain control drug that could be a game changer for the North American cattle and horse industries. Oral Meloxicam, a tasteless liquid that can be administered orally or added to feed, is the first pain control medication developed for livestock in North America. “The most common procedure we can
Preconditioned calves pay big dividends after decades
Preparing calves for the feedlot reduces antibiotic use and improves feed efficiency and animal health
While preconditioning your calves may not always put extra dollars in your pockets, it’s good for the health of the entire beef industry. That was the message from veterinarian Cody Creelman during a recent Beef Cattle Research Centre webinar. Preconditioning includes anything a producer does to a weaned calf that reduces shrink and chance of
Should you precondition your cattle?
While preconditioning makes sense from a health perspective, it’s far from standard practice. In fact, a western Canadian cow-calf survey found only nine per cent of producers preconditioned in 2013. And those who do typically have a clear financial incentive, said Canfax Research Services manager Brenna Grant. “Frequently, producers consider preconditioning when they have extra
Mission accomplished: McDonald’s sustainable beef on track for 2016
The fast-food giant expects to have 300 beef operations verified by spring — and then it will hand off the initiative to the beef sector
McDonald’s Canada will reach its goal of selling “verified sustainable” beef next year, says the company’s senior manager of sustainability. “We’re right on track as far as we know — it’s hard to know how many producers we’ll be able to get interested and get through, but we’ve got some pretty good numbers now,” said
Standing tall: How Canada’s pork sector survived the attack of a killer virus
PEDv decimated the U.S. hog herd, but Canada showed how to do biosecurity right
When it comes to finding expert advice on biosecurity, cattle producers might want to sit down with their local hog farmer. The country’s outstanding record on controlling the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has a host of lessons for the cattle sector, says a swine veterinarian who was deeply involved in Alberta’s battle against PEDv. Start
Do you know what to do when faced with a livestock emergency?
It’s all about making it real and keeping rescue efforts simple, American expert says of upcoming Olds workshop
When a truck carrying livestock flips, or there’s a need to rescue horses or cattle during a flood, most people don’t know what to do. That’s where Rebecca Gimenez comes in. Gimenez, who hails from Macon, Georgia, will be teaching a workshop on animal rescue and emergency preparedness in Olds on June 25 and 26.
Antimicrobial use in feedlots could be slashed, say experts
Simple management changes, like pre-weaning vaccinations, can greatly increase immunity in cattle
The livestock sector could significantly reduce and in some cases, eliminate, antimicrobial use with simple changes in management practices, say veterinarians. And that would reduce the threat of antimicrobial resistance and boost consumer confidence in the cattle industry. “The key is to have animals that are properly vaccinated,” said Craig Dorin of Veterinary Agri-Health Services.
Message to cattle producers: Don’t cut back on BSE testing
The latest BSE case only increases the need for Canada to test 30,000 animals yearly
Keep calm and carry on testing. That’s the message going out to producers following the latest case of BSE in an Alberta cow. “At times like this, it’s as important, if not more so, to continue with surveillance and be vigilant,” Canadian Food Inspection Agency official Craig Price told attendees at the recent Alberta Beef
You need a multi-pronged plan to deal with this deadly foe
There's no silver bullet for combating ergot, but mowing grasses near fields and good agronomics can make a big difference
Ergot is a rising threat on the Prairies, and plant researchers are trying to figure out the best way to combat the disease. “Everyone is concerned with fusarium head blight, but ergot is right up there in terms of danger,” said Jamie Larsen, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge. Rye and
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
