Beef producers say better access to capital will help grow the provincial herd, a stated goal of Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler.

Livestock industries eye growth with provincial strategy

Livestock producers are starting to see details of the provincial government’s livestock growth strategy


As details of the provincial livestock growth strategy begin to trickle out, the industry says it likes what it sees. The strategy was unveiled earlier this month along with the 2017-18 provincial budget but at that time there were few details forthcoming. Now producers are finding out it will include ongoing red tape reduction and

Livestock industry must prepare for just about anything

Livestock industry must prepare for just about anything

Threats can appear from any direction and most aren’t even on the radar

While the livestock industry and governments have improved their ability to respond to disease outbreaks, they need to broaden their preparations. They must include new diseases and challenges, says a report from the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council. Rob McNabb, general manager of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, says the report is aimed at


Bacteria like this Streptobacillus caught on film through microphotography, are extremely good at evading control measures and developing resistance.

AMR challenge results in new strategy

Weakening bacterial diseases would give animals and humans the opportunity to defeat them on their own

It may be better to knock disease down, instead of out. That’s the heart of a new strategy to treat bacterial diseases in humans and animals, curbing their virulence rather than using antibiotics to wipe out the bacteria that causes them, and possibly contributing to the mushrooming challenge of antimicrobial resistance, or AMR. The goal

Holy cow, if today’s devastatingly low-and-going-lower cattle prices continue for two and, possibly, three more years, will any independent cowboys even be around in 2020?

Livestock’s bleak industrial future

There’s not even a hint of light at the end of the tunnel

The more the American meat and milk sectors industrialize — via integrated contract production, fewer bigger players, machine-centred scale — the more these key parts of American agriculture resemble industry itself: commoditized products, razor-thin margins, and extended periods of steep losses. This shift from what we once quaintly called animal husbandry has also shifted economic


The cattle industry could benefit from genetic modification but the technology faces hurdles.

GM cattle could have many benefits

Genetic modification for cattle is under investigation at the federal level

Genetically modified cattle can offer both producers and consumers benefits. They won’t be seen in grocery stores for the foreseeable future, but it’s worth laying the groundwork for them, Andrea Brocklebank, executive director of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, told the Commons agriculture committee recently. “Beef from GM cattle is not likely to be on the

Editorial: A meaty question

Do we need animals to produce meat? If I’d asked that question even a few years ago, everyone in the room would have assumed I either wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, or that I’d been reading too much science fiction and was waiting for the “Star Trek” replicators to become reality. These days


Emily Murray, general manager of the Cargill burger patty plant in Spruce Grove, and Andrew Brazier, director of the worldwide supply chain with McDonald’s Corporation, both presented the results of McDonald’s global pilot project.

‘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,

Editorial: Free enterprise?

Editorial: Free enterprise?

We all know there is one breed that produces the best beef. But ask a group of ranchers which breed that is, and you’ll get a whole bunch of different answers. They will also differ on “best” management practices, such as when to calve or what to feed, based on what works best on their


The cattle cycle is headed for a downturn in prices, an industry official says.

The cattle market is heading into a downturn

Canadians will have lower inventories and lower prices

A significant drop in North American cattle prices is coming within the next two years, market analyst Anne Wasko told an April 20 livestock producer seminar in Winnipeg. Wasko said the cattle price cycle peaked in 2014-15 after the U.S. beef herd underwent a major liquidation following a severe drought in 2012. The resulting shortage

Manure management specialist Scott Dick was one of the industry partners recently recognized by the Manitoba Pork Council.

Manitoba Pork recognizes industry participants at AGM

Steve’s Livestock Transport and manure management specialist Scott Dick were singled out for 
ongoing contributions to pork sector’s success

Manitoba Pork Council (MPC) has recognized two industry partners who have contributed to the overall success of the pork business at its 2016 annual general meeting. The group presented awards to Steve’s Livestock Transport and Agra-Gold Consulting co-founder Scott Dick to recognize their ongoing commitment to the hog sector. Steve’s Livestock Transport was recognized for