A+W's Beyond Meat burger.

Editorial: Mystery meat

A paradigm shift appears to be coming quickly down at the fast-food drive-thru. Last week A&W Canada announced a new meat-free burger, touted as just as good as ground beef. It has partnered up with Beyond Meat, a company that’s attracted capital from sources such as Microsoft mogul Bill Gates and A-list actor Leonardo Dicaprio.


There are a number of issues to consider when choosing a sychronization program for your cow herd.

Attention to detail is key in a synchronization program

Beef 911: There are three main synchronization programs that produce good results if you closely follow the protocols

Several factors must be considered when deciding what synchronization program to use in your herd. Do you have the time to heat detect or do you want timed breeding? Cost is a consideration, as timed artificial insemination programs require more financial commitment and more passes through the chute. We will explore three main synchronization programs

Improper bear baiting is bringing the predators into contact with livestock, leading to losses, producers say.

Producers push for tighter bear-baiting rules

Riding Mountain producer Teren Garlinski says baiting bears on Crown lands has contributed to his herd losses, 
and he wants something done

Beef producer Teren Garlinski wants to see a halt to bear baiting on Crown lands, or at least have meat taken out of the equation. Garlinski, who farms southwest of Grandview near the border of Riding Mountain National Park, says predation is a serious concern on his operation and claims bear baiting contributes to the


The Manitoba Organic Alliance announced the working group Oct. 23 during its annual meeting in Brandon.

Organic Alliance says crop insurance needs an update on organic production

Organic growers argue that insurance excludes critical production practices, but change may come with some real logistical problems, according to MASC

Organic farmers in Manitoba hope a new working group will help solve long-standing crop insurance issues. The body will have members from both the Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA) and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC). “There’s definite improvements that need to be made, so we want to know what the timeline on that is,” MOA president

Infrared inspections look to curb barn fires

Farmers now have access to infrared inspections through the Manitoba Farm Safety Program

The barn fire that killed over 3,500 pigs near New Bothwell in June has led to a new program to prevent similar blazes. The Manitoba Farm Safety Program introduced infrared barn inspections Sept. 12. Inspectors use infrared cameras to map temperature and tag hot spots that might ignite, such as faulty wiring inside walls. Electrical


Exotic sheep see little interest

Exotic sheep see little interest

Quality and age of animals were the key to bidding

The Oct. 4 sheep and goat sale at Winnipeg Livestock Auction saw 258 sheep and goats delivered. The buyers present were not interested in exotic sheep or lambs, but instead paid close attention to age and quality. During the sheep sale, all ewes saw major interest from buyers, with no evident price difference between wool

Canola traders are fixed on forecasts for a record crop

Canola traders are fixed on forecasts for a record crop

Minneapolis wheat suggests protein will be in short supply

ICE Futures Canada canola contracts trended higher for the past two weeks, despite seasonal harvest pressure, although the bigger picture remains sideways and rangebound. The November contract briefly traded above the 200-day moving average of $497 per tonne on Sept. 22, on the back of some fund buying triggered by a rally in Chicago soybeans.


Widespread antibiotic use reduced disease levels in herds but also sent resistance levels soaring.


Antimicrobial resistance in cattle means big changes coming

An alarming rise in resistance even has drug companies calling for producers to change their ways


Multi-drug resistance to disease-causing bacteria is quickly becoming a complete “game changer” that could cripple the cattle industry’s ability to manage common bovine diseases. “We are really slamming into the end of the antibiotic era,” said Dr. Trisha Dowling, a professor of veterinary pharmacology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. “I’ve got 24 different

Brandon-area farmer, Brett McRae recently began trialling an intensive grazing plan.

Cattle producers implement new grazing options

Using forage to finish cattle takes a strong focus on everything from cattle genetics to forage quality

Ryan Boyd would rather be searching for newborn calves in waist-high grass than snowdrifts. The western Manitoba grain and cattle farmer has joined the ranks of producers changing things up on the cattle side of their operations in search of lower operating costs and better environmental stewardship. He’s found that producing forage-finished cattle requires a