Hitting the sweet spot

If Calvin Vaags has his way, Manitoba will have a federally inspected ruminant slaughter plant capable of handling 1,000 head per week up and running within a year. After three years of preparation, work has started on a $13-million expansion at Plains Processors, a small processing plant with a capacity of 80 head per week

Prices follow Ontario trends

Producers provided 350 sheep and goats to the Winnipeg Livestock Auction Jan. 23. The bidding from the buyers was strong and heated, compared to the freezing cold temperature outside. The Manitoba market followed the Ontario market trend in prices on the lambs. Wool ewes dominated ewes on offer at this sale. The price ranged from


Sheep producers warned to be on the lookout for deadly parasite

Expert says pasture rotation is key and since barber pole worms stay low, allowing 
pastures to grow a bit higher before grazing can help

With two hot and wet summers under their belts, Manitoba sheep producers need to be on guard against the barber pole worm. “It’s a problem in all of North America, and actually most of the world,” said Dr. Reuben Neumier, a veterinarian who raises sheep between Virden and Pipestone. “This is the parasite that causes



Second-litter syndrome indicator of sow fertility

The occurrence of “second-litter syndrome” in sows is an important measure of reproductive function in pig herds and a good indicator of likely lifetime performance, says Dr. Nicoline Soede from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Speaking at the recent Banff Pork Seminar, she said that the syndrome is characterized by an increased weaning-to-estrus interval, a




Major retailers urged to help end use of gestation stalls

The new owner of a now infamous Interlake hog barn says it will be getting rid of all its gestation stalls within four years. Video secretly shot in the Puratone weanling barn recently drew national coverage — and widespread condemnation — with its graphic scenes of castration and piglets being euthanized by slamming them onto



4-H Reports

The Co-operator will publish 4-H reports once a month. Reports can be submitted by the third week of the month by email to [email protected], by regular mail to 4-H Reports, c/o Manitoba Co-operator, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1, or by fax to 204-954-1422. Rapid City Beef The club met at the Rapid City