Beginning of the end for some goat producers?

Lambs 60 70 pounds ranging $0.59 -$0.98 averaging $0.85 per pound 70 80 pounds ranging $0.79 -$ 0.99 averaging $0.87 per pound 80 90 pounds ranging $0.74 -$0.88 averaging $0.82 per pound 90 100 pounds ranging $0.82 -$0.85 averaging $0.84 per pound 100 pounds ranging $0.90 -$1 averaging $0.95 per pound There was no freezing

Livestock teams learn from Pigeon King failure

The collapse of Pigeon King International last June has helped identify the gaps in the Ontario’s livestock and poultry industry is preparedness for a major disease outbreak. Al Dam, poultry specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), says he worked 16-hour days, six days a week for six weeks after


German hog farms adapt to stall-free, drug-free model

Germany, it appears, could teach Canadian hog farmers a thing or two. And two of its hog producers came here to the annual swine industry seminar recently to do exactly that. German producers have learned through trial and “a lot of mistakes” how to raise hogs in free-stall conditions, said Dr. Friedrich Osterhoff of Ahrhoff

Preventing coyotes from getting a taste for lamb

“So many dogs fail because they protect the kids playing by the swing set, but the lambs are all getting slaughtered by the coyotes in the pasture.” David Brennan says that coyote predation can be controlled, but you must first realize that you’re dealing with a smart opponent. “The coyote is right at the top



French sheep breeders take flocks to Eiffel Tower

Several hundred French breeders brought sheep to graze near the Eiffel Tower on Nov. 13 to protest what they say is insufficient aid to help revive a sector endangered by surging costs and low selling prices. Sheep farmers say a 250-million-euro (US$312 million) government plan unveiled Nov. 12 to boost falling farm income, including 50


WHS hails California livestock law

The Winnipeg Humane Society last week congratulated California voters for passing Proposition 2 to phase out farmers’ use of gestation crates for breeding sows, battery cages for laying hens and crates for veal calves. WHS executive director Bill McDonald said the society has asked to meet with Premier Gary Doer “to review farm confinement practices

Wolves take big bite from bottom line

There are plenty of reasons to fear the big bad wolf. This past summer, producers in the Interlake have experienced heavy losses due to hungry wolves attacking their calves. In fact, Nick Halaburda has had so many losses in the last few years, he wrote to his MLA and to the minister of agriculture, food


Wildlife cull an option

The federal government may reduce the number of elk and deer in Riding Mountain National Park to control tuberculosis in the wildlife population. Parks Canada is considering a wildlife cull in the western end of the park because of a persistently high rate of TB there. The move, if it happens, would be a major

Ontario lamb is in big demand

GUELPH The demand for Ontariogrown lamb is so keen that packers can’t fill all the orders from retailers. Tony Faccioli, owner and general manager of Holly Park Meat Packers in Toronto and president of the Ontario Independent Meat Packers and Processors Association, says he’s turning away retail customers because he needs the lambs to meet