Producer concerned for community pasture future

Saskatchewan rancher Bryce Burnett is urging his fellow producers to get actively involved in the discussion about the future of PFRA community pastures in that province. As the federal government proceeds with plans to wind down the long-standing PFRA community pasture program, Burnett says there are too many unanswered questions,about the future of the 60 […] Read more

Livestock ER trailers hit Alberta roads

Trailers equipped with all kinds of livestock-handling equipment 
will be used in the event of highway hauling mishaps


Accidents involving overturned commercial livestock trailers are dangerous. Injured and frightened livestock jeopardize the safety of the public and first responders. But a new fleet of five livestock emergency equipment trailers will give more of Alberta’s first responders the equipment they need to handle stressed livestock at accident scenes. The livestock Emergency Response (ER) trailers are not set up […] Read more


Tips on warming chilled calves

Proper management will help prevent it from happening, 
but when it does happen chilled calves need immediate attention

Calves that are severely chilled at birth, without immediate assistance to warm and dry them and make sure they ingest colostrum in a timely manner, have poor survival rates. If a calf gets too cold before it suckles, it may not be able to get the teat in his mouth, and does not obtain crucial […] Read more






Minerals are essential for cow and unborn calf

Since essential mineral and vitamin status of many brood cows were run down by the the summer drought in parts of Western Canada, it is important producers do not overlook the value of good mineral intake particularly at a time of year when good mineral consumption is very important — just before calving. Good mineral […] Read more

Entire industry can work to control E. coli

With food safety always a top media issue, there is increased awareness among consumers of foodborne zoonotic diseases such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and most recently E. coli. Every time there is a meat recall or an increase in disease incidence from other sources such as water or contaminated vegetables, it becomes a big media event. With […] Read more


Pickseed and Wolf Trax partner on improved forage seed

If you are planning to seed forages this spring, the long-established Canadian company Pickseed has teamed up with a Manitoba-based seed nutrition company to supply producers with legume and grass seed genetics that emerge faster with improved vigour. All seeds marketed by Pickseed in 2013 will be treated with a micronutrient product known as Protinus, which was developed […] Read more

Dairy calves need more energy in winter

Most baby dairy calves are extremely vulnerable to the threat of disease in the late fall or in early winter, as any arctic chill magnifies the shortcomings of a feeding program and living conditions. To avoid a disaster, these milk-fed calves need to be placed on a higher plane of energy nutrition and assured a […] Read more