On January 1, Canadian farmers held 11.1 million cattle and calves on farms, down 2.1 per cent from a year prior, StatCan said in livestock estimates released today. It's the smallest cattle herd since January 1, 1989.
Canadian cattle herd reaches lowest level since 1989
Cattle weights supporting decline in production
Quick bacteria test in water troughs could improve livestock treatment decisions
Glacier FarmMedia — Researchers are seeking ways to manage antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on farms, including quicker evaluation of bacteria so treatment can be better targeted. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and University of Saskatchewan veterinary school researchers are studying feedlot water troughs, hoping the water can tell them what sort of anti-microbial resistant bacteria are present. Antimicrobial […] Read more
Reproduction planning necessary for this herd’s breeding success
Last year, I asked a friend who operates a 400-Simmental x Angus beef cow operation about his No. 1 goal, after all his cows dropped their calves by the end of April. He replied that all his mature and young cows should show a couple of strong heats before they are let out with the […] Read more
Prairie forecast: Mild start, then a chance of storms
Issued Feb. 21, covering Feb. 21 to 28, 2024
Sunshine prevailed a fair bit more over the last forecast period than expected and so did the milder temperatures. Oh, sure there were a couple of cold nights, especially over the eastern half of the prairies, but overall, temperatures ended up being about 2 to 4 C warmer than what was forecasted.
Automating heat detection
Researchers test whether monitoring technology will predict reproductive cycles
Glacier FarmMedia — Labour challenges on cattle farms could be alleviated by sensors now being tested to help detect females in heat. Dr. Dinesh Dadarwal, a veterinarian and assistant professor in large animal science at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence tests technology so producers can make […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market shows signs of herd expansion
Some buyers suggest some heifers are being purchased for breeding
For the week ending February 17, Western Canadian prices for yearlings and backgrounded cattle were quoted $2-$4/cwt higher than seven days earlier.
Lessons from last September’s cattle market drop
A small change in cattle numbers can result in a large drop in market value
CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) December 2023 live cattle futures made a high of US$199.75 per hundredweight on Sept. 15. The market held at the higher levels until the end of September and then started to trend low, bottoming around $166 on Dec. 7 (all figures US$). There were a few signals stating that the market […] Read more
New farm income record set in 2023, estimates suggest
Despite challenges like drought and war, Canadian farms proved resilient
Canadian farm income may have set a new record in 2023. That's according to the official 2023 and 2024
estimates released February 16 by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Prairie researchers at work on Johne’s vaccines
Glacier FarmMedia – Researchers at the University of Calgary are one step closer to introducing a vaccine that will help cattle producers combat Johne’s disease. The ailment, closely related to tuberculosis, can be found in all ruminants but has particularly high incidence in dairy cattle. That is believed to be connected to herd management techniques […] Read more
Calculator can analyze Johne’s options
The online tool provides producers with a range of management scenarios for their herds
Glacier FarmMedia — With no treatment or vaccine available, the impact of Johne’s disease on beef herds can be a nightmare. “Johne’s disease is particularly challenging to manage because we have so few options,” says Dr. Cheryl Waldner, professor at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine. To help beef producers make better […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
