Livestock
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.
Livestock
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
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.
National hog research firm gets $10.6 million in federal funds
Research to include new vaccines, antimicrobial alternatives, feed strategies, and genetics
The federal government has pledged up to $10.6 million for hog sector research, it said in an announcement today.
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
Use an NSAID for the right reasons
Mitigating pain makes sense in many areas of cattle production
Pain medication may be accompanied by treatment with antibiotics, but sometimes this is unnecessary. If your veterinarian prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain, he or she may choose one based on label claim, experience in the field, price per treatment, duration of activity, ease of administration, advice of associates or slaughter withdrawal. There are […] Read more
Time to buy some cows?
Cattle right now are more profitable than crops, this farm management expert says
Glacier FarmMedia — When all costs are factored into the equation, raising cattle should be more profitable than growing crops in 2024 — and in some cases, much more so. “Right now, I can tell you that the returns per acre are higher than any of the crops,” said Ben Hamm, a farm management specialist […] Read more
US agriculture secretary sees ‘chaos’ in meat market without congressional action on Prop 12
Canadian sector worried state-specific regulations will cause severe complications for producers selling into U.S.
There will be chaos in the U.S. meat marketplace without congressional action on California's Prop 12 law that tightened animal welfare requirements for pork products sold in the state, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said during a congressional hearing on Wednesday.
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