Dry rolled oatmeal on white background - isolated

Consumer demands driving oat research

From shakes for cancer patients to high-protein vegan foods, oats have potential

Health conscious people are in “the know” about the benefits of eating oats and oat products. Oats truly are a super food, high in dietary fiber that many studies suggest can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and colorectal cancer. At the University of Alberta’s Department of Agriculture, Food and […] Read more

Supplement in the lick tank appeals 
to cattle.

Compensating for a livestock vitamin shortage

One option for ensuring animals have adequate supplies

Last spring with the worldwide vitamins A, D and E shortage, our management practices had to change. The choice was either find a way to feed more or find injectable somewhere. This winter due to widespread feed shortages many producers are already wondering how to boost nutrition in the feeds they do have this winter. […] Read more


Salt block feeder for cattle

Feeding salt to beef cattle is easy

From either blocks or in loose form, a beef animal now needs about 50 grams per day


What could be easier than throwing a salt block off the back of a truck for each group of grazing cattle in a cow herd? Or filling a part of a mineral compartment with loose salt? Then coming back in a week or so and putting out salt in one of these ways, again? It […] Read more

Relieve those winter aches and pains

Here’s some suggestions to help you feel better through the cold months

As we get through winter, it’s not uncommon to see an increase in certain injuries. While the cold weather and lack of sunshine play their part in how we feel and function, there’s a few things we can do to keep our bodies moving during the snowy, dark months. A common complaint during the winter […] Read more


Nestle’s logo on a bar of Milky Bar chocolate in Manchester, Britain, April 25, 2017. (Photo: Reuters/Phil Noble)

Nestle to buy Canadian nutrition firm Atrium

London | Reuters — Nestle is buying Canadian vitamin and nutritional supplement maker Atrium Innovations for US$2.3 billion, expanding its presence in consumer healthcare as it seeks to offset weakness in packaged foods. The world’s largest packaged food company said on Tuesday it will buy the maker of vitamins, probiotics and meal replacements from a […] Read more

Mustard is on the menu

Mustard is on the menu

There are many ways to use mustard. Smear it on rink burgers and hot dogs. Grind it. Use it in flour. Add it to tuna casserole. “We took it one step further when we looked at mustard components,” says Carol Ann Patterson. “Protein, the oil, the bran itself or the dietary fibre and fibre. Where […] Read more


ground flax seeds

Control blood pressure with flax

Reporter's Notebook: New research shows that eating ground flaxseed can lower your blood pressure

One of the interesting side effects of covering agriculture is that influences my eating habits. I get to hear about the research into food uses and health claims of the crops grown in Western Canada. I eat pulses for the fibre and protein. I use canola oil several times a week. I’m not shy about […] Read more

Not all minerals are created equal. Buy a proper blend for the third trimester period.

Trace minerals directly affect unborn calves

If the cow isn’t getting sufficient minerals calf development and strength suffers

Within the next few months, there will be a lot of newborn calves on the ground. Fair- to good-quality forage is quite plentiful this year and grain is a reasonable price, so most of the cow herds I have seen across Western Canada this winter are in good body condition for calving. But one area […] Read more


Raw palm kernels need to be crushed and oil rendered, fractioned, filtered and separated before being turned into commercial beads, prilled or flaked free-fatty acids.

Dairy Corner: Don’t overdo palm fat in dairy cattle rations

Palm fat can help increase milk fat, but more isn’t necessarily better

There has been an explosive use of palm fat in many dairy diets. This growth has been fuelled by the numerous incentive days issued by milk marketing boards to increase milk fat production in lactating dairy cows. On the plus side, I see a profitable milk fat increase on many farms because some bypass palm […] Read more

cows eating pelleted feed

Elements of a “good” winter mineral

Cow-calf mineral requirements vary with time of year

It won’t be long before most cow-calf operators will be bring their cow herd home from pasture to overwinter. They should also be shopping for a good beef cow mineral. I think of a “good” overwintering cow mineral as one that helps meet the mineral and vitamin requirements of the early- to mid-gestating beef cow […] Read more