Extreme high temperatures are hitting many parts of central North America, increasing the potential for heat stress in cattle, warns Karl Hoppe, North Dakota State University livestock systems specialist. “One day of heat stress is uncomfortable, but two or more days back to back without night cooling can be deadly for livestock,” says Hoppe. “Signs… Read More
The international organization that tracks global animal disease outbreaks and works to improve animal health has rebranded itself with an acronym that aligns with its full name in English. The World Organisation for Animal Health has been commonly known as the OIE dating back to its founding in 1924 as the Office International des Épizooties. As… Read More
Anyone who owns and moves livestock needs to get up close and personal with the latest transportation regulations. The rules encompass all animal movement, including that done by farmers themselves, and has been law for two years. The “for two years” part has caught some producers by surprise, and that’s because the Canadian Food Inspection… Read More
British Columbia farmers who suffered extraordinary damages during November’s devastating floods will have access to up to $228 million in federal-provincial government support. Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, announced the Canada-BC Flood Recovery for Food Security Program on Monday. The program will… Read More
Ontario introduced the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 (PAWS Act) on January 1, 2020. Like most legislation, certain aspects of the act are up for consultation. Most recently, livestock groups including the Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF), have pushed for a change in wording and a specific exemption from certain rules for livestock guardian dogs who… Read More
Producers, consumers, and members of industry have until January 27, 2022, to submit their comments on a draft version of the Dairy Code of Practice. The comment period has been open since late November. The Code of Practice is extensive, covering all aspects of dairy cattle care, from housing and bedding, to pain management for routine… Read More
The title of livestock sustainability specialist could infer that there’s a finite amount of time that the role is relevant. After all, shouldn’t we, at some point, reach being sustainable, and move on? The trouble is, there isn’t a universally agreed upon measurement of sustainability. As Christoph Wand, livestock sustainability specialist for Ontario Ministry of… Read More
A Quebec-based company that sells a digital platform for controlling environmental conditions in barns and automating tasks is set to be acquired by Ingersoll Rand. The owners of Maximus have entered an agreement to be bought by the global industrial company in an all-cash deal worth $135.4 million. Headquartered in Montreal, with around 100 employees,… Read More
The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) has announced its plan and commitment to sustainability goals by 2030. Focused on three areas — climate, land use, and animal health and welfare — the plan outlines the roundtable’s “commitments to advance and improve the sustainability of the global beef value chain.” Specifically, GRSB aims to globally reduce by… Read More
The state of Colorado is similar to Alberta in many ways: beautiful vistas and mountains, and a rich history in the cattle business. Colorado also holds a significant portion of the cattle market in the U.S., much like Alberta prides itself on being Canada’s beef capital. While Colorado Governor Jared Polis isn’t advocating for a… Read More
It’s unsurprising that animal rights extremist groups are challenging Ontario’s Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, passed in 2020. The challenge, levelled by Animal Justice, alleges that the regulation violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ guarantee of freedom of expression. The province says its bill was crafted “in a manner to protect the… Read More
Thingsfactory, an internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence product development company out of Montreal, Que., is launching the TF-400F, a rugged, weatherproof, portable body temperature sensor suitable for livestock. The TF-400F can detect, analyze, and classify body temperatures of pig, cow, and horse populations in crowded, queued, or individual situations, in real-time. The new… Read More
Goat producers, or those involved in the goat industry, are invited to offer comments on the draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Goats, from now until February 22, 2021. Compiled by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and the Canadian National Goat Federation (CNGF), the new codes for the care… Read More
The federal government and provincial government of Alberta have committed over $3 million in critical animal health diagnostics funding for the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. An agreement for $3.44 million was finalized this past March to help the faculty launch a pilot project to expand its diagnostic service unit, for animal disease… Read More
Canadian Beef Advisors (CBA) — a cooperative community made up of the national organizations representing the entire beef production chain — rolled out its national beef strategy 2030 goals at the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef annual general meeting recently. Tyler Bjornson, chair of the CBA, says the vision around the national beef strategy is… Read More
Register for a RealAgriculture account to manage your Shortcut menu instead of the default.