Scott Buchan sees the impact of technology whenever he’s watching his broiler chickens or looking at his hydro bills. For Buchan, who operates Buchrest Farms along with his family in Ontario’s Waterloo Region, investing in technology and innovation plays a key role in making the operation more profitable and sustainable. Buchan notes that his energy… Read More
Category: Animal Health
In the spring of 2024, H5N1, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, began to emerge as a disease that was impacting dairy cattle. Since that time, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has been working to establish the safety of the food chain, specifically for meat and milk. While research is ongoing to answer questions… Read More
The microbiomes of animals, on and in crops, and in soil and water are incredibly complex that are intricately interconnected, with each influencing the others in various ways. Dr. Tim McAllister, principal research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, has spent nearly a decade studying microbiomes, referring to them as the one health microbiome or… Read More
Although ranching comes with a whole host of risks, vaccinations have the potential to lower that risk substantially. While vaccines may not save every cow in a herd from disease, it does give producers the chance to protect the majority of the herd from several diseases that cause sickness and even death. In this Ruminating with… Read More
A new program to help attract and retain livestock veterinarians in rural parts of British Columbia promises to deliver timely and better access to animal care for ranchers and farmers. The $1.4 million program will focus on northern B.C. as the priority region. It will help veterinary clinics that provide livestock care with recruitment and… Read More
As the calendar moves toward 2025, global pork producers, despite improving profitability, continue to face challenges from trade, disease and demand uncertainties. In its recent report on global pork markets, Rabobank says these questions as well as the potential impacts of political instability and La Niña further complicate a market that is currently experiencing a… Read More
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed its first detection of H5N1 avian influenza in pigs. The virus that has devastated poultry flocks over the past several years and been found in dairy herds across the U.S. was identified in five pigs on a backyard farm in central Oregon that has a mix of poultry… Read More
Dairy veterinarians can’t be everywhere, but with help from technology and innovative vet services, it’s getting easier for dairy producers to access the herd health and management services they require on a daily basis. When it comes to cow pregnancy checks, for example, many producers still require a visit from the vet to scan cows… Read More
With many cattle producers trying to cut costs, increase the productivity of their land, and have a tiny bit of a personal life, the idea of “out-wintering” has become a little more attractive in comparison to chilly daily feedings of corralled animals. While ranchers have looked at options such as bale grazing, swath grazing, or… Read More
Canadian farm groups have voiced major concerns regarding a private member’s bill that has quietly reached the second reading stage in the Senate. Bill C-293, introduced in 2022 by Liberal MP and noted vegan, Nate Erskine-Smith, is one of many private member’s bills that have gained traction under the Liberal minority government. The bill would… Read More