Anyone who’s worked with livestock knows just how many threats exist—diseases, toxic plants, and parasites can all put animal health at risk. It’s up to ranchers and feedlot operators to do everything they can to protect the animals in their care. One threat that had been nearly forgotten, until recently, is the New World Screwworm,... Read More
Category: Animal Health
Saskatchewan Agriculture is asking cattle producers to be on the lookout for anthrax in their animals after laboratory results confirmed that the disease was the cause of death in cattle in the rural municipality of Paynton, Sask. Anyone who suspects anthrax should contact their local veterinarian immediately for diagnosis, says a Saskatchewan Agriculture release. All... Read More
If a dairy cow doesn't stand well, she probably doesn't milk well. That's why proper hoof trimming is crucial for the success of any dairy farm. Foot issues and lameness are one of the leading reasons cows are removed from the herd — a fact that Appleton Steel's Bryant Hess knows all too well. He... Read More
There is nothing quite like having the exact right tool at the exact right time to get a job done. Many ranchers out on pasture have experienced the importance of that moment when they are looking for their favourite hammer or nut driver, only to realize that it's missing from the toolbox, lost to the... Read More
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
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... 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