The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its biannual cattle inventory report, and it fell largely in line with expectations. With drought being a significant driver in parts of the U.S., the herd liquidation that has occurred over the past couple of years is continuing, confirming a tight supply picture going forward. According to… Read More
Category: Cattle
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced that rates paid by producers leasing Crown grazing land remain the same for 2023 and will not be increased. As well, growers leasing Crown land for grazing who have had to reduce stocking rates due to dry conditions are eligible to have rent reduced by up to 50 per… Read More
Before the age of combines, chaff was collected with a crop and left in a pile beside a threshing machine where it was then used for feed. A company based at Wawanesa, Manitoba is helping livestock producers return to this practice of collecting and feeding chaff by building a high capacity Australian-designed chaff cart that… Read More
The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) has announced its 2023 executive committee, with a well-known Canadian name in the vice-president’s chair. Leading the organization will be Ian McConnel, of Tyson Foods, with Canadian rancher Bob Lowe, of Tri-L Ranch, serving as vice-president. Established in 2012, GRSB is comprised of over 100 member-organizations working to… Read More
The announcement in late November that Health Canada is moving forward with a label change for lamba-cy insecticide products, ie. Matador and Silencer, effective April 2023, immediately set off alarms across Western Canada regarding problems with flea beetle control in canola. Ontario agronomists and growers then began to ask if they too would have access… Read More
The Beef Cattle Research Council’s Future Farm scenarios has looked at the five-year financial impact of investing in rotational grazing management or tightening up the calving season. Drawing on findings from the Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network, the scenarios exercise looked at where to invest in infrastructure to best improve profitability. For both questions… Read More
It was one year ago this month that Canada disclosed the finding of an atypical case of BSE. While the finding didn’t impact most markets, it did create trade frustrations with China that are still not rectified. Unlike classical BSE cases, atypical BSE appears spontaneously in older cattle, even in countries where no classical BSE… Read More
When it comes to the Canadian cattle industry, 2022 may not be quiet as reviled as 2021 and its extreme drought, but it’s unlikely to rank in the top five best years for many. While the year definitely shows well in the cattle prices category, it’s the profit and loss statement that really tells the… Read More
The cattle industry is mourning the loss of rancher and leader Reg Schellenberg, after his sudden passing on December 2, 2022. Schellenberg, who operated a ranch with his wife Shannon at Beechy, Saskatchewan, was the president of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), having assumed the role in March of this year. “Reg’s legacy and impact… Read More
The Alberta Beef Industry Conference (ABIC) is set for February 22-23, 2023, at Banff, Alta., and this year the group made a call out on social media for a special guest to attend. ABIC is one of Canada’s largest beef convention and tradeshows, hosted by five beef industry organizations in the province: Alberta Beef Producers,… Read More
It’s spooky season, and Anne Wasko of the Gateway Livestock Exchange is ready with her witch’s hat (to be worn with the grandkids, of course). As we approach Halloween, it’s no surprise for the west of the country to experience snow (after all, what would be Halloween in Canada without snowsuits under costumes), and Wasko’s… Read More
Artificial intelligence is making it easier for farmers and ranchers to keep an eye on their livestock. At the recent Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show at Woodstock, Ont., OneCup AI showcased how its AI technology uses computer vision technology to identify and monitor livestock. In this video, the company’s CEO, Mokah Shmigelsky gives us a snapshot… Read More
Environment and Climate Change Canada launched the national methane emissions reduction proposal in September, titled “Faster and Further: Canada’s Methane Strategy.” In it, the federal government outlines the expected reduction of methane emissions from agriculture based on 2020 levels. The total reduction — one per cent — is a pretty small portion, but it’s the… Read More
A successful dairy farm requires incredible investment — from cows and quota to crops, to land base and labour, the list of key inputs is huge. One of the key pieces that drives a dairy operation forward is silage quality. On this episode of the The Sharp Edge, Maizex Seeds agronomist Greg Stewart visits custom… Read More