I hit the road this week to attend a Planned Grazing Management workshop in Lacombe, organized by the Grey Wooded Forage Association and Organic Alberta. It was the first time I’ve heard Jim Gerrish (co-owner of American Grazinglands Services LLC) speak, though I’ve often heard his name mentioned in circles of self-proclaimed “graziers.” In addition to Gerrish, who… Read More
Category: Cattle
Manitoba’s newest slaughter plant is up and running, although the facility north of Carman is still waiting for the stamp that would make it the first federally-inspected plant in the province with significant beef capacity in three decades. True North Foods is currently processing 80 to 100 head of cattle and bison per week, with… Read More
Advancements in genetic selection and nutrition are unlocking the potential to improve beef cattle feed efficiency by up to 20 percent, says a beef research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. Whether it’s on a cow/calf operation or in a feedlot, managing feed costs is a critical part of the business. Susan Markus, in the… Read More
We’re not entirely sure how the Beef Market Update started and ended with turkey and the Jays, but the real meat of this week’s podcast centres around how fed cattle prices have dropped, with both the feeder and calf markets following suit. On what we can expect for the rest of the year in the… Read More
Elora, Ontario’s Bert Stewart made his first trip to the World Dairy Expo (WDE) in 1969. He hasn’t missed one since. He’s been connected with some of the best female cattle to ever show at the annual dairy event and, since 1990, has mentored countless Ontario 4-H members who have competed in the National 4-H… Read More
It’s an interesting market for beef producers. While fed cattle are still struggling to find their market low, feeder animals are well above last year’s prices. And cow/calf producers may be feeling relieved, but will good margins be enough to persuade herd expansion? We hand Shaun Haney a bar of soap for this mid-September edition of the Beef… Read More
Update: A decision from the WTO on Canada’s COOL retaliation plan is expected on December 7. The Canadian government is making its case to the World Trade Organization this week on why should be allowed to impose C$3.1 billion per year in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports in the dispute over country of origin labeling (COOL)…. Read More
Where were we just one year ago? The Canadian dollar sat at 92 cents U.S. and cattle prices were at all-time highs. Those price levels have since been passed, to everyone’s surprise, but the dollar has taken an absolute beating in just a year’s time. Anne Wasko, of Gateway Livestock, joins RealAgriculture’s Lyndsey Smith for… Read More
The Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA) is warning sheep producers that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed a positive case of Bluetongue virus in an Ontario cattle herd. Bluetongue disease is caused by the Bluetongue virus, and transmitted from animal to animal by the Culicoides midge. The virus attacks the lining of blood… Read More
In a move that could add approximately $1 million in value to its farmer-owners, the Ontario Corn Fed Beef brand has announced a strategic partnership in to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Recently, a delegation of guests, including chefs and distribution partners from the UAE, toured Ontario to better understand what goes in to the… Read More
It’s been a rather down week on several fronts — from the global market meltdown, to frost happening not once but twice in areas of Alberta. To the good, harvest picked up steam in several areas of Western Canada, and Ontario’s soybean crop is developing quickly, giving hope to RealAgriculture’s agronomist Peter Johnson that winter… Read More
Every farm has at least one tractor, at one old shed, an old grain silo and, definitely, at least one farm dog. In celebration of National Dog Day (follow the feed on Twitter), I thought we could take a closer look at the roles of a farm dog, from guardian and labourer, to playmate and friend. Protection… Read More
The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) announced its second group of Beef Researcher Mentorship Program participants this week. The program was designed in an effort to align research interests with those beneficial to the beef industry, as well as promote and facilitate collaborations between researchers and producers. Four researchers have been selected as mentees in… Read More
As summer begins its last hurrah and ranchers anticipate the fall run, the underlying factors of supply and demand are still supporting cattle prices. But very large, global shifts in markets and economic stability are causing all sorts of fallout for grain and oil markets — how long before those macro trends pressure cattle prices?… Read More
A ranching family from southern British Columbia has been chosen as the 2015 recipient of the “The Environmental Stewardship Award” from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Darrell and Doris Squair, along with their son Travis and daughter-in-law Katie, operate Squaw Valley Ranch near Lumby. They received the TESA recognition at the CCA’s Semi-Annual Meeting in Winnipeg on Wednesday…. Read More