As with other aspects of farming, automation is finding its way into the process of managing mortalities. Dutch Industries, based at Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan, has designed what looks like a big top-heavy green box that it calls the “BioMulcher.” The unit heats, grinds and mixes, composting up to 2,500 pounds of material per batch. “After… Read More
Category: Cattle
Proposed amendments to Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations were outlined in more detail this week, after a brief announcement by Health Canada on June 30, 2016. The potential changes look to “strengthen rules governing the importation, sale and use of antimicrobial drugs in livestock.” “Health Canada’s proposal to strengthen the rules around the use of these drugs in… Read More
Just ten days after Mexico announced it will drop its remaining import restrictions on Canadian beef, Taiwan has lifted its temporary ban on Canadian beef, effective July 8. The ban was issued following the February 2015 case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Alberta. “The Government of Canada welcomes the news of another restored market,” said Minister… Read More
It’s easy to jump to conclusions when diagnosing issues in livestock. But, when a team from the University of Calgary, stumbled upon a case of lameness that just didn’t seem to be going away, they knew to look beyond the oft-blamed culprit of footrot. “This was a very experienced producer. He had a lot of animals,… Read More
You go out to check the cows, and you see a calf with scours — what do you do? For many producers, the first course of action involves a bolus gun. But, it’s actions like this that have led Franklyn Garry, professor at Colorado State University, to unabashedly assert that “we grossly overuse antibiotics.” Neonatal Scours… Read More
As of October 1, 2016, Mexico will fully re-open its border to Canadian beef, ending one of the few trade restrictions that still remain from the initial discovery of a case of BSE in Canada in May 2003. Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement in Ottawa on… Read More
It’s been an interesting week for market analysts. According to Gateway Livestock’s Anne Wasko, cattle prices had a tough week leading up to Friday, then “Brexit — the ‘leave’ victory — sort of sent markets into an upheaval.” Commodity Analysts, Traders and Media React to Brexit Decision The news that the United Kingdom had voted to leave… Read More
Are carcass weights too high? Are we not putting enough emphasis on quality feet and legs? These are questions Temple Grandin, well-known cattle handling expert, had ranchers and reporters asking themselves as they filed out of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association’s 103rd annual general meeting and convention. As part of her presentation, Grandin described a survey… Read More
Verified Beef Production (VBP) took a highly anticipated step today, with the official launch of Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+). The refreshed program now includes training and auditing for animal care, biosecurity and environmental stewardship as well as the original on-farm food safety practices, in both the cow-calf and feedlot sectors. “VBP+ is a straightforward, practical… Read More
The last five years I have been very fortunate to moderate the Saskatchewan Stock Growers annual meeting. Over the years I have heard some great presentations and have gained a very strong connection with the ranching roots of the organization. In my time hosting the meeting I have seen freakish snow storms in the Cypress Hills… Read More