There comes a time when you’re scrolling through the Internet and find someone saying something a little out of line. Who am I kidding, this happens probably every hour on Twitter alone. This past week I came across one of those posts, but instead of it being an internet troll that hides behind their computer… Read More
Canada’s sheep industry is full of opportunity, with strong demand and decent prices, but producer retention past the five-year mark has been identified as one of the challenges of growing the industry. Several factors play a role in new entrant and existing producer success, and Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) have focused on risk management program… Read More
The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) and Les Producteurs de bovins du Québec (PBQ) are calling on federal party leaders to include, as a first priority in the mandate of the Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food, a beef cattle investment and assistance program to help farmers in Ontario and Quebec mitigate the harm of recent… Read More
Beef markets are struggling for reasons beyond the usual annual low, as they search for information on when Tyson’s Kansas plant will be back up and running. South of the border, markets have continued lower for the last six weeks, with cut-outs backing off (but still way over a year ago), due to perceived disruption… Read More
Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler is reminding livestock producers there is water access and management support through Ag Action Manitoba. “We recognize that many producers are feeling the effects of our dry summer and that they may require additional assistance to secure a safe and reliable water supply for their livestock,” says Eichler. “Properly functioning… Read More
“We depend on nature, and we really have to live in symbiosis with it,” says Mickenzie Plemel-Stronk of Ducks Unlimited in the trailer for a new short film “Guardians of the Grasslands.” The film is meant to be an education tool to showcase the benefits of agriculture and how not everything you read about farming… Read More
In the face of plant-based protein being all the rage, some may have also noticed a subtle but significant push for the continued celebration of meat. The rise of nose-to-tail feasts, carnivore-centric restaurants, and even a reality TV show that puts butchering skills to the test are a all a testament to humans’ continued love… Read More
The Canadian Angus Association (CAA) has recently taken breeding to a whole new level by incorporating genomic technology in addition to the regular testing of Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs). Kajal Devani, director of science and technology at the CAA says because of all the data and pedigree information they collect, they’ve put it to good… Read More
It was purely an economic decision when rancher, Stephen Hughes decided to try grazing his herd year-round in southwestern Alberta back in 1996. He had no idea the move would also significantly impact herd health and shift the need for antimicrobials. “We chose to change our management strategy from winter feeding to grazing year-round, and… Read More
Producers can begin preparing for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) proposed regulation changes to livestock identification and traceability, despite the uncertainty around the rules’ implementation. But first, they might consider taking a look at the regulations as they stand, and how to access the information they need going forward. “Current regulations require producers to… Read More
Visual assessments are not enough to gauge feed quality, and a feed test is an economical way to protect against under or overfeeding certain critical components of a feed ration, such as protein or energy, says Andrea Hanson. Hanson is the beef extension specialist with Alberta Agriculture & Forestry, and says that feed testing all… Read More
Forage producers can rake up to a 30-foot swath with the New Holland Rolabar 230 twin basket forage rake. New Holland product marketing manager George Rigdon says the high-capacity rake is a good fit for producers looking to increase overall efficiency and productivity by reducing the number of field passes. The manufacturer unveiled the Rolabar… Read More
The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) is calling on the various government parties for action this upcoming election, as they feel they’ve been in the dark for upwards of three months. The CMC says China’s temporary suspension on pork and beef exports is costing those in the industry close to $100 million. If it persists, the… Read More
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has put out a call for small businesses to come up with a computer model to help detect which vaccinations work to prevent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). According to the Government of Canada, FMD is one of the most contagious animal diseases. An outbreak can spread by direct, indirect, and… Read More
The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) Council took the opportunity recently to meet face-to-face, hear from a guest speaker, and review achievements of the council to date. According to Anne Wasko, chair of CRSB, some of the latest highlights include: Harvey’s Canada sourcing certified sustainable beef; Atlantic Beef Products being audited and certified to… Read More