Elizabeth Homerosky, doctor of veterinary medicine and Simpson Ranch Fellow at the University of Calgary, is looking at developing a scoring system that might enable producers to predict a calf’s ability to consume colostrum on its own, in a timely manner. So far, the data seems to point in a rather unsurprising direction: suckling reflex.... Read More
Category: Cattle
McDonald's Corporation is offering up to $20,000 in funding for organizations and members of the Canadian beef community for projects that help prepare ranches and feedlots to successfully participate in the McDonald’s Verified Sustainable Beef Pilot Project (VSB Pilot). Qualifying applicants may be veterinarians, genetics providers, feed companies, associations and more. The funding, up to... Read More
It’s our own complacency that brought on the threat of antimicrobial resistance, says Trisha Dowling, a professor of veterinary clinical pharmacology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. “We got complacent just pretty much thinking there was a pill for every ill. So there’s been a whole lot of use of antibiotics just in case... Read More
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Foundation (CCF) officially launched this week with a golf tournament and much celebrating. RealAgriculture’s Shaun Haney spoke with CCF chair Bob Lowe from the event to highlight what the foundation is all about — building and sustaining the Canadian cattle industry by focusing on youth and leadership, environmental sustainability, and timely research.... Read More
The 5th annual UCVM Beef Cattle Conference is officially underway today, following a rather insightful day of pre-conference workshops at the University of Calgary’s Spyhill Campus. The pre-conference dealt with proper management of cattle, covering low-stress handling techniques, treatment protocols and humane euthanasia. For now, I’ll report on the middle ground, as I’ve covered cattle... Read More
Ontario Corn Fed Beef, a beef brand owned and operated by Ontario beef farmers, is expanding into international markets in Japan. Following the May 1st launch of Ontario Corn Fed Beef at 33 Kinsho Stores throughout the Osaka Japan market, a delegation of guests, including retail and distribution partners from Japan, are touring Ontario beef... Read More
Results from the first Western Canadian Cow-Calf Survey show there's room to tighten up the breeding season on the majority of cow-calf operations from B.C. to Manitoba. The Beef Cattle Research Council and Western Beef Development Centre have published some production findings from the project (find them in a BCRC blog post here.) The questionnaire,... Read More
As dry conditions take a toll on pastures and hay land in much of western Canada, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan is calling on the provincial government to take steps to mitigate a possible feed shortage. “With the weather pattern we are facing right now, livestock production will clearly decline given the feed and... Read More
Rain doesn't just make grain, it makes beef too, and much of Saskatchewan and Alberta is in desperate need of moisture to support the cattle out on grass. In this episode of the almost-in-person Beef Market Update, Anne Wasko, of Gateway Livestock, and Shaun Haney, of RealAgriculture, cover some serious ground, from the possible repealing... Read More
The Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) Database was launched as a new online resource to help improve livestock emergency prevention and response. “The benefits of the Premises Identification Database are far-reaching,” said Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart. “Knowing where our province’s livestock is located allows us to be more effective in handling everything from flooding to... Read More