The dry conditions in much of the west are underlying many conversations and decisions at Canada’s Farm Progress Show in Regina while excess moisture is causing problems in Ontario. Here’s this week’s news update, featuring Norm Hall of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and others: Find more coverage of the ’15 Farm Progress Show... Read More
Category: Livestock
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
The University of Guelph has named Jeff Wichtel of the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), University of Prince Edward Island as the new dean of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). Wichtel begins a five-year term October 1, 2015, and replaces outgoing dean Elizabeth Stone, who has served as dean for a decade. Wichtel will also hold... 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 Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) will combine sheep and lamb production assurance systems under the nationally recognized Food Safe Farm Practices (FSFP) thanks to nearly $350,000 in funding under the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriMarketing Program funded by Growing Forward 2. This support will allow the Canadian Sheep Federation to integrate the National Sheep Biosecurity... Read More
Canada has officially notified the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that British Columbia is now considered free of avian influenza. On June 3, B.C. successfully completed three months of surveillance following eradication of the disease. Related: Third Oxford County Farm Presumed Infected with H5 Avian Influenza; Within 2nd Quarantine Zone Avian Influenza Threat Forces... 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