Editor's note: As of April 8, the Association of Bovine Practitioners is referring to an HPAI infection in cattle as BIAV: bovine influenza A virus. For the first time, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in dairy cows. Cattle in the Texas panhandle first tested positive for the virus, but more dairy cattle... Read More
Category: Livestock
Canada is a trade-reliant nation across several industries, agriculture included. Canada's primary producers have mixed opinions on the real value of trade, however. In a recent RealAgristudies survey, only 52 per cent of Canadian farmers and ranchers perceive trade and market access as having a positive impact on their operations. This statistic, though seemingly modest,... Read More
Editor's note: Updated with CDC confirmation of a human HPAI case in Texas. U.S. animal health authorities say they cannot rule out cow-to-cow transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) after detecting bird flu in dairy herds in another three states. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed the presence... Read More
Cattle markets reacted negatively to the news earlier this week of dairy cows testing positive for HPAI in Texas and Kansas. As Anne Wasko of the Gateway Livestock Exchange explains, it's unfortunate but not unexpected to see a downward dip in futures when uncertainty creeps in to the marketplace. Cash trade in the U.S. was... Read More
We know what the seasons are like for cattle and grain farmers, but have you ever wondered what a typical season is like for a bee keeper or what challenges they might experience? Joining me, Paige Warner, in my first time as a podcast host is Brennen Smith, manager and co-owner of Baconian Bee Farm.... Read More
A mysterious illness affecting older dairy cows in the southern U.S. appears to be caused by the same virus that has infected millions of domestic and wild birds over the past few years. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said milk samples from sick animals on two dairy farms in Kansas and one in... Read More
Canadian farmers have been making plans for the 2024 season assuming that the interest-free portion of the Advanced Payments Program would revert back to the pre-2022 level of $100,000. As of today, however, farmers will have access to the first $250,000 interest-free, following an announcement by Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The Advance... Read More
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is calling on the federal government to invest in programs, projects, and veterinary infrastructure to mitigate a growing shortage in the veterinary workforce. The Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) Canadian Occupation Project System (COPS) shows that the labour market supply of veterinarians is in a structural supply deficit... Read More
April is almost here and that means thousands of dairy farmers will soon be heading to Stratford, Ont., for the Canadian Dairy XPO. This year, the show is celebrating its 10 year anniversary. The annual dairy industry showcase takes place at the Stratford Rotary Complex on April 3 and 4. In 2023, almost 17,000 people... Read More
There are reasons to feel some sustained optimism in cattle markets right now, as trade is holding steady while feed costs dip slightly, says Anne Wasko in this week's Beef Market Update. Cattle prices held strong to steady this week in the more northern regions, which is good news, even if trade was quite light... Read More