When it comes to farming and ranching, what's your biggest worry this summer? I know there are plenty of big-picture things that weigh on our minds at any given time, but it does seem that summer carries with it its own set of stressors — the crop might be in, but what about diseases or... Read More
Category: Livestock
While information about grazing management is readily available online, producers still benefit from getting together to learn from neighbours facing the same conditions and challenges. On this episode of Ruminating with RealAg, host Amber Bell is joined by Tatyana Pavlovets, executive director of the Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association (CAFLA), and rancher Jim Bauer,... Read More
Seven cases of New World screwworm have officially been identified in the U.S, as of June 11 — six in Texas and one in New Mexico. The findings are not unexpected, and authorities have been moving quickly to quarantine counties and get producers up to speed on what to do if screwworm shows up. Larger-picture,... Read More
Animal identification and basic traceability has long been a reality for Canada's cattle and sheep sectors, and upcoming regulatory changes will bring the goat industry much closer to the same framework. While implementation timelines are still being determined, industry leaders say the changes are aimed at improving animal health response, disease management, and future market... Read More
The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) and Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC) have announced the formation of a Traceability Task Force. The task force will begin work immediately, exploring opportunities and barriers for beef cattle traceability. The task force will focus on traceability to support disease and emergency preparedness and response... Read More
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld key provisions of the province's Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, delivering what livestock groups see as an important win for farm biosecurity, worker safety, and property rights. In a conversation with RealAgriculture's Lyndsey Smith, Beef Farmers of Ontario president Jason Leblond says the court decision... Read More
Ontario dairy goat producers are one step closer to establishing a formal marketing board after receiving enough support in a producer vote to move the process forward. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) has authorized the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission to proceed with the next steps toward establishing a marketing board... Read More
New World screwworm (NWS) detections in Texas have triggered emergency border measures by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Canadian authorities announced on June 5 that livestock and horses entering Canada cannot have been in Texas within 21 days prior to crossing the border. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing... Read More
Volatility returned to cattle markets this week following confirmation of the first New World screwworm case in the U.S., but the selloff proved short-lived as traders refocused on the underlying fundamentals of tight cattle supplies and exceptionally strong beef demand. In this week's Beef Market Update, Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock Exchange says futures markets... Read More
As Canadian agriculture becomes increasingly digital, cybersecurity is emerging as a critical business risk that extends far beyond computers and software. From automated livestock systems to cloud-based farm records and precision agriculture tools, a cyber attack can disrupt operations, impact animal welfare, and threaten business continuity. In this episode of the Ag Policy Connection podcast,... Read More