Reading Time: 4 minutes There has been lots said about Johne’s disease over the years but a recent webinar by Dr. Cheryl Waldner at beefresearch.ca gave me lots of food for thought. Herds are getting bigger and as that happens, they are more confined. And since the bacterium that causes Johne’s can be spread in the manure, infection via […] Read more
We can’t hide our head in the sand when it comes to Johne’s disease
There are concerns that this contagious and chronic condition is on the rise in beef herds
Schoepp: It’s time to dispel a key myth about cattle and greenhouse gases
We can reduce cattle emissions but the focus should be on the real source of atmospheric warming
Reading Time: 3 minutes On the small island of Meares off the West Coast of Canada there is a herd of wild cattle. They are a cross of Shorthorn, Hereford and Jersey and the offspring resemble a long-legged red and white calf. What is unique about these cattle is their diet. Just as the coastal wolves are fishing wolves, […] Read more
Bred for the desert, donkeys need different care than horses
Used to harsh conditions, they can easily overeat and their stoic nature can conceal ailments
Reading Time: 3 minutes The long-eared donkey is enjoying a popularity either as a pet, a companion for recreation or perhaps even as a performance animal. Aside from their characteristic long ears, the donkey does share many commonalities with their close brethren, the horse — but there are some unique health and welfare considerations. Donkeys are natural browsers, foraging […] Read more
Schoepp: Rising input costs offer a chance to rethink our approach
The benefits of biodiversity are increasingly well known and offer an alternative to the status quo
Reading Time: 3 minutes Gas and diesel prices are heading into record territory, while producers are facing shortages of basics such as seed, herbicide and fertilizer. With costs increasing, the question becomes one of field performance. Are there ways to hold the yields without compromising the environment while on the journey to better climate behaviour? One could argue that […] Read more
Get out your calving season to-do list — and check it twice
Being well prepared not only saves headaches during calving but can prevent future problems
Reading Time: 3 minutes For the vast majority of you, calving is underway or will be shortly, so a quick review of a few points may lead to more live calves and minimizing disease problems. First, review your list of calving supplies and make sure you have extra on hand. You know what you have needed in the past, […] Read more
Emotional health an important issue for horses
These complex emotional creatures have a subtle language of their own to express their feelings
Reading Time: 4 minutes The emotional state of the horse is deeply involved in all matters of the equine’s world. Their emotional health exists in strong relationship to outcomes of their physical health, behaviour, and performance. Most equine owners, caretakers and professionals would readily acknowledge the rich emotional world of the horse, yet emotional content can be challenging to […] Read more
Schoepp: The cost of climate change action shouldn’t fall on the few
Big changes are being contemplated — farmers should be part of the planning and be fairly supported
Reading Time: 3 minutes Climate consciousness has been replaced by a sense of urgency, much of it focused on Canadian agriculture. Before we begin the climate conversation, let us go to other areas of the world. Recently I spoke at length with friends in Europe where the momentum on climate action in Germany had resulted in embracing wind power. […] Read more
Schoepp: The food sector is much bigger than you might imagine
We’ve seriously underestimated how big the sector is, and its ability to be an even bigger economic engine
Reading Time: 3 minutes As the world of agriculture and agri-food evolves, so too does its workforce. Capturing just who is engaged in this massive economic engine has been difficult as previous statistics have focused on who works ‘on the farm’ rather than who is employed ‘in the food system.’ Perhaps never before in history has there been such […] Read more
Videos are an easy way to add to your skill set on the farm
Having an expert show how to investigate or fix a problem is a great way to learn
Reading Time: 3 minutes We can always pick up ways to improve our cattle operations. One method is to ask lots of questions of the right people. Another is reading and investigating specific topics. And an increasingly popular way is to watch instructive videos. The issue here is making sure the source is ethical, reliable and not sensationalized. A […] Read more
Schoepp: Hunger doesn’t just happen to people in far-away places
You can see telltale signs in our grocery stores and the streets of cities and towns
Reading Time: 3 minutes While recently spending several months travelling in and out of a major city, I often ran out of time to eat in the evenings and whenever I shopped, it was late at night. Buying groceries was something I could do on the way back to the farm, without the worry of crowds or traffic. On […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
