Reading Time: 3 minutes The first half of 2020 was amazing for agriculture as Canadians were focused on food quality and security. Consumers were interested in being part of the solution and, at the very least, wanted more information about where their food came from. Local became in vogue and instead of standing in line at the checkout, many […] Read more
Opinion: We need to open the farm gate wide
Consumers want to see in, and farmers need to know what is happening beyond their operation
Beef 911: The goal should always be to produce the healthiest cattle
We need to ditch the notion that high-risk cattle are somehow the most profitable
Reading Time: 3 minutes I’ve heard it said on the feeder side that high-risk cattle are the most profitable. The argument is that when you run the numbers and take into account morbidity, mortality and all other costs, these cattle have the potential to make the most profit at the end of the day. Of course the big factor […] Read more
This harvest, take a bit of time to do things differently
Instead of the usual go-go-go approach, think about how we can all learn to use time more wisely
Reading Time: 3 minutes I watched in horror a video on social media in which a farmer wrapped his preteen son in bale wrap. The child was in the machine! Later that week I coaxed an elderly man holding his electric saw down off a 25-foot extension ladder. At a lavender farm, I encouraged the owner to stop giving […] Read more
Mineral deficiency can affect both broodmare and her foal
For a healthy and well-nourished foal, start with a healthy and nourished mare
Reading Time: 3 minutes The physical demands placed upon the body of the broodmare are extraordinary, especially as the number of offspring she is expected to bear increases. These demands and expectations easily position the broodmare as a top performance horse in the horse industry. The broodmare relies on body reserves and nutritional resources to fund a smooth breeding […] Read more
The food supply chain bent but did not break
But the pandemic also highlighted many weaknesses in a complex system with many parts
Reading Time: 3 minutes The food supply chain did not fail Canadian consumers in the first half of 2020 despite huge challenges. Yes, there were times when some product was sold out or limited, but emaciated shelves were short lived. Overall, consumers had adequate access to food and beverages from the Canadian food supply chain. The Canadian Agri-Food Policy […] Read more
Generics are part of a strong medicine pipeline
The regulatory regime, including patents, means the product lineup is always changing
Reading Time: 3 minutes Generic medicines have been around for a long time in both human and animal medicine. They are essentially copycat products that come out after the protective patents run out on the original product. You are familiar with the ‘apo’ products that are available when you get your human prescriptions filled and it is really no […] Read more
Temper tantrums aren’t just someone having a bad day
It may seem like someone has a short fuse but there’s usually a long list of reasons behind a blowup
Reading Time: 3 minutes A conflict in itself is often not the root of the problem. I waited in a return line as the person in front of me argued about her bill. The staff person was unable to respond in a way that was satisfactory and the customer started shouting. Management was called and the young staff member […] Read more
When young horses are missing their front teeth
There’s a fairly predictable pattern for the loss of ‘baby’ teeth and when their permanent ones appear
Reading Time: 3 minutes Whenever horse owners notice that their horse is missing one or more front teeth they will often question the significance of this loss. This question generally applies to the grouping of 12 incisor teeth that are readily visible under the horse’s lips. Implications for loss of an incisor tooth depends upon the age of the […] Read more
Ethical fashion is an emerging trend that will affect agriculture
We need value chains that reward excellence in the production of fibre and leather
Reading Time: 3 minutes The ever iconic Vogue magazine has cornered the fashion industry since 1892. The razor-sharp and trendy photos of women (and men) in dynamic, vibrant trend-setting clothing, always stirs the artist in oneself. From makeup to muck boots, this publication has earned its place in history. In May, Vogue published the most intriguing article titled ‘Regenerative […] Read more
They’re hard to diagnose but flukes are a concern
Unexplained weight loss is one sign that this parasite may be affecting your herd
Reading Time: 3 minutes I hear of the diagnosis of liver flukes here and there, a condition that can be hard to diagnose and has rather limited treatments. One of the first clinical signs is non-specific weight loss, which can be confused with many things. As well, having liver flukes predisposes cattle to a susceptibility to a clostridial disease […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
