Reading Time: 3 minutes There is a harmonic resonance that is audibly evident when a horse chews. This chewing sound soothes, calms and contents the nervous system of the horse, and most horse owners would agree that it also soothes the nervous system of the human. There are many reasons chewing is an important part of a horse’s life […] Read more
Some feeds can be too easy to digest for horses
The mechanics of nibbling, chomping and crunching are important to horse health
There is a Canadian advantage when it comes to producing food
Clean air and water and productive soils give us an edge — but they must be used wisely
Reading Time: 3 minutes I was visiting my friends who are new to Canada on a rainy autumn afternoon. As often happens when we get together, the discussion weaves its way toward food and in particular the nutrient richness in Canadian food. “It is the soil, the air and the water that make such a difference,” my friend said. […] Read more
Beyond Meat? More like Beneath Beef
Plant-based burgers may come close in some aspects but they remain a highly processed food
Reading Time: 4 minutes Well cattle and beef producers, this is solely marketing for marketing’s sake. With the organic, vegetarian, raised without added antibiotics or hormones movements we are seeing, I suppose a plant-based protein product was probably inevitable. What we as beef producers need to do is keep telling our story — and what we do to raise […] Read more
Spare a thought for those who process our food
The business, economics, and practices of the food-processing sector shouldn’t be hidden out of sight
Reading Time: 3 minutes I have been on slaughter and food-processing floors all over the world — vegetables, beef, pork, poultry, lamb, bison, elk, fruit, bake floors and many things in between. Usually women work in these food plants, silent and relentlessly focused while working on raised catwalks as their male supervisors stand behind them. This is not only […] Read more
There isn’t a silver bullet to prevent arthritis in horses
Proper nutrition, a sensible exercise program, foot care, and good management are the best defence
Reading Time: 4 minutes There is a popular trend in the horse industry marketing the idea of ‘basic joint maintenance,’ with marketing campaigns that emotionally drive the idea that various products can bestow a protection against arthritis. It might be an intravenous or intramuscular injection or an oral supplement but the pitch is similar — these products claim to […] Read more
Food culture runs deep and has many different facets
A food system isn’t just something that comes from seed, sun, water and soil — it’s also very personal
Reading Time: 3 minutes Learning the different perspectives of people is interesting. In the arguments over food security in the future, there often is an element of truth in even the most unusual idea. I felt challenged, however, during a public forum when the concept of ‘seed bombing’ a city was put forward in an attempt to return it […] Read more
With a federal election looming, spare a thought for trade
Trade is a complex issue but needs to be a priority for our export-dependent farm sector
Reading Time: 3 minutes A Canadian election is around the corner and trade is an important issue to consider, particularly for agriculture. Agri-food accounts for 12 per cent of all of Canada’s exports. One-half of all Canadian agricultural production is exported. One in two jobs in grains and oilseeds is export dependent and one in four jobs in food […] Read more
The evolution of deworming strategies in the horse
Old recommendations of regular treatments aren’t the best course of action anymore
Reading Time: 4 minutes Many horse owners are very committed to the regular and timely deworming of their horses. Oral paste dewormers have become a major staple in stables, tack shops, feed outlets and veterinary pharmacies and readily available to the horse owner. Although this availability of paste and gel dewormers does seem ideal, traditional practices of deworming horses […] Read more
There are many inspirational people — and they live all around us
They are not defined by gender, wealth or their career, but by what they give to the world
Reading Time: 3 minutes Sometimes the inspiration we need is right in our own neighbourhood. And when I think of those who have inspired me, I only have to blink and their faces and stories come to my heart. China was hit by a drunk driver as a child. Paralyzed on one side with slow speech and movement, one […] Read more
Parasites may be the problem when weight gain is poor
Even seemingly healthy cattle might do better after deworming
Reading Time: 3 minutes This season has really turned around in Western Canada in terms of moisture. This has seen the pastures shoot up, humidity run up and should lead to optimal survival of internal parasite larvae. If turnout to pasture occurred at normal times, maximum picking up of larvae has or is occurring so internal levels will be […] Read more
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