Reading Time: < 1 minute Medusahead rye is a cool-season annual grass that is rapidly invading many northwestern U.S. states. It also has the potential to invade the Canadian Prairies because it can survive very cold winters and thrive in clay soils. Similar in appearance to foxtail barley (although the seed head does not break apart at maturity), medusahead contains […] Read more
There are many reasons to hate this nasty weed
Sluggish demand, ample supplies eat into Lethbridge feed prices
CNS Canada — Lethbridge feed wheat and barley prices have dropped after a muted spring rally — and they’re likely to stay low throughout the summer, market participants say. “They have a weak tone to them. I think a lot of it is lacklustre demand domestically,” said Allen Pirness, trader at Market Place Commodities in […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cash optimism lifts live cattle third straight day
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose for a third day in a row on Wednesday, with help from expectations of steady or better cash prices by week’s end, traders said. June live cattle, which expires on Thursday, closed 1.825 cents/lb. higher at 118.9 cents. Most actively traded August ended up […] Read more
Management strategies for using grazing muzzles
Horse Health: Grass consumption can be reduced by 30 to 80 per cent depending on the horse or pony wearing one
Reading Time: 3 minutes The grazing muzzle is a simple, effective, and sensible tool caretakers can use to manage the grass intake of their horses. The grazing muzzle is a basket-like contraption — a piece of headgear a horse wears with the intention of slowing down and reducing grass intake on pasture. The horse wearing the muzzle can breathe […] Read more
Klassen: Large beef supplies weigh on feeder market
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a week-over-week decline of $8-$12 on average while isolated sales dropped nearly $20. The sharp fall in the fed cattle market was the main reason for the deteriorating buying interest. Just when feedlots thought the worst was over, the market gave them another dose of reality. The retail market […] Read more
More environmental good work is in the works
The Heart River Watershed Restoration is the latest in a long line of environmental projects funded by the foundation
Reading Time: 3 minutes An Alberta foundation has invested nearly $100,000 for projects that will help protect the province’s environment. “The environment is critically important, and the people who are supporting it — which is who we’re working with — do incredibly valuable work,” said Rod Ruff, program director for the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation. “You can see it across […] Read more
‘Eco-buffer’ boosts pasture productivity for Alberta producer
Letting nature do its job got Don Ruzicka off a treadmill of clearing trees, draining wetlands, and poor returns
Reading Time: 4 minutes Some people look for signs — other people just find them. For producer Don Ruzicka of Killam, the motivation behind the past three decades of land management on his farm was quite literally a sign. Before he purchased his grandparents’ farm in 1983, Ruzicka worked in the logging industry. “The first day I flew into […] Read more
Don’t be spooked by electric fences
It takes awhile to become confident in electric fences, but it’s worth the effort, says a provincial beef extension specialist
Reading Time: 2 minutes Electric fencing is an effective grazing tool cattle producers should consider taking advantage of throughout the grazing season. “The fence you put up doesn’t have to be permanent and expensive as electric fencing systems on the market today are very effective, mobile and easy to install,” said provincial beef extension specialist Andrea Hanson. “There are […] Read more
‘Sustainable’ beef pilot a success, but job isn’t done yet
McDonald’s pilot is complete, but now the Canadian beef industry has to create and implement its own standards
Reading Time: 4 minutes After being the first to source and track “verified sustainable” beef for McDonald’s, the Canadian cattle industry has a new challenge — create its own standards that all of its buyers can use. The wrap-up event drew more than 300 ranchers and industry players to celebrate the accomplishment — a sharp contrast to the quiet, […] Read more
Earls locks in Canadian beef supplies
Vancouver-based dining chain Earls has enlisted a handful of Canadian ranchers and processors to supply beef to about half its stores while matching its criteria for animal care and “ethical farming practices.” The move comes about six weeks after Earls retreated from a plan to source its beef from Creekstone Farms, choosing the Kansas company […] Read more