Reading Time: 2 minutes Should you be worried about cattle eating netwrap? The short answer is, maybe. Like twine, cattle will eat netwrap and it can accumulate in the rumen and cause impaction and bloat. The buildup, even if not severe enough to cause noticeable health issues, can reduce voluntary feed intake by three to five pounds a day. […] Read more
Take care to remove or properly chop netwrap
Cattle will eat netwrap and this can lead to reduced gain and even, in some cases, sudden death
Coyote compensation considered
Reading Time: < 1 minute Delegates at Alberta Beef Producers AGM last month defeated a resolution to put coyotes on Alberta’s wildlife predator list so producers could claim compensation when they killed cattle. It was defeated because of concerns about the sustainability of this type of coverage from the government’s coffers, and because coyote control was something that could be […] Read more
What to ask when purchasing hay
Reading Time: < 1 minute Hay supplies and prices have been at a premium, but when purchasing hay it is important to keep quality in mind. There is always a risk when buying hay from unknown sources, including poor nutritional quality; a different species mixture than you expected; excessive dust or mould; or a high proportion of weeds. Here are […] Read more
Is your livestock premises identification profile up to date?
Reading Time: < 1 minute Premises identification became mandatory in 2009, and is required to complete transport documents such as manifests and permits, sell livestock at auction markets, apply for government grants, and buy over-the-counter medication at retail outlets. Premises identification is an important component of traceability, and is crucial during a disease outbreak or other emergency situation. Have you […] Read more
Research needed to verify effectiveness of E. coli vaccine
Reading Time: 2 minutes The beef recall at XL Foods Inc. put the spotlight on additional E. coli interventions, with a good deal of the focus on the E. coli vaccine licensed in Canada. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association believes that research is required to verify that the vaccination of cattle has a public health benefit by comparing beef products […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
