For the week ending April 11, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were steady to $5 higher on average compared to seven days earlier. Steer calves under 700 pounds were quite variable with quotes coming steady to $15/cwt above week-ago levels. Heifers under 700 pounds were steady to $8 higher on average. The VJV market report from Ponoka included […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger fed market pulls feeder cattle complex upward
Researchers advance first-of-its-kind bovine TB vaccine to trials
A vaccine engineered by the University of Saskatchewan's VIDO protected 80 per cent of lab mice against a highly virulent bovine TB strain without compromising the tuberculin skin test — clearing the way for the first cattle trials of a potential Canadian-made bovine TB vaccine
Reading Time: 5 minutes A University of Saskatchewan vaccine candidate for bovine TB has cleared mouse trials and is moving to cattle testing — a potential world first.
JBS reaches deal with U.S. meatpacking workers who went on strike
JBS employees ratified a two-year labor agreement with the meatpacker after a three-week strike disrupted operations at a massive beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado.
Public consultation open on national beef code of practice
New code would update guidance on branding calves, shelter from weather, euthanasia, more
Public consultations on a revised Canadian code of practice for the care and handling of beef cattle, with updated guidance for ranchers on best practices, opened April 13.
Alberta rancher uses drones to seed thousands of acres of pasture
Steve Kenyon of Greener Pastures Ranching bought his first drone for social media videos but now uses a second to aerial-seed pastures as part of his regenerative grazing system
Reading Time: 2 minutes Steve Kenyon started with a camera drone for social media but now aerial-seeds thousands of acres for himself and customers.
M.D. of Taber finalizes grazing lease overhaul after years of debate
Grazing lease rates going up considerably, but some on Taber council still not think enough for ratepayers
Reading Time: 4 minutes New grazing rates, longer transition periods and stronger oversight of grazing associations emerged from a marathon nine-hour council session.
Alberta farmers cut fertilizer costs by turning to compost
Producers at an Alberta Living Lab webinar say compost builds soil health, cuts input costs and keeps nutrients out of landfills
Reading Time: 5 minutes Alberta producers say compost is reducing their dependence on synthetic fertilizer while improving soil resilience.
Klassen: Negative margins weigh on Western feeder cattle market
For the week ending April 4, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable. Backgrounded replacements were relatively unchanged, however fleshier groups experienced sharper discounts compared to a week earlier. Genetic quality appeared to influence the market on a larger scale for feeders under 700 pounds. Medium to larger frame preconditioned calves appeared to trade […] Read more
First Canadian trial of Halter virtual fencing system underway near Westlock
Mike Hittinger runs 200 head on 1,600 acres and says the GPS-controlled collar system is already simplifying bale grazing, swath grazing and nutritional management
Reading Time: 4 minutes The New Zealand-designed system uses GPS collars and is now eligible for OFCAF funding in Canada.
Liver abscesses in cattle cost producers millions each year
Research into vaccines and early detection is urgent as federal pressure mounts to reduce antibiotic use in livestock
Reading Time: 3 minutes Research points to rising costs as cattle spend more days on feed.