Livestock
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices continue to ratchet higher due to spillover strength from the fed cattle. Prices for seven-weight steers were steady to $2 higher last week but volumes were rather light. Many auction markets are still in holiday mode and few cattlemen are willing to put grassers on the market at this time. […] Read more
Klassen: look for feeder prices to strengthen Sept.-Oct.
Cattle death losses from Kansas heat
Cattle prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange reached two-month highs Monday following report of extreme heat in Kansas feedlots. Cattle eat less and gain less weight in hot weather, and Reuters reported that 100 F (38 C) temperatures and stifling humidity has caused more than 1,000 cattle deaths in Kansas the past few days. Innovative […] Read more
Chemical Options For Controlling Invasive Species On Pasture
Reading Time: 3 minutes There was a time when the foothills area of southeastern Alberta was an ocean of grass with barely any brush or even a weed in sight anywhere. Not so today, about 120 years later. It’s been said that in many areas 30 per cent or more of the old rangelands have been lost to weed […] Read more
EU LAWMAKERS BAN CLONED FOOD
Reading Time: < 1 minute European Union lawmakers have rejected a proposal to allow the sale of food derived from cloned animals or their offspring, citing ethical concerns over the production of cloned meat. The EU Parliament was voting on legislation to regulate the sale of “novel foods.” “Cloned animals suffer disproportionately highly from illnesses, malformations and premature death,” said […] Read more
RFID POINT-OF-SALE TAG DISCOUNT
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta’s Age Verification Incentive Program is now offering its point-of-sale incentive discount to cow-calf producers at participating tag dealers. The program applies to radio frequency identification (RFID) tag purchases between Jan., 2009 and Dec. 31, 2012. For a list of participating dealers call toll free 310-FARM (3276) or visit www.agriculture.alberta.ca.
Preventing And Treating Allergic Reactions In Cattle
Reading Time: 4 minutes If castrating cattle with a knife and covering with penicillin, we always observe the pen for two things – excessive bleeding and any telltale signs of an allergic reaction. Since allergic reactions in cattle are rare, they are not mentioned much in the literature. But today’s producers are giving more vaccines and antimicrobials, and with […] Read more
Training The Next Generation Of Cattle Producers
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canada’s national cattle producers’ group plans to test run a nationwide mentorship initiative for young producers with a pilot program in Alberta starting in July. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has rolled out its new Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL) Development Program, expected to provide industry-specific training and mentorship opportunities to producers between the ages of 18 […] Read more
Ex-CWB Director Chatenay Joins Poultry, Egg Board
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Alberta farmer who became the Canadian Wheat Board’s first elected pro-deregulation director has joined the council overseeing supply management of Canadian eggs and poultry. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on June 30 appointed Jim Chatenay of Red Deer to a 28-month term on the Farm Products Council of Canada. “With his substantial agricultural background, […] Read more
Foreign Workers Fill The Skills Gap In The Hog Industry
Reading Time: 3 minutes About five years ago, the availability of skilled workers in the pork industry (and indeed in agriculture as a whole) began to dwindle as people started leaving for other jobs, notably in the oil industry. Larger production companies were first to respond by recruiting workers from overseas. Many now have almost 50 per cent foreign […] Read more
Alta. farmers’ EFPs now handled through AARD
Ranchers and farmers in Alberta who want to update or prepare an environmental farm plan (EFP) will now deal directly with the provincial ag department. Delivery of the EFP program in Alberta is now co-ordinated through Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (AARD) and “that’s the only real EFP program change,” the province said in a […] Read more
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