Livestock
A study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) says losses from the lack of a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) could as great as US$13.2 billion annually due to reduced export market access. The comprehensive benefit-cost analysis on NAIS was completed by Kansas State University, with assistance […] Read more
Lack of national ID system for U.S. livestock could cost billions
Alberta to make cattle checkoff refundable
The Alberta government has tabled legislation which will allow the province’s farmers to request a refund of checkoffs collected on the sale of beef, pork, lamb and potatoes. The change will make the system for these products consistent with nine other provincial non-supply managed commodity commissions where farmers have the choice to request a refund […] Read more
WTO COOL complaint to proceed
Canada will proceed with a complaint to the World Trade Organization about the U.S. country-of-origin (COOL) meat labelling law, Trade Minister Stockwell Day told reporters in Washington on Monday. “I’ve informed Ambassador (Ron) Kirk that we will move forward with the (WTO) consultation,” Day was reported as saying by Reuters. The complaint will now move […] Read more
Flu strain not proven to be from swine: FAO
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says it mobilizing its teams of experts to help ascertain if the new strain of H1N1 virus, which already killed many people in Mexico, has a direct connection to pigs. In a statement, FAO said it is deploying a team of experts of the FAO OIE (World Organization […] Read more
Canadian hog numbers lowest in 11 years
Statistics Canada issued its estimates of Canadian hog inventories for the first quarter of 2009. StatsCan’s analysis follows. On April 1, Canadian farmers had an estimated 11.9 million hogs on their farms, down 1.1 million or 8.6 per cent from the same date last year. This is the first time since January 1998 that the hog inventories in Canada are below 12 million. […] Read more
Anthrax vaccination recommended for wet areas
North Dakota State University Extension Service veterinarian Charlie Stoltenow says flooding in some areas increases the probability that anthrax will reappear in livestock this summer. “Producers should seriously consider vaccinating their animals before spring turnout this year,” he said in a release. He advises producers to contact their veterinarian about getting their livestock vaccinated before […] Read more
Mane Event wraps up in Red Deer
Alberta’s Mane Event horse expo and trade fair in Red Deer, Alberta wrapped up Sunday after its annual weekend of clinics, presentations and demonstrations by top international equine clinicians. Staff from Horses All, Farm Business Communications’ monthly publication covering all equine disciplines, were on hand to cover the event and posted daily articles on a […] Read more
Swine Influenza Advice for Veterinarians and Swine Producers
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has been notified of cases of human swine influenza (swine flu) in the southern United States and Mexico. Information to date indicates that human-to-human transmission of the virus has occurred. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is currently co-ordinating the Canadian response to this situation, and the CFIA […] Read more
Dealing With Sick Or Injured Pigs
Reading Time: 3 minutes In my last article, I wrote about the importance of recognizing health problems in pigs as soon as possible in order to minimize the economic losses caused by disease or injury and avoid compromising the pigs’ welfare. Just as important is how to approach the treatment of such pigs and make decisions about if and […] Read more
New AFAC Interim Manager Appointed
Reading Time: < 1 minute Jim Haggins will be assuming the interim manager position of the Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) Association, effective May 4, succeeding Susan Church. “Jim brings to AFAC a wealth of experience, knowledge and contacts, having worked in Alberta’s poultry and pork industry for several years. He has maintained an active interest in AFAC since its […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
