Livestock
Reading Time: 3 minutes The use of telemedicine is growing, and if you’ve texted a video or a photo to your veterinarian, you’ve participated in it. “Telemedicine is defined as providing medical advice and treatment based on remote collection of information,” said Natasha Kutryk, the incoming president of the Alberta Veterinary Medicine Association. “There probably aren’t many farmers who […] Read more
Telemedicine is a way to get your veterinarian’s eyes on your farm
Trend of sending videos and pics instead of driving to a far-off clinic picked up during the pandemic
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures ease off highest since 2015
Hogs up off lowest since late 2021
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures fell on Tuesday, snapping an 11-session streak of gains on a profit-taking setback after hitting their highest in more than seven years. Some signs of weakness in the cash markets and concerns about profit margins added pressure. Hog futures were firmer after hitting their lowest in […] Read more
Feedlot expert named veterinarian of the year
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dr. Calvin Booker of Okotoks has been given the 2023 Veterinarian of the Year Award. Booker was recognized for his work in advancing feedlot veterinary services, including developing a data recording system for daily feedlot operations and using applied epidemiology to control disease. He was also praised for making “extraordinary contributions to bovine health through […] Read more
Klassen: Larger supplies of backgrounded cattle weigh on feeder complex
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $3 lower. Calf prices were quoted $5 lower to $3 higher. Backgrounded cattle appeared to have a softer tone as more numbers come on the market. Usually, the bulk of the volume for backgrounded cattle are animals over 850 lbs. However, this year, the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures extend winning streak
Front-month live cattle, feeders hit highest since 2015; lean hogs down
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures rose for the 11th session in a row on Monday, hitting their highest in more than seven years as tight supplies continued to fuel a rally. Strength in the cash market added to the gains in cattle futures. But surplus supplies weighed on the hog markets, […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME cattle climb as smaller U.S. herd attracts spec buyers
Chicago lean hogs close mostly higher
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures set life-of-contract highs on Friday as a government report this week showing reduced U.S. cattle supplies continued to inspire speculative buying, traders said. A seasonal slide in wholesale beef prices capped rallies. But traders remained fixated on longer-term supplies after the U.S. Department of Agriculture […] Read more
Piglet ‘weaning ramp’ earns Aherne Prize
Temple Grandin praises innovative ramp that saves the backs of workers and is gentler on piglets
Reading Time: 2 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Two employees of HyLife sow farms in La Broquerie, Man., have won the F. X. Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production at the 2023 Banff Pork Seminar. In most sow farms, the weaning process typically involves picking up piglets, vaccinating them and separating them by sex. But repeatedly collecting and picking up […] Read more
It’s more rare these days, but grain overload has a big impact
Mixed rations and better storage have cut cases, but take care when increasing grain in a ration
Reading Time: 3 minutes Grain overload has been drastically reduced over the years thanks to nutritionists, total mixed rations and fewer incidents of accidental ingestion. But I want to review the condition, treatment and, most importantly, the ways to prevent it. Grain overload occurs when there is over-consumption of a carbohydrate source, most often grain. I have treated severe […] Read more
Research resources for livestock producers
Reading Time: < 1 minute An Ontario livestock organization has a series of resources aimed at helping farmers put research into practice. The podcasts, videos and webinar recordings on the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation website “offer timely and credible information that will help them make the best possible decisions in how to manage their farms and raise their livestock,” said […] Read more
Alberta poultry sector gets late entry for AgriStability
Participation deadline extended to end of month
In the wake of avian influenza outbreaks in the region, Alberta poultry producers have been granted a late participation option to sign up for the federal/provincial AgriStability income stabilization program. Provincial Ag Minister Nate Horner on Wednesday announced the two levels of government have reached an agreement to allow poultry producers late participation in AgriStability […] Read more