Livestock
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s already in use by McDonald’s Canadian division, but now other sellers of Canadian beef can use the official sustainable beef logo if they source that type of meat. Having an official logo is a significant milestone in the lengthy journey to make Canada a world leader in the certified sustainable beef movement. Over the […] Read more
There’s a new brand on Canadian beef
Beef from certified ranches or products containing 30 per cent of that beef can use new CRSB logo
Know what you have for livestock feed and use it strategically
You’ll need higher-quality feed later on, and the last thing you want to do is overfeed
Reading Time: 2 minutes When planning your feeding program, keep the good stuff for later. “Using higher-quality feed early in the season could mean it is not available later in the season when the cows really need it,” said livestock extension specialist Andrea Hanson. “It could get costly for the operation, either by increasing feed costs or reducing cow […] Read more
Lightweight barley works well in cattle feeding program
One study found only a four per cent difference in feed efficiency, but it should be properly processed
Reading Time: 2 minutes Initial reports from this year’s harvest indicate that bushel weight of threshed grains is variable, with barley ranging from 35 to 50 pounds per bushel. “Feedlots and elevators are more than willing to take the heavyweight barley without any hesitation or discounts,” said beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “When barley bushel weights are below […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures mostly lower on technical selling
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures were mostly lower on Tuesday while lean hogs pared gains late in the session, with each pressured in part by technical selling and profit-taking, traders and analysts said. Some traders were liquidating positions in Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures ahead of a monthly U.S. Department of Agriculture supply […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hogs surge on cash price optimism
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures soared as much as three per cent on Monday in bull-spreading linked to hopes of stronger U.S. cash hog prices and fears of African swine fever spreading in top pork consumer China, traders said. The gains came after China reported an African swine fever case […] Read more
Chicken welfare program enhanced
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicken farmers across Canada are rolling out the latest changes to the Raised by a Canadian Farmer Animal Care Program. The program will enhance environmental care and bird monitoring and handling as well as health-care practices, and emergency management and preparedness. “Our Animal Care Program is a clear demonstration of farmers’ commitment to animal care,” […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures drop on plentiful supplies, demand concerns
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures fell on Friday, pressured by ample supplies and rising concerns about demand amid weakness in global equities markets, traders said. Flat cash markets also cast a bearish tone on the markets. Cash cattle have traded at $111/cwt for five weeks in a row (all figures US$). Most-active CME […] Read more
Fearful of swine fever, France to put up fence on Belgian border
Strasbourg, France | Reuters — France will put up fencing along its border with Belgium to prevent wild boars spreading African swine fever, a virulent livestock disease that could disrupt Europe’s pig industry. France has been on alert for African swine fever since Belgium detected the virus last month among wild boars a few kilometres […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rise on cut in beef production estimate
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures rose on Thursday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture trimmed its forecast for how much beef the nation will produce this year. In a monthly supply and demand report, USDA pegged 2018 beef output at 26.9 billion pounds, down 0.6 per cent from its September estimate. The agency […] Read more
Don’t ban strychnine yet, says Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farmers should still be able to use strychnine to kill ground squirrels until there are “practical and effective alternative controls,” says the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is proposing to remove the registration of liquid strychnine use for the control of ground squirrels. The animals not only cause crop losses […] Read more