Ranchers, consumers and others who have thoughts on how beef and its cattle should be sustainably produced in Canada are asked to speak up again, this time by early November at the latest. The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB), in the midst of developing a Verified Sustainable Beef Framework, has released its new draft […] Read more
Public input sought on sustainable beef indicators
We all need to be ever vigilant when it comes to rabies
Beef 911: This fatal disease is very rare, but animal owners and rural residents should always be on the lookout for telltale signs
Reading Time: 4 minutes We don’t hear this disease mentioned very often, but when we do there is a very scary connotation attached to it. Rabies is virtually always a fatal disease to all mammals, and zoonotic to humans with no curative treatment once clinical signs develop. Only prevention through vaccination and a strong surveillance program have kept incidence […] Read more
Greig: Animal welfare research focusing more on emotional states
Animal welfare research is moving beyond identifying what keeps an animal healthy, to focus more on their state of being and their happiness. For years, farmers have justified the way they manage and house animals based on objective measures of their health: disease prevalence, growth rates and feed consumption. Consumer research, however, shows that’s not […] Read more
Bayer offers to buy Monsanto in global ag chem shakeout
Reuters — German drugs and chemicals group Bayer AG made an unsolicited takeover offer for U.S. seeds company Monsanto, aiming to create the world’s biggest agricultural supplier and integrate pesticides and seeds markets. Monsanto disclosed the approach on Wednesday before Bayer confirmed its move, though neither gave the proposed terms. Sources said Bayer would pay […] Read more
Bayer to consider shedding animal health unit
Leverkusen, Germany | Reuters –– Bayer might look into selling its animal health division if it continues to struggle to find takeover targets for the business, the German drugmaker’s incoming chief executive said. “Animal Health is a business that we have been trying for many years to strengthen strategically, that is to say inorganically. That […] Read more
New beef cattle researcher award offered
For researchers involved in programs related to competitiveness and sustainability
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) has introduced a new award that honours outstanding researchers for their contribution to the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry. The Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation will publicly recognize scientists and academics actively involved in strong research programs aligned with industry priorities, continually […] Read more
Feeding wheat to cattle without causing acidosis
Lethbridge Research Centre finds feed wheat can make up half of a ration if specific management techniques are used
Reading Time: 2 minutes Most feed wheat in North America goes into poultry or swine as rations, as feedlot operations are reluctant to use large quantities because wheat ferments considerably more rapidly in the rumen than corn or barley. This increases the risk of ruminal acidosis, which can compromise the well-being and productivity of cattle. But new research from […] Read more
FAQs on BIXS 2.0
Answering questions on the improved and updated beef cattle database
Reading Time: 2 minutes Is this a mandatory program? No. BIXS is strictly voluntary. Can I participate if my farm Internet connection is dial-up? Yes… but with a caveat. If your dial-up connection is slow or intermittent, access to BIXS may be problematic. At this time it’s felt that a minimum dial-up connection rate of 56.6 baud uninterrupted will […] Read more
Dutch farmer finds animal health and welfare go hand in hand
Gerbert Oosterlaken wants animal welfare advocates on his side instead of the opposition
Reading Time: 5 minutes When Gerbert Oosterlaken began designing a new 600-sow barn on his livestock and crop farm in this densely populated district, he wasn’t interested in state-of-the-art production systems. He looked 20 years into the future — one he believes will be driven as much by how well he can get along with his non-farming neighbours as […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
