Reading Time: < 1 minute Agriculture Financial Services Corp. is adjusting the low yield allowance for 2023 to encourage farmers to put more poor-quality crops toward livestock feed in dry areas. For 2023, AFSC is doubling the low yield threshold to allow for additional cereal or pulse crops to be salvaged for livestock feed. For example, the barley crop threshold […] Read more
AFSC announce changes to low yield allowances
Oat miller to steer clear of lambda-cy
Grain Millers bans oats treated with insecticide product
The federal government’s decision to ban the use of lambda-cyhalothrin insecticides on any crops destined for feed use has now led at least one Canadian miller to prohibit any deliveries of oats treated with the chemical. Oregon-based processor Grain Millers, whose Canadian operations include its oat mill at Yorkton, Sask., said in a memo Tuesday […] Read more
Unique year-round grazing method pays major dividends
Constant searching for new grazing ideas has led Dave Sammons to a strategy that works
Reading Time: 3 minutes Cow-calf producer Dave Sammons has come up with a unique and varied grazing strategy that has cut his workload and feed bills while boosting organic matter. His system on his mixed farm near Gleichen includes stubble grazing into early winter, then moving the herd onto cover crops, and then onto corn. “The grazing has helped […] Read more
Syngenta’s transgenic corn touted for cattle feed efficiency
Originally developed for the ethanol industry, the variety has an enzyme that breaks down starch
Reading Time: 2 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – A transgenic corn variety originally developed for the U.S. ethanol industry is being officially launched by Syngenta in Canada in 2023 for cattle feed. The Enogen line of hybrids contains a bacteria-derived transgene that produces alpha amylase, a naturally occurring enzyme that speeds the breakdown of starch. Since its introduction in the […] Read more
Feed situation is much improved this year but far from perfect
The supply levels are good but feed isn’t cheap, and most pastures need some serious moisture
Reading Time: 4 minutes Craig Lehr has been able to source the forage and feed he needs this year for Short Grass Ranches, a backgrounding feedlot he co-owns near Medicine Hat. Still, finding feed and forage for the 7,000-head feedlot, plus its 1,100-head cattle herd, was not an easy task. “The ground situation is still pretty bleak,” said Lehr, […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Tight logistics underpinning Prairie feed market
MarketsFarm – Canada’s barley crop may have improved considerably in 2022 compared to 2021’s drought-stricken crop, but the logistics of getting that grain to Alberta’s feedlot alley are keeping prices well supported. Canada grew 9.4 million tonnes of barley during the 2022 growing season, which was up by 35 per cent from the previous year. […] Read more
U.S. corn farmers wary of vomitoxin, latest stress on global grain supplies
Chicago | Reuters – A fungus that causes “vomitoxin” has been found in some U.S. corn harvested this fall, causing headaches for growers and livestock producers and forcing ethanol plants and grain elevators to scrutinize grain deliveries. The situation is another hit to global grain supplies that have sunk to the lowest in a decade since Russia […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Good quality, yields amid rising feed prices
MarketsFarm – With harvesting operations coming to a close, there were very few complaints about the quality and yields of new crop feed grains, according to one Lethbridge, Alta.-based trader. “Quality-wise, everything’s been sounding good for the most part. A couple of areas might have a bit of lighter bushels, but for the most part […] Read more
Bovine Gastronomy: It turns out that garlic pairs well with minerals
Alberta researcher finds cattle will consume more mineral if it’s flavoured with fresh garlic
Reading Time: 3 minutes Just like many people do, cattle enjoy the taste of garlic, and as with humans, many swear the ‘stinking rose’ offers numerous health benefits for bovines. Garlic is rumoured to entice cattle to consume more minerals, have anti-fungal properties and even discourage horn flies from pestering them. “You would find these anecdotes on blogs,” said […] Read more
Beef or bin? Valuing annual crops for feed
BCRC calculator can help decide the best option for your farm
Reading Time: < 1 minute Beef producers may plant annual crops for the purpose of livestock feed but for many crop farmers, diverting annual crops away from the bin and into beef requires some calculations and considerations. Given current grain prices, it’s important to think through how to value feed for cattle. A late, cool spring delayed seeding in some […] Read more
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