Reading Time: 4 minutes Hybrid rye might just be the closest a producer can come to a one-size-fits-all solution for feeding cattle, attendees at a recent webinar were told. “There’s a lot of flexibility to it,” said Nathan Penner, commercialization manager at FP Genetics. “The thing I like about it is there’s options to use it in multiple different […] Read more
Hybrid rye brings flexibility and vigour for cattle feeders
Still a relatively new crop here, hybrid rye deserves a good look as a feed grain, say proponents
Taking the two-week grain-free challenge is worthwhile
Removing grain or processed feeds from your horse can be a good starting point in identifying dietary issues
Reading Time: 3 minutes Even though the ‘two-week no-grain challenge’ may be anxiety inducing, implementing it can offer surprisingly beneficial results for both horse and human. Humans often equate food with love and unknowingly project these feelings on to their animal family — cats, dogs and horses. So this grain-free challenge, touted in some horse websites and forums, often triggers […] Read more
Feedlots in a tight spot as shipments of corn lag
A perfect storm has led to a shortage of corn shipments from the States
Reading Time: 4 minutes Feedlot owners will be anxiously watching for rail deliveries of American corn for the rest of the winter. “For us, we haven’t run out as of yet,” said Bryan Thiessen of Namaka Farms, a 29,000-head feedlot near Strathmore. “I don’t see that we are going to run out in the near future, but we’ve kept […] Read more
Feeding cattle this winter is all about striking the right balance
Determine your priorities, feed test and then take a look at alternate feed sources
Reading Time: 4 minutes Whether feeding in a normal year or through a drought, cattle producers need to look at nutrition from a “40,000-foot vantage point” to make the most of their feed. “No matter what we’re doing, we’re always striving to get that perfect mix and perfect balance so that everything is used to its optimum,” Barry Yaremcio […] Read more
China to make protein for livestock from carbon monoxide
Beijing | Reuters – Chinese researchers say they have found a way to produce an animal feed protein from carbon monoxide in what is being hailed as a breakthrough that could help reduce the country’s reliance on huge volumes of imported soybeans. China is by far the world’s top buyer of soybeans, bringing in around […] Read more
Know what you’ve got is the golden rule when feed is short
Nitrate levels are higher in drought-stressed crops, so testing feed is an absolute must
Reading Time: 4 minutes Testing your feed should top your to-do list this fall and winter. “Get that crop tested,” said Bart Lardner, a University of Saskatchewan professor who holds a research chair in cow-calf and forage systems. “Know what you’re starting with and know what you’re dealing with in terms of energy density, protein density, and anti-quality factors […] Read more
Doubling down: Turning brewery waste into food — and then into feed
First Alex Villeneuve uses spent grain to grow mushrooms, and then it becomes high-protein feed
Reading Time: 3 minutes Five years ago, Alex Villeneuve was growing mushrooms in the closet of his college dorm, trying to turn brewers’ spent grain from local craft breweries into food. Now he’s transforming the waste from his mushroom farm into livestock feed — and it’s gone way beyond closet size. “We’re going to produce around 12,500 pounds of […] Read more
Canadian feed-grade dairy product class expanded
Buttermilk products now qualify for 4(m) permit price
A dairy product class set up to boost markets for solids non-fat (SNF), by boosting their use in animal feed such as milk replacer, has been expanded to include more products. The Canadian Dairy Commission announced Monday that its 4(m) milk class has been updated to allow dairy processors to get the 4(m) permit price […] Read more
Bale grazing is having its moment in the (winter) sun
Here are some things to bear in mind when using bales to extend the grazing season
Reading Time: 2 minutes Many producers have taken steps to extend their grazing period, and bale grazing is proving to be a popular choice. Bales can be purchased or grown on farm and placed strategically in cells or ‘bale pods.’ In some cases, cattle feed on bales directly where they are dropped from the baler, but in most situations, bales […] Read more
Cenovus to get Prairies’ biggest ethanol maker in Husky sale
Plants can take up to 750,000 tonnes of wheat, corn, rye per year
A proposed takeover of Husky Energy by Cenovus Energy is expected to create not only Canada’s third-biggest oil and gas producer but also a new owner for the Prairies’ biggest ethanol business. The two Calgary companies on Sunday announced a friendly all-stock deal which would see Husky shareholders get 0.7845 of a Cenovus share — […] Read more
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