Health & Production

Ticks have long been part of livestock management in Canada, but the risk picture is changing. The Asian longhorned tick has not been found established in Canada. However, Animal Health Canada reported that the parasite most closely associated with it — Theileria orientalis Ikeda — was confirmed in an imported dairy cow in October 2025. It was the first…

Before ice settles over farm and ranch dugouts, a fall inspection can help producers protect water quality, check equipment, and prepare for reliable winter livestock watering. Whether a dugout supplies water year-round or serves seasonal pastures, checking its condition now provides an opportunity to address maintenance needs before winter makes access more difficult. Alberta Agriculture’s Quality…

What if the first manure load hauled to a field contains significantly different nutrient levels than the last? According to speakers during a recent Manure Manager webinar, that situation is more common than many producers realize. Without proper mixing and sampling, nutrient levels can vary throughout a manure storage, making it difficult to know exactly…

When feed supplies are tight, every bale and every tonne of silage counts. But after a growing season affected by drought, heat, hail or frost, it’s worth paying attention to more than just yield. Under certain conditions, forage crops can accumulate nitrates. While it’s not a concern every year, elevated nitrate levels can create challenges…

When people think about native prairie grasslands, they often picture wide-open spaces and grazing cattle. But those grasslands are also home to a surprising amount of wildlife and play an important role in keeping prairie landscapes healthy. During a recent Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) webinar, Ellie Annett with the Alberta Prairie Conservation Forum discussed…

Alberta Beef Producers’ (ABP) Board of Directors is sharing the final report of the Working Group on Traceability, including recommendations to support adoption of current requirements and voluntary, industry-driven improvements to cattle movement records.  The Working Group on Traceability, developed out of ABP producer resolutions, presented its final report to ABP’s Board during its September…

Every fall, producers take stock of the feed they’ll be relying on through the winter. In some years, there’s a fair bit of confidence in what’s sitting in the stack. Other years, not so much. Growing conditions this year have varied across Alberta. Some areas received timely moisture while others stayed dry for much of…

For many producers, silaging is well underway. Once the pile is covered, it’s tempting to move on to harvest or tackle the next job on the list. But taking a few minutes to check that cover now can help protect months of work. Silage needs to stay sealed to ferment properly and maintain feed quality….