Health & Production

An initiative supported by the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is looking to help reduce disease risk in western Canadian beef herds. As part of the process, project collaborators would like to hear from you. The link below is to a producer survey which will ask you a series of questions to gather your thoughts…

Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives (MBFI) hosted a webinar in early November, and it’s now available to watch at any time. Here’s the description, followed by the video, from MBFI: Cover crops have the potential to bestow numerous agronomic, environmental, and economic benefits on Prairie farms. Despite this, they are often viewed with skepticism by…

“You don’t know what’s hiding in some of those bales sometimes, and you definitely don’t want some of those contaminants.” We all know a few best practices to lower the chances of vectoring weed seeds. We can knock mud off our boots, inspect pets, and clean equipment. But what about when we buy off-farm feed…

I was recently asked, “What do you recommend for grazing riparian areas in a drought?” Grazing riparian areas always requires careful management, but particularly during a drought. Like a lot of agricultural management, planning ahead and having contingencies in place before, during, and after a drought is the best way to build resiliency, but that…

By Jeff Melchior, Alberta Farmer Express In response to recent provincial restrictions, all Farmfair attendees will have to show proof of full vaccination before entering the event. It’s either that or offer proof of a medical exemption or a privately acquired COVID test. The move by event organizer Explore Edmonton is in response to provincial restrictions…

Every year, Cleanfarms offers collection programs for obsolete pesticides and livestock/equine medications in specific regions across Canada. This year, those regions include southern Alberta. From October 25 to October 29, 2021, Cleanfarms drop-off sites will be located in 20 communities: Brooks Carseland Carstairs Castor Claresholm Drumheller Enchant Foremost Hanna High River Hussar Magrath Medicine Hat…

Ensuring a transition of optimal health and feed efficiency Alberta provides some of the best rangeland in the world – rolling native grasslands, wide-open spaces, and water – all crucial to raising healthy, profitable, world-class, Alberta beef. As cattle come back from summer pastures and into their fall and winter-feeding routines however, it is important…

Three years after winning Farmer of the Year, and starting to speak publicly about personal experiences with depression, Peter (Pete) and Paula Hynes had a conversation that led to the start of a global initiative. It was during Farm Safety Week, when the Hynes duo realized Ireland loses more farmers to suicide than farm accidents….

Editor’s Note: Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) contract with Togetherall ends November 19, 2022, and Alberta users will no longer have free access through AHS. AHS reminds Albertans they can continue to receive virtual mental health support at www.ahs.ca/virtualmentalhealth or www.ahs.ca/helpintoughtimes, and that resources and services, such as Text4Hope or courses like AHS’ free virtual stress management workshops or online Wellness…

Beat costs and boost yields with bale grazing From the Beef Cattle Research Council Many Canadian producers have taken steps to extend their grazing period and provide forage for cattle outside of confinement and away from corrals. Well planned extensive wintering systems have obvious benefits for reducing on-farm labour and yardage costs, but extended grazing…