Health & Production

Following the recent downgrade in Canada’s BSE risk to negligible status, there is hope that the animal health sector will focus more attention on production-limiting diseases, like Johne’s and Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD).  Reopening doors of opportunity Both Johne’s and BVD present challenges for producers through detection, transmission, and production. We sat down with veterinarian…

By Heather Smith Thomas Producers may never realize they have a problem unless a necropsy reveals net wrap or baling twine inside the animal Use of net wrap on hay and straw bales carries risks to cattle. Dr. John Campbell, professor of large animal clinical sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says some…

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) today announced $3 million in funding for the Hay West 2021 initiative. “The Hay West program has been a heartwarming response to a devastating situation,” says Mary Robinson, CFA President. “We have seen farmers come together to help their colleagues across the country,…

U of A team will pinpoint genetic traits that could increase grazing efficiency while protecting pastures. By Bev Betkowski A new University of Alberta research project could help ranchers customize their cattle to the type of pastures they have, creating economic and environmental benefits along the way. Launched this past summer, the research involves tracking…

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…

By Lisa Guenther, Editor, Canadian Cattlemen While high nitrates in feeds are more commonly seen in frost-touched plants, Saskatchewan Agriculture staff have been seeing high levels in drought-stressed crops this summer, highlighting the importance of feed testing this fall. “We’ve seen a really wide variety of test results come in, some as high as five per…

“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…