Health & Production

Are you planning to expand or build a new confined feeding operation (CFO), manure storage facility, or manure collection area? If so, be sure your consultant is aware of the guidance for conducting subsoil investigations. Failure to follow this guidance could delay or otherwise impact your ability to obtain a permit under the Agricultural Operation…

This article was originally posted on the Beef Cattle Research Council’s website on October 9, 2024. Often hidden hazards in beef cattle diets, mycotoxins can create a variety of problems including impaired immune response which can lead to secondary infections, compromised growth rates, reduced reproductive performance, lameness and gangrene. Illnesses caused by mycotoxins can be difficult to…

This article was originally posted on the Beef Cattle Research Council’s website on October 31, 2022. If starch (from grain) is the fuel in a feedlot diet, fiber (from a roughage like silage) is the engine governor that slows digestion. A backgrounding diet might contain 60 per cent silage to moderate animal growth so that…

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) has released its 2023-2024 Year in Review highlighting key activities and outcomes from the past fiscal year. The report showcases how producer investments in the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off are tackling beef industry priorities while generating maximum value from every research dollar.   “The BCRC uses producer input to direct Check-Off…

ABP is excited to feature the writings of Barry Yaremcio, ruminant nutritionist and production management consultant. Barry is a trusted voice in cattle nutrition and forage production, operating Yaremcio Ag Consulting Ltd. This article was originally published on his BYOB Blog, which can be found on his website. There have been studies conducted in Western Canada that evaluated…

BCRC launches new animated video on foot and mouth disease prevention Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly infectious virus that has disastrous consequences for the livestock industry and the population of beef cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals worldwide. Fortunately, Canada has achieved FMD-free status, but everyone must stay vigilant to the risks and be…

Since 2009, Alberta Wildlife Federation (AWF), formerly Alberta Fish and Game Association, and Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) have partnered with conservation minded landowners and volunteers to modify fences with the goal of helping pronghorn. To date over 600 km of fence line has been retrofitted pronghorn-friendly standards through out the pronghorn range in Alberta. Pronghorn…

Drought has been a common occurrence on the prairies and many producers are familiar with the long-term consequences of dry conditions. Dry weather and feed shortages can have consequences that last beyond the summer season.   “Drought is not just an issue when you are on pasture,” says Dr. John Campbell, veterinarian and professor at the…

Last week, Ministers from across Canada gathered in Whitehorse, Yukon, to discuss and collaborate on key areas of interest. This meeting market an important milestone for Animal Health Canada (AHC), as it was during the same event one year ago that federal, provincial, and territorial Minister unanimously endorsed AHC’s role in emergency preparedness and pledged…

In an effort to enhance water stewardship and management practices, producers across Alberta are encouraged to share their insights through the On-Farm Water Stewardship Alberta Producer Survey. The survey aims to gather valuable feedback from the agricultural community to shape future educational resources and support mechanisms within the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). The collective…