The Mapletoft family (Little Pipe Stone Ranch) being inducted into the Canadian Simmental Association Hall of Fame.

World Simmental Federation Congress huge success

The Canadian Simmental Association recently hosted Simmental breeders from around the world at several venues in Calgary and central Alberta. The week began with council meetings, technical presentations and panel discussions, and a Simmental sale at the Bohrson Marketing facility that over 1,000 people attended.  During the congress, the 2024 Young Canadian Simmental Association National […] Read more


The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association supports the USDA’s new rule for animal disease traceability, but some groups and individuals continue to fight the measures.

Lack of traceability in U.S. beef industry is a disgrace

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay

The U.S. beef industry has struggled for much of the 36 years I have covered it to introduce a meaningful national animal traceability system. Its inability to do so is not only a disgrace but a real danger as a disease outbreak could bring the industry to its knees financially. Various efforts to introduce a […] Read more






A cow and a calf in a barn stall

Leptospirosis in people, dogs, horses and cattle

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

The story about leptospirosis started during a dog walk with good friends as part of our daily outing. They knew little about zoonoses and the importance of disease transmission between animals and humans. A recent article on “Leptospirosis” Linda read in an agriculture journal piqued her interest on the diseases shared by humans and animals. […] Read more

A black bear at Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. Producers participating in the predation trials recommended an electric wire around deadstock composting pens to keep bears out.

Manitoba trials address livestock predation in farmyards

Sheep and beef cattle producers tried everything from solar fox lights to predator-resistant penning to reduce predation in the farmyard

Manitoba’s Livestock Predation Prevention pilot continued its 2020-23 assessment of various predation risk mitigation practices focused on cattle and sheep populations in and around farmyards. More than 100 total trials were completed on 48 farms during the three-year project with approximately 75 per cent of the costs covered by the project. Predator-resistant penning Seven high-tensile […] Read more


Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Canadian feeder markets trades premium to U.S. values

For the week ending October 19, Western Canadian yearling markets traded $3 to $5 on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Calf prices were $5 to as much as $10 higher.  Strength in the deferred live cattle futures along with the weaker Canadian dollar has resulted in positive margins on incoming calves. Therefore, the calf market has developed a floor price.