Appearances are deceiving when it comes to water quality as evidenced by the sulphate levels in these 2016 samples: 1,731 mg/l in jug 1; 2,056 mg/l) in jug 2; 21  mg/l in jug 3 and 15 mg/l  in jug 4.

Use caution when testing livestock water quality with hand-held meters

Study compared test results of hand-held meters to laboratory results

Livestock and feed specialists with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture have learned that not all methods of testing water quality are equal, especially when it comes to total dissolved solids and sulphates. Leah Clark, livestock and feed extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, took part in a study comparing the accuracy of water […] Read more

Drylotting cows and calves is one way to hold onto your genetics during a drought.

Culling cattle for drought

Age is not the only factor you may need to consider

Many ranchers who tried to feed through a drought without selling cows have said they will never do it again. You can slip too far into debt borrowing money to buy feed in a bad year. It’s often better to sell early, before feed grows short and cow condition falls. But there are ways to […] Read more


Water and fire dominate BCCA meeting

Associations: News Roundup from the August 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Concerns about biodiversity and balancing resources were among the issues voiced by the members of the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association at its 2018 annual general meeting. Newly elected BCCA president Larry Garrett says topics such as disappearing grasslands, water scarcity and using grazing to minimize wildfire risk came to the forefront during the meeting, held […] Read more

Low-stress cattle handling instruction with Dylan Biggs.

Ag in Motion livestock programming draws impressive crowds

Farm Shows: News Roundup from the August 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

A well-curated collection of useful exhibits and engaging demonstrations awaited the droves of livestock producers that took in Ag in Motion 2018. Vehicles lined the roads leading to the Ag in Motion site at Langham, Sask., each morning of the show, running July 17-19. Numerous attendees visited Livestock Central, located in the southwestern corner of […] Read more


VIDEO: Keeping an eye on your livestock water supply

VIDEO: Keeping an eye on your livestock water supply

Ag in Motion 2018: Now, there's an app for that

For her presentation, “Keeping No. 2 out of your No. 1 water source,” at Ag in Motion last month, Alicia Sopatyk with Saskatchewan Agriculture spoke about options for livestock producers such as permanent or electric fencing to maintain a sustainable and clean water supply. But for a look in real time as to how that […] Read more

Pasture, hay resources for Manitoba livestock producers

Pasture, hay resources for Manitoba livestock producers

Pastures and forage crops on the Prairies are in poor shape from lack of rain

Manitoba Agriculture is reminding agricultural producers affected by dry conditions of the programs and services available to livestock producers to manage forage shortages. To date, low levels of precipitation and soil moisture have affected the growth of pastures and forage crops in parts of Manitoba. Manitoba Agriculture provides a number of tools and resources for […] Read more


Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart, shown here at Ag in Motion in 2015, plans to leave the post following a recent cancer diagnosis. (File photo by Lisa Guenther)

Saskatchewan ag minister to exit cabinet

Saskatchewan’s premier expects to name a new minister of agriculture within days, as the incumbent minister steps aside to focus on cancer treatments. Lyle Stewart announced Thursday he will remain as ag minister until Premier Scott Moe names a new minister, a decision to be announced sometime this week. “I was recently diagnosed with colorectal […] Read more

A bull recovering from foot rot, which can be caused when cattle avoiding flies stand in water for long periods.

Fly bites a nuisance that can also lead to foot rot

Chemical controls and pasture rotation are options for control of stable flies

Fly problems are prevalent in some parts of North Dakota this year, North Dakota State University Extension livestock specialists warn. Horn, face and stable flies all are irritating to cattle, but stable flies have been particularly bothersome. “They will bite and irritate the animals on the legs and belly, and control of these pests is […] Read more


Ensuring legumes aren't seeded too deep is an absolutely critical step in establishing a high-legume pasture.

Making the case for forage legumes

Alberta producers offer the wisdom of their experience from seeding high-legume pastures

If you’re fearful that seeding pasture with legumes will be a waste of time and money, several Alberta producers have some tips for you. A new video from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry features producers offering their advice — some of it hard earned — on topics such as seedbed preparation, nutrients, and weed control. Having […] Read more