If you are reading this article, you might someday find yourself applying for a Nuffield scholarship. It was articles and presentations at conferences by Nuffield alumni that first drew Tim Smith’s attention to the program and he is now preparing to embark on an opportunity of a lifetime as a 2016 Nuffield scholar. Smith is […] Read more
2016 Nuffield scholar: Tim Smith goes in search of ecological goods and services
Smith to study how other cultures recognize the benefits and value of pastures
The trials and troubles of feeding monensin to cattle
It works just as well at the new higher rate, just be sure you are feeding the correct rate
Now that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has raised the safe rate for monensin to 48 parts per million per kilogram of dry matter from 33 ppm, Dr. Katie Wood wanted to know if the proven benefits to feeding monensin still held true at this higher rate. Monensin is an ionophore that increases overall […] Read more
Beef carcass quality is in the eye of the buyer
There’s no question that feed can be used to manipulate carcass composition and quality. The ultimate question is what market you want to target. “The definition of quality can change dramatically depending on the buyer,” says Dr. Heather Bruce, associate professor, carcass meat science, University of Alberta. There are buyers in the market for all […] Read more
In search of healthy beef cattle livers
Liver abscesses continue to be an economic concern for the beef industry, even with modern feeding practices. They are worth around 60 cents a pound if suitable for human consumption, but more important than the direct loss when abscessed livers have to be condemned is the effect on performance and carcass characteristics. Brittany Wiese, a […] Read more
Grassers hit the spot
The Kowal family of Burnt Out Creek Ranch in Crooked River, Sask.
Jordan and Janelle Kowal have gained experience beyond their years dealing with some of the worst of times and the best of times in the beef and grain sectors right from the get-go. Cattle and grain markets bounce around so much they can’t be sure which way will be the right way for long, so […] Read more
Food farms are a hit
It’s a fun way to show kids the link between farming and their burgers and pizza
What kid doesn’t know about tasty burgers, fries and pizza? But how many know that it all starts on somebody’s farm? Too few, sadly. Two years ago some folks in Yorkton, Sask., did something to bridge this gap by laying out their first pizza farm. It’s a fun place, where schoolchildren have a chance to […] Read more
Help where help is needed
Harvey Brink looks to service specialists for expert advice on feeding fababeans and other chores
When Harvey Brink needs help he goes shopping instead of advertising. Rather than having a full-time employee or seasonal helpers, he counts on the services of his cattle buyer, beef nutritionist, grain marketer and crop agrologist. A financial adviser may be next as he and his wife, Coby, start thinking about their succession plan. Handling […] Read more
Wolves of the West
Are they as big a threat as they appear to be?
Reports of cattle losses to wolves continue to come in from across the West. Official estimates indicate wolf populations are stable to expanding, but there’s really no way to know if that in itself is contributing to the reported increase in kills. Claims history doesn’t reflect the trend because of its short history relative to […] Read more
Tracking resistance to drugs in cattle bugs
It’s on the increase
The warning sign went up as results came in from two Alberta projects exploring the susceptibility of bacteria involved in bovine respiratory disease (BRD) to available antimicrobials. Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) administered the year-long project testing for antimicrobial resistance in feedlot cattle in order to develop an in-province screening tool. The project involved several industry, […] Read more
DNA testing for disease is on the way
It sounds like science fiction but you will soon be able to test a newborn’s DNA as a baseline for future detection of potentially chronic conditions such as Johne’s disease and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and even BSE to get an early jump on treatment, all from a single blood sample. The technology will be […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
