This spring, many agricultural regions across Canada have faced a Goldilocks scenario with rain — most have received either too much or too little, with very few getting it just right. For many beef producers and feedlot operators, that will mean finding alternative feed supplies. Brad Welter, president of Pound-Maker Ag Ventures, is all too […] Read more
Feed Watch: June 17, 2019
A look at growing conditions in the Prairies and Ontario
Keep an eye on water quality for cattle during drought
This spring’s dry weather means ranchers will want to keep an eye on water quality during the grazing season. High sulphate levels in water bind trace minerals in cattle’s rumens, leading a range of problems including diarrhea, poor growth and reduced fertility. In 2017, high sulphate levels contributed to the death of 200 cattle on […] Read more
Coming up in Canadian Cattlemen: June 2019
From wild pigs to foot rot, you’ll find it in the June 10 issue of the magazine
As beef producers spend time on the land this summer, they may see signs of unwelcome visitors. I’m not talking about trespassers, at least not the human kind. I’m talking about the growing population of wild pigs. Piper Whelan, our field editor, has interviewed Saskatchewan researcher Ryan Brook on the pigs’ spread and what it […] Read more
Comment: What does Kenney’s ‘Summer of Repeal’ mean for carbon offset markets?
It’s a funny time of year for Cattlemen magazine. After the June issue, we don’t print another one until the August issue. Most of our material isn’t breaking news, but sometimes things develop between when a writer files and when it’s time to print (for example, see Steve Dittmer’s column this month). Who knows what […] Read more
Comment: New legislation may be coming to a creek near you
You may never look at a spring creek the same way once you’ve learned about the proposed amendments to the Navigation Protection Act, which were introduced as part of Bill C-69 in February 2018. A Senate committee has been holding public hearings on the bill this spring. The Navigation Protection Act ensures people can travel […] Read more
Canadian livestock genetics exporters face delays in export permit renewal to China
Diplomatic channels being explored to help resolve the issue
Canadian livestock genetics exporters are waiting to see whether China’s delays in renewing export licences are another casualty of political conflict between the two countries. China has yet to renew export licences for Alta Genetics and Semex, which expired in late 2018. The Canadian genetics exporters deal in dairy and beef genetics. Both companies have […] Read more
Tips for managing sainfoin in your forage stand
Keeping sainfoin populations high beyond five years is a challenge
Sometimes what’s old is new again. That certainly holds true for sainfoin as forage breeders release new varieties designed for today’s beef and forage operations. Sainfoin is a non-bloating legume native to Europe and western Asia. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) released varieties such as Melrose and Nova in the 1970s and ’80s. But these […] Read more
Comment: The trouble with science
From the April 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
To me, one of the most interesting aspects of working in agriculture is the ongoing research and the way that research is applied in the field (or the corral). There’s a good deal of science behind many of the products beef producers use regularly, whether it’s vaccines or new forage varieties. There’s science behind many […] Read more
Comment: Canada’s New Food Guide short on nuance
Canada’s Food Guide dropped earlier this winter, and there were some significant changes. While some revisions are positive, details are hard to find. I doubt anyone would argue with the food guide’s advice to regularly consume vegetables, fruit, whole grains and protein. Nor does its recommendations to cook more often or enjoy your food seem […] Read more
Comment: Being a good steward
From the February 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
In November, I was at the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association conference in Calgary when Dr. Henry Janzen delivered an inspiring opening keynote. Janzen, quoting environmental scientist Donella Meadows, suggested we pay attention to what is important, not just what we can measure. Often we evaluate systems based on only what we can measure, he […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
