The majority of deaths due to bovine respiratory disease (BRD) occur shortly after arrival to the feedlot or within the first 45 days.

Chute-side diagnostics for bovine respiratory disease remain elusive

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

Speakers at the 2019 Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners addressed bovine respiratory disease (BRD) from several perspectives, including emergence of changing patterns of respiratory disease, economics of BRD, prudent use of antimicrobials in prevention and treatment of BRD, and diagnostics. BRD accounts for approximately 75 per cent of feedlot morbidity and 50 to 70 […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Few herds remain in B.C. bovine TB probe

The federal investigation into an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis affecting four animals in a domestic British Columbia cattle herd has pulled back to include just seven properties. As of Monday, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s probe included one herd each in B.C. and Saskatchewan and four herds in Alberta under movement controls, along with the […] Read more



Making good hay

Making good hay

If you follow the principles of making hay, you can also grow good pasture

If you follow the principles of making hay, you can also grow good pasture

My wife and I recently attended the Alberta Organic Conference in Fort Saskatchewan. It was a fantastic event and she made a great comment to me on the way home. We attend a lot of events like this and we are constantly reminded about the principles of regenerative agriculture. It’s “the normal” in our circle. […] Read more



U.S. livestock: Hog futures mixed, cattle futures firm

U.S. livestock: Hog futures mixed, cattle futures firm

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures were mixed on Monday, with the front-month contract firming slightly after two straight days of declines while deferreds continued to ease. Traders said that fresh pork exports to China were required to ease the burdensome supplies and boost hog futures higher. “Even though we […] Read more

Questions remain around blockchain and beef traceability in Canada

Questions remain around blockchain and beef traceability in Canada

Will the technology sustain enough interest for the concept to reach its full potential?

Blockchain is a buzz-worthy concept in various industries, and companies around the world are investigating how this technology can improve traceability in the agri-food industry. However, there are numerous questions to be answered before the Canadian beef industry can determine if blockchain is feasible for traceability. A blockchain is a web-based record-keeping system used to […] Read more


U.S. livestock: Lean hogs tumble after Trump threatens Mexico border closure

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs tumble after Trump threatens Mexico border closure

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures ended down sharply for a second straight day on Friday after a volatile session in which traders weighed thinner near-term hog supplies against risks to pork exports with Mexico. Early-session strength stemmed from a quarterly U.S. Department of Agriculture hog supply report, released after […] Read more

(JBSs.infoinvest.com.br)

JBS predicts profits will be stronger this year

Sao Paulo | Reuters — JBS SA executives said Friday the Brazilian meat company will deliver higher earnings in 2019 on strong demand for beef in the U.S. and Australia as well as growing Chinese demand for various proteins. Still, first-quarter results will reflect lower cattle availability in the U.S. due to rains and a […] Read more