Recent bovine TB strain new to Canada

Recent bovine TB strain new to Canada

Animal Health: News Roundup from the February 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The latest outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in Canadian cattle involves a TB strain that hasn’t been seen before in Canadian livestock or wildlife, the Canadian Cattlemen website reports. During a briefing in early January, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said culture testing of bacteria taken from a TB-positive cow in early November showed it’s […] Read more

Producers are encouraged to provide feedback on what they want animal welfare enforcement to look like.

Ontario given a year to revise animal welfare legislation

Policy: News Roundup from the February 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Ontario’s Superior Court has ruled that the province must revamp legislation governing enforcement and inspection of animal welfare complaints in the next year, Stew Slater of Farmtario reports. Unless the province’s Attorney General appeals, the revised legislation will have to include reasonable oversight and accountability. Under the current legislation, the Ontario Society for the Prevention […] Read more


Cows in pasture

Cargill looking for cow-calf operators for sustainable beef program

Meat Packers: News Roundup from the February 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Cargill has declared its sustainable beef pilot program a success and is now looking at long-term strategies for the program, Joel Crews of Meat + Poultry reports. Demand is outpacing supply in Cargill’s Canadian Beef Sustainability Acceleration program, the company says. The program is now looking for more producers, particularly cow-calf producers, to join. To […] Read more

Close-up view of a brown and white Hereford cow's eye. Only part of the cow's head and ear are visible in this image

Delta Genetics sells livestock genotyping services

Research: News Roundup from the February 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Canada’s first complete DNA laboratory dedicated to livestock has sold its genotyping services in order to expand the livestock industry’s use of genomic technologies. Delta Genomics Centre announced in early January that its genotyping services were sold to Neogen Canada Inc. Neogen’s acquisition is projected to provide genomic services at a more affordable price, in […] Read more


Ergot (seen at right) is a common cause of mycotoxin in grains.

Mycotoxins and beef cattle

Health: News Roundup from the January 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The Beef Cattle Research Council recently posted an article on mycotoxins and how they affect beef cattle. Mycotoxins are produced by certain types of fungi. Fusarium and ergot are two of the most common causes. Mycotoxins can be found in green pasture, cereal swaths, standing corn for winter grazing, cured and ensiled grass, cereal forages […] Read more

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association launches online platform

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association launches online platform

Health: News Roundup from the January 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has created a new online platform for Canada’s veterinarians to aid their decisions on antimicrobial use in animals. The CVMA Guidelines for Veterinary Antimicrobial Use is accessible from a range of devices such as smartphones and laptops. It is searchable and gives vets quick access to information on antimicrobial […] Read more


Ontario farmers struggle with vomitoxin in corn

Ontario farmers struggle with vomitoxin in corn

Health: News Roundup from the January 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Ontario corn growers have been dealing with vomitoxin in corn this harvest. High precipitation levels promoting Gibberella ear rot ultimately led to high DON levels in the corn. DON is a vomitoxin that can sicken livestock and levels are regulated by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The corn can be used to […] Read more

CN and 4-H Canada renew leadership program

Youth: News Roundup from the January 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Canadian National (CN) Rail and 4-H Canada announced the renewal of the 4-H Canada Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction program during Canadian Western Agribition in Regina. The program offers scholarships and mentorship opportunities to 4-H members pursuing post-secondary education. Over the next four years, CN will commit $600,000 to the program. Shannon Benner, CEO of […] Read more


Alberta Beef Producers’ plebiscite results in

Alberta Beef Producers’ plebiscite results in

Associations: News Roundup from the January 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The results of the Alberta Beef Producers’ plebiscite on the future of the producer check-off model were announced at the start of the AGM in December. The tight results, released by the Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council, stated that 51.3 per cent voted for a refundable service charge model, while 48.5 per cent voted for […] Read more

Canadian beef grading standards will be replaced with two more yield grades, increasing the number to five.

Canadian beef yield grade standards change in January

Grade: News Roundup from the January 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

*[UPDATED: Jan. 15, 2018] Canadian beef yield grade standards were updated in the new year to match those south of the 49th parallel. The Canadian Beef Grading Agency announced that the three yield grades of the Canadian beef grading standards will be replaced in January 2019 with five yield grades. The quality grades will remain […] Read more