- New Alberta strategy creates uncertainty in the ranks of industry leaders
by Bonnie Warnyca July 2008
No one had any idea it was coming. When George Groeneveld, Alberta's Minister of Agriculture announced the Alberta Livestock and Meat Strategy it took the entire Canadian livestock industry by surprise.
The only one, besides the Minister's own inner circle, that knew it was coming was Saskatchewan's Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Bob... more
- Feed prices may encourage creep feeding
Miranda Reiman, Industry Information Specialist, CAB June 2008
Today's high feed prices could make this the perfect year to try creep feeding. "As we look at the times of high feed prices, people would say, 'Maybe that's a reason not to creep feed,'" says Dan Faulkner, University of Illinois animal scientist. "But it may be even more of a reason to creep feed, because feedlots are wanting more weight on the... more
- Early gopher control key in management
by Bonnie Warnyca June 2008
To reduce the gopher population it's important to bait them prior to reproduction in the early spring, or, at least before the end of June when the babies are ready to leave the family unit. Each female has, on average, seven offspring so if you wait till later in the year to try to gain control over the pasture damage you're dealing with a 700... more
- Investment income
by Kevin Keith June 2008
As the dust settles from a Roadrunner attempt at completing your tax return on time, some of you may be feeling the stings of paying additional tax on income earned from your nest egg. Unless you've been struck with a string of lotto luck, many of us find ourselves deciding how to invest a small savings in an investment that will make our dollars... more
- Species for extending the grazing season
Courtesy ARECA-Year Round Grazing 365 Days June 2008
Plan now for your winter feeding needs as there are several things to consider when it comes to winter forage.
Forages used for winter feeding should be tested using a wet chemistry test for feed value whether they are in a pit, standing or lying in the field. Pay close attention to the mineral requirements of animals, especially cows... more
- Taxing the farm company
by Perry Pellegrini June 2008
Our local coffee shops have always been a hotspot for discussing a wide range of issues, including tax. One of the common comments I've heard come from these discussions is how expensive it is to "get out of" a farm corporation.
While it can be costly at the time of exit, one must remember that the farm company has provided a deferral... more
- Livestock transportation is under the microscope
by Bonnie Warnyca June 2008
There have been rumors flying for several years that the Canadian Food & Inspection Agency (CFIA) has been working on amending the current transport regulations for the Canadian livestock transportation industry. But before that happens, several Alberta stakeholders decided to take an introspective look to both identify what this industry is doing... more
- Not your traditional pen checker
by Bonnie Warnyca June 2008
An Edmonton company has developed a real-time software system to monitor herd health 24-7 in order to identify early signs of sickness. While much of the preliminary work has been done, this $500,000 project has been sitting on the shelf for the past two years waiting for funding to take it to the commercial market.
Ovistech Corporation... more
- New traceability program
June 2008
Computer Aid Professional Services Ltd., with funding support from the Canadian Integrated Traceability Program (CITP) of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is developing a viable traceability solution for the cattle industry by using leading edge cellular technology. It is designed to assist industry groups to accelerate the development,... more
- Defining the Canadian beef advantage
from BIC May 2008
In the commodity world of meat, there is a tendency to assume that if a product meets the specs, all attributes are equal. But what if your product outperforms the competition in areas of importance to buyers? "These points of differentiation form the basis for what we call Canadian Beef Advantage," says John Baker, executive director, channel... more
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