OntAG Admin's Blog – December 2014 Archive (6)

Animal Health Canada Shares 2030 Goals for Livestock

Animal Health Canada (AHC) has announced five goals to achieve by 2030, designed to safeguard farmed animal health and welfare.

Treat Her Like a Cow: Building Fertile, Profitable Heifers

“The more you treat her like a cow, the better cow she will be.” That was one of the standout messages from the Beef Cattle Research Council’s webinar, Raising Heifers for Reproductive Success. Backed by research and on-ranch results, Dr. Elizabeth Homerosky with Veterinary Agri-Health Services and Stephen Hughes of Chinook Ranch in southern Alberta shared practical strategies to develop efficient replacement heifers that are built for longevity and profitability. The discussion focused on the economics of raising heifers, research-backed development systems, reproductive management and how producers can apply extensive grazing systems to identify the most fertile and efficient females for their herds. The Cow Value Curve Dr. Homerosky opened with the concept of the cow value curve, which illustrates how feed costs and depreciation are the top two effects on profitability. An open heifer that leaves the herd before paying for herself contributes heavily to depreciation. Strategies s

Fences, Filters and Eavestroughs: Innovative Water Initiatives to Improve Herd Health

Brian Windover and his son, Scott, own and operate Bayview Farms in Napanee, Ontario. Their operation includes a 90-head commercial Gelbvieh and Gelbvieh x Charolais cattle herd that is Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) Certified.   The farm includes 250 acres of pastureland with both treed and open fence lines. Two of the pastures border Hay Bay, a bay of Lake Ontario, and are fenced off to deny cattle access to the bay.  Maintaining good water quality has always been a top priority for Bayview Farms, leading them to implement several changes to reduce manure contamination and ensure an abundant supply of drinking water for their cattle.  A Stock Water Quality Issue The main source of drinking water for the cattle comes from a spring-fed pond which feeds a well. Water is pumped from the well into troughs in the barn. Cattle are kept away from the pond with a dirt berm and concrete barriers. Despite this, Brian and Scott still noticed that the water was discoloured and smelly, p

Kyle Larkin appointed president and CEO of Canadian Meat Council

Kyle Larkin begins as president and CEO of the Canadian Meat Council in January

What steps does a Grower need to take to Deliver Clean Grain?

Growers are encouraged to deliver clean grain and complete correct declarations to protect grain quality, meet market expectations, and maintain access to important export markets.