Animal Health Canada (AHC) has announced five goals to achieve by 2030, designed to safeguard farmed animal health and welfare.
“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
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 begins as president and CEO of the Canadian Meat Council in January
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.
Comment Wall (2 comments)
You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!
Join Ontario Agriculture
all we ever wanted to do was farm a hundred acers with some beef and goats
they say no one has interest in small family farms
we are a dad 45 daughter 24 son
we would beef farm in manitoulin islands where people dont even care anymore
or look after the farms and fences
but where do people like us get the money when you have no family
to help
we are willing to work and live in a garbage house for anyone that would help us
get the farm and pay it off over the next twenty years
by then i will be sixty and my son and daughter could take over
wheres the help? I know farmers in ontario that have THREE three hundred thousand dollar combines PAID FOR and trade every two years
wheres the support for new farmers LIKE us thats all we have EVER WANTED
integrity@cyg.net
All the best to you and yours in 2010!
Steve