Parasites Dr

At look at tomorrow’s vets • BVD virus wears many disguises • Pellets can contain ergot

www.canadiancattlemen.ca September 2012 $3.00

Don’t ignore drug-resistant parasites Dr. John Gilleard University of Calgary

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Fuel versus food

or people who notice this type of thing let 89 cents in 2010 and $1.09 in 2011. Agricul- me save you the trouble. Our 2012 custom ture Secretary Thomas Vilsack has used the same Drought has feedlot list in this issue is smaller than last numbers in numerous speeches in support of the Fyear’s — quite a bit smaller. biofuels industry. brought We have a net 11 fewer lots on the list this year. The numbers come from the work of two farm Twelve were either sold, couldn’t be reached, or state economists, Dermot Hayes and Xiaodong the ethanol/ got out of custom feeding, and one new one was Du, who use monthly regional data to estimate livestock added. Together a combined capacity of 46,500 the relationship between ethanol production and head is off the list. the profit margin for oil refiners, the so-called squabble into Some were sold to larger units, so there will crack spread. the open be cattle in those pens again this fall. But in the The fun began in July when MIT economist case of one feedlot, one of the larger ones, there Christopher Knittel and University of Califor- won’t be any custom cattle there again, certainly nia Davis ag economist Aaron Smith published not this year. a paper that shows the Hayes/Du estimates are The times, as the song says, they are a chang- driven by “implausible assumptions and spurious ing. And I suspect our little survey is just the statistical correlations.” canary in the coal mine. These are tough times for “Because ethanol production increased the feedlot sector, so it’s not surprising that even smoothly during the sample period (because of the some of the old-timers are throwing in the towel. mandate) statistical analysis with this variable is Short supplies, stiff competition for calves and fraught with danger. It is strongly correlated with feed costs pushed up by a scorched U.S. Corn Belt any trending variable.” make it difficult to see where it’s all going to turn Using the same silly estimates Knittel and Smith around for this group. “proved” that had the U.S. eliminated ethanol At least one operator knows whom we should production in 2010 natural gas prices would have blame for the current hole in his accounts. He risen by 65 per cent and unemployment would believes we should be putting up signboards have dropped by 60 per cent. along the highways to tell the driving public, As you can imagine, the reply from the RFA “you can thank ethanol for the loss of your live- was rapid and brittle. stock industry.” In mid-August the Environmental Protection There can be little doubt that ethanol has Agency (EPA) received official waiver requests from changed the old feed grain/livestock paradigm, the governors of Arkansas, North Carolina, Geor- especially in a drought year such as the U.S. (and gia and New Mexico and more were expected. It parts of Ontario) are experiencing. now has 90 days to reply, so we can expect more Perhaps that explains why I could not help but warring words in the months to come. take a small measure of glee from a Wa l l St r e e t The problem, of course, is that this is the same Jo u r n a l editorial last month entitled “How Etha- old fight that has taken place in every small town nol Causes Joblessness.” It takes a poke at the for generations. It’s livestock producers on one ethanol industry lobbyist, the Renewable Fuels side, crop producers on the other. Association (RFA) for its much trumpeted claim, The George Morris Centre outlined the struggle including in a letter to the editor in the WSJ, that nicely in its 2008 paper, The Troubled Corn Econ- ethanol lowered gas prices in the U.S. omy of Ontario’s Livestock Sector. The numbers I should first explain that the U.S.-based RFA were simple enough. Ontario didn’t have enough has spent much of this past year fighting off corn to support its cattle and hog populations and attacks by some determined farm-friendly sena- ethanol. The alternatives put forward then were tors and state governors who are seeking a waiver to grow more corn, raise fewer cattle and pigs, or to the legislation that sets mandated ethanol lev- get the Ontario government to reverse its policies els in U.S. fuels. They are claiming they need to on ethanol production. waive the mandate for at least a year to soften Since 2008 Ontario’s beef cow herd has the impact the drought has had on the livestock declined by 54,000 head and total pig production industry and food prices. has declined by 28 per cent to 2.8 million head. At In the war of words that has ensured the RFA the same time the mandated ethanol industry has regularly trots out this claim that the ethanol continued to expand. mandate reduced the price of a gallon of fuel by I don’t know that a signboard would help.

4 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca Canadian Hereford Association 5160 Skyline Way NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6V1 1-888-836-7242 • [email protected] NEWSMAKERS

and all the volunteers who stage this this region to grant full access to Cana- worthwhile event. dian beef.” The UAE began accept- ing live Canadian cattle last December. The Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Nearly 70 countries have now either (CYL) Program has fi nalized its list of fully or partially re-established access mentors who will be providing guid- for Canadian beef since closing their ance to 16 up-and-coming produc- borders in 2003. Canadian exports of ers during 2012-13. The mentors are: beef from animals under 30 months Reynold Bergen, the science director of age (UTM) to the UAE was worth of the Beef Cattle Research Council; more than $1 million in 2011. ranchers and past presidents of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Tra- Canada Beef has released the names Christoph and Erika Weder vis Toews and David Andrews; rancher of 10 bloggers who have agreed to act and market analyst, Anne Dunford; as Canada Beef Brand Ambassadors Christoph and Erika Weder of rancher and former MLA Arno Doerk- for beef in the blogosphere. They have Spirit View Ranch were presented sen; chairman of the Alberta Livestock varied backgrounds, communications with the 2012 Environmental Steward- and Meat Agency, David Chalack; workers, writers, accountants and ship Award (TESA) by the Canadian president of Canada Beef Inc., Rob stay-at-home single moms. All share Cattlemen’s Association last month in Meijer; cattle buyer, Rick Wright; Sas- an interest in a food and are willing to Calgary at the International Livestock katchewan Cattlemen’s Association share their insights and tips on healthy Congress. Their Spirit View Ranch directors, Ryan Bierebach and Ryan living and cooking and the benefits north of Rycroft, Alta. is comprised of Thompson; U of A ranch foreman of Canadian beef. Your ambassadors 2,800 acres of deeded land, 4,200 acres Don Armitage; communications and are: Stephanie Caruso, Alexa Clark, of leased land and 640 acres of rented marketing consultant, Toby Oswald- Tracy Courtney, Fellicia Dewar, Neil land that is home to 1,000 breeding Felker; B.C. rancher, Erika Fossen; Faba, Julia Gabriel, Kathryne Grisim, females plus stockers along with 150 director of corporate affairs at Cargill Christine McNaughton, Lina Zussino species of birds, 45 mammals, seven Ltd., Chantelle Donahue; and rancher and Shayna Murray. To learn more amphibian and one reptile species as a and Natural Resources Conservation about them search out Canada Beef on result of the family’s stewardship prac- Board member Jim Turner. The CYL Facebook. tices. Solar-powered waterers, rota- program was started by the CCA in tional grazing and reliance on legumes 2010 to provide promising young pro- In mid-August a group of investors provides sustainable forage production ducers with an opportunity to explore led by fi nancier W. Brett Wilson took without the need for fertilizers. The potential career choices or involvement control of Viewtrak Technologies, the Weders were certifi ed by Food Alliance with a provincial/national producer Edmonton software company founded for their sustainable farming and land organization, while gaining some of in 1999 by veterinarian Jake Burlet use practices. They also restored more the expertise and business acumen nec- and his wife Jennifer Wood to estab- than 100 wetlands in co-operation essary to sustain the cattle industry lish an Internet platform for recording with Ducks Unlimited. into the future. and tracking cattle. Burlet has left the The other nominees were: Rod and company but remains a shareholder, Nonie Hesketh of Silver Hills Ranch in The mid-year July 1 inventory num- according to press reports. Marc de B.C.; brothers Dale and Terry Adam- bers from Statistics Canada show the La Bruyère, the chairman and man- son of the Diamond J Cattle Co. in beef herd remained largely unchanged aging director of Maclab Enterprises Saskatchewan; JV Ranch, a division from last summer with a 3.5 per cent is the new chairman of the board. of HyLife Ltd., in Manitoba; and increase in replacement heifers being Ted Power of Trace Applications Inc. Jim Ginn of the Ginn Family Farm in held on beef farms. Total cattle and is CEO and Hubert Lau, founder of Ontario calf inventories were off 0.1 per cent Ekota Central Ltd., an Edmonton- across the country. The number of based IT networking and software The Cattlewomen for the Cure golf farms reporting cattle, beef and dairy, development company, is vice-presi- tournament enjoyed another success- slipped another 2.2 per cent to 84,040. dent of technology. ful event last month at the Cotton- wood Coulee Golf Course in Medicine In early August Canada regained Ontario has asked Agriculture and Hat, Alta. The annual event is put on full market access for beef to the Agri-Food Canada to assess the sup- by women involved in the beef indus- United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the port under AgriRecovery available to try to raise some money for a differ- inclusion of beef from animals over livestock producers affected by this ent charity each time, and do a little 30 months of age. “The UAE is the summer’s drought. Ag Minister Ted networking for themselves. The 2012 fi rst country in the Gulf Cooperation McMeekin is asking Ottawa to speed tournament raised $49,700 for the Council region to resume full access up tax relief for producers in affected ALS Society of Canada plus $1,500 to our high-quality beef and this is a regions. Ontario will cover any reduc- for local food banks. This surpasses signifi cant milestone for Canadian beef tion in AgriStability coverage for farm- the $49,000 they raised for Ronald producers, said Ag Minister Gerry Ritz. ers in prescribed drought regions that McDonald House in 2011. Our con- “We are hopeful that the UAE’s deci- are forced to sell breeding stock due to gratulations go out to Lyndsay Smith sion will encourage other countries in lack of pasture or hay. C

6 CATTLEMEN / SEPTEMBER 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca grazing

How Much Gain is Left? Don’t be fooled by how much grass is left sure have nothing to complain about this year when it comes to the weather. As a Canadian and a farmer, that is frustrating because that is what we do. A Canadian I talks about the weather and a farmer likes to complain. If it were not for the weather, most of us would not even know how to start a conversation. You won’t lose pulling them when they still have grass. This spring there was lots of snow for run-off and we had plenty of April showers. May brought sunshine and fall on pairs. Let’s say we leave the animals in that paddock more rain. June came in hot mixed in with a little rain. July for two more days, we had four days of gain and two days has been a cooker with plenty of thundershowers to keep us without gain. That’s kind of like two steps forward and one soaking wet. My water sources are full. The lowlands are step back. I would much prefer to see gain every day. overflowing and the grass is over my head in places. I have So when you are looking at a paddock and deciding more grass than I can handle and the cattle are lovin’ it! whether or not to move the animals, ask yourself, “how What could I possibly complain about? much gain is left?” And move the animals early. I have told Well, maybe that the forage is a lower quality because every exchange student, intern and employee that has been of the heavy growth. Our area has seen its share of drought on my ranch. You will never get in trouble for moving too years but the grass during a drought is usually higher qual- early, but you might for moving too late. ity. There’s not much of it but it’s high in protein and energy. Now don’t get me wrong, you can’t be overstocked and This year the quality will be lower around here. move sooner because that might shorten your rest period too I have been speaking with other producers and they were much. Graze Period and Rest Period have to work together. telling me about how much grass they have and how they Make sure you are still maintaining an adequate rest period. are taking off extra pastures as hay this year. That is fine. As a bonus, by moving when you are out of gain, you also I am not here to tell you that one management practice is leave extra residue. And you can never leave too much resi- wrong and another is right because as I have said before, it due. The extra will help reduce run-off and evaporation, feed all depends on the economics behind the production practice your soil life, build organic matter and recycle nutrients back on your farm. But at the same time I look at the pastures into the soil. That will make next year’s pasture even better. that they are grazing and they are being overgrazed. Why? That is of course as long as you are managing it for the four Even with a minimal rotation, some producers are leaving grazing concepts (Graze Period, Rest Period, Stock Density the animals on for too long of a graze period. and Animal Impact). But there is still grass out there, you might say. Maybe, but Now if your forage gets quite mature then the quality I have a better question for you to ask yourself. “How much drops quite a bit. No big deal. The plants went to seed and gain is left out there?” On any pasture, especially on a year helped replenish the seed bank. That’s a good thing. You with good growth like this one, the bottom parts of the plants, can still graze it later in the season, or in the winter, or next the stems and lower leaves, are not as nutritious. So yes, there spring early. You may need to supplement some protein to may still be lots of forage out there, but how much gain is left? help the rumen bugs make better use of it, but it is usually Picture a fresh paddock we are about to turn cattle onto. cheaper to supplement on pasture than it is to feed. Some nice fresh fescue, a bit of clover, some brome grass So in a good year, when you have great weather and noth- filled out nicely, maybe some alfalfa standing proud. Yummy. ing to complain about… and the grass is way ahead of you, Tasty and nutritious. Now we turn in the herd. Normally the what are you going to do? Hay it, or increase your stocking paddock lasts us three to four days. Well this year with all rate to deal with the extra grass? I would not recommend the growth, after four days there is still a lot of grass left. either one. I would take the opportunity nature gave me and Let’s look at the forage again. The fescue is chewed off, give back to feed the soil. Leave extra residue out on the the clover is mostly gone, the brome grass is knocked over pasture and help build your soil. If I help nature feed the soil and half eaten and the alfalfa stems are still standing but not in good years, the bad years won’t be all that bad. Oh, and I quite so proud as they have very few leaves left. We still have should have better gains on my animals. forage in front of them and the animals will be fine for a few Best wishes. Maybe next month I will have something to more days eating what’s left, but they will not be gaining. complain about. C The protein and energy percentages are not near as high in — Steve Kenyon what’s left as they were in the first few days. What are you after? More days or more gain? I almost Steve Kenyon runs Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd. in Busby, always pick more gain. Gain as in pounds of beef on year- Alta., www.greenerpasturesranching.com, 780-307-6500, email lings or gain as in weaning weights and body condition in the [email protected]. www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen / September 2012 7 Introducing The longest-lasting on-arrival antibiotic on the market today.*

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* Huang R.A., et al. (2009) J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 33, 227-237. Menge M., et al. (2011) J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. Nowakowski M.A., et al. Veterinary Therapeutics, vol. 5, no. 1, Spring 2004.

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* Huang R.A., et al. (2009) J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 33, 227-237. Menge M., et al. (2011) J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. Nowakowski M.A., et al. Veterinary Therapeutics, vol. 5, no. 1, Spring 2004.

Zuprevo Can Cattleman Double Page.indd 1 12-08-07 10:21 health disease

BVD Virus Wears Many Disguises It’s been estimated 80 per cent of North American cattle had been exposed to BVD virus and 70 to 90 per cent of those infections go undetected

ovine viral diarrhea virus protective against the strain that’s system, making them more vulnera- (BVD) is sneaky in that it affecting your cattle,” she says. ble to many other diseases. Even cat- affects cattle in so many dif- “My interest, in my research, is tle that are not persistently infected B ferent ways. lesions in the bovine respiratory dis- or exposed to BVD in utero have Dr. Amy Warren an assistant ease complex. This can be a problem increased susceptibility to respiratory professor of anatomic and clinical on many farms and ranches, and a disease. If they come into contact pathology at the University of Cal- significant problem in most feedlots with BVD it monkeys around with gary faculty of veterinary medicine in Alberta. It’s a significant cause of the body’s defence system. And in PI has seen the many faces of BVD virus decreased production or even death (persistently infected) cattle we don’t during her career. Now she thinks of the animals. The respiratory dis- know whether it is directly knock- she’s found a new one in the hearts ing off the immune system itself, or and lungs of cattle. changing the way the respiratory “I am a pathologist by training, tract forms (in the fetus),” she says. so I am not as up to date on treat- “We have identified “We have identified a subset of cat- ments or current vaccinations; I pri- tle that have lesions in the vessels of marily study BVD and how it affects a subset of cattle that the heart and lungs, causing inflam- the animal. BVD has so many differ- have lesions in the vessels mation of the blood vessels in acutely ent manifestations in cattle that you infected animals. We think this may could almost blame any disease on of the heart and lungs contribute to the animal’s suscepti- BVD — and some people do. It’s one bility to respiratory disease. These of the first things people think of, to causing inflammation BVD lesions have not been described rule out,” she says. of the vessels” before,” says Warren. BVD is a common cause of respi- “At this point we don’t have enough ratory disease, and also has acute epidemiology data to confirm that this manifestations like mucosal disease ease complex can be caused by a num- does contribute to respiratory disease and deaths within the herd. It seems ber of different pathogens working susceptibility, but the coincidence of to affect most body systems in some together; some are bacteria and some having these lesions in the heart and form. There are skin manifestations, are viruses. I am interested in BVD lungs makes us wonder if these could especially in cattle that were infected virus’s role in this,” she says. be factors — even if only in a minor before birth, bone malformations, GI “People have thought for years way,” she says. tract infections — you name it. that these respiratory problems “Another thing we see here in “One of the challenges we have in are associated with BVD, but how Alberta and we don’t know why it preventing it or vaccinating against it actually causes disease is still not happens is calves that slough their BVD is that this virus changes. The known. We do know that BVD feet when they enter the feedlot. We current vaccine may or may not be dampens down the animal’s immune wonder if this is another blood vessel

10 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca pathology caused by the virus. This is something else we are working on in our research,” she explains. BVD not only affects cattle, but also alpacas and other camelid species, and causes abortion in sheep. The fact that it can affect so many species indicates that this is a very versatile virus. This complicates the picture when trying to prevent BVD. Many dairies control BVD by keeping a closed herd, rais- ing their own replacement heifers and breeding all females AI. This is not a feasible option for most of the beef industry. Even if you raise your own heifers you usually purchase bulls. And once you bring BVD into your herd, it can be difficult to get rid of. We don’t see as much GI tract involvement today as in the past, simply because many people vaccinate now. Diar- rhea was a more common manifestation in naive herds that had no immunity. “This is when we saw the acute out- breaks,” says Warren. “There are also some weird things this virus does. There are certain strains that affect cattle in different ways. In Ontario we used to see bone marrow abnormalities, and the cattle had bleeding disorders. I haven’t seen much of this in Western Canada. BVD seems more associated with respiratory disease here. There are different strains of the virus that cause different diseases. This makes it tough to get a handle on what’s happening because it is causing different diseases,” she explains. Most other diseases of cattle are easier to diagnose because they tend to have characteristic signs. BVD, by contrast, can be the cause of any disease. If it hinders the immune system, it could be the reason your cattle are sick with other diseases. The way cattle are transported around the country today, a strain that might have been primarily in one geographic region can quickly show up in another part of the country. “Most cattle veterinarians consider BVD virus one of the biggest health problems for cattle. Many researchers are working on it, but this is a tough virus to understand. It doesn’t always translate into something you can identify on the production end of things, or know how best to protect the cattle,” says Warren. It’s difficult to create a foolproof vaccine because of the way this virus can change. Currently there are vaccines against two major strains. Researchers at the University of Calgary are working on other strains. Many viruses have the ability to mutate and change. This is part of the way that they replicate, and avoid attacks from the animal’s immune system. “We end up with a small group of the virus that can survive the immune system’s defences and then we get a new manifestation of disease from that virus. This is an inherent variability that’s useful for survival of the virus. The way it looks in one disease outbreak may be different from how it looks in another. It can be frustrating for stockmen, especially when they think they might have BVD under control and then it surfaces in a different form,” she says. All too often cattle producers think cattle can be vaccinated and then they are safe. It isn’t always that simple, especially with BVD. C — Heather Smith Thomas www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen / September 2012 11 doing More. using less. A series on being ready for the farming challenges ahead Maximizing yields requires more than good genetics The basics of crop rotation and proper soil management need to be applied — including in North America

few years ago a University of Manitoba soil science professor delivered a presentation of how to grow AVerAge WHeAT Yields (bu./acre) 2006-10 100 bushels of canola per acre. He looked at the yield claims of several products and pieces of 120 A equipment, added them up, and concluded that if you purchased every one, you could grow 100-bushel canola. 100 His point, of course, was that this was impossible. Once 102 you are already using good genetics and the right basic management practices, the law of diminishing returns starts to 80 apply. The role of good genetics in achieving the yields we have 60 66 today is well known, as is the need to improve them further. But in a world where higher yields are needed to feed a growing 40 population, is too much pressure being placed on the plant 40 43 43 breeders and not enough on the farmers? Are they following those basic management practices? 20 North American farmers often assume that they lead the world in management, but is that the case? 0 Canada France Ukraine U.S. Uzbekistan It’s hard to argue with U.S. dominance in corn yields, but wheat yields tell another story. The U.S. five-year average wheat Source: FAO yield from 2006-10 was 43 bushels per acre. That’s more than Canada at 40, but most of the U.S. production is winter wheat, with an inherent yield advantage over spring wheat, and grown in an area with a longer growing season and more precipitation. That means making the most efficient use of all available The U.S. average yield is the same as in Ukraine, still faced with resources, including fuel, fertilizer, chemicals and the most the challenges of emerging from the Soviet era. Uzbekistan, important resource of all — soil. in the same position, averaged 66 bushels, and France 102 Again, some of the basic agronomic principles for bushels. maintaining soil health and crop yields have still to be adopted in developed countries, but in the developing countries — Back to the basics where population growth is highest — there is even more Those statistics suggest that in the U.S., many farmers are not work to be done. That will require more than good genetics, doing the basics — fertilization, good soil management and but the application of good old-fashioned extension. Farmers proper crop rotation. In that last regard, many Canadian farmers in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa have yet to have the will admit they are not following recommended practice recently, same access to public and private extension services, or to particularly in following the one-in-four-year rule for seeding farm publications like this one, to learn about the best ways to canola on the same field. That’s understandable given its high produce the most crop from a hectare of land. price relative to other crops, but it does mean fewer tonnes For many of the developing world’s farmers, one hectare is grown in total. As the world’s demand for food continues, total the size of their farm. That old-fashioned extension will need tonnes will become more important, meaning farmers may need to include ways to adopt new-fashioned technology on a scale to take a longer-term view of how to maximize their yields. appropriate for farmers and their families.

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What does the future hold for veterinarians? everal well-documented trends have converged to change the face of the veterinary practice in SCanada and very probably the way we will manage infectious diseases of cattle. Shrinking herd size, bigger carcass weights, fewer cattle farms, larger farms, older operators, and faster information flows have forced veterinarians to adapt, says Dr. Murray Jelinski, Alberta Beef Industry chair at the West- ern College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon who has surveyed the profession on how it is responding to these changes. Overall, the 706 clinics representing 1,872 veterinarians in Western Can- ada that responded to the survey spend about 13 per cent of their time on beef cattle, three per cent on dairy cattle, 10 per cent on horses and 72 per cent on small animals. None of the clinics worked with swine or poultry. Sixty per cent now deal exclusively with compan- Dr. Kent Fenton Dr. Murray Jelinski ion animals, while only four per cent work exclusively with food animals. The rural veterinary model is chang- of your parasite control and antimicro- and feedlots will manage infectious ing from the local vet who performs all bial products, it doesn’t really matter disease. For his presentation to the the basic veterinary procedures to that compared to what your veterinarian University of Calgary’s faculty of vet- of a veterinary consultant. can do if he or she is knowledgeable erinary medicine’s Beef Cattle Confer- Looking back beyond the 1970s, about genetics, nutrition and the other ence, he and his colleague, Dr. Calvin Jelinski says regulatory testing and consultative-types of service.” Booker, drew on their company’s data- drug and vaccine sales were the rev- In Western Canada the return on base which processes 1.5 million head enue generators and information was investment in individual animal proce- of feedlot cattle annually. dispensed with the bottle. The 1980s dures such as correcting prolapses and Overall, they expect to see an saw more demand for calving and calf dystocia ranges from 2:1 to 3:1. The increase in vertical integration and treatment services. Since then, practices return on procedures that impact a large value chains. have been transitioning to providing number of animals can be much higher This trend may or may not reduce herd health services and, going for- — 4:1 for pregnancy checking and 13:1 disease transmission, however, it will ward, will focus even more on the herd for breeding soundness evaluations on provide more opportunities to control rather than individual animals. bulls. disease before it gets to the feedlot ver- Herd-level services can include The bottom line is that to get the sus today’s model of controlling it at advice on animal welfare, treatment most from your veterinarian today, the point of entry when the majority and vaccination protocols, reproduc- you need to start by asking yourself of the calves arrive from mixed sources tion, nutrition, genetics, implants, car- what you need. and are commingled at the feedlot. cass management, marketing or risk “Today, systems are where it is at management as well as welfare and Future of disease management in the food animal industries, but con- production-based audits. Dr. Kent Fenton, a veterinary prac- sumers don’t like to hear the words “Today, if you are still choosing titioner with Feedlot Health Manage- ‘animal’ and ‘system’ in the same sen- your veterinarian based on drug prices ment Services based at Okotoks, Alta., tence,” says Fenton. For this reason, alone, you will be losing out, says cites similar trends when he looks Jelinski. “Sadly, if you add up the price ahead 10 years to how veterinarians Continued on page 16

14 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca www.merial.ca ® The CATTLEHEAD LOGO and IVOMEC® are registered trademarks of Merial Limited. © 2012 Merial Canada Inc. All rights reserved. IVMO-11-2554-JA MER-2090 Continued from page 14 collection systems. Digital imaging and they have only gross symptoms and on-farm diagnostics, either by veteri- temperature to guide their decision. he expects to see the industry step narians or trained staff with virtual The dilemma in managing respira- up efforts to make the business more oversight by veterinarians will add to tory disease, the biggest killer of feed- transparent and educate consumers the disease-fighting arsenal. lot calves, is deciding whether to treat. about how beef is produced. Accom- About 70 per cent of calves that look panying these efforts could be manda- sick and have a fever will recover if given tory verification of animal welfare, and water. But the higher the initial tempera- more regulation of antimicrobial use. There will be opportunities ture, the more likely it is that the animal Regulation leads to higher costs and for veterinarians to will die despite the best therapy. coupled with rising input costs should In the next 10 years Fenton says reduce profitability even when cattle develop more precise science will provide more effective vac- prices are steady or increasing. cines as well as new compounds to On the flip side, there will be oppor- disease prevention and stimulate immune function, and treat tunities for veterinarians to develop control strategies diseases. It will be a systems approach more precise disease prevention and to disease control and management control strategies for individual ani- with tools to select for disease resis- mals in feedlots, thereby reducing our tance and methods for improving the reliance on antimicrobials. In future, chute-side technology value of research over time. Integrated health management plans will direct the most cost-effective treat- While veterinarians of tomorrow willJob emphasize # vaccination1106844 and diag- ment strategy for individualaD #:nvc SB06126844 animals. will be better armed, he says the chal- nostics,client: but also bringNovartis biosecurity and Microbials will remain important in lenges and opportunities will be the biocontainmentSpecs: toT: 7x5the //forefront 4C on the treatment of disease, but alterna- same as today — “to respond to indus- farms and ranches across the country. tive therapies will become more com- try and societal changes by develop- Technology1. Desktop:JhW is already offering3. aD: monplace. 5. cW: ing, validating7. aS: and adopting new ideas, technologies and systems to control opportunities2. Proof: for real-time disease4. sur cD:- Trained pen checkers6. Prod. and Mgr: animal veillance and monitoring with the use health personnel will continue to be infectious diseases of beef cattle.” C of computerized individual animal data the first line of disease detection, but — Debbie Furber

ADVERTORIAL ScourS Prevention StartS With the coW Ensuring next year’s calves get off to a fast, healthy start begins long Vaccinating pregnant cows with SCOUR BOS® 9 has the added benefit before calving season through careful management and vaccination of reducing the number of disease-causing pathogens shed in manure, of the dam. thus reducing the calf’s chances of exposure. Calf scours, or neonatal diarrhea, continues to be a leading cause Of course, vaccination and good colostrum management are only of mortality and sickness among calves. Viruses and bacteria that part of an effective scours prevention strategy. To ensure the health can cause calf scours are naturally present in every calf’s environment. of your calves it is essential to incorporate other management So how do you ensure that your calves are equipped to deal with strategies, including: this challenge? • Reducing manure contamination in the calving area by moving cows The most vital factor in the control of calfhood diseases, particularly away from the calving area when possible. scours, is colostrum. Newborn calves depend on colostrum for • Providing adequate shelter for your cow-calf pairs in the calving and immunity against diseases until they are old enough to generate their nursery areas. own protective immunity. • Keeping calving and nursery areas well-bedded and well-drained. Vaccinating your pregnant cows and heifers against the common scours pathogens with SCOUR BOS® 9 will increase the protection • Refraining from bringing in new animals to your herd during against scours through their colostrum. mid-to-late pregnancy and calving to reduce the spread of disease. Two things need to happen in order for this method to be effective. • Isolating scouring calves in a separate area, away from the herd. First, the cow must have optimum antibody concentrations present in Calf scours is a complex and multi-factorial disease, but with the right her blood before she starts to make colostrum. Since cows begin to tools and timing you can reduce the risk it poses to next year’s calf make colostrum 4 to 6 weeks before calving1 vaccination should occur crop. Plan ahead and talk to your herd veterinarian about making ahead of this, following label directions. SCOUR BOS® 9 a part of your fall management to provide the best Second, the calf needs to receive 4 – 6 liters of colostrum within the preventative strategies for your herd. first 24 hours of its life. If you’re not sure whether a calf has received enough colostrum, provide additional colostrum from the calf’s mother or a high-quality supplement. S cour Bo S EARLIER BETTER LONg ER

1 Radostits O, gay C, Hinchcliff K, Constable P (editors). Veterinary Medicine, 10th ed., 2007. Scour Bos is registered trademark of Novartis Ag; used under license.

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COLOURS: 4C PRODUCTION: LIVE: 7” x 9.875” DATE INITIAL DOCKET # FOC SDY A 26405 Heidi Prange Cyan CREATIVE: TRIM: 8.25” x 10.875” REGION None MAGENTA None CLIENT YELLOW ACCOUNT EXEC: CLIENT: Ford BLEED: 8.625” x 11.25” Amanda Perri BLACK STUDIO JOB DESC.: Super Duty Generic STUDIO: TO PRE-PRESS: Lalousis, John PRODUCTION FILE NAME: 26405_B_R0_SuperDutyGeneric_8.25x10.875.indd B PREV. USER: START DATE: 07/05/12 CREATIVE DIR. Lalousis, John MOD. DATE: 7-13-2012 11:58 AM 26405 TO PUB: ART DIRECTOR MEDIA TYPE: Magazine INSERTION DATE: July COPYWRITER

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FONT DISCLAIMER: The fonts and related font software included with the attached electronic mechanical are owned (“Y&R Proprietary Fonts”) and/or licensed (“Y&R Licensed Fonts”) by The Young & Rubicam Group of Companies ULC. They are provided to you as part of our job order for your services, and are to be used only for the execution and the completion of this job order. You are authorized to use the Y&R Proprietary Fonts in the execution of the job order provided that any and all copies of the Y&R Proprietary Fonts shall be deleted from your systems and destroyed upon completion of this job order. You warrant and represent that you have secured the necessary licenses for the use of Y&R Licensed Fonts in order to execute our job order and will abide by the terms thereof. health vaccines THE EVIDENCE FOR VACCINATION AT WEANING AND THE FEEDLOT It isn’t clearcut, but don’t stop doing it

here are more than 80 vaccines available for cattle in Canada, most are indicated T as an “aid in the prevention of disease.” This label category means the product has been proven to effec- tively prevent the disease by a clinically significant amount, but not 100 per cent. Add to that the variability within the environment and among individual animals and it’s understandable why vaccination does not always necessarily equal immunization, says Dr. Claire Windeyer with the department of production animal health at the University of Calgary faculty of veterinary medicine (UCVM). Immunity is complicated. There is innate immunity like the mucus in the nose that is always active. Then there’s active immunity that is acquired over time by vaccination or natural exposure to pathogens, and passive immunity that involves the transfer of antibodies in the colostrum or blood from an Dr. Claire Windeyer immune animal. The immune response can be Evidence confusing Efficiency evaluates whether using either humoral, with protection com- Windeyer recently searched the a vaccine makes economic sense. It’s ing from antibodies in the blood or scientific journals looking for evi- often difficult to account for all fac- mucus, or cell mediated, with protec- dence that supports vaccinating calves tors in a cost-benefit analysis, so there tion managed by immune cells. against bovine respiratory disease are few published studies on vaccine The basis for vaccinating as a mat- (BRD) upon arrival at the feedlot and efficiency. ter of routine is to try to tip the tee- pre-weaning at the ranch. Taken one by one, the studies Wind- ter-totter in favour of healthy animals To be of value, a vaccine should eyer found on vaccinating calves at and improved performance. However, have the three Es — efficacy, effective- arrival in the feedlot present a confus- there isn’t a blanket vaccination pro- ness and efficiency. ing picture, offering evidence both for gram for all herds because the risk of Efficacy means a vaccine elicits and against vaccinating with single and disease varies from farm to farm. an immune response, and it must be combination vaccines. “It’s important to speak with your proven in controlled trials and chal- A 1997 literature review of field effi- veterinarian to customize a vaccina- lenge studies involving vaccinated and cacy studies found positive trials and tion program that works for your unvaccinated trials to gain a license a few negative ones, but most fell into herd,” says Windeyer. “Remember, for the product. They show the vac- the neutral zone. Windeyer says the too, vaccination is not a bandage cine works but not necessarily under authors, Perino and Hunsaker, touched for poor management.” Nutrition, all conditions on all farms. on the potential for publication bias. management, monitoring, early inter- Effectiveness looks at whether a vac- Neutral or negative findings were vention, and good records to track cine works in the real world. Field stud- almost three times more likely when disease are other important facets in a ies assess the degree to which a vaccine disease prevention strategy. reduces disease in a population. Continued on page 19

18 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca Continued from page 18 face of maternal antibodies showed an increase in calf antibody levels until Vaccine label claims none of the study authors were affili- six months of age. • Prevention of infection: prevents ated with the test vaccines. In 2001, Dr. John Ellis at the West- all colonization or replication of Doctors R.L. Larson from Kan- ern College of Veterinary Medicine the organism in vaccinated ani- sas State University and D.L. Step in Saskatoon found minimal disease mals from Oklahoma State University in calves with no maternal antibod- • Prevention of disease: at least 80 recently undertook a meta-analysis ies vaccinated at 10 to 14 days of age per cent effective in preventing of all of the field trials on this sub- when challenged with BVD at 4.5 clinical disease ject published in English scientific months of age. Calves with maternal • Aid in the prevention of disease: literature. They looked at the qual- antibodies when vaccinated became prevents disease by a clinically ity of the research and analysed sick when challenged. Antibody levels significant amount the overall weighted results. Their before the challenge weren’t necessar- • Aid in disease control: alleviates paper, “Evidence-based Effectiveness ily predictive of whether the calves disease severity, reduces disease of Vaccination against Mannheimia did or didn’t get sick. duration, or delays disease onset haemolytica (MH), Pasteurella mul- Windeyer says the Ellis study sug- • Other claims: effects other than tocida (PM) and Histophilus somni gested high levels of maternal anti- direct disease control, such as the (HS) in Feedlot Cattle for Mitigating bodies can interfere with the humoral control of infectiousness through the Incidence and Effect of Bovine response to vaccination and prevent the reduction of pathogen shed- Respiratory Disease Complex,” clinical protection, successful immu- ding, if there is a clinically signifi- was published in March 2012, in nity can be achieved through vac- cant effect the journal, Ve t e r i n a r y Clinics cination at an early age if maternal o f No r t h Am e r i c a : Fo o d An i m a l antibodies are not present and high Pr a c t i c e . levels of specific antibodies are not with maternal antibodies were given MH and MH/PM vaccines provided essential for clinical protection as it a BVD/IBR/PI3/BRSV modified-live a slight, but significant reduction in seems that other immune mechanisms vaccine intranasally within the first BRD in 18 studies, but nine studies may be involved. week of life they showed an increase showed no effect on mortality. One in antibodies in nasal secretions, but study looking at MH/HS vaccines not in the blood. showed a reduction in the risk of hav- “Clearly, there is evidence that ing to treat animals for BRD and there “The risk and cost young calves are capable of mount- were no mortalities among either vac- ing responses to immune challenges, cinated or unvaccinated calves. Only of a disease outbreak, whether that be through vaccination or three field studies of HS vaccines were along with sufficient exposure to pathogens in their environ- available and they showed no differ- ments, depending on several variables ence in the incidence of BRD. evidence of efficacy including age and amount of maternal The evidence for vaccinating antibodies,” says Windeyer. “It’s just calves on the ranch before weaning are good incentives that a young calf’s response to a vac- is also mixed. to maintain a well- cine in the face of maternal antibodies Windeyer says this practice isn’t may be different from and more diffi- as widely accepted by producers as vaccinated herd” cult to measure than the response of an vaccination on entry to a feedlot older animal.” largely because of the economics and Several studies have shown that Many questions remain: At what the old dogma that passive maternal calves with maternal antibodies vac- level do maternal antibodies interfere antibodies interfere with the ability cinated at less than three months of with vaccination? When is the best of a vaccine to generate antibodies in age may have cell-mediated responses time to vaccinate? What is the best young calves. and improved antibody response to a route for vaccinating? What are the In the early 1990s Alberta veteri- booster vaccination even if they don’t most important pathogens to target? narian Joyce Van Donkersgoed found show an antibody response to the ini- What happens when calves are given the incidence of BRD was reduced tial vaccination. a 5-way modified-live virus vaccine, in some groups of calves vaccinated One U.S. study indicates calves plus a 3-way bacterial pneumonia before weaning, but not in calves vac- vaccinated against BVD at two to vaccine and an 8-way clostridial vaccinated at weaning. In another of her five weeks had fewer clinical signs cine at the same time? studies, calves that received various and higher antibody levels when chal- “While answers to these questions combination vaccines against BVD, lenged with BVD at seven to nine are being debated by veterinarians and IBR, PI3 and/or BRSV had higher months of age. researchers, it doesn’t mean producers antibody levels than unvaccinated In other work intranasally vacci- should throw out their current vaccine calves, however, calves with maternal nating calves without maternal anti- strategies,” says Windeyer. “The risk antibodies were less likely to have an bodies at two, six or nine weeks of and cost of a disease outbreak, along increase in antibodies. The responses age with a BRSV or a BRSV-combi- with sufficient evidence of efficacy are varied by vaccination protocol. In a nation vaccine reduced the risk or the good incentives to maintain a well- third study an HS/MH vaccine given severity of disease when they were vaccinated herd.” C at one and two months of age in the challenged with BRSV. When calves — Debbie Furber www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen / September 2012 19 health disease

Pellets can have ergot too Wayne Brost learned that lesson the hard way rgot is an infection of grasses they would. That’s where the simi- and cereal crops caused by the larities end. fungus, Claviceps purpurea. “They licked around, but they E The oversized purplish-black weren’t keen on it,” Brost says. This ergot bodies that develop in the place odd reaction to the pellets continued day of seeds or kernels can be easily identi- after day and he really began to won- fied in standing crops and uncleaned der what could be wrong because other grain, but it’s a different story once the years the calves would always have the grain has been processed and one with pellets cleaned up by the end of the day. which Wayne Brost of Medicine Hat, Not knowing what the problem Alta., is all too familiar. was, he sent a sample of the pellets to Though Brost doesn’t grow grain, an Alberta lab for a routine feed test. he knows ergot when he sees it. He Nothing unusual turned up. clearly remembers his dad checking the About a month later, he noticed a crops for ergot, especially rye because few calves limping and thought it could it is highly susceptible, but he never be foot rot, but in the back of his mind imagined that commercial feed could he still suspected that something wasn’t be contaminated with ergot — one right with the pellets because the calves It shows up in lost feet and ears. would expect it would be tested to still weren’t going after them. ensure it’s free from toxins. As he When part of an ear fell off a calf as came back negative. However, a sample found out, that’s not the case. it pulled its head out of the headgate, the feed company sent for testing did Ergot bodies contain several types that was it. Brost called his veterinar- detect ergot, but not the concentration. of claviceps alkaloids which are toxic ian who suspected he was dealing with Again, Brost’s veterinarian sought to people and animals when consumed ergot poisoning. advice from the WCVM and learned as they cause blood vessels to constrict, After examining two of the calves that they needed to request a test for reducing blood flow, which can lead and consulting with the Western Col- claviceps alkaloids, not ergot bodies. to gangrene, abortions and nervous lege of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Only a couple of labs in North Amer- symptoms. Processing contaminated Saskatoon, Brost’s veterinarian was con- ica currently test for all types of clavi- grain doesn’t destroy the alkaloids but fident his initial diagnosis was correct. ceps alkaloids. Subsequently, a sample it does make ergot bodies impossible By this time, a couple of months was sent to a lab in Missouri. to detect with the naked eye. had passed and he had about a dozen “I was blown away when the test At weaning last November, Brost calves limping around. He contacted came back showing that the claviceps received a fresh load of grain screen- the feed company, which delivered a alkaloid level was 220 times over the ing pellets, just as he has for the past fresh load of pellets, and the calves acceptable U.S. limit,” Brost recalls. eight years. The first time he fed the took to them just like any other year. “When I found out, well to say the pellets, a few of the calves ran over At this point, Brost sent a sample of least, I was sick to think that I had fed to the trough and the others wan- the original load to another Alberta lab dered in behind, just as he expected with a specific request to test for ergot. It Continued on page 22

A Canadian test for claviceps alkaloids Blakley used to field a couple of calls a year about ergot. Now, with the wet weather conditions of the past few years, he Testing for the presence of claviceps alkaloids is about to averages that many every week. become a whole lot easier for Canadian producers and feed High levels of ergot poisoning affect the production of prolac- companies. tin, a hormone involved in mammary gland and milk development Dr. Barry Blakley, the supervisory veterinary toxicologist with during pregnancy. Fortunately it is not a chronic condition and the Prairie Diagnostic Services (PDS) housed at the Western College next lactation will be normal. of Veterinary Medicine received word in July that they have been Higher ergot levels may cause hallucinations but the animals approved to submit a grant application to buy the necessary equip- generally recover after a day or two off the contaminated feed. ment. It will likely be late fall before the grants are announced, There is no recovery from the severe gangrene that re- and another couple of months to get the equipment in place. sults in the loss of body parts. PDS recently expanded its animal health and pathology ser- Up until the PDS is ready to test for mycotoxins, Blakley is vices to include tests for heavy metals, vitamins and minerals in available to help producers find a U.S. lab to test for claviceps blood, tissue and feed. The new equipment will test for organic alkaloids and interpret the test results according to Canadian compounds such as claviceps alkaloids and other mycotoxins recommendations. He can be reached at 306-966-7350, or email plus herbicide, insecticide and rodenticide residues in feed. [email protected].

20 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca ADD SAFE-GUARDTM ADD POUNDS

Safe-GuardTM (fenbendazole) is a different class of dewormer than pour-ons and injectables. It works fast to stop internal parasites and the hidden damage they cause. These parasites suppress feed intake, reduce average daily gain, hurt nutrient absorption and immune function, reducing the health and performance of your cattle.1,2 Use Safe-Guard as part of your parasite control program for more pounds of high quality beef in the feedlot.3,4 Visit www.AddSafe-Guard.com for more information or contact your veterinarian.

1Endoparasite control, L.R. Ballweber, Veterinary Clinics Food Animal, 2006, 22:451-461. 2Economic analysis of pharmaceutical technologies in modern beef production, J.D. Lawrence and M.A. Ibarburu, Iowa State University, 2007. 3Pasture deworming and (or) subsequent feedlot deworming with fenbendazole I. Effects of grazing performance, feedlot performance and carcass traits of yearling steers, R. Smith, et al., The Bovine Practitioner, 2000, 34:104-114. 4A fenbendazole oral drench in addition to an ivermectin pour-on reduces parasite burden and improves feedlot and carcass performance of finishing heifers compared with endectocides alone, C.D. Reinhardt, J.P. Hutcheson and W.T. Nichols, Journal of Animal Science, 2006, 84:2243-2250.

TMSafe-Guard is a trademark of Intervet International B.V. Used under license. Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the US and Canada), operating in Canada as Intervet Canada Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. MERCK and MSD are trademarks of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. Copyright © 2012 Intervet International B.V., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. All rights reserved.

SG Bovine Canadian Cattlemen.indd 1 12-08-07 15:32 Continued from page 20 of bred heifers that were in the same group when they calved prematurely. Recommended tolerance level this to the calves.” The acceptable limit The episode still haunts Brost in the U.S. is 100 to 200 parts per bil- because the calves that received the The Canadian Food Inspection lion. The sample tested 44,000. poisoned pellets were his replacement Agency (CFIA) is responsible for the Altogether 15 calves lost all or parts heifers. Now he is short 15 replace- Feeds Act Regulations. As such it has of ears, tails and hooves. Three had to ments and worried about the long-term the capability to test for ergot in live- be euthanized and the feed company health of his remaining heifers. stock feed, but only accepts samples purchased the remainder of the calves Brost called Canadian Cattlemen submitted by CFIA inspectors. with obvious defects. with his story so that other produc- Currently, alfatoxin is the only Not only that, but before the ers could be made aware that ergot mycotoxin regulated in Canada, how- contamination was detected he was poisoning isn’t limited to homegrown ever, recommended tolerance levels advised by a company representative to feed. If your animals are rejecting have been published for several oth- feed some of the original pellets to his feed, his advice is to pay attention ers. The recommended maximum cows. They had no unusual reaction and get it tested. C for ergot alkaloids in feed for cattle, to the pellets, but he did lose a couple — Debbie Furber sheep and horses is two to three mil- ligrams per kilogram. CFIA does monitor for mycotoxins including ergot alkaloids under the National Feed Inspection Program. Spokesperson Lisa Gauthier says they also follow up on complaints of suspected feed contamination by contacting the feed manufacturer or farm where contaminated samples are collected. The facility or farm then needs to investigate the source of the contamination and take appropriate corrective actions. The Canadian Grain Commission allows 0.1 per cent ergot bodies by weight for most classes of No. 1 wheat and durum delivered to elevators, and up to 0.10 per cent for feed wheat. The maximum for No. 1 and No. 2 general- purpose barley is 0.025 and 0.10, respectively, while malting varieties range from zero in the top grade, to 0.025 for select and no limit for standard select. The maximum for rye is 0.05 per cent. For triticale it is four kernel-sized pieces in a 500-gram sample. According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, the recommended maximum level for ergot bodies in cattle feed is 0.10 per cent (by weight) of the animal’s daily dry matter intake. Open-pollinated plants including rye, triticale and some grasses (wheat grass, quack grass and smooth brome) are most susceptible. Wheat and barley can be affected, but ergot is seldom seen in oats. Young and pregnant animals are highly susceptible to ergot poisoning. The severity and extent of damage to their body depends on the concentration of the alkaloids in the feed as well as the length of time the contaminated feed is fed. It may take two or three weeks for symptoms to become noticeable.

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s the price for corn has escalated in the last several years, the use of more cost-efficient feedstuffs — namely ethanol co-products — has found favour A with cattle feeders. One such example is wet distillers grains with solubles or WDGS. While WDGS has proven to be an effective energy source in cattle finishing rations, recent research indicates it comes with a caveat. It is that cattle fed finishing diets with WDGS have been shown to harbour increased E. coli 0157:H7 populations in the feces and on the hides. Elaine Berry, a scientist with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb., has some ideas on why this correla- tion between WDGS and the higher prevalence of the E. coli pathogen may exist. She says that the ethanol production process removes starch from the corn. With less starch, the manure produced by the animals fed WDGS has less acidity (and therefore a more neutral pH), so it is more hospitable to the E. coli pathogen. Whereas, cattle fed high corn diets excrete more • Can WDGS be removed from the diet before slaughter to starch — resulting in lower pH — in their manure, and that reduce E. coli 0157:H7? acidity helps inactivate E. coli pathogens. Berry says the increased persistence of E. coli 0157:H7 in Removing WDGS before slaughter the manure in the feedlot environment may be responsible in Berry’s colleague Jim Wells at USMARC conducted a part for the observed increase in E. coli 0157:H7 in the feces study to address such questions. Specifically, can WDGS be and on the hides of cattler that are fed high levels of WDGS. fed at a lower level at the end of the feeding period to reduce As such, Berry reports research that E. coli appears to E. coli 0157:H7 prevalence at slaughter? persist longer in the manure of animals fed a high-WDGS For the two-year study, 608 heifers were sorted into one (40 per cent) diet. of five treatments and fed on a dry matter basis: • A corn grain-based diet continuously (positive control); Initial research • 40 per cent WDGS continuously (negative control); Specifically, in a study of 605 steers, cattle were accli- • 40 per cent WDGS for the first 56 days and switched to mated to the feedlot and fed a growing diet for 77 days. zero WDGS for the last 56 days; They were then fed a finishing diet with corn plus zero • 40 per cent WDGS for the first 56 days and switched to 15 WDGS or corn plus 40 per cent WDGS on a dry matter per cent WDGS for the last 56 days; basis for 140 to 168 days. • 70 per cent WDGS for the first 56 days and switched to 15 Prevalence and the percentage of samples with E. coli per cent WDGS for the last 56 days. 0157:H7 were not significantly different in the pens for either Wells and Berry report that at the start of the finishing feces or hides at the beginning of the study. phase, the prevalence for E. coli 0157:H7 in the cattle’s feces However, Berry reports that significantly different levels was similar for animals fed 40 and 70 per cent WDGS, and of E. coli 0157:H7 prevalence and the percentage of ani- both were higher than animals fed zero WDGS. mals with enumerable high levels in feces and on hides were After WDGS in the ration was reduced for the later part detected among the cattle fed the 40 per cent WDGS ration of the finishing phase, the cumulative prevalence for E. coli at the end of the finishing trial. 0157:H7 in fecal samples was: Berry says this indicates that feeding levels of WDGS at • Highest for animals maintained on 40 per cent WDGS high levels in the diet appears to increase the persistence of (about 70 per cent prevalence); E. coli 0157:H7 and total E. coli in feces and manure over • Lowest for animals maintained on zero WDGS, (about 10 time — but with research and management she believes this per cent prevalence), and; risk can be managed. • Intermediate for animals shifted to lower WDGS (about Berry says, “We don’t consider eliminating WDGS is a 31-35 per cent prevalence). good idea.” Instead, she says researchers are asking different Similar relationships between the treatments were questions and refocusing research efforts. observed for hide samples. Among the questions being studied: Wells, Berry and their USMARC colleagues concluded • Can WDGS diets be altered to reduce E. coli 0157:H7? • Are effects similar when WDGS is fed at different levels? Continued on page 26

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that reducing the percentage of WDGS fed in the diet to zero or 15 per cent during the last 56 days of the finishing phase did help reduce the prevalence of E. coli 0157:H7 in feces and on hides. However, they emphasize that time is an important com- ponent for this management strategy to be effective. She notes that reductions for E. coli 0157:H7 on hides took 28 days after the shift to the lower amount of WDGS in the diet, whereas the reduction in feces took 56 days after the shift in the diet. The bottom line, according to the study, is the fact that managing WDGS in finishing diets and feeding no more than 15 per cent WDGS for 56 days prior to harvest may be an effective solution to help combat E. coli 0157:H7 — without having to eliminate WDGS altogether. C — Kindra Gordon

Of interest The prevalence of shedding of E. coli O157:H7 is seasonal, and typically highest in the warmer months of summer and early fall. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center scientists are continuing their work on E. coli O157:H7 management and control measures including studies on soil solarization, hide- washing techniques and genomic approaches.

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PR222 WestForage SPg_CC_AE.indd 1 17/08/12 1:50 PM Continued from page 28 laying eggs again the next spring and “Also we need to realize that cattle reinfect the pasture. grazing pastures from the previous Most producers just treat their cattle The major limiting climatic factor year will have some worm burdens, and assume it works. But Gilleard says is dryness, since eggs and larvae don’t and we need to make sure these ani- a followup fecal sample after deworm- survive on dry pastures. Again, that mals don’t become a source of pasture ing would provide a clue as to the is little help since the moisture in this contamination for the following year. degree of resistance in your pastures or part of the world is more than suf- Some people advise cattlemen to treat feedlots. ficient during grazing season to allow in the fall, at the end of grazing sea- “The problem right now is that we’ve buildup of pasture contamination son. Transmission does not occur in been taking (these drugs) for granted with infective larvae. “Moisture levels winter so if you treat in late fall this and splashing them around,” he says. are actually higher here than in many will minimize pasture contamination “It’s important to continue to do parts of the U.S. where parasites are the next year.” strategic deworming, targeting the ani- known to have significant production The second time to treat is after mals that need it, and when.” impacts,” says Gilleard. those animals have been grazing in Don’t think Canada’s cold climate There are ways you can break the spring for about six weeks. By then will break the cycle for you. The lar- parasite’s life cycle, however, such as they have picked up worm eggs from vae can survive freezing on pasture, rotating different classes of livestock the pasture but the worms have not and significant numbers of worms sur- since worms are species specific and matured enough in the GI tract to vive inside the animals. If cattle are won’t continue their life cycle in a dif- begin shedding many eggs yet. C not dewormed properly, worms begin ferent host. — Heather Smith Thomas

Feedlot parasite measured by the fecal egg count reduction (FECR) which measures the drop in treatments compared egg numbers before and after treatment. A combination of ivermectin pour-on Any product that delivers an FECR of 90 and fenbendazole drench provided better per cent or better is considered effective. intestinal parasite control than ivermec- Trichostrongyle eggs were by far the tin alone in a large field study conducted most predominant, with burdens as high by veterinarians Craig Dorin, Michael Je- as 162 EP5G. Moniezia was second at linski, Nathan Erickson, and Cody Creel- 70 EP5G. Very low levels of trichuris and man of Veterinary Agri-Health Services at nematodirus eggs were evident in most Airdrie, Alta. samples. Some samples were positive Fecal samples were collected from 40 for eimeria and cryptosporidum eggs. yearling steers on each of 10 pastures Interestingly, two to four animals in located across Alberta and Saskatch- every pen had the maximum 250 EP5C ewan upon arrival at Highway 21 Feeders counts for cryptosporidium even though in Alberta in the fall of 2011. All 2,285 it wasn’t found in all of the samples. Tape- yearlings from the 10 pastures were in- worm eggs were surprisingly low and the ducted as per the feedlot’s usual protocol coccidiosis egg count was low at entry Dr. Craig Dorin and randomly sorted with equal numbers and disappeared altogether when the of yearlings from each pasture going into cattle went on Rumensin. Safe-Guard alone isn’t the total an- 18 pens to provide nine replications for The ivermectin-only treatment re- swer because it doesn’t control lice and each of the two treatments: ivermec- duced the trichostrongyle egg count by other external parasites. tin pour-on only and ivermectin pour-on 59 to 88 per cent across the 18 pens, Perhaps the biggest surprise was the along with the fenbendazole (Safe-Guard) averaging 76 per cent. It didn’t touch the lack of a significant difference between drench supplied by Merck Animal Health. nematodirus eggs, but eliminated all but the two treatments in the performance, Fecal samples were collected from 20 two of the trichuris eggs and reduced the mortality or morbidity in the calves. animals at random in each pen 14 days monezia eggs count to three. “Although, when the data were after treatment, and again one month pri- The ivermectin-fenbendazole treat- sorted from a different angle, the five or to slaughter. Performance and carcass ment resulted in a 100 per cent FECR pens with the heaviest infections did numbers were also analysed. of all four parasites. Only one nemato- have the lowest average daily gains,” Prairie Diagnostic Services in Saska- dirus egg was found pre-slaughter. says Dorin. There seems to be a trend toon processed some 1,150 samples. In one pen with an 88 per cent FECR to positive performance response to the The results are stated as eggs per five after treatment with invermectin only combo treatment for animals with high grams (EP5G). eggs persisted at low levels in all sam- EPG counts.” The established standards for a para- ples and two samples still had moderate Likewise, the carcass data was very site burden in yearling cattle are: low for counts. Pre-slaughter 17 animals had similar for animals from both treatment less than 50 EP5G; moderate for 50 to low egg counts, one was moderate and groups, though the combination treat- 150 EP5G and high, for more than 150. two maxed out at 250 EP5G. Dorin says ment group had slightly better marbling. In calves the burden is “high” when it it may have been a case of intestinal Thirty-eight per cent of them graded gets over 250 EP5G. parasite resistance to ivermectin, or it Canada AAA, versus 32 per cent for the The effectiveness of a treatment is could have been a dosing problem. ivermectin-only group.

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The Power of a Fecal sample ver the years we as veterinarians have done fewer and fewer fecals as the Oproducts to deworm were available and became more reliable. In Canada a product for both internal and external parasites is often given. The pour-on endectocides (macrocyclic lactones) were pretty much given each year and other than when lungworms would crop up in the summer we really didn’t give much credence to other internal parasites. In the last few years (since about 2003) there has been a lot of credible U.S. evidence about resistance building in internal worms to the macrocyclic lactones (avermectins). Your veterinarian is in the best position to offer the advice on deworming based on results of fecal sampling of your herd. One fecal flotation on a per gram). The other is the Modified trol of internal worms was 99.9 per large herd may not provide adequate Wisconsin method, where you mea- cent effective. evidence but several will. They say 20 sure a finite amount of fecal material, Fenbendazole is not effective against fresh individual samples on even the put it through a low-speed centrifuge the inhibited L3 larval stages of some largest herd give a very representative and count every egg. According to a parasitic forms. It is really a contact sample and will catch any high egg leading U.S. parasitologist Dr. Donald dewormer so it wipes out all the other shedders. The samples are easy to col- Bliss both tests produce quantitative stages including the adults. In the case lect even on pasture but they must be measurements, but the McMaster test of heavy worm burdens then the L3s collected fresh and analysed quickly probably underestimates animals with become adults and we see eggs being or shipped with ice packs to maintain low fecal numbers and overestimates shed again. In cases of very heavy refrigeration temperatures. animals with higher fecal counts. worm burdens deworming two times a They can be random. If you know month apart will take the worm count the animal’s identification number down to close to zero. Rarely is this write it down. Some parasite eggs such necessary but again it stresses the need as nematodirus, trichuris, tapeworms, Twenty fresh for fecal monitoring to provide the round worms and coccidian are eas- most benefit to an individual herd. ily recognized. The small strongyle samples should give In cases where cattle are not easily worms such, as haemonchus, osterta- a representative accessible Canadian veterinarians can gia, cooperia etc. are more difficult write a prescription to add fenbenda- to tell apart so generally are lumped sample in even the zole to salt and minerals consumed up together on the form. to a week or in feed that is eaten over Most of us over the years have per- largest herds a few days. For drenching a handy formed simple fecal floats using a very hook applicator makes administration subjective description of 1+ to 4+. The only seconds longer than putting on an same sample could result in different In Canada lice are still a major endectocide. Bison, camelids, sheep, elk values depending on who was reading problem and lice show no resistance or the equine species take it very readily. the results. Ideally what’s needed is a to the avermectins. Stacking classes Again, with species not on the label a more quantitative test that results in of dewormers probably make sense veterinary prescription will be necessary. the number of eggs per one, three or especially if fecal results support this. With the price of endectocides hav- five grams of sample. That would give The benzimidazoles have been around ing come down considerably they are us numbers that could be compared a long time. Fenbendazole (Safe-Guard still a great and easy choice for lice. and should be more repeatable regard- or Panacur) are very effective on Combining endectocides with Safe- less of the technician involved. There worms including the difficult and sig- Guard provides complete control. C are two main quantitative methods of nificant nematodirus and lungworms. — Dr. Roy Lewis DVM fecal analysis on the market today. One It comes in various forms from a is the McMaster, which dilutes a finite drench (with applicator hook) to a Dr. Lewis is a private practitioner from amount of manure and counts the concentrated feed additive to a pelleted Westlock, Alta., who works part time as eggs in a counting chamber. One egg form. In trials using both Safe-Guard a technical veterinarian for Merck Ani- seen is the equivalent of 25epg (eggs and an avermectin class product con- mal Health.

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1106946_NHCORP08126946C-SS_8.125x10.75.indd 1 8/9/12 10:11 AM Nutrition by John McKinnon [email protected] Collective wisdom — if only we could bottle and sell it! s I write this, we have just finished ular feeding intervals, mouldy feed, etc.). Acidosis, hosting the 16th annual Western Cana- as the name implies, results from a buildup of acid dian Feedlot Management School. As in the rumen from bacteria fermentation of cereal John McKinnon A an organizer, one of the aspects of the grain starch. Too great or too rapid a buildup (as school that I look forward to is the presentations occurs in unadapted cattle or those that have sud- is a beef cattle by industry nutritionists. Over the years we have den diet change), results in disruptions in rumen had the “Who’s Who” of beef cattle nutritionists pH and depending on the extent and degree of the nutritionist at present at the school including “Doc” McLaren insult, can lead to cattle going off feed or in worst- the University of now retired but formerly with FeedRite, Dr. Dar- case scenarios, death. Chronic acidosis is basically ryl Gibb with Hi-Pro Feeds, Dr. Barry Robinson of the result of poor feeding management with the Saskatchewan Great Northern Livestock Consulting, Dr. Aaron result cattle start to exhibit cycle intakes where Grant from Nutrition Service Associates and Ms. they eat everything in sight one day and leave half Sharon Klinger of Co-op Feeds, just to name a the next day. Over time, this cycle results in an few. While the topics they present vary, inevitably increased incidence of lameness and liver abscesses what I take away from their presentations is the and overall poor performance. depth of their experience and the sound practical The answer to acidosis is a sound bunk man- advice they offer for managing feeding programs. agement program. While the approach taken This year was no different with excellent presenta- by each of these nutritionists differs, the guid- tions by Dr. Mark Cameron from Cargill Animal ing principles are remarkably similar. The vast Nutrition and Mr. Bruce Creighton of BearsPaw majority incorporates step-up feeding programs Nutrition Consulting out of Edmonton. When where new cattle are initially adapted to the I reflect back on these presentations and ensu- starter ration and then moved through a series ing discussions with these cattle-feeding experts, of steps to the final ration. All provide minimum I always think that it would make great reading recommendations for length of time during each to get their collective experiences down on paper. step in order to adapt the rumen to a given grain While that might be a project for another day, one level. All emphasize the importance of feeding theme that comes through their presentations loud cattle at regular times, whether you feed once, and clear, is the importance of a sound bunk man- twice or three times a day. agement program. Most recommend a “slick” bunk feeding What I would like to do with this column is program where the bunks are empty or nearly pass on some of their “collective wisdom” as we empty in the morning, cautioning against pro- enter into another fall feeding season. In most grams that result in overly aggressive cattle at commercial situations the goal is to have feeder the bunk. Guidelines are given as to how much cattle on full feed, which typically means they and how fast you can increase the amount fed are fed as much as they will eat (i.e. ad libitum) when bunks are empty and cattle are hungry. or close to it, on a daily basis. Furthermore, these Careful attention is paid to grain processing, cattle are fed finishing rations formulated to con- ensuring proper processing whether the grain tain 80 to 90 per cent grain. Herein lies the chal- is dry or temper rolled or in the case of corn, lenge — how do you keep steers averaging 1,000 steam rolled/flaked. Some nutritionists will mea- pounds that are eating up to 20 pounds of barley sure the amount of fines in processed grain by or corn a day on feed for another 100 days? sieving with a one-millimetre screen, looking to The issue of course, is avoidance of acidosis ensure it contains no more than three per cent which is a digestive disturbance that in its mildest fines, while others target a processing index form can throw cattle off feed for a day or two, or (bushel weight of processed relative to unpro- in more severe cases reduce performance due to cessed grain) of 78 to 82 per cent. Feed mixing is lameness, liver abscesses and in some cases even monitored through mixer efficiency testing and death. Now, acidosis has a multitude of causes, a precise order for the addition of ingredients to but the disease basically comes down to the situ- the mixer. Proper use of feed additives such as an ation where cattle that have not been adapted to ionophore is encouraged. All this and more, just grain or to a specific grain level, are fed the wrong to avoid acidosis and to keep cattle on feed and ration or one that they were not properly adapted gaining at their genetic potential! to, or the feeding management is such that cattle Sounds complicated, but that is why hiring an start to eat erratically from one day to the next experienced nutritionist is one of the best invest- (excess fines in bunk, poor grain processing, irreg- ments you can make this fall!

34 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca CANADA’S CUSTOM Feedlot Guide SEPTEMBER 2012

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TM Trademark of Intervet, Inc. Used under license. Merck Animal Health, operating in Canada as Intervet Canada Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. MERCK is a trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. Copyright © 2011 Intervet International B.V., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. All rights reserved.

Vista Once ad CanCattle Feedlot Guide.indd 1 12-08-14 10:02 Blue Ridge colony Cleardale Colony hagel feeders Ltd. British Columbia Eli Wurz Mike S. Stahl Dan Hagel/Jason Hagel Box 121 Box 159 R.R. 1 Mountain View, Alta. T0K 1N0 Cleardale, Alta. T0H 3Y0 Swalwell, Alta. T0M 1Y0 Andrews A1 Feeders Ph: (403) 626-2388 Ph: (780) 685-2800 Ph: (403) 546-2187/ 546-3874 Gary Andrews Fax: 626-2394 Fax: 685-2704/ Cell: 834-7165 Cell: 312-7153/ 312-7154 167 Dure Meadow Road Cell: 359-3287 Lot capacity: 600 Fax: 546-3949 Lumby, B.C. V0E 2G7 Lot capacity: 350 9 9 2 8 Lot capacity: 4,800 Ph/Fax: (250) 547-2219 1 9 2 8 Lot capacity: 650 CAIRNS FEEDYARDS LTD Codesa Colony 9 2 8 Larry Cairns Box 300 hairy hill colony Box 8, Madden, Alta T0M 1L0 Eaglesham, Alta. T0H 1H0 Darius R. Hofer Halltray Farms Ltd. Ph/Fax: (403) 946-5897 Ph: (780) 359-3022 Box 35 Philip Long or Brian Beal Cell: 333-2400 Fax: 359-3004/ Cell: 837-4342 Hairy Hill, Alta. T0B 1S0 9105 Sturgeon Point Road Lot capacity: 5,000 Lot capacity: 2,500 Ph: (780) 768-3770 Vanderhoof, B.C. V0J 3A2 1 5 9 2 8 4 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Fax: 768-2178 Ph: (250) 567-3031 Lot capacity: 1,200 Fax: 567-4081/ Cell: 567-8434 calhoun cattle co. ltd. Cor Van Raay Farms Ltd. 5 9 2 8 email:[email protected] Rod, Carol or Jason Calhoun Box 64 Lot capacity: 2,500 Box 72 Iron Springs, Alta. T0K 1G0 highland feeders 9 2 Swalwell, Alta. T0M 1Y0 Ph: (403) 738-4528 Bern & Mike Kotelko Ph: (403) 546-2655 Fax: 738-4435 Box 400 Southern Plus Feedlots Fax: 546-3831 2 4 5 8 Vegreville, Alta. T9C 1R4 Bill Freding Cell: 333-5440/333-5438 Ph: (780) 768-2466 R.R. 1, Site 48, Comp 7 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 de wilde feeders Fax: 768-3888 Oliver, B.C. V0H 1T0 Box 142 Cell: 632-1031 Ph: (250) 498-3077 Carmangay Colony Feeders Monarch, Alta. T0L 1M0 email: [email protected] Fax: 498-3977 Ben Wurz, Johnny Wurz Ph/Fax: (403) 824-3635 Website: www.highlandbeef.com email: [email protected] Box 40 Cell: (403) 634-3352/ 634-4026 Lot capacity: 36,000 Lot capacity: 6,000 Carmangay, Alta. T0L 0N0 email: [email protected] 1 5 2 8 7 1 5 9 2 8 Ph: (403) 643-2456 Lot capacity: 5,000 Fax: 643-2410 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 High River colony Cell: 795-9806/795-9805 Martin & Ed Alberta Lot capacity: 5,000 Diamond 8 Cattle co. Box 5610 9 2 8 Cam VanEe High River, Alta. T1V 1M7 Box 100 Ph/Fax: (403) 395-2107 Antelope Butte ranch ltd. Cattleland feedyards ltd. Pincher Creek, Alta. T0K 1W0 Cell: 652-8758 Jim Lynch-Staunton Greg Appleyard Ph: (403) 627-1525 Lot capacity: 2,500 Box 10 Box 58, Site 20, R.R. 2 Strathmore, Fax: 627-1524 9 Lundbreck, Alta. T0K 1H0 Alta. T1P 1K2 Cell: 894-2178 Ph: (403) 628-2020 Ph: (403) 934-4030 email: [email protected] highway 21 feeders ltd. Cell: (403) 627-6770 Fax: 934-4594 Lot capacity: 7,500 Ed Miller/ Lyle Miller email: [email protected] Cell: 888-0795 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Box 60 Lot capacity: 1,200 email: [email protected] Acme, Alta. T0M 0A0 9 2 Website:cattlelandfeedyards.com Diamond H farms Ltd. Ph: (403) 546-2278 Lot capacity: 25,000 Gabriel Hebert Fax: 546-3709 BALLCO FEEDERS inc. 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Box 123 Cell: 888-2539 (Ed) Jeff Ball St. Vincent, Alta. T0A 3B0 888-3973 (Lyle) Box 127 Central h Feeders ltd. Phone/Fax: (780) 635-2699 email: [email protected] Brant, Alta. T0L 0L0 Mark Hengstmengel Cell: 645-8695 Lot capacity: 20,000 Ph: (403) 684-3540 Box 122 Lot capacity: 2,200 1 5 2 8 4 7 Fax: 684-3345 Iron Springs, Alta. T0K 1G0 email: [email protected] Ph: (403) 738-4805 FootHill Farms hWY 52 beef producers ltd. Lot capacity: 15,000 Fax: 738-4806/ Cell: 308-6632 Henk Vanden Berg Dwight Morhart/ Ryan Kasko 1 9 2 8 4 7 Lot capacity: 2,700 Box 793 Box 1250 2 9 Fort Macleod, Alta. T0L 0Z0 Raymond, Alta. T0K 2S0 Barnett Farms Ph: (403) 553-4290 Ph: (403) 752-2333 Bill Barnett chinook feeders Fax: 553-4291/ Cell: 315-3969 Fax: 756-3434 Box 1, Site 14, R.R. 1 Box 343 Lot capacity: 5,000 Cell: 795-7394 Strathmore, Alta. T1P 1J6 Nanton, Alta. T0L 1R0 1 9 2 4 email: [email protected] Ph: (403) 934-4260 Ph: (403) 646-2087 Website: www.kaskocattle.com Fax: 934-4920 Fax: 646-2978 grandview cattle feeders Ltd. Lot capacity: 15,000 email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 17,000 Greg Van Vaerenbergh 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Lot capacity: 3,000 1 9 2 8 Box 336 1 9 2 4 Picture Butte, Alta. T0K 1V0 hiltona holdings Ltd. Claresholm Beef producers ltd. Ph: (403) 328-9775 Barry Hilton bear trap feeders T.J. Larson Fax: 381-0250/ Cell: 317-9550 Box 26, Site 23, R.R. 2 Strathmore, Bob or Don Lowe Box 1043 email: [email protected] Alta. T1P 1K5 Box 1499 Claresholm, Alta. T0L 0T0 Lot capacity: 43,000 Ph: (403) 934-3609 Nanton, Alta. T0L 1R0 Ph: (403) 625-2911 5 2 4 Fax: 934-4764 Ph: (403) 646-5550 Fax: 625-2151 Cell: 888-5445 Fax: 646-5697 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 4,000 Lot capacity: 13,000 1 2 8 1 5 2 9 9 2 8

1custom order buying and selling 5 market analysis 9 backgrounding 2 health program 8 pen sharing 4 trucking 7hedging J.G. Larson Livestock James Larson Box 1982 Enchant, Alta. T0K 0V0 Ph: (403) 654-2819 Fax: 654-2089/ Cell: 634-1322 email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 4,500 1 9 2 8

Jonust Farms Ltd. Bradley Raugust Walter Raugust R.R. 1, Ponoka, Alta. T4J 1R1 Ph: (403) 783-2726/ 783-2202 Fax: 704-2339 Cell: 350-5265/ 350-8023 email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 1,000 9 2 8 jubilee feedlot Wayne Forbes Box 5510 Westlock, Alta. T7P 2P5 Ph: (780) 349-2476 Fax: 349-5414/ Cell: 349-0127 email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 6,500 1 9 2 8 4

Kasko Cattle Co. Ltd. Ryan Kasko Box 1266 Coaldale, Alta. T1M 1N1 Ph: (403) 345-4301 Fax: 345-3778/ Cell: 795-2246 email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 25,000 1 5 2 8 4 7

K-Belt farms Bruce Konynenbelt Box 90 Ph: (403) 312-3577 Molenaar Farms penridge feeders Nobleford, Alta. T0L 1S0 Fax: 546-2445 Custom Feedlot Office Ph: (403) 824-3431 email: [email protected] John or Trevor Molenaar Box 4 Fax: 824-3258/ Cell: 634-4744 Lot capacity: 5,000 Box 268 Swalwell, Alta. T0M 1Y0 email: [email protected] 1 2 4 5 8 9 Nobleford, Alta. T0L 1S0 Ph: (403) 546-0015 Lot capacity: 4,000+ 9 2 Ph: (403) 824-3691/ 824-3590 Lot capacity: 4,000 Larson custom Feeders ltd. Fax: 824-3691 1 5 9 2 8 7 Kenwynn Farms Ltd. T.J. Larson Lot capacity: 6,000 Brian McKinnon Box 1227 1 9 2 8 4 Poplar Lodge Ranch Ltd. Box 129 Fort Macleod, Alta. T0L 0Z0 Will Porter Carseland, Alta. T0J 0M0 Ph: (403) 553-3110 J.F. Murray farms Box 12 Ph: (403) 934-4114 Fax: 553-2828/ Cell: 394-6496 Shawn Murray Fax: 934-2122 Czar, Alta. T0B 0Z0 email: [email protected] Box 86 Ph: (780) 857-2056 Lot capacity: 7,500 Picture Butte, Alta. T0K 1V0 Lot capacity: 6,000 Fax: 857-2057 1 5 9 2 8 Ph: (403) 732-4631 1 5 9 2 8 7 email: [email protected] Fax: 732-4187/ Cell: 308-0618 Lot capacity: 3,500 KeHo lake colony email: [email protected] marnies Feeders 1 9 2 8 Martin-Min Wurtz Lot capacity: 9,000 Allan Johnson Box 125 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Box 151 Barons, Alta. T0L 0G0 poplar haven (2000) Hughenden, Alta. T0B 2E0 Garnet Smith Ph: (403) 757-2330 Park road farms ltd. Box 638 Fax: 757-2337 Ph: (780) 856-2241 Allan Slomp Wimborne, Alta. T0M 2G0 Lot capacity: 6,000 Fax: 856-2399 P.O. Box 419 Ph: (403) 227-6606 1 8 4 Cell: 842-0232 Nobleford, Alta. T0L 1S0 Cell: 358-2936 email: [email protected] Ph: (403) 824-3676 Lot capacity: 8,500 Lot capacity: 2,000 Klassen Agriventures Ltd. Fax: 824-3677 5 9 2 8 4 1 9 2 8 Myron Klassen email: [email protected] Box 488 Lot capacity: 4,500 Linden, Alta. T0M 1J0 9 2

1custom order buying and selling 5 market analysis 9 backgrounding 2 health program 8 pen sharing 4 trucking 7hedging + 5.2% to 11.5%1 in a g y 1 il + 14 lb to 20 lb a d t e h 1 ag ig + 24 lb to 30 lb er e Av w t e h 1 iv ig + 3% L e w n s io 1 as rs e + 1.5 percentage point arc e g C nv ta co en Feed rc pe ng ssi Dre

EFFICIENCY. PERFORMANCE. VALUE.

When it comes to getting more muscle out of your feed, ZilmaxTM may turn out to be one of the best business investments you could make, in terms of return on resources. Consult your veterinarian. Cattle fed ZilmaxTM premix for 20 days at the end of the finishing phase predictably yield more beef per carcass.1 Results that are a cut above. A potential 2:1 rate of return on your investment. You’ve got everything to gain... with ZilmaxTM. Right cattle. Right time. Right market.

1. Data on file. TM Trademark of Intervet, Inc. Used under license. Merck Animal Health, operating in Canada as Intervet Canada Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. MERCK is a trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. Copyright © 2011 Intervet International B.V., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. All rights reserved.

Zilmax ad CanCattle Feedlot Guide.indd 1 12-08-14 10:10 RJ Feeders Schwartzkopf farms Ltd. John Slingerland • Wintering cows Ralph or Josie Kientz Bert or Brian Schwartzkopf Box 1425 Lot capacity: 2,000 R.R. 1, Olds, Alta. T4H 1P2 Box 743 Coaldale, Alta. T1M 1N2 5 9 2 8 Ph/Fax: (403) 631-2373 Coalhurst, Alta. T0L 0V0 Ph: 403-345-2210 Cell: 994-0581 Ph: (403) 381-4219 Fax: 345-6844/ Cell: 382-9518 stauffer farm feedlot Lot capacity: 1,700 Fax: 394-2143/ Cell: 360-2973 Lot capacity: 9,000 Murray Stauffer 1 9 2 8 4 Lot capacity: 4,000 9 9 8 2 5 Jack Puddifant R.R. 3, Eckville, Alta. T0M 0X0 Rocky ridge land & cattle Shelter Valley land & cattle South Cara Farms Ltd. Ph: (403) 746-5737 Darcy Stewart/ Loren Stewart Sam McQuaid Rick Cromarty Fax: 746-5739 Box 65, Site 19, R.R. 2 Box 131 Box 157 email: [email protected] Strathmore, Alta. T1P 1K5 Czar, Alta. T0B 0Z0 Provost, Alta. T0B 3S0 1 5 9 2 8 Ph: (403) 934-4426 Ph: (780) 857-2720 Ph: (780) 753-4767 Fax: 934-9998 Fax: 857-2827/ Cell: 209-2373 Fax: 753-8455/ Cell: 209-4414 stronks Feedlot Cell 888-5083 Manager, Calvin Sayer (780) 209-2387 email: [email protected] Ed Stronks Lot capacity: 3,000 9 Box 870 email: [email protected] 1 9 2 8 5 Picture Butte, Alta. T0K 1V0 Lot capacity: 12,000 Roulston Farms Ph: (403) 738-4106 1 9 4 2 7 south island farms ltd. Fax: 738-2193/ Cell: 308-9997 Rob Roulston Scott MacLean Box 152 Lot capacity: 6,000 Box 249 Bruce, Alta. T0B 0R0 Shelter Valley Custom Feeding 1 5 2 8 4 7 Bow Island, Alta. T0K 0G0 Ph/Fax: (780) 688-2284 Sam McQuaid Ph: (403) 545-2422 Lot capacity: 1,000 Cell: 780-209-2373 sundial livestock feeders ltd. Fax: 545-2442/ Cell: 952-1405 9 2 8 Lethbridge, Alta. Chris Tetreault Lot capacity: 6,500 Manager: Corey Conan Box 359 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Schooten & Sons Custom Cell: (403) 894-1020 Bassano, Alta. T0J 0B0 Feedyard Ltd. Lot capacity: 10,000 Ph: (403) 641-3500 John Schooten 1 9 2 4 7 stafford feeders ltd. Fax: 641-3018/ Cell: 633-0890 Shane Schooten Ken & Chris Lot capacity: 10,000 Cody Schooten Signal Ridge Farms Box 2243 1 9 2 8 Justin Schooten Russell Klassen Athabasca, Alta. T9S 2B7 Box 148 Box 1287 Ph: (780) 675-9207 sunnybend Feedlot Diamond City, Alta. T0K 0T0 Stettler, Alta. T0C 2L0 Fax: 675-5095 John B. Walter Ph: (403) 381-3883 Ph: (403) 742-9762 Lot capacity: 6,000 R.R. 1, Fax: 381-8809 Fax: 742-1828 1 9 2 8 4 7 Westlock, Alta. T7P 2N9 Cell: 634-1459 (John) email: [email protected] Ph: (780) 349-3542 634-1535 (Shane) Lot capacity 2,000 stankievech ranches Fax: 954-2636 634-4116 (Cody) 1 5 9 2 8 4 Glen & Clare Stankievech Cell: 349-1740 634-5679 (Justin) Box 389 Lot capacity: 2,000 9 email: [email protected] Trochu, Alta. T0M 2C0 Lot capacity: 10,000 Ph: (403) 442-2242 1 2 4 5 7 9 8 Fax: 442-3169/ Cell: 588-6325

1custom order buying and selling 5 market analysis 9 backgrounding 2 health program 8 pen sharing 4 trucking 7hedging G. Thompson Livestock H & R Vandenberg Farms West Ridge farms birch island land & cattle co. Box 142 Harold Vandenberg Jim Hurt Shayne Yewsuk / Mark Herman Iron Springs, Alta. T0K 1G0 Box 454 Box 321 Box 236 Ph: (403) 738-4351 Coaldale, Alta. T1M 1M5 Crossfield, Alta. T0M 0S0 Rhein, Sask. S0A 3K0 Fax: 738-4762 Ph/Fax: (403) 345-3991 Ph: (403) 946-4198 Ph: (306) 273-4600 email: [email protected] Cell: 382-7986 Lot capacity: 1,300 Fax: 273-4601 Lot capacity: 18,000 email: [email protected] 9 2 email: [email protected] 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Lot capacity: 5,000 Lot capacity: 8,500 1 5 9 2 8 4 white haven farms 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 thompson colony feeders Maggie Dulaney Marvin Tschetter Vandenberg cattle co. ltd. R.R. 4, Site 6, Box 1 Border line feeders inc. Box 160 John or Geert Innisfail, Alta. T4G 1T9 Kevin Antworth Fort Macleod, Alta. T0L 0Z0 Box 531 Ph: (403) 227-2276 Cell: (403) 635-0340 Box 128 Picture Butte, Alta. T0K 1V0 9 Fax: 553-2958 Ceylon, Sask. S0C 0T0 Ph: (403) 381-3302/ 381-6569 Ph: (306) 454-2250 Lot capacity: 2,000 9 Fax: 381-3364/ Cell: 380-0300 willow butte cattle co. ltd. Fax: 454-2216/ Cell: 442-7401 Lot capacity: 4,300 Kent & Janine Olson email: [email protected] Tongue creek feeders ltd./ 5 2 4 Roseburn ranches ltd. R.R. 3 Lot capacity: 12,000 Peter Morrison Red Deer, Alta. T4N 5E3 15 9 2 8 4 Vee tee feeders ltd. Ph: (403) 886-4200 Box 5910 Richard Davies High River, Alta. T1V 1P6 Fax: 886-4100/ Cell: 340-9009 Christopherson Farms Ltd. Box 2220 email: [email protected] Ph: (403) 652-7410 Lloydminster, Alta. T9V 1R6 Lorne Christopherson Fax: 652-2936/ Cell: 312-7909 Lot capacity: 6,000 Ph: (780) 875-6231 Box 280 email: [email protected] 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Fax: 875-6232 Weldon, Sask. S0J 3S0 Lot capacity: 16,000/12,000 Cell: 871-1779 Ph: (306) 887-2103 1 5 4 9 2 8 email: [email protected] Fax: 887-2073/ Cell: 961-5890 Lot capacity: 6,000 Saskatchewan email: [email protected] tf farm industries ltd. 1 9 2 8 7 Lot capacity: 3,500 James 1 9 2 8 6311-56th Ave., Taber, Alta. T1G 1X9 bezan land & Livestock Ltd. Western feedlots ltd. Ph: (403) 223-9090 Layton Bezan dietrich farms ltd. Fax: (403) 223-9061 Travis Hickey Box 1726 Jim Dietrich Lot capacity: 25,000 Box 5279 Regina, Sask. S4P 3C6 High River, Alta. T1V 1M4 Box 68 Ph: (306) 775-0412 Ph: (403) 652-3933 Mendham, Sask. S0N 1P0 V.G. Feedlot Fax: 775-0444/ Cell: 537-8898 Fax: 601-8670 Ph: (306) 628-4249 Pete Stahl Lot capacity: 1,200 Website: westernfeedlots.com Cell: 628-7170 Veteran Colony 1 5 9 2 4 7 Veteran, Alta. T0C 2S0 1 5 9 2 8 7 email: [email protected] Ph: (403) 575-2169 Lot capacity: 2,200 Fax: 575-2190 1 5 9 2 8 4 Lot capacity: 1,000 1 9 2 4

1custom order buying and selling 5 market analysis 9 backgrounding 2 health program 8 pen sharing 4 trucking 7hedging Excellerator Genetics Fax: (306) 656-2042 Red Coat Cattle Feeders Inc. Tyner Valley Stock farms Ron Dietrich Lot capacity: 6,000 Barry Boghean Dave Taciuk Box 116 1 5 2 8 4 Box 86 Box 774 Moosomin, Sask. S0G 3N0 Hazenmore, Sask. S0N 1C0 Wakaw, Sask. S0K 4P0 Ph: (306) 435-9381 Nine Mile Ranch Ltd. Ph: (306) 264-3844 Ph: (306) 233-5959 email: [email protected] Myles Heppner Fax: 264-3206/ Cell: 625-7355 email: [email protected] Website: Box 70 email: [email protected] www.excelleratorgenetics.com Spiritwood, Sask. S0J 2M0 Lot capacity: 18,500 Td3L Hull Ranch Lot capacity: 4,000 Ph: (306) 984-2149 9 2 8 15 Terry & Debbie Hull 1 9 2 4 7 Fax: 984-2450/ Cell: 883-7476 Box 160 Lot capacity: 3,500 9 2 Ross L-Seven Ranch Willowbrook, Sask. S0A 4P0 hagerty livestock ltd. Chad Ross/Brian Ross Ph/Fax: (306) 782-7295 Larry Hagerty perrault feedlot Box 1087 email: [email protected] General Delivery, Box 11 Perrault brothers Estevan, Sask. S4A 2H7 Lot capacity: 1,100 9 2 8 Stony Beach, Sask. S0G 4S0 Box 182 Ph: (306) 634-7301 Ph: (306) 345-2523 Ponteix, Sask. S0N 1Z0 Fax: 634-7762/ Cell: 421-6346 Fax: 345-2085 Ph: (306) 625-3750 • Custom grazing Vaughan Feedlot Lyle Vaughan Lot capacity: 3,000 Fax: 625-3978/ Cell: 625-7804 • Heifer A.I. Box 22 1 9 2 8 4 Lot capacity: 1,000 • Cow/bull wintering Canwood, Sask. S0J 0K0 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Lot capacity: 2,500 9 2 Ph/Fax: (306) 468-2677 L & D feeders Lot capacity: 1,000 Dave & Lynne Baumann plains livestock Inc. shur Transport 9 2 8 Box 39 Bruce Edwards exporting & trucking Tompkins, Sask. S0N 2S0 Box 160 Norm Shurygalo Watteyne Cattle feeders LTD. Ph/Fax: (306) 622-4605 Porcupine Plain, Sask. Box 308 Wes Watteyne Lot capacity: 2,200 S0E 1H0 Beinfait, Sask. S0C 0M0 Box 262 1 9 2 8 Ph: (306) 889-4500 Ph: (306) 388-2329 Lafleche, Sask. S0H 2K0 email: [email protected] Fax: 388-2321/ Cell: 421-3482 Ph/Fax: (306) 472-3775 M & T Feedlot web: www.plainslivestock.net email: [email protected] Cell: 472-7642 Greg Thompson Lot capacity: 10,000 Lot capacity: 800 email: [email protected] Box 336 1 5 9 2 8 4 1 5 9 2 8 4 Lot capacity: 2,200 Moose Jaw, Sask. S6H 4N9 1 9 2 8 Ph: (306) 694-5314 Pound-makeragventures ltd. Sunny slope Cattle Ltd. Fax: 693-8822/ Cell: 631-7413 Brad Wildeman Don Bowyer westwood Land & Cattle Lot capacity: 3,500 Box 519 Box 1744 Company 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Lanigan, Sask. S0K 2M0 Maple Creek, Sask. S0N 1N0 Kevin Woods Ph: (306) 365-4281 Ph: (306) 662-2901 Box 6 McQueen Feedyards Fax: 365-4283 Fax: 662-4450 Moosomin, Sask. S0G 3N0 Bill & Dave McQueen email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 1,500 9 2 Ph: (306) 435-2102 Box 35 Website: www.pound-maker.ca Fax: 435-4833/ Cell: 435-7313 Tessier, Sask. S0L 3G0 Lot capacity: 28,500 Lot capacity: 10,000 Ph: (306) 656-4465 1 5 2 8 4 7 1 5 9 2 4 7

1cucustomstom order buying and selling 5 market analysis 9 backgrounding 2 health program 8 pen sharing 4 trucking 7hedging wes Wiebe Baseline Cattle Company Ph: (204) 562-3633 Rocking U feeders Wes Wiebe Darren Grasby email: [email protected] Box 779 Box 1651 Alvin Smelski • Specialize in pedigree cattle MacGregor, Man. R0H 0R0 Swift Current, Sask. S7H 4G6 Box 639 Lot capacity: 600 Ph: (204) 685-2264 Ph: (306) 773-2171 Gilbert Plains, Man. R0L 0X0 Fax: 685-2135 Cell: 741-1220 Ph: (204) 629-9000 Hamiota feedlot ltd. email: [email protected] • Winter cows Fax: 548-2381 Larry Schweitzer Lot capacity: 10,000 Lot capacity: 600 Lot capacity: 3,000 Box 610 1 9 2 9 8 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 Hamiota, Man. R0M 0T0 Ph: (204) 764-2449 Rolling Acres willow park ranch Dana Johns Fax: (204) 764-2264 Daniel Hofer Ben Wurz Box 188 email: [email protected] Box 95, Eden, Man. R0J 0M0 Box 70 Kenton, Man. R0M 0Z0 Website: www.hamiotafeedlot.com (204) 916-3525 ext. 216 Tessier, Sask. S0L 3G0 Ph/Fax: (204) 838-2003 Lot capacity: 13,000 Lot capacity: 250 Ph: (306) 237-9510 Cell: 365-7149 1 9 2 8 9 Fax: 237-9511/ Cell: 220-0400 email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 800 Lot capacity: 1,000 G.C. Klassen and sons T.J. Livestock 1 5 9 1 9 2 8 4 Garry or Cindy Thor Jonsson Box 1152 General Delivery Braun Farms Altona, Man. R0G 0B0 willow valley farm lot Oakview, Man. R0C 2K0 Dwight Braun Ph: (204) 829-7706 Robert/ Elvira Allen Ph: (204) 768-2422 Box 209 Fax: 829-3676/ Cell: 324-7405 Box 243 Fax: 768-3393/ Cell: 739-3230 Plumas, Man. R0J 1P0 Lot capacity: 500 White Fox, Sask. S0J 3B0 email: [email protected] Ph: (204) 386-2280 1 9 2 4 Ph: (306) 276-2402 Lot capacity: 2,000 Cell: 476-6094 Lot capacity: 50–200 1 5 9 2 8 4 7 email: [email protected] Mayes meadow farm 1 5 9 Lot capacity: 2,500 Box 141 1 9 2 8 4 Pierson, Man. R0M 1S0 Wild Rose cattle ranch Ph/Fax: (204) 634-2489 Mark or Nicholas Symbol Manitoba Double d livestock Lot capacity: 1,000 Box 18, Group 6, R.R. 1 Danny & Debbie Vanbeselaere 1 5 9 2 8 7 Anola, Man. R0E 0A0 Box 255 Ph: (204) 866-2683 Bar M Stock Farms Ltd. Waskada, Man. R0M 2E0 PEnner feedlot Lot capacity: 240 Brad McDonald Ph: (204) 522-3697 Phillip Penner 9 2 8 P.O. Box 1345 Cell: 522-6013 Donavon Penner Portage la Prairie, Man. Lot capacity: 2,000 Box 66 R1N 3L5 1 9 2 Kelwood, Man. R0J 0Y0 email:[email protected] Ph/Fax: (204) 967-2009 Ph/Fax: (204) 239-5928 Foxwillow Cell: 212-0221 Cell: 856-6293 Christopher & Sarah Walwin Lot capacity: 650 Lot capacity: 1,800 Box 69 9 2 8 9 2 Hamiota, Man. R0M 0T0

1customcustom order buying and selling 5 market analysis 9 backgrounding 2 health program 8 pen sharing 4 trucking 7hedging Ontario

Edenview Acres Ltd. Pete Sereda R.R. 1 Centralia, Ont. N0M 1K0 Ph: (519) 229-6383 email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 600

Carl Frook R.R. 1 Elmwood, Ont. N0G 1S0 Ph: (519) 881-2061 Fax: 881-2887/ Cell: 881-6752 email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 1,850-2,000 9 2

Daniel Jeffrey R.R. 2 Stratford, Ont. N5A 6S3 Ph: (519) 273-7843 Cell: (519) 272-9001 Fax: 271-9382 Lot capacity: 900 9 2 8 4 7 wayne martin R.R. 2 7468 Wellington Road 8 Alma, Ont. N0B 1A0 Ph: (519) 638-3871 Fax: 638-3825/ Cell: 589-5181 email: [email protected] Lot capacity: 450 9 2 8

Amsey Martin R.R. 2 Drayton, Ont. N0G 1P0 Ph: (519) 638-3767 Lot capacity: 350 Gould, Que. J0B 2Z0 email: [email protected] Ph: (819) 877-5461 Lot capacity: 1,000 milldale farms ltd. Quebec Fax: (450) 372-1185 1 9 2 R.R. 1 Cell: (450) 522-1876 4 Norwich, Ont. N0J 1P0 Bovinor farme R.A. Farm Ph: (519) 468-2325 Sébastien Tremblay Robert Acton Fax: 468-2326/ Cell: 532-8748 4200 Chemain des Ruisseaux Nova Scotia 550 Cookville Road email: [email protected] St-Honoré de Chicoutimi, Que. Cookville, N.B. E4L 2A7 Lot capacity: 550 Ph: (506) 536-2564 G0V 1L0 Van Oostrum Farms 5 9 2 4 7 Fax: 536-4700/ Cell: 364-7263 Ph/Fax: (418) 673-4776 Andrew Van Oostrum email: [email protected] Cell: 812-1035 R.R. 2 John Noltie Lot capacity: 1,200 email: sebastien.tremblay@ Berwick, N.S. B0P 1E0 R.R. 2 1 9 2 8 4 videotron.ca Ph: (902) 538-7716 Chatham, Ont. N7M 5J2 Lot capacity: 270 Fax: 538-1411 Ph: (519) 683-2462 2 9 Lot capacity: 400 Lot capacity: 125 9 1 5 9 2 8 4 Prince Edward R.M. lang Farms richard trimble Ralph Lang/ Elwyn Lang Island 323 Belleriver Road R.R. 1, C. 45 New Brunswick Woodslee, Ont. N0R 1V0 Shawville, Que. J0X 2Y0 beech hill Farms Ph: (519) 839-5521 Ph: (819) 647-3607 127 Beech Hill Road Fax: 839-6524 Fax: 647-1943 Davanna Holdings Alberry Plains, P.E.I. C0A 2E0 Lot capacity: 60 Lot capacity: 200 Dean & David Acton Ph: (902) 651-2883 1 9 2 9 2 8 4 308 Cookville Loop Rd. Cookville, N.B. E4L 2A4 Fax: 651-2578 1 9 4 Trans Claude Lussier Ph: (506) 536-2508 Claude Lussier Fax: (506) 536-2826 4 North Hill Rd. Cell: 379-0024

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Zuprevo Ad CanCattle Feedlot Guide.indd 1 12-08-14 09:57 health opinion PRECONDITIONING IS GOOD that faces calves when they are pulled and shipped to the market. Castration is more commonly done on younger calves and polled bulls are eliminating the need for dehorning. A good percentage of calves with horns are pasted or dehorned by other means long before weaning is contemplated. If a higher premium is paid for these procedures that are done in advance cow- calf producers will generally oblige. I was not surprised during a recent visit to a large U.S. feedlot to learn that they sent back all the bulls they receive. The risks involved in castrating these older males and the associated losses in performance were simply too great to justify doing it at the feedlot. A great number of producers already pre-immunize their calves but

Photo: O MAFRA Photo: avoid weaning at the farm because Home weaning is just one of the requirements of a preconditioning program. they often receive a better price for fresh calves right off the cow. Feed- lot of Alberta producers will on the manifest that their calves were lots have been able to counteract the remember the precondition- preconditioned only to find out they effects of weaning and commingling ing program introduced by had only been given a blackleg vaccine. with long-acting macrolide antibiotics the provincial Agriculture The industry has changed since at arrival. The proper way though is to A provide maximum protection with vac- Department in the mid-1980s. To be then and I believe that this is the time certified as preconditioned calves had for cow-calf producers to start pre- cines and minimal stress at weaning. to be dehorned and castrated cor- conditioning their calves once again. It If weaned long enough (45 days plus) rectly, pre-immunized and weaned for will benefit the entire industry but if it sudden compensatory gains occur and a set period before they were sold. is to work, the cow-calf producer has producers end up selling heavier calves. Veterinarians certified the procedures to share in the huge added value their We need to build consistency in these to ensure that everything was done effort creates. calves both in terms of the diseases we correctly. The calves could be classi- Widespread preconditioning should vaccinate for and the length of time of fied as pre-immunized or precondi- reduce morbidity and mortality lev- weaning. Pharmaceutical companies tioned if they were weaned correctly, els as well as treatment costs while have been one of the drivers of this trend, and special coloured tags were used improving weight gains and making although they promote their trade name to distinguish the two categories. The the whole beef chain more efficient. or specific products. It is OK to meld dif- necessary paperwork accompanied the It simply is good for the health ferent vaccines from different companies calves to the market and that along and welfare of the calf to maximize as long as the efficacy of the products is with the tags added visible credibility its protection to respiratory disease comparable. In Western Canada at least to the program. and minimize stress. we commonly vaccinate for the common The science made complete sense, Preconditioning also supports the viral pathogens for pneumonia, IBR, but the program never did take off. responsible use of antibiotics since it BVD (Types 1 and 2), BRSV, PI3 as well Why? Well, there were several reasons. should result in fewer calves needing as the common bacterial pathogens His- For starters the cow-calf producer treatment and fewer considered as tophilus, Pasteurella, Mannheimia and of needed a premium to cover the extra high risk and requiring metaphylactic course a 7- to 9-way blackleg vaccine. If work and risk of weaning the calves at antimicrobials. Lowering the stress on the right combinations are selected these home. Feedlots didn’t necessarily pay these calves also helps them maintain a can be administered in no more than a premium because they often could healthy immune system. two shots. More and more top produc- not purchase the critical number they Preconditioning at home gives pro- ers are already giving the priming shots needed to maintain a full pen. ducers the option of using low-stress at turnout so only a booster is required Then everyone started having non- fenceline weaning or nose flaps that at weaning. sanctioned “preconditioned sales,” remove initially the calves’ ability to Deworming and lice control are two claiming their calves were precondi- suck. This helps motivate them to find other important preconditioning proce- tioned because it was the buzzword of feed and watering areas while free of dures. More and more worms are being the day. At the time I can remember other stressors of commingling, trans- questioning farmers when they wrote portation, and occasional bad weather Continued on page 36 www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen / September 2012 35 Continued from page 35 the feedlot greatly increases the risk of calves have lung adhesions at slaugh- death loss, sickness and a lower dress- ter than were actually treated. This detected at pasture or on entry to the ing percentage. indicates many calves deal with a low- feedlot that are resistant to the avermec- With retained ownership all these grade pneumonia. Since adhesions are tin-type products. In the future deworm- procedures are a no-brainer. But when caused by respiratory disease anything ing with a product like fenbendazole the calves are sold in the fall the key that prevents that is a good thing as (Safeguard) and still using the avermectin question becomes to what degree far as cattle production is concerned. products for lice should be included in should the cow-calf producer be com- Fewer sick cattle means less death loss any good preconditioning program. pensated when selling these certified or fewer chronics, which looks good Most producers almost always pre- calves. Direct sales to the feedlot will from an animal welfare perspective condition their replacement heifers so maximize the gain both parties receive and improves the bottom line. this simply involves applying the same and a fair price can be set. Implant- If preconditioning can gain some new principals to all the calves. ing and identification may be the only momentum production will increase Heifers could be sold guaranteed thing left to do as these cattle enter the with less reliance on the metaphylactic open, whether they are pregnancy feedlot. Home-raised cattle could even administration of antibiotics. We then checked or the bulls are pulled early. be started on the feedlot’s implant pro- can produce more beef for the world’s Bred heifers are an economic hardship gram before they are shipped. growing population. C to the feedlot and calving heifers in It has been noted that many more — Roy Lewis DVM

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Adding value still pays And biosecurity adds value

n the cattle business, fall markets industry is seen to be doing a better job programs presently being developed by have slowly moved away from of managing health risk. Things like all livestock sectors. weaning calves one day and haul- the prudent use of antimicrobials and It’s all fairly simple. Better biosecu- ing them to a sale yard the next. improved standards of animal welfare rity means less risk of disease. Atten- I tion to biosecurity protects Canadian The upper echelon of cow-calf produc- are more easily defended. The market ers have moved away from being more now recognizes the value they add and businesses and consumers and than just price-takers. They adopt is slowly starting to pay for it. enhances the value of products they practices that make their calves worth The link between health, produc- produce. Canada has actively pursued more by giving buyers an opportunity tion, food safety and food quality is on-farm food safety programs for to reduce risk. In doing so, innovators inescapable. For a nation so depen- more than two decades. Most com- move the so-called value-added cattle dent on exports, it becomes the lan- modity groups have come to realize from “average” into what now repre- guage of international trade. From a that animal health is a part of pro- sents the top third of fall sales. financial perspective, when an indus- ducing food and have added formal The shift in how calves get sold try loses equity, cattle buyers and biosecurity elements to their on-farm and the value that markets now pay banks also look for every opportunity food safety programs. Participation for come with a number of labels: to manage risk. Managing animal in many quality-assurance programs advantage programs, low-stress wean- health in a similarly structured and starts as voluntary and morphs into ing, preconditioning, source and age audited way makes sense. mandatory as everyone in the produc- verification, and quality assurance. Many people in the industry vol- tion chain, including processors and Add to the list a tag like “Natural” untarily implement procedures to retailers, recognize that management and things seem to get complicated. reduce the risk of disease. Others are practices influence product quality However, when all is said and done not so diligent. The question is often and safety. it’s all about managing risk and asked, “Are those who work diligently Producer participation in these applying a series of simple things that wasting their time until all producers programs has varied but that is also help both sellers and buyers manage and sector suppliers meet minimum changing. The Canadian Cattlemen’s animal health. standards? The truth is, every little bit Association, for example, has adopted The poultry industry has recognized helps. Sound disease control is never a the following guiding principles for for years that variation in on-farm risk waste of time. quality assurance: management practices vary between Many producers already manage • To produce food, not cattle. the best and poorest performers by at cattle in ways that qualify for value- • Product safety and quality are a least 40 per cent. The difference high- added programs. Yet many still don’t shared responsibility from pasture lights the human side of biosecurity take the final step to market those to plate. and the diligence with which producers advantages. For instance, unless you • Improvement in management practices approach biosecurity and disease con- can verify vaccinations are adminis- influence product quality and safety. trol in their operations. tered to your calves, it has no value What many forget about biosecu- Although marketing poultry and to buyers. Those who can verify age, rity is that small things count when cattle is worlds apart, the basic princi- source, vaccinations and other routine it comes to controlling the spread of ples of biosecurity are not; the primary animal health practices to control dis- disease. difference being the number of steps eases like bovine virus diarrhea and Remember: and the number of hands involved Johne’s disease, capture value and gen- 1. Biosecurity is a set of practices that along the chain. For the cow-calf pro- erate premiums. The same rules apply prevent the spread of disease. ducer, disease prevention from birth to for the purebred industry supplying 2. Mistakes cause disease; you buy, when a calf is sold is one side of the bulls and replacement heifers for com- carry or let it on to farms. equation, the other is the benefit gen- mercial producers. 3. Biosecurity is everybody’s business. erated for the backgrounder, feedlot The advent of insurance programs 4. Investing in biosecurity is good busi- and processor. for the beef industry will in time add to ness. Vaccinating for respiratory disease, the pressure for verified animal health 5. Biosecurity doesn’t have to be expen- for instance, starts with the young calf, management programs. Private-sector sive to be effective. continues at weaning and is reinforced insurers will require assessments of risk 6. Every little bit helps — little things again at the feedlot. The overall effect: exposure and adherence to preventive matter. disease is reduced, cost of production standards by producers. Government 7. Implementing biosecurity starts with falls, quality of product increases. Top- organizations, reinsurers, insurers and understanding it. ping the list of benefits — consumer commodity groups will require inde- 8. Biosecurity practices add value. C expectations are more fully met because pendent, certified proof of biosecurity — Dr. Ron Clarke DVM

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® Registered trademark of Pfizer Products Inc.; Pfizer Canada Inc., licensee. ™ Trademark of Pfizer Products Inc.; Pfizer Canada Inc., licensee. ‡ Registered trademark of Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, used under licence by Pfizer Canada Inc. CORP C JADP06A 0712 E HOLISTIC RANCHING Leadership/management eadership and management 9. Have I provided for my retirement? What does my are both essential to running retirement look like? a successful profi table busi- This list is not meant to cover all the possible issues. L ness. According to the author It is meant to get you thinking about some of the Stephen Covey, management is about important things in life. Personally, H M has helped how to achieve success and defi ning me develop answers to these kinds of questions. I had what it looks like. Management is a heart attack about nine years ago. I clearly remem- about how you climb the ladder of ber lying in the hospital surrounded by my family. I success. Leadership is about which desperately wanted to go home and to continue to wall you place your ladder against. contribute to my family. Knowing that my family In our complex society it is very easy to be busy and could carry on without me and do just fi ne was a great not be very successful. True success comes from know- consolation. Fortunately nine years later I am still here ing what you desire and then developing the skills and and contributing. I am confi dent our family and our knowledge to achieve what you desire. business are more stable and sustainable today than Fortunately H M covers both leadership and manage- ever. Equally important I am confi dent we will con- ment and gives us the tools to achieve lasting success. tinue to improve. Let’s look at leadership. Here are some questions you Now let’s look at the management side. Here are might consider. I encourage you to think about them. some questions you might consider. Having clear answers to these 1. Is my business profi table? Am types of questions will help you I satisfi ed with my profi t? be truly successful. 2. Do I plan for a profi t? 1. Do I have a clear written Management is about 3. Do I have a fi nancial plan? goal that is based on my val- 4. Is my land improving? ues and principles? Why do I how you climb the ladder 5. Do I have the knowledge and do what I do? of success. Leadership is skills to manage so that my 2. Did my spouse and family land will improve over time? help develop my goal? Does about which wall you place 6. Do I feel my business is sus- everyone buy in and have tainable? commitment? your ladder against 7. What skills or knowledge do 3. At this time how well have I need to be more sustain- I achieved my goal? Rate able? yourself on a scale of 1 to 10. Once again this list is designed to help you evaluate 4. What is the most important thing I could do to where you are and how you might improve. H M gives improve my rating? us the tools to help create a profi table, sustainable busi- 5. Do I have a current up-to-date will? Does my family ness. It can help you. I invite you to learn more about know what’s in my will? H M. Have a great fall. 6. Do I have an estate plan? Happy trails. 7. Will one or more of my children take over my busi- — Don Campbell ness? How will I deal with my non-farm children? Does my family know what my estate plans are? Don Campbell ranches with his family at Meadow Lake, 8. How will I transfer ownership and management of Sask., and teaches Holistic Management courses. He can be my business to the next generation? reached at 306-236-6088 or [email protected].

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40 CATTLEMEN / SEPTEMBER 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca We’re in it for life. Ag for Life delivers educational programming that will serve to improve rural and farm safety and build a genuine understanding and appreciation of the impact agriculture has on lives.

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Resflor Can Cattleman Double Page.indd 1 12-08-22 10:01 AM VET ADVICE Change begets change

segment of the Alberta Veterinary Medical large populations of animals. Computers enhanced the abil- Association’s account of its history between ity to track, predict and manage disease at a herd level. 1991 and 2010 was a question to members The computer completely changed the way humans A about what they thought were the three most communicate. Computers extended the range of services important things that changed veterinary practice during veterinarians provide clients. Things like the Internet, those two decades. The responses provided insight into email, smartphones and social networks wholly altered how dramatically veterinary practice and the livestock what information could be transmitted and the speed industry has changed during that period. with which it moved. Veterinarians and livestock produc- The Canadian beef and dairy industry watched with ers had immediate access to a library of animal health rapt interest the development of a new and strange neuro- information once considered incomprehensible. Some logic disease in the U.K. through the 1980s. The industry estimates suggest the volume of codified information was startled when what had been labelled BSE touched appearing on the Internet doubles every 24 hours — the down in Red Deer in 1993 in a U.K. import. For 10 years implication being information overload, or what you the Canadian beef and dairy industry lived in a vacuum know when you wake every morning is only one-half of of complacency that government-imposed control pro- what you thought you knew the night before. grams and an indigent rendering industry had established Advances in digital technology opened the door for adequate fi rewalls. In 2003 the industry was enslaved a range of new tools for the veterinarian ranging from and paralyzed by the worst economic disaster ever to ultrasound, digital x-rays and laparoscopes to chute-side strike the red meat industry. In May of 2003 BSE became diagnostics. Portability and ruggedness created by digital a homegrown issue. It catapulted “mad cow” into the technology helped move equipment from clinic to fi eld realm of paranoia and illogical responses by trading part- applications. ners around the globe. Between 2003 and 2010 many A major shift in demographics between 1991 and segments of the beef industry stood still in the after- 2010 was one of the biggest changes noted by veterinar- math of losses that exceeded many billions. The industry ians. Through the 1990s approximately 20 per cent of the changed. Veterinary practice changed. profession was female. By 2010, females represented 80 During the span of time between 1990 and 2010, two per cent of classes graduating from veterinary schools. The previously unidentifi ed viruses (porcine reproductive and traditional population of rural, male, food animal practi- respiratory virus or PRRS and porcine circovirus ravaged tioners markedly declined. The void was partially replaced the swine industry in Canada. The potpourri of disease syn- by female practitioners seeking career alternatives that dromes induced by these two viruses had more than a small included job sharing, childcare and maternity leave; all an part to play in the economic woes of an industry and its important part of the mix. subsequent contraction. By 2008, Canadian hog numbers While the beef and pork industries wavered mightily showed the sharpest inventory decline in three decades. between 2003 and 2010, many rural practitioners decided The number of hog farms in Canada fell almost 20 per cent to expand the companion animal side of rural practice. in the one-year period ending April 1, 2008. Many swine What they found was a welcome reprieve from the sore veterinarians lost one-third to one-half of their client base, shoulders and bad backs of midnight calving in cold hay which dramatically altered the face of rural practice. sheds. Many would not return. Sustaining the transition Amidst the concern of foreign animal diseases like foot from traditional rural practice was the support of animal and mouth disease that devastated the sheep, hog and health technologists as their role grew in importance. cattle industry in the U.K. in 2001, and the everpresent The pharmaceutical armament available to veterinarians risk of other emerging diseases lingering at our borders and the livestock industry included new antimicrobials and was the reality that the number of veterinarians ready more effective vaccines. New drugs and vaccines created and willing to locate in rural areas steadily decreased. important alternatives to managing disease. New anesthet- The risk of disease incursion increases in proportion to ics and pain control products eased the physical challenges the lack of professional eyes and ears with a fi nger on the and danger associated with large animal veterinary practice. pulse of animal health, including the compound effect the Over the past 20 years the groundswell of attention lack of access to large-animal diagnostic support has for to animal welfare and improved codes of practice altered many areas. Complicating the mix of fewer veterinarians many traditional livestock rearing methods. Sophisticated servicing the livestock industry is the parallel need for consumers demanded greater accountability of the food more sophisticated veterinary service required by fewer, supply chain. Corporate North America for the most part but larger livestock enterprises. drove major change in how animals were to be handled Twenty years ago, few people accurately predicted the in the production of food, how they were to be reared on- impact digital technology would have on veterinary prac- farm, or transported and managed enroute to processing. tice and the industry they served. In the early 1990s fewer than 15 per cent of veterinary practices owned a computer. Dr. Ron Clarke prepares this column on behalf of the Western Today it is hard to imagine how any business could func- Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners. Suggestions for tion without one. On the veterinary side, animal health future articles can be sent to CANADIAN CATTLEMEN (gren@fbc- management software expanded the capabilities to manage publishing.com) or WCABP ([email protected]).

44 CATTLEMEN / SEPTEMBER 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca www.farm-king.com

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cla_regSize_aug12.indd 1 09/08/12 9:20 PM Amaglen Limousin :: Darlingford MB Eden Meadow Farms :: Zehner SK Murphy Ranch :: Altario AB Bar 3R Limousin :: Marengo SK Excel Ranches :: Westlock AB Pinnacle View Limousin :: Quesnel BC Ian & Bonnie Hamilton Terry & Lynette Hepper and family Frank & Donna Murphy The Rea family Ron & Barb Miller Swann and Kishkan families 204.246.2312 / [email protected] 306.781.4628 403.552.2191 / 780.753.1959 306.463.7950 / 306.968.2923 780.349.2135 / [email protected] 250.747.2618 / [email protected] www.amaglenlimousin.ca [email protected] murphyranch.ca [email protected] www.excelranches.com www.pvlimousin.com

cla_regSize_aug12.indd 1 09/08/12 9:20 PM STRAIGHT FROM THE HIP Wrapped in red tape

discussion of food security policy that has not developed the social security of a often leads to the evalua- middle class. tion of agricultural output The lack of land ownership is not an issue limited A in different countries. As we to Ukraine. It is the No. 1 concern worldwide in the look at the world today, the potential agricultural industry. Individuals feel vulnerable when for increased agricultural performance they do not have land security and are unlikely to make is evident in places like Canada and investments. This huge disconnect between potential and Australia. In Eastern Europe the coun- capital is also fuelled by memories of land that was taken try that everyone is talking about is away. Farmers remain suspect and are not motivated Ukraine where the land base accounts because of the fear of losing what they own and there is for 30 per cent of the world’s best soil. It has great no generational gap to think outside of that memory. potential for improved crop and livestock production. The Ukraine government owns ﬁ ve million hectares From the outside, it looks like a nice package and of agricultural land and agro companies within the everyone wants in especially China and the Middle East. Ukraine look very attractive because the land is so deeply Today Ukraine hosts a multitude of infrastructure invest- undervalued to its potential. Large tracks of lovely fertile ments from many countries. As an example Cargill has land, 33 million cultivated hectares, sit drenched in sun spent US$150 million on sunflower processing since and rooted in four feet of topsoil. One politician said it 1991. China started the party several years ago with would take US$30 billion to buy the productive agricul- trade agreements and they have been successful. A mora- tural land but the potential was $400 billion. Investors torium on foreign land investment in 2001 changed the know $30 billion is a sweet deal. landscape but export activity is still strong with Russia, From the perspective of the beef industry, it will be Turkey and China. difficult to build a business case until there is infra- The moratorium on agricultural land ownership was structure and liberalization of trade. Infrastructure is to expire on January 1, 2012 but has repeatedly been fundamental to grow regional and national economies. delayed by the opposition and some ministers who fear Although there are 16 seaports in Ukraine, they are that local people will not be able to invest in their own small from a global perspective. The ports handle fuel, country. This is rather an interesting position consider- chemical, metal, machinery and food products. ing that credit is almost unattainable and the average The question remains — what is best for Ukraine and monthly income is $319. Loans for farming purposes her trading partners? Intense foreign competition for are at very high interest rates with 200-300 per cent col- land will drive prices up and local farmers will not be in lateral required and the land cannot be used. Foreign the game. They simply have not had time post-commu- ownership of urban property is allowed. nism to implement technology, access information, lobby The beef industry is very small in Ukraine and there for infrastructure or build credit. The patchwork of land has been consolidation with foreign engagement but that ownership makes it challenging to enable legislation. In has not spurred growth. With only 40,000 beef cows in addition, Ukraine is being depopulated as people leave the nation several large foreign-owned beef operations or choose not to have children. With an eroding tax base with up to 4,000 head are feeding a high percentage of it makes for a complicated situation. Ukraine is much dairy cattle of which there are 2.6 million head. Ukraine like Canada in that it has a relatively small population exports beef to the lucrative market in Russia and seldom and a large number of cultivated acres. imports stock because of the ribbon of red tape for each In the future, Ukraine will continue to be an export transaction. Countries in which the people have been nation. impoverished often count on cattle as currency. Ukraini- As I continue my research from Kiev through to Odessa ans still think of cattle in this way and more than 70 per in Ukraine this October, it will be interesting to be woven cent of beef production is backyard beef. A focus on bet- into the fabric of this land and to talk to her farmers, ter breeding has led to some crossbreeding programs that policy-makers and trade experts. I will let my feet sink in are successful but the lack of wealth domestically dictates the soil in which many Canadian ancestors once trod and that beef is not affordable and therefore any new devel- ﬁ nd a jewel of opportunity in this land of contrasts, neatly opment is for export. The meat of choice is pork. wrapped in red tape and waiting to be opened by enabling As the beef and grain industry are complimentary, one agricultural policy and trade liberation. could assume that an increase in grain production would — Brenda Schoepp be accompanied by more beef production. It seems easy enough but a lack of privatization and the eternal heel Brenda Schoepp is a market analyst and the owner and author dragging by government may dampen growth in both of BEEFLINK, a national beef cattle market newsletter. A sectors. From a human resource perspective, the rem- professional speaker and industry market and research con- nants of the Soviet era are evident in the need to hire sultant, she ranches near Rimbey, Alta. Contact her at brenda. extensive security to guard absolutely everything. This [email protected] or visit www.brendaschoepp.com. All is not a fault of the people but a result of government rights reserved 2012.

48 CATTLEMEN / SEPTEMBER 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca BRD PROTECTION… IT’S NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

Different cattle have different BRD challenges and require different levels of protection. Most are not in the extreme high risk category – a category that includes lightweight commingled feedlot calves for instance – so why pay more for extreme Now available in a new protection? Treat your calves on arrival with a product that gets economical 500 mL format to work right away and remains active in the lungs1. Now available in a new plastic bottle with an innovative, ergonomic, durable and convenient design.

Ask your veterinarian about ZACTRAN common sense BRD protection ZACTRAN® is a registered trademark of Merial Limited. © 2012 Merial Canada Inc. All rights reserved. ZACT-12-7562-BJA 1. Huang RA, Letendre LT, Banav N, Fischer J & Somerville, BA. Pharmacokinetics of gamithromycin in cattle with comparison of plasma and lung tissue concentrations and plasma antibacterial activity. J. Vet. Pharmacol. Therap. doi: 10 .1111/j.1365 -28 85. 20 0 9. 0112 5. x .

2388 Zactran Beef Ad-EN-CC.indd 1 12-08-02 4:32 PM

Client: Merial Publication: Canadian Cattlemen Agency: ON Communication Inc Project: Zactran Beef Ad Size: 8.125” x 10.75” Agency Contact: Raellen Seaman Date: Sep 2012 Bleed: .35 Telephone: 519-434-1365 Ext.228 Designer: JM Colour: CMYK Email: [email protected] RESEARCH Technology transfer in the beef industry

esearch and innovation are latest innovations and fi nd the research information very popular topics these they’re looking for. days, but they mean differ- The website features information on the industry’s R ent things, and both need to research priorities and objectives, background informa- happen before Canada’s beef industry tion on research topics, and technical fact sheets on will benefi t. Solid research is neces- project results. Canada’s beef industry is fortunate to still sary, but it’s only a start. Research have many high-calibre, experienced researchers who reports and scientific papers aren’t work closely with our industry and have an active inter- generally well understood except by est in technology transfer and extension. They’ve helped other researchers. These reports and us develop much of the background information on publications need to be translated into terms that pro- the new website. The site also includes the BCRC Blog, ducers can understand, and developed into new tools or where readers will fi nd the latest research fi ndings, learn strategies that producers can use. That’s the innovation how research connects to current events, and get produc- step. Extension and technology transfer turns research tion tips during the appropriate season. Readers can sub- into practical innovation. scribe to the blog for email updates and post comments Industry has proven that it will quickly adopt a new on blog articles. The website also has a mobile version, technology when there is a clear benefi t from doing so it is easy to navigate and read on your smartphone. so. Implants to improve weaning weights, legumes to We plan to develop other new resources, like video increase forage yields and quality, crossbreeding to series, so producers can learn more about research fi nd- improve fertility and longevity, extended grazing to ings across the country at their convenience, and hear reduce winter feeding costs, and a wide range of feedlot from other producers who have successfully adopted health, nutrition, growth promotants and other tech- research-support techniques and tools on to their farms. nologies to improve feeding performance have all been Webinars are also a great tool we plan to use; producers quickly adopted and retained by the industry. can log on to their computers for about an hour to lis- Governments and universities used to employ many ten in on a presentation and ask questions to research- extension specialists and supported field days, semi- ers or other industry experts. nars and other technology transfer initiatives, but these In addition to communicating about research fi ndings activities have declined greatly in the past 20 years. This from projects that were funded by the BCRC, the new makes it more diffi cult for researchers to get their mes- extension initiative will better allow us to support technol- sage to producers, and harder for producers to know ogy transfer of valuable beef research from other industry where they can get reliable information. It also means and government funders. We will also enhance our sup- that new researchers don’t have as many opportunities port of other extension groups and share applicable mate- to interact with beef producers and understand the beef rials across groups and provinces. Our intention is not industry. Add the fact that more and more new research- to duplicate existing extension efforts, but to enhance or ers come from non-agricultural backgrounds or other accelerate them, and fi ll in gaps where needed. countries, and it’s easy to suspect that the gulf between I encourage you to visit www.beefresearch.ca. Let us cattle producers and many researchers is getting wider. know what you think, and let us know what else you’d The BCRC is taking some initial steps to address this like to see. We need your feedback to help us deliver the problem. Through the Beef Science Cluster, the BCRC types of information you want, in the format you want has developed a long-term strategy to improve technol- it in, to provide the science-based knowledge to do ogy transfer and knowledge dissemination to help the what’s best for your operation. Canadian beef cattle industry identify, evaluate and The Beef Research Cluster is funded by the Canadian adopt promising new technology. Cattlemen’s Association and Agriculture and Agri-Food Tracy Sakatch joined the BCRC as our new beef Canada to advance research and technology transfer extension co-ordinator in January 2012. Her skills will supporting the Canadian beef industry’s vision to be help us to expand our extension efforts beyond the recognized as a preferred supplier of healthy, high-qual- regular fact sheets, industry presentations and articles ity beef, cattle and genetics. you’re used to seeing from us. She wrote big sections of — Reynold Bergen this column, in fact. Tracy’s fi rst big initiative is the www.beefresearch. Reynold Bergen is the science director for the Beef Cattle ca website launched in August. This website will be a Research Council. A portion of the national checkoff is cornerstone of the extension initiative, and provide a directed to the BCRC to fund research and development central resource for Canadian beef research news and activities to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of information. Visitors can use it to stay informed of the Canada’s beef industry.

50 CATTLEMEN / SEPTEMBER 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca Longevity, efficiency, ProfitabiLity. Simmental cattle are bred for their unmatched maternal traits and Simmental breeders are aggressively selecting for increased performance and efficiency while still maintaining longevity. Make Simmental a part of your breeding program and ensure your success for generations to come.

CSA Regular.indd 1 8/22/2012 2:31:26 PM Prime cuts by Steve Kay

Drought forces up beef prices A North .S. cattle producers face the most wide- another four or five per cent in 2013. These American spread drought in their lifetimes, and it forecasts might be conservative. view of the is producing more serious consequences The drought appears likely to force U.S. cat- U every month. USDA on August 10 pro- tle herd numbers lower by at least one million meat industry. duced its first corn crop forecasts based on actual head by January 1 next year. This would put surveys that were lower than expected. It forecast the U.S. cattle total below 90 million head. The Steve Kay is a yield of 123.4 bushels per acre and a crop of industry will also see a sharp decline in Mexican publisher and 10.77 billion bushels. This is easily the largest- feeder cattle entering the U.S. in 2013. Extreme ever decline from USDA’s first estimate of a corn drought forced more cattle north than normal in editor of crop. This would be the lowest yield since 1995 2011 and is doing the same this year. Mexican Ca t t l e Bu y e r s and the smallest crop since 2006. USDA forecast imports for the year to August 4 totalled nearly an average US$8.20 per bushel, versus an average one million head, up 28 per cent on the same We e k l y $6.25 for the 2011 crop. period last year. Total imports this year might That’s tough news for cattle feeders, who reach 1.5 million head, which guarantees a huge in July and August lost more than US$200 per decline next year. head on unhedged cattle. Breakevens for the The declining cattle numbers means that fall/early winter improved sharply because of domestic beef production will likely decline by a huge decline in feeder cattle and calf prices four per cent or one billion pounds this year as a result of drought- from 2011, accord- related movement off ing to USDA. It will pastures into feedlots. decline by another 2.4 But record-high corn The declining cattle numbers per cent or 0.6 bil- prices might quickly means domestic U.S. beef lion pounds in 2013. erode any hope of Unless beef exports positive feeding mar- production will likely decline continue to decline gins in the months in volume terms and ahead. by four per cent or one billion imports continue to The widespread pounds this year from 2011 increase, per capita nature of the drought beef supplies will means cow-calf pro- also decline further in ducers have fewer drought-management options 2013. USDA forecasts 2012 supplies at 56.1 than in prior years. The historic Texas-Okla- pounds per person (versus 57.3 pounds in 2011) homa drought meant cow-calf producers were and at 54.5 pounds in 2013. forced to sell calves early and send cows to Consumers will thus be forced to pay more slaughter. But many held the core of their herds for beef at retail and food service because less together by sending cows to other states. That’s will be available. This would not be such an not an option this summer, as only 21 per cent issue if the U.S. economy was stronger and of the continental U.S. has no drought condi- showed signs of real growth. That’s not the case, tions and 70 per cent of the U.S. beef herd is however, and cautious consumers are likely to under drought. Two-thirds of the hay acreage is keep buying cheaper pork and chicken to fulfill under drought conditions and hay prices have their protein needs. The U.S. beef industry will skyrocketed. need to keep improving beef’s quality if it wants It will be a huge challenge for producers to Americans to pay even more for beef the next keep their herds intact and focus on improv- few years. ing their quality at the same time. Yet the latter is what they need to do because the drought’s Ca t t l e B u y e r s W e e k l y covers the North American meat impact on herd rebuilding means consumers and livestock industry. For subscription information, will have to pay more for beef for the next three contact Steve Kay at P.O. Box 2533, Petaluma, years. USDA forecasts that retail beef prices Calif. 94953, or at 707-765-1725, or go to www. will increase 3.5 to 4.5 per cent this year and cattlebuyersweekly.com.

52 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca BUILDING TRUST IN CANADIAN BEEF

Broken needles happen Do the right thing for yourself and your industry

There’s an old saying that it’s not consumers for steaks and roasts in a Change needles. Try to change the what life deals out, but how you single beef carcass. That’s a lot of con- needle every 10 animals if vaccinating respond that matters. sumer confidence riding on our deci- mature animals, or use a new needle That’s certainly the way with bro- sions. The Verified Beef Production each time for sick animals. ken needles and other foreign matter (VBP) program provides specific advice Use neck extenders on the chute. that finds its way into the beef chain. on how to prevent broken needles and They’ll help hold the animal’s neck in They can occur. What’s important is how to manage when one occurs. It’s place if working properly. how we respond as individual produc- important information. ers and as an industry. If something goes wrong Scientists say there are 540-plus Follow these steps If a broken needle is suspected, spe- There are some basic, accepted steps cific steps must be followed. Identify to preventing broken needles on the the animal and record the incident on farm or ranch. the permanent record. If an animal Securely restrain the animal. Use is being sold, the next owner must only sharp needles, never dull or burred, be notified of the broken needle in and never straighten a needle for re-use. that specific animal. Alternatively, the That could result in breaking a needle animal may be slaughtered for a pro- and leaving a fragment in the animal. ducer’s own use. Most will choose a Keep syringes in good working smaller plant to manage that process order. That helps those doing the job more easily. and makes it less likely equipment will fail. Buckshot warning Visually inspect needles after use. Canadian meat companies have Simple way to ensure they are intact identified an issue of buckshot in beef on the syringe and not bent. carcasses which can lead to losses in Use appropriate needle size and meat processing, and potential food length. This will depend on the prod- safety issues. uct viscosity and route of injection. The beef industry is encouraging Discard used needles into a sharps wildlife organizations to let their mem- container. Don’t have a risk to other bers know about this issue, particularly “Since most incidences are only cattle, animals or people. during goose and bird hunting seasons. reported back to the packer, the Use proper injection technique. For beef producers it is something average producer thinks they don’t Give injectable products in the neck they can advise hunters about who are occur. But they do — often enough and use under the skin (sub-Q or SC) hunting on their land. And producers that we must be proactive and do method when identified on the label. may want to avoid grazing cattle in what we can to avoid an incidence.” Use detectable needles. Ask for pastures behind any blinds or feeding — beef packer them! areas for game birds.

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The mosT compleTe single-shot respiraTory vaccine is back

To find out more, contact your veterinarian.

VISTA Once Canadian Cattlemen QSH.indd 1 12-08-10 1:51 PM CCA reports by Martin Unrau

rought conditions in Ontario and to a concerted effort to see it through to the type of a larger extent in the U.S. are creating conclusion we envision. issues with feed supplies for Canada’s In August, German Chancellor Angela Merkel Dbeef cattle producers. The shortage of met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and hay and feed grains has sent prices skyward; hay provided strong public support for a Canada- prices have doubled since spring and feed grain European Comprehensive Economic and Trade prices have risen higher still with prices in Ontario Agreement (CETA). under more intense pressure. Throw in the impact CETA is an important agreement for beef. from ethanol use in North America and the pres- The CCA has invested a lot of time in CETA sure on feed grain prices is clear. negotiations. I recently met with chief negotiators Martin Unrau These conditions require producers to take an of CETA to ensure they understood clearly our exceptionally hard look at ration costs measured position on beef, that we seek full access and zero is president of against the fluctuating price of cattle as they make tariffs as well as resolution on the technical issues their management decisions. barring trade to the EU. the Canadian As the price of feed grains becomes unten- All of these files are about ensuring the long- Cattlemen’s able for some, the result will inevitably affect beef term competitiveness and sustainability of the quality. The reputation of high-quality Canadian industry, not only for current producers but also to Association beef is based on the Canadian Beef Advantage. encourage the young people coming into the indus- Producing that well-marbled superior beef requires try to stick it out despite the sometimes seemingly feed grains like the barley used in the West and daunting challenges that they may face in terms of corn in the East; inputs that are as essential as our financing and weather-related disaster, etc. abundant land base and ample clean water supply. Events like the International Livestock Con- Part of the ongoing battle to maintain our share of gress (ILC) conference, held in conjunction with the protein market with the consumer is in the eat- CCA semi-annual in Calgary, help to remind us all ing experience of high-quality Canadian beef. We that there is no shortage of bright and eager young don’t want to produce beef that offers anything people in agriculture who are looking to stay. It is less than the top-notch eating experience that con- heartening to see the ILC bursary students and the sumers everywhere have come to associate with Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL) participants so Canadian beef. involved with the industry through events like the Finding solutions to these problems that work ILC and by attending committee meetings at the for producers is at the core of the work we do at CCA Semi-Annual Meeting. the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). The speakers who delivered the global eco- At the 2012 CCA Semi-Annual Meeting in nomic and market outlook information at the August, the CCA continued to expend significant ILC made tremendous points. The information effort into formulating intelligent policy positions delivered there, be it good or bad for the industry, on a number of areas of importance to producers. is what we need to consider also as we move for- The CCA semi-annual is a busy week and it takes ward and formulate effective policy discussion. our directors away from their businesses at home. Innovation also plays a role in sustainabil- But a tremendous amount of effort is required to ity that will carry this industry forward. Dur- ensure the work we do as an organization is right ing the ILC, the CCA announced Christoph and for the long-term competitiveness of the industry. Erika Weder of Spirit View Ranch as the recipient It is important for the CCA board of directors to of the CCA’s 2012 Environmental Stewardship work together to reach agreements and have clear Award. These producers, from Rycroft, Alta., directives to move forward and lobby government exemplify conservation practices and their innova- on important policy matters. tive approach has enabled them to succeed. Disasters like drought in Ontario and, in recent Our congratulations go out to all the 2012 years, flooding in Manitoba underscore the need TESA nominees: Rod and Nonie Hesketh of Sil- for good disaster programs that work for produc- ver Hills Ranch in B.C.; brothers Dale and Terry ers in a timely manner. Disaster programs are ad Adamson of the Diamond J Cattle Co. in Sas- hoc programs and are not part of the Business katchewan; JV Ranch, a division of HyLife Ltd., Risk Management suite of programs. in Manitoba; and Jim Ginn of the Ginn Family Within Growing Forward 2 our work con- Farm in Ontario. tinues to ensure key Business Risk Management The importance of conservation and sustain- programs remain effective in an environment of ability in the Canadian cattle industry cannot be federal government budget cutbacks. Cattle price understated. We are working toward doing a better insurance is another file we continue to work on job of educating consumers about the beneficial as we see value in a national program. relationship that exists between cattle production Research and of course trade are very impor- and the environment. The TESA program has a tant to the Canadian cattle industry. The Regula- new logo and revamped program thanks to the tory Cooperation Council (RCC) effort to thin the sponsorship of MNP LLP, a proud supporter of the border between Canada and the U.S. will require program who this year became a Platinum partner.

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DRUGS The molecule targets the ribosome Koffman says Zuprevo rounds out in the bacteria’s cells, inhibiting the the company’s lung-health platform for NEW BRD ANTIBIOTIC protein synthesis necessary for life. cattle, which in Canada also includes Tildipirosin is rapidly absorbed Resfl or, Nufl or and the Vista vaccine ROLLED OUT from the site of injection, reaching line. peak plasma concentrations in 45 min- Merck Animal Health began mar- utes with extensive accumulation in the keting its new antibiotic Zuprevo lungs and bronchial fl uids. It persists VACCINES through veterinarians late last month. for up to 28 days in the lungs and 21 Zuprevo is labelled for treatment days in the bronchial fl uids in suffi cient VIDO-INTERVAC of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) concentrations to kill M. haemolytica, BEING CERTIFIED associated with Mannheimia hae- P. multocida and suppress both of them molytica, Pasteurella multocida and plus H. somni. The new VIDO-InterVac secure Histophilus somni and the reduction Tildipirosin also has the lowest dose Level 3 containment laboratory on in morbidity associated with BRD volume of any BRD treatment avail- the University of Saskatchewan cam- caused by these three pathogens durable. In most cases it will require a pus was being certifi ed last month by ing the fi rst 14 days in the feedlot, single subcutaneous injection, admin- Canadian Food Inspection Agency and when administered at the time of istered at a rate of one millilitre per the Public Health Agency of Canada arrival. 100 pounds body weight, with a maxi- to begin work on new human and live- The active ingredient tildipirosin is mum injection volume of 10 ml per stock vaccines. a macrolide with a 16-membered ring, injection site. Its formulation is easy to When operational the former VIDO tribasic molecular structure. Mac- inject, even in cold temperatures, and facility will contain the largest CL3 lab rolides are a class of antibiotic with described by one company spokesman in Canada with 145,000 feet of fl oor limited use in human medicine but sev- as slightly more viscous than water. space divided into modular labs that eral useful traits in bovines. They are The product has a 42-day with- can accommodate large animals such also less affected by the mechanisms drawal date in Canada versus 21 days as cattle and elk. Dr. Paul Hodgson, that develop bacterial resistance. in the U.S. Paul Koffman, cattle busi- VIDO-InterVac’s associate director of ness unit director for Merck Animal business development says the Saska- Health says it is normal for withdrawal toon International Vaccine Centre is dates to be extended in Canada. currently the most advanced CL3 facil- GREENER Zuprevo is cleared for use in beef ity in the world. PASTURES and non-lactating dairy cattle in Can- The diseases that can be safely stud- RANCHING LTD. ada. It’s not recommended for use ied in a CL3 facility include tubercu- Presents: on veal calves or breeding cattle. The losis and bovine tuberculosis, rabies, safety of the product has not been West Nile virus, prions (bovine spongi- *Year-Round Grazing Systems* demonstrated in calves less than 14 form encephalopathy and chronic A Business weeks of age. wasting disease), pathogenic and pan- Management School demic infl uenzas, hantavirus, anthrax, Topics include: STAMPEDE By Jerry Palen and brucellosis, as well as human • Human Resources immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and • Economics and Finance • Pasture Calculations hepatitis C virus. • Grazing Management While the lab is being certified • Pasture Rejuvenation VIDO-InterVac remains in discussions • Weed Control • Cell Designs/Water Systems with its government and industry part- • Swath Grazing/Bale Grazing ners and research foundations to secure operational funding. Location: Westlock, AB VIDO was originally established When: Nov. 12th, 13th & 14th, 2012 in 1975 as a non-profi t research cen- Can you Graze 365 days a year? We provide a tre of the University of Saskatchewan 3-day course that will take you right into the to develop vaccines against economi- design and planning of a year-round grazing system. cally devastating livestock diseases. The course tuition is $800/Farm Unit, which allows two members from your farm business to attend. It holds 80 U.S. patents. Of the eight This course is well worth the investment. vaccines commercialized, five have Also be sure to attend: been for cattle. The Pneumo-Star vaccine to protect against pasteurella was *Profi table Pastures* the world’s fi rst recombinant vaccine When: April 16th and 17th, 2013 licensed for use in animals. Vicogen To register please contact: against calf scours, Somnu-Star Ph Steve Kenyon against pasteurellosis and haemophil- Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd. “You gotta remember, he grew osis, and Econiche to help prevent (780) 307-2275 up in a log cabin with only a black shedding of 0157:H7 E. coli bacte- www.greenerpasturesranching.com [email protected] and white TV.” ria were also world fi rsts. Ecolan RC

56 CATTLEMEN / SEPTEMBER 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca against bacterial and viral calf scours that setting some hay aside in a good Against this are the costs of keep- and Somnu-Star against haemophilo- year such as this one in much of West- ing the hay over two years in lost hay sis were also developed by VIDO. ern Canada would be a good hedge sales, spoilage, reduced nutrient con- For more information, visit www. against going into debt or selling some tent and possibly storage costs. vido.org. animals to get the rest through a tough Some projections on feed costs were winter after a drought. made to justify keeping an inventory “We know that will occur again: and having feed storage such as a hay- MANAGEMENT history has a way of repeating itself. shed or a pad and tarps. “The justi- “The other question is should we ﬁ cation of keeping an inventory is a BE PREPARED build a feed shed to keep this inven- management decision to ensure having FOR DROUGHT tory?” feed during depressed times. The cost Having a feed supply as a hedge of storage is something else,” says the With an eye to the drought in the means more than the feed value, it is newsletter. U.S. the Alberta Beef Producers is sug- that hedge position, said the newslet- Based on research reports they put gesting it might be an idea to set aside ter. In Alberta from 1976 to 2012 the the spoilage losses from hay stored on a year’s worth of hay to carry herds average on-farm value of good-quality open ground over two years at 15 per through a bad year should the U.S. alfalfa-grass hay ranged from $55 in cent. The cost of money was set at six drought move north. 1978 to over $130 per tonne during per cent. The August 14 issue of the ABP’s the drought of 2002. This year similar- The tarps are assumed to last ﬁ ve GRASS ROUTES newsletter suggested quality hay is going for less than $60 years. They were priced at cost plus the seasoned producers know bad weather per tonne based on advertised sales in labour to cover and uncover the feed. creates expensive feed and have learned the province. The cost of the timber and metal construction hayshed was priced over Capital and annual costs for ground, tarp and shed hay storage for 1,200 round bales a 25-year lifetime and large enough to shelter our basic inventory of 1,200 Hay value $75 per tonne/storage period 24 months round bales at 1,100 pounds apiece. Annual costs ($/yr.) The cost of money and depreciation Storage type: Capital cost Labour Structure Cover Dry matter loss Total annual cost were pencilled in for the building. The Outside ground $0 $0 $0 $0 $6,885 $6,885 cost of putting up the hay and moving bales was not. Outside pad & tarp $15,840 $420 $1,253 $1,872 $1,913 $5,457 Hayshed $64,800 $0 $8,424 $0 $1,148 $9,572 Continued on page 58

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www.canadiancattlemen.ca CATTLEMEN / SEPTEMBER 2012 57 always came in at the low end on Identification News cost. The ground storage cost is one Roundup thing. Having enough feed is another. Saskatchewan looking Continued from page 57 If the objective is to have 1,200 at industry-led quality bales then the ground stor- brand inspection The outside storage loss of 15 per age needs to be vamped up to accom- cent of available dry matter for 1,200 modate the spoilage factor. An extra Saskatchewan’s new Agriculture bales on $75-per-tonne hay comes to 180 bales would give you the desired Minister Lyle Stewart appears to have $6,900 per year. amount of feed even with 15 per cent taken the first steps toward private The annual cost of the tarp over five spoilage losses from ground storage, brand inspection with the appointment years, labour, depreciation and spoilage without any consideration to nutrient of various industry leaders to study at five per cent over 24 months came to losses. the best way to deliver the service and $5,500 per year for 1,200 bales. So making a management decision make a recommendation early in 2013. The 60 x 180 x 20-feet-high hay- to carry a feed inventory for two years Stewart tasked the committee with shed was valued at $65,000 for an is the first issue; it may save the cow- looking at all the options from the annualized cost of $9,600 for 1,200 calf business. The other is how to store industry-run brand inspection in Alberta bales of $75-per-tonne hay. the feed. The ABP concluded ground and B.C., the government-run service in At $50 per tonne for the hay both storage is a good basic place to start, Saskatchewan or an integrated western ground storage and tarps slipped to especially when there is ample hay Canadian approach and come up with about $4,500 and the hayshed to available such as there is in Alberta a recommendation for a “more effi- $9,200 per year. As the hay becomes this year. Just remember to hold more cient” brand inspection service. more expensive ground storage bales back to offset any spoilage losses. The government release noted the becomes more expensive because of Going to tarps helps save feed quality unique position of livestock as the only the higher value of the spoilage. and reduces the cost of storage. And agriculture commodity that requires The break-even for the hayshed going to a hayshed preserves feed qual- government to verify ownership. versus ground storage is about $115 ity, is easy to work with, especially on Inspectors working out of eight offices per tonne assuming 15 per cent spoil- those cold, snowy days, but must be also administer the licensing and bond- age in the open. In this example, tarps offset as a capital investment. ing of livestock dealers, identify stray animals and maintain the brand registry. These same services are provided by industry-paid inspectors in B.C. and feedlot Directory Alberta. The committee is co-chaired by Sas-

“looking for a custom feedlot with personalized service?” katchewan Cattlemen’s Association HigHway 21 Feeders president Mark Elford and Saskatch- Celebrating 20 years • modern 20,000-head facility • Backgrounding ewan Stock Growers Association presi- • Pen Sharing • Silage-based rations • Finishing • Share Pen Ownership • Order Buying & Selling dent Harold Martens. One additional • Backgrounding • Contracting • Financing • Trucking • Grass Program • Retained Ownership member from each organization plus Box 127 • Finishing • Retained Ownership Specializing in Risk Management. one each from the Saskatchewan Horse Brant, AB T0L 0L0 Over 25 years experience in custom feeding. • 15,000 Head Capacity Look to highway 21 feeders this year. Federation and Livestock Marketers of For details contact: Jeff Ball, President HigHway 21 Feeders Saskatchewan and two members-at- Lyle Miller or ed Miller Office: (403) 684-3540/Fax: (403) 684-3345 large fill out the committee. Cel: (403) 888-3973 Cel: (403) 888-2539 Email: [email protected] Office: (403) 546-2278 Elford appears to already have www.ballco.ca E-mail [email protected] some thoughts on what will come out of their deliberations. “An integrated 2006 ABEX Award Winner for Investment John Schooten & Sons Box 128, Ceylon, Sask., S0C 0T0 Custom Feedyard Ltd. P.O. Box 148, Diamond City, AB T0K 0T0 ABEX winner 2010 for community involvement, 2006 winner for investment Phone: 403-381-3883 • Fax: 403-381-8809 Finalist for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 for Email: [email protected] Community Involvement & Service for Exporting * Calves — Background — Finish * Share Pens KLASSEN * Feedlot Solutions — Bunk Management — Medical Program Ideal location for Exporting to USA * Age Verification Technology AGRIVENTURES LTD. Rations and feeding tailored to customers’ needs * Professional Nutritionalist on Staff by a Nutritionist * Lot Capacity is 15,000 Head Phone: 306-454-2250 • Fax: 306-454-2216 • E-mail: [email protected] Kevin Antworth, Manager • Cell: 306-442-7401 • E-mail: [email protected] Justin: 403-315-5679 Shane: 634-1535 Cody: 634-4116 www.borderlinefeeders.com www.schootenandsons.com Box 488 Linden, AB T0M 1J0 “Custom Feeding With Personal Care” Stauffer farm feedlot 303007 Rge. Rd. 250 Division of stauffer farms LtD. Calhoun Cattle Co. ltd. • Custom Feedlot Feeding • All Breeds and Classes * 4,000 head capacity of Cattle • Capacity 5,000 head • Pen Sizes 80-300 Head * Finishing/Backgrounding • Calves - Yearlings - Backgrounding to Finish * Proudly producing Alberta beef since 1980 • Competitive Finished Cattle Bids • Computer Data on Feed, Health and Closeout Myron Klassen Rod or Carol Calhoun Information • Share Pens – Flexible Sizes (403) 546-2655 Cell (403) 333-5440 •Rations Balanced by Nutritionist Tel: 403-312-3577 Jason Calhoun • Compare Our Prices and Cost/Pound of Gain. [email protected] For Information Contact: (403) 546-2766 Cell (403) 333-5438 Stauffer Farm Feedlot Fax (403) 546-3831 Phone (403) 746-5737 Fax (403) 746-5739 “CUSTOM CATTLE FEEDING” Box 72, Swalwell, AB T0M 1Y0 R.R. #3, Eckville, AB T0M 0X0

58 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca western Canadian brand inspection system will help ensure the rightful ownership of everyone’s cattle and be a win- win for everyone involved,” he said in the release issued by the ministry.

pasture Manitoba to take over five federal community pastures Five federally operated community pastures in Manitoba will be under provincial management at the end of the 2013 grazing season, under a deal announced in mid-August. The agreement, now being finalized, covers the West- bourne and Lakeview pastures, north of Portage la Prairie on the west side of Lake Manitoba; the Gardenton and Pansy pastures, south of Steinbach; and the Sylvan Dale pasture in the Interlake, near Arborg. The agreement will also see the pastures’ management by federal Agriculture Department (AAFC) staff extended for another year, to the end of 2013, on those five pastures. Ottawa’s plan to shed its management of Prairie community pastures was revealed in April after the release of the 2012 federal budget. Ray Armbruster, president of Manitoba Beef Producers, said in a separate release that starting the transition after the 2013 grazing season “will give adequate time (for cattle producer groups) to develop and implement an alternative administrative structure.”

Continued on page 60

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Answer our survey — and have a go at winning one of our caps what you like about the magazine, and what you don’t like. There’s also some space for you to tell us We have a goal to be the best beef cattle magazine in what you would like to see in future issues. the business. But we need your help. If you could ClIp And enClose your mAIlIng lABel. just fill in this survey and return it to me, you would each month, we will draw one name from all the be helping us set the future editorial direction for surveys sent in and send that person a Cattlemen cap. Canadian Cattlemen. All you have to do is tell me It could be you!

We’d appreciate it if you could tell us a   What do you think of: On a scale of 1 to 5, how do Regular Columns 5 4 3 2 1 little about yourself. It makes it easier for you and your family like these features? News Roundup us to keep your main interests in focus 5 – I always watch for it; let’s see more of it Purely Purebred The Markets  I’m ranching or farming 4 – I regularly read it and like it 3 – I usually read it Market Talk Enterprise # of head 2 – There are things I’d rather read Total beef cattle 1 – I don’t want it; get rid of it Sales and Events Yearlings on feed/pasture Regular Columns 5 4 3 2 1 Nutrition Registered cows Comment Research Fed cattle (sold yearly) Newsmakers Special features 5 4 3 2 1 Commercial cows Letters Calving Issue (Jan.) Horses CCA Reports Custom Feedlot Guide (Sep.) Calves on feed/pasture Prime Cuts Stock Buyers’ Guide (Aug.) Other livestock Straight From The Hip Animal Health Special (Sep.)  I no longer take an active part in farming Holistic Ranching Beef Watch (May & Nov.) If not an owner/operator of a farm, are you: What would you like to see? ______ In agribusiness (bank, elevator, ag supplies, etc.) ______ Other (please specify) ______How much time do you and your family spend reading My approximate age is: 1666 Dublin Avenue Canadian Cattlemen?  Under 2 hours  Over 2 hours  a) Under 35  b) 36 to 44  c) 45 to 54 Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1  d) 55 to 64  e) 65 or over

60 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca During June and July total slaughter in Eastern Canada averaged about 1,600 head per week less than last year, When something needs Grier reports in his August 10 biweekly Ca n a d i a n Ca t t l e Bu y e r newsletter. to be said, you say it. “That decrease in slaughter appears to be almost totally accounted for by increased cow exports from Eastern Can- ada. “Weekly fed exports from Eastern Canada to the U.S. have been basically the same or lower than last year but cow exports have been increasing by around 1,500 head per week. That suggests Ontario packers, notably Cargill, have not upped their cow kill as a result of the May closure of Levinoff.” He says the exodus of cows is understandable given the Join the young Canadians who are speaking up for agriculture. loss of the capacity in Quebec. The question then becomes Are you passionate about agriculture? Do you enjoy sharing your whether the loss of capacity has had any impact on eastern views with others? Join the upcoming Canadian Young Speakers Canadian cow pricing. for Agriculture competition. “At this point it is difficult to make any definite conclu- As part of this unique competition, contestants prepare a five-to sions given the impact of the drought on cow prices in both seven-minute speech on one of five agriculture-related topics and present it in public. Cash prizes are available for two age groups: Canada and the U.S. Higher cow slaughter as a result of the Junior (11 to 15) and Senior (16 to 24). drought has driven down prices on both sides of the border.” For the previous 12 weeks from August 10, the Ontario The 28th annual Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture competition takes place on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at the D1,D2 spread versus Pennsylvania boner cows averaged Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in C$-7 per cwt. That is two times wider than the spread last Toronto, Ontario. Canadian Young Speakers year. For competition rules, for Agriculture. “Given the drought, it is too early to make definite con- a list of speaking topics and It’s your time to shine. clusions, but at this point it does appear that the closure has accommodation assistance hurt eastern cow prices.” please visit U.S. buyers are taking advantage of the weaker market in www.cysa-joca.ca. the East and while Ontario buyers may not be stepping up The application deadline their kill, he says, their cow costs have improved. is September 30, 2012.

biosecurity National beef biosecurity standard published The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) have released a voluntary national biosecurity standard for the beef sector. The standard outlines on-farm practices designed to minimize the introduction and control the spread of endemic, emerging, and foreign infectious diseases in the Canadian herd. “On-farm biosecurity is one of the front lines of prevention for managing the risk of animal diseases for cattle producers,” said CCA president Martin Unrau. “This standard will provide the industry with a valuable tool to reduce the risk of disease entering cattle operations.” Many of the practices outlined in the standard are already in use on beef operations throughout Canada. The standard is a tool that can be used to measure a farm’s biosecurity practices around four basic principles: • minimizing the risks associated with animal movement; • managing the movement of people, vehicles, equipment and tools; • managing animal health practices, such as buying feed from reliable sources; • employee knowledge and training on biosecurity practices and principles. The standard was developed over two years, in consulta- tion with producers, industry associations, academia, and provincial governments and can be applied to Canadian beef farms of any size and type. To request a copy of the 36-page standard online visit: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/biosec/ bovin_sume.shtml. C www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen / September 2012 61 purely purebred

Suggestions are always welcome. My phone number is 403-325-1695 Email: deb.wilson@ fbcpublishing.com Deborah WILSON

◆ This month’s “Blast from the Past” picture truly is a blast. Hope you get as big a chuckle as I did identifying the individuals in this pic. Let’s see who you can identify and tell me why this picture was taken. I love when people come up to me and say “I have the greatest picture!” and then send it to me. That way all of us ◆ The “Old-timer” pic from last month can enjoy it. brought back memories for Helge By who emailed me with his guess — “The fellow on the left is Norman Geck who the meeting following the closed-door the UFA Steer Classic’s Market Heifer was a Horned Hereford breeder and my World Hereford Council meeting led class owned by Kyle Mitchell of Air- 4-H Beef Club leader for many years by the current secretary general Jan drie, Alta. It graded AAA 60 marbling at Kelvington. I believe the man he is Wills. Jose “Pepe” Bonica, president with a rib-eye of 87 square centime- talking to is Vic Althouse, who was of the Uruguayan Rural Society, was tres, a Sterling Silver score of 82, and also from Kelvington, and was a mem- elected as council secretary general for a carcass weight of 796.2 pounds. ber of Parliament for nearly 20 years. I the 2013 term. Mitchell collected $2,000 on top of have no idea what the event or the year The technical sessions of Saturday the value of the carcass. would be but I would think it would be at the Calgary Stampede attracted 445 Will Harvie of Olds, Alta., was third sometime in the ’80s.” guests. overall with a Hereford steer featur- Well, Helge was half right, the fel- ing AAA 10 marbling, a rib-eye of 88 low on the left was his old 4-H leader ◆ The Calgary Stampede held its square centimetres, a Sterling Silver and a Hereford breeder, but the other annual Quality Beef Competition fol- score of 80, and a carcass weight of fellow was Melvin Ziola. The picture lowing the stampede. The goal is to 773.2 pounds. Harvie earns $1,500 was taken at Regina Bull Sale in the identify carcasses of superior quality, plus the the carcass. In all, two Short- early ’80s. So good for you, Helge, and and encourage ranchers to meet the horns and two Speckle Parks earned thanks to Mrs. Geck for sending the latest in consumer demands. “The fol- spots among this year’s top 10 placings. picture to me. lowing is unbelievable,” noted Don Optimal points are scored for a rib- Miller, chair of the stampede’s Steer eye between 86 and 95 square centi- ◆ The Canadian Hereford Association Classic committee, and a Cremona, metres, AAA marbling; two to four was extremely proud to host the 16th Alta.-based veterinarian who runs Sun- millimetres of backfat; fine-grain meat World Hereford Conference held from down Livestock Transplants, providing texture; and a carcass weight of 700 July 8 to 24, and welcome Hereford semen and embryo transfer services to to 800 pounds. A total of 76 carcasses enthusiasts from around the world to international customers. This year’s were entered, the most in recent mem- Canada. The event was extremely suc- winner of the stampede’s Quality Beef ory. Just under 70 per cent of the field cessful. The tours were sold out with Competition, held July 16 at Cargill graded AAA or higher, while about 160 on the pre-tour and 72 on the Foods in High River was a Shorthorn 43 per cent qualifying for all branded post-tour and 300 registered for the steer owned by Ryan Gilchrist of Bluff- beef programs such as Sterling Silver full conference. The technical confer- ton, Alta. It graded AAA 90 marbling, or Certified Angus Beef. More than ence in Calgary and the cattle shows in a rib-eye of 90 square centimetres, a 51 per cent rated a Yield Grade 1. The Olds enjoyed packed houses. Sterling Silver score of 82, and a car- lead judge was grader Fred Taylor. On July 13-14 folks from the pre- cass weight of 743.2 pounds. Gilchrist tour as well as those who came directly pocketed a grand-champion cheque for ◆ Rancher Day at the World Hereford to Calgary, representatives from each $3,000, plus the value of the carcass. Conference kicked off with an expe- member country gave their reports to The runner-up was an animal from rienced panel of cattlemen and cattle-

62 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca women judging from horseback. The and 1,200 guests at the World Hereford nificent 150,000-square-foot agricul- women judged the cow-calf pairs and Conference National Hereford Open. ture showcase and competition venue, the men did the pen of three bulls in The winning bulls are shown below. scheduled for completion in 2014, visit front of 1,200 people. The Champion The female winners were: http://corporate.calgarystampede. Pen of Three Bulls was shown by Wyatt, Grand Champion Horned Here- com/about/park-development/agrium- Merle of Arrowwood, Alta., and the ford Female, Big Gully Farm, Maid- western-event-centre/. Champion cow-calf pair by Remitall stone, Sask. West, Olds, Alta. Grand Champion Polled Hereford ◆ Cassie Bacon and Ryan Dorran Female, Cayley Cattle Co., Princeton, were married on Friday, July 20 at ◆ With the retirement of Judy Cum- B.C. The Blooming Fields in Didsbury with mer, the manager of the Canadian the reception at the Carstairs Hall Charolais Association’s registry depart- ◆ The World Charolais Congress was that evening. Cassie is the daughter ment in July, the new office manager held June 9 to 24 in four regions of the of Dr. Craig and Debbie Bacon, Prai- Mel Reekie had to be trained on the United Kingdom. About 34 Canadians rie Grove, Arkansas, and is currently registry system to ensure a smooth attended the event. The tour stopped employed by the Canadian Angus transition. Reekie has also been updat- at operations in England, Wales, Association as the marketing and ing the CCA website and growing Northern Ireland and Scotland and communications specialist. She origi- Facebook presence. Cummer was hon- included a visit to the Royal Highland nally hails from Arkansas and grew oured at the president’s dinner for 28 Show, in Scotland. up showing Polled Hereford cattle. years of service to the CCA. Reekie Cassie also has her own business — was originally from a mixed farm in ◆ Groundbreaking will soon begin on Rural Route Creations, which can Clarksburg, Ont., and comes to the one of the most significant infrastruc- be viewed online. Ryan is the son of CCA from Viterra where she arranged ture projects in stampede history — the well-known auctioneer Steve Dorran, truck freight in Western Canada and Agrium Western Event Centre, which of Fort Collins, Colorado and Nancy northern U.S. will be the largest facility of its kind in Latimer of Didsbury, Alta. He is also Canada upon completion. For details ◆ July 16 kicked off the Junior Here- and artistic renderings of this mag- Continued on page 64 ford Bonanza, in Olds, Alta., where young cattle breeders from across ✷ DON’T MISS ✷ Canada and 42 junior members from “THE WELSH BLACK around the world participated in a Quality Grain Bags & Net Wrap conformation cattle show as well as ADVANTAGE” Self-unloading Hay Trailers showmanship and photography com- Canadian Welsh Black Cattle Society petitions. There were over 700 in the Box 546 Trochu, AB T0M 2C0 Ph/Fax: (403) 442-4372 Hay Feeders, Gates & Panels, Steel Fence audience. The next day 320 head com- ✷ www.canadianwelshblackcattle.com ✷ peted in front of Judge Dave Durie Jr. MARKET The Quebec Feeder Calf Sales Circuit

• Fresh calves straight from the producer P.O. Box 39075, Lakewood Common, Saskatoon, SK S7V 0A9 • Checked for castration and clearly identified Ph: (306)227-2992 Email: [email protected] • 63 special feeder sales, all vaccinated calves www.redangus.ca Information and pocket calendar at: Feeder Calf Sales Agency Fédération “A GOOD BOTTOM LINE STARTS WITH A GREAT COW HERD!” Phone: (450) 679-0530, ext 8891 des producteurs Fax: (450) 442-9348 de bovins du Québec CANADIAN GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION E-mail: [email protected] Grand Champion Horned Hereford 5160 Skyline Way NE, CALGARY, ALBERTA, T2E 6V1 Bull — Hirsche Herefords and PH: (403) 250-8640 • FAX: (403) 291-5624 Angus Ltd, High River, Alta. WWW.GELBVIEH.CA

“A Better Way to Manage your Livestock Business” Forage Additive PLACE For alfalfa silage, corn silage and baled hay Dry granular or ready-to-use liquid Value of dry matter saved -treatment cost = dollars saved INTERNATIONAL STOCK FOOD Grand Champion Polled Hereford 1-877-473-2474 Bull, Remitall West, Olds, Alta. Toll Free: 1.855.246.2333 [email protected] [email protected] • www.bioTrack.ca www.isfcanada.ca www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen / September 2012 63 Continued from page 63 life at the Remitall farm near Olds, 2012, Mankota Stockmen’s Weigh Alta., until his death at the age of 13. Co. Ltd., Oct. 19, 2012, Yorkton — an auctioneer and ringman, actively For more information on the Cana- Heartland Livestock Services, Oct. 31, working a large number of purebred dian Cattle Genome Project see the 2012, Virden — Heartland Livestock sales each year. website at www.canadacow.ca. If you Services, Oct. 10, 2012, Brandon — have samples of influential bulls that Heartland Livestock Services, Oct. 25, ◆ Canadian Cattle Genome Proj- you would like to donate to the project 2012. Call Brian Good, director of ect — Bull of the Month’s profile is a please contact Mary DePauw, project field services for more information at Hereford bull named Remitall Key- manager at [email protected] or 403-391-4037. note 20X. This impressive bull heav- Steve Miller, project leader at miller@ uoguelph.ca. ◆ As of July 1, 2012, animals with a standard three-generation pedigree ◆ Preparations are underway for made up of all-Canadian Angus genet- another great Canadian Western Agri- ics will receive a designation of “Cana- bition! Three breed associations will dian” and a maple leaf will adorn be hosting National Shows (Gelbvieh, both the registration certificate and the Simmental and Speckle Park), trade online Herd Book for such animals. show space is already at a premium Animals with an additional two gener- and an inaugural Canadian Western ations of Canadian sires and dams free Agribition Grain Expo is scheduled of the “IMP” tattoo will be designated for November 20 and 21. Canadian as “Straight Canadian” and labelled Western Agribition has been actively with a Canada flag. While the majority ily influenced Hereford populations in meeting with international buyers to of the Top 10 sires based on registered North and South America, Australia, further develop business opportunities offspring in 2011 are foreign, the CAA and New Zealand. He sired National for exhibitors. Meetings with interested seeks to recognize those animals that Champions and high sellers in every parties from China, Kazakhstan, and are distinctly Canadian, whether they country in which his semen was sold. the Czech Republic all took place ear- are black or red. The new designation Born in 1988, he grew to over lier this year. Buyers from these coun- means that “Canadian” animals will 3,000 pounds. He was an Agribition tries have expressed a strong interest be at least 94 per cent all-Canadian class winner and Grand Champion in Canadian cattle, and are expected to blood while the “Straight Canadian” bull at the Calgary Stampede in 1990 visit the 2012 show. will be more 99 per cent or higher. but is believed by owner Bryan Latimer to be “a bull ahead of his time.” His ◆ On August 14, 2012, the Alberta ◆ Showdown 2012 was a huge suc- remarkable ability to produce prog- Angus Association held its annual cess in Lindsay, Ontario, July 19-21. eny with high muscle content, excel- meeting at the Bashaw Agricultural There were 120 juniors from across lent marbling and daughters that were Grounds along with the 37th Annual the nation who attended this year’s exceptional milk producers made him Alberta Junior Angus Show. The event competing in more than 12 other extremely desirable as a sire. He physi- Alberta Angus Hall of Fame Gala was events and exhibiting 150 head of cally bred cows every summer of his held in the evening with several awards Angus cattle. All press releases from presented to deserving individuals and the event can be found on the Cana- STAMPEDE By Jerry Palen families. Breed Builder Awards were dian Angus Association website. presented to Doug and Linda Hen- derson, Edmund Kolesar and Get-A- ◆ Manitoba Angus hosted its First Long Stock Farms, Dennis and Shelley Pen Show and Gold Show Field Day Ericson, The Purebred Breeder of the on a hot summer day in Neepawa July Year Award went to C.D. Land and 28, with judges Tom Madsen, Allan Cattle, the Domolewskis of Taber and Horner and Lloyd Cavers. Even with the Commercial Breeder of the Year the hot weather, 63 head of Black and Award to Geahring’s Ranch at Coutts. Red Angus cattle and 10 commercial Angus were exhibited in this first-time ◆ The 2012-13 feeder calf sales for event. In the past, it was hard to get Angus tagged cattle of the Canadian the numbers out to the summer show, Angus Rancher Endorsed program so the Manitoba Angus Association are now posted! View a full listing of tried a new approach to the Gold these sales by clicking on the Canadian Show with the cattle being exhib- Angus Association Commercial Pro- ited and shown pen style. The cattle grams drop-down menu and selecting came from as far away as Lloydmin- Fall Feeder Calf Sales. The following ster, parts of Saskatchewan and all of sales will be having ALL TAGGED Manitoba to participate. Along with SALES which include only Canadian the pen-style show, the crowd took an Angus Rancher Endorsed tagged cattle. active part in the event by buying a Be sure to pay special attention to these chance to win some of the cash if they sales. Williams Lake, Oct. 17-18, 2012, had the placings the same as the judg- “Tiptoe! The bulls are in session.” Triple J Livestock (Westlock), Oct. 22, ing team. C

64 Cattlemen / September 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca The markets

average. July placements were down Non-Fed Cattle 12 per cent continuing the trend of D1,2 cow prices in Western Canada the last five months. Steer and heifer dipped to $77.75 per cwt at the start slaughter were each off by four per of August however by mid-August cent at 860,005 and 572,438 head, were back up to $79.58. By compari- respectively, to mid-August. The son that is $8.33 better than last year Market spread in carcass weights this year and $19.41 above the 2010 average Summary to last recently narrowed to just 13 for that date. pounds. To date for the year steers Drought through much of the U.S. debbie mcmillin are averaging 872 pounds, 34 pounds has increased cow slaughter in many more than last year at this time. regions. And if it continues it will likely Fed cattle Fed exports have slowed slightly, lead to further culling as producers due to the dollar and shrinking sup- chose to sell additional cows off pas- Cash sales of fed cattle struggled to plies. To date Canada has exported tures rather than go shopping for win- match expectations this summer. With 229,228 slaughter-ready cattle to the ter forage at current high prices. break-evens running above the current U.S., five per cent fewer than last year. Cow slaughter in Canada is cur- market and feed costs creeping con- rently 272,051, down three per cent tinually higher feedlots struggled with Feeder Cattle from the same period last year. Exports losses on cattle that were not hedged Dried-down U.S. corn crops, red of cows to the U.S. to date are running or contracted. Prices dipped as low as ink in the feed alleys and a rising six per cent ahead of last year at 91,818 $107.85 before stabilizing at $112.65 Canadian dollar sent feeder cattle val- head. Butcher bull prices in August in mid-August, which is $5.50 higher ues sliding in the past month. trended slightly lower but are still aver- than the same week in 2011. Retail Lightweight calves fell over $20 aging over $93 per cwt. Domestic bull beef prices in the first half averaged from the end of June while the 550 slaughter has increased in recent weeks six per cent higher than last year. It’s Alberta steers seemed to stabilize at as producers began pulling the bulls off to be hoped the higher prices are not $155 for a few weeks, which is still $7 pasture. Year-to-date bull slaughter is met with consumer resistance, how- above the same week in 2012. Look- still running 22 per cent behind last year ever beef isn’t alone in this. All pro- ing at heavier-weight classes, the 850- at 10,932 head. While the slaughter has tein prices are higher on Canadian pound feeder steers moved downward been down in 2012 live bull exports are retail shelves in 2012. The fed basis as grain prices rallied, however not as up eight per cent with a total of 25,848 narrowed slightly to -6.24 per cwt sharply as the lightweight calves. At bulls heading south of the border so far after quite a stretch of being wider press time 850 feeder steers were trad- this year. than last year or the average for the ing at an average $134, which had — Debbie McMillin last three years. picked up slightly from the start of On August 1 Alberta and Sas- August and was $8.37 above last year. Debbie McMillin is a market analyst who katchewan lots had 634,327 head on The feeder basis has narrowed from ranches at Hanna, Alta. feed, six per cent less that last year double digits at the start of the year to and eight per cent below the five-year just -5.26 per cwt in mid-August. More markets➤

stricken states will reduce the number of available feeder Deb’s Outlook cattle for this fall run. The sharp move in grain prices has already been absorbed into the feeder price. While Fed Cattle current prices may be disappointing after the early opti- Sellers should gain leverage this month as front-end mism surrounding the 2012 calf crop, they should hold supplies tighten and seasonal beef sales pick up steam. relatively steady from here on as feedlots look to fill pens Nearby features should also support the cash heading in the coming weeks. into fall, although the dollar could dampen U.S. interest somewhat. Another caution is the willingness of packers Non-Fed Cattle to slow chain speed to adjust for smaller supplies when September will see a seasonal increase in the number facing price resistance from feedlots or retail meat buyers. of cows coming to town as producers start to pull in their herds and wean the calves. Farther out the reality of those Feeder Cattle smaller inventories will start to shorten the numbers of Feedlot profitability, feed costs and a higher Canadian available cows, and apply some pressure to prices. The dollar are part of the risk profile for the feeder market. strong Canadian dollar does present a price risk for the On the upside, tight North American inventories and cow market, but the demand for grinding and trim meats the early movement of cattle into feedlots in drought- remains strong, which will keep prices moving forward.

www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen / september 2012 65 Br e a k -e v e n Pr i c e s o n A-Gr a d e St e e r s Ma r k e t Pr i c e s 130 190 ALBERTA Steer Calves (500-600 lb.) 120 180 170 110 160 100 western Market 150 90 Summary 140 80 130 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

145 95 ONTARIO D1,2 Cows 135 85 125 75 115 65 105 55 95 45 85 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Ca n fa x w e i g h t e d a v e r a g e On t a r i o Ontario p r i c e o n A-Gr a d e s t e e r s 2012 Market2011 2012 2011 Ontario prices based on a 50/50 east/westSu mixmmary Br e a k -e v e n p r i c e Al b e r t a f o r s t e e r s o n d a t e s o l d 2012 Kevin Grier2011 2012-13 2011-12 Market Summary (to August 4) 2012 2011 August 2012 prices* Total Canadian federally inspected slaughter...... 1,605,398 1,554,486 Average steer carcass weight...... 872 lb. 837 lb. Alberta Total U.S. slaughter...... 19,871,000 20,740,000 Yearling steers (850 lb.)...... $135.12/cwt Trade Summary Barley...... 5.96/bu. EXPORTS 2012 2011 Barley silage...... 74.50/ton Fed cattle to U.S. (to July 28)...... 224,095 235,757 Feeder cattle and calves to U.S. (to July 28)...... 101,941 57,105 Cost of gain (feed)...... 79.63/cwt Dressed beef to U.S. (to June)...... 347.59 mil.lbs 359.49 mil.lbs Cost of gain (all costs)...... 104.48/cwt Total dressed beef (to June)...... 265.73 mil.lbs 269.01 mil.lbs Fed steers...... 109.77/cwt IMPORTS 2012 2011 Slaughter cattle from U.S. (to June) ...... 0 0 Break-even (December 2012)...... 124.14/cwt *Dressed beef from U.S. (to June)...... 166.57 mil.lbs 165.25 mil.lbs *Dressed beef from Australia (to June)...... 14.52 mil.lbs 8.30 mil.lbs Ontario *Dressed beef from New Zealand (to June)...... 28.34 mil.lbs 33.57 mil.lbs Yearling steers (850 lb.)...... $133.20/cwt *Dressed beef from Uruguay (to June)...... 13.38 mil.lbs 8.75 mil.lbs Corn silage...... 66.48/ton Canadian Grades (to August 11, 2012) % of A Yield Grain corn...... 8.06/bu. grades +59% 54-58% –53% Total Cost of gain (feed)...... 119.48/cwt AAA 19.6 23.1 12.4 55.1 AA 27.6 9.9 2.8 40.3 Cost of gain (all costs)...... 145.22/cwt A 1.7 0.1 0.0 1.8 Fed steers...... 108.22/cwt Prime 0.2 0.4 0.6 1.2 Total 49.1 33.5 15.8 Break-even (February 2013)...... 138.17/cwt Total A grade 98.4% *Mid-month to mid-month prices Total graded Total ungraded % carcass basis Breakevens EAST 354,800 64,114 65.1% East: end wt 1,450, 183 days WEST 1,296,424 88 82.0% West end wt 1,325 lb., 125 days Only federally inspected plants

66 Cattlemen / september 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca market talk

with Gerald Klassen Feed grain update ash barley prices in south- tunity to take forward coverage for the Currently, Brazilian corn is trading into ern Alberta have come under crop year. the eastern U.S. and Canadian Western pressure over the past month Export barley prices have also soft- Hard Red Winter wheat is moving into C as harvest progresses across ened over the past month. Ukraine and Texas feedlots. Once the U.S. harvest Western Canada. Barley has traded in Russian barley has been trading at a has wrapped up, the corn market will the range of $250 to $260 per mt deliv- sharp discount to Canadian offshore function to encourage imports of coarse ered to the feedlot as yields have come values. Despite the smaller production grains. Secondly, the wheat:corn spread in larger than expected. Given early in these regions, producers are anx- has to narrow so that there is a massive yield results, the Canadian barley crop iously taking advantage of the higher shift from corn to wheat feeding. Keep is now projected to reach 8.8 million prices resulting in larger exports dur- in mind the U.S. will need a large sup- mt, up from my July projection of 8.5 ing the fall period. French farmers are ply from Brazil from April to August of million mt and up from the 2011 crop also in the midst of harvest resulting 2013. Therefore, the feed grains com- of 7.8 million mt. Despite the marginal in stronger competition on the world plex will be very sensitive to corn pro- increase in production, the 2012-13 market. duction estimates from South America. carry-out is projected to remain at his- The USDA estimated average corn There has been talk of an easing torically tight levels due to larger barley yields at 123.4 bushels per acre, down of the ethanol-blending mandate. Gas exports. from the July projection of 146 bush- prices are ratcheting higher and given Feedlot operators should know that els per acre and down from the 2011 the current margin structure for etha- August and September is a period of yield of 147 bushels per acre. U.S. corn nol plants, there is little chance that a seasonally low demand due to smaller production was projected to finish at change in policy would result in lower cattle-on-feed numbers. At the same 10.7 billion bushels; however, many ethanol production. time, this is when producer deliveries analysts are using a lower yield estimate Another risk to consider is the Rus- are at their peak. Farmers tend to sell resulting in production under 10 billion sian implementation of an export tax or a large amount of their crop at harvest bushels. some type of control on all cereal grains and then again in February and March. The corn market has come off the similar to the 2010-11 crop year. Barley Domestic feed consumption tends to highs due to the rapidly expanding har- and wheat stocks will drop to desperate peak in December and January and vest in the southern States. Supplies in levels if there is no government interfer- then again in late April and May. In export positions are burdensome result- ence. Currently grain supplies are fore- past years, this is usually when barley ing in weaker basis levels. U.S. farm- casted to be lower than in 2010-11 so prices are at their highest levels. Farmer ers are very aggressive sellers now at there is a high probability of some type selling is usually the lowest in December harvest. of control which would result in a price due to tax reasons. Feedlot operators Longer term, the U.S. will have a surge on the world market. I’m expect- should know the market will likely be feed grain deficit of over 30 million to ing larger feed barley exports during the at the lowest levels in late September 40 million mt due to the smaller corn winter period because major importers and October, which will be the oppor- crop. Where is this going to come from? will have to come to Canada for their barley requirements. Supply and disposition of Canadian barley (’000 tonnes) Domestic demand tends to peak in early winter and than again in May. 10-year StatsCan Estimated Estimated 08/09 09/10 average 10/11 11/12 12/13 The U.S. corn market is also function- Acres seeded 9,357 8,663 11,067 6,911 6,472 7,365 ing to encourage imports. The feed Acres harvested 8,521 7,209 9,381 5,899 5,843 6,481 grains complex cannot afford a crop Yield (bu./ac.) 62.50 60.60 55 59.21 61.00 60.00 problem in the Southern Hemisphere. SUPPLY Russian export policy is a huge risk in Opening stocks Aug. 1 1,626 2,844 2,368 2,583 1,441 1,036 the upcoming crop year as well. Barley Production 11,781 9,517 11,141 7,605 7,755 8,467 prices will likely be at their lowest level Imports 42 42 76 42 40 40 in the fall period and then ratchet higher TOTAL SUPPLY 13,449 12,403 13,585 10,230 9,236 9,542 through the crop year. In the next issue, USE I’ll discuss the feeder cattle market and Exports 1,495 1,301 1,538 1,272 900 1,500 the effects of high feed grain prices. Seed 309 256 372 233 280 280 Human food/industrial/1 1,015 954 981 902 1,020 1,200 Gerald Klassen analyzes markets in Win- Feed-waste-dockage 7,731 7,309 8,346 6,382 6,000 5,500 nipeg and also maintains an interest in TOTAL USE 10,550 9,820 11,237 8,789 8,200 8,480 the family feedlot in southern Alberta. He TOTAL CARRY-OVER 2,899 2,583 2,348 1,441 1,036 1,062 can be reached at [email protected] or 204- 1/includes barley processed domestically and then exported as malt 287-8268. www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen / september 2012 67 SALES AND EVENTS

November 1-3—34th Stockade Roundup, Lloydminster EVENTS Exhibition, Lloydminster, Alta. SALES September 1-4—Manitoba Livestock Expo, Keystone December Centre, Brandon, Man. 11-13—Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Cana- 4—MJT Cattle Co. Ltd. — Hereford and 2-11— Royal Winter Fair, Direct Energy Cen- da’s Outdoor Park, Woodstock, Ont. Angus Dispersal, at the ranch, Edgerton, tre, Toronto, Ont. 19—Canada Beef Annual General Meeting Alta. and Forum, Sheraton Cavalier, Calgary, 3-11—Canadian Finals Rodeo, Expo Cen- 15—Perrot-Martin Charolais Complete Herd Alta. tre, Edmonton, Alta., www.canadianfi nals Dispersal, at the farm, Niacam, Sask. 19-23—Lindsay Exhibition Fall Fair, Lindsay rodeo.com Exhibition, Lindsay, Ont. 5-10—Farmfair International, Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alta., www.farmfair.ca  Event listings are a free service to industry. 7-10—Agri-trade, Westerner Park, Red Deer, October  Sale listings are for our advertisers. 16-17—Livestock Gentec Conference, the Alta., www.agri-trade.com Matrix Hotel, Edmonton, Alta., www.live 7-10—Saskatoon Fall Fair, Prairieland Park, Your contact is Deborah Wilson stockgentec.com Saskatoon, Sask., www.saskatoonex.com at 403-325-1695 26-27—22nd Annual Edam Fall Fair Com- 13-14—Canfax Cattle Market Forum, Deer- or [email protected] mercial Cattle Show and Sale, Edam Com- foot Inn, Calgary, Alta. munity Centre, Edam, Sask. 15—Best of Canadian Agri-marketing Asso- 30—Farm Animal Conference — Media ciation Awards, Saskatoon, Sask., www. STAMPEDE By Jerry Palen Training, Saskatoon, Sask., www.facs.sk.ca bestofcama.com, www.cama.org 19-24—Canadian Western Agribition, Evraz Place, Regina, Sask., www.agribition.com 28-29—Western Canadian Grazing Confer- ence and Trade Show, Sheraton Hotel, Red AD INDEX Deer, Alta. Page December AGCO-Hesston 37 Agriculture For Life 41 5—Advocates for Agriculture Communica- Ballco Feeders 58 tions Workshop, Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon, Beef Improvement Ontario 63 Sask., www.facs.sk.ca Border Line Feeders 58 5-6—Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan Buhler Manufacturing 45 AGM “Fence Lines to Corporate Board Calhoun Cattle Co. Ltd. 58 Rooms,” Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon, Sask., Canadian Angus Assoc. IFC www.facs.sk.ca Canadian Charolais Assoc. OBC Canadian Gelbvieh Assoc. 63 January 2013 Canadian Hereford Assoc. 5 3-22—107th National Western Stock Show, Canadian Limousin Assoc. 46, 47 National Western Complex, Denver, Colo- Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society 63 rado Canadian Shorthorn Assoc. 36 23-25—Saskatchewan Beef Industry Confer- Canadian Simmental Assoc. 51 Canadian Welsh Black Society 63 ence, Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon, Sask. Canadian Western Agribition 11 February Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture 61 “It’s just dirt, grease and fi lthy Canfax Cattle Market Forum 22 7-8—Manitoba Beef Producers AGM, Victo- Case-IH 12, 13 ria Inn, Brandon, Man. band-aids, not bad tattoos.” Direct Livestock Marketing 59 Ford Motor Company Canada 17 Federation des producteurs de bovins du Quebec 63 General Motors 31 Greener Pastures 56 Highway 21 Feeders 58 Integrated Traceability 57 International Stock Foods 63 Iron Solutions 26 John Schooten & Sons Custom Feedyard Ltd. 58 Klassen Agriventures 58 Kubota Canada 6 a-h Lakeland Group/Northstar 18 a-p Livestock Gentec 59 Merial 15, 49 Merck Animal Health 8, 9, 21, 42, 43, 53, IBC Merck Animal Health A 1-12 New Holland 33 Norheim Ranching 63 Novartis Animal Health Canada 16 Pfi zer Animal Health 23, 25, 39 Canadian Charolais Association board of directors, front row (l-r): Neil Pioneer Hi-Bred Ltd. 29 Real Industries 59 Gillies, general manager; Brent Saunders, Markdale, Ont. (fi rst vice-pres- Southern Alberta Livestock 61 ident); Wade Beck, Lang, Sask. (president); John Wilgenbusch, Halbrite, Stauffer Farm Feedlot 58 Sask. (second vice-president); Lyle Bignall, Stettler, Alta. (past president). Vermeer Corporation 27 XL Foods 26 Back row (l-r) Bernard Begin, Ste. Marie, Que.; Ricky Milton, Cornwall, Xplornet 55 P.E.I.; Campbell Forsyth, Eriksdale, Man.; Dory Gerrard, Innisfail, Alta.; Brian Coughlin, Cobden, Ont.; absent Ursula Corpataux, Erskine, Alta.

68 CATTLEMEN / SEPTEMBER 2012 www.canadiancattlemen.ca The mosT compleTe single-shot respiraTory vaccine is back

vistaTm once sQ is back – which means you can provide cattle with the broadest coverage available against the most common and costly respiratory diseases in a single shot.

onCe vaccinated, twice covered.

Only VistaTM Once sQ combines an avirulent-live Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida culture with a single-dose, five-way, modified-

live virus vaccine (iBr, BvD type 1 and type 2, pi3, Brsv).

all you need is VistaTM Once sQ.... Once and for all.

To find out more, contact your veterinarian.

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