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Publications Mail Agreement Number 40069240
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1 Based on the Canadian LONGRANGE label. 2 Data on file at Merial. Available in 500 mL * 28 lbs. = 12.72 kg. and 250 mL bottles. Merial is now part of Boehringer Ingelheim. ®LONGRANGE and the Cattle Head Logo are registered trademarks of Merial. Administer subcutaneously ©2017 Merial Canada Inc. All rights reserved. LAGE-17-5560-LONGRG-AD-E at 1 mL/50 kg.
43673_LR-Canada_FullPgAd_V2_CANADIAN CATTLEMEN_FA.indd 1 3/14/17 11:24 AM Established 1938 ISSN 1196-8923 Cattlemen Editorial Contents Editor: Gren Winslow canadian cattlemen · june 2017 · Volume 80, No. 6 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 (204) 944-5753 Fax (204) 944-5416 Email: [email protected] MANAGEMENT Field Editor: Debbie Furber Box 1168, Tisdale, SK S0E 1T0 (306) 873-4360 Fax (306) 873-4360 Email: [email protected] Carl Frook’s biogas digester. Advertising Sales Sales Director: Cory Bourdeaud’hui (204) 954-1414 Email: [email protected] National Sales: Mike Millar (306) 251-0011 Email: [email protected] Tiffiny Taylor (204) 228-0842 Email: [email protected] Head Office 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 (204) 944-5765 Fax (204) 944-5562 Advertising Services Co-ordinator: Arlene Bomback (204) 944-5765 Fax (204) 944-5562 Email: [email protected] Publisher: Lynda Tityk Email: [email protected] Editorial Director: Laura Rance Email: [email protected] Production Director: Shawna Gibson Email: [email protected] THREE STOPS Circulation Manager: Heather Anderson Email: [email protected] President: Bob Willcox AT ONTARIO FEEDLOTS 14 Glacier FarmMedia LP Email: [email protected] HANDLING FEATURES Contents of Cattlemen are copyrighted and may be reproduced only when written permission is obtained from the editor and proper credit is given to Cattlemen. They have a mat for that...... 10 Cattlemen and Canadian Cattlemen are Trade Marks of Glacier FarmMedia LP. Talking about euthanasia...... 12 Cattlemen is published monthly by Glacier FarmMedia LP. Head office: Winnipeg, Manitoba. Printed by Transcontinental LGMC. Three stops at Ontario feedlots. . . . . Cattlemen is printed with linseed oil-based inks. 14 Subscription rates in Canada — $45 for one year, $67 for 2 years, $95 for 3 years (prices include GST). Manitoba residents add Beef Centre of Excellence under 8% PST. U.S. subscription rate — $35 (U.S. funds). Subscription rate outside Canada and U.S. — $55 per year. Single copies $3. new management...... 18 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Hints for negotiating wind Department of Canadian Heritage. Publications Mail Agreement Number 40069240. and solar leases...... 22 Canadian Postmaster: Return undeliverable Canadian T hey have a 10 addresses (covers only) to: Circulation Dept., PO Box 9800, Garlic is worth its salt for fly control. . . . .26 Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K7. mat for that U.S. Postmaster: Send address changes and undeliverable Verified Beef Production ...... 29 addresses (covers only) to: Circulation Dept., PO Box 9800, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K7. FLY CONTROL Have you tried ACV yet?...... PRINTED IN CANADA 30
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Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 3 COMMENT By Gren Winslow
Our inventory numbers seem high
he Census of Agriculture is important. It’s So the gist of this census is we’ll probably correct our a way of correcting all the estimating we do inventory numbers down come the fall when the July Tbetween censuses about our economy, our report is published. industry and even our society. Every five years we Let’s see what else the census can tell us. take a snapshot to give us a more accurate picture Oh yes, farmers are another year older, with of what is going on in the country so we can refocus the average age creeping up from 54 to 55 over the and stay on track. past five years. Sadly, the largest segment is still the Of course it takes some time for that new picture to over-55 category. It would be nice to know what the come into focus as the number crunchers toil to pull breakdown would be for the beef industry but unfor- out the trends that are buried in all this data. A case in tunately they still haven’t broken age brackets down point is the inventory of cattle and calves that Statis- by commodities. tics Canada publishes every January and July. These are This is hardly a new trend, and given the consolida- merely estimates based on surveys that are then cor- tion that continues across the entire agriculture indus- rected every five years. try I’m not convinced it is an indicator of anything So the first real result from the census that has a bear- other than the fact that farmers have such an enviable ing on the beef industry will show up when the next lifestyle they keep on working. July inventory report comes out. At the same time the number of farmers has declined, Now I don’t pretend to understand all the statistical again, to 271,935, which must include anybody who wizardry that goes into blending census data into the ever sold anything from a rabbit to a steer and wheat to regular flow of statistics but the early indications sug- spinach at a farm market. gest this July inventory report will be one the industry Analyzing the number of farmers, particularly in a will be pouring over pretty carefully. commodity like beef cattle, is a bit of a mugs game. The Stats Canada put the total inventory of cattle and Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, for example, claims calves last July at 13.2 million head. But the census to represent 68,500 beef farms. They might be excited taken on May 10 last year and released on May 24 this to know that 75,307 farms reported cattle in this census. year came in at 12.53 million. Of course, this includes vealers, dairy producers and a Using that 13.2 million number from last July and lot of hobby farms. subtracting all the animals that were marketed in the I tend to focus on beef cows as an indication that fall and winter, Stats Canada came up with a total esti- someone is in the business for the long haul. The num- mated cattle inventory of 12.065 million head in Janu- ber of farms reporting breeding cattle declined nearly ary 2017. But the census indicates we may be lower than 12 per cent over five years to 55,956, according to Stats that by some little bit. Canada. But as often happens in census reporting I So you can see why I think this year’s July report is couldn’t see how they arrived at that number. going to draw some interest. The inventory table shows 53,837 farms reporting Let’s try beef cows. The number of beef cows on July 1, beef cows in 2016, compared to 61,425 in 2011, which 2016 was 3.8 million; the census on May 10 put it at 3.7 is a decline of a little over 12 per cent. Also in 2016, million, down about 100,000. 35,267 reported replacement beef heifers, 14,971 had The number of beef heifers remains disappointing. heifers for slaughter and 47,182 reported bulls a year In its regular July 2016 report Stats Canada reported and over. 640,800 beef heifers for replacements and 1.207 mil- A provincial breakdown of farms reporting beef lion for slaughter. cows when it comes out will be a little more interesting. The census puts the number of heifers for beef herd The breakdown in 2011 was 4,575 in Quebec; 11,567 in replacement at 674,378, so there is a bit of a bump Ontario; 6,668 in Manitoba; 14,074 in Saskatchewan; there. But the number of heifers held for slaughter 18,618 in Alberta and 3,839 in B.C. We’ll have to wait a and feeding came in at 903,741. So our total is down little longer for the 2016 numbers. which you would expect if the cow numbers are off by Whatever the true number is, it will be down, which 100,000. will come as no surprise to anyone involved in beef Here are a few more stats: production. • Steers one year and over: 1.646 million last July; 1.573 More details will be coming out of the census over million on the census. the coming weeks but none is likely to have as big an • Calves under one year: 4.297 million last July; 4.045 impact on this industry as the correction in our inven- million on the census. tory numbers. c
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Francis Andres is the new of Merritt and Leroy Peters of Heffley Manitoba Forage & Grassland Associa- executive vice-president Creek were elected in Thompson and tion and Manitoba Agriculture. Blyth and of Canada Beef. Working Brian McKersie from Canal Flats and her husband Harold run Rosehill Cattle with the board of direc- Larry Rast of Creston will represent the Company, a commercial cow-calf and tors he will lead all aspects Kootenay region. cropping operation. of the organization’s The remaining members of the board domestic and interna- facing election in 2018 are: Erin Durrell Alan Jackson, an order buyer for JGL Francis Andres tional market develop- and Larry Garrett from Central; Duncan Livestock, is the new president of the Live- ment and promotion efforts and as the Barnett and Grant Huffman from the stock Marketers of Saskatchewan. Tyler senior officer will essentially replace for- Cariboo; and Linda Allison and Doug Cronkhite, manager and auctioneer at mer president Rob Meijer who resigned Fossen from the Okanagan. Cowtown Livestock Exchange in Maple unexpectedly last September. Andres’ McKersie is the current president of the Creek is vice-president. Past president Stew- background is in global branding of food BCCA and Garrett is vice-president. art Stone, COO of Heartland Livestock and agricultural products in North Amer- Services, rounds out the executive. The ica, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East Alison Blair of Blair Land & Cattle Com- other board members are: Blair Brooks, and North African. pany in Pine Lake, Alta., won the first place Meadow Lake Livestock Sales; John Wil- trip package to Lexington, Kentucky, for liamson, Mankota Stockman’s Weigh Co.; Fawn Jackson, the Cana- ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference for her Pat Tellier, Saskatoon Livestock Sales; Scott dian Cattlemen’s Associa- “My Farm. My Future.” video. Blair farms Johnstone, Johnstone Auction Mart; Rhett tion manager of environ- with her husband Aaron, and their three Parks, Whitewood Livestock Sales and Roy ment and sustainability sons, Tyson, Corbin and Griffin. Rutledge, Weyburn Livestock Exchange. has been appointed to a federal species at risk The Livestock Markets George Baxter of Alberta and Graham advisory committee set Association of Canada McLean of Ontario were elected to the Fawn Jackson up by Environment and elected Rob Bergevin of Canadian Angus Association board of Climate Change Canada. Foothills Auctioneers Inc. directors last month for three-year terms The committee is comprised of a group at Stavely, Alta., as presi- that become effective after the CAA annual of experts from a number of stakeholder dent at its May AGM in meeting June 10 in Brandon. groups that was set up to provide advice Lethbridge, Alta. Scott Baxter and his wife Laura operate on how to improve the implementation Rob Bergevin Anderson of Winnipeg Count Ridge Red Angus near Bassano, of the Species at Risk Act. Livestock Sales, moves to past president; Alta., where they run 200 purebred Red Rancher Miles Anderson of Fir Moun- Heartland order buyer Rick Wright of Angus cattle and 100 Red Angus-influ- tain is another committee member repre- Virden, Man., stays on as executive admin- enced commercial cattle. He replaces senting the Saskatchewan Stock Growers istrator; and the new vice-president will the retiring Doug Reid of Reid Angus at Association. be decided at the board’s first meeting. Cochrane, Alta. Craig Jacklin of VJV Ponoka, Alta., joins McLean and his brother Murray run a Alyssa Henderson from the board alongside Larry Witzel, Ontario small purebred herd on their cow-calf and Bashaw is the 2017 recipi- Livestock Exchange, Waterloo, Ont.; Brock cropping operation near Melbourne, Ont. ent of the 4-H Alberta Pre- Taylor, Taylor Auctions, Melita, Man.; Jim He replaces CAA past president Tammi mier’s Award. She has been Abel, Stettler Auction Mart, Alta.; Peter Ribey of Paisley where she operates a a member of the Central Raffan, Mountain Markets Association, 25-year-old veterinary practice. Ribey will Lacombe 4-H Beef Club Armstrong, B.C.; Bryan Daynard, Calgary chair the third Canadian Beef Industry for seven years and as the Stockyards, Alta.; and Rhett Parks, White- Conference when it moves to Ontario in Alyssa Henderson Premier’s Award winner wood Livestock, Whitewood, Sask. August 2018. she, along with 14 new 4-H ambassadors, Maritime director Trevor Welch, Quebec will spend the next year representing 4-H Don Guilford of Clearwater is the new director Ryan Currie and Manitoba direc- Alberta across the province. chairman of the Manitoba Beef and For- tor Shawn Birmingham were all elected by age Initiative’s research farm management acclamation in their respective regions. Members of the British Columbia Cattle- committee. He replaces Ramona Blyth of men’s Association elected new directors MacGregor who had been filling a double Jeff Peters, a beef producer at Inver- from four zones through a mail-in ballot role as president of the board and chair ary, Ont., has been appointed to a panel last month just in time for the associa- of the research committee. She remains by federal Public Safety Minster Ralph tion’s annual meeting in late May. Renee president of the volunteer association Goodale to offer advice on the best way to Ardill of Fort St. John and Judy Mad- that manages the MBFI research program re-establish penitentiary farms. Peters is den of Dawson Creek will represent B.C. at three sites. The MBFI is a Brandon- one of four famers on the panel, including Peace River; Jon Solecki of Francois Lake based collaborative effort of Manitoba Diane Dowling, who operates an organic will represent Skeena; John Anderson Beef Producers, Ducks Unlimited Canada, dairy and beef farm near Kingston. c
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The Morley Trading Post From the Canadian Cattlemen, August 1950
housands of travellers on the of the mountain tribes. Besides the Indian forced the only assignment that this little Canadian Pacific Railway going horses and the Indian fur, fence posts and post had ever experienced. It was not always Tthrough Morley, forty-two miles firewood were always in great demand by easy sailing for the shopkeeper, and the fact west of Calgary, have noticed with pass- the farmers farther east, and all of these remains today that because the Post was ing glances a small frame building just things the little store absorbed. on the Canadian Pacific Railway’s right-of- East of the Station and outside the rail- In the seventy years past this store way and through the good dispensation of way’s right-of-way fence. has weathered all ups and downs of that Company, hostile Indian Agents could Few if any small Trading Posts in the West the world’s trade and commerce. It has never banish the store from existence as have a more interesting history than this changed hands six times since the last might have happened if it had occupied insignificant small structure. It was built partner, George Leeson, died in the early Department land. Hardly a week had gone back in 1881 by two men whose names are part of this century. Each time the change by in the past thirty years when the Indians not forgotten as old-timers and pioneers. occurred it is well worth noticing the at Morley were not asking some just request They had their fingers and money into about sterling qualities of the new owners; they from Ottawa. Five years ago the Indian everything that would make the West grow. were true Western men, all of them with Department saw fit to buy more land for As railway contractors, mail and coach driv- the spirit of fair dealing and their given this Reservation (which they did with accu- ers, ranchers, bankers and trading post pro- word was never broken. Always they were mulated Indian funds). Previous to this, the prietors, they were gamblers in many enter- looked upon by Indians more as Father Stony Indians were often in desperate cir- prises that made all men respect them in Confessors than just as store-keepers, cumstances ; this, in spite of the fact that the more ways than one. A large office building and the store was regarded as a retreat Trader might be more than generous. Many on Eight Avenue West in Calgary still stands — a retreat they could go to with all their councils were held between the Traders and in their memory. trouble for sound advice and counsel. No the Indians. Much writing was done by the The first Stage Lines to run from Fort Indian would go hungry if these men had Traders and their friends to Ottawa officials. Benton to Calgary and Edmonton was the rations to fill his belly, though they These constant demands on the part of the one of their ventures. Soon the business knew that months might go by before the white friends of the Indians have finally grew until lines of freight wagons pulled debt was paid. The slow annual Treaty borne fruit — now a new agreement is or by many teams of horses and sometimes payment, or the slower money paid by has been made by the present Parliament yokes of Oxen were a semi-weekly sight the Agency for work done ahead of the of 1950. There is no doubt that without this on the Macleod Trail. These were to supply actual cash payment. The Agency wel- constant championing of the Indian on the the growing country with all commodities comed such an arrangement because in part of the Traders, the present good eco- that the new settlers required. His Majesty’s many instance they were unable to make nomic conditions of the Reserve would still Mails were carried for several years before any advances, and as a result these Trad- be many years in the hatching. the railway entered the country. Their paper ers filled a very critical need at times. These Traders were characters in their and endorsements were accepted like Cana- Not always were the Indian Agent and own making and many are the stories dian Bank Notes of today. the Post Trader the best of friends; this they could have told. Following the Lee- Horses being in great demand by this made it difficult for the Trader to get his son and Lineham ownership of the store business, they completed a ranch South- credits from the Indian Office. There even- came McDougall and Graham, the former east of Morley, between the Station and tually came a time the Trader had to trust to a well-known rancher at Cochrane and the Jumping Pound, which was known the Indian’s honor to pay when he received Morley. They sold to Frank Wellman who, for years for the S & L brand letters taken his money from the Agency direct. getting himself established as a rancher, from the surnames of the two men — During the Flu Epidemic of 1918 the sold to Norman K. Luxton. Apparently Scott and Leeson. In 1881 to supply the Indian Agent told the Trader of that time to not able to make a living in Banff during ranch with a ready stream of food and feed the Indians and do the best he could. the first war, and turned down for mili- equipment they built the place known as This the Trader did for some ten days, emp- tary service, Luxton took up to increase the Morley Trading Store. tying out his shelves and organizing the his acquaintance with the Stonies, and to Very soon the trading post had hun- whole Reserve into a field hospital until run the Post for three years. Then Fred dreds of customers; ranchers from all the doctor finally arrived with nurses and Graham, the same man as above, bought directions came to trade and to buy; and took over. Disregarding all the help that out the Luxton interests. He came from over eight hundred Indians did not have the Indians got from the Trader, the Agent Ontario as a small boy when his fam- to travel miles to get rid of their furs. The refused to acknowledge the debt of food ily settled in Morleyville. Fred was well country was full of fur in the days of sixty and medicines. Because the Trader had not adapted for this Post, having grown up and seventy years ago, and the Stony Indi- received the request in writing to succor the among Indian children. He is one of the ans were well known as the best hunters Indians, the debt was never paid, and finally few white men who can fluently speak the
8 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca our history
Sioux language. At one time he was also friend, and he was a relative of George great pioneers, the late David McDougall Sheriff of Calgary, succeeding Isaac S.G. Leeson. Frank Wellman, a small rancher, and his brother, the Reverend John, who Van Wart. Next Rodgers, Graham’s head always had a boost for the Indians. Nor- were also neighbors and a big addition to man, bought out the Graham interests and man K. Lexton of Banff has never ceased the growing Morleyville, ranching some ran it until he died. He was followed by the to champion the rights of these folk, who of the earliest general purpose horses as present owner, L. Kidd. at the time owned all the country they so well as cattle. Some of the early managers of this dearly loved to hunt and roam. Rodgers, a In the 70 years of its life the Morley place were Robert Scott of Leeson and newcomer, even with his Scottish careful- Trading Post has never changed its archi- Scott; Fletcher Brayden who became ness never turned a hungry Indian down. tecture; it stands today exactly as Leeson one of the leading fur buyers from all Of the present owner, Lloyd Kidd, the and Scott had planned, carrying with it the North West Territories. Howard Sib- Indians say, “He’s a good man.” Not least down through the years many memories bald, a well respected man and eventually of them all was William Graham Sr. J.P., of the Old Pioneers. c Superintendent of Kootenay Park, was father of Fred, who staked out his ranch also Indian Agent at Morley and Glei- on the Ghost River along the present No. For more of the past from pages of chen. Fred Kidd, now living in Edmon- 1 Highway. He was one of the early set- our magazine see the History Section ton, was really and truly the Indian’s tlers brought into this country by the at www.canadiancattlemen.ca.
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www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 9 HANDLING By Debbie Furber
These mats woven from recycled tires are made to protect cattle from injury in high-traffic areas.
They have a mat for that
ittle did Dale Goetz know that his livestock from injury in handling areas. The idea for weaving treads from old sidewalls are now a mere byproduct given Customers now tires into mats to prevent cattle away as weights for silage covers. include packing Linjuries in high-slip areas at the family’s The standard Double D Cattle Mat is a plants, beef and feedlot would eventually become the foot- heavy-duty mat woven from steel-belted ing for Double D Family Mat Shop as well. treads for high-use areas where sure foot- bison feedlots, He established the mat shop in 1995, at ing not only prevents injuries, but has a ranches, dairy, first hand-cutting used tires to make anti- calming effect on cattle. A common use is fatigue mats for work areas. After a time, in front of headgates where slips and falls hog and other things went so well that they leased the are most apt to happen but operations use small-livestock feedlot and set up the mat shop at Park, them in all sorts of places — alleys of all Kansas, where they now have three children shapes and sizes, tubs, bud boxes, loading/ farms, auction working in the business. unloading ramps and in sales rings, says markets and Today they use a machine Goetz invented to daughter Christin Merwald, who looks after strip off the treads precisely and quickly, which the marketing side of the family business. veterinary are then woven together by hand and fastened The mats were lasting about a year at a clinics at the joints, ends and sides with stainless steel packing plant handling 4,000 head per day; hardware to produce sturdy mats that protect however, the company has been able to dou-
10 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca handling ble the lifetime by sorting out the heaviest work well in winter as the woven pattern University supports the use of the mats for treads for packing plants. Merwald estimates wouldn’t be as slick as the normal surface high-traffic areas such as scales, unloading a standard Double D Cattle Mat would last in their holding areas under snow and areas and processing facilities. about 10 years under normal use at a feedlot freezing cold temperatures. While most of the large beef-producing and at least 15 years in a cow-calf operation. She says the interest at the Alberta show businesses in the U.S. have adapted to using Neil Thauberger, cattle manager at JBS mirrors an overall trend the family has mats as a best practice for slick areas in their Lakeside Feeders, Brooks, Alta., hasn’t had noticed in recent years. Between new research facilities, Merwald says their sales of Double to replace any of the Double D Cattle Mats findings on animal welfare and consumer D mats are now trickling down to mid-sized which they installed 3-1/2 years ago this pressure, producers and packers seem more and small operations. April. The mats in their hospital barns run willing to invest in mats nowadays. For more information visit www. 30 feet down straight alleys to the head- Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State ddfamilymats.net/ or call 1-888-377-2879. c gate, while the ones in the processing barns stretch 20 feet splitting each way coming out of the chute and for another 15 feet outside the door. Cleaning is as easy as rins- ing them down with the firehose at the end of each day. “All JBS yards use Double D Mats because we follow best practices for beef quality and care and comfort to ensure the best for our cattle,” Thauberger says. “This is a better system by a long shot for the welfare of the cattle than what we had before — rebar for traction and sandboxes for cushioning INNOVATION FILE: coming out of the chute.” The proof is in the noticeable reduction Oral Pain Prevention in lameness since installing the mats. for Cattle Double D offers a lighter-weight mat made from baler belts that is often the choice for use on scales and in stock trail- ers. These mats are fastened with stainless steel flat-head carriage bolts and were ini- “All the cattle tially designed for farms with hogs or other small-hoofed livestock. were mothered Customers now include packing plants, beef and bison feedlots and ranches, dairy, hog and other small-livestock farms, auc- up very well.” tion markets and veterinary clinics in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Both styles come in ready-made sizes of “The next day after branding they looked three or four feet wide by, six, eight, 10 or 12 very normal to me and that is what we feet long, or six-by-six feet, but most mats were really looking for in a product. It are custom made to fit customers’ needs for was something that we will certainly specific shapes and sizes, Merwald explains. be doing again. We’ve found good There’s also the option of having three-inch benefits to it and for the price of it wide flatiron worked into the weave at the ends to help with lifting if necessary or bolt- I wouldn’t see why we wouldn’t do ing to the floor if desired. what we can to relieve as much As our issue went to press the company stress as we possibly can.” was looking for a dealer in southern Alberta Kim, Jack, Jessica & Andy Hextall to help customers in Canada measure and order mats to fit their needs. In the meantime, Canadians can contact Meloxicam Oral Suspension is an the Kansas shop directly for guidance on excellent tool for the humane treatment measuring. Some operations mail in plastic of calves at the time of castration. patterns of the exact shapes they need. Merwald says many people who dropped by the family’s booth at the Alberta Beef Industry Conference viewed the mats as a For more information on pain prevention, novel idea. A few felt the mats would also contact your veterinarian or visit solvet.ca Solvet is a subsidiary of Alberta Veterinary Laboratories Ltd. www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 11 management By Debbie Furber
TALkING about euthanasia
For humane euthanasia of cattle, the point of entry of a projectile should be at the intersection of two imaginary lines, each drawn from the outside corner of the eye to the base of the opposite horn. The entry point should be high in the centre of the forehead but not between the eyes. Illustration courtesy of jan shearer, iowa state university
hen cow-calf producers talk it’s almost inevitable when raising cattle. So checked for heartbeat, 38 per cent checked about the need to euthanize Moggy wasn’t surprised that this was a sensi- for limb movement, 15 per cent checked Wan animal, their first thoughts tive subject for many producers, and some for vocalization, seven per cent checked jaw turn to those that are sick or injured and acknowledged it was a topic that should be tone, and eight per cent didn’t do any of whether the animal is likely to recover. If discussed, and an area of weakness for them. these. Producers were allowed more than it hasn’t responded to care and is suffer- The 15 were drawn from 84 producers one answer to this question. ing, then there is really no other option. who responded to Moggy’s full-length ques- The updated beef code offers guidance on This decision isn’t made lightly, as Dr. tionnaire exploring management practices this subject. Melissa Moggy learned from interviews with associated with pain and stress in cattle. All The first step is to confirm insensibility 15 producers as part of a larger research proj- are participants in the Western Canadian during the several minutes it takes for respi- ect for her masters of veterinary medical sci- Cow-Calf Surveillance Network, a collab- ration and cardiac activity to cease. An insen- ence at the University of Calgary. orative effort between the Western College sible animal won’t blink when the eyeball is Many cow-calf producers rely on advice of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon and touched. Signs that an animal is not insen- from their veterinarians and some have their University of Calgary faculty of veterinary sible include eye movement, vocalizing and veterinarian do the euthanasia. The final call, medicine to recruit cow-calf herds represen- attempts to lift its head or get up. however, is entirely in producers’ hands. tative of the sector across the Prairies for the Confirming death by checking for both It would be remiss not to consider whether purposes of gaining insight into production heartbeat and respiration is important an animal is still strong and healthy enough practices through surveys such as hers. whether an animal has been euthanized or to be transported to a local abattoir or pack- The weakness overall wasn’t with the presumed dead from natural or accidental ing plant. Concerns in this situation revolve methods chosen for humane euthanasia of causes. Feel or listen for a heartbeat in the left around meat quality, withdrawal times for an animal. Those are clearly laid out in the lower chest area, just behind the elbow. An medications, the animal’s well-being and the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling insensible animal may have slow and erratic likelihood of it arriving in adequate condition. of Beef Cattle (the beef code). The short- breathing as respiration and chest move- Producers tend to think of an animal’s coming showed up in how they confirmed ment come to a stop. ability to freely access feed and water as a insensibility and death. Most used at least It was surprising, too, that approximately good indicator of its quality of life. It follows one approved method to confirm death, but 13 per cent of the 84 producers had not eutha- then that animals most likely to be eutha- only a quarter of them followed the beef nized any animals on the farm that year. nized on the farm are those with a broken code’s required process in its entirety. “On the optimistic side, it could mean that leg or unable to stand. Of the 73 producers who said they’d euth- they had no sick or injured cattle, or they Cow-calf producers spend a lifetime caring anized an animal in 2014, 68 per cent fol- shipped them while they could still make for animals, so it’s not surprising euthanasia is a lowed up by checking for breathing, 62 per the journey,” says Dr. Claire Windeyer, who topic they don’t talk much about even though cent checked the corneal reflex, 47 per cent supervised Moggy’s research.
12 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca management
“What I worry about is producers might latory cattle must not be dragged or forced When deciding on what’s best in your be letting animals die naturally or shipping to move before euthanasia, that euthanasia situation, consider human safety, animal unfit cattle. I don’t think anyone would do must be performed by competent personnel, welfare, your skill level, carcass disposal and this intentionally. In the case of natural deaths, and that the equipment must be maintained the potential need for brain tissue for diag- they may be reluctant to euthanize a favourite according to manufacturers’ instructions to nostic purposes. cow, hoping it will recover. In the case of unfit ensure it functions properly. Further sugges- The beef code is available on the cattle, they may be unaware of how stressful tions include use of the safest and least stress- National Farm Animal Care Council’s the trip might be or not recognize the fitness ful method of restraint when animals must website, www.nfacc.ca. To receive a hard of the animal to travel. Either way, we need be restrained and asking your veterinarian copy contact the Canadian Cattlemen’s more dialogue in the industry on the need to about the use of sedation for unmanageable Association, 403-275-8558, or your pro- euthanize animals on the farm.” or aggressive cattle. vincial affiliate. c Several studies evaluating the well-being of cattle arriving at packing plants indicate there is still room for improvement. The beef code’s transportation section includes an appended illustration of the decision tree and lameness descriptions for handy refer- ence when evaluating whether animals are fit, compromised or unfit for transport. There are three issues surrounding on- farm euthanasia: timeliness, doing it prop- erly, and making sure you do it properly by confirming insensibility and death. Timeliness is related to the practice of cull- ing mature animals before health issues or failing body condition are apt to become a concern, as well as dealing with animals that are sick or injured. Windeyer gives an example of a downer cow after a difficult calving. If the cow keeps trying to get its back end underneath itself to stand, it’s a good sign that the nerves are still working and it still has the ability to use its muscles. On the other hand, if the hind end is completely paralyzed due to muscle death from being compressed by the weight of the cow over time, or the cow takes a turn for the worse despite your best nursing efforts, euthanasia may be the best choice for the well-being of the cow. The animal is unlikely to recover once the muscles die. “When a cow is down, euthanasia needs Doesn’t take breaks oR call in sick: to be done early enough to prevent suffering, but not too soon so as not to give the animal Your New Fencing Crew a chance of recovery. As long as you are pro- viding feed and water and a soft place for the Wheatheart offers a complete line of heavy-duty and hard hitting post animal to lay while you nurse them along, pounders designed to make fencing jobs safer, faster and more efficient. that’s not neglect. My rule of thumb is that I’ll keep trying as long as the animal keeps trying,” Windeyer says, adding that producers Available in 3 point hitch mount, versatile trailer models and skid steer should discuss the prognosis for recovery in mount with optional pilot auger attachment. each individual case with their veterinarian. Understanding the proper way to carry Contact your local Wheatheart Post Pounder dealer today! out euthanasia may help make the process easier. The beef code outlines the require- ments for the use of gunshot and captive bolt guns for calves and mature cattle. Approved euthanasia drugs are acceptable only when given by veterinarians. 877.667.7421 | wheatheart.com The beef code stipulates that non-ambu-
www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 13 cover • MANAGEMENT By John Greig
Three stops at Ontario feedlots
arl Frook’s biogas digester has had to the farm. What comes out of the digester hired a consultant, and we applied and we far-reaching effects on his busi- is methane, burned in engines placed on his were awarded some contracts.” Cness, while reducing his environ- property and two other nearby properties. They did the economics and it made sense. mental footprint. There is a liquid portion — pathogen Frook has become a leader in biogas devel- Frook feeds cattle at his feedlot near Elm- free — that is separated from the solids and opment in Ontario and is a member of Cor- wood, Ont., for McCall Livestock, but the real spread on the fields. The solid digestate is nerstone Renewables, a co-operative of 12 interest for farmers visiting on a recent beef then reused as bedding for the cattle. After members, mostly livestock farms, but also a tour was his biogas digester, one of the only processing in the digester the bedding has greenhouse and university research facility ones operating on a beef farm in Ontario. less bacteria than straw, says Frook. with biogas digesters. Their employee sources “The environmental benefit is huge for Frook has his brother-in-law, an accoun- organic material from across the province not only our cattle and animal husbandry, tant, to thank for the idea to install a biogas to supply the digesters. The organic mate- but when we are putting liquid back onto the digester. rial, mostly waste from food processing, is an field,” he said on the tour of three beef feedlots “He told me about the Green Energy Act important part of the process and produces in south Bruce County hosted by Jones Feed and the Feed-in Tariff program through the more electricity than just manure by itself. Mill, Elanco and Metzger Vet-Chesley Vet. provincial government,” says Frook. “So we Frook can bring in 10,000 tonnes of food The manure from the feedlot goes into the went at it. We enquired about it. We took a waste each year to power his digester, which digester, along with other food wastes trucked 40-hour biogas course through OMAFRA, he likens to managing a cow’s rumen. You
14 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca MANAGEMENT
Carl Frook fuels his biogas digester with cattle manure and off-farm food waste.
Eby’s barn provides a great environment for cattle and workers. Chris Freiburger covered his barn roof in solar panels rated at 250 kw. have to keep it well balanced and if it goes and the handling facilities Freiburger uses to he buys, usually through Schaus Land and out of whack, then it takes quite a bit of process cattle and load and unload them. Cattle. work to rebalance the digestion process. “It gives me lots of flexibility and I like “We challenge Wally (Schaus) to deliver They work with a biogas engineer who that,” says Freiburger, who custom feeds cattle that will perform,” he says. helps them keep everything working well. some cattle and feeds some that he owns. They need to be of known origin, with high Recently, it’s working so well that Frook had A lot of activity also takes place in the health status and all vaccinated. All are from to flare off gas every day, enough to run farm’s drive shed where a full truck and western farms. another engine for 11 hours per day. trailer can fit on an 80-foot scale. All cattle He points to a group of cattle that were While you don’t want too much gas, it’s trucks are weighed in and out and they also gaining four pounds per day with a feed con- worse to have too little since you don’t get do some custom weighing. version of 6:1. paid for electricity generated. The guts of the solar power system are Eby says there isn’t much he would change Not far from Elmwood, west of Walkerton, also housed in the shed, an impressive bank in this barn. It’s comfortable for the cattle, is Chris Freiburger’s beef farm. He also took of inverters and controllers where Freiburger especially in the summer. advantage of the Green Energy Act, cover- monitors the system. “It’s beautiful for the cattle and their per- ing the south-facing roof of his barn built in Freiburger says the solar project has been formance stems from that,” he says. 2010 with solar panels. It produces 250 kw, a good investment and requires little mainte- The barn is also labour efficient. Cattle are although the production varies depending on nance other than some cleaning, which is done currently fed in a bunk from a lane down one the amount of sun and time of year. from a catwalk across the top of the building. side of the barn. Eby says he is interested in Freiburger says his newest barn, a clear span Across the county, near Kincardine, the Eby the potential for replacing the bunks with a metal post and truss building holds 1,200 family also finishes cattle in a barn built in robotic feed pusher popular in dairy barns. head of cattle. It doesn’t, however, have any 2013. At JSE Farms, Steve Eby owns the cattle- The barn is bedded, with no slats, and cat- handling or loading facilities, which created feeding side of the business and his father Stan tle can be locked into the back or the front of some questions from farmers on the tour. owns the land. Stan is well known to cattle the barn when cleaning the pens. Behind the barn three levels of railing, of the producers, having shepherded the industry A catwalk runs above the pens for easy type usually used to keep cars from going off through the BSE crisis as the president of the observation of the whole pen so poor- the road at steep embankments, create a cor- Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. ridor for the cattle to follow to two other barns Steve Eby has high standards for the cattle Continued on page 16
www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 15 MANAGEMENT
Continued from page 15 Supply concerns doing calves that sometimes hide out at the back of a pen can be spotted quickly and treated. The challenge with Ontario calves Eby keeps careful track of his produc- Calves from Ontario generally Chris Freiburger, who finishes cattle tion and financial numbers and is one of a continue to miss the quality mark in several barns on his farm near group of cattle feeders who get together to for larger feedlots in the province Walkerton also buys only western share production numbers and best prac- which continue to rely on cattle from cattle for similar reasons. tices. He’s also part of the Elanco bench- Western Canada for the uniform lots There are some bright spots in marking program that plots farms against of vaccinated cattle they need. Ontario, however. Dr. Peter Kotzeff of their peers in Canada and the U.S. “We need 200, 300, 400 head Metzger Veterinary Services in Chesley, “You have to be disciplined about it,” he says. together because that’s our pen size,” who has monitored vaccinated calf club Eby has not installed a biogas digester, says Steve Eby, who runs a feedlot sales at the Keady Livestock Market for or solar panels, but his operation was the near Kincardine. They fill their pens years, told a recent feedlot tour group August to September, a time when that the average pull rate for Ontario first in Ontario to be certified under the Ontario calves in sufficient numbers of calves in feedlots was 16 per cent versus newly expanded Verified Beef Production the same sex and common genetics eight per cent for western calves. But of Plus program, and he also took part in the are not always available. the 3,600 calves sold through the calf McDonald’s sustainable beef program. Carl Frook runs a feedlot near club sales at Keady last year, the average He says the audit process to become Elmwood, Ont., and he also finishes pull rate was six per cent. certified was pretty simple. The auditors mostly western calves, although he “The producers here that know me wanted to see how he processed cattle and allows that his best-performing pen of know that my philosophy has always also looked at his scale and mixer wagon, cattle in 2016 was 215 head of cattle involved management. Management along with asking lots of questions. from northern Ontario. is the base of everything,” says Kotzeff. “Don’t let it scare you,” he says. “You just have to write down when you do the things that you already do on the farm.” c
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16 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca CRIMP IT BETTER. SPREAD IT WIDER. DRY IT FASTER.
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67082-3_8.125x10.75.indd 1 5/17/17 11:19 PM marketing By Debbie Furber Beef Centre of Excellence under new management
athieu Paré knew he had a comes to top of mind. Charcoal grilled ten- Medal for achieving the highest standing of big chef hat to fill when he derloins of Alberta beef paired with Dunge- all programs in post-secondary institutions M assumed the role of director ness crab boil on the beach for wedding upon graduating in 2010. He is also a gradu- of the Canadian Beef Centre of Excel- dinners in Tofino, B.C. is the ultimate surf ate of Tourism Management from Capilano lence from Marty Carpenter, who offi- and turf, showcasing one of his favourites, University in North Vancouver. cially retired on March 1. outdoor cooking. Between then and now, Paré fine-tuned Since opening its doors in March 2015, his culinary skills to a professional degree, the centre has welcomed people from training in some of Western Canada’s greatest 168 domestic companies, 116 small- and fine-dining kitchens including La Chaumiere, medium-sized businesses, 42 international Rouge, Quail’s Gate Estate Winery, the Royal missions and 36 domestic missions. Activi- Canadian Pacific and the Wickaninnish Inn. ties are designed to meet the needs and The result is a style he describes as “classic interests of each group with the focus on technique and execution while maintaining carcass utilization to drive value back to the some freedom for surprise, fusion and one- carcass and Canadian beef in general. of-a-kind creativity.” The CBCE’s team at Calgary works with Paré accepted the director position market development staff in Canada and in January and spent the first couple of other countries to host food-service and retail months training with Carpenter, who clients who buy or are interested in buying then closed out his time with the centre Canadian beef. They look for cuts that are as guest chef at the Canadian Beef Brand- underutilized in clients’ markets and specialty ing Series during the Gulfood Show at products that would help build the Canadian Dubai, UEA. beef brand to be a bigger part of their business. The CBCE is part of Canada Beef, which In food service, they are looking for cuts that carries out market development activities are profitable and cutting-edge. with funding leveraged by Canadian pro- To date, people from Latin America, ducers’ national checkoff dollars. It was Mexico, Japan, China, Taiwan, southeast- designed and built from scratch with the ern Asia, Korea, the Middle East and Russia vision of serving as a training, communi- have visited the centre to learn more about Pairing landscape cation, product research and development, the Canadian beef advantage. and business development hub to showcase The visits start with a tour of a ranch with food service, or the Canadian beef brand and ultimately because there is nothing more authentic sharing taste-of-place drive demand at home and abroad. than seeing where the cattle are raised. Next, is my focus. The facility includes a 30-seat boardroom it’s on to a feedlot to hear about the science for meetings and formal presentations that behind why they do what they do, and to a Mathieu Paré can open up into a full demonstration the- plant to learn about food safety protocols. director of the Canadian Beef atre. There is a full commercial kitchen, a The diversity of the centre’s clients and Centre of Excellence consumer kitchen and a hazard analysis and Canadian beef is a combination Paré appreci- critical control point- (HACCP) oriented ates as well. This Calgary native is no stranger beef fabrication area where new cutting tech- to adventures in culinary pursuits himself. niques are researched and demonstrated. All He was known to forage the province far and He thinks of his new position as bringing spaces are linked with high-definition cam- wide for edible plants and animals before his his career full circle in a way with the oppor- eras, microphones and screens for full broad- inquisitive nature took him across Canada, tunity to work with and learn from the casting capability. Bookings for all or part of into Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean expertise of the centre’s technical manager the facility are welcome via the initial inquiry to explore local cuisine and exotic ingredients. Abe Van Melle. The two worked together form on the website or by calling the centre. “Pairing landscape with food service, or to deliver a culinary education program Carpenter, who was the founding direc- sharing taste-of-place is my focus. Height- for meat department operators at Calgary tor of the centre, believes it is as unique as ening guest enjoyment through creative Co-op stores when Paré was studying culi- the Canadian beef brand itself — a true menu and event theming is my way to nary arts at the Southern Alberta Institute crowning achievement that all sectors of the achieve this,” Paré says. Fine dining on rib- of Technology and Van Melle was the lead value chain can be very proud of because it eye roast served aboard the Royal Canadian instructor for the butchery program there. was built to serve the entire industry. Pacific while rolling through southwestern Paré achieved his Red Seal chef certificate Visit wwwcanadabeef.ca/centre-of- Alberta’s rolling hills and ranching country topped off with a Governor General’s Bronze excellence for more information. c
18 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca marketing
Profitable cutting
Making the most of a carcass In a recent beef-cutting demonstration, value as a stuffed entree, beef Wellington Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence or sliced across the grain into medallions. technical director Abe Van Melle gave a Proper trimming and cooking techniques first-hand look at the added value to be make winners. The sirloin flap (thin cuts) coaxed from a beef carcass with creative located along the flank and below the loin butchering. used to go for hamburger but less so since The 28 per cent of a beef carcass the centre discovered some wonderful categorized as prime cuts from the marinade recipes for this cut that make it middle sells itself, but there are lots of a valued dish in Central America and Asia opportunities to create value from less and is now very popular in Quebec. tender cuts that oftentimes have more The tri-tip, although part of the sirloin, distinct flavour. serves up best when slow roasted The plate, or front underbelly along and cut across the grain after cooking the ribs, is a good example. As a source because it comprises two parts with of beef bacon it demands three to four differing grains. times the price of the other lesser cuts. The loin tail, which is one of the With added marbling in the chuck toughest cuts of all, is just starting to be today it can supply added value when explored for further potential and they’ve turned into specialty steaks and steak found already that it can be fall-apart cubes for deep frying. tender when rolled with stuffing and The petite tender from the shoulder long-braised with sweet gravy. clod is actually the third-most tender For more on beef cuts and recipes to cut in a youthful carcass and Van Melle go with them, visit www.canadabeef.ca and CBCE technical director Abe Van Melle seeks added profits from carcasses. demonstrates how it can gain tremendous search for “cuts by colour.”
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www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 19 research on the record By Reynold Bergen Environmental Goods and Services: More Questions than Answers
he beef industry takes pride in how forage, ent. First, only a third of the total value from Manitoba grazing and beef production benefit the envi- grasslands (33 per cent) came from forage; the rest came Tronment. These environmental goods and from the EG&S. The largest EG&S contribution (42 per services (EG&S) include carbon sequestration, plant cent) came from carbon sequestration. No other EG&S and wildlife habitat, reduced soil erosion, watershed accounted for more than 10 per cent of the total. The recharging, scenery, etc. While consumers pay for main thing this study found was how much we don’t beef, the EG&S are free. know. We don’t have enough Canadian data to accu- For instance, many ducks need grasslands and wet- rately estimate how much EG&S grasslands provide, and lands to nest and raise their young. Grasslands and wet- we don’t know what most EG&S are worth to society. lands also act like a sponge that absorbs excess moisture What it means: Implementing an effective program to in wet years. A lot of grassland has been cultivated and/or pay beef producers for EG&S will be challenging. Since wetlands drained to grow crops. This may have contrib- existing national, regional and provincial level EG&S uted to overland flooding and crop losses in recent wet data is insufficient, how will EG&S be measured? If EG&S years. If producers had been paid to preserve these grass- payments go to individuals, will EG&S be measured on lands and wetlands in recognition of the EG&S they pro- each operation? Everyone knows someone whose opera- vide (i.e. wildlife habitat and flood mitigation), would tion isn’t as environmentally responsible as yours; should there have been fewer flood compensation payments? they be paid the same as you? What about producers who Before beef producers can be paid for the EG&S they work hard to maintain habitat for burrowing owls or sage provide, we need to be able to measure them and figure grouse but have fewer birds than last year? Will they be out what they’re worth. A BCRC–funded project led by the penalized because the birds haven’t stayed? Will producers University of Manitoba’s Dr. Kim Ominski was published be paid for carbon that was sequestered on native range a in 2015 (Challenges and Opportunities in Estimating the few million years before their grandparents immigrated, Value of Goods and Services in Temperate Grasslands – A or just for newly seeded pastures? Case Study of Prairie Grasslands in Manitoba, Canada). Will EG&S payments come from public tax dollars? What they did: The research team focused on Mani- If they do, what expectations will accompany them? toba’s grasslands. In addition to forage value, they identi- For example, will civilians be able to freely roam private fied 20 potential EG&S, and estimated the value of eight of property and enjoy the scenery their taxes helped pro- them (carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, water qual- tect, as they do in Europe? ity, soil erosion control, soil formation, water treatment, Will EG&S be funded through the marketplace recreation and aesthetics, and wildlife habitat). Forage and (e.g. consumer support for McDonald’s Sustainable seed yields and prices were relatively easy to measure and Beef initiative), by paid hunting, or groups like Ducks value. The EG&S weren’t. For example, carbon sequestra- Unlimited, who are supported by individuals who want tion data was limited, so they used data from grasslands at to see duck populations’ habitats preserved? similar latitudes elsewhere in the world, and applied a car- To answer these questions, more research is needed to bon price from the Chicago Climate Exchange (this pre- measure how forage and beef production practices have dated Canada’s carbon taxes). The amount of nitrogen an impact on greenhouse gas production and sequestra- fixed by forage legumes was estimated and priced the same tion, soil health, watersheds and cycles, and plant and as urea. Other EG&S were even harder to estimate and wildlife habitat. Regardless of how or whether producers value. Water quality and benefits from reduced water and are paid for EG&S, more knowledge of the EG&S that wind erosion were based on a previous study of the upper Canada’s beef producers provide will help the public Assiniboine River basin in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. understand that beef producers and environmentalists The data on how well grasslands remove excess nitro- are often on the same side, and that Canada’s beef indus- gen and phosphorus from the soil wasn’t strong, so data try is environmentally sustainable. from forests was used instead. The rate of soil formation The Beef Research Cluster is funded by the Canadian in grasslands had been measured elsewhere in the world, Beef Cattle Check-Off and Agriculture and Agri-Food and were assumed to be similar in Manitoba. Recreation Canada with additional contributions from provin- and scenery values were estimated from hunting revenues. cial beef industry groups and governments to advance Wildlife habitat values came from a federal report about research and technology transfer supporting the Canadian burrowing owl habitat in southern Alberta. Information beef industry’s vision to be recognized as a preferred sup- from other international studies were used when no other plier of healthy, high-quality beef, cattle and genetics. c estimates or values were available, and to supplement other data when appropriate. Dr. Reynold Bergen is science director What they learned: A few key points were appar- of the Beef Cattle Research Council.
20 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca Leading the way in climate change By Trudy Kelly Forsythe
The CFGA is set to launch itself into a climate change leadership role within Canadian agriculture. It is doing so with the assistance of $656,000 from the $27 million Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AGGP), which covers four priority areas of research: livestock systems, cropping systems, agricultural water use e ciency and agro-forestry.
The purpose of the AGGP is to help the Canadian farming sector become a world leader in the development and use of clean and sustainable agricultural MP Matt DeCourcey (Fredericton) and CFGA Executive Director Cedric MacLeod discuss technologies and practices. It will also help details of the $656,000 carbon sequestration project announced in April. farmers increase their understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. PROJECT PHASES grassland managers. Outstanding gaps The rst phase of the CFGA project, which is will be identi ed, as well as challenges CFGA PROJECT being led by Josh Lamont, is to develop an in protocol implementation and record The research project led by the CFGA will approved greenhouse gas quanti cation management. work with farmers to leverage scienti c protocol for high performance forage research in forage management practices COAST TO COAST management systems in Canada. and seed genetic advancements to In total, the AGGP is supporting 20 new improve carbon sequestration in forage “The protocol will be exible enough research projects from coast-to-coast, and grasslands across climate conditions to incorporate all climate zones in from the University of British Columbia to in Canada. Its main goal is to demonstrate Canada where forages can be reasonably collaborative research with conservation to farmers the carbon sequestration (sink) produced,” says CFGA Executive Director groups in New Brunswick and Prince potential of their farmlands. Cedric MacLeod. “This will expand Edward Island. They range in scope from and complement the existing work by studying GHG emissions from blueberry, “Producers know forages are valuable at Canadian researchers related to best potato and forage crops in B.C. to planting capturing carbon,” says CFGA Chairman management practices, forage and soil willow trees in areas irrigated by rivers Ray Robertson. “However, until now, there sequestration potential, both at the in the Atlantic as a means to sequester was no way to quantify the full value of the university research level and through carbon. ecological goods and services provided Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.” by the grasslands sector. Nor was there “Investing in science and research now, a way to quantify the economic value The second phase is to eld test at institutions like the Canadian Forage of the contributions made by individual the approved protocol with forage and Grassland Association, will ensure landowners who increase soil carbon producers across Canada. MacLeod says that Canada’s agriculture sector remains storage with their adoption of bene cial the test phase will gauge sector-wide innovative and sustainable for generations management practices and the use of new, opportunities for enhancing carbon of farmers to come,” said Matt DeCourcey, high performance forage genetics. This sequestration and the potential to Member of Parliament for Fredericton at project will change that.” create carbon o set credits for Canadian the CFGA’s project launch.
CANADIAN FORAGE & GRASSLAND ASSOCIATION www.canadianfga.ca Ph: 506-260-0872 management By Debbie Furber Hints for negotiating wind and solar leases Photo credit: Alberta Utilities Commission
easing land for commercial wind find another spot nearby in which case the the land will be removed from agricultural and solar power developments project could affect you without providing production. L is an opportunity for additional any revenue. In some locations, landowners As of April, the largest solar project revenue that might someday come have agreed to split the lease revenue when application in the Alberta Electric System knocking on your door. a project on one person’s land has implica- Operator’s connection process queue pub- It’s a long-term commitment, so making tions for several others. lished on its website was a 150-MW facility, an informed decision before signing on will The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) with most of the 40 applications being for go a long way toward smooth operations for considers environmental, social and eco- smaller projects on a host’s site to supply you, your neighbours and the developer, nomic impacts in deciding if approving an on-site industrial needs. On the other hand, says Jeana Schuurman with the Farmers’ application for any type of power plant is in most of the 53 wind project applications in Advocate Office (FAO), Alberta Agriculture the public’s best interest. It ensures that the the queue were for connection to the grid, and Forestry. developer engages with people in the proj- the largest being a 325-MW project. In response to a surge of calls over the ect’s vicinity and that there is a fair review The developers have to fulfill certain past year from landowners with questions process for those directly or adversely requirements before the application goes about wind and solar leases, the FAO has affected by its decision. to the AUC for consideration. As of April, worked with others to pull important con- Concerns could be related to the increase seven solar and two wind applications were siderations into a guide, Negotiating Renew- in local traffic during construction and in the works, with four solar and one wind able Energy Leases, and offer workshops on maintenance, the appearance of the project plant approved over the past 18 months. The this topic. While the guide covers many on the landscape, effects on wildlife and increasing interest in solar developments is points that span borders, some aspects will habitat, shadow flicker from turbine blades, particularly notable, says AUC’s Jim Law, vary from province to province because of sun reflection from solar panels, restric- because only two had been received over the differing regulations that developers must tions on activities such as hunting and aerial previous eight years. follow, highlighting the need to contact spraying, implications for future develop- your government for specific information. ments on adjacent property, and potential Lease payment What’s driving developers’ interest in property devaluation. “We also want landowners to be aware that Alberta is the province’s new renewable “Think of the full picture. Recognize that the compensation structure for oil and energy target to add 5,000 megawatts this is a community decision. Talk with gas leases in the Surface Rights Act doesn’t (MW) per year of electricity generated from your neighbours, lawyer, accountant and extend to wind and solar,” Schuurman says. renewable sources (wind, solar, geother- municipal government to get the full range Lease payments offered could be a fixed mal, hydro, biomass) to the grid by 2030, of perspectives before signing a lease. Hear- amount regardless of the amount of electric- coupled with the move toward establishing ing their concerns and discussing how to ity generated, a variable rate based on output, a competitive capacity market to achieve address them will help prevent disputes in or fixed plus variable. the target by offering 20-year price support the long term,” Schuurman advises. The FAO recommends negotiating com- agreements for successful bidders. Leases will be for 25 to 60 years. The lifes- pensation with some fixed component to Wind and solar leases are not the same as pan for most of the equipment is around 25 provide stability if output isn’t as strong as oil and gas leases governed by the province’s years, but the developer may be interested in initially anticipated and a consistent payment Surface Rights Act because the right of entry re-powering the facility instead of decom- from construction through the facility’s life- for developers doesn’t apply, but neither do missioning and reclaiming it. time and reclamation. It could be beneficial to some of the safeguards for landowners. Wind projects might require one acre include a clause on periodically renegotiating “In Alberta, you have the freedom to say for every MW of energy produced and the the payment or a built-in inflation factor. no to having a wind or solar development on land surrounding the turbines can still be Before negotiating a long-term lease, devel- your land,” Schuurman says. grazed or cultivated. Solar projects could opers typically ask for a right of first refusal or If you decide to say no, the developer may need as many as seven acres per MW and to negotiate an option to lease for at least three
22 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca management years to test the site’s potential. An option to a bone of contention between companies, could very well be greater than the initial lease doesn’t necessarily obligate the developer landowners, and neighbours if not clearly damage amount. to carry out testing or enter into a long-term outlined in the agreement. The developer is Have your lawyer review the developer’s agreement with you. responsible for weed control on the lease, but insurance policy to make sure it is suitable Schuurman stresses that there are no you will need to discuss specific requirements for your operation, taking into consideration industry- or government-funded programs you may have regarding how and when weed others who may come and go, such as custom currently in place as there are for oil and gas control should be carried out. Oftentimes, operators, renters, or other leaseholders. to ensure landowners receive unpaid rentals companies will contract the landowner to do The FAO recommends negotiating thor- or to deal with orphaned infrastructure if a this job, as well as other general site mainte- oughly around reclamation. The Alberta renewable energy company goes under. nance such as snow removal. government has added solar and wind Also keep in mind that the representative The developer is also responsible for the projects to the list of activities requiring a sent by a developer to negotiate the lease may cost of constructing and maintaining fencing government reclamation certificate upon not be a licensed land agent, therefore, not necessary to protect the site and the agree- completion, but as of April the provincial bound by the Land Agents Licensing Act stan- ment should cover any specific needs you standards were not yet in place. dard of conduct that provides recourse if the may have, such as gates and cattle guards. Soil testing before the project and after representative doesn’t negotiate in good faith Establishing an access protocol for regu- the initial disturbance is suggested as a way and follow all laws. lar inspection and maintenance after the to help form a baseline if the land will some- facility is in operation is another important day revert to agricultural use. Some lease Farming activities discussion, especially if you have concerns agreements only offer compensation for Signing a lease gives the developer “exclusive such as the proximity of the project to your yield loss the year after reclamation even and undisturbed” right to use the land cov- home, biosecurity for preventing crop or though it could take much longer for the ered by the lease for project purposes as it animal diseases, introduction of noxious land to yield to its former potential. sees fit, so be sure to identify any structures weeds, or fire hazards. For more information, see Negotiat- or land features that should not be disturbed. Also address how disputes will be han- ing Renewable Energy Leases at www. The developer will register a caveat on the dled if either party fails to abide by the farmersadvocate.gov.ab.ca, contact Jeana land title and require easements for collector terms of the lease agreement. Mediation, Schuurman at 780-427-7956, or visit: www1. systems that tie into the grid. arbitration or both are preferred over tak- agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/All/ Weed control has potential to become ing disputes to court because legal costs agdex16246#questions. c
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may not be getting the individual breed publications. rAnge long WAY WE HAVE From lA Crete THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 VOL. 95 | NO. 12 | $4.25 WArs But country stars Brad and What GM won’t do Report on grazing leases Curtis Rempel haven’t forgotten Genetic modification ignites an old debate » PG 22 their farm roots PG 32 » doesn’t feed the world’s poor. | P. 30 ADDED Publications Mail Agreement # 40069240 scan the code or go to Young beef MObIleMO agdealermobile.com ThE A mONumENTAL Souped-up tractor ALL THE AG DEALS – ON YOUR PHONE!! for more information producers ANNuALANN meet in hONOuR A 1948 Ford 8N with a 100 Neepawa SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM h.p. flathead V8 engine ROuNDupROuND Stonewall pays tribute to turns heads. | P. 38 • One low price gets you into all » Pg 15 Unbeatable Value: Pg 3 artist William Kurelek » Volume 12, number 16 August 3, 2015 RURAL CRIME BABY’S FIRST SLED RIDE no word on Sask. farm aid until farmers 3 publications. AlbertA eDItION | Issue #18 | August 31, 2015 | ADVeRtIsINg INFORMAtION: 1-888-999-4178 | www.agdealer.comafter harvest Farm leaders say fight to Livestock producers have August 13, 2015 serVing mAnitobA FArmers since 1925 | Vol. 73, no. 33 | $1.75 mAnitobAcooperAtor.cAAnitobAcooperAtor.c a tax deferral option, but workers’ compensation government waiting to protect USED INVENTORY LIQUIDATIONsee if crop insurance is cPcP Rail says adequate it’s ready to VISIT WWW.DEERMART.COM FOR MORE USED INVENTORY coverage is a good thing Researchers study how to property INTO THE MIX By Alexis Kienlen Mandatory enrolment could be announced this fall, but leaders move this AF STAFF BY BRIAN CROSS say cost and paperwork won’t be onerous year’s crop extend the growing season SASKATOON NEWSROOM rop producers will have to More cops, more cameras or wait until after harvest to to market MAFRD is looking at how well these oversize cold frames find out if there is any gov- more common sense? BLOWOUT C What’s the best way to fight crime ernment drought assistance, says The company is can extend horticultural growing seasons the president of the Grain Growers investing billions to in rural Saskatchewan? of Canada. Questions related to rural crime The question of additional farm move even more grain generated plenty of discussion dur- Ask your Rep for • Full Colour Ad: Send it to us press ready or don’t have aid was put to Oneil Carlier, the as western Canadian ing the Saskatchewan Association new NDP agriculture minister, production continues of Rural Municipalities’ annual when he attended an Alberta convention in Saskatoon last week, 2010 NH CR9080 LEASE JD T670, 615PU LEASE 2003 CIHWheat 2388 Commission directors’ to increase and some controversy as well. meeting in Red Deer on July 21, SARM is one of the best barome- WAS $269,900 NOW $199,900 FOR $13,500 Semi-Annual 0 Down FOR $5,950 Semi-Annualsaid Gary 0 Down Stanford, who is also a ters of public sentiment in rural director with that organization. BY ALLAN DAWSON Saskatchewan. JOHN DEERE COMBINES WAS NOW OTHER HEADERS WAS NOW JOHN DEERE 2WD WAS“I asked him NOW if there will be any Co-operator staff At its annual convention March JD S670 - 2012, Duals $339,500 $290,900 CIH 1010 - 30’ BATT REEL $7,900 $4,900 JD 5200 - MFWD, cab, 540 loader form $32,900 of funding $23,900 for cattle and hay, 14-16, the organization welcomed more details. JD S670 - 2012 $341,500 $295,900 CIH 1010 - 30’ BATT REEL $8,900 $5,250 JD 6125M - MFWD, and also for someSOLD areas that are so senior executive with more than 1,000 delegates — most- JD S670 - 2012 $349,900 $285,000 HONEY BEE - 21’ JD ADAPTER $18,900 $12,900 JD 6430 - Premium, 673 loader $106,900dry that crop $95,900 insurance for grain CP Rail says the comcom- ly elected reeves and councilors — MF 9700 - 30’ PU REEL $10,900 $5,200 pany is “well posiposi- JD S680 - $389,900 $319,900 JD 7200 - MFWD, 740 loader farmers$59,900 won’t $49,900 really cover every- A from 296 RMs across the province. JD T670 - $232,900 $199,900 JD 7215R - MFWD, H480 $224,900 $214,900 tioned” to move this year’s WINDROWERS WAS NOW thing,” said the Magrath-area pro- And according to delegates Cold weather doesn’t stop calving but at -23C Brenda Stahl takes a minutes-old calf to the warmth of the barn at the Cayley Colony near JD 8820 - 1983 $21,900 $13,900 JD W150 - 2013, 430D $149,900 $141,900 JD 7210R - IVT, 50 k, frt 3pth & pto $249,900 $228,900 grain crop despite recent ducer. attending the event, rural people Cayley, Alta., earlier this month. FOR MORE CALVING PHOTOS FROM THE CAYLEY COLONY, SEE PAGE 70. | MIKE STURK PHOTO an ad, no problem, we’ll build it at no extra charge. JD 8820 - $15,900 $7,950 JD W150 - c/w 430D Platform 2014 DEMO $179,900 $164,900 JD 7210R - 50 k, IVT, frt 3pth & pto $250,500 $229,900 cutbacks in staff and “He said that he will probably JD 8820 - Titan II $27,900 $12,900 JD 7210R - 50 k, IVT, H480 loader $250,900 $230,900 locomotives. are fed up with what they see as JD W150 - c/w 430D Platform 2013 $144,900 $129,900 wait until after harvest is over and JD 9501 - PT $29,900 $25,900 MACDON M150 - 2009, D60, 30ft $119,900 $104,900 JD 7210R - 50 k, IVT, H480 loader $249,900 $229,900 Grain is, was and will concon- threats to their property and per- JD 9650 - Walker $115,900 $110,900 MACDON M150 - 2008 $114,500 $103,500 JD 7220 - 741 loader he$59,900 gets the $49,900crop insurance infor- tinue to be Canadian Pacific sonal safety. JD 9660 - Walker $177,900 $149,900 MACDON M150 - D60 25ft 2008 $115,900 $104,900 JD 4440 - 2WD, 740SL loader mation back SOLDfrom the Agricultural Railway’s biggest cargo, John “For a lot of (rural people), I think TRADE JD 9760 - STS $144,900 $119,900 JD 5100E - cab, MFWD, low hrs Financial $75,900 Services $62,900 Corporation to MACDON 960 HDR - 21ft, 1997 $15,900 $9,900 Brooks, vice-president of sales it’s a concern about RCMP cover- OTHER COMBINES WAS NOW PREMIER M150 - 25ft, 2008 $159,000 $99,900 JD 7430 - MFWD, 741 loader $107,900see what the $99,900 facts are. He’ll then and marketing for bulk comcom- PREMIER M155 - 30ft, 2012 $145,900 $134,500 age itself,” said SARM president Ray CIH 2388 - 2003 $119,900 $89,900 JD 7830 - AUTOQUAD, 746 loader $139,900find out which $129,900 counties are in the modities, said in an interview u|xhHEEJBy00001pzYv":# PREMIER M155 - 30ft, 2012 $145,900 $134,500 Orb, when asked about delegates’ CIH 2388 - $99,900 $79,900 JD 8335R - IVT, frt hitch REDUCED $332,900worst shape.” $299,900 Aug. 6. PREMIER M155 - 30ft, 2012 $153,900 $144,500 Canada, China explore trade talks MF 8780 - $61,500 $48,750 JD 8345R - 2 To Choose From That same Coming stance In was taken And the historic railway frustration. MARCH 23, 2017 PREMIER M155 - 30ft, 2012 $155,900 $144,500 founded in 1881 is investing to “They don’t feel safe because Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: NH CR9080 - 2010, 1031/790 HRS $269,900 $199,900 WESTWARD 9352 - 2002, 30ft $75,900 $69,900 JOHN DEERE 4WD by WAS Federal NOWAgriculture Minister NH TR98 - 2218 HRS $69,900 $49,900 JD 9460R - $315,900 $299,900 move even more in the future, there aren’t enough police out there Eliminating tariffs could increase annual exports to China by $1.2 billion Box 2500, Stn. Main, CIH 8820 - 25ft Rotosheears $29,900 $24,900 Gerry Ritz at a national meeting of Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4 NH CX8080 - $195,900 $169,900 JD 9430 - 3pth, PTO $227,900agriculture $199,900 ministers held in mid- he said. “Make no bones about to cover the whole province.…It’s MF 9790 - $159,900 $99,900 JOHN DEERE 2WD WAS NOW JD 9430 - PS $289,900 $232,500 it, grain is king at CP,” he said. (about having) the confidence that BY SEAN PRATT China buys one-third of Canada’s tonnes of canola per year to that JD 2550 - o/s MFWD, loader $23,500 $19,500 JOHN DEERE HEADERS WAS NOW OTHER TRACTORS see WAS FARM AiDA NOWiD } page 6 “It is our life-bread. There is the RCMP are there and that when SASKATOON NEWSROOM canola exports and is an important market, or 10 percent of annual JD 2950 - 2WD, Cab, recent wo $25,900 $23,900 nothing we want to do more JD 635D - Cross Auger $65,900 $57,500 JD 4450 - 2WD, JD 725 FENDT 930 - FRT Hitch $139,900 $125,900 they’re called, they’ll be able to market for soybeans, pulses, production. SOLD than move a lot of grain. JD 635D - Cross Auger $67,900 $58,900 JD 4455 - MFWD, PST, JD 265 SOLD CIH 7220 - MFWD, ldr $62,900 $58,900 (show up) in a timely manner. Farm groups are excited that wheat, barley, beef and pork. “We see incredible opportu- “I think we feel pretty good JD 930 DRAPER - PU REEL $41,900 $29,900 JD 4960 - duals, MFWD, 3 PTH $71,900 $64,900 CIH 2294 - 2WD, PST $24,900 $18,500 You don’t have to go far to find hazards on a farm, and that’s why new workplace safety regulations are inevitable, say farm Added another delegate, who Canada has launched exploratory A study commissioned by the nity for growth in China and (3) JD 930 DRAPER - PU REEL $41,900 $36,900 about our handling capacity… JD 5075E - Cab, MFWD, H240 loader SOLD AGCO 6690 - MFWD, ldr $25,900 $23,900 leaders. PHOTOS: COURTESY Canadian aagRiCUlTURalgRiCUlTURal SafSafETYETY aSSOCaSSOCiaTiOniaTiOn spoke on the condition of anonym- free trade agreement talks with Canola Council of Canada found part of that opportunity hinges JD 936 DRAPER - PU REEL $44,900 $29,900 JD 5075M - DEMO $58,900 $48,900 MCCORMICK TTX230 - 2013 $119,900 $104,900 to move this new crop.” High tunnel production has potential to extend the Manitoba grower’s season, says MAFRD’s fruit crops specialist Anthony Mintenko. He and the provincial ity: “Policing in rural Saskatche- China. that eliminating tariffs could upon better market access,” said seesee CP Rail on page 7 » vegetable crop specialist are evaluating fruit and vegetable crops for high tunnel production at the AAFC site at Portage la Prairie. PHOTO: LORRAINE STEVENSONPHOTO: LORRAINE STEVENSON wan is inadequate and the crimi- The Asian country accounted for increase exports of seed, oil and Brian Innes, vice-president of INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND PROUD OF IT tors for workers’ compensa-compensa- ing today, said Jacobson, who protection for those people is nals know it.… People in remote $5.6 billion in Canadian agri-food meal to China by up to $1.2 billion government relations with the By JenniFeRJenniFeR BBlAiRlAiR tion.” farms near Enchant. going to have a lot easier time areas have had enough.” exports last year, making it Cana- per year. council. TOLL FREE: 877-613-3373 AF STAFF Oneil Carlier, the new NDP “There’s getting to be more hiring people.” Canada location in Portage la Prairie. crop specialist Anthony Mintenko, da’s second largest market after the That would be the equivalent of agriculture minister, has and more hired help on the BY LORRAINE STEVENSON Growers are keen to hear what who is evaluating day-neutral straw- SEE PROTECT PROPERTY, PAGE 4 United States. shipping an extra 1.8 million SEE TRADE TALKS, PAGE 5 DEERMART Co-operator staff / Portage la Prairie » » Equipment Sales Ltd. TEL: 403-343-2238 hanges to farm safety vowed to extend workplace farm and we’re employing Cost and paperwork Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural berries, early-season June-bearing Mike Gait 403-302-9101 (cell) Rene Vetterli 403-588-9942 (cell) regulations are expect- safety regulations to farm more people,” he said. “It gives There are “some misconcep- Development (MAFRD) specialists are strawberries, fall-bearing raspberries production system that extends learning. and blackberries at one end of the Eugene Styba 403-588-3985 (cell) John Bontje 403-350-5644 (cell) Ced soon — and that workers who aren’t currently protection from litigation and tions” about workers’ compen- PROUD TO BE might not be a bad thing covered by workers’ compen- other advantages, and if you sation that have made Alberta the growing season, offers grow- High tunnel production is common- 100x15x7.5-foot tunnel. Provincial INDEPENDENTLY 6705 Golden West Avenue, Red Deer, AB for Alberta farmers, says the sation or Occupational Health don’t have it, there can be farmers reluctant to offer cov- A ers a competitive edge in the place in other parts of Canada and vegetable specialist Tom Gonsalves is OWNED! www.deermart.com president of the Alberta Fed- and Safety regulations. some serious consequences.” erage to their workers, said marketplace and potential to make in northern and central U.S. where experimenting with vegetables such eration of Agriculture. Today, only around seven And farm workers today Jacobson. more money sounds mighty tempting. nearly every type of fruit and vege- as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers “Workers’ compensation per cent of Alberta farm “aren’t just interested in a pay- “Some people don’t like that That’s why fruit and vegetable grow- table is now grown, even tree fruits. at the other. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240 Agreement Publications Mail No. ers were out in large numbers at Hort MAFRD staff are researching how high High tunnels are like greenhouses, 40069240 Agreement Publications Mail No. or private insurance really employers voluntarily carry administrative role and the PUTTING YOU IN CONTROL WITH LIQUID MUSCLE. cheque,” he said. Diagnostic Days in late July to hear tunnels work in Manitoba growing except they don’t have a double layer is a great risk management workers’ compensation for “They’re starting to realize, paperwork that is associated DuPont™ Travallas™ liquid herbicide delivers high-performance control on your toughest more about construction of high conditions. of poly, and no permanent heat or broadleaf weeds in spring wheat, durum wheat and spring barley. tool for farms nowadays,” their operations. But offering ‘If I get hurt on this job, where’s with the program at this point tunnels. “We have a lot of recommendations electricity. But they have a similar Questions? Ask your retailer, call 1-800-667-3925 or visit travallas.dupont.ca said Lynn Jacobson. “That that protection — both for the protection for my family?’ in time,” he said. This is the first year a variety from other places like Minnesota function — they keep cold out and, protection against litigation employers and employees — When it comes down to it, a of fruits and vegetables has been and Ontario about what to grow in conversely, heat in. which is owned by GVIC Communications Corp. Publisher: Jessome Shaun Corp. which is ownedCommunications by GVIC } As with all crop protection products, read and follow label instructions carefully. Publisher: Jessome Shaun Corp. which is ownedCommunications by GVIC is one of the big selling fac- is one of the realities of farm- farm that has some type of see COVeRAGe page 7 planted in the high tunnel built in a high tunnel but nothing for under Member of CropLife Canada. 2014 at the Agriculture Agri-Food Manitoba conditions,” said fruit see ReseaRCheRs on page 6 » Unless indicated, trademarks with ®, ™ or SM are trademarks of DuPont or affi liates. © 2017 DuPont. Producer Publications, by Western Producer is published in Saskatoon Western The
COOL: U.S. challengeS canada’S claim» PAGE 3 For details & Tiffiny Taylor Mike Millar Publication Mail Agreement 40069240 SPACE & MATERIAL rate information National Sales Representative National Sales Representative DEADLINE: [email protected] [email protected] Phone: (204) 228-0842 Phone: (306) 251-0011 Friday, September 15th www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 23 Nutrition By John McKinnon
The Silage Pit has no Secrets!
ast month I wrote about the importance of variety when it Lcomes to seeding barley for silage. When writing that article, I got think- ing about the principles of making good- quality silage, particularly in relation to feed quality. What really brought this con- nection home to me however, was my experiences this past winter where I had the opportunity to watch several rather large silage piles slowly disappear as they were fed out. Now, I will admit that doc- umenting the disappearance of 25,000 tonnes of silage is not the most stimulat- ing experience; it does however, effectively highlight any management issues the operation had with harvesting, cutting, Silage cut too dry can cause overheating resulting in brown or burnt-looking patches. packing, covering and feeding. Let’s look at some of the issues I encoun- heating can be an issue and the resulting silage than 10 per cent of total particles) such that tered, starting with moisture. In one case, will have pockets of mould and/or a brown or sorting by the cattle is minimized. the pit consistently averaged 70 to 72 per burnt-like appearance. The most common The final secret of the silage pit that cent moisture over the winter. In another, area of the pit to see this brown or burnt-like I will illustrate is where the silage varies the silage pit contained forage that was too silage is the top 12 to 24 inches of the pile, widely in moisture content from one week dry (less than 60 per cent moisture), while particularly if the pit was not covered. How- to the next. This variability influences the in another the forage was quite variable ever, as I indicate above there can be pockets forage-to-concentrate ratio of the ration ranging from 55 to 70 per cent moisture, of such material through the silage pit if not and causes headaches for bunk readers and depending on sampling date. packed properly. From a nutrition perspec- feed truck drivers as this ratio needs to be In the case where the silage was at or greater tive, this silage has reduced energy and protein adjusted to maintain formulated nutrient than 70 per cent moisture the crop was har- values and is not as palatable to the animal. and feed additive levels. There are numer- vested too early. Ideally we target 65 per cent One of the factors that leads to poor pack- ous reasons why this variability occurs, but moisture for cereals with acceptable ranges ing is chop length. Forage ensiled with too in my experience it generally results when anywhere from 62 to 68, depending on har- long a chop length is hard to pack. This results there are weather issues during harvest or vest conditions. Silage that is too wet causes in some of the issues with mould and heating where multiple fields/suppliers were used issues with excess effluent or seepage, as well discussed above. One good way to check on to fill the pit. You can’t do much about as issues with feeding. Silage effluent is a waste the efficiency of the forage harvester in terms the weather but you should be able to co- of nutrients, is corrosive to equipment and of cut length, is to check feed bunks first thing ordinate cutting and delivery from multiple a serious environmental issue. All good rea- in the morning. When silage varies in par- suppliers to optimize quality, particularly sons to minimize its occurrence by targeting ticle size, cattle will sort out the large particles since you are paying for the feed. appropriate plant moisture levels at cutting. (i.e. two to four inches) and leave them in the I often get asked the question does it mat- From a feeding perspective, particularly in bunk. This changes formulated forage-to-con- ter — “so what if there are a few pockets of the winter, rations that have too high a mois- centrate ratios and diet nutrient specifications, burnt or mouldy silage or a bit of long for- ture content can have ice crystals through- potentially having an impact on performance. age left in the bunk?” I think the best answer out the feed and be subject to freezing in the Unfortunately identifying issues with chop to this question is to do a bit of math — a bunk. Both conditions can limit feed intake length when the silage is already in the pit is too bunker silo typical of many mid-size feedlots of newly weaned calves. Also keep in mind late. The optimal time to check the efficiency holds 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of silage. At $45 that silage that is too wet can undergo abnor- of the forage harvester is during cutting. Most a tonne, this represents a feed inventory worth mal fermentation that results in the growth forage harvesters can be adjusted to a desired up to $900,000. A better question is: “Can you of Clostridia bacteria and other undesirable theoretical length of cut by varying cutting afford to give up five or 10 per cent of this micro-organisms (i.e. Listeria). speeds, number and sharpness knifes, etc. value due to poor silage management?” In contrast, silage that is cut too dry (less Average cut lengths of one-half inch for barley Remember the silage pit has no secrets! c than 60 per cent moisture) is difficult to pack and one-quarter to one-half inch for corn are and results in poor-quality silage due to an fairly common. The goal is to keep particles John McKinnon is a beef cattle nutritionist extended aerobic fermentation phase. Over- longer than 1-1/2 inches to a minimum (less at the University of Saskatchewan.
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SUBSCRIBE TO THE SPONSORED BY BETWEEN THE ROWS PODCAST TODAY! fly control By Debbie Furber
Garlic is worth its salt for fly control
eeding a little garlic powder to cat- information on feeding garlic powder to tle does keep flies away and there repel flies. Fare finally numbers to show it. They found only one study and it Cows that received trace mineral (TM) showed that garlic powder at a two per salt fortified with garlic powder had 52 per cent inclusion rate with salt didn’t reduce cent and 56 per cent fewer flies on average horn fly numbers. Those are the pesky flies than the two control groups that received seemingly attached to the backs and sides TM salt alone during a summer-long dem- of cattle by a magnetic-like field. When onstration project at Beacon Hill Com- disturbed, horn flies lift up, but never fly munity Pasture in the boreal forest fringe away coming right back to continue feed- of northwestern Saskatchewan. ing on the animal’s blood, taking as many Regional livestock specialists with the as 30 meals a day until mating when the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture females leave to lay eggs in fresh manure. took advantage of an opportunity that Producer testimonials on blogspots came their way last summer to start gath- didn’t offer solid evidence for or against ering hard evidence on this controversial this practice. Some tout the merits of gar- fly-control method as part of an ongoing lic powder for fly control and increasing Garlic powder didn’t stock management project. Pasture man- mineral intake, while others say it makes discourage salt uptake ager Ed Sarrazin happened to mention that no difference at all. one patron had supplied garlic powder to The only way to know for sure would while reducing fly mix with TM salt for his cattle the summer be to count the flies on cows fed garlic and loads during the before and it seemed to really work. on those not fed garlic in nearby pastures Obi Durunna, regional livestock spe- during the same grazing season because grazing season. cialist at Prince Albert, says he and his overall fly pressure varies from location to Obi Durunna counterparts on the project, Jenifer location and season to season. regional livestock specialist at Prince Albert Heyden at North Battleford and Naomi That’s exactly what they did for this Paley at Yorkton, came up almost empty- project. The treatment group of 150 pairs handed when they started looking for received TM salt mixed with garlic powder
26 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca fly control
at 2.1 per cent of the weight of the TM salt average fly counts in different groups starting on arrival, May 25. Control-1 was a group of 115 pairs and control-2 was a group of 150 pairs that received TM salt 200 without garlic powder. The herds grazed 180 in separate pastures about three kilometres apart during the demonstration period 160 ending September 13. 140 The Compass Minerals plant at Unity 120 supplied 140 bags of SIFTO-Canadian Garlic 100 Stockman Medi-boot Trace Mineralized Control 1 Stock Salt. The patron whose cattle received 80 Control 2 the garlic treatment purchased bulk garlic 60 powder from Masterfeeds and it was hand- contents fly Average mixed with the TM salt at the pasture. The 40 garlic-TM-salt mix and the plain TM salt 20 were fed in open tubs and delivered as 0 needed to the respective pastures. Cow groups Videos of each group were taken between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on June 1, July 6 and 21, August 10 and 30, and September 13. August 10 to the end of the trial on Sep- to $1.46 per head. Comparatively, the cost to Still photos of the faces and sides of cows tember 13. treat each animal with the long-acting pour- sampled were pulled from the videos and The garlic group consistently had the on insecticide, Cylence, would have been the Adobe Photoshop count tool was used lowest fly count and exhibited the fewest $1.06 per application (averaged between three to count flies visible in the photos. The vid- fly-avoidance behaviours throughout the millimetres per calf and 10 millimetres per eos were reviewed to observe fly-avoidance trial period. cow) with a second treatment recommended behaviours including bunching, tail flicks, Overall, avoidance behaviours were three to four weeks later. head throws, leg stomps and side licks. observed in 35 per cent of the cows in the gar- Durunna says the trial hasn’t been with- Fly counts include face flies around the lic group, 55 per cent of the cows in control-1, out a fair share of light-hearted comments eyes, mouth and muzzle, horn flies clus- and 48 per cent of the cows in control-2. This about pre-seasoned steaks; however, noth- tered on the poll, back, sides and under- resulted in a statistical difference between the ing is known about the effect of feeding sides, and stable flies sticking mainly to the garlic and control-1 groups, but not between garlic powder for summer fly control on legs. It was easy to see that face-fly pressure the garlic and control-2 groups, nor between meat or milk products. was light, whereas horn flies were out in the two control groups. The next question is whether feeding full force. The avoidance observations didn’t garlic powder could have negative implica- The season-long average for the cows reflect the fly-count pattern. In fact, fly tions for animal health or if garlic’s antibi- sampled in the garlic group was 75 flies per avoidance was by far the highest on June 1 otic properties reported in human studies cow. The cows sampled in the two control when fly loads were the lowest. On August might apply to cattle as well. groups that received TM salt alone had 10, the average fly count on cows in both The insect-repelling properties of garlic average fly counts of 156 and 171. control groups was the highest of all for are attributed to alliin. Physical disturbance On June 1, there wasn’t much differ- the trial period and yet the cows in those or wetting activates the transformation of ence between average fly counts for the groups showed fewer avoidance behav- alliin into allicin (diallyl thiosulphate). garlic and control-1 groups. The differ- iours than on August 30 when fly counts In this project, the allicin content of ence became quite striking 41 days into had dropped off. the garlic powder was 1.2 per cent and no the trial with the garlic group averaging Average avoidance behaviours among adverse health effects were observed when approximately 100 fewer flies per cow than the cows in the garlic group declined incorporating garlic powder at 2.1 per cent control-1 on July 6. The fly load in the through July 21 to August 30, but popped of the TM-salt weight. garlic group peaked at the July 21 count, up slightly on September 13 as these All-in-all, Durunna says this project averaging approximately 150 flies per cow. behaviours became less frequent in the demonstrated that garlic powder is easy to It then dropped by about half by August control groups. feed and didn’t discourage TM salt intake, 10, which coincided with the highest aver- The cattle didn’t seem to mind the taste while reducing fly loads throughout the age counts for both control groups. of garlic, but neither did they go for it in grazing season. The average fly count on the cows in a big way. Daily consumption was within The team will be collecting more data control-1 hovered just under 200 per cow the expected range, averaging 0.12 pounds this summer with a trial set to get under- on July 21 and August 10. of TM salt per head (cows plus calves plus way using Masterfeeds’ premixed garlic- The average fly count on the cows in bulls). TM salt consumption was 0.18 TM salt product containing five per cent control-2 was just over 200 per cow in July pounds and 0.15 pounds per head per day garlic powder by weight. The cows will also and neared 250 per cow on August 10. for control-1 and control-2, respectively. be weighed at take-in and take-out. The fly count on cows in all groups The cost of the 88 pounds of garlic powder For more information, contact Durunna decreased as fly pressure declined after fed from May 25 to September 13 worked out at 306-953-2772. c
www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 27 Free Market Reflections By Steve Dittmer
Ba by Steps, Clues and Competition
he Trump administration has been hampered Minister Trudeau for changing his mind, and he decides Steve Dittmer is the by the Democrat opposition party trying to negotiate, not withdraw. CEO of Agribusiness everything to delay confirmation of Trump How much of that was political theater, softening up Freedom Foundation, T a non-profit group appointees. So it was mid-May before the U.S. Trade negotiation partners, and how much was a near miss for Representative Robert Lighthizer was finally con- free traders is anyone’s guess. I’m suggesting to American promoting free market principles throughout firmed, nearly four months after the inauguration. cattlemen that they should expect to be just as much in the food chain. That factor, plus Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s the dark regarding Trump’s negotiating positions as his He can be reached at confirmation only a couple of weeks earlier, ham- trading partners during negotiations. His style is about [email protected]. pered the new administration’s momentum on trade. as far removed from Obama’s “telegraphing” and recent However, while the USTR normally leads trade efforts, Republican leadership’s “cave-in first” styles as is possible. there are indications Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross While the slow Washington pace has affected Trump’s might be the cabinet officer leading Trump trade nego- agenda, North Korea’s belligerence and accelerating tiations. rocket testing has helped bring us a tutorial on Trump’s Perdue’s announcement that he would fill a new negotiating style. USDA position of undersecretary for trade was good Trump’s constant China bashing during the campaign news to agricultural groups. Perdue is a free trader and regarding trade and currency policies, as well as his abuse of this appointment should stengthen his position. trade regulations, was obviously a major factor in President Observers will have noted that while Trump has been Xi’s meeting directly with Trump so soon after the inau- pushing hard with executive orders and memos, Con- guration. Xi took Trump at his word that a huge chunk of gress has not moved fast on anything. Congressional China’s economy — exports to the U.S. — was at risk. The leadership’s decision to start with repealing and replacing North Korean factor accelerated the need for a meeting. Obamacare made for a rocky start. A very contentious According to the joint statement, China will import issue was complicated by indecision among Republicans U.S. beef, based on existing international standards, no on the shape of the legislation. While the House thrashed later than July 16, 2017. Previously, negotiations had out a decent beginning, the Senate decided to start writ- been hung up on two issues. The one Canadians already ing a new bill. Meantime, the House is supposedly begin- had a leg up on American producers was traceability. ning tax reform legislation. The other was the use of ractopamine during the last few It is hard to decide which of those two priorities are weeks in the feedlot. Apparently, the need to establish most important as they both carry huge political and some good will with the U.S. is overcoming those issues. economic impact. As neither house has demonstrated That will mean more competition for Canadian beef the ability to walk and chew gum at the same time, it will in the Chinese market. However, given the size of the take a minor miracle to get both those issues resolved by market and the relative newness of grain-fed beef to fall. Such a pace is frustrating to both Trump and his sup- many emerging middle-class Chinese, it might not be porters — many of whom are accustomed to a business- such a bad idea to have two experienced marketing teams like pace, rather than Congressional slow motion. working the country, expanding the overall market for All of that time has not been wasted, however. The slog grain-fed beef and variety meats. Traditional Chinese has given business and agricultural groups that favour tastes are more attuned to variety meats, and how long it free trade more time to lobby Trump and his White will take them to become interested in volumes of mus- House contingent. The tone of Trump’s rhetoric moder- cle cuts is an open question. ated for a while — then he would say something or do But we’ve learned some things about Trump’s nego- something to raise concerns all over again. tiating style. If this is the normal Trump template, he His chiding of Canada’s dairy policy while in Wiscon- likes to start things off himself, top leader to top leader. sin had to concern Canada’s livestock producers. Espe- Beforehand, rattle your negotiating partners and make cially after he said Canada’s portion of NAFTA shouldn’t sure they know you are willing to walk if you are not get- need much change. His NAFTA memo to Congress was ting enough of what you want. During negotiations, set less radical than many expected. Then he goes after deadlines and goals, then send in the top lieutenants to Canadian softwood, an issue that’s been on the burner wrap things up in short order. for years. It was encouraging but not definitive that Trump sent After several comments by insiders that protectionist Ross and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to execute economist Peter Navarro was losing clout in the White the China agreement. Ross is a free trader and Mnuchin House, the next thing we know, he’s writing a U.S. with- appears open to it. However, Ross is an avowed China drawal from NAFTA. When that news leaks, Trump trader and fan, so that likely influenced his leadership credited phone calls from President Pena and Prime role in this case. c
28 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca BUILDING TRUST IN CANADIAN BEEF
Talking turkey on attracting beef capital New thinking on investment could grow the beef herd, says economist
Canada’s beef industry likes the idea of vibrant cow herd and sector growth. But the topic of outside capital to accomplish that often raises red flags to beef producers big on family owned. Maybe it’s time to rethink that, says econ- omist and capital specialist Michael Grant of the Conference Board of Canada. From his considerable experience in researching the food system, he says new thinking on outside capital could grow the beef herd and Global shortage of arable land may bring investors into primary ag. take the industry to the next level. There is a need and an interest, says try sectors and in fact other business sectors Physical. Underperforming assets may Grant. As baby boomers retire, primary ag have much more aggressive capitalization be located where expansion is not possible. operations, many of them large, need to approaches. Managerial. Investors want the ability to change hands. How are those young people deliver on a business plan. When resources going to capitalize those operations, unless Who would invest? are acquired within the sector the people they have inherited them? Grant sees lots of potential investor interest, doing the buying know the business. As you Banks, credit unions and government but three key examples: get further away from that owner operator lending will continue to operate. Efficient Angel investor. High net worth individu- you get people with less experience and that operations will drive industry consolida- als are investors in the tech sector. means more risk, and that narrows down tion, but questions and concerns remain. Institutional investors. They invest in the pool of investors. In beef, about a third of operations are infrastructure in other countries, why not Regulatory. Regulations add cost. significantly less profitable than others, says primary ag? Grant. When something is not performing at Food sector. Value chain already invests T hink succession the same level as the best in the sector, inves- in transportation and processing. “Who will be the next generation of manag- tors see opportunity to go in and reap that ers in primary agriculture as the baby boom- return. They’ll do that unless there are barriers. I ndustry positives, barriers ers retire?” asks Grant. “We have to have good Corporate farms are not bad farms. They There are lots of positives for the beef indus- managers come into the business.” often do a better job of environmental stew- try for investors, says Grant. He says lots of farmers are leaving the ardship and standard practices because they “Canada’s cattle operations have been succession discussion way too late. have systems in place, and because they have innovative, working hard to create products “There are models of succession plan- more to lose. They weather the commodity people want and exploring new markets ning where you don’t have to transfer the cycles better because they have scale. especially in Asia. We have some excellent equity over. Baby boomers are retiring in all Only the primary sector capitalizes itself farms with an enviable level of performance.” industries so there are all sorts of ideas for through owner operator. Other food indus- But there are barriers, he says. succession planning.”
BUILDING TRUST THROUGH SUSTAINABLE BEEF PRODUCTION
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Have you tried ACV yet?
any years ago I was very but I did also test other animals on the also keep waterers free of algae and mos- excited to hear Gerald Fry farm at the same time that were not treated quito larvae. M speak at a conference. He with ACV and we did find that there was Many will tell you that ACV will had some fascinating topics and I have a low number of parasite eggs found in improve the texture and flavour of the been a huge follower of his ever since. I their samples. meat and will not create any off-flavours was also lucky enough a couple of years I’m not saying ACV is a cure-all if you to milk, meat or eggs. later to attend his course on Linear have a severe parasite issue, but along with This nutritional supplement is not just Measurement and Genetics. If you ever some better genetic selection, good nutri- for cattle. There are many benefits to other get a chance to see him, make sure you tion and a rotational grazing system, ACV types of livestock as well. We have added go! He has a vast amount of knowledge can go a long way to help prevent any seri- it to our feeder pig operation and we can and is one of the humblest speakers I ous parasite loads. visually see the difference in their skin have ever met. The acetic and malic acid in ACV raises texture and performance. We added ACV One of the many tips I took from Fry the acidity in the stomach. It balances to the pigs’ drinking water as well as to is his use of apple cider vinegar (ACV) the pH back to normal, which creates an their swimming pool. We have been very for my livestock. Right away I was excited unfavourable environment for pathogens impressed with the results. There are many about it and I asked him, “How much do and internal parasites. It also stimulates benefits to horses, sheep, goats, hogs and I pour on?” He laughed as I soon found the hormonal system which will allow the chickens if you care to Google it. out that it is a nutritional supplement, animal to secrete oils from the skin to help Another resource that I have used over not a pour-on. control external parasites. the last couple of years has been Dr. Will The first time, of course, I ran out and ACV can also be applied externally to Winters. He is very knowledgeable on ACV bought a cart full of four-litre jugs from help control ringworm. and I would highly recommend you look- the grocery store. (I’m sure they were I learned quickly that ACV is rich in ing him up at www.willwinters.com. wondering what I was stilling out on vitamins, minerals and trace elements as I order my ACV in 55-litre barrels or you the farm with than much vinegar.) I was well. The potassium levels are quite high can get it in 1,000 litre totes. Many people soon to learn that to get the real benefits which helps maximize the nutrition from use ACV as a nutritional supplement in from ACV, you need to use fermented feed; especially calcium, phosphorus and their own diets as well. There is lots of apple juice which is left raw, unfiltered copper. ACV also increases butterfat and information out there if you just look for it. and unpasteurized to keep the “mother,” body fat production. It basically improves I know that some of you will argue that intact. digestion. Regulating the rumen helps to this is just a hoax pushed by the organic This “mother” in ACV is the cloudy prevent scours, bloat, gas, reflux and indi- industry. That is fine if that is your opinion blob of beneficial enzymes, pectin, and gestion. I have read claims numerous times and I understand if you do not agree with trace minerals that float around inside that the high potassium levels will also help me. I tried it and have seen the results. I the jug. Your typical grocery store ACV reduce birthing difficulties and improve also am using the wisdom of respectable does not have this; although most gro- calf vigour. mentors in the industry like Gerald Fry cery stores will carry an organic brand By balancing the pH, ACV also buffers and Dr. Will Winters who have been using that does. It is very important in many of the rumen and overall blood pH which ACV a lot longer than I have. the benefits of ACV I will describe below. prevents or reverses acidosis and ketosis. There is a bit of an issue right now as ACV is primarily acetic acid which is the It is full of beneficial probiotics (good the increase in human consumption of same acid a cow produces in her rumen microbes) and nutraceuticals (nutri- ACV has caused a limited supply for live- already to digest her feed. ents with medicinal benefits), which stock. It is hard to get. Maybe if you are will strengthen the immune system. It out there in the apple industry, there is a Why do I use it? improves disease resistance to detrimen- new profit centre just waiting for you to The first time I used ACV it was to help tal bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungus and jump into? Let me know if you do as I am prevent or control internal and external the natural pectins in ACV will bind to almost out. c parasites. As far as I have read, the only pest the unwanted toxins to be excreted by that it does not help control is liver flukes. the body. Steve Kenyon runs Greener Pastures I have done fecal samples a few times after ACV contains high levels of malic acid Ranching Ltd. in Busby, Alta., www. use and every time we have had zero para- which helps cleanse and heal the liver for greenerpasturesranching.com, 780-307-6500, site eggs in the manure. It was not a per- better detoxification of toxins. email [email protected] fectly controlled experiment by any means, Adding ACV to drinking water will or find them on Facebook.
30 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca Glacier Media strengthens its weather, ag-technology team
CHATHAM, ON and CALGARY, AB – Glacier family, market-leading ag-retail operation, Media, a leading Canadian business and he has owned and operated his own information news, insights and data enterprise software business. “Jon is supplier, is pleased to announce that it has bringing to us exactly the right blend of hired Jonathan Neutens as President of its strategic and ‘in-field’ experience; he’s Weather Innovations Consulting (WIN) group. plugged into some of the key shifts currently Neutens, who has more than 20 years shaping Canada’s agriculture sector and experience in North America’s agri- the role it plays globally,” noted Whitelaw. business sector, will lead the team at WIN Neutens is a graduate of the University to scale its business in the ag-technology of Guelph with an undergraduate agri- space, building on the existing range of business degree and holds a Masters of weather-driven products and services Business Administration degree from the WIN currently offers its clients in North Sauder School of Business at the University America, the United Kingdom and Europe. of British Columbia. “I am excited to join “We’re very pleased to attract someone Weather Innovations and Glacier Media in of Jon’s calibre to complement the great this capacity. WIN’s founder, Ian Nichols, has team at WIN,” noted Glacier Media been quietly building and ground-proofing EVP Bill Whitelaw. “His hiring is key to a suite of products and services for over our plan to scale the range of tools we 15 years... in this space currently coined offer to Canadian and global agriculture ‘decision’ or ‘smart-ag’. Many companies as part of the sector’s shift to smarter in this space have yet to get to this level of and more data-driven solutions.” ground-proofing, and I am eager to grow Neutens has held senior level executive roles WIN`s presence and establish it as the leader at some of the leading companies in North it is in this sector shift in agriculture”. American agriculture, including Nufarm For more information, please contact and Syngenta, and served on the sector Bill Whitelaw, Executive Vice President, boards for CropLife Canada and CleanFarms Glacier Business Information. Canada. He launched his career in their 1-403-462-5108
About WIN: Weather INnovations Consulting LP (WIN) is a company originally developed at the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph under the project name, Ontario Weather Network (OWN). The company specializes in building turnkey monitoring, forecasting, and data-modelling solutions for use across a number of agricultural crops, bringing the best and highest quality data and information into practice. Its vision is to make high quality weather-based modelling standard practice in farm level decision-agriculture, minimizing risk and maximizing return. WIN is experiencing rapid growth with customers in North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. About Glacier Media: Glacier Media is a Canadian business information and media products company. It provides news, market information and sector-specific data within North America and internationally. Glacier is headquartered in Vancouver. Its primary operations are in Canada as well as London, England. It is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under GVC. The company provides news, data and analysis in a range of business sectors. These sectors include: Agriculture, Energy, Mining, Real Estate and Environmental Risk. Glacier also owns community newspapers and websites in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. vet aDvice
Thet Bat le Against AMR Drags On
he CVMA (Canadian Veterinary by the Health Canada Advisory Commit- before. For starters, let us reach decision Medical Association) has embarked tee on Animal Uses of Antimicrobials and points on: Ton an exercise to script another Impact on Resistance and Human Health. • Eliminating extra-label drug use when chapter into the debate on prudent use of The CVMA remained part of the Ad Hoc unnecessary. antibiotics in animals. Its plan: participa- Committee for Antimicrobial Stewardship • How to streamline the drug approval pro- tion in an antimicrobial use (AMU) work- that grew out of the 2011 National Confer- cess for new animal drugs and the concur- shop of Canadian veterinarians, veterinary ence on Antimicrobial Stewardship in Cana- rent use clearance of combinations used in researchers and educators, government offi- dian Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine. animal feeds. cials and species-group stakeholders work- For a second time, the committee identi- • Following the U.S. example of legislating ing in the areas of swine, poultry, beef, dairy, fied Canada’s vulnerability around existing exclusion of antibiotics for growth promo- small ruminants and companion animals; regulations related to active pharmaceutical tion in feed and water and increasing veteri- the intention: to identify AMU stewardship ingredients (API) and rules granted under nary oversight of antimicrobial use, while issues of concern, anticipate needs for vet- own use permit (OUI) provisions. Regula- escalating both the regulatory desire and erinary practitioners, address information tory agencies were told both required urgent ability to enforce regulations. gaps and discuss ways to communicate attention and change. Fifteen years later, the • How to prevent the unscrupulous impor- and engage new “tools” in using antimi- problems remain on the table and part of tation of active pharmaceutical ingredients crobials in food production. every discussion on antimicrobial use. (APIs) from foreign, second-rate manufac- Veterinarians in general grow frustrated and About 450 million years ago, animals made turing sources that ultimately get used in disappointed with the seesaw battle over anti- one of the most important decisions in Earth’s on-farm mixing operations. microbial stewardship. Producers on one hand history: they crawled from nourishing seas • Tightening or eliminating the import of want access to drugs, including antimicrobials, and started living on dry, desolate land. At that drugs under existing Own Use Import at a reasonable cost and without rigorous vet- moment, humanity’s problems with superbugs (OUI) provisions, some of which are not erinary oversight, which often comes with an probably began. The evolutionary history of approved for use in Canada. awkward regulatory burden. Most understand antimicrobials made them unique for unlike If Canada is not careful, responsible drug the implications of antimicrobial resistance any other drug, use of an antimicrobial in one use could potentially become entangled in the (AMR) and its impact on human health. Most patient can compromise its efficacy in another. debate on trade. The real or imagined differ- understand the importance of using antimi- Taking it one step further, we now know that ences that exist between Canada and the U.S., crobials prudently to preserve them as impor- antimicrobial use in one species compromises plus misreading the interplay of antimicrobial tant production tools in agriculture. The big the use of that antimicrobial in other species. use in animals and food safety easily becomes question that exists today, as it has for two gen- Veterinarians understand, many producers skewed, presenting the opportunity for non- erations, is how do we get there? understand, but the average consumer standing tariff barriers to trade by competing nations. Veterinarians often shoulder the blame at the meat counter at a supermarket has dif- AMR is presently a flashpoint in human for how antimicrobials get used or misused ficulty fathoming how and why antimicrobials health and fingers get pointed toward ani- by producers, and certainly are looked upon get used in food production. We have to get bet- mal production. From a production per- as logical stewards to fix the problem. There ter at telling our story about our individual roles spective, antibiotics are often implicated are few veterinarians who don’t cringe when in food production and generate the courage to as a “negative” and from it spring mistaken thinking about yet another expert advisory make necessary changes to back claims of sen- impressions about food safety in the eyes of committee; another round of presentations sible and rational antimicrobial use. consumers. We must preserve the balance — many reiterations of basic information The Food and Agriculture Organization of between responsible use, sound production we have known for at least 20 years; prob- the United Nations (FAO) estimates that there practices and the necessity of maintaining ably another white paper outlining a raft of are approximately 700,000 human deaths acceptable standards of care. I implore the position statements, guidance documents, each year from antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) guardians of animal health to establish, once proposed regulatory changes, animal health infections. The toll on human health results in and for all, workable guidelines on prudent strategies, and sets of prudent use recommen- a vicious circle with hard economics attached. use and for the agencies responsible for laws dations. The CVMA’s attempt, once again, FAO estimates that antimicrobial resistance of the land to declare, “We’ll make it happen.” to move the AMR issue forward is laudable; could cause low-income countries to lose Both are achievable. c success will depend on finding key partners more than five per cent of their GDP and push capable of sustaining the effort and unafraid up to 28 million people, mostly in developing Dr. Ron Clarke prepares this column on of finding answers to the hard questions. countries, into poverty by 2050. behalf of the Western Canadian Association As recently as September 2016, the CVMA Though evolution progresses in micro- of Bovine Practitioners. Suggestions for future urged Health Canada to make regulatory scopic steps, it is unrelenting. Everyone in articles can be sent to Canadian Cattlemen changes to close loopholes in force since agriculture also knows that answers are sel- ([email protected]) or WCABP 2002, identified at the time as high priorities dom found in repeating what’s been tried ([email protected]).
32 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca prime cuts By Steve Kay
DEVIL’S IN THE DETAIL
he announcement on May 4 that China will between the two. So they voluntarily banned the use of A North American start accepting U.S. beef on or before July 16 had all implants on cattle targeted for China. view of the meat U.S. industry leaders applauding the Trump A Chinese notice to the trade at the time said “any industry. Steve Kay is T publisher and editor of administration and excited about supplying this detection of a synthetic hormone, or a detection of a giant market. Their enthusiasm was understandable naturally occurring hormone at levels higher that the Cattle Buyers Weekly. — U.S. beef has been shut out of China since late normal physiological levels will result in rejection of 2003, when the U.S. reported its first BSE case. But as the consignment and possible delistment of the plant.” the Canadian industry knows all too well, the devil is Product is tested at the port of entry and exporters run in the detail. significant financial risk. So the U.S. industry might take The announcement gave no hint of what China’s the same approach as Australia did. requirements for U.S. beef will be. The two countries Another hurdle for the U.S. is China’s traceability have one more round of technical consultations planned requirements. China reopened its market to Cana- and China’s requirements might emerge after that. Only dian beef last fall. On October 8, the Canadian Food then will the U.S. industry be able to gauge how much Inspection Agency noted: “China requires that the beef of the beef it produces is even eligible to be exported to exported from Canada to China must be produced China. under the Canadian Beta-Agonist Free Beef Certification The key issues will be growth promotants, ractopa- Program developed by the Canadian beef industry.” Fur- mine and traceability. China requires other countries ther, the cattle from which the beef is derived for export that supply beef to it to verify that only naturally occur- to China must meet several requirements, importantly ring implants are used, that the beef is ractopamine-free “each animal has a unique identity, the farm of origin and traceability from a calf’s birth to the beef box. As (place of birth) can be traced, and the cattle should be Canadian producers know, China bans beef produced slaughtered at less than 30 months of age.” with synthetic hormone growth promotants and beta- Assuming China’s requirements for U.S. beef are con- agonists. These are the requirements for beef imported sistent with its requirements for other countries, very from Australia and other countries as well. U.S. cattle little beef will be eligible for export to China unless cattle feeders still widely use Optaflexx (ractopamine hydro- producers and cattle feeders significantly adjust their chloride) in finishing cattle. China does not allow U.S. production systems. The U.S. has had a Non-Hormone pork produced with ractopamine so it’s inconceivable it Treated Cattle (NHTC) program in place since 1999. But will make an exception for beef. only a tiny percentage of the 30 million cattle slaughtered China has a long-standing policy against synthetic in the U.S. in 2016 went through the program. implants (essentially trenbolone acetate). It’s instruc- USDA says that on average its umbrella companies, tive to see what occurred when it imposed its rule on and the ones approved by USDA, direct enroll around Australian beef in May 2014. Naturally occurring hor- 150,000 to 175,000 new calves each year in the program. mone implants based on estrogen were deemed accept- Much of their beef goes to the European Union. If so few able. But the Australian industry and authorities were producers are in the NHTC program now, I doubt that worried about producers’ inability to make distinctions many more will join to market beef to China. c
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www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 33 straight from the hip By Brenda Schoepp
The Interrelationship in Animal Protein
onsumers around the world are Rabobank managing director, Deborah produced on small Canadian farms and making their needs very clear Perkins shared her thoughts on the future their existence complemented each other. Cwhen it comes to animal protein. of animal protein with Meatingplace editor Farmers knew to keep pigs separate from The Nielsen Global Health and Ingredi- Lisa Keefe (March 2017). She explained that fowl to avoid disease transmission and ent Sentiment Survey (2016) revealed packers will need to continue to be more how to use excess production for the what folks do not want in food. Surpris- responsive to consumers. Moving forward benefit of the other. And although this ingly, the respondent results were consis- she urged that “all aspects of the value is highly sustainable and innovation and tently universal. chain have to be economically viable in the technology can be applied to this model, Respondents were overwhelmingly con- long term” which invites another range of it is unlikely to mass produce to the cur- cerned and did not want hormones or anti- responsibilities to the protein industry. As rent demand. But the model does work biotics in food in North America (54 per there is bound to be more animal protein in because of the interrelationship between cent), Latin America (59 per cent) and in the future, Perkins referred to the interrela- human and animals and between the Europe (65 per cent). Africa and the Mid- tion of all protein industries. varieties of proteins themselves. Can dle East had greater concerns than North There is very little evidence of proteins we launch a discussion from a point of Americans at 55 per cent of the population taking an interrelational, non-competitive understanding that there are interrela- shunning food containing or perceived to view of each other in the past, even though tions, identify them and then focus on contain antibiotics or hormones. Continue they face the same challenges when it comes specific actions? around the globe to the Global South and to what consumers will not eat as high- Who needs to lead? In Keefe’s interview 69 per cent of respondents in Asia-Pacific lighted in the Nielson study. And the fact with Perkins it was clear that there were also shun food containing antibiotics or that the non-animal protein uptake is on leadership competencies that were attrib- hormones. the rise is a shadow on all animal protein uted to successful business and industry. In all regions, over 50 per cent of con- industries. From an environmental per- First, leaders must understand the com- sumers said they did not want to eat GMO spective, the push is on for consumers to plexities of the entire value chain. To date, food with the lowest concern in North believe that animal protein is a high user, if the industry is still broken into individual America at 51 per cent and the highest con- not abuser of energy, land and water. This representation of specific production or cern in Europe at 59 per cent. This tells us is cited from environmentalist manifestos processing points (who sit at the same that GMO resistance is global in context to scientific nutritional research. So it is not table) with the final consumer as a sepa- and greatly affects consumer purchases. beef specifically that is under the micro- rate component. This needs to change and Sodium and carbohydrates were a greater scope but all animal protein, products and markets clearly understood. Look again at concern in North America, Latin America, practices that are associated. the data in the Nielson study. The areas that Asia-Pacific and Africa/Middle East than Looking back from a global perspective industry is trying to sell into are the most in Europe. And gluten was a factor for 29 on what consumers will not buy; it is clear resistant to the product. per cent of the respondents in Asia-Pacific that there is a linkage between the proteins Can we accept that the reactive nature and 32 per cent in Africa/Middle East com- that should be catching the attention of of a traditional industry such as beef is pared to 23 per cent in North America. the beef industry. If any protein industry not keeping up with the speed of other The data indicates that Europeans are the continues to produce food with hormones, proteins and there could be a great benefit least concerned about salt, gluten and carbs there will be push-back. How do we col- in discussions that focus on controllable while the Asia-Pacific market is very con- lectively prepare for this? What research issues that are relevant to the advance- scious especially in regards to hormones needs to be done? What message needs ment of the animal protein industry? and antibiotics (69 per cent) and gluten (29 to be articulated regarding appropriate Looking to the future it is clear that we per cent). antibiotic use, GMO feed ingredients and will not convince consumers to eat our Interestingly, there was a question spe- additives, specifically sodium in prepared product unless we change it. Are we ready cific to beef and red meat. In North Amer- products such as sausage? to engage our scientists, empower our ica 18 per cent of respondents do not want In Perkins’ checklist of survival tools she producers and work as an animal pro- beef or red meat in their diet compared to referred to successful clients and their adap- tein team? Food for thought as we face 16 per cent in Latin America and 13 per tation to technology, innovation and sus- a hormone-, antibiotic-, GMO-, gluten-, cent in both Europe and the Africa/Mid- tainability or in her words “people you want sodium- and carbohydrate-free future in dle East region. The greatest rejection of to do business with.” If we look at these in animal protein. c beef or red meat in the diet came from the terms of the protein industry and weave Asia-Pacific region (24 per cent), which is them into the beef specific then we have the Contact Brenda through her website: concerning, as this is a major target mar- beginnings of a conversation. www.brendaschoepp.com. All Rights reserved. ket for Canada. Historically, animal proteins were Brenda Schoepp 2017
34 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca CANADA’S OUTDOOR PARK sePTeMBer 12, 13 & 14, 2017 WOODSTOCK, ONTARIO
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OUR NEGOTIATING POSITION
he beef cattle business is an interesting one in reflects the true integrated nature of the North American Dan Darling that there are many factors at play in determin- beef cattle industry. Moreover, NAFTA’s ability to provide is president ing a successful year from a less successful one. market access without tariffs or quotas for either beef or of the Canadian T Cattlemen’s The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) does a live cattle trade is an example of how free trade should lot of good work to ensure the long-term competitive- work and such access should be preserved, CCA advised. Association ness of the industry, including advocating for responsive We requested that NAFTA’s existing rules of origin for business risk management tools and disaster program- beef remain as they are. These rules of origin determine ming to help with external risk factors beyond a pro- which products are eligible to be traded duty-free amongst ducer’s care and control like severe flooding or drought. the NAFTA countries. Under these rules, either beef that is Another element of risk is currency fluctuations in the “wholly produced” in the NAFTA territory or transformed Canadian dollar. Over the last month, the loonie had from a live animal into beef in a NAFTA country is eligible been at its lowest level in over a year. The downward for NAFTA treatment. It also means that importing beef pressure is attributed in part to political influences from a non-NAFTA country and shipping it to another related to the U.S. wishing to initiate a renegotiation of NAFTA country does not provide a back door, which is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) why we’ve advised these rules to stay as is. and the Trump administration’s resurrection of the Maintaining dispute settlement provisions in NAFTA softwood lumber dispute with Canada. and seeking to improve enforceability of NAFTA panel The upside to this currency scenario is that while North decisions were also recommended. Strengthening the American cattle markets have been strengthening, the NAFTA option would provide the Canadian beef sector weaker Canadian dollar has added an extra boost to Cana- with a meaningful alternative to the World Trade Orga- dian prices. This has added to the profit margins cattle nization (WTO). feeders are seeing. The Canadian dollar is a big driver in CCA told the committee it understands that a U.S. the Canadian market and can add volatility to our mar- protectionist group is advising the Trump administra- kets. While a weaker Canadian dollar is good for cattle tion that the renegotiation of NAFTA is the ideal forum prices, a stronger Canadian dollar can take a bite out of to reinstate the repealed country-of-origin labelling local prices. The Canfax rough rule of thumb in the cur- (COOL) legislation for beef and pork. In addition to rent market is that a one cent move in the dollar can have being counter to Canada’s interest, such a move would an impact on calf prices by about five cents per pound and jeopardize American jobs. Should the Trump adminis- yearling prices by about three cents per pound. Therefore, tration formally include such a demand in its NAFTA if the Canadian dollar were to drop three cents, price pro- position, CCA advised that Canada reject it unequivo- jections improve 15¢/lb. on calves, but if the dollar were to cally and work with U.S. allies to demonstrate how U.S. rise three cents, expected calf prices drop 15¢/lb. jobs depend on livestock trade with Canada. The chilling effect of Trump’s threats of trade actions On the topic of market access, I recently met with on currency markets provides a mildly interesting and Commissioner for Agriculture of the European Union ironic backdrop to the NAFTA renegotiation scenario. Phil Hogan, in Ottawa, along with representatives of Meantime, going forward Canadian beef producers can the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance. Hogan was in count on the CCA to continue to provide a solid effort to Canada to promote the Comprehensive Economic and ensure fair market access to the U.S. Trade Agreement (CETA) and lead a mission of EU busi- Canadian beef producers strongly support keeping nesses to the SIAL Canada show. The discussion focused the existing NAFTA provisions on beef trade intact. Over on opportunities for Canadian agricultural exporters the past month, CCA has been sharing its perspective on in Europe and resolutions of outstanding issues for the the renegotiation of NAFTA with industry counterparts grains and oilseed and meat sectors. I emphasized that and government officials. CCA vice-president David while the Canadian beef sector had been a major sup- Haywood-Farmer discussed the issue with counterparts porter of the CETA and that CCA’s support has always at the Mexican cattle producer convention in Durango, been based on the potential beef access that the CETA Mexico. During the trilateral leaders’ meeting, U.S., Mex- offers, it’s also conditioned on the resolution of the ican and Canadian cattle producer associations agreed remaining technical issues. The commissioner’s response on the need to have a common position in the antici- confirmed that the CCA’s strategy of working to submit pated NAFTA renegotiations. In Ottawa, CCA staff John a rock-solid application to the European Food Safety Masswohl and I presented to the Standing Committee Authority and work co-operatively with the government on International Trade. to dispel misperceptions and biases in European mem- The CCA feels the unlimited duty-free beef trade that ber states is sound and necessary. NAFTA enables between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico Until next time. c
36 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca N THE I DUSTRY NewsRoundup
followed by Albert Carroll of Omemee, Ont., with Ontario Stockyards in third, Tyler Sla- winski of McCreary, Man., with Gladstone Auction Mart in fourth; and Donnie Pea- cock of Swift Current, Sask., with Heartland Livestock Services in fifth. Jordie Waters of Nanton, Alta., who sells for Foothills Auctioneers and VJV, earned rookie-of-the-year honours, while William Haalstra of Dunnville, Ont., with Ontario Livestock Exchange, received the most- improved auctioneer award. Judges Ryan Hurlburt (2016 champ), LMAC’s industry champion Danny Skeels (centre) accepts the limited-edition bronze auctioneer Gene Parks, Robin Gilroy, Dave Ropp, figurine from peers (l. to r.) Dean Edge, Blair Vold, Rob Bergevin and Chance Martin.Photo: Lee Hart Doug Haughton and Danny Rosehill scored contestants on their clarity and voice con- marketing Skeels, who has been the head auctioneer trol, chant, professionalism/confidence/ Livestock marketing champs for Vold Jones Vold (VJV) for 27 years, won calmness/mannerisms, enthusiasm, and LMAC’s first Canadian Livestock Auction- general impression. A new recognition program to honour eering Championship in 1998 and went on Ken McDonald of Indian Head, Sask., peers from the past was introduced to cel- to earn a string of international and world with the Weyburn Livestock Exchange, was ebrate the 20th running of the Canadian titles. More than that, Wright adds, Skeels recognized by his peers as the most conge- Livestock Auctioneering Championships continues to give back as an industry pro- nial auctioneer, and Joe Perlich of Perlich during the Livestock Markets Association moter, professional, volunteer and mentor. Bros at Lethbridge was the pick for the peo- of Canada’s 38th annual convention in May. It’s no coincidence that six of the 20 auc- ple’s choice award. Leonard Patterson of Dawson Creek, B.C.; tioneering champs through the years have Heartland Livestock Services, Swift Cur- Bruce McCall of Brussels, Ont.; Peter C. been from the VJV fold. rent, Sask., was named stockyard of the year. Gregory of St. Boniface, Man.; Terry Schet- Blair Vold of Ponoka, Alta., is The LMAC event rotates to Saskatch- zsle of Veteran, Alta.; Sheldon Nicholson of this year’s inductee into the ewan next year with the Parks family of Yorkton, Sask.; and LMAC’s inaugural sec- LMAC Hall of Fame join- Whitewood Livestock Sales hosting the retary-treasurer John Milne of Lethbridge, ing his dad, Ralph Vold, who auctioneering competition in conjunction Alta., are the first names to be inscribed on was the inaugural inductee with the convention at Moosomin the last the LMAC Memorial Honour Roll. in 2010. (Canadian Cattle- weekend of May. The honour roll is one way to keep alive men, August 2010) the names of people who in their own spe- Blair Vold Perlich Bros Auction Forage cial ways have left a positive mark on live- Market received a special award in celebra- GRI gets the green light for tame pastures stock marketing in their provinces, explains tion of reaching the half-century mark as a LMAC executive administrator Rick Wright family business, now owned and managed Putting numbers to three observations of Virden, Man. Each year, provincial mem- by the second and third generations. The that form the Grazing Response Index bers will name one person to the honour roll Perlich family joined with the Alberta Live- (GRI) will give you a good idea as to and LMAC has the option of naming some- stock Markets Association to host this year’s whether your management practices will one whose contribution has been nationwide. auctioneering championship and conven- benefit, harm or have no effect on plant Danny Skeels, a beef producer and auc- tion at Lethbridge for the first time ever. health in the long run. tioneer from Rimbey, Alta., was honoured Darren Rebalkin of as the second-ever recipient of LMAC’s Meadow Lake, Sask., who GRAZING INTENSITY industry champion award. calls the sales at Meadow Grazing % utilization % utilization Wright says this award is reserved to be Lake Livestock Sales, intensity native tame Score given occasionally to an individual who topped the field of 30 con- Light <40 <60 1 stands out as having contributed to the tenders for the 2017 auc- Moderate 41-55 61-85 0 wider good of the livestock marketing sector. tioneering championship It was first presented five years ago to Steve Darren Rebalkin buckle. Ryan Konynenbelt Heavy >56 >86 -1 Primrose of Lethbridge, Alta., for his dedica- of Nobleford, Alta., with Southern Alberta tion to the traceability file. Livestock Exchange, is the reserve champion Continued on page 38
www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 37 and photos are useful, but simply marking GRAZING FREQUENCY the calendar to show the days in and out of News Times plants could be bitten Score each pasture would give enough informa- 1 1 tion to get started. Roundup 2 0 The full report with sample worksheets 3 or more -1 for tame and native pastures is on the SFC Continued from page 37 website, www.saskforage.ca. Grazing frequency is an estimation of the AAFC’s report on the original evaluation If the scores for grazing intensity, number of chances cattle would have had to of GRI for monitoring native pastures can be grazing frequency, and opportunity for graze the same plants more than once during found at: publications.gc.ca/collections/collec- regrowth during the growing season on a a single stay in a pasture. Plants will grow tall tion_2014/aac-aafc/A59-22-2014-eng.pdf. pasture add up to a negative overall GRI enough within seven to 10 days to be bitten score, then you’ll know right away that off a second time, so take the number of days small problems could become big prob- cattle were in the pasture and divide by seven Research lems over time if you continue with the or 10 to estimate how many times the plants New Lacombe research abattoir same practices on that pasture. may have been bitten. in the works Individual scores for each of the three Research has already established that observations will tip you off as to adjust- one defoliation will benefit plants, two will The official start on a new abattoir and food ments that could be made to better the have little effect, but three or more during safety laboratories for meat research will score next year. Scores from year to year a single stay in a pasture will have negative mark the Lacombe Research and Devel- will indicate whether you are on the right consequences for long-term plant health. opment Centre’s 110th year as a federal track. research facility. The GRI was developed at Colorado opportunity for regrowth The new facility entered the detailed- State University and is widely used south Opportunity for regrowth design stage by May 1 but it will be 2019 of the border as a simple way to evalu- during the grazing season Score before it is up and running to federal stan- ate grazing effects on native grasslands Full season 2 dards for harvesting cattle, hogs, small between full rangeland health assess- ruminants and bison. Most of the season 1 ments every five years or so. LRDC has been a hub of agriculture Agrologists with Thompson Rivers Some chance 0 research since the early 1900s when the University in British Columbia and Agri- Little chance -1 Lacombe Board of Trade lobbied Ottawa culture and Agri-Food Canada in Sas- No chance -2 for a Dominion experimental farm to be katchewan and Manitoba found that the located on the outskirts of this central GRI method proved out on native pastures Scoring the opportunity for regrowth Alberta community. here (Canadian Cattlemen, July 2015). on each pasture at the end of the growing The early emphasis on beef cattle and The unanswered question was whether season is the same for tame as for native for- swine production and animal husbandry the GRI would be useful for monitoring ages. The difference here is that six weeks was expanded over the years into carcass tame pastures because growth habits of of rest is deemed to provide a full season of evaluation and management practices that tame species and their responses to graz- regrowth for tame pastures. affect meat quality and yield. ing differ from those of native forages. The six weeks is under average growing A mid-century hog study that revealed Findings from a three-year project put- conditions, so think about how factors such direct measurement of fat and lean as basic ting GRI into practice on three tame pas- as the mix of forage species, time of grazing, requirements for evaluating carcass com- tures in the black soil zone of east-central amount of precipitation, insect pressure or position evolved into beef carcass dissec- Saskatchewan say yes, but with minor frosts may have reduced the potential for tion studies in the 1960s. modifications to scoring. full regrowth during the six weeks. Back then all the cutting had to be done According to the Saskatchewan For- In conclusion, the authors suggest the at nearby packing plants. A bid to build a age Council’s report on the project, the GRI method allows for a simple way to research abattoir was approved in 1970 but grazing intensity index has been adjusted focus on one or more aspects of graz- didn’t become a reality until 1984. to account for the fact that tame forages ing management that may be negatively Meat quality scientist Jennifer Aalhus usually tolerate heavier grazing than impacting pastures. For example, if a says plans to renovate the abattoir have native forages. negative score is generated based on the been around since 2002, but the cost to Grazing cages to block cattle from frequency value, this can be improved upgrade an old plant into a top-of-the-line grazing representative areas within a pas- by using temporary fencing to ensure research facility are now nearly the same as ture help with estimating the percentage that cattle are moved more frequently. If putting up a new building, with the added of forage grazed off during each grazing all pastures are generating negative scores benefit that a new one will last twice as long. period there. for the intensity factor, this may indicate The new plant will feature a modernized Scoring grazing frequency is the same the farm is overstocked and herd numbers food production area suited to the use of for tame and native pastures. The dif- should be reduced or that additional grass new technology, such as cold and hot carcass ference is that only the longest grazing or alternative feed sources be provided. grading cameras, and a dual energy x-ray period in a tame pasture is scored even if They also found the GRI to be user- absorptiometry scanner. Space has also been the cattle graze there multiple times over friendly as it doesn’t require much techni- allotted for future equipment needs, the season. cal expertise, time or money. Grazing cages LRDC’s capacity to link meat-quality
38 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca NE WS ROUNDUP research to research on livestock, feed and alongside investigations into strategies for Today’s flavour-sensory lab is a highly forage, safety, nutrition and meat con- chilling, hot-boning and post-slaughter elec- controlled environment set apart from the sumption led to its designation as Agri- trical stimulation to improve meat quality. cooking area where each taste-tester cubicle culture and Agri-Food Canada’s national Further along the value chain, research in is linked to the computer so they can enter meats centre of excellence. recent years have studied fabrication man- their evaluations directly into the database. Today, the station is home to an 80-sow agement and packaging strategies (tray seal- Testers are local people who have been farrow-to-finish swine unit and a 300-head ers and smart films to preserve meat’s bright trained for this job and are willing to be Angus x Simmental research cow herd calv- colour at retail), aging, marination, cooking available as needed. ing in February and March. Simmental recommendations for mechanically tender- genetics were introduced in 2014 to imple- ized steaks, and controlling blown vacuum- ment a crossbreeding program that mirrors pack spoilage of primal cuts in storage. environment commercial herds and maximizes heterosis. Scientists in the meat chemistry and micro- Biochar could be a game changer All of the cattle are allotted to different biology labs delve into questions surrounding research projects focused on grazing evalua- meat nutrients (bioactive lipids, protein and A multi-pronged research project based tions, methane emissions, residual feed intake, vitamins), oxidative changes (colour, protein in Alberta aims to assess whether feeding genomics and environmental factors related and fat), meat safety (detection and control of biochar in backgrounding and finishing to meat quality traits, feeding strategies, car- bacteria that cause spoilage or sickness), and cass evaluations and grading techniques, eating quality (flavour, tenderness). Continued on page 40
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A subsidiary of Cooperative Genex Cooperative, Inc. Resources International 291 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, ON [email protected] CAN 888.354.4622 www.crinet.com any toxic substances that could be harm- from the outdoor trial pens will be analyzed ful to animals, people or the environment, for methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide and News as well as the suitability of biochar as an nitrous oxide emissions. They will also look animal feed supplement. This information at differences between the use of straw and Roundup will be needed to establish standards for shavings for bedding. biochar products and for Canadian Food A University of Alberta team will be Continued from page 39 Inspection Agency approval for its use as a studying the effect on soil structure, nitro- cattle feed ingredient rather than simply as gen retention and water retention in plots rations could be a way to reduce methane a colourant in minerals. where manure from the calves in the con- emissions created during enteric fermenta- Another large part of this study will trol and each of the three biochar groups tion in the ruminant digestive system. determine whether any reduction of meth- has been spread. Biochar can be manufactured from any ane or hydrogen emissions, or improve- Crops will be grown on the fertilized plots type of feedstock with a fibre component — ment in feed efficiency or average daily gain for three years because it takes approxi- wood waste from saw mills, coconut or other depends on the inclusion rate of biochar in mately that long for nutrients to be released nut hulls, and even bio-wastes that typically the ration. from manure. Quality and yield measure- go into composting systems are a few exam- A team at Agriculture and Agri-Food ments will be collected to evaluate effects ples — says Alberta Agriculture beef and for- Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre will on nutrient cycling, microbial activity and age specialist Barry Yaremcio. carry out a 200-head, 200-day trial involv- carbon sequestration. The pyrolysis process involves controlling ing three inclusion rates in the feeding pro- Likewise, a University of Manitoba team the burning temperature and oxygen supply gram to take calves from approximately 500 will carry out in vitro rumen studies to to prevent complete combustion of the feed- pounds to finished weight. investigate why and how biochar affects stock. This produces raw biochar, which is Differences in methane and hydrogen concentrations of the various types of further processed into a consistent product. production will be measured in metabolic microbes in the rumen, overall rumen effi- In May, InnoTech Alberta at Vegreville chambers where individual animals can be ciency and methane emissions. was close to finishing analyses of six types of housed and fed the three levels of biochar in The final economic analysis will consider biochar derived from nut or wood sources their rations. any differences in growth rates, days on and submitted by the U.S. manufacturer, Manure and urine samples from cattle feed, total yardage costs, feed costs and crop Cool Planet. Samples were tested to detect fed in the chambers and manure samples production efficiency.
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Alberta Agriculture’s main role will be Anim al health to graze close to the ground and pick them delivering project results to producers to It’s that anthrax time of year up, but either a drought or a flood is enough put the findings into practice. to increase the presence of spores. The University of Lethbridge is the co- Anthrax spores can lurk in soil for decades Spores can be ingested in soil particles, ordinating body for all of the project com- and there’s no telling where the disease from dust on plants or by drinking stand- ponents made possible with $1.75 million will pop up from year to year. All it takes is ing water where spores concentrate. Wind from the federal Agricultural Greenhouse something that brings spores to the surface and water erosion, excavation for pipelines Gasses Program. and the stage is set for an outbreak in cattle or water sources, or even deep tillage of Yaremcio says recent results from the that happen to ingest them. cropland for annual forage crops can also Leng et al. feeding trials in Laos and Aus- Predicting when anthrax will occur in expose anthrax spores. tralia are very encouraging. The group Canada is fairly predictable though. Pro- BCRC reports that the most significant reports a 20 per cent reduction in methane vincial departments of agriculture and their outbreak in Canada was in 2006. It took emissions corresponding with a 20 per cent chief veterinary officers generally recom- more than 800 animals on more than improvement in average daily gain without mend vaccinating livestock before turn- 150 premises in Saskatchewan and Mani- an increase in feed consumption when bio- ing them onto pastures in regions where toba. A follow-up study in Saskatchewan char was included in the rations for grow- anthrax deaths have occurred in the past. concluded that farms where outbreaks ing steers. Announcements to be on the watch for occurred had higher levels of flooding, wet- The current Alberta study will tell if signs of the disease are common as day- ter pastures, shorter pasture grass length, biochar proves out in the Canadian envi- time temperatures rise into the 20 C range and higher density of animals in a pasture. ronment when fed with locally grown feed- from early summer to early fall. Cases out- It also found that the timing of vaccina- stuffs. If so, he sees this as the first research side that time frame are usually traced to tion after the first observed case in a rural step in a real game changer for all sectors of anthrax spores in dust on feedstuffs from municipality (in cattle herds that were not the beef and dairy industries, not only as contaminated fields. previously vaccinated) affected herd sur- a way of reducing methane emissions and According to the Beef Cattle Research vival rate. As can be expected, the sooner improving feed efficiency with the possibil- Council’s (BCRC) anthrax fact sheet, the “per- that herds were vaccinated, the lower the ity of protocols for carbon credits, but for fect storm” for an anthrax outbreak is a heavy death loss on a farm. potential animal health benefits yet to be rain or flooding in spring to bring spores to the fully explored as well. surface and a drought later on that causes cattle Continued on page 43 PLACE MARKET www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 41 News Roundup
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Answer our survey — and have a go at winning one of our caps We have a goal to be the best beef cattle magazine in the business. But we need your help. If you could just fill in this survey and return it to me, you would be helping us set the future editorial direction for Canadian Cattlemen. All you have to do is tell me what you like about the magazine, and what you don’t like. There’s also some space for you to tell us what you would like to see in future issues. ClIp And EnCloSE youR MAIlIng lABEl. Each month, we will draw one name from all the surveys sent in and send that person a Cattlemen cap. 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 you and your family like these features? Straight from the Hip little about yourself. It makes it easier for 5 – I always watch for it; let’s see more of it Prime Cuts us to keep your main interests in focus 4 – I regularly read it and like it CCA Reports 3 – I read it I’m ranching or farming usually News Roundup 2 – There are things I’d rather read Enterprise # of head 1 – I don’t want it; get rid of it Purely Purebred Total beef cattle The Markets Yearlings on feed/pasture Regular Columns 5 4 3 2 1 Market Talk Registered cows Comment Sales and Events Fed cattle (sold yearly) Newsmakers Special features 5 4 3 2 1 Commercial cows Letters Calving Issue (Jan.) PLACE Horses Our History Custom Feedlot Guide (Sep.) Calves on feed/pasture Nutrition Stock Buyers’ Guide (Aug.) Other livestock Vet Advice Animal Health Special (Sep.) I no longer take an active part in farming Research Beef Watch (May & Nov.) If not an owner/operator of a farm, are you: Free Market Reflections In agribusiness (bank, elevator, ag supplies, etc.) What would you like to see? ______ Other (please specify) ______My approximate age is: How much time do you and your family spend reading 1666 dublin Avenue a) Under 35 b) 36 to 44 c) 45 to 54 Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1 Canadian Cattlemen? Under 2 hours Over 2 hours d) 55 to 64 e) 65 or over MARKET 42 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca NEWS ROUNDUP GREENER PASTURES Continued from page 41 diagnosis, discuss vaccination and/or anti- RANCHING LTD. biotic treatment, and how to burn the car- Presents: The period between ingesting the spores cass to destroy the bacteria. Deep burial is *Year-Round Grazing Systems* and their germination to produce anthrax an alternative in locations where burning A Business Management School bacteria that release the deadly toxins is isn’t an option. Topics include: approximately seven days and then death The Canadian Food Inspection Agency • Human Resources • Economics and Finance comes quickly, often within hours. The first stopped becoming involved with anthrax • Pasture Calculations sign of anthrax is usually sudden death of investigations as of April 2013; however, • Grazing Management • Pasture Rejuvenation otherwise healthy cattle. the disease remains on the list of feder- • Weed Control The second telling clue is blood or ally reportable diseases. Provinces now • Cell Designs/Water Systems • Swath Grazing/Bale Grazing bloody fluid oozing from body openings have their own anthrax response plans to LADIES ONE DAY GRAZING SCHOOL and an absence of rigor mortis because the advise producers and their veterinarians July 21st, 2017 – Westlock, AB blood doesn’t clot properly. on reporting and handling an outbreak. FAMILY PASTURE WALK This is anthrax bacteria’s survival mecha- Producers are generally responsible for July 22nd, 2017 with special guests nism. They need oxygen to advance to the all costs related to farm visits by their vet- Dillan Biggs and Dr. Hervet spore state and once again be stable in the erinarians, vaccines and medications, and YRGS SCHOOL Nov 20th - 22th, 2017 – Westlock, AB environment. carcass disposal. Some provinces cover the Or ask us about setting up a school in your area. Remembering that all tissues are likely cost of the initial lab test to confirm the Funding through the Growing Forward 2 program to be infected in animals that die from diagnosis. Saskatchewan, for one, places Can you Graze 365 days a year? We provide a 3-day course anthrax, it’s important to prevent the short-term movement restrictions on the that will take you right into the design and planning of a year-round grazing system. The course tuition is $750/Farm spread by leaving the carcass where it herd until seven days after the last death Unit, which allows two members from your farm business to lies and securing a tarp over it to prevent and reimburses the veterinarian for farm attend. This course is well worth the investment. scavenging. Although birds aren’t suscep- visits to ensure proper carcass disposal Check out our website for details about tible and carnivores are highly resistant to and to apply and remove the movement funding available! anthrax, both can disperse infected tissues restrictions. To register please contact: Steve Kenyon across great distances. For more information go to www.beef- Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd. Contact your veterinarian to take and research.ca, or your provincial agriculture c (780) 307-6500 submit samples to a lab to confirm the website. www.greenerpasturesranching.com [email protected]
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Suggestions are always welcome. My phone number is 306-251-0011 Email: mike.millar@ PurelyPurebred fbcpublishing.com
n It’s with a heavy heart that we say good- bye to a true friend and mentor to the purebred industry. Elaine Hiller of Calmar, Alta., passed away April 27 at the age of 49. Elaine, along with her husband Doug and son Wyatt, ran Hiller Hay Farms and had started their 1st Annual “Colours of Fall” prospect steer and heifer sale last Septem- ber. Of the many stories that have been told about her all have a recurring theme: her commitment to youth and junior shows, her laughter, love of good cattle and good friendships. If it was your first junior show and you had butterflies in your stomach, Left to right: Brett Jensen, auctioneer; Donnie Peacock, auctioneer; Lee Crowley, Elaine always had a way to make you laugh manager (Heartland Livestock Services, Swift Current); Bob Toner, director of business development Sask./Man.; and Brian Good, senior director of business development B.C./ and calm the nerves. Many of these stories Alta. (Canadian Angus Association). can be found on Facebook by searching for #bookofelaine. n The Canadian Angus Association presented Heartland Livestock Services from The standing-room-only crowd that Swift Current, Sask., with its Auction Market of the Year Award last month at the attended her funeral at the Cow Palace in Livestock Markets Association of Canada annual conference in Lethbridge. Olds on May 4 was a testament to the love felt The Heartland Swift Current facility was built in 1991 and covers 130 acres. There are by all for her in a cattle facility that she loved. 60 holding pens with water and feed, and 90 receiving pens. The auction area seats 150. Thank you Elaine for touching our lives and The facility also boasts a large kitchen area with seating for 40 and a large office space. In an average year manager Lee Crowley and Heartland’s team puts 109,000 head of making the world a better place! The show cattle through the ring. In the last 25 years they’ve handled 2.7 million head. The Auction road won’t be the same without you. Market of the Year Award was introduced in 2006 to recognize and honour those auction markets that work hard to promote Angus cattle. Auction markets across Canada have n Canadian Junior Limousin Association been recognized for their support of the Canadian Angus feeder sales program. Impact Show and Canadian Limousin Asso- ciation (CLA) annual general meeting is to be held July 27-30, 2017, in Portage la Prai- n The Government of Canada through Agri- bring together junior members, 4-Hers, and rie, Man. Any young Limousin enthusiast culture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian enthusiasts from all across the province. The is welcome to participate for a one-time fee Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) show is organized by representatives from of $25 to become a CJLA member. A tenta- has invested $1 million to increase the adop- various breeds that have been involved with tive schedule, registration form and accom- tion of genomic technologies in Canada’s national and provincial shows in the past. modation information can be found on cattle sector. Money will be allocated by the Their goal is to prepare young entrepreneurs the CLA website at: limousin.com/juniors/cjla- Canadian Beef Breeds Council to offset the in the livestock industry through a variety impact-show/. The CLA annual meeting is set cost of genotyping for individual breeds to of competitions and events to match all for the evening of July 29. increase the use of this technology to improve interests and skill levels of the participants. the Canadian herd. Canadian Limousin pro- Some of the events are team grooming, n The 50th Anniversary Canadian Limou- ducers have access to GGP-LD (low-density) individual and team judging, showmanship, sin Association National Show and Sale will and GGP-HD (high-density) tests at a 50 per marketing, sales talk, impromptu speeches, be hosted in 2019 by the Ontario Limousin cent discount as long as funding is available in art, photography, scrapbooking, as well as Association at the Royal Agricultural Winter 2017. All GGP-LD and GGP-HD tests include cattle classes. Fair. The selection of the local was made by molecular breeding values (MBVs) which New in 2017 for the 10th anniversary are the CLA membership who cast their votes are required in order to generate genomically workshops on low-stress cattle handling and for the Ontario bid to host the anniversary enhanced EPDs (gEPDs). Testing may be beef industry advocacy, plus competitions event. The Canadian Limousin Associa- done from a new sample or a sample already in stockman’s knowledge, public speaking tion is looking forward to working with the on file at the lab. Testing must be requested and the Roundup Ambassador competition. OLA to make this a memoral event but in through the Canadian Limousin Association. Invitations have been sent to all the clubs to the meantime it is encouraging all of its pro- enter their local 4-H Champion Females in vincial affiliates to plan their own 50th anni- n August 4, 5, and 6 will be the Manitoba this year’s show. Roundup is looking after the versary event during 2019 to celebrate this Youth Beef Roundup’s 10th annual event in entry fees for these champions. All this plus an milestone for the breed in Canada. Neepawa. This exciting three-day event will Ag Challenge competition, a cook-off, cattle
44 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca PURELY PUREBRED
shows and scholarships make this a must n Prizes for the Canadian Angus Foun- Most recently, www.comresafaris.co.za event for juniors this summer. dation’s 6th annual “Building the Leg- and www.angusbreeder.net donated a South For details check out Manitoba Youth Beef acy” fundraising auction on Saturday, African Hunting Package to the founda- Roundup Facebook page or contact chairper- June 10, 2017, in Brandon continued to tion’s auction. son Lois McRae at 204-728-3058 roll in last month. Phil Birnie of Wraz Red Angus donated nDon’t forget to register for the 10th Anni- n Anice Thomas is the new a Pick-of-the-Herd 2017-born heifer calf. versary T Bar C Invitational Golf Tourna- breed development officer This four-generation operation crops 1,200 ment. The event is run June 19 and 20 at of the Canadian Angus acres and calves 200 purebred Red Angus Dakota Dunes Golf Links in Saskatoon. Association. She will work females on a land base of 2,560 acres, so Over the past nine years T Bar C has raised with Kajal Devani, the the auction winner will be selecting from over $400,000 for youth programs but this CAA’s director of breed approximately 100 heifer calves born this is the last year for this event so come on development on the Cana- year! Their selection has to be taken before out and be part of the final round. A big Anice Thomas dian Angus Performance September 1, when Birnie determines his thank you to Bryan, Ted, Chris and every- Program and the Commercial Angus Identi- “Pride of the Prairies” female production body at T Bar C Cattle Co. for giving back fication and Performance Program. Thomas sale consignments. to our agriculture youth. For more details is from Jamaica and completed her under- Another prize is a semen package from the give Bryan a call at 306-933-4200 or go to graduate degrees in general agriculture with Canadian Western Agribition Grand Cham- www.tbarinvitational.com to register. a major in animal science at the College pion and RBC Supreme Champion Bull EF of Agriculture, Science and Education in Titan 545 donated by the Enright family n Canada Beef is teaming up with Fairmont Jamaica and the University of the West of Renfrew, Ont., and co-owner Cavanhill Hotels and Resorts across the country to Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. She later Farms. He was first named Supreme Cham- celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday through completed a masters at the University of pion Bull at Expo Boeuf in Victoriaville, a series of unique culinary exchange events Guelph and has been working in the beef Que., last Thanksgiving. He was also the with talented chefs from across the globe to industry for the past five years with the Canadian Angus Association’s National promote Canada’s food identity. production arm of Feedlot Health Manage- Gold Show Program Junior Champion Bull ment Services. for 2016. Continued on page 46
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www.canadiancattlemen.ca C at t l e m e n · J U N e 2 0 1 7 45 PURELY PUREBRED
Continued from page 45 took on his first cow at five but decided two years ago to invest in a Shorthorn; this year n Not many kids under 21 want to head he’s showing a Hereford. He’s been show- to school but ask Owen Grundy, 13, about ing since he was six and his wish, or hope, Stock Show University and it’s a place is to go all over North America as a fitter. he’d go every day — if he could. Stock He’s shown across Ontario, been to mul- Show “U,” with “professors” from all over tiple Hereford Bonanzas in New Bruns- North America, makes its debut in eastern wick, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta and Ontario August 5 and 6 this year at the was Champion Junior Showman in Fred- Metcalfe Fairgrounds. Previously it was ericton in 2015. In 2014 he was Junior featured in Lindsay. Champion Groomsman in Lindsay. And, It’s a free educational clinic where stock after Stock Show U this year, he’ll head to show youth are taught “proper techniques Victoriaville, Que. for washing, blow-drying, clipping, groom- Chris points out that the university was ing, brushing and just generally getting their scheduled before the fairs start in the fall so kids animals ready for the show ring,” says Chris can take what they learn there to the shows. Grundy, eastern Ontario contact for R.K. Callyn Hahn is one of the “professors.” Farm Supplies. Grundy and his son Owen She’s dean of Stock Show University and are keen enthusiasts of the two-day event. hails from Woodbine, Iowa. She’s knowl- Kids are up at 4 a.m. to prep their animals edgeable about Shorthorns and calf genet- — that means washed, blown-dry, fed and ics, and participated in livestock judging watered — for the professors’ arrival at 8 a.m. while at college and university. They usually The event is for kids from 4-H clubs in have one instructor for every 10 students. Ontario and Western Quebec, or any who You must preregister by July 4. want to learn proper showmanship tech- For further information, contact Chris niques. Each participant brings a halter- Grundy at 613-293-0742 or grundy.c@hot- Owen Grundy works on Heatwave using skills broke animal. This is Owen’s third year. He mail.com. c he learned at Stock Show U.
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46 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca Market Summary By Debbie McMillin TheMarkets
feeders were fetching in mid- Fed Cattle DEB’S OUTLOOK May 2015. The rally in the feeder The fed market over the past four market has changed many mar- Fed Cattle weeks of our reporting period keting plans for backgrounding It would appear the spring high has been was exciting. A $14 jump in the and grasser operations. Cattle hit for 2017. That said, front end supplies second week of May had fed purchased last fall for grass this will remain tight near term as feedlots are steers averaging $191.51/cwt — summer went to auction early very current heading into the summer. $37 over last year and the high- which pushed up the numbers Summer markets typically trend lower; est average since the summer of on a hot market with buyers look- however, several factors could ease the 2015. The fed market to then was ing for grass cattle and feedlot drop. U.S. buyer interest should support up 20 per cent since January and replacements. More than 500,000 local markets with packers looking for 48 per cent from the lows of last cattle have moved through auc- inventory. China, when it opens to U.S. beef, will create additional demand for fall. Then, the next week, prices tion markets to date in 2017, an cattle and our low Canadian dollar should lost more than $11/cwt bring- increase of 18 per cent over last shift cattle south to fill the need. Beef ing the Alberta fed cash aver- year. Eastern buyers have been demand should remain strong; however, age to $180.02/cwt, still nearly active buyers of heavier feeders, high beef prices are a concern moving $20 higher than last year. Tight while western buyers have shown forward. supplies of market-ready fed interest in all weight classes. Feeder cattle in Canada and the U.S., cattle exports to date totalled Feeder Cattle plus healthy exports and storms 65,993 head, 44 per cent fewer Pasture conditions are good in many across feeding regions in the than last year at the same time. areas at the start of summer and buyers continue to seek grass cattle while U.S. left packers short on sup- feedlots are pulling cattle forward to plies to fill orders. The profits No n-Fed Cattle capture positive margins, all of which over the past couple of months leaves empty pens that need to be filled. encouraged sellers to pull inven- D1,2 cow prices gained through Having both grass and feedlot buyers in tory forward, which in turn has April and May on a strong sea- the market supported the feeder market decreased carcass weights and, sonal trend fuelled by tight going into summer when volumes ultimately, total tonnage, creat- supplies and good demand dwindle. High-quality packages will ing the need to slaughter larger for grinding and trim meats, continue to see premiums. Further out, numbers to generate the required with Alberta prices averaging keep an eye on fall grain supply projections. production. Carcass weights in $109.98/cwt on May 12, $8.34/ Muddy conditions has delayed seeding in some parts of the Prairies. Our low dollar Canada year-to-date are 847 lbs., cwt more than last year and also supports the feeder market so any which is more than 50 lbs. lighter $28 better than the low last fall. upward move would be a negative as we than a year ago and the smallest Canadian D1,2 cow prices have try to look ahead to the fall run. steer carcass average since May averaged $16 better than U.S. 2014. Fed slaughter in Canada is utility cows so far in 2017. Our Non-Fed Cattle down five per cent from last year, non-fed slaughter has dipped Many of the cows put on feed through and fed exports are down 19 per in recent weeks but year-to- the winter have already moved through cent at 108,719 head to date. date cow slaughter is still seven the system. Some calving loss cows will per cent above last year, while still come to market, however volumes will tighten in this market as the cows Feeder Cattle cow exports are lagging by 40 and calves are turned out to pasture. per cent at 50,601 head. Bull The fundamentals for the non-fed Even as the fed market pulled exports are down 12 per cent on market look positive with tight supplies back in mid-May, feeder prices 17,565 head. c and good summer demand for grinding pushed up in all classes. 550-lb. beef and trim. D1,2 cow prices generally feeder steers traded between $238 Debbie McMillin is a market analyst slip sideways through the first part and $250/cwt with differences who ranches at Hanna, Alta. of summer before trending lower as based on group size and quality. anticipation of the fall run builds. This is still $76/cwt less than More markets
www.canadiancattlemen.ca C at t l e m e n · J U N e 2 0 1 7 47 MARKETS
Break-even Prices on A-Grade Steers Market Prices
210 340 Steer Calves ALBERTA 310 190 (500-600 lb.) 280 170 250 150 220 130 190 110 160 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
210 160 ONTARIO D1,2 Cows 190 140
170 120
150 100
130 80
110 60 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Canfax weighted average Break-even price for Ontario Alberta price on A-Grade steers steers on date sold 2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 2016 Ontario prices based on a 50/50 east/west mix
May 2017 prices* Market Summary (to May 6, 2017) Alberta 2017 2016 Total Canadian federally inspected slaughter...... 901,221 ...... 847,379 Yearling steers (850 lb.) ...... $189.27/cwt Average steer carcass weight ...... 904 lb ...... 937 lb . Barley ...... 3.72/bu. Total U .S. slaughter...... 11,233,000 . . . . . 10,620,000 Barley silage ...... 46.50/ton Trade Summary Exports 2017 2016 Cost of gain (feed) ...... 57.65/cwt Fed cattle to U .S. (to April 29)...... 103,212 ...... 117,065 Cost of gain (all costs) ...... 89.09/cwt Feeder cattle and calves to U .S. (to April 29) ...... 63,961...... 98,224 Fed steers ...... 181.00/cwt Dressed beef to U .S. (to March)...... 125 90. mil lbs...... 136 64. mil .lbs Total dressed beef (to March)...... 177 7. 4 mil lbs...... 177 .39 mil .lbs Break-even (October 2017) ...... 149.91/cwt IMPORTS 2017 2016 Slaughter cattle from U .S. (to March) ...... 0...... 0 Ontario *Dressed beef from U .S. (to March) ...... 63 91. mil lbs...... 56 08. mil .lbs Yearling steers (850 lb.) ...... $170.70/cwt *Dressed beef from Australia (to March) ...... 6 7. 8 mil lbs...... 26 .36 mil .lbs *Dressed beef from New Zealand (to March) ...... 10 .50 mil lbs...... 13 08. mil .lbs Corn silage ...... 39.92/ton *Dressed beef from Uruguay (to March) ...... 1. 6 48. mil lbs...... 18 7. 0 mil .lbs Grain corn ...... 4.74/bu. Canadian Grades (to May 13, 2017) Cost of gain (feed) ...... 75.15/cwt % of A Yield grades +59% 54-58% –53% Total Cost of gain (all costs) ...... 108.61/cwt Prime 0 .2 0 .5 1 .5 2 .2 Fed steers ...... 160.59/cwt AAA 17 .5 23 .5 22 0 . 63 0. Break-even (November 2017) ...... 145.86/cwt AA 18 .9 9 .2 3 7 . 31 8. A 1 1 . 0 .2 0 0 . 1 .3 *Mid-month to mid-month prices Total 37 7 . 33 4 . 27 .2 Breakevens East: end wt 1,450, 183 days Total A grade 98 .3% West end wt 1,325 lb., 125 days Total graded Total ungraded % carcass basis EAST 223,439 10,414 82 .3% WEST 712,419 6,234 84 .3% Only federally inspected plants
48 Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 www.canadiancattlemen.ca market talk By Jerry Klassen
Fall prospects for feeder cattle
Markets are understood looking backwards but must be historical highs. Now producers are asking: “Where do traded looking forwards. — Larry Williams we go from here?” At the time of writing this article, 800-pound steers ’ve received many inquiries over the past couple were priced around $215. The fed cattle break-even price of weeks in regards to the feeder cattle market. for October or early November is about $163 for these I The recent price activity has surprised many pro- steers. It appears that feedlots have bid up the price of ducers and analysts, including myself. After a rather feeder cattle until margins are quite narrow. The fed cat- bearish outlook earlier in winter, the feeder cattle tle price projection for September through November is market has traded sharply higher since early April. in the range of $155 to $165 so feedlot margins run the I thought this would be a good time to review the risk of moving into negative territory in the fall period if price activity earlier in winter and spring and then feeder cattle prices continue to strengthen. The Decem- discuss the expected market direction for the fall ber live cattle futures are currently trading at US$118 period. which is about C$161. Basis levels have been abnormally Since January, the April live cattle futures were trad- strong and there is no reason to think this will change for ing at sharp discount to the cash trade causing feedlot the remainder of the year. Feeder cattle prices have likely operators to market fed cattle very aggressively. Weekly run their course for the time being. We would need to see beef production was expected to experience sharp a significant change in live cattle prices to justify higher year-over-year increases, especially from April through feeder market. August which kept the futures market under pressure. Choice wholesale beef prices reached up to US$247 Feedlot operators were unable to bid up the feeder mar- in mid-May while select product was quoted at US$225. ket because they couldn’t lock in a profit in the deferred The wide spread between choice and select reflects the positions. At the same time, feedlot operators continued number of green cattle coming on the market. If whole- to push cattle forward and marketing weights dropped sale prices can stay at the higher levels, the fed cattle below year-ago levels. The cash market for live cattle market will also be well supported at the current levels. started to percolate higher in March but the futures However, U.S. third quarter beef production is projected remained at a sharp discount. The rally in the cash mar- to reach 6.8 billion pounds, 300 million pounds higher ket was viewed as temporary or seasonal and ideas were than last year. Keep in mind that September and October the trade would drop to the futures level during the are usually periods of seasonal low demand. Producers April delivery period. This caused feedlots to be extra should be cautious for the third quarter. We’ve seen in aggressive on marketings. Operations on both sides of past years that large swings to the upside can be followed the border became extremely current to the point where with sharp swings to the downside. the weekly slaughter pace started to ease. Instead of hav- This recent rally in the market is a prime opportunity ing a year-over-year increase of nearly 30,000 head per to buy some put options on the live and feeder cattle week, the weekly slaughter was only up 5,000 head per futures for fall marketings. The nearby market has incor- week from last year and actual weekly beef production porated a risk premium due to the current environment was similar to year-ago levels because the marketing and this has pulled up the deferred futures for both live weights were lower. Then on the weekend of April 29, a and feeder cattle. I think it’s prudent for producers to severe snowstorm in the U.S. southern plains along with watch weekly beef production numbers to see if supplies excessive moisture in the Midwest made roads impass- increase as expected. Secondly, watch wholesale prices to able in many counties. Packers had to bid up to cover confirm the consumer demand is stepping forward at their nearby requirements. The market environment the higher levels. Retail prices have been grinding lower was like a brewing volcano with the late-spring snow- so retailers will increase prices moving forward, but this storm being the trigger that caused the eruption. Alberta takes time. c fed cattle prices reached up to $197 during the first week of May only to slide back to the mid-$180s during the Jerry Klassen manages the Canadian office of Swiss-based following week. grain trader GAP SA Grains and Produits Ltd., and is The feeder market was relatively flat from January president and founder of Resilient Capital specializing through March. Prices were slightly higher in April as in proprietary commodity futures trading and market feedlots had experienced a prolonged period of very analysis. Klassen consults with feedlots on risk management good margins. The feeder market only surged higher in and writes a weekly cattle market commentary. He can be late April and early May as fed cattle prices reached near reached at 204-504-8339.
www.canadiancattlemen.ca Cattlemen · JU N E 2 0 1 7 49 GOINGS ON Sales&Events
Ev ents August R ADVE TISER INDEX 1-5 Saskatchewan YCSA Tiger Lily Classic, June Prince Albert, Sask. Page 12-14 Foothills Forge and Grazing Association 2-6 Canadian Charolais Youth Association Advanced Agri-Direct Inc. 42 three-day grazing school, Gem, Alta. Conference and Show, Barrie, Ont. Ag Growth International 13 19-20 T Bar C 10th annual golf tournament, 4-6 Manitoba Youth All Breeds Beef Airdrie Trailer Sales 43 Saskatoon, Sask. Roundup, Neepawa, Man. Alberta Vet Labs 11 Beef Cattle Research Council 45 20 Western Beef Development Centre field 10-13 National YCSA Simmental Show and Boehringer Ingelheim 29 day, Termuende Ranch, Lanigan, Sask. Canadian Simmental Convention, Calgary Stampede – 21-26 World Angus Forum, Edinburgh, Fredericton, N.B. International Ag Committee 33 Scotland 15-17 Canadian Beef Industry Conference, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 35 22-23 UCVM Beef Cattle Conference, BMO Conference Centre, Calgary, Alta. Canadian Angus Assoc. 42 “Raising Healthy Beef Cattle in a Canadian Charolais Assoc. OBC Changing World,” Spyhill Campus, Canadian Forage & Grassland Assoc. 21 S eptember Canadian Hereford Assoc. 42 Calgary, Alta. 5-7 Beef Farmers of Ontario Cow-Calf Canadian Limousin Assoc. 42 Roadshow, New Liskeard, Ont. Canadian Shorthorn Assoc. 42 July 12-14 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Canadian Simmental Assoc. 42 6-9 Quebec Junior Simmental Beef Show, Woodstock, Ont. Canadian Speckle Park Assoc. 42 Brome, Que. Genex Cooperative, Inc. 39 7-16 Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alta. Oct ober Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd. 43 17-21 Canadian Junior Hereford Bonanza 25-28 Manitoba Ag Ex, Brandon, Man. Hi-Hog Farm & Ranch 43 John Deere 17 2017, Abbotsford, B.C. Kubota 5 18-20 Ag in Motion Outdoor Farm Show, No vember Merial Canada Inc. IFC Langham, Sask. 1-4 JTL Industries Stockade Roundup, Nester Livestock 9 20-22 Canadian Junior Angus Association Exhibition Grounds, Lloydminster, Alta. North American Lincoln Red 42 National Junior Show Showdown 2017, 14-16 Canadian Forage & Grassland Tru-Test Inc. 41 Lloydminster, Sask. Association Conference, Delta Guelph Weather Innovations 31 20-23 Alberta Wild Rose Simmental Classic, Hotel and Conference Centre, Guelph, Zoetis Canada Inc. 51 Lacombe, Alta. Ont. 27-30 15th Annual Canadian Junior Limousin Event listings are a free service to industry. Impact Show, Portage la Prairie, Man. December Sale listings are for our advertisers. 29 48th Annual Canadian Limousin 5-7 Western Canada Conference on Soil Your contact is Mike Millar Association annual general meeting, Health, Radisson Hotel Edmonton at 306-251-0011 Portage la Prairie, Man. South, Edmonton, Alta. c or [email protected]
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