BATTLING WILDLIFE DISEASE • SWATH GRAZING SETUP • BIXS GAINING TRACTION
www.canadiancattlemen.ca
December 2012 $3.00
STARTING
FROM SCRATCH DOUG
AND
HALEY MCMILLAN, ANEROID, SASK.
Publications Mail Agreement Number 40069240
“Canada’s Bulls”
M.C. Quantock Bull Sale SATURDAY JANUARY 26, 2013
Important information on
Page 2-3 Call for your free DVD www.mcquantock.com www.mcquantock.com Catalogue online in January
... 9,700 Bulls... 44 Sales... Let the good times "Roar"... Call Mac...
Absolute FREE Delivery –- Tentative Delivery Routes Routes may change depending on bull distribution. Routes indicated are usually run twice a year — February and April. Some bulls may be interlined with other carriers where necessary.
1-800-561-BULL (2855)
Through all the tough times we advised our customers... to “lay in the weeds and wait” and to own as many cattle as they could. It was never pretty, but it was survivable. Now we have a lean profitable, well founded cow business destined to “ROAR” for years. The market fundamentals are perfect. Clear thinking hard nosed cattlemen figured out how to “let a cow be a cow” and take advantage of what she can do cheaply.... We’ll all make more this time around because no one will spend as much as we used to. Unlike a lot of bull producers, we’ve paid for our ranch and cows with our cows. Solid, methodical and tenacious, we've used "old school" genetics and sound breeding principles to develop a program that is uniquely our own. While traditional purebred guys have been "selling dreams" we've just been "doin business" raising bulls. The tough part of this business is to use the "eye of a cowman" to mould a herd of cattle that are all alike. Alike in type, alike in pedigree, alike in performance so both you and your customers can sell uniform high end cattle, make as much darn money as possible and enjoy a way of life most people wish they could have. Our only customers are Canada's commercial cowmen large and small. They buy our bulls because they're good quality, all of them, well culled, they’re easy keeping, good looking, durable bulls that sire those “fancy calves the order buyers keep talking about.” Our bulls are older fall and summer born twos (22-26 months when you need them), old enough to be tough and not give trouble. Our bulls can all be left with us till spring, you don’t want new bulls around till you need them, so let us look after them. Our bulls are all delivered absolutely free in Western Canada and cost shared in the East. Our bulls can be purchased sight unseen, in fact about half always are. We help select your bulls and they’re guaranteed to be what you want…”true satisfaction on arrival”. Our customers trust and confidence in us make it all possible. Our bulls are affordable – 75% sell from $1800 to $4200, almost half bring about $3200 and all sell to solid commercial cattlemen. Our bulls are guaranteed like no others…you’ll have a bull to breed your cows no matter what…hard to get better than that! As sale time approaches, you can view all our bulls on video on our website or we’ll send you your very own DVD and catalogue and you can show the neighbors. In fact, it’s probably easier and simpler to buy our bulls than buying bulls locally. You get great service, the best guarantee, lots of selection and your calves will be sired by nationally known bulls. It all helps to get them sold! Our customers like the fact that all our cattle are managed and fed just like most all commercial cattle. This year call me for your bulls. *Free DVD *Free Catalogue *Free Delivery “Great Bulls” Call Today Mac & Pat
Sight Unseen Purchase Plan Buying your bulls is easy... and it’s as close as your phone...
I have spent 30 years working with cattlemen across Canada and together we have developed the most successful Sight Unseen Purchase Plan in the country, so successful in fact that it can sell nearly half our bulls some years. I have done it with sincerity and integrity and the utmost respect for the customers needs and budget. We start by discussing your cows, your breeding program, and what you need to get done. When we are comfortable with each other we can work together to get you the right cattle at the right price. While a few people sell a few bulls on the internet. I much prefer to visit with our customers, get to know them, and help them select the right bulls. Our comprehensive catalogue and DVD will give you an accurate impression of the bulls. After the sale I’ll personally deliver your bulls, in most cases. You must be completely satisfied on arrival or you are under no obligation to take them You pay for them only when they are delivered and satisfactory.
Mac Creech, D.V.M.
Call me anytime to get started.
1-800-561-2855
Thanks Mac
“Canada’s Bull Supplier" 1-800-561-BULL (2855)
email mcquantock@hotmail.com www.mcquantock.com
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M.C. Quantock Bull Sale “Canada’s Bulls”
Website:
www.mcquantock.com
Cattle Profiles Program — Sells Customer
Complete Catalogue online in January
425
BULLS
Saturday, January 26, 2013 12 noon MST Exhibition Grounds, Lloydminster, AB/SK
All cattle in heated facility!
Free Beef Lunch 11 a.m.
100 Red Angus Bulls • all older Fall, Long Yearlings and Twos • light birthed but beefy and thick • reliable, predictable like “peas in a pod” • why buy yearlings... “these cost the same”
75 Black Angus Bulls • all older Fall, Long Yearlings and Twos • broad, deep, big bodied, easy fleshing • light at birth but thick • why buy yearlings... “these cost the same”
70 Super Baldie Bulls • all Fall born, Long Yearlings and Twos • add “milk and muscle” • the perfect blend, convenient, consistent and thick
75 Black Super Baldie Bulls • big, buxom, February yearlings, falls and twos • keep ’em or turn ’em Black • balance, muscle, milk and a whole lot more
20 Dehorned Hereford Bulls • broad topped, deep sided • packed full of natural thickness • beautiful dispositions, durable
35 H-2 Bulls • Hereford X Simmental hybrids • pigment, hair coat • deep, thick and convenient • falls/twos
45 Super Guppie Bulls • Red Angus X Gelbvieh • more muscle but still maternal • hair, thriftiness and fleshing ability • falls/twos
40 Charolais Bulls • thick but still smooth • hair coats, moderate birth weights • good disposition, unquestionable soundness • all Two year olds
M.C. Quantock Livestock Corp Call Mac...
1-800-561-BULL (2855)
email: mcquantock@hotmail.com www.mcquantock.com Box 10888, Lloydminster, Alta. T9V 3B1
CALL FOR YOUR FREE CATALOGUE AND DVD
December 2012
Volume 75, No. 13
Established 1938 ISSN 1196-8923 Cattlemen Editorial: Editor: Gren Winslow 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 (204) 944-5753 Fax (204) 944-5416 Email: gren@fbcpublishing.com Field Editor: Debbie Furber Box 1168, Tisdale, SK S0E 1T0 (306) 873-4360 Fax (306) 873-4360 Email: debbie.furber@fbcpublishing.com
FEATURES Battling the diseases shared by livestock and wildlife. ............................................9 Starting from scratch................................................... 14
Advertising Sales: Deborah Wilson Box 19, Site 3, RR 1, High River, AB T1V 1N1 (403) 325-1695 Fax (204) 944-5562 Email: deb.wilson@fbcpublishing.com Head Office: 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 (204) 944-5765 Fax (204) 944-5562
The swath grazing setup................................................ 18
Advertising Services Co-ordinator: Arlene Bomback (204) 944-5765 Fax (204) 944-5562 Email: ads@fbcpublishing.com
Drought-proofing cattle operations........................... 20
Publisher: Bob Willcox Email: bob.willcox@fbcpublishing.com
Bixs gaining traction..................................................... 22 Verified beef production................................................ 33
Associate Publisher/Editorial Director: John Morriss Email: john.morriss@fbcpublishing.com Production Director: Shawna Gibson Email: shawna@fbcpublishing.com Director of Sales and Circulation: Lynda Tityk Email: lynda.tityk@fbcpublishing.com Circulation Manager: Heather Anderson Email: heather@fbcpublishing.com
Departments
9
COMMENT............................................... 6 NEWSMAKERS......................................... 8 NUTRITION............................................ 26 VET ADVICE.......................................... 27 HOLISTIC RANCHING.............................. 28 CCA REPORTS...................................... 30 RESEARCH............................................ 31 PRIME CUTS......................................... 32 STRAIGHT FROM THE HIP...................... 34 NEWS ROUNDUP................................... 35 PURELY PUREBRED............................... 40 THE MARKETS...................................... 43 MARKET TALK....................................... 45 SALES & EVENTS.................................. 46
“Congratulations to our December sur vey winner, Darrel Goossen, Kelwood, Man. This month’s sur vey is on page 36.”
Contents of C attlemen are copyrighted and may be reproduced only when written permission is obtained from the editor and proper credit is given to Cattlemen. Cattlemen and Canadian Cattlemen are Trade Marks of Farm Business Communications. Cattlemen is published monthly (with the exception of July and 2 issues in Februar y and October) by Farm Business Communications. Head of fice: Winnipeg, Manitoba. Printed by Transcontinental LGMC. Cattlemen is printed with linseed oil-based inks. Subscription rates in Canada — $34.65 for one year, $51.45 for 2 years (prices include GST). Manitoba residents add 7% PST. U.S. subscription rate — $35 (U.S. funds). Subscription rate outside Canada and U.S. — $55 per year. Single copies $3. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
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The editors and journalists who write, contribute and provide opinions to Canadian Cattlemen and Farm Business Communications attempt to provide accurate and useful opinions, information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists, C anadian C attlemen and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the editors as well as C anadian C attlemen and Farm Business Communications assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader for this publication based on any and all information provided.
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c o m m e n t
by Gren Winslow
Canfax holds a forum Their first try was a hit
T
he first annual Canfax marketing forum went off without a hitch last month. The plan was to pass on some useful information and raise the profile of the market-reporting arm of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. In this Internet age we sometimes assume we have all the information we want at our fingertips but that’s not really the case with cattle markets in Canada. Compared to the U.S. where the federal government provides much of the raw data, the Canadian government does very little. And with the recent budget cuts it appears it will be doing it with even fewer people. Canfax continues to be the main source of market reports in Canada, gathering up everything it can from governments and mixing it with sales numbers supplied voluntarily by feedlots, auction markets and packers to keep us as close to the market as possible. It does this with a small staff and a shoestring budget supported in part by subscription fees for its products. Which is why they want to raise their profile. This first forum was a good start. The room was full of cattle feeders, ranchers and industry personnel, plus a slate of speakers to give us a bird’s-eye view of how they see the future unfolding, with a couple of ideas to chew on. ATB economist Todd Hirsch is forecasting the Canadian dollar will probably trade from $1 to $1.05 to the U.S. in 2013. An economic collapse in Europe is a risk, as money would likely move to the U.S. dollar. Canada now has a commodity risk currency which basically revolves around oil and he expects oil to move in this year’s trading range in 2013. Tensions in the Middle East could push it higher, but the current glut in supplies and new finds in North America should result in a relatively soft domestic market. Like many analysts, Mike Jubinville with ProFarmer Canada, is optimistic about livestock in 2013. All the bad news from the 2012 drought is already in the corn market and he sees feed grain prices trading sideways to down. Historically he says corn yields almost always bounce back to the trend lines the year after a very small crop. USDA is estimating nearly 97 million acres going into corn next year. With a “trend” yield of 160 bu./ ac. you would be looking at a 14.5-billion-bushel
6 Cattlemen / December 2012
crop. He suspects the ethanol bite from the corn market has also reached a plateau. Jubinville is looking for more cereals seeded in Western Canada this spring at the expense of canola. Partly this is due to tight supplies offering better prices but he suspects the loss of CWB restrictions is also playing a role. It opens more pricing options for growers, although he says Western Canada remains the main barley market. Pricing decisions will be made more quickly in this new environment so livestock producers, will need to be much more aware of what is happening with export markets for feed grains. Duane Lenz with CattleFax, the U.S. version of Canfax, says when they weigh up the small inventories and pretty solid demand in the market today they are forecasting fed cattle to average US$120 to $130 in 2013, 750 steers could average $160 and 550 steers $185. Len Steiner does economic consulting and commodity trading for meat companies in the U.S. He says the consumption of all meats will continue to decline in the U.S., from an estimated 248 pounds per capita in 2012 to 236 pounds in 2014. Beef consumption will drop from 81.7 (on a carcass weight basis) to 74 pounds over the same period. Chicken seems to finally have hit the wall at 100 pounds per capita and it seems Americans won’t eat more at any price. At the same time production costs are rising and in terms of beef nearly half of it is sold as a lower-value ground product. His assessment? Hedge your bets, cut your costs to the bone, and fight harder against groups like PETA, because they are having an impact. Ted Bilyea looks at the same numbers and he sees an opportunity for Canadian beef in Asia, which seems to be the only growth market left for meat. But it is not a market where you want to be the lowest-cost commodity. Based on his experience selling custom-raised and -cut pork for Maple Leaf to Japan, Bilyea says Asia offers high value if your product offers a “unique point of difference.” From what he’s seen as a board member of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, Bilyea says the information carried on our CCIA ear tags could be our difference, if we market it. (He’d drop the term traceability.) It would take a push by the whole industry to pull it off, he admits. Perhaps BIXS, featured in this issue, is just the catalyst we need to put Bilyea’s idea to the test. www.canadiancattlemen.ca
Hill 70 Quantock RancH
“Barn Burnin’ Bull Sale” Sat., Feb. 2, 2013
at the Ranch, lloydminster, aB
1-800-665-7253
3 Sight UnSeen PUrchaSe Program 3 DeliVerY... it’S Still Free 3 rePeat BUYer Program 3 BUll DeVeloPment - till Spring 3 gooD neighBor Program 3 60/40 Finance Plan
We’re here to help – if it works for you – it works for us! 60% sale day; 40% July 1, 2013; 0% interest o.a.c.
55 Horned & Polled Herefords (Two’s) 110 Red Angus (70 Two’s - 40 Yearlings) 80 Black Angus (60 Two’s - 20 Yearlings) 75 Charolais (35 Two’s - 40 Yearlings) 50 Red & Black Angus X Simmentals (Yearlings - Fall Born)
10 Red Angus X Gelbvieh (Two’s) 100 Commercial Females
Our passion is the commercial cattle industry... We just returned from several cattle events, where we displayed our genetics live. It seems when everyone is going one way, we’re not scared to set our own course. “Swimming Up Stream” is in our blood. Our genetics displayed exactly what we’re about... moderate frame, more body, more thickness, retained performance and more convenience. It really is all about “more grass and less diesel.” The bulls have been out on grass until this darn snow forced us to bring them in. The uniformity is better, the numbers are up and our cows will graze most of the winter... even with the snow some things are still easy. We always talk about our “hard nosed, dirt on the pants” program. This just means no bull or cow gets a free ride. Nothing new to us, it’s just what we do! We’re really excited about what we do. If you’re sitting on the fence wondering “what to do”... join the excitement of our program. Phone us, email us, send us the clip & mail below... or better yet, just come and take a look. Bill Creech... “Bill The Bull Guy”
Customer AppreCiAtion night FridAy, FebruAry 1, 2013
Supper, Branding & Bull Viewing! Visit our website...
$
Address Ph
$
Sight Unseen Purchase Program…
annually sells 100+ bulls using this program.
– reply Card –
Name
(Bred & Open & Young Cows)
Boys, still your best bet if you can’t be with us sale day. we guarantee your satisfaction! together we’ll analyze each and every bull… we want to be sure the “fit is right”.
www.hill70quantock.com
Fax
$ Clip & Mail For Your Free Catalogue & DVD
“Cowboy Friendly” ProgramS…
# of Cows o Sight Unseen Purchase Plan o DVD of Sale Bulls o Red Angus o Black Angus o Charolais o Horned Hereford o Red Angus X Gelbvieh o Reg. Red Angus Females o Commercial Females (Bred & Open) o Black Angus X Simmental Hybrids o Red Angus X Simmental Hybrids Mail to: hill 70 Quantock ranch Box 756, lloydminster, aB S9V 1c1 info@hill70quantock.com www.hill70quantock.com
NEWSMAKERS Willie Van Solkema was appointed president of JBS Canada by the JBS USA last month. Solkema is well known in Canadian meat-packing circles and his appointment Willie was welcome news Van Solkema to many in the cattle industry. He served as the Canadian business manager for Cargill at High River until 2004 and has been working as a consultant since then. More recently he was involved on special projects for XL Foods. One of the first breeders of Red Angus cattle in B.C., Bill Quadros passed away October 21. He was president of the Bulkley Valley Cattlemen in 1968-69 and served as a director of the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association for six years, and a deputy brand inspector for 14 years. He showed some of the first Red Angus cattle at Agribition in Regina and sold the first bull from that breed at the Kamloops bull sale in 1977. He was named honorary president of the Canadian Angus Association in 1999. Angus breeders in P.E.I. were also remembering Frank Mutch of Earnscliffe who passed away Nov. 12 at the age of 80. He was a longtime breeder who during his career was Frank Mutch a recipient of a P.E.I. Agrologist Award and a 4-H Appreciation Award. He was also a member of the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame and was presented with a 50-year award by the Canadian Angus Association at their annual meeting in Manitoba last year. Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) has announced the 2012 recipients of its annual CWA $1,000 scholarships awarded to post-secondary students who exhibited livestock at the show. This year’s winners are: Chelsey Briere of Mankota in her second year of medical radiologic technology at the University of Regina; Coll Fitzpatrick of Wood Mountain studying geology at the University of Wyoming; Callie Gibson of Fir Mountain in her third year 8 CATTLEMEN / DECEMBER 2012
of education majoring in chemistry at the University of Regina; Dakota Jackson of Sedley studying for her bachelor of education degree at the University of Regina; Megan Turton of Carnduff studying animal health technology at Lakeland College in Alberta and Amy Tweedie of Delisle studying physical education at the University of Alberta. Since 1994 the show has presented $156,500 in scholarships with money raised from private donations and proceeds from the CWA auctions and the Agribition grounds crew. It was also announced last month that the CWA has agreed to be a mentor in the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders program operated by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
filled in the cattle loss survey forms were out an estimated $1,179,805. The 2012 forms must be filed by Jan. 31, 2013. Arline Davey of Westbourne, Man., and Brenda Dyck of Woodmore, were presented with the Queens Diamond Jubilee award last month in recognition of their commitment and contribution to 4-H programs in Manitoba. Andrea Bocklebank, the research manager of Canfax, the market reporting arm of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, will be taking a year’s maternity leave in March of 2013 with the birth of her second child. In her absence Canfax analyst Brenna Grant will be filling in on the research side.
We were also saddened to hear of the passing of Danielle Oberle from cancer on Oct. 24. She worked in the communications sections of the Beef Information Centre Danielle Oberle and the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency until she was forced to resign in April of last year due to illness. The federal government came up with $100,000 to outfit the Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) grounds with mobile readers so that cattle entering the grounds can be monitored in the Canadian Livestock Tracking System database. Another $147,000 from the federal AgriMarketing program went to the CWA to fund the International Business Centre and bring in foreign visitors and promote the show in foreign markets. B.C. ranchers report losing 177 cows and 831 calves to predators in 2011. The survey is conducted by the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association. Other losses include 11 head killed by hunters, 106 suspected thefts and 89 road and rail accidents. Another 646 head were simply missing or lost. The BCCA started asking producers to voluntarily submit losses in 2010 to give it some firepower when lobbying the province for compensation payments. When all wildlife damage to crops, pastures, stored feed, fences and building were totalled up the 334 producers who
Kim McConnell a founder and former CEO of the Calgary-based agricultural marketing firm AdFarm, was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame last month at a ceremony in Toronto. He is a director of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency and a mentor of the Canadian Young Leader’s program operated by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. His fellow inductees were farm journalist Barry Wilson, the Ottawa reporter of the WESTERN PRODUCER and Quebec dairy breeder Bertrand Boisclair. Dr. Donald Johnson was named an Organic Livestock Pioneer during the Organic Connections conference held in early November in Regina. Donald and his wife Nellie still farm just south of Fleming, close to the SaskatchewanManitoba border where they run a mixed farm of purebred Hereford cattle, hay and grain. He had a veterinary practice at Moosomin until he retired some years ago. He was one of four Organic Heroes recognized at the conference. C www.canadiancattlemen.ca
wildlife
Battling the Diseases Shared by Livestock and Wildlife
www.canadiancattlemen.ca
Ryan Sommerfeld, RPS Gelbvieh Ranch, Medstead, Sask.
T
here are a number of diseases that can be transmitted back and forth between wildlife and livestock. Some of the important ones include brucellosis and tuberculosis, but there is growing interest regarding BVD (bovine viral diarrhea) in wildlife. Dr. Mathieu Pruvot at the faculty of veterinary medicine, University of Calgary has been studying these shared diseases in southwestern Alberta. “The main concern in Canada and throughout North America has been brucellosis and tuberculosis. In Canada the only reservoir of brucellosis in wildlife has been detected in bison from the Wood Buffalo National Park and in free-ranging cervids in subarctic and Arctic areas. These wildlife populations currently have no contact with livestock and are not considered a significant risk,” he says. “The only issue regarding bovine tuberculosis in Canada has been observed in deer and elk from the Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, where overlap between wildlife and livestock represent a risk for transmission,” says Pruvot. “There are areas in the U.S. where similar issues have been described — such as tuberculosis in whitetail deer in Michigan and Minnesota serving as a reservoir for this disease. It is probably being transmitted both ways, from deer to cattle and from cattle to deer in the areas where they have close contact,” says Pruvot. “There have also been continual issues with brucellosis in elk and bison around the Greater Yellowstone area in the western U.S. Fortunately we don’t have this kind of situation in Alberta. When reportable diseases such as brucellosis or tuberculosis occur somewhere, they are considered an emergency to deal with, due to potential consequences on animal health, public health, and economy. Emergency responses, however, have not always been appropriate or efficient,” he says. “Our project at the University of Calgary is focused on the foothills of the Rockies in southwestern Alberta, where there is a significant overlap between the elk-deer and cowcalf operations. The absence of emergency in this region gives us a great opportunity to look at this wildlife-livestock interface in a more rational and systemic way,” Pruvot says. When diseases are transmitted between livestock and wildlife there are many factors that interplay. “For a pathogen to be transmitted between wildlife and cattle, both populations need to be susceptible and able to excrete the pathogen after infection. To actually share the same pathogen, there must also be interaction between them. Both hosts might excrete the pathogen, but if there is not a sufficient level of contact they will not share the disease,” explains Pruvot. The type of interaction required may be completely different from one pathogen to another. “In the case of bovine tuberculosis in Michigan it has been shown that if deer and cattle eat at the same feed grounds there is possibility of transmission. But there are many other pathogens that would never transmit in these conditions. They would either need a much closer contact or a completely different situation,” he says. If a pathogen is able to survive in the environment, how-
ever, it doesn’t need such close contact. It only requires an overlap between the wildlife habitat and areas where cattle are grazed. “It is important to understand these mechanisms if we want to be able to take appropriate management measures. One measure that is often taken when wildlife are found to be a disease reservoir is to reduce wildlife populations. In Michigan the reduction of deer population by encouraging more hunting is thought to have helped reduce the incidence of bovine TB. By contrast the culling strategy adopted in the U.K. for badgers has shown opposite results. There are still a lot of questions about the effectiveness of wildlife population reduction strategies, not to mention the acceptability of these measures by the general public,” he says. In some cases, reducing the population doesn’t make any difference at all. Transmission still occurs between the remaining wildlife and cattle. “In certain instances, diseases are influenced by population size, so the more deer you have, the more transmission. But in other cases total number doesn’t matter as much as the number of contacts the individual animals have with each other,” Pruvot says. For example, in human populations, if you grouped everyone from one town together, a disease like flu would probably transmit very easily. “But in reality, most people don’t live all together in one place; they live in families, in households, in smaller groups. The transmission would follow the structure of these groups and others with direct contact, rather than throughout the entire population. This is also what happens with wildlife and livestock as well,” he explains. Today there are more and different strategies that are thought of and tried. In some instances the use of cow dogs to keep wildlife away from the cattle has been effective. “Some research groups have found that cow dogs not only help keep Continued on page 10 Cattlemen / December 2012 9
Continued from page 9
away predators but also keep deer and elk away from the pastures where cattle are feeding. This may reduce some of the risk for interactions between them and the risk of disease transmission,” says Pruvot. “We need to do more studies to figure out what drives these transmissions and how best we can reduce the risks. In particular we need to understand how the ecology of elk and deer populations, as well as our land and livestock management, influence the risk of transmission — rather than just killing off these wildlife populations,” he says. “In our project in southwestern Alberta we are trying to understand all these different factors, to be sure we can find appropriate control measures (if they might be required). In our study area cattle and elk share the same pastures, feeding areas, water sources, etc.,” he says. “We are looking at different pathogens that are important in cattle production in the livestock industry, and what the chances might be that these would be shared between wildlife and livestock, and what conditions are required,” Pruvot says. “We want to stay away from the blame game — pointing fingers at whether the wildlife or livestock might be to blame for the disease. We want to figure out the main risks for transmission for different types of pathogens, and which tools we might use for reduc-
Dr. Mathieu Pruvot ing those risks. If we find that feeding areas are crucial for transmission of a certain pathogen, we can make management decisions to limit that transmission,” he says. “We are collaborating with some ecological studies in which GPS collars are placed on elk to understand their movement patterns and looking at what might attract them in certain pastures. We are trying to determine at which periods of time there might be more risks, or specific features of the ranch or landscape that increase the risk of transmission,” he says. The researchers have surveyed ranchers to find out their management strategies. They’ve also tried to determine areas where the animals are fed, where the ranchers put out salt and minerals,
where the cattle drink, where haystacks are located, etc. All of this information can help determine the specific points where elk are attracted and what might constitute a specific risk. Research conclusions from studies conducted in a different part of the country may not be valid in another region. “It is interesting to see that there is so much variation between areas. This tells us that we need to understand how things work in a specific site, before we make a decision on how we try to manage the transmission between cattle and wildlife. We need to understand how it works in a specific area or site, rather than taking research that has been done elsewhere and assuming it applies,” he explains. There is a need to find management strategies that are constructive for both ranchers and wildlife managers, and to try to find practical solutions. “Situations of wildlife-livestock disease transmission have always been a source of conflict between different stakeholders. The ranching community needs to be able to keep raising cattle, and not be blamed for disease transmission to wildlife. On the other hand, wildlife managers and governments, general public, hunting groups, and ranchers all have an appreciation, responsibilities and interest in keeping healthy wildlife populations around. We need to go beyond the blame game and find constructive, practical soluContinued on page 12
SEE THE BIG PICTURE. Gain a new perspective on your farm, family and future with this informative video series from Agvision, available at www.canadiancattlemen.ca Upcoming video topics include: How to Fix the Daughter-In-Law
“Please fix our daughter-in-law!” According to Dr. John Fast this is a very common complaint in farm businesses and a most convenient person to blame when things are not going well. Farmers Without Wills
An untimely death without a will jeopardizes the financial viability of your farm and could leave your family in an absolute mess. Who is the Boss?
Dr. John Fast is a leading expert on farm family business in Canada. As the founder and director of the Centre For Family Business and with his background as a family counselor, educator, and entrepreneur, John is sought after for his ability to motivate and inspire audiences to make a difference.
Family businesses face enormous complexity and this can result in role confusion and internal conflict. Who is the boss? Dad? The farm manager? Changing the Farming Business Model
The number one reason Dad has trouble making the changes to the business model desired by the next generation is because of Dad’s fear the new generation will run the farm better than he did.
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10 CATTLEMEN / DECEMBER 2012
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Continued from page 10
tions that are based on what the real issues are,” he says. “These questions require a lot of collaboration between ranchers who have valuable knowledge about their management and their own land, and ecologists, government, wildlife managers, veterinarians, etc. They need to work together rather than against each other.”
Other diseases Some of the diseases that are occasionally passed between wildlife and livestock include leptospirosis, BVD, IBR and paratuberculosis. “There are many wildlife species that are susceptible to Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis that causes Johnes disease but the role of wildlife in maintaining the infection in livestock is not well understood yet,” says Pruvot. Other problems shared by wildlife and livestock include liver fluke. “We’ve looked at liver fluke infections with Fascioloides magna, which is specific to elk and deer. Cattle are some-
times infected but cannot transmit this disease.” Cattle are an abnormal host and the immature flukes do not complete their life cycle; they become encysted in the liver and do not mature enough to lay eggs. Another disease we’re learning about is caused by Neospora caninum which causes abortion in cattle. This is a cyst-forming protozoan that infects the digestive tract of canines and is passed out with their feces. The immature forms of the protozoa contaminate forage plants and may be eaten by a grazing animal. Then the tiny protozoa penetrate through the gut wall and enter the bloodstream and end up in other body tissues where they form cysts. They remain there, dormant, until the animal dies or is killed by a predator. When the predator or scavenging canine eats the dead animal, the ingested cysts begin the life cycle all over again. “We’ve found that the risk on a ranch increases if carcasses are left on pastures — to be consumed by wild carnivores, to perpetuate the cycle. If carcasses are burned, buried or
removed — to where carnivores don’t have access to them — there is not as much incidence of neospora infection on those ranches,” he explains. “Domestic dogs can also be hosts for this protozoan. But we found that ranches with dogs had a lower risk for having cattle infected with this disease. This may be because domestic dogs tend to chase predators away from cattle pastures, protecting the herd. On the whole, having domestic dogs may actually reduce the risks for this disease.” This would be especially true if the ranch dogs are not allowed to feed on carcasses and are not fed raw meat or placenta. “There are concerns raised by some research groups about the risk of BVDV circulation in wildlife species, particularly whitetail deer. The deer have been shown to be susceptible, and may possibly become persistently infected. Studies are underway to see if the deer may participate in maintaining BVDV in cattle populations in certain areas,” he says. C — Heather Smith Thomas
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12 CATTLEMEN / DECEMBER 2012
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management
STARTING FROM SCRATCH with 10 heifers and a lot of heart
D
oug and Haley McMillan brought their backgrounds in traditional ranching together to start a new farm with a holistic twist near Aneroid, Sask. Their vision for New Moon Grass Farmers is to manage the land in a holistic way to produce grass, cattle and chickens and provide for a future for their young children, Emily, Alex and Taylor. Doug was raised in Aneroid and gained his experience in beef cattle from working on a couple of large ranches for several years. Haley’s parents, Ralph and Linda Corcoran, had lived in Aneroid and farmed on the side until 1985, when they moved across the province to ranch near Moosomin. She went on to graduate from the two-year herd health program at Lakeland College and introduced the principles of holistic management and grazing systems to improve grass resources to her parents after taking the six-day course from Don and Bev Campbell in 2001. Skeptical at first, the Corcorans implemented a couple of the ideas on their ranch to appease their daughter and went on to embrace the concepts of holistic management and become certified educators. Meanwhile, the stars were lining up for New Moon when three quarters of land with a yardsite came up for sale and they received 10 Angus heifers from Heifer International to start their own cow-calf operation in 2004 along with custom grazing yearlings. During the next few years, Heifer International was paid back in bred heifers that went to other families to start their own herds. The next year, the government lease came up on two quarters of adjacent pasture land and their application to take over the lease was successful. They were able to purchase another adjoining quarter two years ago, giving them a total of six quarters in a block. At first they followed the previous owner’s footsteps, cropping the high ground. After three years it became Continued on page 16
14 Cattlemen / December 2012
Haley McMillan
Doug McMillan
A worn pasture before it was used for bale grazing.
A recent photo of the same pasture shows the benefits of bale grazing. www.canadiancattlemen.ca
Continued from page 14
clear that their expertise and interest had a strong lean toward livestock production and the light-brown soil of their piece of the grassland prairies, about an hour southeast of Swift Current, was much more suited to growing grass than grain. On that much they could agree. The cropland was sown to a mix
of alfalfa, brome grass and crested wheat grass over a two-year period, but Doug admits he was leery at best about Haley’s holistic management ways as far as implementing planned grazing and new wintering systems was concerned. Haley explains there is a looseknit holistic management group in the region, but most ranches are fairly traditional in their manage-
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ment practices, so it meant taking a big leap of faith outside of conventional ranching circles. Her parents gave them a hand up during a couple of marathon fencing weekends to convert the old barbed wire fences around the perimeter of the pasture to high-tensile electric fence system, creating 38 smaller pastures of about 20 acres each. The best thing about the new fence is that there is only one gate leading from the barnyard to the first pasture. After that, the single strands of wire that separate the pastures have enough give to be raised with a six-foot length of four-inch-diameter rigid plastic pipe making it possible to move the cattle from pasture to pasture anywhere along a fenceline. The pipe has a notch cut into the top end to keep the wire from slipping, so it can be left in place until all of the pairs have found the way to the new pasture. This eliminates the time and stress of gathering and herding cattle through gates every few days.
Purchased bales are weighed and placed directly onto the balefeeding area off the truck to avoid handling them a second time The fencing system also facilitates easy access to existing water sources via lanes to the dugout on the new quarter, watering troughs supplied from the well in the yard, or a natural water body in the spring. The production year gets underway with calving on pasture beginning April 10. Although a cow having difficulty could easily be moved into the corrals, they have yet to witness the actual birth of a calf. The pairs are left to settle on their own until around May 20, when the herd is brought into the corrals for tagging, vaccinating and castrating. Their grazing system tries to mimic nature as far as possible. Each new grazing season begins on an area that hasn’t previously been used to start the grazing season. Depending on moisture conditions, each pasture is grazed for three to five days and then www.canadiancattlemen.ca
rested for at least a year and up to a year and a half. Walking through the pastures, Doug is the first to point to the new plants gradually filling in between the rows of the crested wheat grass monoculture in the existing pasture. There’s crested wheat grass along with some alfalfa and brome grass plants from seed that the cattle have transported in from the new pastures. A combination of conscientious grazing practices and adequate precipitation in recent years has greatly improved pasture conditions, but Haley says the ever-present threat of dry spells is the limiting factor when it comes to increasing their herd size beyond the current 75 Angus and Red Angus cows and 10 replacement heifers. They purchased eight Red Angus heifers in 2011 and feel there is still room to grow if they manage future expansion with caution to preserve forage productivity. Of all the changes they have implemented, Doug doesn’t hesitate a moment in saying that winter bale grazing, first tried in 2006, is the practice that has proven out beyond his expectations. Their photo collection shows the progression of improvement on an old, eroded ryegrass stand and hilltops where the grass was in the worst condition. They buy their hay supply at market value for their area and are fortunate to have a reliable supplier nearby. The bales are weighed and placed directly onto the bale-feeding area off the truck to avoid having to handle them a second time. Knowing the weight of the bales and how much feed the cows require each day, they use electric wire strung on rebar posts to allow access to about three days’ worth of feed at a time. The strings have to be left on the bales until they are fed to prevent them from blowing away and the herd can take shelter from the wind in the yard where there is also access to water. Bale grazing follows swath grazing on a 60-acre strip of land near the yard reserved for an annual forage. They have no preference, so it could be oats, barley, rye — whatever neighbouring grain growers have available in the bottom of a bin. Swath grazing generally carries the herd from mid-November through to the end of the year, however, with all of the rainfall in 2011, they got an extra full month out of it. www.canadiancattlemen.ca
Calves are weaned at the beginning of November and sold through the Mankota Stockman’s Weigh Company. The plan in the longer term calls for raising beef and chicken for the local market, though Haley suspects it will be a few years before they are able to take the next big step into marketing their own beef. They have been raising 1,000 chickens for the local market with process-
ing done at the Ponteix Colony, but fire completely flattened the barn early this past spring eliminating this source of revenue for the year. The McMillans will be forever grateful to their friends, neighbours and customers who put on a community benefit that raised more than $8,000 to go toward building and equipping a new facility for the chicken operation. C — Debbie Furber
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grazing
THE SWATH GRAZING SETUP
S
ome people have said it is my cheap and lazy way to ranch. I like to think it is just the smarter way to ranch. I like to analyze production practices in order to reduce the labour requirements and lower the costs involved with each one. Whether I am planning a swath grazing or a bale grazing winter-feeding system, it just makes sense to me. I was planning a swath grazing field today and for me it is important to make sure it will be profitable. That includes making sure both the costs and the labour are kept to a minimum. Yes I pay myself! It is a business. All labour has to be accounted and paid for. The field I was planning is a quarter section (160 acres in size) and has a water source in the front corner by the road if I need it. It is mostly an open field of barley on level ground. I prefer to do most of the work involved in a swath grazing field when the weather is nice. When it is cold, I would prefer to spend my time indoors playing games with my family. I have found that if I put in a day of fencing in the fall, it saves me a whole bunch of time and headaches during the winter. If I run three semipermanent fences down this field parallel to each other, it creates four long, narrow paddocks. By semi-permanent I mean wood posts slightly pounded into the ground with a onewire high-tensile wire. These would 18 Cattlemen / December 2012
be run perpendicular to the swaths. I plan to strip graze my swaths every couple of days so having these paddocks set up in the fall allows me to move a short little, temporary fence every time instead of moving a long awkward fence that takes a lot of time and effort.
If I put in a day of fencing in the fall, it saves me a whole bunch of time and headaches during the winter The reason the semi-permanent fences are perpendicular to the swaths is because I want my temporary strip grazing fences parallel to the swath if possible. I do not like to give the cattle a reason to reach under the weak, temporary fence. I would prefer to never have my temporary fence cross a swath. By running my temporary fence in between the swaths parallel to them, the cattle never are tempted to reach under the fence and put pressure on it. During the winter on snow, an electric fence is not nearly as strong as it might be dur-
ing the summer, but I don’t want the cattle to figure that out or I’m in for a lot of headaches. The semi-permanent fence is stronger and can handle a little more cattle pressure. The bonus to this type of setup is also that if your cattle do happen to get through your temporary fences, they only get into one paddock instead of the whole field. Having the herd turned into the whole field can cause an awful lot of feed losses due to trampling of the snow. The trampled snow then freezes on the swaths which can prevent access to them later on. On a quarter section, the width of each of these paddocks would be approximately 660 feet. On level ground it would take about 10 posts to hold this fence in place and would take about 15 minutes to move on foot. Nice and easy! I can carry 10 posts by hand quite easily. When it is -35° out, I appreciate only needing to be outside working for 15 minutes every few days. A half-mile of temporary fence involves a lot more time, labour and probably equipment to carry posts. I start my swath grazing closest to the water source. That is if I have a water source or if I might need to use it. In my area, most years I am able to rely on snow as a winter water source for my cattle. But it is not uncommon to have some time in November where the water is all frozen up prior to us www.canadiancattlemen.ca
receiving enough snow. I always like to have a backup plan just in case. I would set up my first two temporary fences on the first paddock closest to the water source. I need two temporary fences to ensure that when I take down the first fence to move it, the second is already in place. I then play “leap frog” down the first paddock with each fence allowing the cattle into a couple of days’ worth of swathes each time. How often I move the fence depends mostly on the distance to travel to the field each time. If it is right close to home, I might move the fence every day or two as I will get better use out of the field by gaining more animal days per acre. If the
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distance or equipment use is higher, I may move the fence every three or four days in order to lower the costs involved with it therefore sacrificing some of the days/acre (lower the yield harvested). This needs to be worked out on an individual basis depending on the situation. A gross margin should be calculated to figure out the margin including labour. Once I finish the first paddock, I simply start on the second and continue “leap frogging” down each one. When set up right, swath grazing can be a very effective way to feed your cattle in the winter. Is it my “cheap and lazy way” or does it make sense to you
as well to spend a day fencing in the fall and then only 15 minutes of labour every couple of days feeding your cows all winter? The alternative is to spend a few hours a day out feeding with a tractor. This most likely raises your labour costs, increases your equipment costs, and lowers your profitability. Punch your own numbers, including your real equipment and labour cost and see how your margin compares. I dare you! C — Steve Kenyon Steve Kenyon runs Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd. in Busby, Alta., www.greener pasturesranching.com, 780-307-6500, email skenyon@greenerpasturesranching.com.
Cattlemen / December 2012 19
management
Drought-proofing cattle operations Here’s how Martin Unrau does it
L
ast year, the water in the Assiniboine River, which flows six miles south of Martin Unrau’s cattle ranch near MacGregor, Man., was up to 20 feet deep because of flooding caused by heavy spring rains. This year, during a prolonged hot, dry summer, the river was so low in places that a person wearing rubber boots could walk across it. Floods and droughts are not uncommon in Manitoba, where the weather is as extreme as anywhere else on the Prairies. Sometimes, both can occur within a year of each other, as they did in 2011 and 2012. Every cattle producer knows it’s possible. Having adequate feed on hand in a drought year is critical because 60 to 70 per cent of a cow-calf producer’s cost of production goes toward feeding his animals. This year, producers in south-central Manitoba, where Unrau farms, harvested 60 per cent of a normal hay crop and, in many cases, got no second cut at all. Possible feed shortages loom as winter approaches. But producers know that periodic dry years are inevitable, so they plan ahead to drought-proof their operations as much as possible. Unrau, who farms with his son Garett, tries to have more acres of pasture than their cattle would normally graze. That way, if a drought occurs and grass is in short supply, cattle still have land to graze on. Unrau acknowledges the investment in extra land increases his capital costs, but he feels having the backup is worth the expense. Additional acres also enable him to carry hay over from one year to the next. Because he farms on sandy land that tends to dry out, Unrau, who is also president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, grows crops with some tolerance to drought, such as millet. Swath grazing millet this year enabled Unrau to keep his cattle on range until November 10, although he would have preferred them to stay out until the end of the month.
20 Cattlemen / December 2012
Unrau doesn’t believe in keeping cattle on pasture too long. He and Garett remove the animals from grass before they graze it down to the nub. Unrau learned that lesson the hard way during the record drought of 1988, when he was starting out as a cattle producer. “We didn’t quite know how to react to a drought, so we overgrazed some pastures. Some of them never did come back properly. We ended up tearing them out and reseeding them,” he says. “If you have to bring your cattle in early, do it, just to save the pastures. Even if feed is expensive.” Occasional dry years taught Unrau the importance of sourcing alternate feedstuffs when necessary. A french fry-processing plant in nearby Portage la Prairie provides potato waste, which is similar in energy levels to corn and barley. Another alternative involves taking screenings from a pea-processing plant and adding them to straw to boost the protein content of the feed. Unrau says producers short of forage should consider feed options other than hay because they might cost less. “The thing to do is, keep your eyes open. Don’t get caught in thinking that you have to buy five hay bales per cow or anything like that. Sometimes hay is priced way out of line compared to other feed sources.” Tod Wallace, a Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives beef specialist, says most feed mills sell screening pellets as a prepared feed. The quality varies with the content but even small-size wheat, oat and barley kernels provide decent nutrition. Feed quality declines if the screening mixture contains weed seeds or cracked grain. But adding supplements can beef up the protein content to 14 per cent with an energy level of 65 per cent total digestible nutrients (TDN). Beef specialists sometimes recommend that producers keep two years’ worth of feed sitting in the stack yard. Unrau says that might work for small producers but it’s not practical for him. To feed his 550 to 600 cows for
Martin Unrau a year would require stockpiling 3,500 hay bales and Unrau can’t afford to keep that many on hand. Having 50 per cent of next year’s requirements in reserve works best for him. At the same time, it’s important for a producer experiencing tight feed supplies to know how much hay a beef cow will need for the winter. Wallace says a 1,350-pound cow will consume three per cent of her body weight (approximately 40 pounds) of dry feed per day. On average, a cow in Manitoba will spend 210 days on winter feed and 155 days on pasture. Do the math and a cow will require roughly seven 1,200-pound round hay bales to overwinter. If a producer doesn’t have that much hay, he has to stretch it out. One way to stretch out feed supplies is to blend hay with straw, which even in a drought year can still contain up to seven per cent protein. Dr. Wayne Tomlinson, a Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives extension veterinarian, says a feed analysis can tell if you’re stretching out the feed as far as possible without underfeeding animals. “We’d rather err on the side of too much,” says Tomlinson. “But when feed supplies are tight, you want to make sure a cow gets the appropriate amount. If the year is dry and the grass is short, Wallace urges producers to anticipate feed shortages and not to wait until warning signs become obvious. “If you know you’re in trouble in June, start sourcing feedstuffs. Don’t find out in October you’re several hundred bales short, there’s nothing left and you start sourcing grain only to find out it costs $5 a bushel.” Feed is not the only casualty in a www.canadiancattlemen.ca
drought year. Water supplies also run short. Producers can usually source feed from somewhere but water is something they need close by. In Unrau’s mind, being short of water is worse than being short of hay, since a cow-calf pair in summer will drink roughly 15 gallons of water a day. “If cows are being starved for water, they do not perform and that’s it. End of story. It just doesn’t work.” Tomlinson urges producers to develop water contingency strategies before a drought comes along. If the creek runs dry and there’s no alternate water source, a producer can be in big trouble. “The whole thing about water is, you need to think about the issue before a crisis hits. You need to have a plan in advance,” Tomlinson says. When it comes to water, Unrau is lucky. His operation sits on an underground aquifer and his dugouts are spring fed. If the dugouts go dry, as they did this past summer, Unrau digs them deeper to recharge water supplies. If redigging proves inadequate,
water from deep wells can be pumped into dugouts if necessary. Tomlinson says there are two rules of thumb for renovating a dugout. If it’s spring fed, dig it deeper. If it’s recharged by run-off, dig it bigger with well-sloped sides to promote positive drainage into it.
The whole thing about water is, you need to think about the issue before a crisis hits. You need to have a plan Of course, if the groundwater under the dugout is saline, don’t dig too deep or the dugout will contain water the cattle won’t drink, Tomlinson says. “There’s really no blanket plan for every producer. Everybody’s going to need to do things a little bit differently, depending on their topography and where the water comes from.”
Another way to drought-proof dugouts is to fence them off and pump the water into troughs for cattle to drink from. Tomlinson says that’s especially important in hot, dry years when cattle sometimes stand up to their bellies in water to cool off and avoid biting insects. In doing so, they stir up mud, urinate, defecate and affect water quality by increasing the nutrient content. A heavy nutrient load can promote the growth of algae, which may be toxic to livestock. At the very least, unpalatable water will cause cattle to do poorly. Wallace says producers with deep wells seldom run out of water. Wells that go dry are usually the shallow, cribbing-style variety still common throughout rural Manitoba. But if there’s no water on pasture and you need a winter water supply for your animals, the well on the farmyard may be the only source left, says Wallace. “If nothing else, open up the gates and let them come all the way home for water. You need a backup.” C — Ron Friesen
Merry Christmas Wishing you all the happiness of the season with peace and prosperity in the New Year.
#13, 4101 19th St. N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2E 7C4 Phone: 403-250-7979 Fax: 403-250-5121 Website: www.simmental.com Email: cansim@simmental.com
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From the Board of Directors and Staff of the Canadian Simmental Association and Simmental Country CATTLEMEN / DECEMBER 2012 21
identification
BIXS GAINING TRACTION Access to carcass data could be the driver
T
he Canadian Beef Advantage Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS) under the auspices of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has reached the second major milestone in its development. A year ago October, the BIXS database was opened to cow-calf producers across Canada to register and start enrolling their animals. Early this November, the carcass database reporting functions were activated to give participants access to carcass details on their enrolled animals that have been slaughtered at the Cargill plants at High River and Guelph and the XL (JBS USA) plant at Brooks. BIXS national co-ordinator Larry Thomas says the database held 1.5 million carcass records at the time of activation. The three establishments have uploaded carcass information from the camera-generated images and data captured on their lines since January 1, 2012. Given that many calves finish out before 20 months of age, there is carcass data for animals born as far back as the spring of 2010. No carcass data is available in BIXS for mature animals, animals without identification tags, and animals shipped to Canadian plants not on BIXS or to the U.S. Thomas says BIXS is also exploring ways to allow plants without camera grading to submit carcass data. Meanwhile, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is testing the suitability of portable cameras to grade in plants without moving lines. A benchmark report that compares a producer’s carcass data to all the data received by BIXS is part of the recently activated reporting functions, he adds. A guide to help producers interpret carcass data will be posted on the website. Producers who attended BIXS workshops earlier this fall in Manitoba were among the first to get a sneak peak at their carcass data during a tutorial on how to use the new functions. BIXS program administrator Holly LaBrie then walked them through a new pull-ahead feature that makes it easy for producers to pull tag and birth date records they’ve entered
22 Cattlemen / December 2012
Holly LaBrie
Larr y Thomas
on the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) database since January 1, 2010 into their BIXS accounts. Charlie and Faye Main run a small cow-calf operation near Virden, Man. Charlie was impressed at being able to see carcass data on his calves and how easy BIXS was to use compared to the first version he helped test back in 2009. At that time, he compiled a list of 17 points he felt would make it more user friendly. He had already enrolled his 2011 calves and LaBrie used the pull-ahead function to quickly add his 2010 and 2012 calves. He also caught a glimpse of the carcass results for three of his calves. “All of them graded triple A. I know people say the grade depends on lots of things like the feeding program and health, but still, it was really encouraging to know that I was the one who started the foundation of those calves,” says Main. “I always wondered if what we were doing was working or not. Now, we are waiting for feedlot feedback.” He thinks they’re unlikely to use BIXS as a marketing tool because of their small herd size. Its value to them is in doing the best job possible to produce beef that meets consumers’ expectations for quality and accountability. “Here’s a great big tool and it’s
free and easy to use, so why not use it,” he says. It takes about 10 minutes to complete the registration. The length of time it takes to enrol calves depends on the number of calves and how much optional information, such as vaccinations, genetics and production information, you want to include. The minimum requirement is tag numbers and birth dates. You can designate a third party to submit and receive data on your behalf if you don’t have access to a computer or high-speed Internet. The BIXS database contained only 36,000 birth dates in early November but Thomas expects that number to ramp up significantly because producers were waiting for access carcass data before getting started. More workshops and presentations will be held this winter and plans call for tutorial videos posted on the website. Les Johnston, a cow-calf producer from Fillmore, Sask., is another producer who helped test the BIXS system during its development. “Sure, there have been glitches and things that needed to be fine tuned to get data into a format that producers could read,” he says, “but I really have to compliment them on what they’ve tried to do and the technical support we have from Holly is just great.” www.canadiancattlemen.ca
Date of Birth
Sex
Management Tag
111111112 2010/11/15 111111114 2010/05/15 111111116 2010/05/15
Male Male Male
W28 W29 W30
111111117 2010/06/15
Male
W31
111111118 2010/05/15
Male
W32
111111119 2010/06/15
Male
W33
111111120 2010/05/15 Female
W34
111111122 2010/05/15 Male 111111123 2010/04/15 Female 111111127 2010/06/15 Female
W35 W36 W37
CCIA Tag ID
Vaccination Product (s)
Kill Date
Calf-Guard (Phizer) 2012/03/23 Clostri Shield 7 (Norvartis) 2012/02/21 2012/04/19 Imrab 3 (Merial), 2012/05/03 FUSOGRAD (Norvartis) One Shot (Phizer) 2012/01/23 Master Guard 10 (AHSA), 2012/01/23 Imrab 3 (Merial) Reliant 3 (Merial), 2012/03/12 Reliant 4 (Merial) Scaur Bas 4 (Novartis) 2012/03/30 Somubac (Phizer) 2012/01/17 STARVAC 4 Olus (Novartis) 2012/01/04
He says it took only a couple of minutes for the yield and marbling grades, rib-eye area, and carcass weights of his 2011 steer calves to download from the BIXS database. All of them graded triple and double A, which he likes to see because it tells
949 774.8 992.2
AAA AA AAA
12 14.5 13.9
4.3 2.4 4.7
Fat Thickness (inches) 0.56 0.4 0.88
975.4
AAA
13
4.8
862.8
AAA
13.9
831.8
AAA
804.2 897.6 645.4 733.6
Hot Carcass Carcass Rib Eye Area Weight (lbs.) Quality Grade (sq.- inches)
Yield Grade
Marbling Quality-Marbling Score 413 394 429
AAA-413.0 AA-394.0 AAA-429.0
0.84
652
AAA-652.0
3.9
0.8
396
AAA-396.0
15
2.8
0.52
447
AAA-447.0
AAA
16.2
3
0.8
456
AAA-456.0
AAA AA AAA
15.2 11.1 12.6
3.1 3.5 4
0.56 0.6 0.84
414 368 658
AAA-414.0 AA-368.0 AAA-658.0
him his breeding program is maintaining a balance between marbling and lean meat yield. Since he had entered the sire, dam and sex of each calf, he was able to sort the carcass data by herdsire to track the average yield and marbling
grades on the steers from each of the seven bulls he used that year. There was no parentage information in the herd-based data he received during the eight years he placed steers on Continued on page 24
“Harvesting the Future”
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CATTLEMEN / DECEMBER 2012 23
Continued from page 23
feed in several feedlots across the province. Through his years as a commercial and seedstock producer, Johnston has used ultrasound and DNA testing to improve the consistency of marbling, tenderness and carcass weight in his calves. He is impressed to see that the carcass data from BIXS proves out these results. On one bull, for example, his tests told him to expect more triple A than double A calves and that’s what he delivered — nine AAA and five AA — and the BIXS program was able to identify the bull that did it. “I’m basically on track, but the calves from two bulls that are strong carriers of the tenderness gene were a bit on the low side for marbling,” Johnston says. “I can see that the percentage of triple A carcasses could start to drop if I don’t manage my breeding program to counter the trend. Without a tool like BIXS to figure out these things, a producer could be on the wrong road.” Johnston can’t overstate the importance of knowing your cattle when selling directly to feedlots. If you can tell prospective buyers average lean meat yield, marbling grades and rates of gain on past calf crops, they will be able to get a good handle on how many days your calves will need to be on feed and secure the feed supply. This also puts you in a position to negotiate a price that reflects the value of your calves to the feeder, he adds. Until BIXS came along, most cow-calf producers had no way of knowing this information. “I always tell people when they have a chance to get information, it’s not about tearing down the herd, it’s about identify what you have and what’s going on so you can build on the strengths or fix the problems,” Johnston explains. “I get scientific, useful and interesting information from BIXS that helps me do this.”
What’s next? BIXS will now turn to fully launching its feedlot program, which is the component that lets cow-calf producers see feedlot performance and production data tied to the tag numbers of calves they have enrolled. “This is the most complex part of the program and we want to ensure we get it fully functional before opening the gates,” Thomas explains. “Most 24 Cattlemen / December 2012
feedlots have existing data management programs. Our challenge is to ensure BIXS can receive and send data from any feedlot program already in use and we are, in fact, working directly with feedlot software companies to ensure compatibility. BIXS will also be producing a spreadsheet option for feedlots not using management software so that they will be able to participate as well.” Feedlot owners interviewed for this article are more than ready and willing to participate in BIXS because they see it as their best chance to get some feedback into the hands of cowcalf producers. As Leighton Kolk of Kolk Farms Ltd. near Iron Springs, Alta., puts it, despite all of the investment in technology that is now working beautifully to support individual animal identification and age verification, there is still no way, short of purchasing calves directly from ranchers, to identify the producers who raised the calves in his feedlot.
Until BIXS most cow-calf producers had no way of knowing this information He believes BIXS could be the answer. “BIXS has such great potential in what it could do for the Canadian beef industry. We are one of only a few countries with a national animal identification system and BIXS could take us to the next level. I’d love to be involved in whatever it takes to get it going. I’d love to be able to use it,” he says. To Kolk, it’s all about feedback. He acknowledges that some people fear sharing information because it is not always good news, but that’s how business goes. He hears right away from the packer if he’s done a poor job and the carcass data will show if he’s done a good job. The important point is with feedback he can start connecting the dots to figure out what’s working and what needs to change. Feedback from feedlots to cow-calf producers could do the same at the ranch level. John Schooten, of Schooten and Sons Custom Feedyard near Diamond City, Alta., believes the more everyone works together, the more everyone will benefit. Regardless of the size of an operation, he feels that if ranchers and
feeders are serious about business, they will benefit from BIXS. The Schootens plan to share their protocols, performance data and even pen closeouts and by working with cow-calf producers and technology and genomics to eliminate bottom-end, poor-performing calves. That would be a big advantage all around, he says. What they’d like to gain from participating in BIXS is access to some of the health and breeding history on calves, so they aren’t going in blind when they buy calves. It could be part of a full evaluation of the calves’ performance and profitability that could lead to repeat business.
Information sharing on BIXS Participating in BIXS isn’t an open passport to all the information in the system. A specific animal’s records are available only to participants who enter that animal’s tag number and an associated event into their BIXS accounts. For instance, the tag number and birth date of a calf that is sold to a backgrounder and then to a feedlot could be entered into three owners’ accounts over time. All of these people could view the required information tied to that calf’s tag number in BIXS. However, participants’ names, contact information and optional animal information stay confidential unless they give permission to share this information with others who subsequently enter the same tag numbers and an event into their accounts. Participants can select to automatically share this information and can easily change the permission to share in their accounts at any time. BIXS is also developing an automated system to enable participants to file queries to source cattle that meet their requirements or initiate the sale of cattle. Participants with cattle that match the query criteria will be notified about the offer, but it will be up to them to contact the other party who launched the query. The BIXS classified listing service is already up and running for participants who want to promote cattle being sold through auction markets. BIXS is currently working on a business plan to make it self-sufficient once funding from the Government of Canada’s Agriculture Flexibility Fund expires at the end of 2013. C — Debbie Furber www.canadiancattlemen.ca
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N u t r i t i o n
by John McKinnon John.mckinnon@usask.ca
Feeding replacement heifers
R John McKinnon is a beef cattle nutritionist at the University of Saskatchewan
aising replacement heifers is one of the more important tasks that cowcalf operators undertake. Apart from selecting these animals, one of the most critical steps is developing a feeding program that allows these animals to reach puberty at an appropriate age and weight such that they can be bred to calve at 24 months of age. While selection pressure varies from one producer to another, one characteristic common to successful heifer-breeding programs is selection for early puberty. Research has shown that early-maturing heifers catch early in the breeding season and subsequently calve early in the calving season. These are economically important traits, as cows that calve early, wean heavier calves and are more productive over their lifetime. By selecting early-maturing heifers, you are indirectly selecting for these traits in your herd. What are the steps you need to consider when developing a feeding program for your replacement heifers? The first is to decide when you want to breed your heifers, as this date sets a critical milestone. That being, the date you need to have your replacement heifers sexually mature and cycling normally. Most producers breed their replacements at 14 or 15 months of age. For example, for producers calving in early spring (i.e. March/April), the replacement heifer breeding season should start about the beginning of June, while for those calving later (i.e. May/June), the beginning of August becomes the target. However, if you plan to breed your heifers two to three weeks ahead of your mature cows, then these dates would have to be moved up accordingly. The second question you need to ask is what is your target breeding weight? Traditionally, the rule of thumb has been to target 60 to 65 per cent of mature weight at first breeding. This means that if your mature cows average 1,300 pounds, your target breeding weight is between 780 and 850 pounds. Some producers are using 55 per cent of mature weight as a breeding target in an effort to reduce development costs. Researchers at the Western Beef Development Centre are currently examining this approach under western Canadian conditions. Once you have your target breeding weight and date, you can then determine the length of your feeding program. Specifically, you need to determine the rate of gain necessary to have the heifers at their target weight by the beginning of the breeding season. For example, if you selected replacement heifers that averaged 475 pounds on November 1 and were targeting 800 pounds by mid-May, you would have 195 days to put on 325 pounds of gain. This would mean a target
26 Cattlemen / December 2012
daily gain of 1.7 pounds per day. If you were targeting mid-June, you would have 225 days to put on the same gain. This translates to a target gain of 1.4 pounds per day. How fast you grow the heifers is a critical aspect of the feeding program. Target gains can range from 1.25 to 2.25 pounds per day and will depend on time available, amount of gain necessary and genetic background of the heifer. Higher rates of gain apply to continental breeds and their crosses, while British breeds and their crosses are typically grown at slower rates. The goal is to grow the heifers allowing for frame and muscle development, minimizing fat deposition. Targeting too fast a rate of gain can lead to fat deposition in the udder and negatively impact future milking ability. Nutritional considerations when formulating diets for growing heifers include knowledge of dry matter intake, targeting the correct dietary energy density and ensuring that crude protein, mineral and vitamin requirements are met. Weaned heifers should have a dry matter intake approaching 2.5 to 2.6 per cent of body weight. This means a 500-pound heifer fed a forage/grain mix at 87 per cent dry matter would eat 13 pounds of dry matter or 14.5 pounds of feed, as fed. At 700 pounds, she is eating up to 18 pounds of dry matter or 21 pounds as fed. Energy density of the ration will vary with your target rate of gain. For example, consider feeding a group of 600-pound heifers for a daily gain of 1.5 pounds. Assuming typical winter conditions, a ration formulated to 65 per cent Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) or 1.3 mega calories of Digestible Energy (DE) per pound of dry matter should achieve this rate of gain. Depending on hay quality, reaching these dietary energy levels will mean feeding three to five pounds of grain or its equivalent. With these same animals, achieving a daily gain of 1.8 pounds per day would require a diet formulated to approximately 67 per cent TDN or 1.35 Mcal of DE per pound of dry matter and would likely require an additional one to 1.5 pounds of grain to achieve. Dietary crude protein levels should be set at a minimum of 11.0 to 12 per cent. The need for supplemental protein will depend largely on the protein content of your forage. Finally, an appropriate mineral and vitamin (ADE) supplementation program is critical to ensuring long-term reproductive success. There can be no doubt that developing replacement heifers is an expensive process! Since your feeding program will account for a significant proportion of development costs, it pays to plan carefully. www.canadiancattlemen.ca
VET ADVICE
Changing perspectives on prudent drug use The theme of this year’s CanWest veterinary conference sponsored by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association was prudent drug use and antimicrobial resistance. Approximately 750 veterinarians, animal health technicians and human health professionals attended. The meeting provided several key messages about antimicrobial use. First, this is a complex issue and there are no easy answers. In Europe, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been the source of much study and debate over several decades. North America is now fully engaged. Secondly, concern about AMR in humans is real. Within the span of one lifetime, the emergence of antibiotics as wonder drugs degenerated to a furor over use, abuse and possible ineffectiveness. These concerns were heightened by urbanization and the issues urbanization generated for agriculture and its use of antimicrobials in the production of food. In 1931, 31 per cent of Canada’s population was engaged directly in agriculture. Today it is about two per cent. According to Dr. Bill Cox at the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, this trend necessitates intensive agriculture practices making antimicrobials a necessary part of livestock production. It is the way we use the few antimicrobials available that will have to be optimized. Dr. Gail Cunningham notes consumer demand and forces far removed from the farm often drive the debate on antibiotic use rather than the long-term impacts of policy on animal welfare and producer security. A third conference theme was the challenge of effectively communicating risk at both ends of the spectrum — the real risk to human health of staying the course on antimicrobial use in agriculture, and real risk to animal health of curtailing antimicrobial use. Conflict between the medical and veterinary professions surrounding antimicrobial use in agriculture only intensifies the communication gap. How can the average citizen unacquainted with the background respond rationally to the debate on antimicrobial use and resistance? The default position about prudent use of antibiotics in animal agriculture becomes indisputable in the absence of understanding! The link between animal health and human health is incontestable and maintaining health on both sides becomes an essential component of food production. Regardless of whether antimicrobials are used to treat disease directly, or promote growth, safeguards are in place to ensure food remains safe. The first safeguard comes with the responsibility given veterinarians to oversee health decisions for farm animals, including the types and amounts of medicines that should be given for specific diseases — especially antibiotics. A second safeguard is the strict approval process that all drugs used in animals go through, including drug efficacy,
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drug safety (human and animal), and manufacturing. As a part of the approval process, withdrawal times are established governing the time it takes the medicine to sufficiently clear the animal’s system before it is allowed to enter the food supply. Herein lies a growing challenge for industry. The concept of a Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database (FARAD) was established in 1982 as a cooperative project between four U.S. veterinary colleges and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service as a way to reduce the rate of residue violations in animal products through education and information. FARAD encouraged development of a Canadian databank to suit specific needs here. The Canadian gFARAD (CgFARAD) became a reality in 2002. Clinical pharmacology residents under the supervision of Dr. Patricia Dowling and Dr. Sarah Parker handle requests for service at WCVM. In 2011, a new eastern centre at the Ontario Veterinary College opened, supervised by Dr. Ron Johnson. The CgFARAD provides expert-mediated decision support for inquiries related to drug or chemical residues in food animals. The purpose of the CgFARAD is not to promote extra-label drug use, but rather to protect public safety when it is necessary for licensed veterinarians to use approved drugs in this manner. CgFARAD withdrawal recommendations are not official withdrawal times. Responsibility for residue violations remains with the prescribing veterinarian. The bulk of the 14,700 requests since 2002 concern withdrawal times related to the extra-label use of drugs in poultry and swine feeds. CgFARAD is often assisted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Centre for Veterinary Drug Residues, that provides information on analytical methods and limits of detection for many veterinary drugs. Dr. Dowling was adamant in reminding veterinarians that withdrawal recommendations are only provided for approved drugs used in species for which they are intended. Withdrawal times for approved drugs are based on maximum residue levels (MRLs) established by regulatory agencies. It is critical for veterinarians and producers to clearly understand that MRLs do not reflect limits of detection, which are often calculated in parts per billion and moving toward parts per trillion as technology advances. Detectable limits of many drugs last months; some persist for years. The use of nonapproved drugs, including antimicrobials can have huge legal and financial implications for those who intentionally walk the line. Dr. Ron Clarke prepares this column on behalf of the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners. Suggestions for future articles can be sent to CANADIAN CATTLEMEN (gren@fbcpublishing.com) or WCABP (info@wcabp.com).
CATTLEMEN / DECEMBER 2012 27
HOLISTIC RANCHING
Achieving success
W
hy are you in business? Is your business giving you the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that you desire? Do you manage your business or does your business manage you? To help you reflect on these questions let me share the following story from AdvantEdge.
ing,” answered the businessman, laughing. “When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!” “Millions? Really? And after that?” “After that you’ll be able to retire and live in a tiny village near the coast. You can sleep late, fish a little, play with your children and take a siesta with your wife. In the evenings, you can go into the village to see your friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar and sing a few songs… you will have a full life.” Each of us can draw our own conclusions from this Perceptions of success story. I believe that money is important but it isn’t the only thing in life. Balance, which I define as spending A cruise ship docked in a tiny Mexican village. an adequate amount of time working and an adequate While at port, a businessman complimented a Mexiamount of time being is one of the most difficult things can fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked for many of us to achieve. Having a written goal based how long it took him to catch them. “Not very on your values helps you achieve balance. As humans long,” answered the Mexican. “But then, why didn’t we have social, spiritual, emotional, mental and physiyou stay out longer and catch more?” asked the cal needs. True success requires that we spend an tourist. adequate amount of time to achieve success in each The Mexican explained that his small catch was area. Perhaps we need to sufficient to meet his reflect on what we need needs and those of his and what we want. If we family. The businessman Balance, which I define as always want more we asked, “But what do will never be truly happy. you do with the rest of spending an adequate amount At what point do you your time?” say, “wow life is good, I “I sleep late, fish a of time working and an adequate have enough, let’s slow little, play with my chilamount of time being is one of down and enjoy what dren and take a siesta have.” with my wife. In the the most difficult things for many weTrue success might evenings, I go into the be equated with living village to see my friends, of us to achieve. Having your dream. To see how have a few drinks, play a written goal based on your closely you are living the guitar and sing a few dream imagine that songs… I have a full values helps you achieve balance your you suddenly have all life.” the time and money you The businessman could ever desire. Think interrupted, “I have an about it and plan what you would do. If you would MBA from Harvard and I can help you. You should make little or no change in your life I believe you are start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell already living your dream. I encourage you to conthe extra fi sh you catch. With the extra revenue, tinue doing so. Incidentally I have met quite a few you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money people who feel exactly like that. the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second If you would make major changes perhaps you one and a third one and so on until you have an are not living your dream. It might be wise to make entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish changes now to move closer to your dream. Life is to the middleman, you can negotiate directly with short and fragile. Now is the time to manage your the processing plants and maybe even open your business to give you what you desire. I wish you sucown plant. You can then leave this little village and cess. I believe H M has the tools to help you be more move to Mexico City, Los Angeles or even New successful. York City! From there you can direct your huge Happy trails. enterprise.” — Don Campbell “How long would that take?” asked the Mexican. “Twenty, perhaps 25 years,” replied the businessman. Don Campbell ranches with his family at Meadow Lake, “And after that?” Sask., and teaches Holistic Management courses. He can be “Afterwards? That’s when it gets really interestreached at 306-236-6088 or doncampbell@sasktel.net.
28 CATTLEMEN / DECEMBER 2012
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C C A
T Martin Unrau is president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
r e p o r t s
he Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) has devoted a lot of effort recently to a few key trade files that are nearing the home stretch from a negotiation standpoint. The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is one of the files. I was in Brussels in late November along with CCA executive vicepresident Dennis Laycraft to discuss a number of issues that still need resolution in the CETA. Top of the agenda for the CCA will be positive movement on sanitary and phytosanitary issues and other crucial technical issues that are part of the overall systems approvals. In my view this is a foundational piece that must be negotiated to a successful outcome before the remaining unresolved issues can be addressed in a way that makes sense for the Canadian cattle industry. As we have seen throughout the CETA negotiations, access for Canadian beef to the EU continues to be one of the very difficult areas that is unlikely to be resolved until the very end of the negotiations. The CCA continues to hold firm that cattle producers’ support for a CETA will depend on whether real and meaningful access is achieved. This means addressing the high EU tariffs on beef as well as technical issues that include blocking the ability of Canadian meatprocessing facilities to utilize current food safety interventions. There is a strong push to complete the negotiations before the end of the year. The CCA will continue working closely with the negotiators and ministers in order to ensure that if a CETA is reached, it will be a deal that Canadian beef cattle producers can support. Like many important trade files, the CETA has been a long time coming. As highlighted in the recent Agriculture and Agri-Food Market Access Report 2011-12, other trade files that required a concerted ongoing effort to result in a positive outcome include restoration of access of under-30-month (UTM) Canadian beef to South Korea and UTM boneless Canadian beef to China. Of course, the World Trade Organization (WTO) determination that U.S. country-of-origin labelling (COOL) discriminates against Canadian livestock — a decision subsequently upheld by the WTO Appellate Body, is another significant achievement of direct benefit to industry competitiveness. In early December, the WTO arbitrator will give his ruling on the length of time the U.S. will have to comply with the ruling. Japan recently pledged that it will seek entry to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks. Canada joined the TPP in October and will participate in the next negotiating session in December. CCA’s John Masswohl will be there to work with our Five Nations Beef Alliance partners to build support for our collective TPP platform. The platform
30 Cattlemen / December 2012
by Martin Unrau
is built on the unique opportunity TPP provides to address several trade barriers such as to achieve compliance with existing international standards and to create new standards within the TPP region that have not been achievable globally. Canadian beef is well positioned to gain new access to the important Japanese market regardless of whether or when Japan is eventually admitted to the TPP. Japan continues to go through its process towards access for UTM beef and is making solid progress. The independent Food Safety Commission recently released its risk analysis report on UTM access which showed negligible risk in moving from the current under 21 months (U21) to UTM. The best estimate for implementation is the first quarter of 2013. If Japan moves to UTM and we are successful with a favourable economic partnership agreement, our prospects are good. We are moving past the XL Foods Inc. E. coli event now, with JBS USA firmly at the management helm. The CCA is taking an active role in the debriefing process around the event in terms of identifying areas where work needs to be done to ensure industry and government work collaboratively together in the future. The CCA was invited to submit comments to the chair of the Ministerial Advisory Board to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to provide some scope for the review to be undertaken by the Expert Advisory Panel of the CFIA. We have submitted detailed comments on the scope and content of the review. The CCA is also involved in a separate communications review of the event to identify communications weaknesses and provide areas of support and collaboration and issues management. We need to be a part of these reviews so that when another event happens there will be better procedures and policies in place to enable the CCA to better respond to its public and industry stakeholders. The E. coli event and the actions around it created a large economic impact felt by everyone in the industry. We need to be prepared because cattle production in Canada is big business. A recent study funded in part by the CCA examining the industry’s overall economic impact found that the cattle industry is responsible for $33 billion worth of sales of goods and services either directly or indirectly; that every job in the sector yields another 3.56 jobs elsewhere in the economy; that for every $1 of income received by workers and farm owners, another $2.08 is created elsewhere; and that either directly or indirectly through induced income effects, the beef sector generates 228,811 jobs in the country. The beef cattle industry is an important contributor to the country’s GDP; events like the recent plant closure show that producers aren’t the only ones to take a hit when the unexpected occurs. www.canadiancattlemen.ca
RESEARCH
Some good news on the antimicrobial resistance front
T
his column has covered its share of articles about producer-funded antimicrobial resistance research. However, antimicrobial resistance is an increasingly important issue for all livestock industries. Some important antimicrobials do not combat human infections as effectively as they once did because the disease-causing bacteria have developed resistance to the antimicrobial drugs that used to kill them. Antimicrobial resistance itself occurs naturally, but the inappropriate prescription, use or disposal of antimicrobial products in human, pet or livestock medicine can favour the survival, reproduction and spread of resistant strains. Modern livestock production is often blamed for the increase in antimicrobial resistance, but does the evidence really point at beef? Earlier this year, a research team led by Mueen Alsam (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Sylvia Checkley (University of Calgary) and Valerie Bohaychuk (Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development) published the results of a large study funded by the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency. These researchers studied antimicrobial resistance in retail beef, as well as pork, chicken and turkey. This team focused on E. coli, enterococcus, and salmonella. What they did: Over the course of one year, these researchers went to grocery stores around Alberta and bought packages of chicken, turkey, beef and pork. Each meat sample was cultured for the three different bacteria, and each bacterium was tested for resistance to more than a dozen different antimicrobials of Very High, High or Medium importance in human health. What they learned: E. coli is found in the digestive tract of all warm-blooded animals, and usually doesn’t cause any health problems for either livestock or humans. This makes it a valuable “indicator” organism for antimicrobial resistance. If antimicrobial resistance increases in E. coli, it is probably due to antimicrobials that were used to treat a disease caused by a different organism altogether. These researchers found that fewer than 20 per cent of E. coli isolates from beef were resistant to at least one antimicrobial; pork was 42 per cent, turkey was 64 per cent and chicken was 72 per cent. Fewer than three per cent in E. coli isolated from beef and pork were resistant to antimicrobials of Very High importance in human health; turkey was 11 per cent and chicken was 32 per cent. Fewer than five per cent of the E. coli isolated from beef were resistant to three or more antimicrobials; pork was 17 per cent, turkey was 31 per cent and chicken was 42 per cent. Enterococcus faecalis is also commonly found in the digestive tract of humans and animals, and usually doesn’t cause serious health problems as long as it stays there. Enterococcus is more susceptible to some antimicrobials than E. coli, so studying both bacteria gives a more com-
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plete antimicrobial resistance picture. These researchers found that antimicrobial resistance was more common in enterococcus than in E. coli. Fewer than three per cent of enterococcus from beef and pork were resistant to antimicrobials of Very High importance in human health; turkey was five per cent and chicken was three per cent. Fewer than 15 per cent of enterococcus from beef were resistant to three or more antimicrobials; pork was 45 per cent, turkey and chicken were both 91 per cent. Salmonella contributed to 35 per cent of foodborne illnesses requiring hospitalization in the U.S., according to a 2010 report from the Center for Disease Control (E. coli 0157:H7 was four per cent). Interestingly, the researchers in the Alberta study did not find any salmonella in the beef samples, and very little in pork. This made it difficult to study antimicrobial resistance in these meats. Over 70 per cent of the salmonella from turkey and chicken samples were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Fewer than 25 per cent of salmonella isolates from turkey were resistant to antimicrobials of Very High importance in human health; chicken was 21 per cent. Fewer than 33 per cent of salmonella isolates from turkey were resistant to three or more antimicrobials; chicken was 25 per cent. What it means: The findings from this study (and others like it) beg the question — if resistance to antimicrobials of the highest importance in human health is low (and staying low) in Canadian beef, why do we keep funding and talking about antimicrobial resistance research, especially since proper kitchen hygiene and thorough cooking will kill the bacteria? For one thing, ongoing surveillance tells whether the beef industry is still using antimicrobials responsibly, and can help detect potential issues before they become problems. Research like this also provides solid facts that can help ensure that potential regulations effectively target problem areas, without overregulating sectors that are using antimicrobials responsibly. Finally, consumers are regularly bombarded with messages about how modern agriculture overuses antimicrobials. Research allows us to credibly tell the public a good and honest story about how Canada’s beef producers use antimicrobials responsibly. Visit www.beefresearch.ca for more information about Beef Cattle Research Council activities funded through the national checkoff. The Beef Research Cluster is funded by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to advance research and technology transfer supporting the Canadian beef industry’s vision to be recognized as a preferred supplier of healthy, high-quality beef, cattle and genetics. — Reynold Bergen Reynold Bergen is the science director for the Beef Cattle Research Council. A portion of the national checkoff is directed to the BCRC to fund research and development activities to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of Canada’s beef industry.
CATTLEMEN / DECEMBER 2012 31
P r i m e
c u t s
by Steve Kay
JBS will strengthen industry A North American view of the meat industry. Steve Kay is publisher and editor of Cattle Buyers Weekly
T
he phone conversation might have gone and Canada is the leading value market for U.S. like this: “Bill, this is Brian. We’ve got exports (US$1.03 billion in 2011). an E. coli problem and we need your Some in Canada decry its “dependence” on expertise to help us resolve it.” I’m the U.S. market. I take a different view. The not sure if XL Foods co-CEO Brian Nilsson proximity of the vast U.S. consumer market is personally called JBS USA president Bill Rupp. a huge positive for the Canadian industry and But I know that JBS dispatched its top food it makes no sense not to see it as such. In fact, safety specialists to XL’s Brooks, Alta., plant one of the pluses of JBS’s likely ownership of XL even before XL’s beef recall began to multiply. Foods is that it will, if it wants to, bring even It was inevitable therefore that JBS would more Canadian beef into the U.S. and market be the “white knight” to rescue XL Foods from it to its retail and food service customers. XL a fate that many in the Canadian cattle indusFoods clearly did not have the resources to do try feared, a long shutdown of the plant or what JBS might potentially do with Canadian even permanent closure. The immediate resbeef. cue involved JBS assuming management of the I’ve watched JBS closely since it entered plant and getting it up and running again. It North America through its 2007 acquisition is a testament to JBS’s of Swift and Company. food safety, labour and My observation is that management skills that JBS really does “walk the plant was operating talk” and that it will My observation is that JBS the at half its 4,000-headmake the Canadian beef really does “walk the talk” industry stronger for per-day capacity within two weeks of restarting being there. For startand that it will make the operations. ers, JBS is a truly global The second part of marketer. There’s hardly Canadian beef industry the rescue involves a country it doesn’t sell stronger for being there. JBS’s option to acquire some beef item to. Secthe plant and most of ond, JBS really knows For starters JBS is a truly XL Foods’ other assets how to run beef plants in Alberta and the and extract more value global marketer U.S. Unless something from a carcass. It extraordinary occurs, proved this in the U.S. JBS will exercise this option as quickly as posby turning a sickly Swift beef business into a sible. Many in Canada will be saddened by the solid performer. loss of Canadian ownership of the country’s secJBS also engages with cattle producers like no ond-largest beef company. Some might bemoan other company does. Cattle are in the DNA of the fact that the two largest plants will both be JBS’s Batista family and JBS recognizes that its foreign owned. But XL was on its knees and JBS success depends on producers. JBS USA set up a was the only likely buyer. Cargill was out for cow-calf advisory council to strengthen the ties obvious reasons and Tyson wasn’t prepared to between it and producers. It might do the same re-enter Canada after selling then Lakeside Farm thing in Canada. JBS has already outlined its Industries in 2008. focus on what it calls stakeholder engagement. Moreover, Cargill’s and JBS’s ownership in Such focus will benefit the entire Canadian beef Canada fits with the concept of a North Ameriindustry, from producers to consumers. can market. Country-of-origin labelling and the strong Canadian dollar have reduced the Cattle Buyers Weekly covers the North American meat number of Canadian cattle coming south each and livestock industry. For subscription information, year. But a two-way beef trade is as strong as contact Steve Kay at P.O. Box 2533, Petaluma, Calif. 94953, or at 707-765-1725, or go to www. ever. The U.S. is by far Canada’s most important cattlebuyersweekly.com. export market (234,593 metric tons in 2011)
32 Cattlemen / December 2012
www.canadiancattlemen.ca
BUILDING TRUST IN CANADIAN BEEF
Using animal health products wisely Using animal health products properly can reduce cost on a cattle operation, says producer Betty Green. “When we reconciled our health and financial records the savings just jumped out at us.” Green is part of a family cow-calf and feedlot operation at Fisher Branch in Manitoba’s Interlake. She says by being conscientious about using the correct product at the proper time, one can significantly cut animal health costs. “Many producers carry on their business assuming they are doing things properly,” she says. “Most are, but even the best producers find that the record-keeping within the Verified
Records show herd histor y to help you or your vet decide what is working, or when to rotate products to avoid resistance.
Beef Production program helps them become better.” The fundamentals of proper animal health product use are straightforward, she says. The right dose. Getting the right dose increases the chances of addressing the issue that’s being targeted, says Green. “You want the right amount of product but not more than you need. That’s costly and won’t do any good at all.” It’s important to have an accurate estimate of animal weight, then use the product according to label directions. “If the product calls for two doses 48 hours apart and the animal is looking a little better, you still have to give it the second dose,” she says. “We want these products to continue to work for us and for that to happen producers need to use them properly.” The right product. As producers get busy they will sometimes use what’s in the medicine cupboard. Check with a veterinarian to determine what’s best for the particular job. Proper application. Producers need to administer products correctly according to label directions. A product given intramuscularly (in the muscle), or subcutaneously (under the skin) will be absorbed at different rates into the animal’s system. And a difference in withdrawal times needs attention or there could be a potential residue. It’s important to restrain animals appropriately to avoid excessive movement when injecting, and choose a neck injection whenever possible. Consider a neck extender on your chute.
Does the syringe deliver properly? “Here’s a simple way to test calibration,” says Green. “Fill the syringe with water. If it’s a 10-cc syringe, set the dose at two cc and squirt five times. The syringe should be empty. Then refill the syringe with water and set the dose at five cc. Squirt twice and the syringe should be empty. Proper storage. Always store the product according to label direction. Too much heat, sunlight or cold could make a product less effective or useless.
Why write things down? It takes work to keep good records and it’s fair to ask if it’s worth it. “Ultimately, we’re working with food so it’s important to know exactly what happens,” says Green. “We want to accurately predict when the chemicals were used by the animal and that the product has been absorbed properly. “Writing it down indicates when the product was administered and when the withdrawal period is over. Medications delivered in feed or water can easily be overlooked when rushing to ship cattle. So remember to check the right record.”
It’s all about improvement Beef producers are proud people and they want to do the right thing for their animals and their industry, says Green. Administering drugs properly shows they are producing a safe food product. “That’s the same whether you have 10 animals or several thousand,” she says.
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STRAIGHT FROM THE HIP
The evolution of food animal
I
was asked to speak at a forum in Winnipeg to discuss “The Ethics of Edibility, Exploring the Use of Food Animals.” The invitational event was hosted by the Institute for Critical Animals Studies (ICAS) at the University of Winnipeg. There were many questions the forum hoped to address including: What does it mean to be edible? Who or what is consumed? What could an ethical relationship between animals and humans look like? On the website critical animals studies is defined as “the academic field of study dedicated to the abolition of animal and ecological exploitation, oppression, and domination. CAS is grounded in a broad, global, emancipatory inclusionary movement for total liberation and freedom.” After thoughtful consideration I chose to examine the evolution of food animals, particularly beef to define the role of food animal in purpose for human use. Meat is considered an excellent source of protein. In my travels I have visited civilizations where one can identify the meat- and non-meat-eating families. The family with access to meat is stronger, taller and in better condition. We know from science that children with access to protein are healthier and smarter because of early brain development. There is no question that meat protein plays an important role in the balanced diet. As societies and trade routes evolve, so does the access to non-meat protein sources. Nuts, seeds, some dairy, quinoa and others can be substitutes if used properly and fowl, eggs, rodents, fish and other mammals such as rabbit are common sources of protein through history. For North America the primary uses of the meat animal, including wildlife was protein and fur and that grew to protein, fur and hide. Today the food animal’s role in society is more one of adding to the well-being and quality of life through secondary credits, especially hide and gelatin. Hide is used in everything from clothing to cars and is the driver of byproduct value. But of the 500 products derived from the beef animal, perhaps gelatin is the one most prevalent in food and other products. It is found in shampoo, conditioner, makeup and skin-care products, bakery and all food preservatives, candies, ice cream, margarine, yogurt and colour gels for photography, just to name the primaries. The question then becomes not one of a societal need for meat but a societal dependence on the rest of the food animal. Pig arteries are favoured in surgery as is their skin for burn victims and synthetic substitutes don’t come close. So human medicine, including cosmetic surgery, is now advanced through the use of the food animal. The evolution of the food animal is full circle and now encompasses a high societal dependence on taste, presentation and preservation of food as well as beauty and health. We then must ask ourselves if it
34 CATTLEMEN / DECEMBER 2012
is beef protein or beef byproduct that is the economic driver for food animals. For beef, credits from offal make up one-fourth of all food animal exports and adds $19 per cwt to the live value. A full 44 per cent of the live animal weight is designated as byproduct. In pork, the value of byproducts adds $10 per cwt to the value. We cannot argue the numbers but we need to be prepared to put it into context when we enter a discussion on the ethical use of food animals. If the mandate of the ICAS is study dedicated to the abolition of animal and ecological exploitation, oppression, and domination and that means to fully liberate food animals’ then there is a societal cost, one which we could argue few would be willing to pay. If however, the question is one of the domination and oppression, then we need that defined. As for domination, the question that is often asked in critical animal studies is “who eats who?” It could be argued that there is exploitation in food animals for the comfort of companion animals as more Canadians choose food-grade food for their pets, particularly dogs. As some see dogs as humans, then we have to ask who is eating who when a dog bites a child. It would take pages to fully explore the queries of this forum but when it comes to the ethical relationship between animals and humans we must be prepared to tell our story. Dr. Temple Grandin captured the essence of an ethical relationship when she said, “Food animals are here for our use — we need to respect that.” And in respecting the food animal we need to fully appreciate the value that they add to our lives. Not only are they esthetically pleasing to the eye, a contributor to fertilization of our lands and a converter of grass and energy to protein, they are also an essential player in ecosystem health as they move over pastures and feed the birds with their insects from the body and in the manure. They are essential in scientific advancement (think glands and blood) and in assuring that care products are available and affordable to everyone. In respect of animal rights groups, they may not know the full societal contribution of our animals and would need that information to make informed choices. It is our duty to ensure that societies have an appreciation for food animals that goes beyond the retail shelf and that they have an image of us as ethical contributors to their well-being. In respect of our food animal we must always ensure that we adhere to the animal welfare codes that guide us as the food animal is entrusted to our care. — Brenda Schoepp Brenda Schoepp is a market analyst and the owner and author of BEEFLINK, a national beef cattle market newsletter. A professional speaker and industry market and research consultant, she ranches near Rimbey, Alta. Contact her at brenda.schoepp@cciwireless.ca or visit www.brendaschoepp. com. All rights reserved 2012.
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NEWS ROUNDUP ENVIRONMENT EPA BALKS ON ETHANOL WAIVER The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) was clearly disappointed by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) refusal to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) mandate for the production of corn ethanol a little more than a week after the November federal election. “In light of the most widespread drought to face the country in more than 50 years, the refusal to grant this waiver is a blatant example of the flawed policy of the RFS,” said NCBA president J.D. Alexander, a cattle feeder from Pilger, Neb. “The artificial support for corn ethanol provided for by the RFS is only making the situation worse for cattlemen and women by driving up feed costs.” In October comments to EPA, the NCBA noted that the cattle industry has suffered significant economic harm from the RFS mandate and the drought. From December 2007 to August 2012, the cattle-feeding sector lost a record $4 billion in equity due to high feed costs and economic factors that negatively affected beef demand. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports, corn prices have increased about 60 per cent since June, and the near futures price was hovering around $8 per bushel. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) put 2011 feed costs for livestock, poultry and dairy at a record high of $54.6 billion, more than $9 billion over 2010. Further, the ending carry-over stocks for 2012-13 are now forecast at 647 million bushels, less than five per cent of expected corn usage, and the lowest amount ever, according to USDA reports. This is a 35 per cent decrease from last year’s carry-over amount. If realized this would mean there would be very limited corn reserves for next year should the country experience another poor crop. “Our message to EPA and administrator Jackson is how bad does it have to get for livestock producers before relief is brought to rural America? Cattlemen and women are only asking for a level playing field,” Alexander said. “With EPA’s refusal to grant a waiver when faced with these conditions, it is www.canadiancattlemen.ca
clear the RFS is not working as Congress intended.” As expected the Advanced Ethanol Council’s (AEC) executive director Brooke Coleman had quite a different reaction to the news. “Waiving the RFS would have done little if anything to reduce grain prices, but would have hurt consumers at the pump and undercut investment in advanced biofuels. Congress was right to protect the RFS from specious and politically motivated waiver arguments, and to include in the program explicit flexibility provisions that allow the standard to adjust to changing market conditions. The RFS is well designed and is the primary reason why the United States has emerged as the global leader in the development of advanced biofuels. There will be other stalking horses advanced by the oil industry to weaken the RFS, but it is a step in the right direction to put this one behind us.”
POLICY PRODUCERS OFFER ADVICE TO CFIA EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and National Cattle Feeders’ Association have a few ideas for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s expert advisory panel to consider as they review the disastrous recall at XL Foods. The submission offers the panel 25
questions from the industry along with a recommendation to look beyond the events that precipitated the recall and identify ways to reduce the probability of future recalls and lessen the economic impact when they do occur. Whatever recommendations the panel comes up with producers say they should be “specific enough to make them actionable by industry and government,” and contain some way to monitor their implementation. They also ask that some care be taken when the panel releases its findings. “By necessity the report will address a variety of complex areas including some which have likely been oversimplified or even addressed incorrectly in the popular media,” says the joint brief that was sent to the expert panel composed primarily of bureaucrats and academics in mid-November. “The importance of the work by the panel is reflected in the reality that the closure of the XL Foods facility not only caused the loss of more than 35 per cent of Canadian processing capacity but also lowered prices for the entire market. Given that animals must typically be marketed within a fourweek window producers were required to make business decisions on the basis of very limited information and incurred significant financial losses.” The producers are asking the panel to answer some of the uncertainty about the recall that currently exists within the industry. To that end they asked the panel
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to measure the effectiveness of the recall with a comprehensive analysis of the objectives, key events and timelines associated with the decisions that were made and come up with ways to improve the recall system. The questions in the brief reflect many of the same ones still being raised in coffee shops across the country: When the plant was shut down no notice was given to the industry. In fact, communications from CFIA just before the closure left the impression that the situation was well in hand. “In the view of the panel, how should such a situation be handled in future?” Was closing the plant the only option? Would more frequent, detailed and earlier consultation with affected industry stakeholders have eased market disruption? Should information have been routinely shared with the media before the affected industry players? What was the scientific rationale
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for the recall of all whole muscle cuts? Could it not have been limited to mechanically tenderized product? Would more specific guidance on what should be done with beef in the system produced outside the official dates of the recall have reduced the amount of meat that was returned? Could CFIA have reduced the number of recall notices? To many in the industry it seemed little emphasis was given to helping the plant resume operations. Could more have been done? What was the level of expertise on the recall team sent to investigate the plant? In future should outside scientists be brought in, such as government researchers at Lacombe, Alta., specialized in meat hygiene? Should CFIA procedures be changed to ensure that methodologies like bracketing lots are appropriately monitored? How does CFIA determine if product held in the plant should be sold or destroyed? Is there any safe method, such as cooking, that could be used without destroying the product? Are there safe ways to ship this product to the U.S. to be cooked? What was achieved by the public release of corrective action requests
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2 1 Nutrition Comment Research Special features 5 4 3 2 1 Newsmakers Letters Calving Issue (Jan.) CCA Reports Custom Feedlot Guide (Sep.) Prime Cuts Stock Buyers’ Guide (Aug.) Straight From The Hip Animal Health Special (Sep.) Holistic Ranching Beef Watch (May & Nov.) What would you like to see? __________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ How much time do you and your family spend reading 1666 Dublin Avenue Canadian Cattlemen? Under 2 hours Over 2 hours Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1
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(CARS) during the recall? Shouldn’t public communications related to plant practices be limited to those that have a bearing on the E. coli contamination? If, as we believe, the product that tested positive at the U.S. border tested negative at the plant, what measures should be taken to improve testing methodologies? What are the key measures the panel would recommend to enhance consumer confidence and reduce the economic impacts from a recall? “What could be done for the future to reduce costs and secondary impacts to individuals who make their livelihood in the beef and cattle sector?”
pastures Restore II herbicide registered for grasslands Dow AgroSciences has announced the registration of Restore II, a next-generation, broad-spectrum herbicide to control invasive plants and broadleaf weeds on rangeland and permanent pasture. Restore II is designed from Dow AgroSciences Reduced Risk Aminopyralid chemistry, which has a favourable environmental and toxicological profile compared to other industry standards. It comes in a co-formulated solution that does not require mixing, making it easy to use. An application of Restore II will increase grass production through controlling invasive and broadleaf weeds which can rob the productivity of pastures. Restore II is an effective alternative to quick fixes such as mowing or breaking land and it will provide long-lasting results,” says Mark Alberts, product manager with Dow AgroSciences in Calgary. It is safe on grass and livestock when used according to the label. Mammals do not metabolize it, and there are no grazing restrictions for livestock in fields where it has been applied. For more information visit www.dowagro.ca.
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meat Seeking faster ways to detect pathogenic E. coli A consortium of Canadian research organizations is putting up more than $1 million to find a better, faster way to detect E. coli 0157:H7 and other pathogenic strains during food production. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is funding the research through Genome Alberta and the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency. The money is available over 18 months for one or two projects to develop a genomic-based detection method that is rapid, sensitive, specific, affordable and easily deployed in plants. Current turnaround time for most testing methods is about 10 hours and is typically conducted in a laboratory. “This applied research initiative will demonstrate how new genomics-based technologies can be used to help detect pathogens in meat production and food processing,” said Dr. David Bailey, chief executive officer of Genome Alberta. While an investigator associated with a Canadian academic institution will lead or co-lead the project, the team may tap expertise from around the world and scientists workContinued on page 38 www.canadiancattlemen.ca
Cattlemen / December 2012 37
News Roundup Continued from page 37
ing in universities, provincial or federal research centres, private industry or non-profit research establishments. “Drawing together the brightest minds from multiple scientific disciplines in a team environment is a good way to stimulate ideas,” said Dr. Stan Blade, the CEO of Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions. “That’s the strength of this funding initiative, and we’re confident this research will lead to a rapid test that will assist the food-processing industry with real-time decision-making to ensure that Canadian food products are safe.”
Disease Alberta makes changes to its BSE surveillance program Alberta recently made a couple of changes to its BSE surveillance program. As of November 1 the province
removed the 107-month age restriction and the 30-day ownership requirement for submitting older cows showing signs of illness for a payment under the federal/provincial program. The reason behind the change is the same one that is affecting many decisions within the industry these days, a lack of numbers. Alberta, and by extension Canada, is in danger of not testing enough cattle to meet its minimum standard of 30,000 per year to maintain its controlled risk status as set by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Alberta’s target is 10,000 per year, a level Dr. Hernan Ortegon, the head of Alberta Agriculture’s animal health programs, says the province is in no danger of broaching this year. In 2011 Alberta tested 8,430 head. He says test numbers are falling again across the West in 2012, but eastern producers are testing above their minimum requirement. The recent drop in capacity for cow slaughter in Eastern Canada may have something to do with that. Nationally Canadians submitted 33,458 head in 2011, but over the first half of 2012 labs were seeing about half of the cows they saw last year at that time.
This is something producers in Alberta and Saskatchewan will be hearing more about in the new year. Government officials, producers and veterinary groups in both provinces have formed a BSE collaboration to get the word out about the need to move more cattle into the surveillance lineup. To make this program work, producers have to be willing to call their veterinarian whenever they have an animal that is 30 months and older showing neurological signs, such as changes in behaviour, locomotion or sensation, or are diseased, down, distressed, or dead due to unknown causes. If the veterinarian determines the animal is eligible, a sample is collected and you will be reimbursed $75 for your time and costs associated with allowing sampling and securing the carcass pending test results. The veterinarian’s fee is covered by the BSE Surveillance Program, and you will still benefit from the clinical information that the veterinarian gathers while assessing your animal for the program. Ortegon suspects the present slump in numbers is partly because producers tend to forget about programs like this over time. There is also the fact that cattle are worth quite a bit more today
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Research videos online In partnership with RealAgriculture. com, the Beef Cattle Research Council
(BCRC) has launched a new online learning resource called Beef Research School for the benefit of Canadian beef producers. The school, which will consist of a series of some 30 videos, will encourage producers to use researchproven ideas and technology to hopefully improve the productivity of their herds, their land and the size of their bottom line. The videos will feature researchers, veterinarians, industry experts and producers that have participated in some of the research trials. Each segment runs approximately six to 10 minutes. “Producers will quickly adopt new research-supported ideas when they make sense for their operation,” says Thornloe, Ont., producer Matt Bowman, who also chairs the BCRC board of directors. “Given the range of research topics of interest to producers, it can be difficult for them to stay caught up on publications or attend numerous seminars and field days, so the videos will be a convenient way to learn about the latest innovations.” Topics cover everything from
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research knowledge related to animal health and welfare, feeds, food safety, beef quality, genetics and environmental stewardship. The series will also discuss the importance and value of research in the Canadian beef cattle industry, showcase a research centre and highlight extension resources available across the country. Videos in the school will continue to be filmed and distributed through to summer 2013. The Beef Research School can be found online at www.BeefResearchSchool.com or through the BCRC’s new extension website at www.Beef Research.ca. Funded in part by the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency Ltd., the videos will be an important tool in the BCRC’s long-term strategy to improve technology transfer within the Canadian beef cattle industry, as mandated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Beef Cattle Industry Science Cluster. The BCRC is Canada’s producerled funding agency for beef research, which is itself funded by the cattlemen’s national $1 checkoff, and eligible to leverage government research dollars for projects identified as priorities by a committee of beef producers from across the country. It operates as a division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. C
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MARKET PLACE
Alberta isn’t the only place in the world where beef packer JBS is spreading its wings. In mid-November Reuters reported Brazil’s JBS SA, plans to open six new slaughterhouses in 2013, expanding the company’s beef production capacity in Brazil by 15 per cent. The new plants will add processing capacity of 1.2 million head of cattle by July, Reuters reports, bringing the company total capacity in the country to two million head a year. Brazil’s grass-fed beef industry is hoping to gain market share as other global beef producers, such as the United States, Europe and Australia, reduce the reproductive potential of their herds as they struggle with the high cost of feeds after the recent drought in the United States Farm Belt. Wesley Batista, the JBS Chief Executive, said the company was quickly reducing its leverage, or debt to earnings, with the improving reproductive cycle of the Brazilian cattle herd and a weaker Brazilian real against the dollar. “The cost of raising an animal in the United States is twice the cost of raising an animal in Brazil. So, they are reducing the size of their herd,” Batista said, adding that the outlook for Brazilian beef production was extremely positive.
Research
P.O. Box 39075, Lakewood Common, Saskatoon, SK S7V 0A9
Ph: (306)227-2992
Email: office@redangus.ca
www.redangus.ca
1-877-473-2474 info@isfcanada.ca www.isfcanada.ca
Cattlemen / December 2012 39
purely purebred Suggestions are always welcome. My phone number is 403-325-1695 Email: deb.wilson@ fbcpublishing.com
Deborah WILSON
◆ In the November issue some of the faces you might recognize in the picture are
(l to r): Shelly Ericson, Val Holowaychuk, Mike Chase, John Lee, Brian Geis, Rob Holowaychuk, Flossie Bodell, Dennis Ericson and Mark Holowaychuk.
◆ The “Old-timer” picture for this
issue features a show animal and three individuals that were well known in the industry. We even see a couple of these faces at events today! Get your thinking caps on, folks.
attended a few sales already this fall and the response to Simmental has been great. The Simmental cattle that have been on offer have sold very well, and they are seeing averages up and new people getting involved in the breed. When new people are willing to invest in a breed, it is an indicator of the economic health of the industry.
◆ The Canadian Charolais Association
is definitely experiencing a “changing of the guard” with Neil Gillies leaving after 11 years as general manager of the association. Presently Melanie Reekie, the new office manager, is carrying on the business of the association. There had been no word of a replacement at press time.
◆ Ken Munton emailed me and identi-
fied the two gentlemen (dudes with the glasses) in the October super-size issue. “Those two dudes are: on left Ken Munton of Kenalta Angus Ranch and on right is a young Barry Bennett who at the time was ag manager for the CIBC. This picture was taken east of Champion, Alta. at an East Champion Angus, Kenalta Angus, Alcan Angus and Coalbridge Angus production sale in the late 1970s. Don’t worry about the glasses, Barry looks like he still had his hair!!!!” Andy Hart and Dave Hasson also accurately identified these two “dudes.”
◆ Some of the Simmental staff have 40 Cattlemen / December 2012
◆ This Russia-Kazakhstan trip that Canadian Beef Breeds vice-chair Dave Bolduc and Canadian Angus Association president Gary Latimer joined CAA CEO Rob Smith on, has helped Rob determine a strategy going forward into 2013 for the Russian market, which includes establishing strong relationships with government. He feels this will be of critical importance to success in either straight-up sales or joint venture partnerships. Rob has indicated that after this trip he is feeling “more and more confident about how we market to Russia.” Gary, Dave and Rob then travelled to Kazakhstan, where Rob has many contacts and history, as he spent five years working there. Rob said he was inundated
with requests for meetings prior to and while they were in the country.
◆ The Canadian Hereford Association was also busy travelling in October with general manager Gordon Stephenson attending the Golden Autumn Exhibition in Moscow and then travelling southeast of Moscow to Orenburg. He was part of the official opening of the Canada-Russian Livestock Consulting Center and participated in the 2nd Annual Livestock Forum. The Canadian Hereford Association has had a very strong presence in the last two years in this area. ◆ Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Farmfair International in early November, to collaborate on international marketing and promotional activities to attract international buyers to both shows in 2013. “This MOU demonstrates the strong working relationship between Agribition and Farmfair,” said Marty Seymour, CEO of CWA. “Working together provides a greater opportunity to develop international markets for the betterment of the industry.” “Through collaboration, we’re building a larger contingent of international buyers, creating commerce and making it more attractive for exhibitors to attend both events,” said Richard L. Andersen, CFR, president and CEO of Northlands. ◆ In 2013, CWA in Regina, Sask. www.canadiancattlemen.ca
will take place November 11-16 and Farmfair International at Northlands in Edmonton, Alberta is scheduled for November 3-10. With both events showcasing top-quality livestock and taking place so closely together, there is a natural collaborative opportunity. The main objective is to co-operate in international marketing and promotion as well as a joint Inbound Buyers Program for international buyers interested in attending both shows.
◆ The Manitoba Angus Association’s
Fall Gold Show Red Division saw judge, Lance Leachman, of Maidstone, Sask., sorting the cattle. As his Grand Champion Red Female he selected — Red Blake’s Miss Gravity 72X from Blake’s Red Angus, McCord, Sask. The Reserve Grand Champion Red Female was Red KF Clarit 48Z shown by Kuntz Farm, Balgonie, Sask. The bull division saw Leachman select Grand Champion Red Bull — Red Chopper K Habanero 99Z exhibited by Chopper K Red Angus, Carnduff, Sask., while his Reserve Grand Champion Red Bull was Red Rock of Spittalburn 101Y — from Phil Birnie, Wraz Red Angus, Wawota, Sask. Premier Breeder and Exhibitor was Hopper K Red Angus from Carnduff, Sask. The Black Division results were as follows: Grand Champion Female — SCC Miss Kali Belle 26Z exhibited by Stewart Cattle Co., Russell, Man. The Grand Champion Female was SCC Miss Kali Belle 26Z from Stewart Cattle Co., Russell, Man. In the Bull Division the Grand Champion Bull was SMW Zenith 4Z shown by Wagner Angus, Moose Jaw, Sask. with the Reserve Grand Champion Bull — Northern View SMW Gustov 3Z from
Canadian Angus CEO Rob Smith (l to r), Premier Breeder Brent Stewart and CAA President Gary Latimer. www.canadiancattlemen.ca
Wagner Angus, Moose Jaw, Sask. Premier Breeder was Stewart Cattle Co. of Russell, Man., and the Premier Exhibitor was N7 Stock Farm from Crandall, Man.
◆ Profiles of Cattlemen’s Young Leaders: — Erika Strande — mentor: Erika Fossen. Erika Strande holds a degree in education with a minor in agriculture from the University of Alberta. She grew up south of Merritt on her family’s cattle ranch. While attending university she Erika Strande also played rugby for the University of Alberta Panda’s rugby team. She graduated from university last December and moved back to the family ranch. She currently teaches part time at the local middle school while working on the ranch. — Jeffrey Yorga — mentor: Chantelle Donahue. Jeff grew up on his family farm (J. Yorga Farms) at Flintoft, Sask., with his parents Kelly and Norma and sisters Jillian and Jessica. He was active in the local 4-H club during high school and attended the University of Regina Jeffrey Yorga on a football scholarship, graduating with a degree in business (b. admin marketing/finance) and a degree in economics (BA). After university, he played with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League for two seasons. Today he remains an active partner on the ranch and works with Value Partners Investments of Winnipeg. — Ryan Hurlburt — mentor: Rick Wright. Ryan is in his last year at the University of Sask-atchewan where he will complete his agriculture business degree. In 2008 he graduated from the World Wide College of Auctioneering in Denver, Colorado. He is actively involved Ryan Hurlburt with his family’s purebred cattle operation near Saskatoon, Sask., and over the years has been involved in 4-H, and various junior breed associations. He is currently working as an auctioneer with PBR Auctions in Saskatoon while finishing his last year of school. He currently serves on the Saskatoon Fall Fair
purebred committee as the prospect steer and heifer representative. — Travis Ebens — mentor: Jim Turner. Travis Ebens is in his third year of an environmental science degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He spent his youth working on his uncle’s feedlot/ cow-calf operation near Lacombe, Alta., where he discovered a passion for agriculTravis Ebens ture and the environment at a young age. After graduating he plans to continue working in the cattle industry. He has a keen interest in the relationship between beef production and environmental stewardship and is interested in how environmental policy development will affect the beef industry and urban consumers. — Kimberly McCaw — mentor: Brian Little. Kimberly graduated with a BSc. from the University of Guelph in 2003 and recently completed a master’s degree in animal nutrition and public policy alongside a diploma in human resources manageKimberly McCaw ment. She grew up on a beef, dairy, market garden and cash crop farm in eastern Ontario and works as an inspector for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. She volunteers as a 4-H leader, assisting members with showing beef cattle at local fairs. She also sits on numerous committees like the Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture, 4-H Ontario board of directors, the 4-H Dairy and Beef Sen$e programs and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program.
◆ The first day of Stockade Roundup on Thursday, November 1, saw enthusiastic crowds and exciting action with the Stock Dog Trials and the first half of the Purebred Cattle Shows taking place. The purebred cattle shows included: Polled Hereford, Horned Hereford, Speckle Park, Shorthorn, Charolais and Simmental, as well as the Stockade Lady Jackpot Show. Friday featured the remainder of the purebred shows, commercial cattle show and sale, Cattleman of the Year Award ceremony, which was awarded to Vee Tee Feeders Ltd. of Lloydminster, Alta., the King of the Ring Jackpot Show, and the Supreme Continued on page 42 Cattlemen / December 2012 41
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◆ The Canadian Limousin Association is hosting two focus groups, one in Ontario on Dec. 3 and the second in Alberta on Dec. 10. The goal is to approach industry players/value chain members from a demand-driven perspective, not a product one. The themes that they will explore are: • Developing a common understanding of the prime selected traits of Limousin cattle in today’s market. • Identify obstacles and opportunities in the production chain. • Concur on common interests and cost concerns of all links in the value chain. • Promoting the Limousin advantage and how they can work to translate this advantage into greater market share. This month’s profile is a Gelbvieh bull named “Belgrad 62837.” Belgrad is truly a historical figure in Gelbvieh history. Belgrad was born in 1971 in the Bavarian region of Germany. In 1972 he was rated as the second-highestperforming German bull for all breeds. He is considered by many to have contributed more to the breed in the United States than any other bull by producing top bulls and females. Belgrad had excellent EPDs for weaning weight and yearling weight while maintaining close to average birth weight. He exhibited gains as high as 3.24 lbs./day on the German grass-based test. He also had one of the highest marbling EPDs of all proven sires. Belgrad semen was never allowed into Canada directly. Instead, his influence in the Canadian pedigree came from three of his sons: Belgrad II (CDGV243), MFG Constructor 10H (CDGV570) and Minnesota Belgrad (CDGV809). These three sons were popular AI sires for a number of years. As well, progeny from Belgrad that were born in the U.S. were imported into Canada. These animals exemplified some of the attributes of the breed, including an excellent temperament and the ability to readily adapt to the hard conditions in Canada. C
sales Edam Fall Fair sale results Edam, Sask., Oct. 27 Prospect Steers, av. $989 Rancher’s choice open replacement heifers, av. $931 Prospect heifers, av. $872.50 Pens of three open heifers, av. $940 Pens of five open heifers, av. $993.85 Pens of three bred heifers, av. $1,691 Pens of five bred heifers, av. $1,650
www.canadiancattlemen.ca
The markets
Market Summary debbie mcmillin Fed Cattle Fed prices jumped over $7/cwt in the past four weeks as both large Alberta packers started aggressively looking to buy cattle. A softer Canadian dollar, seasonal improvement in the market and larger exports over the past month also combined to keep market-ready cattle moving and push prices up. At mid-November Alberta fed steers averaged $113.93/cwt, up $1.35/cwt from the year before and more than $20 above 2010. A drop in U.S. prices to start November due to disruptions caused by hurricane Sandy coupled with the improvement in the local prices narrowed the mid-month fed cash-to-cash basis, to -10.73/cwt compared to -18/ cwt just five weeks before. The November 1 cattle-on-feed report was the smallest on record at 774,201 head, down 11 per cent from 2011, once again confirming the tight supply situation. October placements were down 22 per cent at 246,390 head, reflecting the uncertainty caused by the shutdown of XL Foods and the
Deb’s Outlook
number of calves that were being backgrounded at home until the market stabilized or shipped south. Domestic slaughter took a hit while the plant was closed but year-to-date steer slaughter is off only four per cent at 1,215,818 head while heifer slaughter is down nine per cent at 737,391 head. Fed exports, however, jumped because of the disruption. Over the five weeks of our reporting period into November over 72,000 head of fed cattle went to the U.S., about 42 per cent more than last year during those same five weeks. On the year, however, fed exports were down one per cent at 354,948 head at mid-November.
Feeder Cattle While weekly auction market volumes have been mostly smaller than last year, a large number of calves moved through regular and pre-sort sales in the last few weeks. Interest from Canadian and U.S. feedlots has been solid throughout the fall although high-cost barley has held most prices steady to last year’s levels. Mid-month 550 steers averaged $158.10/cwt, up $7 from midOctober but $1.10 over last year. Volumes of the heavier feeders are lighter at this time of year, but the bulk of the trade at mid-November was averaging $130.75/cwt, $3 better than October but flat to last year. The feeder basis has not moved much throughout the fall run. The 850-lb. feeder basis is -13.82/ cwt at press time. The smaller U.S. herd coupled with some recent weakness in should remain small compared to recent years.
Fed Cattle
Feeder Cattle
Canadian feedlot inventories are manageable to the end of 2012, which should give feeders some leverage. Seasonally the basis should continue to narrow towards yearend with the support of a softening dollar. Cash prices should remain steady to stronger as wholesalers look for holiday movement of the higher-priced middle meats. With the start of 2013 larger numbers of those early-placed drought calves should start to come to town in the U.S., while our local numbers
Renewed enthusiasm was seen in the feeder market last month as the buyers returned and fed markets moved closer to normal levels. U.S. interest has put a solid floor under this market but prices are trading sideways to last year with barley prices making feedlots cautious. Prices on light- and mid-weight feeders generally move up going into the new year particularly when feedlots are looking at heavier calves to shorten their days on feed. Certainly quality will play a role on premium
www.canadiancattlemen.ca
the Canadian dollar has encouraged exports through much of the year, but particularly in the fall run. So far in 2012, feeder exports are running 80 per cent ahead of last year at 124,208 head.
Cull Cattle As auction market volumes picked up in recent weeks for calves across the Prairies so did the volume of cows coming to town. At mid-October D1,2 cows had dipped down to an average $63.63/ cwt but since then even as numbers have been larger prices have increased to average $65.44/cwt at mid-November. That’s $1.66/cwt higher than the same week in 2011. Fortunately, while the Brooks plant was out, export sales kept the numbers from building up on the market. As of the start of November we had exported 143,190 cows, 20 per cent more than the same period in 2011. Bull shipments to the U.S. were up 15 per cent at 39,270 head. Domestic cow slaughter continues to run behind last-year levels with fewer cows around to be processed. To mid-month it was down 17 per cent for the year at 341,178 head. Bull slaughter is down 36 per cent for a total of 13,703 head. Butcher bull prices held mostly steady over the past few weeks, most recently averaging $76.33/cwt.
— Debbie McMillin
Debbie McMillin is a market analyst who ranches at Hanna, Alta.
More markets➤ cattle moving forward but also different weight classes may pull premiums as feedlots look to hit the generally higher-priced spring-fed market.
Cull Outlook Cow slaughter should pick up now that operations have resumed at the Brooks plant. Looking towards the end of the year and into 2013 demand for trim and grinding meats will remain strong with limited numbers available for slaughter in North America. This demand should support prices and export demand should hold cull cattle prices with a firm floor into the new year. Cattlemen / december 2012 43
Break-even Prices on A-Grade Steers 130
ALBERTA
170
110
90 80
Steer Calves (500-600 lb.)
180
120
100
Market Prices
190
160
western Market Summary
150 140
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
130
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
95
145
ONTARIO
135
D1,2 Cows
85
125
75
115
65
105
55
95 85 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2012
Canfax weighted average price on A-Grade steers
45
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Ontario 2011 Market Ontario prices based on a 50/50 east/west mix Summary O ntario
2012
2011
A lberta
Break-even price
2012
for steers on date sold
2013
2012
Kevin Grier2011
Market Summary (to November 3)
November 2012 prices* Alber ta Yearling steers (850 lb.)............... $129.91/cwt Barley................................................. 6.09/bu. Barley silage..................................... 76.13/ton Cost of gain (feed)........................... 81.45/cwt Cost of gain (all costs)................... 105.92/cwt Fed steers...................................... 110.20/cwt Break-even (March 2013).............. 121.31/cwt Ontario Yearling steers (850 lb.)............... $131.23/cwt Corn silage....................................... 58.88/ton Grain corn........................................... 7.11/bu. Cost of gain (feed)......................... 106.32/cwt Cost of gain (all costs)................... 131.70/cwt Fed steers...................................... 111.88/cwt Break-even (May 2013)................. 131.43/cwt *Mid-month to mid-month prices Breakevens East: end wt 1,450, 183 days West end wt 1,325 lb., 125 days
44 Cattlemen / december 2012
2012 Total Canadian federally inspected slaughter............. 2,261,189 Average steer carcass weight............................................ 878 lb. Total U.S. slaughter.................................................... 28,099,000
2011 2,464,399 851 lb. 29,255,000
Trade Summary EXPORTS 2012 Fed cattle to U.S. (to Nov. 3).......................................... 354,948 Feeder cattle and calves to U.S. (to Nov. 3)................... 124,208 Dressed beef to U.S. (to Sept.)............................. 365.69 mil.lbs Total dressed beef (to Sept.)................................ 495.90 mil.lbs
2011 358,796 69,072 417.20 mil.lbs 557.98 mil.lbs
IMPORTS 2012 Slaughter cattle from U.S. (to Sept.) ........................................ 0 *Dressed beef from U.S. (to Sept.)...................... 259.77 mil.lbs *Dressed beef from Australia (to Sept.)................... 20.50 mil.lbs *Dressed beef from New Zealand (to Sept.).............. 37.68 mil.lbs *Dressed beef from Uruguay (to Sept.).................. 19.25 mil.lbs
2011 0 270.87 mil.lbs 13.98 mil.lbs 46.06 mil.lbs 10.00 mil.lbs
Canadian Grades (to November 17) % of A grades AAA AA A Prime Total EAST WEST
+59% 18.6 27.4 1.9 0.1 48.0 Total graded 522,604 1,758,638
Yield –53% Total 13.2 54.3 3.2 40.6 0.0 2.0 0.6 1.1 17.0 Total A grade 98.0% Total ungraded % carcass basis 72,896 69.4% 88 83.5%
54-58% 22.5 10.0 0.1 0.4 33.0
Only federally inspected plants
www.canadiancattlemen.ca
market talk with Gerald Klassen
Feed barley update
C
ash barley prices in the major feeding region of southern Alberta have been hovering in the range of $275/mt to $285/mt during the first half of November. Producer selling appears to have increased as prices in the non-major feeding areas reach over the psychological $5-per-bushel level. The barley crop was smaller than anticipated which caused selling during the harvest period to be lower than expected. Many feedlots were caught short as the market rallied and were having to pay higher prices to attract supplies. I’ve had many inquiries regarding the outlook for feed barley given the uncertainty in the domestic fundamentals, tight corn supplies and limited exports from the Black Sea region. In this article, I will discuss some risks moving forward. Feedlot margins have been struggling in red ink which has caused feeder cattle prices to remain under pressure during the fall period. All cattle producers should be aware of the barley market influences for winter and spring. The chart below shows the five-year average for cattle on feed in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Notice the seasonal tendency for numbers to be the lowest in September and then peak in December and January. Cattle-on-feed numbers stay rather stagnant until May 1 and then start to drop off sharply. This seasonal tendency has a strong influence on the barley market. Domestic cash barley prices tend to be the lowest in fall and then depending on the carry-out situation, the market can be quite volatile in the summer.
000s of heads
Alberta and Saskatchewan cattle on feed five-year average (2007 through 2011)
Without going into detail, farmer selling is also very seasonal. There tends to be a flurry of selling during the harvest period; the next wave usually occurs in February or March before road ban season and then again in July prior to harvest. Traders and analysts are fairly comfortable that the Canadian barley crop will finish at 8.6 million mt resulting in total supplies of 9.9 million mt. The focus is turning to the demand equation. Notice that domestic usage is the largest component of demand; therefore, the market satisfies this www.canadiancattlemen.ca
Supply and disposition of Canadian barley (’000 tonnes) Acres seeded Acres harvested Yield (bu./ac.)
StatsCan 11/12
Estimated 12/13
6,911 5,899 59.21
6,472 5,843 61.00
7,390 6,763 58.30
1,626 2,844 2,368 11,781 9,517 11,141 42 42 76 13,449 12,403 13,585
2,583 7,605 42 10,230
1,441 7,755 14 9,210
1,222 8,584 100 9,906
1,495 309 1,015 7,731 10,550 2,899
1,272 233 902 6,382 8,789 1,441
1,200 256 933 5,599 7,988 1,222
1,200 280 900 6,300 8,680 1,226
08/09 9,357 8,521 62.50
10-year StatsCan 10/11
09/10 average 8,663 11,067 7,209 9,381 60.60 55
SUPPLY
Opening stocks Aug. 1 Production Imports TOTAL SUPPLY USE
Exports Seed Human food/industrial/1 Feed-waste-dockage TOTAL USE TOTAL CARRY-OVER
1,301 256 954 7,309 9,820 2,583
1,538 372 981 8,346 11,237 2,348
1/includes barley processed domestically and then exported as malt
factor first before other demand variables. I’m factoring in 6.3 million mt for domestic feed usage. Corn, DDGS and wheat are all trading at a sharp premium to barley; therefore, we can expect a year-over-year increase in domestic demand for barley. Human food and industrial is fairly stagnant from year to year which leaves 1.2 million mt for export channels. So far, Japan and the U.S. have been the main buyers for feed barley and malt barley business is slow because our domestic feed prices are higher than world malt barley values. Offers from the Black Sea region have dried up and Argentine and Australia barley are now the most competitive. However, world coarse grains will be record tight at the end of the 2012-13 crop year so world prices are expected to strengthen. The Canadian barley carry-out is expected to drop to 1.2 million mt at the end of the crop year, similar to 2011-12. I don’t think this market is going to break given the tight supplies. I wouldn’t be surprised to see barley rally an additional $20 to $30 from current levels. If exports do not look like they will meet the projection above, then we could see pressure on the barley market in the final quarter of the crop year. Adverse weather conditions can slow farmer selling to a trickle. Feedlots should always be booked up at least two months in advance when ending stocks are below the 10-year average. Any shortfall can cause the market to jump sharply (over $25 mt) in a short amount of time. Cow-calf producers need to realize that further upside in corn and barley markets will offset the gain in fed cattle prices resulting in a flat feeder market. Gerald Klassen analyzes markets in Winnipeg and also maintains an interest in the family feedlot in southern Alberta. He can be reached at jkci@mymts.net or 204-287-8268. Cattlemen / december 2012 45
SALES AND EVENTS EVENTS December
10-12—Canadian Forest and Grassland AGM and Conference, “Innovation in the Forage and Grassland Sector,” Radisson Plaza Mississauga, Toronto, Ont.
January 2013
3-22—107th National Western Stock Show, National Western Complex, Denver, Colorado 23-25—Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference, Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon, Sask. 29—Alberta Cattle Feeders AGM, Memorial Centre, Lacombe, Alta.
February
7-8—Manitoba Beef Producers AGM, Victoria Inn, Brandon, Man. 12-13—Western Canadian Holistic Management Conference, Russell Community Centre, Russell, Man. 13—Alltech’s North American Lecture Tour 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Canad Inns Club Regent, Winnipeg, Man. 14—Alltech’s North American Lecture Tour 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Sheraton Hotel, Red Deer, Alta. 15—Alltech’s North American Lecture Tour 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Lethbridge Lodge, Lethbridge, Alta. 20-21—Ontario Cattlemen’s Association AGM and Conference, Doubletree Inn by Hilton, Toronto, Ont. 20-22—10th Annual Alberta Beef Industry Conference, Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Alta.
January 2013
March
6-7—Calgary Bull Show and Sale, Stampede Park, Calgary, Alta., www.calgarybullsale. com
June
7-9—Lakeland College-Vermilion, 2013 Alumni Homecoming and Rose Ball — 100th Anniversary, Lakeland College, Vermilion, Alta., 780-853-8628, www.lake landc.ab.ca
SALES December
8—Westwood Land and Cattle Sale #3 — Bred Females, Nilsson Bros. Livestock, Vermilion, Alta. 12—Westwood Land and Cattle Sale #4 — Bred Females, Provost Livestock Exchange, Provost, Alta. 13-14—Geis Angus Dispersal Sale — 700 Head on offer, Nilsson Bros. Inc., Clyde, Alta., www.cattlemanagement.ca 15—Perrot-Martin Charolais Complete Herd Dispersal, at the farm, Niacam, Sask.
STAMPEDE
By Jerry Palen
26—MC Quantock Bull Sale, at the ranch, Lloydminster, Sask., www.mcquantock. com 26—Lazy S Ranch Bull Power Sale plus Females, at the ranch, Mayerthorpe, Alta., www.lazysranch.com
February
2—Hill 70 Quantock Ranch Bull Sale, at the ranch, Lloydminster, Sask., www.hill 70quantock.com 4—Lazy RC Ranch Red and Black Angus Long Yearling Bull Sale, at the ranch, Beechy, Sask., www.lazyrcranch.com 8—MJT Cattle Co. Back to the Basics 19th Annual Bull Sale, Hereford and Angus, at the ranch, Edgerton, Alta., www.mjt.ca 9—Soderglen Ranch Bull Sale, at the ranch, Airdrie, Alta., www.soderglen.com 19—Rawes Ranches 30th Annual Charolais Bull Sale, at the ranch, Strome, Alta., www. rawesranches.com 26—Rainalta and Guests Simmental and Charolais Bull Sale, Bow Slope Shipping, Brooks, Alta. 28—Holloway Farms Ltd. Annual Hereford Sale, Dryland Cattle Trading, Veteran, Alta., www.hollowayfarmsltd.com
March
2—Davidson Gelbvieh and Lonesome Dove Ranch 24th Annual Bull Sale, at their bull yards, Ponteix, Sask. 6-7—Calgary Bull Show and Sale, Stampede Park, Calgary, Alta., www.calgarybullsale. com
April
AD INDEX Page Allen Leigh Security & Communications Ltd. 35 Beef Improvement Ontario 39 Beefbooster 17 Canada Beef 12 Canadian Angus Assoc. 5 Canadian Charolais Assoc. OBC Canadian Gelbvieh Assoc. 39 Canadian Hereford Assoc. 11 Canadian Limousin Assoc. 39 Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society 39 Canadian Shorthorn Assoc. 19 Canadian Simmental Assoc. 21, 39 L I V E S T O C K C A R E Canadian Welsh Black Society 39 L I V E S T O C K C A R E Direct Livestock Marketing 37 Greener Pastures 35 Hill 70 Quantock Ranch 7 Help Line & Resource Team International Stock Foods 39 Help Line & Resource Team John Deere Ag Marketing Center 13 To Lreport care Help Line Team I V Elivestock S &TResource O C K concerns C A R E Lakeland Group/Northstar 8 a-p CALL To report livestock care concerns Lazy RC Ranch Ltd. Help Line &25 Resource Team Lazy S Ranch 37 CALL MC Quantock Livestock IFC, 3 afac.ab.ca Supported by Alberta’s Livestock Industry Merck Animal Health 33 Help Line & Resource Team Norheim Ranching 39 afac.ab.caTo Supported bylivestock Alberta’s Livestock report careIndustry concerns Pfizer Animal Health IBC CALL Rafter 8 15 Salers Assoc. ofafac.ab.ca Canada 39 Supported by Alberta’s Livestock Industry Saskatchewan Beef Industry 23 Xplornet 29 afac.ab.ca Supported by Alberta’s Livestock Industry
3—Peak Dot Ranch Spring Bull and Female Sale, at the ranch, Wood Mountain, Sask., www.peakdotranch.com 4—Crowfoot Cattle Co. 21st Annual Red and Black Angus Bull Sale, at the ranch, Standard, Alta., www.crowfoot.com Event listings are a free service to industry. Sale listings are for our advertisers. Your contact is Deborah Wilson at 403-325-1695 or deb.wilson@fbcpublishing.com
STAMPEDE
By Jerry Palen
ALERT ALERT ALERT 1-800-506-2273 ALERT 1-800-506-2273
L I V E S T O C K
C A R E
To report livestock care concerns CALL
1-800-506-2273
1-800-506-2273
46 CATTLEMEN / DECEMBER 2012
“His sore toe is turning into MY pain in the neck.” www.canadiancattlemen.ca
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