HIDDEN-VIEW POLLED HEREFORDS
Joe and Karen Paszternak NORWOOD, ON 705-9573739 or 705-957-7470
karen.paszternak@gmail.com Cows and heifers for sale
JDL CATTLE CO. & D&S LIVESTOCK
David & Shirley Lasby
Josh Lasby, Justin & Jaimie Lasby & Family, Jessica Lasby & Travis Fulford & Family
MULMUR, ON 519-943-4147 or 519-278-6819
jessica.lasby@hotmail.com Good-looking, Sound, Functional Cattle!
LIAN MOR POLLED HEREFORD
Wally & Fern Pugh MONO, ON Wally & Fern Pugh lianmor@sympatico.ca · 519-941-8515 Trevor & Amy tpugh27@yahoo.com · 519-939-7489
Breeding Stock Available
MEDONTE HIGHLANDS POLLED HEREFORDS 3055 Universal Dr. Mississauga, Ontario (905) 625-3151 maria@standardmechanical.com
“6 Star Breeder”
O’SHEA FARMS
Jamie and Mel O’Shea DENFIELD, ON 519-477-1238
osheafarms@hotmail.com
Bulls and Females for sale
WHISKEY LANE LIVESTOCK
Herford and Angus Scott, Paula, Jason and Shelby Cornish INDIAN RIVER, ON 705-295-2925
705-878-3248 (Scott’s Cell) 705-341-3220 (Paula’s Cell) wll@nexicom.net
Visitors Always Welcome
Dr. Lois Batty, President – 705-328-4302 www.ontarioherefords.ca
Following our annual meeting in February, March and April were busy months at BFO with the roll out of our Feedlot Market Security Forum with the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association and the reinvigoration of our BUILD Leadership Program. In this issue of Ontario Beef, you will find detailed reports from our annual meeting and both programs. This issue also includes a number of articles to prepare producers for the grazing season and calf vaccination considerations from our resident vet, Dr. Jacques van Zyl.
Don’t miss out on submitting your photos for our August issue. Please send your summer-inspired photos by July 15 to be considered for the cover. Digital photos in portrait orientation that are at least 300dpi are preferred, and can be emailed to info@ontariobeef.com.
ONTARIO BEEF • Beef Farmers of Ontario 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON N1K 1B1 • Phone: 519-824-0334 • Toll Free (for Ontario callers only) 1-866-370-BEEF (2333) Fax: 519-824-9101 • info@ontariobeef.com
EDITOR
LeaAnne Wurmli
CIRCULATION COORDINATOR
Charlene Yungblut
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Cathy Lasby, Preferred Agri-Marketing Services Guelph, ON
Phone: 519-763-8833 • Fax: 519-763-8833 pams@sentex.net
DESIGN and LAYOUT
Prism Studios Advertising and Design Inc. Guelph, ON
PRODUCTION and PRINTING
Beck’s Printing Services, Brantford, ON
PROVIDING A FORUM FOR THE ONTARIO BEEF INDUSTRY
Ontario Beef is the official publication of the Beef Farmers of Ontario. Contents of this publication may be reproduced only by permission of the Editor and with credit acknowledged.
Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and/or editor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Beef Farmers of Ontario. Publication of advertisements does not constitute endorsement or approval by Ontario Beef or the Beef Farmers of Ontario of products or services advertised.
Advertising deadlines are January 10, April 15, July 15, September 15 and November 15. The publisher reserves the right to refuse or cancel any advertising, including advertising that is inconsistent with BFO’s Sponsorship Policy, available at www.ontariobeef.com. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published, however no responsibility can be assumed for advertising not received in clear, type-written form.
Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement Number 0040007029
POSTMASTER: Return undeliverable
Canadian addresses to: Beef Farmers of Ontario, 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON N1K 1B1
AGM has come and gone and when the last morsel of beef was consumed, I was holding the cutlery with the words “President” on it. Now, you’re likely saying who is this guy? He’s definitely not part of the youth alliance.
Here are some tidbits about me. I’ve worked my way through the ranks of BFO first starting out as an advisory councillor for Renfrew County then joining the BFO Board of Directors. Along the way, I was placed on the executive and for the last two years I’ve been the vice president of this fine organization. On the national scene, I’m entering year seven as a director with the Canadian Cattle Association.
Okay, silly me - you want to know about my farm. Well, it’s very descriptive of an Ottawa Valley beef operation. There are pockets of productive land and areas where grasshoppers go hungry. Many will say you have a lot of rock ridges on your place and that I can’t argue. But even rocks can grow grass with enough poop on top and thus my number one crop is pasture followed by hay. My cow herd is British based and I raise my own replacement females. When old enough they do get bred to a terminal Continental sire and most years the calves stay over winter to get backgrounded on the next season early grass offerings. Nothing fancy, just old-time cattle farming.
A tip of the hat to three very fine individuals who have moved on from the board. Jack Chaffe from Mitchell, Jason Reid from Thunder Bay and Jordan Miller - the pride of Manitoulin Island. They all brought a unique perspective to the board table and all have left a
BFO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2024
Craig McLaughlin (Eastern Director) – President
Phone: 613-504-1863 • Email: cmblackhorse@gmail.com
Jason Leblond (Northern Director) – Vice President
Email: jacres5@gmail.com
Don Badour (Cow-Calf Director)
Email: don.badour@gmail.com
Don Hargrave (Cow-Calf Director)
Email: dchargrave@gmail.com
Jim Whitley (Cow-Calf Director)
Email: modelaranch@hotmail.com
Joost van der Heiden (Background Director)
Email: jcvdheiden@hotmail.com
Joe Dickenson (Feedlot Director)
Email: joe@dickensonfarms.com
Jairus Maus (Feedlot Director)
Email: ellengowanfarms@gmail.com
Tom Kroesbergen (Feedlot Director)
Email: tomkroes50@hotmail.com
Ron Stevenson (Southern Director)
Email: ron@metzgervet.com
Ralph Eyre (Director-At-Large)
Email: ralph@eyrefarms.ca
Kim Jo Bliss (Director-At-Large)
Email: kimjobliss@gmail.com
Emily Bromley (Youth Director)
Email: fondoak@live.ca
lasting imprint on the Ontario beef industry. All three were calm, cool directors as my many attempts to antagonize them failed. Yes, they all saw through my used car salesman approach. Thank you to Jack, Jason and Jordan.
New to our board this year are three new directors - Jim Whitley from Simcoe County, Tom Kroesbergen from Middlesex County and Ralph Eyre from Lambton County. Jim was elected to represent the cow-calf sector and Tom was acclaimed to represent the feedlot sector, and replaced BFO Past President Jack Chaffe who reached the maximum term length of nine years on the board. Ralph Eyre was elected to fill the director-at-large position and has replaced Jason Reid who also reached the maximum term length on the board.
Each year, it’s nice to see new faces and energy around the board table - a sign of a healthy organization. We want this momentum to continue, which is why we invested in the reinvigoration of our BUILD Leadership Program that we hosted last month with the Rural Ontario Institute. Since we launched the program in 2012, we’ve graduated 110 individuals through the program. Our most recent iteration of the program in April saw 14 graduates, including myself. We had a really good group of participants this year with a good mix of age, experience and perspective. You can read more about the program and hear from our graduates on page 26.
Following our AGM and prior to our BUILD Leadership Program, we hosted an Ontario Feedlot Market Security Forum in London together with the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association. This one-
BFO STAFF
Executive Director
Richard Horne • richard@ontariobeef.com
Manager of Policy and Issues
Thomas Brandstetter • thomas@ontariobeef.com
Policy Advisor
Darby Wheeler • darby@ontariobeef.com
Policy Advisor
Evan Chaffe • evan@ontariobeef.com
Director of Communications
LeaAnne Wurmli • leaanne@ontariobeef.com
Manager of Public Engagement and Digital Strategy
Jennifer Kyle • jennifer@ontariobeef.com
Engagement Coordinator
Charlene Yungblut • charlene@ontariobeef.com
Market Information Coordinator
Jamie Gamble • markets@ontariobeef.com
Engagement Coordinator (Summer Position)
Sloane Murray • sloane@ontariobeef.com
Accountant
Amber McIntyre • amber@ontariobeef.com
Office Manager
Lisandra Lima • lisandra@ontariobeef.com
Manager of Producer Relations
Dan Ferguson • dan@ontariobeef.com
Senior Producer Relations Specialist
Jaclyn Horenberg • jaclyn@ontariobeef.com
Producer Relations Specialist
Robert McKinlay • robert@ontariobeef.com
Manager of Compliance
Chris Millar • chrism@ontariobeef.com
Provincial Supervisor, Ontario Feeder Cattle and Beef Breeder Co-op Programs
Cheryl Russwurm • crfeederfin@wightman.ca
day event brought together 75 feedlot producers from across the province and some high-calibre speakers like Travis Hickey, founder of Cattlenomics in the U.S., to talk about risk mitigation strategies for the feedlot sector. Special thanks to Jack Chaffe for inspiring this event and helping to lead its development.
On April 9th, we joined the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) in Ottawa for a lobby day where our Ontario CCA Directors and staff met with a number of MPs and Senators to discuss a variety of topics like Bill C-282, SRM harmonization with the U.S., electronic logging devices and the time in transit for livestock, and business risk management programs.
Internationally, we’re also actively monitoring the new voluntary U.S. labelling rule we anticipate will come into force in 2026. Along with CCA and the National Cattle Feeders’ Association, we’ve been urging MPs to utilize their retaliatory tariff rights if discrimination to Canadian cattle producers ensues after the rule comes into force.
Similarly, the review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement is approaching in 2026. With CCA, we will be pushing policymakers to maintain current access rules for cattle, beef and beef products.
On May 15th, a contingent of our board will visit Queen’s Park in Toronto to meet with MPPs. We’ll be advocating for the Risk Management Program and amendments to both the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act and the Beef Cattle Marketing Act.
In these meetings, we’ll also be raising a request to increase the provincial guarantee under the Ontario Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program, as well as the maximum loan limits for individuals and corporations. This request, initiated by the Feeder Finance Executive Committee, will allow the program to respond to
increased demand brought on by the escalation in cattle prices and growing interest in the program from producers.
We submitted a formal request to government in April, and so far, the response from Minister Thompson’s office has been positive. We’re optimistic we’ll see movement on our ask ahead of the fall run.
We continue to monitor the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) situation in dairy cattle in the U.S. and how its impacting the Canadian beef herd and consumer confidence in milk and meat in North America. We’ve been meeting with Ontario’s Chief Veterinarian on a weekly basis and are in close contact with CCA, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Dairy Farmers of Ontario on the issue. At the time of writing, the virus has not been identified in dairy cattle (nor beef) in Canada. HPAI spreads rapidly between birds and leads to high mortality rates. Cattle, however, show milder symptoms with a recovery time of one to three weeks.
There are many unsung heroes in the beef industry but there is one leaving us who has made a great difference in the lives of farm families across the province. Timely market information has helped improve the knowledge of cattle producers and thus getting better prices has made for a higher standard of living. Often, it’s the people we don’t think about who make the biggest contribution. The old saying “silent waters run deep” really applies in this upcoming retirement. Thank you, Jamie Gamble. All the best in your next chapter in life.
The busy season is upon us and a reminder to stay safe and take time to recharge your own personal batteries.
Beef farming: Only for the brave. OB
It was in the mid-1990’s when highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus was first identified in domestic waterfowl overseas. H5N1 poultry outbreaks followed and the virus would go on to cause nearly 900 human infections with a greater than 50 per cent death rate. There was great concern from public health officials that this would become the next global pandemic. For several years the virus was not widely detected, but it has emerged a number of times over the following two decades as birds migrated around the world.
The virus was detected in wild birds in the U.S. and Canada in late 2021, and in February 2022 the virus caused outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry throughout the U.S. eventually doing the same across Canada. The financial impact has been substantial as a result of culling infected birds, loss of sales and the cost to implement biosecurity measures to contain the spread of the virus.
You can appreciate the attention from the media and general public once the U.S. announced on March 25, 2024 that HPAI, specifically avian influenza virus type A (H5N1), had been identified in U.S. dairy cattle. At the time of writing, 36 dairy herds have been affected in nine states and the outbreak has been linked to conjunctivitis in one dairy farm worker in Texas who has since recovered. There have been no detections in beef herds. Thirty samples of ground beef from retail outlets in the states with dairy cattle herds that had tested positive for H5N1 all tested negative for the virus, reaffirming that the meat supply is safe.
At the time of writing, HPAI has not been detected in dairy cattle or other livestock in Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs and public health officials have been monitoring this rapidly evolving situation closely. Staff from BFO have been taking part in weekly calls with government officials and colleagues from Dairy Farmers of Ontario and Veal Farmers of Ontario to stay apprised of the situation.
We’ve been doing some important work on emergency preparedness and most specifically around the potential threat of foot and mouth disease; however, the HPAI situation in the U.S. has also accelerated the need for us to be more prepared. We encourage our members to obtain a premises identification (PID) number through the province which is free and easy to get. In the event of an emergency, it will be critical for us to know where livestock are located and how to contact producers. If you don’t have one, you can register for an identification number by visiting ontariopid.com or by calling 1-888-247-4999.
In addition to obtaining a premises identification number, we want to remind all of our members to implement good biosecurity practices on farm:
• Minimize contact between cattle and migratory wild birds when feasible.
- Make the farmyard as unwelcoming to birds as you can by removing bird boxes on nesting grounds or wetlands nearby to limit cattle exposure to birds.
- Quickly clean up feed that may have spilled on the ground.
- Reduce bird access to feed supply (keep in enclosed areas, under roof or covered).
- Avoid bringing a tractor that is typically accessible to birds inside the barn.
- Reduce standing water as much as possible.
• Incoming animals should be segregated on arrival and monitored for unusual clinical signs. Producers should practice biosecurity between caring for these stock and other animals on the operation.
• Isolate any sick cattle from the herd promptly.
- To reduce risks to those caring for sick cattle, wear gloves when handling a sick animal. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth until washing hands.
- Remove clothing worn around sick animals to be washed and shower at the end of the day.
- Train staff and family on measures to take.
- Wear different clothes and footwear if you must go to another farm.
• Report any unusual clinical signs or changes in illness or mortality rates to your veterinarian.
• Ensure everyone going on your farm wears biosecurity gear and disinfects boots and equipment– any service provider, vet, repair technician, field staff, etc.
• Ensure only clean clothes are worn around healthy cattle.
• Restrict human movement on your farm from anyone who has been on U.S. farms. If absolutely necessary, use extra caution before these people come on your farm.
• Do not touch live, sick, or dead wild birds. If you find a dead bird on your property, call the Ontario regional centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781. In certain cases, local authorities may recommend that the public safely disposes of dead birds. The disposal of bird carcasses must be done in a sanitary manner by following guidance provided by the relevant authority.
Producers should monitor herds closely for cattle with clinical signs including:
• Decreased herd level milk production
• Reduced appetite/ decreased feed intake
• Thickened, discolored milk.
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Abnormal clinical signs should be reported to your herd veterinarian We will continue to closely monitor the situation and notify our members through industry updates should any additional measures need to be taken. OB
For over 50 years, Merck Animal Health’s commitment to vaccine research and development has helped pave the road to healthier Canadian cattle.
Our major contributions include:
Nasalgen® IP
1969 – First intranasal vaccine for cattle sold in the US
Vision®
1995 – First low reactive, subcutaneous (SQ) clostridial vaccine sold in the US, administered in a 2 mL dose
Bovilis® Guardian®
2005 – First and only scours vaccine labeled for SQ administration
Vista®
2006 – First bovine respiratory disease (BRD) vaccine to offer bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) Type 2 protection
Once PMH® IN
2014 – First intranasal vaccine offering dual bacterial pneumonia protection
Bovilis® Nasalgen® 3-PMH
2021 – First and only 5-way intranasal vaccine that helps protect against both viral and bacterial BRD pathogens with a single dose
Discover the comprehensive Merck Animal Health portfolio of cattle vaccines – that now live under the BOVILIS® name – and our proud tradition of firsts.
end of this month will mark the end of an era for BFO and its team. After an impressive 18 years, Jamie Gamble will be retiring from her post as our market information coordinator. She will be greatly missed by staff, directors and the many producers who call the office regularly to chat about market trends and prices in hopes of gaining some insights from her crystal ball.
Jamie joined the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (now BFO) in May of 2006, following the BSE crisis, and at a time when there was so much uncertainty and upheaval in the cattle markets. Her previous experience of working at Brussels Livestock proved to be such an asset to BFO as she built relationships with all of the auction facilities across the province. She also had a great rapport and candor with producers given her boots-on-the-ground experience and practical knowledge of the industry. This sentiment has continued over the years. Jamie has been undeniably dedicated
THANK YOU. We appreciate the great stockmen who have purchased our entire bull pen this year. We will have an outstanding group of heifers for sale this fall.
We have been genomically selecting for tenderness for 15 years.
No one ever regretted buying quality.
DON & JEANNETTE CURRIE
2234 Conc. 11, R R #1, Nottawa, Ontario L0M 1P0
Phone/Fax: 705-445-1526
Cell: 705-715-2234 • Email: doncurrie@glenislay.com
to her career and to producers across the province. There has never been a phone call with a producer that she wouldn’t take, even with the day’s deadlines approaching by the minute (and seconds!). Her job is unique – filled with deadlines and timelines and the constant pressure to report accurate data on time – and requires the personality of a cool cucumber. Her patient, focused and conscientious nature has been admired, and we’re lucky to have had her leading our market reporting service for so many years.
We will undoubtedly miss Jamie at the office day to day, but we’re happy for her as she embarks on a well-deserved retirement and enters her new chapter of endless happy hours. While she’s moving on to a new stage in life, she will continue to assist BFO with maintaining our membership data and engagement with auction markets and processors on a part-time basis.
So, where does this leave BFO’s highly valued market reporting service? A number of months ago, BFO began exploring new ways to improve the efficiency of market price collection and reporting in coordination with Canfax who provide expert analysis of markets and trends in the Canadian and North American beef sectors.
Through these discussions, and with Jamie’s retirement looming, it became clear that BFO and Canfax had an opportunity to partner on a new model that would see BFO and Canfax collaborate on the collection, reporting and analysis of market prices which will provide the sector with additional market analysis capacity and coordination for the benefit of our members and the sector at large.
As such, a new delivery model will be implemented by BFO beginning June 1st. We will continue to provide the same level of service and reporting as producers are accustomed to. BFO members can continue to contact the office to listen to our recording of the market prices, which is available twice per day at noon and again at 4:30 p.m. If you would like to chat about market trends and pricing, you can call the BFO office and we will direct your call. Daily and weekly reports will continue to be posted to our website, sent by email, fax and mail. The most notable change will be co-branded reports by BFO and Canfax.
In closing, we appreciate the patience and understanding of our membership as we navigate this transition. We know that access to timely market data is important, and we are committed to providing the same level of service to our members through this new partnership with Canfax.
On behalf of all of us, thank you, Jamie, for all you have done to provide such a critical service to beef farmers and their families over the last 18 years. Sincerely, a job well done. OB
“The calves sell themselves, buyers come back year after year for the high quality the Simmental breed brings”
-Blake Alton
Blake and Julia Alton of Armow ON farm alongside their family, Parents Stuart and Donna, Brother Joel and fiancé Lindsay and Sister Brooklyn and fiancé Skyler. They have a commercial cow calf operation, feedlot and cash crop business. Alton Century Farm consists of 270 mainly Simmental influenced females and farm approximately 4500 acres of cash crop and hay ground In the early 2000's the Alton's expanded their cow herd focusing on the Simmental genetics. “We found using the Simmental Breed our cows had the exceptional udders and maternal instincts and the calves have the performance.” Alton's also use a high number of Simmental bulls that they account a lot of their success to They find the Simmentals are easy calving and grow fast! Blake explains over the years they have never had an issue marketing the cattle as “The calves sell themselves, year after year the same buyers come back for the high quality the Simmental breed brings.” In 2023 Alton's carcus weights averaged 989lbs with high percentages being graded Prime or AAA Beef Something that all producers strive for!
Blake and his wife Julia also own a small purebred herd of Simmentals. They focus on elite genetics and continue to look into ET opportunities. Annually they consign females in the Premier and Guests Falls View Sale in Listowel and the Autumn Classic Sale in Hanover They are also apart of the February Freeze Sale consigning Frozen genetics and semen They are very excited about the upcoming offspring of their new bull “Hard Right” purchased last year. Blake and Julia would like to encourage anyone getting into the breed, “It’s a breed that works for you! It is maternal and produces the pounds!”
first quarter of the year is typically a little bit quieter as we await budget approval for the next year’s consumer engagement activities. The first quarter of this year did follow this typical pattern. That said, we did have some small activities on the go while we patiently awaited the greenlight to get to work on all of our exciting work for 2024.
We can’t wait to launch our plans for this year, which include the return of some familiar activities, some with a new twist, and of course, some brand new projects we are very excited to share! The budget was approved at the end of March, so we are now knee-deep in the planning with the expectation to launch in early summer. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, we still wanted to share the fun we have had in the first couple months of the year. We like to always have a little something in market between big activities to ensure that continuity of our brand building efforts and engagement with our growing beef community on social.
Check out some of the highlights below!
As part of what we call our “micro influencer waves” we paired up with former BBQ Battle competitor, Paul Lillakas (aka our Swedish Torch master), who hosted a cooking segment on Breakfast Television where he showed viewers how they can use Ontario Beef to create a delicious, yet affordable meal the whole family would love.
During his segment, he spoke about the benefits of buying local and used a lesser-used, more affordable cut of beef to prove that it can be accessible to anyone. Check out the recipe on ontbeef.ca if you are interested in trying out his Warm Roast Beef and Onion Sandwiches with Garlic Horseradish Sauce.
This segment reach over 874K people across Ontario! In addition to the tv spot, we put some dollars behind the social media posts that Chef Paul created to accompany the segment, which garnered a reach of an additional 403K people for a total reach of nearly 1.3M people - this was by far one of our furthest reaching micro campaigns!
the Farm event held at the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. Staff and volunteers were excited to be there to talk beef and beef farming with festival goers, who were excited to meet our Ontario Beef fourlegged ambassadors, Heidi and Missy. The weather was beautiful and the crowd was fantastic. Kudos to Farm & Food Care Ontario for organizing another great Breakfast event, and of course, thank you to our volunteers and everyone who helped to make the day a huge success!
For the second year in a row, Ontario Beef partnered with Samurai Media to create a delicious booth at the annual T.O. Food & Drink Festival in downtown Toronto. The event features chefs, food and beverage companies, restaurants, cooking demonstrations and, of course, plenty of delicious foods and drinks to try while you take in the festival. Our booth was in a prime location in the heart of the festival space and served up two different smash burger options crafted by well-known food influencer and burger chef extraordinaire, Chef Joe Friday. There were a couple of different cocktail options paired with the burgers, and even an inclusive non-alcoholic option for the DDs and non-drinkers in the crowd. The crew at the booth reported that the crowds were fantastic all weekend long and they had sold out of all of their burgers before the end of the last day. Ontario Beef burgers were one of the most popular items on people’s plates!
Consumer events got off to a great start this year with the first Breakfast on the Farm event, which this time was a Breakfast FROM
We were pleased to partner with Canada Beef for their second annual Burger It Forward campaign that ran in February. The concept is to help restaurants with some promotion during their slower winter season, promote Canadian/provincial beef, and most importantly generate donations to support food bank programs across the country. This year, we raised an estimated $66,186 dollars from burger sales and donations.
Here in Ontario, we had amazing participation, with over 32 individual restaurants offering a burger option on their menu that supported the campaign! In addition to the money raised through burger sales, BFO also contributed a $10,000 donation to Feed Ontario, an organization we also support at a higher level annually through our fresh beef program.
TheOntario Beef Youth Alliance (OBYA) continues to grow with well over 200 subscribers who are between the ages of 18 to 35 and are actively involved in the Ontario beef sector. We’ve been encouraged by the involvement of this group at many industry events.
At our annual meeting earlier this year, we were thrilled to see so many young producers as either voting delegates representing their county and district, or attending under our OBYA program. This year, roughly 20 per cent of our annual meeting attendees were between the ages of 18 to 35, which is so nice to see.
We were grateful for the generous sponsorship from Farm Credit Canada in support of our OBYA Reception, which took place before Cattle Academy at our AGM. At the reception, we announced our new youth representatives elected to our standing committees this year. Congratulations to Sarah Alton of Huron County for being acclaimed as the youth representative on the BFO Feedlot Committee and congratulations to Kendyl Anderson of Lambton County for being elected as the youth representative on the BFO Cow-Calf Committee. Sarah and Kendyl will each serve a two-year term on their respective committees to bring the young producer perspective to issues discussed by the committees. We would like the thank our outgoing youth representatives Michaela
Saturday June 15, 2024 11:00am • 5473 Sixth Line, Hillsburgh, Ontario
50 cows and 25 heifers due to calve in August and September to premier sires. Several excellent bulls will be on the block too.
Over the last 15 plus years we have developed a line of Stabilizer cattle that rank very high in the Leachman Cattle system.
We have selected for Profit, Feet, Udders, Fertility and Feed Efficiency. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to acquire some of the best cattle in the industry. Data is available and I can review the cattle with you.
Bob Wilson: 519-831-0962 gilbreafarm@gmail.com AUCTIONEERS McArthur-Bessey Auctions
Stoneman and Jacob Palmateer for their service on the cow-calf and feedlot committees, respectively. Will Stoneman from Haldimand County continues to serve in his second year of a two-year term as the youth representative to the BFO Research Committee.
Lastly, we’re looking forward to hosting another Ontario Beef Youth Alliance Tour scheduled to take place on June 7th and 8th. New this year, we’re excited to welcome members of the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) program as their Spring Forum event visits Ontario. The two groups will merge together for some great farm tours and networking in Waterloo County, and on day two, they’ll head to Bruce County together for a cow-calf and feedlot tour. This event will have a focus on beef cattle and pasture management, along with developing leadership skills. We look forward to another great opportunity to network and learn from each other! OB
In late February, the Board of Directors of the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) elected their new president and vice president at BFO’s 62nd Annual General Meeting held in Toronto. Craig McLaughlin leads the association in the year ahead as president with Jason Leblond serving as vice president. Past president, Jack Chaffe, stepped down from his leadership role after serving the maximum term length of nine years with the association.
Joining the BFO Board of Directors this year are three new directors - Jim Whitley from Simcoe County, Tom Kroesbergen from Middlesex County and Ralph Eyre from Lambton County. Jim was elected to represent the cowcalf sector and Tom was acclaimed to represent the feedlot sector, and will replace BFO Past President Jack Chaffe. Ralph Eyre was elected to fill the director-at-large position and will replace Jason Reid who also reached the maximum term length of nine years on the board.
Jim resides near Creemore, Ontario where he and his wife operate a 50-head commercial Charolais-based cow-calf operation. They also background some of their calves and market beef direct to local consumers. Tom, along with his siblings, background and finish close
to 2,000 head of cattle on their feedlot operation near Ailsa Craig, Ontario. Along with his family, Ralph operates a 60-head commercial cow-calf operation where they also background and finish cattle depending on the market. They also custom feed 1,800 steers each year and farm 2,000 acres in cash crops.
In addition to the new directors, Jason Leblond of Powassan, Ontario was acclaimed for a third term and will represent farmers in
Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Lisa Thompson congratulated Jack Chaffe on his time as BFO President and his advocacy work on behalf of beef farmers from across the province.
was pleased to welcome back Canadian Senator Rob Black who attended the meeting, reception and banquet.
Directors of the 2023 and 2024 BFO Board gathered on stage for a question-andanswer session with delegates.
northern Ontario as the northern director, coupled with his new role as vice president. Jason will replace Jordan Miller who served six years as a director and made the decision not to seek re-election this year. Emily Bromley of Renfrew, Ontario will return to the board as youth representative to fill a two-year term. Emily was appointed to the board in September, 2023.
BFO continues to attract strong leaders to its board, which is a tremendous asset as the association continues to focus on market development for Ontario beef, and growth and profitability in all sectors. In an effort to secure a strong pipeline of leaders within the beef industry, after a seven-year hiatus, BFO’s BUILD Leadership program returned in April to offer beef farmers with a skill-building opportunity to improve their governance, advocacy and leadership skills.
The BFO Board of Directors and staff welcomed close to 400 attendees during this year’s two-day annual general meeting. Delegates and guests heard from a number of speakers, including keynote speaker J.P. Gervais from Farm Credit Canada to provide an economic outlook for the beef sector. Attendees also heard from Al Mussell of Agri-Food Economic Systems who talked about the role of livestock in the Canadian landscape. BFO was also pleased to welcome both Senator Rob Black and the Honourable Minister Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Wednesday evening during the annual banquet to address the delegates. Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Trevor Jones, and a number of MPPs also joined guests for an Ontario Corn Fed Beef dinner.
The BFO membership was introduced to the new Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, Bonnie Crombie, who addressed the delegates on Wednesday expressing her appreciation for the hard work and high-quality, locally grown food produced by Ontario beef farmers. The Honourable Greg Rickford, Ontario Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development, joined delegates on Thursday. In his address, Minister Rickford announced that the Government of Ontario will be formally reviewing the Veterinary Assistance Program. Improving veterinary capacity in the province has been an ongoing priority of BFO on behalf of the beef sector and farmers across the province, specifically in areas of the province where large animal veterinarians are not plentiful nor easily accessible.
The 2024 BFO Annual Report can be viewed on the BFO website or you can access a hard copy by contacting the office. OB
Before the annual banquet, delegates were invited to attend the Past Presidents Reception. Pictured here on the left is Past President Stan Eby (2000) and Past President Ken Summers on the right (1994) with Jessica McCann and Kelly Daynard from Farm & Food Care and Cathy Lasby, Ontario Beef Advertising Manager.
To kick-off the annual meeting, members of the Ontario Beef Youth Alliance met for a reception ahead of the Cattle Academy program.
As resolutions are reviewed and responded to by the BFO Board of Directors throughout the year, the responses are posted to the BFO website. Archived responses from previous years are also posted to the website.
24-01 – MDS GUIDELINE ENFORCEMENT
24-02 – ACCESS TO CROWN LAND
24-03 – ADVANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM (APP) LOAN LIMITS
24-04 – E-LOGS AND ANIMAL WELFARE IN TRANSPORTING CATTLE
24-05 – ANIMAL CARE ADVISOR PROTOCOL FOR ON-FARM VISITS
24-06 – DEADSTOCK COLLECTION ISSUES
24-07 – LIVESTOCK INSPECTION CONSISTENCY
24-08 – VETERINARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REVIEW
24-09 – SRM HARMONIZATION WITH U.S. 24-10 – FEEDER FINANCE LIMITS
24-12 – PROVINCIAL ABATTOIR FUNDING 24-13 – SECURING ONTARIO CONSERVATION LAND FOR RENTAL TO BEEF FARMERS
24-14 – FUNDING PROGRAM APPLICATION ASSISTANCE
24-15 – FMD COMPENSATION PROGRAM
24-16 – RENEWAL PROCESS FOR APP LOAN APPLICATIONS THROUGH ACC 24-17 – PROVINCIAL TAX CLASSIFICATIONS FOR ABATTOIRS
24-18 – BREEDER FINANCE PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS
24-19 – PROGRAM DELIVERY & APPLICATION PROCESS
Thank you to the many loyal and valuable sponsors and exhibitors who continue to support Ontario’s beef sector and farmers.
Currently offered as a free, live webinar. Please email jaclyn@ontariobeef.ca for upcoming training dates. s
AUDIT PREP
During the training webinar, you will learn about the audit requirements. Operations must have at least six months of records for cow-calf producers and three months of records for feedlots. s T
Schedule an on-farm audit with a trained auditor coordinated through the national office. Complete any Corrective Action Requests from the audit to successfully become a VBP+ Certified operation.
Complete yearly record requirements to ensure that you are still in compliance with the program. On-farm audits are completed once every five years.
feedlots also have the option to be certified under the Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance Program through the completion of training, assessments and an on-farm audit.
The short documentary ‘Reduce, Reuse, Ruminate’ publicly premiered on YouTube on April 24th, which is also known as “Stop Food Waste Day.” This film is the third in a series of short documentaries that showcase the environmental benefits of raising beef cattle on the Canadian landscape, following ‘Guardians of the Grasslands’ and ‘Too Close to Home’. Pre-screening events of Reduce, Reuse, Ruminate were held in major urban centres and at universities across Canada in advance of the public launch of the film with media, content creators and producers in attendance.
Combined, the events drew nearly 250 people who watched the film, enjoyed dishes featuring beef, potatoes and beer and listened to an expert panel. Panelists at each event included a feedlot operator, an expert in circular food systems, and a sustainability lead from the potato company Cavendish Farms, which partnered with Public and Stakeholder Engagement (PSE) on this project.
The film Reduce, Reuse, Ruminate highlights the amazing upcycling ability of cattle and their important role in diverting food loss and waste from landfills. Transforming beer byproducts and French fries into beef are two are of the incredible sustainability stories featured in the short documentary, so beef, potatoes and beer were a natural fit for the menu at each event!
Events were held in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. Eastbound Brewing Company in Toronto was the location of the successful Toronto event, which took place the same week as the Beef Farmers of Ontario annual general meeting. Panelists here included seventh generation producer Allison de Vos from Brown Farms in Kawartha Lakes, John MacQuarrie, Director of Sustainability with Cavendish Farms and Tara Lee, Head Chef and owner of Eastbound Brewing Company. The panel was moderated by Amanda Brodhagen, Perth County producer and Director of Communications for the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
The second event was held at Howe Sound Brewing in East Vancouver. Here, Ryan Scorgie moderated a panel that included feedlot owner Andrea van Iterson, Jamie White from Loop Resources, which sources and diverts food from grocery stores to local farms, and again, John McQuarrie from Cavendish. One of the content creators in attendance, Tyler Heppell, showcases potato production on his British Columbia farm across his social channels. You can watch his Instagram Reel from the event by visiting @potatoty and TikTok by visiting @heppellspotato.
Calgary was the final leg of the tour of urban centres. The event was held at Last Best Brewing & Distilling, which diverts their spent grains to cattle. Here, the panel was moderated by producer Melissa Downing of Alberta Cattle Feeders Association. In addition to the representative from Cavendish, panelists were Ryan Kasko of Kasko Cattle Co. who is featured in the short documentary, as well as Victoria Ross of aGRO Systems, a waste upcycling and livestock feeding service provider. Content and media from this event are still rolling out.
Campus screenings were held at University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba and Dalhousie, broadening the reach and excitement surrounding the short documentary.
Representatives from DINE magazine were in attendance at the event in Toronto and covered the story online and in their print magazine. Foodism Toronto also covered the short documentary and event in their most recent issue. Other earned media and social content from these events is expected to be released in coming weeks.
Reduce, Reuse, Ruminate was produced by Public and Stakeholder Engagement, a national check-off program jointly delivered by Canadian Cattle Association and Canada Beef. Please share the film far and wide which can be found on our YouTube channel @RaisingCDNBeef. OB
Public and Stakeholder Engagement is a national check-off funded program that works to build public trust in the way beef cattle are raised in Canada.
TheBeef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) was pleased to announce the Hyatt family of Circle H Farms as the 2024 Ontario recipients of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA), sponsored by the RBC Royal Bank. The award was presented to the family at BFO’s 2024 Annual General Meeting Banquet in February.
Circle H Farms, operated by the Hyatt family – Shawn, Tracy, Gord and Pat – is located in the Rainy River District of Ontario. There, they raise close to 250 cows, 50 bred heifers and over 130 background calves on pastureland that is also home to many trees, riparian areas, ponds and natural waterways. In an effort to improve the environmental footprint of their farm, the Hyatts have implemented various responsible management practices including rotational grazing, off-site watering systems using solar energy and bale grazing.
Since trialing a rotational grazing project on a small portion of their pastures, the Hyatts have been implementing these beneficial practices over their entire farm. Each of their pastures are now divided into several permanently-fenced paddocks and they use temporary fencing to further divide the paddocks to improve the nutrient distribution, pasture growth and carbon storage of their pastures.
“One practice we’ve experienced major success with is rejuvenating our pastures using bale grazing. We’ve seen pastures reseed with moisture held in the ground resulting in lush and plentiful pastures,” says Shawn Hyatt. “We’ve also implemented a delayed haying program on some of our fields to help create safe habitats for birds, wildlife and other critters on the farm.”
The success of their grazing and forage management program was especially evident in 2021 when beef farmers in northern Ontario were experiencing extreme drought conditions. Fortunately, the Hyatt family was able to carry their cows on pasture through to the fall.
In the spirit of continuous improvement, Circle H Farms has their sights set on some new environmental improvements. They’re experimenting with swath grazing and adding additional plant species to their pasture mix, and they’ve already updated their older manual watering systems to more efficient solar models.
“Circle H Farms is an operation that not only cares about their cattle, but the habitat they’re providing for birds and other wildlife. This is a family farm with multiple generations working together to advance agriculture in northern Ontario,” says Joe Sletmoen from the Rainy River Soil & Crop Improvement Association. “They’re passionate about what they do and are willing to share their learnings and expertise so that we can all benefit.” OB
The Beef Farmers of Ontario, Mapleseed and the Ontario Forage Council, sponsors of the Ontario Mapleseed Pasture Award, were pleased to announce the Chalmers family of JPD Angus of Oro-Medonte in Simcoe County as the recipients of the 2024 Mapleseed Pasture Award. The award was presented in February at the Beef Farmers of Ontario Annual General Meeting Banquet in Toronto. For their environmental improvements and exceptional pasture management, JPD Angus received a cash award of $500 and a bag of forage seed, courtesy of Mapleseed.
At JPD Angus, the Chalmers family currently raise 60 cow-calf pairs, 20 yearling heifers and 20 yearling bulls on 120 acres of rotationally managed acres. They utilize rotational grazing as a method to both minimize damage to root systems on dry soil, and to maximize the number of cow-calf pairs per acre. While their well-drained soil has adequate moisture in the spring and fall, special attention is given to rest periods to preserve root structures and ensure pasture health and regrowth.
On the main farm, Lori and her husband Darryl manage the maternity pens, a handling barn, and 50 of the total pastured acres. Their sons Evan, Owen and Nolan all reside at home and serve in various roles on the farm
- Evan manages the day-to-day operations, Owen is the lead mechanic and repair specialist, and Nolan helps with whatever needs to get done.
“We’ve been farming here since 2008. It’s a true family effort, “ says Lori Chalmers.
Lori and Darryl’s daughter Michaela and her husband Chris Stoneman manage the larger group of cattle at a nearby property, which consists of 70 acres of pastureland. Michaela and Chris also take the lead with promoting their herd genetics by showing cattle at local fall fairs and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
“It is a wonderful example of a beautifully manicured well-cared for farm, where the cattle get to live their best life,” shared Scott Fisher, Western Ontario Sales Manager with Mapleseed.
“It is an exciting time for rotational grazing. We are seeing an increased interest in best management practices that help bolster the bottom line while keeping environmental responsibility top of mind,” explained Patricia Ellingwood, General Manager of the Ontario Forage Council. “JPD Angus is a wonderful example of this. Congratulations on a job well done!” OB
One of the best ways to unlock the potential of your pastures is to approach grazing from the animal’s point of view. Ask yourself the questions: a) what are my animals needs? and b) what kind of pasture do I need to provide to meet those needs? When you approach grazing from that perspective, you have empowered yourself to make the appropriate pasture management decisions.
Spring grazing is the single most important grazing period over the course of the grazing season. This is the one time of the year when it’s possible to drive high animal performance with relative ease. It’s also the most important time of the year to get a grazing system working well. A good grazing system requires a good start as it’s difficult to get back on track if things go wrong.
Spring pastures provide high quality forage that is very digestible, palatable, and high in energy for maintenance, gain and lactation. Dry matter intake is typically the highest that will be seen over the grazing season. These factors give spring pastures the potential to drive high animal performance. The high dry matter intake potential is due to the low NDF% of spring pastures which is typically in the 40-45 per cent range, compared to >60 per cent for mid-summer pastures. The lower the NDF%, the higher the DM intake.
Consequently, producers should aim to maximize the utilization of their spring pastures to inexpensively drive high animal performance. The importance of getting good gains in the spring cannot be
over emphasized as the gains made from spring grazing will help compensate for the inevitable loss of performance later in the year.
An average, Ontario spring pasture will have net energy for maintenance of about 0.87 Mcal per lb and 0.57 Mcal per lb for gain. That means that if we take a 770 lb stocker (assuming it’s been winterfed for grazing and is not overfat at turnout) with a dry matter intake around 16 lb per day (or 2.1% of its body weight), its potential for gain will be about 2.3 lb per day. But because pastures are changing daily, the potential for this type of high gain can be short lived. Where pastures are not tightly grazed in the first rotation, cattle will selectively graze the most palatable parts of the grass plant, leaving the “undesirable” parts behind. The parts of the pasture not grazed will continue to mature so that by the time the cattle return to the pasture for the second rotation, the potential for gain will have declined significantly.
To maximize potential from spring grazing, tightly grazing paddocks in the first rotation reduces this selective grazing behaviour. This ensures your pastures have high quality vegetation in the second rotation although from there onwards you will need to cut your paddocks after each grazing to maintain quality.
It’s important to take out over mature paddocks from the rotation as hay or silage. Pastures that become over mature have very poor potential to drive gains. It’s not unusual to see gains plummet to 0.5 lb or less per day or even go negative when cattle try grazing overmature pastures. Producers can dedicate a smaller area towards grazing in the first rotation but increase the area grazed as growth slows down.
For those aiming to finish cattle off grass using little to no grain, grazing spring pastures presents the ideal opportunity to finish cattle to your target weight and fat cover. At this stage in the production cycle, cattle are finished growing their frame and muscle and are now in the fattening stage. However, laying down fat is very energy expensive and for grass finished cattle, access to forages high in energy is a necessity.
The net energy for maintenance for cattle weighting 1,100 lb is about 8.1 Mcal per day and the net energy for gain of 3 lb per day is around 7.5 Mcal per day. Typical daily dry matter intake of 1,100 lb cattle on spring pasture will be around two per cent of body weight or 22 lb of dry matter. Using the net energy values provided above gain can be projected to be between 2.9 and 3 lb per day.
Maintaining high grass quality for as long as possible is critical to be able to finish cattle at the correct weight with the right amount of fat cover. Pastures must not be allowed to become over mature otherwise performance will drop off dramatically. As there is little room for error with grass finishing systems, producers must proactively intervene by grazing their paddocks tightly in the first rotation and cutting post grazing after each subsequent grazing. It is essential that producers identify over mature paddocks and remove them from the grazing rotation as hay.
Unlike the previous two scenarios described, the function of spring pastures is to enable spring calving beef cows to maximize milk production and regain any body condition lost during pregnancy to go back in calf later in the grazing season. A beef cow’s energy demand in proportion to its body weight is lower than for younger beef animals and the net energy of lactation is very similar to maintenance. All this means is that in most scenarios spring pastures provide significantly more energy than is required by cows and so pasture quality is not as big a concern compared to growing and finishing cattle.
Assuming a mature weight of 1,200 lb (and recognizing many beef cows in Ontario weight significantly more), the daily energy requirement for maintenance and lactation one month post calving reaches about 16.2 Mcal per day in the second month of lactation and declines gradually thereafter. Total energy supplied by spring pasture will be around 19 Mcal per day – well more that needed by beef cows to meet demand. In this situation, beef cows will gain weight. This is perfectly fine where she needs to build back her body condition after calving.
With spring grazing cow-calf pairs, pasture management is less about animal performance and more focussed on using pastures as efficiently as possible to graze as many cows as possible acre. High pasture utilization rates will allow the grazing of more cows per unit area than low utilization rates and so the output per unit area is higher. Getting high utilization rates requires the provision of high quality, highly palatable pastures.
What amount of pre-grazing pasture quantity should I target before grazing to optimize quality and quantity?
As the amount pasture dry matter available in a pasture increases, dry matter intake increases but not linearly. Dry matter intake will be 45 per cent of intake potential at 500 kg of DM per hectare versus 95 per cent of potential at 2,500 kg of DM per hectare (see fig. 2). There is little to no improvement in dry matter intake beyond 2,500 kg DM per hectare, so this becomes the ideal pre-grazing target.
Figure 2: Limitation of Intake by the Quantity of Biomass. Adopted from Jouven et al, 2007.
One problem is that the greater the quantity required, the more mature the pasture becomes and consequently the lower the animal performance becomes. It takes time to grow to that quantity – time is the enemy. Producers must therefore strike a balance between quantity and quality. Research by Marshall et al. (1998) at the Ontario Beef Research Centre showed that the ideal compromise between quality and quantity to drive high animal performance occurs around 20 cm.
Ontario pasture DM densities are estimated to be approximately 165 kg DM Ha cm (Higgins et al, 2023). At this density, a standing biomass amount of 2,500 kg DM Ha would occur around 15 cm, compressed sward height as measured by a rising plate meter. This agrees with the earlier work by Marshall et al. (1998) as mentioned above.
The best approach to maximising the potential from grazed pasture is to consider pastures from the perspective of the animal. Provide what the animal needs. Spring grazing is the best time to achieve inexpensive high animal performance. High pasture quality can be maintained by grazing when pasture quantity reaches the ideal target (approx. 2,500 kg DM Ha), grazing tightly in the first rotation, and removing any paddocks that have become overmature from the rotation as saved forage. OB
References available upon request.
been just under a year since Dr. Christine Baes became the new Chair of the University of Guelph’s Department of Animal Biosciences – and she’s focused on charting a new path that will help the department and the livestock industry be future-ready.
Well-known as a global leader in the field of livestock genetics and quantitative genetics, Baes accepted the Semex Canadian Dairy Network – Holstein Canada Professorship in Dairy Genomics at Guelph in 2015 and was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Livestock Genomics by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in 2019.
What do you see as the big challenges and opportunities facing the livestock industry?
Livestock is intrinsic to Ontario agriculture and a fundamental part of agriculture, but the livestock industry faces many sustainability and public image hurdles like environmental impact and animal welfare, compounded by health risks and resource scarcity. And yet, technological advancements offer amazing opportunities for efficiency and innovation. I see a huge opportunity for the University of Guelph to provide an exceptional and inclusive educational environment for people interested in animals, and to inspire students to become ethical, knowledgeable professionals capable of addressing these challenges.
How do you see research and innovation playing a role here?
Research and innovation drive solutions in the livestock industry. Our researchers use technical advancements to study and understand various priority areas in the industry, many of which ultimately result in improvements across the different species and fields. Tools like genomics, precision livestock approaches, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, remote monitoring systems and robotics are very powerful, but they need to be applied meaningfully. This fosters resilience, competitiveness, and long-term viability in the sector.
We can’t address the really big problems in livestock agriculture without meaningful dialogue and collaboration between producers, industry stakeholders, government and academia.
Are there areas of livestock research that you think have the potential for bigger impact?
There are several areas that come to mind, including genetic improvement, feed efficiency, disease management, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and value-added products. In today’s world, we also need to assess the socio-economic implications of livestock production, including livelihoods in rural communities, food security, and changing cultural aspects to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.
For example, with the changing demographics of the Canadian population, we should be paying more attention to what new Canadians are interested in eating, and it might not be the beef, pork and chicken we’re used to. The sheep and goat industry could provide huge opportunity if we play our cards right.
There are also efficiencies to be gained by collaborative partnerships. In today’s world, problems are really complex – you need a team to deal with them. If we can get the right people working on the right problems, and communicating so they really understand each other, we’ll have a fantastic future.
How does this manifest itself in what your department does and what are your objectives?
As Chair of the Department of Animal Bioscience, my vision is to pioneer innovative solutions at the intersection of biology, agriculture, and technology. Through rigorous research and robust education, we aim to optimize animal health and performance while minimizing environmental impact. We strive for excellence in animal welfare, genetic improvement, nutrition, and sustainable animal management practices.
With all the challenges surrounding animal science and academia in Canada, I fundamentally believe we have to inspire people to be ethical, knowledgeable and think critically when making and communicating decisions. It’s our job here at the university to research what could be the next bold step towards our future, but without input from the industry and stakeholders, we will not be equipped to make optimal decisions.
With respect to research, our focus is on the really complex issues. In the past, incremental improvements in production efficiency were enough, but that doesn’t cut it anymore. My vision is department members engaging in critical conversations about the wicked challenges that impact agriculture, seeking multi- and interdisciplinary approaches to research and leveraging the expertise we have across the department and beyond to address those issues.
We have to challenge convention and how we have done things in the past and view the obstacles as opportunities. Every problem is the chance to have a fantastic idea, and we must engage stakeholders and be eye-level partners to move forward together.
There are issues, they are difficult, and they need to be addressed. Rural Canada depends on it, literally.
In an ideal world, what would the department and the livestock industry look like in five or 10 years?
We have an incredibly important role to play in shaping the future of food, agriculture, communities and the environment in Ontario, Canada, and the rest of the world.
In an ideal world, the Department of Animal Biosciences and the livestock industry would prioritize animal welfare, sustainable practices, and technological innovation, reinvigorating animal agriculture as a truly essential component of food security.
Livestock production would be characterized by humane treatment, reduced environmental impact, and optimized health and nutrition. Transparency, communication with consumers and the wider public (i.e. non-consumers) should foster trust, while global collaborations drive continuous improvement.
We need to find a good balance between ethical considerations, environmental stewardship, and economic viability, ensuring a thriving and responsible livestock industry supported by cutting-edge scientific research. OB
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation is funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative. This article is provided by LRIC as part of its ongoing efforts to report on research, innovation, and issues affecting the Canadian livestock industry.
Because of their balanced profile of calving ease, growth and carcass quality, Canadian Angus cattle work well in both purebred and commercial operations. Use Angus bulls to make top performing feedlot steers and beautiful replacement females.
Visit the Ontario Angus Association website for more information: www.cdnangus.ca/ontario-angus-association
Contact any of the breeders below to arrange for your private viewing of cattle for sale.
Cairnlee Acres
Victor, Yvonne & Andrew Richardson 6193 Walkers Dr, Strathroy, ON Vic Cell: (519) 871-4240
Cambray Livestock Company
Luke, Matt, Joe and Carl Jewell 1153 The Glen Road, Woodville ON 705-934-2853
Fallis Land and Cattle
Mike, Lisa and Cole Fallis 1273 6th Line, Selwyn, ON K9J 6X5 705-740-4878 | sunsetacres@nexicom.net
Gilchrist Farms
Brad & Kristie Gilchrist
1269 Grey Ox Ave RR#5, Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0 519-440-6720 | brad@gilchristfarms.com
Glen Islay Angus Don Currie 2234 Conc 11, Nottawa, ON L0M1P0 705-715-2234 | doncurrie@glenislay.com
Loval Farms
Scott & Sandra Honey
127 Honey Road, Warkworth, ON K0K 3K0 705-924-3809 | lovalfarms@gmail.com
Harprey Farms
Allan Hargrave/Don Hargrave 307483 Centre Line A, Proton Station, ON N0C 1L0 Allan 519-375-5541 | Don 519-375-1500 harprey@gmail.com
Maple Line Farm
Ian & Tim Rudkin
3320 Bradburn Road, Blackstock, On L0B 1B0 Ian 905-718-5331 | Tim 905-213-6518 maplelinefarm@hotmail.com
Meadow Bridge Angus JJ Deslippe
922580 Rd 92 RR # 4, St Mary’s, ON N4X 1C7 519-275-1739 | meadowbridge14@gmail.com
Rob Roy Angus
Don & Betty McNalty 634514 Road 63 RR#2, Singhampton, ON N0C 1M0 705-446-4740 | robroyangus@gmail.com
SCOMAC Livestock
Scott & Elizabeth MacDonald
4169 Highway # 6, Hagersville, ON N0A 1H0 Scott 519-820-1272 | Elizabeth 226-971-0015 scomaclivestock@gmail.com
Silver Springs Farm
James, Joan, Robert and Emily McKinlay 609027 12th Sideroad RR#1, Ravenna, ON N0H 2E0 519-599-6236 | jmckinlay@bmts.com
Tullamore Farms
Bill & Sylvia Jackson 260 Regional RD 39, Zephyr, ON L0E 1T0 Cell 647-990-2697 tullamore.angus@gmail.com
Whiskey Lane Livestock
Scott, Paula, Jason & Shelby Cornish 2295 Hwy 7, Indian River, ON K0L 2B0 705-341-3220 | wll@nexicom.net
Windcroft Farms
Darcy & Courtney McMorris 573333 Boot Jack Ranch Road, Priceville, ON N0C 1K0 226-203-4506 | windcroftfarms@gmail.com
Worth-Mor Cattle
Kyle, Rachel, Jordyn and Mason Petherick 950 County Rd 8, Campbellford, ON K0L 1L0 705-768-3560 | worth-mor@hotmail.com
Farmers of Ontario (BFO) and the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association (OCFA) were pleased to host the Ontario Beef Feedlot Market Security Forum on March 14th in London. With the escalating risk in the cattle feeding sector, the objective of the day was to stimulate ideas from prominent industry experts on strategies and market options that the Ontario feedlot sector can use to improve market and price security to manage risk. The steering committee for this event included Jim Clark, Brent Cavell and Tom Kroesbergen from OCFA, and Jack Chaffe, Richard Horne and Jaclyn Horenberg from BFO.
Jack Chaffe chaired the day, which began with OCFA President Al Noorloos welcoming the room full of feedlot producers who were keen to engage in the discussions ahead. Joining us virtually from Colorado was Mike Miller, Director of Global Meat Analysis and Research with CattleFax. Mike set the stage for the day with a grain and cattle market outlook, and beef demand forecast. This highlighted the inherent risk of the cattle feeding business along with the uncertainty of the input costs and weather impacts. To share risk mitigation solutions, next we welcomed Steve Duff, Chief Economist with OMAFRA. Steve talked about price discovery and calculating basis before providing examples of ways to transfer that risk through hedging. The suite of business risk management (BRM) programs was discussed as a way for feedlot producers to mitigate severe market fluctuations and increased cost of production. Examples were provided for AgriInvest, AgriStability and the Risk Management Program (RMP). BFO continues to advocate with the province for an increased investment in RMP as key strategy to address market volatility and help sustain Ontario’s beef capacity.
Travis Hickey, owner of Cattlenomics, joined us next from Colorado. Cattlenomics is a commodity brokerage and cattle market consulting firm that focuses on feedlots and small packing plants all over North America. With Travis’ extensive cattle feeding, data analysis and trading experience in both Canada and the United States, he brought a unique perspective to the agenda. Travis started off with some market context on the current state of the industry and some of the key events impacting beef demand and cattle prices in the U.S. The January 2024 Cattle On Feed report showed the highest number of heifers on feed in the history of the report. When you mix those high numbers of heifers on feed, along with declining cow herd numbers, the industry is still in consolidation mode. However, the packer industry in the U.S. seems to be in expansion mode with increased package capacity expected. These interesting market dynamics, mixed with already tight margins, make the need to understand risk mitigation a necessity. To give participants an understanding of other risk management tools available in the U.S., Travis walked us through an overview and scenario analysis of Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) and Livestock Gross Margin (LGM). The LRP is an insurance-based market risk protection for feeders and fed cattle which provides a price floor where producers can choose their coverage level from 70 per cent to 100 per cent. The LGM is an insurance-based program that protects against the loss of gross margin. Travis explained that it is essentially a derivate of the difference between the expected sale value for fed cattle, less the cost of feeders and corn. The government subsidy is determined based on the deductible chosen; for example, a deductible of 0 equals a lower subsidy (18%) versus the highest deductible at $150 equals a higher subsidy (50%). Travis explained that cash settled risk management products like LRP need an acceptable volume of cash trade to function, which is a challenge in
Ontario where we do not have mandatory price reporting. The lack of robust cash trade makes the basis calculation difficult. Travis emphasized that when it comes to managing risk, you need to assess your own tolerance and understand what level of risk your operation can comfortably take on.
To look at a different side of managing risk, next we welcomed Leighton Kolk of Kolk Farms Ltd. from Iron Springs, Alberta. Leighton and his wife, Elinor, are the main shareholders of the operation with their three children now involved to help with the 20,000 head of cattle on feed. Leighton joined us to speak about the power of collaboration, and strategies to mitigate risk and manage costs by working together with other producers. The Allied Marketing Group (AMG) began as an idea in 2009 to now being a partnership with six feedlots that have a combined feeding capacity of 210,000 head, combined grain purchasing of over 471,000 MT per year, and a total of around 225 employees. This group evolved from a “beer group” to a “peer group” where they brainstormed ideas on how they could stay competitive with larger players and how they could work together to use their buying power to their advantage. Leighton explained that it began with a change in mindset from viewing neighbouring feedlot producers as the competitor, and realizing the potential that they had to work together. They assessed the risk versus the reward of working together, and although it was uncomfortable in the beginning, they have learned so much from each other which has helped to make them all more successful. When it comes to risk, the inability to measure it can lead to disaster. Leighton stressed the importance of understanding your risks because running out of fuel in a car is loss of time, but in a plane, it could mean loss of life. The success of the AMG has come from having people with integrity and aligned ethics. The six feedlots have an agreement to do no harm and to value confidentiality. Working together has created an opportunity to benchmark feedlots against each other. Sometimes it takes being vulnerable to really find your weakness and make improvements. Leighton explained that being that open and vulnerable can be uncomfortable, but the AMG have learned that if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, you need to go together. They are proud of how far they have come as a group, and the value that it has provided to each of their own operations and the next generation. There is power in collaboration, but you have to be willing to take the risk to reap the reward.
To bring the lenders’ perspective to assessing risk, we welcomed Lorna McKercher, National Director Agriculture, and Carson Burtwistle, Senior Relationship Manager with RBC. Lorna and Carson explained how banks assess your farm business, how to structure your finances,
and the key to a good working relationship with your financial institution. Sharing advice from seasoned cattle lenders, Lorna said that you can’t take all of the risk out of a risky business, but you can have strategies and an open line of communication with your lender to manage that risk.
To carry on the conversation about managing your business, Dr. Rob Bell joined the stage with Leighton Kolk. Dr. Rob Bell has transitioned from the CEO of Bio Agri Mix to now managing their research and development projects. Rob is passionate about ensuring farm sustainability with a focus on enhancing farm business plan development. Leighton and Rob chatted about the value of having a business plan and the importance of being able to remove the emotion from the decision-making process. When it comes to risk management, doing nothing is doing something. They highlighted the importance of knowing your numbers and taking an honest look at how you are managing your farm business to find areas for improvement. This candid conversation provided time for participants to ask questions and engage in the discussion.
Mix and Merck Animal Health for their generous support, as well as our knowledgeable speakers and participants for their time and interest in participating.
Jack Chaffe wrapped up the day by encouraging participants to keep chatting with each other to keep the conversations going about strategies to manage risk. We would like to thank our sponsors Bio
Based on feedback from our event evaluation, we provided a follow-up webinar that walked participants through real-time examples of risk mitigation strategies being used in today’s market. We look forward to continuing the conversation on strategies to manage risk within the cattle feeding sector. OB
Youmay have noticed quite a few producer-focused surveys circulating lately asking for a few moments of your time to gather information about things like animal management, health and nutrition. “Really? Another survey?” You may think. “Why so many lately?”
These benchmarking surveys are critical to understanding the state of the industry, and track progress and identify challenges over time. They allow producers to compare their practices to other operations across Canada and North America, and most importantly help to direct policy, research and innovation, extension activities, and provide critical information to conduct life cycle assessments. Much of this data directly informs policy making, which is why it’s important that they reflect true industry practices. Since these surveys of late are national initiatives, it is really important that Ontario production practices are well represented in the data, so that the unique aspects of eastern Canadian beef production can also be captured. Earlier this year, the Canadian Cow-Calf benchmarking survey was released and had an outstanding number of respondents from Ontario (well done, Ontario producers!), and launching soon is a similar benchmarking study for backgrounders and feedlots.
So, why so many surveys lately? These important benchmarking surveys are a part of the 23 research projects selected to be part of the $21.7 million in joint funding from the Government of Canada’s AgriScience Cluster program and check-off dollars allocated to the Beef Cattle Research Council. This five-year program aims to improve economic and environmental sustainability through the beef supply chain through a variety of research projects.
One of these projects is, “The Canadian Feedlot Benchmarking Study” with a team of researchers from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta and lead by Dr. Gabriel Ribeiro at the University of Saskatchewan. This will be one of first national studies to create a national benchmark database of feedlot and backgrounding nutrition and management practices. The study will include a survey for feedlot
and backgrounding managers to complete, focusing on production practices related to animal management, receiving practices, housing, cattle health, feed management, feed additives and implant programs, and ration composition. The benchmark created from this survey will be used to identify best management practices that increase both efficiency and sustainability of Canadian beef feedlot operations.
What’s in it for you? Each participant will receive a personalized and confidential report of how their practices “stack up” against the Canadian benchmark. This direct feedback will help to identify practices to consider to improve the efficiency and profitability of the individual participant’s operation.
In the second phase of this project, a few feedlots across Canada will be recruited to help provide feed and fecal samples to support the development of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) fecal calibrations for different feed management practices, cattle performance, and feed sources. This allows for us to generate fast and accurate data to improve feed processing, diet formulation, and cattle performance and help bring this technology to on farm applications. For feedlot operators interested in participating in Phase II of the project, this is a great opportunity to get feed and fecal test results as part of direct and quantifiable feedback on your production practices.
Let’s build on the momentum of the recent Canadian CowCalf Survey and get great Ontario input on this National Feedlot Benchmarking Study! If your feedlot is interested in participating in the survey or interested participating in the sampling trial, please contact us! For more information, scan the QR code to be taken to the study’s website. OB
CJLA IMPACT SHOW
AUGUST 15-18, 2024 | Lindsay, ON
ONTARIO LIMOUSIN PROVINCIAL SHOW OCTOBER 6, 2024 | Markham Fair
DAVID CARSON AUCTIONS
Stocker Sale featuring Limousins OCTOBER 21, 2024
CARGILL AUCTION
Stocker Sale featuring Limousins OCTOBER 25, 2024
JUNIOR LIMOUSIN SHOW
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair OCTOBER 31, 2024
LIMOUSIN SHOW
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair NOVEMBER 2, 2024
EASTERN SHOWCASE LIMOUSIN SALE
DECEMBER 7, 2024 | Maple Hill Auction Hanover, ON
Contact any of these breeders to arrange for a private viewing of cattle for sale:
3
RIDGE FARMS
Jon Bell 217294 Conc. 3 Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N5 519-378-4006 roundbale14@hotmail.com
ARCON CATTLE CO
Art Thompson, Jim & Connor Wiley 5174 Concession Road 4 Everett, ON L0M 1J0 Art 705-434-8582 Jim 705-734-7379 arconcattleco@gmail.com
BEE ZEE ACRES
The Zwambag’s 4140 Glendon Drive, Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0 Bill: 519-494-9613 Matt: 519-870-3219 beezeeacres@gmail.com
CROWN HILL ACRES
Craig and Michelle Kennedy 258 Sturgeon Rd. Omemee, ON K0L 2W0 705-741-6700 crownhillacres@gmail.com
DARLING FARMS
4172 County Rd 25 Castleton, ON K0K 1M0 905-375-4019 dmdarling13@gmail.com
GIBSON FARMS
Dave and Emily Gibson 2148 Concession 4, RR1, Ripley Ontario N0G2R0 Dave-519-357-6174 Emily 519-440-9907 gibsonfarmstrucking@gmail.com
CLARK CATTLE CO.
David Clark 2280 McCullough Rd. Port Hope, ON L1A 3V7 905-449-0149 clarkcattle1@hotmail.ca
LOYAL LINE LIMOUSIN
Brent and Vicky Black 82509 Loyal Line Goderich, Ontario N7A 3Y3 Cell: 519-955-1234 brentblack204@hotmail.com
SPARE TIME LIVESTOCK
Don & Donna Scott & family Oxford Mills, ON Don: 613-913-1579 Laura: 613-316-8728 sparetimelivestock@gmail.com
HILLSIDE FARMS
Ray and Stacie Stanton 4250 King Road, King City, ON, L7B 1K4 416-505-0707 rays@londonproperty.ca
AFTER HOURS LIMOUSINS
Rob & Erin Weppler 117078 Grey Rd. 3 , Tara, ON 519-375-6108 rob@gbtel.ca
LAKESIDE FARM
Wayne and Nancy Lawrence 263657 Southgate Rd. 26 RR#4 Durham, ON N0G 1R0 519-369-2806 lakesidelimo@hotmail.com
RAIL LINE FARMS
Paul and Brad MacIntyre 221 Bruce County Rd. 1 RR #3, Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0 519-528-2423 pcmacintyre@hurontel.on.ca
POSTHAVEN LIMOUSIN
John and Ena Post #7396 Sideroad #20, RR #2, Alma, Ontario N0B 1A0 519-846-9320 ejpost@posthavenlimousin.com
PINCH HILL LIMOUSIN
Paul, Brandon & Chad Homer Stittsville, Ontario Chad: 519-339-9659 Brandon: 613-978-0822 pinchhill@gmail.com
NEW LIFE LIMOUSIN
Justin and Melissa Burgess 261269 Conc. 18 Hanover, ON N4N 3B8 519-270-5415 new.life.limousin@gmail.com
SMART LIMOUSIN
Garry and Sheila Smart 137606 Grey Road 12 RR#2, Meaford, ON N4L 1W6 519-538-4877 www.smartlimousin.com
WINDY GABLES LIMOUSIN
Bryce & Nathan Allen RR #4, Warkworth, ON K0K 3K0 705-924-2583 nathana@alleninsurance.ca
YOUNG LIMO FARMS
Jim and Joe Young 601 Tara Road Ennismore, ON 705 755 6820 young_electric@hotmail.com
ANNA & ELISABETH STUDER 44390 Glenannon Rd Clifford, ON N0G 1M0 519 327-4489 anel.studer@gmail.com
BOULDER LAND & CATTLE COMPANY Ben Belanger 4510 Hwy 7 RR#1, Omemee, ON 705-875-0020 Blcccattle@outlook.com
BENNVILLE LIMOUSIN
Anita or Greta Haupt 613 Con. 14 RR #1, Hagersville N0A 1H0 Greta: 905-865-2529 haupt@xplornet.ca www.bennvillelimousin.com
SAMMERICH FARMS
Joost & Carolyn van der Heiden 8493 Rd 176, Listowel, ON 519-291-2507 cell 519 292-1171 jcvheiden@hotmail.com
Between2012 and 2017, BFO executed five iterations of its BUILD Leadership Program in partnership with the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI), graduating 96 beef industry leaders and emerging leaders. The program was designed to develop and improve the leadership skills of existing and potential leaders of BFO, and support farmers who were capable of moving the Ontario beef sector forward.
It had been seven years since the last program was offered, and with a renewed strategic plan with a focus on producer excellence and leadership training, BFO committed to the return of the program in April. After the recruitment and registration process, 14 individuals stepped forward to embark on an exploration of leadership and personal growth. The group was very well rounded with a good balance of experience and unique backgrounds, as well as representation from across the province.
The program was formatted into three sessions, each session building off the skills developed from the previous. The virtual kickoff night, held in early April, was intended to be an introductory yet energizing meeting to encourage self-reflection and help participants understand their reasons for wanting to become a better leader. Participants were fortunate to hear from Senator Rob Black, who initially led BFO’s BUILD Leadership program seven plus years ago during his time with ROI prior to joining the Senate of Canada. Senator Black spoke about his leadership journey and the “why” participants should take the plunge into leadership roles.
Next, the Leadership and Governance Excellence session was comprised of three busy days in Guelph with facilitators covering a
range of topics such as personality types, handling conflict, effective communication, and good governance practices. On the first day of the session, participants were given the unique opportunity to visit the BFO office to sit around the board table and experience where decisions are made on behalf of Ontario’s beef sector. That evening, we were grateful to have Dennis Laycraft, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), who joined for an informal chat about his career path and lessons he’s learned through his tenured career leading Canada’s beef sector. His stories of navigating the BSE crisis, its aftermath and ongoing international trade issues gave everyone a stronger appreciation of crisis management and its importance in leading a sector through uncertainty.
The next evening, we coordinated a panel discussion, moderated by Christina Crowley-Arklie, with three engaging speakers - Sandi Brock, co-owner of Shepherd Creek Farms Ltd.; Ian McKillop, BFO Past President; and Brendan Byrne, Past Chair and current director of Grain Farmers of Ontario. All three of these accomplished speakers shared their personal decision to become involved in their respective commodity organizations and how they defined their own style of leadership.
The program wrapped up in Toronto on April 21-22nd, with a two-day Leadership in Action session, which focussed on advocacy, government relations and a visit to Queen’s Park. Throughout the session, participants heard from an impressive roster of inspiring guest speakers. John Masswohl, Director Emeritus International with CCA spoke to the group about the importance of advocacy work in the beef
sector and shared some of his beef-related war room stories with the group. Michael Keegan, President of Michael Keegan and Associates shared his advice for engaging with elected officials and the importance of developing an advocacy strategy. That evening, we were grateful to have the Honourable Wayne Easter, Former Solicitor General of Canada and Ron Bonnett, Past President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture who joined us for an intimate chat about their life in leadership.
The following day we spent at Queen’s Park where we had the opportunity to tour the facility and view the always entertaining Question Period. In addition, we had the privilege of meeting with Minister Thompson and her staff; the Speaker of the House, the Honourable Ted Arnott; MPP John Vanthof, the Critic of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and lastly, Rob Benzie, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief for the Toronto Star. Previous feedback from our BUILD graduates indicated that the Toronto session was one of the highlights of the program. We have a feeling our 2024 graduates felt the same!
Emily Bromley
Ralph Eyre
Micha Gerber
Mike Jeffray
Madi Lewis
Mac Littlejohn
Geordie MacLaren
Jairus Maus
Craig McLaughlin
Ian Payne
Mike Swidersky
Erin Theriault
Joost van der Heiden
Alex Wytenburg
While the program focused on the personal growth and leadership of our graduates, our hope is that we have invested in building stronger leadership capacity for our entire organization. As Senator Black referenced in his kick-off presentation, thank you to all of our graduates for “taking a plunge into leadership”. We were so appreciative of the group and their openness and willingness to learn, engage and support one another through all three sessions.
“I have great respect and a better understanding of what all of our guest speakers have done in their leadership roles. Listening to the lessons and stories that were shared will help guide my path in current and future leadership roles. Great course packed with great leadership training and skills.”
- Geordie MacLaren
“The Build Leadership Program has given me the confidence to lead my fellow producers at the provincial level.”
- Craig McLaughlin
“It was amazing experience that I highly recommend to anyone. The knowledge is highly appreciated.”
- Ian Payne
“The program begins by helping you understand yourself and your personality and then armed with that knowledge, progresses into shaping your potential in leadership positions and highlights for each person how their strengths can be a benefit to a team. I would highly recommend this program to anyone as it opens your eyes to so much that goes on behind the scenes and gives you an appreciation for all those who are doing the legwork for our industry.”
- Micha Gerber
“After the BUILD program, I now better understand myself and how to better interact with other personalities.”
- Madi Lewis
Spring2024 has brought new hope and started off with better weather-related conditions than last year.
We are still working with the federal government on the Livestock Tax Deferral Program for producers. Our first step was to have them acknowledge the importance of the program and its effectiveness in providing relief for producers in the April budget. Now, it’s time to expedite and roll out the program, which is a crucial tool for producers in times of natural disasters such as drought or floods.
This is one risk management tool we can have as producers to help ease our minds in the coming months. We will keep everyone informed of our progress on this front. Also on the advocacy front, CCA has requested a change to the Income Tax Act to include all classes of cattle and to allow producers to self-elect when they need to use the deferral. As I go through below, the opportunity for Canadian beef is great. Our herd is limited to what weather allows for feed production. The improvements to the tax deferral program are about an improved time of turnaround in herd size as weather and other conditions allow.
Prices have been strong this spring and demand for our quality Canadian beef continues to grow at home and abroad. In April, CCA and Canada Beef representatives participated in a trade mission to South Korea where we learned that the demand for our beef is at an all time high. We are working with our federal government to reduce Canadian tariff rates – which are currently 16 per cent - to match the U.S. tariff rates at 8 per cent. This will level the playing field with our neighbours and open markets up.
The tri lateral meetings in Mexico in May were productive, with discussions around science-based trade policies, foreign animal diseases and how to protect our Canada-U.S.-Mexico integrated supply system. Keeping the flow of healthy herds was the main focus at these meetings and producers from all countries involved are on the same page when it comes to working together. It’s sometimes the regulators that impede progress – but we are committed to working with them to ensure our producers keep all market options open.
We have a busy summer coming up with the Calgary Stampede, federal-provincial meetings in the Yukon and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) meetings in the U.S. Protecting our herds, expanding our markets and improving your bottom line are our goals in all of CCA’s activities.
We have been working shoulder to shoulder with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to provide updates on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in the U.S. and the border testing requirements they have implemented at the end of April for lactating dairy cattle. At the time of writing this, there have been no beef cattle affected in the U.S. or Canada – but we all know how important biosecurity and safety measures are and our message to producers is to continue to be vigilant and to watch for signs and symptoms of the virus and practice preventative measures. CCA has biosecurity advice for producers on its website at cattle.ca.
On the environmental front, we want to congratulate our provincial participants in The Environmental Stewardship Awards. As we all know, beef cattle producers play a huge role in protecting and enhancing our environment. Special congratulations to the Hyatt family at Circle H Farms from Devlin, Ontario; the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures; and John Duynisveld and his daughter Maria at Holdanca Farms in Nova Scotia.
We commend you and all other nominees for the work and effort you put into continuously striving to improve your existing stewardship practices, setting our industry up for a sustainable future. Other provincial winners will be announced soon with our national winner announced in August at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference.
On behalf of our CCA Board and staff, we wish you a healthy, successful, and smooth summer. OB
2024-2025 fiscal year is underway at Canada Beef under the leadership of newly installed president Eric Bienvenue. Prior to taking over the corner office on April 1, Bienvenue concluded his orientation of Canada Beef by participating in North American meat and beef cattle industry meetings and events, and an introductory mission to key markets in Asia.
The 12-day mission included stops in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Hong Kong - the largest export destinations for Canadian beef in Asia. Outgoing Canada Beef President Michael Young and Executive Director, Export Market Development, Albert Eringfeld joined Bienvenue on the mission. Canada Beef’s local market development staff coordinated the itinerary and provided their support and expertise in each market.
Meetings were held with Canadian federal and provincial trade representatives, Canadian beef importers and distributors, retailers and restaurant chains selling Canadian beef and in-market representatives for Canadian beef suppliers active in these markets. Market development strategies, and the export development programs and resources available from Canada Beef were featured at the meetings.
In April, the Government of Canada announced $1 billion over five years for a new National School Food Program in Budget 2024 with a goal to provide meals to an additional 400,000 kids every year. The federal government noted it will work with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments to deliver the national program, with support beginning in the 2024 2025 school year.
Canada Beef has been part of an industry working group examining the development of a national school food policy in Canada. Canada Beef supported the working group by developing a backgrounder to explore beef’s place in the diet of school aged children in Canada. The backgrounder provided the latest nutrition science and research to support the inclusion of beef in a program aimed at school-age children, including teens, who need adequate intakes of nutrients for proper physical and cognitive development.
Canada Beef will continue to provide information to the working group and monitor the development of the school food policy and implementation of the national program supported by the federal government.
The Channel Marketing team showcased Canada Beef’s latest foodservice resources to industry stakeholders at the Restaurants Canada Show (RC Show) in Toronto on April 8-10th
The RC Show provided an ideal platform to introduce the Canadian Beef Wholesale Gateway, Foodservice Edition to the foodservice industry. Visitors to the Canada Beef booth could view digital content samples, including merchandising, purchasing, culinary and serving videos, and access Canada Beef’s new Culinary Planners, which provide digital access to 150 commercial recipes developed using beef dish trend data in Canada. The newly designed Foodservice Merchandising Guide poster which features foodservice specific cuts for subprimals and integrated QR codes for seamless information access, was also available.
The team was on-site to explain the new resources and meet with stakeholders to better understand the challenges in foodservice and grow opportunities to utilize Canadian beef on menus across the country.
More than 20,000 attendees were expected to attend the show put on by Restaurants Canada, an association which represents the foodservice industry.
The second annual the Burger it Forward (BIF) campaign was a resounding success. The February 2024 campaign raised more than $66,000 for foodbanks across the country, a 25 per cent increase in funds compared to 2023. Restaurant participation increased nearly 77 per cent. Canada Beef thanks all the participating restaurants across the country for embracing the give-back initiative for food
The 62-page magazine answers consumer questions about food grown in Canada, where it comes from, and what farmers are doing to produce food that is sustainable, healthy, and safe. Canada Beef supported the project with funding and a technical review of the material.
A digest edition of The Real Dirt on Farming was distributed through a national campaign with Post Media in April. This project included a full-page ad in each newspaper promoting the booklet insert as well as a copy of the digest version of the booklet in each paper. More than 212,000 copies were distributed the week of April 11 through several Post Media-affiliated newspapers, including the National Post in Toronto. All together, 250,000 copies of the resource were distributed across the country.
The Real Dirt on Farming was also distributed to more than 2,300 Registered Dietitians across Canada and at several industry events and business meetings of commodity partners.
FFCO sent Canadian Members of Parliament English and French copies of The Real Dirt on Farming; these were sent to their main constituency offices as well as to the House of Commons. The magazines were accompanied by a bilingual letter that explained the resource.
Canada Beef uses this educational publication for both consumer and health professional outreach. OB
“Ithought you were all vegetarians” was one of the first things Anthony Featherstone said to us when we arrived at Featherstone Family Farm in early May to look for grassland birds. After establishing that we appreciate the value of cattle grazing on pasture as well as beef on a bun, he felt more at ease. Anthony and Elfriede are proud owners of a grass-fed herd of Shorthorn beef cattle near Priceville, in Grey County, and we got to know them well during many visits to their farm over the spring and summer of 2023.
Bird Ecology and Conservation Ontario (BECO) has been researching birds in agricultural landscapes and collaborating with farmers since 2016. The non-profit organization conducts ecological research to advance the conservation of birds in Ontario. I joined BECO’s small team of biologists in spring 2023. Featherstone Family Farm was one of the 14 farms we conducted research on last summer, showing up at the crack of dawn to watch the birds, sometimes causing neighbours to wonder at the sight of people walking around with a bunch of bamboo sticks strapped to their backpacks (used to mark nesting locations) hiding under burlap in the middle of hayfields and pastures for hours, seemingly watching the grass grow (as we waited for birds to give us clues about their nesting locations).
Pastures and hayfields were just starting to green up as the first bobolinks arrived at the farm in early May. Males strutted their stuff in their striking black-and-white breeding plumage, hovering over fields in helicopter-like displays and defending their territories against other males. The females are much less conspicuous, looking more like sparrows with their yellowish-brown plumage. There were also eastern meadowlarks at the farm singing their flute-like song. They’d arrived much earlier, the first of the grassland bird species to return in spring. As we walked through the pastures, the cows in the barnyard were alert and curious, keeping an eye on the gate, hopeful that one of us would let them out to graze on the new spring grass.
We looked for our third target species, the grasshopper sparrow: a small, brown, inconspicuous bird, fairly uncommon in Ontario, but we did not find any on Anthony and Elfriede’s farm. Grasshopper sparrows are typically found in grasslands with sparser and shorter vegetation compared to bobolinks, though all three species sometimes nest in the same field.
A couple of weeks later, birds were singing, cattle went out to pasture, and the farm store opened, selling local produce and homemade treats. It was a wonderful May long weekend. Occasionally, we caught a whiff of the neighbour’s pig barn, a reminder that Featherstone Family Farm is a patch of grassland, an island surrounded by intensive agriculture. What was once largely hay and pasture all around is now mostly tile-drained, plowed, and planted in soy, wheat, and corn—circumstances not particular to Grey County, but common throughout southern Ontario. Habitat loss and intensified hay harvest regimes are two major factors contributing to the decline in grassland bird populations. Bobolinks, eastern meadowlarks, and grasshopper sparrows nest directly on the ground in grasslands and they depend on hayfields and pastures for breeding habitat. In Ontario, populations of these species have declined by about 80% since 1970. As a result, all three species are listed as at-risk provincially and federally.
There are fewer and fewer farmers like the Featherstones, who resist the pressure to intensify operations. In addition to producing food, caring for their animals and the land, storing carbon, and providing for their families, are environmental organizations, governments, and the general public now asking these farmers to largely carry the burden of grassland bird conservation? Unfortunately yes, because farmers create and maintain the vast majority of the nesting habitat these species depend on in southern Ontario.
Curious cattle at Featherstone Family Farm. Photo by Hanna Kirchmeir.
Strategies for grassland bird conservation will work only if they work for the farmers. Inevitably, farmers need their pastures and hayfields at the same time as the birds. This is where BECO’s research comes in. We monitor grassland bird nests to determine if birds are able to raise young under various management practices. We discuss with farmers if stewardship can be implemented on their farms with small changes to management. Although there are trade-offs, both for the birds and farmers, our goal is to find practices that improve outcomes for the birds while minimizing negative impacts on production. Minimal changes weren’t challenging enough for Anthony and Elfriede—they went all in for grassland bird conservation. They delayed haying and grazing until mid-July or later in large areas of their hayfields and pastures, creating the right conditions for many bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks to raise young. Delayed haying and grazing are proven strategies to support grassland birds; however, they don’t work for many farmers who need to harvest high-quality hay to meet production goals.
Naturally, many farmers are skeptical of delayed haying, but even some skeptics implement grassland bird stewardship. I live on a farm near Markdale that has a small cow-calf operation and most of the hay is harvested in the third week of June, weather permitting. However, for the past two years, after BECO conducted surveys, the farmer has delayed cutting the interior of his largest hayfield until after mid-July, protecting nests in an area with numerous bobolinks each year. If areas with high abundances of nesting birds are identified, a small change in management can have a significant positive impact on the birds.
Alternative stewardship practices, such as delaying interior hayfield cuts, provide some high-quality forage while enabling grassland birds to raise young in some areas. One of BECO’s previous research projects involved testing two stewardship practices, light spring grazing and refuge paddocks, on six beef cattle farms in the Ottawa Valley. Areas for light spring grazing were grazed at a low stocking rate between late May and early June. After grazing, the vegetation remained suitable for bobolinks to continue nesting before cattle returned to graze again in July. Meanwhile, cattle were excluded from one refuge paddock elsewhere on the farms until at least mid-July. Both practices enabled bobolinks to fledge young from nests and farmers to use most of their pastures at the desired time. Extending the rest period between grazing occasions in rotationally-grazed pastures may also enable some birds to fledge young, but the intensity of grazing and length of the rest period will impact which species this practice may benefit. Many farmers have limited flexibility to accommodate birds, but some are able to change the order in which fields are grazed or cut. There is always one field that is grazed or cut last. If this is the field where most birds are nesting, it can be an opportunity for birds to breed successfully if the field is left undisturbed until at least early July, although later is better. An important first step is to identify areas where concentrations of birds are nesting.
It is one thing to ask farmers to save the birds, but it is unfair to expect them to do it alone. The Featherstones are determined to continue grassland bird stewardship on their farm, but they wonder, as do many others in their position, where they can get support to help offset the impacts of grassland bird-friendly practices on production. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association delivers cost-share programs for creating and maintaining habitat for species at risk.
ALUS Canada is another organization that supports grassland projects on farms to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services. But even with financial support, stewardship may be difficult to implement for some farmers. Nevertheless, we are hopeful that more and more farmers will be interested in exploring grassland bird stewardship on their farms. Ontario’s grassland birds depend on farmers now more than ever.
For more information about grassland birds and resources for onfarm stewardship, visit grasslandbirds.ca OB
Robert Frost coined the phrase “good fences make good neighbors” which speaks to being a good (or bad) neighbor. Every farmer who pastures animals’ cattle, sheep, or horses understands their responsibility to keep them contained, but what happens if they get out?
• Use the right type of fence for your farm animal type. Make sure to follow best practices for installation.
• Check animals frequently, ensure they have feed, water, and shelter as required and limit temptations outside the fence.
• Inspect fencing and gates regularly; broken gates or tree damage will prove tempting escape routes.
• Use livestock identification methods so in the event an animal or animals do escape they can be traced back to their farm of origin.
Traffic Accidents: Loose farm animals can wander onto roads and highways, posing a significant risk to both themselves and motorists. Collisions with large animals such as cows or horses can cause catastrophic damage to vehicles resulting in injuries or even fatalities. If a driver swerves and avoids the animal, the resulting costs are assessed to the owner of the animal.
Property Damage: Farm animals can cause damage to private property, including gardens, crops, and fences. They may trample or eat crops, destroy gardens, break through fences etc. And could represent a biosecurity risk/threat to neighboring farms.
Economic Impacts: Escaped farm animals can have huge economic implications that liability insurance may not be sufficient to cover or may exclude altogether.
• Financial losses due to damaged property
• Potential liability lawsuits from injuries or human fatalities caused by livestock
• Farmers could be assessed financial penalties for environmental pollution incidents or animal welfare fines levied by PAWS.
• Basic farm insurance policies exclude any liability concerning the spread of infectious diseases or penalties.
Personal Impacts: The effect of negative social media or news coverage from animals on the loose can also severely impact the farmer’s financial well-being and their emotional and mental health.
There are several regulations in Ontario as well as local bylaws that specify a livestock owner’s legal obligation to keep their animals contained. Most municipalities have provisions for farm animals running at large which will state:
• No animal owner shall allow the animal to run at large or trespass upon private property.
• Any person may capture any animal running at large and trespassing on their property and deliver them to the Humane Society or a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer, who may impound the animal or return it to the owner.
• Any animals running at large contrary to the provisions of this bylaw may be impounded or sold.
• And that the owner is responsible for damages and costs resulting from the animals being on the loose
The Provincial Pounds Act (2006) also applies to cattle, horses, sheep, goats, or swine, stating “animals are not to run at large”, making owners liable for damages caused by their animals and describes seizure and sale provisions.
Legal liability, as determined in courts, hinges on whether the farm owner was negligent in allowing their animals to escape.
The Supreme Court of Canada has clarified that farm owners are not strictly liable for damage from their escaped animals, rather, the regular rules of negligence apply. An assessment of the circumstances is necessary to determine whether the owner acted negligently. This assessment will examine the conditions surrounding the confinement of the animals, including whether there were deficiencies in fencing; whether the doors and gates of the farm were closed/locked; and whether there were any other defects or peculiarities in the farm that the owner should have addressed. Farms with frequent animal escapes are at a higher level of perceived negligence than those with less history.
You are also liable if your fences are in good repair, but you keep animals you know are capable of jumping or breaking out of them. Even if enclosures are adequate in good repair and without a history of animal escapes you can still be found liable if you fail to remove them from the roadway within a reasonable time.
Marcus Rozsa, Associate Lawyer at Bell Temple LLP - Toronto, shares some legal precedence:
Youssef v. Redi-Mix Limited, 2018, a motorcycle driver suffered serious injuries when he struck an escaped donkey who had wandered onto the middle of the road overnight. The evidence illustrated that the donkey could pry open an unlocked gate using his strength and then walk through an unsecured fence to the rural road. The court held that the farm owner’s failure to ensure the gate was “donkey-proof” and secure the next fence constituted negligence.
Similarly, Haley v. Reade, 2000, the court found the farm owner liable due to the evidence showing that the escaped cow broke through a fence to get to potatoes the owner had failed to put away. According to the court, the owner’s inadvertent enticement of his cow constituted negligence.
Conversely in the case of Munroe v. McCarron, 1999, the court held that the farm owner had not acted negligently for his cow escaping, as the fence the cow escaped from was recently inspected and was in sound condition at the time of the accident. The court noted that the cow’s escape was attributable to “an unusual occurrence, not a breach of duty.”
The financial implications of a livestock escape can be much more than just the cost of the animal. The court-awarded judgments in the case of motor vehicle incidents or human fatality can be substantial, potentially more than the liability insurance of the farmer, potentially forcing the sale of farm assets.
Farmers with livestock must ensure fences and other enclosures are in good repair, gates are reasonably secured, and animals are regularly inspected and not enticed to leave.
Visit www.farmfoodcare.on.org for additional resources on livestock emergencies. OB
birth of a new calf crop is both an exciting and stressful time in the life of a producer. Producers are always looking to do the most that they can for their calves and the high calf price is adding to the stress of ensuring a healthy calf come fall. A common question I face this time of year is: ‘what vaccines will help prevent pneumonia in my calves?’
The vaccine world can be incredibly complicated to sift through with all the different vaccine names and pathogens (viruses and bacteria) that they cover. What I’ll try to do in this article is to outline some the more common pneumonia causing pathogens and apply a rough backbone as to how to approach vaccines in your calves. This is not meant to be a protocol but rather an outline of how to think about which vaccines to use. The focus will be on vaccines for respiratory pathogens in your calves, but care should be taken to develop a vaccine protocol for clostridial diseases such as blackleg depending on your location. Work closely with your herd veterinarian if you are having issues to determine what approach is the best in your situation.
Cattle respiratory vaccine programs seem to work better against viruses compared to bacteria. This is likely because many pneumonia causing bacteria are normal inhabitants of cattle airways. The common causes of viral pneumonia include Bovine Herpesvirus (causative agent of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, or IBR), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), Bovine Para-Influenza virus (PI-3) and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVD). The common bacterial causes are Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Mycoplasma bovis and Histophilus somni. Although there are vaccines available for all the above noted pathogens, most vaccines cover for the main viruses, Mannheimia, and Pasteurella as there is the strongest evidence to support their efficacy.
By vaccinating the calf with the above-mentioned pathogens, we are stimulating the immune system to develop a protective response which will help prevent or reduce the severity of disease from those pathogens in the future. Vaccine protocols are generally at the intersection of science and compliance. There’s what we know works, and then there’s what the producer can do logistically. When developing a protocol, I prefer calves to receive at least two respiratory vaccines, with the second one given at weaning. Providing the second vaccination allows for what we call the ‘booster’ effect. Calves that receive a second vaccination three or more weeks after the initial series develop a stronger and longer lasting (“booster”) immune response. When developing a vaccine program for your calves, the following are a few factors to consider:
Intranasal vaccines (IN) are administered down the nose and provide immunity in the nose and upper airways. These vaccines have become very popular due to their ability to provide protective immunity in newborn calves despite the presence of colostral antibodies. The downside is their duration of immunity is much less than injectable vaccines. We see strong immunity to IBR for approximately six months, but only around nine weeks of protection to BRSV which is a very common cause of calfhood pneumonia. We do see a booster effect if we follow an IN with another IN or with an injectable vaccine.
Injectable respiratory vaccines can be broken down into two main categories: Killed Viral Vaccines (KV) and Modified Live Viral Vaccines (MLV). KV vaccines contain viruses that are killed, so they are easier on the calf but do not provide as long of protection. MLV contain live viruses that are modified so as not to cause disease. They pack quite a punch but provide strong and long-lasting protection. Both KV and MLV vaccines are affected by the presence of colostral antibodies in a young calf.
Newborn calves are born without immunity. They acquire protection by drinking colostrum while their body starts to develop its own immune system. Maternal colostrum is packed full of antibodies to provide the calf protection during this time. These antibodies can
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impact, and limit, how the calf responds to most injectable vaccines. The quantity and quality of colostrum consumed will impact how long these antibodies are present in the calf. The variability with how these colostral antibodies wane will impact the timing of when a calf can respond to an injectable vaccine. Different veterinarians will use different time cut-offs, but in general, if a calf is younger than four to six weeks old, an intranasal vaccine should be used rather than injectable. One exception is an injectable BVD vaccine. There is currently no intranasal vaccine that protects against BVD. Luckily, there is good evidence to show that an injectable BVD vaccine can provide protection in a young calf less than four to six weeks old. This can be given at the same time as the intranasal vaccine to provide adequate protection against the viral causes of pneumonia.
Once calves are older than four to six weeks, they can respond to injectable vaccines. At that age, colostral antibodies are starting to wane and the immune system can respond to an injectable vaccine. There may, however, always be a small proportion of calves that never respond to vaccination. This provides good justification for a booster vaccine which allows calves two opportunities to respond to vaccination.
The last thing to consider is the previous issues experienced in your herd. If you have previously dealt with pneumonia and have identified a causative agent, then utilizing a vaccine that covers for that pathogen makes sense. Work with your herd veterinarian to determine which combination of pathogens should be covered with your vaccine program. When we are mapping out when to gives vaccines, I find it beneficial to work backwards. The second vaccination generally occurs in the fall at weaning. At this time calves are generally older and should receive a five-way modified live vaccine. Depending on your situation, a viral + bacterial combo may be of benefit. If we work backwards from this, the next time most common time producers work with their calves is at grass turnout. Which vaccines we give at this stage depends on the age of the calf. If the calf is older than four to six weeks, a five-way modified live vaccine provides strong, long-lasting protection. If calves are less than four to six weeks of age at grass turnout, then an intranasal vaccine along with an injectable BVD is preferred.
If you have been vaccinating at grass turnout and are still experiencing late summer pneumonia in your calves, one possible solution is to also provide an intranasal vaccine at birth. This will allow you to utilize the booster effect when you vaccinate at grass turnout and provide longer protection throughout the summer.
By giving a respiratory vaccine at grass turnout, and again in the fall when calves are weaned, we will be providing protection for these calves during stressful periods and as they move down the production chain. It is important to note that just administering a vaccine is no guarantee. Proper care must be taken for storing and handling the vaccines as per their label recommendations. Bovine respiratory disease is sporadic and unpredictable but providing your calves with a good vaccine program is one of the steps to producing healthier cattle. OB
Reported as of April 11, 2024
Abattoir 11261991 Canada Inc. HM Halal Meats Brampton 647-271-7530
Abattoir 1550553 Ontario Inc. o/a Matar Meat Osgoode 613-295-0152
Country Dealer 2737927 Ontario Ltd. o/a R & R Farms Amaranth 705-444-4456
Country Dealer 33 Mile Cattle Corp Brussels 519-357-7007
Country Dealer Alain Bergeron Limoges 613-227-7716
Abattoir Albarakah Halal Meat & Chicken Inc. o/a London Quality Meat London 519-661-8696
Auction Market Algoma Co-Operative Livestock Sales Iron Bridge 705-842-2249
Country Dealer Alzahraa Halal Meat Inc. Scarborough 416-701-1590
Country Dealer Anderson, Stephen Chesley 519-375-5692
Country Dealer ANS Livestock Kingston 613-544-3038
Country Dealer Aylmer Livestock Springfield 519-808-0904
Auction Market Aylmer Stockyards Inc. Aylmer 519-765-2672
Abattoir Baghai Development Limited o/a Paradise Farms Toronto 416-449-5994
Country Dealer Bateman, Harold Tweed 613-478-6443
Abattoir Bentinck Packers Limited Hanover 519-364-3538
Country Dealer Besner, Donald Vankleek Hill 613-678-6421
Abattoir Bilal Farms Inc. Ottawa 613-796-8604
Abattoir Bill Wood Livestock Lyndhurst 613-540-4074
Meat Packer Bruno's Meat Distribution Ltd. Puslinch 647-228-0902
Auction Market Brussels Livestock Brussels 519-887-6461
Country Dealer Butch Clare Livestock Burford 519-458-4318
Country Dealer C.R.P. Theoret Farm and Livestock Services Ltd. Moose Creek 613-538-6455
Auction Market Cargill Auction Market Inc. Cargill 519-366-2214
Meat Packer Cargill Ltd. Guelph 519-823-5200
Meat Packer Cargill Meat Solution Corporation Witchita, KS 316-291-2575
Country Dealer Chris Rots Enterprises Odessa 613-561-5065
Country Dealer Claessens Livestock Inc. St-Simon, PQ 450-501-7986
Country Dealer Clarence Poortinga Livestock Inc. Brussels 519-887-9747
Country Dealer Clark Bros. Canadian Livestock Inc. Dutton 519-282-0632
Country Dealer Cochrane, Ernest Bethany 905-434-9285
Country Dealer Couperus, Bram Toledo 613-275-1412
Auction Market D.H. Hickson Limited Campbellford 705-653-3660
Auction Market David Carson Farms & Auction Services Ltd. Listowel 519-291-2049
Country Dealer Deklein Livestock Mossley 519-269-3548
Auction Market Denfield Livestock Exchange Inc. Denfield 519-666-1140
Country Dealer Dewetering, Frank Sebringville 519-393-6822
Country Dealer Dickson, Steve Joyceville 613-484-1342
Country Dealer Don Sholdice Livestock Brussels 519-357-5135
Country Dealer Donald Thompson Farm Trout Creek 705-494-0973
Auction Market Embrun Livestock Exchange Ltd. Greely 613-821-2634
Country Dealer Glavin, Donald Lucan 519-878-0083
Country Dealer Glenview Livestock Ltd. Wallenstein 519-698-2248
Abattoir Gord's Abattoir Inc. Leamington 519-326-2503
Association Grey Bruce Livestock Co-Operative Ltd. Owen Sound 519-375-2938
Country Dealer Grof Livestock Lindsay 705-878-3171
Auction Market Hagersville Auction Centre Hagersville 905-768-5601
Country Dealer Hamilton, Allan F. Almonte 613-257-4594
Country Dealer Hank
Abattoir Ralph Bos Meats Ltd. Strathroy 519-245-1574
Country Dealer Randy Brubacher and Jeanette Brubacher o/a Bruhill Ag Clifford 519-292-1385
Association Renfrew Agricultural Society Renfrew 613-432-5331
Auction Market Renfrew-Pontiac Livestock Ltd. Cobden 613-646-7335
Country Dealer Robert J Campbell ASHTON 613-257-9060
Country Dealer Robert Rubino Trucking Ltd. Porcupine 705-266-4076
Country Dealer Sauder Transport L.T.D. Arthur 519-848-5771
Country Dealer Schaus Land and Cattle Co. Ltd. Elmwood 519-363-3516
Country Dealer Sedore Farms Phelpston 705-322-8159
Country Dealer Snyder Livestock Beachburg 613-582-3584
Country Dealer South East Livestock Ltd. Steinbach 204-694-7857
Meat Packer St. Helen's Meat Packers Limited Toronto 416-769-1788
Abattoir Stayner Meat Packers Ltd. Stayner 705-428-3006
Country Dealer Sunny Miroca Farms Gananoque 613-382-7324
Auction Market Temiskaming Livestock Exchange 1992 New Liskeard 705-647-5415
Country Dealer Thames Sales Yard Limited Thamesville 519-692-3804
Country Dealer Titan Livestock Inc. Edmonton, Alberta 780-487-8769
Country Dealer Todd Dickson Livestock Kingston 613-449-9750
Country Dealer Toll Gate Farm Mountain 613-989-3139
Abattoir Townsend Butchers Inc. Simcoe 519-426-6750
V.G. Meats Simcoe
Country Dealer Vanbenthem, John Hagersville 905-920-9339 Auction Market Vankleek Hill Livestock Exchange Ltd.
Stats Canada January 1st Cattle Inventory was released in March. Overall, volumes of fed cattle on Ontario farms totaled 377,700 head as of Jan. 1, 2024, which is down four per cent from Jan. 1, 2023 and 0.5 per cent below Jan. 1, 2022. Included in that total are 261,700 steers, down 0.7 per cent from Jan. 1, 2023 and steady to Jan. 1, 2022. Fed steers on beef farms are down 2.7 per cent from last January, while steers on dairy farms are up 12.5 per cent year-over-year. Fed heifers overall total 116,000 on Jan. 1, 2024, down 3.4 per cent from Jan. 1, 2023 and three per cent below Jan. 1, 2022. Fed heifers on beef farms on Jan. 1, 2024 are down 3.6 per cent from Jan. 1, 2023, while fed heifers on dairy farms are fully steady to Jan. 1, 2023.
The tighter supplies have been price supportive in 2024 and on a month-to-month basis, prices have continued at a premium to the same time last year. At time of reporting in mid-April, the market has stalled at $400 cwt. Although this is record high for April, the breakeven price for April 2024 is estimated at $416 cwt mainly due to increased cost of replacements. Ontario fed cattle prices have been at a premium to Alberta since last September as supplies in Alberta were more plentiful. As of April 1st, the tables have turned and Alberta is soaring higher week by week as supplies tighten, with Ontario trading negative $28.99 cwt the week of April 19th. The spread is expected to widen further in the short term. The U.S. fed cattle market is also currently at a premium to Ontario by $4.30 at time of reporting midApril, after trading $6-$11 cwt lower for the first quarter of 2024.
Fed cattle exports from Ontario to the U.S. were 12 per cent above year ago levels at the end of February 2024 with fed steers up 75 per cent, fed heifers up nine per cent and cow exports down eight per cent year-over-year. Demand from U.S. plants has continued with prices generally at a slight premium to the local packers. A weak Canadian dollar paired with tight supplies in the northern U.S. has supported the Canadian and Ontario live cattle export market.
Carcass weights started out the year steady to the five-year average and below 2023 but in March weights increased. Although weights are higher in March averaging 981 pounds for steers, they have not surpassed the record set in January 2021 at 990 pounds. The larger weights are not surprising given the lower cost of feed and higher breakeven prices.
Provincial processing in Ontario as of February 29, 2024, is up four per cent from the same time in 2023, but down 6.7 per cent from the same time in 2022. Federally inspected processing volumes as of April 8, 2024, are down 7.7 per cent from the same in 2023 and 17 per cent below April 8, 2022 volumes. Although federal processing numbers are down, increased exports and tighter supplies have continued to support the market.
Beef replacement heifers on Ontario Farms as of Jan. 1, 2024, total 32,500 head, down five per cent from Jan. 1, 2023, and 5.8 per cent below Jan 1, 2022. The Jan. 1, 2024 beef replacement heifer volume is the lowest Jan 1st volume since data collection started in 1971. Beef cow inventories on Ontario Farms as of Jan. 1, 2024 total 215,000 head, down five per cent from Jan. 1, 2023, and two per cent below
Jan. 1, 2022. The Jan. 1, 2024 beef cow volume on Ontario farms is the lowest Jan. 1st volume reported since Jan. 1, 1951. The data indicates that herd expansion in Ontario has not begun.
Cull cow exports have declined year-over-year along with the volume of cows coming to market. As of March 31, 2024, there were 26,428 cows sold, which is 17 per cent fewer than the same time in 2023 and 15 per cent below March 31, 2022. Breaking it down further, beef cow volumes sold as of March 31, 2024, are down 12 per cent from the same time last year and 11.6 per cent fewer than the same time in 2022. Dairy cows sold through auction markets as of Mar. 31, 2024 are down 18.7 per cent from the same time last year and down 16 per cent from the same time in 2022. Beef cow prices are strong and have traded above last year, 2022 and the five-year average for all of 2024 on a month-to-month basis. In March 2024, the average price broke the previous record and April was even higher (noting April’s price in this report is calculated from the 1st – 15th due to reporting deadlines). At time of writing, the market appears to have topped and is trending sideways to slightly lower.
The Stats Canada inventory for calves under one year of age on Ontario Farms as of Jan. 1, 2024, totals 429,200 head, down just 0.3 per cent from Jan. 1, 2023 and 5.4 per cent lower than Jan. 1, 2022. Calves under one year of age on Jan. 1, 2024, on beef farms specifically are down 3.5 per cent from Jan. 1, 2023 but about steady to Jan 1, 2022. Calves under one year of age on Ontario dairy farms are up 4.7 per cent over Jan. 1, 2023, but down three per cent from Jan. 1, 2022.
As of April 15th, there has been 52,730 stocker and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets year-to-date, which is up one per cent from April 15, 2023, up 3.3 per cent from 2022 and down 10.3 per cent from 2021. The largest week-over-week increase is noted in February compared to the previous three February volumes. At time of reporting in mid-April, the spring stocker sales have started and will continue until mid-May for the most part. On the graphs included, please note that April values are from April 1st to 15th due to reporting deadlines. The 2024 market has continued to trade strong with prices setting new monthly records on a month-to-month comparison and well over the five-year average. The heavier cattle did see a slight decline in April while the lighter weights continued to climb. All classes and categories have surpassed the record prices set in late 2023. Lower feed prices have supported the feeder cattle market along with good demand. With a lack of expansion in the beef cow herd, the stocker and feeder cattle market should be supported strongly moving forward.
The market information section of our website can help you keep an eye on current market prices. For those without internet access, BFO provides a tapeline which is updated twice a day with the day’s auction market sale reports, railgrade prices, cattle futures and the Alberta and U.S. markets. This can be accessed toll free by calling 1-866-370-2333 or locally at 519-824-0334. Just dial or ask for extension 301 for the noon report and 300 for the night report or the
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rail report. As well, the weekly report is available by mail. Daily and weekly reports are available on the BFO website under Market Info at ontariobeef.com or via email or fax.
At this time, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the honour of working for such an incredible group of people, as I will be retiring at the end of May. The past 18 plus years have been full of ups and downs in the marketplace, but the resilience of Ontario beef farmers has been admirable. I have enjoyed working for Ontario beef producers and with the BFO team, and I’m thankful for the
opportunity. I have learned so much in this position, not just from reading and following the market and talking with staff and industry partners, but the information I have received in phone conversations with producers has been invaluable. I am truly going to miss everything about this position, especially the people, but I am looking forward to starting the next chapter. OB
The information provided on this report is based on weighted averages for actual data collected. Input costs are a guideline only and will vary from producer to producer. BFO does not take any responsibility and accepts no legal liability arising from or connected to damages or losses experienced by producers when using this information. This is to be used at your own risk.
June 7-8 – Ontario Beef Youth Alliance (OBYA) Tour, Waterloo Region & Bruce County
June 15 – Gilbrea Farm Complete Cowherd Dispersal, Hillsburgh
August 15-18 – Canadian Junior Limousin Association Impact Show, Lindsay
August 19-22 – Canadian Beef Industry Conference, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Visit canadianbeefindustryconference.com for details.
September 6-7 – Cow-Calf Management Tour, Brant County and Area. Visit www.ontariobeef.com for details.
September 10-12 – Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, Ontario
October 1-5 – International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, Kawartha Lakes
October 6 – Ontario Limousin
Association Provincial Show, Markham
October 19 – Bluewater Angus 77th Annual Sale, Cargill
October 21 – David Carson Auctions
Stocker Sale featuring Limousin, Listowel
October 25 – Cargill Auction Stocker Sale featuring Limousin, Cargill
October 31 – Junior Limousin Show, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto
November 2 – Limousin Show, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto
December 7 – Eastern Showcase Limousin Sale, Hanover
The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of producers’ personal information in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
Subscribers to Ontario Beef magazine, the official publication of the Beef Farmers of Ontario, do so on a voluntary basis. By subscribing, subscribers are consenting to have their contact information used for the purposes of receiving the magazine and developing an BFO mailing list.
This mailing list will be used for the distribution of the BFO magazine.
The BFO will not sell, trade or otherwise share its Ontario Beef mailing list under any circumstances. A service may be provided whereby items are submitted to the BFO and mailed internally with the magazine but all materials must be approved by and acceptable to the BFO. In rare instances where external, non-commercial organizations, like the provincial or federal government, wish to use the Ontario Beef mailing list to distribute information, the government must provide their mailing materials in a finished format to BFO and/or its mailing house. BFO will then coordinate the mailing, at the requesting organization’s cost, thus maintaining confidentiality of the list. In cases where the BFO may commission a mailing, the company providing the service is required to sign a mandatory confidentiality agreement.
Subscribers to the Ontario Beef mailing list who wish to have their names removed, should call 519-824-0334 or email info@ontariobeef.com. Please allow 15 business days to allow us to update our records accordingly.
BFO’s complete privacy statement, covering areas of information including the electronic update system, Website, membership list and market information can be viewed on its Website at http://www.ontariobeef.com/privacy.asp
Information provided by Farm Credit Canada and an article by Mélanie Lagacé and BFO staff
Thefarm is both a workplace and a living space where adults and children spend much of their daily lives, exposing them to a wide range of hazards and risks associated with the activities that take place there. Agriculture is considered one of the most hazardous sectors of the economy.
According to a report by Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting, from 2011 to 2020, there were 624 agriculture-related fatalities in Canada - an average of 62 per year. In other industries, victims of occupational injuries are usually workers aged 18 to 65. Agriculture is unique in that children and the elderly sustain significant numbers of severe work-related injuries. This is partly because farms are not just work sites, but also places where people of all ages live and participate in recreational activities. Also, unlike other industries, it is common for farmers to work full time and to operate tractors and other heavy machinery well into their 70s and 80s.
It’s important to thoroughly examine your farm to identify the various risks of potential accidents or health hazards, whether chemical, ergonomic, physical, biological, psychosocial or equipment related. Rigorous identification of these risks will allow you to implement preventive measures and tools such as written procedures for safe work practices, records, inspection checklists, protective equipment and a first aid kit. In this regard, it is highly recommended that you include a health and safety section in your employee handbook to educate workers about hazards, prevention rules, emergency procedures and their rights and responsibilities.
By looking after everyone’s well-being, you’re investing in the success and sustainability of your business. “The installation of protective devices on tractors such as roll-over bars and guards, the systematic use of seat belts and the use of machine guards are particularly effective preventive measures,” says Denis Roy, UPA’s manager of finance and farm labour. “Safety decals, equipment instructions, road signs such as speed limit and children at play signs and an ergonomic guide are also useful. In addition, regularly updating these practices for new safety standards will ensure a safe and proactive work environment.”
The risk of injury to children is exacerbated by limitations in cognitive and physical development, lack of adequate supervision
by parents or other adults, especially during busy periods, and the presence of many hazards in the farm environment. As a parent and business owner, it’s your responsibility to educate your children about health and safety by showing them best practices and involving them in tasks to help them build a solid foundation that will last a lifetime. However, it’s important to note that adult risk control does not automatically ensure child safety.
You need to ensure that workers, whether they are your employees or family members, have the skills, knowledge and ability to perform their jobs safely using appropriate protective equipment and proper work practices. This also applies to you. Training is one of the best ways of achieving this goal. Beyond traditional classroom training or online courses, it can also take the form of hands-on sessions, for example, to explain how machines work. However, the people under your responsibility will better absorb these lessons if they are convinced of their importance. Supervision also plays a crucial role in ensuring workers understand and apply health and safety concepts on a daily basis.
When you’re working alone, letting someone else know what you’re doing and where is critical for a quick response if there’s a problem.
Visitors such as delivery people, equipment vendors, technicians and advisors must also follow the applicable health and safety rules. It’s your responsibility to provide them with information in this regard. OB
Please meet The Baer Family: Dennis, Dan, Melissa, Laura and Katherine who operate Vibrant Farms, Baden, Ont. Their farm has been in the family since 1853 and has been certified organic for over 30 years.
This is strictly a grass-fed operation and all animals finished from the 40 commercial cow herd is marketed as organic and grass fed through their on-line store.
“I wanted to introduce some red genetics into our mostly black cow herd. A neighbor and friend with whom I had shared bulls with over the years steered us towards a Shorthorn breeder.
To be honest, I knew very little about the breed before now but so far we have been very impressed. The Shorthorn bull we selected has plenty of thickness and is moderate in frame size which suits our marketing. He has been trouble- free, held his condition well and has a quiet disposition. The calves have come easy. We now have uniform groups of steers and heifers. I would be interested to keep some of the heifers as replacements. I am very impressed with the breed now and feel that Shorthorns are a great fit for our organic, grass fed, on-line marketing operation”
