www.agproud.com Open in urlscan Pro
208.91.62.13  Public Scan

Form analysis
5 forms found in the DOM

/search

<form action="/search" class="mobile-search__form"><input class="mobile-search__input" name="q" placeholder="Search..." type="text"><button class="mobile-search__submit" type="submit"><i class="mobile-search__submit-icon"></i></button></form>

---

/search

<form action="/search" class="mobile-search__form"><input class="mobile-search__input" name="q" placeholder="Search..." type="text"><button class="mobile-search__submit" type="submit"><i class="mobile-search__submit-icon"></i></button></form>

---

GET /search

<form action="/search" class="quick-search__form" method="get"><label class="quick-search__label">Label</label>
  <div class="quick-search__search"><input autocomplete="on" class="quick-search__search-field" name="q" placeholder="Search" type="search"></div>
</form>

---

GET /search

<form action="/search" class="quick-search__form" method="get"><label class="quick-search__label">Label</label>
  <div class="quick-search__search"><input autocomplete="on" class="quick-search__search-field" name="q" placeholder="Search" type="search"></div>
</form>

---

/search

<form action="/search" class="mobile-search__form"><input class="mobile-search__input" name="q" placeholder="Search..." type="text"><button class="mobile-search__submit" type="submit"><i class="mobile-search__submit-icon"></i></button></form>

---

Text Content

 * Sign In
 * Create Account
 * Sign Out
 * My Account


PROGRESSIVE DAIRY


PROGRESSIVE DAIRY CANADA


PD CANADA EN FRANCAIS


PROGRESSIVE CATTLE


PROGRESSIVE CATTLE CANADA


PROGRESSIVE FORAGE


AGPROUD IDAHO


HOME

subscribe / renew
   
 * Topics
 * News
 * Blogs
 * Buyers Guide
 * Production Sales
 * Magazine
 * Advertise


PROGRESSIVE DAIRY


PROGRESSIVE DAIRY CANADA


PD CANADA EN FRANCAIS


PROGRESSIVE CATTLE


PROGRESSIVE CATTLE CANADA


PROGRESSIVE FORAGE


AGPROUD IDAHO


HOME

 * Topics
 * All recent articles
 * Beef Quality
 * Cattle Equipment
 * Cattle Facilities
 * Cattle Grazing
 * Cattle Health
 * Cattle Management
 * Feed & Nutrition
 * Horses
 * Pests & Wildlife
 * Reproduction
 * Business Management
 * Ranch Features
 * Special Topics

 * News
 * Canadian Cattle News
 * Canadian Cattle Industry News

 * Blogs
 * From the Editor
 * Irons in the Fire

 * Magazine
 * Current Issue
 * Past Issue

We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse
the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie
Policy.
 * Sign In
 * Create Account
 * Sign Out
 * My Account

subscribe / renew
   
 * Topics
   * All recent articles
   * Beef Quality
   * Cattle Equipment
   * Cattle Facilities
   * Cattle Grazing
   * Cattle Health
   * Cattle Management
   * Feed & Nutrition
   * Horses
   * Pests & Wildlife
   * Reproduction
   * Business Management
   * Ranch Features
   * Special Topics
 * News
   * Canadian Cattle News
   * Canadian Cattle Industry News
 * Blogs
   * From the Editor
   * Irons in the Fire
 * Buyers Guide
 * Production Sales
 * Magazine
   * Current Issue
   * Past Issue
 * Advertise

Label


USCA
Label





PROGRESSIVE DAIRY


PROGRESSIVE DAIRY CANADA


PD CANADA EN FRANCAIS


PROGRESSIVE CATTLE


PROGRESSIVE CATTLE CANADA


PROGRESSIVE FORAGE


AGPROUD IDAHO


HOME


Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement
Home » Manitoba Beef and Forage Conference: Working on the farm with hands-on
science
Event Coverage



Frank Mitloehner shared the message of climate-smart livestock and how to
separate facts from fiction surrounding the topic. Photo by Abigail George.


MANITOBA BEEF AND FORAGE CONFERENCE: WORKING ON THE FARM WITH HANDS-ON SCIENCE

Abigail George
December 11, 2024


THE MANITOBA BEEF AND FORAGE CONFERENCE HOSTED INDUSTRY EXPERTS TO SHARE CURRENT
RESEARCH TO PRODUCERS TO APPLY TO THEIR OWN OPERATIONS.

The second annual Manitoba Beef and Forage Conference was held on Oct. 31, 2024,
in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Producers heard from industry experts about
applying current research to their own operations. Of the various topics shared,
here are three top takeaways.

Abigail George

EDITOR / PROGRESSIVE CATTLE


Email Abigail George


 * RELATED
   
   
   RESEARCH REVIEW: FROM THE JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE: CLIMATE NEUTRALITY AND
   HEAT STRESS AND PHOTOPERIOD EFFECTS ON MAMMARY HEALTH
   
   
   [PODCAST] ANSWERING TOUGH QUESTIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE – WITH FRANK MITLOEHNER
   
   
   REDUCE EMISSIONS, ODOR BY WORKING WITH THE MANURE MICROBIOME


CLIMATE-SMART LIVESTOCK

Dr. Frank Mitloehner, University of California – Davis, opened the conference
with a presentation titled “Climate-smart livestock: Separating science from
scare tactics.” He shared how to tell facts from fiction when it comes to
livestock’s relationship to climate change.

“Making farmers the enemies is one of the most misguided things society can do,”
Mitloehner said. “Farmers are allies in the fight of global warming."

It’s not a secret that livestock produce methane. Methane is a greenhouse gas
(GHG) that can be released into the atmosphere and traps heat from the sun and
environment. Other GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O).

The most recent report concludes that 11% of all GHG emissions come from the
livestock sector. Of that, 80% comes from developing countries such as India and
Brazil.


Advertisement

“If we can reduce methane, we can reduce global warming,” Mitloehner said. “And
farmers can be a part of the solution.”

Methane is a flow gas, meaning that the environment uses it. This is unlike CO2,
which is a stock gas and accumulates over time, staying in the environment. The
issue with methane comes when more is produced than is being used, which is
where our issue is nowadays.

The solution is not to abandon animal-based agriculture; rather, for farmers to
be part of the solution. Doing what we can to lower our emissions while also
sharing the importance of livestock production to consumers and policy-makers is
the only way to protect what you do best – raising livestock.

“It’s all our responsibility,” Mitloehner said. “We have a great story to tell.
It’s time to tell it.”


STRATEGIES FOR CONTROLLING JOHNE’S DISEASE

Herd health is of the utmost importance in today’s environment. One disease
threatening cow-calf herds across Canada and North America is Johne’s disease.

Johne’s disease presents in cattle with persistent diarrhea and weight loss
while the animal is still eating and drinking and doesn’t have a fever, shared
Dr. Cheryl Waldner, University of Saskatchewan, in her presentation titled
“Investigating effective strategies for the control of Johne’s disease in
western Canadian cow-calf herds: A potential economic loss for your herd.”

There is no vaccine for Johne’s disease, making biosecurity the most important
way to reduce infection. Additionally, symptoms take years to appear. Cattle
without symptoms can still shed the bacteria and infect other animals. Once an
animal starts showing symptoms, there is no treatment.

Calves are the most susceptible to this disease. Herd management practices that
reduce the risk of calf infection include providing shelter for calves separate
from the cows and moving cow-calf pairs to nursery pasture within 48 hours of
birth, Waldner said.

The second annual Manitoba Beef and Forage Conference connects producers with
industry experts and research. Photo by Abigail George.

Costs of dealing with Johne’s disease are significant. Because there is not a
cure, the only option is premature culling, which increases replacement costs,
the loss of valuable genetics, reduced slaughter value, loss in gain in calves,
increased vet/testing costs and loss of reputation for seedstock producers.

There are two testing options available: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test
with fecal samples and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test blood
samples. The best option, but also the most expensive, is PCR testing each
individual animal. To help with costs, it’s possible to also pool samples to
test in larger groups.

The Western Canadian Cow-Calf Surveillance project in 2014 found that 1.6% of
cows and 5.4% of herds are positive with Johne’s disease. This compares to data
from 1999 and 2001, where 0.8% and 0.5%, respectively, of cows and 3% of herds
were found positive.

While options are limited, all producers can try to minimize transmission within
their herd, Waldner said. Preventing the disease from entering your herd is the
best possible solution. Work to reduce crowding and contamination on calving
grounds. Buy animals from herds that you know their Johne’s disease status.
Don’t borrow colostrum from dairy herds. And lastly, consider testing your herd.


GENOMIC STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING CATTLE EFFICIENCIES

Dr. John Basarab, University of Alberta, shared the keynote presentation titled
“Genomic strategies for improving beef cattle efficiencies in a changing
environment.”

Basarab’s research focuses on using genomics and genetic recombination for
commercial producers. With more genetic diversity comes better health and
economics.

“In the end, the only thing that matters is carcass weight,” Basarab said. “The
rest gets you discounts.”

Since the early 2000s, there has been a steady decline in heterosis due to
single-breed use. Around 40% of cows and calves would benefit from a 30%
increase in heterosis. Heterosis increases fertility, longevity and lifetime
productivity by 20% to 30%. Additionally, calves with lower hybrid vigor had 43%
more health events. Those with higher hybrid vigor were able to handle stressors
better.

With herd expansion coming, here are the key things to think about:

 1. Matching the cow with your grazing resource and environment
 2. Keeping records
 3. Adopting genetic selection and genomic tools
 4. Improving your efficiency and profitability
 5. How your cow herd can adapt to a changing environment

With crossbreeding, genomic retained heterozygosity is linearly related to
female fertility, Basarab said. Use of genomic tools has a significant impact on
profit, health resilience and reduced the carbon footprint of beef production.


 * RELATED
   
   
   RESEARCH REVIEW: FROM THE JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE: CLIMATE NEUTRALITY AND
   HEAT STRESS AND PHOTOPERIOD EFFECTS ON MAMMARY HEALTH
   
   
   [PODCAST] ANSWERING TOUGH QUESTIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE – WITH FRANK MITLOEHNER
   
   
   REDUCE EMISSIONS, ODOR BY WORKING WITH THE MANURE MICROBIOME

Abigail George

EDITOR / PROGRESSIVE CATTLE


Email Abigail George

KEYWORDS carcass traits climate change genomics greenhouse gas emissions Johne's
disease methane emissions
TOPICS Progressive Cattle — Canada Event Coverage Canadian Cattle Industry News

BUYER'S GUIDE

VISIT OUR BUYER’S GUIDE
Scherer Inc. has been in business since 1994 and has grown to over 85 employees.
We offer a full product line of roller mills and continue to develop new
products for the feed and specialty grinding industries.
 * LATEST NEWS
 * Progressive Cattle — Canada
   Progressive Cattle — Canada
   
   
   MANITOBA BEEF AND FORAGE CONFERENCE: WORKING ON THE FARM WITH HANDS-ON
   SCIENCE
   
   The second annual Manitoba Beef and Forage Conference was held on Oct. 31,
   2024, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Producers heard from industry experts
   about applying current research to their own operations. Of the various
   topics shared, here are three top takeaways.
   December 11, 2024
 * Progressive Dairy — Canada
   Progressive Dairy — Canada
   
   
   LARMER NAMED WORLD DAIRY EXPO INTERNATIONAL PERSON OF THE YEAR
   
   Sitting in his home office sipping a cup of coffee, Paul Larmer is seemingly
   common. Unbeknownst to the average person, his influence on the dairy cattle
   genetics sector of the industry is undeniable. It is for both his remarkable
   leadership and self-effacing attitude that Larmer is named this year’s World
   Dairy Expo International Person of the Year.
   September 9, 2024
 * 


RESTRICTED CONTENT

You must have JavaScript enabled to enjoy a limited number of articles over the
next 7 days.

Please click here to continue without javascript..
 * Progressive Cattle — Canada


 * GOOD CATTLE, DEPENDABLE HORSES: WOWK RANCH
   
   December 16, 2024


 * MANITOBA BEEF AND FORAGE CONFERENCE: WORKING ON THE FARM WITH HANDS-ON
   SCIENCE
   
   December 11, 2024


 *  * MANAGING BEEF CATTLE TO GET THE BEST USE OF FALL/WINTER FORAGE
      
      November 12, 2024


FREE NEWSLETTERS

Award-winning coverage of in-depth news and analysis to make your business more
profitable.

SIGNUP TODAY


Advertisement
 * INDUSTRY NEWS
 * Event Coverage
   Canadian Cattle Industry News
   
   
   MANITOBA BEEF AND FORAGE CONFERENCE: WORKING ON THE FARM WITH HANDS-ON
   SCIENCE
   
   December 11, 2024
 * Progressive Dairy — Canada
   Genetics
   
   
   LARMER NAMED WORLD DAIRY EXPO INTERNATIONAL PERSON OF THE YEAR
   
   September 9, 2024


Advertisement


I'M LOOKING FOR ________

Find the right products and services for your farm, ranch or operation.

CHECK OUT OUR BUYERS GUIDE


Advertisement

PERSONALIZED CONTENT
Create an account and see website content tailored to your operation.  It only
takes a few seconds!
SEE RECOMMENDATIONS NOW!
 * SPONSORED CONTENT
   See All


 * [PODCAST] CATTLECON 2025: WHERE THE BEEF INDUSTRY MEETS – WITH KRISTIN TORRES
   
   October 8, 2024
   Progressive Cattle
   Podcasts
   SPONSORED BY National Cattlemen’s Beef Association



Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Copyright © 2024 Progressive Publishing

MORE INFORMATION
   
 * ABOUT US
 * TERMS & CONDITIONS
 * PRIVACY POLICY
 * FAQS
 * ADVERTISE
 * SHOP
 * STATS POSTERS

OUR MAGAZINES
 * PROGRESSIVE DAIRY
   * FACEBOOK
   * TWITTER
   * LINKEDIN
 * PROGRESSIVE DAIRY — CANADA
   * FACEBOOK
   * TWITTER
   * LINKEDIN
 * PROGRESSIVE DAIRY — EN FRANÇAIS
   * FACEBOOK
 * PROGRESSIVE CATTLE
   * FACEBOOK
   * TWITTER
   * LINKEDIN
 * PROGRESSIVE CATTLE — CANADA
   * FACEBOOK
   * LINKEDIN
 * PROGRESSIVE FORAGE
   * FACEBOOK
   * TWITTER
 * AGPROUD — IDAHO
   * FACEBOOK
   * LINKEDIN

CONTACT INFORMATION

Progressive Publishing
238 West Nez Perce (physical)
PO Box 585 (mailing)
Jerome, ID 83338

   

info@progressivepublish.com
(800) 320-1424
(208) 324-7513 (Main)
(208) 324-1133 (Fax)