Quick Poll... Do you implant your calves?

[kato]

So, so far 8 out of 9 do not use them... mmmmm.. Makes you think doesn't it?

I would bet that if you polled the country, the implants don't become commonplace until the calves hit the feedlots. If this is true, there must be a way to capitalize on it and identify these calves to divert to an implant free program, if someone is looking to fill a European market demand.

[Kathy]

No! I agree with the comment that if all Canada went hormone free (as pushed by cow-calf producers via ABP resolutions), we'd have the European market open up to us (plus more)- and the lame excuses for ALMS would be washed down the toilet.

Pharmaceutical companies can't make money off us "common-sense" ranchers, so they lobby to push their products.

Safe or not safe, you want to trust the manufacturer for that kind of information?

VIDO used to stand for "Veterinary" and Infectious Diseaese Organisation. It was changed a few years ago, and now stands for "Vaccines" and Infectious Disease Organization. What road do you thing this name change is taking us down?

Get your pocket-books out boys, the mandatory vaccines are coming, and they won't be cheap.

[vagabonddreamer]

We dont use implants...never have...but i am curious...we have made it a policy to not feed PELLETED products to our hoof to plate animals...we ONLY feed 100% barley...we feel there is NO guarantee as to what enters the process when producing pelleted feed products...vs

[per]

vgb, we also follow that protocol. There was another reason but it was so long ago I read the research that it is kinda vague right now. Something about heat extruded feed and metabolizing. I will endeavor to find the study.

[vagabonddreamer]

I am also curious...do you find that the 4-H programs in Alta encourage the use of implants??? I only ask this because it is very obvious when my kids go into 4-H in July...that MANY larger BC ranches DO use implants..lol...I have never actually looked to see what the 4-H guidelines or policy are but if memory serves me correct 4-H is silent on the matter...it is very difficult to get THAT kind of bulk on animals in that short a time without the use of implants...so we tend to compete in the lower weight classes from time to time..lol...vs

[grassfarmer]

I think this is identifying a real issue here. I would agree that the average Canadian calf pre weaning would conjure up an image that few competitors around the world could match(well if you ignore the frozen ears due to calving at ridiculous times of year in a severe climate) On the other hand once they enter the feedlots they will nearly always be implanted which effectively limits where the beef can be sold and currently keeps them largely captive on the N. American continent. On the other hand, although I have actively proposed resolutions with ABP to develop markets for hormone free beef and to reduce their use in the feedlots, if I sell my cattle to a feedlot I can't really dictate to them how they must treat the animals they just paid me for. This is an issue where the feedlot and cow-calf sectors need to put their heads together and decide if we can formulate a mutually beneficial approach.

Our local 4H club promotes all their calves as being hormone-free - I don't know about other clubs.

[perfecho]

Our 4-H club utilizes and advertise the "hormone free" aspect for sales. I have read in some 4-H manuals the "benefits" of implants...and it does fall within "accepted practices", however, personally I would rather eat meat that is not subjected to implants. (Just as I would rather eat peas and bread (wheat) that were not subjected to a plant killing chemical just before harvesting.)

[vagabonddreamer]

yes...we approached our regional 4-H executive about possibly having a "non implant" division...she wasnt too keen as she said it might upset some of the larger players...who were also larger sponsors...ie...they would not want to admit to using implants by NOT entering the "non implant" division..lol...whatever...our kids decided we are not THAT desperate to show a 1500lb steer by July..that we would start using implants...we advertise our beef as 4-H quality and as near to Or__nic as possible...another reason we do not feed pelleted products to our meat animals...vs

[Smithy]

We never have used them. This came up at our local Livestock Association meeting last year and out of about 50 cow/calf people polled only 2 still used them (both guys that market their calves as yearlings) and another 3 had used them in the past but stopped. One fellow didn't see the benefit, one had married an organic producer and another had gone to direct marketing to customers that preferred natural beef.

[kato]

What I'm getting here is that if a feedlot decided it wanted to pursue a non implant program, and market the finished product as such, that there is absolutely no problem finding calves to buy. The argument that a supply of non implanted calves is difficult to buy is therefore without merit. It's just an excuse.

It's also called an opportunity.