Welcome to the Q4 2024 edition of WAGS’ quarterly newsletter. We hope you enjoy the poultry, swine and ruminant articles this go ‘round!

Lots of change is ongoing in the world, with war in multiple continents and the unpredictability of a new US government that leans to more protectionist US policy…. “Making the Global Economy Unpredictable Again” is the title of a recent news article in a major US publication!

While this will undoubtedly lead to winners and losers in commodity markets, hog margins have been looking great of late over the winter – a time of year that is typically weaker. It is a great time to get coverage for hog producers that have not already done so.

There have been a few personnel movements for WAGS over the past quarter that we are proud to announce. Richard Kshyk joined the team in September as sales manager focused on Central Alberta. He brings a strong focus on customer service in the ag industry having held previous roles in sales in commodity industries across western Canada. As well, Gord Vandasselaar has stepped into the role of Regional Sales Manager where he will support our growing sales team across Alberta and Montana.

As always, we appreciate your business and the trust you have placed in our team. Happy reading!

Feed costs have trended down over the past months, reaching a bottom level around September. Although protein prices kept declining since then, grain offers climbed given dryness in Russia, weather concerns in South America, lack of Canadian farmers selling intention, war related news and also following the short-coverage at CME.

On top of that, crude oil prices declined as the weak global demand overtakes risk of wider war in Middle East. Currently, the Brent is trading around US$ 72 and the strong US dollar will keep limiting gains in the near term. The Chinese economic momentum remains negative, which is also driving the bearish trend.

Given the current S&D outlook for crude oil, the Canadian dollar is declining and trading around $0.71-0.72. The US fiscal deficit and inflationary pressures are expected to escalate, given that Trump vowed to raise import tariffs and lower corporate taxes in election campaigns. The scenario could force the Federal Reserve (Fed) to maintain a hawkish guidance on interest rates. On the other hand, expectations of more interest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada (BoC) have weighed on the CAD.

A good US crop outlook drove corn prices down over the past quarter. However, the USDA lowered its US yield and production estimates for the 2024 crop last week, which triggered some technical buying. Attractive ethanol margins and good domestic demand are also providing support. There are ongoing concerns around the Brazilian second corn crop, which could lead to further upside risks. Corn prices delivered to Red Deer are at $295-$305 per MT.

Wheat prices moved up across Western Canada due to lack of farmers selling intention. Canada is on track to be the world’s third-largest wheat exporter for the second year in a row. From a global perspective, dryness in Russia and Australia contributed to higher offers. Wheat is being traded at $305-$315 per MT delivered to Red Deer, AB and at $285-$295 per MT delivered to Saskatoon. The barley market was moving relatively flat but gained support from higher wheat and corn prices. Currently, barley is trading at $290-$300 per MT in Lethbridge, AB and at $250-$260 per MT delivered to Saskatoon, SK. Lastly, faba beans are being offered around $365-$375 delivered to Red Deer, AB.

On the other hand, soymeal prices softened due to a record crop expected in both Brazil and US. With that, global supply is estimated to grow faster than demand – leading to higher global ending stocks. However, USDA trimmed its estimates for 2024 US soybean production from 4.582 billion bushels in October down to 4.582 billion (which provided some support to futures market). Strong vegetable oil prices given lower production of palm oil in Malaysia and higher demand in Indonesia will keep incentivizing oilseed crush capacity expansion. Soymeal is being offered at $565-$575 delivered to Red Deer, AB (December delivery) and at around $500-$515 delivered to Saskatoon, SK.

Following the same trend, canola meal prices are also softening with prices around $310-320 per MT delivered to Red Deer, AB. China is thought to be buying so much canola this year due to its poorer crop and higher palm oil futures prices. However, the possibility of Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola continues to overhang the market. Meanwhile, re-election of Trump to the presidency could lead to other adjustments to world trade flows going forward. Synthetic amino acid market is volatile due to FX trends, US elections and freight rates. However, the lower protein prices are limiting further upside risks and the market has softened over the past month.

With this background, hog margins are looking attractive in Western Canada. Feed costs are moving up again, but hog prices improved over the past weeks. We are nearing the highest hog margins we have seen between November and March over the past 7 years and it has been a good moment to lock in positive margins.

Just like the adage, “children are the future,” gilts are the future of your sow herd. Their success will determine the productivity and profitability of your farm. However, are we truly managing and raising gilts as the most valuable animals on the farm? Too often, they are overlooked until it’s time to meet weekly breeding targets. In addition to proper gilt selection and management, nutrition plays a critical role in preparing gilts for a long, productive life. Unlike market pigs, which we want to grow quickly and leave the barn as soon as possible, we want gilts to become healthy sows that stay in the barn for as long as possible. Nearly 20% of premature female culling occurs at parity 0, with 65% due to reproductive failure. To prevent this, replacement gilt diets must be formulated to support proper muscle growth, skeletal and reproductive tract development, and sound foot and leg structure, key factors to prepare gilts for high lifetime performance.

There are different nutritional strategies to help gilts reach their genetic potential.

1. Avoiding rapid growth: lysine to energy ratio.
The primary goal in replacement gilt nutrition is to develop gilts to their physiological maturity in body weight, structural soundness, and reproductive development. To ensure longevity and optimal lifetime performance, it is essential to manage gilt growth rate, so they reach 115 to 140 kg by puberty and 135 to 160 kg at breeding, with an average daily gain (ADG) of 600 to 770 g. In ad libitum feeding systems, growth may need to be limited to prevent gilts from exceeding weight targets, as rapid growth and overweight gilts can experience locomotion and structural issues, leading to early culling.

Ad libitum feeding after 10 weeks of age increases osteochondrosis risk (major lameness cause) in replacement gilts by 20% for every 100 g increase in ADG. Adjusting the lysine-to-energy ratio can slow growth, resulting in more gilts reaching optimal body weight at first estrus while reducing lameness and joint lesions. However, drastically lowering the lysine-to-energy ratio or cutting energy intake by 25% or more may delay puberty. Fibre can also be used to restrict energy intake, but high inclusion levels are often needed. Tracking replacement gilt weights is essential for identifying growth rate deviations and adjusting diets or feeding programs accordingly. The most accurate method is weighing gilts on a scale. If a scale is unavailable, gilt weight can be estimated using a “flank-to-flank” or girth tape, as these body measurements closely correlate with body weight.

2. Vitamins and minerals supplementation.
Lameness is one of the top three reasons for culling gilts and sows. Calcium and phosphorus, the body's most abundant minerals, are vital for growth, development, and maintaining a healthy skeletal system. Replacement gilts require 8% more calcium and phosphorus than market pigs to support bone mineralization, prevent bone issues, and provide reserves for their litter during gestation and lactation.

Vitamins essential for reproduction, such as choline, pyridoxine, folic acid, and biotin, should be included in replacement gilt diets as they are often absent from finishing premixes or micros. A sow premix or micro can be used to formulate replacement gilt diets. Supplementing with organic trace minerals like zinc, manganese, and copper is also recommended. Zinc aids in wound healing through cellular repair. Copper supports antibody formation and lymphocyte replication. Manganese is important for cartilage and bone health, reducing the risk of osteochondrosis. Additionally, feeding gilts vitamin D in its circulating metabolite form, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol can decrease the incidence and severity of osteochondrosis lesions. Vitamin D as 25-hydroxycholecalciferol is absorbed more efficiently in the intestine than regular vitamin D3, resulting in improved bone mineralization, reproductive performance and litter size.

In summary, gilt longevity and performance are vital to farm productivity and profitability. Proper nutrition, including a balanced lysine-to-energy ratio and essential vitamins, minerals, and organic trace minerals, supports optimal weight, reduces lameness, and ensures reproductive and skeletal health. Prioritizing gilt management is key to a productive herd.

Sodium is a mineral considered as an essential electrolyte that plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance and osmotic pressure within the body. Natremia refers to sodium (Na) in the blood. Dairy cows routinely expel Na from the body in urine, feces, saliva, and milk which has to be replaced through diet. This element is essential for maintaining water balance for nerve and muscle function in the body. Sodium is found in blood as sodium ions (Na+) and measured in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). The healthy value is found within a normal range of 135–155 mEq/L. It could be reported outside the normal range if sodium is fed incorrectly or the cow having a disease that disrupts the sodium intake or excretion. Above the normal rangeis called ‘hypernatremia’, below the normal range is called ‘hyponatremia’ (1,2,3).

The main source of sodium in a diet is from salt (sodium chloride, NaCl). Sodium is also a part of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) which is a major buffering agent added to cattle diets to minimize ruminal acidosis. Other feed ingredients also have sodium however in lower concentrations. Therefore, in a cattle diet, the two major sources (ingredients) of sodium are salt and sodium bicarbonate (Figure 1). When focusing on a healthy balanced feeding program, a normal sodium level in a complete diet should not exceed 1.2% on DM (dry matter, CFIA Guidelines, 4) and 0.1 to 0.5% DM depending of life stage of cattle, as of NRC guidelines (3). Sodium or salt intake mainly governs blood sodium level. In addition to sodium intake itself, water intake and amount of water in the body are also important to maintain an optimal sodium level in the body.

Common Causes of Hypernatremia

Low water intake. The most common cause of hypernatremia is low water intake (dehydration). If a cow loses more water than sodium (through factors like heat stress, inadequate water intake, difficulty in drinking, or diseases causing excessive fluid loss), the sodium concentration in the blood can become elevated (1,3). Inadequate water supply or limited access to clean and fresh water can lead to dehydration, especially during hot weather or when there is increased demand, such as during lactation (1).

Diseases or conditions causing excessive fluid loss. Conditions like diarrhea, certain infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders can result in significant fluid loss through feces, urine or other means, leading to hypernatremia (1).

A cow that ingests excess salt, especially under limited drinking water access, can develop salt toxicosis. Clinical signs vary between acute and chronic exposures, but may include depression, weakness, ataxia, muscle tremors, gastroenteritis, and seizure-like activity (1).

High salt Intake. High concentrations of salt (or any sodium sources) in the diet (up to 13% DM salt level) have been used to limit feed intake of cattle. Salt-deprived animals or those not acclimated to high-salt diets can over-consume these feeds, making the animals prone to salt toxicosis. Improperly formulated or mixed feed can be sources of excess salt. The use of whey and molasses as a feed or as a component of feed-wet mash can add to sodium intake. Additional sources of excess sodium can include high-saline ground water, brine, or seawater (1,5).

How to diagnose

Clinical signs of hypernatremia in cows may include increased thirst, dry mucous membranes, reduced urine output, lethargy, abnormal gait and in severe cases, neurological signs such as tremors and convulsions. Urine would be highly concentrated by having darker yellow colour and strong ammonia odor. An experienced person can find changes in eyes and mucous membranes. A blood test would reveal the higher concentration of sodium as a confirmation of the situation. In cattle, signs of acute salt toxicosis involve the GI tract and CNS. Salivation, increased thirst, vomiting (regurgitation, other than normal rumination), signs of abdominal pain, and diarrhea are followed by ataxia, circling, blindness, seizures, and partial paralysis. Cattle sometimes display belligerent and aggressive behavior. A sign of salt toxicosis in cattle is dragging of hind feet while walking or, in more severe cases, knuckling of the fetlock joint (1).

Lesions on the Carcass. Postmortem examination after salt toxicity may reveal some degree of gastric irritation, including ulceration and hemorrhages. The content of the GI tract may be abnormally dry. Histopathologic lesions may be limited to the brain and include cerebral edema and inflammation of the meninges. During the first 48 hours, swine develop eosinopenia, eosinophilic cuffs around vessels in the cerebral cortex and adjacent meninges, and cerebral edema or necrosis. After 3 to 4 days, eosinophilic cuffs are usually no longer present. Cattle do not develop eosinophilic cuffs but can have edema of the skeletal muscles as well as hydropericardium. Chickens can also have hydropericardium (1).

How to prevent hypernatremia

Prevention of hypernatremia involves ensuring that cows have continuous access to an adequate and clean water supply. Proper nutrition and management practices or feeding balanced salt levels in the diet are necessary. Minimizing stress and preventing diseases that can lead to excessive fluid losses are also essential.

Other Species
Each livestock species has a different salt tolerance level in the diet and drinking water. Poultry (birds) can tolerate up to 0.25% salt in drinking water but are susceptible to salt toxicosis when water intake is restricted. Wet mash containing 2% salt has caused salt toxicosis in ducklings. High salt content in wet mash is more likely to cause poisoning than in dry feed, probably because birds eat more wet mash. Sheep can tolerate 1% salt in drinking water; however, 1.5% may be toxic. It is generally recommended that drinking water contains < 0.5% total salt for all species of livestock (1).

Lower Sodium level in blood is called ‘hyponatremia’. As mentioned above, Sodium is an essential electrolyte that plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of fluids within and outside cells. In cattle, hyponatremia can have various causes and may result in serious health problems if not addressed promptly.

Causes of hyponatremia in cows

Water Intoxication. If cows consume excessive amounts of water rapidly, it can dilute the sodium concentration in the blood. This may occur, for example, if there is free access to water after a period of restricted access (1, 6).

Low sodium diet. Inadequate dietary intake of sodium can lead to low blood sodium levels. This may occur if the cows are not provided with a balanced diet or cow diet does not have sufficient Sodium.

Diarrhea/dysentery. Diarrheal diseases can cause a loss of electrolytes, including Sodium, leading to hyponatremia.

Renal Issues. Kidney problems can impair the excretion of excess water, leading to water retention and dilution of Sodium in the blood.

Clinical signs of hyponatremia in cows may include lethargy, weakness, incoordination, tremors, and, in severe cases, seizures. Diagnosis involves blood tests to measure electrolyte levels.

How to fix hyponatremia
Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying cause and correcting the sodium imbalance. This may include adjusting the diet, providing electrolyte supplements, and managing water intake. In severe cases, intravenous administration of saline solutions may be necessary. Prevention is crucial in managing hyponatremia. Providing a well-balanced diet, ensuring access to clean water without sudden changes in availability, and monitoring for signs of disease or distress are essential practices (1,6).

If you suspect hyponatremia in your cattle or if you notice any signs of illness, it is important to consult with a nutritionist or veterinarian promptly for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment/feeding regimen.

Cattle may experience any of the following conditions; hypo or hypernatremia as affected by sodium level in the diet in relation to grazing, TMR (total mixed ration) feeding, forage types, forage quality, other feed ingredients, soil types and regional differences. Regardless of the way of feeding, sodium intake of cattle should be monitored correctly and the salt balanced in the diet optimally, depending on the region type of forage and other factors.

Note: References available upon request

Calcium is one of the most vital minerals in layer diets, playing an essential role in their health (bone mineralization, muscle contraction, nerve functions), production, and shell quality. Therefore, inadequate calcium intake can lead to a variety of issues, including weakened bones, reduced egg production and poor eggshell quality, which can affect the economic viability of egg production systems.

Calcium metabolism in hens is a complex process that involves several stages, such as absorption, transport, storage, and mobilization, with specific importance for overall performance. Absorption of calcium occurs mainly in the small intestine, particularly in the duodenum and jejunum portions.

The absorption is influenced by some factors including dietary calcium levels, calcium source, pH of the gut and presence of vitamin D3, being this last one crucial to enhances calcium absorption by promoting the synthesis of calcium-binding proteins in the intestinal cells. After absorption, calcium enters the blood, where it is transported to various tissues, including the bones, kidneys, and shell gland (uterus). Then calcium is stored mainly in the bones and serves as a reserve that can be mobilized when it is demanded, especially during egg formation.

Once into the body, calcium level needs to be regulated by hormones as Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin in order to avoid excesses or deficiencies. Within all those events mentioned before, the eggshell formation is the most crucial and determining process since it is carried out almost every day, creating an especially high requirement for calcium.

The eggshell makes up to 10-12% of the total weight of an egg and is primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). A single egg can require up to 2.5 grams of calcium for shell formation, which means that the hen must efficiently extract calcium from its diet and skeletal reserves to be able to lay an egg with a strong and intact shell.

Generally, layers require around 3.5–4.5 grams of calcium per day for optimal egg production and shell quality. However, the form of calcium used in the diet, the amount of calcium in the feed, and the calcium absorption efficiency impact how well the layers meet these requirements. As hens get older, their ability to efficiently mobilize calcium from their bones decreases, making it crucial to adjust dietary calcium levels accordingly. This is why as the birds get older calcium increases in the diets.

The dietary sources of calcium used in poultry rations can vary. Common sources include limestone, oyster shells, calcium grit, and some calcium-bound phosphates such as monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, and tricalcium phosphate. Each of these sources has its characteristics that can affect their digestibility and efficiency in providing calcium to the hen. Limestone (calcium carbonate) is the most used calcium source in poultry diets. It is an effective and relatively low-cost option, and its high calcium content (typically around 38-40%) makes it a reliable source. It is important to consider that the particle size of the calcium source is crucial, as larger particles tend to be digested slowly, which impact how calcium is available for absorption.

Oyster Shell is another common source of calcium in poultry diets. This contains approximately 35-38% calcium and tends to have a coarser texture compared to limestone. The coarseness means that oyster shell calcium is digested slower, providing a more sustained release of calcium throughout the day compared to finer sources.

Calcium-bound phosphates are a good source of both calcium and phosphorus. Its calcium content is lower than limestone or oyster shell, typically around 18-22%, for this reason its use as the sole source of calcium is not common.

Knowing all the roles that calcium plays in layers, several trials have shown that inadequate calcium levels can reduce the number of eggs produced by laying hens. As shown in Table 1, increasing the Ca intake from 4.08 to 4.64 g/d (3.5 to 4.0% Ca in the diet) improved egg production (71.2 vs. 74.9%; P < 0.001), egg mass (49.0 vs. 51.4 g; P < 0.05), and FCR per kilogram (2.43 vs. 2.30; P < 0.001) and per dozen eggs (2.01 vs. 1.89; P < 0.001) . This could be explained because, as previously mentioned, calcium is essential not only for shell formation but also for proper muscle and nerve function, both of which are involved in the egg-laying process.

Also, published research has shown that insufficient calcium intake leads to thinner eggshells, resulting in eggs that are more susceptible to breakage and lower-quality eggs in the marketplace. Table 2 shows that the eggshell quality was influenced by dietary Ca, as expected. The strength and thickness of eggshell were significantly increased (p<0.01) by dietary Ca levels in a linear manner.

Note: References available upon request

Hilltop Hogs won Top Marbling award at the Independent Meats Co. Well done guys!

Congratulations to WAGS partners who made it to the H@ms Marketing October Top 10 list for carcass quality for pigs going to either Thunder Creek or Olymel.

THUNDER CREEK

INDEXING
1st Hillridge Farming Co.
3rd Wymark Farming Co.
4th Raley Colony Ltd.
5th Vanguard Farming Company Ltd.
9th New Dale Hutterian Brethren
10th Garden Plane Farming Company

HEALTH/QUALITY TATTOO
1st Vanguard Farming Company Ltd.
7th Garden Plane Farming Company
9th Wymark Farming Co.

LEAN PERCENTAGE & LOIN DEPTH
Lean Percent Target
1st Garden Plane Farming Company
2nd Vanguard Farming Co. Ltd.
4th Wymark Farming Co. Ltd.
7th Raley Colony Ltd.
9th Hillridge Framing Co.

Loin Depth Target
3rd New Dale Hutterian Brethren
5th Raley Colony Ltd.
8th Garden Plane Farming Company
10th Hillridge Farming Co.

CORE AREA AND SORT
% in Core Area
1st Hillridge Farming Co.
2nd Raley Colony Ltd.
8th New Dale Hutterian Brehtren
9th Garden Plane Farming Company
10th Wymark Farming Co. Ltd.

Carcass Wt. Target
1st Raley Colony Ltd.
2nd Hillridge Farming Co.
3rd Wymark Farming Company Ltd.
5th New Dale Hutterian Brethren
6th Vanguard Farming Co. Ltd.
9th Garden Plane Farming Company

OLYMEL

INDEXING
1st Sovereign Farming Company
6th Clearlake Farming
9th Old Elm Farming Co. Ltd.

HEALTH/QUALITY TATTOO
5th Sky Light Colony
8th Sovereign Farming Company

LEAN PERCENTAGE & LOIN DEPTH
Lean Percent Target
6th Summerland Colony Farming
10th Clearlake Farming

Loin Depth Target
1st Sovereign Farming Company
7th Old Elm Farming Co. Ltd.

CORE AREA AND SORT
% in Core Area
1st Old Elm Farming Co. Ltd.
5th Sovereign Farming Company

Carcass Wt. Target
1st Sovereign Farming Company
9th Summerland Colony Farming