Beef 911: Although written specifically for bison, the code also has good tips for beef producers
In 2017, new codes of practice came out for bison and veal cattle, following revisions to the codes for dairy cattle in 2009 and the beef, sheep, and equine sectors in 2013. Other codes have also been released or are in progress. The format has multiple chapters (with numerous appendices at the end) and each […] Read more
Beef 911: In some cases, knowing the cause and adjusting your management can prevent this common problem
This article will outline some of the more common arthritic conditions and touch on some preventive measures. A lot of these conditions of course are brought on by age. In order to get more longevity out of our cows, we need to look at lameness as it is one of the common reasons for culling. […] Read more
Beef 911: If you plan ahead, you can still get good value for an animal that suddenly needs to be put down
All producers run into the need for emergency slaughter of their livestock from time to time. With a co-ordinated effort between producers, abattoirs, and veterinarians we can realize good value and prevent the waste of good meat protein. It is important to preplan the chain of events that would happen in the event of emergency […] Read more
Beef 911: Don’t take a ‘we can do it later’ attitude and miss the opportunity to get more done in one pass
Some preplanning by the cattle producer in consultation with the herd veterinarian ahead of a major processing will accomplish many things, including herd improvement. This article will describe a specific example of this. Certain points may fit into the management of your operation. Some points may become obvious when the processing starts and can be […] Read more
Beef 911: Downsizing the herd will be profitable if you have good records and good reasons for culling
With the shortage of feed across Western Canada, this may be a good year to downsize by extra culling. The question of what the next wave of culls should be goes beyond reproduction — the fall is also an ideal time to consider culling problem cows. The yearly cost to maintain those cows is at […] Read more
Beef 911: Artificial insemination is rare so there’s been a lot of attention paid to breeding capacity
Since the beef industry adjusts breeding capacity based on libido, semen production, and length of breeding season, I thought it good to review breeding capacity of bison bulls. While longevity is longer than beef bulls, we rarely talk about breeding capacity. The bison industry does not utilize artificial insemination like the beef industry (although it […] Read more
Beef 911: There’s a long list of uses for these crystal clear images, whether from stationary or drone-mounted cameras
Technology has advanced with regards to monitoring the health of our cattle, both at calving time and on pasture. I’ve heard a few presentations, witnessed demonstrations, and have seen use of advanced cameras in the last year at two operations I deal with during calving season. Here are my impressions of them as well. Video […] Read more
Bee 911: Just assuming it is foot rot can be a mistake as there are many different conditions — and types of treatment
There are many different causes of lameness in both the cow-calf and finishing sector of the cattle industry. Making the correct diagnosis or recognizing specific clinical entities will alter specific treatments that are given. This article will review most common lameness issues and what common solutions are available. This may help you get more favourable […] Read more
Beef 911: The industry and veterinarians are doing what they should be doing to minimize resistance
There have been volumes written about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in recent years — this article will highlight some of the key points on how well the cattle industry is doing so far and what changes veterinarians may make in their recommendations going forward. For those of you who crave more detailed information, there are several […] Read more
Beef 911: There are three main synchronization programs that produce good results if you closely follow the protocols
Several factors must be considered when deciding what synchronization program to use in your cattle herd. Do you have the time to heat detect or do you want timed breeding? Cost is a consideration, as timed artificial insemination programs require more financial commitment and more passes through the chute. We will explore three main synchronization […] Read more
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