Reading Time: 4 minutes I don’t think this research has ever been done, but if one were to track purebred bull calves from an early age until sale you would find the two top reasons for culling, selling, death and other losses are fertility and injuries. I would include lameness in this tally as a high percentage of this […] Read more
What’s your secret to keeping bull calves from being injured?
Raising bulls and wintering them is challenging, and sharing tips and tricks would be very helpful
Schoepp: Fresh water a gift we can’t afford to take for granted
What falls from the sky gets most of our attention but the entire water supply should be our concern
Reading Time: 3 minutes Drop by precious drop we are celebrating rain in the dry areas — and cursing it on the flood plains. The weather patterns have been rather unpredictable with monumental hail in Mexico City to extreme heat in Europe and Saharan winds that are dropping sand in the most remote of locations. Putting seed in the […] Read more
Schoepp: Pity the poor cow — bovine burps have so many in a tizzy
In the vast world of ruminants, cattle and their belching are getting an awful lot of attention
Reading Time: 3 minutes It might be a sensitive time to talk about wearing a mask, especially for the rest of a lifetime. That simply cannot be in the best interest of any living creature. However, this is exactly what is being proposed — and being developed — for cattle. The mask (developed by art students) covers the nostrils […] Read more
An equine weekend warrior will suffer just as a human would
Back pain, sprains, soft tissue tears, and other injuries can result when a horse is pushed too far
Reading Time: 3 minutes Weekend warrior syndrome’ is a modern-day term used to describe what happens when a person is too busy during the work week to exercise, leading them to physically overextend themselves on the weekend. Humans aren’t the only ones to experience the phenomena. While most human weekend warriors expect to pay for their exercise spurt with […] Read more
Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in livestock is hitting the next level
There are now a variety of NSAIDs and we can select the right ones for specific situations
Reading Time: 4 minutes I recently listened to a talk by two technical services veterinarians with Merck animal health. What I liked about the presentation was they broke down the different disease categories we have on our farms and ranches, and went over what probably would be the first choice for an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and the second […] Read more
Schoepp: Many popular foods have a long history — and an uncertain future
Reading Time: 3 minutes Lately I have been curious about lettuce. The plant has been traced back to Egypt some 6,000 years ago and is a member of the sunflower family. That may surprise you because we often think of sunflowers in terms of the flower and the oil. But lettuce was not grown for its leaves, it was […] Read more
Schoepp: More farms need to plant the seeds of financial literacy
Many operations, both new and old, pay a big price for not knowing the language of finance
Reading Time: 3 minutes British Columbia is a unique place in the world. The variety of food grown is astounding as is the diversity among its processed products. The landscape is home to tiny farms and large ranches, local processors and those who export worldwide. This is a province of mountains, islands, rivers, ocean, lakes, ports and flyways, valleys […] Read more
Schoepp: Our ag sector is a powerhouse but transport woes hold it back
Farmers are paying a big price because transportation infrastructure is not what it should be
Reading Time: 3 minutes Trains, planes and trucks are in constant motion to move Canadian agricultural commodities and value-added products across our massive country to ports for distribution around the world. Our farmers depend on a functioning infrastructure that includes road, rail and the sea. The more interruptions there are to the smooth and timely flow of goods, the […] Read more
Care required when introducing the horse to spring pastures
Rich spring forages can lead to discomfort and health issues, and should be managed carefully
Reading Time: 3 minutes It is tempting to allow horses unlimited access to pastures as soon as the grass turns green, particularly after a long winter. Yet mindful management of this transition is crucial to the well-being of the horse. In natural rangeland conditions, new spring grasses are covered with a dry forage mat from the past growing season. […] Read more
Schoepp: Loss of extension services left a hole in rural communities
There needs to be a hub at the centre where information and ideas can build resilience and innovation
Reading Time: 3 minutes Rural communities across Canada are striving to maintain their schools, businesses and labour force. Often, the lack of services, slow broadband, isolation and a narrow spectrum of jobs that provide a living wage contribute to an exit of the young population to major centres. In several provinces, the disbanding or complete elimination of extension services […] Read more