Reading Time: 2 minutes Developing a grazing plan is an important first step to ensure effective grazing management on an operation, and it can help save a producer on cost of production in the long run. A grazing plan that matches animal numbers to predicted forage yields should be made before animal turn out. Several key steps should be […] Read more
Have a plan to make the most of your forage
Start the grazing season with a plan and you’ll lower cost of production over time
Recognize a beef researcher
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Beef Cattle Research Council is calling for nominations for the Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation. The award is presented each year to recognize a researcher or scientist whose work has contributed to advancements in the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry. Nominations are welcome from all industry stakeholders. […] Read more
Seven tips for calving season
Reading Time: < 1 minute Calving can be an exciting but challenging time. Whether in the middle of calving season or planning for the next, the Beef Cattle Research Council has several helpful calving resources to set producers up for success. It has posted on its website, beefresearch.ca, a series of seven tips with short articles and videos on subjects […] Read more
Beef or bin? Valuing annual crops for feed
BCRC calculator can help decide the best option for your farm
Reading Time: < 1 minute Beef producers may plant annual crops for the purpose of livestock feed but for many crop farmers, diverting annual crops away from the bin and into beef requires some calculations and considerations. Given current grain prices, it’s important to think through how to value feed for cattle. A late, cool spring delayed seeding in some […] Read more
Choosing the right mineral supplements can be daunting
Whether grazing or on a winter ration, cattle need mineral supplements to avoid health problems
Reading Time: 3 minutes What mineral supplementation do I need and when do I need it? Beef producers might know they should supplement their herds with mineral, but trying to wade through all the choices at the livestock supply store can be overwhelming. Commercial suppliers seem to make claims and offer something different, but with tubs and bags of […] Read more
Crunching the numbers on backgrounding cattle
Should you hold animals or sell some to free up feed for the cow herd?
Reading Time: 2 minutes Drought conditions across the country this year remind us of the importance of a drought-management plan. Diversifying a cow-calf operation with a backgrounding enterprise could be part of a drought-mitigation strategy, as backgrounded cattle can be sold or moved to a feedlot to free up feed supplies or pasture for the cow herd. While backgrounding […] Read more
Beef Cattle Research Council reviews research projects
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Beef Cattle Research Council has released its 2020-21 Year in Review, which spotlights some of the key research projects funded during the past year. There were 23 projects reporting activities through the Beef Cattle Industry Science Cluster, as well as 25 priority research projects. While most results will be presented upon completion, the report […] Read more
Lethbridge forage breeder receives top beef research award
Surya Acharya is not only prolific but knows what ranchers need in a variety
Reading Time: 2 minutes Renowned forage breeder Surya Acharya is the 2021 winner of the Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation. “Dr. Acharya is respected and appreciated by academics and producers alike,” said Matt Bowman, an Ontario producer and chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council. “His work addresses real industry obstacles with solutions that consider producers’ needs through […] Read more
Alternative feeds: There’s a lot to watch out for
That includes additive effects, binding of calcium, toxic weeds, and crop residues
Reading Time: 2 minutes Editor’s note: This is part of an article recapping some of the points made during a July 29 webinar. Some of the information from the webinar was in a story in the Aug. 9 edition of this paper and the full webinar can be found on the BCRC Blog and locating the Aug. 10 entry […] Read more
Webinar on drought and cattle
Reading Time: < 1 minute With much of the Prairies suffering drought, the Beef Cattle Research Council is putting on a webinar to answer questions about topics such as non-traditional feeds, grazing something new, water quality, animal health concerns and general questions about managing cattle during a drought. A panel of nutrition and animal health experts will answer drought-related nutrition […] Read more
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