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Alternative feeds could offer big savings this winter, but supplies vary by region and feed testing is a must.
Crops, Livestock, News

Harvest woes increase supply of alternative feeds

Prices are down and depending on the region, availability is up — but you need to do the math

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Hay costs vary significantly this year, with prices in some areas with short supplies nearly double those in areas with adequate supplies. On the other hand, there could be numerous options for alternate winter feeds this year as some crops originally intended for grain are being harvested as feed. Alberta feed barley prices have dropped […] Read more
Beef Cattle, News

Beef webinar season starting soon

First webinar scheduled for Oct. 30

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The Beef Cattle Research Council’s new webinar season is getting underway. This year’s topics range from feed testing to external parasites, and other practical, science-based information for Canadian beef producers. There are eight webinars in all and interested producers can use one registration for all eight or just the specific ones they’re interested in. The […] Read more
This graphic shows how to properly select samples for feed testing 
for bales. But once the results come back, you still have to put them to good use.
Forages, Hay, Livestock

You’ve got your feed results — now what?

Two new feed testing tools can identify potential issues and compare the value of different feeds

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Two new online tools for measuring feed quality are now available. The tools (developed by the Alberta Beef, Forage and Grazing Centre) can help flag potential nutritional problems, and identify the comparative economic value of different feeds based on their quality. Feed testing can prevent ‘sneaky production problems ‘ (such as poor gains or reduced […] Read more
Beef Cattle, News

Beef web resource being preserved

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Information that had been available on foragebeef.ca is gradually being added to beefresearch.ca. The Beef Cattle Research Council has been reviewing “hundreds of pages” of information that have been available on foragebeef.ca, an Alberta Agriculture website that the ministry is no longer able to maintain. The council is updating information before moving it over to […] Read more
Bov-Innovation will offer a session on reducing drought impact through grazing and forage management.
Beef Cattle, News

Drugs and drought on the beef agenda

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Alternatives to antibiotics and dealing with drought are on the agenda at this year’s Bov-Innovation. The event, part of the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary in August, will feature Coaldale vet and rancher Steve Hendrick talking about ways to prevent illness and infections. University of Saskatchewan professor, John McKinnon will speak about balancing rations, […] Read more
In this 2017 video, Morgan Chattaway of Bar S Ranch explains intensive grazing by saying, “The healthier the grass, the healthier the water, the healthier our animals are.” The video accompanies the Beef Cattle Research Council’s recent article on water use. 
PHOTO: From ‘What beef producers need to know about environmental footprint’
Beef Cattle, Livestock

Here’s what the beef industry says about its water use

The amount of water needed to produce a pound of beef looks high — until you hear the whole story

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Editor’s note: This article from the Beef Cattle Research Council makes the case that beef production has a much lighter ‘water footprint’ than critics charge and provides a number of environmental benefits. It has been condensed and lightly edited. The full article is at www.beefresearch.ca. Yes, it takes water to produce beef, but in the […] Read more
Beef Cattle, Livestock

Beef research council adds grazing resources

Here are factors to consider when creating a grazing management plan for your operation

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The Beef Cattle Research Council is expanding the grazing management section of its website. This example, which has been slightly condensed, was posted on the website last month. Effective grazing management on pastures not only ensures high forage yield, sustainability, animal health, and productivity — all of which impact cost of production, it also benefits […] Read more
It takes about four weeks for a new calf to build its immunity to scour-causing pathogens, so it makes sense to keep it away from contaminated ground.
Cow-Calf, Livestock

A simple system to fit the scourge of scours

Losses, treatment costs, and reduced performance can be a $4,000 hit in a 100-head beef herd

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Editor’s note: This article from the Beef Cattle Research Council posted last fall offers what could be money-saving advice for producers heading into spring calving. The following is a condensed version. The full article ‘How fresh pens and pastures prevent calf losses’ can be found at www.beefresearch.ca. Doug Wray believes in keeping newborn calves separated […] Read more
Beef Cattle, News

Trio of cattle webinars coming up

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A trio of Beef Cattle Research Council webinars are coming up. On Jan. 15 (at 5 p.m. Alberta time) four veterinarians (including Roy Lewis and Craig Dorin from Alberta) will discuss some of the most common issues they see in their region, including pink eye, foot rot, and reproductive issues. A grazing management webinar on […] Read more

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AGCanadaTV: In Case You Missed It – Your National Ag News Recap for the week ending December 6, 2019.

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