Set the agenda for Bov-Innovation

Set the agenda for Bov-Innovation

Reading Time: < 1 minute The Beef Cattle Research Council wants beef producers to take a 10-minute survey on what topics they would like to see presented during Bov-Innovation at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in August 2017. Bov-Innovation is an extension event for producers and features innovative, underutilized, or emerging production practices that feedlot and cow-calf operators may want […] Read more

Ensuring a calf gets enough colostrum and has dry bedding can lessen the chance it will become sick.

Have a game plan before calving season gets underway

The risk factors that can sicken young calves are numerous but some can be mitigated, says veterinarian

Reading Time: 2 minutes The upcoming calving season will be a time of risk for disease on cow-calf operations. Pathogens that cause disease in young calves are present in all herds, so careful management is necessary to prevent them from getting sick. “Cow-calf producers most often deal with scours, septicemia, respiratory disease, and joint or navel ill,” said Dr. […] Read more


Dealing with climate change a priority for BCRC

Dealing with climate change a priority for BCRC

Reading Time: < 1 minute Coping with hotter, drier, and less predictable weather is one of the priorities of the new Canadian Beef Research and Technology Transfer Strategy 2018 – 2023. The strategy, created by the Beef Cattle Research Council and Beef Value Chain Roundtable, is meant to guide research through to 2023 while avoiding duplication. Developing and adopting of […] Read more

Most of the cicer milk vetch in this pasture was established by cattle depositing seed through their manure. Since it takes three days for feed to completely go through a cow’s digestive system, moving these cows to a new paddock will bring seeds to that area.

Let cattle do the seeding

When cattle graze on mature legumes, they will distribute species 
such as cicer milk vetch to areas where there were few or none before

Reading Time: 5 minutes Cattle can be managed to produce calves, beef and milk — but can they also be put to work reseeding pastures? As long as you’re not in a hurry, the answer is ‘yes,’ say producers who have managed beef cows and yearlings so they distribute legume seeds through their manure. There doesn’t appear to be […] Read more


Three Albertans mentoring new researchers

Reading Time: 2 minutes A trio of Albertans is among the mentors in the 2016-17 edition of the Beef Researcher Mentorship program. The program pairs researchers with cattle producers and beef leaders so the academics can better understand “the needs of the beef industry in practical and meaningful ways,” said the Beef Cattle Research Council. Participants also receive a […] Read more

The economics of pregnancy testing

Webinar starts on Sept. 15 at 7:00 p.m.

Reading Time: < 1 minute The Beef Cattle Research Council is hosting a webinar on the economics of preg checking on Sept. 15 at 7:00 p.m. The webinar will also look at whether it is more profitable for your operation to cull cows in the fall or spring. The speakers will be Brenna Grant (manager at Canfax Research Services), Dr. Jessica […] Read more


Tim McAllister was presented with his outstanding researcher award at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference earlier this month. From left to right, Beef Cattle Research Council science director Reynold Bergen, McAllister, council chair Bryan Thiessen, and Darren Bevans, a council director and general manager of Deseret Ranches.

Renowned Alberta researcher honoured

Reading Time: 2 minutes Tim McAllister has been awarded the 2016 Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation. McAllister, who grew up on a cow-calf operation near Innisfail, has gained international recognition for his work on antimicrobial resistance, beef cattle nutrition, silage science, greenhouse gas emissions, E. coli 0157:H7, and prion science. He is a principal research […] Read more

sweet and red clover

Sugar is sweet for increasing cattle gain

Reading Time: < 1 minute Cattle that consume forages with higher sugar content have higher rates of gain, improved performance, and better rumen health. In a Beef Cattle Research Council webinar, two forage experts give tips for increasing sugar content in forage, such as cutting forages in late afternoon as sugar content peaks 11 to 13 hours after sunrise and why […] Read more


Get beef innovation in a hurry

Get beef innovation in a hurry

Canadian Beef Industry Conference runs from Aug. 9-11

Reading Time: < 1 minute The Beef Cattle Research Council is holding a new extension event for producers — called Bov-Innovation — at the inaugural Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary on Aug. 9-11. The Aug. 10 event will feature information on innovative and emerging production practices for feedlot and cow-calf operators delivered by experts in a fast-paced lightning-round style. […] Read more

Beef researcher mentorships available

Beef researcher mentorships available

Application deadline is June 1

Reading Time: < 1 minute Applications for the 2016-17 Beef Cattle Research Council’s Beef Researcher Mentorship Program are now being accepted. Four researchers were selected for the program last year and paired with mentors — innovative producers and industry experts — for a one-year term, which ends on July 31. They have reported very successful and valuable experiences, including establishing […] Read more