Reading Time: 4 minutes There have been many articles on the escalating conflict between wildlife and agriculture (both livestock and grain production) in certain areas of Canada. Our governments are struggling as to what to do and the most recent survey on wildlife damage by Alberta Beef Producers and the Miistakis Institute shows a high percentage of farmers impacted […] Read more
We need a better approach to dealing with wildlife
Beef 911: Farming has created a great environment for wildlife but farmers are paying a steep price for the damage it causes
Checking cattle for pregnancy: Rectal palpation versus ultrasound
Beef 911: Both methods have advantages, but the key is having reproductive exams at least once a year
Reading Time: 4 minutes Both rectal palpation and ultrasounding for pregnancy have advantages depending on their intended application, and both require a skilled veterinarian performing the pregnancy exam to get accurate results. I will outline the pros and cons of each method so you can see how to best fit them into your farming operation, and dispel some myths […] Read more
Preventing negative side-effects of vaccinations in cattle
Beef 911: Vaccinating is a great tool, but producers need vaccination protocols and should be ready to deal with their negative effects
Reading Time: 4 minutes There is now a multitude of vaccines on the market for all facets of the beef and dairy industry. Vaccinating has become part of the biosecurity program on your farm, ranch or dairy. It is good for our industry as it controls disease, minimizes antibiotic use, improves production, and decreases death or losses from abortion. […] Read more
Now’s the time to make a list on improving calf processing
Beef 911: There are always ways to improve and it’s worthwhile reviewing how things went this year
Reading Time: 4 minutes Since the traditional time for getting calves ready for grass is close to over, it is good to review your protocols, methods, and any issues you had this year and introduce ways to improve next year. There are two main ways ranchers process calves. The first is the traditional way we call ‘branding,’ where calves […] Read more
The last thing you want to see in a prized bull
Beef 911: Injuries that prevent a bull from breeding can be successfully treated, and about 50 per cent of cases will heal
Reading Time: 3 minutes Numerous times during the breeding season, calls come in to veterinary clinics in regards to swellings along the sheath of bulls. In many instances, a favourable outcome is highly attainable. And with today’s bull prices this may be good news. The location of the swelling says a lot about its cause. Generally if the penis […] Read more
A close look at the Breeding Soundness Evaluation form
Beef 911: Evaluating a bull isn’t straightforward and there is a number of factors to consider
Reading Time: 3 minutes In talking with astute, diligent and thorough cattlemen, it’s come to my attention that a close examination of the Breeding Soundness Evaluation form is clearly warranted. All conscientious breeders will make them available before a sale or for sure at the point of delivery. Specific things on the form may be more applicable depending on […] Read more
Intestinal problems are frustrating, and not well understood
Beef 911: Some conditions will strike calves that seem to be flourishing until they are suddenly struck down
Reading Time: 4 minutes Every spring, the sudden deaths of apparently healthy calves frustrate good managers. This article will shed some light on the cause of these internal conditions and help producers realize some things are simply beyond their control. We see one to two per cent perforating ulcers every spring on many well-managed farms. These are ulcers on […] Read more
Calving during hot weather with no shade is a recipe for trouble
Beef 911: Being proactive and taking a few simple steps means you may never need to deal with hyperthermia
Reading Time: 3 minutes Every year during the first few hot days of summer, we hear media warnings about leaving pets unattended in closed vehicles, where temperatures can rise to over 50 C. We often don’t realize how susceptible livestock are to the same condition. Many a farmer or veterinarian has been fooled by symptoms resembling a toxemia or […] Read more
Ways to reduce the risk of bloat when pasturing on alfalfa
Beef 911: Producers can take steps to reduce the risk through management and preventive products
Reading Time: 3 minutes Pasturing alfalfa can improve gains, but bloat is always a worry. Thankfully, advancements in technology, along with pasture management, can make this a viable option. Adhering to several principles can go a long ways to preventing unnecessary deaths when turning cattle out into leguminous pastures. Cattle should initially be turned out in the heat of […] Read more
Sick cattle: When to treat, call the vet, or pull the plug
Make an informed decision, but do it sooner rather than later
Reading Time: 3 minutes When first assessing sick mature cattle, there are four main choices or treatment streams to choose. Is it a treatable condition in which a positive response is likely? Is this a condition where the animal can be shipped for immediate slaughter? If the condition has gone past the point of return and the animal should […] Read more
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