Reading Time: 4 minutes After talking with large-animal veterinarians, observing the number of ads for large-animal veterinarians, and taking part in a job fair at the University of Calgary’s vet school, it’s clear that there is getting to be a real shortage of veterinarians wanting to do either mixed- or large-animal practice in Western Canada. But strategies are starting […] Read more
What we can do to address the shortage of large-animal vets
More spots in veterinary schools and more support for new grads would go a long way
Beyond Meat? More like Beneath Beef
Plant-based burgers may come close in some aspects but they remain a highly processed food
Reading Time: 4 minutes Well cattle and beef producers, this is solely marketing for marketing’s sake. With the organic, vegetarian, raised without added antibiotics or hormones movements we are seeing, I suppose a plant-based protein product was probably inevitable. What we as beef producers need to do is keep telling our story — and what we do to raise […] Read more
Parasites may be the problem when weight gain is poor
Even seemingly healthy cattle might do better after deworming
Reading Time: 3 minutes This season has really turned around in Western Canada in terms of moisture. This has seen the pastures shoot up, humidity run up and should lead to optimal survival of internal parasite larvae. If turnout to pasture occurred at normal times, maximum picking up of larvae has or is occurring so internal levels will be […] Read more
Is there really any need to brand cattle anymore?
The reasons have largely disappeared
Reading Time: 4 minutes I hope everyone will seriously question if we need to brand — and if we do, how best to do it. I have heard several veterinarians and animal welfare scientists discuss if branding in its original form is even needed today. Lots has changed from the days of the wide-open range where cattle were mixed […] Read more
Cattle producers have made a lot of progress but still have a ways to go
The latest in-depth survey of the cow herd shows higher rates of vaccination, but gaps remain
Reading Time: 4 minutes A recent article on the results of a very in-depth survey of cow-calf herds across Western Canada notes there has been decent improvement in vaccination usage since surveys done in the early 2000s. But it pinpoints gaps in vaccine coverage that could be improved. There are things to be learned by every producer and veterinary […] Read more
Mistakes with livestock pharmaceuticals are costly in more ways than one
There are several things you should do regularly to ensure you’re using products properly
Reading Time: 3 minutes Now that I’m in the pharmaceutical industry, I get lots of calls in regard to which products can and can not be used. Or what happens if they are given by the wrong method in the wrong location. I am hoping this article will shed some light on the situation and ensure that our livestock […] Read more
There have been many gains on many fronts in the cattle sector
We’re reducing stress, using early disease detection, and improving animal welfare
Reading Time: 4 minutes One only has to take a step back to see the advances the cattle industry is making. This article is a small overview of some of the major ones I have seen. Canada is unique because the different seasons require different management strategies and our distances are great when it comes to stress of transportation. […] Read more
Not using minerals will cost you in the long run
Not feeding minerals to your herd will mean more sick calves, lower performance, and reduced reproductive rates
Reading Time: 3 minutes In spite of greatly increased knowledge and better mineral supplements, veterinarians are probably encountering more mineral issues than we ever have. This is despite more collaboration between nutritionists, feed mills, veterinarians and other agricultural professionals. Why is this? I will explain some of the nutritional deficiencies we see. There is no doubt the BSE problem […] Read more
To ensure breeding soundness, make sure warts are treated
Beef 911: In the vast majority of cases, penile warts can be successfully and simply dealt with
Reading Time: 3 minutes When examining bulls, especially young ones, for breeding soundness, one of the more common issues we see involving the bull’s penis are warts. This article will go into the cause, treatment, clinical signs, and outcomes expected when dealing with penile warts. All purebred breeders will get some eventually and commercial cattlemen may have some crop […] Read more
The updated bison code of care has a wealth of information
Beef 911: Although written specifically for bison, the code also has good tips for beef producers
Reading Time: 4 minutes In 2017, new codes of practice came out for bison and veal cattle, following revisions to the codes for dairy cattle in 2009 and the beef, sheep, and equine sectors in 2013. Other codes have also been released or are in progress. The format has multiple chapters (with numerous appendices at the end) and each […] Read more
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