Reading Time: 4 minutes We now have many tools at our disposal when it comes to castration of calves in the beef and dairy sectors of our industry. When used together in skilled hands, newer techniques at castration along with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) will ensure welfare issues are addressed. Much has changed in the feedlot industry. Cattle are not […] Read more
We need to do better when it comes to castration
Beef 911: Doing it early and properly brings benefits to the producers, addresses animal welfare concerns, and prevents problems later on
Adjusting cow-calf inventory value can pay off in the future
Making this adjustment during an unprofitable or low-profit year can save taxes when cattle prices go up again
Reading Time: 2 minutes Cow-calf producers should consider taking advantage of the optional inventory adjustment, says a provincial farm business management specialist. “Economic returns for cow-calf operators this year will probably not be all that profitable,” said Ted Nibourg. “High feed costs in the winter of 2015 coupled with reduced calf prices this fall may result in negative margins […] Read more
Understanding reasons for pregnancy loss can help prevent it
About two to three per cent of cows will experience pregnancy loss but that number can be reduced
Reading Time: 3 minutes Cattle pregnancy loss occurs for many reasons. Knowing about it can help you manage it and reduce it. “Pregnancy loss occurs throughout all stages of gestation — it’s sort of a natural selection,” veterinarian Steve Hendrick of Coaldale Veterinary Services said during a recent Beef Cattle Research Council webinar. “There are lots of genetic and […] Read more
Simple strategies can help reduce pregnancy loss in cattle
Feed testing, good nutrition, exercise, low-stress handling, and biosecurity are all beneficial for pregnant cows
Reading Time: 2 minutes The best way to reduce pregnancy losses in pregnant cows is to take a multi-pronged approach. First, it pays to test both feed and water. “It is surprising how much variability in our forages occurs year to year and season to season,” veterinarian Steve Hendrick said during a recent Beef Cattle Research Council webinar. “It […] Read more
Six risk factors for BRD in feeder calves
There are many factors to consider to minimize BRD (bovine respiratory disease) when bringing in feeder calves. Knowing the history of the calves at weaning time, distance transported, vaccination and health history, as well as upcoming weather conditions will help you determine the level of risk. In bringing in calves, or for that matter feeding[...]
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Alberta Beef Producers call for TB financial support
With cattle under quarantine in parts of Alberta after a TB case was discovered in an animal from that province at a U.S. slaughter facility, the bills are starting to stack up. Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) recently said in an online publication that a significant number of herds have been quarantined and the producers notified.[...]
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Are there healthier calves and higher profits in your future?
Preg checking, pain mitigation, and preconditioning all open avenues to better and more profitable performance
Reading Time: 5 minutes The cows have come home from summer pasture and the fall run is well underway. So how was your year? If you’re not happy and want better performance and more profits next year, here are three top tips from two experts. Precision feeding and targeted marketing Just 60 per cent of producers pregnancy check their[...]
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Can you afford to feed open cows this winter?
High prices have more than covered winter feeding costs, but now it may pay to preg check and cull
Reading Time: 4 minutes Pregnancy checking cows in the fall could save producers up to $250 a head in winter feeding costs — but is it really worth it? “Over the last 10 years, it really hasn’t been,” said Brenna Grant, manager of Canfax Research Services. “But there is a threshold, at about $1.02 per pound. If prices are[...]
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Preg checking: Which method is right for your farm?
There are three methods to choose from, and each of them have pros and cons — as well as different costs
Reading Time: 3 minutes With cattle prices falling, it could pay to preg check your cows this fall — but which method should you choose? “The method that best suits your situation will really depend on the management of your herd, your geographic location, potentially even the year,” said Dr. Jessica Gordon, an assistant professor at the Ontario Veterinary[...]
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Trust your people, dare to be different, and know your numbers
Those are just three key tips from four innovative entrepreneurs who shared their methods for boosting productivity
Reading Time: 5 minutes Increasing productivity by 15 per cent by 2020 is one of the pillars of the National Beef Strategy, which was created by beef organizations across Canada and released in January 2015. During the recent Canadian Beef Industry Conference, four experts shared how they increase productivity on their operations. Darren Bevans Darren Bevans, general manager of[...]
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