Reading Time: < 1 minute Organizers of the province’s Living Lab initiative are looking for producers willing to take an in-depth survey on their management practices. The “Adoption of Beneficial Management Practices Survey… is targeting annual crop, beef/forage/feedlot, or mixed producers who have not signed up to participate in the Living Lab program,” said Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab. The federally […] Read more
Survey on best livestock management practices
Schoepp: People need to know livestock can be good for the environment
In a regenerative program, livestock bring a host of benefits — but that fact is being ignored
Reading Time: 3 minutes Livestock have come under the magnifying lens as being destructive for the climate and for the environment. Producers have been quick to respond and Canada leads the way globally with its environmentally conscious and sustainable beef supply chain. However, society as a whole does not understand the role of livestock in systems. The concept of […] Read more
Keep it relaxed — practise low-stress cattle handling to stay safe
You might think you know the risks, but complacency is your enemy during this busy season
Reading Time: 2 minutes As we head into another busy time of year for cattle producers and handlers, it’s good to stop and think about all the increased risks we face over the next couple of months. Fall is a dangerous time because there is a lot more movement, as ranchers are bringing in cows and calves that haven’t […] Read more
An example of making the most of a pass through the squeeze chute
Beef 911: Don’t take a ‘we can do it later’ attitude and miss the opportunity to get more done in one pass
Reading Time: 4 minutes Some preplanning by the cattle producer in consultation with the herd veterinarian ahead of a major processing will accomplish many things, including herd improvement. This article will describe a specific example of this. Certain points may fit into the management of your operation. Some points may become obvious when the processing starts and can be […] Read more
Beef website offers insights and tips on pain mitigation
Cattle’s experience with pain is not fully understood, but research on minimizing pain is steadily advancing
Reading Time: 5 minutes The Beef Cattle Research Council has updated the pain mitigation section of its website. The following is an edited version of that page, which also contains videos and links to further articles. Consumer pressure to avoid painful practices on cattle when possible — and to reduce pain when castration, dehorning, or branding are necessary — […] Read more
Better animal welfare is also better for your bottom line
Consumers are beginning to demand higher animal welfare standards for livestock — but improving welfare isn’t ‘rocket science’
Reading Time: 2 minutes Animal welfare and beef cattle productivity are “inseparable,” says a federal research scientist. “Sick animals are not productive animals,” said Dr. Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein. “Incidences of sickness and lost performance are really heavily linked to welfare.” Stressors like castration, transportation, weaning, and handling have been linked to things like slower rate of gain, greater chance of […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
