Reading Time: 4 minutes New sonic AI technology could give sheep farmers an alternative to ultrasound that they could use themselves to check ewes for pregnancy or detect dangerous parasites.
Artificial intelligence powers sheep pregnancy and parasite detection tool
Technology being tested at Olds College could offer sheep producers an alternative to ultrasound that they could use themselves to preg-check ewes or detect parasites
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
Opening up use of preg check ultrasound
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association is again surveying its members on whether registered veterinary technologists should be allowed to conduct beef cattle pregnancy detection using ultrasound. In 2012, the association’s food animal advisory committee recommended such a move, but ABVMA members were not supportive. Last year, the committee again recommended allowing veterinary technologists to use […] Read more
Will feeding open cows cost — or make — you money this winter?
Use an online calculator and pencil in your numbers before deciding to preg check this fall, says beef economist
Reading Time: 3 minutes Preg checking your cattle is important — but it’s hard to know if you should cull open ones now or feed them through the winter. Beef economist Kathy Larson of the Western Beef Development Centre doesn’t always recommend feeding open cows. “It’s a costly venture, particularly when we have tight feed supplies,” she said. “In […] Read more
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 […] Read more
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 […] Read more
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