Livestock feed costs are increasing as feed supplies run short. That makes feed testing even more important, said Bree Kelln, assistant professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Feed costs can quickly add up, particularly when winter feeding periods can last for up to 200 days, often in rough weather conditions, said Kelln, during a recent […] Read more
Beef cattle
Foot-and-mouth disease prevention is a group effort
Much work has been done on how to prevent and manage animal disease outbreaks. The Animal Health Emergency Management Project has developed strategies, and Alberta Beef Producers released a handbook in 2018. A foreign animal disease outbreak such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) or African swine fever could be particularly devastating. This article will focus on […] Read more
Farm show helps spread Canadian cattle genetics
Edmonton’s Farmfair and its inbound buyer program turns two international operations into boosters of Canadian cattle
Farmfair International has changed how two international beef producers grow cattle. It all comes down to Canadian genetics. Colette Masterson of South Africa and her husband, Andrew, first visited Farmfair five years ago. Related stories on this issue: Farmfair anticipates robust cattle shows In meat-loving South Africa, climate concerns whet appetite for veggie burgers What’s […] Read more
Ergot does not affect bull soundness
Researchers fed bulls feed with different levels of mycotoxin infection to see if it affected their reproductive ability
The reproductive soundness of bulls is not affected when they eat feed contaminated by ergot. Vanessa Cowan conducted a recent study that reached those conclusions at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. She said they conducted the study after producers expressed concern that ergot in feed was affecting bull fertility and there was little research […] Read more
Scientists studying other benefits of rotational grazing
Researchers to collect more data to test the argument that rotational grazing improves environmental and animal health
Champions of rotational grazing often say it improves soil health, compared to continuous grazing. Their argument is compelling. If a producer puts many cattle in a small paddock, for a short period of intensive grazing, it will concentrate manure and nutrients in that part of the field. Then, after a period of rest, the soil […] Read more
Research looks for ways to assess heifer fertility
Project uses bolus technology to help identify the factors that producers could look for when acquiring replacements
A researcher wants to save cow-calf producers time and money by finding better ways for them to choose the best replacement heifers for their operations. “We want to know if we can assess something — some traits, some indicator — earlier in the season instead of having to wait until you turn them out with […] Read more
Beef research centre tests latest production technology
Researchers are studying small scales for cattle on pasture and bull neck collars to help producers detect females in heat
Use of smart technologies in beef production is only going to grow. That’s why the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence is focusing research on those areas. Dr. Dinesh Dadarwal, a veterinarian and assistant professor in large animal science at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, said the LFCE tests technology so producers can make […] Read more
Tyson feels beef squeeze
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — The United States is importing record amounts of beef this year and exporting less after ranchers slashed the nation’s cattle herd to its lowest level in decades, tightening margins for meat companies like Tyson Foods. The decline in cattle, after years of drought-fried pasture, led to soaring U.S. beef prices. Higher […] Read more
Canfax report
This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattle Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca. Calf run winds down Fed calf supplies should wind down and yearling numbers are expected to increase […] Read more
VIDEO: Purebred shows begin at Agribition
REGINA — Purebred beef shows begin in earnest today at Canadian Western Agribition. Simmental, Speckle Park, Maine Anjou and Gelbvieh shows are all on tap. Yesterday, a Simmental, Black Gold Ms Hayleigh 153K, exhibited by Bar SK Cattle Co. from Lloydminster, Alta., won the interbreed First Lady Classic. The top five also included a Polled […] Read more
