ACME, Alta. — Calling a veterinarian for assistance during a difficult calving is a wise move but there are things producers can often do on their own. During a women’s calving clinic in Acme, Alta., veterinarian Gordon Krebs of Didsbury Veterinary Services explained some of the equipment and techniques. Krebs has also instructed at the […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Cow condition key element to calving
Poor nutrition, reproductive tract infections and bull performance can be linked to conception failure
A cow’s overall condition affects its ability to become pregnant and deliver a healthy calf. “The bottom line is we need to get our cows cycling at the start of the breeding season and we need to ensure we get those conception rates to achieve herd fertility,” said Cheryl Waldner of the Western College of […] Read moreInfections can drag down herd pregnancy rates
Infectious disease can cause reproductive losses in a cow herd. Vaccination for bovine viral diarrhea, vibrio or IBR can help and producers should consult with a veterinarian to decide on the best approach for their region. Studies show vaccination works and is widely used in Western Canada, said Cheryl Waldner of the Western College of […] Read more
EPDs could provide window into herd’s future
Bull buyers should view the numbers attached to a herd sire’s pedigree as valuable information about how that animal could reshape their operation. Expected progeny differences (EPD) represent the genetic component of an animal’s phenotype that are expected to be passed on to the next generation. The numbers can be valuable for producers looking to […] Read more
U.S. cattle market booming, but storm clouds looming
PHOENIX, Ariz. — The U.S. beef industry has turned in a stellar performance for the last several years with record profits across all the segments. “It has been a great run,” said Kevin Good of the U.S. market analysis firm Cattlefax. “All segments of our industry have been very profitable, a rare time in our […] Read more
Dairy farmers keep investing
FOURNIER, Ont. — Ken and Peggy Wilkes’s recent investments in their Ontario dairy show a dedication to the future no matter who takes over the farm. Last May they moved their registered Holsteins into a $2.3 million state of the art free stall barn with a fully automated European robotic milking system. The GEO Monobox […] Read more
Ontario producers have soft spot for Jersey cows
Farmers’ grandfather raised the breed, as did the uncle from whom they bought the operation in 1983
ELORA, Ont. — Jersey cows are a family tradition at Creek Edge Farms. Based at Elora, Ont., Oscar Martin and his sons, Terry and Javen Martin, admit they have a soft spot for the brown, doe eyed cattle. “My grandpa had Jerseys and my uncle who owned this farm before had Jerseys,” Javen Martin told […] Read moreBritish beef exports to Canada approved
The United Kingdom has received approval to export manufacturing beef to Canada. Representatives from the British meat trade in England, Scotland and Wales have been negotiating the deal since 2015, said a news release from the U.K. Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. The original trade agreement covered primal cuts and manufacturing beef, but the focus […] Read more
World produced more animal feed last year
Annual feed survey finds that North American prices are lowest in the world because of easy access to cereals and soybeans
A record amount of animal feed was produced in 2017. More than one billion tonnes of manufactured feed was produced worldwide, a 13 percent increase since 2012, said Aidan Connolly of the animal nutrition company, Alltech. The global feed survey was released Jan. 25 and compiled figures from more than 31,000 feed manufacturers in 144 […] Read more
Beef, breed variety remain ranch goals
The Hoffmans of Nebraska see their winning ways in the show ring as part of a plan to reach commercial customers
The Hoffmans of Nebraska see their winning ways in the show ring as part of a plan to reach commercial customers
DENVER, Colo. — The folks at Hoffman Ranch might have won numerous grand championships at the top-ranked National Western Stock Show here, but that doesn’t mean they consider themselves showmen. The family run operation at Thedford, Nebraska, considers these national events as a way to promote their Hereford-Angus operation, where they raise about 750 registered […] Read more
