Foot problems are the biggest issue for bulls next to reproduction culls and need to be part of a breeding assessment
Feet and legs need to be checked when bulls are evaluated for breeding soundness. Producers select for strong feet and legs because structural soundness of the feet and legs is vital so bulls can travel and mount females in heat. “If problems are starting in a young one, it is different from a five- or […] Read moreLivestock — page 2
Project hopes EPDs can catch lameness early
Members of the Canadian Angus Association are asked to score cows when they come in this fall for pregnancy checks
Lameness in cattle is a painful condition that affects their welfare and overall performance. Good feet and legs are primary considerations when selecting animals that can travel easily across the range. The Canadian Angus Association received nearly $240,000 in federal funding for a two-year project to generate genomically enhanced expected progeny differences for feet and […] Read more
Producers eye beef certification programs
Some join these types of programs for the premium prices, while others do so to improve consumer confidence
Canadian consumers have myriad choices when it comes to quality beef. Among those choices is product from certified grass-fed programs that have an audited process guaranteeing the beef comes from cattle raised in a specific way. Several Alberta cattle producers have chosen an Oregon-based certifier as a way to provide consumers with information about their […] Read more
Proper use urged for growth implants
Implants reduce the labour and carbon footprint per serving of beef, but it’s important to use them correctly
Carcass quality and thus the quality of beef can be affected by use of growth implants — for better and for worse, depending on how they are used. Robbi Pritchard, ruminant nutritionist with South Dakota State University, gave that message at a recent Feeding Quality Forum in Amarillo, Texas, and supplemented the message at the […] Read more
Alta. Angus ranch receives honour
Certified Angus Beef has turned into a North American program that recognizes the contributions of producers everywhere. This year Belvin Angus, owned by Gavin and Mabel Hamilton, was recognized for its 40-year contribution to the breed and promotion of quality beef. The couple bought their original farm in central Alberta in 1978 and registered their […] Read more
Redundancies still exist in health protocols, treatments
As time goes on, more vaccines, treatments and preventive options are available for our cattle. As well, nutritional needs of cattle are coming under more study, and we use post-mortems and laboratory assistance to diagnose and advise. Recommendations based on an accurate diagnosis generally yield favourable outcomes. But there are times when we need to […] Read more
Carcass composting called efficient disposal
Requirements include a front-end loader, old straw bales, manure or wood chips, a thermometer and a calendar
FORT MACLEOD, Alta. — Producers are often surprised to find no evidence at all of dead livestock once the remains are successfully composted. Bones and even teeth are obliterated through a combination of bacterial and fungal action encouraged by heat and moisture. It’s a reasonably efficient way to deal with dead animals as opposed to […] Read moreNutrition may boost genetics
Providing optimum nutrition and a low-stress environment to pregnant cows can benefit the future generations of those cows. “We’re starting to learn that that environment … that animal is in can actually have some permanent and lasting changes on the genetic code itself,” said Katie Wood, assistant professor in ruminant nutrition at the University of […] Read more
Beef shows, sales dominate at Agribition
Purebred beef shows and sales are well underway at Canadian Western Agribition. The First Lady Classic, Futurity and President’s Classic interbreed show kicks off the events each year. The First Lady Classic winner was a Black Angus, VOS Vegas Black Pearl 3F, from Poplar Meadows Angus and Haillie Conley of Houston, B.C. Remitall West of […] Read more
Limousin grabs supreme champ title
Greenwood Electric Impact ET, a two-year-old bull from Lloydminster, Sask., earned the honour at Farmfair
EDMONTON — The final day of Farmfair International is full of bonhomie and trepidation for the grand champion winners of the beef shows. Fifteen bulls and 18 females from the three major Alberta purebred shows competed against one another Nov. 9 for the title of supreme champion and the chance to win a brand new […] Read more
