Nothing frustrates me more than when big bulls are unnecessarily injured. This happens a lot when bulls are introduced or reintroduced to one another. It also happens when bulls are transported together in trailers. Bull pens must be big enough to allow bulls to escape from one another. Every time we move bulls, whether for […] Read more
Tag Archives Animal Health column
Reproductive success can depend on sexual motivation
Reproductive success is key to profitability for cow-calf operations. To achieve this success, two things have to happen. First, our breeding cows and heifers must cycle early in the breeding period. Second, they must conceive when bred. The first factor is largely influenced by the nutritional program and body condition of the cows and heifers. […] Read more
If branding is deemed necessary, it must be done right
Branding remains necessary in many modern cattle operations because it is still the only permanent form of cattle identification. We must make the effort to do it well. In this column, we will look at hot iron branding. A good brand should be legible from quite a distance. In Alberta, Livestock Identification Services carries out […] Read more
Dystocia, calf vigour and colostral intake all connected
As the weather begins to warm up, many beef herds in Western Canada are in the midst of calving season. Producing and weaning live calves is an obviously critical component of cow-calf profitability and problems that occur at this time can have significant consequences. The birthing period and the subsequent first few days of life […] Read more
Large animal veterinarian shortage starts with students
The shortage of large animal veterinarians in Western Canada is an age-old problem that seems to be improving with time. First, we have to look at the number of seats available for veterinary students in general. There is a rumour that seats for Alberta students went up with the addition of 20 seats at Alberta’s […] Read more
It’s important to know when to intervene during calving
At calving time, we would prefer to have every cow and heifer calve on their own and deliver a live calf. We try to ensure this by wisely selecting bulls in terms of birth weights and EPDs for calving ease, by ensuring a top-notch heifer management and selection program, and by providing good nutrition and […] Read more
A new age arrives in breeding soundness evaluations
This article should have some good information for everyone: those thinking of evaluating for the first time, the seasoned veterinarian who has been doing it for many years for his clients and the new graduate veterinarian just getting into the process. Pulling out infertile bulls and finding bulls with other problems is now common practice […] Read more
Earlier bull sales can complicate semen evaluations
Purebred bull sales in all breeds appear to be happening earlier and earlier in the year, some even occurring in December. This is months before many cattle producers plan to use them in their breeding programs. It can create difficulties for veterinarians to get these bulls’ semen evaluated ahead of time. Both sellers and buyers […] Read more
Diagnosis and treatment of colicky calf a pain in the gut
Colic is a general term that describes abdominal pain. Many horse owners are familiar with the term because abdominal pain is a common condition in horses. However, young calves can also exhibit colic symptoms and it can be caused by a variety of conditions depending on the age of the calf. Abdominal pain in calves […] Read more
Early treatment required for calves with ear infections
UPDATED: September 8, 2025 – Ear infections are a common occurrence in young cattle. They can be seen at various ages, including young suckling calves, in older unweaned calves and also in weaned calves in the feedlot. What are the signs and symptoms of ear infections? The diagnosis of an inner ear infection is usually easy […] Read more
