With calving underway or close by for many producers, veterinarians and the Beef Cattle Research Council offer pointers to minimize challenges and increase calf survival rate. The day a calf is born is the highest risk day of its life, so producers need tools to keep calves alive. Successful management during the calving season can […] Read more
Tag Archives Cattle Connect — page 4
Understand the five Ws of feed tests
Producers encouraged to better understand the what, where, when, why and how when planning a feed testing program
Successful feed testing starts with understanding why, followed by what, when, how and where. Answering these questions will provide information that can improve efficiencies and benefits for beef cattle operations. “Feed testing is an important tool that producers can use to make informed decisions about their operation,” said Breeanna Kelln, who leads the University of […] Read more
Customize grazing plans to a specific situation
Make the grazing plan to suit the land, the people and the animals, advised a grazing management specialist during a webinar hosted by the Beef Cattle Research Council. “There is no prescriptive grazing plan that works best in every situation,” said Saskatchewan agrologist Jeremy Brown. He has 18 years of experience in the field and […] Read more
Careful planning required when corn grazing
Cattle like corn but should be introduced slowly to the cereal plant. Having cattle graze standing corn during winter can provide high-energy forage, but management is key, said Bart Lardner, cow-calf and forage systems specialist at the University of Saskatchewan. He provided several tips. Cattle should be eased into grazing corn Cattle unfamiliar with the […] Read more
Five Cs of successful calf management
Beef producers should consider the five Cs for successful calf management to maximize growth, health and profitability. Colostrum, calories, consistency, cleanliness and comfort are key elements of successful calf management, says a ruminant nutritionist and production management consultant. Of those five, colostrum is the most important, says Barry Yaremcio of Yaremcio Ag Consulting Ltd. in […] Read more
Know the three steps on pathway to parturition
Understanding the three stages of the bovine birthing process helps producers evaluate when or if they need to provide aid during calving. “In general, producers have an intuitive sense as to the pathway to parturition. As a consulting veterinarian, I like to break that down into well-defined steps or stages so it’s more clearly defined […] Read more
Bulls require special winter care
A veterinarian advises producers to ensure that adequate bull body condition is maintained during the cold months
Bulls should be separated from the cow herd after breeding season so they can regain body condition and then be kept in shape over winter in readiness for their next duties. Dr. Robert Larson, professor in production medicine at Kansas State University, says it’s crucial to maintain adequate bull body condition. “As we go into […] Read more
Mixing it up can yield breeding advantages
The science behind hybrid vigour has been known for a long time, but producers are encouraged to tap into its potential
Crossbred cattle have known advantages over purebreds due to hybrid vigour. Dr. Reynold Bergen, science director at the Beef Cattle Research Council, says hybrid vigour, also called heterosis, is the degree to which progeny outperform the average of the two parents. “If breed A averages 100 and breed 2 averages 110 for a certain trait, […] Read more
Bull selection: should it be maternal or terminal sires?
If using terminal bulls, just sell all the calves, but if using maternal bulls and keeping half, good marketing is essential
When buying a new bull, most ranchers have specific goals and are seeking specific traits in the offspring. Travis Olson, a seed-stock breeder near Athabasca, Alta., has been raising Angus bulls for years and says there are several tools for choosing the right bull for the purpose. “All ranchers have slightly different views on what […] Read more
Breeders say demand growing for Wagyu beef
Meat marbling is a significant selling point, but producers also point to the breed’s vigour, longevity, fertility and docility
Adrienne Herron has been raising Wagyu cattle in Alberta’s Red Deer County for about 15 years. She started with three unregistered purebred orphans from a local herd. “Then I bought purebreds from Marchi Ranches in Montana, and now have registered fullbloods I sell to commercial cattle producers,” she says. Heifers bred to Wagyu bulls don’t […] Read more
