Cattleman’s Corner & Production Tips

Improved sanfoin in the pipeline

March 20, 2013

It’s a marriage made in cattle heaven. Scientists have developed a new variety of sainfoin that when paired with alfalfa in a mixed stand offers the holy grail of bloat-free alfalfa pasture grazing for cattle. Development of the new cultivar, tested as LRC 3902, was led by Dr. Surya Acharya of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

Figuring the cost of winter-feeding options

By Sean McGrath March 20, 2013

We run a research farm. We are definitely not a “funded” organization, but we always have a series of experiments on the go. Our goal is always to find things that work for us to either reduce costs or add value. I think our track record has been pretty decent, but we have had a few busts […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

Retained placenta usually corrects itself

March 20, 2013

Most cows “clean” soon after calving, shedding the placental membranes within two to 12 hours. The uterus is shrinking up after being greatly stretched to accommodate the full-term fetus. Contractions (which help the placenta work loose from its attachments) actually continue for several days, although in decreasing frequency and intensity. These contractions help the uterus […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

MUN test a good measure of dietary efficiency

March 20, 2013

The milk urea nitrogen (MUN) test is a still an effective management tool for improving dietary efficiency in dairy cows. Routine bulk-tank MUNs should not be used by themselves. Rather, milk samples should be taken and their results reviewed with other milk and component data, forage/diet analysis and reproduction records to get an overall picture. […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

Controlling costs a key part of profitability

By Angela Lovell March 20, 2013

Part 1 of 3 Editor’s note: If you put three cattle producers in a room and ask what they consider is important to the future viability of their ranch you will probably get three different stories. That’s what farmers heard as a three-producer panel at the Manitoba Rancher’s Forum shared details of how they had […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

Cold temps and health issues part of a busy month

By Heather Smith Thomas March 21, 2013

JANUARY 27 We had a couple weeks of cold weather (-25 C every night). The old cow with the frozen calf we thawed out is enjoying life in a pen by the barn, where she gets pampered with all the hay she can eat, and some good alfalfa. Her calf, which we named Popsicle, is […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

Good trace mineral status in cows leads to good rebreeding economics

By Peter Vitti March 21, 2013

Profitable cow-calf operations achieve a calf crop of more than 90 per cent, while herds struggling to meet a threshold calf crop of 85 per cent will likely not meet most production expenses. The root of reproductive success often lies in cows consuming proper post-calving diets, which encompass a good supply of essential trace minerals. […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

The ongoing “best beef” research

By Lee Hart March 21, 2013

Who produces the best beef in the world? I am beginning to think that may depend on whose farmyard I am in on any given day. Last summer I was on Vancouver Island and visited Colin and Ross Springford who along with their families run Springford Farm, a commercial Hereford beef operation at Nanoose Bay […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

Inch-deep and mile-wide management

By Sean McGrath March 20, 2013

One of the simplest and most profound statements I have heard that has affected my thoughts on management was made by Dr. Dave Daley at a Beef Improvement Conference a few years ago. He said in essence that farmers/ranchers have a knowledge base that is a mile wide and an inch deep, while scientists have […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

Benefits behind protein pellets on winter pasture

By Lisa Guenther March 20, 2013

Supplementing pregnant cows with protein on winter pasture leads to better calf performance, says a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A cow’s diet while pregnant affects her calf after birth and in some cases right to slaughter, Dr. Rick Funston told producers at a recent Rancher’s Research Update at Johnstone Auction Mart in Moose […] Read more

More canola among AAFC’s 2025/26 projections

Klassen: Feeder market remains volatile

Under Trump, U.S. cedes its share of China’s beef market to Australia

GFM Network News

More canola among AAFC’s 2025/26 projections

Klassen: Feeder market remains volatile

Under Trump, U.S. cedes its share of China’s beef market to Australia

Cattleman’s Corner

Improved sanfoin in the pipeline

Figuring the cost of winter-feeding options

Retained placenta usually corrects itself

MUN test a good measure of dietary efficiency

Controlling costs a key part of profitability

Cold temps and health issues part of a busy month

Good trace mineral status in cows leads to good rebreeding economics

The ongoing “best beef” research

Inch-deep and mile-wide management

Benefits behind protein pellets on winter pasture

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Sept. 5, 2025

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Latest Market News