Dealing with intestinal disorders

Every spring brings sudden deaths of apparently healthy calves. Unfortunately, some internal conditions are beyond the control of even the best managers. Perforated ulcers We see one to two per cent perforating ulcers every spring on many well-managed farms. These are ulcers on the abomasum (fourth stomach), which have eaten right through the entire wall […] Read more

Cattle market softens in the second quarter

Fed cattle prices continue to trend lower in the second quarter due to weaker beef wholesale prices and larger-than-expected production. Texas fed cattle traded as low as $119/cwt in late April, which is down $11/cwt from the March highs. Alberta slaughter cattle have also been under pressure trading $109/cwt to $111/cwt, down $8/cwt in comparison […] Read more


Improved water system benefits beef operation

Developing an environmental farm plan introduced this farmer to management changes which have improved his overall operation

A chance conversation with one of the men helping him round up his 1,400 head of cattle first got Rob Purdie interested in an environmental farm plan (EFP). Purdie, a central Alberta beef producer, was hauling water to the herd at the time, and the helper suggested he look into pumping instead. Partial funding was […] Read more



Calving season begins and ends

MARCH 29 Last month I mentioned the inverter (tilt) table that Lynn uses to help his back and ease the pressure on his sciatic nerve. We had several calls from people asking about this. There are many brands and models available (more than a dozen are sold through Walmart stores, for instance) at a variety […] Read more

Navigating the marketing maze

You don’t have to be a marketing expert, but understanding a few of basics can help improve marketing skills

For many, marketing is one area of farm management generates a lot of fear and even mistrust, and yet is a large part of what we do unknowingly all the time. Marketing is a little bit about getting your name out there, a little bit about your product, a little bit about knowing costs, a […] Read more


Improved water system benefits beef operation

Developing an environmental farm plan introduced this farmer to management changes which have improved his overall operation

A chance conversation with one of the men helping him round up his 1,400 head of cattle first got Rob Purdie interested in an environmental farm plan (EFP). Purdie, a central Alberta beef producer, was hauling water to the herd at the time, and the helper suggested he look into pumping instead. Partial funding was […] Read more

Early ration critical for bulls

Anyone keeping bull calves for breeding stock needs to pay attention to proper nutrition early in the calf’s life, says an Agriculture Canada researcher in Lethbridge. John Kastelic says research at the centre shows calves on a higher protein and energy ration in the first six months of life have larger scrotal circumference and higher […] Read more


We need to cut coyotes some slack

In common with some other counties throughout Western Canada, our municipal government has introduced a bounty on coyotes and wolves. In their rush to a “one size fits all” solution I wonder if participating councils have given sufficient weight to greater good considerations and if verifiable studies have indeed been done affirming conclusively that coyote […] Read more

Zinc key to good beef bull fertility

Sometimes it’s seems unfair beef cows and replacement heifers get more attention paid to their nutrient requirements, and bulls often are left to fend for themselves. Although, they make up less than five per cent of the beef herd, bulls provide 50 per cent of genetic material to make calves and 90 per cent of […] Read more