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Cattleman’s Corner

A polycystic ovary (left) compared with a normal ovary (right) from a cow.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Good early-lactation nutrition cuts risk of cystic ovaries

Dairy Corner: A drop in proper metabolic function will pose reproductive challenges in cows

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Most producers usually wait until estrus appears in a dairy cow at 60-70 days postpartum, then place an emphasis on getting her pregnant by 90 days. This practice maintains a 13-month calving interval. Unfortunately, the onslaught of cystic ovaries in 30 per cent of all breeding cows makes it a challenge. Yet, there is hope […] Read more
Ration-balancing tools can help cattle feeders make changes to their rations to include alternative feed types.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Do your homework on alternative feeds

What looks to be another dry year will mean added emphasis on byproduct feeds

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Alternative or non-conventional feeds, such as grain screenings, cull potatoes or distillers’ grains, can be an economical means for beef cattle producers to supplement forage and grain inventories while continuing to meet animal nutritional requirements. However, due to variability in supply, nutrient composition and quality of these feed ingredients, there can be pitfalls if not […] Read more
Fed cattle are still at high prices despite a recent pullback.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

Cattle market works to ration demand

Cattle prices are expected to reach historic highs this summer, then drop

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During the first half of April, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis at $240 per hundredweight delivered, up $8/cwt from a month earlier. Market-ready fed cattle supplies in Alberta and Saskatchewan are tightening, causing the fed cattle basis to strengthen. While the Canadian domestic slaughter is running slightly below year-over-year levels, […] Read more
AFAC spearheaded the deployment of emergency trailers across the province for use in emergencies such as barn fires or livestock transport rollovers.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Livestock

Who will carry on AFAC’s work in Alberta?

The organization provided valuable services, including emergency livestock trailers

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It is with sadness I heard about Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) closing its doors in Alberta after 30 years, which I would say is after 30 years of extreme good. The great thing was that it was animal welfare-based through and through and had all the production animal groups on its board. They all […] Read more
First-calf cows need to be able to feed their calf, continue to grow and become ready for breeding, which means they need special treatment.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Take care of first-calf beef cows after calving

Keep them separate from older cows and a different ration could make sense

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Despite some market volatility, the good value of all cattle is holding for the time being. That’s a good thing because last year, many cow-calf operators bred more replacement heifers that are now calving or about to calve. Some of these producers told me they throw them into their main cowherd if they are big […] Read more
A year-over-year decrease in Q1 feeder cattle placements in both Canada and the U.S. is expected to lead to tighter market-ready supplies during the summer.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

Expect stronger cattle markets for third quarter

A surprise reduction in beef production could mean higher prices

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During the second week of March, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $378-$380 per hundredweight (cwt) delivered. Prices f.o.b. (free on board) the feedlot in southern Alberta were quoted from $225 to $226/cwt. The market has been consolidating over the past month, as market-ready fed cattle supplies […] Read more
Grandpa Lynn oversees one of Joseph's art projects. Grandma's walls are covered with grandkid artwork and Joseph is a proud contributor.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Two family trips before calving

Eppich News: We take excursions into Idaho and Alberta for family to meet the new baby

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Toward the end of January, the weather warmed up substantially — and while the cows were on full feed, they were not due to start calving until the end of February, so we decided to try to go to Idaho to visit family. My family had not seen the kids since October of last year, […] Read more
First calf heifers are maturing, feeding a calf, and often going through teeth changes at the same time.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

The teenage years, beef cow edition

First-calf beef heifers are going through the biggest challenges of their lives and need some support

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Anyone reading this column who has been a teenager or has raised one can appreciate how challenging and interesting those years can be. Even good teenagers can be expensive. In our beef cattle production systems, the teenage role is filled by replacement heifers, and like teenagers a bit of understanding about the changes they are […] Read more
Nearly half of a beef carcass is consumed by consumers with average to above-average incomes.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

How consumer spending drives fed cattle prices

Here's why a small change in spending affects the beef market

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Cattle producers are bombarded with charts and data from cattle inventory reports and cattle on feed surveys. During the fall of 2023, live cattle futures and were trending lower. Every analyst I was reading was focused on how low supplies were from a historical perspective; however, fed cattle prices were on a downward spiral. It’s […] Read more

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