Veterinarian Roy Lewis provides a variety of tips on herd health, animal welfare and immunization for western Canadian cow-calf operations, both commercial and purebred.
Cattleman’s Corner
A best-practices review for your beef cattle herd
Animal Health: Tips on vaccines, equipment and other matters, in either purebred or commercial cow-calf herds
Good weaning programs for valuable calves are worth it
Better Bunks and Pastures: Less shrinkage is worth much more money at today’s calf prices
Less shrinkage is worth much more money at today’s calf prices, so good weaning programs for valuable beef calves are worth it.
Canadian cattle herd moves into expansion phase
The Markets: Heifer retention has started and is expected to grow into 2026
Beef heifer retention has started in Canada, according to Statistics Canada, and is expected to grow into 2026.
Visits from family and haying
Eppich News: Mid-summer saw relatives arriving, amidst baler repairs and haying
Mid-summer 2025 saw relatives arriving, amidst baler repairs and haying at the Eppich ranch.
A rancher’s ‘bitin’ list’
A Little Bit Western: Invasive weeds, gophers, grasshoppers and raccoons are all on this rancher’s naughty list
This Saskatchewan rancher comes up with her ‘bitin’ list,’ channeling her inner Tyler Childers.
Beef calf creep feeding pays good profits in 2025
Better Bunks and Pastures: With calf values high, creep feeding makes even more sense
Better rainfall has meant more feed on much of the Prairies, but creep feeding beef calves still pays well in 2025.
The glimmer of hope after a loss
Eppich News: The deaths of two people and one animal bring life into perspective
The unexpected loss of a prized stallion and the loss of two relatives — one who lived a long life, and the other taken too soon — results in reflection by rancher Heather Eppich.
Strong beef demand supports feeder cattle prices
The Markets: Yet-unknown impact of Trump tariffs on U.S. economy is a risk
Strong beef demand supports feeder cattle prices, but Trump tariffs’ effect on the U.S. economy could be a risk to Canadian cattle producers.
Blue-green algae toxicity can cause sudden death in cattle
Animal Health: Water quality is an important issue when the temperatures start to rise
Water quality for your cattle herd is an important issue when the temperatures start to rise. Work closely with your vet to diagnose the cause of any sudden deaths.
Metagenomics change how cattle diseases are diagnosed
Researchers are using metagenomics to identify disease impacting beef cattle through bacteria, pathogens and viruses
Canadian livestock researchers are now using metagenomics to speed up the identification of diseases impacting beef cattle through bacteria, pathogens and viruses alike.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
