The number of Alberta’s associations has dropped from 70 to 45 in the last 20 years due to consolidation.
Cattleman’s Corner
Feeder co-ops still play an important role
Associations provide producers with affordable financing, decades after the system was established
Cattle prices encouraging herd expansion
Market Update: Consumer spending on beef has been strong, but will it continue?
During the third week of June, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $415/cwt delivered. Prices f.o.b the feedlot in southern Alberta were averaging $246/cwt. The U.S cattle herd has been contracting for the past four years. Cattle prices are now functioning to encourage expansion. Wholesale beef prices are also trading […] Read more
Joseph celebrates birthday, foaling begins
Eppich News: Fortunately, a bit of rain as seeding gets underway
The last couple of weeks of April were quite busy. Gregory and John started working on the cultivators to get them ready for fieldwork. On April 24 John worked the home quarter in order to prepare it for seeding, and from there both seeding outfits were in the field nearly every day for over a […] Read more
Building a heavy-duty feeder for bulls
Some steel odds and ends welded together can handle bull abuse
Bulls are so hard on bale feeders. They always seem to be pushing and rubbing against the feeders, which just don’t stand up to the pressure. Over time, the bars break off and then the top ring breaks, leaving a protruding piece of metal that is perfect for both people and animals to get hurt […] Read more
Preventing frothy bloat on early spring pasture
A couple of treatments are available, but management practices can avoid the problem
As a beef nutritionist, I haven’t heard about many fatal cow bloat cases over the last 10 years, but of the few I’m aware of, it seems it takes only a few things to come together to make bloat deadly. From talking to experienced beef producers, I am also aware that the risk of annual […] Read more
To butcher or not to butcher that cow?
Animal Health: Have a proper diagnosis of a sick or downed animal before administering any treatments
Which bovine conditions might prevail if butchering the animal to salvage the meat would produce the most practical or successful outcome? We often think of this after the fact when products such as antimicrobials or painkillers have already been administered. That is where the dilemma begins. What is the slaughter withdrawal period if you plan […] Read more
Cold, slow start to spring on the farm
Eppich News: Cows have calved and now it’s the mares’ turn to foal
Spring was very slow to come this year. The ground was completely snow-covered until Easter. Then suddenly it became spring. The snow melted very quickly. Only the deep drifts around the trees remained. There was not much at all for run-off. Our dugout at home is not even half full. Calving went fairly well this […] Read more
Positive margins underpin feeder complex
Market Update with Jerry Klassen: As usual, a lot will depend on whether there’s moisture for grass and feed grains
During the second week of April, Alberta packers were buying live fed cattle in the range of $229-$230/cwt f.o.b. feedlot in southern Alberta. This is up approximately $7 from mid-April. Breakeven pen closeouts are around $220/cwt. After struggling for nearly three years in a row, feeding margins have finally moved into positive territory. Strength in […] Read more
Looking at key ranch profit drivers
Beef production is a bit more involved than having cattle eat grass, but putting efforts into management produces the best return
I often think that the ranching business is very simple until you get humans involved. At the most basic level, sun and rain grow forage, cows consume forage and reproduce and ranchers sell the offspring. Pretty simple, until it’s not. Fundamentally, this simple picture does provide some insight into what drives profit on most cow-calf […] Read more
Ideas for extended fall and winter grazing
Annual crops and protein supplements are among the options
There are many ways to extend the grazing season on most farms and ranches. In years with not enough rain in regions without irrigation, native pastures and hay aftermath don’t produce as much forage as normal, One option to increase forage production is seeding and grazing annual crops, which may include cereals and brassicas. Extending […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
