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Cattleman’s Corner

Understanding feedlot margins
Cattleman’s Corner, Feed markets, Markets

Understanding feedlot margins

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Much depends on having a risk management plan in place

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Feeding cattle is a unique business. Feedlot margins are often in negative territory. When there is a profitable period, it is relatively short lived.  I often receive calls from cow-calf producers and other readers asking about margins for the feedlot operator. How can feedlots continue to operate after a prolonged period of negative margins?  In […] Read more
Machine learning and artificial intelligence are expected to expand in the livestock-handling sector as labour shortages grow.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Processing cattle with artificial intelligence 

Machine learning is now part of high-tech livestock handling equipment

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Many and perhaps most livestock operations still require physical labour and manual record-keeping for handling equipment and processing cattle. While head gates, squeeze chutes, gates, alleys and tubs have become more advanced in their operation, some human strength, exertion and neural competence are still required for their manipulation. But one company says that may change. […] Read more
A young foal stands to show the figure eight rump rope.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Putting a halter on a foal: Part 1

Horse Handling: Be gentle but firm in getting them use to halter and lead rope. Part 1 of a 4 part series on training foals

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Horses are still a vital tool for many ranches. When they are not being used for work, they are a good source of recreation and exercise. Every good horse started out as a foal. A good foundation is so important for a horse’s later usefulness. As we start this four-part series on foal handling, let’s […] Read more
Along with native grass pastures, the Baergs are trying different combinations of seeded grass and legume species to 
provide both annual and perennial forage stands.
Cattleman’s Corner

Crop diversity intended to beef up the soil

Proper rotation is part of developing sustainable farming operation

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“If you take care of the grass, it will take care of you.” These are the words of wisdom Alberta cattle producer Jerry Baerg received from one of his mentors, and which he has followed as he and his family set about building a sustainable beef operation near Linden in south-central Alberta. Over the past […] Read more
While retaining or buying heifers are the two most common replacement strategies, they are far from the only options.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

More than one way to get replacement cows

The general rule of an annual 10 per cent turnover in the cow herd may be an underestimate

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I had the privilege of presenting a replacement female course in the Maritimes this fall (after three years or so of COVID, and airport-related delays). It provided a good opportunity to take some time to think through replacement strategies and the actual issues surrounding replacements. Most of us underestimate the replacement rate of our cow […] Read more
Veterinarian Dr. Cope who was just at the Thomas ranch this fall doing ultrasound preg checking has died after serving  his clients for some 44 years. Although in failing health he remained active until the end.
Cattleman’s Corner, Rancher’s Diary

Community mourns the loss of a longtime veterinarian

Rancher’s Diary: Dr. Cope served his clients for 44 years, working right up until he died

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December 26 Last week I added a short pole to the little bulls’ feeder to divide the space where one of the upright bars is missing, so they can’t climb into it. I went to the dentist late that afternoon to have a broken tooth prepped for a crown and the dentist put a temporary […] Read more
There is nothing wrong with letting a sleeping calf lie but pay attention in case the calf might be suffering from some ailment and is not just resting. A little extra attention in calving season helps to spot health problems while they still can be corrected.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Miscellaneous health problems in calves

Animal Health: A little extra time spent checking newborn calves might help reduce losses

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It has always been my premise that spending a bit more time on specific cases during the calving season may reap benefits for those calves with ailments. I know one must spend their time wisely at calving season, but even just keeping a cow-calf pair in isolation a bit longer may be all that is […] Read more
The nutritional requirements of calved-out first-calf heifers is much different than that of mature cows, yet the feed needs to be presented into a denser post-calving diet due to the heifers’ smaller dry matter intake (DMI) and lower forage gut-capacity.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

First-calf heifers need to be prepared for rebreeding

They need to calve in good condition and then be kept in good condition as they also continue to grow and nurse a calf

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It’s easy to envision beef heifers that give birth to their first calf only as a younger version of mature brood cows. However, they do have extra challenges after calving that must be addressed to get rebred in the next few months. As young animals, giving birth for the first time and nursing a newborn […] Read more
U.S. continues with lower beef production
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

U.S. continues with lower beef production

Market Update: Feeder market is sending signals to increase heifer retention and herd expansion

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During the second week of January, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at an average price of $312/cwt delivered, up $8-$10/cwt from mid-December. The backlog of market-ready supplies is slowly being alleviated, which has caused the fed cattle basis to strengthen.  Western Canadian carcass weights are now below year-ago levels. Wholesale […] Read more
A typical dairy cow needs about one per cent potassium in her daily diet to maintain a number of normal body functions, including good milk and milkfat production.
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Feed enough potassium in dairy lactation diets

Dairy Corner: There’s a balancing act between there being too much or not enough K

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It’s widely accepted that excessive potassium (K) fed to a pre-fresh dairy cow may lead to a high incidence of milk fever at calving. However, many don’t realize that once they calve, high-milk-producing cows require lots of dietary potassium. Plenty of research since the 1960s has proven that high dietary levels of potassium promote good […] Read more

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