Cattleman’s Corner & Production Tips

Once the calf is in position, begin pulling slowly. This gives the cervix time to fully dilate as buttocks and hips start through. Traction should be applied on one hind leg at a time until its stifle has been drawn over the brim of the cow’s pelvis.

Important tips on birthing backward calves

You need to confirm their actual position before you start pulling

By Heather Smith Thomas January 24, 2023

Most calves are born head first, front feet extended, but a few are positioned backward and may not survive unless you are there to help with delivery. The backward calf usually suffocates because his head is still inside the cow when his umbilical cord breaks or pinches off as his midsection comes through the cow’s […] Read more

The U.S. beef cow slaughter is projected to reach up to 3.900 million head, up from 2021.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Cow-calf producers have opportunity for expansion

Calf prices expected to remain strong for at least two years, and perhaps three

By Jerry Klassen January 23, 2023

Throughout the fall, I received many inquiries from cow-calf producers regarding herd expansion. During the latter half of November, good bred cows and higher-quality bred heifers were trading in the range of $1,800-$2,200 in central and southern Alberta. Younger cow-calf pairs were selling in the range of $1,600-$2,100 in the same regions. With current prices […] Read more

On a 325-cow dairy, these are some of the dry cows fed a two-stage feed ration as they recover from milking and also prepare to deliver a new calf. The faraway cows are fed a modest-energy, forage-based diet, while the close-ups receive similar forages mixed with a couple of pounds of corn silage and a few pounds of a palatable dry cow pellet.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Consider a two-stage dry cow feeding program

Dairy Corner with Peter Vitti: Meeting all of the dry cow’s nutritional needs goes a long way toward success

By Peter Vitti January 20, 2023

Whether dairy producers provide a single or two-stage dry cow feeding program, it is important that it maintains or puts the right amount of body condition to prepare cows for a successful lactation. A closer review of any of these dry cow feeding programs (with proper management) will find certain similarities. Plus, they should dovetail […] Read more

On one of the warmer days (above freezing) it was an opportunity to vaccinate the bred heifers with the first scour vaccine so they could have a booster shot before calving. Charlie and Dani ran the head catch and the tailgate and squeeze.

Cattleman’s Corner, Rancher’s Diary

Winter conditions made it difficult to travel

Snow and cold weather for trips to buy bulls and pick up a mini excavator

By Heather Smith Thomas January 13, 2023

November 26 Last Thursday morning it was snowing hard. Michael called to tell us he was worried about Andrea and me trying to take our trailer to the bull sale Montana the next day. We’d have to chain up the truck and trailer to make it over two of the passes. We realized another problem […] Read more

As we headed out to find the horses that got out of their pasture, Joseph decided he wanted to come along. A halter was placed on a quiet gelding he was able to lead back into the pasture.

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Time to build the ice fence

Eppich News: Horses find a frozen pathway across the slough

By Heather Eppich January 11, 2023

Sunday Nov. 13 turned out to be an interesting day. It had been quite cold and then it snowed. This combination was just perfect for our horses to walk across the frozen slough. At church a neighbour told us that he had seen some horses along the road. After church, Gregory took the truck to […] Read more

Once the calf hits the ground it is important to make sure the cow has proper nutrition leading up to breeding season.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Get and keep cows ready for rebreeding

A balanced ration needs to include essential mineral mix

By Peter Vitti January 9, 2023

Last year, a record-breaking cold Prairie winter followed by a snowy spring and a shortage of good-quality forage left a lot of overwintered beef cows in dire body condition by the time they calved. Many didn’t recover during the months leading up to the breeding season. As a result, many cows were not prepared to […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Beef supplies will tighten by mid-2023

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Feeder cattle market will function to encourage expansion

By Jerry Klassen January 6, 2023

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices trended lower throughout the fall. During late August and the first half of September, higher-quality yearlings in Manitoba weighing 850 pounds were trading in the range of $255-$260/cwt. In early December, replacement cattle of similar quality in the same region were quoted at $240. Calves had a similar trend, dropping […] Read more

Fortunately, a cow herd can acclimatize to cold weather but their feed intake will increase in order to stay warm.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Increase in open cows blamed on poor diet

Start with a decent body condition after summer grazing and keep it maintained through to calving

By Peter Vitti January 5, 2023

Many beef producers this fall confirmed a surprising number of open cows after they brought them home. I speculate that not enough feed last winter, a record-breaking cold winter and a wet spring failed to prepare many beef cow herds for good conception rates. Fortunately, most producers now have good feed inventory, which I am […] Read more

Harvesting feed at higher moisture or adding water to the TMR can
increase feed intake prevent a lot of “sorting” by lactating dairy cows at
the feed bunk.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Optimize moisture content of lactation dairy diets

Make sure it is properly measured to avoid being too dry or too wet

By Peter Vitti December 23, 2022

The concept of feeding TMR diets formulated with ensiled forage was introduced to dairies across Canada in the early 1990s. Until then, most dairy producers fed their cows dry hay, followed by a scoop or pull (parlour) of grain ration. I remember a visit to Eastern Canada at that time, and I saw newly made […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

How does your farm stack up?

Canfax research project provides the industry with benchmark figures

By Lee Hart December 21, 2022

Larger beef operations running smaller-framed mature cows tend to be the most profitable combination, according to cost of production (COP) information collected by Canfax Research Services. That’s not an absolute statement. COP information from producers across the country over the past couple of years shows that some smaller operators with various-sized animals can be profitable […] Read more

GFM Network News

Canadian trade data delayed by U.S. government shutdown

Sigurdson applauds Alberta farmers

U.S. grains: Soy, corn dip on farmer selling; U.S.-China trade talks in focus

Cattleman’s Corner