Lower beef production means higher prices

Lower beef production means higher prices

As the U.S. herd contracts, this is the year for Canadian producers to increase numbers

During the latter half of June, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $170-$173 f.o.b. the feedlot in southern Alberta. The market was up $2 to $3 from 30 days earlier. Prices were marking fresh 52-week highs as feedlots in Western Canada contend with a backlog of market-ready supplies. The fed cattle […] Read more

Andrea applying brisket I.D. tags to cattle before they head out to summer range.

Cattle welcome some green grass

And a team effort gets branding, vaccinating and tagging done in one operation

May 20 Sunday morning I did chores early and got gates ready for moving cattle so we could brand and vaccinate. AWOL Alice was out again, but grazing in the buffer zone between the two electric fences, which made it easy to get her back in. Charlie came to help brand, and Dani’s friends Jack […] Read more


How does creep feeding pencil out for 2022?

How does creep feeding pencil out for 2022?

There may be a profit, but producer needs to decide if it is enough

Spring calves can be creep-fed in several ways, from home-made grain rations to well-balanced commercial feed pellets. All can be directed into a traditional creep feeding program, which can add extra saleable weaning weight by fall. Unfortunately, this premium growth may not always be nutritionally necessary or profitable. A little homework is necessary to calculate […] Read more

Mature cattle are most likely to experience a magnesium deficiency especially when grazing immature cool-season grasses and lush early growth. They are less able to quickly mobilize magnesium from their bones to meet the body’s needs, and also have a reduced ability to absorb this mineral.

Grass tetany relates to magnesium deficiency

It goes by many names and has many causes

Springtime brings risk for metabolic and nervous system problems brought on by acute magnesium deficiency. This condition has been called tetany, grass staggers, milk tetany, lactation tetany, winter tetany, wheat pasture poisoning, crested wheatgrass poisoning, barley poisoning, and perhaps others. It mainly affects mature cattle grazing lush forage and is due to deficiency of magnesium […] Read more


Feeder market strengthens toward third quarter

Feeder market strengthens toward third quarter

Several factors indicate prices will be higher during fall and winter of 2022

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $284-$286 during the second week of May. This is up about $10 from a month earlier. Alberta and Saskatchewan were contending with a backlog of market-ready, fed cattle supplies during the first five months of 2022. However, this burdensome supply situation […] Read more



Being a quiet old horse Juan the Sailor was an excellent first horse for
Joseph to get use to being in the saddle. Joseph always had good
balance and nothing but confidence around old Juan.

The little old horse who never stopped giving

Juan was a companion, a protector, a trainer and a joy

We first met Juan the Sailor in August 2017. He, his son Juan Peppy Sailor, and a few other horses were being sold at a farm auction in Wilkie, Sask. Juan was a 27-year-old skinny gelding. The rest of the horses were thin as well, but Juan looked the worst. We had decided to buy […] Read more

 Bolting two railway ties together to make an extra long and strong gatepost, makes it possible to dig the post deep into the ground so hopefully it won’t be lifted by frost, regardless of moisture conditions.

A gatepost that shouldn’t move

Trick is to get the post deep enough below subsurface water and frost line so it won't lift out

Corral gates, or any long, heavy gates that need to be securely stable and never sag, require a deep and sturdy post that won’t lean, shift or work up out of the ground with frost heaves. A post not set deep enough, or in unstable ground, will eventually shift with the weight of the gate, […] Read more


Three generations of the Eppich family take to the ice on a farm pond before the spring thaw arrives.

Foaling begins as calving season ends

There’s always some ups and downs, but fortunately more ‘ups’

March was a busy month for us with calving. It was still quite cold at night so we were doing night checks at two-hour intervals. Our first heifer calved March 6 and we had to pull the calf. That same afternoon the newest member of Eppich family, Ian, was baptized. It was a beautiful ceremony […] Read more

Cows need their space at calving — even just a few minutes alone so they can properly bond with the calf.

Calving wrapped up in 20 days

We have well-aged manure to spread for fertilizer on pasture

March 22 This week we started our “fertilizer” project. We have big piles of old manure that Michael sorted out of the other debris when he cleared out the junk and old fallen-down sheds by the corrals. Heifer hill needs fertilizer the most since we haven’t been able to feed cows on it enough for […] Read more