Cattleman’s Corner & Production Tips

Cattle outlook brightens for 2021

Feeder market influenced by lower overall supplies

By Jerry Klassen January 7, 2021

During mid-December, Lethbridge-area feedlots were selling fed cattle in the range of $138 to $140, up $2 to $4 from 30 days earlier. While Canadian feedlot operators are contending with a backlog of market-ready supplies, cattle on feed 150 days and longer are actually below year-ago levels south of the border. The USDA lowered its […] Read more

Ahead of calving season make sure cattle have an available supply of vitamin A.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Serious consequences for cows with a vitamin A deficiency

Treat with an injection, or top up the vitamin/mineral mix

By Peter Vitti December 30, 2020

Early winter is the best time for many beef producers to switch their cow herds to a specialized “winter” vitamin-mineral premix. Gestating cows need more dietary vitamin A as they move throughout the winter and onto the last few months before calving. In this way, nobody gets caught short on providing such an essential nutrient […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Not enough days in the season

Eppich News: Two loads of calves taken to market just part of the fall projects

By Heather Eppich December 24, 2020

Oct. 14 was weaning day for our Eppich Quarter Horse foals. The foals weren’t too upset, but the mommas were. Within just a few days the corral quieted down and everyone accepted the change. The next day we took a load of calves on the two-horse trailer into Provost, Alta. for the sale the next […] Read more

When snow is being used as a winter water source, it’s important to watch the your cow’s body condition.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Snow can work as a winter water source for cattle

Animal Health: But it’s also important to have a fresh source available

By Roy Lewis December 22, 2020

Every year at this time there should be talk about winter water sources for livestock. Since water is one of the main building blocks of the body, the quality and quantity of the water source are critical. It has been found in many studies over the years that if good-quality snow is available, mature cattle, […] Read more

Union Forage general manager Geoff Barker, right and company president Graeme Finn in the southeast Calgary company headquarters and distribution centre.

Cattleman’s Corner, Forages, Livestock

Union Forage hits the ground growing

Small seed company finding its way into western Canadian pastures

By Lee Hart December 7, 2020

It started with one Alberta beef producer looking for a productive and profitable way to achieve year-round grazing on his own farm. Six years later it’s an expanding forage seed company with a team of specialists urging producers to think outside the paddock perimeter. Union Forage, headquartered in Calgary, was an idea launched by southwestern […] Read more

Loose-cornstalk residue left in the field for grazing cattle has a different nutritional value than cornstalk bales.

Cattleman’s Corner, Forages, Livestock

Cornstalk bales can have a fit in beef diets

It’s not amazing feed, but with proper testing it can work in winter rations

By Peter Vitti December 2, 2020

A few years ago I was visiting a small cow-calf operation and as I approached the house I noticed that there were rows of snow-covered round bales that literarily looked like baled alligators. The producer told me he baled left-over cornstalks within days of harvesting grain corn, and said that it took a couple of […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

Expect volatility in the cattle market

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: High feed barley prices mean a drastic increase in cost per pound of gain

By Jerry Klassen December 1, 2020

Alberta feedlots were selling fed cattle at $136 f.o.b. the feedlot in mid-November, which was relatively unchanged from average prices in October. The market has held due to steady demand from south of the border. Alberta packer bids have come in at a $3 to $5 discount to U.S. packers over the past month. Western […] Read more

A backgrounding target is something that is constantly moving, depending on the owner’s long-term plan.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Backgrounding options and considerations

Penchecker Diary: What's the risk level? What’s the end game?

By Bruce Derksen December 1, 2020

The term ‘backgrounding,’ while often used in the cattle-feeding industry, provokes a certain level of misunderstanding from farm to farm. Many feedlots and cow-calf producers have zeroed in on its true meaning, while others may practise an imprecise version. Candace Wenzel DVM at Roblin Vet Services in Manitoba says that at times it’s an unfocused […] Read more

Going through a fence, no serious injury, but leaves a nasty gash.

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Much to be thankful for — 2020 harvest completed

Eppich News: Except for the moose that keep breaking fences

By Heather Eppich November 27, 2020

After the inch and a half of rain on Sept. 20, we were harvesting dry barley again by late afternoon Sept. 23. In the morning I went down to Danny and Sheila Roths and brought home the last two mares and foals. The next morning, our neighbour Lynn Heltman called to let us know that […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

Cattle market in a transition stage

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: It may take a coronavirus vaccine before beef demand improves

By Jerry Klassen November 5, 2020

During the last half of October, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis in the range of $134 to $136 f.o.b. the feedlot, which is relatively unchanged from the average price levels in September. At the same time, fed cattle in the U.S. Southern Plains were selling at US$108, up about US$6 […] Read more

Alberta Crop Report: Higher-than-average yields expected

U.S. livestock: Tight cattle supply helps CME futures rebound from collapse

U.S. grains: Soy futures post weekly loss on expectations for big U.S. crop

GFM Network News