Cattleman’s Corner & Production Tips

Females still need high level of proper nutrition after calving.

Proper nutrition needed before and after calving

An example of a good feeding plan based on common sense and economy

By Peter Vitti February 14, 2019

Most people have done a good job in feeding their gestating cows this winter in order to maintain good body condition for calving. Yet hard work doesn’t stop once the last calf is born. Rather, good nutrition should continue for months afterward, so fresh cows can produce lots of milk for their growing calves and […] Read more

Components from several pieces of equipment went into  the design of this barbed-wire roller,  but the well-built  device worked well.

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Farm Life

Bales are home, fence almost complete

Other than during a short Christmas break, farm projects continued

By Heather Eppich February 11, 2019

So far, the winter has been open and the weather has been decent with just a few days here and there with cold temperatures and a terrible wind. On Dec. 9 we finally got a chance to get back to our hay hauling. We hauled hay consistently for about 10 days, getting it all home […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Finishers, Markets

Most indicators point to favourable market

Market Update: Numbers for the first quarter show good demand, strong prices

By Jerry Klassen February 6, 2019

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $268 on dressed basis in mid-January, which is up $10 from last month. Fed cattle values on a live basis were quoted at $163 in Alberta and US$124 in the U.S. Southern Plains. The market appears to be percolating higher due to tighter than expected market ready supplies. […] Read more

Australia’s electronic marketing system appears convenient and reliable even when making deals an ocean away.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Cattle marketing across the miles

In the Aussie system, agents handle E-auction

By Kim Nielsen February 6, 2019

Editor’s Note: Keep in mind seasons in Australia are reversed: spring — September to November; summer — December to February; autumn — March to May and winter — June to August. At our grazing operation, Alcheringa Pastoral in Victoria, Australia, we have generally purchased cattle in late spring, after I arrive in October, and sell […] Read more

Setting up shelters with portable corral panels (temporary maternity pens) makes for a simple yet effective way to keep track of first-calf heifers when calving on pasture.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Bring calving pens to the pasture

It’s a good idea to give heifers lots of space when calving

By Beef Cattle Research Council February 5, 2019

Editor’s Note: What works for beef producers? The Beef Cattle Research Council has asked a few Canadian beef producers about changes, production practices or new technology they’ve made or use that make a difference in their day-to-day management. Good ideas can range from improving pasture watering systems and regularly testing winter feeds, to reducing costs […] Read more

This young Angus bull has been bred with forage efficiency and good maternal traits in mind.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Producing good working bulls

Most don’t have ‘papers’ but still deliver the genetics

By Heather Smith Thomas February 4, 2019

Traditionally bulls have been confined during winter and fed grain as well as hay, but some producers are wintering their bulls in larger pastures and letting them grow (or maintain) under more natural conditions. This often leads to better health, better fertility and longevity. Arron Nerbas of Nerbas Brothers Angus, near Shellmouth, in western Manitoba, […] Read more

For a bigger-picture view of the beef industry, there are several areas producers need to rethink.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

A vision of what the beef industry needs: Part 1

Big Picture Thinking Part 1: The Canadian beef industry needs to think big to optimize its potential

By Sean McGrath February 1, 2019

Editor’s Note: This is part one of a three-part series by Alberta rancher and consultant Sean McGrath with his vision for the Canadian beef industry. A vision statement can be one of the most powerful tools available to a company. It sets the big-picture goal for a business and provides a framework for communication. A […] Read more

Newborn dairy calves need proper clean and dry shelters and proper feed to get them off to the best start.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Dairy calves need proper feed and winter housing

Whether in a straw house or plastic hutch, keep them clean, keep them fed

By Peter Vitti January 28, 2019

Whenever I see dairy calves raised outside in the winter, it often reminds me of a producer I met several years ago. At the time, he told me that years before, he raised pre-weaned dairy calves in the most dismal ways. He used to house about 15 outside in several lean-tos, which were a sheet […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

A look at what’s ahead for the Canadian dollar

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Expect a slower economy, more debt and likely more taxes

By Jerry Klassen January 28, 2019

The Canadian dollar eroded by 7.8 per cent during 2018 with most of this deterioration coming in the fourth quarter. For cattle producers, this isn’t necessarily negative. Recent data shows that year-to-date feeder cattle exports for the week ending Dec. 8, 2018 were 191,863 head, up a whopping 66 per cent over the same period […] Read more

Gregory checking heifers and horses  at the feed trough.

Cattleman’s Corner, Farm Life

Some chores are planned, some aren’t

Tending cows, horses, bulls and buying heifers keep days busy

By Heather Eppich January 24, 2019

On November 11 we took a day off from fencing and drove up to Maidstone to visit David and Maxine Mitchell and pick out a few bred heifers. This will be our third year buying heifers from River Bridge Herefords and we have been very happy with them. A few days later we brought our […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle fall sharply as Trump says he’s working to lower beef costs

Alberta Crop Report: Harvest reaches completion

U.S. grains: Corn, soybeans rise on yield uncertainty, firming cash markets

Cattleman’s Corner