Cattleman’s Corner & Production Tips

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Can you afford to select cows for longevity?

Keeping old cows isn’t improving performance of the beef herd

By Sean McGrath April 11, 2018

One of the biggest costs on a cow-calf operation is cow herd depreciation. For most of us, even if we are not aware of it, cow depreciation is our second-highest expense after cow herd maintenance. It is a problem often ignored because cull cows generate cash flow, but having cows drop out of the cow […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Markets

Calf market will feel the pinch come fall

Market Update: It will take time to work burdensome beef supplies through the U.S. system

By Jerry Klassen April 10, 2018

Alberta fed cattle prices have traded in the range of $162 to $166 throughout February and March, but the market is poised to grind lower during the second quarter due to the large year-over-year increase in second-quarter beef production. Fed cattle are poised for a $15 to $20 drop over the next couple of months […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Treating colicky bloat in calves

Calf Management: Timeliness is critical and treatments are no guarantee 

By Heather Smith Thomas April 9, 2018

In some herds, calves die nearly every year from enterotoxemia caused by bacterial toxins. The calves are usually about a month old, but may be as young as a few days or as old as two to three months. They are generally healthy, fast-growing calves that suddenly develop acute gut pain, kicking at their belly […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Dairy Corner: Vitamin A expensive, but necessary

Although the price has shot up, it is important to keep the nutrient in dairy rations

By Peter Vitti April 6, 2018

Prices of vitamin A (along with vitamins D and E) have increased to 10 times their former costs from just a few months ago. This skyrocketing price is due to a recent fire at a new manufacturing facility in Germany as well as several vitamin ADE plants that are down for maintenance in China. Together, these events have caused a worldwide shortage […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Producers discuss value of good records

Herd Management: Which to cull, when to market,  just some of questions answered

By Beef Cattle Research Council March 28, 2018

This is part one of three Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) articles on the value of keeping records for commercial beef herds. Parts two and three are available on the blog at www.beefresearch.ca. There is also a good sidebar report on new record-keeping software and iPhone App (the Herdly App) available from the Canadian Cattleman’s […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Markets

Other indicators affecting cattle market decisions

Risk Management Part 4: Who’s using the futures market and what are their intentions?

By Jerry Klassen March 28, 2018

In my previous article, I discussed four possible market environments and the possible marketing or hedging strategies for each environment. Cow-calf producers will know if the basis is weak or strong based on longer-term historical data. The price range of the futures market over the past two years will provide a good idea if the futures market is in […] Read more

Five good bred heifers from River Bridge Herefords are the foundation of a growing beef herd.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Making the deal on five bred heifers

Going for quality rather than quantity and what the bank account allows

By Heather Eppich March 23, 2018

There’s never a dull moment when you have animals in the winter. On January 30 the power went out for about five hours. When it came back on, we rushed to thaw out the stock waterers. Thankfully, it wasn’t too bad. The stallions’ waterer wasn’t frozen hardly at all because they hadn’t drunk the water […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Forages, Livestock

Sweeter forage grasses may benefit milk production

Different classes of livestock can make better use of forage mix

By Debbie Chikousky March 22, 2018

Spring is the time of rebirth. This year our livestock is not scheduled for babies till late spring so we have more time than usual to study, read, and plan our 2018 pasture season. While reading over garden catalogues my mind keeps turning to old ideas of turnip grazing, mangels (large beet) or potato choppers. […] Read more

Of the four essential nutrients consumed by beef cows, energy is needed in the greatest amount during the immediate months after calving.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Supplying good cow nutrition in the post-calving season

Ramp up ration as cow gets closer to calving — and beyond

By Peter Vitti March 22, 2018

One of the first questions I like to ask cow-calf producers is, “When are your cows calving?” It gives me an excellent idea as to what stage of nutrition their cow herd needs at the time, so I can recommend the best diet during their post-calving season. To design a good post-calving diet, I often […] Read more

Prodding the inside of a nostril with a straw is one trick that may stimulate a calf to breathe.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Tips on getting a newborn calf breathing

Hanging them upside down doesn’t work and can make things worse

By Heather Smith Thomas March 15, 2018

There are many traditional practices and old wives’ tales about how to get a newborn calf breathing — some of which are valid and helpful, and some that are not. Cody Creelman, with Veterinary Agri Health Services (VAHS), a five-veterinarian beef cattle practice at Airdrie, Alta., says there are a few practices that are actually […] Read more

GFM Network News

France raises bird flu alert level to ‘high’ after new cases

Trump plan to import Argentine beef angers U.S. farmers

Carney cautious about report of potential Canadian trade deal with U.S.

Cattleman’s Corner

Can you afford to select cows for longevity?

Calf market will feel the pinch come fall

Treating colicky bloat in calves

Dairy Corner: Vitamin A expensive, but necessary

Producers discuss value of good records

Other indicators affecting cattle market decisions

Making the deal on five bred heifers

Sweeter forage grasses may benefit milk production

Supplying good cow nutrition in the post-calving season

Tips on getting a newborn calf breathing

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Sept. 5, 2025

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Latest Market News