Cattleman’s Corner & Production Tips

A two-step (plus) grazing plan

Use the grass, but don’t abuse it — allow for recovery time

By Sean McGrath March 2, 2018

Often I see people’s eyes glaze over and a sense of disconnect when talking about grazing plans — surely after caring for cattle all winter, we can just turn them out in the spring and go round them up in the fall. Like most of agriculture now, the pressure for returns on a land base […] Read more

Stockpiled forage for late fall and winter grazing can be produced by not grazing a pasture at all until late fall,  or by grazing it early in the season and then “resting it” — bringing cows back when the snow flies.

Cattleman’s Corner, Forages, Livestock

More details on Step 3 of the two-step grazing plan

Use the grass, but then give it a chance to recover before coming back

By Sean McGrath March 2, 2018

Step 3 of the two-step grazing plan could also be titled, “How To Not Graze,” as this by far seems to be the biggest challenge facing pastures in Western Canada and perhaps around the world. In order for grazing to be successful, we first have to grow forage, and in order to do this to […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Feeding yeast is a good investment

These single-cell organisms can hit on many cylinders to help optimize milk performance

By Peter Vitti March 1, 2018

For many years, I have formulated dairy diets with yeast for both dry and lactating dairy cows. It has been my professional intention to promote good dairy nutrition, or solve a particular problem that limits good dairy performance. On occasion, I have seen direct benefits within a couple of days by adding yeast, while other […] Read more

Bulls should be in god athletic condition, but not fat.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Be leery about buying fat bulls

It may look good in the sale ring, but too much fat can lead to permanent damage

By Heather Smith Thomas February 27, 2018

Most of the bulls that go through a sale ring are over-conditioned to some extent. Fat is beautiful because it covers up a lot of conformational faults, but it is also very detrimental for reproduction, good health, and future soundness. Many young bulls have gone through a bull test/feeding program to measure rate of gain […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Markets

Feeder cattle basis analysis

Finishing at least some of your own calves is a diversification measure

By Jerry Klassen February 23, 2018

In my previous article, I provided a brief overview of last year’s series of articles on price risk management for feeder cattle. In this column I will continue the discussion and also answer some of the main questions producers had last year. Cow-calf producers are becoming more familiar with the basis level for their local […] Read more

Gregory, Heather and young Thomas Eppich are in the farming (and horse) business together.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

We are the Eppichs

Young farm couple starting from scratch in the cattle and horse business

By Heather Eppich February 23, 2018

Hello! We are Gregory and Heather Eppich. I, Heather, grew up on the family ranch in Salmon, Idaho and Gregory grew up on the family farm in Handel, Saskatchewan. We got married July 23, 2016 and I moved to Handel. We have a small organic farm, a few cows and horses and a Border collie/Lab […] Read more

The two middle red triangles in the above diagram are acceptable for livestock/manure compost sites. The top triangle is outside the property line (not acceptable), while the lower triangle is a site that is too close to the farm homestead.

Cattleman’s Corner

Composting is a simple natural process

Experts provide advice on proper procedures and precautions

By Debbie Chikousky February 23, 2018

As the new year starts to unfold we usually take a few minutes to look over our successes and failures of the previous year. Our family attempts to learn from mistakes in order to move forward productively. Our attempts at composting had their challenges but with the help of professionals, the problems are resolving. There […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Equipment, Livestock

Build your own bale-spear loader head

Working in the shop even with repurposed materials can result in a long-lasting bale mover 

By Michael Thomas February 23, 2018

Much like the transitions other ranchers and farmers have experienced over the past 50-plus years, our evolution with hay handling here in rural Idaho has been a transition from loose hay, to small square bales, and now large round and square bales. Each transition was made with an attempt to increase efficiency and reduce waste […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Proper diets take a bite out of wind chill

When temperatures dip, it’s time to torque up the ration

By Peter Vitti February 15, 2018

Beef cow diets developed at the beginning of winter when temperatures were mild are not adequate to meet their energy requirements when new year’s winds blow. That’s because pregnant beef cows need extra calories in order to keep warm, rather than burning up fat reserves needed for the upcoming calving season. Therefore, if it is […] Read more

Contracted tendons (knuckling over) in calf

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Dealing with contracted or lax leg tendons in calves

Animal Health: In many cases, time and a bit of physiotherapy will fix the condition

By Roy Lewis February 13, 2018

It is not uncommon during calving season for producers to end up with calves with contracted tendons (knuckling over) or the complete opposite — cases of lax tendons whereby the back of the fetlock is touching the ground. Although it is difficult to prevent these abnormalities, fortunately they only occur sporadically. Even so it is […] Read more

GFM Network News

Confusion cleared on Canadian calf import changes

U.S. livestock: Live cattle continue higher

U.S. grains: Soybeans retreat after one-month high; corn, wheat sag