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Cattleman’s Corner

The writer with a field of peas. Like corn or barley, peas can be fed to high-milk producing dairy cattle as a good dietary energy source.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Dairy Cattle, Peas, The Dairy Corner

How field peas fit in dairy lactation diets

Dairy Corner: Research and some practical trials show peas can be fed to cows with no effect on milk yield

By
A few years back, there was a surge of investment in pea processing for the plant-based protein industry. A multimillion-dollar plant was built in Manitoba, along with other smaller related food and processing businesses. There was more than just talk about growing more peas in Western Canada in which an offshoot would be feeding more […] Read more
The number of cattle being grounded in Canada dropped in 2024.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

Fed cattle market grinds lower

The Markets: Softer demand shows up as North American employment weakens

By
During the second week of September, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $406-$410/cwt, down from prices of $425-$428/cwt a month earlier. Beef demand appears to be softening as unemployment levels increase. In addition to weaker consumer spending, September and October are two months when beef demand typically […] Read more
Cattle chute
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Livestock

There are now many veterinary clinic models

Animal Health: Veterinarians have specialized and also offer more telemedicine

By
In rural Western Canada, the veterinary clinic was traditionally a mixed-animal practice, with everyone being a jack of all trades and emergency work in all species. But cattle were the bread and butter. We have all heard of the shortage of veterinarians for both small and large animals, but there has also been a big […] Read more
Ian pauses for a picture while harvesting a few of Joseph’s carrots for fresh eating.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

A visit from the aunties

Eppich News: Hot weather meant more tree watering and some creative air conditioning on the ranch

By
July stayed hot and dry. Gregory kept working away at the ditch hay and John worked as much summerfallow as he could. I was able to keep the main floor of the house a pleasant temperature as long as I did all the cooking on the barbecue, but the upstairs, where we sleep, would get […] Read more
Don Guilford with a group of first-calf heifers
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Redefining a ranch

Holistic management has made the Guilford ranch more efficient — and it carries more cattle

By
Don and Diane Guilford have been practicing holistic management on their 1,200-acre ranch near Clearwater, Man. since the early 1980s. Don is the third generation of his family in that region and says holistic management has made a big difference in his success as a farmer. He took his first course with Allan Savory at […] Read more
cow and calf
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

It’s not too late to creep-feed spring calves

Better Bunks and Pastures: Analysis says this could be a highly profitable year to creep-feed calves

By
A friend of mine operates a 300-cow-calf operation. This year, he put out his creep feeders during the end of July and his March-born calves really haven’t eaten much creep-feed in the last month. That’s because his pastures are still lush and his cows are milking well. He joked that he is ready to lock […] Read more
Fed cattle prices are expected to trend lower from October 2024 to December 2025.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

Cattle market vulnerable to slower economic growth

The Markets: Watch consumer trends for indications of a beef price slowdown

By
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $425-$428/cwt delivered in mid-August. Live prices were quoted at $255/cwt (US$186), f.o.b. feedlot, in southern Alberta. The fed market has come off the summer highs as demand eases moving into the fall period. Monthly restaurant spending on both sides of the […] Read more
Hoof strength problems are one area where the use of chelated minerals could make sense.
Cattleman’s Corner, The Dairy Corner

Strategic use of chelated minerals makes financial sense

Dairy Corner: There are specific cases where chelated minerals should be used in dairy diets

By
In the last couple of years, I’ve noticed most dairy lactation diets contain a fortified level of chelated trace minerals. When I ask dairy producers why they feed them over conventional ones, they often say they don’t know or their nutritionist thinks it’s a good idea. There is nothing technically wrong with feeding chelated trace […] Read more
cow and calf
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

How to manage two similar livestock pharmaceuticals

Animal Health: Subtle differences can give one medication an advantage over another

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This article provides some clarity for when new products or combinations of products come onto the market. These days all antimicrobials, NSAIDs and a few other products are prescription products and most come under the VCPR (veterinary-client-patient relationship). The two products in this case have already been on the market for years, but now, with no […] Read more
One plant can have many aliases. Scarlet mallow, a native prairie wildflower, is also referred to as salmon pinks or “cowboys’ delight.” Biologists generally use Latin plant names to avoid common name confusion.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Plants and their identity crises

A Little Bit Western: One person’s weed is another person’s useful and cherished plant

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Like many farmers and ranchers, I’ve always been curious about plants. After all, we are surrounded by plants, and humans depend on them for everything from food and forage to fibre and fun. Throughout the growing season, as interesting plants pop up in ditches, fields and pastures, I get texts, tweets and messages with photos […] Read more

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