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Cattleman’s Corner

Once she calves, this cow's dietary needs will change.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Old school nutrition works after calving

It doesn't have to cost a lot to maintain proper body condition

By
Already, I know a few producers have had a couple of sleepless nights checking cows at calving. Most have told me all has gone well, because their cows came through the winter in good shape and were well-prepared for this year’s calving season. Moving forward, they now feed their calved-out beef cows diets which contain […] Read more
Horses in their stable
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Horse foot care — keep it simple

Horse Care: Each animal is different, try to maintain a natural lifestyle

By
No foot, no horse” is the old saying. A horse is only as sound as its feet. Care and management of feet will depend on the individual horse, its conformation and hoof structure, environment (including climate), and use. Whether or not the horse needs to be shod will also hinge on these factors. A shod […] Read more
Ian Mitchell-Innes, centre, talks to Manitoba producers about how to use selective grazing to improve 
soil health and productivity during a three-day workshop in Manitoba last year.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

The profit potential of selective grazing

High stocking density, short-duration grazing helps put carbon back into the soil

By
No matter where he speaks in the world, Ian Mitchell-Innes carries a message to beef producers about achieving optimal animal performance, reducing costs, and ultimately becoming more profitable. Animals instinctively know where they can get the highest level of energy — from the top third of the plant, Mitchell-Innes, a South African rancher, told producers […] Read more
McGrath and helpers dig some soil pits along transect lines on native prairie pasture that is part of Round Rock Ranching to establish some baselines through nutrient and biological soil testing.
Cattleman’s Corner, Crops

Are you a (soil) health nut?

Any treatments applied above ground will eventually affect what happens below your feet

By
I was eternally blessed to enter the University of Saskatchewan while Les Henry was still teaching at a time when we were “forced” to take at least an introductory soil science course. I learned a lot in that introductory course; mostly about how much I didn’t know (and how much Dr. Henry did). But more […] Read more
Understanding feeder cattle options
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

Understanding feeder cattle options

The Markets: Using a “put” option to avoid margin calls


By
In the previous three columns on feeder cattle marketing (found in the ‘On our network’ column on the right-hand side of this page), I’ve discussed hedging feeder cattle production using the feeder cattle futures market. Many producers hesitate to use a futures market because of the cash flow requirements. When you sell a futures contract, there […] Read more
Ergot on seeds.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cereals, Livestock

Watch out for ergot in grains

Another wet growing and harvest season in 2016 is increasing the level of toxins in some feeds

By
Ergot is a fungus that can grow on certain grasses and grain plants when moisture conditions are just right. Ergot becomes a problem mainly after a wet season, rarely during dry conditions. The fungus replaces seed in the seed head with a dark-brown/black mass and produces toxic alkaloids. One or more of the kernels in […] Read more
This is an actual picture of hairy heel warts taken by a dairy producer.
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle

Controlling hairy heel warts in dairy cattle

A clean barn is part of preventative measures

By
Since the new year, I have travelled to many dairy farms across Western Canada and conducted a personal survey about lameness in dairy cattle. At each visit, I asked producers “What was their biggest cause of hoof problems?” Almost unanimously, their answer was “hairy heel warts!” This is no surprise, since multiple surveys conducted over […] Read more
Ringmen take bids at Lazy S Ranch sale.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

2017 bull sale off to good start

Plenty of good events ahead involving people, animals and machinery

By
Stewart Ainsworth has no complaints after their 48th annual bull sale at the ranch earlier this winter. Ainsworth, who along with family members is part of Lazy S Ranch at Mayerthorpe, Alberta, just northwest of Edmonton, says it wasn’t a record year, “but still we were very pleased with the results” … considering the year, […] Read more
Don’t semen test bulls too young
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Don’t semen test bulls too young

Animal Health: What are these droplets in young bulls really telling you about semen quality?

By
Many commercial producers and purebred seed stock cattlemen often start to question the appearance of lots of droplets appearing on the semen evaluation forms of young bulls. It can lead to frustration when bulls have to be retested. These droplets collectively are probably the most numerous defects we as veterinarians see when performing breeding soundness […] Read more

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