Cattleman’s Corner & Production Tips

Insulated tarps and a heater made tractor repairs possible even when temperatures dipped to -30 C.

The learning value of fixing a tractor

There’s no point looking at the negative — STAY POSITIVE

By Debbie Chikousky February 9, 2017

Our family has managed to almost bring another production cycle to a successful close. There are a few things we have learned and a few that we are still learning. One of them is how to start a tractor. Our tractor is reassembled but not moving. Thankfully there are very kind diesel mechanics in this […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Machinery

A look at engine heater options

Winter Maintenance: Different types of heaters, different types of installation

By Michael Thomas February 8, 2017

I have used five types of engine heaters over the years: magnetic oil pan heaters, stick-on heaters, lower radiator hose heaters, heater hose engine heaters, and engine block heaters. For those of us that operate trucks and equipment every day during cold weather I recommend keeping a good magnetic oil pan heater in a place […] Read more

This headlock works well for treating animals, or for holding a cow that  may need calving assistance. There is no fixed gate at the back and the side panels swing open allowing full access to all parts of the animal if a C-section is required. The cow can lie down if she chooses.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Preparedness checklist for calving season

Animal Health: Start with clean facilities and equipment and have all supplies in stock

By Roy Lewis February 2, 2017

As with any work area on the farm, having the proper equipment, keeping it maintained, disinfected and the area properly stocked with pharmaceuticals, will help insure a successful calving season. The one critical and often-forgotten component is biosecurity. With many cows and their mothers moving through the calving area at a stressful time it is […] Read more

Bale grazing is one of the popular options for winter grazing, especially when you have good ranch help.

Cattleman’s Corner, Forages, Weather

Winter grazing begins before Dec. 1

Don't assume winter grazing won’t work ‘here’ — look at the options

By Sean McGrath January 30, 2017

I confess, I am a winter grazier. I love grazing cows in the wintertime. I like reducing my labour and cutting my costs. I like free time for spending with kids or writing Grainews articles. Truth be told, I even like riding saddle horses in the cold, as a lot of our terrain is not […] Read more

Wet fall conditions can lead to  mouldy corn cobs and residue in the field which can be harmful  to grazing cattle.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Poor corn residue may need supplement

The wet fall can reduce feed quality of corn residue, create mould

By Peter Vitti January 26, 2017

In the last few years, many beef producers have taken advantage of corn residue as part of their cow herd’s overwintering feeding program. It’s a low-cost feed and for the most part, because early-gestating cows are allowed months of grazing without much trouble. Unfortunately, this wet fall has presented many challenges in feeding lower-quality corn […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

Anderson recognized for a lifetime of contributions

Lifetime rancher and longtime writer remembered

By Grainews Staff January 13, 2017

Family, friends, neighbours and livestock industry colleagues from across Western Canada gathered in Glentworth, Saskatchewan on December 10 to remember the life and times of Boyd Anderson, a respected rancher and leader in the Saskatchewan and Canadian beef cattle industries, who passed away Dec. 1, 2016 in Moose Jaw at age 96. Anderson, who had […] Read more

A number of heating systems can be used to keep water open  and available to cattle during winter.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Options for keeping winter water open

Water supp??lies need to be reliable but also safe

By Heather Smith Thomas January 13, 2017

Providing adequate stock water can be a frustrating challenge during colder months. Having adequate water and keeping it ice-free is not a simple task. In some pastures, water availability is also an issue. Trey Patterson, CEO of Padlock Ranches in Wyoming, says one of the challenges is keeping water thawed. “If you have multiple groups […] Read more

Raw palm kernels need to be crushed and oil rendered, fractioned, filtered and separated before being turned into commercial beads, prilled or flaked free-fatty acids.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Dairy Corner: Don’t overdo palm fat in dairy cattle rations

Palm fat can help increase milk fat, but more isn’t necessarily better

By Peter Vitti January 6, 2017

There has been an explosive use of palm fat in many dairy diets. This growth has been fuelled by the numerous incentive days issued by milk marketing boards to increase milk fat production in lactating dairy cows. On the plus side, I see a profitable milk fat increase on many farms because some bypass palm […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Important to maintain proper BCS

Cattleman's Corner: Cows looking good going into winter still need to be fed

By Peter Vitti January 3, 2017

Warm temperatures and lots of rain right into fall regenerated pastures producing plenty of nutritious grasses for cattle. Many gestating cows are going into the winter, healthy and in decent shape. By feeding them well-balanced overwintering diets, we can continue this momentum, so these beef cows can get through a typical cold winter and be […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Watch for newer respiratory pathogens

Animal Health: One is a virus, the other a bacteria — both can be hard to identify

By Roy Lewis December 28, 2016

We have all heard of coronavirus being one of the main causes of viral scours in newborn calves. It alone, with a couple strains of rotavirus, are the two main viruses we see in scours vaccines. It also causes a winter dysentery (bloody diarrhea) in mature cattle, especially housed dairy cattle in the winter. What […] Read more

GFM Network News

Trump mulls ending some trade ties with China, including in relation to cooking oil

Pulse Weekly: Yields coming into focus

U.S. livestock: Cattle at fresh highs, hogs weaken