Cattleman’s Corner & Production Tips

Not all minerals are created equal. Buy a proper blend for the third trimester period.

Trace minerals directly affect unborn calves

If the cow isn’t getting sufficient minerals calf development and strength suffers

By Peter Vitti February 23, 2017

Within the next few months, there will be a lot of newborn calves on the ground. Fair- to good-quality forage is quite plentiful this year and grain is a reasonable price, so most of the cow herds I have seen across Western Canada this winter are in good body condition for calving. But one area […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

Understanding feeder cattle risk: Pt. 2

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: You don’t want to be using marketing tools to lock in a loss

By Jerry Klassen February 23, 2017

The feeder cattle market has experienced extreme volatility over the past three years. For this reason, I’ve been writing on managing financial risk for feeder cattle and particularly for backgrounding operations and cow calf producers. In the first column, I discussed the mechanics of hedging, explained historical basis levels and using these basis levels to […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Gruesome, but sometimes necessary

Animal Health: When there’s no other options, a dead calf needs to dismembered for removal

By Roy Lewis February 17, 2017

Fetotomy is a veterinarian’s fancy word for cutting up a dead calf within the cow during the birthing. While it sounds gruesome the process still has a valuable place in a competent veterinarian’s bag of tricks. The object is to reduce trauma or minimize damage to the cow. The calf at this point is a […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

Understanding feeder cattle risk: Pt. 1

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: A hedging program can remove some of the uncertainty

By Jerry Klassen February 16, 2017

In the January 24 Grainews issue, I explained the feeder cattle futures market and the simple mechanics of hedging feeder cattle. In this column, I want to take one step further and discuss the financial risk associated with backgrounding or selling feeder cattle. Read more: Important to understand the futures Read more: Producers hit with […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Short-term gains, long-term pains

The market still needs to discourage beef production — and that hurts

By Jerry Klassen February 9, 2017

Fed and feeder cattle prices have been percolating higher recently as the markets adjust to lower-than-expected first-quarter beef production. Alberta fed cattle prices have been hovering in the range of $162 to $165, which is approximately $25 above break-even pen closeout values. Healthy feedlot margins allowed feedlots to bid up feeder cattle prices. Larger-frame steers […] Read more

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

Cattleman’s Corner

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

Daily Network News

New strategies needed for Canadian agriculture to stand out in global trade

Feed Grains Weekly: Cash prices for wheat, barley largely flat

The Canadian GMO mustard wars: Dijon vs canola