Cattleman’s Corner & Production Tips

All-season solution to hand-feeding hay

With a few modifications it works on all terrain

By Heather Smith Thomas May 25, 2016

Each year on our ranch we keep a few heifer calves to raise as replacements for the cow herd. We keep them in a field next to the calving barn and pens, close enough to electricity that we can run an extension cord through the barn pens to their water tank for the tank heater. […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Higher production keeps beef prices under pressure

Market Update: Slaughter numbers are down, but carcass weights are up

By Jerry Klassen May 19, 2016

Fed and feeder cattle prices have come under pressure over the past couple of weeks as the market absorbs the year-over-year increase in second quarter beef production. Cattle-on-feed inventories in Canada and the U.S. are running slightly above year-ago numbers, but carcass weights are sharply higher. Despite the lower cattle prices, retail beef prices are […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, The Dairy Corner

Dairy Corner: Tips for preventing selective eating

By Peter Vitti May 18, 2016

Recently, I attended the 2016 Western Canadian Dairy Seminar and took in several of the excellent presentations. One of the talks was by Tom Oelberg, who discussed the mixing of the milk cow’s Total Mixed Ration (TMR) as well as some of the improper diets that are often put down in the feed bunk. This lecture made […] Read more

AAFC's Dr. Abdelali Hannoufa says identifying a genetic regulator in alfalfa could lead to more drought-tolerant varieties.

Cattleman’s Corner

Drought-tolerant alfalfa studied

By Angela Lovell May 17, 2016

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) researchers have discovered a gene in alfalfa that could help to make the crop more drought resistant. A team of researchers, led by Dr. Abdelali Hannoufa at AAFC’s London Research and Development Centre in Ontario, working in collaboration with industry partner, Forage Genetics International in the United States, discovered the […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Deworming cows can add to profits

Proper dose can improve weight gains, and reduce parasite load on pasture

By Peter Vitti May 3, 2016

Just after the new year, a rancher who runs a few hundred late-spring cows called me. He was having difficulty getting his weaned calves on background feed and they were just not doing “good.” Although, he dewormed these calves once off-pasture with a commercial pour-on, I told him they might still have stomach worms. So […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Beef cows get mastitis, too

Early treatment can save the udder, and plan to cull susceptible animals

By Roy Lewis April 25, 2016

Even though we think of mastitis as more of a dairy disease, beef producers still need to be vigilant for the condition in their herds. With higher milk production and cows being retained in herds longer, both these factors have a tendency to increase mastitis incidence. Mastitis cases can be smouldering during the long period […] Read more

One of the Lamport Farms polled Herefords at the Calgary Bull sale

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Bull sales reflect beef industry confidence

By Lee Hart April 22, 2016

I don’t know if they are runaway prices, but a couple of people I have talked to were certainly pleased with breeding bull prices this year. The beef industry always has its ups and downs, but it would appear cow-calf producers are feeling pretty good about the outlook over the next couple of years at […] Read more

Horse owners can certainly look after basic hoof maintenance by rasping away superficial cracks and keeping the hoof edges smooth.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Tips on horse foot care

Horse Management with Heather Smith Thomas

By Heather Smith Thomas April 19, 2016

“No foot, no horse” is the old saying. A horse is only as sound as his feet. Care and management of feet will depend on the individual horse, his 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

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

There’s value in high-quality beef

Beef Management: Health, pounds and consumer demand drive cattle business

By Laura Conaway April 8, 2016

(Editor’s Note: This article supplied courtesy of Certified Angus Beef, shows U.S. producers are also being encouraged to produce a quality beef product. It further supports recent articles by Cattleman’s Corner columnist Sean McGrath about using the tools to build a beef ‘Cadillac.’ ) What’s in a cow today? Dr. Larry Corah asked 175 cattlemen […] Read more

Profits are important, but not every investment is about money.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

The importance of unit costs for livestock

Ranch Management: All expenses can be looked at in terms of cost per head or cost per pound

By Sean McGrath April 8, 2016

It is relatively easy to find product offerings that promise to increase production. As a somewhat skeptical consumer, these technologies/solutions always need to be examined carefully before deciding whether or not they are worth using. That said, all of these products tend to reinforce one simple point: production matters. The less simple aspect of this […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract highs on shock herd decline

Alberta Crop Report: Harvest more than three-quarters finished

NFU says proposed plant breeders’ rights come at farmers’ expense

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract highs on shock herd decline

Alberta Crop Report: Harvest more than three-quarters finished

NFU says proposed plant breeders’ rights come at farmers’ expense

Cattleman’s Corner

All-season solution to hand-feeding hay

Higher production keeps beef prices under pressure

Dairy Corner: Tips for preventing selective eating

Drought-tolerant alfalfa studied

Deworming cows can add to profits

Beef cows get mastitis, too

Bull sales reflect beef industry confidence

Tips on horse foot care

There’s value in high-quality beef

The importance of unit costs for livestock

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Sept. 5, 2025

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Latest Market News