Cattleman’s Corner & Production Tips

Saskatchewan rancher, Ross Macdonald (l) and southern Alberta rancher, Daniel Doerksen, who met through the Canadian Hereford Association, exchange thoughts on raising beef cattle at last fall’s Canadian Western Agribition, in Regina. The producers realize they have similar interests.

Genetics point to ‘easy keepers’

Producers may be able to trim 10 to 15 per cent off feeding costs by selecting cattle for feed efficiency

By Lisa Guenther February 3, 2016

Southern Alberta rancher Daniel Doerksen likes a certain type of cow — a functional, easy-keeper that can raise a good calf. “Our bull selection is based on raising productive females,” Daniel said during an interview at recent western Canadian beef show. Part of that strategy has been to select smaller-framed cows that should be feed […] Read more

This newborn calf appears to be bright and alert and soon ready to try nursing.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Get newborn calves breathing and eating

Events immediately following birth are important to future health of the calf

By Heather Smith Thomas January 26, 2016

Two of the most important steps after a calf has been born are to make sure it breathes properly, especially if the calf had to be pulled. And then shortly after, make sure they find the udder. In most normal births, the calf will begin breathing within 30 to 60 seconds after delivery. If it […] Read more

This is a view of the assembled water tub inside the now-insulated blue supplement tub. The power cord feeds in through the bottom of the blue supplement tub.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Adding insulation to heated water tanks

A winterizing tip to help keep your cattle watered

By Michael Thomas January 26, 2016

It is that time of the year when we find ourselves fighting the cold weather to provide water for our stock. Many ranchers and farmers use heated water tanks to increase water consumption for stock/horses while reducing or eliminating the battle with ice and wasted water. Unfortunately heaters are expensive to operate and are not […] Read more

Questionable water quality is not usually life-threatening, but it can impact a healthy cow’s nutrition and compromise essential nutrients needed for good milk production.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle

Beware of “things” in dairy cow water

Dairy Corner with Peter Vitti

By Peter Vitti January 20, 2016

A professor who once taught our nutrition class a long time ago (a long time ago) said the actual amount of water drunk by lactating dairy cows was important for milk production. However, she said it was the “things” that existed in their drinking water, which often limit their health and production during lactation. Even […] Read more

This proper mineral feeder is also mounted on a tire to keep it out of the wet and keep cows from stepping into it.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Make sure your mineral feeders for cattle are full

Minerals for the cow also help get the calf off to a good start

By Peter Vitti January 18, 2016

Beef cows cannot live without minerals and vitamins, which are often deficient or biologically unavailable in many overwintering forage. I advise people to put loose mineral on a regular basis for their gestating cows, so all essential mineral and vitamin requirements are supplemented. Unfortunately, some people don’t always feed enough mineral. With a little effort, […] Read more

Chris Walter, left, Ernie Lange, Graeme Finn of Union Forage and Ed Lange discuss the diverse forage blend grown on the Camrose, Alta. area farm this year.

Cattleman’s Corner, Forages

Yearlings couldn’t keep up to multi-species pasture

By Grainews Staff January 13, 2016

As beef producers are always interested in finding ways to increase forage production and efficiency, the operators at Walter Farms near Camrose, Alta. are testing out an annual forage blend to help increase pasture carrying capacity. Working with Graeme Finn of Union Forages they were impressed with a grass/legume blend called the Peace Diverse Mix. […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Beef market will get worse, before it gets better

Over-supply and low demand – a deadly combination

By Jerry Klassen January 5, 2016

Fed and feeder cattle markets have been trending lower throughout the fall and early winter as the market contends with growing beef supplies and lacklustre demand. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $158 to $160 in mid-December while pen closeout breakeven values are closer to $200. Cold storage stocks of beef […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Corn residue can cut winter feeding costs

Cows can find at least 1,250 pounds of feed per acre after corncobs are harvested

By Peter Vitti December 29, 2015

For years, I have seen cornfields popping up over the Prairies (sorry for the pun). Much of this crop is harvested for corn silage, but significant acres are picked for grain. When just the cobs are harvested there is a tremendous amount of residue left on the ground. This is an abundance of forage for […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner

A good winter-ready checklist for farm vehicles

Time spent preparing vehicles for winter will reduce risk of damage and save time come spring

By Michael Thomas December 24, 2015

It’s that time again. The days are shorter, black clouds loom overhead, snow is in the air, the mornings are brisk, and harvest is done — but is your farm equipment ready for winter? A good pre-winter checkup will help prevent downtime regardless of whether it is a piece of equipment or truck that you […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

The importance of responsible use of drugs

Know the proper product for the proper treatment, if treatment is warranted

By Roy Lewis December 22, 2015

With today’s tightening controls on residues in meat and milk, we as members of the animal agriculture industry must have the utmost responsibility about how we treat our livestock in general. Proper production practices benefit our verified beef production system and with antibiotic resistance increasing producers must be prudent in the use of antibiotics and […] 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