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Cattleman’s Corner

round hay bales in a field
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle

Measure the moisture in forage rations

Moisture has the greatest impact on feed consumption, nutrient intake for dairy cows

By
It’s that time of year when harvested forages are tested for their nutrient content and an emailed back analysis sheet can list up to 80 laboratory results for each forage sample submitted. Much of this data can be inputted into dairy ration balancing software to develop on-the-farm TMRs that supply essential nutrients in the right […] Read more
farm buildings
Cattleman’s Corner

Risk management and managing a farm

There are many aspects to consider to help ensure you'll have a successful operation

By
Most of us in agriculture are aware of the risks involved. Any biological system that makes long-term plans around both Mother Nature and human nature is bound to have challenges. Managing through these challenges can create some exciting times and opportunity. Grass Having grass is one of the best defences against risk in the cattle […] Read more
dairy cow walking through a footbath
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle

New footbath for dairy cattle

By
Laboratorie M2 based in Quebec has introduced what it describes as a new safe, low cost and easy-to-use agriculture disinfectant footbath that has been proven to be more or as effective as traditional treatments to prevent and control lameness diseases such as digital dermatitis (DD) in dairy herds. Made from the plant-based ingredient thymol, Thymox […] Read more
calf with a plastic nose flap device
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Proactive calf weaning programs save money

By
Many calves are “truck weaned” as a low-cost and low-management weaning option, but it is a wasteful practice. It often costs the seller and/or the buyer a lot of money. Fortunately, better weaning alternatives are available compared to such abrupt removal of calves from their mothers, and transporting them bawling to another yard. These better […] Read more
man standing in a field of oats
Cattleman’s Corner, Forages

Brassica may be a forage crop for all reasons

Ten-acre trial last winter, ‘made an excellent forage for swath grazing’

By
Several Alberta beef producers are paying attention this summer and winter to determine how a popular New Zealand crop, known as forage brassica, fits in with a range of grazing options here in Western Canada. This is all a spinoff from a 10-acre trial last winter, using the forage brassica (also known as rape or […] Read more
cowboy and wife in a living room
Cattleman’s Corner

Lifelong cowboy still in the saddle

Cowboy profile: Bill Wilm went to work on a ranch at the age of 15 to pursue his passion and hasn't looked back

By
From his earliest childhood, Bill Wilm had a yearning to become a cowboy. He didn’t buy into his mother’s counsel — “Cowboys are a thing of the past. They’re just in the movies now.” Wilm was determined to pursue his goal, and at age 15 left the family farm near Birch Hills, Saskatchewan and found […] Read more
Vaccine reactions are normal — to a point
Cattleman’s Corner

Vaccine reactions are normal — to a point

Proper injection practices help avoid infection, contamination

By
Noticeable reactions to a vaccine injection are becoming more common, as more vaccines are now given subcutaneously and especially with vaccines using oil-based adjuvants. The adjuvants are designed to protect the vaccine and give a much higher immune response, but reactions in the form of lumps are an expected albeit undesirable result. As many of […] Read more
One of the challenges is to identify if the weed growing in your pasture or hayland is poisonous water hemlock (shown here) or harmless water parsnip (shown below). These plates show one difference, in the bracts found below the seed head. If still in doubt, it may be wise to consult a weed or forage specialist.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Don’t take water hemlock for granted

By
Water hemlock is popping up all over this summer. The fact that this weed is spreading on high ground had us hopeful any new growth we saw might be the harmless cow parsnips. However, the weed specialist confirmed the new growth as water hemlock on all our hayfields, now there is more than a little cause for concern. Control is now […] Read more

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