Columns & Production Tips

According to 2019 data, in Canada, registered breeds totalled 118,816 cattle, of which, 56,003, almost 50 per cent, were Angus.

Do you know your cattle?

Notes on Canada’s dairy and beef breeds

By Ieuan Evans October 7, 2023

The cattle breeds I knew as a teenager are gradually disappearing. When it comes to milk breeds, we have essentially one type of cow, the black and white Holstein, which makes up 94 per cent of Canada’s dairy herds. Holstein is a misnomer in my thinking since in Wales we called them Dutch Friesians. I […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Rancher’s Diary

Water in short supply for irrigation

A mostly hot and dry August with one forest fire out of control

By Heather Smith Thomas October 7, 2023

July 26 — The past 12 days we’ve had hot weather, up to 35 C. The creek is dropping, and we’ve been short of irrigation water. We bought some big square bales from Phil Moulton; he hauled and stacked them for us, and Dani helped us put black plastic over the bales. We always buy […] Read more

Columns, Farm Life

Why power of attorney is important

For older farmers, it can provide financial protection and peace of mind as they age

By Elaine Froese October 3, 2023

Recently a friend was teary as she told me about a sudden change in her mom’s health. When I asked if she had power of attorney for her mother, her answer was a resounding “no way.” Her mom was procrastinating on seeing a lawyer to draw up necessary documents to protect her future. Are you […] Read more

File photo of an old-school hand-operated pump on a rural Alberta property.

Columns

Digging wells and finding water

Where to find the information you need before digging

By Les Henry September 30, 2023

Unfortunately, by the time this issue hits your mailbox, many farmers will have the slim pickings of 2023 in the bin or bales. It has been especially brutal for cattle folks who have little hay to bale and face the awful decision of downsizing herds, including the loss of genetics built up over many decades. […] Read more

It is important to crunch the numbers to determine if backgrounding pays. This may not be the year.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Economics of backgrounding didn’t pencil out

With high feed costs, this example of adding 300 pounds over winter was a losing proposition

By Peter Vitti September 29, 2023

Years ago, I took one of my first beef marketing courses from a professor who wore a clean white lab coat to class. There was nothing wrong with that, but his previous class was a red meat-cutting class. One of the first thing he taught us is how to determine background-feeding profit. If its expenses […] Read more

Columns

Herbicide carry-over concerns on the Prairies

By Ross H. McKenzie September 26, 2023

The 2023 growing season was drier and warmer than normal resulting in lower-than-normal crop yields over much of the Prairies. The worst affected areas are in the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones. Figure 1 shows an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada map of soil moisture conditions across the Prairies at the end of July 2023. […] Read more

Overall, biologicals tend to be more effective in marginal soils and under stressful conditions. When talking about crop types, vegetables and pulse crops have been shown to have a high response to biologicals while cereals generally have a moderate response.

Crops, Wheat & Chaff

Biologicals and soil health

Q & A with an expert

By Sola Ajiboye September 21, 2023

Q: What are biologicals and how do they work? A: Have you ever thought about the link between biologicals and soil health? If your answer is yes, you are not alone. This article will attempt to clear up some confusion around biologicals and how they improve soil health, with some insights on when and where […] Read more

“In terms of future marketing plans, keep a close eye on those production levels because even now the USDA is forecasting some very tight soybean ending stocks, and that’s going to influence canola prices.” – Bruce Burnett.

Editor's column, Wheat & Chaff

Editor’s Column: A look at fall forecasts: weather, wheat and canola

By Kari Belanger September 19, 2023

Harvest is under way across the Prairies. At this time of year, I like to read the provincial crop reports to follow how harvest is progressing. Of the major crops, according to the reports I’m currently reading (it’s Sept. 5), harvest of winter wheat and fall rye is almost a wrap across the Prairies, followed […] Read more

File photo of a CL 215 water bomber passing over a Canadian forest fire.

Columns

Stop blaming the boogeyman

By Herman VanGenderen September 14, 2023

In this column, I’d like to discuss two items, wildfires and economic efficiency, which at first glance appear unrelated, but are they? Once again, climate alarmists are using a truly unfortunate situation for political gain and justification of their anti-oil positions. Admittedly, in Figure 1, the 2023 data looks scary, but the overall graph is […] Read more

Whether they are domestic or wild species, producers need to be aware that there can be some risks with the co-mingling of different species with cattle.

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

The pros and cons of pasturing species together

Thoughts about running cattle, bison, sheep, horses et cetera on the same piece of land

By Roy Lewis September 12, 2023

It can be a challenge to weigh the benefits and risks of running species such as beef cattle, sheep, bison and horses together on the same pastures, especially if feed is short. The pros and cons can be difficult for you and your veterinarian to address. While usually it is not a problem, there can […] Read more

GFM Network News

La Niña to fade early next year, neutral Pacific conditions likely, U.S. forecasters say

U.S. grains: Wheat futures slide on rising world production estimates

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs mostly up

Columns

Do you know your cattle?

Water in short supply for irrigation

Why power of attorney is important

Digging wells and finding water

Economics of backgrounding didn’t pencil out

Herbicide carry-over concerns on the Prairies

Biologicals and soil health

Editor’s Column: A look at fall forecasts: weather, wheat and canola

Stop blaming the boogeyman

The pros and cons of pasturing species together

AgCanadaTV

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

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