The nutritional requirements of calved-out first-calf heifers is much different than that of mature cows, yet the feed needs to be presented into a denser post-calving diet due to the heifers’ smaller dry matter intake (DMI) and lower forage gut-capacity.

First-calf heifers need to be prepared for rebreeding

They need to calve in good condition and then be kept in good condition as they also continue to grow and nurse a calf

It’s easy to envision beef heifers that give birth to their first calf only as a younger version of mature brood cows. However, they do have extra challenges after calving that must be addressed to get rebred in the next few months. As young animals, giving birth for the first time and nursing a newborn […] Read more

Stefanie Beck (DND photo) and Dr. Harpreet Kochhar (Uoguelph.ca).

Feds appoint new deputy ag minister, CFIA chief

Eleven senior civil servants shuffled

Canada’s government has lined up a new federal deputy minister for agriculture and a new president for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, both to take office later this month. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced a shuffle in the top ranks of the public service involving 11 senior managers following four recent retirements. Associate […] Read more


Plan a year or two ahead of planting a perennial forage blend.

Picking a perennial forage blend

Q & A with an expert

Q: How do I choose the right perennial forage blend for my farm? A: Growers should consider several factors when doing this. The first step is to start planning a year or two ahead of planting a perennial forage blend. Part of that planning is making sure weed control is taken care of for both […] Read more

Ag Minister Nate Horner speaks at the Harmony Beef plant at Balzac, Alta. on Feb. 7, 2023. (Government of Alberta video screengrab via YouTube)

Alberta plans new ag processing tax credit

Incentive to be introduced in 2023 budget

Alberta has telegraphed plans for a new provincial tax credit in its upcoming budget to spur development in the ag processing sector. The province on Tuesday announced plans for what it calls the Alberta Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit — a 12 per cent, “non-refundable” tax credit for corporations making capital investments in “value-added agri-processing” in […] Read more


John Deere is offering three new 9000 series forage harvesters, which use the brand’s new JD18X diesel engine.

New forage harvesters from John Deere

New 18-litre engine powers 9000 series models

Self-propelled, high-capacity forage harvesters require some serious power under their hoods. In the past, John Deere’s limited range of in-house diesel engines meant the green brand had to turn to engine manufacturers like Cummins to get enough muscle for their largest models. And while their top-end 9800 and 9900 models, which deliver 855 and 956 […] Read more

On the McGrath ranch they manage grazing at a very intensive level with various record keeping apps, charts, monitoring points and other systems in place.

Calculating ‘cow bushels per acre’

Most grain crops are measured by bushels per acre, so why not do the same for forage?

If you’re familiar with grain farming, the term “bushels per acre” is a common frame of reference for measuring yield. There are nuances around this, such as moisture level, bushel weight and protein content, but bushels per acre is a relatively well understood industry standard. When we think about a lot of the cow-calf industry […] Read more


Gerald and Patti Anhorn of Windy Ridge Ranching Co. Ltd. near Elrose, Sask. earned recognition in 2022 as the Saskatchewan nominees for the Canadian Cattleman's Association, The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA).

Grass management factors into environmental award

Healthy pastures for cattle also mean healthy habitat for wildlife

Patti Anhorn grew up on a grain farm in the Elrose, Saskatchewan area, and while she loved that, it quickly became apparent her family’s farm was missing something. Namely, cattle and horses. She jokes her parents would ship her over to a nearby farm that had livestock and horses so she could get her fill. […] Read more

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari speaks at the Dakar summit under the theme “Nourrir l’Afrique” (Feed Africa) hosted by the African Development Bank and the African Union Commission on Jan. 25, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Ngouda Dione)

Development partners commit US$30 billion to food production in Africa

Continent facing record-level hunger

Dakar | Reuters — Development partners have committed US$30 billion to boost food production in Africa over the next five years, the president of the African Development Bank said on Friday at the close of a summit on food security on the continent. The continent is facing its worst food crisis ever, with more than […] Read more


If your dairy cows aren't doing enough cud chewing it could be a sign of  several related problems such as low dietary fiber; reduced feed intakes, poor feed digestion, sub-clinical rumen acidosis (SARA), feet and leg problems, butterfat depression all that can result in poor milk production.

Dairy cows need effective forage fibre

The Dairy Corner: Cud-chewing, or lack thereof, could be an indicator of several problems due to a low fibre diet

High-producing dairy cows always need a good level of effective forage fibre in a well-balanced lactation diet that not only supports good milk and milk fat production, but promotes good cow health and digestion. Anytime I walk into a dairy barn, I take a minute to watch the cows resting in their stalls. If most […] Read more

File photo of a cow grazing near Leader, Sask., about 85 km south of Kindersley. (James_Gabbert/iStock/Getty Images)

Saskatchewan holds Crown grazing rents at last year’s levels

Also, leaseholders on drought-downgraded land eligible for rate cut

Cattle producers leasing Crown land for grazing in Saskatchewan won’t see a rate hike this year and may be eligible for a significant rate cut. The provincial government announced Wednesday it has frozen the rates charged to producers who lease Crown grazing land in 2023 at their 2022 level. The freeze will apply to all […] Read more