Pasture Archives - Page 11 of 102

A file photo of the aftermath of freezing rain in Montreal on April 6. (David Himbert photo/Hans Lucas via Reuters Connect)

Weather Network predicts mild winter, with caveats

Colder scenario expected for East

By GFM Network News December 1, 2023

MarketsFarm — Strong El Niño conditions that have developed in the Pacific Ocean would typically lead to a milder winter across Canada — but other factors this year could challenge that outlook, according to the winter forecast from The Weather Network, released Wednesday. The winter forecast features a mild start to the season, with a […] Read more

File photo of a colourful sky from along Highway 363 southwest of Moose Jaw. (Mysticenergy/iStock/Getty Images)

General, Weather

Prairie Forecast: Quiet, mild start to December

Issued Nov. 29, covering Nov. 29 to Dec. 6

By Daniel Bezte, GFM Network News November 29, 2023

The last forecast played out pretty close to what the weather models were predicting, with one small deviation: temperatures ended up being about 2 to 4 C warmer than forecasted. This will be something to keep in mind as we look at this week’s forecast. The forecast is looking rather quiet for this time of […] Read more

Tan, a red border collie handled by Calin Duce of Cardston, Alta., at work in the ring. (Melissa Bezan photo)

Livestock

At Agribition: Young dogs debut their new tricks

'These guys show up to work'

By GFM Network News November 24, 2023

Ranchers and livestock producers at a Regina farm show got a demonstration of a potential solution to looming labour shortages: dogs. Dogs and their handlers competed at the seventh annual Cattle Dog Futurity and Maturity competitions and the International Stock Dog Trials held Thursday at Canadian Western Agribition. The futurity event featured dogs born between […] Read more

This babysitter mare keeps newly weaned foals company.

Cattleman’s Corner

Harvest finished, calves sold at auction

Eppich News: Quiet cattle were reasonably easy to load into the stock trailer

By Heather Eppich November 21, 2023

September was a beautiful month for harvesting. We finished harvest Sept. 25. There were a few minor repairs to be done on the machines throughout the season, but nothing kept us down for long. The following day, Gregory and I were able to go around the fence on the home half. There were quite a […] Read more

‘So what if cows eject a bit of methane out both ends. What in the name of common sense do climate alarmists think the 60-million-plus buffalo did when they roamed freely on the open Plains up until the late 1800s?’ – Les Henry.

Columns, Crops

Les Henry: Sequestering carbon with grass crops

The amount sequestered in the soil is significant

By Les Henry November 15, 2023

Carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere and organic matter (carbon) in our soils are topics of great current interest. Two big questions that take up much ink these days are: 1) how can we emit less CO2 with farming practices and 2) how can we sequester more carbon (C) in our soils to maintain high […] Read more

Andrea taking a ride through the high range to see if there are any cattle left. It won't belong before the snow arrives.

Cattleman’s Corner, Rancher’s Diary

Pleased with top sale prices for steers

Rancher’s Diary: Always more chores to prepare for winter

By Heather Smith Thomas November 9, 2023

September 27 Last Wednesday Andrea got her pickup hooked to the trailer at the loading dock, ready to go to auction, and we put hay in the trailer to create better footing for the cattle. That evening I put the steer calves and two open yearling heifers in the calving pen where they’d be easy […] Read more

Following the spring melt, prairie weather is expected to be on the drier side. Photo: Thinkstock

General, Weather

Prairie Forecast: False start to winter as mild air returns

Issued Nov. 7, covering Nov. 8 to 15

By Daniel Bezte, GFM Network News November 8, 2023

It looks more and more as though our late-October cold snap and snowy conditions were indeed a false start to winter. In the last forecast I mentioned the really cold air looks to be bottled up well to our north, and it was and will be for the next week or two. You can get […] Read more

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns outside West Kelowna, B.C. on Aug. 18, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Chris Helgren)

Crops, Livestock, Weather

AgriRecovery feed, freight, breeding herd aid set for Alberta, Saskatchewan, B.C.

Feds, provinces announce combined $365 million in aid programs

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News October 20, 2023

The federal and Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia governments are jointly putting up $365 million to support ranchers and farmers up against this summer’s drought and wildfire damage. The feds on Friday announced their 60 per cent, or $219 million, share of AgriRecovery program funding for the three westernmost provinces. “I’ve had the opportunity to […] Read more

After a summer of pretty good grass, this cow has a body condition score in the five to six range indicating she's heading into winter in pretty good shape.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Start planning a proper winter ration now for your cattle

Feed requirements are fairly low in fall, but it's not the time cut corners on nutrition

By Peter Vitti October 19, 2023

After spring calves are weaned, early-gestation beef cows require the lowest amount of nutrients compared to the rest of the year. Some see this as a sign to save money by putting them on low-quality pastures or other poor feeds. Rather, it should be seen as a springboard to map out a good winter-feeding plan, […] Read more

Gregory snaps a photo of some of the spring calves on pasture.

Cattleman’s Corner

Eppich: Harvest begins with hot, dry weather

More ditch hay hauled home, pastures could use some rain

By Heather Eppich October 7, 2023

The beginning of August found us still making bales in the ditches and a few sloughs. Gregory and John were also working summerfallow and trying to get ready for harvest. During the week of Aug. 14 to 18, Saint James Parish in Wilkie held its yearling Vacation Bible School. Joseph and James were able to […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle markets up ahead of report

U.S. grains: Soybean futures fall after Trump-Xi call

Prairie Wheat Weekly: Western Canadian bids slightly decline

GFM Network News