The number of Alberta’s associations has dropped from 70 to 45 in the last 20 years due to consolidation.
Feeder co-ops still play an important role
Associations provide producers with affordable financing, decades after the system was established
What makes the difference during calf transportation?
Is it the trucking itself, or are there other factors that affect the health and well-being of calves?
Transportation is an important and inevitable component of marketing cattle through different sectors of the beef industry, but how does that trucking experience affect the health and well being of livestock? Dr. Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein, principal research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Station, says whether it’s calves or backgrounders moving to feedlots for […] Read more
Bovine respiratory disease events may have a long-lasting effect
Early cases of bacterial infection could affect performance of replacement heifers
For most cow-calf producers, the routine of selecting replacement heifers from their own calves or purchased animals involves a visual assessment of conformation, structural soundness, anticipated frame size, colour, weight, age and disposition. Occasionally, it may also include a lineage check. These are all important considerations but are there reasons to also look at lingering […] Read more
Processing cattle with artificial intelligence
Machine learning is now part of high-tech livestock handling equipment
Many and perhaps most livestock operations still require physical labour and manual record-keeping for handling equipment and processing cattle. While head gates, squeeze chutes, gates, alleys and tubs have become more advanced in their operation, some human strength, exertion and neural competence are still required for their manipulation. But one company says that may change. […] Read more
Many management benefits from weighing cattle
The old adage that you can’t manage what you can’t measure applies in all stages of livestock production
Agricultural commodities, including livestock, have been quantified in various ways since the earliest farmers sold excess production. Weight has often been the primary measuring stick. “It’s been the easiest way to measure, plus, we still sell cattle by the pound,” says Karin Schmid, Beef Production and Extension lead for Alberta Beef Producers. “The simplest answer […] Read more
Tracking animal performance with camera clicks
New technology coming to Canada will help livestock producers manage what they can measure
Imagine as a livestock producer, whether of beef, dairy or hogs, and being able to get a daily read on animal weights just by checking your cellphone or tablet. You could track whether animals are maintaining their body condition, the average daily gain of a pen of steers or how many pigs have reached market […] Read more
Sustainability closely linked to beef marketing
Consumers do want to know how beef is produced and who's producing it
It could be said that marketing and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry are joined at the hip. Without one, the other suffers. Dorothy Erickson, manager of veterinary services for Zoetis in Saskatoon, believes beef’s constructive marketing requires an understanding of its relationship to sustainability. “When we look at the big picture, I think it’s […] Read more
Vaccination one tool to curb ‘summer pneumonia’ in calves
It’s important to keep calf immunity strong from birth to weaning
When young nursing calves become sick on pasture, the term “summer pneumonia” is often used to describe their situation. Technically, it’s a misnomer, says Russ Daly, extension veterinarian at South Dakota State University. Calf producers typically refer to it this way, as it happens on pasture matching up with summer in North America, as opposed […] Read more
Quality, uniformity needs to be planned when breeding cattle
A willy-nilly approach to breeding will produce willy-nilly results
Strategies for breeding cattle must be reinforced by multiple targeted objectives that factor in operational goals, marketing possibilities, environmental demands and resource availability. For the cow-calf producer, the two basic objectives are quality and uniformity. One of the leading factors affecting calf uniformity is distribution throughout the breeding and calving seasons — a long breeding […] Read more
Mixing it up — benefits of crossbred bulls
Hybrid bulls are a good way to achieve several improved performance parameters
It’s common knowledge that crossbreeding produces heterosis — the hybrid vigour with qualities superior to those of both parents. Crossbreeding is often reserved for females in the herd, but more producers are looking at the males to identify potential benefits and profit opportunities. Breeding sires not fitting the purebred slot are considered hybrids or composites. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
