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If a particular animal has a severe reaction and recovers, be careful when giving that vaccine next season. Reactions tend to be worse the second time around and the animal may die.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Be alert to negative reactions when vaccinating livestock

Be prepared for the unexpected

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An allergic reaction to vaccination can be mild and local (temporary swelling at the injection site) or fatal if the animal goes into anaphylactic shock. Janice Berg, director, veterinary affairs with Merck Animal Health in Kirkland, Quebec, says clostridial vaccines commonly produce local reactions. A large reaction can make the neck sore for a few […] Read more
Collecting a swab for Trich test.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Trich test — make sure bulls are clean

It’s an important tool for avoiding reproductive problems

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Trichomoniasis is a reproductive disease which results in early pregnancy loss and open cows at the end of the year. The first thing a producer might notice is cows returning to heat when they should be pregnant. This sexually transmitted disease is caused by protozoa that live in the reproductive tract of cows and sheath […] Read more
From a single idea for a mineral mix, Hoffman’s as expanded to an 18-item product line.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Hoffman products tailored for horses

A family business grew out of a search for improved horse health and performance

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A southern Alberta ranch family’s search more than 20 years ago for a better mineral mix for their own horses led to the development of Hoffman Horse Products, which are now known by horse owners across North America. Lorne and Marian Hoffman have had horses all their lives on their ranch near Stavely, about 90 […] Read more
Galloway beef genetics used in a cross-breeding program have helped to produce a very efficient beef herd on Rainer Krumsiek’s beef operation near Horsefly, B.C. Along with beef, they also produced pasture finished pork and lamb for direct-to-consumer sales.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

B.C. ranch caters to consumer segment

Customers looking for naturally raised and animal welfare certification

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While his B.C. Cariboo Region ranch may between six to eight hours drive from major population markets, Rainer Krumsiek hasn’t let distance get in the way of developing a successful pasture-raised and finished meat business. Krumsiek, at Big Bear Ranch near Horsefly, (a small town in central B.C.) about 15 years ago started using Galloway […] Read more
This young Angus bull has been bred with forage efficiency and good maternal traits in mind.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Producing good working bulls

Most don’t have ‘papers’ but still deliver the genetics

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Traditionally bulls have been confined during winter and fed grain as well as hay, but some producers are wintering their bulls in larger pastures and letting them grow (or maintain) under more natural conditions. This often leads to better health, better fertility and longevity. Arron Nerbas of Nerbas Brothers Angus, near Shellmouth, in western Manitoba, […] Read more
It’s a farm full of look-alikes — red and black Simmental and Angus cattle and excellent crossbred cattle as well.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Lazy S Ranch marks 50th anniversary

Simmental and Angus cattle part of long-established breeding program


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Stewart and Doreen Ainsworth and their children and grandchildren operate a family farm that has been supplying exceptional genetics for bull customers for more than 50 years. Although they’ve ranched for many years at Mayerthorpe, north of Edmonton, Stewart and Doreen both grew up near Byemoor, Alta., southeast of Stettler. Stewart graduated from Vermilion College […] Read more
The Fentons have learned that taking the noise and panic out of handling horses and cows makes the job of working with livestock go so much easier.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Patience is key for easy cattle handling

Stay calm, stay quiet and let cattle think it through for themselves

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Cattle are smart and adaptable, learning from their mothers and the environment around them. They respond to good handling by becoming easy to manage. Mishandled, they react with suspicion or fear when they see people, and can become “wild” and difficult to handle. Many ranchers are learning the value of low-stress handling and how easy […] Read more
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Rancher’s Diary

Cold weather or not, fencing continued

Rancher's Diary: Extra attention including tube feeding couldn’t save premature calf

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February 22 A week ago it snowed and was windy and cold. Jim finished packing his truck and drove to California where he has a couple of months worth of work fixing fences and remodelling some buildings for a friend. We moved the yearling bulls from the orchard to the little back pen, and created […] Read more
The man who inspired a family of writers the reverend and rancher Don Ian Smith.
Cattleman’s Corner

Four generations of Withington Creek writers

Family Tradition: Ranch life has always been an inspiration for Smith Thomas family

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I’ve been writing for Grainews for more than 40 years, starting when I was a young ranch wife with two small children. I’d been writing articles for a few horse and cattle magazines to help pay the bills, and was grateful for another “market” for my work. My writing career began early, thanks to my […] Read more
Calf bloated due to bacteria toxicity.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Treating colicky bloat in calves

Calf Management: Timeliness is critical and treatments are no guarantee


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In some herds, calves die nearly every year from enterotoxemia caused by bacterial toxins. The calves are usually about a month old, but may be as young as a few days or as old as two to three months. They are generally healthy, fast-growing calves that suddenly develop acute gut pain, kicking at their belly […] Read more

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AGCanadaTV: In Case You Missed It – Your National Ag News Recap for the week ending January 17, 2020.

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