Western Canada is having one of the hottest and driest summers in 30 years. It might not be the widespread drought of the past, but this year’s pastures are either simply nonexistent or filled with nutritionally hollow grass. As a result, cattle performance is likely to be compromised now and in months ahead with a […] Read more
A feed strategy to help compensate for poor pastures
It’s a hot dry summer out there in many places — any grass just isn’t doing it
Implement a good pinkeye control program
Understand how it is spread to keep cattle healthy
I’m hearing about more cases of pinkeye in cows and in their calves than in the last few years. A few milder winters might have had something to do with it — not enough overwintering face flies (that spread the disease) were killed off. Each cow or calf infected with untreated painful pinkeye (caused by […] Read more
Dirty conditions can lead to uterine infections
Barn cleanliness as well as nutrition can be among the contributors
Many dairy cows come down with a uterine infection after calving. Some are slight but some are more serious. While there are host of factors which cause them, some reasons such as a dirty calving area are obvious, other reasons such as persistent metabolic problems are not so clear. Fortunately, a good spring-cleaning and improvements […] Read more
Water and shade reduce impact of heat stress on cattle
Too much heat along with pests can affect breeding success
I am no stranger to the effects of summer heat stress in cattle. Back when I was working on my master’s thesis at the University of Manitoba (the effect of molybdenum on copper status in beef cattle nutrition, 1983), I had 35 Shorthorn/Angus crossbred yearlings on full feed. During that particular summer, after July 1 […] Read more
Start creep-feeding calves with the first blades of grass
This farm example nets an extra $21 per head
By the time the first blades of grass shoot up in pasture, I will have asked about of a dozen beef producers whether they plan to creep feed their spring calves in grazing season of 2018. I believe in providing a fresh batch of calves with extra nutrients that complement the essential nutrients taken from […] Read more
Nip risk of grass tetany in the bud
Provide a tablespoon or two daily of magnesium mineral supplement before turnout
Every spring, I think about the possibilities of grass tetany in the cow herds going out to graze in on lush prairie grass. While nobody wants to find a fresh cow that died under mysterious circumstances, there is no need to panic. Fortunately, most threats of fatal grass tetany can be reduced by providing beef […] Read more
Dairy Corner: Vitamin A expensive, but necessary
Although the price has shot up, it is important to keep the nutrient in dairy rations
Prices of vitamin A (along with vitamins D and E) have increased to 10 times their former costs from just a few months ago. This skyrocketing price is due to a recent fire at a new manufacturing facility in Germany as well as several vitamin ADE plants that are down for maintenance in China. Together, these events have caused a worldwide shortage […] Read more
Supplying good cow nutrition in the post-calving season
Ramp up ration as cow gets closer to calving — and beyond
One of the first questions I like to ask cow-calf producers is, “When are your cows calving?” It gives me an excellent idea as to what stage of nutrition their cow herd needs at the time, so I can recommend the best diet during their post-calving season. To design a good post-calving diet, I often […] Read more
Feeding yeast is a good investment
These single-cell organisms can hit on many cylinders to help optimize milk performance
For many years, I have formulated dairy diets with yeast for both dry and lactating dairy cows. It has been my professional intention to promote good dairy nutrition, or solve a particular problem that limits good dairy performance. On occasion, I have seen direct benefits within a couple of days by adding yeast, while other […] Read more
Proper diets take a bite out of wind chill
When temperatures dip, it’s time to torque up the ration
Beef cow diets developed at the beginning of winter when temperatures were mild are not adequate to meet their energy requirements when new year’s winds blow. That’s because pregnant beef cows need extra calories in order to keep warm, rather than burning up fat reserves needed for the upcoming calving season. Therefore, if it is […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
