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Beef Cattle

It’s not very glamorous but you can learn a lot by studying the shape and consistency of a cow pie.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Be careful not to step in it

Watching cows’ poop helps you learn about what they’re eating

By
Anytime that I walk through a dairy barn, I walk in front of the feed bunk and usually watch the cows defecate. Their fresh cow pies reflect on how well their milking diet is being consumed and digested. If something is out of line, manure consistency and content warn me almost immediately. So then I […] Read more
Anderson cattle graze in early winter an area of the stockpiled annual forage blend that wasn’t cut for swath grazing.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Improving pastures through regenerative agriculture

A low-input strategy is paying off for this central Alberta producer

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Brendon Anderson took over the family farm near Rimbey in central Alberta a few years back and is now focused on regenerative agriculture to improve soils and forage production. Ultimately he would like to get to a system of year-round grazing, but that may not be possible in some winters that deliver nearly four feet […] Read more
(Lovelyshot/iStock/Getty Images)
Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Ontario calls off final intake for beef set-aside

'Threshold not met' for further cattle intake

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Ontario has called off the last intake for its federal/provincial beef cattle set-aside program. The Beef Emergency Feed Maintenance Initiative, an AgriRecovery program launched after the temporary shutdown of Cargill’s beef slaughter plant at Guelph, was to have its “final potential intake week” opening Monday (Jan. 18), for cattle to be set aside starting Jan. […] Read more
The bacteria that causes leptospirosis may be spread by being excreted in an animal’s urine and can spread in water sources from wildlife.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Leptospirosis in cattle is difficult to study

Animal Health: Often affects beef reproduction and can reduce milk production

By
We struggle in veterinary practice in Western Canada to make sense of the leptospirosis disease complex, as it can be hard to substantially diagnose. Leptospirosis is caused by spirochete bacteria that infect lots of different animal species but only certain serovars (variations within bacteria) are really pathogenic to cattle. Pomona and Hardjo are two variations […] Read more
Beef cattle need to be kept in 2.5 to 3 body condition score range heading into calving season.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Proper rations for winter cattle feeding and calving

Cows need to maintain body condition and feed a fetus

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There are several kilometres of Highway 59 in southern Manitoba which provide a snapshot of winter-feeding programs. Despite several feet of snow in the winter, I often see many cow herds being overwintered along this stretch of road, since in each one of the adjoining yards are rows of hay bales that I can see […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Higher feed grain prices continue to pressure feeders

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Compared to mid-December, western Canadian yearlings traded $3-$5 lower; mid-weight calves are down $4-$6 while calves under 550 lbs. remained firm. Buyers exhibited a defensive tone on heavier yearlings and discounts were more severe on fleshier cattle last week. There is absolutely no risk appetite for 850-plus-lb. cattle at this time of year. Demand for […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Beef Cattle, Livestock

Cattle set-aside programs winding down

Final enrolment deadlines set for Saskatchewan, Alberta programs

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AgriRecovery programs set up in Saskatchewan and Alberta to help cover feed costs for cattle producers unable to ship livestock to slaughter are gearing down, while Ontario’s program begins a third intake. Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. announced Friday that the province’s AgriRecovery set-aside program will end March 31, 2021, with Jan. 19 now set as […] Read more

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