Livestock & Production Tips

It makes sense to place positivity and profit above production values on ranches.

Rethinking ranch priorities

Positivity and profit can be more important priorities than production

By Sean McGrath February 23, 2024

The beginning of a New Year marks a good time to work on planning for the year ahead. I believe we should be planning for “Profitivity” on our farms and ranches. Profitivity is a combination of profitability, productivity and positivity. For an operation to thrive, these three things are important to get right. Profit and […] Read more

General, Livestock

Canadian cattle herd reaches lowest level since 1989

Cattle weights supporting decline in production

By Geralyn Wichers, GFM Network News February 23, 2024

On January 1, Canadian farmers held 11.1 million cattle and calves on farms, down 2.1 per cent from a year prior, StatCan said in livestock estimates released today. It's the smallest cattle herd since January 1, 1989.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Quick bacteria test in water troughs could improve livestock treatment decisions

By John Greig February 23, 2024

Glacier FarmMedia — Researchers are seeking ways to manage antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on farms, including quicker evaluation of bacteria so treatment can be better targeted. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and University of Saskatchewan veterinary school researchers are studying feedlot water troughs, hoping the water can tell them what sort of anti-microbial resistant bacteria are present. Antimicrobial […] Read more

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence want to know if bull neck collars that are supposed to alert producers when they detect cows in heat actually work.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Automating heat detection

Researchers test whether monitoring technology will predict reproductive cycles

By Glacier FarmMedia staff, Karen Briere February 21, 2024

Glacier FarmMedia — Labour challenges on cattle farms could be alleviated by sensors now being tested to help detect females in heat. Dr. Dinesh Dadarwal, a veterinarian and assistant professor in large animal science at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence tests technology so producers can make […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market shows signs of herd expansion

Some buyers suggest some heifers are being purchased for breeding

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News February 20, 2024

For the week ending February 17, Western Canadian prices for yearlings and backgrounded cattle were quoted $2-$4/cwt higher than seven days earlier.

General, Livestock

National hog research firm gets $10.6 million in federal funds

Research to include new vaccines, antimicrobial alternatives, feed strategies, and genetics

By Geralyn Wichers, GFM Network News February 20, 2024

The federal government has pledged up to $10.6 million for hog sector research, it said in an announcement today.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Prairie researchers at work on Johne’s vaccines

By Alex McCuaig February 16, 2024

Glacier FarmMedia – Researchers at the University of Calgary are one step closer to introducing a vaccine that will help cattle producers combat Johne’s disease. The ailment, closely related to tuberculosis, can be found in all ruminants but has particularly high incidence in dairy cattle. That is believed to be connected to herd management techniques […] Read more

Measures to reduce the spread of Johne’s on calving grounds can help manage the disease, as young calves are more susceptible to the disease.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Calculator can analyze Johne’s options

The online tool provides producers with a range of management scenarios for their herds

By Piper Whelan February 16, 2024

Glacier FarmMedia — With no treatment or vaccine available, the impact of Johne’s disease on beef herds can be a nightmare. “Johne’s disease is particularly challenging to manage because we have so few options,” says Dr. Cheryl Waldner, professor at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine. To help beef producers make better […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Use an NSAID for the right reasons

Mitigating pain makes sense in many areas of cattle production

By Roy Lewis February 16, 2024

Pain medication may be accompanied by treatment with antibiotics, but sometimes this is unnecessary. If your veterinarian prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain, he or she may choose one based on label claim, experience in the field, price per treatment, duration of activity, ease of administration, advice of associates or slaughter withdrawal. There are […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Crops, Features

Time to buy some cows?

Cattle right now are more profitable than crops, this farm management expert says

By Robert Arnason February 16, 2024

Glacier FarmMedia — When all costs are factored into the equation, raising cattle should be more profitable than growing crops in 2024 — and in some cases, much more so. “Right now, I can tell you that the returns per acre are higher than any of the crops,” said Ben Hamm, a farm management specialist […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn fall on harvest pressure

U.S. livestock: Hog futures slide in technical correction

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Acknowledging the past, seeking a better future

GFM Network News