calf Archives - Page 4 of 11

Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes on lower supplies

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News June 4, 2018

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were unchanged to $2 higher on average. Feeder cattle markets appear to have divorced from the fed cattle complex and calves are now reaching levels not seen since November last year. Feedlot operators were fairly aggressive on all weight categories under 900 lbs., but heavier yearlings […] Read more

Calves are comfortable on good bedding,  even on cold days.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Proper bedding keeps calves warm and dry

Straw and windbreaks can help get calves through poor spring weather

By Heather Eppich May 8, 2018

This spring has been less than ideal for calving. In west-central Saskatchewan we’ve had record cold temperatures with wind and snow, and the wet weather is just around the corner. Calves born in these conditions often show the effects with frozen ears and feet — that’s if you can keep them alive in the first […] Read more

The first Angus/Hereford cross bull calf of the year, doing well.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

The bulls and the bees

The purchase of a heifer bull stirs excitement for next season

By Heather Eppich April 19, 2018

Sometimes opportunities come up and you just have to jump on them. We have been hauling our cows to pasture in a two-horse trailer, just waiting for an opportunity to purchase a bigger one. Then a friend showed Gregory an ad. The used trailer was in rough shape but the price was good, so Gregory loaded […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Can you afford to select cows for longevity?

Keeping old cows isn’t improving performance of the beef herd

By Sean McGrath April 11, 2018

One of the biggest costs on a cow-calf operation is cow herd depreciation. For most of us, even if we are not aware of it, cow depreciation is our second-highest expense after cow herd maintenance. It is a problem often ignored because cull cows generate cash flow, but having cows drop out of the cow […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Treating colicky bloat in calves

Calf Management: Timeliness is critical and treatments are no guarantee 

By Heather Smith Thomas April 9, 2018

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

Of the four essential nutrients consumed by beef cows, energy is needed in the greatest amount during the immediate months after calving.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Supplying good cow nutrition in the post-calving season

Ramp up ration as cow gets closer to calving — and beyond

By Peter Vitti March 22, 2018

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

Prodding the inside of a nostril with a straw is one trick that may stimulate a calf to breathe.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Tips on getting a newborn calf breathing

Hanging them upside down doesn’t work and can make things worse

By Heather Smith Thomas March 15, 2018

There are many traditional practices and old wives’ tales about how to get a newborn calf breathing — some of which are valid and helpful, and some that are not. Cody Creelman, with Veterinary Agri Health Services (VAHS), a five-veterinarian beef cattle practice at Airdrie, Alta., says there are a few practices that are actually […] Read more

About eight per cent of most common beef breeds will produce twins, and it is also quite common among bison. Economics show there is value in making the extra effort to save the extra calf.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Problems and benefits of twin calves

Animal Health: It is worth the extra management effort to save both calves

By Roy Lewis March 13, 2018

In my practice I often hear producers complaining about twins, mainly because often the focus is on the problems they can present. However, research done on a twinner population over the last 10 years in the U.S. found there to be a definite economic benefit with twins. So it is important to look at both […] Read more

After a bit of trial and error we discovered a simple and inexpensive way to modify these feeders to prevent the heifers from climbing in.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Modify bale feeders for yearlings

Simple, relatively low-cost solutions to keep young stock out of the feeders

By Michael Thomas March 2, 2018

We have used large rectangular and round hay bale feeders for several years to feed replacement heifers and bull calves We prefer the flex feeders because they will accommodate a large rectangular bale or round bale, and, if not allowed to freeze to the ground, permit the calves to push and collapse the feeders to […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Markets

Feeder cattle basis analysis

Finishing at least some of your own calves is a diversification measure

By Jerry Klassen February 23, 2018

In my previous article, I provided a brief overview of last year’s series of articles on price risk management for feeder cattle. In this column I will continue the discussion and also answer some of the main questions producers had last year. Cow-calf producers are becoming more familiar with the basis level for their local […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybean futures edge up as Argentina ends export tax waiver

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract high, herd falls short of estimates

Eastern wheat to be included in Cereals Canada’s harvest assessment

GFM Network News

U.S. grains: Soybean futures edge up as Argentina ends export tax waiver

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract high, herd falls short of estimates

Eastern wheat to be included in Cereals Canada’s harvest assessment

Tag Archives calf

Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes on lower supplies

Proper bedding keeps calves warm and dry

The bulls and the bees

Can you afford to select cows for longevity?

Treating colicky bloat in calves

Supplying good cow nutrition in the post-calving season

Tips on getting a newborn calf breathing

Problems and benefits of twin calves

Modify bale feeders for yearlings

Feeder cattle basis analysis

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