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Proper diets take a bite out of wind chill
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Proper diets take a bite out of wind chill

When temperatures dip, it’s time to torque up the ration

By
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
Contracted tendons (knuckling over) in calf
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Dealing with contracted or lax leg tendons in calves

Animal Health: In many cases, time and a bit of physiotherapy will fix the condition

By
It is not uncommon during calving season for producers to end up with calves with contracted tendons (knuckling over) or the complete opposite — cases of lax tendons whereby the back of the fetlock is touching the ground. Although it is difficult to prevent these abnormalities, fortunately they only occur sporadically. Even so it is […] Read more
Veterinariam Cody Creelman, right, gets some assistance as he prepares to pull a calf. There are several things to consider before either pulling by hand or with the help of a jack.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Important tips for pulling a calf

Have chains properly positioned; be gentle with the calf puller

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Some calves are injured at birth by improper pulling methods, says Cody Creelman, a veterinarian with Veterinary Agri-Health Services (VAHS) in Airdrie, Alta. Most ranchers know when preparing to pull they should use a double half-hitch when placing chains on the calf’s legs. The correct setup should also include one loop mid-cannon and the other […] Read more
Calving problems have been greatly reduced on modern cow-calf operations, but a producer still needs to be ready for every situation.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Be prepared to resuscitate calves

Animal Health: Depending on the birthing difficulty, time may be running out to get a calf breathing

By
There have been many ways discussed among both dairy and beef producers regarding the best way to stimulate a weak calf that doesn’t want to breathe. With calving season just around the corner, certainly for many purebred producers, this is a good time to share techniques and get the calving area supplied. My experience has […] Read more
Today’s cash cattle market is deceiving
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Today’s cash cattle market is deceiving

Market Update: It will be a different market in late 2018 compared to late 2017

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It’s that time of year when most feedlot and backgrounding operations are running near full capacity and the focus turns to marketing. The live and feeder cattle futures had been quite volatile over the past month when this was written in late December, which can make cattle producers quite nervous. While the futures market has […] Read more
This is one example of a creep area. The metal panels can be moved to change the size of the well bedded creep area. Smaller (calf-size) access points have been created at the front to let calves enter, but keep cows out.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Provide calves a place of their own soon after birth

Animal Health: Calf hutches or creep areas help in disease prevention

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Calf hutches are used by many producers at calving season and for very good reason. They are especially important if calving early in inclement weather. With the increasing size of our herds, young calves need to get away from the crowded stress of the herd. Even summer-calving herds will find hutches used for shade and […] Read more
It is important that this south Saskatchewan cow and all bred females that may be out on dry grass or crop residue in late fall, be supplied with proper nutrients to keep their unborn calves healthy and growing.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Cow ration will have long-term impact in calf

?Feed the grow?ing unborn calf??, and ?meet the cow’??s w?inter requirements

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In fall I visit several different cow herds going into winter. One of the first herds I saw this year was a 300 Angus-Simmental cows grazing drought-stricken pasture. I understood from the producer that his herd was nearly four months pregnant and the calves were going to be weaned about a month earlier than in […] Read more
Provide first-calf heifers with nutrition and TLC
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Provide first-calf heifers with nutrition and TLC

But first-calf heifer rations need not be fancy

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I was talking to a retired beef producer who owned a purebred Charolais herd back in the 1970s. He reminisced on how winter-hardy the breed was compared to more traditional breeds of the time and how the cows calve out huge white calves. Eventually, he got rid of these cows and replaced them with easier-calving […] Read more
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Lower supply outlook strengthens cattle prices

Market Update: The market is not getting more bearish but rather looking neutral to bullish

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Alberta fed cattle were trading in the range of $137 to $138 in mid-October, up approximately $4 from average September values. Beef production during October appears to be coming in lower than anticipated. At the same time, retail and restaurant demand appears to be coming in higher than expected due robust consumer spending. Looking forward, […] Read more
beef on a winter pasture
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

A solid case for the value of growth implants

Animal Health: A very safe technology for improving cattle efficiency and weight gains

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Growth implants in the cattle industry have been used since the 1960s — way more than 40 years on hundreds of millions of cattle in North America as well as in other beef-producing countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, to name a few. We all know the benefits that come with a […] Read more

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