calf Archives - Page 8 of 11

*current financial status is based on time of writing (author) The final profit in this case

Preconditioning calves still pays this fall

Pencil out the costs and consider other marketing benefits as well

By Peter Vitti November 22, 2016

The weaned calf market reached a peak in the fall of 2014. Since then, mixed with lots of volatility, the value of weaned calves this fall is roughly half that nearly two years ago. Many cow-calf producers who sell weaned calves to feedlots are asking if preconditioning calves is really worth it. Yes, I believe […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Pencil the profits of creep feeding

In a 300-head herd it could mean about $7,000 worth of extra gain

By Peter Vitti September 14, 2016

For much of this summer a lot of rain has fallen across the Prairies and has made pastures lush with green grass. Many beef cow-calf producers which creep spring calves have found cows are literarily bursting with milk, so their spring calves are making few visits to the calf feeders. It has been my experience […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Four keys to successful calf preconditioning

September 13, 2016

Veterinarian Mark Hilton shared his experiences working with an Indiana producer who co-operated with Purdue University on a preconditioning project from 1999 through 2009. When they boiled it down, four points came to the forefront as keys to success that could be transferred to other farms.

This kind of diarrheal mess at the back of a calf is clear sign of coccidiosis.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Tackling coccidiosis on several fronts

There are effective treatments, but the best approach is prevention

By Roy Lewis July 11, 2016

Coccidiosis can be one of the most frustrating diseases to treat in your young beef calves. If not caught early, death losses can be as high as 20 per cent and many calves will have enough intestinal damage to make them poor doers for life. Coccidiois has a long life cycle and the oocyst (like […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

A good year to consider backgrounding cattle

Prices expected to be weakest during the fall of 2016

By Jerry Klassen June 9, 2016

The U.S. cattle herd has been in the expansion phase over the past couple of years and it is difficult for many producers to come to terms with the recent price activity. I’ve received many calls from both cow-calf operators and feedlot operators in regards to the price outlook and I basically focus on the […] Read more

Implants can really improve calf performance but proper application is important.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Important tips for calf processing

Be properly prepared and do it right – good for cattle and business

By Roy Lewis June 7, 2016

As spring calves are ready to head out to grass soon with their mothers, it is a good time to review your protocols, methods and any issues you had this year and introduce ways to improve even more so for next year. There are two main ways ranchers process calves. The first is the traditional […] Read more

Calf weight growth rates chart by Iowa State University

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle

Dairy Corner: Doubling the weight of newborn calves

Consider an accelerated feeding program over 56-days

By Peter Vitti May 31, 2016

When I tour a calf barn along with dairy producers, I often ask them what their main goal in raising baby calves to weaning? Many people respond that they wish to double the newborn’s bodyweight by weaning. My first thought is that this objective is truly challenging from any angle. To start, I calculate the […] Read more

A.I. service can be an option for introducing improved genetics and overall herd performance.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Something magical about 10:2:1 ratio

A per cent hear and there in reproduction and growth makes a difference

By Sean McGrath May 30, 2016

If it is possible to have a favourite ratio, 10:2:1 is mine. The reason for the favouritism is this ratio comes from one of my favourite pieces of extension material, done by Melton et al. way back in 1995. The 10:2:1 ratio reflects the relative importance of reproduction:production:product, particularly for those marketing calves directly from […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

All-season solution to hand-feeding hay

With a few modifications it works on all terrain

By Heather Smith Thomas May 25, 2016

Each year on our ranch we keep a few heifer calves to raise as replacements for the cow herd. We keep them in a field next to the calving barn and pens, close enough to electricity that we can run an extension cord through the barn pens to their water tank for the tank heater. […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Deworming cows can add to profits

Proper dose can improve weight gains, and reduce parasite load on pasture

By Peter Vitti May 3, 2016

Just after the new year, a rancher who runs a few hundred late-spring cows called me. He was having difficulty getting his weaned calves on background feed and they were just not doing “good.” Although, he dewormed these calves once off-pasture with a commercial pour-on, I told him they might still have stomach worms. So […] Read more

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Tag Archives calf

Preconditioning calves still pays this fall

Pencil the profits of creep feeding

Four keys to successful calf preconditioning

Tackling coccidiosis on several fronts

A good year to consider backgrounding cattle

Important tips for calf processing

Dairy Corner: Doubling the weight of newborn calves

Something magical about 10:2:1 ratio

All-season solution to hand-feeding hay

Deworming cows can add to profits

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