cattle breeding Archives

A technician reads DNA sequences at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center, Nebraska. The balance of producers' investment in cattle DNA testing versus the potential return to management is going to vary across operations.

DNA testing can have value in commercial beef sector

Costs of Production: There are advantages to testing some cows, heifers, bulls and calves

By Sean McGrath March 7, 2025

There is growing interest in the commercial beef industry around using DNA to inform selection decisions. While traditionally the realm of the seedstock industry, commercial DNA testing and changes in the way we manage cattle have led to some big changes in how we think about genetic selection. DNA testing, in broad terms, means using […] Read more

There’s more labour needed to manage artificial insemination, but it can improve the rate of genetic gain.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Increasing AI use has many advantages

Animal Health: There are improved technologies for breeding and synchronization, for which AI makes more sense

By Roy Lewis January 10, 2025

Over the last decade or so, artificial insemination (AI), not to be confused with the other AI (artificial intelligence), has seen an upsurge in the commercial cattle population. This has been happening for a lot longer in the purebred cattle industry and a lot of the reasons are the same. If one is considering AI […] Read more

Beef cows need to have a good body condition score going into the winter.

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Early-gestating beef cows need good nutrition

Better Bunks and Pastures: Two-stage use of minerals over the fall and winter can help cows maintain body condition at a better cost

By Peter Vitti December 31, 2024

Late autumn is when many spring calves are weaned and removed from their moms. The remaining cow herd is now in its earliest weeks of gestation and requires a modest level of nutrition. It is an opportunity to feed some of the most cost-effective forage diets. But as time goes on, beef cows’ nutrient requirements […] Read more

First calf heifers are maturing, feeding a calf, and often going through teeth changes at the same time.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

The teenage years, beef cow edition

First-calf beef heifers are going through the biggest challenges of their lives and need some support

By Sean McGrath April 11, 2024

Anyone reading this column who has been a teenager or has raised one can appreciate how challenging and interesting those years can be. Even good teenagers can be expensive. In our beef cattle production systems, the teenage role is filled by replacement heifers, and like teenagers a bit of understanding about the changes they are […] Read more

Energy needs of cows for reproduction are low, but milk production and body maintenance create need for more feed.

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Reproduction planning necessary for this herd’s breeding success

By Peter Vitti February 23, 2024

Last year, I asked a friend who operates a 400-Simmental x Angus beef cow operation about his No. 1 goal, after all his cows dropped their calves by the end of April. He replied that all his mature and young cows should show a couple of strong heats before they are let out with the […] 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

Graeme Finn’s cattle on a high-legume pasture at breeding time.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Six areas you should watch to maintain your cows’ fertility

High-quality forage and the right mineral package at the right time can set cows up for success

By Melissa Jeffers-Bezan January 25, 2024

As a rancher and a senior forage specialist with Union Forage, Graeme Finn has spent much of his time looking into how feeding cattle affects their fertility. He says it was something drilled into him as a child in Australia. “My grandmother always said, ‘Feed the cattle good at breeding time,’ because that’s when you […] Read more

AIMCo has acquired a portfolio of 3 million acres of pasture and arable land in Western Australia. Photo: AIMco.ca

General

Alberta investment firm acquires Australian cattle portfolio

This is AIMCo's second agricultural acquisition 'down under' in the last two years

By Geralyn Wichers, GFM Network News December 1, 2023

The portfolio consists of Yougawalla Pastoral Co and Argyle Cattle Co. It's a large-scale cattle breeding business spanning nearly 3 million hectares (7.4 million acres) or largely leased land in the Kimberly region of Western Australia, AIMCo said in the news release.

Once the calf hits the ground it is important to make sure the cow has proper nutrition leading up to breeding season.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Get and keep cows ready for rebreeding

A balanced ration needs to include essential mineral mix

By Peter Vitti January 9, 2023

Last year, a record-breaking cold Prairie winter followed by a snowy spring and a shortage of good-quality forage left a lot of overwintered beef cows in dire body condition by the time they calved. Many didn’t recover during the months leading up to the breeding season. As a result, many cows were not prepared to […] Read more

Bulls can lose up to 300 pounds during the breeding season, so they need to be in good body condition and in good health (proper nutrition) before heading out to pasture for the season.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Producers share ration tips for breeding bulls

It’s important to prepare bulls for the demands of breeding season

By Peter Vitti April 1, 2022

Beef bulls make up only a small portion of the average beef herd, yet contribute to nearly all its genetic progress. Such responsibility dictates that we want to give bulls the best possible chance to be fertile and healthy, just before being released onto breeding pastures. This means that certain nutritional goals must be met […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. grains: Soy, corn dip on farmer selling; U.S.-China trade talks in focus

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures plunge daily limits on beef price fears

UN weather agency reviews priorities as funding falls short

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