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Tag Archives Cow-calf

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

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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
Creep feeding is a good way to bridge this nutritional gap.
Columns, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Creep feeding shows a profit in 2023

It may be well worth your while to get an extra 60 pounds of gain on this year’s calves

By
Spring on the Prairies is a great time, because the snow has disappeared and pastures are turning green. Whenever I drive past the occasional drylot, I see a lot of beef cows waiting to be released on pasture. It reminds me that with record cattle prices on the board, it might be a time to […] Read more
The first profit driver for many operations is to increase yields of biodiverse forages.
Cattleman’s Corner

Looking at key ranch profit drivers

Beef production is a bit more involved than having cattle eat grass, but putting efforts into management produces the best return

By
I often think that the ranching business is very simple until you get humans involved. At the most basic level, sun and rain grow forage, cows consume forage and reproduce and ranchers sell the offspring. Pretty simple, until it’s not. Fundamentally, this simple picture does provide some insight into what drives profit on most cow-calf […] Read more
CME October 2023 feeder cattle with 20-, and 100-day moving averages and May 2023 feeder cattle (black line). (Barchart)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Weather forecasts underpin feeder market

High forage costs pose problem for cow-calf expansion

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For the week ending Saturday, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. The finishing feedlot operator appears to be dominating the feeder market across all weight categories. Ontario interest was creeping all the way into Alberta, especially for Limousin-type genetics. There were limited numbers on offer in Manitoba and Saskatchewan […] Read more
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
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
Beef supplies will tighten by mid-2023 
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Beef supplies will tighten by mid-2023 

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Feeder cattle market will function to encourage expansion

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Western Canadian feeder cattle prices trended lower throughout the fall. During late August and the first half of September, higher-quality yearlings in Manitoba weighing 850 pounds were trading in the range of $255-$260/cwt. In early December, replacement cattle of similar quality in the same region were quoted at $240. Calves had a similar trend, dropping […] Read more
How does your farm stack up?
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

How does your farm stack up?

Canfax research project provides the industry with benchmark figures

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Larger beef operations running smaller-framed mature cows tend to be the most profitable combination, according to cost of production (COP) information collected by Canfax Research Services. That’s not an absolute statement. COP information from producers across the country over the past couple of years shows that some smaller operators with various-sized animals can be profitable […] Read more
CME August 2023 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Stronger deferred live cattle support feeder market

Cow-calf operators seen hesitant to expand

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Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged. Calf prices were mostly unchanged compared to seven days earlier; however, there were pockets where buyers reported prices up $2-$3 on average. The Alberta calf market appeared to stage a minor recovery after softening over the past month. Manitoba markets […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market rations demand

Risk discount built in with adverse weather

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Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calf prices were steady to $6 lower. Demand from Ontario buyers caused markets in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan to hold value. Alberta prices were under pressure as the market appears to be rationing demand. Calf prices are 25-30 per cent higher than year-ago […] Read more

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