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Average EPD for current calves from 6 major Canadian breeds
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Some myths and facts about EPDs

It’s only a genetic prediction, but still a useful tool

By
One of the main areas that I have worked on in my consulting business is genetic selection and the development and use of genetic evaluation technologies. In the more than 20 years I have been working in the field, it is interesting many of the same myths and challenges continue to appear, all during a […] 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
Keep cattle in proper condition and also provide a good mineral supplement.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Simple facts of why body condition is important

Get cattle in good condition before winter, and if they are there, keep them there

By
Areas of Western Canada have endured very dry conditions this summer, which has reduced forage availability and quality on pasture or range. Plants went dormant much earlier than normal. The lack of good quality feed will have many implications for cow-calf producers trying to wean a good-size calf and maintain high levels of reproductive performance […] Read more
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Minerals now benefit next breeding season

It’s too late to fix mineral deficiencies when bulls are turned out with cows

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Despite recent rain/snows, prolonged dry conditions this summer have left a wake of poor grazing pastures across the Prairies. High-fibre (aka low-energy) and low-protein grass has been the norm as well as a very poor mineral profile. A well-balanced autumn/winter mineral (and vitamin) program is necessary for gestating beef cows and replacement heifers in order […] Read more
Consider weaning calves early this fall
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Consider weaning calves early this fall

Creep feeding gives calves a chance to grow, takes pressure off cows

By
Recently, I was at drought ground zero in southern Saskatchewan and passed a group of about 50 blonde and whiteface cows and calves grazing dried-out pasture. The thin condition of the cows caught my attention and their calves looked gaunt and on the small side. My immediate reaction was this cow-calf herd was a good […] Read more
Avoid giving your baby calves gut aches
Dairy Cattle, Livestock, The Dairy Corner

Avoid giving your baby calves gut aches

It takes time for a calf stomach to develop to handle certain feeds

By
I visit literarily hundreds of dairy farms across Canada each year. On most, pre-weaned dairy calves are raised away from the main lactation barn or older replacement heifer facilities. Whether these baby calves are housed in hutches, group pens or brand-new calf barns, when I find a group of calves that are sick and not […] Read more
More whole milk is needed to meet the basic water requirement of pre-weaned calves.
Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Pre-weaned calves need extra water

Dairy Corner: Satisfying thirst also promotes good dry calf starter intake

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Feeding milk replacer or whole milk does not provide enough water for growing pre-weaned dairy calves. Young calves have a natural requirement for water which is often higher and separate than what is provided by most milk-based feeding programs. By providing all the water needed, calves adapt to dry calf starter quicker, grow faster and […] Read more
Easy weaning and putting yearlings onto pasture or grass hay can help transition them into backgrounding.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Ease weaned calves into backgrounding

It is difficult if not impossible to recover losses due to sick animals

By
Some ranchers hold calves over as yearlings, and some buy light calves in the spring to put on grass and gain weight. Some calves go into a confinement program and are fed a growing ration until they are ready to enter a finishing facility. Backgrounding covers a spectrum of situations that includes preconditioning before and […] Read more
Cow and a Calf
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Visible and invisible benefits of preconditioning

‘Truck weaned’ calves are highly stressed and ultimately suffer from a higher rate of shrink during trucking to a feedlot

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Preconditioned is a general term for feedlot-destined calves that have been vaccinated, castrated, dehorned, weaned, have some feed-bunk/waterer experience and have been fed a nutritious post-weaning diet for at least 30-45 days prior to being sold to a feedlot. Recently, I’ve talked to some cow-calf operators selling spring calves to feedlots in the fall, who see […] Read more

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