Many years ago I was very excited to hear Gerald Fry speak at a conference. He had some fascinating topics and I have been a huge follower of his ever since. I was also lucky enough a couple of years later to attend his course on Linear Measurement and Genetics. If you ever get a chance […] Read more
Feeding a little garlic powder to cattle does keep flies away and there are finally numbers to show it. Cows that received trace mineral (TM) salt fortified with garlic powder had 52 per cent and 56 per cent fewer flies on average than the two control groups that received TM salt alone during a summer-long […] Read more
Cattle Management: The final call is ultimately up to the cow-calf producer
When cow-calf producers talk about the need to euthanize an animal, their first thoughts turn to those that are sick or injured and whether the animal is likely to recover. If it hasn’t responded to care and is suffering, then there is really no other option. This decision isn’t made lightly, as Dr. Melissa Moggy […] Read more
Mathieu Paré takes over from Marty Carpenter
Mathieu Paré knew he had a big chef hat to fill when he assumed the role of director of the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence from Marty Carpenter, who officially retired on March 1. Since opening its doors in March 2015, the centre has welcomed people from 168 domestic companies, 116 small- and medium-sized businesses, […] Read more
Abe Van Melle of the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence offers up his thoughts on creative butchering
In a recent beef-cutting demonstration, Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence technical director Abe Van Melle gave a first-hand look at the added value to be coaxed from a beef carcass with creative butchering. The 28 per cent of a beef carcass categorized as prime cuts from the middle sells itself, but there are lots of […] Read more
Leasing land for commercial wind and solar power developments is an opportunity for additional revenue that might someday come knocking on your door. It’s a long-term commitment, so making an informed decision before signing on will go a long way toward smooth operations for you, your neighbours and the developer, says Jeana Schuurman with the […] Read more
Double D's customers include packing plants, feedlots, ranches, and many other locations
Little did Dale Goetz know that his idea for weaving treads from old tires into mats to prevent cattle injuries in high-slip areas at the family’s feedlot would eventually become the footing for Double D Family Mat Shop as well. He established the mat shop in 1995, at first hand-cutting used tires to make anti-fatigue […] Read more
Carl Frook’s biogas digester has had far-reaching effects on his business, while reducing his environmental footprint. Frook feeds cattle at his feedlot near Elmwood, Ont., for McCall Livestock, but the real interest for farmers visiting on a recent beef tour was his biogas digester, one of the only ones operating on a beef farm in […] Read more
Most fences for cattle utilize barbed wire, especially for large pastures, since a good barbed-wire fence is effective and much cheaper to build and maintain than rail fences or netting, and will last longer if properly installed. Jason Nelson has a ranch near Longview, in southern Alberta, and does custom fencing for many ranchers in […] Read more
Tips for rough ground
Building fence is more challenging in rocky, frozen or swampy ground when it’s impossible to dig post holes efficiently, or pound posts. Michael Thomas of Thomas and Son Custom Fencing, at Baker, Idaho, says options in rocks include chipping or prying the rocks out with a hand bar, or using a hammer drill. “This works […] Read more
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