There are numerous reasons for bull calf castration beyond reducing sexual activity and reproduction. Bulls are naturally aggressive and so castration becomes necessary for the herd’s welfare and the protection of those that work with them. Bulls exhibit a lower-quality, inconsistent, tougher, less marbled carcass than steers. They also deliver a much larger number of […] Read more
Castration tips and pain control
Better to castrate bull calves at a younger age, otherwise growth can be affected
Behaviour temperament scoring in replacement heifers
Different scoring systems have included chute, gait, exit and flight speed
Due to consumers’ perpetual concerns regarding animal welfare, producers are displaying a renewed interest in the study of temperament behaviour in beef cattle. Producers are also searching for legitimate technology and data to keep them on the cutting edge in their operational and financial decisions. They face more and more studies out of universities and […] Read more
Getting bulls ready for the breeding season
Take steps to make sure bulls stay healthy in the off season as well
Before breeding season starts, herd sire considerations should be front and center. Assess the condition of the bull battery well before the bulls are released into the cow and heifer herds. A good place to start is a breeding soundness exam which is a uniform method of determining a bull’s likelihood of establishing pregnancy in […] Read more
Canadian and U.S. calf preconditioning trends
Conventional preconditioning programs generally include at minimum — castration, dehorning, vaccination against clostridial and bacterial diseases, parasite control, weaning for a period of 30-plus days, and acclimation to feedstuffs, bunks and water bowls prior to sale. The term itself is not narrowly defined and can mean different things to different people including a combination of […] Read more
Be a guest, not a predator in the feedlot pen
Animal Health: Feedlot tips from a pen checker
In all occupations, there are a mixture of excellent employees and those that come up short. Feedlot pen checking is no exception. While one rider can enter a pen instigating a fence testing explosion of beef, another will be virtually welcomed wholeheartedly by the animals. Over the years, I learned it’s very much dependent on […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
