When an old wire fence has deteriorated and needs to be replaced, removing the old posts and wires can be time-consuming. Then there’s the task of hauling them off and disposing of them. Custom fencers have the goods on removing those fences with less hassle, whether you’ve got a wire-winder or are rolling by hand. […] Read more
Removing old wire fences
Custom fencers share their tips for cleaning up old fencelines more efficiently and with less risk of injury
Minimizing family conflict on the farm
Focusing on communication, problem-solving and scheduling meetings are important steps in managing conflict
Business deals and family relationships are like oil and water. Under most conditions they don’t mix very well, and age-old wisdom is to keep them separate. Usually this is good advice, not because family members are poor risks as business partners, but because of additional challenges involved in complex relationships. But family farms don’t have […] Read more
Proper use of implants for calves
Using the right implant at the right time can fatten the bottom line, but producers must consider everything from the market to production stage before picking an implant
Some cow-calf producers implant calves they plan to sell, and most feedlots use implants to boost growth and feed efficiency. But using them effectively requires knowledge of how implants work, how to implant correctly and potential carcass effects. There are several types of implants containing different hormones. These include three naturally occurring hormones (estradiol, progesterone […] Read more
BVD still a threat to Canadian cattle herds
Even closed herds can be at risk for BVD, making vaccination key to preventing this disease
Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) can affect cattle in many ways, causing abortion, birth defects, stillborn calves, immune deficiencies in persistently infected animals, and other acute or chronic illness. BVD is also an indirect cause of many other diseases because it has adverse effects on the immune system. An estimate a few years ago suggested that […] Read more
Raising cattle at the gateway to Peace Country
Charlie Lasser has been farming since the 1940s, but he’s still trying new things to improve his feeding program and marketing strategy
Charlie Lasser has been farming since he was 15, and he’s learned a few things over the decades. Today he ranches in Chetwynd, in the Peace region of B.C., but he started out in Powell River, on the coast, where his parents had a small acreage and a few milk cows. In 1940, the family […] Read more
Marketing game plan crucial in uncertain times
Here’s how to craft marketing tactics to manage risk and fatten your profit margin
Beef producers face many uncertainties, from weather to market fluctuations. Profit margins are thin or even negative. All that risk and uncertainty can make it difficult to develop a good marketing plan or know when to tweak marketing strategies. But unexpected events are one reason producers need a good plan, says Anne Wasko, a market […] Read more
Scours in calves
Scours is a common illness in young calves. Understand the causes and effects of this disease to treat and prevent it
Scours can be caused by certain kinds of bacteria, viruses or protozoa, but other factors come into play as well. “It’s often the interaction between the immune system, the environment and the pathogen load. The old saying is that the solution to pollution is dilution (or) minimizing the pathogen load,” says Dr. Paul Hardes, a […] Read more
Tips for grafting a calf
There’s more than one way to encourage cow-calf bonding, but hormones and smell are key
When a cow loses a newborn calf, many stockmen will graft an orphan or twin onto the cow. Sometimes it’s prudent to graft an old cow’s calf onto a younger cow that has lost a calf, so that the old cow can be fattened and sold. But what’s the best way to get a cow […] Read more
Factors that affect bull fertility
Everything from winter shelter to genetics can affect a bull’s fertility
Some bulls are more fertile than others, due to genetics, scrotal size or structure. But poor management can also reduce a bull’s fertility. Since the average bull is expected to breed 25 to 30 cows in a natural breeding situation, his fertility is very important. Dr. John P. Kastelic, professor of cattle reproductive health at […] Read more
Linking mental health and animal welfare
As a veterinary social worker, Erin Wasson sees the effects of mental health struggles on people and their animals
Erin Wasson’s social work career started out fairly conventionally, as she worked with children, youth, the elderly and people with disabilities. But a decision to upgrade her education led her to a new field, working with people who care for animals. While completing a graduate degree, Wasson met the deans from the Western College of […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
