As winter slowly gives way and your thoughts turn to calving and seeding, it is understandable that next winter’s feed supply may not be first and foremost on your mind. However, depending on the nature of your operation (hay versus silage versus extensive winter grazing) you may or may not have the luxury of time […] Read more
Don’t procrastinate in planning next winter’s feed supply
Comparing the relative feed value of different cattle feeding options
Marketing versus production risk in your cattle operation
Last month, the 17th Western Canadian Feedlot Management School was held in Saskatoon and covered a wide range of topics from health and nutrition to issues like labour shortages. The school finished off with a session on economic conditions facing the industry. While nobody was complaining about current prices, there was an underlying feeling of […] Read more
A frosty start to 2015 raises energy requirements for cattle
As I write this most of the country is in a deep freeze with no end in sight. We all know how hard the cold is on equipment, machinery and people, however, we sometimes forget that our cows are also susceptible to severe environmental conditions. Fortunately, beef cows are hardy animals that can adapt to […] Read more
The role of technology in the efficient production of wholesome beef
I recently had the opportunity to do a series of producer meetings in southern Alberta and was reminded about the important role that technology such as growth implants and feed additives play in our industry. In light of the marketing hype that some national chains are using to influence the consumer’s perception about the wholesomeness […] Read more
Stepping up the energy for newly weaned calves
In the September issue we discussed formulating rations for backgrounding cattle and focused on the importance of targeting performance. The take-home message is, if one wants to target a specific rate of gain regardless of the class of cattle you are feeding, a nutrition program needs to be developed that meets the nutrient requirements of […] Read more
Are mycotoxins hiding in your feed supply?
When it comes to feed quality, we usually think in terms of nutritional properties such as energy, protein or mineral content. There are, however, other feed characteristics that have an impact on quality, one of which is mycotoxin contamination. Depending on crop type, environment, location, harvest and storage management, there are a wide variety of […] Read more
Is your roller mill robbing cattle of nutrition and stealing your profits?
As you read this, harvest should be drawing to a close and we will soon have a handle on this winter’s feed grain supply and pricing. For those looking to feed this winter, ensuring that cattle effectively utilize the grain portion of the diet is a critical component of your management. One only needs to […] Read more
Achieving performance in cattle backgrounding programs
Set realistic targets and implement a feeding program that achieves your goals
As we move into fall, many of you will be planning feeding programs for weaned calves. With today’s high prices, managing market volatility is an ongoing concern, particularly for the smaller feeder. In some cases, producers have entered into forward contracts or custom feeding agreements with larger feeding companies, the latter typically based on a […] Read more
Strategic protein supplementation in beef cattle
Mismatches in dietary energy and protein availability in the rumen negatively affect performance
In the May and June issues of this column, we examined how stage of maturity influences the nutritive value of forages for grazing cattle. The focus was on factors influencing the availability of energy and crude protein (CP) in forages and on the ability of rumen bacteria to utilize these nutrients to support their own […] Read more
Choosing the right mineral more than about price
Choosing the right mineral for the cow herd is not an easy task as there is a wide variety of choices including loose minerals that vary in calcium and phosphorus concentration, molasses-based tubs and blocks, trace mineral salts and numerous commercial protein supplements. To further complicate matters, within a given supplement category, you will find […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
