Zebu cattle at Old Oyo National Park in Nigeria. Livestock producers travelling to countries with foot-and-mouth disease can minimize the risk of bringing it home.

Keeping foot-and-mouth disease out of Canada

Travelling to a country with cases of foot-and-mouth? Here’s what you need to know before you come home

What foreign animal diseases are we most concerned about entering Canada? You’ve probably heard a lot about African swine fever lately. Before 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza was high on the list. African swine fever has the potential to decimate the Canadian pork industry and avian influenza has already wreaked havoc on the poultry industry. […] Read more

A feedlot of Holstein cattle in Colorado.

When dairy meets beef

Growth-promoting implant strategies for Holstein and dairy-cross feedlot cattle

Every dairy animal becomes a beef animal. However, many unknowns remain about how to best manage these animals when they arrive at the calf ranches and feedlots. When it comes to finishing dairy breeds, any feeder knows that these cattle are about as similar to regular beef cattle as Labrador retrievers are to pugs. Years […] Read more


Dr. Mike Krystolovich.

Young vets share challenges and joys of rural practice

Anything from winter weather to community dynamics can affect a new vet’s experience living and working in a rural area

The large animal vet shortage in Canada probably isn’t news to you. You may have seen a decline or rapid turnover of vets in your area. The landscape of large animal medicine is changing. What makes large animal medicine appealing to new graduates? And more importantly, what makes vets leave?  Establishing roots “It’s a very […] Read more

veterinarian with a calf

The next generation of cow vets

Dr. Blake Balog created Bow Valley Livestock Health with a vision for the future of the cow-calf industry

For some, a career is a calling. They are compelled to pursue it, even in times when it isn’t enjoyable, or even profitable. This describes many beef producers. Those who work with primary producers often do so because it is their calling as well. In this way, veterinarians and producers are a lot alike. Running […] Read more


An acceptable implant placement location. While a common recommendation is to place the implant in the middle third of the backside of the ear, RFID and management tags are frequently in the way in this location.

Five steps to good gains on grass and grains

Know the fundamentals of growth-promoting implants to find the right fit for your cattle

There’s a reason why the practice of implanting feedlot cattle is almost ubiquitous in Canada — it works. Growth-promoting implants substantially improve cattle feed efficiency and muscle deposition. Their economic effects are hugely positive, with savings ranging from $40 to $100 per head. There is even a case for using them as a tool to […] Read more

Parasite control in the feedlot

Parasite control in the feedlot

Strategic deworming methods to maximize product efficacy and cattle productivity

If there was a tool available for Canadian cattle feeders to improve both weight gain and disease resistance, what would it be worth to implement? What if that tool was as simple as deworming cattle on arrival?  As simple as deworming is, not every feedyard opts to do it. Whether the perception is that feedlot […] Read more