“Most people do not understand the relationship between randomness and skill,” says Ben Brode, game designer, on the podcast Search Engine. I’d bet quite a few farmers and ranchers get it. But more on that later. When it comes to games, most people imagine a continuum between skill and luck, says Brode. On one end […] Read more
Comment: Every hand’s a winner
Bovine flu a reminder of risk management in markets
While recent price drops have limited options, cow-calf producers can still lock in a profit, says market analyst
The fundamentals still look strong for cattle prices, despite recent hiccups in the futures market, says a market analyst, but for those buying stockers, a little risk management can go a long way.
Finding a forage to fit your farm
What do you need to think about when you’re considering a cover crop or a perennial legume
Last summer, Canadian Cattlemen caught up with Graeme Finn, rancher and founder of Union Forage, at Ag in Motion. Here’s what he had to say about everything from cover crop blends to the “slow ponies” of the forage world — perennials. Know your soil “Before you even start down this journey with cover crops, know […] Read more
Managing parasite resistance to livestock dewormers
There’s no easy way to extinguish resistance to dewormers, but producers can manage it and control parasites
The debate is over on whether internal parasites are developing resistance to dewormers in Canadian cow herds, as far as the research is concerned. But while researchers can offer some general principles, ranchers will need to get a little creative to figure out how to manage it on their own operations. Dr. John Gilleard is […] Read more
Comment: Prioritizing fundamentals
In 2021, right before American Thanksgiving, I boarded a plane for Houston, Texas, to spend four weeks with a loved one who was fighting cancer, and who had no family or friends in the area. She was not technically my sister, but she was like one, and so that’s how I’ll refer to her. There […] Read more
Comment: Don’t look down
Years ago, I was starting a palomino mare that was smart, athletic and tended to express her displeasure by crow-hopping and bucking. Fortunately, she telegraphed her intention before she let loose, most of the time. But it made for some tense rides early in her career. I’ve made my share of mistakes with horses over […] Read more
Surviving scours
Prevention is the best medicine, but when you’re in the middle of an outbreak, it’s all about getting through it
Scours. It should be a four-lettered word, for all the misery it causes on cow-calf operations. Even with the best preventative practices, outbreaks can pop up in herds. And in the middle of an outbreak, the focus is on survival, for calves and humans alike. During an outbreak, producers are generally going to see a […] Read more
Online resources on everything from working with family to animal health
You’ve heard this before: Every farm and ranch is a system. Soil health, animal health, plant species, weather and climate, equipment, fencing, possibly a few stock dogs and horses and the people running the show all play a part in that system. Then you have markets and interest rates and input costs, and other financial […] Read more
Comment: Perspective
It was a frigid early morning in late January as artist Crystal Beshara headed from L’Orignal, Ontario, to Ottawa to teach a workshop. There was next to no traffic on the road that day and a heavy hoarfrost blanketed the landscape. As she drove, Beshara spotted some cattle. She noticed how the copper colours of […] Read more
Lloydminster AgEx searches for more volunteers
News Roundup from the December 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
There’s little of November’s cool sting inside the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association buildings as exhibitors lead their cattle into the ring for Stockade Roundup. The smell of manure and slightly muffled sound of the announcers pervade the exhibition buildings, just like most cattle shows. Those not showing or fitting cattle visit in the barn or […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
