From a cost-per-calf-born perspective there are many ways progressive producers have at their disposal to improve breeding efficiencies. Sharing bulls with like-minded producers and/or utilizing synchronization programs with artificial insemination are two ways to accomplish this. Our dairy producers are increasingly using sexed semen, which may become more available in the beef industry down the […] Read more
Improve your herd’s breeding efficiencies
Cryptosporidiosis diarrhea detection and treatment
The incidence of “crypto” diarrhea is most definitely higher on dairy farms where calves are raised in close confinement and the wet moist environment is conducive to the transmission of these protozoa. We as large-animal veterinarians are detecting it more often in our beef herds out west. “Crypto” is a protozoa with a very similar […] Read more
Cull Those Unproductive Beef Cows
Fall processing is an ideal time to cull problem cows. In early fall prices for beef cows are generally higher than later in the year and calves are being weaned then. But the big savings are on the cost side. The yearly cost to maintain a cow on the Prairies is at least $400, whether […] Read more
Choosing A Squeeze Chute
When you are looking for a cattle squeeze chute there are plenty of choices. Most offer good quality and are well built. Each has unique advantages and disadvantages depending on its intended use and the size of the stock to be handled. Generally speaking, the higher the quality of the chute the higher the price. […] Read more
A New Way To Measure Temperature
There is a brand new, quicker and absolutely innocuous way to measure cattle s or for that matter any animals temperature. It is called infrared thermography (IT) and is now in the practical testing stages as to how to implement commercial applications. Research has been ongoing over the last decade to perfect the science behind […] Read more
The Pros And Cons Of Automatic Syringes
With larger farming operations and labour at a premium the switch to automatic guns for vaccination and other pharmaceutical administration is very common. Although there are tremendous advantages to this, primarily in speed of administration and accuracy, there are several pitfalls producers should watch out for. In their day, the older-style automatic roux syringes with […] Read more
Implants Pay
Implanting is still after all these years one of the most underutilized management tools in beef production. The feedlot sector has pretty much adopted routine implanting but the cow-calf sector lags far behind. It is one thing if “natural, hormone-free, or organic” beef is being raised and implants must be avoided as part of these […] Read more
Changes To Spring Calving
In the last several years our calving season has changed dramatically. Most of these changes have been for the best. This article outlines several preventative health and management changes I have seen producers making in hopes they may provide some new ideas you can implement on your farm. With good bull selection, and virtually all […] Read more
Breeding Tips
Cattlemen spend a great deal of effort selecting herd sires. This is as it should be as fertility is the most important economic trait. With that in mind here are some points worth considering if you want to get the most out of your investment during this and every breeding season. To manage reproductive diseases, […] Read more
Eliminate The Common Pitfalls Of Semen Evaluation
In 29 years of semen evaluating bulls I have come across many tricks of the trade to make this procedure run smoothly. This article will hopefully give your local veterinarian as well as purebred breeders and commercial cattlemen some tips they can use at semen-checking time. Every situation is different and every set of bulls […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
