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Author Archives Tara Mulhern Davidson

“You have to do what works for you. Every operation has a unique set of circumstances.” – Dr. Klea-Ann Wasilow, Maple Creek Veterinary Services.
Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

A tale of two calving systems

Confined and pasture methods each have risks and benefits

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For beef producers, calving season can be both stressful and enjoyable. Witnessing new life can be refreshing, but calving time is the most critical period in the cow-calf production cycle. Whether or not calving season is a success will set the tone for an operations’ entire year or longer, having an impact on animal health, […] Read more
Hereford calves eating corn from a feed bunk. Introducing calves to a feed ration while they’re still on the cow helps ease weaning stress.
Features, Livestock

Backgrounding basics – easing the transition from weaning to feeding

Backgrounding calves can add value, but does come with more risk. Learn how to manage those risks and shepherd calves through the post-weaning phase

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Adding weight to calves through backgrounding can be an effective way to increase the worth of both lower-value cattle and feeds. However, beef producers have to do their homework to make sure cattle transition successfully from weaning to feeding. “If you have a good source of cheap feed, you can put a lot of pounds […] Read more
Terryn Drieling of Faith Family & Beef uses her feedyard and cow-calf experience to engage in conversations about ranch life and producing beef.
Features, Livestock

Connecting farms, facts and feelings through storytelling

Two producers share tips for engaging an audience through video and social media platforms

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Many beef producers spend their days doing chores, caring for cattle, and managing feed and pastures. Lately, farmers are being encouraged to add one more thing to their list — engage the public through storytelling. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram or Facebook feature thousands of farm accounts, many of which post production facts […] Read more
Dung beetles break down manure on grasslands and convert it into plant nutrients. They also facilitate water infiltration and soil aeration.
Features, Livestock

Dung beetles may be small but they play a big role on pastures

These beetles turn manure into nutrients, improving the soil, increasing water infiltration and cutting pest fly populations

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On pasture ecosystems, the spotlight is often on grass and cattle, yet a well-functioning grassland may depend, at least in part, on behind-the-scenes work performed by dung beetles. With a skillset that includes converting manure into nutrients, improving soil aeration, minimizing pest flies and increasing water infiltration, dung beetles can help beef producers set the […] Read more
Cereal crops are high in starch which allows them to ferment easily. Almost any crop can be harvested for silage, however, as long as it is harvested at 60 to 70 per cent moisture.
Crops, Forages, Hay

Silage packs a punch when harvested carefully

Protect your investment with these tips on everything from harvest timing to inoculants

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For some producers, silage is a mainstay, but for others who may be new to the process, there is a learning curve. Regardless of experience, there are several variables producers must consider when ensiling a crop. Gains or losses can occur during seeding and feeding silage. However, management during harvest may be pivotal to promote […] Read more
The Hoimyrs input data directly into their Numbers spreadsheet on their iPad when working cattle.
Beef Cattle, Features, Livestock

Managing data on the ranch

Maintaining cattle records can pay off at the farm level and beyond

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For some beef producers, maintaining accurate cattle records is a time-consuming chore, but for others it is the tool they depend on to run a productive and profitable operation. The method and complexity of cattle records is as varied as the farm operators who use the information. But ag economist Manglai Ma’s graduate research found […] Read more
Hughes works to minimize stress during weaning by vaccinating calves and introducing them to pellets before splitting them from their dams.
Beef Cattle, Features, Livestock

Tips for reducing antibiotic use on the ranch

Producers and veterinarians adapt to new rules around livestock antibiotic use

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Beef producers used to be able to pick up antibiotics at their favourite farm supply store or local small town co-op, but things changed on December 1, 2018. Since then, Health Canada has mandated that all medically important livestock antibiotics require a veterinary prescription. While producers and veterinarians alike have dealt with some challenges that […] Read more
Using permanent and portable infrastructure allows space to separate pairs or assist heifers if needed.
Cow-Calf, Features

Breeding and calving heifers an evolution for Saskatchewan ranch

Synchronized breeding, AI program helps narrow down heifer-calving period at Grant Ranch

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Breeding and calving heifers is a critical part of cow-calf operations. No specific model fits every ranch, and even successful systems require modification. “Heifers can be a challenge; it doesn’t matter who you are,” said Saskatchewan rancher Lynn Grant. Lynn, along with his wife Sherri, and brother Dean and his family, operate a large ranch […] Read more
Steve Eby: “If I could tell the public one thing, it’s that we take transport very seriously.”
Features, Livestock

Cross Canada cattle transport — the journey and the destination count

Livestock transport is one subject for discussion at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference next week

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With hundreds of thousands of beef cattle being transported across Canada each year, welfare during transport is a hot topic among producers, scientists, and society. Discussions around potential regulation changes regarding the amount of time cattle are on a truck, and how many hours cattle are transported without feed and water, have people all along […] Read more
Cattle from Living Sky Beef graze a cover crop on Axten Farms near Minton, Sask.
Crops, Features, Livestock

Sharing cattle and cropland

A way to capture nutrients and opportunities


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A few decades ago, the practice of growing both crops and cattle on the same farm was far more common than it is now. Today’s no-till, organic, and conventional crop producers, however, are paying close attention to soil health and crop inputs. The potential benefits of incorporating cattle back onto their farms are leading to […] Read more

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