Acidosis prevention is especially critical during the transition to high-grain diets when cattle enter the finishing phase in the feedlot.

Rethinking transition diets for finishing cattle

Feed additive shows promise for accelerating dietary transitions in feedlot cattle

Among the most prevalent diseases in feedlot cattle, ruminal acidosis ranks second only to respiratory diseases in contributing to morbidity, mortality and economic losses. Given its effect on animal welfare and profitability, preventing acidosis remains a key focus in feedlot cattle research. In this month’s column, we want to discuss the role of transition diets […] Read more

E. coli bacteria.

Researchers mapping genome of harmful E. coli

News Roundup from the January 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Alberta researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge are deciphering the genetic code of E. coli bacteria to map which strains may trigger disease in humans or be carried for a long time by apparently healthy people.  E. coli is part of the normal flora in the digestive […] Read more


Maximizing growth while limiting digestive disorder can make wheat grain a profitable addition to feedlot diets.

Optimizing wheat grain use in feedlot diets

Researchers explore whether processing wheat can reduce its potential to cause digestive upsets, and allow feedlots to use this high-protein, high-energy feed

Wheat is notorious for being a highly fermentable cereal grain and its inclusion in finishing feedlot diets is often restricted to avoid digestive disorders such as rumen acidosis and bloat. Adverse growing conditions frequently result in wheat grain with elevated mycotoxin levels that fail to meet the standard for human consumption. But such wheat may […] Read more

The invasion of noxious weeds on rangelands can have a substantial impact on a pasture’s grazing capacity.

Turning weeds into feed

A variety of noxious weeds have been deemed as safe alternative forages for cattle

A noxious weed is an invasive non-native species that may reduce the yield of existing crops and forages if not controlled through herbicide application or by other means. Many weed species can be consumed by cattle and provide nutritive value during drought-induced feed shortages, while at the same time reducing herbicide use. Kochia (Bassia scoparia) […] Read more


Abscessed livers with A+ scores such as this one are condemned.

Cutting time on tylosin

Researchers looked at whether feeding tylosin for a shorter period affects antimicrobial resistance, along with liver abscesses, health and growth of feedlot cattle

Liver abscesses in cattle have been extensively studied for the last 70 years. Yet condemned or discounted livers due to abscesses still cost the Canadian beef industry over $60 million per year. Tylosin, a member of the macrolide family of antimicrobials, is widely used in beef cattle and is administered through the diet to reduce […] Read more