Daily Network News

More News →

Features

A cow nuzzles her newborn calf. Anything from computer vision testing to a back-protecting belt may ease producers’ calving season troubles.
Calving, Features

New calving tech and farmer-based innovations

Whether it’s artificial intelligence or a simple piece of equipment, there are several innovations that can help cut losses and make calving season easier

By
According to the 2017 Western Canadian Cow-Calf Survey completed by the University of Saskatchewan, 3.1 per cent of the overall 5.4 per cent calf death loss total occurred at birth or within 24 hours.  To help reduce these numbers, calving management and practices are constantly adapting with technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning and the Internet […] Read more
Jim had prepared a calving pasture with access to sheltered corrals with plenty of bedding.
Calving, Features

Cold stress in newborn calves

Veterinary Case Study: Although Jim had prepared a warm calving shelter, he hadn’t counted on a cold snap that threatened his newborn calves

By
Jim came to the office to talk about the 20 Angus-cross heifers he bought last month, bred to calve in February, a month before his cows. The heifers were in great condition and Jim had a clean, warm, well-bedded shed to protect heifers ready to calve. He could watch new mothers for a few days […] Read more
The 200th calf born on the Ramsey ranch in January 2021.
Calving, Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Withstanding extreme cold while winter calving

While many producers prefer spring calving, Matthew Ramsey shifted his calving season to January to avoid Manitoba’s wet April weather

By
Matthew Ramsey would much rather calve in January than in April. At least in January, he says, you know what you’re getting into. “We got to the point where April sucked every year,” he says.  “Eventually, we came to the conclusion that we weren’t happy with April, we’re either going to go earlier or later […] Read more
A newborn calf rests in a bed of straw.
Calving, Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Contracted and lax tendons in newborn calves

A look at the potential causes and treatments of limb problems in new calves

By
Thankfully, most calves are born unassisted, out of sight and out of mind. They nurse independently and quickly take their position as one of many productive herd members. But sometimes things don’t go as hoped, and the occasional calf is born with leg issues — namely contracted or lax tendons. Contracted tendons exhibit as “knuckling […] Read more
Joe Engelhart believes strongly in taking a low-stress approach to managing over 4,600 cattle at the Spruce Ranching Co-operative southwest of Longview, Alta.
Features

Spruce Ranching Co-operative banks on sustainability

Sustainability strategies are paying off at one of Alberta’s oldest grazing sites, but they also come with challenges

By
[UPDATED: Jan. 10, 2023] The vast, expansive area along the eastern slope of the southwestern Rocky Mountains is stunning, no matter the time of year, with miles of native grassland, abundant creeks and critters: both cattle and carnivores. However, the 22,500 acres of range at the Spruce Ranching Co-operative — locally known as the Spruce […] Read more
Stock photo of Corriente cattle. Whether buying roping steers or breeding stock, basic biosecurity is a must. Photo: flariv/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Features, Livestock, Reproductive Diseases

Cheap steers bring more than bargained for

Veterinary Case Study: An effective biosecurity plan is essential to prevent infectious diseases from entering your herd

By
Jim visited the office one morning and asked if we could talk. He looked worried, a bit like a child that had gotten into the Halloween candy early. Two years ago, Jim had started team roping with a local club. Good crops and strong cattle prices allowed Jim to build his own small arena. His […] Read more
A soil infiltration ring, shown here on a producer’s field in the Peace region, is used to measure how quickly rain water infiltrates on a field.
Features, Research

Peace Region Living Lab includes learning cluster

The Living Lab, which spans the Alberta and B.C. border, has the potential to create a community of producers interested in trying new things

By
[Updated Jan. 3, 2023] When most people think of British Columbia, they think of white-capped waves on the Pacific Ocean off the Sunshine Coast, the sweeping, snowy Coast Mountains of Whistler, or trees hung heavy with fruit in the Okanagan.  Most people wouldn’t think of a landscape very similar to Alberta, with gently rolling hills […] Read more
B Bar/VLE Matrix, an embryo calf resulting from a partnership with B Bar Cattle from Lucky Lake, Sask., and the 2021 Grand Champion Limousin bull at Canadian Western Agribition. Wayne is on the halter and Anne is on the far left.
Beef Cattle, Features

Partnering to produce high-end purebreds

This Alberta couple is working with seedstock producers from across the country to buy pedigreed females with potential to be donor cows

By
An Alberta couple’s passion for investing in top breeders has helped produce high-quality Limousin and Hereford cattle in Canada and they don’t even own a farm.  “We didn’t have the capital to buy a place and cattle,” says Anne Brunet-Burgess. “We started slowly, but got really involved in 2015, with Wayne’s nephew Justin, who was […] Read more
veterinarian with a calf
Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

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

By
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
VIDEO: Letting go and shifting gears
Depth of Field, Features

VIDEO: Letting go and shifting gears

Depth of Field with Kelly Sidoryk

By
Sometimes we need a nudge, push or out-and-out shove to get unstuck. Consider this column a shove. Sell the cows or get rid of an enterprise. When we significantly reduced our cow herd several years ago, it was mostly a financial decision. Markets, drought, BSE and, of course, some of our own choices, resulted in […] Read more

Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Sept. 5, 2025

Sponsored By:
More Videos →

Latest Market News

More Market News →