
Cow-Calf

We need more heifers
Viewpoint of a past CCA president
Canada’s national cow herd has contracted over 20 per cent since it peaked at five million head in 2005. If the national cow herd remains under four million cows, or contracts further, the industry risks losing infrastructure, processing capacity, more feedlots, and cattle-related services such as auction markets, trucking companies and even local dealers of […] Read more

Early treatment vital to fight septicemia in young calves
Animal Health: Management is your best bet at preventing infection
Newborn and young calves are often vulnerable to systemic infection if they fail to obtain adequate passive transfer of temporary immunity from the dam’s antibodies in the colostrum. Systemic infection results when bacteria or their toxins overwhelm the body’s defenses and spread throughout the body via the bloodstream. According to Claire Windeyer, an assistant professor […] Read more

Meconium staining of newborn calves is a red flag
This spring think of meconium as an early warning sign of many things
As a veterinarian over the past 35 years I’ve been called many times to assist with difficult calvings or malpresentations that resulted in meconium (first manure) stained calves. The jury is still out on what causes this and what we should do about it. Veterinarians have many opinions on this topic, as it is a […] Read more

Keep Q fever in mind this calving season
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
Q fever is a potential zoonosis every stock person should keep in mind through calving, lambing and kidding season. The disease, Q fever, and the organism, Coxiella burnetii, when present represent a serious threat to human health. Every gram of afterbirth or fluid from an infected animal contains millions of infectious particles and only a […] Read more

Genetic improvement lays the foundation
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay: from the February 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Ask any winemaker how he or she produces a great drinking experience and all reply “It starts in the vineyard.” The same is true of the beef industry. A great beef eating experience starts on the ranch or farm. And just like constantly improving the quality of the grape, it should include upgrading the genetic […] Read more

Improper cervical dilation at calving
Recognizing when it's happening is your first step
One of the hardest calving dilemmas you or your veterinarian face, is improper cervical dilation. Before expulsion of the fetus the cervix normally relaxes, softens and opens up essentially as wide as the vagina to allow the fetus to enter the vaginal vault. When this does not happen normally, or is delayed, the health of […] Read more

A sampler of ranchers’ views on 2017
As might be expected, their plans range from expansion to standing pat and retirement
Rebuilding and expanding herds, or staying about the same — that seems to be what western Canadian ranchers have in mind as they head into 2017. Despite a sharp downturn in the cattle markets in 2016, only one member of this Ranchers’ Panel was talking about downsizing, with retirement in mind. The 2016 fall market […] Read more

Pre-breeding vaccinations for cows and bulls
Health with Heather Smith Thomas
Some diseases affect reproduction, interfering with the cow’s ability to carry a calf to term. It’s best to try to prevent these diseases by making sure cows and bulls have adequate immunity before breeding season. These vaccinations will vary, depending on specific risks in a certain herd, and timing will vary, depending on the calving/breeding […] Read more

Which bull sired that calf?
Parentage testing in multi-sire pastures goes under the microscope
Collecting DNA samples for parentage testing from bulls and the resulting calves from multi-sire breeding pastures is the only way to find out each bull’s value to your operation. A bull might come with a great package of traits you want to see passed to your calves, but the bull’s value is questionable if the […] Read more

Calving season: the tipping point for success in beef operations
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
Calving season is the time when most calves die. Surveys show that mortality in beef herds from birth to weaning ranges from three to seven per cent. A realistic goal for calf survival from birth to weaning is 97 per cent (Dr. Kris Ringwall, beef extension specialist, North Dakota State University). The goal can only […] Read more