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Cow-Calf

Jose Alcivar, graduate student and researcher at the University of Saskatchewan.
Cow-Calf, Livestock, Research

Using reproductive tract scoring to pick replacement heifers

A project at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence is comparing conception rates of replacements to earlier reproductive tract scores

By
In Canadian beef cattle systems, increased efficiency accompanied by higher levels of performance is largely dependent on the female herd delivering live calves within a desired time frame. Most commercial operators retain and develop heifers for potential replacements. When adding numbers and quality to the herd, these yearlings become a critical piece of the puzzle. […] Read more
A cow and young calf caught in a spring snowstorm in Saskatchewan. Shifting or condensing the calving season requires careful consideration.
Breeding, Cow-Calf, Livestock

What to consider when changing the breeding season

Producers tightening or shifting their breeding season should consider everything from economics to feeding programs

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Trudging through slushy snow in April is a scene many producers know well. One day there’s a hint of summer in the air, with birds chirping in trees overhead as a farmer checks on newborn calves frolicking near puddles. The next day, the farmer is rushing through pastures as hard sleet slashes his face, trying […] Read more
Livestock nutritionist John McKinnon examines three scenarios at how byproduct feeds can be used in cattle feeding programs.
Cow-Calf, Livestock, Nutrition

Using byproduct feeds to influence profitability of backgrounded calves

Nutrition with John McKinnon

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In my last column, I wrote about some of the challenges facing producers who background cattle, both from a marketing and production perspective. Concerning marketing, emphasis was placed on differences between custom and owner-operated businesses. From a production perspective, both knowledge of cost of production and identifying goals of the nutrition program were stressed. Concerning […] Read more
(File photo)
Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Finishers, Hogs, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: live cattle futures end mixed; feeders pressured as corn soars

Persistent poor pasture conditions pushing producers to place more cattle in feedlots: analysts

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Chicago | Reuters – Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group closed mixed on Monday, with nearby contracts pressured by surging feed grain prices and bearish data in Friday’s monthly U.S. Cattle on Feed report. CME August live cattle futures LCQ3 settled down 1.275 cents at 178.750 cents per pound and most-active October LCV3 […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Finishers, Livestock

Klassen: tight supplies continue to underpin feeder complex 

Feedlot operators shrug off past week's rally in the corn market

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Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$5/cwt higher on average while calves were up $5/cwt to as much as $10/cwt in some cases. Feather light calves under 500 pounds reached fresh historical highs with 300-400 pound steers trading from $400-$450/cwt in Southern Alberta.  Finishing feedlots continue to be aggressive on yearlings for […] Read more
Researchers see some promising uses for mRNA cattle vaccines, but they are unlikely to replace existing vaccines for common cattle diseases, partly due to practical limitations.
Animal Health, Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Finishers, News

mRNA vaccines unlikely to replace common cattle vaccines, but could help contain foot-and-mouth disease in future

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Vaccines have been a valuable tool to protect cattle health in North America, ever since the first blackleg vaccine was developed over a century ago. Ensuring the health of Canadian cattle is critical to maintaining consumer confidence, access to global livestock and beef markets and producer profitability. Vaccines help prevent infection and disease caused by […] Read more
Photo: Canada Beef Inc.
Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Finishers, Livestock

Klassen: Feeder market remains firm on fed cattle strength

Alberta's disastrous wildfires may disrupt calf marketings

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Compared to last week, western Canadian prices for yearlings over 800 lbs. were quoted steady to $4 higher; feeders between 600-800 lbs. were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 lbs. were $5-$10 higher. The market for calves under 600 lbs. was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on […] Read more
Grafting an orphan calf onto another cow helps the calf on pasture.
Calving, Cow-Calf

Tips for raising orphan calves

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With calving season in full swing for many ranchers across the Prairies, producers are often dealing with a lot of different challenges — snow, rain, and sometimes, calves that end up orphaned. Abby-Ann Redman, a ruminant nutritionist with Blue Rock Animal Nutrition, says when a rancher ends up with an orphaned calf, the most important thing […] Read more
A protective cow stands over her calf. The Griswolds’ cows crossed the line from protective to down- right aggressive, making on-farm vet calls challenging.
Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Mud and ornery heifer make veterinary practice ‘fun’

Veterinary Case Study: Ron introduces a vet student to the fine art of managing manure, mud and high-strung heifers

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Unfortunately, not all parts of any professional undertaking are characterized by grandeur despite excruciating hours of study, diagnostic challenges and creating positive financial outcomes for clients. There are memories less rosy than scrubbed Wellingtons, freshly laundered coveralls and starched lab coats. The bad things about large animal practice often involved mud and unseasonable snowfall driven […] Read more

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AgCanada TV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for April 17, 2026

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