Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts taken from a human. Producers dealing with a crypto outbreak should keep in mind that the parasite can infect both cattle and people.

Introducing outside calves heightens crypto risk

Cryptosporidium parvum is a disease that’s easy to introduce and hard to manage in a beef herd

In the cold, wet pastures of a gruelling Manitoba spring near Oakville, Man., Garth McCormick needed a calf to put on one of his cows who had lost her calf, but didn’t have any he could use on his own farm. His hired man brought a calf from his own place to McCormick’s. Immediately, the […] Read more

The sunflower’s deep tap roots allow it to pull moisture from deep within the soil, even during times of drought.

Sunflowers help cover crops thrive during drought

As cover cropping gains interest, producers are looking at different types of plants that might work well to produce a diverse crop for grazing. Because nature doesn’t favour monocrops, cover crops and intercrops are more resistant to drought-like conditions, cover cropping proponent say. With a drought that persisted through 2020, 2021, and into 2022 in […] Read more


Timm Döbert (pictured) published a paper after doing research on water infiltration on AMP grazed land.

AUDIO: Longer rest period drives water infiltration in grazed pastures, researcher says

With persistent drought a reality of life in Western Canada and beyond, ranchers across the country are looking for solutions to keep their pastures flourishing even when moisture is lacking. Through a study done with the University of Alberta on rotational grazing, Dr. Timm Döbert may have helped find a solution. A post-doctoral fellow at […] Read more

A recent global research project looks at the interaction between grazing pressure and climate on soil health.

AUDIO: Grazing can AMP up carbon sequestration, U of A researcher says

In Dr. Mark Boyce’s many years in carbon research, five of them have been spent at the University of Alberta, looking at carbon sequestration in grasslands that have been grazed using adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) management. Boyce is the chair of the Alberta Conservation Association in Fisheries and Wildlife. His lab, Boyce Lab, at the University […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Satellite forage insurance posed as potential risk-management solution for cattle producers

When the federal and provincial governments asked Global Ag Risk Solutions if they had any forage insurance products for cattle producers, they said no, but that they would try to develop one. From there, they started looking into satellite-based forage insurance for cattle producers. “We saw an opportunity that forage insurance is not sufficient for […] Read more


Kathy Larson, a research associate at the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan representative for the Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network, presented at the SSGA AGM about the importance of cost of production.

Cost of production network examines economic realities of cow-calf operations

Cost of production was a hot topic at the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association annual general meeting in early June. Kathy Larson, a research associate at the University of Saskatchewan, presented on cost of production to the conference goers. Specifically, she spoke about the Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network, led by a research team at […] Read more

Riley Bloom watches adults work with cattle from a safe distance. 
According to Canadian Agriculture Safety Organization (CASA), having designated “safe spaces” helps keep kids safe on the ranch.

AUDIO: Tips for keeping kids safe through branding, haying and beyond

In many areas, brandings are a community affair, with neighbours and families getting together to share food and drinks while they work. But for families attending these events, children’s safety can be a concern. Taylor Bloom, who farms south of Dismore, Sask., with her husband and two children, says that although her children are only […] Read more


AUDIO: Five ‘burning questions’ for sons- and daughters-in-law facing succession

AUDIO: Five ‘burning questions’ for sons- and daughters-in-law facing succession

The succession process for farms and ranches can be hard enough for “blood” family members. But what if you’re a son- or daughter-in-law who’s either the direct successor or their spouse? After all, you haven’t been in the family loop your entire life. There are a few “burning questions” you should ask your in-laws even […] Read more