a calf grazing in a green pasture

Vaccines: Use as directed

Research On the Record with Reynold Bergen

Calves are born with a completely naive immune system. Unlike other species, cows don’t pass any immune protection onto their offspring during pregnancy. That’s why it’s so critical for calves to consume at least two litres of high-quality colostrum soon after birth, to give them some protection while their own immune system develops. The calf’s […] Read more



An alfalfa sainfoin mix flourishing in a field.

Forage research a necessity in the face of decreased acres

Drought tolerance and productivity increases are targets of research programs

Canada has seen a two million-acre decrease in forage land in the last five years. “In over a decade, we are losing about three million acres, and they’re taken over by wheat and canola. It’s a serious concern for us,” Dr. Hari Poudel, forage and breeding research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Lethbridge […] Read more



A newborn cow stands in straw

Preparing for calving season

Veterinary Case Study: Dr. Clarke coaches a beef producer who has purchased 50 first-calf heifers right before calving season

Jim came into the clinic one day. He’d even called ahead to say he needed a few minutes of my time to talk about the 50 new heifers he bought and what they might need to help them through calving season without problems. Jim had become an astute cattleman through the years, always trying to […] Read more