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Nutrition

cows at a mineral feeding trough
Livestock, Nutrition

Understanding your protein supplement

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

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In my last column, I wrote about what a crazy year it has been for growing and harvesting hay. The variability in this year’s hay crop will force many producers to purchase supplemental feed in order to meet the nutrient requirements of their cattle this winter. Last month we looked at alternate feed sources that […] Read more
cows eating pellets- Glen Nicoll
Livestock, Nutrition

Another crazy year for growing hay!

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

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Looking back at the spring/summer of 2016, the year was fairly typical in that there was a great deal of variation in growing conditions across the country. Much of Western Canada was blessed with significant moisture that resulted in great growing conditions for pasture, hay and silage crops. However, ill-timed rains forced many producers to […] Read more
Taste-testing during a Canadian Beef Advantage Seminar in Shanghai in 2013.
Livestock, Nutrition

Some thoughts on China’s beef business

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

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Recently I had the opportunity to visit China and spend some time with beef and dairy producers in this vast and truly interesting country. As this article goes to press in midsummer, I thought it would be interesting to provide you with a few insights into beef production in this part of the world. This […] Read more
The elephant in the room remains how Canadian beef producers will respond to the next inevitable Earls- or A+W-style marketing decision.
Livestock, Nutrition

Is ‘I am not eating there anymore!’ the best response?

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

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Early May was an interesting time, particularly with respect to the pride of the Canadian Beef Industry. I am referring to industry reaction to the announcement by the Earls Restaurant chain to not source Canadian beef for its menu, but rather to look to American beef raised under the banner of “Certified Humane.” Predictably, this […] Read more
Chasing carcass quality not as easy as it looks
Nutrition

Chasing carcass quality not as easy as it looks

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

By
This is an interesting time of year when one looks at feedlot placements. Most of last year’s yearlings are gone, with fall-placed calves well into their feeding program. As well, many lots have tried to keep pens full by bringing in short yearlings that were backgrounded over the winter or in some cases by feeding […] Read more
Cost per pound of gain or cost plus — is there a right answer?
Livestock, Nutrition

Cost per pound of gain or cost plus — is there a right answer?

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

By
At last month’s Western Canadian Feedlot Management School, the focus was on backgrounding programs for newly weaned calves. As is often the case at these meetings, an idea for this column pops into my head as a result of discussions with producers or listening to speakers. It was no different at this year’s school where […] Read more
Cow chewing hay
Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Nutrition

If you’ve got mouldy hay and grain, what are your options?

Nutrition with John McKinnon

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As the calving season is fast approaching, it is appropriate to address one of the important causes of abortion in cattle that being mouldy feed. Mould can be a result of either fungal or yeast infection of cereals or forages grown for feed. Infection occurs in the field during plant growth or during harvest/storage. Examples […] Read more
Cows coming into calving in poor shape is a consequence of how they are fed over the winter.
Livestock, Nutrition

Sound advice from a new generation of agrologists

Nutrition with John McKinnon

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I attended a producer meeting in Weyburn where speakers addressed issues with winter feeding. One of the speakers, Leah Clark, a livestock agrologist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture gave an excellent presentation on body condition scoring (BCS). Her focus was the relationship between a cow’s body energy stores, nutrition program and the subsequent impact […] Read more
Dietary energy levels for backgrounding calves
Cow-Calf, Nutrition

Dietary energy levels for backgrounding calves

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

By
In my last two columns, I have written about issues regarding starting cattle on feed and with the use of grain screening pellets in backgrounding and wintering diets. With this column, I want to focus on developing backgrounding rations for weaned calves, particularly issues with setting up diets from an energy density perspective. Backgrounding is […] Read more

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