Dietary energy levels for backgrounding calves

Dietary energy levels for backgrounding calves

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

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

Consider all the costs of backgrounding calves

Consider all the costs of backgrounding calves

News Roundup from the November 2015 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

When it comes to making a decision on backgrounding calves, it’s important to look at all of the costs involved. “High forage prices this summer and fall have predominated farm discussions at coffee shops, auction markets and social media outlets the last few months,” says Ted Nibourg, farm business management specialist, Alberta Ag-Info Centre, Stettler. […] Read more


A  combination of backgrounding and grass cattle works best for Jordan and Janelle Kowal.

Grassers hit the spot

The Kowal family of Burnt Out Creek Ranch in Crooked River, Sask.

Jordan and Janelle Kowal have gained experience beyond their years dealing with some of the worst of times and the best of times in the beef and grain sectors right from the get-go. Cattle and grain markets bounce around so much they can’t be sure which way will be the right way for long, so […] Read more