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CBOT March 2021 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)
Corn, Crops, Markets, Soybeans

CBOT weekly outlook: Corn, soybeans may see seasonal slowdown

However, more upside remains possible

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MarketsFarm — Corn and soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade, now trading at their highest levels in years, could come under some pressure over the next month, although the longer-range outlook remains strong, according to a broker. Crop insurance levels in the U.S. are based in part off of new-crop futures prices during […] Read more
Dan and Heather Brundige started feeding their purebred bulls a mix of CDC Super Oats and barley last year, with good results.
Beef Cattle, Livestock

Ranchers talk turkey about purebred bulls

Two seedstock bull producers share how they develop marketable breeding males

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There are many decisions which weigh into raising a saleable purebred bull. Do you focus on weight or conditioning? What kind of feeding program do you need to meet that goal? How do you keep them healthy and productive in the bitter winter conditions common across much of the Prairies? Seedstock producers will likely tell […] Read more
Distal mid-piece defect, often caused by stress, heat or genetics.
Features, Livestock

Factors that affect bull fertility

Everything from winter shelter to genetics can affect a bull’s fertility

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Some bulls are more fertile than others, due to genetics, scrotal size or structure. But poor management can also reduce a bull’s fertility. Since the average bull is expected to breed 25 to 30 cows in a natural breeding situation, his fertility is very important. Dr. John P. Kastelic, professor of cattle reproductive health at […] Read more
Producers are expected to seek guidance from their veterinarian on the optimum method and timing of castration.
Livestock, Research

What we’ve learned about castration in beef cattle

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

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When Canada’s 2013 Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle was being developed, some participants felt it should require pain control for castration at all ages, like the dairy code. The producers and researchers on the beef code committee were confident that pain control was beneficial for feedlot bulls and dairy […] Read more
A calving ease EPD is a better measure than only looking at a potential heifer bull’s head, neck or shoulders, says Travis Olson.
Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Features

Calving ease top priority when selecting heifer bulls

Calving ease EPD more important than assessing a bull visually, says Alberta producer

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When it’s time to choose a heifer bull, expected progeny difference for calving ease tops one beef producer’s list. The birth weight expected progeny difference (EPD) is accurate but it’s simply an average, says Travis Olson of Ole Farms at Athabasca, Alta. For example, two bulls could have an average birth weight EPD of 75 […] Read more
Even the best cow could use a little help to maximize the potential of her bull calf by weaning.
Beef Cattle, Features, Livestock

Supplementing young bull calves before weaning pays off

Testes development, fertility greatly impacted by being well-fed

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Young bulls need to be fed adequately for proper growth and development, and future fertility, but we are still learning about the best way to feed them, according to John Kastelic, a professor of theriogenology and head of the department of production animal health, in the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine. “In beef […] Read more
How castration method and age affect pain in young calves
Livestock, Research

How castration method and age affect pain in young calves

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

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Canada’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle requires that castration be performed by an experienced person who uses proper, clean, well-maintained equipment and accepted techniques. A producer is expected to seek guidance from their veterinarian on the optimum method and timing of castration, as well as the availability and advisability […] Read more
Blair and Stephanie McIntosh started their Simmental herd in 2003 with six cows, one heifer and a bull.
Beef Cattle, Features

Stay balanced

Building a seedstock business from scratch

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Anyone who raises cattle knows the work is never done, it just changes with the seasons. Raising breeding stock takes that commitment to another level with registrations, shows, and sale preparations often colliding with the start of a new calving season. Despite all of the extras involved, Blair and Stephanie McIntosh knew from the get-go […] Read more
Preg-checking scorecard for cow-calf producers
Cow-Calf, Vet advice

Preg-checking scorecard for cow-calf producers

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

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Pregnancy checking remains one of the most underutilized management tools in the cow-calf business. Overlooking the chance to gather herd information as cows come off pasture in the fall is a missed opportunity for the cow-calf producer. A trip through the chute in fall should be much more than determining which cows to keep and […] Read more
It's possible with DNA testing to figure out which bull sired your calves, but is it worth the hassle?
Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Features

Which bull sired that calf?

Parentage testing in multi-sire pastures goes under the microscope

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Collecting DNA samples for parentage testing from bulls and the resulting calves from multi-sire breeding pastures is the only way to find out each bull’s value to your operation. A bull might come with a great package of traits you want to see passed to your calves, but the bull’s value is questionable if the […] Read more

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