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Tag Archives Calves

calves on pasture
Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Calving records support decision-making

Start simple by tracking two or three things to help make decisions when it’s time to pick replacements or cull the herd

By
Late March and early April come around for another year and on many farms in Western Canada, the chaos of calving ensues. In the wet and slushy weather of early spring, producers often find themselves wandering in the dead of night, breath still billowing in front of them, to check on a calving cow. The […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Stronger fed cattle market pulls feeders upward

Feedlots becoming more current with production

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Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling and calf markets were quoted steady to $5 higher on average. Strength was noted in southern Alberta. In the Lethbridge area, prices for lighter flesh replacements were up as much as $10 from seven days earlier. Larger supplies of backgrounded cattle are coming on the market at this […] Read more
(WPohlDesign/iStock/Getty Images)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market scaling fresh heights

Heifer retention expected in U.S. this spring

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Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $5 to as much as $10 higher. Replacements in the 650- to 800-lb. category were up $6-$12; calves under 650 lbs. were relatively unchanged although volumes were limited. Lightweight calves were hard to come by last week. Weather may have been a factor. Many factors contributed […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market continues the climb

Statistics show tightening supplies in Canada, U.S.

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Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets yearling markets traded $2-$5 higher. Replacements in the 700- to 800-lb. weight category appeared to jump $5 to as much as $15 in some cases. Calves weighing 500-700 lbs. were unchanged to $4 higher on average after rallying nearly $20 over the past month. There were limited […] Read more
A cow in good condition. Maintaining a body condition score of three right up to calving helps ensure a healthier, more productive calf.
Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Cow body condition and animal performance

How much fat a cow is carrying through the winter affects everything from her ability to maintain her body temperature to the development of her unborn calf

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Nutrients provided in the ration influence animal performance. Animals will either lose, maintain, or gain weight. The nutrition program not only affects the cow but also the unborn calf. Visual evaluation of animal condition can be misleading, especially with a winter haircoat. A more objective, hands-on method to evaluate how the cows are managing is […] Read more
While experience and training improve your ability to eyeball a cow’s body condition score, looks can still be deceiving.
Livestock, Vet advice

Thin cows cost money

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

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Any discussion about getting ready for calving season should start with an evaluation of the body condition of pregnant cows and heifers. There are also significant economic factors to consider.  Several issues recently shifted priorities away from routine body condition scoring, such as beef supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 and sudden swings in cattle. […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Calves jump on corn outlook

Softer barley values underpin yearling market

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Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5 to as much as $12 above week-ago levels. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $332-$335 delivered, up $5-$8 from last week. Stronger fed cattle prices and softer barley values underpinned the yearling market. Buyers were finicky […] Read more
The Snobelens’ calving barn is a 50-foot by 180-foot pole structure, with turkey curtains on the west to allow for ventilation, and tarps on the east that can be rolled up or down.
Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Shelter, feed keys to successful winter calving

A Charolais producer and a beef specialist share tips for calving in the bitter cold of winter

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Wanda Snobolen’s passion for her Charolais purebreds shines through when she talks about the care she takes when they’re calving. “When you’re calving and it’s -20 degrees out there, you have to get them dry — that is key,” she says. Depending on how cold it is, she brings the calves into a heated workshop […] Read more
Stress matters as it depresses a calf’s immune system and increases the risks of disease.
Animal Health, Bovine Respiratory Disease, Cow-Calf, Livestock, Research

Keeping calves healthy

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

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Cow-calf margins get tighter each time you feed a pregnant cow through the winter, only to have her calf die before weaning. Three leading causes of pre-weaning death loss are diarrhea, navel ill and bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Not all calf illness and death can be prevented, especially when the weather gets bad, but remembering […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes after recent climb

Calf prices in Manitoba show premium over Alberta

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Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged. Replacements weighing 650-800 lbs. appeared to traded steady to $4 higher while calves under 650 lbs. were steady to $4 lower. The cost per pound gain is reaching unprecedented levels and fleshier cattle were discounted quite severely in some cases. […] Read more

Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field

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AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for August 29, 2025

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