
Tag Archives cattle feeding

Klassen: Feeding margin uncertainty weighs on feeder cattle market
For the week ending May 31, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to as much as $10 lower on average. Dryer grass conditions in certain regions of Manitoba and central and northern Saskatchewan may have contributed to the softer tone at certain locations. Many feedlot operators continue to sit on their hands for the […] Read more

Rethinking transition diets for finishing cattle
Feed additive shows promise for accelerating dietary transitions in feedlot cattle
Among the most prevalent diseases in feedlot cattle, ruminal acidosis ranks second only to respiratory diseases in contributing to morbidity, mortality and economic losses. Given its effect on animal welfare and profitability, preventing acidosis remains a key focus in feedlot cattle research. In this month’s column, we want to discuss the role of transition diets […] Read more

Reducing ration sorting by feedlot cattle
Cattle sort their feed based on a variety of factors
Diets fed to finishing cattle in Western Canada typically consist of more than 80 per cent barley grain and less than 15 per cent forage on a dry matter (DM) basis, along with minerals, vitamins and byproducts. These diets are inherently dry, enabling separation of individual ingredients at the time of delivery and as cattle […] Read more

Now is the time to beef up the cow herd
Make sure cows are at their optimum body condition score at calving and keep it going for the rest of the year
Make sure cows are at their optimum body condition score at calving and keep it going for the rest of the year
If your spring-calving beef herd is on the thin side, now is the time to get them back into proper condition before calving season, says a long-time western Canadian livestock nutritionist. Cows in less-than-optimum body condition at calving will not only raise calves with poor performance but it also increases the risk of the cows […] Read more
Winter feeding tips for beef cows in late gestation
Transitioning late gestation cows to higher-quality forages is a good strategy
As we begin the New Year and enter the coldest months, many beef cows are in the final third of their gestation period. This is when the fetus experiences its most significant growth. To support this development and ensure the birth of a healthy calf, it is essential to provide the cow with proper nutrition. […] Read more

Cattle growth-enhancing technologies: A win-win for beef producers and consumers
As we approach the end of the fall calf run, feedlots are working diligently to get new calves on full feed as quickly as possible. This fall brought above-average temperatures and fewer storms, making it easier for feedlots to get calves settled and eating well. With calf prices at record highs, these calves must grow […] Read more

Big cows and big questions
Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen
August’s column talked about how genetic selection for growth rate and carcass merit has resulted in heavier carcasses with better marbling scores. New genetics get to the feeder and packer through the bulls that cow-calf producers buy from seedstock producers. These new genetics also leave fingerprints on the cow herd as they pass through. If […] Read more

Study aims for finishing benchmarks for beef cattle
Glacier FarmMedia – If you’re a feedlot or backgrounding operation manager with an hour to spare, a group of Canadian researchers wants your help. The team behind the Canadian Feedlot Benchmark Study says their survey, now underway, will help create a national benchmark database of backgrounding and finishing practices used in herds across Canada. The […] Read more

Alltech’s mycotoxin testing rates corn silage as riskier in 2024
News Roundup from the December 2024 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Alltech’s 2024 Canadian Harvest Analysis revealed significant regional variability in contamination levels in silages and grains, said the company in a press release. Early harvest testing suggests corn silage may be a higher-risk commodity across Canada, says Alltech. Barley may have a greater prevalence of mycotoxins, and in higher concentrations, than wheat. At press time, […] Read more

What do the modernized ‘Feeds Regulations’ mean for cattle producers?
The long-awaited “Feeds Regulations, 2024,” were published on July 3, 2024, marking the most significant legislative change for the livestock feed sector in 40 years. Industry and government stakeholders worked collaboratively to modernize these regulations for over a decade. This work was motivated by a need to better align Canada’s regulatory framework with modern-day industry […] Read more