GFM Network News

More News →

Tag Archives Cow-calf operation

Whiskey Creek Ranch runs 150 head of Simmental/Angus cows, which calve out in March.
Cow-Calf, Features

Rotating pastures to reduce scours in calves

Whiskey Creek Ranch uses ’tried-and-true’ pasture-rotation system that sees calving in February and March

By
Solid herd management practices mitigate the threat of a scours outbreak. While rotating calves through pastures is less common than some of the more obvious measures taken, those who do use it swear by its effectiveness. One such cow-calf operation is Whiskey Creek Ranch, owned by Clay and Jesse Williams. Jesse is a past Cattlemen’s […] Read more
Preg-checking identifies fertile cows early but culling early doesn’t always pay.
Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Does preg-checking cows pay?

Perfection is not possible in the cattle business, but excellence can be achieved

By
It’s a “forever” debate. On one side of the scrum are the naysayers who claim preg-checking is sacrilege foisted on the industry by unscrupulous, profiteering veterinarians. They maintain that open cows in the spring are worth more, can be wintered profitably, they manage what calf crop is on the ground just fine, and that veterinary […] Read more
Higher feed costs are expected to have an impact on all types of winter feeding systems.
News, News Roundup

Don’t let high winter feed costs stall reproductive momentum

Management: News Roundup from the October 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Across Canada dry conditions are contributing to a poor hay crop and uncertain feed grain production. Consequently, winter feed costs for cows are moving higher. Planning now for winter feeding provides an opportunity to utilize available feed resources most efficiently. Pregnancy-checking and assessing body condition of cows can help you make the best use of […] Read more
Most of the attention for antibiotic use in the beef industry is focused on the feedlot sector, but antibiotic use at the cow-calf level is also important.
Cow-Calf, Research

Antibiotic use on Canadian cow-calf operations

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

By
Antibiotic use records are important for producers who want to track the effectiveness of the antibiotics they use. Industry groups need antibiotic use data to refute misleading claims about our production practices. Even restaurant chains and meat companies marketing “antibiotic-free” beef need records to keep treated animals out of their “never-ever” supply stream. When it […] Read more
Dave Milliner.
Cow-Calf, Features

Improving livestock traceability key to higher profits

More feedback needed to build better herds

By
Dave Milliner thinks the upcoming changes to federal regulations on livestock traceability are good but don’t go far enough. He contends that much more could be done in the beef industry to improve the quality of the meat, the productivity of the animals, returns for farmers and choices for consumers. “There’s no feedback loop — […] Read more
Cow-Calf, Livestock

The challenge with Ontario calves

By
Calves from Ontario generally continue to miss the quality mark for larger feedlots in the province which continue to rely on cattle from Western Canada for the uniform lots of vaccinated cattle they need.“We need 200, 300, 400 head together because that’s our pen size,” says Steve Eby, who runs a feedlot near Kincardine. They […] Read more
Cow-Calf, Forages, Research

Making dollars out of sense

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

By
Aside from price insurance (in provinces where it is available), cow-calf producers can’t do much to control the price they receive for their calves, so managing input costs is often the biggest opportunity to improve profitability. The Western Beef Development Centre has found that annual production costs differ by at least $100 per cow between […] Read more
Cow-Calf, Markets, Prime cuts

Genetic improvement lays the foundation

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay: from the February 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
Ask any winemaker how he or she produces a great drinking experience and all reply “It starts in the vineyard.” The same is true of the beef industry. A great beef eating experience starts on the ranch or farm. And just like constantly improving the quality of the grape, it should include upgrading the genetic […] Read more
Livestock, Nutrition

The makings of a perfect storm

Nutrition with John McKinnon

By
The winter of 2016-17 is shaping up to be a challenge for cow-calf operators across Canada. While much of October and November were relatively stress free in terms of winter’s wrath, as we moved into the new year, extreme cold and snow has gripped much of the country. Coupled with hay shortages in Eastern Canada […] Read more
Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Features

A sampler of ranchers’ views on 2017

As might be expected, their plans range from expansion to standing pat and retirement

By
Rebuilding and expanding herds, or staying about the same — that seems to be what western Canadian ranchers have in mind as they head into 2017. Despite a sharp downturn in the cattle markets in 2016, only one member of this Ranchers’ Panel was talking about downsizing, with retirement in mind. The 2016 fall market […] Read more

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In Case You Missed It – Your National Ag News Recap for Feb. 15, 2019

Sponsored By:
More Videos →

Daily Newsletter

You'll receive current daily news every morning free, as well as market updates and special features.