The makings of a perfect storm

The makings of a perfect storm

Nutrition with John McKinnon

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


Get the most from weathered feed

Get the most from weathered feed

Feed: News Roundup from the November 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Weather cut a harsh swath through winter feed supplies all across the country last month causing headaches for cattle producers who were scrambling to salvage what they could from the leavings. In Alberta early snow covered many acres of annual crops grown for greenfeed, raising concerns that it may not dry before it had to […] Read more

The economics behind bale grazing

The economics behind bale grazing

Grazing with Steve Kenyon

A lot of farmers only see one type of cost when it comes to feeding cattle. They see the feed cost. However, there are other costs which are often overlooked. This would be the act of feeding, also called the yardage cost. The reason this is not always included is because it is not a […] Read more


Back to bale grazing

Back to bale grazing

Grazing with Steve Kenyon

A gross margin analysis will tell you the profitability of your different profit centres on your farm. My decision to choose one production practice over another is largely decided by the margin I calculate. It is, however, very important to include current market values in your calculations. Last year’s hay prices in my area are […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

High-quality forages tougher to find this year

CNS Canada — There seems to be no shortage of forages in Western Canada this year, as wet weather has allowed grasses to keep progressing at a steady rate. Finding high-quality hay could be the challenge, however, according to crop watchers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. “It’s been tough for guys to put four to five […] Read more


cows eating pellets- Glen Nicoll

Another crazy year for growing hay!

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

Looking back at the spring/summer of 2016, the year was fairly typical in that there was a great deal of variation in growing conditions across the country. Much of Western Canada was blessed with significant moisture that resulted in great growing conditions for pasture, hay and silage crops. However, ill-timed rains forced many producers to […] Read more

Barry Yaremcio, Alberta beef and forage specialist.

The pros and cons of grazing cover crops

Cover crops have traditionally been used to help hold the soil when transitioning between different types of cash crops, and are often plowed under before planting the next crop — to add organic material and fertility to the soil. Farmers with livestock often select cover crops that can be grazed, adding an additional benefit as […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Prairie forage crops perk up with precipitation

CNS Canada — It’s been a slow start for forage crops growing across the Prairies, but the much-needed precipitation is better late than never. “The rain has been a huge help,” said Karin Lindquist, forage specialist with Alberta’s Ag-Info Centre in Stettler. “There are still some areas that could use a bit more, but so […] Read more

Everything you could want to know about a bale is found on a scannable tag on the twine.

Less stress and more hay in a day

Launch of the IntelliCruise feed-rate control system in 2016 marks the latest advancement in forage harvesting technology from New Holland after introducing its CropRFV last year and CropID in 2013. IntelliCruise does exactly what the name implies. It’s a variable cruise control for the tractor that adjusts ground speed according to a set rate for […] Read more