
Tag Archives Nutrition

Post-partum rations: A checklist for cow-calf operators
Nutrition with John McKinnon
Last month, my column focused on meeting the nutritional needs of late gestation cows. This period is one of the most important periods in the reproductive calendar of the cow, as it is a time where 70 per cent of fetal growth occurs. This month, I want to focus on the nutritional needs of the […] Read more

Late gestation rations for cows
Nutrition with John McKinnon
As I write this column, 2020 is finally in the rear-view mirror. I am sure that I am not alone in hoping that 2021 brings better days and in particular an end to this pandemic that has had such a personal and economic impact on the lives of Canadians. Despite this disruption to normal life, […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: World Pulses Day celebrated
MarketsFarm — The United Nations celebrated the annual World Pulses Day on Feb. 10, highlighting the contribution of pulse crops to world agriculture and nutrition. “Pulses are more than just nutritious seeds – they also contribute to achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development,” the UN said in a release. “They play […] Read more

Giving credit where credit is due
Nutrition with John McKinnon
If one were to take a poll of Canadian ranchers regarding their favourite restaurant, my guess is that A&W still would not rank particularly high. A lot of this animosity dates back to the natural beef campaign the company ran over the last five years. Many beef producers felt that this campaign, while extorting the […] Read more

Revisiting the use of urea as a protein supplement
Nutrition with John McKinnon
Many of you will have noticed that calf prices have been under pressure this fall in part due to higher than expected feed prices. Both feed grains and many traditional protein sources (i.e. distillers grains, pulse screenings, commercial supplements) are trading at prices higher than a year ago. In the face of higher protein prices, […] Read more

Clean, soiled or frozen ears — How do you manage your implant program?
Nutrition with John McKinnon
In my last two columns, I focused on choosing the right implant for your operation and on options for re-implanting cattle over the course of a production cycle. While these are important aspects of any implant program, equally important is ensuring the proper placement of the implant in the animal’s ear. While this may seem […] Read more

Choosing the right implant for feedlot cattle
Nutrition with John McKinnon
In last month’s column, I covered the various classes of implants currently on the market and traced the development of the technology over the last 50 years or so. With this column, I want to look at some of the factors to consider when choosing an implant for feedlot cattle, with emphasis on the class […] Read more

ADM beats profit estimates but revenue disappoints
Reuters — Global grains trader Archer Daniels Midland beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly profits on Thursday, helped by strength in its grain milling and nutrition businesses. Still, revenue missed analysts’ expectations and net earnings attributable to the company were 44 per cent lower than a year earlier. Shares were down nearly three per cent […] Read more

Growth-promoting implants – the choice for cattle widens
Nutrition with John McKinnon
This article is destined for press in late September and as such will coincide with the 2020 fall run for both calves and yearlings. For those of you backgrounding or finishing, it is a time where you need to make decisions regarding the health and productivity of incoming cattle. In my last column, I looked […] Read more

Starting calves on feed – an annual challenge
Nutrition with John McKinnon
As this article comes to press, the yearling run has started and it will not be long before the calf run is in full swing. One of the biggest challenges cattle feeders face at this time of the year is ensuring that cattle get off to a fast start in terms of feed intake. This […] Read more
Holding back calves this year? We’re here to help. Feeding & backgrounding info relevant to your operation, all in one place. Get tips from the experts to get you through the season in Canadian Cattlemen: The Best of Feeding & Backgrounding.