University of Calgary Archives | Canadian Cattlemen

Cold weather also poses a challenge to newborn calves, but with good cow nutrition, shelter and disease management, they’re better prepared to survive those conditions.

Preventing weak calf syndrome

Factors ranging from cow nutrition to weather to disease can cause this often complex condition

By Heather Smith Thomas January 20, 2021

Weak calf syndrome is a general condition rather than a specific disease, and can be caused by several different factors, sometimes multiple factors at the same time. The newborn calf is weak, unable or slow to rise, stand or nurse. These calves often die within three days of birth. They are sometimes called “dummy calves” […] Read more

The project is being funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

News, News Roundup

University of Calgary expands diagnostic services for livestock industry

Animal Health: News Roundup from the September 28 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By Canadian Cattlemen Staff October 7, 2020

The University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine is piloting an expansion of its diagnostic service unit for enhanced animal disease diagnosis and welfare. Since the provincial government ended comprehensive veterinary diagnostic services for livestock in 1995, private practitioners have picked up those services. That model has worked for companion animals and, to some extent, […] Read more

Livestock

Universities can adapt to COVID-19, UCVM dean says

As administrators and faculty modify the system, dean calls for renewed public focus on food production and distribution

By Lisa Guenther, GFM Network News April 7, 2020

As COVID-19 pushes universities to change the way they teach, carry out research and conduct clinical work, the dean of veterinary medicine at the University of Calgary is confident that they can adapt. The academic system “from coast to coast is very intact,” Dr. Baljit Singh said. “We will continue to develop new technologies. We […] Read more

News, News Roundup

University of Calgary opens new agricultural research centre

Research: News Roundup from the March 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By Canadian Cattlemen Staff March 3, 2020

The University of Calgary is opening a new institute to research public policy that supports the growth and sustainability of agri-food and agribusiness, particularly in Western Canada. The new Simpson Centre for Agriculture and Food Innovation will focus on four research areas: trade policy, environment and climate change, agriculture’s economic contributions, and food and ag […] Read more

Over a two-year period, a research team collected samples from feedlots, agricultural soils, wetlands, streams, municipal sewage, packing plants, retail meats and human patients.

Livestock, Research

Does antibiotic resistance move through the environment?

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

By Reynold Bergen December 19, 2018

Recent columns have talked about antibiotic use in Canadian cow-calf and feedlot operations. Contrary to common misperceptions, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are very unlikely to transfer from cattle to beef, evade food safety interventions in the processing plant, survive cooking, and cause an antibiotic-resistant infection in a person. But can antibiotic-resistant bacteria be transmitted from cattle, through […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Features, News

W.A. Ranches’ gift to veterinary medicine and bovine health

The ranch will be home to the University of Calgary’s beef research and extension programs

By Piper Whelan December 10, 2018

Students at the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine receive hands-on experience at various beef operations. In many ways it’s been a successful approach — after only 10 years, the University of Calgary vet college is ranked among the top 50 vet schools globally. But conducting research at partnering cow-calf operations poses challenges for […] Read more

Two-month-old calves were numbered to identify them as they were sampled for blood and weighed through the chute.

Features, Livestock

Pain control in cattle remains a complex issue

The age of the animal is often a factor when considering pain mitigating options

By Piper Whelan October 2, 2018

When it comes to pain mitigation practices for her cattle operation, Cecilie Fleming believes it’s the right thing to do. It’s also proven to be practical and cost-effective, factors that many beef producers consider when deciding whether to implement pain control. Fleming, who raises purebred Angus, Simmental and Charolais cattle with her family at Fleming […] Read more

Livestock, Vet advice

High-risk calves a welfare concern

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

By Dr. Ron Clarke August 29, 2018

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) accounts for 65 to 80 per cent of the morbidity (sickness) and 45 to 75 per cent of the mortality (deaths) in feedlots. Dr. Dan Thompson of Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine, speaking at the University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine 2018 Beef Cattle Conference on managing high-risk calves, highlighted the […] Read more

Even the best cow could use a little help to maximize the potential of her bull calf by weaning.

Beef Cattle, Features, Livestock

Supplementing young bull calves before weaning pays off

Testes development, fertility greatly impacted by being well-fed

By Heather Smith Thomas June 1, 2018

Young bulls need to be fed adequately for proper growth and development, and future fertility, but we are still learning about the best way to feed them, according to John Kastelic, a professor of theriogenology and head of the department of production animal health, in the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine. “In beef […] Read more

News, Newsmakers

Haywood-Farmer acclaimed CCA president

NewsMakers from the May 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By Canadian Cattlemen Staff May 14, 2018

At the March annual meeting of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association in Ottawa David Haywood-Farmer of British Columbia was acclaimed president replacing Dan Darling from Ontario. Nanton, Alta. Cow-calf and feedlot operator Bob Lowe was elected vice-president of the national cattle organization, and next in line for the top job. Lowe served as […] Read more

Canadian flax prices, exports going up

U.S. livestock: Live cattle, lean hogs end lower on profit-taking

ICE weekly outlook: Canola entering uncharted waters

GFM Network News