Vaccination is far less costly than even a few more open cows or a few more abortions, and much less costly than a reproductive disaster.

Vaccines are cheap insurance — don’t let your premiums lapse

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

After last summer’s pasture conditions and last winter’s feed costs, it’s safe to say that many cow-calf producers are facing the upcoming grazing season with some anxiety. Some are looking for new grazing arrangements, opportunities to trim input costs or both. No single solution can solve every challenge for every operation, but nearly all decisions […] Read more

Alberta’s Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announces funding for the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine on May 10, 2022 at the university’s Spyhill campus. (Government of Alberta video screengrab via YouTube)

More funds put up to boost Calgary vet school enrolment

Funding added for more staff, materials on top of infrastructure money

The University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine, fresh off a major capital funding boost in February’s provincial budget, now gets another $8.4 million over three years to help expand enrolment. “This targeted enrolment funding will go towards hiring on more faculty/staff to teach the increased number of students,” Sam Blackett, press secretary for Advanced […] Read more


Kayla Jones.

Salers Association of Canada awards scholarship to Kayla Jones

Purely Purebred, news from the April 2022 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The Salers Association of Canada has awarded Kayla Jones of Tierra Sol Cattle Company the Farmfair Scholarship, a value of $1,600. Jones is studying animal health at the University of Alberta and plans to apply to vet school at the University of Calgary. After vet school, she is planning to open her own large animal […] Read more

Lakeland College’s neonatal calf research gets federal funding boost 

Lakeland College’s neonatal calf research gets federal funding boost 

Research project examines the effectiveness of a calf supplement to improve neonatal health

Lakeland College’s research team is receiving a $641,800 grant from the Government of Canada. The Applied Research and Technology Partnership grant (ARTP) is part of the federal government’s 2021 budget, which provided $46.9 million over two years to the College and Community Innovation program (CCI). The CCI is managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering […] Read more


Planning for herd health

Planning for herd health

Identifying the key elements of a herd health protocol using the VBP+ sample record template

A herd health protocol is a document that outlines a producer’s plan for annual vaccinations and procedures, as well as treatments for common on-farm diseases. Created with a veterinarian, this plan includes timing of procedures, necessary supplies and identification of the cattle involved. While it is always a producer’s goal to avoid needing to treat […] Read more

Researchers hope that an ocular vaccine, currently in trials, will deliver a more effective tool for managing pink eye in herds.

Eye drop vaccine for pink eye in cattle under development

Researchers hope ocular vaccine will elicit a greater local immune response

University of Saskatchewan researchers have their sights set on an innovative solution for a costly cattle disease. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, or pink eye, remains an unpredictable, highly contagious disease that can lead to large outbreaks within herds, and current treatment options are inadequate. This prompted researchers at the university’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), […] Read more


University of Calgary Spy Hill Campus.

University of Calgary navigating “mixed news” budget

Province funds expansion of veterinary medicine and prioritizes technology and talent redevelopment but cuts to operating grant continue

In the context of a much-improved fiscal situation, Alberta’s provincial budget provided targeted funding to the University of Calgary – but for the fourth consecutive year reduced operating funding – placing the University in the difficult position of finding ways to offset an additional $20.7M (5.2 per cent) cut. Since 2019, the University of Calgary […] Read more

The reality of running a large animal practice set in about eight years out, with hours of driving and countless caesareans in cold barns and hay shed lean-tos.

Too young to feel this damn old

Veterinary Case Study: Conducting a caesarean in a barn when it’s -38 C is not a pleasant task

I graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1970, a farm boy’s dream that never faded from 12 years old onward. The day I walked across the stage six years after starting university and received a rolled-up degree wrapped in ribbon, I whispered to myself, “I’ve done it. I will be a large […] Read more


The CVMA considers telemedicine a complementary tool for veterinary medical practice, meant to expand the care a veterinarian can provide.

Growing opportunities for veterinary telemedicine

A veterinarian shares when and how to use technology for virtual consultations

After almost two years of relying on virtual meetings, many people cringe at the thought of another Zoom call. For veterinarians and their clients, however, the value and popularity of virtual consultations are only growing. While veterinary telemedicine isn’t new, the practice is evolving from clients sending photos and videos via text to the use […] Read more

Buying livestock you’re unfamiliar with has its risks so remember to vaccinate new arrivals before mixing them with your herd.

Always look a gift cow in the mouth

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

This year’s feed situation is forcing many cow-calf producers to make very difficult decisions. Those who are short of feed may cull their herds harder than usual or look for alternative feeding arrangements to winter some or all their cows. Others with feed carryover from previous years may be tempted to custom feed other people’s […] Read more