Temperature, wind chill and time spent in cold conditions all contribute to frostbite.

Dealing with frostbite in calves

Animal Health: Warm air is usually better than warm water for treating a hypothermic calf

Calves born in cold weather may suffer adverse effects, including frostbite, especially if they are unable to get up and nurse before they chill. Dr. Andy Acton of Deep South Animal Clinic at Ogema, Sask., says there are two problems when dealing with cold weather. “One is hypothermia, and the other is frostbite, and they […] Read more

Kris Ringwall is the director of the newly minted Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence near Saskatoon, Sask.

Kris Ringwall takes the reins at Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence

Extension’s role is “always to make producers think,” says former NDSU extension director

It’s a foggy November morning south of Clavet, Sask. Cattle grazing bales gradually emerge from the mist to eye strangers. Near the grazing cattle is the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence. The recently opened centre is focused on research, teaching and working with the livestock and forage industries. It comprises 27 quarters of land […] Read more


Grand Champion Bull.

Alberta Supreme Show of Champions presented

Purely Purebred with Mike Millar: News about you from the December 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The winners of the Alberta Supreme Show of Champions presented by RAM were announced November 10 at FarmFair International. The Grand Champion Female (below) was GREENWOOD PLD ALLY 702A with calf at side GREENWOOD FLICK PYN 62F, shown by Greenwood Limousin and Angus of Lloydminster, Alta. The Grand Champion Bull (at top) was a Black […] Read more

Lupine

Beware of toxic plants in pastures

There are many toxic plants in Western Canada cattle producers need to steer clear of

Different regions have different problem plants, and to make it even more confusing these same plants are only toxic if eaten in certain amounts or in certain stages of growth, while others are toxic at all times. Rachel Turnquist, a forage extension specialist in Saskatchewan, says there are many toxic plants in Western Canada. You […] Read more


Low-stress weaning for calves

Low-stress weaning for calves

A less stressful weaning process makes for healthier calves

Weaning time has traditionally been traumatic for calves, mama cows and ranchers, but it doesn’t need to be. “There are better ways to wean calves, says Bart Lardner, a beef and forage research scientist at the University of Saskatchewan. “Abrupt weaning is the most stressful, for both the cow and calf. The question has been […] Read more

Animal care is ongoing at the Lifv

New name and facilities for Western Beef Development Centre

A new facility at the University of Saskatchewan includes both cow-calf and forage research

There are changes afoot at the Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC) including a new name, additional locations and increased research, teaching and outreach capacity. On April 1, 2018, the Western Beef Development Centre, a division of the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), rolled into the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE).WBDC […] 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.

Antibiotic use on Canadian cow-calf operations

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

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

When should they go?

When should they go?

Make the best decision you can for the time

We all want to sell our cattle at the best times and in ways to make the most money, but just when is that. The short answer is, it depends. “Breeding can be easily scheduled — as a day on the calendar when you turn the bulls out with the cows,” says Joe Stookey, a […] Read more


Appearances are deceiving when it comes to water quality as evidenced by the sulphate levels in these 2016 samples: 1,731 mg/l in jug 1; 2,056 mg/l) in jug 2; 21  mg/l in jug 3 and 15 mg/l  in jug 4.

Use caution when testing livestock water quality with hand-held meters

Study compared test results of hand-held meters to laboratory results

Livestock and feed specialists with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture have learned that not all methods of testing water quality are equal, especially when it comes to total dissolved solids and sulphates. Leah Clark, livestock and feed extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, took part in a study comparing the accuracy of water […] Read more

Drylotting cows and calves is one way to hold onto your genetics during a drought.

Culling cattle for drought

Age is not the only factor you may need to consider

Many ranchers who tried to feed through a drought without selling cows have said they will never do it again. You can slip too far into debt borrowing money to buy feed in a bad year. It’s often better to sell early, before feed grows short and cow condition falls. But there are ways to […] Read more