Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast

When making changes to your beef cattle operation, starting with simple manageable steps is the key to long-lasting improvements. This is the case when it comes to the concept of “take half, leave half,” which is a basic rule of thumb for grazing management that can be effectively implemented in any region, in good weather years and bad.   Show note links: How “take half, leave half” can be a good...

Today, there are animal injection best practices that have become widely known in the beef industry as “just the right thing to do.” These cattle injection techniques are recommended to help farmers produce safe beef for the consumer and maintain Canada’s high reputation for beef quality.    Show notes: The Five W’s of Beef Cattle Injections (article) Vaccination of the Beef Herd (webpage) Vaccine...

One of the major limitations to grazing new paddocks, pastures or intensifying grazing systems, is ensuring cattle have consistent access to clean water. Two Eastern Canadian beef producers offer insights into the water systems that they have implemented on their operations.   Relevant links:  Water Systems for Beef Cattle (webpage) Water Systems on Pasture (article)  Water Systems Calculator (int...

Dr. Bart Lardner and colleagues recently published the results of a forage variety grazing trial conducted at the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence   Relevant Links:  Grazing Management (webpage)  Comparing Tame Forages Under Grazing (article)

Forested rangelands and partially or completely forested areas are widespread in many areas of Canada. The benefits of using forested areas in grazing includes increased pasture acres, temporarily or permanently, while providing protection for livestock from the elements.   Relevant Links:  Seeing the Forest Through the Trees Forested Rangeland Grazing (webpage)  Forest Grazing Management Actions...

There are many different methods of  rejuvenating or renovating forage  stands and strategies vary in intensity, effectiveness, and cost. Breaking old stands and re-seeding forages, while effective, is among the most expensive rejuvenation methods. More producers are opting to improve their older tame pastures and re-seed legumes using a key resource they already have on hand – their cattle herd....

When stock water appears abundant and water quality has been consistent in previous years, it’s easy to focus on other things but don’t overlook water testing. Poor quality stock water can lead to reproductive inefficiency, poor gains, disease and in extreme circumstances, death.    Relevant Links: Test Stock Water and Reduce Worry (article) Sulphate Interpretation for Livestock Use (chart) Acing...

Deciding whether or how to reseed a pasture or hay stand can be confusing, costly and risky. The Forage U-Pick tool can help you make better, less risky choices, more easily.   Relevant links: Forage U-Pick Tool (interactive tool) Forage Species (webpage) Drought Resources (webpage) Choosing Forage Varieties Without Getting Lost in the Weeds (article)

Effective parasite management is a balancing act. On the one hand, controlling parasites is essential for maintaining cattle health, welfare and productivity. On the other hand, over-use of some treatment methods can lead to parasite resistance, which negatively impacts the long-term health of the herd and can also affect the environment.   Relevant links:  Body Condition Scoring Tool (interactive...

With increasing input costs and many regions having poor growing conditions in recent years, there is pressure to reduce input costs wherever possible. It is important to make these decisions carefully – sometimes the short-term savings are out-weighed by much greater long-term costs.   Relevant links: https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/think-twice-before-cutting-vitamins-minerals-and-vaccinations/...

These producers did their homework and planned ahead before shifting their calving seasons in order to meet the needs of their particular farms and families.   Show note links: Eastern Canadian Beef Producers Change Their Calving Period (article) Calving Seasons (webpage)

Legendary forage breeder Bruce Coulman will be formally inducted into Saskatchewan’s Agricultural Hall of Fame. By continuing the University of Saskatchewan’s forage breeding program, Bill Biligetu has been able to continue Bruce’s legacy.

Pain management for beef cattle has evolved significantly in the past two decades. Scientists have gained a greater understanding of what pain looks like in an animal and how reducing pain can affect an animal’s well-being. The beef industry has also responded, with the advent of user-friendly, cost-effective pain medications as well as veterinary teams and producers skilled at implementing effect...

High open rates recorded in areas across the west last year mean affected producers should be implementing strategies now to set their herds up for success.   Resources mentioned in this week's episode: How to Rebound from High Open Rates (article) Feed Testing and Analysis for Beef Cattle (webpage) Body Condition Scoring (interactive calculator) A Quarter Century of Progress with Extended Grazing...

Brutal winter weather, stress, and a mystery disease that targeted newborn calves created a perfect storm for one family’s “winter from hell.” Using a One Health Initiative model of care, Tyler and Nancy Haragas, their veterinarians, University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health collaborated in diagnosis, recovery and biosecurity.   Links:  https://www.beefresearch.ca/bl...

Managing grasslands through drought is not an easy task, but having a plan going in, monitoring pastures and being willing to adapt as the weather changes can prevent pasture decline. Facing pasture productivity challenges head-on can help producers be better poised for recovery and reap the rewards when moisture is abundant.   Show note links: https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/drought-management...

When research generates a product or practice that fills a real need, producers will adopt it. Tracking producer adoption helps the Beef Cattle Research Council prioritize and focus extension efforts.   Links mentioned in this week's episode: https://beefresearch.ca/topics/castration-in-beef-cattle/ https://beefresearch.ca/topics/pain-mitigation/ https://beefresearch.ca/survey/ https://beefresearc...

The best record-keeping system is the one that will be used by your operation. Whether it is recipe cards in a tin container or a more advanced digital recording system, if the system is gathering dust on the shelf, it isn’t adding value to your operation. These producers made the switch from paper records to higher tech systems and found greater value in tracking data digitally.     Show note lin...

There are many different types of bulls available, and effective sire selection requires an understanding of the characteristics of the available genetics as well as your own operation. Deliberate alignment of the bull’s genetics to your operational goals will contribute to enhanced revenue and reduced costs.   Show Notes:  www.beefresearch.ca/blog/bull-selection-what-are-you-looking-for/ www.beef...

In 2021, 31% of farms with cattle reported having 32 head or less and 22% have between 33 and 72. Being a smaller operator can pose challenges when managing a beef herd. Time is often limited and, as with most operations, the purse strings can be tight.   Listen to this episode for five management tips that can make a big impact on your bottom line.   Relevant links: Five Management Tips for Small...

Vaccine technology, programs and practices are constantly evolving. But cattle can’t take full advantage of the protection that vaccines offer if nutrition is lacking, or disease pressures are too high. In this episode, BCRC Science Director Dr. Reynold Bergen summarize recent study results on Canada-wide beef cattle vaccination practices.   Show Notes: www.beefresearch.ca/blog/an-ounce-of-prevent...

There are a range of different beef cattle operations in Canada, and no one breeding program is optimal for all operations. The ideal program will be determined by your operational goals and the management practices that best fit those goals.   Show Notes:   https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/epds/ https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/bull-selection-breeding-programs-that-suit-operational-goals www.beef...

As calving season gets underway for Canadian beef cattle producers, an abundance of sleepless nights can be expected to come with it. Cows will be calving around the clock, leaving little leeway if anything goes wrong. Careful planning becomes important, not only to help calves hit the ground healthy but also in benefiting producers, both physically and mentally, when dealing with the stresses of...

Antibiotic resistance threatens the effective prevention and treatment of disease in both humans and animals. When microbes are exposed to an antibiotic, those that are susceptible to that antibiotic die out. Those that are resistant to it survive, thrive, reproduce, pass on their resistance genes on to their descendants and become more common. Join us this week as Dr. Reynold Bergen talks why res...

On average, $0.67 of your $2.50 Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off came to the BCRC in 2022/23. Most of these dollars support research projects and programs. But most of the BCRC staff hours are spent turning research results into producer resources. That involves collecting production information from across Canada, identifying opportunities (and barriers) to better profitability, mobilizing existing...