The Beef is ON

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, James and Chad discuss the pros and cons of calving the spring, fall or winter.  While spring is certainly the most common among Ontario producers, there are some downsides to spring calving, and some advantages to considering other options.  This conversation gives everyone something to think about - whether you are looking to change your calving season, add a se...

Send us Fan Mail Just wanted to take a moment to let everyone know about our upcoming webinar series.  To register, follow the link below: Meeting Registration - Zoom

In this episode, James and Chad help improve your understanding of forage test results.  What are the most important numbers to look at, what do they mean, and ultimately how do you best connect the best forage with the appropriate animal and production stage? For additional resources, you can check out: https://www.ontario.ca/page/feed-analysis-reports-explained   https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog...

In this episode, James and Chad discuss the advantages and considerations related to bale grazing beef cows.  

What do you do with cows that no longer fit your system?  In this episode, James and Chad review various options for marketing cull cows.  The first step is identifying cows that aren't working for you, but once you've done that, there are options to maximize the value of that cull cow.  This discussion outlines those options, and addresses some common practices that may not be as profit...

In this episode, James and Chad review ways to get the most out of grazing cover crops.  For additional resources, you can check out: Cover Crops - BeefResearch.ca Field Crop News – Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in partnership with the University of Guelph - search for 'cover crops' Selector Tools – Midwest Cover Crops Council

In this episode, James and Chad discuss the benefits and limitations of grazing cattle on corn stover.  For additional resources on this topics, you can check out the links below. https://dairyandbeef.wordpress.com/2024/10/29/utilizing-corn-stover/   https://www.ontario.ca/page/grazing-corn-stover   https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/overextended-grazing/

Something a bit different in this episode - we profile the Summer Employment Opportunities program, through which James and Chad hire students each summer to work with them.  Today you will hear James' conversation with Kelsie Armstrong and Chad's conversation with Cate Thompson, about their experiences working with OMAFA this summer.   The link below is where all Ontario Public Service...

In this episode, James and Chad are joined by OMAFA Forage and Grazing Specialist, Christine O'Reilly.  The conversation includes discussion on managing pastures as we approach the end of the grazing season.  For additional information, you can check out the links below.   How do I repair pugged pasture? – Field Crop News Publication 30: Guide to Forage Production | ontario.ca  (information o...

Today is the second half of the conversation James and Chad had on all things corn silage.  If you haven't already heard it, the first half of this conversation is in the previous episode.

This episode is the first half of a conversation James and Chad had on corn silage management.  They discuss harvest timing, target moisture levels, storage options, and the basics of fermentation.  The second half of this conversation will drop follow next week. See here for an example of milk line: Corn Silage Harvest Timing | Crop Science US

Chad is joined today by Dr. Rex Crawford, owner of Dufferin Veterinary Services.  They discuss bovine fertility from a veterinary and management perspective - from breeding soundness exams and bull health to when, why and how to diagnose pregnancy in your cow herd.  Dr. Crawford shares a wealth of information for anyone in the cow/calf business!

I this episode, James and Chad review some average culling rates for Ontario, and discuss the factors that should be considered when making culling decisions in your beef herd. 

Today, James is joined by colleague Christoph Wand - Livestock Sustainability Specialist with OMAFA to discuss all things silvopasture.  They explain what silvopasture means to them, the advantages of incorporating this practice into your grazing system, and some factors to consider when doing so.  For additional information, please see: https://www.ontario.ca/page/silvopasture-ontario  

In this episode, James and Chad are trying something a little different.  Rather than make one topic the focus of the entire episode, they tackle some common questions that often arise with producers either new to the industry or looking to explore new options.   At one point James refers to a Beef Symposium presentation by Kristin Thompson from BCRC.  The video recording of that presentations can...

In this bonus episode, we hear from Dr. Jeff Caswell, speaking about bovine respiratory disease.  This was originally presented as a webinar as part of Beef Symposium 2025.  The original video recording can be found here: An improved understanding of how Bovine Respiratory Disease develops, Dr Jeff Caswell, U of Guelph - YouTube

in this episode, James and Chad dive into several of the reasons that keeping - or getting - your calving season fairly compressed will help make you money.  The calculator referred to in the pod can be found here: Value of Calving Distribution Calculator - BeefResearch.ca

Today Chad is joined by Dr. Katie Wood, Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Biosciences at the University of Guelph.  Katie talks about how she ended up in the world of beef cattle research, outlines some of the great research she currently has underway, and lets us in on some of her plans for future projects!   The link to the Beef@Guelph side Dr. Wood refers to is:  University of Gue...

In this episode, James and Chad discuss options for supplying water to your cattle.  They also cover the main considerations around water quality and quantity, and the importance of water to cattle health and production.  For additional resources, see   Water Management for Beef Cattle - BeefResearch.ca

In this bonus episode, we hear from Dr. Jessica Sperber, speaking about best practices for newly received calves.  This was originally presented as a webinar as part of Beef Symposium 2025.  The original video recording can be found here: Management practices for newly received calves, Dr. Jessica Sperber, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Please note that Dr. Sperber refers to NHTC - these are &quot...

In this episode, James and Chad review the potential impacts of hot weather on beef cattle in both pasture and feedlot environments.  They discuss various options to address potential heat stress challenges.  See below for additional resources. Tips to help cattle cope with summertime heat stress The heat is on - BeefResearch.ca Heat stress in ruminants

Today we return once again to the archives, for a podcast originally recorded by former Beef Cattle Specialist Havie Carter in 2023.  Havie is joined by OMAFA Forage and Grazing Specialist Christine O'Reilly, for a comprehensive discussion on pasture management.  See below for references mentioned in the pod as well as some additional pasture resources. Forage U-Pick – An interactive forage s...

Today James and Chad share some suggestions for managing your hay supply before and during hay harvest.  They cover inventory monitoring, quality and quantity tracking, and practical considerations to help you plan ahead now for winter feeding.   See link below for OMAFA hay stats: Ontario field crop area and production estimates by county - Hay - Ontario Data Catalogue

In this episode, Chad is joined by Jaclyn Horenberg, Manager of Producer Relations with Beef Farmers of Ontario.  Jaclyn provides a great overview of the Verified Beef Production Plus Program.  She covered the various ways producers can be involved, the value of the program for producers, and shares some additional resources.  For more information, please feel free to check out the links below, or...

Most producers appreciate the need to provide a quality mineral for your cattle, but this isn't as simple as tossing some mineral out and walking away.  In this episode, James and Chad review the basic considerations to ensure effective mineral supplementation for your cattle on pasture.