Calving season always comes with anticipation about the incoming calf crop, and great cow-calf managers have tips that help them save more calves and improve productivity . For the spring calver, great observation skills combined with the ability to go the extra mile will generally be rewarded. It pays to check for bad feet, eye
Calving tips: Pair up that mother and calf
Beef 911: A little extra effort to foster mothering can pay big dividends
Will neospora become more common?
Beef 911 | This protozoal infection has been around in Canada for years but our cold winters mostly keep it at bay
We hear about neospora from time to time. It’s a protozoal parasite similar to coccidiosis, cryptosporidiosis or toxoplasmosis. Many years ago it was diagnosed in dairy cows that were aborting, and it should always be considered if a producer sees abortions. It is spread through canine species — dogs, coyotes, foxes and wolves — but
Be ready to help if livestock involved in accidents
Beef 911: First responders can benefit from local livestock knowledge when disaster strikes
Glacier FarmMedia – Every day hundreds of thousands of animals are transported across Canadian highways without mishap, but every so often, there is an unfortunate accident with animal deaths and injuries. If the accident happens in Alberta, there is an emergency network to draw on—established because of the huge numbers of cattle transported to feedlots and packing plants. Elsewhere in Canada and even
Are remote drug delivery devices the right choice?
Beef 911: Resources are available to help with that decision
Many producers use remote drug delivery devices. If you are thinking of using one, or if you have used one in the past, this article may be a good review. Dart guns have their pros and cons but the Beef Cattle Research Council has some great resources that can help. It offers guidelines on usage
Smoke inhalation can affect cattle
Research shows an effect in housed dairy cattle so outdoor beef animals are surely affected too
Wildfires have exceeded all records in the 2023 season. Both British Columbia and Alberta are expected to see more than two million hectares destroyed. There has been steady growth in the number and size of wildfires since the 1980s. Drought, global warming and storms are generally the culprits and there has been plenty of smoke
Automatic syringes a better solution
Beef 911: Retire those old guns that have done their duty, and get better results
Vaccinations are a cornerstone biosecurity practice for cow-calf operations and feedlots. It is not uncommon for two or more vaccines to be given twice a year. There has been lots written about proper vaccination techniques, vaccine storage, maintaining the chain of refrigeration and other things that affect the way these vaccines perform. I want to discuss the most important equipment
Podcasts a great medium for expert beef advice
Beef 911: Podcasts are convenient and can offer what producers need to know, when they need to know it and with many ways to listen
We are all trying to get factual information on the health, production and welfare of our herds. Sometimes it is hard to stay abreast of all the information. Publications like this one, and websites of the Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Cattle Association and provincial beef producers’ groups, can help with that. YouTube videos, if
More information is better when looking for your next herd sire
Beef 911: Scrotal size is a key indicator and getting reliable, consistent measurements isn’t difficult
Scrotal circumference and scrotal palpation are among the quickest, repeatable and fact-revealing pieces of information we can get on bulls. Some breeds get away with less scrotal size, but we have also seen that scrotal size, on average, has gone up through selection. Because it is quite heritable, fertility improves. However, we are probably reaching
Often a tranquilizer makes things easier for cattle and their owner
Beef 911: There is a non-prescription product that has many uses and can be administered by producers
There are many times when tranquilization makes it easier on both cattle and the operator. The main tranquilizer I am talking about is acepromazine, a member of the phenothiazine tranquilizer family. It is not a prescription product and producers can be trained in its usage and in the way it is delivered. Since the dosage is pretty
It’s more rare these days, but grain overload has a big impact in cows
Beef 911: Mixed rations and better storage have reduced cases, but take care when increasing grain in a ration
Grain overload has been drastically reduced over the years thanks to nutritionists, total mixed rations and fewer incidents of accidental ingestion. But let’s review the condition, treatment and, most importantly, the ways to prevent it. Grain overload occurs when there is over-consumption of a carbohydrate source, most often grain. I have treated severe overload when
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
