Quality winter feed will promote a more successful calving season, says expert

Quality winter feed will promote a more successful calving season, says expert

For strong cows at calving time, MAFRD livestock expert says to focus on the 
content of winter feed and keep your eye on the thermometer

Having profitable calves next fall starts with not shortchanging their mothers now, a livestock extension specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives says. “Based on research conducted by the Western Beef Development Centre, reproduction is five times more important than growth rate and 10 times more important than carcass quality when it comes to

a cow giving birth to a calf

Beef 911: A vet’s guide to the proper use of calf pullers

The goal is to deliver a lively calf, not just one that’s alive, and have the cow in good shape to rebreed

Although calf pullers are not used today near as much as past years they still have an important place in the calving barn if used properly. To me, every cow-calf producer, and some feedlot owners, need one — especially if they are often alone when calving. By using common guidelines when pulling, a calf puller


two young calves

Beef 911: Equipment for the calving barn

When calving season hits, there is no time to go shopping — so here’s a checklist of what you need

As with any work area on the farm, having the proper equipment, keeping it maintained and disinfected, and stocking the area with the right pharmaceuticals will help ensure a successful calving season. The one critical component is with biosecurity. With many cows and their mothers moving through the calving area at a stressful time, it