Cattle graze in the smokey air in a pasture they were moved to earlier that day near Scott Duguid’s farm north of Gimli, Man., on July 30.

Grazing cattle in a drought year

Manitoba beef farmer keeps his grazing plan adaptable to weather another drought year in the Interlake

It’s been another drought year in Manitoba’s Interlake in 2025. This beef farmer keeps his grazing plan adaptable to weather dry conditions and keep his farm resilient.



A research project by Cheryl Waldner reveals cattle producers are on board with the 2019 federal regulations that made antibiotics for cattle available only through prescriptions from veterinarians.

Tighter antibiotic rules changed little for beef sector: research

Federal regulations changed the way producers procured antimicrobial drugs, but did little to change their already low use on Canadian beef farms, says study

Canadian beef farmers have needed their veterinarian to write a prescription for antibiotics since late 2018, part of efforts to fight off antimicrobial resistance. Producers haven’t had to change what they were doing much.

Livestock price insurance is one business risk management program that producers are being told to consider this year, but there are some common misunderstandings about the program.

Farm funding and insurance materials need to be clear

Farmers are less likely to turn to agricultural programs meant to help them if those programs are frustrating to navigate

Canadian farmers are less likely to turn to agricultural programs meant to help them, like business risk management or on-farm funding, if those programs are frustrating to navigate.


Curious heifers stand looking at the camera in a pasture in central Manitoba.

Do the math on replacement heifers

Beef farmers should know what it costs them to raise a replacement heifer and, based on that, decide the best replacement strategy to grow both their herd and their profits

Beef farmers should know what it costs them to raise a replacement heifer and, based on that, decide the best replacement strategy to grow both their herd and their profits.






A hay crop seed mix made of alfalfa and forage grass species.

Beef farmers may be missing out on better forage genetics

New and improved alfalfa and grass varieties are out there, but not every livestock producer in Western Canada is fighting to grow them

New and improved alfalfa and grass varieties are out there, but not every livestock producer in Western Canada is fighting to grow those cutting-edge forage genetics.

Keeping calves healthy in their early days can be a challenge, but proper calf health management pays big dividends.

Improvements suggested for Manitoba beef sector

National cow-calf survey suggests a shorter breeding season, wider vaccination, increased feed testing and more use of implants are the province’s low-hanging fruit for bolstering farm performance

Canada’s national cow-calf survey suggests a shorter breeding season, wider vaccination, increased feed testing and more use ofimplants are the province’s low-hanging fruit for bolstering Manitoba beef farm performance.