Cattle graze spring pasture in central Manitoba.

Cattle producers look for a break in open rate cycle

Open rates were horrendous last fall: How do we make sure history doesn’t repeat?

Many beef producers got an unpleasant shock at last fall’s preg check, and experts are weighing in on what can be done to avoid a similar problem this year. According to a report from the Western Canadian Animal Health Network (WeCAHN) over 40 per cent of some herds were found open. That was offset by more fortunate herds with

It should always be on a producer’s radar when it comes to reproductive failure or clinical cases of bloody urine but there are many other causes of these signs.

Leptospirosis and reproductive losses in beef cattle

Beef 911: While clinical cases are not common in Western Canada, detection of lepto titres in AI bulls can be a problem

Leptospirosis has been seen rarely in Western Canada. The three large pharma companies have leptospirosis vaccines, usually in combination with the standard five-way viral vaccines. They do not sell many doses, which indicates low frequency. In veterinary practice, we have suspected it when seeing bloody diarrhea or with a high open rate or abortions. Leptospirosis


Beef 911: Rectal palpation versus ultrasound for pregnant cows

Beef 911: Rectal palpation versus ultrasound for pregnant cows

Both methods have advantages, but the key is having reproductive exams at least once a year

Both rectal palpation and ultrasounding for pregnancy have advantages depending on their intended application, and both require a skilled veterinarian performing the pregnancy exam to get accurate results. I will outline the pros and cons of each method so you can see how to best fit them into your farming operation, and dispel some myths

Retained placenta in mares

The birth of a foal is a remarkable event that must unfold in an expedient manner. Expulsion of the fetal membranes or placenta is a seemingly less glamorous event than the arrival of the newborn foal, yet its well-timed release is equally important to the thriving foal. Discharge of the placenta is an extension of

Summer Brings A Reduction In Fertility In Breeding Pigs

Bernie Peet is president of Pork Chain Consulting Ltd. of Lacombe, Alberta, and editor of Wes tern Hog Journal. His columns run every second week It’s difficult to think about seasonal infertility, which is associated with hot weather and declining day length, when we are still in the grip of winter. However, some things can


Lactation Management Impacts Future Parity Productivity

Bernie Peet is president of Pork Chain Consulting Ltd. of Lacombe, Alberta, and editor of Western Hog Journal. His columns will run every second week in the Manitoba Co-operator. about two to four and embryo survival by about 10 to 20 per cent, Kemp says. First-litter sows are especially vulnerable, due to their restricted feed

Feed Requirements Vary During Sow Lactation

Bernie Peet is president of Pork Chain Consulting Ltd. of Lacombe, Alberta, and editor of Western Hog Journal. His columns will run every second week in the Manitoba Co-operator. Current nutritional recommendations for gestating sows are out of date because today’s genotypes are so much leaner and more productive, says Dr. Ron Ball at the