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Careful planning will be necessary this year to stretch feed supplies to winter the herd in good condition.
Livestock

Finding a recipe for success on winter livestock rations

Producers may be going ‘off script’ this year as they get creative with feed sources to make 
up for poor forage yields, but what does that mean when it comes to a winter feed plan?

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Take a by-the-numbers approach to ration planning this year, especially if there are more feed types than usual in the yard. That means getting feed tested to determine what nutrients are available in what quantity, to allow for formulating a winning ration. Why it matters: Cattle producers are facing feed shortages and need to plan
Cattle at Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives chow down on standing corn at the Brookdale research farm.
Beef cattle, Livestock

Making the most of corn grazing during a cold Manitoba winter

A late-December cold snap didn’t seem to set back corn-grazed cattle much

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Manitobans may feel like they’ve been living in a deep freeze, but some of the province’s cattle have weathered the cold among the cornstalks. That’s no small feat, as the last days of 2017 dropped to -35 C with wind chills approaching -50 C. Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives (MBFI) near Brookdale winters its animals
Finding out who’s the father is taking on new importance for herd managers looking for better results at lower cost.
Beef cattle, Livestock

Who’s the father?

Initial data out of the Western Beef Development Centre and University of Saskatchewan shows siring rates in a pasture might vary more than you’d think

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That bull has one job — and he might not be doing it. That’s the message from a recent study out of the Western Beef Development Centre and University of Saskatchewan and the focus of the latest Beef Cattle Research Council webinar. The research team, including the BCRC’s Stacey Domolewski, used DNA testing to track
Standing corn may be a viable way for Manitoba producers to extend their grazing season, but there are a few things 
to watch for.
Beef cattle, Livestock

Standing corn an option for extended beef grazing

An extended grazing season may be cheaper with standing corn, but there are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind

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If a cow is grazing, you don’t have to feed it. It’s a deceptively simple statement, and the basis for many cattle producers looking at extended grazing to cut costs. Farmers have looked at bale grazing, forage stockpiling and swath grazing, among others; but another grazing system has caught the interest of some beef producers,
Vaccines can have a major payback, as much as fivefold for the BVD vaccine, says beef economist Kathy Larson.
Beef cattle, Livestock

Spend a little now and make money later

Reduced death loss, fewer open cows, and reduced shedding 
are major benefits from a proper vaccination program

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The adage goes, ‘It takes money to make money.’ It is no different in the beef industry. “Low-cost producers do not cut corners on pasture, bulls, and herd health,” said beef economist Kathy Larson of the Western Beef Development Centre. “Spending less on these items often leads to reduced herd productivity and thereby raises your
Quality winter feed will promote a more successful calving season, says expert
Beef cattle, Livestock

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

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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
Beef cattle, Dairy cattle, Livestock, News

When cost is no object, things can get weird

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What happens when cost of production is removed from the equation in beef ranching? The results can end up being bizarre, said Bart Lardner, a research scientist at the Western Beef Development Centre in Lanigan, Sask., who recently visited beef operations in Finland. In that Scandinavian country, which lies north of 60 degrees latitude, European
Beef cattle, Livestock, News

Not all types of manure are equal in fertilizer value

A study at the Western Beef Development Centre looked at Russian wild rye pasture response from three different types of manure, raw from a drylot system, and leftovers from bale grazing and bale processing 64 cows on the field. Soil samples prior to application were taken to ensure a level playing field. “There was no
Beef cattle, Cereals, Livestock, Opinion

Cows Are A Tough Business

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With the fall calf run underway, cow-calf producers are rejoicing over this year’s dramatic improvement in prices. They have been many years with heavy losses and lots of producers have said “to heck with it all” and have sold off their herds. Unfortunately, the big improvement in prices doesn’t necessarily mean that profitability has arrived.
Beef cattle, Cereals, Dairy cattle, Livestock, News

New Feed Oat For Dairy Farmers

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“A grain that is essentially equal to barley for feeding to dairy cattle.” – BRIAN ROSSNAGEL, CDC You wouldn’t normally feed oats to dairy cows because the hulls aren’t digestible and the grain is low in energy content. But say hello to CDC SO-I. This new feed oat variety combines a high fat content with

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