This article was originally posted on the Beef Cattle Research Council’s website on October 9, 2024. Often hidden hazards in beef cattle diets, mycotoxins can create a variety of problems including impaired immune response which can lead to secondary infections, compromised growth rates, reduced reproductive performance, lameness and gangrene. Illnesses caused by mycotoxins can be difficult to…

This article was originally posted on the Beef Cattle Research Council’s website on October 31, 2022. If starch (from grain) is the fuel in a feedlot diet, fiber (from a roughage like silage) is the engine governor that slows digestion. A backgrounding diet might contain 60 per cent silage to moderate animal growth so that…

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) has released its 2023-2024 Year in Review highlighting key activities and outcomes from the past fiscal year. The report showcases how producer investments in the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off are tackling beef industry priorities while generating maximum value from every research dollar.   “The BCRC uses producer input to direct Check-Off…

BCRC launches new animated video on foot and mouth disease prevention Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly infectious virus that has disastrous consequences for the livestock industry and the population of beef cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals worldwide. Fortunately, Canada has achieved FMD-free status, but everyone must stay vigilant to the risks and be…

Drought has been a common occurrence on the prairies and many producers are familiar with the long-term consequences of dry conditions. Dry weather and feed shortages can have consequences that last beyond the summer season.   “Drought is not just an issue when you are on pasture,” says Dr. John Campbell, veterinarian and professor at the…

This article was originally posted on the Beef Cattle Research Council’s website on May 23, 2024. Including alfalfa in a grazing stand makes sense. The potential benefits include increased soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, improved plant biodiversity, boosted forage yields and improved animal performance. Alfalfa can also be used to create a hedge against poor…

This article was originally posted on the Beef Cattle Research Council’s website on February 22, 2024. Alternative or non-conventional feeds, such as grain screenings, cull potatoes or distillers’ grains, can be an economical means for beef cattle producers to supplement forage and grain inventories while continuing to meet animal nutritional requirements. However, due to variability…

This article was originally posted on the Beef Cattle Research Council’s website on May 9, 2023. Rejuvenation of a forage stand, whether hay or pasture, involves using one or a combination of methods to increase productivity with a shift towards higher yielding forage species that provide improved nutritional value for livestock.  If an assessment of…