For many producers, silaging is well underway. Once the pile is covered, it’s tempting to move on to harvest or tackle the next job on the list. But taking a few minutes to check that cover now can help protect months of work. Silage needs to stay sealed to ferment properly and maintain feed quality….
Providing cattle with the right minerals is an important part of herd nutrition, but the way those minerals are delivered can affect costs, labour requirements, and how consistently cattle receive the nutrients they need. A new resource from the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) compares five common mineral delivery methods and outlines the advantages and…
The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is highlighting resources to help producers manage pasture conditions, cattle nutrition, and herd performance throughout the summer. The latest edition of BCRC’s Vet Tools brings together science-based information on grazing management, water quality, feed testing and forage nutrition, helping producers address potential challenges before they affect productivity. The summer…
Moisture conditions across Alberta remain highly variable heading into harvest, with some areas dealing with excess moisture while others continue to see below-normal rainfall and declining soil moisture reserves. Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s latest moisture update shows rainfall during the week ending August 20, 2026, was lighter than in previous reporting periods. The heaviest precipitation…
As summer grazing continues, cattle producers are reminded that having plenty of stock water available doesn’t necessarily mean that water is good quality. Water quality can change throughout the grazing season, even in dugouts and wells that have provided suitable water in previous years. High levels of sulphates, sodium and other compounds can affect cattle…
Providing cattle with the right trace minerals is an important part of herd nutrition, but what cattle consume and what they are actually able to absorb can be two different things. A recent Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) article looks at how mineral absorption affects the effectiveness of supplementation programs and how other compounds in…
Producers planning to buy or sell a confined feeding operation (CFO) are encouraged to contact the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) early in the process to ensure they understand their rights and obligations under Alberta’s Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA). According to the NRCB, confirming the status of a CFO permit before a transaction can…
Johne’s disease can quietly spread through a herd for years before infected animals begin showing clinical signs. By the time weight loss and diarrhea become apparent, other cattle may already have been exposed or infected, making early detection an important part of effective herd health management. With support from Alberta Beef Producers (ABP), the University…
Feed represents one of the largest input costs in beef production. Without an accurate understanding of its nutritional value, both feed planning and ration formulation becomes largely speculative, increasing the risk of under- or over-supplying key nutrients. Laboratory feed analysis provides a precise assessment of nutrient availability, allowing producers to optimize feed utilization and improve…
Canfax is inviting Canadian beef producers and industry stakeholders to share their perspectives through a stakeholder survey designed to help guide the future of its market information services. As a membership-funded, not-for-profit organization, Canfax provides voluntary price reporting and cattle market information to the Canadian cattle industry. Members receive access to publications, data services and…
Emergency approval gives producers another option as pressure builds across the Prairies (Editor’s note: Alberta Agriculture and innovation issued an update on June 29 that strychnine is now available in Alberta through approved counties for the management of Richardson’s ground squirrels. Click to view: UPDATE.) Across much of Alberta, the signs are familiar this time…
(Lidocaine Impregnated Bands) An article appeared in ABP Magazine in December 2023 (view here) explaining the science behind Lidoband castration devices. They are now available in Canada in different sizes for different weights of cattle to be used with the appropriate banners. They qualify as a compounded product because of the lidocaine impregnation, so in…
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