Health & Production

Choosing traits that pay off Improving the genetics of your beef herd starts with knowing which traits you can change through genetics and which traits respond better to management practices. Because cattle have a long generation interval, every bull or replacement heifer you choose affects your herd for years. That’s why understanding heritability, and how…

Researchers at the University of Calgary are developing new tools that could help producers detect health issues earlier and improve reproductive efficiency in their herds. Using remote monitoring systems, behaviour-tracking collars, and machine-learning models, two projects underway at W.A. Ranches are examining how technology can complement producer experience and support on-farm decision-making. The future of…

Beef producers in Alberta are known for being stewards of the grasslands. While cattle are part of a greater ecosystem, species like gophers can pose management challenges to producers. Fortunately, solutions to gopher problems can be found within nature’s own patterns. Richardson’s ground squirrels, more commonly known as gophers, are native to Alberta. While they…

With the cows home and a bit of a lull before calving starts, there’s no better time to catch up on some opportunities with the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program. Applications are still open for the Alberta VBP+ Incentive. Thanks to $1.9 million in funding for VBP+ through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable…

As Canadian beef producers, we take pride in our disease-free status and the global reputation of our livestock industry. Canada has been free of foot and mouth disease (FMD) since 1952, an achievement that has allowed us to maintain valuable export markets and consumer confidence. But this success shouldn’t breed complacency—it should motivate us to…

As beef producers seek practical tools to improve animal health, productivity, and welfare, stress mitigation has emerged as a key focus—especially during high-stress periods like weaning, transport, and feedlot processing. Among the newest strategies in stress management is FerAppease® (Fera Diagnostics and Biologicals), a maternal bovine appeasing substance (mBAS) marketed to reduce cattle stress responses….