Health & Production

After a tough, dry year, many livestock producers are struggling to decide how long they can wait to put animals on stressed forage stands. According to David MacTaggart, a University of Saskatchewan Masters student, a general rule of thumb is to try to wait until around the four-leaf stage before turning animals into grass-based pasture…

Researchers at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine are looking for participation in a survey on spring processing handling and restraining methods. Participants must be legal adults who have participated in at least one spring processing (or branding) in western Canada in the last five years. The survey should take no more than…

Whether calving has already started, or you’re months away, it’s a good time to revisit some behaviour and warning signs that a calving cow or heifer may need attention. There are three stages to parturition (calving). Stage one involves cervix dilation, and must be complete before any pull assist; Stage two begins with the fetal…

Across Alberta last fall cattle came off pasture light. This is a serious concern, especially when it comes to preparing for and protecting the health of the next generation. We asked beef nutrition consultant Barry Yaremcio for some recommendations to support pregnant heifers through late gestation and calving. Here is his advice. Recognize unique requirements…

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is adding to its repertoire of valuable calving resources. This month, the organization published videos on esophageal feeding (tubing), colostrum management, and dehydration in calves. Calf 911 – The Ins And Outs Of Esophageal Feeding The video quickly summarizes the supplies needed, the McGrath feeder versus the bag feeder,…

Following the recent downgrade in Canada’s BSE risk to negligible status, there is hope that the animal health sector will focus more attention on production-limiting diseases, like Johne’s and Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD).  Reopening doors of opportunity Both Johne’s and BVD present challenges for producers through detection, transmission, and production. We sat down with veterinarian…

By Heather Smith Thomas Producers may never realize they have a problem unless a necropsy reveals net wrap or baling twine inside the animal Use of net wrap on hay and straw bales carries risks to cattle. Dr. John Campbell, professor of large animal clinical sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says some…

What is cold stress? All mammals need to maintain their internal body temperatures, averaging 38°C in cattle. However, they don’t need to use extra energy to maintain normal body temperatures when the environmental conditions are within a “thermoneutral zone.” The thermoneutral zone is defined as the range of ambient temperatures without regulatory changes in metabolic…

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) today announced $3 million in funding for the Hay West 2021 initiative. “The Hay West program has been a heartwarming response to a devastating situation,” says Mary Robinson, CFA President. “We have seen farmers come together to help their colleagues across the country,…

U of A team will pinpoint genetic traits that could increase grazing efficiency while protecting pastures. By Bev Betkowski A new University of Alberta research project could help ranchers customize their cattle to the type of pastures they have, creating economic and environmental benefits along the way. Launched this past summer, the research involves tracking…