Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC)

Before ice settles over farm and ranch dugouts, a fall inspection can help producers protect water quality, check equipment, and prepare for reliable winter livestock watering. Whether a dugout supplies water year-round or serves seasonal pastures, checking its condition now provides an opportunity to address maintenance needs before winter makes access more difficult. Alberta Agriculture’s Quality…

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…

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…

Dr. Greg Penner, professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Saskatchewan, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Canadian Society of Animal Science (CSAS) Canadian Industries Award in Extension and Public Service. The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to extension, education, and public service in support of…

Every cow-calf producer has either lived it or knows someone who has. Breeding season wraps up and everything looks fine, until fall preg-checks tell a different story: open cows, late calvers and a breeding window that slipped wider than planned. While cow nutrition, body condition and management are frequently evaluated, one critical factor is often…