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,…
Canadian Beef Industry Award winner, Dr. Surya Acharya, sets his sights on sustainable innovations to help tackle beef industry challenges Every year the Beef Cattle Research Council recognizes a researcher or scientist whose work has contributed to advancements in the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry. This year, the BCRC awarded ABP nominee…
An initiative supported by the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is looking to help reduce disease risk in western Canadian beef herds. As part of the process, project collaborators would like to hear from you. The link below is to a producer survey which will ask you a series of questions to gather your thoughts…
Is the vigor of your cattle herd waning? The genetic vigor, that is. It might be time to dig deeper than hide color to discover the actual genetic makeup, and then to refresh, the heterosis of your herd. The what? ‘Heterosis’ is the science term for the Hybrid Vigor factor, and while its known benefits…
The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is hosting a series of four webinars from November through March. The webinars will cover a variety of topics, including backgrounding, record keeping, and grazing planning. Registrants will receive reminders to attend the live event, additional resources, and a link to access the webinars at any time after they’re…
By Reynold Bergen, BCRC, for Canadian Cattlemen The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) projects featured in this column are funded by the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off. When the check-off increased a few years ago, the BCRC’s budget rose from around 15 cents to 67 cents per head marketed. This allowed us to start some new…
Managing herd genetics is difficult without the right tools, and even harder when you produce crossbred cattle. Optimizing herd genetics The first part to optimizing herd genetics is selecting sires/dams with the best genes. This can be achieved by purchasing breeding stock that have the best estimated progeny differences (EPDs). However, EPDs can have low…
Beat costs and boost yields with bale grazing From the Beef Cattle Research Council Many Canadian producers have taken steps to extend their grazing period and provide forage for cattle outside of confinement and away from corrals. Well planned extensive wintering systems have obvious benefits for reducing on-farm labour and yardage costs, but extended grazing…
The 2020 results for the Canadian Cost of Production (COP) Network are in, and the next round is open for those interested in participating. The Canadian Cost of Production (COP) Network is a national effort to benchmark cow-calf production systems across Canada. The results from the first 28 farm systems are available now. Grouped by…
By Beef Cattle Research Council Many cow-calf producers from B.C. through Ontario are planning to wean and sell their calves earlier this year. Others are reluctant to sell lightweight calves into a flooded market so are thinking about retaining ownership, putting extra pounds onto lightweight calves, and selling into a more promising feeder market in early 2022. Many factors need to be considered when preparing to feed lightweight calves Calves face…
From the Beef Cattle Research Council Many farmers truly enjoy working cattle but for some producers (and perhaps their family members) sorting and processing cattle may not bring out the best in everyone. The good news is reducing stress is entirely possible. In many cases, inexpensive changes or tweaks can benefit herd – and family…
On July 29, Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) hosted a webinar on drought stress, moderated by Stacey Domolewski, Research and Innovation Coordinator for the BCRC. Speakers: Dr. Cheryl Waldner, NSERC/Beef Cattle Research Council Senior Research Chair in Beef Cattle Health in Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Bart Lardner,…