Cattle producers and veterinarians recognize the need for remote drug delivery devices (RDDDs) when animals can’t be safely caught, handling poses significant risk, or when timely treatment is critical for a positive outcome. In this episode, we explore when RDDD use is appropriate, the pros and cons of these tools, and resources available to help guide decision-making. Learn how to use RDDDs effectively while staying within beef quality guidelines and ensuring safety. Relevant Links: Remote Dru...
Jul 08, 2025•8 min•Ep. 77
Dairy-beef refers to animals born from a dairy dam and a beef sire. Management practices for these calves can vary widely between operations. In this episode, we explore both the opportunities and challenges of raising dairy-beef, featuring insights from two experienced producers. Producing Dairy-Beef: Starting off on the Right Hood (article) Dairy-Beef: Shifting From the Parlour to the Feedlot (article) Artificial Insemination (webpage) Value of Calving Distribution Calculator (interactive tool...
Jul 02, 2025•8 min•Ep. 76
Every living thing contains carbon, and everything – including cattle and grasslands – plays a role in the carbon cycle. In this episode, we explore how the carbon cycle works, the role beef production plays in it, and how carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions affect beef producers on their farms. Beef Cattle and the Carbon Cycle (article) Carbon Cycle and Beef Cattle (webpage) Environmental Footprint of Beef Production (webpage) Cow-Calf Record-Keeping Course, Forage and Grasslands ...
Jun 24, 2025•11 min•Ep. 75
Forage variety matters. A locally developed variety might not be the best choice for your situation and sometimes a variety developed elsewhere might be your best option. Drs. Bill Biligetu (University of Saskatchewan) and Annie Claessens (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) recently evaluated how different forage varieties performed under different growing conditions across Canada. Relevant Links: Choosing Forage Varieties Without Getting Lost in the Weeds (article) Forage U-Pick (interactive too...
Jun 18, 2025•11 min•Ep. 74
Does grazing management feel overwhelming—full of acronyms and jargon like AUs, AUMs or AUEs that leave you scratching your head? You're not alone. In this episode, we break down what an Animal Unit (AU) is, how Animal Unit Months (AUMs) are calculated, and how to apply them to estimate forage requirements for different types of livestock. By understanding these, you'll be better equipped to match forage demand with supply and make more informed grazing decisions. Cracking the Code on Grazing Ma...
Jun 10, 2025•7 min•Ep. 73
As humans transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherers to settled agricultural societies, domesticated cattle became a cornerstone of farming life. Their natural resilience to disease made them an ideal livestock choice. But even hardy animals like beef cattle face health threats. In this episode, we explore common high-risk situations that could compromise your herd's health—and share practical, preventative strategies producers can use to protect their cattle and keep herds thriving. Relevant Li...
Jun 03, 2025•9 min•Ep. 72
Developing a grazing plan is an important first step to ensure effective grazing management on an operation, and it can help save a producer on their cost of production in the long run. A grazing plan that matches animal numbers to predicted forage yields is something that should be done prior to animal turn out. This episode we will review several key steps that should be included in a grazing plan. Relevant Links: Developing a Grazing Plan: Making the Most of the Forage you Have Available (art...
May 27, 2025•5 min•Ep. 71
Food safety underpins consumer confidence and demand for Canadian beef. Canada’s researchers develop effective solutions that help to prevent food safety problems from arising, and the check-off you pay helps fund their work. Relevant Links: Food Safety is Rocket Science (article) E.coli (webpage) BCRC Carrying Capacity Calculator (interactive tool)...
May 20, 2025•11 min•Ep. 70
In this episode, we explore how to rejuvenate forage stands—whether for hay or pasture—by using practical methods to boost productivity. Learn how shifting to higher-yielding, more nutritious forage species can improve livestock health and farm efficiency. Relevant Links: Forage Rejuvenation: Fertilization and the Influence on Soil pH (article) Rejuvenation of Hay & Pasture (webpage) Rangeland & Riparian Health (webpage) Forage U-Pick (interactive tool)...
May 13, 2025•5 min•Ep. 69
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious virus with serious consequences for the beef industry. Effective on-farm biosecurity measures can help prevent the disease from entering, spreading within, and leaving your herd. In this episode, we’ll highlight practical tools and strategies to support disease prevention, along with resources to help you identify the signs of FMD and take action to stop its spread. These efforts are essential to protecting both your herd and the Canadian lives...
May 06, 2025•7 min•Ep. 68
The goal of a cow-calf operation should be for each breeding female to deliver a healthy calf to weaning each year. While this sounds simple enough, there is a long list of variables that must fall into place before that can happen. In this episode, we’re breaking down the key considerations to keep in mind when it comes to your beef cattle breeding program. From timing and nutrition to herd health and preg checking - to help you improve outcomes and boost productivity. Relevant Links: Birds and...
Apr 29, 2025•7 min•Ep. 67
With drought a recurring reality in many regions across Canada, you might wonder what affects pastures more – the drought, or overgrazing during drought? Recent work from the University of Alberta studied how grazing season and intensity affected forage yield and root mass under drought conditions. Relevant Links: Icebergs and Native Forages - What You Can't See Can Sink You (article) Grazing Management (webpage) Drought-Related Resources for Cattle Producers (webpage) Bull Valuation Calculator ...
Apr 22, 2025•12 min•Ep. 66
Polycrops, also known as cover crops, forage mixtures, or cocktail crops, are gaining popularity among beef producers for improving soil health, managing grazing, boosting cow performance, and enhancing resilience to changing weather. However, like many farming practices, the results can vary depending on location, weather, and management strategies. The Living Lab Central Prairies program has been growing polycrops on producer operations, evaluating both the long- and short-term impacts. In thi...
Apr 15, 2025•14 min•Ep. 65
Calving season is a busy time, and there are many factors that contribute to a healthy calf being born. While some of these factors are beyond our control, we can prepare for the possibility of difficult calving. In this episode, we’ll review the steps to take when intervening to assist a cow having a challenging calving. Relevant Links: Calf 911 - How to Intervene with a Difficult Calving (article) Calf 911 How to Intervene with a Difficult Calving (video) Calf 911 Calving Decision Tree (printa...
Apr 08, 2025•7 min•Ep. 64
Are you looking to boost pasture productivity and increase your feed supply? There are several beneficial management practices that can help you achieve these goals. In this episode, we will explore a variety of methods, featuring firsthand experiences from three producers who have successfully implemented the follow: intercropping wheat and Italian ryegrass, tame pasture rejuvenation, forage mixtures for silage, and maintaining optimal species composition through intensive grazing. Tune in for ...
Apr 01, 2025•8 min•Ep. 63
Calving season is busy, and there’s a lot to manage when it comes to cow and calf care. However, colostrum management should be at the top of your list. This episode features the audio form a recent video with Dr. Claire Windeyer, where she shares the latest research on managing colostrum for beef calves. She covers what to look for, when to take action, and how to ensure calves get this vital "liquid gold," all backed by science. Relevant Links: Colostrum Management for Beef Calves (video) Calv...
Mar 25, 2025•10 min•Ep. 62
Vaccines teach the immune system to recognize what particular pathogens look like, so that it can respond more quickly and effectively if those pathogens are ever encountered in real life. Like any other teaching exercise, repeating the lesson helps it to sink in and establish a stronger memory. Vaccines are the same, so revaccinating or boosting strengthens the immune memory. Listen to learn more! Relevant Links: Vaccines: Use as Directed (article) Bull Valuation Calculator (interactive tool) V...
Mar 18, 2025•9 min•Ep. 61
Carrying capacity is the amount of forage available for grazing animals in a pasture. Accurately calculating it is key to setting the right stocking rate, ensuring animal productivity, and maintaining grassland health. The BCRC Carrying Capacity Calculator includes two methods for calculating carrying capacity: Method #1, using forage estimates from provincial guides, and Method #2, the field-based "clip and weigh" method. This podcast episode will explain the four steps involved in each approac...
Mar 11, 2025•12 min•Ep. 60
Forage plays a crucial role in providing annual feed for beef cattle. New varieties enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the grazing season however, selecting the right forage variety to meet the needs of each unique operation and feeding scenario can be challenging. This podcast episode explores the benefits of new varieties and provides key considerations for choosing the best option for your operation. It also highlights valuable resources to assist in the selection process. Relevant L...
Mar 04, 2025•9 min•Ep. 59
The investment in a herd sire is often a large purchase for a cow-calf operation. To ensure this investment will remain in the herd, breeding bulls must be properly maintained during and between breeding seasons. Dr. Colin Palmer, a specialist in animal reproduction, shares factors to consider and best practices when sourcing and maintaining bulls. Relevant Links: Protecting Your Investment: Bull Management (article) Bull Management (webpage) BCRC Webinar Series...
Feb 25, 2025•7 min•Ep. 58
The requirement for a “Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship” (VCPR) before all antibiotics could be prescribed or sold came into force in 2018, and was designed to ensure that the right antibiotics are used in the right animals, at the right dose, at the right time. This episode will explore findings from Dr. Cheryl Waldner and colleagues at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine on the impacts of this change on antibiotic use in Canadian cow-calf herds. Relevant Links: Responsible Antibio...
Feb 18, 2025•10 min•Ep. 57
Calf diarrhea (scours) is the leading cause of death in calves between two and 30 days of age. In this podcast, we explore one Nova Scotia producer’s battle with calf scours, along with proper management and prevention strategies to minimize the risk of scours in your herd. Featuring expert advice from veterinarians across Eastern and Western Canada, this episode will provide valuable insights to help you reduce the risk of calf scours on your farm. Relevant Links: Proper Management Key to Reduc...
Feb 11, 2025•12 min•Ep. 56
Purchasing the best bull for your operation starts with good record keeping to identify your operation’s strengths and weaknesses. From there you can work to narrow down your search based on your breeding system, genetic goals and budget. The following tips can help guide you in the process of purchasing your next herd sire. Bull Selection to Improve Your Bottom Line (article) Bull Selection: Using Economically Relevant Traits (article) Bull Selection: New Calculator to Determine the Value of a ...
Feb 04, 2025•7 min•Ep. 55
With newborn calves comes risk for disease and dehydration. Having the skills to quickly identify dehydration and knowing methods for early intervention can have a meaningful reduction in the rate of calf illness and death on your farm. This episode will review the steps that can be followed to evaluate dehydration and health status of young calves in order to develop a successful treatment plan. Relevant Links: How to Spot Dehydration in Young Calves (article) Calving & Calf Management (web...
Jan 28, 2025•8 min•Ep. 54
A “microbiome” is all the microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes) living in a specific environment, and how they all interact with each other. Imbalanced microbiomes can cause numerous issues for cattle, including rumen acidosis, bloat, bovine respiratory disease, and liver abscesses. To adjust an established microbiome can be challenging, but it may be effective to intervene early in a calf’s life. Relevant Links: Microbiome – The Little Things May Mean a Lot (article) How to Manag...
Jan 21, 2025•11 min•Ep. 53
With winter taking a foothold across Canada, it is important to monitor how cattle are coping with the cold and how it is impacting their ability to remain productive. Learn six tips for managing beef cattle during cold weather. Relevant Links: Six Tips for Managing Beef Cattle in Cold Weather (article) Winter Management of Beef Cattle (webpage) Water Systems for Beef Cattle (webpage) Body Condition (interactive tool) Calf 911 (videos and printables) Records for Tracking Genetics Improvement (fr...
Jan 14, 2025•8 min•Ep. 52
There are many aspects of a producer’s day-to-day life that are out of their control. The weather, including precipitation, winds and plummeting temperatures, can test the best-made plans in the most organized of operations. Relevant Links: Ready or Not Calving is Coming – Plan Ahead for a Streamlined Calving Season (article) Biosecurity (webpage) Steps to Reduce Disease in Newborn Calves (webinar recording) Early Calf Life Survival (webinar recording) Vaccination of the Beef Herd (webpage) Calf...
Jan 07, 2025•6 min•Ep. 51
Are smaller cows more efficient? They need less feed and wean calves that are a higher percentage of their body weight. In contrast, large cows need more feed, more pasture, and wean calves that are smaller relative to cow size. But what is the right size cow for your operation? Relevant Links: Big Cows and Big Questions? (article) Record Keeping for Tracking Genetic Improvements (e-course) Genes Behind the Scenes (article)...
Dec 17, 2024•10 min•Ep. 50
The Sandhills System involves moving pregnant cows on to different “clean” ground while leaving freshly calved pairs in the field they were born in. This method helps minimize direct contact between older calves and younger calves and reduces the transfer of viruses and the build-up of disease-causing pathogens in the calving area. Relevant Links: The Sandhills Strategy (article) How to Simplify Planning for Strategic Calving (recording) How to Manage Colostrum to Allow Newborn Calves to Thrive ...
Dec 10, 2024•10 min•Ep. 49
Just as every farm operates with an independent set of circumstances, and every farmer is unique themselves, calving season is going to look different on every operation. There is no one right method or time of year to calve a cow herd. Relevant links: Calving Season Timing and Transition (article) Calving and Calf Management (webpage) Calf 911 Resources Records for Tracking Genetic Improvements (e-course)...
Dec 03, 2024•12 min•Ep. 48
