These producers did their homework and planned ahead before shifting their calving seasons in order to meet the needs of their particular farms and families. Show note links: Eastern Canadian Beef Producers Change Their Calving Period (article) Calving Seasons (webpage)
Legendary forage breeder Bruce Coulman will be formally inducted into Saskatchewan’s Agricultural Hall of Fame. By continuing the University of Saskatchewan’s forage breeding program, Bill Biligetu has been able to continue Bruce’s legacy.
Pain management for beef cattle has evolved significantly in the past two decades. Scientists have gained a greater understanding of what pain looks like in an animal and how reducing pain can affect an animal’s well-being. The beef industry has also responded, with the advent of user-friendly, cost-effective pain medications as well as veterinary teams and producers skilled at implementing effective pain mitigation. Relevant links: https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/pain-mitigation/ https://www...
High open rates recorded in areas across the west last year mean affected producers should be implementing strategies now to set their herds up for success. Resources mentioned in this week's episode: How to Rebound from High Open Rates (article) Feed Testing and Analysis for Beef Cattle (webpage) Body Condition Scoring (interactive calculator) A Quarter Century of Progress with Extended Grazing (article) Preventing Reproductive Failure in Cow-Calf Herds (webpage) Value of Calving Distribution C...
Brutal winter weather, stress, and a mystery disease that targeted newborn calves created a perfect storm for one family’s “winter from hell.” Using a One Health Initiative model of care, Tyler and Nancy Haragas, their veterinarians, University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health collaborated in diagnosis, recovery and biosecurity. Links: https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/one-health-principles-help-family-navigate-outbreak/ https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/biosecurity/...
Managing grasslands through drought is not an easy task, but having a plan going in, monitoring pastures and being willing to adapt as the weather changes can prevent pasture decline. Facing pasture productivity challenges head-on can help producers be better poised for recovery and reap the rewards when moisture is abundant. Show note links: https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/drought-management-strategies/ https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/how-to-calculate-carrying-capacity-video/ https://www.be...
When research generates a product or practice that fills a real need, producers will adopt it. Tracking producer adoption helps the Beef Cattle Research Council prioritize and focus extension efforts. Links mentioned in this week's episode: https://beefresearch.ca/topics/castration-in-beef-cattle/ https://beefresearch.ca/topics/pain-mitigation/ https://beefresearch.ca/survey/ https://beefresearch.ca/fact-sheets/reducing-the-pain-of-band-castration/...
The best record-keeping system is the one that will be used by your operation. Whether it is recipe cards in a tin container or a more advanced digital recording system, if the system is gathering dust on the shelf, it isn’t adding value to your operation. These producers made the switch from paper records to higher tech systems and found greater value in tracking data digitally. Show note links: www.beefresearch.ca/blog/cattle-records-for-chute-side-decisions/ www.beefresearch.ca/topics/record-...
There are many different types of bulls available, and effective sire selection requires an understanding of the characteristics of the available genetics as well as your own operation. Deliberate alignment of the bull’s genetics to your operational goals will contribute to enhanced revenue and reduced costs. Show Notes: www.beefresearch.ca/blog/bull-selection-what-are-you-looking-for/ www.beefresearch.ca/tools/body-condition/ www.beefresearch.ca/blog/epds/ www.beefresearch.ca/blog/cow-calf-reco...
In 2021, 31% of farms with cattle reported having 32 head or less and 22% have between 33 and 72. Being a smaller operator can pose challenges when managing a beef herd. Time is often limited and, as with most operations, the purse strings can be tight. Listen to this episode for five management tips that can make a big impact on your bottom line. Relevant links: Five Management Tips for Small Herds (article) Pasture 101 (webpage) Carry Capacity Calculator (interactive tool) Value of Calving Dis...
Vaccine technology, programs and practices are constantly evolving. But cattle can’t take full advantage of the protection that vaccines offer if nutrition is lacking, or disease pressures are too high. In this episode, BCRC Science Director Dr. Reynold Bergen summarize recent study results on Canada-wide beef cattle vaccination practices. Show Notes: www.beefresearch.ca/blog/an-ounce-of-prevention/ www.beefresearch.ca/survey/...
There are a range of different beef cattle operations in Canada, and no one breeding program is optimal for all operations. The ideal program will be determined by your operational goals and the management practices that best fit those goals. Show Notes: https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/epds/ https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/bull-selection-breeding-programs-that-suit-operational-goals www.beefresearch.ca/cowbytes/...
As calving season gets underway for Canadian beef cattle producers, an abundance of sleepless nights can be expected to come with it. Cows will be calving around the clock, leaving little leeway if anything goes wrong. Careful planning becomes important, not only to help calves hit the ground healthy but also in benefiting producers, both physically and mentally, when dealing with the stresses of the calving season. Join us this week for tips and resources to help you prepare for this calving se...
Antibiotic resistance threatens the effective prevention and treatment of disease in both humans and animals. When microbes are exposed to an antibiotic, those that are susceptible to that antibiotic die out. Those that are resistant to it survive, thrive, reproduce, pass on their resistance genes on to their descendants and become more common. Join us this week as Dr. Reynold Bergen talks why responsible antibiotic use is so important to ensure antibiotics remain effective, and much more. You c...
On average, $0.67 of your $2.50 Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off came to the BCRC in 2022/23. Most of these dollars support research projects and programs. But most of the BCRC staff hours are spent turning research results into producer resources. That involves collecting production information from across Canada, identifying opportunities (and barriers) to better profitability, mobilizing existing knowledge to help producers exploit those opportunities, and supporting new research to tackle the ...
This podcast highlights how Canadian beef producers continue to make significant progress in making their operations more environmentally sustainable thanks in part to research and extension efforts. You can read the article from this podcast here: https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/science-confirms-beef-industry-environmental-benefits/ -- The Beef Cattle Research Council is funded by the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off and strives for excellence in the production of Canadian beef, cattle and forag...
Welcome to the Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast, presented by the Beef Cattle Research Council. The most popular content from beefresearch.ca - available on the go. Each week you’ll hear valuable information on topics ranging from animal health and beef quality to grasslands management and environmental stewardship.” Keep updated on science-based, economic-focused information and how you can use it to benefit your herd, land, and bottom line, and much much more. The Beef Cattle Research Council is f...
