Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast

Episode 124: Weed and Brush Control in Pastures

Healthy and productive pastures are essential for sustainable beef cattle operations, but invasive weeds and brush can reduce forage quality, impact livestock health and alter native ecosystems. Managing these challenges requires long-term strategic approaches that may include multiple control methods to reduce weed pressure while supporting pasture productivity and environmental stewardship. In this episode, we discuss how proper plant identification and strategic control are key to protecting both cattle performance and pasture health.
 
Relevant Links:
Weed and Brush Control in Pastures (article)
Carrying Capacity Calculator (interactive tool)
Forage U-Pick (interactive tool)
Weed & Brush Control in Pastures (webpage)
Combating Invasive Weed Species (webinar)
The Wire Newsletter (sign up)
 
 

Episode 123: Alfalfa Research May Be in for a Long, Cold Winter

Legumes are one of the most economical ways to improve feed quality, pasture performance and cattle productivity. Alfalfa has received the most breeding focus and is the most common and productive legume available, however, combining strong yields, grazing tolerance and winter hardiness in a single variety remains a challenge. In this episode, we explore Canadian research examining how different alfalfa varieties balance productivity, grazing resilience and survival in harsh northern climates.Relevant Links: 
Eight Key Grazing Management Facts to Consider as You Plan for the Upcoming Season (article)
Forage Species (webpage)
Forage U-Pick (interactive tool)

Episode 122: Pooling Resources: Community Pasture Upgrades Water Systems

This episode explores how a community pasture co-operative in Nova Scotia is modernizing its grazing system through improved water management and upgraded infrastructure. Historically dependent on a single natural water source, the pasture faced challenges such as uneven grazing, declining summer water availability and environmental impacts from direct livestock access. The co-operative introduced multiple water sources, including surface runoff ponds and solar-powered pumping systems, while fencing off natural waterways. These upgrades quickly delivered clear benefits, highlighting how strategic infrastructure improvements and expert guidance can strengthen both productivity and environmental stewardship in pasture systems.
 
Relevant Links:
Community Pasture Upgrades Water Systems for Healthier Beef Cattle (article)
Water Systems Calculator (interactive tool)
Grazing Management (webpage)
Carrying Capacity Calculator (interactive tool)

Episode 121: Beef Producers Have a Game Plan to Keep Canada FMD-Free

Canada’s last outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) occurred in 1952, showing how one small mistake can have major consequences for the agriculture industry. Today, strong prevention measures, planning, and industry cooperation help keep Canada FMD-free while protecting livestock and the economy from future risks. This episode explores how producers can stay aware, prepared, and ready to respond quickly if concerns arise, highlighting the importance of vigilance and teamwork across the industry.
 
Relevant Links:
You Are Here: Beef Producers Have a Game Plan to Keep Canada FMD-Free (article)
Foot and Mouth Disease (webpage)
Mission Possible: Protect the Herd (resource)
Biosecurity (webpage)
Value of Calving Distribution Calculator (interactive tool)

Episode 120: How Starting Slow Leads to Grazing Success

This episode explores rotational grazing and how it varies from farm to farm, shaped by factors like rainfall, water access and labour. It covers the benefits like healthier soil, improved water quality and more productive pastures, while also addressing the challenges. Through the experiences of three cattle producers, it shares practical ways to get started, such as resting sections of pasture, planning around water sources and using temporary fencing to stay flexible while finding what works best.
 
Relevant Links: 
Small Steps, Big Gains: How Starting Slow Leads to Grazing Success (article)
Grazing Management (webpage)
Eight Key Grazing Management Facts to Consider as You Plan for the Upcoming Season (article)
Carrying Capacity Calculator (interactive tool)

Episode 119: Tender Beef, Tough Funding Cuts

Ribeye and striploin steaks are among the most expensive proteins in the store or on the menu, making it essential that these high-value cuts deliver a consistent and excellent eating experience every time. In this episode, we explore new emerging approaches that may help predict beef tenderness without sacrificing the steak. We also discuss the importance of maintaining and supporting research capacity to drive innovation and strengthen the future of the beef industry.
 
Relevant Links: 
Tender Beef, Tough Funding Cuts (article)
Evaluation of rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) for the prediction of slice shear force and quality grades in beef longissimus Lumborum steaks (journal article)
Evaluation of rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) relationships with biochemical markers of tenderness in beef Longissimus lumborum steak (journal article)
Carcass Grading (webpage)
Beef Beyond Borders (article)
Value of Calving Distribution Calculator (interactive tool)

Episode 118: Things to Think About Before Turning Cows Out on High Legume Pastures

Including alfalfa in grazing systems can boost soil fertility, improve forage yields and support better animal performance while also offering some drought tolerance. In this episode, we explore how producers can manage bloat risks through key practices and careful monitoring to confidently capture the benefits of this legume crop.
 
Relevant Links:
Alfalfa Can Be Grazed Safely: Things to Think About Before Turning Cows Out on High-Legume Pastures (article)
Grazing Management (webpage)
Forage Species (webpage)
Gross Margins Calculator (interactive tool)

Episode 117: Special Edition - Grazing Season in Focus

This special episode brings together key insights, tips and strategies from multiple past episodes into one must-listen edition. Whether you’re a new producer or a seasoned rancher, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you achieve a smooth and successful grazing season - now all that's needed is some timely rain.
 
Relevant Links
Cracking the Code on Grazing Management Terminology: Animal Units, AUMS & How to Apply Them (article)
 
Developing a Grazing Plan (article)
 
Optimizing Pasture Health: A Practical Guide to Implementing "Take Half, Leave Half" Grazing (article)
 
Two Methods, Four Steps for Calculating Carrying Capacity (article)
 
Grazing Cattle on Cropland Can be Mutually Beneficial (article)
 
Grazing Management (webpage)
 

Episode 116: Remember the Four Principles of Pasture Management

Pastures play a vital role in beef cattle operations, but effective grazing management goes beyond simply turning cattle out on grass. In this episode, we explore how managing different pasture types and focusing on four key principles helps maintain productivity, support pasture health, conserve water and protect soil.
 
Relevant Links: 
 
This Grazing Season, Remember the Four Principles of Pasture Management (article)
Carrying Capacity Calculator 2026 (interactive tool)
Plan to Adapt When Grazing (article)
Adaptive Grazing and Grazing Management (webinar)
Grazing Management (webpage)
Calf 911 - How to Manage Colostrum to Allow Newborn Calves to Thrive (resources)

Episode 115: Home on the Range

In this episode, we look at how high crop prices, driven in part by rising global food demand, biofuel incentives, and risk perspective and management, are encouraging the conversion of marginal grasslands into cultivated cropland. As more hay and pastureland is turned over to crop production, wildlife habitat becomes increasingly fragmented, leaving isolated “islands” of grass that may be too small to sustain functioning grassland ecosystems. We explore research using Alberta as a case study to understand the impact that conversion of hay and pasturelands into cropland could have on ecosystem intactness and biodiversity.
 
Relevant Links:
Divergent trends in structural landscape connectivity from historic and potential future grassland conversion in Alberta, Canada (journal article)
 
Beef Cattle and the Carbon Cycle (article)
 
Environmental Footprint of Beef Production (webpage)
 
Gross Margins Calculator (interactive tool)