Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast

Inviting people onto your beef operation, whether for tours, sales or casual stock viewings, is a valuable way to build connections and share your story. However, it also comes with an important responsibility. Every visitor, from neighbours and tourists to friends and family, can unintentionally bring in or spread disease, making biosecurity a critical part of any on-farm visit. In this episode, we explore why biosecurity matters and break down the practical steps that can be taken before, during and after a visit to reduce disease risk.
 
Relevant Links:
Welcoming Visitors: Show off Your Herd (article)
Biosecurity (webpage)
Cleaning & Disinfecting Footwear (resource)
Feed Quality, Testing & Analysis for Beef Cattle (webpage and tools)

Not all forage is created equal, and not all cows have the same nutritional needs. Matching forage quality to herd requirements throughout the production year can reduce costs and improve productivity, but it requires more than just a visual assessment. Feed testing is the first step and understanding how to use the results is just as important. Nutrition drives reproduction and performance and guessing what's in your feed can leave both money and productivity on the table.
 
Relevant Links:
Don't Roll the Dice on Forage Quality: Feed With a Plan (article)
Feed Quality, Testing & Analysis for Beef Cattle (webpage)
Forage Sampling Best Practices (infographic)
Canadian Beef Industry Conference (webpage)

Beef is an excellent source of nutrients for people, but it is also an excellent nutrient source for microbes. To better understand how food safety is maintained in beef processing environments, researchers partnered with a major Canadian beef packing plant to examine bacteria throughout the cleaning process. Their findings reinforced the effectiveness of rigorous cleaning protocols and strong food safety standards practices, while also identifying opportunities for future research.
 
Relevant Links:
Clean Cuts: Can We Improve Cleaning at Packing Plants? (article)
In-plant Mitigation of Pathogens (webpage)
Food Safety is Rocket Science (article)
E.coli (webpage)
Tracking Genetic Improvements (course)

 Haying season is underway and the work doesn't stop once the bales are made. Proper hay storage is essential for preserving valuable nutrients, minimizing losses and ensure livestock have access to high-quality feed throughout the winter months. In this short and sweet episode, we discuss six key considerations for maintaining hay quality in storage and maximizing the value of your feed supply.
 
Relevant Links:
From Field to Feed: Six Things to Think About When Storing Hay (article)
Stored Forage (webpage)
Taking Some of the Guesswork out of Winter Feeding Challenges (article)
Tracking Genetic Improvements (course)

Every breeding decision shapes the future of your herd. Cattle have a long generation interval, so the bulls and replacement females you select today can influence productivity, profitability and performance for years to come. Understanding which traits are highly heritable, how different traits are connected and how to use selection tools effectively can help ensure your breeding program is moving in the right direction. In this episode, we unpack heritability and trait correlations and explain how selection indexes can help beef producers make informed genetic decisions that support their production goals.
 
Relevant Links
Cracking the Heritability Code: Choosing Traits That Pay Off (article)
EPDs: What Do All Those Numbers Mean? (article)
Breeding Cow Management (webpage)
The Wire Newsletter (sign up)

In this episode, we explore how one ranching family in British Columbia is navigating the growing challenges of water stewardship, conservation and climate change. From upgrading irrigation systems, building off-stream watering infrastructure to protecting wildlife habitat and advocating for agricultural water rights, they demonstrate how proactive planning, innovation and collaboration are essential for long-term sustainability. Their story highlights the evolving relationship between ranching, conservation and responsible water management in a changing environment.
 
Relevant Links:
Water Stewardship: A Ranching Family's Approach to Conservation and Changing Landscape (article)
Drought Management Strategies (webpage)
The Hidden Driver to Success: How Water Impacts Beef Cattle Health and Performance (resource)
Water Systems Calculator (interactive tool)
Forage U-Pick (interactive tool)

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)
 
 

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: 
It's Looking Like a Long, Cold Winter (article)
Eight Key Grazing Management Facts to Consider as You Plan for the Upcoming Season (article)
Forage Species (webpage)
Forage U-Pick (interactive tool)

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)

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)