Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast

Episode 15: Passing the Torch Successfully

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.

Episode 14: Taking Cattle Pain Management Mainstream

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.beefresearch.ca/blog/cattle-pain-management/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/can-we-reduce-castration-pain-in-week-old-calves/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/pain-pain-go-away/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/production-practices-on-cow-calf-operations/

Episode 13: How To Rebound From High Open Rates

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:
https://www.beefresearch.ca/tools/feed-testing-analysis-for-beef-cattle/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/water-systems-for-beef-cattle/#quality
www.bodyconditionscoring.ca
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/quarter-century-of-progress-with-extended-grazing/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/preventing-reproductive-failure-in-cow-calf-herds/#bullfertility
https://www.beefresearch.ca/tools/value-of-calving-distribution-calculator/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/how-to-calculate-carrying-capacity-video/

Episode 12: One Health Strategies

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/
https://open.spotify.com/show/6usRJEXMVPR2uITfOgDfoH

Episode 11: When Do I Turn Out My Cows? Managing Spring Pastures During and After Drought

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.beefresearch.ca/tools/carrying-capacity-calculator-method-1/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/developing-a-grazing-plan/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/alternative-feeds/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/considerations-when-using-alternative-feeds/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/webinars/raising-heifers-for-reproductive-success/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/decision-making-during-drought/

Episode 10: Producer Survey Helps Check-Off Dollars Go Further

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/

Episode 9: Chute Decisions – Using Low Tech and High Tech Record Systems to Help Make Decisions Chute-Side

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-keeping-benchmarking-intro/
www.beefresearch.ca/blog/courses/
www.beefresearch.ca/webinars/
www.beefresearch.ca/cowbytes/

Episode 8: Bull Selection: What are you looking for?

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-record-keeping-course-for-tracking-genetic-improvements/
www.beefresearch.ca/survey/

Episode 7: Five Management Tips for Small Herds

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.
 
Show Notes:
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/courses/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/five-management-tips-for-small-herds/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/pasture-101/managing-planning-grazing/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/tools/carrying-capacity-calculator-method-1/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/tools/value-of-calving-distribution-calculator/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/calving-seasons/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/vaccination-of-the-beef-herd/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/patience-silence-observation-practical-tips-to-reducing-stress-when-handling-cattle/

Episode 6: An Ounce of Prevention

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/