Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast

Episode 84: Looking to Make the Most of Forage Quality?

Forage quality plays a critical role in cattle nutrition, yet it’s not always prioritized when management decisions are made. By focusing on quality, producers can often reduce costs—getting more from the forage they already have and cutting back on expensive concentrates and feed additives. In this episode, we explore key factors to consider for making the most of forage quality.
 
Relevant Links: 
Looking to Make the Most of Forage Quality? Consider These Factors (article)
A Tool for Evaluating Feed Test Results (interactive tool)
Feed Quality, Testing & Analysis for Beef Cattle (webpage)
An Introduction to Farm Records & Benchmarking (webpage)
A Tool for Evaluating the Economic Value of Feeds Based on Nutrient Content (interactive tool)

Episode 83: Improve Your Bottom Line with the Power of Feed Testing

Now that cattle feed has been—or is being—harvested, it’s a good time to start thinking about testing it. While a visual check can help you spot the difference between good and poor-quality feed, it won’t tell you much about energy or protein levels. Only a feed test can give you that information. In this episode, we’ll talk about why feed testing matters, how to do it properly, and how to make sense of the lab results.
 
Relevant Links: 
Improving Your Bottom Line With the Power of Feed Testing (article)
Have You Had Your Feed Tested? (article)
Feed Quality, Testing & Analysis For Beef Cattle (webpage)
A Tool for Evaluating the Economic Value of Feeds Based on Nutrient Content (interactive tool)
Weaning (webpage)

Episode 82: Keep Your BVD Down

Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) is a serious disease that can lead to abortion, infertility, immune suppression, and calf losses. If the virus crosses the placenta in the first four months of gestation, calves may be born persistently infected and shed high levels of the virus throughout their lives—posing a major risk to unvaccinated cattle. In this episode, we explore why it’s critical to keep BVD out of your herd and how different vaccination protocols can help protect your cattle.
 
Relevant Links: 
Vaccination Of The Beef Herd (webpage)
Cost-Benefit of BVD Vaccinations (interactive tool)
Economics of Pregnancy Testing Beef Cattle Model (interactive tool)

Episode 81: Five Strategies to Stop Sickness Before it Starts this Fall

Biosecurity hazards on beef operations are sometimes overlooked, but the risk of introducing disease to your farm is real—and more common than many realize. This risk increases in the fall, when cattle return from community pastures, grazing leases, or pastures bordering neighbouring livestock. In this episode, we cover five practical strategies to help prevent sickness before it starts this fall.
 
Until the Cows Come Home: Five Strategies to Stop Sickness Before it Starts this Fall (article)
Think you Have a Closed Herd? (interactive graphic)
Getting the Dirt on Cleaning Versus Disinfecting (article)
Always Look a Gift Cow in the Mouth (article)
Tracking Genetic Improvements (course)

Episode 80: Understanding Yardage Costs

Have you ever wondered where your money really goes during the winter-feeding period? Feed costs are easy to identify in a beef cattle operation—but what about the hidden expenses quietly chipping away at your bottom line? That’s where yardage comes in. Yardage is a key factor in managing winter feeding costs for cow-calf operations. In this episode, we explore why yardage matters, how to measure and track it, and how to use those insights to make more informed decisions on your farm.
 
Understanding Yardage Costs in Cow-Calf Operations (article)
Cow-Calf Yardage Calculator (interative tool)
Cracking the Code on Grazing Management Terminology: Animal Units, AUMS, & How to Apply Them (article)
Economics of Pregnancy Testing Beef Cattle Model (interactive tool)

Episode 79: Five Things to You Can Do During Drought to Manage Your Herd, Pastures and Health

Despite recent rain in some areas, drought continues to hit hard across many parts of Canada, with some regions facing multiple years of dry conditions. If you’re navigating another tough season, this episode shares practical strategies to help protect your beef cattle operation—and your own wellbeing—during drought.
 
Relevant Links: 
Experiencing Drought? Five Things You Can Do to Help Manage Your Herd, Pastures, and Health (article)
How are you, really? (anonymous self-check tool)
Toxic Plants (webpage)
Drought Management Strategies (webpage)
Feed Test Evaluator (interactive tool)
Tracking Genetic Improvements (course)

Episode 78: The Benefits of Bringing Cattle and Crops Together

Grazing cattle on neighbouring farmland can benefit both cattle producers and crop farmers when done correctly. In this episode, we explore the advantages of bringing cattle and crops together, featuring experiences from producers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario who have successfully grazed cattle on neighbouring cropland.
 
Relevant Links:
The Benefits of Bringing Cattle and Crops Together (article)
Grazing Crops (article)
Nutrition in Beef Cattle (webpage)
Water Systems Calculator (interactive tool)

Episode 77: Getting the Dirt on Cleaning Versus Disinfecting

Raising cattle is a dirty job, and though we do our best to keep the dirt where it belongs, are we being mindful of the germs that could be lurking within? In this episode, we explore the difference between cleaning and disinfecting, how to choose the right products, and resources to help you keep your operation healthy.
 
Relevant Links: 
Getting the Dirt on Cleaning Versus Disinfecting (article) 
Preventing a Biosecurity Breach (article)
Biosecurity (webpage)
Feed Quality, Testing & Analysis for Beef Cattle (webpage and tools)

Episode 76: Remote Drug Delivery: What You Need to Know

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 Drug Delivery Devices: What You Need to Know (article)
When and How to Treat a Beef Animal Using Remote Drug Delivery (video)
Remote Drug Delivery Best Practices for RDDD (resource)
Water Systems Calculator (interactive tool)

Episode 75: Dairy-Beef: Starting Off on the Right Hoof

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)