Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast

Episode 27: Dairy-Beef: Shifting from the Parlour to the Feedlot

Across the country, a growing number of dairy-beef cross calves sourced from Canada and the United States are appearing in Canadian feedlots, a sight that has raised understandable concern for many cow-calf producers. One of these concerns has been how their feeder calves will compete for feedlot spaces against less expensive dairy-beef crosses.
 
Relevant links: 
Dairy-Beef: Shifting From the Parlour to the Feedlot (article)
Producing Dairy-Beef: Starting Off on the Right Hoof (article)
Carcass Grading (webpage)
Optimizing Feedlot Efficiency (webpage) 
Extended Grazing (webpage)
 

Episode 26: A Practical Guide to Take Half, Leave Half Grazing

When making changes to your beef cattle operation, starting with simple manageable steps is the key to long-lasting improvements. This is the case when it comes to the concept of “take half, leave half,” which is a basic rule of thumb for grazing management that can be effectively implemented in any region, in good weather years and bad.
 
Show note links:
How “take half, leave half” can be a good approach for grazing (video)
Grazing Management (webpage)
Optimizing Pasture Health: A Practical Guide to Take Half, Leave Half Grazing (article)
CowBytes Ration Balancing Software
Water Systems for Beef Cattle (webpage) 
 

Episode 25: Understanding the Five W’s of Beef Cattle Injections

Today, there are animal injection best practices that have become widely known in the beef industry as “just the right thing to do.” These cattle injection techniques are recommended to help farmers produce safe beef for the consumer and maintain Canada’s high reputation for beef quality. 
 
Show notes:
The Five W’s of Beef Cattle Injections (article)
Vaccination of the Beef Herd (webpage)
Vaccine Handling Tips (one-page guide)
Injection Best Practices for Beef Cattle (video)
Waters Systems for Beef Cattle Calculator (interactive tool)

Episode 24: Watering Systems on Pasture: an Eastern Canadian Producer Perspective

One of the major limitations to grazing new paddocks, pastures or intensifying grazing systems, is ensuring cattle have consistent access to clean water. Two Eastern Canadian beef producers offer insights into the water systems that they have implemented on their operations.
 
Relevant links: 
Water Systems for Beef Cattle (webpage)
Water Systems on Pasture (article) 
Water Systems Calculator (interactive calculator) 
Rangeland and Riparian Health (webpage)
How Quickly Do Water Systems Pay for Themselves? (article)

Episode 23: Comparing Tame Forages Under Grazing

Dr. Bart Lardner and colleagues recently published the results of a forage variety grazing trial conducted at the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence
 
Relevant Links: 
Grazing Management (webpage) 
Comparing Tame Forages Under Grazing (article)

Episode 22: Seeing the Forest Through the Trees

Forested rangelands and partially or completely forested areas are widespread in many areas of Canada. The benefits of using forested areas in grazing includes increased pasture acres, temporarily or permanently, while providing protection for livestock from the elements.
 
Relevant Links: 
Seeing the Forest Through the Trees
Forested Rangeland Grazing (webpage)
 Forest Grazing Management Actions (graphic)

Episode 21: Hooves Not Harrows: Harnessing Cow Power to Rejuvenate Forages

There are many different methods of rejuvenating or renovating forage stands and strategies vary in intensity, effectiveness, and cost. Breaking old stands and re-seeding forages, while effective, is among the most expensive rejuvenation methods. More producers are opting to improve their older tame pastures and re-seed legumes using a key resource they already have on hand – their cattle herd.
 
Relevant Links: 
Rejuvenation of Hay and Pasture (webpage)
Hooves Not Harrows (article)
Subscribe to the BCRC mailing lists (webpage)
Extended Grazing (webpage) 
 

Episode 20: Test Stock Water and Reduce Worry

When stock water appears abundant and water quality has been consistent in previous years, it’s easy to focus on other things but don’t overlook water testing. Poor quality stock water can lead to reproductive inefficiency, poor gains, disease and in extreme circumstances, death. 
 
Relevant Links:
Test Stock Water and Reduce Worry (article)
Sulphate Interpretation for Livestock Use (chart)
Acing Your Next Feed Test (video)
Water Systems Calculator (interactive calculator)
Water Systems for Beef Cattle (webpage) 
What’s in Your Water? (webinar) 
Vaccination of the Beef Herd (webpage)

Episode 19: Choosing Forage Varieties Without Getting Lost in the Weeds

Deciding whether or how to reseed a pasture or hay stand can be confusing, costly and risky. The Forage U-Pick tool can help you make better, less risky choices, more easily.
 
Relevant links:
Forage U-Pick Tool (interactive tool)
Forage Species (webpage)
Drought Resources (webpage)
Choosing Forage Varieties Without Getting Lost in the Weeds (article)

Episode 18: Where There are Cattle, There are Parasites: 9 Tips for Managing Parasites in Your Herd

Effective parasite management is a balancing act. On the one hand, controlling parasites is essential for maintaining cattle health, welfare and productivity. On the other hand, over-use of some treatment methods can lead to parasite resistance, which negatively impacts the long-term health of the herd and can also affect the environment.
 
Relevant links: 
Body Condition Scoring Tool (interactive tool)
Feed Testing and Analysis (webpage)
Grazing Management (article)
Internal Parasites Impacting Beef Cattle (webpage)
External Parasites Impacting Beef Cattle (webpage)