Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast

Episode 35: Results of the Inaugural Canadian Cow-Calf Survey

The inaugural Canadian Cow-Calf Survey collected data from six hundred producers across nine provinces on the 2022 breeding season through the 2023 weaned calf crop, as well as reasoning and rationale for some practices. Results will be used to help the BCRC prioritize research and extension strategies funded by the research allocation of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off to support producers with different types of herds and operations in various regions.  
 
Show note links:
Results of the Inaugural Canadian Cow-Calf Survey (article)
https://www.beefresearch.ca/survey/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/tools/cow-calf-production-indicators-calculator/

Episode 34: Grazing Cattle on Cropland Can be Mutually Beneficial

When we hear stories of farms from previous generations, mixed operations are often the tradition, where people grew crops and had some cattle and other livestock as well. With economies of scale and farm size increasing, farms have generally become more specialized. However, recent rises in input costs and climate crises such as drought have many producers rethinking integrated farming operations.  
 
Show note links:
Grazing Cattle on Cropland Can Be Mutually Beneficial (article)
The Benefits of Bringing Cattle and Crops Together (article)
Grazing Crops (webpage)

Episode 33: Strategies for Fall and Winter Grazing

As we move into late summer, planning ahead for the coming fall and winter months is always time well spent, especially when considering the nutritional needs of the beef herd. Winter feeding can be costly and labor-intensive work.  
 
Show notes links:
Strategies for Fall and Winter Grazing: Eastern Canadian Perspectives (article)
Extended grazing (webpage)

Episode 32: Considerations When Using Alternative Feeds

Local alternative feeds can be effective and economical additions to beef cattle rations. However, careful management is required to avoid potential problems and to ensure the nutritional requirements of the type of cattle being fed are met.  
 
Show note links:
Considerations When Using Alternative Feeds – Have You Done Your Homework? (article)
Alternative feeds (webpage) 
Feed Quality, Testing and Analysis (webpage) 
Economic Value of Feeds (interactive tool) 
CowBytes (ration balancing software)
 

Episode 31: Genes Behind the Scenes

The cattle you raise and the beef they produce are the result of two factors – their genetic potential, and the environment they’re raised in.
 
Show note links:
Genomics and Genetic Testing (webpage)
EPDs: What Do All Those Numbers Mean?(article)
Beef Quality Grading (webpage)
Genomics 101 (webinar)
Genetic IQ: Defining Traits That Matter in Your Beef Herd (article) 
Genetics Record Keeping (webpage)
Genes Behind The Scenes (article)
 

Episode 30: Ergot in Feed: Is There a Safe Concentration?

Cattle that consume feeds contaminated with the plant disease ergot can have reduced feed intake, gangrene of extremities, lameness, loss of pregnancy and heat stress.
 
Show note links:
Ergot in Feed (article)
Mycotoxins (webpage) 
Feed Quality and Testing (webpage)
 

Episode 29: Supplementation Matters – Navigating the Trace Mineral Requirements of a Beef Herd

Regional variation in the trace mineral content of forages and soils creates high risk areas where trace mineral deficiencies in beef cattle are more likely to occur. Therefore, supplemental mineral sources need to be provided to prevent production declines, animal health events or reproductive wrecks.
 
Show note links:
Nutrition in Beef Cattle (webpage)
Be Mindful of Minerals (article)
Copper Deficiency Takes Heavy Toll (article)
CowBytes Ration Balancing Software
Vaccination of the Beef Herd (webpage)
Supplementation Matters (article)

Episode 28: Polycrop Potential: 12 Tips for Using Mixed Forage Crops

 Polycrops, intercrops, cover crops and cocktail crops are different terms that all encompass planting mixed crop species for livestock feed. 
 
Show Note links:
Polycrop Potential: 12 Tips for Using Mixed Forage Crops (article)
Setting Goals and Adding Diversity is Key for Intercropping (article)
Cover Crops (webpage)
The Benefits of Bringing Cattle and Crops Together (article)
Feed Quality, Testing and Analysis (webpage)

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)