Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast

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) 
 

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)