Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast

Beef Cattle Research Council Proof of Concept projects are designed to test new technologies, practices and research ideas on a small scale before investing in larger projects. This episode highlights three projects and how each has answered the question it set out to investigate, uncovered unexpected findings or pointed towards next steps. Regardless of the outcome, these Proof of Concept projects nearly always generate something useful with a minimal investment of producer dollars.

Relevant Links

Function & Funding (webpage)

Refining and Improving BRSV Testing (fact sheet)

Not the Usual Suspects - Understanding the Bacterial Populations of Septic Arthritis Cases in Feedlot Cattle (fact sheet)

Developing a Rapid, Chute-Side Diagnostic Test to Inform BRD Treatment (fact sheet)

Cow-Calf Yardage Calculator (interactive tool)

Parasites can quietly impact cattle health, performance and profitability. This episode explores practical strategies for monitoring and managing internal and external parasites, with a focus on targeted treatment, grazing management and slowing resistance to dewormers. Learn how an assess-first approach can help producers make more informed treatment decisions, protect herd health and keep parasite control products effective for the future.

Relevant Links:

The Ins and Outs of Parasite Management Webinar Recap (article)

The Ins and Outs of Parasite Management (webinar)

Parasites - Internal (webpage)

Parasites - External (webpage)

When the Worms Come Marching In (article)

Calculator Toolbox (interactive tools)

Foreign material and toxin consumption in beef cattle can lead to serious health issues, reduced performance and economic losses, even on well-managed farms and ranches. In this episode, we explore how foreign materials and toxins can unintentionally enter feed, water and pastures. We discuss common risks including hardware disease, twine and net wrap.

Relevant Links:

From a Piece of Wire to Contaminated Feed: Preventing Foreign Material Hazards in Beef Cattle Operations (article)

Lead Poisoning in Beef Cattle (webpage)

Mycotoxins (webpage)

Consumption of Foreign Materials and Toxins (infographic)

Cow-Calf Yardage Calculator (interactive tool)

When beef cattle producers administer injections, the choices they make can have a significant impact on both effectiveness of the products being administered and carcass quality at the end of the production chain. Even when cattle are far from entering the food supply, overlooking proper injection practices can have broader consequences that affect the entire industry. In this episode, we explore best practices for injections in beef cattle.

Relevant Links: 

Injection Best Practices for Beef Cattle (article)

Injection Techniques (resource)

Remote Drug Delivery (webpage)

Understanding the Five W's of Cattle Injections: Who, What, When, Where & Why (article)

Pregnancy Detection Tool (interactive tool)

Internal parasites can steal valuable nutrients from cattle and impact herd performance. In this episode we’ll explore how parasite loads develop, the impacts of good grazing management and research from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine examining the effects of different deworming strategies on cattle growth, production and carcass quality.

Relevant Links: 

Is Something Worming Its Way Into Your Pastures? (article)

Parasites - Internal (webpage)

Managing Internal Parasites (webinar)

Injection Techniques Best Practices for Beef Cattle (resource)

Injection Best Practices For Beef Cattle (article)

Weaning is one of the most critical and stressful events in a calf's life, and the way it is managed can have lasting effects on calf health, performance and overall welfare. In this episode, we explore the most common weaning methods used. We discuss the advantages, challenges and management consideration of each approach, including differences in labour requirements, calf stress and health outcomes, to help producers choose the weaning strategy that best fits their operation. 

Relevant Links: 

Choosing the Right Weaning Strategy for Your Beef Operation (article)

Weaning (webpage)

Pregnancy Detection Tool (interactive tool)

Even clean pastures and well-maintained handling facilities can contain hidden hazards that are not immediately visible. A single piece of metal or a stray shotgun pellet can go unnoticed in cattle during production and may only be discovered during processing. This episode discusses common sources of foreign material, why foreign material contamination matters and what beef producers can do to reduce the risk of foreign material hazards on their operations.

Relevant Links: 

Hidden in Plain Sight: Preventing Foreign Material in Cattle Hides and Meat (article)

On-Farm Practices to Improve Food Safety (webpage)

Foreign Material Contamination of Hides and Meat (resource)

Injection Techniques Best Practices for Beef Cattle (resource)

Injection Best Practices For Beef Cattle (article)

Relevant Links: 

Improve Your Bottom Line With the Power of Feed Testing (article)

Bale Feeding Options: Pros and Cons of Common Strategies (article)

11 Ways to Avoid Feed Waste this Winter (article)

Don't Roll the Dice on Forage Quality: Feed With a Plan (article)

A Tool for Evaluating Feed Test Results (interactive tool)

Biosecurity risks on beef operations are often underestimated. Diseases can be introduced through common practices such as shared fence lines, purchasing replacement animals, borrowing equipment, hosting visitors or wildlife interactions. In this episode, we discuss why no herd is completely closed and share practical steps to develop a biosecurity plan that helps protect herd health and reduce the risk of disease introduction.

Prevent a Biosecurity Breach (article)

Biosecurity (webpage)

Biosecurity During Calving (webinar)

Vaccination of the Beef Herd (webpage)

Preconditioning & Backgrounding Calculator (interactive tool)

In this episode, we look at what over 500 Canadians across the beef sector told the Beef Cattle Research Council to help guide research and knowledge mobilization priorities for the next five years through the development of the Five-Year Canadian Beef Research and Knowledge Mobilization Strategy. We’ll explore why having a shared strategy is important to help ensure research and communication efforts are focused on the industry’s most important challenges and how it can help ensure check-off dollars are invested strategically and effectively to develop the right solutions.

Relevant Links:

Canadian Beef Research & Knowledge Mobilization Strategy (article)

Five-Year Canadian Beef Research & Knowledge Mobilization Strategy (full document)

Canadian Beef Advisors - Industry Goals to 2030 (webpage)

Water Systems Calculator (interactive tool)