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)

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) 

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)

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)

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)

With increasing input costs and many regions having poor growing conditions in recent years, there is pressure to reduce input costs wherever possible. It is important to make these decisions carefully – sometimes the short-term savings are out-weighed by much greater long-term costs.

Relevant links:

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/think-twice-before-cutting-vitamins-minerals-and-vaccinations/

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/cut-costs-carefully-after-drought/

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/copper-deficiency-takes-heavy-toll-2/

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/intranasal-vaccines-are-timely-and-effective/

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/the-cost-benefit-of-using-vaccines-bovine-respiratory-disease/

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/the-cost-benefit-of-using-vaccines-bvd/

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/new-vaccination-resources-now-available/

These producers did their homework and planned ahead before shifting their calving seasons in order to meet the needs of their particular farms and families.

Show note links:

Eastern Canadian Beef Producers Change Their Calving Period (article)

Calving Seasons (webpage)

Legendary forage breeder Bruce Coulman will be formally inducted into Saskatchewan’s Agricultural Hall of Fame. By continuing the University of Saskatchewan’s forage breeding program, Bill Biligetu has been able to continue Bruce’s legacy.

Pain management for beef cattle has evolved significantly in the past two decades. Scientists have gained a greater understanding of what pain looks like in an animal and how reducing pain can affect an animal’s well-being. The beef industry has also responded, with the advent of user-friendly, cost-effective pain medications as well as veterinary teams and producers skilled at implementing effective pain mitigation. 

Relevant links:

https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/pain-mitigation/

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/cattle-pain-management/

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/can-we-reduce-castration-pain-in-week-old-calves/

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/pain-pain-go-away/

https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/production-practices-on-cow-calf-operations/

High open rates recorded in areas across the west last year mean affected producers should be implementing strategies now to set their herds up for success.

Resources mentioned in this week's episode:

How to Rebound from High Open Rates (article)

Feed Testing and Analysis for Beef Cattle (webpage)

Body Condition Scoring (interactive calculator)

A Quarter Century of Progress with Extended Grazing (article)

Preventing Reproductive Failure in Cow-Calf Herds (webpage)

Value of Calving Distribution Calculator (interactive calculator)

How to Calculate Carrying Capacity Calculator (article)