Are smaller cows more efficient? They need less feed and wean calves that are a higher percentage of their body weight. In contrast, large cows need more feed, more pasture, and wean calves that are smaller relative to cow size. But what is the right size cow for your operation?

Relevant Links: 

Big Cows and Big Questions? (article)

Record Keeping for Tracking Genetic Improvements (e-course)

Genes Behind the Scenes (article)

The Sandhills System involves moving pregnant cows on to different “clean” ground while leaving freshly calved pairs in the field they were born in. This method helps minimize direct contact between older calves and younger calves and reduces the transfer of viruses and the build-up of disease-causing pathogens in the calving area.

Relevant Links: 

The Sandhills Strategy (article)

How to Simplify Planning for Strategic Calving (recording)

How to Manage Colostrum to Allow Newborn Calves to Thrive (article and video)

Calving and Calf Management (webpage)

Proper Management Key to Minimize Risk of Calf Scours (article)

Just as every farm operates with an independent set of circumstances, and every farmer is unique themselves, calving season is going to look different on every operation. There is no one right method or time of year to calve a cow herd.

Relevant links: 

Calving Season Timing and Transition (article)

Calving and Calf Management (webpage)

Calf 911 Resources

Records for Tracking Genetic Improvements (e-course)

In beef production, genetics play a critical role in management and profitability. To overcome challenges in accessing data to make breeding and feeding decisions, the Canadian Beef Breed Council (CBBC) embarked on an initiative called the Canadian Beef Improvement Network (CBIN), which will help to standardize information across breeds.  

Relevant Links:

Genetic IQ: Defining Traits That Matter in Your Herd (article)

Keeping Production Data to Improve the Supply Chain (webinar recording)

EPDs: What Do All Those Numbers Mean? (article)

Genetics Record-Keeping (webpage)

Record Keeping for Tracking Genetic Improvements (free e-course)

Advancing Genetic Improvement Across the Canadian Beef Industry (research summary)

BCRC Webinar Series (webpage)

University of Saskatchewan researchers evaluated the performance of mature, pregnant cows winter-grazed on snaplage residue, high-moisture corn stover or whole-plant barley over a two year period.

Relevant links: 

Extended Grazing (webpage)

Evaluating Forage Species for Stockpiled Forages (fact sheet)

Harvesting, storing and delivering a beef herd’s winter rations are the largest expense for most operations. Even small improvements in a winter feed system can result in significant feed cost savings.

Relevant Links: 

11 Ways to Avoid Feed Waste This Winter (article)

Feed Quality, Testing and Analysis (webpage)

Stored Forages (webpage)

Extended Grazing (webpage)

Body Condition Scoring (webpage)

How to Manage Body Condition of Beef Cows to Improve Profit (video)

With winter rolling in across Canada, you may be turning to extended grazing to help keep cattle out on pasture longer. Grazing standing corn has many benefits, including being a high-energy forage, but can also pose animal health risks if not managed properly.

Relevant links:

Seven Tips for Grazing Corn (article)

Extended Grazing (webpage)

Strategies for Fall and Winter Grazing (article)

Feed Quality, Testing and Analysis (webpage)

10 Tips for Planting Corn (article)

CowBytes Ration Balancing Software 

Beef on the Planet Podcast

Refining Corn Grazing Recommendations (webinar recording) 

Corn is a standard ingredient in feedlot diets in Eastern Canada. With ambitious breeding efforts underway to develop short-season corn varieties, new research has evaluated replacement of barley ingredients with corn in Western Canadian feedlot diets.

Relevant Links: 

Feed Grains for Beef Cattle (webpage)

Nutrition in Beef Cattle (webpage)

Optimizing Feedlot Efficiency (webpage)

The benefits of minimizing stress for beef cattle are wide ranging. The good news is reducing stress is entirely possible. In many cases, inexpensive changes or tweaks can benefit herd – and family – dynamics.

Relevant Links: 

Patience, Silence & Observation – Practical Tips to Reducing Stress When Handling Cattle (article)

Cattle Transport (webpage)

CowBytes Ration balancing Software

The revised Transportation of Animals regulations require longer and more frequent feed, water and rest stops during long-haul transport. Research data suggests that those rest stops may post a risk to calves.

Relevant Links: 

Do Transport Rest Stops Put Calf Health at Risk (article)

Transport (webpage)

Stored Forages (webpage)