Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast

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:
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/calving-seasons/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/eastern-canadian-beef-producers-change-calving-period/
 

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:
https://www.beefresearch.ca/tools/feed-testing-analysis-for-beef-cattle/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/water-systems-for-beef-cattle/#quality
www.bodyconditionscoring.ca
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/quarter-century-of-progress-with-extended-grazing/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/preventing-reproductive-failure-in-cow-calf-herds/#bullfertility
https://www.beefresearch.ca/tools/value-of-calving-distribution-calculator/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/how-to-calculate-carrying-capacity-video/

Brutal winter weather, stress, and a mystery disease that targeted newborn calves created a perfect storm for one family’s “winter from hell.” Using a One Health Initiative model of care, Tyler and Nancy Haragas, their veterinarians, University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health collaborated in diagnosis, recovery and biosecurity.
 
Links: 
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/one-health-principles-help-family-navigate-outbreak/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/biosecurity/
https://open.spotify.com/show/6usRJEXMVPR2uITfOgDfoH

Managing grasslands through drought is not an easy task, but having a plan going in, monitoring pastures and being willing to adapt as the weather changes can prevent pasture decline. Facing pasture productivity challenges head-on can help producers be better poised for recovery and reap the rewards when moisture is abundant.
 
Show note links:
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/drought-management-strategies/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/how-to-calculate-carrying-capacity-video/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/tools/carrying-capacity-calculator-method-1/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/developing-a-grazing-plan/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/alternative-feeds/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/considerations-when-using-alternative-feeds/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/webinars/raising-heifers-for-reproductive-success/
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/decision-making-during-drought/

When research generates a product or practice that fills a real need, producers will adopt it. Tracking producer adoption helps the Beef Cattle Research Council prioritize and focus extension efforts.
 
Links mentioned in this week's episode:
https://beefresearch.ca/topics/castration-in-beef-cattle/
https://beefresearch.ca/topics/pain-mitigation/
https://beefresearch.ca/survey/
https://beefresearch.ca/fact-sheets/reducing-the-pain-of-band-castration/

The best record-keeping system is the one that will be used by your operation. Whether it is recipe cards in a tin container or a more advanced digital recording system, if the system is gathering dust on the shelf, it isn’t adding value to your operation. These producers made the switch from paper records to higher tech systems and found greater value in tracking data digitally.  
 
Show note links: 
www.beefresearch.ca/blog/cattle-records-for-chute-side-decisions/
www.beefresearch.ca/topics/record-keeping-benchmarking-intro/
www.beefresearch.ca/blog/courses/
www.beefresearch.ca/webinars/
www.beefresearch.ca/cowbytes/

There are many different types of bulls available, and effective sire selection requires an understanding of the characteristics of the available genetics as well as your own operation. Deliberate alignment of the bull’s genetics to your operational goals will contribute to enhanced revenue and reduced costs.
 
Show Notes: 
www.beefresearch.ca/blog/bull-selection-what-are-you-looking-for/
www.beefresearch.ca/tools/body-condition/
www.beefresearch.ca/blog/epds/
www.beefresearch.ca/blog/cow-calf-record-keeping-course-for-tracking-genetic-improvements/
www.beefresearch.ca/survey/