Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
The backbone of a cow calf production system is the selection and integration of heifers into the beef herd. The replacement rate varies considerably between farms but on average lies between 10...
Source: Canfax Fact Sheet
BACKGROUND
What is preconditioning?
Preconditioning is a management method to reduce stress and disease susceptibility and prepare calves to enter the feedlot. Preconditioned calves are weaned at least 30-60 days prior to sale, vaccinated, introduced to feedstuffs, feedbunks...
Source: Beef Cattle Research Council
Preconditioning is intended to reduce stress among calves during the critical and often high risk period following weaning. Calves that have been preconditioned are more likely to withstand the combination of stressors calves would otherwise...
Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Who: Anyone in the cattle industry.
Why: Public perception, safety, QA programs, money.
Where: In the pastures, corrals, barns, handling facilities, trucks.
When: Starting now - anytime you handle cattle.
What: Your attitude, perception, skills,...
Source: Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/
One of the simplest ways to change the pasture requirements for beef cattle is early weaning. Not only does it reduce the quantity of pasture needed per cow, but it also reduces the amount of...
Source: Beef Cattle Research Council, www.BeefResearch.ca
The cost of herd replacement accounts for about 10% of total cow-calf cost of production (based on the 2013-17 average). It is the third largest cost component for a cow-calf operation, following pasture (37%) and...
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
A major limiting factor for beef production in Ontario is lack of fencing. With the spread of cash cropping across the province in recent years, perimeter fencing has been removed on many...
Source: Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/
At the heart of Alberta’s cattle traceability system is the ability to trace individual animals through the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tags approved by the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA), which is...
Source: Beef Cattle Research Council, www.BeefResearch.ca
Editor’s note: The following is the second in a two part series. See part one about the research behind two-stage weaning.
Producers who have tried it, say they are sold on reduced-stress weaning techniques. Of four...
Source: North Dakota State University
Why Consider Drylot?
In a practical sense, it means feeding confined cows and calves forages, crop residues and grains that may have more value marketed through cattle than as a cash crop. Many cattlemen manage their...
