All Resources

Traceability in Alberta : best practices for RFID ear tag application

Description

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... More ≫

Description

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 an industry-led organization that manages animal identification. Supporting this initiative is a federal requirement that has been in place since 2002, for all cattle raised in Canada to be tagged with a CCIA-approved ear tag prior to leaving their farm of origin. RFID tags enable industry to read each animal’s unique ear tag number electronically. For the system to work, it is critical that animals are tagged appropriately to reduce tag loss and to ensure the tags can be electronically scanned in an efficient manner.

Tags

Effects of nutrition on beef cow reproduction

Description

The nutritional quality of feeds and forage can have a tremendous influence on the reproductive performance of cattle. This document describes the effect of deficiencies and imbalances of both... More ≫

Description

The nutritional quality of feeds and forage can have a tremendous influence on the reproductive performance of cattle. This document describes the effect of deficiencies and imbalances of both macro and micro nutrients on reproductive performance.

Tags

Increasing cow/calf profitability using chaff and chaff/straw feedstuffs

Description

Over the years, many cost-conscious cow/calf producers across western Canada have recognized the potential for chaff residues to help reduce the winter feeding costs in mixed farm operations.... More ≫

Description

Over the years, many cost-conscious cow/calf producers across western Canada have recognized the potential for chaff residues to help reduce the winter feeding costs in mixed farm operations. Chaff that has often been considered a nuisance on the grain side of a mixed farm can prove to be a valuable low cost feed alternative on the cattle side. In fact, chaff may prove to work as a win-win solution for both operations, if some basic steps are followed. And nothing is more important than to first recognize that chaff is a low quality feed, suitable only for mature beef cows.

Tags

Winter feeding programs for beef cows and calves

Description

Before making management decisions about feeding beef cattle and calves, producers need to answer the following questions: How much feed is available on the farm? What is the quality of the feed?... More ≫

Description

Before making management decisions about feeding beef cattle and calves, producers need to answer the following questions: How much feed is available on the farm? What is the quality of the feed? What is the cost of purchasing feed and supplements? Do the cows need to gain weight during the winter? Are the calves going into a feedlot or back onto grass? What is the required weight gain from the calves? How will interest rates and overhead costs affect break-evens? Plan a winter feeding program well in advance. Use the tools available to sample feed, and obtain feed test results. A balanced ration minimizes costs and improves animal performance.

Tags