The Beef is ON

In this episode, James and Chad review considerations for your herd bulls leading up to the breeding season.  They outline the demands placed on a bull during breeding, and discuss things you can do to set your bulls up to create your next calf crop.  

This episode rounds out the podcast versions of our Beef Symposium webinars from this past winter.  This pod includes portions of the presentations by John Molenhuis - OMAFA Business Analysis and Cost of Production Specialist, and Caroline Reisiger, PhD candidate at the University of Guelph.  John talks about COP considerations for cattle feeding, and Caroline outlines a project that is utilizing a rising plate meter to measure pasture in Ontario.  The full video versions, including graphics, pictures, etc, can be found at:BeefGuelph - YouTubeAdditional resources provided by John:Cost of production for crops and livestock | ontario.caLivestock and poultry | Agriculture and food statistics | ontario.ca

Join James and Chad for this discussion on common fly populations impacting grazing cattle.  They review the basic life cycle of flies, the impact various flies can have on cattle performance, and options for controlling flies.  The conversation includes information on how many flies are too many - at what point should producers take action to control flies.  Additional resources can be found at the links below:Horn Flies and Grazing Cattle | UNL Beef | NebraskaView of Horn Fly Management | EDIS

In this bonus episode, we dig into the archives for a podcast originally recorded by our former OMAFA colleague - Havie Carter.  This is a discussion Havie had with James about preparing cattle for the grazing season.  Originally released in early 2023.

In this episode, James and Chad review the principles of pasture growth, and how growth stage impacts pasture quality.  They discuss the difference between the amount of feed that 'appears' to be in the pasture, and the actual feed value.  They review cattle grazing behaviour, and provide options for producers to maximize cattle performance on pasture.James presented a webinar on a similar topic for the Ontario Forage Council "Profitable Pastures" series in 2024.  This video can be found here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=789xiPi4fyY&t=1s 

Welcome to another bonus episode!  This episode includes another recording from our recent Beef Symposium - a joint venture between OMAFA, Beef Farmers of Ontario and the University of Guelph. This episode includes the presentation by Dr. Gabriel Ribeiro, where he reviews strategies to prevent ruminal acidosis in feedlot cattle.  You can also find the video recording of this and other Beef Symposium presentations at BeefGuelph - YouTube

In this episode, James and Chad provide an overview of what acidosis is, what causes it, and the challenges associated with managing subclinical acidosis in cattle on high grain diets.  See links below for additional resourcesBeef Symposium - Dr. Gabriel RibeiroFeeding & Management Strategies to Prevent Ruminal Acidosis in Feedlot Cattle - Dr. Gabriel RibeiroCattle Blog - Megan Van SchaikBunk Management and Cattle Feeding Behaviour. The relationship between bunk management and cattle feeding behaviour – VIRTUAL BEEF May 2021 – Dairy and Beef Cattle Production

Welcome to another bonus episode!  This episode includes the recordings of two presentations from our recent Beef Symposium - a joint venture between OMAFA, Beef Farmers of Ontario and the University of Guelph.  Video recordings can be found through the Beef@Guelph website: beefguelph.ca.This episode begins with Hannah McCarthy, PhD candidate in the Department of Animal BioSciences, University of Guelph.  Hannah reviews the use of alternative feeds in a commercial calf facility.This is followed by Kristin Thompson from the Beef Cattle Research Council, discussing recordkeeping and tracking genetic improvement.

As bull sale season is ramping up in Ontario, James and Chad talk about what to consider when buying a bull - primarily around how much you can afford to pay.  An excellent calculator tool that is referred to in the podcast can be found here:Bull Valuation Calculator - BeefResearch.ca

Today, James and Chad review considerations in preparation for calving season.  Listen for some reminders and maybe some new ideas to keep in mind as you approach calving season - or for whenever your next calving season starts!  BCRC Calving Resources: Calving & Calf Management - BeefResearch.caCalving Decision Tree:calving-decision-tree-and-presentations.pdfOMAFA Forage Testing Resources:Soil, leaf and petiole tissue, and forages and feed testing labs | ontario.ca

Welcome to our first bonus episode!  This episode includes the recordings of two presentations from our recent Beef Symposium - a joint venture between OMAFA, Beef Farmers of Ontario and the University of Guelph.  Video recordings can be found through the Beef@Guelph website: beefguelph.ca.This episode begins with Dr. Heather Murphy, Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph.  Dr. Murphy reviews her recent research on Beef Farm Management and Pathogens.Following Dr. Murphy, Mariah Crevier, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at the Ontario Veterinary College will review her MSc research on Pain Control Strategies for the Castration of Newborn bull calves.

James and Chad discuss what to look for in replacement heifer candidates and considerations for purchasing heifers vs raising your own.  Regardless of the type of heifer you’re looking for, there are some basic criteria that can help maximize the chances of those heifers staying in your herd long enough to be profitable.  This podcast walks through the decision-making process all the way to the next generation of your cow herd being ready to calve. Additional resources:Cost of production for crops and livestock | ontario.caReplacement Heifer Calculator - BeefResearch.caJordan Thomas (links to YouTube channel and other resources)Selecting Heifers for Breeding – Dairy and Beef Cattle Production

James and Chad review considerations for maintaining your cattle in cold weather.  This includes nutrition, water sources, and shelter options.  Look here for information on windbreaks:o   Whither the wind: How to decide on windbreaks - Canadian Cattlemeno   Portable Windbreak Fences.pmd

Join James and Chad as they discuss the importance of maintaining appropriate body condition in your cow herd, and how you can use Body Condition Scoring to monitor the condition of your cows.

Join James and Chad as they discuss what producers can do to increase the value of the calves they market.

In this episode, James and Chad discuss the value of low-stress weaning, and the pros and cons of various weaning options.

Join hosts James Byrne and Chad Mader as they discuss the value of creep feeding calves.  They cover options for what, when and how to feed, and provide considerations to help producers decide what creep feeding options fit their operation best.  

Introducing a new podcast for the Ontario Beef industry. Subscribe now so you don't miss our first episode.  New pods drop every other Thursday.