Beef Cattle Research Council

Litter (dead plant material left from previous growing seasons) is often called a “rancher’s insurance policy” because it helps pasture systems retain moisture in dry years and can help maintain forage yields.

Learn more about managing pastures to retain adequate litter cover in both tame and native pasture stands.

https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/rangeland-riparian-health/

💧Water is an essential nutrient for beef cattle. Access to ample supplies of good quality stock water maximizes production.

Routinely test your stock water to help identify factors impacting water quality. ⬇️ Click for stock water tips.

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/test-stock-water-reduce-worry/

🌲🌳The integration of livestock into agroforestry systems has many benefits for both the livestock and the environment.

While basic principles of grazing management such as using appropriate stocking rates, controlling weeds, avoiding damage to sensitive areas and monitoring animal condition apply, some additional considerations are suggested when implementing forest grazing.

Episode 22 of the Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast contains more tips on managing forested grazing: https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/seeing-the-forest-through-the-trees-tips-for-forest-grazing-cattle/

☀️✈️As summer approaches, many Canadians are planning vacations and welcoming visitors to their farms. With increased travel and farm traffic, everyone—both those working on and visiting farms—are part of keeping Canada free of unwanted visitors such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

🦠🧼For beef cattle producers, travelling safe involves knowing key information before returning to Canada, such as how to clean and disinfect belongings, especially those that have been in contact with soil. Learn more. ⬇️

Travel Safe: Stop Foot and Mouth Disease at the Gate Protect Canadian beef cattle herds when travelling and transporting cattle by implementing biosecurity practices.

Using the four principles of pasture management will help keep your pastures in good shape this grazing season.
1️⃣- Balance forage supply and livestock demand.
2️⃣- Distribute grazing pressure across the pasture.
3️⃣- Provide rest during the growing season to help plants recover.
4️⃣- Avoid grazing during sensitive times.

Learn more. ⬇️
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/this-grazing-season-remember-the-four-principles-of-pasture-management/

Looking for a quick and easy way to improve herd handling outcomes?
Patience, silence and observation can help reduce stress when handling cattle.

Click for producer tips, researcher insights and examples of on-farm stress reduction methods. ⬇️
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/patience-silence-observation-practical-tips-to-reducing-stress-when-handling-cattle/

Johne’s disease has been a lingering threat to the Canadian beef industry for decades. Measuring increases in cases is often difficult because infected herds can go unnoticed due to long dormant infection periods and non-specific symptoms.

However, missing a Johne’s outbreak can have significant long-term implications. This includes increased replacement costs, decreased weaning weights, loss of important genetics and impacts on seed stock herds’ reputations.

🛑 Stop Johne's disease in its tracks.
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/johnes-disease/