It’s essential to recognize that biosecurity is not just about preventing major outbreaks; it’s also a practical, everyday approach to managing common animal health issues.

Lisa and Cameron Hodgins own and operate Hodgins Farm near Lenore, Manitoba, and direct market some of their beef, pork, chickens and honey. The cattle operation consists of a commercial cow-calf herd of approximately 125 largely Angus-influenced cows, as well as maintaining approximately 250 grazing yearlings as stockers.

As the year transitions from winter to spring, producers are ready to stop feeding hay, and the livestock are eyeballing the “weakest link” in the fences to get to the green grass.

In the last 75 to 100 years, we have seen cow size go from belt-buckle cattle to hat-brim cattle. Between 1975 and 2005, the average cow weight in the U.S. at slaughter increased from 1,050 to 1,350 pounds. Since 2005, cow size in the U.S. has probably pushed into the 1,400- to 1,500-pound range. 

Selecting cattle that match the forage resources and environment of an operation is essential for long-term success. But how can producers identify and select animals that will maintain body condition throughout the grazing season?

Pasture-checking cattle during the breeding season isn’t much fun when we can’t find the bulls. So, a research team from Lakeland College investigated direct-to-satellite monitoring of cattle on pasture using GPS eartags to locate and monitor bull breeding.

Tim and Laurie Munns, ranchers near Snowville, Utah, were presented with the Utah Leopold Conservation Award for 2024 – an award that recognizes landowners for their dedication to environmental improvement. Their Flying M Ranch has seen many changes and improvements over the years.

March is the humble clover’s time to shine. Symbolic of luck, the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day, the welcoming of spring and 4-H enrollment time, clovers are featured prominently in our culture this time of year – and they become prominent in pastures, too.

We took the opportunity to study the technology more closely and decide if there was potential for a positive return on investment should we choose to implement it on our farm.