John O'Meara

The dangers of grass tetany

As grass greens up and your herd starts itching to get their bite at it, make sure they have enough magnesium in their diet to prevent grass tetany.

March 11, 2026

John O'Meara

With spring around the corner, now is the time to plan on making sure grass tetany never shows up on your ranch.

Prepare for difficult calvings now

No matter the size of your beef cattle operation, there are some universal steps that can help you and your cows be ready when a difficult birth comes.

January 5, 2026

John O'Meara

The most rewarding time on a ranch is the time of new life – newborn calves hitting the ground. Calves have resiliency and spirit and often thrive even when born in the wrong circumstances or weather. Still, any beef producer will have the occasional calf who was stuck or had some other mishap that requires extra care.

Selenium and beef cattle

Selenium deficiency can cause serious health and reproductive problems, but an overabundance of selenium can present its own issues. A trusted nutritionist or veterinarian can set your herd on the right path.

November 13, 2025

John O'Meara

Sometimes it seems as if beef producers are faced with a million details to attend to in order to make a ranch successful and cattle happy and healthy. Selenium is one of those details.

There’s a bright future for Speckle Park cattle

A true Canadian original, Speckle Park isn’t just a niche breed anymore. Producers across the country are seeing the breed boost profits and improve genetics in their herds.

October 17, 2025

John O'Meara

Speckle Park cattle may get attention for their colourful appearance, but it is their ability to thrive in a variety of climates and feeding regimens that really make them popular.

Managing work-life balance on the ranch

Even those who deeply love working in the cattle industry can feel run down at times. These ranchers provide some tips for striking the right balance.

August 14, 2025

John O'Meara

How do successful beef producers make sure there is balance between the demands of the ranch and the other aspects of a healthy life?

The logistics of shipping beef directly from the ranch

Direct-to-consumer marketing has become en vogue for many smaller beef producers, but it is necessary for anyone considering that path to gain a foundational understanding of the logistics required.

July 28, 2025

John O'Meara

Although the price of cattle is currently high, it is always a challenge for any farmer or rancher to thrive financially in a volatile marketplace. Some beef producers have turned to shipping meat directly to customers.

Tariffs loom over cattle industry

Those involved in cross-border beef and cattle trade remain on the edge of their seats awaiting a firm answer as to what tariffs will or won’t be put in place by the Trump administration.

April 4, 2025

John O'Meara

The tariffs on beef proposed by President Donald Trump have added volatility and uncertainty to the beef industry. While the national beef herd is at its smallest size in over 50 years, demand for beef is good and prices are regularly breaking record highs. Enter the tariffs.

Finding, writing and applying for grants for your ranch

For producers willing to put in the work and research, grants are an excellent way to obtain money to improve their operations. Here are some tips for getting started.

March 28, 2025

John O'Meara

Most beef producers prefer working with livestock over sitting at a desk doing paperwork. However, successful farmers and ranchers know that organizing the future of the operation requires some inside time.

Grazing in woodlands

Grazing your cattle in wooded areas presents several challenges but could also provide an opportunity to make your operation more efficient and profitable.

February 11, 2025

John O'Meara

Most farms and ranches have some woodlands. For centuries, cattle have been turned out in the woods to forage or to access shelter from extreme weather. With proper management, the benefits of grazing woodlands can be maximized.