A warm summer day is often a most desirable time on the ranch, especially when a “leisure” trip to check the pastures and cow-calf pairs is on the day’s agenda. But this relaxing trip quickly turns stressful when the first calf we encounter is teary-eyed, followed by another and another.

Summer’s warmth and sunshine should spell carefree days for young nursing calves, with pastures coming to life and the stresses of harsher weather in the past. Yet, behind this idyllic curtain, the threat of summer pneumonia lies in wait.

Sweeping job and program cuts across AAFC are reshaping Canada’s research landscape, as the Liberal government targets a 15% budget reduction across all federal departments. Seven research facilities are slated for closure.

Squeeze chutes, alleys, tubs or Bud boxes may be decades old or brand-new, but all remain the greatest defense against chaos and bring their level of safety and order to the handling process.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains a leading health concern in Canadian feedlots. Currently, pen riders quietly surveying thousands of cattle daily are a feedlot’s main defence against this challenging disease.

Advances in technology are slowly changing how cattle are managed. For example, companies are offering innovative solutions enabling producers to access real-time weight data directly from pairs on summer pastures. By harnessing tools like these, ranchers can make more informed decisions to support herd health and optimize production outcomes.

Cattle production is often at the mercy of major influences, such as market volatility, government regulations and feed supplies and shortages. These prominent factors undeniably shape the industry and impact producer success on a broad scale.

Ensuring optimal calving care for newborns is a top priority for producers. However, the responsibility doesn’t end as the calves leave the farmyard. Special attention must also be given to their nutrition and overall well-being as they transition to spring pastures and continue to grow during the summer months.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) began enforcing its revised livestock transport regulations in 2022, which reduced the maximum travel time for weaned calves from 48 to 36 hours before a mandated break and increased rest periods from five to eight hours.

Newborn calves occasionally encounter challenges that undermine them in the early hours or days of life. Difficulties such as birthing stress, weakness or an inability to nurse effectively may leave them unable to consume the vital colostrum and nutrients they require.