By Marlene Paibomesai Colostrum is important for passive immunity, neonate nutritional needs and calf development. Colostrum is a source of immune factors, fatty acids and protein that the calf needs early in life. Colostrum components are absorbed by the small intestine to effectively protect and provide nutrition to the neonate calf. Circulating IgG and other [...]
Month: March 2024
Tiny world, Big Impact
A calf's microbiome is established very early in life. The microscopic world cannot be seen, but it can impact dairy production, health, and the environment. We tend to think of microbes in the context of causing disease, but they are a key driver of life and provide many benefits to animals, especially to the ruminant. [...]
Nurturing the New Cattle on the Block: Setting cattle up for success when they arrive at the feedlot
Nurturing new arrivals to the feedlot… Have you reviewed your receiving program lately? The spring cattle run is upon us, marking a great time to review and reflect upon practices that set cattle up for success in the feedlot from the start. This article by OMAFRA Beef Cattle Specialist, Megan Van Schaik, highlights some key practices to consider as part of a receiving program that can help achieve a smooth transition for new arrivals.
Does Yeast Supplementation in High-Grain Feedlot Diets Help with Recovery from Induced Ruminal Acidosis Challenge?
Beyond baking bread: exploring the role of yeast in feedlot rations… Yeast has long been explored as an additive to livestock rations to enhance gut health. Through her research at the University of Guelph, Dr. Melissa Williams has investigated how yeast plays a role in feedlot rations, most recently exploring the impact of yeast supplementation to beef cattle fed high-grain diets with monensin and how yeast affects gut wall permeability. Read on for more details on the study design and findings.
Feeding the Beef Cow in Late Pregnancy
Developing an effective feeding program for gestating beef cows… Are your beef cows in late gestation on a feeding program that will set them up for success during lactation, for rebreeding, and beyond? In his article “Feeding the Beef Cow in Late Pregnancy”, OMAFRA Beef Cattle Specialist James Byrne outlines some important considerations for effectively feeding beef cows in late gestation and the lasting impact of feeding decisions made during this time.
Does length of prepartum energy supplementation impact colostrum quality and quantity?
Exploring the effects of over-supplementation on colostrum quality…‘Tis the season to discuss the value of colostrum to newborn calves and the factors impacting colostrum quality and quantity. Madi Lewis and a team of University of Guelph researchers have investigated how over-supplementing energy in the ration of late gestation cows affects colostrum production and performance of the calf and dam. Find out what this research uncovered and what it means.
Canadian Cow-Calf Survey
Have your say! … There are a number of current and upcoming opportunities for Ontario beef producers to provide input as part of provincial and national surveys. Have your say in these important initiatives. It’s an opportunity for you to benchmark your practices against those of other producers. It’s also important to have Ontario representation in these datasets to inform outreach activities, policy initiatives and further research. Learn more about how you can contribute to the Benchmark Study of the Canadian Feedlot Industry, the OAHN Survey on Digital Dermatitis, and the BCRC National Cow-Calf Survey.
Ontario Animal Health Network Survey on Digital Dermatitis
Have your say! … There are a number of current and upcoming opportunities for Ontario beef producers to provide input as part of provincial and national surveys. Have your say in these important initiatives. It’s an opportunity for you to benchmark your practices against those of other producers. It’s also important to have Ontario representation in these datasets to inform outreach activities, policy initiatives and further research. Learn more about how you can contribute to the Benchmark Study of the Canadian Feedlot Industry, the OAHN Survey on Digital Dermatitis, and the BCRC National Cow-Calf Survey.
Coming Soon: The Canadian Feedlot Benchmark Study
Have your say! … There are a number of current and upcoming opportunities for Ontario beef producers to provide input as part of provincial and national surveys. Have your say in these important initiatives. It’s an opportunity for you to benchmark your practices against those of other producers. It’s also important to have Ontario representation in these datasets to inform outreach activities, policy initiatives and further research. Learn more about how you can contribute to the Benchmark Study of the Canadian Feedlot Industry, the OAHN Survey on Digital Dermatitis, and the BCRC National Cow-Calf Survey.
Dairy and Beef Cattle Production 