Beef Cattle Research Council

09/04/2026

The best offense is defense. Click for 15 plays to help keep your beef herd safe. ⬇️
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/15-protocols-to-keep-your-beef-herd-safe/

09/04/2026

What is the most profitable post-weaning choice for your calves? Should you background for a few weeks? Or a few months?

The BCRC's Preconditioning & Backgrounding Calculator can help you weigh your options. ⬇️
https://www.beefresearch.ca/tools/preconditioning-calculator/

09/03/2026

Researchers play a critical role in the Canadian beef cattle industry. Meet the industry mentors who are sharing their knowledge and networks with early-career researchers, providing valuable insight about the challenges and opportunities facing Canada's beef industry.

Learn more about this year's Beef Researcher Mentorship Program participants at:
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/meet-the-mentors-bringing-real-world-beef-industry-experience-to-research/

09/01/2026

As fall approaches and winter feeding is on the horizon, now is a good time to review your feeding strategies and make the most of the feed available on your operation.

🎧Listen to episode 134 of the Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast, a special compilation episode that brings together practical tips, strategies and insights from past episodes to help beef producers feed with a plan this winter.

https://canadianbeefcattlepodcast.podbean.com/e/episode-134-special-edition-feed-management-in-focus/

08/31/2026

It's time to think about feed testing!

Any feed type being fed to beef cattle can and should be tested to ensure nutritional needs of the livestock are being met. This includes:
✅fresh and stored silage
✅baled forages
✅by-product feeds
✅swath grazing
✅cover crops
✅grain

Learn more about why feed testing is important, how to properly collect a feed sample and what to do with the test results. ⬇️
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/improve-your-bottom-line-with-the-power-of-feed-testing/

08/27/2026

With a wide range of mineral delivery options available, which best fits your operation and cattle nutrition requirements?
➡️ Free-choice dry, loose mineral
➡️ Mineral tubs
➡️ Inclusion in a total mixed ration (TMR)
➡️ Injectable minerals
➡️ Mineral boluses

The “best” option depends on factors such as forage quality, management style, herd size and production goals. Our latest article weighs the advantages and limitations of each approach:

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/pros-and-cons-of-mineral-delivery-strategies-for-beef-cattle/

08/26/2026

The Beef Cattle Research Council and Maritime Beef Council welcome Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s recent decision to breed the cow herd at the Nappan Research Farm prior to its sale this fall, following concerns raised by both organizations. Two additional research herds at AAFC locations slated for closure, in Edmonton and Lacombe, Alberta, will also be sold this fall.

While the dispersal of these three herds represents the loss of valuable research infrastructure, selling them as bred cows creates an opportunity for Canadian cow-calf producers to expand their herds and benefit from these genetics at a time when market conditions are encouraging herd growth.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT ⬇️

The Beef Cattle Research Council and Maritime Beef Council welcome Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s recent decision to breed the cow herd at the Nappan Research Farm prior to its sale this fall, following concerns raised by both organizations.

08/26/2026

🤔 Keep or cull?

Replacement heifers represent the future genetic and productive potential of the beef herd. Selecting the right females can improve fertility, calving ease, maternal traits, temperament and overall herd performance.

However, selection criteria should align with an operation’s goals, environment, available feed resources and marketing strategy. Explore the checkpoints that can guide replacement decisions as a heifer progresses from birth to breeding. ⬇️

Selecting replacement heifers involves a series of evaluations that begin at birth and continue through breeding that can strengthen herd performance over the long term.

08/25/2026

Once your cattle feed is harvested, it’s time to think about testing it. While a visual check can help you spot the difference between good and poor-quality feed, it won’t tell you much about energy or protein levels. Only a feed test can give you that information.

Why does feed testing matter? How should you collect samples?
How can you use the lab results? ⬇️
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/improve-your-bottom-line-with-the-power-of-feed-testing/

08/25/2026

Disease can be introduced through common practices on beef operations, such as shared fence lines, purchasing replacement animals, borrowing equipment, hosting visitors or wildlife interactions.

📰Read or 🎧listen to episode 133 of the Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast, where we discuss why no herd is completely closed and share practical steps to develop a biosecurity plan that helps protect herd health and reduce the risk of disease introduction.

https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/prevent-a-biosecurity-breach/