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Cattle require good mineral program

After coming through a challenging winter, its important to make sure cattle are on a good mineral program.

Saskatchewan Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist Travis Peardon says in order for a cow to calve at the same time next year she must rebreed within 80-83 days after calving.

He notes having a good nutrition program is fundamental.

"Having a strong mineral program is really important for your cow herd. It has a positive effect on feed efficiency. It has an effect on growth, immune function and then most importantly fertility. Those are probably the biggest reasons we want to have a good mineral program for our cows."

When looking at your mineral program, the most talked about macro minerals are calcium and phosphorus and their ratio in the body, which should be at least two to one.

The type of forage or pasture will influence this ratio as legumes are generally high in calcium while grasses tend to be lower.

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Genetics vs Genomics in Swine - Dr. Max Rothschild

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Max Rothschild, Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University, explains how genetics and genomics have transformed swine production. He explores genomic selection, key gene discoveries, and the role of gene editing in improving disease resistance and productivity. Practical insights on litter size, meat quality, and industry adoption are also discussed. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Genetic improvement in swine production accelerated significantly once molecular tools enabled identification of DNA level variation influencing growth, reproduction, and meat quality across commercial populations."

Meet the guest: Dr. Max Rothschild / max-f-rothschild-b3800312 earned his PhD in Animal Breeding from Cornell University and has spent over four decades at Iowa State University advancing swine genetics and genomics. His research focuses on genetic improvement, disease resistance, and molecular tools for swine production. A leader in pig genome research, his work has shaped modern breeding strategies.