Cow-calf survey sets direction of beef research

To prioritize research and resources with the greatest potential to benefit cattle producers a clear and accurate picture of farms and ranches is needed.

To gather that information, the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is asking cow-calf producers in every province for 30 to 60 minutes of their time to complete the Canadian Cow-Calf Survey. The BCRC is an industry-funded council of beef producers from across Canada.

The Council allocates a portion of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off for research, extension and innovation for beef and forage producers.

BCRC Extension and Communications Director Tracy Herbert Extension said about five years ago, several different cow calf production surveys were done across the country, including the western Canadian cow calf survey, which was done back in 2017-18.

She said the information was extremely valuable.

“It found that nearly seven per cent of heifers and over five per cent of cows in Western Canada lost their calves before weaning, and half of those deaths happened in the first 24 hours,” Herbert said. “That information inspired us to work with veterinarians and producers and other extension experts to develop concise, practical information resources, like videos and handouts that can help producers increase the odds of calf survival using the best resuscitation techniques and colostrum management practices, guidance on how to tube calves or when to intervene in a difficult calving.”

This survey will ask important questions related to the 2022 breeding season and 2023 calf crop, reproductive management practices, calf management, grazing and feeding practices, and animal health.

Herbert said the information will be pooled with other respondents before results are published on BeefResearch.ca in 2024.