Welcome to the Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast, presented by the Beef Cattle Research Council. The most popular content from beefresearch.ca - available on the go. Each week you’ll hear valuable information on topics ranging from animal health and beef quality to grasslands management and environmental stewardship, and much more. Tune in every Tuesday as the Canadian Beef Cattle Podcast delivers straightforward insights, expert information and a wealth of practical knowledge for Canadian Beef Producers. Subscribe now! The Beef Cattle Research Council is funded by the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off and strives for excellence in the production of Canadian beef, cattle and forage through research, innovation and extension.
Bale grazing can cut costs, save labour, and boost pasture health—but it comes with a learning curve. In this episode, three Canadian beef producers share their experiences, tips, and lessons learned on extending winter grazing and why it’s been a game changer for their operations.
Relevant Links:
Bale Grazing Checks the Boxes for Three Canadian Producers (article)
Nitrates can pose a serious risk in beef cattle diets when consumed at high levels. Understanding how nitrates work, when they become a concern, and how to manage them effectively is key to protecting both your herd and your bottom line. In this episode, we break down the science, the risks, and the practical management strategies you need to know.
Relevant Links:
High-grain feedlot diets improve feed efficiency and marbling, but they must be managed carefully to protect cattle health and welfare. Forage, often silage, provides the fiber needed to support rumen function—but not all fibers are created equal. The real challenge is striking the right forage-to-concentrate balance, and finding the right type and level of fiber. This episode explores research around this topic and more.
Releva...
Water is the most critical nutrient for beef cattle, with shortages having immediate and severe impacts — especially in heat or drought. This episode highlights the importance of well-designed water systems for cattle health, productivity, and pasture use, and introduces the BCRC’s updated Water Systems Calculator to help producers weigh costs, benefits, and payback.
Relevant Links:
Transport regulations have renewed attention on the role of rest stops for weaned calves. While the idea is that breaks during long-haul transport might reduce stress and improve animal welfare, research from 2018–2020 tells a different story. Across all trials, rest stops showed no consistent benefits—and calves that rested actually carried more BRD-related bacteria than those hauled straight through. Tune in to learn why rest sto...
Over the past 25 years, research has helped producers who background and finish beef cattle gain a deeper understanding of how nutrition supports animal health and meets consumer needs. In this episode, we review the key changes over the years and how the industry has adapted to better align with evolving demand.
Relevant Links:
Evolution in Cattle Feeding, Management and Consumer Demand (article)
Forage quality plays a critical role in cattle nutrition, yet it’s not always prioritized when management decisions are made. By focusing on quality, producers can often reduce costs—getting more from the forage they already have and cutting back on expensive concentrates and feed additives. In this episode, we explore key factors to consider for making the most of forage quality.
Relevant Links:
Now that cattle feed has been—or is being—harvested, it’s a good time to start thinking 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. In this episode, we’ll talk about why feed testing matters, how to do it properly, and how to make sense of the lab results.
Relevant ...
Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) is a serious disease that can lead to abortion, infertility, immune suppression, and calf losses. If the virus crosses the placenta in the first four months of gestation, calves may be born persistently infected and shed high levels of the virus throughout their lives—posing a major risk to unvaccinated cattle. In this episode, we explore why it’s critical to keep BVD out of your herd and how different v...
Biosecurity hazards on beef operations are sometimes overlooked, but the risk of introducing disease to your farm is real—and more common than many realize. This risk increases in the fall, when cattle return from community pastures, grazing leases, or pastures bordering neighbouring livestock. In this episode, we cover five practical strategies to help prevent sickness before it starts this fall.
Experiencing Drought? Five Things You Can Do to Help Manage Your Herd, Pastures, and Health (art...
Grazing cattle on neighbouring farmland can benefit both cattle producers and crop farmers when done correctly. In this episode, we explore the advantages of bringing cattle and crops together, featuring experiences from producers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario who have successfully grazed cattle on neighbouring cropland.
Relevant Links:
The Benefits of Bringing Cattle and Crops Together (article)
Cattle producers and veterinarians recognize the need for remote drug delivery devices (RDDDs) when animals can’t be safely caught, handling poses significant risk, or when timely treatment is critical for a positive outcome. In this episode, we explore when RDDD use is appropriate, the pros and cons of these tools, and resources available to help guide decision-making. Learn how to use RDDDs effectively while staying within beef q...
Producing Dairy-Beef: Starting off on the Right Hood (article)
Dairy-Beef: Shifting From the Parlour to the Feedlot (article)
Every living thing contains carbon, and everything – including cattle and grasslands – plays a role in the carbon cycle. In this episode, we explore how the carbon cycle works, the role beef production plays in it, and how carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions affect beef producers on their farms.
Beef Cattle and the Carbon Cycle (article)
Forage variety matters. A locally developed variety might not be the best choice for your situation and sometimes a variety developed elsewhere might be your best option. Drs. Bill Biligetu (University of Saskatchewan) and Annie Claessens (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) recently evaluated how different forage varieties performed under different growing conditions across Canada.
Relevant Links:
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.