Beef

Beef cow head with ear tag. 

Manitoba is home to Canada's third largest beef cow herd, representing 11 per cent of the national herd. Our province’s vast natural grasslands are ideal for cow-calf production. Seventy-seven per cent of Manitoba's beef cattle are on cow-calf operations, 15 per cent on feeder and stocker operations and seven per cent on feeding operations. 

You will find a wealth of beef production information on this page including:

Find other information on costs of production, leasing agreements, manure and mortalities management and financial assistance.

   

 

Breeding and Reproduction

One of the most important components of beef production is reproductive management. The goal of all cow-calf operations is for every cow to produce a healthy saleable calf every 12 months; this is impossible without proper reproductive management. Below is a collection of information and resources for breeding and reproduction.

Calving season

 

Feeds and Nutrition

Feeds

Feeding Management and Rations

Cow/Calf

Replacement Heifers

Backgrounding

Finishing

Ration Planning

Grazing

Problem Feeds: How to Manage or Avoid Them

Feed Testing

You can find more information on forage production in crops.

If you are looking to buy or sell hay, access the Hay Listing in Manitoba.

Minerals and Vitamins

Water

Management

Beef cattle producers need to be astute managers to remain viable. Management of the beef herd includes many components including economics, herd management, nutrition and feeding, animal health, handling facilities and information management to keep current. For a good overview of yearly management practices, use the Beef Management Calendar resource (PDF)

Record keeping

Production management tools

On-Farm Food Safety

Recognizing the importance of consumer confidence in Canadian beef, a team of industry leaders developed a national on-farm food safety program for beef producers called the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program. It’s a producer-led program designed to help implement and verify the good production practices on-farm that minimize food safety risks. Read more about on-farm food safety programs.

 

Facilities

There are a wide range of beef cattle facilities from simple to very complex designs. The right facility will depend on the type of operation that is identified; low input operations may need a minimum of facilities to get by; whereas a large feedlot requires extensive facilities.

Producers considering establishing or expanding beef operation should make themselves aware of any legislation that may affect their operations. Producers should consult their local AGR/MASC Service Centre, Manitoba Water Stewardship and their municipality office for legislation for their area.

Refer to the nutrient and mortalities management sections in environment for additional information.

Locations to board your cattle are available at Cattle Boarding Offered.

 

Animal Health and Biosecurity

Good herd health practices and improved on farm biosecurity can limit the transfer and incidence of diseases.

For more information on beef cattle diseases, visit animal health, animal welfare or the Chief Veterinary Office.


 Visit the beef Links page for a convenient listing of more great resources related to beef production.