Beef Production Systems Program

Overview

Livestock production, unlike crop production, has the opportunity for major expansion within Canada because current production levels are well below resource constraints and current world demand for animal products is high and expected to continue to rise. However, consumers demand a healthy environment and safe quality food, while primary producers and rural Canada are searching for ways to meet these demands profitably. The stimulus for prairie farmers to diversify their operations, particularly on marginal land more suitable for forage than grain production, was intensified by termination of the Western Grains Transportation Act in 1995. Since then, the number of beef cows in the eastern Prairies has expanded, but at the same time, there lacks information and infrastructure to guide the development of the industry in a way that is environmentally and economically sustainable. The key problems are

• the need to develop systems that reduce the cost of production, specifically with respect to pasture quality and yield, reproduction, and the environment (Manitoba Beef Production Survey - 1997);


• the need to work with primary producers to establish management practices that ensure food safety (Canadian Cattlemen’s Association - Canadian Cattlemen: Quality Starts Here   and Canadian Cattle Identification Programs;


• the absence of accurate data to quantify greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector and validate existing models used to predict greenhouse gas production (Canada's National Climate Change Process. Agriculture and Agri-Food Climate Change Table. Options Report: Recommendations 6 and 7) [Help on PDF];


• the need to work with the agriculture sector to establish and promote management practices that upon implementation reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Canada's National Climate Change Process. Agriculture and Agri-Food Climate Change Table. Options Report: Recommendations 1 and 9). [Help on PDF]

Objective

The primary goal of the Beef Production Systems Program is to develop alternative systems for environmentally sound and profitable production of beef through new strategies for managing

• summer and winter grazing
• winter feeding
• reproductive cycles
• manure.

Approach and Methodology

The Beef Production Systems Program uses crossbred beef cattle in accordance with guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC 1993) and 900 ha of pasture and cropland (map) managed in accordance with best options based on soil and plant nutrient content. Revenue generated by the sale of cattle (public auction) is delegated to salary (12%), administrative (15%), and operational (73%) expenses. The program involves four core phases of beef production and is designed to examine the carry-over effect that management alternatives have on the next phase in the production of beef (i.e., from "conception to consumption"), as well as the impact of beef production on the environment.

Phases of Beef Production

The Beef Production Systems Program involves four core phases of beef production:

• Cow Systems (12) to Produce Weaned Calves (chart)

  Cows have been assigned to one of 12 systems for producing weaned calves, and they remain in the assigned system for their lifetime. Spring-calving(March/April) cows (photo) are assigned to one of two summer grazing systems: grass or alfalfa-grass pastures. After weaning, these cows - if pregnant - enter one of two winter feeding systems: extended grazing or drylot on one of three forage-based rations of hay, silage and straw, and barley and straw (cow winter feeding and maintenance). Fall-calving (August/September) cows (photo) are assigned to either single- or twin-calf rearing groups and one of two winter feeding systems for lactating cows: hay or silage and one of two energy supplements. For the three-month period after weaning and three-month period pre- to post- calving, all cows are managed as one group. The breeding season begins with a single timed-artificial insemination (AI) of all cows followed by natural service for 40 days following AI (reproductive management of the cow herd). Purebred Gelbvieh sires (photo) have been used to develop moderately framed Continental-type cows (1450 lbs or 650 kg mature weight) to begin a breeding program that uses British- and Continental-type sires in a three-year rotation. In 2001, Brandon Research Centre initiated an embryo transfer program to generate its own replacement bulls. This step greatly enhances the biosecurity of the herd.

• Calf Systems (5) to Produce Replacement Heifers (chart)

  Spring-born heifer calves are assigned to one of four systems (one of two outdoor housing environments and one of two winter feeding strategies) from six to 14 months of age. Environmental treatments will be designed to manipulate day length, while feeding strategies will be based on hay and silage and various supplements to achieve different rates of body weight gain during the post-weaning period (beef heifer development). The post-weaning development of fall-born heifers occurs during the pasture season, and assignment to one of two pasture treatments (grass or alfalfa-grass) will depend upon pasture availability. From 15 to 24 months of age, all heifers are managed as one group. Each year, heifers will replace approximately 25% of the cows.

• Calf Systems (5) to Produce Beef (chart)

  Spring-born steer calves are assigned to one of five systems (stocker cattle backgrounding ration and one of four growing/finishing rations in the drylot) from six to 14 months of age. By 14 months of age, drylot-fed steers will have reached market finish (feedlot backgrounding/finishing of steers), whereas backgrounded calves continue on pasture with or without a short drylot feeding period to reach market finish from 18 to 22 months of age (pasture-based finishing). Fall-born steers are weaned on hay and are then assigned to different pastures (grass, alfalfa-grass, other legume grass mixture) for backgrounding from nine to 13 months of age and subsequently sold as either finished steers or feedlot short keeps.

• Bedding Pack/Manure Management

  Bedding pack/manure from each of the drylot wintering sites is placed in windrows, specific for each wintering system, and is composted. Various chemical and physical properties of the compost piles and run-off are determined during the composting process. Composted material is spread on cropland according to the nutritive and organic matter value of the compost and the nutrient and organic matter need of the cropland (impact of beef production on the environment).

Data Collection

The Beef Production Systems Program maintains records on animal, plant, and soil productivity. Detailed health and production records are maintained for all cows and calves beginning with breeding and continuing until the individual is removed from the herd. Records include birth date, dam, sire, birth weight, ease of calving, body weight and condition, health treatments, feed offered, reason for being removed from the herd, and market value at removal. Pasture productivity data include yield, botanical composition, carrying capacity, and quality. Crop productivity measurements include yield and nutritive value. Annual soil nutritive value and fertilizer recommendations are also maintained.

Staff

The single most important resource for the Beef Production Systems Program is its staff. Currently, the program’s three scientists are working with Land Resource Management researchers at the centre in the management areas of grazing, nutrition, reproduction, and manure disposal. Their collaborative efforts involve Manitoba Agriculture and Food extension specialists and other research partners from both the public and private sectors with a vested interest in Canada's beef industry. The program is supported by three full-time technicians, six full-time herdspersons, and several part-time herdspersons hired for various terms throughout the year. Scientists hold adjunct professorships at different universities across Canada. Recruiting graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists is an ongoing effort to enhance the "systems" approach to beef production research.