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Who We Are
• 1st year of the Livestock Research Unit
• Created to increase research capability of the college
• Focused on laying foundation to build on
• Manage the herd and research program
Accomplishments
• Herd expansion
• Continuing second year of RFI trial
• First calves on the ground
• Planned long term herd goals
• Publications in Cattleman, Alberta Farmer, Western Producer
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
- Good communication- Up-to-date technology- Detailed knowledge of our herd
- Short time frame- Communication with all SMF units
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
- Grants- Networking- Collaboration with industry- Increased resources for statistical
significance
- Land availability- Market threats- Funding trials/projects
SWOT Analysis
Current Herd
• 41 bred heifers purchased last year
• 50 replacement heifer calves purchased February 2017
Key Performance Indicators
KPI Target Actual 2016
Open Rate 10% 16%
Length of Breeding Season 63 days 72 days
Grazing Days YTD 365 216
Death Rate 4% -
Calving
• Currently calving in red barn pens
• Long term goal to calve on pasture
• Birth weights and genomic data collected
Herd Expansion
• Approved to purchase more heifers
• Improve statistical significance of herd
• Tender released to producers, bidding closed in January
Heifer Selection
• Visited top two choices and discussed the pros and cons
• Purchased 50 heifers from CMB Angus in St. Paul
Heifers were selected for:• Calving ease• Moderate frame• Reproductive traits
Breeding Strategy
• Ideal cow = 80% Angus + 20% Hereford
• Maintain hybrid vigour
• Two breeding groups
Bulls Group 1 Group 2
Angus 68
Hereford 23
Bulls
• Currently have 2 black Angus bulls
• Renting another Angus bull from Purebred Unit
• Looking into renting Hereford bull from a producer
• Bulls will be put out August 1 – October 2
Feed Efficiency Trial
• 2nd year of Alberta Ag trial
• Measures RFI using GrowSafe bunks
• Started trial March 8th
Current Trials
• Retained heterosis project with Livestock Gentec
• BCRC Rotational Grazing study
• Milk replacer/Jersey milk lamb trial
• Ewe pregnancy diagnosis test with Dr. Susan Markus
Cost of Production
Returns Calves Produced
$ to produce lb of calf $1.82
Return/lb of calf $2.47
Profit/loss per lb of calf $0.65
Profit/loss per cow $284.93
Profit/loss for herd $14,246.33
$24,152
$1,816
$5,540
$1,385
$935
$2,126
$4,518
$711
$1,127 $3,040
Production Expenses
Feed Expenses
Vet/Medications
Labour
Utilities
Breeding Fees
Corral Cleaning
Equipment Rental
Miscellaneous Expense
Backfat Ultrasound
Genotyping
Total: $45,350
$-
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
Budget vs. Expenses
YTD 2016/17 Budget
Total: $127,850
Finance Recommendations
• Detailed Partial Budgets from all team manager positions
• Establish finance production calendar at beginning of school year
• Complete up to date cost of production within first month of operation
$-
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
$3,000.00
$3,500.00
$4,000.00
$4,500.00
December January February March
Total Feed CostDecember 2016 - March 2017
Bred Heifers Replacements
Pasture Grazing Costs
Pasture Corn Grazing
Total days 179 37
Total cost $4,049.28 $1,375.92
$/hd/day $0.49 $0.56
Summer Grazing Plan
• Using a deferred rotational grazing strategy
• Fertilize pasture in the fall for better growth
Range & Forage Recommendations
• Create a plan to calve on pasture
• Maintain a record of grass health and productivity
• Soil samples to determine mineral concentration of the ground
• Fertilize or re-seed pastures to improve growth and overall production
$790.16
$364.35
$78.35
$583.17
VACCINATIONS SICK TREATMENTS PARASITE CONTROL PREG/SEMEN TESTS
BRED HEIFERSCost $
Calving
• First calf arrived April 2nd
• Two sets of twins, lost one from each set
• Research Unit responsible for calving until end of term
Total Cows Calved Total Live Calves Death Loss
18 18 2
Sustainability & Stewardship
• Determined manure use
• Implemented boot washes
• Updated Environmental Farm Plan
Recommendations
• Have biosecurity presentation to first year students early in fall
• Continue looking into long term crop and pasture rotations
• Research new ideas to keep the SMF sustainable
Beef Day, March 24th
• Showcase heifers from Cattleman magazine article
• Contest to guess breed composition
• Promoted new DNA test program from Livestock Gentec
Producer Advisory Committee
• Gain producers perspective on projects that would benefit the industry
Objectives
Generate and prioritize ideas for how to best use our resources in
order to benefit the industry
Increase network connections by creating relationships with
producers to gain real world perspectives and industry support
Research Facility Improvements
• Better water and pen drainage
• Permanent animal alley way
• Permanent loading area
Goals
Establish a business proposal to expand herd
Make contacts with the industry and producers
Listen to producers
Set a strict cull protocol
Set a solid foundation for the SMF Research Team
Recommendations
• Continue with Producer Advisory Committee plan
• Calve on pasture
• Source current and future trials and projects
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