Home - Beef Cattle Research Council

This Grazing Season, Remember the Four Principles of Pasture Management

May 21, 2020

Pasture is a key component of beef cattle operations and one definitely worth managing. At first glance, grazing a pasture may appear as simple as placing cattle in a fenced area with a water source. However, practising effective grazing management is an art and a science. Pasture conditions and types vary widely from native grassland to tame forage, with stands comprised of many diverse plants or perhaps just a simple mixture of a few grass or legume species. Regardless of the pasture type, focusing on a few key principles can help maintain forage productivity, ensure stand longevity, sustain a healthy plant community, conserve water, and protect soils. Here are four main factors to remember: Balance forage supply and livestock demand. Avoid overstocking a pasture by ensuring there is adequate forage available for the number of cattle, and the length of time, the cattle will be grazing. BCRC’s Carrying Capacity Calculator can help producers determine a starting p....
Continue Reading »
Guidelines for Conducting On-farm Research: COVID-19 Information for Researchers & Canadian Beef Operations

May 19, 2020

Pasture is a key component of beef cattle operations and one definitely worth managing. At first glance, grazing a pasture may appear as simple as placing cattle in a fenced area with a water source. However, practising effective grazing management is an art and a science. Pasture conditions and types vary widely from native grassland to tame forage, with stands comprised of many diverse plants or perhaps just a simple mixture of a few grass or legume species. Regardless of the pasture type, focusing on a few key principles can help maintain forage productivity, ensure stand longevity, sustain a healthy plant community, conserve water, and protect soils. Here are four main factors to remember: Balance forage supply and livestock demand. Avoid overstocking a pasture by ensuring there is adequate forage available for the number of cattle, and the length of time, the cattle will be grazing. BCRC’s Carrying Capacity Calculator can help producers determine a starting p....
Continue Reading »

Featured Research Fact Sheets

In Progress. Results expected in March 2023.
Economic and environmental impacts associated with removal of performance-enhancing technologies in the Canadian beef cattle industry

In Progress. Results expected in March 2022.
Effect of rest stop duration and quality during transport on cattle welfare

March 2013
Trace mineral supplementation strategies in beef cows

View Research