ALUS Canada works with producers on projects ranging from riparian area improvement to pollinator habitat.

Producer-driven conservation pays off

Two case studies illustrate the value of putting producers in the driver’s seat of conservation projects

Updated June 1, 2021 In the sweeping, ancient prairie of southern Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park, local ranchers are helping to ensure at-risk species continue to call this land home. In 2018, the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) partnered with Parks Canada to establish a grass bank pilot project in the park’s East Block, which hadn’t […] Read more

In 2012, the federal government announced they would be ceasing operations on former PFRA federal community pastures. Three years later, Saskatchewan announced they were pulling out of provincial pasture programs as well.

Community pasture patrons and staff persevere through tough transitions

When the federal and Saskatchewan governments wound down their community pasture programs, pasture employees and patrons faced a lot of uncertainty and stress, but they’ve adapted

Updated May 31, 2021. The following is the first in a three-part series of articles exploring how different community pastures shifted from government to producer operation, and the ongoing effects of that shift. Future articles will focus on environmental and financial implications. It’s been years since governments got out of community pastures. But the effects […] Read more


Sometimes it’s easier to talk with a coach when the going gets tough. Do you have a person in your life that you can turn to?

Riding the dragon

From the Ground Up with Steve Kenyon

That sounds tough. All fire and brimstone, a knight in shining armour riding a beast into battle to rescue the princess. You can’t get more manly than that, right? I am that tough guy and I am proud to say that I have ridden “the dragon” many times. Let me explain. I grew up with […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market heating up

Wholesale beef prices climbing

Compared to last week, quality yearling packages were $2-$5 higher while calf values were unchanged to $2 higher. A surge in buying interest surfaced for yearlings last week as fed cattle prices continue to trade near 52-week highs. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $162-$165 delivered and breakeven pen closeouts are […] Read more


(Cia.gov)

India’s federal police probe bosses of two fertilizer companies

Large-scale nutrient purchases often known to sway spot prices

Mumbai | Reuters — Indian authorities have opened an investigation into the heads of two leading fertilizer importing companies, alleging they secured commissions from overseas suppliers for inflating the prices of crop nutrient purchases. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India’s top crimefighting agency, said late Wednesday it was investigating U.S. Awasthi, managing director of […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Drier conditions will influence feeder market

The feeder market was hard to define this week. The quality of yearlings was quite variable. Fleshier types were heavily discounted while quality packages were unchanged from seven days earlier. Calf prices were mostly unchanged; however, values were down $4-$6 in drier pockets of southern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba. Southern Alberta barley prices were quoted […] Read more


Supplementing minerals on pasture — a necessary evil!

Supplementing minerals on pasture — a necessary evil!

Nutrition with John McKinnon

Hopefully, as you read this article, “spring has sprung” and pastures across the country are showing signs of early growth. For cow-calf operators, the arrival of spring signifies the transition from winter feeding to a new grazing season. Spring pasture growth is considered an excellent forage source for meeting the nutritional requirements of lactating cows, […] Read more

The initiative will provide producers with new information on how they can reap economic benefits while adapting to climate change.

RDAR invests in $5.7-million in Alberta Applied Research Associations

More than $5.7 million will be invested by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) to fund Alberta Applied Research Associations (ARAs) research programs. To date, eight ARA research projects have been approved for funding through RDAR’s new Accelerating Agricultural Innovations (AAI) program, with more proposals expected to be assessed, reviewed, and funded in the coming weeks. […] Read more


Average sea surface temperature anomalies over the equatorial Pacific Ocean for the week centred on May 5, 2021 compared to 1981-2010 base period. (CPC.ncep.noaa.gov)

La Nina done, U.S. CPC says

Neutral weather likely through summer

Reuters — A U.S. government weather forecaster said on Thursday La Nina has ended and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions are likely to continue through the Northern Hemisphere summer. “ENSO neutral” refers to periods in which neither El Nino nor La Nina is present, often coinciding with the transition between the two weather patterns, […] Read more

File photo of cattle grazing on Prince Edward Island. (ArodPEI/iStock/Getty Images)

Eastern drought zones set for livestock tax deferrals

Regions designated in P.E.I., N.S., N.B., Quebec

In a decision that may have come late for some, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and parts of southeastern Quebec and northwestern Nova Scotia have been declared drought zones for eligible livestock producers’ 2020 tax purposes. The federal government on Monday released its list and map of prescribed drought regions where tax deferral on sales […] Read more