A three-year burn interval has been effective in areas with good moisture.

Patch-burning pastures can also benefit cattle

Prescribed burns come in all shapes and sizes

Wildfires have two faces: the nemesis of mankind since settlement, and Mother Nature’s way of renewing aging, infested grasslands and forests. The unintended consequence of widespread suppression of wildfires coupled with the trend toward grazing systems that promote uniformity has been the loss of plant and animal diversity within native grassland ecosystems, according to rangeland […] Read more

The elephant in the room remains how Canadian beef producers will respond to the next inevitable Earls- or A+W-style marketing decision.

Is ‘I am not eating there anymore!’ the best response?

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

Early May was an interesting time, particularly with respect to the pride of the Canadian Beef Industry. I am referring to industry reaction to the announcement by the Earls Restaurant chain to not source Canadian beef for its menu, but rather to look to American beef raised under the banner of “Certified Humane.” Predictably, this […] Read more


Dr. Matt May, Feedlot Health Management Service, Okotoks, Alta.

Conventional beef is more efficient, yet still high quality

Study shows 100 more pounds of beef per head compared to natural and organic production systems

Conventional beef production doesn’t take a back seat to any of the more trendy natural or organic beef systems in terms of producing a safe, healthy, flavourful, high-quality meat, says an Alberta beef researcher. The question really comes down to how much the consumer is willing to pay. Dr. Matt May, with Feedlot Health Management […] Read more

Earls president Mo Jessa (r) and Stan Carscallen of White Moose Ranch meet at Priddis, Alta. (Earls.ca)

Earls locks in Canadian beef supplies

Vancouver-based dining chain Earls has enlisted a handful of Canadian ranchers and processors to supply beef to about half its stores while matching its criteria for animal care and “ethical farming practices.” The move comes about six weeks after Earls retreated from a plan to source its beef from Creekstone Farms, choosing the Kansas company […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: Technical buying rallies CME live cattle

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Tuesday reversed some of Monday’s losses, aided by short-covering and technical buying, traders said. Prior to Tuesday’s session, CME live cattle showed a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 28. A reading below 30 suggests a market is technically oversold and subject to an upward […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: Fund liquidation sinks CME live cattle

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed lower on Friday, hit by fund selling and caution while awaiting market-ready, or cash, cattle prices by day’s end, said traders. June live cattle closed down 0.75 cent/lb. to 122.45 cents, after drifting below the 100-day moving average of 122.71 cents (all figures US$). […] Read more

We harvest weeds!

We harvest weeds!

I say it all the time. There is no such thing as a weed. All plants have a purpose. But what happens quite often is that particular type of plant will take over an area. This is because the conditions are favouring it. The “weeds” or undesirable plants are a symptom of an underlying problem. Address […] Read more