There are changes afoot at the Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC) including a new name, additional locations and increased research, teaching and outreach capacity. On April 1, 2018, the Western Beef Development Centre, a division of the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), rolled into the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE).WBDC […] Read more
New name and facilities for Western Beef Development Centre
A new facility at the University of Saskatchewan includes both cow-calf and forage research
Better flood protection on the way for Manitoba cattle producers
Flood-prone areas to see measures that protect both communities and livestock
Beef producers in flood-prone areas of Manitoba are looking forward to the construction of new outlet channels that should help to prevent a repeat of the devastating floods of 2011 and 2014, which caused mass evacuations of people and livestock, affected millions of hectares of farmland and cost billions of dollars in compensation. At a […] Read more
Getting a global perspective on our beef industry
Young Manitoba cattle producer brings international experiences back to the farm
When Manitoba cattle producer Wilco van Meijl stepped off the plane in Paraguay to attend the International Beef Alliance (IBA) conference in October, he did so with an open mind, a desire to meet new people and to learn more about global beef production. He certainly achieved his goals and a lot more. “What was […] Read more
Cattle company finding its own way
They’re risk takers who hate to lose and aren’t afraid to trust their own instincts, which is why, on the road to diversification, the Blairs have drawn their own map
Kevin Blair has never forgotten what his grandfather told him many years ago: “When everyone else is on the highway, take the grid.” It’s a message he’s made most of his life decisions by, and in the course of it, Blair Ag has learned how to tackle many of the issues that are moving to […] Read more
A strategy for regenerative agriculture
Ryan Boyd believes he has the right strategy to get him off the expansion treadmill
About 10 years ago, Ryan Boyd came to his father Jim with some new ideas, and Jim knew it was time to listen. Ryan talked about a new strategy, adopting regenerative and sustainable approaches in order to enhance their productivity. “Dad was more than willing to try something else,” Ryan says. “He’d always believed the […] Read more
The advantages of Calving at Pasture
Most cattle producers cite reduced labour and input costs, milder weather, fewer birth problems and better calf health as the main reasons for choosing to calve at pasture in the spring. Karmen and Jason McNabb calve 400 Hereford/Red Angus-cross cows beginning the third week of April on a 60-acre native pasture in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan. The McNabbs […] Read more
Polycrops help dry wet soils
With both extremely wet and dry conditions happening in the same growing season, it is not a stretch to call 2011 a strange year in Manitoba, but it has helped prove the effectiveness of perennial and annual forage seed blends known as “polycrops” in dealing with extremes of weather. “One thing that became very clear […] Read more
Calving With A New Addition To The Family
One of his earliest experiences with calving was watching his mom and dad working to save a calf that was being delivered backwards on their farm close to Manitou, Man. “It didn’t bother him at all. He just sat there and he knew Mom and Dad were OK and that was fine,” says John’s mom, […] Read more
Saving Costs By Imitating Nature
“ We have tried to basically go back to nature and the way that the wildlife reproduces,” says owner, Ken Yakielashek. “They always reproduce towards the longest days of the year.” As a result he has switched from bringing the cows into the barn to calve in February and March, to leaving them out all […] Read more
Keeping Methane In Check
Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives recently announced $1 million in funding for research into reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Cattle are the main source of methane emissions in Canada, says Dr. Karin Wittenberg, associate dean of research in the agriculture faculty at the University of Manitoba. Canada’s livestock production systems contribute about 58 per […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
