Starting a niche marketing meat business is no small feat, but launching it at the beginning of a pandemic takes the challenge to a whole new level. For some time, Trish and Greg Tetz of Three Hills, Alta., had the dream of “opening the conversation between producers and consumers. We wanted to be transparent and […] Read more
Crafting a new meat business
Trish Tetz shares how she and her husband Greg launched a new business at the start of the pandemic
Talking about farm finances
It’s not easy to talk about money, but it’s a necessary conversation for farming and ranching families
Communicating about difficult topics is something all of us struggle with, and one of those difficult topics is finances. Many studies cite finances as one of the top stressors in relationships. Those of us in agriculture are not immune to this challenge. “Emotion is definitely number one of the barriers to farmers talking about finances. […] Read more
Finding synergy with farming, cattle and ethanol
Even with more than 50 years in the feeding business, Pound-Maker is still finding ways to dial in its various ag businesses
The majority of cattle feeding in Western Canada has been centered in Alberta. But since the early ’70s, an operation in Saskatchewan has stood out. The corporate vision statement of “Leadership in sustainable, innovative agriculture” of Pound-Maker Feedlot at Lanigan, Sask., illustrates the company’s unique approach with the synergies of Canada’s first livestock feeding operation […] Read more
Couple find love, learning at Lakeland College
Corey Bloder and Maxi Biederstadt credit their college experience with helping them dial in their farming operation
Corey Bloder and Maxi Biederstadt not only credit Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alta., as the place where their romance blossomed, but also the place of incredible learning and networking. Bloder grew up on a mixed farm near Unity, Sask., with a focus on Simmental cattle. Biederstadt came from Edmonton and although she did not grow […] Read more
B.C. ranchers honoured for protecting watersheds
The Seelhof family works hard to protect the river and tributaries that run through their ranch, as well as manage invasive species and rotate grazing and feeding grounds
In a truly strange set of circumstances, when Chad Seelhof heard about the BSE announcement, he was in a cattle liner about to relocate from Paradise Hill, Sask., with his parents Louis and Ellie, to the Cariboo region of British Columbia. Chad recalls hearing the report on a radio broadcast. “I really wondered what the […] Read more
Ranching in northeastern Alberta
In 1918, the Hines family shipped over 800 head of Hereford to Kitscoty by rail, and they’ve been raising cattle in the Marwayne area ever since
The roots run long and deep for the Hines family of Marwayne, Alta. They have been ranching in the Marwayne area for over 100 years. Over that time the family has grown to include many that are well-known in the cattle industry. In 1906, Jim Hine’s grandfather, George (Judge), had come north from Montana to […] Read more
Managing finances on the farm
Whether you’re managing through a black swan event such as a pandemic or so-called normal times, it’s vital to have a solid understanding of your operation’s finances
Many consider financial literacy to be a basic life skill. And further, one that is not always covered in traditional school settings. As ranchers and farmers, does this gap extend into our knowledge base? Certainly those that specialize and like “numbers” have a good grasp, but beyond that, how can we improve ag financial literacy […] Read more
Talking succession planning with Annessa Good
As a young woman and the daughter of a well-known farm transition consultant, Good brings an interesting perspective to succession planning
[UPDATED: May 27, 2020] – Annessa Good refers to the transition process as a roller coaster ride and it is quite the ride, she says. If anyone should know, it is her. Not only is she a transition specialist in southern Alberta with Farm Credit Canada (FCC), but she is also the daughter of another well-known […] Read more
Lessons learned growing cocktail crops
Despite an adverse start, cocktail crops have become a regular part of the Hale family’s crop rotation over the last six years
It is a long, long way from Dallas, Texas to Hines Creek, Alta. But the distance did not deter Curt Hale’s grandfather and father from making the move to Alberta’s Peace Country. The Hale family calls their operation Maverick Livestock, an apt name, with a maverick being an unorthodox or independent-minded person. The pioneering spirit […] Read more
Succession planning 101
The first step to succession planning is to call a family meeting
If you asked farmers and ranchers what keeps them up at night, besides markets and weather, many would say the succession plan or lack thereof. When is the best time to start the process? Similar to planting trees, 25 years ago. But the second-best time is now, was a comment made by a recent Entreleadership […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
