As cover cropping gains interest, producers are looking at different types of plants that might work well to produce a diverse crop for grazing. Because nature doesn’t favour monocrops, cover crops and intercrops are more resistant to drought-like conditions, cover cropping proponent say. With a drought that persisted through 2020, 2021, and into 2022 in […] Read more
Sunflowers help cover crops thrive during drought
Living Labs offer different approach to research and innovation, says foundation head
Living Labs may be the start of a better understanding of soil health, carbon sequestration and a “solid” offset system for farmers and ranchers, says one of the people involved with the federally funded project. On July 14, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced nine new Living Labs while at the Calgary Stampede. Kimberly Cornish, the […] Read more
AMP grazing no better for plant diversity than less intensive methods, U of A study finds
For ranchers counting on boosting plant diversity through intensive rotational grazing, a recent study may yield disappointing results. Jessica Grenke, a PhD student at the University of Alberta’s department of biological sciences, found through an observational study that highly intensive rotational grazing does not benefit plant diversity more than less-intensive rotational grazing. “This is not […] Read more
AUDIO: Longer rest period drives water infiltration in grazed pastures, researcher says
With persistent drought a reality of life in Western Canada and beyond, ranchers across the country are looking for solutions to keep their pastures flourishing even when moisture is lacking. Through a study done with the University of Alberta on rotational grazing, Dr. Timm Döbert may have helped find a solution. A post-doctoral fellow at […] Read more
AUDIO: Grazing can AMP up carbon sequestration, U of A researcher says
In Dr. Mark Boyce’s many years in carbon research, five of them have been spent at the University of Alberta, looking at carbon sequestration in grasslands that have been grazed using adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) management. Boyce is the chair of the Alberta Conservation Association in Fisheries and Wildlife. His lab, Boyce Lab, at the University […] Read more
Ag in Motion returns to Langham for first time since 2019
Ag in Motion (AIM) kicked off at Glacier FarmMedia’s Discovery Farm site near Langham, Sask. on July 19. This is the first time the event has been hosted in person since 2019 due to COVID. Show director Rob O’Connor says it’s good to be back on the grounds. “We have all been looking forward to […] Read more
CCA changes name to recognize role women play in industry, says president
Last week, CCA announced a rebrand, including a new logo and a new name. Previously known as the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the national organization changed its name to Canadian Cattle Association, to better include the people in the industry. “We changed our name and logo because we wanted it to represent who we are today,” […] Read more
Satellite forage insurance posed as potential risk-management solution for cattle producers
When the federal and provincial governments asked Global Ag Risk Solutions if they had any forage insurance products for cattle producers, they said no, but that they would try to develop one. From there, they started looking into satellite-based forage insurance for cattle producers. “We saw an opportunity that forage insurance is not sufficient for […] Read more
Leather and beef industries team up for sustainability
Parallels seen between sustainable leather and beef industries
Two years ago, when outdoor clothing company Patagonia released a video about making leather boots out of bison hide that would otherwise go to waste, a conversation about sustainable leather in the beef industry began. Now, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and the Textile Exchange are looking into that sustainability. “I really see a huge […] Read more
Cost of production network examines economic realities of cow-calf operations
Cost of production was a hot topic at the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association annual general meeting in early June. Kathy Larson, a research associate at the University of Saskatchewan, presented on cost of production to the conference goers. Specifically, she spoke about the Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network, led by a research team at […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
