Brett McRae, a rancher from Brandon, Man., recognizes how necessary versatility is in a changing industry. “Where’s the need? What is the market telling us that it’s looking for, and how can we provide that?” he says. In recent years he has made changes to his operation to continue striving for success. Simplifying McRae operates […] Read more
Manitoba rancher manages change through education
Adapting to a changing industry is pivotal for cattle producers. Brett McRae makes this a priority on his operation
The sky’s the limit with Ducks Unlimited drone seeding program
Seeding forages into marginal areas has benefits for the farmer, the land and local wildlife
When seeding forages in marginal areas, there might be a new way to do things — from the air. Many producers have marginal land on their operations that have poor yields and are uneconomical. For years, Ducks Unlimited Canada has urged seeding those areas to perennial forages. A recent project with drones could make that […] Read more
Range Rider program helps B.C. ranchers threatened by wildfires
As more wildfires flare up in B.C., ranchers are forced to evacuate their cattle, and help their neighbours do the same
When the Shetland Creek wildfire started in the summer of 2024, T.J. Walkem waited and watched smoke smudge the sky. Dry, hot and windy conditions fed the fire, and overnight, it doubled in size. Walkem and his father rushed to evacuate their cattle, surrounded by walls of flames. “We’ve had a few (wildfires) the last […] Read more
New Canadian Cattle Young Leaders, new beef industry forage management chair for U of S
NewsMakers from the April 2025 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Ashley Perepelkin is an owner/operator at Perepelkin Farms, a mixed farming operation with commercial and purebred cow-calf and a grain farm. Alongside her cow-calf operation, Perepelkin runs a successful farm-to-table beef program and a newly founded tallow lotion company. She is the mother to four children and when not busy on […] Read more
Colic in beef calves can hint at serious problems
Colic in calves can be caused by several things – many of them fatal
When people think of colic, they usually think of a human infant who is fussy and crying. But colic occurs in animals, as well. Horse owners are often well versed in colic, as it is a fairly common occurrence in equines. In the beef cattle world, colic can mean many things and can be a […] Read more
East Coast beef farmers deal with lingering effects of Hurricane Fiona
Years after Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Maritimes, farmers are dealing with the aftermath — or mourning what it took from them
In September 2022, Canadians who live in the Maritimes watched with apprehension as Hurricane Fiona moved from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico toward Canada’s East Coast. By the time the storm reached Atlantic Canada, it had been downgraded to a tropical storm, but that didn’t lessen the damage it caused as it swept across […] Read more
New purebred producers passionate about showing cattle
After making the jump into the seedstock industry, Tyler Blanchette and his family have attended several cattle shows, finding successes along the way
There are 100 animals in the ring of Agribition’s Beef Supreme on November 30, consisting of bulls, cows and some calves. The stands are full of people, and even more crowd around the door — almost more than the room can hold. They are all eagerly waiting to see who will win the coveted titles […] Read more
Food scientist says farmers are leaders in nutrition
Farmers and ranchers are feeding the world, but misconceptions about red meat and sustainability are holding them back
Anneline Padayachee often finds herself amazed at the work farmers and ranchers do. “It’s an amazing product, what you guys produce,” she said while presenting at the banquet of the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing in Edmonton, Alta., on December 11, 2024. Padayachee is a food scientist and nutritionist from Melbourne, Australia. […] Read more
Drought may be new normal for beef producers
Producers talk shop on how they’ve been getting through years of drought
The 2020s did come in with a roar, but not the kind people hoped for, as drought has plagued much of Western Canada since 2021. The pastures were dry across the Prairies, the grass brittle, more brown than green. Dugouts ran dry and in some areas, hay production was about a quarter of normal. Water […] Read more
Threat of tariffs looms at Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference
Cattle groups take advocacy to U.S. livestock producers, say they need to know how tariffs will affect them
The Canadian Cattle Association says threatened 25 per cent tariffs would cut Canadian wholesale beef prices by 13 per cent, but effects would be tempered slightly by the low Canadian dollar.
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
