Despite the challenges currently facing Canadian agriculture among other sectors, Amanda Brodhagen is determined to stay positive. While much about the ongoing situation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic worries Brodhagen, this young beef producer reminds herself things could be much worse. In that light, she’s choosing to focus on the opportunities it presents for her […] Read more
Challenging times bring opportunities to connect with customers
A young beef producer shares how her family is finding opportunities for business and consumer engagement during the COVID-19 crisis.
Crown land changes create uncertainty for Manitoba’s beef producers
New regulations for Manitoba’s Agricultural Crown Lands lease program caught lease-holders off guard, leaving many unsure about the future of their operations
Without his Crown land lease, Arvid Nottveit wouldn’t be able to make a living raising cattle. Nottveit and his family run Tribar Ranching Co., a cow-calf operation at Peonan Point, Man., and they rely on a Crown lease of 9,600 acres. Here on a 25-mile-long peninsula on the northern edge of Lake Manitoba, the family […] Read more
Study finds link between mental health and business management practices
While a small percentage of producers surveyed use a business plan, the majority of those report less stress as a result
Using a farm business plan can decrease stress and support positive mental health, according to a recent study. National research by Farm Management Canada has found a positive correlation between the mental health of primary producers and adhering to business management practices. However, only around one-fifth of those surveyed regularly use a farm business plan. […] Read more
More mental health awareness, training needed in difficult times
Advocates of mental health awareness in agriculture discuss warning signs, the best way to help someone and the training that can make a difference in rural communities
With uncertain times going nowhere soon, mental health awareness within agriculture is more necessary than ever. Mental health advocates are encouraging Canadian farmers and ranchers to be aware of signs of declining mental health and to be brave enough to reach out when someone they know is struggling. “Sometimes it’s really difficult for us to […] Read more
More small processors needed to fulfill promise of local food movement
While beef producers who market directly to customers are seeing a surge in demand, smaller processors are overwhelmed.
As the processing sector faced severe challenges this spring, the phrase “buy local” was bandied about as the solution. But is it really that simple? While Rachel Herbert is excited about this shift in consumer focus, she recognizes it’s not a quick or easy solution to beef shortages and processing backlogs at large packing plants. […] Read more
Lidocaine shows promise in mitigating castration pain
Two ongoing projects highlight the potential of using this anaesthetic during processing
Producers may have another option to offset castration pain in calves in the future, thanks to work underway in Western Canada. Early results from a University of Saskatchewan study suggest using lidocaine in addition to meloxicam during castration may control pain better than meloxicam alone. Dr. Diego Moya, assistant professor at the Western College of […] Read more
Tips for marketing beef directly to customers
Rachel Herbert of Trail's End Beef shares what she's learned from direct marketing beef over the years.
With more people eager to buy locally produced food, direct marketing is becoming an attractive option for many Canadian beef producers. Rachel Herbert, who grass-finishes and direct markets beef with her family at Trail’s End Beef near Nanton, Alta., sees many advantages to this business model. In addition to setting her own price and having […] Read more
Direct-marketing beef during a pandemic
As COVID-19 threatened Canada's beef supply chain, Trail's End Beef saw a surge in demand like never before.
Rachel and Tyler Herbert have never seen their ranch-raised beef sell out as quickly as it did this spring. The Herbert family direct-markets their grass-finished beef, raised on their ranch, Trail’s End Beef, near Nanton, Alta., and they have a loyal customer base buying beef each year. This year, however, concerns about beef shortages as […] Read more
Market research reveals opportunity to educate U.S. beef consumers
Building on the public’s trust in farmers and ranchers key to communicating humane treatment of animals and increasing consumer confidence
Now more than ever, consumers are indicating they care about animal welfare in livestock production. However, the average consumer has little knowledge of beef production. In the United States, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) conducted focus groups as part of its market research to understand what consumers believe about beef production. Participants who considered […] Read more
Conservation organization calls for support for beef producers during pandemic
Beef industry and its allies need to find opportunities to raise public support for Canada’s food production system
As the Canadian beef industry struggles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ducks Unlimited Canada is among the conservation organizations advocating on behalf of producers. “History has shown that the potential of an economic fallout within the beef industry is a risk we simply cannot afford to take,” said Karla Guyn, Ducks CEO, referencing […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
