Feed testing is your first priority when it comes to dealing with high nitrate levels in drought-stressed forages. Bart Lardner, professor of animal and poultry science at the University of Saskatchewan, says that nitrate accumulation can be more of an issue with annual forages during a dry, hot summer, and it’s important to know exactly […] Read more
Beware of high nitrate levels in drought-stressed forages
Feed tests the ideal starting point when managing forages with nitrate accumulation
How to reduce health effects of wildfire smoke at weaning time
A strong calf vaccination program is the most important step, experts say.
Reducing stress at weaning time may be even more important this year, due to challenging conditions over the summer. With wildfire smoke persisting across much of Canada, coupled with extremely dry conditions in some regions, producers need to be aware of how these factors can affect the health of their calves at weaning. “This is […] Read more
Building foundational skills
If you’re new to beef production or looking to expand your skillset, start with our roundup of resources for practical skills and knowledge No matter where you are in your career, there’s always value in learning something new. When the Maritime Beef Council created the Atlantic Beef School, the goal was to provide the region’s […] Read more
Open-pit mining on Eastern Slopes one of the biggest issues facing our generation, says rancher
Beef producers encouraged by recent developments, but still see threat to grazing lands and watersheds
The Blades family of Nanton, Alta. has been linked to Cabin Ridge Mountain for a century. Named for the family’s original cabin, the mountain overlooks summer grazing land vital to the Rocking P Ranch. It’s remained constant as generations fostered a deep love and sense of responsibility for this landscape, and endured the hardships and joys that ranching […] Read more
EPDs: Inside the numbers
Breaking down a real-life EPD report to understand how to evaluate and apply genetic predictions
Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) predict the average performance of an animal’s future progeny for a specific trait, compared to other individuals’ progeny within the breed. They predict average group performance, rather than foretelling individual performance. “If you have a bull with a weaning weight EPD of +50 and another one with a weaning weight EPD […] Read more
Alberta Environmental Farm Plan launches tool to gauge potential wildlife habitat
Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool helps producers choose management practices to protect habitat for at-risk wildlife
Alberta Environmental Farm Plan has introduced a tool to analyze the habitat potential for species at risk, highlighting the concept of every farm and ranch having wildlife habitat. The Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool was launched in March as part of a new chapter in the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan workbook on habitat management, meeting […] Read more
The beef industry’s voice in Ottawa
In representing producers on the national and global stage, Fawn Jackson has blended her passion for agriculture and politics into a rewarding career. She credits mentorship for a big part of her success
Fawn Jackson knows firsthand the power of mentorship in helping youth in agriculture succeed. She speaks warmly of the people who made a difference along her career path, and she’s an advocate for taking advantage of opportunities to learn from others at every stage of the game. “For me, mentorship has been such a key […] Read more
Moving towards a career with purpose
Young Leader Spotlight: Discovering an interest in range management has broadened Jourdyn Sammons' educational opportunities
When Jourdyn Sammons joined the University of Saskatchewan’s Range Team in her third year of undergraduate studies, it led to an exciting field of study that’s positively shaped her educational experience. “We talk about varying topics like ecology and grazing practices and multiple-use relationships, like how people can utilize rangeland for its facilities,” says Sammons, who grew up on a cow-calf and grain farm near Gleichen, Alta. “The […] Read more
Producer-driven conservation pays off
Two case studies illustrate the value of putting producers in the driver’s seat of conservation projects
Updated June 1, 2021 In the sweeping, ancient prairie of southern Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park, local ranchers are helping to ensure at-risk species continue to call this land home. In 2018, the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) partnered with Parks Canada to establish a grass bank pilot project in the park’s East Block, which hadn’t […] Read more
Cellular protein not yet a feasible meat alternative, researcher says
With global protein consumption expected to increase significantly by 2050, Tim McAllister sees room in the marketplace for all forms of protein production to meet this demand. However, McAllister, principal research scientist in ruminant nutrition and microbiology at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, anticipates it will be some time before cellular […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
