When Heather Mundt sought an alternative to branding, a new livestock ear tag in development on the other side of the world opened the door for new management decision possibilities. Heather and her husband Brenton, who run a cow-calf operation and grain farm at Oyen, Alta., were interested in GPS ear tags for identification and […] Read more
Satellite ear tags for livestock coming to Canada
Canadian producers involved in international trial of Australian-based direct-to-satellite smart ear tag
The power of storytelling
A compelling story combined with all the right skills allowed Ben Wilson to play a vital role reaching audiences beyond the beef industry
When Ben Wilson arrived at the Waldron Ranch Grazing Co-op in June 2019, he and his business partner, Sarah Wray, were there to create a short video about this historic ranch. The two filmmakers, who run Story Brokers Media House, had access to experts from Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The […] Read more
New opportunities to apply embryo transfer
Embryo transfer may start to grow in commercial herds, in conjunction with other genetic selection tools
When you think of bovine embryo transfer, it’s likely you view it as a technique geared toward the seedstock industry. This advanced reproductive technology is a well-established tool for purebred breeders, and now some embryo transfer practitioners are seeing opportunities for its growth in commercial breeding programs. “Embryo transfer or IVF is not a technology […] Read more
Creativity helps young ag exhibition manager pivot during pandemic
Young Leader Spotlight: Sydney Lake, ag manager at the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition, makes the most of her mentorship experience in a challenging year
Being adaptable served Sydney Lake well in a year no one expected. It allowed her to make the most of her experience in Canadian Western Agribition’s Next Gen Agriculture mentorship program. Lake was paired with Rob O’Connor, the show director of Ag in Motion, who was an ideal resource for navigating the challenges posed by […] Read more
Free-choice silage pit grazing a simple winter feeding option
Ben Stuart, a forage specialist and beef producer, explains how to make this feeding option work for you
A free-choice silage pit may be the right stockpile grazing option to reduce your equipment costs and simplify winter feeding. Ben Stuart, forage specialist with Union Forage, first used this method of “grazing” silage to decrease winter feeding costs while maintaining quality in a system that’s easily accessible for cattle. “We wanted to look at […] Read more
Forage intercropping trials show promise in Western Canada
Research is underway to fully understand the best practices for incorporating forage mixtures in this cropping method
The practice of intercropping is receiving more attention on the Prairies, and research centres are exploring the possibilities for forage options. The potential benefits are promising, researchers say, but more work is needed to provide producers with accurate information on how best to apply this method. “I think it’s really interesting that there’s some combinations […] Read more
Research finds trust in Canadian food system at an all-time high
Agri-food industry’s strong response to pandemic has increased trust that Canadians will have continuous access to food
Public trust in Canada’s food system is at an all-time high, thanks to agri-food stakeholders’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity’s (CCFI) 2020 public trust research shows that despite the unusual challenges the Canadian food system has faced this year, the sector’s actions have resulted in an overall increase in trust […] Read more
Love for photography leads to film career in beef industry
Young Leader Spotlight: Meet the videographer who helped bring "Guardians of the Grasslands" to life
When Ben Wilson was encouraged to apply for the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders program in 2017, he remembers laughing aloud. Wilson, who is one half of Story Brokers Media House, didn’t think the program would accept a filmmaker who wasn’t a beef producer, but being chosen to participate in the mentorship program ended up making a […] Read more
Reforms to Manitoba’s Crown lands still frustrate leaseholders
Rent break and extending lease renewals to family transfers seen as positive moves by industry, but producers say issues still exist with new program
Agricultural Crown land leaseholders in 18 Manitoba municipalities that declared a state of agricultural disaster in 2019 will be given a one-time rent credit. However, some leaseholders say this won’t make much difference due to the rising rental rate introduced as one of the many reforms to the agricultural Crown land (ACL) lease program in […] Read more
New vet student makes the best of virtual learning
Young Leader Spotlight: Patricia Fawley planned to be learning veterinary medicine hands-on while in the Caribbean, but the pandemic shifted her studies online.
Starting veterinary school is a new challenge under any circumstance, but taking your first semesters entirely online is a particularly unusual situation. For Patricia Fawley, attending Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on St. Kitts and Nevis holds the added allure of studying on an island in the Caribbean. Before she could travel there to […] Read more
