Talking about the best-case scenario for the business can foster optimism and enthusiasm.

Talking about farm finances

It’s not easy to talk about money, but it’s a necessary conversation for farming and ranching families

Communicating about difficult topics is something all of us struggle with, and one of those difficult topics is finances. Many studies cite finances as one of the top stressors in relationships. Those of us in agriculture are not immune to this challenge. “Emotion is definitely number one of the barriers to farmers talking about finances. […] Read more

Jointed goat grass can hybridize with wheat.

Healthy range key to preventing new invasive plants

Range agrologists urge producers to watch for changes on the landscape and be mindful of how invasive species spread

If your grasslands are in good health, you’re already on your way to preventing an infestation of an invasive grass species. Without proper range management, grasslands in poor condition will be less resistant to an unwanted species establishing, says Sheryl Wurtz, invasive plant specialist with the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources. In […] Read more


Presenting 2019 Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Champion Ryan Konynenbelt with the CAA-sponsored champion buckle.

Respect underpins successful career in cattle business

As the Canadian Angus Association’s longtime commercial fieldman retires, Brian Good looks back on those who shaped his path and what he learned about an industry that is all about people

When Brian Good became a field representative for Independent Breeders Service in the 1990s, a fellow fieldman offered some simple yet valuable advice that’s served him well through the years. Keith Coates, then a fieldman for the Canadian Hereford Association, took Good under his wing in his early days in this role. “One thing he […] Read more

A flank steak. Nutrition, quality and cost are some of the factors millennials interviewed for this story cited when buying beef.

Winning over millennials

Overall millennials see beef production less favourably than other generations, but sharing positive stories and making personal connections can win longtime fans

This is the final instalment in a three-part series on millennial consumers and the opportunities for Canadian beef producers to better understand this demographic. You can read Part 1 here, and Part 2 here. Junelle Dion is a fan of Canadian beef, and directly supporting a rancher makes purchasing beef even more satisfying. “I love […] Read more


Joe Lofthouse working the gate while sorting calves. Lofthouse believes in a hands-on leadership style.

People-focused approach pays off

Hands-on leadership and being open to continuous learning have made the difference for this feedlot management consultant

Although Joe Lofthouse has successfully managed tens of thousands of head of cattle, learning to manage an underappreciated aspect in feedlot production is what has made the greatest difference. The ability to work effectively with others has been one of the most valuable skills throughout his career in feedlot management. “I’ve always said it wasn’t […] Read more

Brad Welter (centre) chats with farm reporters Jack Dawes (left) and Kevin Hursh (right) during a media tour.

Finding synergy with farming, cattle and ethanol

Even with more than 50 years in the feeding business, Pound-Maker is still finding ways to dial in its various ag businesses

The majority of cattle feeding in Western Canada has been centered in Alberta. But since the early ’70s, an operation in Saskatchewan has stood out. The corporate vision statement of “Leadership in sustainable, innovative agriculture” of Pound-Maker Feedlot at Lanigan, Sask., illustrates the company’s unique approach with the synergies of Canada’s first livestock feeding operation […] Read more


“We realized at some point in time, way back last spring, we’re all producing one thing, and that’s food, and we’d better start talking the same language. – Bob Lowe.

Focusing on the future while facing a pandemic

CCA president Bob Lowe reflects on the trials and silver linings of a tumultuous year

When Bob Lowe was elected president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) in March 2020, he couldn’t have anticipated everything the year ahead had in store. Mere days after CCA’s annual general meeting, Canada was in lockdown due to the pandemic, changing the trajectory of everyone’s year and presenting numerous challenges to the Canadian food […] Read more

Cattle in the field on a January day.

Milk fever in beef cows

Veterinary Case Study with Dr. Ron Clarke

Matt called early on January 1, 1975, worried about a downer cow on a field of swathed barley damaged by hail in July of the previous summer. Matt let the crop volunteer through the growing season with plans to swath it near the end of harvest as winter graze for his herd of 200 Hereford-cross […] Read more


Lacey and Tim have complementary off-farm jobs that help them run their beef operation.

Family inspires career as beef producer and vet

Lacey Tillotson and her husband Tim have complementary off-farm careers, and those professions influence how they manage their farm

It’s no secret to those in the cattle industry that, whether becoming a veterinarian or starting out as a beef producer, a great deal of hard work, long hours and lifelong learning are required. No stranger to these hurdles, Lacey Tillotson of Innisfree, Alta., was up for the challenge. As young as 11 or 12 […] Read more

The McNary family. All four of Warren and Lenamarie’s adult children remain involved in the ranch, either full- or part-time.

Raising the right cow for the job

The McNary family focuses on efficient, low-input cattle and Longhorn genetics are one ingredient in their program’s success

When the Longhorn first arrived in southern Saskatchewan’s Great Sandhills, this resilient breed was considered the ideal cow for this semi-arid landscape. In the late 1880s, Sir John Lister Kaye brought 7,000 Longhorn females to this area from Wyoming, the majority of which stocked his newly established ranch at Crane Lake. He ran imported purebred […] Read more