The sunflower’s deep tap roots allow it to pull moisture from deep within the soil, even during times of drought.

Sunflowers help cover crops thrive during drought

As cover cropping gains interest, producers are looking at different types of plants that might work well to produce a diverse crop for grazing. Because nature doesn’t favour monocrops, cover crops and intercrops are more resistant to drought-like conditions, cover cropping proponent say. With a drought that persisted through 2020, 2021, and into 2022 in […] Read more

Alltech has recognized Shipwheel Cattle Feeders of Taber, Alberta, as a recipient of the Alltech Canada Planet of Plenty Award.  (Photo: Supplied by Alltech

Shipwheel Cattle Feeders receives environmental award from Alltech

Alltech Canada has awarded its inaugural Planet of Plenty award to Shipwheel Cattle Feeders of Taber, Alberta, as well as Burnbrae Farms, egg producers based in Ontario.  In a release, Alltech notes that the Planet of Plenty awards are meant to acknowledge “those who are furthering a world of abundance through nutritional and digital technologies, innovation and sustainable management practices in […] Read more


Steve Kenyon preaching the good word at an ag conference.

Just preaching the good word

From the Ground Up with Steve Kenyon

But which word is the good one? We have so many in our industry. Many years ago I was introduced to holistic resource management and my world changed. Allan Savory was preaching about better grazing management, desertification and climate change long before any of us were even in the game. “The Word” at the time […] Read more




Holistic Ranching: Financial planning

Holistic Management offers a very robust financial planning process. It differs from traditional bookkeeping in several key areas: We are always planning in the future. We would complete our financial plan before the year begins. We set our profit before the year begins. We spend our expense money more wisely. We monitor our plan monthly. […] Read more


herding cattle on a pasture

Holistic Ranching: Goal setting

Holistic Management is a decision-making process. It is designed to help us make better decisions. The idea is to make decisions that are simultaneously socially, environmentally and financially sound. One definition of HM is: how to care for your people, improve your land and make a profit. There it is, in a nutshell. When you […] Read more



farmer with bales in a field

Holistic Ranching: Planning ahead

Questions to help guide your future operation

Winter tends to be a slower season. This might be an ideal time to invest some of our time and energy into planning ahead. Have you ever considered the benefits of making a good written five-year plan? I know some people are averse to planning. A common comment is: “why bother to make a plan?” […] Read more