
Tag Archives Beef Cattle Research Council

Cut cereal crops later, feed more cows
Support for cutting barley, oat crops at the hard-dough stage grows
The recommendation to cut barley crops at the early-dough stage and oat crops at the late-milk stage for silage has by default been the standing recommendation for stage of maturity to cut these cereals for greenfeed and swath grazing as well. Findings by a University of Saskatchewan team of researchers with the animal science and […] Read more

Getting the genetics right
The Doerksens of Gemstone Cattle Co.
On 1,500 acres in eastern Alberta, Arno, Tim and Daniel Doerksen are hard at work getting ready for their Gemstone Cattle Company’s second annual bull and female sale in Brooks, Alta. in December. The sale will include purebred Hereford and Angus bulls as well as Hereford, Angus and Hereford-Angus-cross commercial heifers. The Doerksen family has […] Read more
Cattle community members inducted into Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame
Newsmakers from the November 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Three well-known members of the cattle community were inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame last month. They are: Cor Van Raay of Iron Springs helped mould Alberta’s modern feedlot sector. Starting with just 50 head of cattle, his business grew to be one of the largest feedlot operations in Canada. He also helped […] Read more
MPs hear about GMO technology in the beef industry
News Roundup from the October 24, 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Last month, the chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council — feedlot operator Brian Thiessen — and executive director Andrea Brocklebank spoke to the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee studying genetically modified animals for human consumption. While noting that GMO technology has had very limited practical application in beef cattle to date, Brocklebank said that may change […] Read more

Upgrading beef grading research
Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen
Youthful carcasses that meet A, AA, AAA or Canada Prime quality grades are also assigned a yield grade. Yield grades estimate the red meat percentage of the entire carcass based on the thickness of the backfat and size of the rib-eye muscle between the 12th and 13th ribs. The method that the Canadian Beef Grading […] Read more
Researchers chosen for Beef Researcher Mentorship program
Newsmakers from the October 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) has selected four bovine researchers for its 2016-17 Beef Researcher Mentorship program that puts young researchers in touch with producers and industry representatives to introduce them to the wider Canadian beef industry. They are: Dr. Getahun Legesse, a research associate at the University of Manitoba who is part of […] Read more
National levy is paying off
Checkoff: News Roundup from the September 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
A new study by University of Alberta resource economists James Rude and Ellen Goddard found the $1 national checkoff provides an average benefit of $14 for producers. The study, funded by the Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency and Canfax Research Services, is an update on a 2010 report done ahead of […] Read more
Comment: What a meeting!
Unless you’ve been living in a cave since last month you are no doubt aware of the unparalleled success of the inaugural Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary. It made headlines around the country, topped the national Twitter feed, and generally brought smiles to the faces of anyone who was there. It’s rare to have […] Read more

Pounds pay for preconditioning calves
Tradition is sometimes blamed for the apparent lack of interest in preconditioning calves up to now. For Oliver Schunicht, however, tradition is the very reason he continues to precondition calves on his farm near Strathmore, Alta. “I’ve always preconditioned because I’m gathering 500 calves from seven or eight pastures and I can’t pull them off […] Read more

CCA Report: Reasons for optimism
From the August 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
If there was ever a time for optimism in the beef industry, it would have to be now. Positive developments in market access over the summer months are of practical as well as symbolic importance. Fully restored access to Mexico and the resumption of trade to Taiwan are important as every gain in market access supports […] Read more