"To me as a producer, the value of all this is about maintaining and hopefully increasing market share." – Les Johnston

VBP helps keep beef in the game

No one has to participate in the verified beef program, but consumers and the food industry are starting to call the shots

Les Johnston figures if he wants to continue to sell beef, and hopefully tap into top or higher-value markets, he needs to be able to show buyers as well as consumers he is doing a good job. The southern Saskatchewan rancher is a believer in the Canadian Verified Beef Production (VBP) program. He was doing […] Read more


‘Change’ is the watchword in a warming world, says researcher

‘Change’ is the watchword in a warming world, says researcher

Longer summers and milder winters sound nice, but even the pluses come with some negatives

How will the Canadian cattle industry fare if global temperatures continue to rise? Count a reduced feed demand, a longer grazing season, and higher forage production among the benefits — but also expect more extreme weather, pests, and transport headaches, according to University of Manitoba research scientist Kim Ominski. “We know the future of our […] Read more

Black Aberdeen Angus cow at pasture in England

Genetic improvement lays the foundation

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay: from the February 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Ask any winemaker how he or she produces a great drinking experience and all reply “It starts in the vineyard.” The same is true of the beef industry. A great beef eating experience starts on the ranch or farm. And just like constantly improving the quality of the grape, it should include upgrading the genetic […] Read more


Dr. E.E. Ballantyne, director of Veterinary Services, Edmonton, Alta.

History: Compensation for T.B. Reactors Found in Restricted Area Testing

Reprinted from the May 1950 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By Dr. E.E. Ballantyne, director of Veterinary Services, Edmonton, Alta. Because it is compulsory to dispose of reactors to the test for tuberculosis, the Dominion Government pays compensation for such animals so that the owner will be helped to build his herd with healthy cattle. Compensation on purebred cattle is up to $100 and grades […] Read more

Tag 447

You judge the heifers! Part 1

Can you spot the genomics at work?

As cattlemen, we take pride in our ability to visually judge, select and breed cattle that work in our ranch environment. Often a good group of cattle is judged by its similarities and not its differences, so that’s one visual criteria for selection. With good reason, we also tend to focus on traits that are […] Read more


The makings of a perfect storm

The makings of a perfect storm

Nutrition with John McKinnon

The winter of 2016-17 is shaping up to be a challenge for cow-calf operators across Canada. While much of October and November were relatively stress free in terms of winter’s wrath, as we moved into the new year, extreme cold and snow has gripped much of the country. Coupled with hay shortages in Eastern Canada […] Read more

The Canadian Gelbvieh Association elected a new board of directors at its annual meeting during Canadian Western Agribition in November. Back row (l-r): Kert Ness, Ryan Sommerfeld, James Jasper, Neal Overby. Front row (l-r): Lon Carlson (vice-president), Aaron Birch, Lee Wirgau (president).

Canadian Gelbvieh Association elects new board

Purely Purebred with Mike Millar: News about you from the February 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

2016 was a record-setting year for the Canadian Angus Association with members registering 62,414 calves. The previous high was 61,578 calves in 2008. Sales of Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed tags was the second-highest amount on record at 278,010. Congratulations to Glen and Darlene Glessman of Glesbar Cattle Co. Ltd. for winning the Canadian Angus Foundation’s […] Read more


The eyes help diagnose  dehydration (above) or bacterial inflammatory enteritis (below).

Calf health: The diarrhea diaries

The definition of scours is diarrhea, but diarrhea alone only means the calf has loose feces. The important question when a calf has diarrhea is whether it is making the calf sick. “It’s not as simple as saying, the calf has diarrhea, therefore, it has scours. You need to compare groups of observations, consider the […] Read more

Congratulations to Cedarlea Farms, Garner and Lori Deobald and family of Hodgeville, Sask., for being named Sask­atchewan Charolais Association’s Purebred Breeder of the Year for 2016.

Simmental Champion of the world, bull division

Purely Purebred with Mike Millar: News about you from the January 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

It was exciting to be at Canadian Western Agribition this year and see all the changes with old buildings coming down and new structures taking their place. This year’s RBC Beef Supreme Challenge was the last cattle show to be held in the stadium before she is torn down and replaced. With grand champion show […] Read more