Town hall in Avignon, France

Do we need a French Revolution?

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

The question of who land belongs to continues to haunt discussions around the world. In my international travels it most certainly was common to discuss not only land ownership but land access. For Canadians, ownership appears to be a given but the reality of land accessibility and ownership is a conversation we need to have. […] Read more

Manuel Antonio, National Park in Costa Rica - beautiful tropical beach at pacific coast

A different kind of man

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

It was a unique classroom setting, sitting upon a log at the seaside. In the distance the mountain peaks were blue shadows and the ocean was this day like glass; gentle and caressing her shores with the hand of a guiding mother. The topic between this day’s teacher and I was the relationship between gross […] Read more


There is room for us all

There is room for us all

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

I am excited. The passion and commitment of our young cattlemen and cattlewomen is catching, encouraging, and fills me with great pride. An active follower of social media, I watch with delight the posts that range from personal to professional. The topics and stories are amazing and the beef industry most certainly has been fortified […] Read more

Thank you k.d. lang

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

When k.d. lang entered the world of the beef industry, she did so full on. A talented young girl from the little town of Consort, Alta., lang had grown up with cowboys, dust and the soothing voice of Patsy Cline. She originally played small gigs around Alberta and especially in Edmonton at the Sidetrack Café. […] Read more


Statement of claim

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

The oil and gas industry in Canada should be taking note of the potential change in fossil fuel use in the future. China has just announced its proposal to ban the production and sale of fossil fuel in the near future. The country produces and sells 28 million cars annually and is a major market […] Read more

What is land for?

What is land for?

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

It started as a potential narrative for agricultural peril with the question: “What is land for?” That got my attention and I was fostering the dismal thought of a counter defence. But the context of the question had deeper meaning. What will land be for? Throughout history land has been fought for, won and lost […] Read more



Schoepp: Trading places

Schoepp: Trading places

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

There has been much discussion on protectionism as we watch the trumping of the TPP and look at NAFTA with sorrowful anticipation. What is the importance of huge trade deals and why should we examine them now? The largest global trade body is the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is a negotiating body established in […] Read more


Canada exports about $3.3 billion worth of raw foods, grains and oilseeds to China.

Fire and ice

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

The imagery of fire and ice is indicative of the current political status of our nation when it comes to trade. Between the blistering outbursts and cold responses there is imbedded a little dance with the dragon that may ultimately determine our economic well-being. Trump’s fire and brimstone proclamations will collapse with the mountain on […] Read more

A global approach to research

A global approach to research

Straight from the Hip with Brenda Schoepp

For many years our industry had yearned in the research world for what was called a systems approach: the transparent collection or series of projects toward an end with a strong tech transfer component. And now at the University of Calgary we have in motion the College of Discovery, Creativity and Innovation (CDCI) which exceeds […] Read more