Reading Time: 5 minutes It’s election season for many of Alberta’s farm organizations but it can feel like pulling teeth to get farmers involved, say representatives of grower groups. The positions are not necessarily as time-consuming as farmers may think because there are many people to help and in many cases work-life balance is prioritized. “It has to be […] Read more
Don’t fear involvement in ag groups, say commission reps
There are more benefits than losses when you nominate yourself for a board
ABP delegate nominations open for 2024
Nomination forms must be submitted by Nov. 15
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers’ delegate nominations are now open, with two-year positions available in all five zones and one-year positions available in central, northwest, and southeast zones. Delegates represent the needs and ideas of producers in their local area and keep them informed on the latest from ABP. Nominees should be passionate about Alberta’s beef industry, […] Read more
Earlier fires offer insight for this year’s situation
It can be a long road to recovery for farmers affected by wildfires, say those who have experienced past losses
Reading Time: 3 minutes A fire in rural Alberta can burn away generations of hard work, so farmers and ranchers take it seriously. “Whenever you see smoke in the air, everybody comes around,” said Jeff Lewandoski, chief of the Jenner volunteer fire department. “We live an hour away from any major centre and if you had to wait an […] Read more
Beef sector speaks out on costly processing rules
Producers, smaller processors bear the brunt of costs from BSE-era regulations
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta beef producers still feel the fallout from BSE through regulations intended for processors, though it is 20 years since the crisis began. Canadian beef processors pay millions more than their U.S. counterparts to process and dispose of specified risk material (SRM), first targeted during the BSE era, in cattle older than 30 months (OTM). […] Read more
Historic document protects the role of grazing on Crown lands
Having a clear, solid agreement recognizing ranchers as stewards is very important, say cattle leaders
Reading Time: 3 minutes Leaseholders can breathe a sigh of relief now that the province has formally recognized the role that grazing plays on public lands, say cattle leaders. The new Rangeland Grazing Framework recognizes that the stewardship of ranchers is critical to the health and future of Crown lands, said two signatories to the new agreement. “It helps […] Read more
Alberta fairs, auctions offer space for evacuated livestock
Central areas catch break with moisture, cooler weather; CN service resumes
Alberta’s ag societies and livestock auction marts are offering up pen space for producers forced to evacuate animals away from dozens of wildfires in the province’s northern and west-central regions. As of early Thursday evening, the province was tracking 76 active wildfires, of which 22 were listed as “out of control” and 17 as “being […] Read more
New chair takes the reins at ABP
Brodie Haugan says important issues include the decline in the cow herd and the long-term health of the cow-calf sector
Reading Time: 3 minutes The youngest-ever chair of Alberta Beef Producers says he’s excited to bring the voice of the next generation to the organization. “To be honest, when I first got involved with ABP, I had no intent of getting to the top position,” said 32-year-old Brodie Hagen, who ranches near Orion. “I just saw the opportunity to […] Read more
Alberta Beef Producers needs more delegates
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers is still looking for delegates after recent elections failed to yield a full roster. All the candidates who put forward their names were elected by acclamation. In the southeast zone, Brodie Haugan (Orion), Craig Lehr (Medicine Hat) and Kent Holowath (Rumsey) were acclaimed. In the southwest zone, the delegates are Fred Lozeman […] Read more
Environmental stewardship award nominations open
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award. The award recognizes a beef producer “who best exemplifies environmentally sustainable cattle production.” Producers can be nominated by an individual or organization, or apply themselves. A panel of representatives from conservation and agriculture assess the candidate by examining the stewardship goals and […] Read more
Hillmer appointed vice-chair of Alberta Beef Producers
Reading Time: < 1 minute Del Bonita producer Sheila Hillmer has been appointed vice-chair of Alberta Beef Producers following the resignation of Jason Hale, the province’s new deputy minister of agriculture. Hillmer became an ABP delegate four years ago and has been on the board since then. She is also one of the organization’s representatives on the board of the Canadian […] Read more
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