Preliminary results in Alberta beef producers’ service charge plebiscite put a slim majority in favour of keeping their checkoff refundable. Out of 1,874 votes cast, 962 votes, or 51.3 per cent, fell in favour of a refundable service charge model, with 908 for a non-refundable model and four ballots spoiled, according to the preliminary figures […] Read more
Alberta cattle producers vote to keep refundable checkoff
Province-wide farm aid unlikely, says Alberta Beef Producers chair
While many producers are in dire straits, feed shortage is not technically ‘a disaster’
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta Beef Producers is gathering the facts on the feed shortage in the province and preparing a case for government aid for drought-stricken ranchers. But although the federal government has now made much of the province eligible for its tax deferral program, direct aid is unlikely, said ABP chair Charlie Christie. “My gut feeling right […] Read more
Beef checkoff plebiscite coming in fall
Reading Time: < 1 minute A plebiscite on a non-refundable cattle checkoff will be held this fall and the leadership of Alberta Beef Producers is urging its members to get out and vote. Currently, the provincial portion of the checkoff is voluntary and ABP refunds about $2.4 million yearly (mostly to feeders). If the checkoff is made non-refundable, most of […] Read more
Have you been affected by drought?
Reading Time: < 1 minute Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is currently collecting information on conditions and impact of the drought in Western Canada. It’s asking producers to take an online survey, which takes about three minutes to complete. “This information helps justify and document the necessity for programs such as Livestock Tax Deferral,” it said, adding the results will be […] Read more
Alberta Beef Producers looking for candidates
Nominations close August 31
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers is currently accepting nominations for delegates to run in its 2018 fall elections. Producers in each of the nine geographic zones in the province can elect up to five delegates and one cattle feeder delegate to serve two-year terms. However, elections are staggered so this year, two producer delegate positions are open […] Read more
The situation is grim for many ranchers, ABP warns province
Provincial officials will need to quickly roll out assistance programs if drought continues, says Charlie Christie
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta’s main cattle group is warning the provincial government to stand ready as a severe feed shortage could soon lead to a major culling of herds. Many ranchers depleted their hay stocks after a cold spring delayed pasture growth, and have seen only meagre production this summer in the face of dry, hot conditions, said […] Read more
Even in Feedlot Alley, consumers don’t trust hormone use
The beef sector has long said hormone implants are safe, but most Lethbridge residents aren’t convinced
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s a pretty disheartening finding: Nearly two-thirds of residents of Lethbridge — located in Feedlot Alley — oppose the use of growth hormones in cattle, according to a recent survey. “I would suspect that a lot of people don’t understand,” said Roland Cailliau, a cow-calf producer from Valleyview. “They don’t read and they don’t understand […] Read more
Learning about grasslands at Glenbow Ranch
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers has partnered with the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation on a program that gives school kids a chance to learn about native grasslands and the role cattle play in these threatened ecosystems. The Explore Grasslands Program is open to elementary and high school classes, and includes a half-day program for Grade 4 students […] Read more
Only Alberta beef at Calgary Co-op stores
Reading Time: < 1 minute All of Calgary Co-op’s food stores will be exclusively stocking and selling fresh Alberta beef. The “Only Alberta Beef” commitment marks the first time a major grocery retailer in the Calgary area is promising only locally produced fresh beef to its members. The co-op is partnering with JBS Canada in Brooks to ensure all of […] Read more
ABP’s Young Guns Contest now open
Deadline for entries is June 1
Reading Time: < 1 minute Are you between the ages of eight and 21, and involved in Beef 4-H, junior cattle shows or beef production? This is your opportunity to win one of three prizes in the ABP Young Guns Contest. This year we want to know what connects you to the land in Alberta where we produce the best […] Read more
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