Want to tell your Canadian beef story?

Want to tell your Canadian beef story?

Reading Time: < 1 minute Canada Beef is looking for beef producers to join our network of tour stops for guests visiting the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence. The centre has an increasing number of domestic and international visitors who are involved in the beef industry. As part of its outreach, the centre offers visitors a chance to experience the […] Read more

Cattle leader says the future looks bright

Cattle leader says the future looks bright

Tim Oleksyn says more research dollars and a national strategy will pay rich dividends for cattle producers

Reading Time: 3 minutes More research and a new team approach in the beef sector is going to put money in the pockets of producers, says the chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council. “The collaboration in the industry is refreshing,” said Tim Oleksyn, a cow-calf producer from Shellbrook, Sask. “Actually, it’s more than refreshing. I think it’s the […] Read more



Everyone will benefit if calves are preconditioned, says vet

Everyone will benefit if calves are preconditioned, says vet

Preparing calves for the feedlot reduces antibiotic use 
and improves feed efficiency and animal health

Reading Time: 3 minutes While preconditioning your calves may not always put extra dollars in your pockets, it’s good for the health of the entire beef industry. That was the message from veterinarian Cody Creelman during a recent Beef Cattle Research Centre webinar. Preconditioning includes anything a producer does to a weaned calf that reduces shrink and chance of […] Read more


Steve Easterbrook (centre), the head of the global fast-food giant, visiting Graeme Finn’s ranch near Crossfield in June.

Mission accomplished: McDonald’s sustainable beef on track for 2016

The fast-food giant expects to have 300 beef operations verified by spring — 
and then it will hand off the initiative to the beef sector

Reading Time: 4 minutes McDonald’s Canada will reach its goal of selling “verified sustainable” beef next year, says the company’s senior manager of sustainability. “We’re right on track as far as we know — it’s hard to know how many producers we’ll be able to get interested and get through, but we’ve got some pretty good numbers now,” said […] Read more

The drought and resulting feed shortage saw a big sell-off of breeding stock — and they’ll be expensive to replace.


Building the herd: The downside of strong cattle prices

Cattle prices are expected to remain strong into 2016, but what does that mean 
for replacement cattle next year?


Reading Time: 4 minutes Next year could see continued strong or even stronger cattle prices — and that’s a double-edged sword for producers who’ve reduced their herds this year and plan to buy replacements in 2016. Producers in prescribed drought regions who have reduced their breeding stock by at least 15 per cent can tap into the Federal Livestock […] Read more



Cows leaving the dairy

The time has come to rethink single-trait selection

Temple Grandin was right about animal welfare, and she’s right 
about respecting the dual purpose of food animals, too

Reading Time: 4 minutes I am a big fan of Dr. Temple Grandin. A long time ago we stood in a small community hall in Alberta with 60 farmers in attendance. She talked about an animal’s reaction to light, movement, and sound, and encouraged producers to see their facilities through the eyes of their livestock. I talked about shrinkage […] Read more


Applications for Beef Industry Innovation & Sustainability Award open

Applications for Beef Industry Innovation & Sustainability Award open

Reading Time: < 1 minute The Beef Industry Innovation & Sustainability Award is accepting applications for the 2016 award. The BIISA is presented on behalf of beef cattle producers by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association to recognize industry stakeholders and value chain members for their outstanding commitment to the sustainability of Canada’s beef industry through innovation. BIISA is awarded to any […] Read more

three men talking on a pasture

McDonald’s ‘sustainable beef’ pilot project ramps up

Alberta visit of McDonald's global CEO signals a sea change in the beef industry

Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s full speed ahead for McDonald’s “verified sustainable beef” project. The country’s largest buyer of beef is finishing up the first phase of its groundbreaking pilot project in Canada, and earlier this month the head of the global fast-food giant paid a visit to Alberta to get a first-hand look. Recently appointed CEO Steve Easterbrook […] Read more