Reading Time: 3 minutes The Alberta Beef Producers and the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association have come to an impasse on making the provincial checkoff non-refundable. And that’s put the controversial matter in the hands of the provincial government. “We’re trying to come up with a plan,” said Martin Zuidhof, chair of the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association. “That’s where it’s […] Read more
Cattle producers and feeders in checkoff stalemate
ABP has proposed a new funding council, but that wasn’t enough to sway cattle feeders
New version of cattle cash advance program
Reading Time: < 1 minute Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada recently announced a new version of cash advances for cattle using coverage under the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP). Under the Advance Payments Program, producers can receive up to $400,000 in advances with the interest on the first $100,000 paid by the government. Advances can be obtained on calves, feeders, […] Read more
It’s never too late to feed test
There’s ‘no substitute’ for knowing the precise energy, protein, and nutrient content of your feed, says a provincial specialist
Reading Time: 2 minutes If cattle feed supplies are starting to get low and pastures need more time before turning cattle out, a provincial beef extension specialist recommends doing feed tests on remaining feed. “The more you know about what you are working with for feed values, the more accurate you will be targeting the animals’ nutrition and ensuring […] Read more
Bid to boost beef checkoffs remains stalled
Reading Time: 3 minutes There’s no resolution in sight on the issue of checkoffs, even though beef industry groups say research and marketing will suffer if the levies aren’t increased. “We need to invest more in marketing, research, and issues management,” said Rich Smith, executive director of Alberta Beef Producers (ABP). “We simply believe we need a higher level […] Read more
Have we gone overboard in the bid to get more marbling?
More beef is grading AAA or Prime, but lean meat has fallen dramatically – and that's not right, says expert
Reading Time: 4 minutes If you glance at the numbers, it seems like the cattle industry is getting more beef — and more AAA or Prime beef — from fewer animals than ever before. But dig a little deeper, and the numbers tell a different story. According to longtime beef industry analyst Charlie Gracey, the trend of feeding cattle […] Read more
Study finds Canadian beef’s GHG footprint shrunk over 30 years
Efficiencies in cattle production and feeding have allowed Canada’s beef industry to produce the same weight in beef as 30 years ago with smaller breeding herds, less land — and smaller greenhouse gas (GHG) output, a new study finds. The study, led by research scientist Tim McAllister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge, with […] Read more
Beef sector wants cattle producers to speak up
Beef Advocacy Canada says farmers are the best people to engage consumers because ‘no one knows the industry better’
Reading Time: 2 minutes Want to be an advocate for Canadian beef? There’s a program for that. Beef Advocacy Canada is about to launch a new training program for beef producers willing to be the faces — and voices — of the beef sector. “We are looking to empower advocates for the beef industry — people who are raising […] Read more
Checkoffs a priority for Alberta Beef Producers
Reading Time: < 1 minute Boosting the $1 national checkoff to $2.50 had a prime spot on the agenda at Alberta Beef Producers’ annual fall meetings. The 23 meetings held across the province attracted about 900 producers and “as we had hoped, the fall meetings generated good discussion among producers on the issue of industry funding,” the organization said in […] Read more
Make hay while the sun shines
It’s good times in the cattle business, but there are things that need to get done before the next downturn
Reading Time: 5 minutes Good times don’t last forever, so use them wisely. That, in a nutshell, is the advice of four Alberta cattle producers who were asked for their thoughts on the current state of the sector and what lies ahead. A decade of misery following the BSE crisis in 2003 has been followed by record-high prices, and […] Read more
Drought management strategies for cattle
Reading Time: < 1 minute Whether in the form of pasture, stored forage, or supplements, feed is the largest variable input cost in cow-calf operations. A big challenge is to feed the cow in a way that meets her current and future nutritional requirements for maintenance, lactation, maintaining a successful pregnancy, giving birth and getting rebred within 80-85 days of […] Read more
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