In late November 2024, a six-year-old cow infected with bovine tuberculosis (bTB) was detected at slaughter. This animal was traced back to a premise in Saskatchewan, where more positive animals were detected. As part of rigorous eradication protocols, a thorough disease investigation must occur to maintain Canada’s current international trade opportunities. Updates on the current…
Alberta fed prices continue to rally for the fourth consecutive week, making a new high with fed cattle trading in the low $280s/cwt, $9-12/cwt stronger than the previous week. Dressed sales were reported from $455-$460/cwt delivery, $5/cwt higher than previous week. All three Western Canadian packers bought cattle. Cattle that traded were scheduled to be…
Imagine leading Alberta Beef Producers’ Board of Directors while juggling feed runs and national policy meetings. In Season 3 Episode 5 of The Bovine podcast, brought to you by Alberta Beef Producers, host Kara Mastel sits down with Doug Roxburgh, the newly elected Chair of Alberta Beef Producers (ABP), to talk about leadership, resilience, and…
Minister of Alberta Forestry and Parks, Todd Loewen, signed an Order in Council to amend the Recreational Access Regulation, which oversees recreational access to grazing leases in Alberta. This amendment introduces several significant changes aimed at improving the management and accessibility of these lands. One of the key updates is the addition of a purpose…
The Canadian Cattle Association completed its 2025 Annual General Meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Ottawa with a number of events, meetings and election of a new Board of Directors. Tyler Fulton of Birtle, Manitoba moves into the president position taking over from Nathan Phinney of Sackville, New Brunswick who remains on the Board…
Alberta fed prices rebounded sharply after the largest week-over-week decrease of the year, following the announcement that tariffs on goods and services covered under CUSMA/USCMA will be paused until April 2nd. Fed cattle traded $5-6/cwt stronger than the previous week, this brings fed steers within $6/cwt from record high set back in February, with fed…
The agriculture sector is currently facing multiple challenges, including the newly imposed tariffs by China, trade uncertainties with the United States, and risks like animal diseases. In response, the Honourable Kody Blois, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Rural Economic Development Canada, has announced new supports for the agricultural sector through the AgriStability program. The…
What’s been happening behind the scenes at Alberta Beef Producers? In this episode of The Bovine, host Kara Mastel takes us inside Alberta Beef Producers’ (ABP) 2024 Year in review. Recorded at the end of the year, this discussion features key ABP staff as they reflect on the major issues, projects, and policies shaping the…
The value of Canadian farmland maintained its upward trajectory in 2024, rising by 9.3 per cent according to the latest FCC Farmland Values Report. This increase, while slightly lower than the 11.5 per cent growth seen in 2023, underscores the persistent demand for farmland value despite pressures on commodity prices. J.P. Gervais, FCC’s Chief Economist,…
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has announced the launch of the new $3-million Producer Mental Wellbeing Initiative (PMWI). This 3-year initiative, delivered in partnership with the Privy Council Office’s Impact Canada, aims to bring forward collaborative solutions that use creative, data-based approaches to improve the wellbeing of producers, reduce the stigma around mental health in…
Every year, during the third week of March, Canada celebrates the Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW). This annual campaign is dedicated to spreading awareness and providing resources to ensure farming operations remain safe, healthy, sustainable, and successful. In 2025, CASW is observed from March 16-22. This week-long event encourages everyone involved in agriculture to participate…
Alberta’s government has introduced new legislation aimed at expanding and diversifying the agriculture sector while fostering the growth of the biogas industry. The proposed updates to the Bill 44: Agricultural Operation Practices Act are designed to reduce waste, enable farmers to use organic materials as fertilizer supplements, and attract investment that creates jobs. The act…