Recently announced budget cuts at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada raise important questions about the impact to beef and forage work done in support of the industry. Media reports indicate AAFC facilities tied to beef and forage research are among those facing capacity reductions or even closures as part of cuts announced under the 2025 federal…
Farmers and ranchers across Alberta and the Peace region of B.C. are invited to take part in a new survey conducted by the Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab. The survey is designed to track how the adoption of beneficial management practices (BMPs) has changed since the Living Lab started in 2022. The results will help program…
The first 24 hours of a beef calf’s life are the most vulnerable. During the Beef Cattle Research Council’s webinar, Early Calf Life Survival, Dr. Roger Richard of Shoal Lake Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Claire Windeyer from University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine and Heidi Bennett with W.A. Ranches discussed navigating calving and the critical early life…
The Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab (AALL) continues to strengthen collaboration between producers, researchers, and partners across Alberta to test, refine, and share innovative best management practices (BMPs) that enhance resilience and profitability on crop, livestock and forage operations. Most of the core producers implementing BMPs through the AALL were in their third field season in…
Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) is in ongoing discussions with Alberta’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation regarding the proposed regulations on traceability. These discussions included a conversation between General Manager Brad Dubeau and Deputy Minister Jason Hale late Friday. DM Hale has discussed the current situation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and the CFIA…
Alberta fed steers and heifers closed the week at $303.00/cwt and $301.00/cwt respectively, steady with the previous week. Dressed sales were reported from $505.00–508.00/cwt delivered, mostly at $508.00/cwt, also steady with the previous week. Competition on the cash market was limited. Cattle that traded were scheduled anywhere from immediate to the second half of February…
Twelve youth gathered at the Calgary Stampede’s OH Ranch this fall for Steer Selection Day, the official kickoff to the Calgary Stampede’s 2025–26 OH Ranch Branded Beef Youth Ambassador Program. The day brought together this year’s ambassadors and their families for orientation, hands-on learning, and the key event: selecting the steer each youth will raise…
The Great Twine Round-Up contest is back for 2026, encouraging Alberta producers and youth to recycle plastic baler twine while supporting local communities and agricultural charities. The initiative is part of the Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It! pilot project. Alberta-based 4-H clubs, district members, and independent entrants are invited to collect and recycle used plastic baler…
4-H Alberta has named Isabella Sweet of Lacombe as the 2026 Premier’s Award recipient, recognizing her outstanding leadership and commitment to the 4-H program. The Premier’s Award, first presented in 1964, is 4-H Alberta’s highest honour, given annually to an Ambassador who exemplifies leadership, dedication, and service. “Having experienced 4-H provincially, regionally, and at the…
Unauthorized construction at confined feeding operations is on the rise The Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) is seeing a significant increase in unauthorized construction at confined feeding operations across Alberta. Compared to 2024, complaints related to unauthorized construction are up approximately 32 per cent, while enforcement actions have increased by about 125 per cent. This…
It’s not your average deck of cards. There are no kings or queens and the game involves as much talking as it does thinking. It can be played alone like solitaire, in pairs, as a family or with a team. Conversation cards they are called — and there are thousands of these decks found in…
From a supply perspective, fed calf supplies are declining while yearling volumes are increasing. As more summer-placed yearlings enter the slaughter mix, carcass weights have started to seasonally decline. Last week, the Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $301.50/cwt live, $4/cwt higher than the previous week. Since late November, fed prices have…