Strengthening the industry through producer leadership

With Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) delegate nominations open across all five zones, current delegate Aydon Almberg is encouraging producers interested in the industry to consider getting involved.

A fourth-generation rancher from the Czar area, Almberg works with his family at Lazy HE Ranch Ltd., a cow-calf, backgrounding, and feeding operation.

Almberg has served on ABP’s Board of Directors, Tier Advisory Team, and Issues Management Committee. He is also a graduate of the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders program.

He recently joined Jim Fisher on Cattle Country to talk about why he became an ABP delegate, what he has learned from the experience and why other producers should consider putting their names forward.

Becoming a delegate

“I went to a meeting and decided I was interested in seeing what was going on,” Almberg said. “I decided I should probably be involved if I wanted to see a change in it.”

For Almberg, becoming a delegate provided an opportunity to take that interest a step further and become part of the conversations affecting Alberta’s cattle industry.

“I’ve gained an awareness of the industry and the issues and opportunities that we face, and how far-reaching ABP is,” he said.

That experience has also shown him how the work and relationships extend well beyond Alberta.

“It’s not just provincial; it’s across Canada, and we network even into the States,” Almberg said. “You get to meet producers through all the different walks of life, different parts of the industry.”

Almberg encourages producers who want to learn more about the industry and contribute their own perspectives to consider getting involved.

“Just being a part of the conversation, having your opinion, pushing the conversation forward is great value to us,” he said.

Delegates represent the needs and ideas of producers in their zones, help keep producers informed about ABP’s work and participate directly in discussions and decision-making on issues affecting Alberta’s beef industry.

Delegate openings

Delegate positions are available across all five ABP zones.

To be eligible, candidates must be 18 years of age or older, have paid check-off in the last two years, and be an eligible producer or representative of one.

Interested producers must complete a nomination form and declaration signed by both the nominee and a nominator. The nominator must belong to the same zone in which the nominee is seeking election.

Nominations are due on or before August 31, 2026.

Nomination forms, information about delegate responsibilities, zone listings and answers to frequently asked questions are available at albertabeef.org.

Producers can also reach out to a current delegate in their zone to learn more about what the role involves.