Canadian cattle herds are currently free of the Asian Longhorned Tick (ALHT) and the parasite it can carry, Theileria orientalis ikeda. But with the tick spreading across more than 20 U.S. states, experts say it’s only a matter of time before it could reach Canada.  Producers should be aware, watchful and prepared, says Karin Schmid, Beef…

Fed prices continue to advance, setting new record highs. Last week, the Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $307/cwt live, $5/cwt higher than previous week. Light trade was reported last week with dressed sales reported from $508.00–518.50/cwt FOB the feedlot. Buying interest was noted from all Western Canadian packers. Cattle that traded…

Alberta’s government is raising the lending limit on the Feeder Associations Loan Guarantee Program (FALGP) from $150 million to $225 million. The program provides low-interest, government-backed loans to local feeder associations. Since its establishment in 1936, FALGP has provided more than $12 billion in loans. The program typically finances 17 to 24 per cent of…

Sharing the landscape with wildlife and making a prosperous farming or ranching operation can often be challenging. From hungry waterfowl, to small livestock losses, there are many possible conflicts and it takes awareness, knowledge and cooperation to forge a successful path. In Alberta, the human-wildlife conflict program consists of five inter-related parts: Prevention (actions taken…

The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency has wrapped up the 2024/25 fiscal year by reporting financial results, program highlights, and updates to its board and committees at its Annual General Meeting. The Agency collected $18.7 million in national check-off revenue and $1.5 million in import levies. Funds were allocated to marketing through Canada Beef (55%), research…

Alberta farmers and ranchers know that no two growing seasons are alike. From heavy rainfall in central Alberta to persistent drought in other regions, weather this year continues to be one of the most unpredictable factors shaping agriculture. In the latest episode of The Bovine podcast, host Kara Mastel spoke with long-time meteorologist David Spence, now a…

The University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has officially opened its Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU), now offering a full range of veterinary diagnostic services for Alberta’s livestock sector. The DSU provides affordable, in-province testing supported by the Government of Alberta, with services including pathology, cytology, bacteriology, serology, parasitology, PCR, and telepathology. Diagnostic capacity is…

Cattle producers in drought-impacted parts of Alberta will qualify for Livestock Tax Deferral in 2025, the federal agriculture minister has announced. The federal government has released the initial list of regions eligible for the deferral. The deferral allows producers in prescribed areas to defer a portion of their income from sales until the next tax year…