Producers will not have access to strychnine for Richardson’s ground squirrel control in 2026, after Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) denied a joint emergency use request from Alberta and Saskatchewan. The request was submitted in response to increasing ground squirrel populations and concerns about damage to pasture, hay land and crops. Producers and provincial officials argued that…
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…
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…
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…
4-H Canada has announced the appointment of Christina Franc as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective later this month. Franc joins 4-H Canada after more than 15 years in senior leadership roles with national nonprofit organizations, most recently at United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC). During her time at UWCC, she worked closely with community partners…
Two Albertans, Jolene Noble of Manning and Ashley Nicholls of De Winton, have been named among the 2026 Nuffield Canada Scholars. The Nuffield Canada Scholarship program supports innovative agricultural leaders through self-directed research and international travel, allowing scholars to explore global perspectives on issues shaping the future of agriculture. Each 2026 scholar will receive a…
Researchers at the University of Calgary are developing new tools that could help producers detect health issues earlier and improve reproductive efficiency in their herds. Using remote monitoring systems, behaviour-tracking collars, and machine-learning models, two projects underway at W.A. Ranches are examining how technology can complement producer experience and support on-farm decision-making. The future of…
Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) is preparing for the 2026 resolution cycle, and producers will again have the opportunity to bring forward local issues, ideas, and priorities that help shape ABP’s work for the year ahead. Resolutions 101 Producer resolutions are one of the most important ways cattle producers can influence the work of Alberta Beef…
The Government of Alberta has renewed its funding and approved a two-year extension for the Alberta Ag-Plastic Recycle It! pilot program through December 2027. Launched in 2019, the pilot provides Alberta producers with practical recycling options for materials such as plastic grain bags and baler twine. Beginning in 2026, the pilot will expand to include collection programs…
New federal traceability rules are coming for 2026 and producers should start preparing now, says the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA). The federal government is moving ahead with proposed changes to Canada’s livestock traceability rules. Amendments to Part XV of the Health of Animals Regulations are expected to be published in Canada Gazette Part II in spring 2026. The…
Alberta is rolling out new measures to get a handle on wild boar, an invasive species that continues to cause serious damage across rural areas. The province has introduced and opened applications for the new Wild Boar On-Farm Exit Program, which supports farmers and landowners who want to remove wild boars or transition out of…
A new partnership is bringing beef DNA testing back to Canada. The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan and the Canadian Beef Improvement Network (CBIN) have announced a new strategic partnership to deliver DNA testing and analysis services, giving Canadian beef producers an alternative to sending samples abroad. Bringing testing…