Business Tools

An Alberta-developed multi-tasking sensor technology is starting to create some buzz in the livestock world. Wandering Shepherd has generated interest in its wireless rumen bolus identification device close to home and as far away as Africa. In November, developers shared their pitch in the Ag Innovation Competition during Agri-Trade in Red Deer, where producers in…

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…

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…

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…

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) has announced that its CRSB Certified program is now recognized as an agri-environmental risk assessment (AERA) under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriInvest program. This means that beef producers who are CRSB Certified and require an AERA to participate in AgriInvest can use their certification to meet that requirement for the government…

The Canadian Cow-calf Cost of Production (COP) Network has released new whole-farm financial benchmarks to help producers measure profitability and identify opportunities to strengthen their bottom line. The COP Network is an initiative of Canfax Research Services, funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council, to create standardized, pan-Canadian benchmarks for cow-calf production systems. Producer data…

In beef production, genetics play a critical role in both management and profitability. Regardless of the size of your operation or whether you are a commercial or purebred breeder, keeping records is an important part of managing your herd genetics. “Without accurate records you have no way of knowing whether or not your herd is…

The Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) program is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 program year. If you’re between the ages of 18 and 35, and involved in any aspect of the beef supply chain, this is your chance to be paired with an industry leader for a nine-month mentorship. The CYL program, established by…