Business Tools

Fall run is one of the busiest times of year for Canadian cattle producers. Before your sell your calf crop, here’s a quick refreshed on how the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off applies to your sale. The basics Every time you sell cattle in Canada, a mandatory levy or check-off is deducted which is a combination…

If your confined feeding operation (CFO) was operating before January 1, 2002, and you do not have a permit from the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) that states your livestock type and livestock capacity, now is a good time to request a formal grandfathering determination from the NRCB. A grandfathering determination provides official documentation of…

Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) is encouraged by the progress federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture have made toward strengthening Business Risk Management programs, including AgriStability, while welcoming the broader priorities outlined in the Halifax Statement that align with the needs of Alberta’s cattle producers.  Released following the annual conference of FPT Ministers of…

Feed represents one of the largest input costs in beef production. Without an accurate understanding of its nutritional value, both feed planning and ration formulation becomes largely speculative, increasing the risk of under- or over-supplying key nutrients. Laboratory feed analysis provides a precise assessment of nutrient availability, allowing producers to optimize feed utilization and improve…

Canfax is inviting Canadian beef producers and industry stakeholders to share their perspectives through a stakeholder survey designed to help guide the future of its market information services. As a membership-funded, not-for-profit organization, Canfax provides voluntary price reporting and cattle market information to the Canadian cattle industry. Members receive access to publications, data services and…

Alberta producers play an important role in maintaining grasslands and wildlife habitat, according to new research highlighted by the Beef Cattle Research Council. In a recent article, BCRC Science Director Dr. Reynold Bergen examined how continued conversion of pasture and forage land to crop production could impact biodiversity and landscape connectivity across Alberta. The article draws on research…

Two federal beef researchers affected by the closure of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Lacombe Research and Development Centre will continue a portion of their work through an interim arrangement at the University of Guelph.  The University of Guelph has announced that Dr. Óscar López-Campos and Dr. Nuria Prieto will continue research activity at the university under…

Electronic manifests are now available in Alberta to make tracking animals more efficient. In the event of an emergent disease situation, the ability to trace animal movement is paramount. It supports disease preparedness, protects market access, and maintains consumer confidence. When considering the potential for an emergent disease situation, Shawn McLean, General Manager of Livestock…

(Lidocaine Impregnated Bands) An article appeared in ABP Magazine in December 2023 (view here) explaining the science behind Lidoband castration devices. They are now available in Canada in different sizes for different weights of cattle to be used with the appropriate banners. They qualify as a compounded product because of the lidocaine impregnation, so in…

Winter and Spring are often some of the busiest seasons in Alberta’s beef industry, and this year has been no exception for the teams at ABP and Verified Beef Producer Plus (VBP+). Over the past several months, ABP and VBP+ representatives have been on the road attending conventions, hosting workshops, participating in youth events, and…