Checking in with ABP

Each year, the Keith Gilmore Foundation awards scholarships to outstanding young individuals who are shaping the future of Canadian agriculture, with a special focus on those passionate about the Hereford breed. Established in honour of the late Keith Gilmore—longtime editor and publisher of The Canadian Hereford Digest—the foundation recognizes his lasting impact on agricultural journalism, the…

Last updated August 13, 2025 with new details outlining the key factors behind Alberta Beef Producers’ decision to withdraw. These additions, found at the end of the post, offer deeper clarity and context into the strategic considerations that shaped ABP’s Board decision. Following extensive deliberation and strategic review, the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) Board of…

In Season 3, Episode 12 of The Bovine podcast, brought to you by Alberta Beef Producers, host Kara Mastel sits down with Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Laycraft for a sweeping conversation that covers four decades of industry leadership, innovation, and resilience. This episode isn’t just a history lesson — it’s an inspiring…

One of John Smith’s favourite places is a short walk from the home he grew up in. It’s high enough that you can see neighbouring towns and the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. It’s a place of beauty and philosophy. At night, you can look one direction to see the intensity of light from growing cities, then…

Every year, eligible cattle producers in Alberta have the opportunity to bring forward resolutions through Producer Meetings. Those that are carried at Producer Meetings are sorted and directed by ABP’s Resolution Committee. The following resolutions, including those from Producer Meetings, were considered by delegates at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in March, or by the…

In the December 2024 issue of ABP Magazine, we shared the list of producers acclaimed as delegates following the November nomination deadline. In March, the Board of Directors approved the appointments of three additional producers, including one new and two returning delegates. Jolene McDermott — Northwest Zone Jolene McDermott manages a 100-head cow/calf operation with…

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) was created to provide a collaborative space for players across the beef value chain to work together on sustainability. The organization works to advance, measure and communicate continual progress in the sustainability of the Canadian Beef value chain. The CRSB Certified program is a voluntary tool to recognize…

When a producer decides to get certified with the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) Program, they go through an on-farm assessment to confirm that they are meeting the requirements of the VBP+ standard. This process can sound intimidating but is really designed to help producers succeed and make the most of their certification. What is…

It might seem strange to still be talking about tariffs, but they have not just been a priority — they’ve been THE priority for government relations at Alberta Beef Producers over the past few months. Tariffs and countermeasures have been a major concern as we’ve worked to support the government’s efforts to protect the country…

Canada’s cattle industry was spared from the United States administration’s reciprocal tariffs on April 2, due to a carve out for products that are Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) compliant such as Canadian live cattle and beef. The reprieve continued for CUSMA compliant goods the following week when the U.S. administration implemented and then paused some of…