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…
With shifting market forces, increasing regulatory complexity, and rising sustainability expectations, Canadian beef producers continue to navigate a landscape filled with both challenge and opportunity. Few have done more to steer through that terrain than Dennis Laycraft. Recently named among the 2025 inductees into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame, Laycraft is best known for…
Albertans are passionate about knowing where their food comes from — and few opportunities make that connection more tangible than Alberta Open Farm Days. On August 16–17, farms and ranches across the province will welcome visitors for a weekend of tours, hands-on experiences, and local food. For beef producers, it’s a chance to share the…
Behind every great Alberta beef dish are the local cattle producers who make it possible. From August 8–17, ranchers from across the province take centre stage during Alberta on the Plate’s ten-day Dine Around festival. Timed to coincide with Local Food Week — which celebrates the contributions of local farmers, ranchers, and food processors —…
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…
Updated: This post now includes a leadership perspective from ABP Chair Doug Roxburgh (recorded August 13, 2025), sharing insight into the Board’s decision via RealAgriculture. Also included are key factors behind the withdrawal (added August 13, 2025), offering deeper strategic context for Alberta producers. Following extensive deliberation and strategic review, the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP)…
While the Calgary Stampede is best known for its rodeos and festivities, it also serves as a key opportunity for Alberta’s agriculture sector to connect, collaborate, and advocate. Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) took part in several important events throughout the week, engaging with policymakers, industry leaders, and international guests to highlight the priorities of Alberta’s…
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…