Health & Production

Beef producers in Alberta are known for being stewards of the grasslands. While cattle are part of a greater ecosystem, species like gophers can pose management challenges to producers. Fortunately, solutions to gopher problems can be found within nature’s own patterns. Richardson’s ground squirrels, more commonly known as gophers, are native to Alberta. While they…

As Canadian beef producers, we take pride in our disease-free status and the global reputation of our livestock industry. Canada has been free of foot and mouth disease (FMD) since 1952, an achievement that has allowed us to maintain valuable export markets and consumer confidence. But this success shouldn’t breed complacency—it should motivate us to…

Many still think of farming as a lifestyle choice. Anyone can operate a tractor, right? Put seed in the ground, move cattle to a new pasture, and success appears in the fall. More and more, Canadians romanticize farming without recognizing the effort required to farm. The long hours, the lack of sleep, the never-ending to-do…

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced temporary import restrictions on horses, swine, and ruminants — including cattle — from certain U.S. states following an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis (VS). Importation of these animals from affected states is currently suspended until further notice. Canadian-origin animals that have been in a VS-affected state within the…

Winter-feeding remains one of the biggest expenses for Canadian cow-calf operations — and how it’s managed can make a major difference in herd health, feed efficiency, and overall profitability. The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) recently shared practical guidance on choosing the right winter-feeding strategy, outlining the pros and cons of common systems and emphasizing the importance…

A new report from the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) provides a comprehensive look at management practices and performance trends across Canadian cow-calf operations. The Canadian Cow-Calf Adoption Rates and Performance Levels Report is based on multiple survey sources and academic studies. It was developed for BCRC by Canfax Research Services. It tracks adoption trends…

The RDAR 2025 Impact Report highlights how producer-led research is advancing Alberta’s agriculture industry — including major gains for the beef cattle sector. Here are five takeaways for cattle producers. 1. Genomics are reshaping Alberta beef. More than 12,000 cattle from 54 herds have been genotyped through RDAR-funded research led by Dr. John Basarab at…

RDAR has expanded its OFCAF rotational grazing program to include virtual fencing — a GPS-based technology helping Alberta producers manage pastures, save labour, and improve sustainability with up to $75,000 in funding support. The new funding stream is designed to help cattle producers adopt “invisible fence” systems that use GPS-enabled collars and base stations to…

As stress management becomes a bigger focus in beef production, new tools like FerAppease® are getting attention. The product—developed by Fera Diagnostics & Biologicals—claims to mimic calming pheromones that help cattle handle stressful events like weaning or transport. But does the data support the claims? Here are four things to know: 1. It’s based on natural “appeasing”…