Health & Production

If the holiday season and planning for the year ahead seem exceptionally daunting, know that you are not alone. The holiday season and winter bring a unique set of additional stressors for producers that can significantly impact mental health. While this time of year is often viewed as a period of celebration and family gatherings,…

ABP’s producer-led Research Committee once again invested producer check off dollars into research in 2023 to improve the competitiveness, sustainability, and profitability of beef producers. Proposals are received through the Agriculture Funding Consortium, undergo a scientific technical review, and then are evaluated by the producer representatives on the ABP research committee. Decisions are guided by…

This year the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) celebrates a decade of its Beef Researcher Mentorship Program, which has connected more than 40 mentees with countless beef producer and industry mentors to bridge the gap between science and industry.  Launched in 2014, the program was inspired by the need for stronger connections between researchers and industry….

A new campaign is urging Albertans to continue their efforts in keeping the province rat-free. For over 70-years, Alberta has successfully prevented rats from establishing a permanent population, thanks to the diligent work of the Rat Control Program staff and the vigilance of its residents. The campaign, funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable…

Are you planning to expand or build a new confined feeding operation (CFO), manure storage facility, or manure collection area? If so, be sure your consultant is aware of the guidance for conducting subsoil investigations. Failure to follow this guidance could delay or otherwise impact your ability to obtain a permit under the Agricultural Operation…

This article was originally posted on the Beef Cattle Research Council’s website on October 9, 2024. Often hidden hazards in beef cattle diets, mycotoxins can create a variety of problems including impaired immune response which can lead to secondary infections, compromised growth rates, reduced reproductive performance, lameness and gangrene. Illnesses caused by mycotoxins can be difficult to…

This article was originally posted on the Beef Cattle Research Council’s website on October 31, 2022. If starch (from grain) is the fuel in a feedlot diet, fiber (from a roughage like silage) is the engine governor that slows digestion. A backgrounding diet might contain 60 per cent silage to moderate animal growth so that…

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) has released its 2023-2024 Year in Review highlighting key activities and outcomes from the past fiscal year. The report showcases how producer investments in the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off are tackling beef industry priorities while generating maximum value from every research dollar.   “The BCRC uses producer input to direct Check-Off…