Editor’s Note: 2026 is the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, declared by the United Nations. This column by Dr. Barry Irving explores what that means for Alberta ranchers and why engagement matters. Watch for additional IYRP-related content in the months ahead. How the IYRP came to be The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists…
Reminder that nominations for ABP’s Environmental Stewardship Award 2026 are now open! Plateau Cattle Co. was featured on Global News recently as part of Canada’s Agriculture Day celebrations. The operation, run by John Smith and Laura Laing, was Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award (ESA) winner. Plateau’s story is a strong reminder of…
Canada Beef is partnering with two standout professional hockey players, and one of them brings deep Alberta agricultural roots to the table. Emerance Maschmeyer, goaltender for a team in Vancouver and a native of Bruderheim, Alberta, joins Ella Shelton, a professional women’s hockey player for a team in Ontario, as the newest faces of the Pick…
As the number of farms decreases and the age of farmers increases across Canada, intergenerational knowledge transfer of farming practices is diminishing. Fortunately, thanks to the ambition and efforts of producers and the work of organizations like Young Agrarians, new and experienced farmers can participate in apprenticeships to learn and gain valuable experiences. The Young…
The protection of species at risk in Alberta plays a larger role in the lives of landowners than one might think. The grasslands ecosystem is an essential part of Alberta’s culture, heritage, and economy, providing ranchers with sustainable livelihoods. But grasslands don’t function without every species working together. Each species plays a role in this…
Mentorship isn’t a buzzword in Canadian beef. It’s the backbone. From the moment I was paired with my mentor, Stacey Domolewski, it was evident that this wasn’t someone who would just offer advice, but would go the extra mile every step of the way. Our “quick” coffee visits quickly became hours chatting about cows, creativity,…
Twelve youth gathered at the Calgary Stampede’s OH Ranch this fall for Steer Selection Day, the official kickoff to the Calgary Stampede’s 2025–26 OH Ranch Branded Beef Youth Ambassador Program. The day brought together this year’s ambassadors and their families for orientation, hands-on learning, and the key event: selecting the steer each youth will raise…
4-H Alberta has named Isabella Sweet of Lacombe as the 2026 Premier’s Award recipient, recognizing her outstanding leadership and commitment to the 4-H program. The Premier’s Award, first presented in 1964, is 4-H Alberta’s highest honour, given annually to an Ambassador who exemplifies leadership, dedication, and service. “Having experienced 4-H provincially, regionally, and at the…
KAYR Tremor crowned Agribition Supreme Champion Bull For the Phillips family of Kay-R Charolais of Waskatenau, AB, winning Supreme Champion Bull at Canadian Western Agribition is the culmination of more than five decades in the purebred business. Together with their partners, KFC Farms Ltd. of Abbotsford, BC, and Didsbury, AB, they led KAYR Tremor 7015L…
As part of our 2025 ABP Magazine cover series, we’re featuring talented Alberta artists who capture the spirit of rural life. For our September issue, the cover artwork was painted by Kristin Kueber, an artist from Killam, Alberta. Kristin grew up on her family’s purebred Simmental cattle and grain farm, and that background inspires her…
The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site has a way of making history feel close enough to touch, especially when woodsmoke hits the air, draft horses shift in their harnesses, and the steady rhythm of an old-style camp cookout comes to life. That made it the perfect place for the first-ever Chuckwagon Chili Cook-Off, hosted…
Editor’s note: ABP is now extending the entry deadline to January 20, 2026 Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) is excited to continue the Young Creators Contest for a second year – open to youth of all ages from pre-school to young adult. This contest is a unique opportunity for young people to showcase their creativity, passion,…