Issues & Insights

Livestock producers in Alberta now have the option of using video technology for ante-mortem inspections. The province’s Video Ante-Mortem Inspection Program (VAMI) gives livestock producers the option to offer a humane death and ante-mortem inspection for animals that cannot be transported to a provincially-regulated abattoir. VAMI can be used if an animal is unfit for…

As you walk across a drought-stricken perennial forage stand, you’ll hear the crunch of dry grass, and   see the cracking of soils, eager for more rain. There may be enough grass to inspire hope, to catch snow, and to offer a quick start to next year’s grazing season. Or, there may not. Perhaps this…

Supporting bred heifer nutrition presents unique challenges. How can producers ensure bred heifers get high health scores, breed and rebreed successfully going into winter after a dry year? We spoke to ruminant nutritionist Lynne Girardin to collect some helpful advice. When it comes to bred heifers, meeting nutritional requirements throughout gestation and beyond is primary….

Auction markets are where buyers and sellers meet in the cattle business. They remain relevant and busy, and this year, are on the frontlines of drought’s impact on producers.  Fears exist about another widescale reduction in the Alberta cow herd because of the hardships caused by the lack of rain. While it hasn’t fully materialized…

On Thursday, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau, launched the AgriCommunication Initiative with up to $8 million over three years “to support projects that promote consumer awareness of the strengths of the agriculture sector.” “Consumers have a growing interest in learning more about where homegrown agricultural products come from and how they’re made,” said…

Consumers really do eat up the idea of cattle consuming food waste. So much so, that a recent survey showed that consumers across the country seemed to warm up to the idea of beef production practices in Canada when they were related to a challenge they undertake in their homes everyday.  The survey, conducted by…

At the heart of every beef operation is her people. Those passionate and committed persons who strive to produce the best possible food. Behind the hard-working cow calf, yearling, backgrounding and cattle-feeding operators, are families and teams of employees, scientists, farmers, veterinarians and a multitude of service providers. Like most things in life, they are in integrated…

Unionized workers at Cargill High River have accepted the company’s new offer, according to UFCW Local 401. Voting wrapped up on Saturday, with 71 percent in favour of the contract. “The contract is the best of its kind and presented unprecedented gains in this time of economic and political uncertainty and during the biggest health…

Unionized employees at Cargill will begin voting on an updated offer proposed by Cargill on Thursday. The union representing those employees, UCFW, Local 401 says that while they won’t release the exhaustive outline of the offer, in their words it includes: As much as $4,200 in retroactive pay for many Cargill union members, A $1,000…

By Curtis Galbraith, Everything Grande Prairie A Beaverlodge rancher who sits on the Alberta Beef Producers Board of Directors says feed supplies have been “stretched very thin” after the drought. Mike Nadeau says some ranchers may have to sell their cattle, with some having to ship their entire herd. “In some instances, I think there will…