On July 29, Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) hosted a webinar on drought stress, moderated by Stacey Domolewski, Research and Innovation Coordinator for the BCRC. Speakers: Dr. Cheryl Waldner, NSERC/Beef Cattle Research Council Senior Research Chair in Beef Cattle Health in Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Bart Lardner,…
A team of researchers out of the University of Saskatchewan is looking to culture and identify fungi from native rangelands in a step towards developing inoculums to improve forage productivity and salinity tolerance. What they’ll do The team will take soil samples from saline and non-saline native rangeland in Alberta and Saskatchewan, quantify soil characteristics,…
By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network NewsContributor, Alberta Farmer Express Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder yearling prices were relatively unchanged; calves traded $2 to $5 lower. The fall run has started. Drought like conditions have caused many ranchers to sell cattle 30 to 45 days earlier than normal. Steers averaging 900 pounds were readily trading in…
Canfax fed steer and heifer prices closed the week around $150/cwt, mostly steady with the previous week. After dropping $14/cwt since June the fed market has found some stability averaging in the low $150s/cwt for the past three weeks. Last week dressed sales were reported from $248.50-251.50/cwt FOB the lot. Most of the cattle that…
The Government of Alberta is dedicating a webpage to up-to-date information on the dry conditions in the province. Farming in dry conditions offers the latest precipitation maps, situation updates, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) crop insurance activity, and quick access to resources for farmers and ranchers managing through the drought. It is also providing information…
Cleanfarms and the Alberta Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) are publishing a series of information articles for Alberta farmers to develop a shared understanding of the importance of used agricultural plastics resource management. Modern farming utilizes technologies and innovative products that can help farmers operate efficiently with a goal of higher productivity yields in both…
Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a two-part series that was originally published together in ABP, the magazine. Please also check out the first portion, featuring Jessica Sperber. If you ever need to rejuvenate your enthusiasm for being in the beef industry, spend a little time with young people like these two Albertans. They’re…
If you are in the Canadian cattle industry right now, you are well-aware of the severity of drought conditions that exist across much of western Canada and the United States. Unfortunately, we are at a point where even if the forecast miraculously changed and it rained for a week, it would be too late for…
Improved grazing management strategies and soil testing consistency can pay big dividends to producers — and support the environment. By Laura Laing and Robin Galey Collecting consistent field data can have a truly high value, one Australian ranch finds. Wilmot Cattle Company in New South Wales recently signed off on a significant sale of carbon credits—valued at…
It’s been a tough year and a half. Everyone has endured their share of adversity during the COVID-19 pandemic, including those working in meat slaughter inspection. My name is Ryan Morris. I grew up in the beautiful town of Lacombe, Alberta before moving to Calgary to pursue an education. I graduated from the Southern Alberta…
Alberta direct cattle sales saw light to moderate cash trade last week with weighted average steer prices easing $1.73/cwt lower than the previous week. Dressed prices were steady to $5/cwt lower than the previous week from $252-253/cwt delivered. Light live trade was reported comparable with rail sales. Recent western Canadian fed slaughter totaled 52,919 head…
A school in the southeast corner of the province is seeing its students branch into farming. This week, Irvine School saw the addition of calf shelters, livestock panels, and a learning pavilion. The infrastructure is part of the School’s new Agriculture Discovery Centre (ADC). It’s the first step towards a student-managed farm, that will eventually…