Alberta farmers and ranchers know that no two growing seasons are alike. From heavy rainfall in central Alberta to persistent drought in other regions, weather this year continues to be one of the most unpredictable factors shaping agriculture. In the latest episode of The Bovine podcast, host Kara Mastel spoke with long-time meteorologist David Spence, now a…
The University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has officially opened its Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU), now offering a full range of veterinary diagnostic services for Alberta’s livestock sector. The DSU provides affordable, in-province testing supported by the Government of Alberta, with services including pathology, cytology, bacteriology, serology, parasitology, PCR, and telepathology. Diagnostic capacity is…
The Government of Alberta is gathering input on the potential inclusion of agricultural plastics in a provincial regulatory framework. The initiative, led by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas alongside Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, seeks feedback on: Since 2019, Alberta Agriculture and irrigation has funded the Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It! pilot program for grain bags and…
Cattle producers in drought-impacted parts of Alberta will qualify for Livestock Tax Deferral in 2025, the federal agriculture minister has announced. The federal government has released the initial list of regions eligible for the deferral. The deferral allows producers in prescribed areas to defer a portion of their income from sales until the next tax year…
With shifting market forces, increasing regulatory complexity, and rising sustainability expectations, Canadian beef producers continue to navigate a landscape filled with both challenge and opportunity. Few have done more to steer through that terrain than Dennis Laycraft. Recently named among the 2025 inductees into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame, Laycraft is best known for…
The summer fed market has been rather impressive as fed prices established new highs. Only once in the past 50 years have fed prices ever established annual highs in August, and that was in 2008. Last week, the Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $301/cwt live, $1.50/cwt higher than the previous week….
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) has increased the low yield allowance threshold for the 2025 crop year. This change means that when appraised crop yields fall below a set level, the appraisal can be reduced to zero. Thea djustment allows producers to use crops with low yield potential for livestock feed instead of harvesting them…
Albertans are passionate about knowing where their food comes from — and few opportunities make that connection more tangible than Alberta Open Farm Days. On August 16–17, farms and ranches across the province will welcome visitors for a weekend of tours, hands-on experiences, and local food. For beef producers, it’s a chance to share the…
Behind every great Alberta beef dish are the local cattle producers who make it possible. From August 8–17, ranchers from across the province take centre stage during Alberta on the Plate’s ten-day Dine Around festival. Timed to coincide with Local Food Week — which celebrates the contributions of local farmers, ranchers, and food processors —…
Each year, the Keith Gilmore Foundation awards scholarships to outstanding young individuals who are shaping the future of Canadian agriculture, with a special focus on those passionate about the Hereford breed. Established in honour of the late Keith Gilmore—longtime editor and publisher of The Canadian Hereford Digest—the foundation recognizes his lasting impact on agricultural journalism, the…
Updated: This post now includes a leadership perspective from ABP Chair Doug Roxburgh (recorded August 13, 2025), sharing insight into the Board’s decision via RealAgriculture. Also included are key factors behind the withdrawal (added August 13, 2025), offering deeper strategic context for Alberta producers. Following extensive deliberation and strategic review, the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP)…
In response to severe drought conditions affecting parts of Alberta, the provincial government is rolling out emergency support measures to help livestock producers manage feed shortages and grazing challenges. The Department of Forestry and Parks announced that grazing disposition holders with available capacity can now host cattle from other producers for the remainder of the…