ABP’s producer-led research committee once again invested producer check-off dollars into research in 2024 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 the…
Weaning weights, crop yields, pie à la mode… bigger is always better, right?! It’s an easy decision when pie is involved, but the answer to everything else is a resounding “maybe.” Annual reports from the Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network and a recent article from the Beef Cattle Research Council (Big Cows and Big…
Founded in 2014, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) market it’s 10-year anniversary in 2024, celebrating many important milestones over its first decade. The CRSB’s collaborative approach is a model followed by others and has helped to establish our Canadian beef sector as a leader in sustainability. The launch of the 2024 National Beef…
For more than a century, irrigation and water management have supported agriculture and the ecology of Alberta’s semi-arid south. However, recurring droughts and minimal snowpack in recent years have strained the system, highlighting vulnerabilities in our water management strategies. In 2024, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas (EPA), Rebecca Schulz, collaborated with major water…
The beef business is facing some incredible opportunities. If you want to be in cattle and want to work, it’s a good place to be. But at the same time, that is also bringing change. As an industry, we need to be okay with that. Everything in this world changes, whether we like it or…
In the article entitled Commission Mechanics: How ABP Leverages Producer Dollars to Foster a Successful Alberta Beef Industry (ABP Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 3), Emma Cross explained that Alberta Beef Producers is a commission established under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act and how ABP, as a commission, differs from other beef cattle organizations that…
This fall has brought a whirlwind of legislative activity impacting agriculture, with several significant bills and reviews at both the provincial and federal levels. Provincial Legislation In Alberta, amendments to the Meat Inspection Act were introduced on October 30 by Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson. These changes aim to address illegal meat sales by…
Have you noticed the recent mainstream popularity of Western fashion, country music, and romanticized aspects of ranching and rural lifestyle? This trendiness of all things ‘Western’ is an opportunity that the Canadian beef sector can capitalize on — and that is precisely what the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) did this summer. Influencers also experienced a…
It was wonderful to see moisture replenished this year. Although some areas were still short, at least more affordable and ample options for feed supplies were available. 2024 brought some of the strongest prices ever recorded on all classes of cattle. This good news, however, is tempered by a similar rise in costs, and despite…
Honouring Alberta Beef’s legacy and heritage, the All Ways to Celebrate campaign built on the success of the previous year’s campaign, telling our compelling story of tradition and commitment. As we commemorate 150 years of the Alberta Beef brand, let’s recap the celebration, culinary competitions and culminating contest. Unveiling the Campaign Launched in August 2024,…
Over the years, ABP has received numerous resolutions that have significantly impacted both producers and the broader industry. For instance, in 2024, cattle producers in the Southwest Zone brought forward a resolution urging ABP to lobby the Government of Alberta to improve AFSC’s Next Generation Loan program. After passing in the Southwest, this resolution was…
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,…