Peas, lentils and beans got a big boost to their public profile thanks to the UN’s International Year of Pulses in 2016. Soils got a similar treatment a year earlier. In 2026, it will be all about grazed land. WHY IT MATTERS: Grassland habitat has been quickly disappearing on the Canadian Prairies and conservation groups
Rangelands to get global spotlight
2026 will be the UN International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, and local forage advocates are glad to see it
Before you can go with the flow, you need to get the flow going
A new handling system has proven to be like night and day on Short Grass Ranches
Low stress and good flow are what all producers want when putting cattle through a handling system. Oftentimes though, cattle balk at something or just don’t flow as smoothly as they should. That’s the situation Craig Lehr found himself in, even though he had a “very well-built” one-piece, S-alley livestock-handling system with a crowding tub
Connecting the dots: Less stress = less sickness = fewer treatments for cattle
The time spent on acclimation is easily reclaimed with the benefit of improved herd health, says longtime vet
Low-stress handling has been around for decades, but the practice is becoming more widespread. “There has always been a bit of a trend,” said Dr. Roy Lewis, a well-known Alberta veterinarian who had a large-animal practice for many years. But while the techniques are commonly used in the handling of purebred bulls, on some cow-calf
Cattle handling facilities don’t have to be fancy to be good
Certification for sustainable beef requires having proper handling facilities, but most ranches have those
Thinking of producing certified sustainable beef, but worried your cattle-handling equipment is not up to standards? Don’t fret. “At entry level, if you have cattle it’s pretty hard not to have facilities that are working,” said rancher Stephen Hughes. The third-generation Longview, Alta. rancher has been part of the Certified Sustainable Beef Production (CRSB) initiative
You want pollinators to make their home on your range
There is a buzz on range-and pasture lands. And we really need to pay attention to native pollinators and the benefits that they provide, says a rangeland ecologist. “Pollinators are critical to rangelands themselves, and the plants that are there,” said Cameron Carlyle, an assistant professor at the University of Alberta, who is not only
Think about shrink, say livestock experts
Training your cattle to stay calm and properly preparing them for the stress of transport pays big dividends
Practising low-stress handling techniques has its benefits — it may actually help reduce shrink during transportation. “It’s about how we set animals up to interact with humans — any time you interact with them you’re training them how to respond and what to expect from humans,” said Christy Goldhawk who did her doctorate work on
Have a plan before turning your cattle out
Bountiful, nutritious forage doesn’t happen by accident — here’s how to plan for success
A grazing plan might save you more than you think. Whether it’s a simple or detailed plan, a few key components will not only save your grass, but maybe save you a few dollars in the long run. Adjusting your stocking rate will allow you to get good-quality forage and vigorous regrowth. “Managing the amount
Spend a little now and make money later
Reduced death loss, fewer open cows, and reduced shedding are major benefits from a proper vaccination program
The adage goes, ‘It takes money to make money.’ It is no different in the beef industry. “Low-cost producers do not cut corners on pasture, bulls, and herd health,” said beef economist Kathy Larson of the Western Beef Development Centre. “Spending less on these items often leads to reduced herd productivity and thereby raises your
Top tips for vaccinating livestock
Storage, the injection route, and when you administer a vaccine are all key, says Dr. Nathan Erickson
Time it right A vaccine needs to match the immune response of the cattle to the vaccine and the period of greatest risk. “So for BVD, the risk period is the first three months of gestation, while IBR, lepto, and vibrio, they tend to be a little bit later in gestation — around four months,”
New website to shed light on grain prices
Edmonton — Don’t know if your local elevator is offering a good price or not? There’s an app for that. Or at least there will be once www.pdqinfo.ca is fully up and running. The new website, created by the Alberta Wheat Commission with $742,725 in federal funding, aims to give farmers timely and accurate pricing
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
