From left: Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn along with Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Ramona Byth, Manitoba Beef Producers president Heinz Reimer and Brandon-Souris MP Larry Maguire announced funding for a new research project geared toward sustainable beef production.

Governments invest in sustainable beef production research

Several organizations will partner to develop two demonstration sites near Brandon

The federal and provincial governments have announced $3.1 million in support over three years for applied research on sustainable beef production at two sites near Brandon. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn and Brandon-Souris MP Larry Maguire were on hand at the Manitoba Beef Producers annual general meeting here last week to

cattle feedlot

What’s good for producers may mean pain for meat packers

Cargill and JBS plants in Alberta need more cattle, but a low dollar makes 
it harder to get them and also has some negatives for feedlots

A low dollar means double trouble for Alberta’s big packers — and puts stress on feedlots, too. “In 2015, with smaller cattle numbers and bigger exports, we’re going to see some pressure on our packing plants and feedlots to stay better utilized,” said Brian Perillat, senior analyst and manager with CanFax. Despite its shrinking herd,


cattle eating hay in the snow

Properly processed feed wheat doesn’t cause tummy trouble

Researchers in Lethbridge swapped wheat for barley in a cattle ration without any 
negative effects — but the wheat must be properly processed

Shrinking barley acres have cattle producers on the hunt for a low-cost feed option. And feed wheat could be the answer — as long as the wheat is processed properly. “There was a feeling out there that you probably couldn’t feed more than 50 per cent wheat in the diet because wheat is quite rapidly

“It’s going to cost you between $60 and $65 an acre so you might as well seed it right. That way you’ll be ahead in 10 years time and you won’t have to worry about weeds coming back in.” – Graeme Finn

Develop a pasture plan based on specific needs and weeds

Heavy seeding and a weed control strategy geared to specific pasture conditions are 
key for grazing consultant and rancher Graeme Finn

You can’t just let your cows loose on a piece of grass without proper planning and knowledge. “When I take over land, I assess it and see where we need to go,” grazing consultant Graeme Finn said at the recent Western Canada Grazing Conference. “If we have weed issues, then we control them with chemicals


cattle in a feedlot

Editorial: On the right track

Beef industry leaders have outlined some gutsy goals for their sector to meet with their recently released National Beef Strategy. Boosting production efficiency by 15 per cent, increasing carcass cut-out value by 15 per cent and reducing cost disadvantage relative to global competitors by seven per cent by 2020 won’t be easy. But much of

young boy in a crop field

Study predicts no farmers and ranchers under 35 by 2033

Trends in Wyoming are occurring across North America

When did you last hear a high school senior say, “I’m taking over the ranch,” or even a seven-year-old announce, “I want to be a farmer”? As longtime farmers and ranchers grow older, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to pass on the family farm or find young employees to pick up the reins at large corporate


cattle walking on a flooded field

Struggle to rebuild pasture after the flood(s)

One farmer tells his story and talks about how he restored his forage and feed acres

Just days after Tom Teichroeb moved his cattle onto higher land his pasture flooded. Already in mid-May of 2011, the water was starting to rise near his Langruth ranch. Some of the cattle had to swim to get across to the dry hayfield before they were moved 12 miles across the highway to a rented

Animal industry entering a mini-boom period

Animal industry entering a mini-boom period

In 2007, meat consumption per person in the U.S. was 219 pounds for the big four of beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. Current USDA estimates for this year are down to 199 pounds per person, nearly a 10 per cent decrease in seven years. In percentage terms, consumption of beef has been down 17 per



men looking at hay

National forage association loses funding, executive director

Canada’s biggest acreage crop running on fumes

Forage is Canada’s biggest crop, generating billions in revenues and environmental benefits, but it’s struggling and so is the national organization created five years ago to promote it. The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association, has lost a major funder and its executive director. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association withdrew its support, which amounted to $20,000 annually,