Canadian Hereford Association’s head shaves for charity

The new general manager of the Canadian Hereford Association agreed to a shave for charity with the proceeds going to the junior Hereford program. People bid for the honour to shave Stephen Scott, Bert Grundy of NBG Herefords in Ontario won the honour. About $2,600 was raised. Scott is replacing long time manager Gordon Stephenson […] Read more

Angus winners determined at Agribition

REGINA — The Black Angus show was held Nov. 13 with familiar names heading to the winners’ circle. The grand champion female was the entry of Miller Wilson Angus of Bashaw, Alta, while the reserve female banner went to Remitall Farms Inc., Olds, Alta. The grand champion bull banner was awarded to Hamilton Farms of […] Read more



Jeremiah Barnert, co-owner of Pin to Point Gelbvieh near Okotoks, Alta., shows one of his futurity bulls that will be on display at a special breed event at the end of November.  |  Barbara Duckworth Photo

Purebred breeder balances cattle with Olympic duties

Wrestling coach | Jeremiah Barnert sees similarities in his two careers

OKOTOKS, Alta. — As an athlete, Jeremiah Barnert seeks constant improvement in strength and skill. As a beef producer, he expects improved performance year by year from his Gelbvieh cattle. The former wrestler works as a strength and conditioning coach for 120 varsity and national athletes at the University of Calgary. Within that group are […] Read more


High fed cattle prices and lower feed costs are improving feedlot margins. However, Canadian fed cattle prices trail American markets because country-of-origin-labelling is restricting access to U.S. packers.  |  File photo

Canada lags U.S. cattle prices

Tight supply drives prices | COOL restricts access to U.S., discouraging Canadian expansion

Cow-calf producers could be in the money for the next couple years, but outside influences are keeping Canadian prices lower than what they should be. A dollar at 95 to 96 cents US and the impacts of mandatory country-of-origin labelling set back Canadians by $20 to $25 per head compared to U.S. feeders, says one […] Read more

U.S. streamlines BSE international trade policies

The United States has published a new rule that streamlines its BSE trade policies and brings it in line with international guidelines. “It doesn’t create the access in and of itself, but it clears the way of an impediment,” said John Masswohl of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Canada received special access using made-in-the-U.S. specifications in […] Read more

A & W burger promotion draws ire of beef producers

‘Pure beef’ campaign | Off-shore sources concern Alberta producers

FORT MACLEOD, Alta. — A beef promotion launched by A & W Restaurants this fall is proving unpopular with Alberta beef producers. The “100 percent pure beef campaign” advertises meat from animals raised without added hormones or steroids and has been criticized at nearly all fall zone meetings of Alberta Beef Producers. Members contend that […] Read more


Move to group housing raises difficult questions

Changing business | Some hog producers may leave the business or adopt a new model rather than take on conversion costs

RED DEER — Canadian hog producers may find it unworkable to convert their barns to provide group housing for sows, despite an international movement in favour of it. “You are undertaking a fairly substantial change,” said pork consultant Bernie Peet, who was involved in helping British producers make the change when the open housing system […] Read more

Partners preserve livestock genetics

Volunteer program | Ag Canada and University of Saskatchewan collecting purebred samples

STRATHMORE, Alta. — Vapours waft around Carl Lessard like witch’s brew when he opens the styrofoam box containing liquid nitrogen. He carefully places thin straws on a specially designed rack and lowers them into an environment of -196 C. It is the final step in his on-farm collection of livestock semen. “Once they are frozen […] Read more