Garrett Liebreich of Radville, Sask., won the junior supreme reserve championship at Canadian Western Agribition with his bred and owned heifer.  He won $2,000 at the end of the show.  |  Barbara Duckworth photo

Junior winner credits support from family

REGINA — An intense involvement in cattle breeding and showing has opened up the world for Garrett Liebreich. The winner of the reserve champion at the junior supreme show at Canadian Western Agribition, the 18-year-old is moving into the big time. The show awarded him a $2,000 scholarship for future studies but in the meantime […] Read more

At 22, Nikki Ross of Innisfail, Alta., is a seasoned cattle producer. | Barbara Duckworth photo

Producer’s passion for cattle means planning for two jobs

A young veteran of the livestock show circuit puts herself through hair stylist school but isn’t giving up on the show ring

REGINA — Nikki Ross feels like a veteran at 22. Active on the show circuit from the time she was old enough to hold a halter, she continues to make time for cattle. Ross is among that group of younger-than-30 beef enthusiasts who realize agriculture may be part of the future but often have to […] Read more

Ringman Danny Vandenameele takes bids on the grand champion bison bull during the sale at Canadian Western Agribition. The bull consigned by Silver Creek Bison from Binscarth, Man., sold for $17,000.  |  Karen Briere photo

Bison’s story could help survive meat decline

Sylvain Charlebois says it’s possible to make bison meat
a geographical experience rather than just an animal protein

Bison producers worried about the rise of plant-based diets should take heart, says a food distribution and policy expert. Sylvain Charlebois told the annual Canadian Bison Association convention that while the overall story for meat consumption isn’t great, there is hope for bison. That lies in the production story that bison producers can tell and […] Read more



Manitoba clearing the deck of PED as cases are resolved

OTTAWA — Manitoba’s 14 cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea that emerged in 2018 are in various stages of resolution. Dr. Glen Duizer, the province’s chief veterinary officer, said in a Nov 28 interview that seven of the 14 are now presumed free of the disease and another three are in transition, “which means they’ve removed […] Read more




Yves Leduc, director of policy and trade for Dairy Farmers of Canada, said Canadian dairy producers expect an annual loss of about $190 million in milk sales as a result of the USMCA. Across the three trade agreements (CETA, CPTPP) he said the amount of milk displaced would roughly represent the milk production from 916 average Canadian dairy farms (85 cows each).
 | File photo

Dairy braces for trade deal losses

CALGARY — Various Canadian agricultural commodity groups have praised results of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, noting it preserved an existing export relationship and limited the trade uncertainty generated by renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. And if the dairy industry had to allow access to 3.5 percent of its market, was that really […] Read more


Some cattle producers are concerned that an auction system would drive up the cost of leases, giving an advantage to established livestock producers who can afford to pay more for crown land.  |  File photo

Lease auctions may raise Man. grazing rates

The provincial government plans to replace the current points system for leasing crown land with a public auction

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. — There could be public auctions to lease crown land in Manitoba next November. For years, Manitoba has used a complex points system to determine who wins the right to lease agricultural crown land. The provincial government has been planning to change that system and it looks like it has decided […] Read more

Provincial officials say veterinarians might be able to work with sheep even though they know only a little about the animals, but producers remain skeptical.  |  File photo

New antibiotic regulations challenge lamb producers

LEDUC, Alta. — Many Alberta lamb producers are raising concerns over upcoming changes to antibiotic rules, arguing the potential lack of veterinarians willing to work on sheep could make business more challenging. While solutions have been offered to try and ease concerns, farmers are still worried the changes could mean added costs. As well, some […] Read more