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Articles by Piper Whelan
Canadian cattle herd sees largest year-over-year growth since 2004
The Canadian cow herd grew by 3.2 per cent in the past year, the largest year-over-year increase recorded since 2004. WHY IT MATTERS: The Canadian cattle herd had shrunk to its lowest level since 1989 in early 2024 as drought conditions and tight feed supply pressured farmers and ranchers. This contributed to record-high beef cattle prices.
Canadian beef, veal, exports to see $4M boost for trade advocacy
CALGARY – Federal agriculture minister Heath MacDonald announced a $4-million investment in the Canadian beef and veal sectors at the Calgary Stampede July 8. Two industry organizations – Canada Beef and the Canadian Cattle Association — will receive the funding to increase the visibility of Canadian beef and veal to potential export regions. The sum is being made available through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) AgriMarketing program.
Purely Purebred: Condolences to the families of Greg Paranich and Ed Williams
Greg Paranich rides ahead Condolences to the family and friends of Greg Paranich, who came into this world in 1958 and passed away on July 12, 2025, in Red Deer, Alta. Paranich developed a lifelong passion for horses while growing up on the farm, and was well-known in Alberta and Saskatchewan for his horsemanship.
Purely Purebred: Outstanding Young Angus Breeder, Junior Limousin Herd Building Incentiver winners and more
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Finding greater value through controlled creep feeding of beef calves
When it comes to more efficient feed conversion in calves before weaning, the sooner you develop a calf’s rumen, the better. According to Gerard Roney, founder and managing director of Advantage Feeders in Australia, controlled creep feeding is a good way to develop a calf’s rumen, allowing for better uptake of energy and protein at an earlier age.
Condolences to Dennis Johnston’s loved ones on his passing
Dennis Harry Johnston of Johnston Angus at Conquest, Sask., passed away on June 6, 2025, with family by his side. Born on June 22, 1946, to James and Mary Johnston, he is survived by his brother David (Sue) Johnston and family, as well as his stepchildren Shane and Richelle and their families. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Dorothy.
In May, the Young Canadian Simmental Association hosted a successful 2025 TEAM Leadership Conference in Guelph, Ont. The event brought together 45 enthusiastic participants between the ages of 14 and 25 for a dynamic and educational experience centred around leadership development, the Simmental breed and the Canadian beef industry. The conference included a breeder tour to Dwayann Simmentals, providing attendees with valuable insights into genetics and herd management.
Condolences to Jack Anderson’s loved ones on his passing
John “Jack” Corbett Anderson, born in Edmonton, Alta., on October 28, 1927, passed away peacefully at 97, with family by his side, on April 19, 2025, at Foothills Hospital in Calgary following complications from a fall and hip surgery.
Livestock Markets Association of Canada National Convention and Auctioneering Championship
The 2025 Livestock Markets Association of Canada National Convention was held in Manitoba this spring, in conjunction with the Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Championship. The 2025 Canadian Champion Auctioneer was Casey Lawes from Provost Livestock of Provost, Alta. The Reserve Champion was Tyler Slawinski from Gladstone Auction of Gladstone, Man. Rob Bergevin from Foothills Auctioneers Inc.
VIDEO: How to check your feed mixer’s efficiency
For the visitors who lined up to watch the total mixed ration feed mixer demonstrations at Ag in Motion 2025, the machinery on display was the star attraction. But a much smaller tool — three boxed stacked on top of each other, to be exact — was also featured at these demonstrations at the farm show near Langham, Sask., and it’s key to knowing if a feed mixer is performing well.
Greater feed efficiency in calves possible through controlled creep feeding Original
When it comes to more efficient feed conversion in calves before weaning, the sooner a calf’s rumen is developed, the better. According to Gerard Roney, founder and managing director of Advantage Feeders in Australia, controlled creep feeding is a good way to develop a calf’s rumen, allowing for better uptake of energy and protein at an earlier age.
Consumer engagement crucial in changing dairy marketplace
Glacier FarmMedia – Building consumer trust is a frequently discussed topic in Canadian agriculture, but what if it’s not where we need to focus our efforts? In fact, consumers already have high levels of trust in Canadian farmers and the food system overall, said Mike von Massow, professor in the the University of Guelph’s Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics.
Replacing cows sooner best. forwelfare, sustainability and profit, says Dairy Comp 305 co-founder
Steve Eicker is used to skepticism and even hostility when he encourages dairy farmers to replace their females sooner. This was certainly the case when he gave the keynote address at the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar in Red Deer, Alta., earlier this spring. “When I started, I think everyone in the audience had their arms folded and was scowling,” said Eicker, the co-founder of Valley Ag Software.
Knowledge gaps limit dairy-beef production profitability
Glacier FarmMedia – The profitability of dairy-beef calves is limited by the lack of knowledge on how best to raise them, according to one researcher. More peer-reviewed research is needed to optimize the early life nutrition and management of these calves, said Michael Steele, professor of animal biosciences at the University of Guelph.
Avian influenza not going away, says professor
Canadian dairy farmers shouldn’t take the risk of an avian influenza outbreak lightly, warned one researcher. With cases of avian influenza in dairy herds across the United States, Frank van der Meer is urging dairy farmers here to start preparing their farms in the event of an outbreak of this highly unpredictable virus. Why it matters: Highly pathogenic avian influenza usually does not cross over the bovines, so the current U.S. outbreak is a concern.
Consumer engagement crucial in changing dairy marketplace
Building consumer trust is a frequently discussed topic in Canadian agriculture, but what if it’s not where we need to focus our efforts? In fact, consumers already have high levels of trust in Canadian farmers and the food system overall, said Mike von Massow, professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph.
Benchmarks indicate healthy calves
With calving season in full swing, ensuring calves are primed to thrive is top of mind. When refreshing themselves on indicators of good health in calves, producers are encouraged to remember to trust in their knowledge of their own herd and to stay vigilant in monitoring them. “Early detection is always going to be key for any type of illness,” said Dr. Carling Matejka with Veterinary Agri-Health Services in Crossfield, Alta.
Knowledge gaps limit dairy-beef production profitability
The profitability of dairy-beef calves is limited by the lack of knowledge on how best to raise them, according to one researcher. More peer-reviewed research is needed to optimize the early life nutrition and management of these calves, said Michael Steele, professor of animal biosciences at the University of Guelph.
Tame pasture productivity in decline on Prairies
A few consecutive rough years have taken their toll on tame pastures across the Prairie provinces. It’s no wonder, then, that forage experts are noticing the resulting decline in forage production, with plenty of pastureland now converted to annual cropping. “The value of land has gone up quite a bit, so in order to get the best use of that land based on that value price-wise, you need to get a high-value crop,” said Dale Risula, provincial forage specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture.
Chop forages for profitable winter feeding
The equipment used for winter feeding can impact cow performance and profitability, according to research from the University of Guelph. A study led by graduate student Madeline McLennan found that gestating beef females fed a chopped wheat straw ration had greater dry matter intake than females fed the same ration with a bale processor, leading to better body condition maintenance over winter.
Proper hydration called key to scours treatment
When consulting with their veterinarian on the best treatment for scours, producers shouldn’t forget the necessity of proper hydration. While the right treatment for scours will vary based on its cause, giving electrolytes as part of any treatment plan is crucial to the calf’s recovery, according to a study from Lakeland College.
Consumer engagement crucial in changing dairy marketplace
Building consumer trust is a frequently discussed topic in Canadian agriculture, but what if it’s not where we need to focus our efforts? In fact, consumers already have high levels of trust in Canadian farmers and the food system overall, said Mike von Massow, professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph.
Farm and livestock emergency preparedness resources
Farm and livestock emergency preparedness resources As of Friday morning, there were 78 active wildfires across central and northern Alberta, and wildfire officials reported that the situation is rapidly changing, due to the hot, dry weather and windy conditions. To stay up to date on wildfire alerts and evacuation orders, visit the Alberta Emergency Alert website. For more detailed information on the wildfires burning in Alberta, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard online.
Study delves deeper into preconditioning calves
Though the practice of preconditioning calves is relatively well known, not everyone agrees on the definition of the term. Confusion over what preconditioning entails may be partly to blame for reports of inconsistent returns on investment, says one researcher. “To me, it’s way more than just optimizing a vaccination protocol,” says Dr. Karin Orsel, veterinary epidemiologist and professor at the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine (UCVM).
Creativity needed to address veterinarian shortage
Working in a rural community as a large animal veterinarian always made perfect sense to Dr. Trevor Lawson. Dr. Trevor Lawson. photo: Supplied “There’s nowhere I’d sooner be because I came from a rural area and that’s where I always wanted to be,” says Lawson, who practices at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, specializing in bovine and equine care, and is an executive member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Ontario MDS volunteers already moving hay west
Published: September 14, 2021 Crops (MDS.mennonite.net) Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s in the spirit of co-operation in difficult times that a group of Ontario farmers have launched a hay donation program to assist their Saskatchewan counterparts.
Prioritize your health during challenging situations
By Piper Whelan Field editor Reading Time: 3 minutes Published: September 8, 2021 News Cynthia Beck speaks about chronic stress and health during a webinar hosted by the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. Photo: Photo: YouTube screen grab/CCA webinar When faced with a crisis, prioritizing your physical and mental well-being is extremely important. “You are the number-one piece of machinery on your farm,” says Cynthia Beck, cow-calf producer at Milestone, Sask.
Agriculture leaders lean in to gender equity
Glacier FarmMedia – Despite the incredible strides made by Canadian women in agriculture over the past decades, challenges persist for many. You don’t have to dig far to find stories of women being disrespected by salespeople, having trouble securing loans, or fending off sexual harassment at agricultural events. One challenge that often comes up in the Ag Women’s Network is succession planning, highlighting how traditional definitions of farmers and ranchers persist in some families.
The Environmental Stewardship Award reaches 25-year milestone
The most recent recipients of The Environmental Stewardship Award weren’t seeking praise when they implemented conservation-minded practices on their ranch. However, the opportunity to share their story with a national audience was incredibly meaningful. “For us to be recognized was a true honour,” says Ricky Seelhof of Woodjam Ranch at Horsefly, B.C., who along with her husband Chad and their family won The Environmental Stewardship Award, or TESA, in 2020.
Watch for high sulphate levels in salvaged canola
By Piper Whelan Field editor Reading Time: 2 minutes Published: August 23, 2021 News While it is important to be aware of risks associated with feeding canola forage, it may provide an alternate forage option for drought-stricken livestock producers. Photo: NDSU If salvaged canola is your alternate feed of choice this fall, be aware of the potential health issues posed by its high sulphate levels.
Ag leaders lean in to gender equity
Despite the incredible strides made by Canadian women in agriculture over the past decades, challenges persist for many. You don’t have to dig far to find stories of women being disrespected by salespeople, having trouble securing loans, or fending off sexual harassment at agricultural events. One challenge that often comes up in the Ag Women’s Network is succession planning, highlighting how traditional definitions of farmers and ranchers persist in some families.
Beware of high nitrate levels in drought-stressed forages | Canadian Cattlemen
By Piper Whelan Field editor Reading Time: 2 minutes Published: August 16, 2021 Cow-Calf, Crops, Forages Producers can feed test standing crops by grabbing 20 to 25 samples, says Bart Lardner. Feed testing is your first priority when it comes to dealing with high nitrate levels in drought-stressed forages.
The beef industry's voice in Ottawa
Fawn Jackson knows firsthand the power of mentorship in helping youth in agriculture succeed. She speaks warmly of the people who made a difference along her career path, and she’s an advocate for taking advantage of opportunities to learn from others at every stage of the game. “For me, mentorship has been such a key part of my success in the beef industry,” says Jackson, who is the director of policy and international relations for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), based in Ottawa.
Managing soil salinity for the long haul
Establishing perennial forages is one of the top recommended methods to manage saline soils for the long term Growing up on a mixed farm in southern Alberta, Alan Iwaasa was no stranger to the costly headaches that saline soils could create. “There were certain land bases that just were poor,” Iwaasa recalls.
The struggle to restore native prairie
On the Northern Great Plains, it’s estimated that one acre of native grass is lost every minute. Though recently there has been increased awareness about this ecosystem being the world’s most endangered, pressures to convert this irreplaceable landscape remain strong. “Unfortunately, there’s always this push and pull between different land uses and intensification of agriculture and just more development,” says Jane Lancaster, co-ordinator of the Alberta-based Grassland Restoration Forum.
Grazing binary forage mixtures during the summer slump
By Piper Whelan Field editor Reading Time: 4 minutes Published: April 23, 2021 Features, Livestock Yearling steers grazed each site for about 30 to 40 days in August and September for three years. Photo: Bart Lardner Grazing grass and legume mixtures in late summer and fall has the potential for promising gains, research conducted in south and central Saskatchewan shows. There are proven benefits to including a legume in a mixture to improve grass pastures.
A wider vision for grassland conservation
For many who call the Canadian Prairies home, it would be impossible to imagine springtime without the cheerful song of the western meadowlark. That distinct, flute-like call, along with the other songs of grassland birds returning north, is a defining part of this landscape.
Nuffield Canada scholarship expands horizons for Manitoba producer
A mindset of continual improvement led Ryan Boyd on an international adventure with benefits for his family’s farm upon returning home. Boyd runs South Glanton Farms at Forrest, Man., with his wife, Sarah, and his parents, Jim and Joanne. He is passionate about implementing the principles of regenerative agriculture and the soil health movement, including livestock integration, into this mixed farm.
Selenium from open-pit coal mining may pose downstream risk to ag
The effects of selenium pollution in rivers near open-pit coal mines can be felt hundreds of kilometres downstream, says a conservation organization. In studying the impacts of open-pit coal mining in B.C.’s Elk Valley, Lars Sander-Green has seen how selenium leaching from four metallurgical coal mines contaminated the local drinking water supply and devastated fish populations before flowing south into Montana and Idaho with levels of selenium significantly higher than state regulations allow.
Respect underpins successful career in cattle business
When Brian Good became a field representative for Independent Breeders Service in the 1990s, a fellow fieldman offered some simple yet valuable advice that’s served him well through the years. Keith Coates, then a fieldman for the Canadian Hereford Association, took Good under his wing in his early days in this role. “One thing he said was ‘treat everybody the same.’ The guy that has a good bull or a bad bull, it doesn’t matter because guess what? They all pay the same amount of money.
Winning over millennials
This is the final instalment in a three-part series on millennial consumers and the opportunities for Canadian beef producers to better understand this demographic. You can read Part 1 here, and Part 2 here. Junelle Dion is a fan of Canadian beef, and directly supporting a rancher makes purchasing beef even more satisfying. “I love Canadian beef. I’ve travelled to other countries, and honestly, no other beef compares to what we have in Canada,” says Dion, who lives south of Calgary with her fiancé.
Focusing on the future while facing a pandemic
When Bob Lowe was elected president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) in March 2020, he couldn’t have anticipated everything the year ahead had in store. Mere days after CCA’s annual general meeting, Canada was in lockdown due to the pandemic, changing the trajectory of everyone’s year and presenting numerous challenges to the Canadian food industry. Bob Lowe.
Raising the right cow for the job
When the Longhorn first arrived in southern Saskatchewan’s Great Sandhills, this resilient breed was considered the ideal cow for this semi-arid landscape. In the late 1880s, Sir John Lister Kaye brought 7,000 Longhorn females to this area from Wyoming, the majority of which stocked his newly established ranch at Crane Lake. He ran imported purebred Angus and Galloway bulls with his cows, producing crossbred calves that fit the dry conditions and rougher native forage of the Sandhills.
Reinstatement of Coal Policy not enough, say Alberta ranchers
For Laura Laing and John Smith, news that the province of Alberta planned to reinstate the 1976 Coal Policy raised more questions than answers. Laing and Smith, who run Plateau Cattle Co. west of Nanton, Alta. were never contacted or consulted when the provincial government rescinded the Coal Policy last spring, despite the fact that this shift in policy allowed exploration for an open-pit coal mine within their ranch’s grazing allotment.
A demographic ready for a connection
This is the second instalment in a three-part series on millennial consumers and the opportunities for the Canadian beef producers in better understanding this demographic. Look for Part Three in the March 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen. You can read Part One here. When it comes to purchasing and consuming Canadian beef, millennials make a major impact. Through restaurants and takeout, millennial males spend the most money each month on beef, according to research conducted by Canada Beef in 2018.
Livestock shows pivot to survive hard times
In its almost century-long history, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair had only been cancelled once before in a moment of adversity. Toronto’s famed exhibition was put on hold during the Second World War as army barracks were created in the Royal Horse Palace. Canadian soldiers about to ship out to Europe readied themselves in stables that previously housed some of the country’s finest horses before competition.
The power of storytelling
When Ben Wilson arrived at the Waldron Ranch Grazing Co-op in June 2019, he and his business partner, Sarah Wray, were there to create a short video about this historic ranch. The two filmmakers, who run Story Brokers Media House, had access to experts from Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Waldron’s native pastures, nestled between southern Alberta’s Porcupine Hills and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, were lush and green after spring rains.
New opportunities to apply embryo transfer
When you think of bovine embryo transfer, it’s likely you view it as a technique geared toward the seedstock industry. This advanced reproductive technology is a well-established tool for purebred breeders, and now some embryo transfer practitioners are seeing opportunities for its growth in commercial breeding programs.
Creativity helps young ag exhibition manager pivot during pandemic
Being adaptable served Sydney Lake well in a year no one expected. It allowed her to make the most of her experience in Canadian Western Agribition’s Next Gen Agriculture mentorship program. Lake was paired with Rob O’Connor, the show director of Ag in Motion, who was an ideal resource for navigating the challenges posed by COVID-19 on event-driven organizations.
Free-choice silage pit grazing a simple winter feeding option
A free-choice silage pit may be the right stockpile grazing option to reduce your equipment costs and simplify winter feeding. Ben Stuart, forage specialist with Union Forage, first used this method of “grazing” silage to decrease winter feeding costs while maintaining quality in a system that’s easily accessible for cattle.
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