Calving Season Is Underway

JANUARY 27 We had two weeks of cold, foggy weather in which we never saw sunshine. The trees, fences and cattle were covered with thick frost. Temperatures hovered between -14C and -8C. Our heifers will soon be calving, so we trained them to come into the calving pen by leaving the gate open and feeding […] Read more



Market-Ready Cattle In Demand

Fed cattle were trading in the range of $86 to $88 for the week ending February 14. The market appears to have strengthened on better than expected demand and tighter market-ready supplies. USDA reported wholesale values at the lowest levels since Sept 9, 2005. Choice product was quoted at $135.76/ cwt and select product at […] Read more

Ranch Gate To Five-Star Plate

One week into a monthlong marketing trip to Switzerland, Sweden, and Dubai and it’s hard to believe how much can happen in a short period. But, then again in Switzerland punctuality is the culture and everything so far has gone just like clockwork. Other than bringing in some sample product on a visit last fall, […] Read more


Connecting Sustainability Dots

Perspective is some-times lacking as we trod through our daily routines. We become so focused on tasks, missions and planning for the future that we often forget about the present and how it all is connected. Let me recount the past 10 days. Besides the daily routines, I have listened to Imagine propaganda from Monsanto, […] Read more




Branding their product based on environmental factors pays off

So just how much will consumers pay for food that is marketed based on sustainability? It is likely a question being asked by a growing number of producers thinking of marketing their product based on environmental image, animal health or food safety. Count central Alberta rancher Irene Rutledge and her husband Pat among those producers […] Read more


Spring Grass Can Cause Founder

When pastures are covered with a foot of snow, the temperature dips to minus 30, and you’re packing feed to horses, it is hard to worry about the lush green spring pastures. However, now is the time to plan for your horses’ return to those pastures without risking a bout of spring founder. Founder (laminitis) […] Read more