
Keepers & Culls

The next project after COOL
The key to farm policy change is persistence
I have to give the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and Canada’s federal government credit for their patience and persistence. I never thought the U.S. government would ever do away with its country-of-origin labelling (COOL) law once it was enacted in 2008. And after all the trips and lobbying to the U.S. capital over the past […] Read more

Saskatchewan rancher lands on his feet in B.C.
Again I have demonstrated I will go to any lengths to get the facts of a story. Last fall took me to a small lake in the B.C. interior on a journey to find out what happens to Saskatchewan ranchers when they move away from the Prairies. It was on the dock at Batstone Lake […] Read more
Natural may be different, but not better
No sooner last month had I talked about A & W Restaurants announcing they were switching to natural, hormone-free beef in all their restaurants as part of the healthy-eating trend, and TV commercials showing happy, healthy people eating A & W burgers started. In that commercial the personable “manager” played by actor Allen Lulu is asking customers what they think of the new hormone-free burgers. […] Read more
WSGA calling for XL inquiry
I believe all is getting better in the beef world, but may not be perfect yet. I understand the XL Beef plant at Brooks, Alta is nearly firing on all cylinders, although Jerry Klassen in his marketing column on page 40 says as of late November, the slaughter pace was still a bit behind the […] Read more
In search of the perfect steak
I recently learned a good steak doesn’t just jump onto your barbecue. I was down in Granum in southern Alberta recently for the weekend and was looking for a nice steak for an evening barbecue with friends. There are two grocery stores in nearby Fort Macleod and I am sure their meat is excellent, but […] Read more
Are ranchers ready for free-market environmentalism?
It is unfortunate, but the legislation intended to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat is making it increasingly difficult for the ranching industry to operate in the same way as previous generations. Unfortunately, most of this legislation is counterproductive; not only is there little concrete evidence showing this type legislation is saving any species from the […] Read more
Time to give forage its due
Grass isn’t just something that covers the ground until we can find something better to grow. Grass, and the broader category of forages, is a $2 billion dollar crop annually in Alberta and when you start adding its value to the entire Canadian livestock industry, the environment and society in general, well it’s value easily […] Read more
Ranching is a dirty, tiring business
I don’t get much chance to vaccinate cattle or do much else around the farm any more, so when I do I make a point of letting people know just so they don’t assume I am only a pretty face, who happens to be an incredible writer, too. Yes, I am back at my desk […] Read more
Calving and winter feeding tips
There always has to be one party pooper, and after looking at a couple of recent news/information reports it looks like pretty good days right now for beef producers. While this boom is good, it probably means the next bust is coming. Everyone was excited in late January that the South Korean market has reopened […] Read more
But at least it is Green
The Canadian Cattleman’s Association has just released a study conducted by the Ontario-based George Morris Centre that says efforts by the federal government to promote a biofuel industry in Canada takes a $130 million annual toll on the Canadian livestock industry. The biggest impact: it appears that promoting the use of feedgrains to produce ethanol has driven up the price of feed grains. Tied […] Read more
Grainews is written for farmers and often by farmers. It is about putting theory into practice on the farm. Each issue also features Cattleman’s Corner for cow-calf producers and farmers with mixed cattle and grain operations.