Cows graze fall pasture near Glenboro, Man.

Dissecting the factors of beef sustainability

Canada’s beef industry has reduced it carbon footprint, but there’s always room for improvement, researcher says

Canadian producers have done an excellent job of reducing the environmental footprint of beef production, but the work is not done, says a sustainability researcher with the world's largest meat processing company.

Photo: SusanneSchulz/iStock/Getty Images

Prairies expected to be cooler, wetter this year

A La Niña weather pattern is on its way and may even bring timely spring rains

There’s a good chance western Canadian farmers and ranchers will see rain in April and May to get crops started and grass growing, says a U.S. based weather scientist.


On average, farms or ranches of 200 to 300 head running smaller-framed cows appear to be the most profitable.

How does your farm stack up?

Canfax research project provides the industry with benchmark figures

Glacier FarmMedia – Larger beef operations running smaller-framed mature cows tend to be the most profitable combination, according to cost of production (COP) information collected by Canfax Research Services. That’s not an absolute statement. COP information from producers across the country over the past couple of years shows that some smaller operators with various-sized animals […] Read more

John Deere’s ExactApply is an example of a pulse width modification (PWM) nozzle system.

How to choose the right sprayer nozzle

Do some research, but also call a specialist for advice

Glacier FarmMedia – Under the heading “Perhaps Too Much of a Good Thing,” sprayer expert Tom Wolf says the biggest challenge when selecting the right nozzles for the field sprayer is having too much choice. “Finding the right nozzle is a bit of a chore simply because there is an overabundance of supply,” says Wolf.  […] Read more

So long AIM — it was another good run

So long AIM — it was another good run

It’s all over now except for the crying, folks. Ag In Motion (AIM) 2017 is history. And really the only crying that might be done, is by the dedicated volunteers and employees of the show who stay on the AIM grounds near Langham, SK for another 10 days to two weeks to clean up and […] Read more



Farmers Dennis Reimer (l) and Charles Schmidt, looking for rain. (Lee Hart photo)

AIM for Hart: An informative first day

It’s official. If you want your province to dry out call Charles Schmidt. This climatological fact was among the many things I learned at the first day of the 2017 Ag In Motion (AIM) farm show near Langham, Sask. Tuesday (about 20 minutes from Saskatoon — the show is still running Wednesday and Thursday, so […] Read more

Key players at the news conference announcing the new company to deliver BIXS include (from left) Larry Thomas, national co-ordinator of BIXS; Rob McNabb, general manager of the Canadian Cattleman’s Association; Hubert Lau of ViewTrak, CEO of the new company; and Ted Power, president of ViewTrak. (Lee Hart photo)

New company set up to deliver BIXS livestock data system

A new company — a partnership between the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and livestock technology company ViewTrak — plans to bring the newborn unsteadiness of an information exchange network to a full gallop for all Canadian livestock sectors. The as-yet unnamed private company was formed to bring the CCA’s beef information exchange system, BIXS, to […] Read more


The two couples named Canada’s Outstanding young farmers for 2014 congratulate each other at award ceremonies held in Quebec City. From left, Heidi and Andrew Lawless share the honors with Myron and Jill Krahn. (Lee Hart photo)

P.E.I., Man. couples named Outstanding Young Farmers

After a year-long nationwide competition, a P.E.I. couple in a potato growing and processing partnership, and a Manitoba couple building a seed growing and seed retailing business, are Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2014. Andrew and Heidi Lawless of Kinkora, P.E.I., both part of a partnership producing about 1,200 acres of potatoes, and Myron and […] Read more

Hart: Alta. packer to restart with eye on premium market

A veteran of the North American beef industry says he has no doubts he can turn a long-shuttered Alberta beef packing plant into a profitable business. Rich Vesta, the former CEO of the North American beef division of Brazilian meat packing giant JBS, has set up a temporary headquarters for a new family-owned company, Harmony […] Read more