The Bovine by Alberta Beef Producers

Send a text When it comes to weather in Western Canada, unpredictability is the only constant!  Kara Mastel sits down with veteran meteorologist David Spence to unpack Alberta’s wild 2025 weather—from early-season heat waves to record July rainfall.  They explore shifting patterns that challenge old expectations, the “new normal” for drought and storms, and how AI is reshaping weather forecasting....

Send a text Is your hayfield ready — or are you risking a nutrient disaster?   In this episode of The Bovine podcast, host Kara Mastel dives into the delicate art and science of haying under tough conditions with expert ruminant nutritionist Brianna Sentes from Beef Smart.   They unpack when to cut for maximum protein and digestibility, how weather forecasts can help (or mislead) your timing, why...

Send a text What does it take to lead a nation’s cattle industry through crisis, change, and global acclaim—without ever losing sight of the ranch? Kara Mastel is joined by Dennis Laycraft—newly inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame—to reflect on his remarkable 40-year career championing Canada’s beef industry.  From a childhood in the Porcupine Hills to national leadership roles, L...

Send a text Can beef diplomacy really change the global dinner plate?   In this episode of The Bovine , host Kara Mastel sits down with Brodie Haugan, former Alberta Beef Producers Chair and current Canadian Cattle Association rep, fresh off a whirlwind trade mission to Vietnam and the Philippines.   From navigating chaotic intersections without crosswalks to barbecuing ribeyes for top Southeast A...

Send a text How do you lead 60,000 cattle operations and still make time for TikTok?   Tyler Fulton might have the answer. Kara Mastel sits down with the newly minted President of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) to talk about his whirlwind entry into the role, what it’s like balancing a cow-calf operation while representing ranchers on the national stage, and why trade advocacy and producer...

Send a text What if the secret to better beef starts underground?  Kara Mastel is joined by Dr. Jonathan Bennett, associate professor of Plant Ecology at the University of Saskatchewan, to unearth the science behind soil microbiomes and their powerful impact on forage productivity and beef sustainability.  Recorded following the Beef Research Showcase at Lakeland College, the conversation dives in...

Send a text Is your pasture really ready for the herd? Spring grazing may seem as simple as "green means go," but it’s far more nuanced than that.  Kara Mastel welcomes David MacTaggart, Senior Agriculture Advisor with Strathcona County, to unpack the critical considerations for turning cattle out in spring.  From the risks of early grazing and nitrate concerns to rotational grazing stra...

Send a text What if everything you thought you knew about connecting with people was missing one key ingredient?  Kara Mastel sits down with renowned human values expert David Allison, the founder of the Valuegraphics Project, to explore how understanding core human values—not just demographics—can revolutionize communication in agriculture and beyond.  Fresh off his keynote at the Alberta Beef In...

Send a text What happens when climate change, glaciers, and agriculture collide in Western Canada?  Dr. John Pomeroy, a world-renowned hydrologist and lead of the Global Water Futures program, explores how water systems are shifting in the face of climate change—and what it means for producers, ecosystems, and future planning.  From snowpack and glacier melt to drought prediction, irrigation stres...

Send a text How do you lead a billion-dollar industry while feeding cattle on the weekend? Meet Doug Roxburgh, the newly elected Chair of Alberta Beef Producers. From his humble beginnings as a first-generation cattle producer to his deep dive into the world of "cattle politics," Doug shares his passion for the beef industry, the challenges ahead, and his bold vision for Alberta's p...

Send a text What’s been happening in the Alberta cattle industry?  Kara Mastel gives us a front-row seat to Alberta Beef Producers' (ABP) 2024 Year in Review.  Featuring key ABP staff—this discussion covers the pressing issues, research initiatives, and policy efforts shaping the future of beef production in Alberta.  From risk management and conservation to disease preparedness and marketing...

Send a text When it comes to choosing the right herd bull, should you prioritize size, milk production, or fertility?  In this episode of The Bovine , Kara Mastel sits down with Dr. Carling Matejka, a veterinarian with Agri Health Services, to break down the science and strategy behind herd bull selection.  Carling explains why optimization—not maximization—is the key to a profitable and sustainab...

Send a text How do extreme temperature swings impact cattle health, and what can producers do to manage these challenges?   In this episode Kara Mastel sits down with Dr. Brittany Smith, a consulting ruminant nutritionist, to discuss the effects of rapid temperature fluctuations on cattle well-being, feed intake, and immune function.   They break down practical strategies to mitigate stress, from...

Send a text Are looming U.S. tariffs about to shake up the cattle industry?  Kara Mastel sits down with Brenna Grant, Executive Director of Canfax Research Services, to explore the potential impacts of a proposed 25 per cent U.S. tariff on Canadian goods.  They discuss the deep integration of the beef trade between the two countries, potential market shifts, and strategies producers can use to nav...

Send a text For this episode of The Bovine, Kara Mastel sits down with father-daughter duo, John and Maria Duynisveld, who own and operate Holdcana Farms, located near Wallace Bay, Nova Scotia. The Duynisveld's discuss the experience of receiving the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA), and dive into more about their operation. Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social me...

Send a text For this episode of The Bovine, Kara Mastel sits down with Jenna Sarich, Stakeholder Engagement Technical Consultant with Public and Stakeholder Engagement (PSE). The duo discuss the ins and outs of PSE, results from a recent national sustainability survey, the importance of telling the story from the farm, and more. Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via e...

Send a text For this episode of The Bovine, Kara Mastel sits down with Todd Ormann, Vice President of Development at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology. The duo discuss the recent AgSmart educational expo, upcoming trends in agriculture, changes within the college, and more. Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagra...

Send a text For this episode of The Bovine, Kara Mastel went behind-the-scenes with two of the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award recipients: Courtney and Clayton Taylor, of Taylor Ranches. Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Send a text For this episode of The Bovine, Kara Oosterhuis attended the Beef Research Showcase held in Olds, Alta. Oosterhuis is joined by: Karin Schmid, of Alberta Beef Producers, on the Beef Research Showcase and how it came to be; Dr. Bart Lardner, of the University of Saskatchewan, on challenges and opportunities managing novel forage mixtures; Dr. Cheryl Waldner, of the University of Saskatc...

Send a text For this episode of The Bovine, Kara Oosterhuis attended the Alberta Beef Industry Conference held in Calgary, Alta. Oosterhuis is joined by: Jack Bobo, director of the Food Systems Institute at the University of Nottingham in the UK, on navigating the future of food; Lance Zimmerman, senior animal protein analyst at RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness, with a global cattle market upd...

Send a text For this episode of The Bovine, host Kara Oosterhuis attended the CrossRoads Conference held in Calgary, Alta. Oosterhuis is joined by: Walter Schwabe, entrepreneur and tech guru, on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on agriculture; Drew Lerner, founder, president, and senior agricultural meteorologist at World Weather Inc., with a weather outlook for 2024 in Alberta; Dr. Rebe...

Send a text After a brief pause, The Bovine is back! We’re switching gears a bit with a new voice as host, while continuing to cover the dynamic content covering all facets of your operation into the podcast. Let’s call it Season 2, Episode 1. We’re starting fresh, but not over. We can’t give away too much of what we’re talking about … it is a podcast, after all. Tune in, or, download to listen la...

Send a text When it comes to transition planning for your family's operation, where do you begin? Annessa Good, business advisor with Farm Credit Canada, joined The Bovine to share what a transition plan is comprised of, as well as useful tips to get started and make this a positive experience for your family and business.  This episode was recorded at the 2023 Canadian Beef Industry Conferen...

Send a text Declining cow numbers, shrinking packer margins, and market volatility—the cattle market certainly isn’t boring at the moment. There’s a lot going on, and Ryan Copithorne is here to give producers a glimpse into what may be coming. Ryan, the president and owner of Cows In Control , joined us on The Bovine during the 2023 Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary this summer to talk...

Send a text Recorded at the 2023 Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary, Brenna Grant, executive director of Canfax Research Services, shares her three favourite  recommendations for new beef producers, coming from the Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network. The full list of recommendations is now available on the Canfax website , along with other resources coming out of the Network&ap...