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Try this new calculator to determine when it pays to preg-check

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Beef Research2

According to the 2015 Western Canadian Cow-Calf Survey, 60% of producers include pregnancy detection as part of their management strategy. That’s up from 49% nearly two decades ago, according to the 1997/98 Alberta Cow-Calf Survey results, and up from 34% reported by the 1987-89 Alberta survey.

But the question remains as to why 40% of producers in Western Canada choose not to preg-check their cows.

Assuming a spring calving schedule, generally producers have three options for
managing open Continue reading →

Nominate an outstanding researcher by May 1

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Beef Research

The Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation is presented by the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) each year to recognize a researcher or scientist whose work has contributed to advancements in the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry.

Nominations are welcome from all stakeholders of the Canadian beef industry and will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of beef producers, industry experts and retired beef-related researchers located across the country.

To be eligible, nominees must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants actively involved in research of benefit to the Canadian beef industry within the past 5 years. Benefit to the industry must be evident in a strong research program aligned with industry priorities, a demonstrated passion and long-term commitment through leadership, teamwork, and mentorship, involvement in ongoing education and training (where applicable), and active engagement with industry stakeholders.

Nominations for the 2016 award will be accepted until May 1, 2016.

The recipient of the inaugural 2015 award was beef cattle nutrition and management expert Dr. John McKinnon. Remaining 2015 nominations and new 2016 submissions will be equally considered for the 2016 award. It will be presented at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in August.

Learn more and find the nomination form at http://www.beefresearch.ca/about/award.cfm

Continue reading →

Beef: a Nutritious Part of a Sustainable Diet

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Beef Research2

This article written by Dr. Reynold Bergen, BCRC Science Director, originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen magazine and is reprinted on the BCRC Blog with permission of the publisher.

In July 2014, a well-respected journal called Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published a report that criticized meat production in general, and beef production in general, on the basis of their environmental footprints (“Land, irrigation, water, greenhouse gas, and reactive nitrogen burdens of meat, eggs, and dairy production in the United States”, PNAS 111:11996-12001). That paper has been refuted in this column and elsewhere, so I won’t rehash those details again, except to point out that the authors indicated that globalization meant that Americans’ dietary habits are rapidly adopted by “large and burgeoning economies as those of China and India”. They went on to suggest that appropriately legislating American diets would help people in emerging economies make better (and more environmentally sound) eating decisions. That idea came very close to reality last year. Continue reading →

Have 15 minutes? Make an impact on the future of beef research

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Beef Research

Thank you for your interest! The survey is now closed.

As someone who follows the BCRC Blog, you’re almost guaranteed to be what we call a ‘Canadian beef industry stakeholder’, meaning you

own or manage beef cattle,
conduct research on beef, cattle or forages,
are a large animal veterinarian,
own or work for an abattoir/beef processor,
are a government employee in a beef-related role,
work or volunteer for an organization that actively supports the beef industry, or
have another valuable role that supports and relies on Canadian beef production.

You hold a stake in the beef industry, so the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) and the Beef Value Chain Roundtable (BVCRT) rely on your input on research issues.

Please consider answering our 15-20 minute questionnaire by May 31st.

Your feedback will inform the next five-year National Beef Research Strategy and impact the long term competitiveness of the Canadian beef industry.

Continue reading →

Registration opens for Canadian Beef Industry Conference, August 9-11, 2016

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Beef Research

March 1, 2016

CALGARY, AB — Championing a new era of teamwork and success for Canada’s beef industry is the focus of a new national conference set to kick-off this summer in Calgary, Alberta. Registration is now open for the inaugural Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC), August 9 – 11 at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, featuring top speakers on important issues and hot topics for the industry.

“The Canadian beef industry is among the most dynamic and diverse of its kind in the world,” says beef producer Rob Smith, also Canadian Angus Association Chief Executive Officer and co-chair of the 2016 CBIC. “This poses challenges. But it’s also a major strength. Everyone from industry leaders to individual producers has an important role to play, to strengthen our industry and drive it forward. That’s what this conference is all about.”

CBIC is a joint collaboration of the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), Canada Beef, the Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC) and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). It will combine semi-annual and annual meetings of several stakeholder groups, along with learning and networking opportunities.

“We encourage everyone from across the various regions and industry sectors to participate — to learn, share ideas and help grow our industry,” says beef producer Virgil Lowe, co-chair of the 2016 CBIC and also an Associate with Dentons Canada LLP.

Opening day keynote speaker is entrepreneur, consultant and former Dragon’s Den star Arlene Dickinson. The agenda will also include Continue reading →