Send us 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, Laycraft recounts his navigation through watershed moments like BSE, international trade wars, and ...
Jul 01, 2025•56 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Send us 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 Asian chefs, Brodie shares the highs, surprises, and valuable lessons from promoting Canadian beef on ...
Jun 17, 2025•33 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Send us 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 engagement are more important than ever. From urgent trade talks in Washington to grassroots outrea...
Jun 03, 2025•32 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Send us 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 into how microbes influence plant health, how cultivar selection affects microbe interactions, and wh...
May 20, 2025•41 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Send us 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 strategies and environmental stewardship, David shares practical, science-backed insights for producers. They als...
May 06, 2025•31 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Send us 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 Industry Conference, David shares how values like financial security, personal growth, and happiness ...
Apr 22, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Send us 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 stress, and even COVID wastewater detection, this conversation dives into both the science and the stake...
Apr 08, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Send us 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 producers. Host Kara Mastel guides us through a wide-ranging conversation on everything from tariffs and trade to...
Mar 25, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Send us 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, this episode dives deep into the work happening behind the scenes to support Alberta’s beef producers. ...
Mar 11, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Send us 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 sustainable herd, highlighting factors like mature cow body weight, expected progeny differences (EPDs), and...
Feb 25, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Send us 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 adjusting feeding plans and providing windbreaks to monitoring body condition scores and ensuring wat...
Feb 11, 2025•33 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Send us 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 navigate uncertain times. From fluctuating exchange rates to exploring alternative markets like Japan ...
Jan 27, 2025•18 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Send us 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 media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email...
Nov 25, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Send us 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 email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email...
Oct 02, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Send us 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 | Instagram | Email...
Aug 16, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Send us 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...
Jul 10, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Send us 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 Saskatchewan, on the Canadian Cow-Calf Surveillance Network; and Dr. Kim Stanford, of the University of ...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Send us 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 update; and Dr. Tammy Nemeth, on lessons learned from the oil and gas industry. Have ideas for futur...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Send us 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. Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, professor of psychology at the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Send us 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 later on your favourite podcast platform! Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social me...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Send us 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 Conference in Calgary this August. Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. A...
Sep 27, 2023•10 min
Send us 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 about his outlook for the fall and some cautions and opportunities to keep an eye on. Producers l...
Sep 20, 2023•6 min
Send us 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's results and analysis. Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. A...
Sep 01, 2023•6 min
Send us a text Do you use the same password for everything? Skip multi-factor authentication? Prefer to keep your p4ssw0rds easy? Well, you may want to listen to this discussion for some inspiration on mitigating your risk of experiencing a cyber security incident. Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email...
May 02, 2023•21 min
Send us a text Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) General Manager, Ryder Lee, joined Alberta Beef Producers for our January/February Producer Meetings and our March 1 Annual General Meeting. And he joins us again here for updates from the CCA. Related: Industry partners publish Alberta Beef Competitiveness Study ABP announces 2023 Board of Directors CCA advocacy and youth efforts Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram ...
Mar 21, 2023•24 min
Send us a text This year, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) brought a new format to their coffee sponsorship at ABP's Producer Meetings. Using digital technology, AFSC speakers polled audiences for their thoughts on everything from LPI to moisture deficiency insurance. What did they find out, and what will they do with the data? Brenda Hagen, Product Owner LPI, Product Innovation, and Jackie Sanden, Product Coordinator, Product Innovation, join The Bovine to discuss their finding...
Mar 16, 2023•14 min
Send us a text In this special episode of The Bovine, live from the Alberta Beef Industry Conference, host Debra Murphy talks to Kajal Devani, Beef Improvement Federation board member. This year's Beef Improvement Federation's research symposium and conference will be held in Calgary, Alberta, July 3-6. Kajal discusses the purpose of the federation and why this conference is valuable for beef producers. Early bird registration is available until February 28, and students can register for a disco...
Feb 23, 2023•12 min
Send us a text In this special episode of The Bovine, we’re joined by emcee, entertainer, and auctioneer Danny Hooper, live from the 2023 Alberta Beef Industry Conference (ABIC). No stranger to ABIC, Danny shares what he’s learned about being an emcee over the years. He also chats about interviewing this year’s keynote speaker, hockey legend Mark Messier, as well as leading a fireside chat with the Hon. Doug Black, senator from Alberta; the Hon. Christy Clark, former Premier of B.C.; and the Hon...
Feb 23, 2023•18 min
Send us a text On this episode, we dive into the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion file for the Canadian Beef Advisors and how it relates to the National Beef Strategy 2030 goal around people, health, and safety. Brenna Grant, Executive Director of Canfax, joins us to provide an overview of this file and how it will allow the industry to work together to achieves its goals. This Special Edition of the show was recorded at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Penticton, British Columbia. Stay ...
Feb 10, 2023•7 min
Send us a text On this episode, Anne Wasko, rancher and Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Past Chair, gives us an update on the Canadian Beef Advisor's 2030 goals, coming out of the National Beef Strategy. This Special Edition of the show was recorded at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Penticton, British Columbia. Stay tuned for more from the conference! Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email...
Feb 10, 2023•11 min
