Send us 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. Along the way, David shares insight on regional extremes, the delicate dance ...

Send us 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 cutting height matters for regrowth, and how to protect hay from mold and nutrient l...

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 w...

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 C...

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 gr...

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 inter...

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 prod...

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,...

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 scienc...

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...

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 Alber...

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 differenc...

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...

Send us a textAre 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 ma...

Send us a textFor 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

Send us a textFor 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

Send us a textFor 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

Send us a textFor 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 us a textFor 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; andDr. Kim Stanford, of the University of Let...

Send us a textFor 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; andDr. Tammy Nemeth, on lessons learned from the oil and gas industry.Have ideas for future s...