The Bovine by Alberta Beef Producers

By Alberta Beef Producers

Join our hosts as they interview researchers, ranchers, ABP delegates and staff, chefs, nutritionists, and others all along the beef supply chain. You’ll hear content as diverse as the guests who b

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FAQs about The Bovine by Alberta Beef Producers:

How many episodes does The Bovine by Alberta Beef Producers have?

The podcast currently has 45 episodes available.

The Bovine by Alberta Beef Producers episodes:

July 15, 2025 From Field to Bale: Saving Every Nutrient
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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 loss.
Listen For:
4:39 What Is NDF? And Why Should You Care?
7:30 Haying in a Drought: Cut or Wait?
11:08 Research Insights: How Cutting Height Affects Regrowth
14:23 Tricks to Speed Up Dry Down
25:10 Bale Size and Density: Surprising Impacts on Loss
26:23 How to Avoid Hay Heating and Nutrient Burnoff

GUEST: Breanna Sentes, Beef Smart
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CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL
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30min
July 01, 2025 Dennis Laycraft reflects on four decades in the industry
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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 a global pandemic.
He shares stories of resilience, innovation, and unity that helped elevate Canadian beef to world-class status and positioned the industry for a strong, sustainable future.
Listen For:
6:16 The Decade Canada Became an Export Powerhouse
8:43 BSE Hits: The Industry’s Darkest Hour
13:27 Canada’s Retail Rebellion and Barbecue Boom
17:55 The Young Leaders Movement Begins
27:46 McDonald’s, Cargill & The World’s First Sustainable Beef Claim
34:56 Pandemic Adaptation & Drive-In Cattle Sales
42:07 Today’s Market: Record Prices & Future Growth

GUEST: Dennis Laycraft, CCA Vice President
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CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL
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57min
June 17, 2025 Brodie Haugan on the Value of Having Producers at the Trade Table
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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 the world stage.
This conversation offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at how Alberta’s cattle industry is forging relationships abroad, expanding markets, and ensuring that when global leaders sit down to eat, Canadian beef has a seat at the table too.

Listen For:
6:04 Why Southeast Asia? The Strategic Goal Behind the Trip
7:57 Demand: Cuts, Culture & Culinary Traditions
12:41 Boardrooms, Beef & Big Players: Connecting People
16:17 What They Asked: Supply, Not Sustainability
24:33 Efficiency Matters: Why Producer Presence Pays Off

GUEST: Brodie Haugan. Co Chair Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committee, Canadian
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CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL
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34min
June 03, 2025 Tyler Fulton on CCA Priorities and Industry Leadership
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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 outreach via social media, Tyler shares how relationships — not just regulations — drive the beef industry forward.
Listen For:
5:03 Taking the reins during a trade war
7:27 Why building trust matters more than logic in policy advocacy
9:10 Engaging producers through social media
13:09 Trade as the industry's existential challenge
16:20 Why now is both the most profitable and riskiest time for beef
22:59 U.S. remains irreplaceable, even with tariffs
24:54 Tyler’s advice to young producers: network and speak up

GUEST: TYLER FULTON
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Tyler, the current President of CCA, became involved with the organization through his work with the Manitoba Beef Producers. He advocates for cattle farmers and ranchers, emphasizing their role in sustainable food production and aiming to improve Business Risk Management programs in Canada. Tyler, along with his wife Dorelle and their children, operates Tyton Farm Ltd near Birtle, Manitoba, managing 600 cow-calf pairs and a small backgrounding lot. Their farm spans about 5,500 acres, integrating hay, corn, and grain production with their cattle operation.
CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL
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Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email.

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32min
May 20, 2025 The Role of Soil Microbiomes in Forage Growth
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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 why breeding plants for better microbial relationships could revolutionize pasture management.
From drought resilience to salinity tolerance, Dr. Bennett sheds light on how invisible organisms may hold the key to future-proofing our beef industry—all without a microscope
Listen For:
04:47 – The Soil Microbiome’s Role in Forage Yields
09:05 – Optimizing Plant-Microbe Interactions
16:25 – Can Microbes Help Saline Pastures?
29:37 – Heritability and Breeding for Microbial Compatibility
35:32 – Giving Power Back to the Producer
GUEST: Dr. Jonathan Bennett
Website
Dr. Jonathan Bennett is an Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, specializing in plant ecology with a focus on plant-soil interactions and invasive species management. He holds a PhD from the University of Alberta and has conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Tartu and the University of British Columbia-Okanagan. Dr. Bennett's research aims to enhance our understanding of ecological processes in grasslands, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and ecosystem conservation.
CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL
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Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email.

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42min
May 06, 2025 Spring grazing: Timing and Strategy for Healthy Pastures
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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 also discuss how to tailor grazing plans to weather extremes like drought, assess forage nutritional quality, and balance herd health with land resilience.
This episode equips producers—new and seasoned alike—with the knowledge to make smart, sustainable spring grazing decisions.
Listen For:
03:24 — Why spring grazing matters
09:59 — Spring frost and nitrate concerns
14:06 — Why rotational grazing is especially important in spring
21:25 — Is bloat a worry with green pastures?

GUEST: David MacTaggart, Agriculture Initiatives Specialist
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32min
April 22, 2025 Valuegraphics 101: Why people really care
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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 are the real drivers behind public support and behavior.
With practical examples and a compelling look at how values-based storytelling can shape perception and build industry allies, this episode is a powerful playbook for beef producers—and anyone—looking to truly connect with audiences.
Listen For:
01:27 – What Are Valuegraphics?
08:56 – Beef = Financial Stability? Let’s Talk Economics
17:43 – Talk About What Works: The Three-Value Rule
28:31 – Demographics Reinforce Stereotypes—Here’s the Fix
GUEST: David Allison
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David Allison is a human values expert, CEO of a global research firm, and 2X best-selling author. As the founder of the Valuegraphics Project, he created the first global inventory of core human values, transforming them into measurable data. David helps major brands like PayPal, Google, and the United Nations Foundation connect with people by honouring their values.
His work is featured in college textbooks and prominent publications like Harvard Business Review and Forbes. His latest book, The Death of Demographics, has been praised as "convincing, insightful, and revolutionary."
CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL
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Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email.

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36min
April 08, 2025 The future of water in Western Canadian agriculture
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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 stakes of water management on the Prairies and beyond.
With surprising findings, promising innovations, and a candid look at what's coming down the pipeline, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who depends on water – everyone.
Listen For:
03:23 – Building Canada’s First National Water Model
07:10 – The Future of Irrigation in Southern Alberta
18:58 – Smarter Crops, Smarter Irrigation: What Tech Can Do
22:41 – Balancing Agriculture and Natural Ecosystems
GUEST: Dr. John Pomeroy
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Dr. John Pomeroy is the Director of the Global Water Futures Programme and its follow-on, the Global Water Futures Observatories Project, at the University of Saskatchewan. He holds multipole prestigious titles, including Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change, UNESCO Chair in Mountain Water Sustainability, and Distinguished Professor of Geography. Dr. Pomeroy is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the American Geophysical Union, and the Royal Geographical Society. He has received numerous awards, including the Walter Langbein Lecture Award and the Miroslaw Romanowski Medal. This research focuses on snow hydrology, climate change impacts, and water quality, and he has authored over 400 research articles and several books.
CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL
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Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email.

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30min
March 25, 2025 From cattle rancher to industry leader: Doug Roxburgh intends to make a difference
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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 weather outlooks, business risk management, and the importance of strong communication.
Whether you're deep in the industry or just beef-curious, this episode offers a rare inside look at leadership on the frontlines of Alberta agriculture.
Listen For:
07:15 – Fixing the communication gap
15:04 – Wildlife and regional farming realities
20:48 – Navigating tariffs and global uncertainty
22:46 – Weather warnings and risk management tools
26:15 – Doug’s message to producers: Get involved and stay informed
GUEST: Doug Roxburgh
Doug Roxburgh is the Chair on the Board of Directors for Alberta Beef Producers. He resides near Rimbey, Alberta, with his wife, where they manage a first-generation cattle farm. They are involved in backgrounding their calves, marketing bulls and females, and raising commercial bread heifers. Doug also works as a senior nutrition consultant, assisting producers in creating year-round nutritional plans.
CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL
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Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email.

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30min
March 11, 2025 Behind the scenes at Alberta Beef Producers: 2024 in Review
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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.
Listen For:
04:19 – Investing in Research: Big Impact, Small Budget
12:51 – The Policies That Could Change Beef Production
27:39 – Living Labs: Research in Real-World Conditions
33:35 – The Power of Producer Involvement & Resolutions
GUESTS:
Brad Dubeau, General Manager
Debra Murphy, Stakeholder Relations Manager
Mark Lyseng, Government Relations and Policy
Kaley Edge, VBP Coordinator and ABP Stewardship Lead
Karin Schmid, Beef Production and Extension Lead
CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL
Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone
Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email.

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42min

FAQs about The Bovine by Alberta Beef Producers:

How many episodes does The Bovine by Alberta Beef Producers have?

The podcast currently has 45 episodes available.