The Bovine by Alberta Beef Producers

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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.

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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 

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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 scrotal circumference.  

Listen For:

04:26 EPDs 101: Predicting a bull’s genetic potential
11:28 How breed associations help with bull selection
17:18 Lessons from the dairy industry on milk vs. fertility
26:16 Why breeding soundness exams are crucial
30:02 Expert tips for bull sale day

GUEST: Carling Matejka, DVM

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CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL 

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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 water availability. 

Dr. Smith also shares insights on how these fluctuations influence calf health, milk production, and long-term herd performance. 

Listen For:

2:08 | The physiological impact of cold stress on cattle

4:11 | How cold weather changes cattle behaviour and feeding

14:24 | A simple snow trick to assess body condition

26:16 | Innovating producer strategies for dealing with extreme cold

CONNECT WITH GUEST: Dr Brittany Smith, Beef Smart Consulting

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CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL 

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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 and Korea, Brenna provides insightful analysis on what cattle producers can expect and how they can prepare. 

Listen For:
2:19 | The deep integration of the U.S.-Canada beef trade
5:11 | Exchange rates and their ripple effect on producers
10:40 | The complex web of U.S.-Canada beef processing
14:34 | Canfax resources to support producers

GUEST: BRENNA GRANT
Brenna Grant is the Executive Director of Canfax Research Services, where she monitors data from national statistics; oversees the development of new economic models to make annual outlooks and evaluate the impact of management decisions on cost of production. Brenna grew up in SW Saskatchewan on a cow/calf , yearling grasser operation where her family still operates. She holds a BA in Agricultural Economics from the University of Saskatchewan and a Masters in Applied Economics from Montana State University.

Canfax

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Lethbridge, on all things ergot.

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