Research

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Completed

Refining new diagnostics for BRD

New tests show promise for identifying genes in BRD-associated bacteria that can contribute to the development of more severe disease and challenges in BRD management.

Started: 2021 | Completed: 2024

Animal Health and Welfare

COMPLETED

Improving pain control during band castration – Part 2

A total of 96 calves were castrated either at one- or five-months of age. At each age, calves were divided into three castration protocols: regular bands with no pain control, regular bands with anesthetic injected into the scrotum, and the new bands with slow-release anesthetic.

Started: 2022 | Completed: 2024

Animal Health and Welfare

COMPLETED

Enhancing beef cattle health surveillance in western Canada

Early detection is key to prompt and effective responses that minimize risk to cattle, producers, the industry, and the economy.

Completed: 2024

Animal Health and Welfare

COMPLETED

Development of forage barley varieties for western Canada

There is no one single barley variety that will excel at every trait in every environment. Each segment of the livestock industry has its own unique requirements, whether it is cow-calf, backgrounding, or feedlot operations.

Completed: 2024

Forage

COMPLETED

Boosting barley and triticale breeding for feed and forage

This project yielded two new barley varieties – one feed (FB22816) and one malt (TR21665) – as well as one new triticale variety (T301).

Completed: 2024

Feed Grains Forage

COMPLETED

Regional performance of silage crop varieties in Alberta

In each location, up to 28 barley, oat, wheat and/or triticale varieties are grown in plots with three replications.

Completed: 2024

Forage

COMPLETED

How does weather affect feed efficiency?

There are physiological and behavioural differences between efficient and less efficient animals in the face of extreme weather conditions, both hot and cold.

Completed: 2023

Environment Feed Efficiency

COMPLETED

Grazing strategies to optimize forage and beef production

Very few multi-year Canadian studies exist that compare animal performance on annual and perennial forage mixtures that also include soil, water use, carbon, and greenhouse gas measurements.

Started: 2020 | Completed: 2023

Pasture Management

COMPLETED

Effect of rest stop duration and quality on cattle transported by road

Cattle transport is one of the beef industry’s practices that is most visible to the public and is facing increased public and regulatory scrutiny.

Started: 2018 | Completed: 2022

Animal Health and Welfare

COMPLETED

Characterizing the rumen microbiome during grazing

This was the first study to compare linkages between plant, rumen, and fecal samples throughout full production cycles under different types of grazed forages as well as winter-fed silage.

Started: 2020 | Completed: 2023

Feed Grains Forage

COMPLETED

Predicting forage intake on pasture

Predicting intake, digestibility of nutrients, and performance in grazing cattle using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) of the feces.

Started: 2020 | Completed: 2023

Feed Grains

COMPLETED

The impact of prepartum energy intake on colostrum quality and calf performance

The objectives of this study are to determine how different dietary energy intakes during gestation impact both cow and calf performance.

Started: 2020 | Completed: 2023

Animal Health and Welfare

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Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab

ABP is pleased to be leading a project that will benefit Alberta’s beef, forage, and cropping sectors through collaboration, innovation, and research.

In July 2022, The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Then Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the expansion of Agricultural Climate Solutions – Living Labs program, including an initiative led by ABP.

Producer participants (beef, forage, cropping) in the AALL are working directly with researchers to co-develop beneficial management practices (BMPs) to improve productivity, profitability while having a positive impact on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions.

Information from this project will help to ensure that climate focused policy solutions are practical and provide benefits for producers by providing data from real-world situations.

Key focus areas for BMP development include cropping systems and crop rotations, land use change/transitions, grazing management, livestock feeding, nutrient management, and optimizing carbon storage.
AALL is examining barriers and incentives to adoption, performing cost of production analyses, developing extension materials/events, facilitating peer to peer networking, learning and mentorship opportunities, and creating decision-making tools for producers.

Learn More - Visit agrisystemsll.ca

There’s lots of opportunity for producers if they’ve been thinking about trying something but are not sure where to start. That’s where our researchers and their expertise can really fine-tune that and set them up for success right out of the gate.

Karin Schmid, Beef Production and Extension Lead, Alberta Beef Producers

National Research Strategy

The Five-Year Canadian Beef Research and Technology Transfer Strategy aims to enhance national coordination of beef research priorities, funding, and technology transfer efforts. It focuses on increasing productivity, reducing production costs, and promoting sustainable practices to support industry competitiveness. The strategy also emphasizes improving beef quality and safety, while fostering innovation and environmental stewardship.

National Research Strategy

Beef Cattle Research Council

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is Canada’s national industry-led funding agency for beef, cattle and forage research. The BCRC’s mandate is to determine research and development priorities for the Canadian beef cattle industry and to administer Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off funds allocated to research.

The BCRC hosts an incredible resource library, including free interactive calculators, and the latest in production research.

Visit the BCRC

Agriculture Funding Consortium

Alberta Beef Producers participates in the Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC), which is a collaborative body of agricultural organizations. AFC provides coordinated funding for research and innovation in Western Canada’s agriculture and food industry. It aims to support sustainability, diversification, and long-term growth by stimulating private and public sector participation. Each member organization within the AFC establishes its own research priorities and investment mandates.

Agriculture Funding Consortium

Research

ABP's Research Committee encourages practical, applied research - enhancing the competitiveness of Alberta beef producers.

Refining new diagnostics for BRD

Improving pain control during band castration – Part 2

Enhancing beef cattle health surveillance in western Canada

Development of forage barley varieties for western Canada

Boosting barley and triticale breeding for feed and forage

Regional performance of silage crop varieties in Alberta

How does weather affect feed efficiency?

Grazing strategies to optimize forage and beef production

Effect of rest stop duration and quality on cattle transported by road

Characterizing the rumen microbiome during grazing

Predicting forage intake on pasture

The impact of prepartum energy intake on colostrum quality and calf performance

Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab

National Research Strategy

Beef Cattle Research Council

Agriculture Funding Consortium