Research

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Digging deeper into forage digestion efficiency

Understanding the mechanisms that cause some animals to digest forages more efficiently than others may help to develop tools to select animals that are more efficient on pasture or other high-forage diets, and lower production costs.

Started: 2021

Forage

IN PROGRESS

Surveillance of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in Canadian feedlot cattle

Potential antibiotic resistance trends in BRD pathogens will help refine antibiotic use recommendations and practices at the veterinary and feedlot level. In addition, consumer groups, foodservice companies and international trade partners are increasingly interested in antibiotic use practices in livestock production.

Started: 2021

Antimicrobials

IN PROGRESS

Determining the impact of mycorrhizal fungi on forage legumes

This project will explore whether mycorrhizal colonization can predict growth rate, stress tolerance, and forage quality differences, and the impact that mycorrhizal colonization has on these traits in alfalfa and sainfoin.

Started: 2021

Forage

COMPLETED

Improving the energy content of forage legumes

Plant breeding is an incremental process, and more selection cycles are required before new varieties of sainfoin and alfalfa with improved leaf oil (lipid) content are available on the market.

Started: 2019 | Completed: 2020

Forage

IN PROGRESS

Exploring non-antibiotic treatment options for BRD

This initial study will determine whether phage lysins have potential as antibiotic alternatives and are worth further development as a potential BRD treatment option to replace or supplement antibiotics.

Started: 2019

Animal Health and Welfare Antimicrobials

COMPLETED

Are we making the right transport decisions?

Decisions regarding transport need to be made objectively. “She’s not that lame” can turn into something much more serious very easily over hundreds of miles or extra time waiting at an auction or abattoir holding pen.

Completed: 2020

Animal Health and Welfare

COMPLETED

Investigating tylosin reduction in feedlot cattle

Just over 7500 feedlot cattle were included in this study and fed an 86% concentrate diet for a 161-day finishing period.

Started: 2017 | Completed: 2019

Antimicrobials

COMPLETED

New diagnostics to inform antimicrobial treatment decisions

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains the most common and economically important disease affecting feedlot cattle. About 15% of cattle in North America are treated for BRD, and it accounts for about 70% of the illnesses and 40% of deaths. Economic losses to the North American beef industry exceed $1 billion dollars annually.

Started: 2017 | Completed: 2019

Animal Health and Welfare

COMPLETED

Antimicrobial surveillance from six weeks to pre-slaughter

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a complex and multifactorial issue that is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the feedlot.

Started: 2017 | Completed: 2019

Antimicrobials

COMPLETED

Improving grazing capacity with bloat-free legumes

Including legumes in a pasture improves biodiversity, forage quality, forage yield, and soil nutrient status without having to apply extra nitrogen fertilizer. While alfalfa has long been the legume species of choice, concerns about bloat have often limited its inclusion into forage stands.

Started: 2015 | Completed: 2019

Forage

COMPLETED

The prevalence and factors associated with antimicrobial resistance on arrival

While previous research has identified patterns of AMR in BRD pathogens, generally those bacteria are isolated from cattle with BRD symptoms that have likely been treated at least once.

Completed: 2019

Antimicrobials

COMPLETED

Best methods for pasture rejuvenation

There are several pasture rejuvenation options available to producers that are superior to break and reseed. Which method is right for you will depend on how depleted the pastures are in terms of soil nutrients, the ability to take on up-front capital costs, whether or not legumes are present in the stand, and whether the weather cooperates.

Started: 2016 | Completed: 2018

Pasture Management

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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.

Digging deeper into forage digestion efficiency

Surveillance of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in Canadian feedlot cattle

Determining the impact of mycorrhizal fungi on forage legumes

Improving the energy content of forage legumes

Exploring non-antibiotic treatment options for BRD

Are we making the right transport decisions?

Investigating tylosin reduction in feedlot cattle

New diagnostics to inform antimicrobial treatment decisions

Antimicrobial surveillance from six weeks to pre-slaughter

Improving grazing capacity with bloat-free legumes

The prevalence and factors associated with antimicrobial resistance on arrival

Best methods for pasture rejuvenation

Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab

National Research Strategy

Beef Cattle Research Council

Agriculture Funding Consortium