The Bovine by Alberta Beef Producers

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 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 Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email

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 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. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email

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 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 Email | Website | LinkedIn CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email

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 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 & 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 Email | Website | X | Facebook CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Send us a text 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: 02:19 – The Deep Integration of the US-Canada Beef Trade 05:11 – Exchange Rates and Their Ripple Effect on Producers 10:40 – The Complex Web of US-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 CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Send us a text 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. Delegate Nominations Open Alberta Beef Producers’ (ABP) delegate nominations are open, with two-year positions available in all five zones. Visit ABP Daily to learn 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 text 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. Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email