Research

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In Progress

Scratching the Surface: What is making my cattle itchy?

This project will determine what factors are most likely contributing to itchy cattle in the absence of obvious parasite involvement.

Started: 2022

Animal Health and Welfare

IN PROGRESS

Diving deep into liver abscess development

The combination of genomic and metabolic data from both bacteria and animals will provide insights into how liver abscesses develop, help identify vaccine or drug development targets, and potentially contribute to better diagnostic techniques.

Started: 2022

Animal Health and Welfare

IN PROGRESS

Maximizing feed barley yield while minimizing lodging

This project will help to determine whether specific barley genetics respond more favourably to PGRs and whether PGR application can be streamlined to reduce sprayer passes.

Started: 2022

Feed Grains

IN PROGRESS

Investigating epigenetic effects of canola fat supplementation

This project builds on and further examines the previous research in this area of supplementation with fat from canola seed.

Started: 2021

Feed Grains Genetics and Breeding

IN PROGRESS

Revitalizing old pastures

This project will shed more light on pasture rejuvenation techniques and may result in lower risk solutions to improving the quality of forage stands.

Started: 2021

Pasture Management

IN PROGRESS

Swathgrazing polycrops

This project will help to identify beneficial management practices to utilize polycrop mixtures for winter swath grazing.

Started: 2021

Forage

IN PROGRESS

The affect of prescription-only antibiotic sales on antibiotic use and resistance in cow-calf herds

The switch to prescription-only may have changed what types of antibiotics are being prescribed, purchased, and used on beef operations.

Started: 2021

Antimicrobials

IN PROGRESS

Tailoring forage mixtures for optimal animal performance

This project will investigate if it is possible to provide a “roadmap” for producers to use when choosing forage mixtures that will more closely meet the nutrient requirements of cattle.

Started: 2021

Forage

IN PROGRESS

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

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

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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.

Scratching the Surface: What is making my cattle itchy?

Diving deep into liver abscess development

Maximizing feed barley yield while minimizing lodging

Investigating epigenetic effects of canola fat supplementation

Revitalizing old pastures

Swathgrazing polycrops

The affect of prescription-only antibiotic sales on antibiotic use and resistance in cow-calf herds

Tailoring forage mixtures for optimal animal performance

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

Exploring non-antibiotic treatment options for BRD

Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab

National Research Strategy

Beef Cattle Research Council

Agriculture Funding Consortium