The Bovine by Alberta Beef Producers

Send us Fan Mail How does a year packed with activity shape the work of Alberta Beef Producers? Host Kara Mastel is back behind the mic with Brad Dubeau, General Manager of Alberta Beef Producers. Dubeau explains why producer meetings are so important to the organization, why they've returned to the fall schedule, and how ideas raised by producers can eventually become ABP policy. The conversation also covers the Traceability Working Group's recommendation for a voluntary Alberta-based system...

Send us Fan Mail When it comes to weather in Western Canada, unpredictability is the only constant! Kara Mastel sits down with veteran meteorologist David Spence to unpack Alberta’s wild 2025 weather—from early-season heat waves to record July rainfall. They explore shifting patterns that challenge old expectations, the “new normal” for drought and storms, and how AI is reshaping weather forecasting. Along the way, David shares insight on regional extremes, the delicate danc...

Send us Fan Mail Is your hayfield ready — or are you risking a nutrient disaster? In this episode of The Bovine podcast, host Kara Mastel dives into the delicate art and science of haying under tough conditions with expert ruminant nutritionist Brianna Sentes from Beef Smart. They unpack when to cut for maximum protein and digestibility, how weather forecasts can help (or mislead) your timing, why cutting height matters for regrowth, and how to protect hay from mold and nutrient...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to lead a nation’s cattle industry through crisis, change, and global acclaim—without ever losing sight of the ranch? Kara Mastel is joined by Dennis Laycraft—newly inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame—to reflect on his remarkable 40-year career championing Canada’s beef industry. From a childhood in the Porcupine Hills to national leadership roles, Laycraft recounts his navigation through watershed moments like BSE, international trade...

Send us Fan Mail Can beef diplomacy really change the global dinner plate? In this episode of The Bovine, host Kara Mastel sits down with Brodie Haugan, former Alberta Beef Producers Chair and current Canadian Cattle Association rep, fresh off a whirlwind trade mission to Vietnam and the Philippines. From navigating chaotic intersections without crosswalks to barbecuing ribeyes for top Southeast Asian chefs, Brodie shares the highs, surprises, and valuable lessons from promoting...