Environment & Animal Care

Beneficial Management Practices

Environmental Manual for Alberta Cow/Calf Producers Developed through the cooperation of industry, government and interested stakeholders to create greater awareness and understanding of beneficial environmental management practices, this publication is based on the best available research and years of experience.

The guidelines are intended to provide a range of management options for cow/calf producers of various sizes and types. The operations dealt with in this manual relate only to cow/calf production and do not include other operations, such as backgrounding, that a cow/calf producer may participate in. Operators that are managing animals under other more intensive operations should refer to the Beneficial Management Practices: Environmental Manual for Feedlots in Alberta.

Beneficial Management Practices: Envrionmental Manual for Alberta Cow/Calf Producers was developed in partnership with Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) and Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and is available free of charge to all Alberta cattle producers. Call ABP at (403) 275-4400 or email us to receive a copy.

Grazing Drought Management

The severity of drought conditions, particularly in Southern Alberta, will affect grazing options for livestock producers. Three fact sheets will provide landowners with information on rangeland health and litter reserves.

Thank you to Public Lands Branch, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development for permission to post these factsheets.

Term Care Agreement for Livestock

During times of feed shortages, labour shortages, etc., some producers will enter into agreements for the off-farm care of their livestock. Many of these agreements are made with little or no legal documentation to protect both parties in the event of a disagreement. To assist producers, the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association has developed a Term Care Agreement template producers can use to protect their investments.

Environmental Stewardship

Alberta beef producers are committed to producing beef in an environmentally sustainable manner. Through the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP), they support policies, programs and educational efforts that uphold this vision. They also formally recognize beef producers who have incorporated environmental protection into their management strategies.

Environmental Stewardship Award

The Environmental Stewardship Award is presented annually to the beef producer who best exemplifies environmentally sustainable cattle production. Alberta cattle producers nominate the best of their peers for this award, which has become one of the most prestigious in the industry. Nominations close July 1 each year. A panel of representatives from conservation and agriculture assess the candidates, examining the stewardship goals and activities of the nominees including land management, water quality, wildlife, animal welfare and leadership activities in the community related to stewardship. The winner is announced at the ABP annual meeting each year. Click here to view past winners.

Nominations for the Environmental Stewardship Award close on July 1 every year. Print your nomination form here or contact the ABP office by email.

The Cows and Fish Program

The Cows and Fish project is a unique partnership of producer and conservation groups and government agencies addressing riparian grazing issues. ABP is proud to take an active role in supporting this vital program that provides an important link with many resource users in the community. For more information please visit the Cows and Fish website. Also, access the latest in a series of Cows and Fish program material on riparian awareness and management in the third edition of Caring for the Green Zone: Riparian Areas and Grazing Management.

Cows and Fish are now accepting registrations for their Annual Ladies’ Livestock Lessons and Women’s Grazing Schools.

Ladies’ Livestock Lessons - July 3 & 4, 2008

Southern Alberta Grazing School for Women - July 16 & 17, 2008

The Original Grazing School for Women - July 16 & 17, 2008

Community Riparian Program

The goal of the Community Riparian Program is to improve the awareness and management of riparian areas by encouraging community-based approaches to resource management.

Code of Practice For Care and Handling of Beef Cattle

The ABP supports responsible animal care and handling. The booklet “Recommended code of practice for the care and handling of farm animals: Beef cattle edition” outlines the key elements of all aspects of animal care and handling throughout the beef industry chain of production. Copies of the booklet are available free of charge by contacting the ABP office or download the PDF document.

Cattle Wintering Sites –- Managing for Good Stewardship

Developed in cooperation with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and PFRA. Along with information about evaluating and managing wintering sites and environmental stewardship issues, the guide includes a “Site Risk Evaluation Chart”, a glossary, references and sources of additional information. Every site is unique so producers will have to develop and apply strategies that best suit their situation. Copies are available free of charge for Alberta cattle producers from the ABP office or download the pdf document.