Research and Development

Alberta Beef Producers Funding Application

2012 Call for Letters of Intent

Status: Closed


ABP Research in Progress

Click on the project titles below to see a summary of research projects that ABP is currently funding. Summaries of completed projects will be added as they become available.

Trade and Economics Studies

Updated Factors Affecting the Fed Cattle Basis (0005-017)


Animal Health and Welfare Studies

Improving immune response in newborn calves (0007-110)

Improved Understanding of Johne’s Disease (0008-010)

Studying Unusual Feedlot Mortalities (0005-019)

Prevalence of Clostridium Difficle in Beef Cattle (0008-014)

Updated Weak Calf Syndrome Final Report (0007-034)

Updated Improved Prevention and Management of Bovine Respiratory Disease Final Report (0007-035)

Updated Antimicrobial Resistance (0007-038)

Updated Prevention and Control of Johne’s Disease Final Report (0007-040)

Updated Mycoplasma Strains (0007-055)

Improved Mycoplasma Vaccine (0007-106)

Improving Immune Response in Newborn Calves (0007-110)

Updated Improved BVD Vaccine (0007-113)

Updated 99.95% of long-haul and 99.98% of short-haul cattle reached their destination injury-free. Evaluating Industry Cattle Transport Practices Final Report (0022-002)

Updated: New research sheds light on wolf predation


Animal Nutrition, Forages and Pasture Management Studies

Improved Forage Oats (0009-027)

Effect of Feeding Distillers Grains on Health in the Feedlot (0009-001)

Does Vitamin A Affect Marbling (0009-020)

Updated Controlling Foxtail Barley (0007-037)

updated Forage Variety Yield and Quality Differences (0008-016)

Updated Improving the Reproductive Performance of Beef Cows (0008-002)

Breeding for Higher Feed Yields (0005-018)

Updated Biological Control of Common Tansy (0007-053)

Increasing Silage Yield and Quality (0007-054)

Using Distillers’ Grains in Feedlot Diets (0007-105)


Genetics and breeding Studies

DNA Tests for Feed Efficiency and Beef Tenderness (0008-023)

Identifying Efficient Cattle Using Infrared Technology (0007-126)

Updated Effective DNA markers would help identify breeding stock that can produce replacement females that maintain body condition, or feeder cattle with more predictable carcass grades. DNA Markers for Carcass Traits Final Report (0007-039)


Animal Health, Research & Technical Issues

It is increasingly challenging for producers to obtain up-to-date information on a number of issues relating to the health of their animals and technical issues they face during day to day operations. This section includes information on current animal health and technical policies, practices and issues facing the industry, as well as on-going research projects. Producer questions can be directed to Karin Schmid, ABP Beef Production Specialist, at karins@albertabeef.org or (403) 275-4400.

Past Beef Research

The ABP is committed to supporting research that will improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the Alberta cattle industry. The ABP supports research projects directly, collaborated with industry partners, and oversaw the operation of the Canada Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund (CABIDF).

CABIDF was a $16.4 million federal/provincial fund dedicated to supporting research to address issues directly affecting the beef industry in Alberta. Funding was allocated to projects that fall under six priority categories; forage/cow calf, animal health, intellectual resources, feedlot, manure sustainability and beef marketability.

Livestock disposal

An information sheet has been developed by the Carcass Disposal Committee to help livestock producers pre-select suitable disposal sites for mass carcass disposal. In instances where large numbers of carcasses must be disposed of, pre-selection of an environmentally suitable mass burial site would be beneficial to producers.

Livestock Biosecurity

Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) can have a devastating effect on the health and welfare of livestock and on the economic viability of livestock operations. See the Livestock Biosecurity overview and checklist, to develop a biosecurity program for your operation to help reduce the chance or impact of an outbreak.