Winter has faded in the rearview mirror, yet the summer road ahead is dogged by one unwelcome word: drought. Or, at the very least, excessive dryness. On beef ranches in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan, producers are also facing forecasts of an El Nino effect, which could worsen conditions.

Weather patterns have been difficult to nail down with any degree of accuracy this year. When the summer heat hits, your herd’s reproductive health and efficiency could take a nosedive if not monitored and managed attentively.

In countries where rising populations are increasing demand for imported protein, such as South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) sees a chance to build stronger global trade relationships with Canadian producers and exporters.

Sweeping job and program cuts across AAFC are reshaping Canada’s research landscape, as the Liberal government targets a 15% budget reduction across all federal departments. Seven research facilities are slated for closure.

It may not be every morning, but on a semi-routine basis, my day begins with a little pep talk. Some days it’s simply a little note to myself in my head that prods me to just stand up, walk out the door and start the morning chores. On other days, it’s more of a stern talking-to or even a desperate plea to my guardian angels.