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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 dance of rain and irrigation for agriculture, and what farmers might expect as summer winds down.

Listen For:

3:45 Alberta’s weather in 2025—rain here, drought there

7:20 The “seasonal flip” that turned May hot and July wet

9:35 When drought stops being unusual and becomes the new normal

14:28 Will summer stretch into October? What fall could look like

21:24 How AI is reshaping the future of weather forecasting

GUEST: David Spence, retired Chief Meteorologist for CTV

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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 loss.

Listen For:

4:39 What Is NDF? And Why Should You Care?
7:30 Haying in a Drought: Cut or Wait?
11:08 Research Insights: How Cutting Height Affects Regrowth
14:23 Tricks to Speed Up Dry Down
25:10 Bale Size and Density: Surprising Impacts on Loss
26:23 How to Avoid Hay Heating and Nutrient Burnoff

GUEST: Breanna Sentes, Beef Smart

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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 wars, and a global pandemic.

He shares stories of resilience, innovation, and unity that helped elevate Canadian beef to world-class status and positioned the industry for a strong, sustainable future.

Listen For:

6:16 The Decade Canada Became an Export Powerhouse

8:43 BSE Hits: The Industry’s Darkest Hour

13:27 Canada’s Retail Rebellion and Barbecue Boom

17:55 The Young Leaders Movement Begins

27:46 McDonald’s, Cargill & The World’s First Sustainable Beef Claim

34:56 Pandemic Adaptation & Drive-In Cattle Sales

42:07 Today’s Market: Record Prices & Future Growth

GUEST: Dennis Laycraft, CCA Vice President

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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 Canadian beef on the world stage.

This conversation offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at how Alberta’s cattle industry is forging relationships abroad, expanding markets, and ensuring that when global leaders sit down to eat, Canadian beef has a seat at the table too.

Listen For:

6:04 Why Southeast Asia? The Strategic Goal Behind the Trip
7:57 Demand: Cuts, Culture & Culinary Traditions
12:41 Boardrooms, Beef & Big Players: Connecting People
16:17 What They Asked: Supply, Not Sustainability
24:33 Efficiency Matters: Why Producer Presence Pays Off

GUEST: Brodie Haugan. Co Chair Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committee, Canadian

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How do you lead 60,000 cattle operations and still make time for TikTok?

Tyler Fulton might have the answer.

Kara Mastel sits down with the newly minted President of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) to talk about his whirlwind entry into the role, what it’s like balancing a cow-calf operation while representing ranchers on the national stage, and why trade advocacy and producer engagement are more important than ever.

From urgent trade talks in Washington to grassroots outreach via social media, Tyler shares how relationships — not just regulations — drive the beef industry forward.

Listen For:

5:03 Taking the reins during a trade war

7:27 Why building trust matters more than logic in policy advocacy

9:10 Engaging producers through social media

13:09 Trade as the industry's existential challenge

16:20 Why now is both the most profitable and riskiest time for beef

22:59 U.S. remains irreplaceable, even with tariffs

24:54 Tyler’s advice to young producers: network and speak up

GUEST: TYLER FULTON

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Tyler, the current President of CCA, became involved with the organization through his work with the Manitoba Beef Producers. He advocates for cattle farmers and ranchers, emphasizing their role in sustainable food production and aiming to improve Business Risk Management programs in Canada. Tyler, along with his wife Dorelle and their children, operates Tyton Farm Ltd near Birtle, Manitoba, managing 600 cow-calf pairs and a small backgrounding lot. Their farm spans about 5,500 acres, integrating hay, corn, and grain production with their cattle operation.

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What if the secret to better beef starts underground?

Kara Mastel is joined by Dr. Jonathan Bennett, associate professor of Plant Ecology at the University of Saskatchewan, to unearth the science behind soil microbiomes and their powerful impact on forage productivity and beef sustainability.

Recorded following the Beef Research Showcase at Lakeland College, the conversation dives into how microbes influence plant health, how cultivar selection affects microbe interactions, and why breeding plants for better microbial relationships could revolutionize pasture management.

From drought resilience to salinity tolerance, Dr. Bennett sheds light on how invisible organisms may hold the key to future-proofing our beef industry—all without a microscope

Listen For:

04:47 – The Soil Microbiome’s Role in Forage Yields

09:05 – Optimizing Plant-Microbe Interactions

16:25 – Can Microbes Help Saline Pastures?

29:37 – Heritability and Breeding for Microbial Compatibility

35:32 – Giving Power Back to the Producer

GUEST: Dr. Jonathan Bennett

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Dr. Jonathan Bennett is an Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, specializing in plant ecology with a focus on plant-soil interactions and invasive species management. He holds a PhD from the University of Alberta and has conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Tartu and the University of British Columbia-Okanagan. Dr. Bennett's research aims to enhance our understanding of ecological processes in grasslands, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and ecosystem conservation.

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Is your pasture really ready for the herd? Spring grazing may seem as simple as "green means go," but it’s far more nuanced than that.

Kara Mastel welcomes David MacTaggart, Senior Agriculture Advisor with Strathcona County, to unpack the critical considerations for turning cattle out in spring.

From the risks of early grazing and nitrate concerns to rotational grazing strategies and environmental stewardship, David shares practical, science-backed insights for producers.

They also discuss how to tailor grazing plans to weather extremes like drought, assess forage nutritional quality, and balance herd health with land resilience.

This episode equips producers—new and seasoned alike—with the knowledge to make smart, sustainable spring grazing decisions.

Listen For:

03:24 — Why spring grazing matters

09:59 — Spring frost and nitrate concerns

14:06 — Why rotational grazing is especially important in spring

21:25 — Is bloat a worry with green pastures?

GUEST: David MacTaggart, Agriculture Initiatives Specialist

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What if everything you thought you knew about connecting with people was missing one key ingredient?

Kara Mastel sits down with renowned human values expert David Allison, the founder of the Valuegraphics Project, to explore how understanding core human values—not just demographics—can revolutionize communication in agriculture and beyond.

Fresh off his keynote at the Alberta Beef Industry Conference, David shares how values like financial security, personal growth, and happiness are the real drivers behind public support and behavior.

With practical examples and a compelling look at how values-based storytelling can shape perception and build industry allies, this episode is a powerful playbook for beef producers—and anyone—looking to truly connect with audiences.

Listen For:

01:27 – What Are Valuegraphics?

08:56 – Beef = Financial Stability? Let’s Talk Economics

17:43 – Talk About What Works: The Three-Value Rule

28:31 – Demographics Reinforce Stereotypes—Here’s the Fix

GUEST: David Allison

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David Allison is a human values expert, CEO of a global research firm, and 2X best-selling author. As the founder of the Valuegraphics Project, he created the first global inventory of core human values, transforming them into measurable data. David helps major brands like PayPal, Google, and the United Nations Foundation connect with people by honouring their values.

His work is featured in college textbooks and prominent publications like Harvard Business Review and Forbes. His latest book, The Death of Demographics, has been praised as "convincing, insightful, and revolutionary."

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