Send us a textIs 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 Regrowth14:23 Tricks to Speed Up Dry Down25:10 Bale Size and Density: Surprising Impacts on Loss26:23 How to Avoid Hay Heating and Nutrient Burnoff GUEST: Breanna Sentes, Beef SmartWebsite | LinkedIn CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email
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29:09
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29:09
Dennis Laycraft reflects on four decades in the industry
Send us a textWhat 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 Powerhouse8:43 BSE Hits: The Industry’s Darkest Hour13:27 Canada’s Retail Rebellion and Barbecue Boom17:55 The Young Leaders Movement Begins27:46 McDonald’s, Cargill & The World’s First Sustainable Beef Claim34:56 Pandemic Adaptation & Drive-In Cattle Sales42:07 Today’s Market: Record Prices & Future GrowthGUEST: Dennis Laycraft, CCA Vice PresidentCCA | LinkedIn CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email
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56:12
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56:12
Brodie Haugan on the Value of Having Producers at the Trade Table
Send us a textCan 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 Email | CCA CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email
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33:07
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33:07
Tyler Fulton on CCA Priorities and Industry Leadership
Send us a textHow 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 war7:27 Why building trust matters more than logic in policy advocacy9:10 Engaging producers through social media13:09 Trade as the industry's existential challenge16:20 Why now is both the most profitable and riskiest time for beef22:59 U.S. remains irreplaceable, even with tariffs24:54 Tyler’s advice to young producers: network and speak up GUEST: TYLER FULTONWebsite | LinkedIn | X 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.CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email
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31:53
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31:53
The Role of Soil Microbiomes in Forage Growth
Send us a textWhat 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 Yields09:05 – Optimizing Plant-Microbe Interactions16:25 – Can Microbes Help Saline Pastures?29:37 – Heritability and Breeding for Microbial Compatibility35:32 – Giving Power Back to the ProducerGUEST: Dr. Jonathan BennettWebsite 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.CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email. ABP Daily | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email
Join our hosts as they interview researchers, ranchers, ABP delegates and staff, chefs, nutritionists, and others all along the beef supply chain. You’ll hear content as diverse as the guests who bring it – from cooking beef to managing pastureland, the latest tech to great entertainment, cattle markets to weather predictions, and more. You'll feel motivated to level up your farm management, try new recipes, and perhaps find some entertainment for a long drive.
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