Getting through drought: Alberta-made stories, Alberta-made solutions

Project Details

Status: Completed
Investment: $50,000
Commodity: Beef Cattle
Organization: Stettler Learning Centre
Investigator: Derek Leahy

This research will create Alberta-specific information on effective BMPs against drought and extreme heat that are easily accessible to cow-calf operators no matter where they reside in the province.

September 2021

Research results

The "Getting Through Drought" podcast is a series of 12 episodes that feature either an Alberta agricultural producer, academic, or industry representative with specific knowledge about a given best management practice (BMP).

  1. Getting Through Drought podcast

    All twelve episodes, along with other published podcasts, are available on the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions website. Podcasts feature expertise and personal stories on grazing and riparian area management, effects on soil conditions, moisture retention, feed additives, cattle traits selection, and designing drought plans. Episodes are approximately 30 minutes in length.

Why is this research important for Alberta ag?

This project aims to examine the following best management practices for cow-calf operations in Alberta during drought and extreme heat: grazing management, effects on soil conditions, moisture retention, animal stress reduction, and feed additives.

This project will communicate and disseminate information through podcast on how to implement the above BMPs, why these BMPs can be effective against drought and extreme heat, and first-hand accounts from producers who have successfully implemented some of these BMPs.

The goal is to create a better understanding of the BMPs among cow-calf operators, and demonstrate how they can maintain profitability and sustainability during drought and extreme heat.

What benefits can producers expect from this research?

This research will create Alberta-specific information on effective BMPs against drought and extreme heat that are easily accessible to cow-calf operators no matter where they reside in the province. Podcasts can capture the latest developments in drought and extreme heat mitigation to help ensure the cow-calf sector can respond with the most current information.

How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?

Podcasts will be available on the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions website.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.