THE BLADE BLOG

Becoming a Board Member

My name is SherryAnn Hoogland, and my family and I operate Majak Meadows Ranch, a small, first-generation ranch in Central Alberta. Like many producers, our operation has been shaped by curiosity, hard-earned experience, and a commitment to continuous improvement. I currently serve as a director with the Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association (CAFLA), a role that has been both professionally rewarding and personally meaningful. 

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Producers attending the Clearwater County Cattlemen's Day event in Leslieville Alberta learning about the Madigan Squeeze technique

Clearwater County Cattlemen’s Day Draws Full House in Leslieville

The 22nd annual Clearwater County Cattlemen’s Day drew a full house to the Leslieville Community Hall on November 20, where producers, industry experts and local organizations gathered for a day packed with presentations, networking and industry updates. A full tradeshow and a robust agenda set the tone for what proved to be one of the event’s strongest years.

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Fall Feed Gaps and Forage Facts: What We Learned in Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, and Caroline

By Abby-Ann Redman, Alberta Pasture Nutrient Analysis Project
Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a project that digs deep into the nutrient quality of Alberta’s pastures. Alongside a fantastic team, I helped sample and analyze grasses from across the province to better understand how forage quality shifts throughout the grazing season and between regions.

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Kim Nielsen demonstrates to visiting producers at 4 Clover Ranch about his pastures soil health and grazing techniques.

Grazing Across Continents Showcases Innovation in Soil Health and Stewardship

On August 23, Arbutus Hall became the hub of a global conversation on regenerative agriculture, as 56 producers came together with a visiting delegation of Australian grazers for the “Grazing Across Continents” field day. Hosted by the Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association (CAFLA) and Regenerative Alberta Living Lab (RA-LL), the event aimed to share practical knowledge, scientific data, and cultural exchange in grazing and land stewardship.

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Connecting Through Agriculture: From the EAT Tour to Aggie Days

Spring has been a busy and exciting season for the Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association (CAFLA) as we took part in several community events focused on agricultural awareness, education, and engagement. From the Rocky Trade Show to the EAT Tour and Aggie Days in Carstairs, CAFLA was proud to partner with local organizations to bring pasture management, forage knowledge, and a bit of fun to the public.

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Alsike Clover and Horses

Alsike clover is found in most areas in Alberta that have been farmed. It was introduced as one of the earliest forages available in our grandfathers’ time.

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A Moment of Reflection on Women in Agriculture

It was an absolute honour to be nominated for the Woman in Agriculture award, handed out at the Mountain View and Neighbours Women in Business Annual Awards Luncheon in Olds. This gave me the opportunity to reflect on the incredible contributions women are making in the agricultural sector—here in Alberta and across Canada.

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Ranching Opportunities 2025

The 2025 Ranching Opportunities Conference took place at the Pomeroy Inn and Suites this year on February 5th.  The Red Bow Partnership consisting of the MD of Bighorn, Clearwater County, Kneehill County, Mountain View County, Rocky View County, Wheatland County, the Foothills Forage and Grazing Association, the Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association, Lakeland College, Renovo Seed and Olds College hosted this well-attended event.

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The Importance of Feed Testing

One of the most valuable tools in feeding livestock is forage sampling and feed testing. Feed is a direct contributor to livestock production and a significant cost of your operation…

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