The One Who Checks the Pens

When it comes to feedin’ calves There’s a lot of things one needs Like sheltered corrals and drainage, Clean water and good feed. And in spite of k.d. lang, Much to cattlemen’s relief, Most of the population’s Still into eatin’ beef. But with truckin’ and the banker, Feed and vet bills to be paid And …

What Works For Us

Ranchers and Calving Time I contacted a few select ranchers to speak to them about calving, and to ask; what do they do on their place to make this exciting part of the year go as smoothly as possible? Every ranch is different and while no one can tell another person how to ranch, they …

February/March 2018

Trailblazers Jerry Ambler Alberta rodeo competitor Jerry Ambler revolutionized the rodeo sport of bronc riding. You can read the whole article in the February/March 2018 issue of Canadian Cowboy Country magazine. To subscribe, click here or call Marie at 1-800-943-7336. Ranching In The West Grizzlies & Longhorns From grass-fattened beef and timed-event cattle to sheep and horses, the Thiessens livestock …

Canadian Confederation – Part 3

Whiskey and Annexation The 1860-1870s saw lawlessness in the Canadian West in the form of whiskey traders and buffalo robe hunters. Without formal law they were perpetrating violence among themselves and various First Nations tribes in what is now southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Ottawa was learning that it was one thing to claim a region and …

Canadian Confederation – Part 2

Cattle and Gold   By 1844 President Polk had made U.S. ambitions in the far West clear with his slogan, “54° 40′ or fight.” It referred to a northern border adjustment between British and American territory in what is now B.C. Vancouver Island had the best naval harbour north of San Francisco, coal deposits and …