Meet the Council: Three Producers, Three Approaches, Shared Commitment to Canadian Beef

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is composed of producer members from across Canada, appointed by each of the provincial beef organizations that allocate part of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off  to research. The number of members from each province is proportional to the amount of provincial check-off allocated to research. 

The following is part of a series introducing you to this group of innovative thinkers. These producers set the BCRC’s direction by sharing practices, strategies or technologies they have integrated into their own operations.

Canadian beef producers bring different experiences, priorities and approaches to raising and marketing cattle, but share a common commitment to building a strong, sustainable beef industry. Meet these three Beef Cattle Research Council members and learn how they’re making their mark.

Building Functional Cattle and Sharing the Story of Beef

Kailey Wirsta – Elk Point, Alberta

Kailey Wirsta and her family operate K-Cow Ranch near Elk Point, Alberta, a 300-head purebred cow-calf and VBP+ Certified operation raising Hereford, Charolais and Black Angus cattle. The ranch markets purebred bulls and a select group of open heifers through its annual bull sale, held the third Saturday of March, as well as bred heifers and heifer calves through its annual fall female sale in October.

“We are passionate about producing cattle that are functional, profitable and built to succeed both in the pasture and the show ring,” Kailey says.

Kailey grew up on the ranch and has been involved in agriculture her entire life. Through 4-H, livestock judging and her work in agricultural marketing and communications, she has developed an interest in both the technical side of cattle production and telling the story of Canadian agriculture.

The ranch’s production year follows a cycle of calving, breeding, pasture management and preparing cattle for sale. Fall calving takes place in September and October, followed by winter calving from January through March. Breeding takes place in April, while the summer months focus on pasture management, forage production and preparing show cattle for fall shows.