In the heart of Alberta’s cattle country, lies Lazy M Bar Ranch. Terri and Brad Mappin lead a life deeply rooted in agriculture as the driving force behind the first-generation calf-cow operation.
While Brad himself was raised on his family farm he branched off to start his own first-generation agriculture operation. So, when the opportunity to purchase land from his aunt and uncle arose, Brad established Lazy M Bar Ranch in 1994 as a mixed operation with a focus on cereal crops.
For Terri, she grew up in cities and on an acreage. While her family didn’t farm themselves, Terri was surrounded by agriculture. Then she met Brad, and the Lazy M Bar Ranch grew from there.
“In the last ten years, we have switched and have significantly increased the focus on cattle and forages versus grain crops. We've planted a lot of our grain acres back to grass and have increased our cow herd,” Terri says.
Today, Terri and Brad’s operations expand to over 3,500 acres, and they raise a cattle herd of mainly Herefords with a touch of Angus, producing quality cattle for the Canadian beef industry.
At Lazy M Bar Ranch, family is at the heart of everything they do. Working together while bringing up their children in agriculture, the Mappins have built an operation that reflects the values of hard work, resilience, and stewardship of the land.
Sustainability and caring for the land
An essential part of taking care of the land requires sustainable practices. Terri, who holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science and educational experience in range management, is always looking for opportunities to improve their calf-cow operation.
“When we decided to switch it to more of a cattle-based operation than grain-based … the whole goal was to make the best with what we had and make it as productive and profitable as it could be. We're just trying to get the best bang for our buck,” Terri says.
The Mappins even converted their crop fields from grain to forage to optimize their calf-cow operation.
“By looking after our grasses and forages through rotational grazing, and increasing our cattle numbers, it allows us to do that … It’s better for the operation and it's better for the environment at the end of the day too,” Terri says.
As Alberta’s grasslands have depleted over the years, Terri understands that agriculture and the environment are deeply intertwined. If grasslands continue to degrade, then that puts species diversity at risk—so taking care of these ecosystems is vital when working towards a sustainable future.
Cattle grazing contributes to the overall health of a grassland ecosystem, which in turn, protects grassland species. When cattle feed off pastures, they encourage new growth of native grasslands and manage invasive plants. However, if cattle herds feed off pastures for too long, then they become overgrazed and native growth will deplete.
This is where cattle producers come into play—they utilize a sustainable agriculture practice called rotational grazing by moving their cattle herds from one field to another, preventing overgrazing and maintaining the ecosystem’s health.
“There are so many grassland species that are at risk because we've lost our grasslands. By maintaining cattle on our grasslands … they can coexist,” Terri says.
Life-lessons taken from agriculture
Together, the Mappin family feel fortunate to have been raised around agriculture and learn lessons that they can translate into their everyday lives.
The Mappin’s children have taken on raising cattle as well—through animal care, they have come to understand where their food comes from.
“[They learn] the values of the cycle of life—just being raised in agriculture,” Terri says.
Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the agriculture industry, Terri noted that resilience is crucial. The lessons they have taken away from agriculture, underline the family’s approach to ranching, emphasizing perseverance and adaptability through the highs and the lows.
“Just do your best every day. You can do everything right and that doesn’t always mean it’s going to work—failure is an option, and it happens. I don’t think you learn without failures,” Terri says.
Future of Lazy M Bar Ranch
Looking ahead, Terri and Brad want to continuously improve their operation and contribute to the overall future of agriculture.
Lazy M Bar Ranch has partnered with Alberta Beef Producers and the University of Alberta with the research initiative called Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab.
“We have three living lab projects on the go with Alberta AgriSystems. It’s exciting—they're looking at the carbon sequestration cycles, adaptive multi-paddock grazing, and seeding for pasture rejuvenation,” Terri says.
Through sustainable farming practices, the Mappins are committed to building up the agriculture industry. As a first-generation calf-cow operation, their journey in agriculture is not just about raising livestock—it's about fostering a legacy that nourishes both their family and the broader community.
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