Cattle ranchers ask for federal assistance

As with many industries across the country, COVID-19 has caused issues for Canadian cattle ranchers.

Operating difficulties at some major processing plants has made it harder to get their beef out on store shelves.

Fawn Jackson, the director of government and international relations with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, believes the federal government should be giving some aid to ranchers.

For one, she recommends a subsidy to help pay for price insurance on cattle.

She said the premium would normally cost between $10 and $15 per cow.

“Right now, with all of the volatility in the market, it’s costing upwards of $70 an animal for that same insurance,” she explained.

Another measure she supports is a plan from the government that would allow producers to keep their cows longer by feeding them a different diet.

“That would help match up the processing capacity with the number of animals that are going to market.”

Despite the challenges in her industry, Jackson isn’t worried about a beef shortage anytime soon.

“This could in the long term, if it went on for quite some time, cause supply shortages, but at this point that’s not our biggest concern.”

She’s also optimistic about ranchers’ ability to work through the situation.

“Beef demand is strong, so if we’re able to manage through the difficult times, we know the beef industry’s actually going to be able to grow post-COVID.”