Why the Cattle Industry is Important to Manitoba

by Fred Sharpe

Beef producers in Manitoba are proud to help feed the world. We have the land area, the water, and the expertise to produce healthy and healthful product that we are happy to provide to our residents and for export beyond our borders.

Much of our land is rolling hills and we live in the “pothole” country so we have many acres that are unfit for grain production, yet still can produce forage suitable for cattle. Areas of marginal land of sandy soil or steep slopes may be subject to water and wind erosion and may be well protected by seeding down a hay and forage stand. Cattle producers are using rotational grazing and off-site watering methods to further protect the soil, and we find these strategies benefit the cattle, soil and water quality and wildlife. Another scenario that our operation is exploring is the concept of paying to use our surrounding neighbor’s grain land for after harvest residue grazing. This will provide for longer grazing season for our cows, give our pastures a chance to rest before winter and another source of income for the grain farmer.

Economically, the beef industry generates income for many producers and has long been one area of diversification that fits into a mixed faming operation. The spin offs of the beef industry provides jobs and business opportunities for auction marts, the trucking industry, feed mills, manure spreaders and grass seed production across the province.

The B.S.E. crisis in 2003 was a severe blow to the industry and it will take many more years before the industry can totally recover. The spin offs from this calamity have been felt province wide, ranging from stores closing in our small towns, slow down n machinery sales, herd dispersals at a great loss, and producers leaving the industry. Now we are using R.F.I.D. tags in every animal being sold or moved. While this is an added expense right now, producers will comply in the hope that in the future this traceability – “from birth to plate” – will assure the world and our customers that we do produce a safe and wholesome product.

We beef producers have a great way of life. We live close to nature and we care for nature every day. We experience the cycle of life every year as the new calves arrive, and our children learn about life and death in a clean wholesome way. We are proud of what we produce and perhaps best of all---home grown beef sure tastes good on our plates!!