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Ranchers Continue to Cull Herds as Feed Runs Out


Dwindling feed supplies, high prices for hay and the prospect of another dry spring continue to push many of Alberta’s cattle producers out of the business.

Ken Aussenheimer, the assistant manager at Triple J Livestock in Westlock, said his company continues to handle sales of ranchers’ herds. He saw six ranchers get out of the business two weeks ago and more were expected to do the same last week.

"There’s no feed and (the price) is just too high for them to buy and make it work," he said. "The other thing is that with moisture levels being so low...we don’t know what our grass will be like during the spring."

A report from the federal government and provincial agricultural ministries on what help can be offered is due this week. Statistics Canada is also expected to release the numbers for Canada’s herd sizes shortly.

A policy analyst with Alberta Beef Producers, Fred Hays, said that while hard numbers are not in yet, he’s heard of an increase in the number of cattle going to market compared to last year.

"I’m getting reports here that feed is very much of a struggle, particularly up in (the Barrhead) area," he said.

The news is concerning in an area local leaders say relies heavily on agriculture. Aussenheimer is seeing more cattle producers make the decision that the business is not worth staying in after hanging in as long as they could.

"Farmers have been selling calves for about $500 to $600 hundred dollars on average," he noted. "That hardly pays the bills on feeding the cow, let alone any returns to live off of and buy tractors...There’s really no profit in it."

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