Alberta Beef Producers want government action to stabilize the industry

Jun 4, 2020 | 5:08 PM

CALGARY, AB. — Alberta Beef producers are being asked to contact the government and let them know producers need to hear from provincial agriculture representatives now!

There’s concern among beef producers that the Alberta Government is not addressing major requests to stabilize the industry.

Kelly Smith-Fraser, Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) Chair, says co- calf producers are growing increasingly impatient with the lack of response from the government of Alberta, to the ABP request for funding support, to reduce premiums for the western livestock price insurance program calf and feeder coverage.

“We haven’t seen support for this proposal, even though the agriculture minister acknowledged in the legislature, that premiums are up 250 per cent from last year, and insurance is the best risk management tool for agricultural producers. The minisiter talks about changing the program, but producers need relief from the premium increase in cost from COVID-19.”

Smith-Fraser outlined one particular government move that would be helpful.

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“We are not satisfied by the Minister saying he will monitor prices into the fall and establish an additional program if necessary. We also have not seen support from the Alberta government for our request to join the growing federal and provincial initiative to remove the reference margin limit from Agri-stability. Removal of the reference margin limit would make Agri-stability much more responsive to the needs of the cow-calf producers and would encourage greater participation in the program.”

There are also issues on the fed cattle set-aside program.

“Despite the strong recommendation from industry organizations for a bid program to be implemented in July, the Alberta government has decided to make initial payments that could spend up to 30 per cent of the funding before implementing the bid program. We do not know how the government will establish eligibility for the initial payment and we are concerned that they will not be allocated fairly or effectively.”

For that reason, Smith-Fraser is urging producers to contact their MLA’S to express the need for government action and they need to hear from the government now.

by Dori Modney