Cattle grazing near Elm Creek on Monday, November 8th.

 

 

Shrinking cattle numbers around the world have Manitoba cattle producers feeling more optimistic than they have since BSE hit the industry seven years ago.

"I'm certainly sensing more optimism as I travel across the country," says Travis Toews, president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. "It's more than I've seen for years."

"I think everybody has the feeling the industry is moving forward and that we're going to continue to see prices increase," says Jay Fox, president of the Manitoba Beef Producers. He expects lenders will soon begin recognizing the value of cattle again, meaning producers will be able to use cattle as equity when applying for loans.

"The only sad thing, the reality is the number of producers on the landscape will be reduced," he says, as producers choose to sell off their herds at profitable prices.

High feed prices and the high value of the Canadian dollar are two of the challenges still facing the industry.


Listen to some of what cattle producers were saying at the 2010 MB Beef Producers AGM and MB Livestock Expo in Brandon over the weekend:

 

 

~ Tuesday, November 9, 2010 ~