Alberta cattle producers can expect to face a number of challenges and welcome several new opportunities this coming year, according to Charlie Christie.
The second-term president of the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP), Christie says he is generally optimistic about the next 12 months.
The ABP represents 18,000 cattle producers in Alberta, advocating for its members with consumers, governments and other stakeholders.
As for opportunities, a couple of recently signed trade deals could end up benefiting Alberta cattle producers this year, he said.
The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) is one such agreement.
“CETA is actually starting to bear fruit, but they are having trouble getting enough qualified beef for it,” said Christie. “As people start to learn what it takes to have their animals qualify for that market, then we will start filling it more and more.
“It’s a two-way trade deal and the amount of beef going there (Europe) has jumped substantially. It’s still not a big amount but it’s ramping up. The reason it isn’t a big amount yet is because there’s not enough that qualifies.
“Once people find what it takes to have their animals qualify for that market, you will see more and more go.”
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is another agreement that could end up benefiting producers here this year, he said.
“Japan has opened up and our tariffs will drop substantially there I think,” he said. “That one is an opportunity because we are there ahead of the United States because they are not part of that trade deal. We are getting a high value for our product off shore. It makes a big difference.”
Feed costs could be one area of concern for producers in 2019, he said.
“We are going to be watching costs this spring,” he said. “We’ve got some moisture but not nearly enough. The pastures aren’t going to come on very fast and most of them have been challenged and worked over really hard this last fall, so there will be a delayed turnout and we are going to have to feed them (cattle) longer.”
A good deal of moisture in the spring would certainly be welcome, he said.
“We are hoping and praying that happens,” he said. “I’ve heard some stories about really high feed costs.”
Another challenge facing producers could be dealing with recent changes to the system used in Alberta for the distribution of antibiotics for livestock, called antimicrobials, he said.
“This antimicrobial thing is still a challenge,” he said. “Producers are having to get used to going to a vet clinic only to get their antimicrobials. They have to have a vet-client relationship set up prior to getting their antimicrobials.
“It's something we are going to have to see how it shakes out. We are watching closely to see if there are still some changes that can be made.
“We’ve had to have a prescription for a couple years, but now they have to go to a clinic that is 51 per cent (or more) owned by a veterinarian and the veterinarian has to sign off on everything.”
One of the main concerns with the new antibiotic system is related expenses for the producer, he said.
“Once a year at least you have to have a vet visit your farm and that creates extra expense,” he said. “Our coverage for vets in our province isn’t ideal. In some areas we are great, with a vet close by in town so there’s no problem to have him come out to the farm to have a look at things. But some vets are 60 or 70 miles away from the producer’s farm, so that adds costs.”
The ABP is currently seeking solutions to those concerns, he said.
“It’s something we are working on all the time,” he said. “We are dealing with the province and the vet association. We’ve had discussions with both.
“We’ve sent a letter to the provincial agriculture minister saying that we’ve warned you that this could be a challenge and if it gets really bad we will be looking to you to find solutions.”
For more on the changes to livestock antibiotic rules now in effect in Alberta and across Canada, see the Alberta Beef Producers website.
