Canada looks to improve ROI for Nova Scotia beef producers
The funding was recently announced by MP Scott Armstrong on behalf of Canadian agriculture minister Gerry Ritz.
The association will contribute CA$130,000 towards the Safe Handling of Cattle Program, with the additional investment being awarded under the Canada-Nova Scotia Growing Forward 2 Agreement.
There are around 450 registered cattle producers in the region, with another 250 unregistered. The investment program will provide them with up to 40% of the total cost – up to a maximum of CA$1,000 per application – of buying equipment to help maximise the safety of both cattle and handlers during transportation and during health procedures where the animal needs to be kept still.
Keith Colwell, minister of agriculture for Nova Scotia, said: "I challenged the industry to come forward with a program that would help meet their needs. I’m pleased to see what they came forward with."
Larry Weatherby, chair of the Nova Scotia Cattle Producers, added: "Adequate cattle handing equipment reduces stress on animals, as well as reducing the risk of producers being injured by an excited animal.
"Animals that are preconditioned properly with vaccinations, dehorning and castration have a market premium of about 4.5 to 6.5 cents per pound. This means that these animals are worth about CA$30 to CA$40 more at market weight, not to mention perform better in the feedlot."
In related news, the Centre d’Expertise en Production Ovine du Québec (CEPOQ) is to benefit from an investment of CA$306,500 to improve the health of sheep flocks.
