State of Livestock Industry Worse Than Mad Cow Days, Some Say
CANADA - The livestock industry is facing tougher times now than it did during the mad cow crisis, industry insiders say.
23 November 2007
1 minute read
They said the rising loonie and high feed costs are taking a toll on the earnings of livestock farmers, who export much of what they produce to the U.S.
"We're trying to choke down the cocktail of the high loonie, rising feed costs [and] regulatory changes on both sides of the border," said David Stuart, president of the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association.
Cattle farmer Marilyn Braithwaite said the industry is facing darker days than it did in 2003 when bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) hit and the U.S. closed its border to Canadian cattle.
"The calf price was still decent [then]. Now we've gone below that," she said.
Dennis Fugelrude, president of the Saskatchewan Stockgrowers Association, said safety nets like the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization, Ottawa's main farm aid program, need to be more flexible and transparent to get money out faster.
Source: CBC News
