Survive and Thrive – Cattlemen get ready to take over Osoyoos
The B.C Cattlemen's Association motto for this year's convention is Survive and Thrive.rnThe convention takes place this year in Osoyoos at the Sun Bowl Arena, from May 26 to 28.
The B.C. Cattlemen's Association (BCCA), based in Kamloops, has roughly 1,400 members throughout B.C.
The three-day event will include a trade fair, seminars, displays and a local art show and sale.
The B.C. cattle industry has been hit hard over the past couple of years due to the BSE scare, but things are improving, said BCCA Director Ed Fossen.
Since May 20, 2003 we've had problems with the BSE crisis. All our borders were immediately shut, said Fossen.
Slowly but surely we are opening more borders but our big obstacle is still transporting live cattle to the U.S.rnFossen went on to say that they are hoping the issue will be resolved later this year, but since then they have taken measures to keep the industry viable and to ensure the safety of the beef industry.
What is happening in Canada is that our slaughter capacity is increasing. Our strategy is in place so that even if live animals never cross the border, we will eventually resolve this.rnLast year saw nearly a 25 per cent increase in the slaughtering capacity, which Fossen says should continue in 2005.
That's very positive because there is a world demand for beef.rnThe firewall of all safeguards is that now the Specified Risk Material (SRM) is removed from the animal at slaughter. The SRM includes both the brain and vertebrae, Fossen explained.
Additionally, a feed ban was put in place in Canada in 1997, banning all ruminant to ruminant feeding.
An aggressive surveillance program is also in place to test increasing numbers of animals for BSE.
We will survive and we will get this behind us, but this has been a difficult time in the industry, Fossen admit-ted.
Fossen said the industry has had a tremendous amount of support from both the public and the province.
So far, Canada is still a minimal risk country for BSE and our testing is proving it, Fossen said.
Canadian consumption of beef is up. Right now, 92 per cent of the beef consumed in Canada is Canadian. That is a real positive turnaround.rnPreviously, Canada was exporting 50 per cent of its beef, and up to 87 per cent of it was to the U.S.
Canada is the third largest exporter of beef in the world. The world demand for beef has seen Canada shift its exports to Mexico and Asia.
The 77th Annual B.C. Cattlemen's Convention hopes to attract 500 ranchers to Osoyoos.
The public is welcome to come to the trade fair, Fossen added.
Pre-registration is required to attend any of the events. Contact Louise Fossen at (250) 446-2210 for details.
