ABCs Summer 2017

    There’s math, civics, science, and other subjects on the curriculum in this issue of Atlantic Beef & Sheep.
    You’ll find a lot of figures including the additional 20,000 head the Maritime Beef Sector Development and Expansion Strategy (page 16) plans for the region by 2027.
    The strategy addresses a number of key issues the beef industry will face over the next decade, including: price insurance, cost of production control, value added market access, and business continuance planning between farm generations.
    “Don’t count your hours,” long-time sheep producer Bryce Anderson of Sussex, New Brunswick, (page 46) advises prospective farmers. “If you’re going to go into sheep farming, or any kind of farming, you’ve got to be prepared for the long hours and, I guess, the heartbreak that comes along with it.”
    The numbers were down at the Nappan breeding stock sale (page 28). The average price for 58 bulls at the 2016 sale was $4,569.83. The average price for bulls at this year’s sale dropped to $3,335.71. 
    Sean Firth analyzes (page 30) both the test station sale and the Balamore Farms 5th Annual Thickness Sells bull and heifer sale (page 42) that posted a $6,986 average on 18 bulls.
    And three is a lucky number for Colby MacQuarrie of Winsloe who had three champions at the P.E.I. Easter Beef Show (page 41) including the overall grand champion.
    For those interested in civics, demands from a group of northwestern New Brunswick cattle producers instigated a series of meetings (page 47) about the state of the industry. The group, which called for the resignation of the N.B. Cattle Producers chair and employees, also wants direct payments from the province for the productive females in their herds. 
    And you might want to learn more about the N.B. farmers who want changes made to the Livestock Operations Act (page 10).
    In the scientific field, the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) launched an Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Program project in Fredericton, New Brunswick, (page 39) that will demonstrate to farmers the carbon sequestration (sink) potential of their farmlands. The first phase, CFGA executive director Cedric MacLeod of Fredericton said, is to develop an approved greenhouse gas quantification protocol for the forage sector. 
    Forages were on the agenda at the Maritime Beef Conference. The University of Wisconsin’s Dr. Dan Undersander underlined the importance of forage quality (page 23) and had some recommendations on high quality forage production and preparation for feedlot operators (page 22). Dr. Dan Schaefer told cattlemen (page 17) there was money to be made finishing Holstein steers. 
    There’s a lot of history in this issue of ABS. The Canadian Simmental Association is celebrating its 50th anniversary and Trevor MacDonald put together (page 36) the Maritime history of the breed.
    Carleton County Spring Show & Sale officials had to search through the archives (page 45) in April. Ben Alward’s victory was the first time in 32 years that a purebred Hereford had been grand champion at the event.
    And there’s a lot of history at the 165-year-old Briggs and Little Woolen Mill near Harvey, New Brunswick, (page 26). Demand remains steady at the mill that has survived through two World Wars and four fires.
    Along with columns from specialists and industry representatives, ABS also covers the art of presenting (page 19) prize-winning P.E.I. burger campaigns.
    

Now about homework... 

Sorry, wrong number
    There was a mistake in Rib Ends in the Spring issue of Atlantic Beef & Sheep. 
    In the Expansion story, ABS said Geoff Young of Roaches Line, Newfoundland and Labrador, hoped to develop a 123-acre beef-hay operation. That number, based on information published in our source, was incorrect. He hoped to expand his N.L. Cattle Company Ltd. by 305 acres. 
    Young told ABS he is the first purebred Simmental breeder in the province and is registered with the Canadian Simmental Association.