Turn the page

It’s time to throw out the calendar, turn the page, and move on. COVID-19 continued (and continues) its oppression, but it was extreme weather that dominated 2021, leaving us with indelible heart-wrenching accounts and sobering snapshots of drought-stricken fields in Western Canada and many British Columbia farms submerged in floodwaters.

Those losses were hard to stomach. But they sparked positive, remedial actions. Those accomplishments and the progress made in the beef and sheep industries helped us get through 2021.

A total of 275 farmers from across the country signed up for the Hay West program. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture told Atlantic Beef & Sheep that some shipments were still pending in mid-November, but approximately 5.5 million pounds of hay (about 5,500 bales) had been moved.

New Brunswick Cattle Producers president Trevor Welch explains that interest in the Cows East concept to ship and board western cattle on Maritime farms dissipated once rain began to fall in the Prairies (page 44). But “We have enhanced our effective working relationships with the western cattle producer associations as a result of this effort, which will be valuable into the future.”

Les Halliday talks about labour shortages and explains why cattle seem to be eating more silage this fall even though the fibre content is similar to that of last year’s harvest (page 47).

Bruce Andrews also discusses labour issues (page 18), and his outlook is optimistic: “The fact that the fall beef price has held on for the summer and fall bodes well for it to get stronger after Christmas.”

Production is another focal point of this issue of ABS. Duncan Fraser talks about the benefits of rotational grazing and fetal protection vaccines that will soon be mandatory at specialized auction sales in Quebec (page 33).

The Nova Scotia Cattle Producers is undertaking an On-Farm Cattle Preconditioning Pilot Project, and it plans to complete a climate change adaptation strategy specific for the province early next year (page 43).

A Strategic Plan for the Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia to leverage the industry’s strengths and build value creating opportunities has been developed (page 42). Details on that and coverage of the first annual Sheep Industry Conference will be featured in our spring issue.

On page 23, Dan Woolley reports from the Maritime Beef Conference on Adam MacLean’s talk about his unique grazing system and his advice to new graziers to “stay flexible.”

Pam MacKenzie introduces us to Veronica Verweij and John Doig, of Dover Farm in Tatamagouche South, N.S., who say they “do better producing quality fleeces and replacement lambs from 80 ewes, than we did with 500 sheep in the commercial market.” (See page 28.)

Emily Leeson provides a tour of J&J McAffee Charolais in Knoxford, N.B., where Jack, his son Jeff, and his grandson Jacob continue to make a name for themselves and the breed that intrigued Jack nearly 50 years ago (page 24).

And ABS also has coverage of shows and sales, as well as one of the Sheep Lady’s more hilarious and bruising adventures (page 49).

But perhaps the most important advice you’ll find in this issue comes from Cynthia Beck (Ribs, page 8). She advises farmers to look after their mental health, to “focus on facts and probable solutions rather than worst-case scenarios … to eat properly, get enough sleep, and drink enough water. And, to ask for help.”

All of us at ABS wish you laughter and peace of mind in the new year. And good growing weather, good markets, fair prices....