Generally a good year for livestock production in the South Peace. Favourable winter and spring conditions and excellent haymaking weather prevailed. Some producers may be short on forage supplies due to inadequate moisture.
Sheep and hog markets good but beef market still poor.
BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION
SUMMARY STATEMENT
A mild winter and early spring brought cattle on to pasture in excellent shape. Some tame pastures and hay crops suffered from inadequate moisture. The cattle population is basically stable in the South Peace at approximately 14,900 head over 1 year of age.
DETAILS (see production and sales statistics below)
Although beef prices remained very low throughout 1975 the beef cattle population remained stable. The lower cost of purchasing a breeding herd has allowed some producers to establish and even expand their production. This, of course, is desirable in the Peace where adverse weather often prevents successful grain and oilseed production.
The Beef Income Assurance program has kept many producers in beef production that otherwise would have been forced to sell out. This is evident by observing the number of complete dispersal sales that are taking place among Alberta Peace producers. Figures taken from the inventory forms indicate that producers on the program had 33% more breeding females in their herds in 1975 than in 1974 (9050 to 6800).
The Peace River Livestock Incentive Program provided for the retention of 803 head of breeding stock and for the purchase of 1,062 head by 52 South Peace farmers. It was unfortunate that this program could not have been extended at least to the end of 1975.
Adequate feed supplies and an exceptionally favourable winter (particularly December and January) allowed most beef cattle to come through in excellent shape. The calf crop appeared normal with the usual problems of scours and white muscle disease.
Good native pasture conditions throughout the grazing season took some pressure from the poorer tame pasture. Cattle limited to grazing what normally would have been more than adequate tame pasture acreage came off in poor condition. This was particularly true with calves and young replacements.
The hay crop was taken off in generally excellent condition but yields were reduced by as much as 50% in many cases. This was due primarily to inadequate precipitation. The low hay yields increased the demand for straw this fall as beef producers who don’t normally raise very much grain went looking for a considerable quantity of straw.
Considering the excellent quality of hay this year and the abundance of straw put up, feed supplies appear adequate. This may not be the case if a severe and extended feeding period is realized.
| BEEF CATTLE | ||||
| Beef Cattle on Farm |
14,900 |
14,900 |
14,200 |
13,500 |
| Beef Cattle Sold |
9,500 |
7,000 |
8,300 |
8,000 |
| Dollar Value Sold |
$1,187,500 |
$375,000 |
$1,867,500 |
$1,600,000 |
| DAIRY CATTLE | ||||
| Mature Milking Cows |
600 |
600 |
580 |
560 |
| Fluid Production (lbs.) |
5,967,598 |
6,862,466 |
6,478,828 |
5,767,088 |
| Dollar Value Sold |
$686,300 |
713,700 |
502,100 |
331,600 |
| HOGS | ||||
| Hogs on Farm |
6,500 |
6,500 |
8,300 |
8,300 |
| Hogs Sold |
12,000 |
14,500 |
12,300 |
12,300 |
| Dollar Value Sold |
$1,200,000 |
870,000 |
738,000 |
492,000 |
| SHEEP | ||||
| Sheep on Farm |
4,000 |
4,000 |
4,000 |
3,500 |
| Sheep Sold |
2,500 |
2,300 |
2,300 |
2,000 |
| Dollar Value Sold |
97,500 |
78,200 |
69,000 |
50,000 |
| HORSES | ||||
| Horses on Farm |
2,600 |
2,500 |
2,300 |
2,000 |
| TOTAL VALUE SOLD |
$3,171,300 |
$2,536,900 |
$3,176,600 |
$2,473,600 |
| CATTLE | ||
|
14,200 |
13,500 |
|
| – sold |
8,300 |
8,000 |
| HOGS | ||
|
8,300 |
8,300 |
|
| – sold |
12,300 |
12,300 |
| SHEEP | ||
|
4,000 |
3,500 |
|
| – sold |
2,300 |
2,000 |
| HORSES | ||
|
2,300 |
2,100 |