South Peace Historical Society

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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

  •  

08-055: Livestock Records, 1975

I. SUMMARY STATEMENT

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.

B.C. SOUTH PEACE DISTRICT
ESTIMATED LIVESTOCK NUMBERS AND PRODUCTION VALUE

1975
1974
1973
1972
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

 

LIVESTOCK POPULATION
 

1973
1972
CATTLE
– on farm

14,200

13,500

– sold

8,300

8,000

HOGS
– on farm

8,300

8,300

– sold

12,300

12,300

SHEEP
– on farm

4,000

3,500

– sold

2,300

2,000

HORSES
– on farm

2,300

2,100

 

« 08-054: Beef Cattle Production, 1970

08-056: The Famous Thirty-Six-Horse Team »

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