Fisheries and Land Resources
August 8, 2017
Government Moving Forward with Second Beef Cattle Project
The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources is asking farmers with experience raising beef cattle to consider entering into five-year contract that will further diversity the province’s beef industry. Proposals to apply for a herd of five Hereford cattle are being accepted until August 23, 2017.
The call for proposals Beef Cattle Genetic Enhancement Demonstration Project can be viewed online at www.faa.gov.nl.ca/index.html.
An increase in beef prices has led to increased interest in the beef industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Provincial Government is committed to helping producers expand the level of breeding available so that there is less need for producers to acquire superior quality, purebred beef cattle from outside the province.
Bringing superior quality, purebred cattle to Newfoundland and Labrador will eventually allow producers to look within the local industry to acquire breeding stock and to produce quality beef without the additional high costs of transportation from outside the province.
In 2016, the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources partnered with a farming operation based in Daniel’s Harbour to raise five beef cattle. Initial assessments of the growth and health of this herd at Spruce Grove Farm have been positive to date.
Increasing food self-sufficiency is one initiative of more than 50 included in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is also a focus of the Cabinet Committee on Jobs which will increase jobs and growth through unprecedented partnerships with industry.
Quotes
“Investment in this research and development project demonstrates government is moving forward with its commitment to increase beef production in the province and create growth and diversity across the agriculture sector. This initiative is also consistent with government’s goal to increase our province’s food self-sufficiency as outlined in The Way Forward.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources
“This type of activity represents a significant building block in the establishment of a viable beef industry for the province and is an excellent illustration of this government’s commitment to involve industry in the red meat sector by engaging farmers in meaningful production activities at the primary level.”
Mervin Wiseman
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture
“This research project has resulted in significant growth and development in our operation. As opportunities to improve the genetics of provincial beef herds arise, this will be a game changer for the beef industry.”
Shawn Perry
Spruce Grove Farm
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Learn more
Provincial Agricultural Research and Development Program – www.faa.gov.nl.ca/agrifoods/research/index.html
Beef Cattle Genetic Enhancement Demonstration Project can be viewed online at www.faa.gov.nl.ca/index.html.
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and @FLR_GovNL
Media contacts
Connie Boland
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2923, 640-6409
connieboland@gov.nl.ca
Merv Wiseman
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture
709-689-5735
mervinwiseman@yahoo.ca
Shawn Perry
Spruce Grove Farm
709-898-2282
a_perry0307@hotmail.com
2017 08 08 11:20 a.m.