Proposals Requested for Participation in Third Beef Cattle Project

  • Fisheries and Land Resources

October 15, 2018

Provincial farmers with experience raising beef cattle are asked to consider entering into a five-year contract that will help advance Newfoundland and Labrador’s beef industry. Proposals to apply for a herd of five Hereford cattle under the Beef Cattle Genetic Enhancement Demonstration Project are being accepted until October 24, 2018. The call for proposals can be found at http://www.faa.gov.nl.ca/pdf/BCGEP_call_for_prosposal_guidelines_2018.pdf.

Most beef consumed in Newfoundland and Labrador comes from other Canadian provinces with approximately 13 million kilograms imported in 2017. In comparison, Newfoundland and Labrador beef producers reported sales of approximately 90,000 kilograms, meaning that provincial production accounts for less than one per cent of consumption.

To address this shortfall, the Provincial Government is committed to helping producers expand the availability of superior beef genetics locally so there is less need for producers to acquire more costly purebred beef cattle from outside the province. This will set the groundwork for expansion of the provincial beef herd with high-quality animals.

In 2016 and 2017 the department partnered with two farming operations, one based in Daniel’s Harbour and one in Cormack respectively, to raise pure bred beef cattle. Initial productivity assessments of the two herds have been very positive. The Daniel’s Harbour herd has increased to eight registered cows that will calf this winter. The Cormack herd will produce five more calves this year and the producer has sold a registered bull calf to an east coast farmer for breeding purposes.

The Beef Cattle Genetic Enhancement Demonstration Project supports the Way Forward commitment to doubling food self-sufficiency to generate an additional 500 person years of employment throughout the province, effectively doubling the number of people employed in this sector. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

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“Farmers participating in this program have already seen encouraging results, and are making a significant difference in our effort to provide local, genetically superior beef stock. I encourage other experienced farmers to consider participating in this program and supporting our goal to expand Newfoundland and Labrador’s beef industry.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

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Learn More

Beef Cattle Genetic Enhancement Demonstration Project

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Media contact
Connie Boland
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2923, 640-6409
connieboland@gov.nl.ca

2018 10 15 3:50 pm