Here’s the beef
Provincial government seeking proposals for second beef cattle project
Following on the success of the initial beef cattle genetic enhancement demonstration project, the provincial government is proceeding with a second round.
The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources is seeking proposals from existing commercial farmers or new farmers with experience raising beef cattle to apply for a small herd of five breeding Hereford cattle for research and development purposes.
The aim of the project, which comes with a five-year contract, is to help producers expand the genetic diversity on the island to limit the number of purebred cattle from outside the province being used.
“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,” Merv Wiseman, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture, stated in a news release.
The first such project took place in 2016, when the government partnered with Spruce Grove Dairy Farm in Daniel’s Harbour. Initial assessment of the growth and health of the first five beef cattle has been positive in that project.
“This research project has resulted in significant growth and development in our operation,” Spruce Grove spokesperson Shawn Perry stated in the release. “As opportunities to improve the genetics of provincial beef herds arise, this will be a game changer for the beef industry.”
Proposals will be accepted until Aug. 23.