B.C. ranchers who saw their fields scorched by summer wildfires could soon be seeing some relief to help get them through the cold winter months. The Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) and B.C. Cattlemen’s Association (BCCA) have partnered up to help impacted livestock producers facing feed shortages access supports. The effort will help connect B.C. ranchers who need supplies to feed their herds with Alberta farmers who have feed and pastureland available to support them. “This has been an incredibly difficult year for many producers, and the impact of wildfires and drought are being felt differently from one operation to the next,” said BCCA general manager Kevin Boon in a news release. “While this program can’t replace what’s been lost, it can help producers explore options they may not have otherwise known about, whether that’s feed, pasture or a place to relocate cattle.” The summer’s wildfires in the Okanagan and other areas of central B.C. put hundreds of registered farms at risk. Many of these properties housed cattle, horses and other livestock, many of which were moved to safer areas away from the encroaching flames. The partner program, coordinated through the BCCA’s Access to Feed program, identifies matches between producers seeking resources and those with the ability to help. Officials are now asking Alberta producers to review their own operations and consider helping out. This help can come in one of three ways: providing available feed that could be transported to B.C., providing pasture for cattle that could be relocated to Alberta and providing feedlot or drylot capacity for animals that will need to overwinter in Alberta. Once connections are made, it’s left up to individual producers to work out the details. “This is really about neighbours helping neighbours and producers helping producers,” said Brad Dibeau, ABP general manager. “B.C. cattle industry leaders moved quickly to find practical solutions for producers affected by wildfire and drought, and we are pleased to support them in this initiative.” Any producer wishing to provide help, as well as B.C. producers needing assistance, can contact the Access to Feed program coordinator Greg Tegart by phone or text at 250-306-6277 or by email at hay@cattlemen.bc.ca.
