An Alberta group hopes to build a cow and bull slaughter plant in Pincher Creek, Alta.
The Southwest Business Development Centre, a federally funded organization based in Pincher Creek ,is starting a feasibility study on a plant to process cull cows and bulls and possibly custom kill bison and elk.
“There is such a demand for it, said centre director Ken Lewis. “There is no place to sell our cows.”
Almost no demand exists for cull animals since the American border closed to Canadian ruminants on May 20 due to a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
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The American government recently released rules under which it will allow in live animals younger than 30 months, but there are no provisions for older animals.
“We’re not going to be able to increase the price but we could be one more player to help the industry,” he said.
Culls have been selling for less than 20 cents a pound. In a normal market they are usually around 50 cents.
Financing is coming from private investors.
“We should know within two weeks where we stand,” Lewis said.
The plant would likely be built in an industrial section of Pincher Creek, which would provide water and sewage services.
Lewis said the plant could employ up to 100 people and have the capacity to process 250 head per day.
Some money is available through the provincial government in a newly announced loan program to support the development of the meat processing sector. The program provides up to $2 million to qualified applicants to help pay for land, buildings, equipment and market development. The loan comes with a fixed five percent interest rate for five years.
