Market forces should determine whether more beef processing facilities are needed in Alberta.
Alberta Beef Producers delegates narrowly defeated a motion for a feasibility study on a producer or co-operative owned packing plant. Such plants could be dedicated to handling mature cows and bulls.
“While there is a need and interest, this is not the function of the Alberta Beef Producers,” said John Kolk of Picture Butte, Alta., at the group’s annual general meeting in Calgary.
He suggested interested groups could get western diversification funds to study this concept rather than seek direct support from the Alberta government, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association or beef producers.
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Jack de Boer of Monarch, Alta., said more plants are needed even after the borders open so Canadians can add value to the beef here.
Others suggested it is worth looking at what is needed through a private research company.
“Mature cattle may be in jail here in Canada longer than we think,” said Kee Jim of Okotoks, Alta.
He suggested ABP strike a committee to examine the situation in terms of pricing of mature animals and consultation with retailers to understand what the customers want. That could include developing a model for cow cutout for the graders so the meat is more useful to processors compared to offshore beef.
Some suggested the provincial government could create a business friendly approach to encourage a private entity to build another plant but others objected to any government involvement.
A group of business people at Pincher Creek in southwestern Alberta hopes to soon complete a feasibility study on a cow plant. If the plant goes ahead, it could be operating by next October, said Ken Lewis of Pincher Creek. The land is available but local approval and an environmental impact assessment are still required.
Sunterra Farms of Acme, Alta., has also made overtures for a plant in Red Deer however no firm plans are in place.
