A new leader is heading Alberta Beef Producers.
Chuck MacLean of Bow Island is the new chair of the organization and will be working with vice-president Doug Sawyer of Pine Lake and finance chair Dave Solverson of Camrose.
MacLean came to the organization as a member of the feeder council that advises ABP on the needs of the feedlot industry. He was chair of the council and sits on the executive of the Canada Beef Export Federation as promotions chair.
His family runs two businesses: one son manages a feedlot at Bow Island, Alta., and the other works at their livestock dealer and export business in Medicine Hat, Alta.
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This is a transition year where the formerly rich organization is operating on one third of the money it once had.
“Just because we are short of money doesn’t mean we aren’t positive about what we are going to do,” he said.
It is also a time of divisiveness among the various sectors from the rancher to the processor to the provincial government.
The provincial government decided to form the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency and make the mandatory checkoff refundable without public consultation. There is also continued frustration with low prices and restricted market access to Asian markets. These issues have pitted one sector against another. Some groups, including the Western Stock Growers Association and Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, have complained ABP does not represent all sectors’ interests and have lobbied the province to have its powers reduced.
MacLean believes all sectors must be healthy for the beef industry to survive. He said he wants to get down to the business of selling more beef, and he is ready to meet other organizations and government half way.
“For the last two or three months there has been feelers out from both sides. Everybody needs to step back and take a breath,” he said.
“I’ve been told by people who know me that I’m a pretty tough negotiator and I stand my ground but that doesn’t mean I’m not happy with you.”
