Alberta’s outstanding young farmer couple remains optimistic despite being heavily involved with cattle in a year when BSE has damaged the beef industry.
“We have a large land base and you need cattle to work with that,” said Karilynn Marshall of Bowden, Alta.
She said she and her husband Ian still plan to buy calves this fall for their 9,500-head feedlot. They also have 300 cow-calf pairs of their own.
“In the end it will be a stronger industry with a tougher group of people,” she said.
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The Marshalls also seed 3,500 acres of feed grain, have another 3,000 acres for pasture and recently bought a three-section ranch near Edson, Alta.
Karilynn said the couple’s three teenaged children are an active part of the feedlot and farm. They are also 4-H members and two are in high school rodeo events.
The Marshalls will carry the province’s banner in the contest for Canada’s outstanding young farmer that will be held in mid-November in Winnipeg. Karilynn said they are honoured by the title, which was announced July 17.
Winnipeg will be a family event, she added.
“We don’t take many holidays so this will be one.”
