With so much depressing news with mad cow disease, John Ryan felt it was important to share a little good news.
For the past two years Ryan has sold premium young beef at a premium price. The animals are raised high on the mountains in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and aren’t weaned from their mothers until they’re slaughtered at seven months.
The Bragg Creek rancher has discovered a niche that commanded a high price.
With beef selling for less than a $1 a pound in grocery stores this summer Ryan didn’t feel he could ask the $5.45 a pound he charged his customers a year ago for his animals.
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“This year was looking pretty dark. I was almost in tears,” said Ryan thinking about how he was going to pay his bills with less money for the calves.
Last year Ryan sold 10 animals to Jay McKeen, owner of Northland GMC Pontiac in Calgary, who turned around and donated the meat to the Calgary Food Bank. When Ryan approached McKeen again this year, McKeen volunteered to pay last year’s price despite the almost rock bottom price for cattle today.
“I’m not interested in taking advantage of the guy. I said let’s help a guy in trouble and let’s do something good,” said McKeen who took another 10 animals this year and in turn will donate the meat to the Calgary Food Bank.
