Natural disasters help create feed shortage for B.C. ranchers | Globalnews.ca

Between the heat dome, fires, and floods, it’s been a difficult year for many B.C. ranchers.

Those natural disasters continue to have an impact on the amount of feed available for Interior cattle.

For one North Okanagan ranch, Schweb Family Cattle, the summer of natural disasters created a host of challenges.

First, the ranch struggled to produce feed in the extreme heat.

“We found it extremely difficult because of the heat dome we normally would put up about 1800 round bails here…This year we were quite short,” said rancher owner Trudi Schweb.

Then their cattle, on a range near Logan Lake, had to be evacuated to escape the Tremont Creek Wildfire.

“They were happy, they were safe but it certainly wasn’t the same as when they are out on grass and the calves are eating grass 24/7,” said Schweb.

“[Returning from the range early] definitely affected their weights…when we sold them this fall. Every pound counts for us so it was a pretty trying time, pretty scary.”

All told, it meant a major cost increase as the ranch had to buy a lot more feed than usual. They’ve had government emergency support to pull through.

“The AgriRecovery [program] was a lifesaver for us financially,” said Schweb.

The Schweb ranch is not alone in dealing with a shortage of feed.

The B.C. Cattlemen’s Association says it’s a widespread concern not just because of drought and wildfire but also this fall’s floods and supply chain issues.

“I think we are going to get through. It will depend an awful lot on how cold it gets for the remainder of the year and how long it lasts. If we get a long winter where they have to feed further out into the year it is going to really tax those supplies that we do have available,” said Kevin Boon the association’s general manager.

The industry group says government support only goes so far.

“You can have all the dollars in the world if the feed is not there, the dollars are not going to do you any good,” Boon said.

The B.C. Cattlemen’s Association said some ranchers are having to sell off parts of their base heard.

“This is the one thing we really don’t want and they don’t want to do. They’ve got a lot of time and effort into the genetics,” Boon said.

“This is a lifetime job to build a herd that works for your ranch.”

Back at the Schweb ranch they are closely watching their feed levels and hoping for a better summer ahead.

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