Cattle producers struggling with high cost of feed
While moisture levels are improving in the north-west region, cattle producers are concerned about high feed-prices this year to meet the needs of their livestock.
Arnold Balicki, chair of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA), runs a 250 cow-calf pair operation with his family just north of Shellbrook, northeast of North Battleford.
He said most beef producers in this area have their cattle out on grass now, so they don’t have to buy hay or grain. But it’s going to be a problem in the fall, with grain prices as high as they are.
“It’s difficult to make a profit in this business when you have to pay $8 or $9 for a bushel of grain to help these cattle through the cold winters,” Balicki said. “And, you do have to give cattle grain in this part of the world, because they need the energy to keep warm. So that’s a huge concern.”