Despite the cattle industry facing a number of challenges over the past year, the Feeder Associations of Alberta say most local feeder associations have weathered the storm.
 
“Make it Matter, Make it Happen” was this year's theme of the Feeder Associations of Alberta's 42nd Annual Convention.
 
Some of the challenges the organization has faced over the past year include reduced margins in feeding cattle and the timeliness and quality of information was not where it needed to be on various programs.
 
Provincial Supervisor of the Feeder Assocations Dace Cochlan says the good news is market prices have increased “they have strengthened significantly to the point that I’m hearing that some people that we’re backgrounding are going to be selling their calves for a pretty significant profit instead of taking them through the spring. The feedlot guys that I’ve talked to said it’s quite profitable now, overall the outlook from this time last year there’s a lot more smiling faces”.
 
Cochlan adds going into 2017 the Associations will focus on training for local staff to make sure everyone knows all policy, procedures and legislative requirements in order to do their job properly.