Young Investors Driving Confidence

Written by Glenda Lee Allan on Friday, 28 December 2012

The president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association says producers are optimistic heading into 2013 and, one sign of that optimism, is increased investment from younger producers.

"I see some young guys going out and buying cows and heifers and I think there's an opportunity to get into this industry right now, and have a number of very beneficial years economically ahead of us," says Martin Unrau.

"For a number of years everybody was trying to get out of the industry because it was kind of a negative thing and now, the last two or three years, we see a little bit more interest and, this fall, I see more interest than ever," he added.

"I watched some of the bred cow sales and some of the prices on them.  In Alberta and Saskatchewan, the prices are high.  In Manitoba, not quite as high but the calf prices are still good."

Unrau added that weather conditions in the United States will have a major impact on profitability as the 2012 drought drove feed prices higher.

He notes that the CCA is also anticipating an end to its fight over U.S. Country of Origin Labelling laws.  The World Trade Organization has ruled in Canada's favour, and has given the Americans until May 2013 to bring the legislation, which was found to discriminate against Canadian livestock, into compliance.