Alberta beef producers face perfect storm of challenges, sometimes leading to calves' deaths

Lingering abundent snow, lack of chinooks and freeze-thaw cycles are causing multiple challenges for Alberta beef producers, in some cases leading to the death of calves.

"When a calf is born, mom takes off somewhere, you can't get to her without a tractor because the snow is so deep and even then the tractor has trouble," Ken Pigeon told CBC News on Friday.

Pigeon is the ranch manager at OH Ranch Calgary Stampede near Longview, Alta., about 75 kilometres southwest of Calgary.

"It's been a little more challenging with this snow," he said.

"Can't get around the pastures as easy and more feed of course, so the inputs are getting higher and you have to be on top of the cows quicker and sooner or else they can freeze to death," he said.

Pigeon says no grass equals no grazing which leads to a lot more feed, which is pricey.

"We plow feed trails so the cattle have a place to go. When the snow is that deep, it's difficult for everything."

Annemarie Pedersen with Alberta Farm Animal Care — an industry group of producers helping connect other producers with resources — says this year has been exceptionally challenging.

"The weather has really created some unique situations this spring," she said.

"For people who are used to calving in the spring, it is not usually this cold or we don't usually have this much snow on the ground."

Long, exhausting job

Pedersen says calving season is pushing people to their limits.

"They are really having to go a long way to keep these calves safe and they are certainly doing it, but it's a long job and it's exhausting," she said.

"It isn't a quick job. It's definitely dedication and that's what we are seeing happening right now."

Pigeon says right now the snow is layered after a series of freeze-thaw cycles, but it's not the only problem.

"It's the cold winds that are really the problem. It's getting around to check your cows. To get around and check them all."

The veteran rancher says it will eventually get better.

"It's 10 weeks of 24/7 and all hours. There is no rest for the wicked," Pigeon said with a smile.

"The grass will come and the cows will do well."

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