High beef prices a bright spot for Alberta producers coping with prolonged drought

High prices on beef at the grocery store may be a pain for consumers, but it's providing some relief for Alberta's cattle farmers when they badly need it. 

Drought, wildfires, flooding. It's already been a tough year for Alberta's cattle farmers.  

Multiple counties in Alberta have declared agricultural disasters due to droughts, wildfires, and floods. 

Brodie Haugan, chair of Alberta Beef Producers, says in the southeastern part of the province where he's located, they're used to dry conditions. 

But severe weather year after year, has now had an impact on operations. It has meant less grain production, and less feed for cattle. 

"Those areas are seeing their fourth year of severe drought," he said. 

"People were forced to downsize their herds at really low prices. It was very, very difficult."

Alberta's minister of agriculture, RJ Sigurdson, says the province is exploring options to provide relief. 

"We continue to work to build out AFSC programs, risk management programs to be able to provide to farmers," he said.

He noted there's at least one positive sign for the sector — from the market. 

"The average fed steer is up 28 per cent and we're definitely seeing high beef prices," he said.

That's helping farmers avoid having to sell off cows — a drastic measure that can have an impact years down the line. 

"Now with higher prices, it's at least giving people viable solutions and options," Sigurdson said. 

Recovery in the sector was a big topic at the Alberta Beef Industry Stampede Summit this week.

"One of the options we explored was last week to send a letter to the federal government requesting an [agriculture] recovery assessment," he said.

"We wanted to make sure that, of course, we explore every option to be able to provide the most relief possible to our producers here in the province."