The wait is over. An event that a lot of people have circled on their calendars is underway as the 6th annual B.C. Beef Day, and all the tasty food and festivities that go with it, is in full swing behind Victoria’s Parliament Buildings today.

The event is an annual celebration of the provincial beef industry and the strong partnership between government and the industry’s stakeholder groups. For the first time, the BC Breeder and Feeder Association are taking part along with the B.C. government, BC Cattlemen’s Association, BC Association of Cattle Feeders and the BC Association of Abattoirs.

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This year, B.C. Beef Day attendees are enjoying 100% BC Beef from Vancouver Island. The beef was produced by Happy Valley Natural Beef and processed by Gunter Bros Meat Co, both proud Courtenay family businesses.

The BC Association of Abattoirs recently received $49,650 in Buy Local program funding to promote the new 100% BC Beef Brand. When you purchase this brand, you are supporting local farmers and the provincial economy while serving high-quality 100% BC Beef that is traceable to the family ranch from which it was raised. To quickly locate where to buy 100% BC Beef, you can download the bcmeats phone app at: http://bcmeats.ca/phone-app/

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In 2013, the B.C. cattle industry raised and marketed more than 246,000 head of cattle and calves generating farm cash receipts of almost $208 million. The Thompson-Okanagan, Cariboo, Nechako and Peace River regions are the top beef-producing regions in the province.

Building the local market for B.C. foods is a key commitment of government's Agrifoods Strategy, a component of the BC Jobs Plan, to lead the agrifoods sector growth into a $14-billion-a-year industry by 2017.

Quotes:

Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick -

"B.C. Beef Day is a great tradition and an opportunity for us to showcase our cattle industry and its accomplishments. Congratulations to all of the partners, by working together, we are supporting families, communities and British Columbia.”

BC Cattlemen's Association president Lary Fossum -

“After over a decade of challenging times, the beef industry is strengthening and growing in B.C. It is now more important than ever for government and industry to work together as we rebuild a strong and sustainable B.C. beef industry for our consumers.”

BC Association of Cattle Feeders president August Bremer -

"The BC Association of Cattle Feeders is proud to be a part of BC Beef Day - a place where industry members and government come together to recognize and support a quality product that consumers around the world trust.”

BC Association of Abattoirs president Mike Noullett -

“B.C. Beef Day celebrates the superior quality and flavour of 100% BC Beef, the product of cattle raised in our province’s renowned agricultural regions and processed locally in our communities. The BC Association of Abattoirs is very proud to be here today with our partners to celebrate being a part of this healthy, local and sustainable industry.”

BC Breeder and Feeder Association president Ken Fawcett -

“BCBFA are proud to join our partners to celebrate B.C. Beef Day. Our association, in partnership with the Province of British Columbia’s Loan Guarantee Program, finances feeder and bred cattle for B.C. ranchers, helping to build the B.C. mother cow herd along with a sustainable beef industry for British Columbia consumers.”

Learn More:

BC Cattlemen's Association: http://www.cattlemen.bc.ca/

BC Association of Cattle Feeders: www.bcacf.ca

BC Association of Abattoirs: http://bcmeats.ca

BC Breeder and Feeder Association: http://www.bcbfa.ca/

Media Contacts:

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
250 889-5945 (mobile)