As the B.C. government and industry representatives gather this afternoon for B.C. Beef Day, there is one theme that has remained constant over the past seven years.

We all need to support a sector that provides our province with safe, high-quality and great-tasting 100% B.C. beef.

British Columbia is proud of its agriculture history, the beef sector and the food supply security they help support. While building a sustainable beef industry, the sector is also recognized for best practices in animal welfare.

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In 2014, the B.C. beef industry generated more than $279 million in farm cash receipts an increase of nearly 54% from the previous year. The Thompson-Okanagan, Cariboo, Peace River and Nechako regions are the top beef producing regions in the province.

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The Province has proclaimed May 18, 2016, as B.C. Beef Day. The proclamation was presented to Thompson Rivers University acknowledging their new applied sustainable ranching certificate program that is providing education to B.C.’s next generation of ranchers. The program, the first of its kind in B.C., provides students with a number of learning opportunities, including:

• Participating in real-life ranching operations in B.C.
• Learning to design ranching enterprises that fit the environment while providing a return on investment.
• Understanding how ranch and rangeland eco-systems react to management decisions.
• Learning the needs of livestock and how best to manage the natural environment to produce nutritious proteins to feed the world.

B.C. Beef Day is an annual celebration of the provincial beef industry and the partnership between government and the industry stakeholder groups including BC Cattlemen’s Association, BC Association of Cattle Feeders, BC Association of Abattoirs, and the BC Breeder and Feeder Association.

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Quotes:

Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick –

"B.C. Beef Day is a great chance for us to get together and celebrate today’s accomplishments while also looking to the future. We need young ranchers, young business people, and young leaders for continued success in the sector and the strong partnership between the B.C. government and industry will ensure we reach our goal.”

BC Cattlemen’s Association president Lary Fossum –

“Today is a unique opportunity to share good food and good conversation with government, consumers and all the people that put beef on the tables of British Columbians. For 150 years, B.C. ranchers have taken pride in raising high quality beef. We follow the highest standards of care and treatment for our cattle and always keep the consumer in mind.”

BC Association of Cattle Feeders president August Bremer –

“With international trade agreements in the works, B.C. beef will soon have an increased potential to reach a much bigger audience. The BC Association of Cattle Feeders is proud to be a part of bringing our local, Canadian, and international customers high-quality B.C. beef and celebrating our industry today.”

BC Association of Abattoirs president Mike Noullet –

“The BC Association of Abattoirs are proud to be here celebrating B.C. Beef Day. This annual tradition is all about celebrating the high quality and flavour of raised-in-B.C. and locally processed 100% BC Beef and the partnerships 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 B.C. government’s Loan Guarantee Program, finances feeder and bred cattle for B.C. ranchers. We are committed to bring feeder and bred financing to Vancouver Island beef producers while bringing brand inspection to all parts of the province, in line with the other provinces to conform with the Canadian standards of traceability.”

Thompson Rivers University president Alan Shaver –

“Thompson Rivers University is proud to be expanding our role in the future of ranching in B.C. Two of our strategic priorities are to increase student success and to support the economic and cultural sustainability of our community partners. Our industry advisory board in Williams Lake has championed the need for this program which will contribute to student success and help sustain the fabric of the region.”

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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/

Thompson Rivers University, Applied Sustainable Ranching: http://www.tru.ca/williamslake/programs/sre.html