LAKELAND – Beef and cattle prices increased in 2024 compared to 2023 due to increased demand and tighter supplies across North America.
In Alberta, 550-pound steers averaged $429 per hundredweight (cwt) last year, which is a 21 per cent increase compared to 2023 and 69 per cent higher than the five-year average, according to information from Brenna Grant, executive director at Canfax.
On the other hand, 550-pound calves averaged $16 more per cwt compared to Ontario, and $5 more than the United States.
According to Grant, many producers across the prairies are still recovering from drought, and many expect volatility in 2025 due to geopolitical developments.
George L’Heureux, an Alberta Beef Producer (ABP) delegate for the northeast zone out of Lac La Biche, shares a similar sentiment. In northeast Alberta, L’Heureux says producers have been faring better compared to those in other regions due to better moisture levels.
But moving into 2025, he believes producers are concerned about tariff threats from the United States.
“If we can keep the politics out of it and keep adequate moisture, I think we have room for the industry to grow,” he says, while wishing producers a good year.
Producer meetings
ABP is hosting a series of meetings to provide producers a platform and opportunity to engage directly with the ABP, particularly if they have policy suggestions or resolutions they want the ABP to bring forward to the provincial government.
The producer meetings kicked off on Jan. 13 and will run until Feb. 12 across the province.
In the Northeast zone, meetings were held on Jan. 21 in Lac La Biche and Jan. 23 in Vermilion.
Lobbying policies and resolutions are important, according to Aydon Almberg, director of ABP delegates for the northeast zone. The needs from yesterday may be different from the needs of today or tomorrow, says Almberg.
Almberg explains the ABP recently lobbied for the expansion of the province’s Next Generation Loan Program to attract young producers. Previously, there were age and loan caps for young producers.
“Given the circumstances in our industry right now,” like changes in prices and volume of cattle in the market, as well as a declining trend of young and middle-aged producers entering the industry, “It didn't fit anymore,” says Almberg.
“So, for a young producer to start — it was very difficult.”
After the ABP lobbied the government, the program was expanded in the fall of 2024, which included eligibility for a one per cent interest rate incentive for producers of all ages. Previously, producers under the age of 40 were the only ones eligible.
Other key changes include an increase in loan limits.
The producer meetings also serve as an opportunity for producers to engage with industry leaders, discuss key challenges, and learn about the latest developments in the cattle sector, says Almberg.
The meetings will feature presentations from industry experts, including updates from the ABP board, the Canadian Cattle Association, and related-industry organizations such as the Feeders Association of Alberta and the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.
“They're non-voting, but they do give opinions on health issues, vaccine issues,” among other things, he says.
Registration for the meetings costs $10. Producers are asked to register online through the ABP website to ensure there is enough food and seating.
