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Agriculture

Some encouraging signs for farming and ranching says Toews

Mar 10, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie -Wapiti MLA Travis Toews says farming remains “a high-cost environment.”

Toews says it welcomes news that prices for fuel and fertilizer are coming down.

“Commodity prices are also high. They’ve come down a little but still remain quite strong, so I would suggest overall, the sentiment is quite positive, quite optimistic.”

“In the cattle industry, feed prices have been high and that’s been a real challenge for cattle producers right across the province, but we’re seeing cattle prices really begin to move up and so that’s encouraging.”

Toews says this area could benefit from some more snow as this would ensure that dugouts are full and low spots are holding water. It would also help replenish moisture reserves.

“What happens in late April, May, and June is really what makes or breaks a crop.”

Before going into politics, Toews was a rancher in the Beaverlodge area and served two terms as president of what is now the Canadian Cattle Association.

Toews says he plans to be at the Agri-Show Friday to honour the County of Grande Prairie Farm Family of the Year.

His own family was given the same award in 2000.

“It was some years ago and that was a tremendous honour. The Drysdale family has been nominated this year and I think that’s a very fitting nomination. We’ll look forward to celebrating with them.”

Ken and Sherry Drysdale and family are this year’s recipients.

The County of Grande Prairie has been giving out the Farm Family of the Year award since 1969.