The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, today provided an update on the Provincial Government’s Beef Industry Enhancement Initiative.

A Call for Proposals from individuals, producer cooperatives, or associations to explore development of up to four abattoirs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador resulted in funds awarded to three successful applicants:

• $719,750 to Troy Humber of Northern Arm;
• $558,448 to Nelson Williams of Hopeall; and
• $537,000 to Doug and Crystal Parsons of Cormack.

Announced in June as part of a plan to support employment in rural communities and help open new markets and products for agriculture-based businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Beef Industry Enhancement Initiative included:

• $2.5 million to support Requests for Proposals to establish secondary beef processing facilities in the province to address lack of access to proper slaughter and packing facilities in the province, which has become an impediment to growth for the province’s beef and sheep sectors; and
• $1 million to provide 10 beef cows to 20 beef operations to improve the quality and number of animals produced in Newfoundland and Labrador, support industry expansion, and increase food self-sufficiency.

A Call for Proposals from producers to raise up to 10 female purebred beef cattle to help advance the genetic diversity of the industry and grow the province’s beef sector has provided 200 breeding cows to 20 farmers throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

At the end of five years, the base stock of cows purchased under the Provincial Beef Industry Enhancement Initiative is expected to result in approximately 1,300 animals of the same lineage. Three herds of five Hereford cows previously provided to beef producers under the Provincial Beef Genetic Enhancement program established in 2016 have resulted in 35 offspring.

Quotes
“When you think of Newfoundland and Labrador, our wild moose and caribou might come to mind – not our beef cattle. As much as we enjoy a meal of wild game, we import about 14 million kilograms of beef every year, but less than one per cent of the beef we eat is produced here. The Beef Industry Enhancement initiative is opening up this industry by providing beef producers access to a variety of cattle strains, and offering research opportunities to collect information on cattle breeds that best suit Newfoundland and Labrador’s climate and environment. Our cattle producers are increasing food self-sufficiency here at home and helping mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of food we import. Thanks very much to our beef producers for the work you’re doing to grow this promising industry here at home.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

“D&D Farm is pleased to have this opportunity to expand our abattoir. By adding additional cooler space to help increase our production capacity, and upgrading from a provincially to a federally certified facility, we expect this expansion to open the door to wider markets and future growth in Newfoundland and Labrador’s red meat industry. We’re looking forward to growing with it.”
Doug Parsons
D&D Farm

“Our family farm acquired 10 pregnant Charolais cows thanks to the support of the Provincial Beef Enhancement initiative. Charolais are known to be strong, rugged and extremely adaptable to a variety of climates and environmental conditions. We expect they will be a perfect match for Newfoundland and Labrador’s terrain and cooler weather. We are very grateful to have these beautiful animals on our farm and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them as we work to build this industry.”
Nelson Fagan Jr.
Nelson Fagan Meats

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Learn more
Call for Proposals for Provincial Beef Industry Enhancement Initiative

Provincial Government Announces $13 Million for Plan to Develop Agriculture Sector and Create Jobs

Research Project Demonstrating Potential to Supply Local, High-Quality Beef

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Media contacts
Linda Skinner
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca

Doug Parsons
D&D Farm
709-635-3834
ddfarmcormack@gmail.com

Nelson Fagan Jr.
Nelson Fagan Meats
709-689-6645
nelsonfagan@hotmail.com