Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I grew up on a purebred Hereford operation about 20 minutes from here in a town called Navan. After my studies in agricultural business and science at the University of Guelph and at Olds College, I began my career with Cargill and now work for the CCA.
Just last year, my parents sold their electrical business and cattle operation in Navan, and now I'm a part owner in their farm near Regina, Saskatchewan. I am also an active owner in my husband's family operation, which runs about a 250-head purebred cow-calf operation near Olds, Alberta. My husband, his brother, and parents run the farm full-time and I work off the farm. The two remaining brothers are pursuing other careers.
Why am I in agriculture? There's no better feeling than feeding the world while taking care of our animals and nourishing the land.
I see countless opportunities for young farmers in the future. We have an extensive land mass and breeds that perform very well in Canada's climate, while providing a competitive advantage in beef quality and cattle performance.
We have diversified our operation from live cattle sales to focus on efforts in genetic sales internationally. My husband and I recently returned from Australia, where we promoted and sold semen and embryos.
What a great opportunity to visit a similar competitor/customer in the world market. Even with a high dollar, this export-dependent country is thriving. There is a resurgence of young farmers building a future in beef, encouraged by their government, which seems to be nimble and aggressive in market access.
A great example of how Australia supports its export sector was in its response to the U.S.-EU duty-free quota agreement, where Australia's regulator did what was needed to get Australia access under the EU quota. Canada's regulators continue to sit back while Canadian beef exporters miss out.
However, I left Australia feeling encouraged, with some genetic sales in my pocket and a vision of what we could achieve in Canada. But we need government agencies that are quick to react to our needs and aggressive in their approach to gaining market access.
This will occur only by first addressing the culture within the CFIA. CFIA must build the capacity to service our needs in export-focused win-win viewpoints. An effort needs to be made to consult industry and hire from a pool of resources with a beef background. CFIA must allocate efforts on key markets while removing unnecessary regulatory barriers that I see in the genetics world way too often.
This leads to my next point. We urgently need to become competitive with the United States. Why not look at a North American standard in SRM removal? Canada's enhanced feed ban costs is averaging $31.70 per head on OTM cattle. These regulations need to be realigned with those of the U.S. for our cattle sector to survive.
In this highly competitive marketplace, my generation is prepared to take on new initiatives that build our competitive advantage. Our ranch takes many risks by heavily investing in our products, knowing full well that it is a risk-reward scenario with many variables, such as conception rates, semen collection, and flush results. However, what we need is a constant at CFIA that negotiates terms for meaningful access. Young farmers need to see that CFIA is a partner, not a barrier, to a successful business.
Industry and government partnership investment in initiatives such as the Beef InfoXchange System and investment in cattle genomics are substantial for seedstock in the beef world. Imagine the efficiency gained by identifying traits of cattle that finish two weeks earlier than normal. We need to continue such investments but quickly realize that they will not be put to use in Canada unless our industry survives.
Finally, I cannot stress enough the importance of investment in the transition from baby boomers to generations X and Y. We need to prepare solutions for successful intergenerational transfer while supporting such initiatives as young leaders forums, mentorship opportunities, and consumer education.
I've been involved in 4-H, youth breed associations, and fairs and exhibitions throughout the years, all of which are great venues to educate ourselves and our cousins from the city about beef. Most recently, I had the opportunity to represent Canada at the Five Nations Young Ranchers Round Table in Denver, Colorado. This program was created by Kim O'Neil from the Canadian consulate in Denver and the Five Nations Beef Alliance.
Accompanied by two other Canadian ranchers, I took part in multiple activities from touring case-ready plants to the International Livestock Congress. Finally, there was the round table at the consulate, where each nation shared its beef industry successes and challenges. All five nations, including Australia, New Zealand, U.S., Mexico, and Canada, are in the final stages of producing a YouTube video that will feature each participant at their home operation talking about the land they love and why they choose to raise cattle and feed the world a highly nutrient-dense protein called “beef”.
I am truly passionate about agriculture. I hope you can see that. I'm not alone in this. There are many young faces trying to decide if they can afford to be in this business. Other nations are paving the way to a healthy, sustainable beef industry and I know we can do the same.
Thank you.