Beef farmers say northern Ontario is the place to be
For most farmers, cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions are a negative and an obstacle, but for beef farmers, it’s the opposite.
"The climate is perfect for raising beef cattle, it’s great beef country," said Emily Potter from Potter Charolais, a beef farm in Earlton, Ont.
"We’re able to utilize marginal land that isn’t good for raising any other type of crop or food. We’re able to grow forages, we have the perfect amount of moisture, a nice not too hot not too cold climate that beef cattle love."
For more than 45 years, members of the Potter family have been beef farmers in northern Ontario and they said there is nowhere else they’d rather be.
"It’s just a great lifestyle," Barry Potter said. "The grass and the climate is very conducive for cow, calf production and beef farm raising because we get lots of moisture, so the cattle do really well."
He encourages young farmers to come to this region because it’s more affordable to get going.
"The cost of land is a lot less than other parts of Ontario," Potter said. "The land is here, the opportunity is here, it’s not without its challenges, but it’s got opportunity."
This time of year is crucial for beef farmers, including the Potters, as they prepare to sell their product to places across the country the second week of October.
"We are selling six bred females at that sale. We sell to Nova Scotia, to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and across Ontario as well, and to Alberta. So basically across Canada, there’s opportunity for people to select some of the best cattle in North America."
The family said that overall the pandemic has actually benefited the farm. More people want to eat local products and meat prices have stayed the same.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.