A Rancher's Viewpoint on River Management

Based on a speech given by Chris Mills
Policy Advisor
Alberta Cattle Commission
October 14, 1995

The cattle industry is identifying its environmental impacts prior to taking action

The Bow River is extremely important to Alberta's cattle industry. Approximately 90% of Alberta's meat processing and packing industry is located along the Bow River.

The cattle industry requires good quality water in large supply. In fact, our industry is the largest consumptive user of the river.

Right now, we're trying to identify our environmental impacts and trying to do something about them.

Competitive Market

We have a total of 300,000 calving cows along streams and irrigation areas of the Bow River. The river valley provides drinking and processing water, irrigation for feed crops, natural forage, winter-feed and shelter from winter winds. For all of these reasons, the Bow River keeps us competitive in North American beef markets.

Manure

Over the winter, large amounts of cattle manure build up near streams and then enter the river during spring run-off. Manure in this spring runoff water is a major source of coliform bacteria in the river. We're working with Trout Unlimited on new plans for grazing management and we have experimental projects on the Medicine and Little Red Deer Rivers. Pollution from effluent wastewater is being corrected through the creation of wetland communities such as Frank Lake near High River.

Poplar Trees

Cattle have a negative impact on the reproduction of streamside poplar trees. We are working with groups to develop a plan for better management of the land alongside streams.

Feedlots

Feedlots are a large and important part of the cattle industry. One of the most concentrated cattle feeding areas in North America is based along the Bow River. Production will only increase in the years ahead. We are developing new guidelines on how to locate and operate cattle feeding operations. Soil type and water drainage are major factors in locating new feedlot operations.

Self-Regulation

Cattle producers are very concerned about the whole process of reviewing Alberta's Water Resources Act. We are concerned that some government officials think more laws are the best answer for Alberta.

More regulations and more enforcement are not the best answer for Alberta. We feel that cooperation and education are better than increased regulation. We will regulate ourselves. The matter of government regulation is a great concern to us.