Islanders step up to back local farmers at P.E.I. Easter Beef Sale

If the annual P.E.I. Easter Beef Show and Sale sets the tone for the province's beef industry, it looks like the year ahead could be a good one. 

In the face of uncertainty around the punishing tariffs being placed on goods the United States imports from Canada, including beef, farmers say Prince Edward Islanders are stepping up to support their homegrown industry in a big way. 

"I try not to get too caught up in the tariffs, but yeah, they do... affect what we're doing as an industry and selling our products to and from the U.S.A.," said Ian Drake, a cattle farmer in Vernon Bridge.

"I think we've got to really work more together with the U.S. because they need us as much as we need them."

This year's edition was the 74th for the Easter Beef Show and Sale, taking place at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. 

There were 38 cattle for sale, and everyone was watching to see what the average price would be. 

In the end, it took a jump from $7.75 per pound to more than $10, while total sales were up $100,000 over last year. 

The highest price fetched for a single animal was just over $16 a pound. 

WATCH | P.E.I. agriculture may be bracing for U.S. tariffs, but sales are strong at Easter Beef Show:

P.E.I. agriculture may be bracing for U.S. tariffs, but sales are strong at Easter Beef Show

3 days ago

Duration 2:28

The annual Easter Beef Show and Sale wrapped up successfully Friday in Charlottetown, with a jump in the average price per pound and overall sales. The event's an annual highlight for P.E.I.'s beef industry, but also an indicator of what kind of prices livestock producers can expect in the year ahead. With the threat of U.S. tariffs looming, people at this year's show were trying to focus on the positive. CBC's Nancy Russell reports.

James Worth, president of the show and sale, said it's a sign that Islanders are willing to stand up for local farmers. 

"It looks great for the rest of the year for the beef industry, looks like there's going to be some great numbers and lots of people will be around to support the industry," he said. 

"I think this is a great chance for the Island to see that businesses are standing strong with Island producers. If there's no farmers, there's no food." 

A bright future

While all the tariff talk is certainly weighing on the minds of people in the industry, there are even more positive signs. 

This year's show included 21 4H members, the youngest of whom was nine years old, meaning beef farming's next generation is in the making. 

"The young ones, they're the ones you want to keep interested," Worth said. 

"They're the next generation that are going to feed the country, so you do what you can to keep them enthused, keep them happy and teach them all you know." 

Those bidding at this year's show weren't thinking about tariffs, said Drake, because Islanders have a history of buying their beef locally.  

He also doesn't think the threats from the U.S. will last very long — and he's certain they won't affect the younger generation of farmers. 

"It'll be long blown over before many of them get into the industry, I would imagine. We've been through trying times before, so we always pressed in and kept going," Drake said. "We never quit and we never give up."