Interrelationships and description
What action do farmers take to reduce costs when feed becomes expensive?
Selling cows early
In which year were only 1,700,000 calves born in Western Canada?
2023
Who is affected by the drop in cattle numbers?
Farmers, workers, and small communities are affected.
Approximately how many cattle are there in Canada?
About 11 million cattle
How much of Canada’s total greenhouse gas footprint does beef production make up?
2.4% of Canada's total emissions.
What is the long-term consequence of selling cows early instead of keeping them for breeding?
Fewer calves are born in later years
What is the national average cow mortality rate for Western Canada in December 2024?
5.4%
Name one province where cattle farming is common in this issue
alberta saskatchewan or manitoba
By how much can herd sizes decrease during severe drought conditions?
Up to 30%
What is one of the things being done to solve the environmental issue of beef production emissions? (use data from the presentation in answer)
In Canada, people are starting to consume more chicken and less beef. Chicken consumption has increased from 6kg per person in 1963 to around 21kg per person in 2021.
What is happening to cattle populations in Canada?
Cattle populations in Canada are decreasing.
Why is there a shortage of cows? What is the main cause?
Drought in Western Canada
How does this issue affect communities and people’s lives?
When farms struggle, small towns are affected because local businesses lose customers. It can also be stressful, and many farmers face mental health challenges.
Which related industry is affected when there are fewer cattle available?
The meat processing and transportation industry
What is one way the government helps farmers during tough times?
by giving financial support (money/aid)
What is the full cause-and-effect relationship that explains how drought leads to fewer calves over time?
Drought increases feed costs, which forces farmers to sell cows early, resulting in fewer calves
Why are cattle numbers going down?
Cattle numbers are going down because of the natural cattle cycle and problems like calf mortality, which make it harder for farmers to keep and grow their herds.
How does this issue affect farmers and workers?
Farmers make less money because they have fewer cattle to sell, and some workers may lose their jobs.
What role does the government play in this issue?
It provides financial support and creates policies to help farmers
why do some farmers think government support is not enough?
because costs like feed fuel and water are very expensive
why is the cattle shortage a problem for Canada?
The cattle shortage is a problem because fewer cows means less beef is produced, which can lead to higher food prices. It also affects farmers by lowering their income and makes it harder for them to keep their farms running.
What type of land in Western Canada makes it good for raising cattle
grasslands
Why is Western Canada a good place for raising cattle?
answer
It has large grasslands and open land for grazing
What are some substitutes we can use instead of beef that are better for our environment, and why?(use data from the presentation)
A healthier, more environmentally beneficial alternative to beef is tofu (3.16 kg of emissions per kilogram), poultry (9.87 kg of emissions per kilogram), and pig meat (12.31 kg of emissions per kilogram).
What is one way the government can help improve this issue in the future?
Improve climate policies or provide more support to the farmers