Getting the Stratton Sales Barn ready to go for the spring-following a fire that destroyed two roofed pens in Sept.-is the primary goal of the Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association (RRCA).
The RRCA held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) earlier this month, where roughly 40 people attended and narrowed down the group’s priorities moving forward.
“Our barn is the big thing for the upcoming year,” noted RRCA member, Kim Jo Bliss.
“We are trying to narrow down what exactly we are doing.”
Bliss said she’ll be meeting with the RRCA later this week for further discussions and to try to secure funding through applications with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and FedNor.
The sales barn generated nearly $7.5 million in 2019 and is a critical piece of infrastructure for cattle farmers throughout the district.
At the AGM the RRCA learned about a sizeable land donation from Ken and Loraine McDonald in Stratton, that expands the perimeter of the sales barn.
“We’re just finishing up that land transfer so that we have a little bit more room for expansion and hauling manure and that sort of thing,” Bliss explained. “It was a really nice gesture and we’re grateful,”
A representative from the Beef Farmers of Ontario attended the AGM and gave an update on what’s going on in the cattle industry.
At the meeting, financial statements were also reviewed and the RRCA ensured proper procedures are being followed.
The two key areas of focus for the RRCA is marketing cattle and the sales barn. The group tends to also provide education about current events in the beef industry as well.
“Because we’re one of the community owned sales barn, that is obviously one of our main driving forces but it’s not our only thing,” Bliss explained.
The RRCA allows board members to serve four-year terms before taking a compulsory year off. The RRCA thanked Murray McDonald, Scott McNabb, and Stacey Angus for their service to the board.
New RRCA board members include Delton Martin, Jeff Pollard and Jamie Beal.
The organizations president and vice president are being determined at a meeting set for tomorrow.
“I think we have a really good board and we’re looking forward to a great year,” Bliss smiled.
