Cadieux Stock Farms Ltd. is located in Lac La Biche County situated on the cusp of Alberta’s Boreal Forest.
With abundant lowland plains and rolling hills, Angus + Simmental-cross Cattle contently co-exist with the forested, grassy ecosystem predominated by moist peatlands in the Peace-Athabasca delta, the largest freshwater inland river delta in North America.
Sitting atop rich sand and gravel deposits, these nutrient-dense lands yield pastures and fields abundant with nutrient-rich nourishment for Cattle.
CO-EXISTING WITH THE ECO-SYSTEM
During the summer, daytime highs reach 23 degrees Celsius, and dense Riparian pastures dotted with a meandering network of clear rivers provide bountiful sustenance for Cows and Calves.
Year-round, Cattle are offered fresh groundwater from the Beaver River Basin aquifers through dug-outs fed by surface run-off and gravity fed water systems that pump the water to the surface where cattle drink.
Cattle are restricted from accessing overground water networks to prevent contamination and erosion.
Cattle graze freely right on top of the Arctic Continental Divide in spacious pastures for 6 months of the year.
While the Cattle graze during the summer, nutrient dense Silage is grown in fields from oat, barley and triticale.
Precision-farming is utilized to ensure accurate seed placement.
This minimizes cost and materials, and maintains soil health.
The fields flourish in sandy soil, rich with organic matter and peat. The fields produce high-energy Silage and high-protein Hay to fuel the Cattle during the extreme temperatures of Winter.
Throughout the Summer, Timothy and Alfalfa Hay and Straw is cut, baled and stored in abundance.
The Cattle - Cows & Calves alike - rely on the produced Feed during the Winter.
When low temperatures creep in during late fall, the Cattle come home to over-winter. Year-round, Cattle are provided with protection from the elements in the form of natural windbreaks and manmade shelters. Cattle receive generous volumes of bedding which provide comfort and warmth, in the form of straw grown on-farm or locally-sourced.
As Winter departs and Calving begins in the Spring, Cows are nurtured and supported.
During Calving in spacious pastures, Cows and Calves receive ongoing monitoring and assistance.
The Ecosystem is in a constant state of renewal with the arrival of the spring babies, and each is equally pampered and cared for, regardless of size.
HERD HEALTH
To ensure promotion of animal welfare, all Cattle participate in a comprehensive program comprised of vaccinations and ongoing medical care, administered under the direction of a Veterinarian.
Antibiotics are administered to sick Animals to promote overall Herd Health and sick Animals are treated with respect and dignity. Treated Animals are transferred to our Commercial Division, where stringent industry-wide protocols are followed.
Supplements
Cattle are offered free choice supplemental salt and mineral which ensures year-round herd health. Calves enjoy commercially-prepared Mineral Licks, which support bone strength, immune function, and overall health and wellbeing.
Preservation
Healthy Cattle promote biodiversity of the local ecosystem; improved resource efficiency; reduction in methane emissions; and increased resilience to climate change.
Healthy Cattle healthy ecosystem
Beyond the prevention of disease, Healthy Cattle make for a healthier environment, promoting sustainable agricultural. In turn, Healthy Cattle ensure a nutritionally-robust finished product, which contributes to Consumer Health.
FREE & NATURAL
Beef is finished with no hormones or growth stimulants.
Nutrient-dense feed equates to Nutrient-dense Beef.
Affordable.
Locally-Sourced.
herd handling
At Cadieux Stock Farms, we employ only Quiet Animal Handling Techniques. Gentle Stockmanship ensures Cattle Health and Handler Safety.
TRACEABILITY
Traceability of Livestock is defined as the ability to follow the movement of an animal or food product through production, processing and distribution. It is composed of three integral Pillars:
1. Premises Identification, which links livestock and poultry to specific land locations and types of agricultural operations; and,
2. Animal Identification which identifies animals using a standard identification system; and,
3. Animal Movement whereby animals are tracked through the production cycle.
Traceability also verifies Animal Age.
These fundamental principles protect livestock, producers and consumers. Traceability contributes to Accountability, and reduces response times during an emergency or outbreak, thereby limiting economic, environmental and social impacts of disease outbreaks, food safety issues and natural disasters.
Traceability also promotes Consumer confidence in the Food Chain - Cadieux Stock Farms participates in Traceability from beginning to end.