Managing the Wavering Loonie

The keys to survival – a level playing field, cost cutting and finding new revenue sources

by MARY BAXTER & DON STONEMAN

Steve Eby farms with his father Stan near Kincardine, where they have capacity to finish 1,700 cattle. Cattle farming is what this 39-year-old father of two knows. Like his dad, he’s been at it most of his life.

So, when BSE hit in 2003, the Ebys made the decision to stick it through. Steve reviewed his costs, buckled down, kept all of those involved in his business informed and maintained a firm focus on what’s important in life. “You can’t let go of that,” he says, referring to his family.

Better Farming January 2008