Canadian Cattlemen's Association

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Introduction


Speak to the men and women who raise beef cattle for a living about why they've chosen this way of life, and they'll likely tell you they love how the job keeps them close to nature. The early mornings when bird songs and the lowing of the cows are the only sounds breaking the silence. Hard work in the fresh air. The joy of seeing wildlife on a daily basis, and the thrill of spotting an endangered specie and knowing their care of the land is helping the species survive. The annual cycle of life, seeing calves born and cared for by the mother cows, and growing big on mother's milk, fresh air and green grass.

Across Canada close to 90,000 men and women lead this lifestyle, often on land that's been in the same family for generations. Raising beef cattle is hard work too - the mornings are early, the work is physically hard, the chores have to be completed no matter what the weather, and the pay is usually less than what could be made at a job in the city. But the appreciation of the rural lifestyle and living close to nature overcomes the downside.

Here are the stories of two families who have chosen this rural way of life.