New feedlot coming to County

A new 35,000-head capacity livestock operation located at the former Western Feedlots west of High River may open as soon as September.

Rimrock Feeders purchased the feedlot property on May 6.

“This will be one of the top feedlots in North America,” said Rimrock’s owner Doug Price. “We are not going have it all built in one year, but if we design it in such a way so that we can get a portion done, I would like to get some cattle in September because it will give us some cash flow.”

The former Western Feedlot is located on Coal Trail.

The Price family also operates an award-winning feedlot, Korova Feeders, in Acme.

Rimrock plans to have the entire corral area built with cement and using modern technology due in part to help limit the smell of manure.

Although Western shut its doors, Price said a feedlot is more than feasible at the location.

“I think there is quite a bit of opportunity there because there are quite a few more people who can be employed than we have in Acme,” he said. “It has the permits that exist, economically, we can see redoing it, making it a brand-new feedlot.”

The feedlot will employ up to 40 people. Interviews for positions have already started.

Price said there is economic opportunity as Rimrock is in the heart of cattle country and the location’s close proximity to Cargill.

Price said he felt it could also provide opportunity for farmers in the Foothills area.

“We want to meet the neighbours to see if there is any interest in silage production, grain production and taking some of the manure,” Price said.

The permits are in place. They are done at the provincial level through Natural Resources Conservation Board and not Foothills County.

A concern is the nearby neighbours in High River will have to put up with the smell of manure now and then.

When Western was in production, more than once the smell of manure would waft into town, causing barbecuers, gardeners and picnickers to head indoors.

“And it probably will again,” Price said. “With the cement, we think we can mitigate it to some level, but to say a 35,000 feedlot will never smell, I’m not going there.”

Delilah Miller, Foothills County councillor for the area where the feedlot is located, said the added jobs and boost to the economy is welcomed.

“I think it is good for the town [of High River] and the county because it will provide much needed jobs in the area,” Miller said. “I don’t think High River is excited about the smell, but there have been some suggestions to come out of that.

“From what I understand the new owners are very competent and very capable. From a County point of view, we have no concerns as of yet with what they are doing.”

She said in her division and in Councillor Rob Siewert’s division, the area is more agriculture-based than other divisions in the county.

“We are mainly agriculture based,” Miller said. “My residents, who are surrounding Western Feedlots, are pretty used to that type of situation.”

Miller once owned a retail store in downtown High River, so she understands the concerns about the smell.

“I don’t like High River to smell like that,” Miller said. “But it [the feedlot] brings jobs and we need that right now. Albertans are suffering and our area is suffering.”

High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass said the feedlot will bring money to the community and the area.

“It’s a very good thing, it provides employment, the only downfall is the west winds, we can smell the feedlot,” Snodgrass said. “But as far as the operation I like how the Price family is going to be running this. And it is important to them that they support the community.”

Rimrock may also be working closely with Feedlot Health Management Services out of Okotoks, which may have a research centre at the feedlot.