International Environmental Regulations, Domestic Policy and the Saskatchewan Beef Feeding Industry
Date
2003-05
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Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
This thesis is based on the ideas for beef supply chains envisioned by the creators
of Canada's new Agricultural Policy Framework (APF). These supply chains will be
designed to guarantee food safety and food that is produced in an environmentally
responsible manner. An ex ante monitoring system and a labeling system are needed for
the supply chain to achieve this goal. This thesis examined these possibilities for one
link of Canada's beef supply chain, the feedlot sector.
Four environmental standards were proposed for three different sized feedlots
(10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 head). All of the scenarios had to adhere to provincial
regulations and include ex ante monitoring. Environmentally responsible technologies
were explored. Manure composting and engineered wetland establishment were some of
the processes that were implemented into a feedlot's operations.
The presence of an environmentally responsible price premium for beef was
considered. The results indicate that the premium was the most critical variable in the
analysis. If the premium exists (1.6% per hundredweight) then it will more than
compensate for any of the proposed environmental standards. As feedlot size increased,
the benefits of implementing environmentally responsible technologies also increased.
There were economic benefits to adopting environmentally responsible technologies
even in the absence of an environmentally responsible price premium if mature manure
markets have been developed.
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Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Economics
Program
Agricultural Economics