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Province steps up loan program for wildfire-affected Cariboo ranchers

Cariboo Bred Heifer Cooperative will have an extra $600,000 in loan amounts guaranteed by B.C.
Black Press Media
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Cowboys Mike Jasper and Jeff Taylor move cattle owned by Chilco Ranch, Miller Ranch and River Ranch, to a safer location with access to water during the 2017 wildfire season. (Angie Mindus photo)

Ranchers hoping to rebuild their cattle breeding are getting an extra bit of help from the B.C. government.

The province, which guarantees up to 15-20 per cent of the loan amounts taken out by 12 B.C. cattle breeding and feeding associations, is bumping up the amount it will insure for the Cariboo Bred Heifer Cooperative by $600,000.

The 270-member Cariboo Bred Heifer Cooperative raises about 6,000 calves per year. Many ranchers in the Cariboo had infrastructure destroyed and lost cattle and lands to this summer’s devastating wildfires.

READ: Ranchers work together to save cattle in fire zones

“Cariboo Bred Heifer Cooperative has seen tremendous growth over the last 18 months and anticipates this growth to continue,” said Lindy Gilson, of the Cariboo Bred Heifer Cooperative.

“We applaud the government loan guarantee program for this opportunity that continues supporting the beef industry in British Columbia.”