March 22, 2005

By Darby Gilbertson

Reporter

While BSE has put a large dent in the amount of beef shipped across

the border, one local producer has found a market in an American

company attracted by their lean half Parthenais breed.

Clarence and Helen Cyr, owners of Valley Blue Ranch south of Pincher

Creek, were first approached by Kentucky based meat supplier, Laura's

Lean Beef last year through Viewtrak, an Edmonton food source

management, marketing and tracking company.

"We shipped our first bunch in January," stated Helen Cyr, adding

that "the price is lucrative" and they've arranged to ship around 15

head a month, depending on their markets.

As well, Cyr notes that Laura's Lean Beef provides bonus payment

programs for lean meat yield and cow calf retained ownership.

The Cyrs, who have been selling their own beef privately for 12

years, have their cattle shipments slaughtered and prepared locally.

Laura's Lean Beef prefers exotic, heavily muscled cattle, says Cyr.

The company requires certain vaccinations, supplements and practices

for its growing requirements and among the stipulations are that all

cattle are enrolled in Viewtrak, no hormones or antibiotics are used

and cattle are weaned for a minimum of 30 days.

According to Cyr, Laura's Lean Beef is on the lookout for other

producers in Canada to supply lean, heavily muscled, all natural

cattle.

For more information, please phone Sheena Fox with Viewtrak,

at 1-866-456-2207.