Fort William First Nation Reserve Cow-Calf / Tie-Stall Dual Facility

Tessa Bowes
AGR 1110 – Introduction to Agri-Food Systems
 In a society where food insecurity is still a concern for families across Canada, Canadian

First Nations are among those who struggle to have access to resources that are readily available

for others. Although these First Nation reserves commonly have enormous potential for

agriculture, it is not always used as the primary method of food source sustainability. Fort

William First Nation is a Canadian First Nations reserve located near Thunder Bay, Ontario. This

reserve is far enough North that people within the community may struggle to purchase the

necessities that are more so affordable for others. With a relatively small population just short of

900 people, Fort William First Nation is an ideal location to implement agricultural practices

(GOC, 2013). Given the opportunity to introduce both plant and animal agriculture to this

community, the following innovation has been established to build a cow-calf/tie-stall dual

facility here.

Product Description

A small facility set to house approximately 70 cattle has been proposed to be built on the

Fort William First Nation reserve. The dairy end of the barn features a small tie-stall, a barnyard,

coverall, as well as fenced-in summer pasture for heifers and milking cattle. In addition to this is

a cow-calf extension, including a coverall for steers during the winter, substantial pasture for

grazing and activity, as well as pens inside the tie-stall barn to keep calves warm (OMAFRA,

2016). Dual purpose shorthorn cattle are the only breed used for breeding simplicity, as they are

hardy, have a good temperament and exceptional mothering ability, as are well known to

produce sufficient amounts of both meat and milk (OMAFRA, 2015). In addition to the animal

agriculture sector, crops for finishing diets as well as hay is grown on-farm to provide feed

during the winter.

 For maintenance and proper care of the cattle and facilities, members of the community

that wish to be apart in helping to build the barn, take care of the cattle, milk the cattle, bed and

clean, do field work etc. are all able to do so. During the first year of operation, two experienced

farmers in both the beef and dairy industry will be on farm to give valuable training to those in

the reserve who wish to part-take. Those helping to manage the farm are taught how to properly

raise animals and the importance of welfare. They will learn how to grow and maintain crops

through the use of machinery, be able to spot key times in plant growth for certain practices to be

done and be taught the importance of environmental sustainability. By the end of the first year,

ideally members of the community will be confident and knowledgeable to continue running the

facility on their own, while still having help readily available when needed.

Needs and Benefits to the Community

This operation could potentially be of huge benefit to the Fort William First Nation

reserve and could likely result in the implementation of other facilities across Canada if it is

deemed successful. This facility has the potential to provide people of the reserve with nutrient-

dense foods that they do not have to purchase. It could also double as a source of education for

those who are willing and wanting to learn more about agriculture. It also offers ample

opportunity for those who have an interest in working with plants and/or animals and may

provide the network needed to pursue a career in agriculture outside of the community farm.

Overall, for this operation to succeed, members of the community must come together and work

as a team to provide exceptional care to the animals and maintain the facilities. This could

provide a greater sense of morale for First Nations communities that may be facing economical

or social struggles that are sadly still prevalent in today’s society.

Facility Design and Inputs

 When designing the environment in which cattle are housed, there are many factors that

must be considered. Some of these components include climatic conditions, construction and

building costs, upkeeping costs and labor available (Bewley et al., 2017). Tie-stall barns are the

most traditional type of housing used for dairy cattle and are still the primary system used across

the world (Bewley et al., 2017). For the Fort William First Nation facility, a small tie-stall set to

house approximately 30 dairy cattle is the proposed operation. This type of system allows for

more hands-on interaction, individual attention to each cow, and reduces the amount of milking

and holding facilities that would be required if installing a free-stall or robotic system (Bewley et

al., 2017). Fortunately, the beef facility is not as complex and does not require as many

components that are necessary for the dairy operation. A wind-break is important for steers

during the winter, therefore these animals are provided with a simple coverall when seeking

warmth. Instead of building a separate area to house calves, a simple addition on the tie-stall barn

is sufficient to save on extra expenses. Both operations, but more so the beef animals, are

provided with extensive pasture to save on feed costs.

Growth + Harvesting of Crops

Farming in Northern Ontario includes a land mass less than 1% of total available land in

Canada, but also offers a significant range of fertile soils and affordable land (Chapagain, 2017).

Fort William possesses exceptional soil quality, a plant hardiness zone capable of growing

pasture and field crops, as well as a notable land base (OMAFRA, 2017; Agriculture and Agri-

Food Canada, 2018). However, First Nations reserves in most non-metro census divisions are not

very wealthy and must depend on hunting and gathering as well as subsistence farming for their

livelihood (Chapagain, 2017). The northern region of Ontario is known to have a shorter growing

season, which can majorly impact what kind of crops can be grown and the profitability when
considering the adverse climate. However, through the introduction and evaluation of crops that

are of specialty and/or drought-tolerant to be adapted to the region of Fort William, utilization of

the shorter growing season can be achieved (Chapagain, 2017).

Growing crops needed for animal feed, such as the finishing diet or even forage silage

and hay for keeping, is an important factor in keeping the farm sustainable without having to buy

feed from another location. With the arable land available, the goal is to grow all crops needed

for feed and be able to provide sufficient, less-quality pasture for cattle to graze on. It is expected

that land is maintained with equipment provided for the community including a tractor, plow,

and fertilizer spreader, but beyond this planting, harvesting, and spraying is done by custom

companies when needed. To buy all pieces of specialized equipment to feed such a small-scale

facility would not be efficient economically. Therefore, this ultimately save costs for the

Government and time for those maintaining the animals and the farm.

However, because Fort William is located in Northern Ontario, precaution must be taken

in order to successfully plant and care for fields as the risk is greater for a productive growing

season. In recent years however, studies have shown that the changing climate has benefitted this

area in terms of improved growing conditions, increased yields, and more cropping options

(Chapagain, 2017). Commonly grown crops in Thunder Bay include hay, oats, mixed grains,

corn silage, and barley grains (Chapagain, 2017). There are many strategies that can be used to

determine how and where to plant field crops. Remote sensing for example, is an effective cost-

efficient way to analyze soil and crop conditions in a field (Shang et al., 2015). Through the use

of satellite, data can be collected over a large area to determine which crops can be grown, where

they can be planted, and can even give an idea as to how much management is required (Shang
et al., 2015). This may be especially beneficial in the Fort William area, where land use is not

intensive and needs to be evaluated prior to planting (Shang et al., 2015).

Inputs + Machinery Required, Cost and Analysis

The province of Manitoba conducted a study in which the average dairy production costs

from farms across the province were determined (MAFRD, 2015). A total breakdown of costs is

listed in tables 1 and 2. Operation of the facility is estimated to cost 85,000$/year, and initial

costs for the purchasing of equipment and building of the facility is approximated at 300,000$.

These numbers do not include the labour involved or the land required as both could potentially

be provided at no cost. These estimates also do not incorporate the cost of quota as it is likely not

needed due to not selling the milk. This project is incredibly expensive and always needs

sufficient funding to continue running as it should. However, to try and keep within a budget no

single factor is overlooked. For the construction of the facility, simplicity is a necessity to stay on

budget, a simple blueprint of the facility has been provided in figure 1. Management practices

can also be altered to reduce expenses, this could include keeping cattle out on pasture to reduce

feed and labour costs. It could also for example involve proper analysis of soil quality prior to

planting to prevent a poor yielding crop which can result in significant losses (Chapagain, 2017).

Extra profit may also be made on farm if applicable. Extra crops can be grown, harvested,

and sold outside the boundary of the community at a price. If too much milk is being produced

that cannot be consumed, there is the option of purchasing quota and growing the farm to be able

to send milk to market. In conjunction with this, cattle can be sent to the abattoir if there is ever

over-supply to generate extra revenue. Depending on the success of the facility, there is

potential to grow beyond community barriers and support people of the reserve economically

rather than just nutritionally and socially.

 $/COW TOTAL COST
FEED COSTS
For Lactating Cattle
Silage 688
Grain 1809 = (20 cattle x 2535$/cow)
Salt, minerals and vitamins 38 = 50,700$
For Dry Cattle
Far away 201 = (10 cattle x 264$/cow)
Close up 63 = 2640$
OPERATING COSTS
Bedding 158
Veterinary medicine and supplies 175
Dairy supplies 147
Operating, repair and maintenance 228
Utilities 169
Insurance 115 = (30 cattle x 1017$/cow)
Miscellaneous 25 = 30,500$
TOTAL COST = $84,000
Table 1: Approximate Yearly Operation Costs (MAFRD, 2015)

COST ($) TOTAL COST

Land, Buildings & Storage
Barn 125,000
Manure storage 17,647
Bulk tank 14,706
Hay shed 4,500
Coveralls 8,000 = 169,853
Milking Equipment
Milking equipment (a few
milking machines, pipeline,
etc.) 6,000 = 6,000
Machinery
Other equipment 12,000
Tractor and loader 55,000
Plow 7,000
Manure spreader 10,000
Cattle = 84,000
20 Cattle to start 1,500 x 20
Transportation to facility 2,000 = 32,000
TOTAL COST = $292,000
Table 2: Approximate Fixed Costs (MAFRD, 2015)
Figure 1: Basic Blueprint of Fort William First Nation Dual Facility

How Will This Be Funded?

Unfortunately, agriculture is a commonly neglected sector in Northern Ontario, when it

has the potential to benefit Canada greatly (Chapagain, 2017). Something that is not uncommon

to First Nations peoples is lack of support from the provincial and/or federal government

(Chapagain, 2017). Unfortunately, production systems in Southern Ontario are under more focus

due to higher production, distribution, and marketing capabilities, regardless of the lack of

promotion of food security and local food systems in Northern Ontario (Chapagain, 2017).

During the early 19th century, a historical treaty known as the “Agriculture Benefits Agreement”

or more commonly known as “Cows and Ploughs” was signed with British Columbian First

Nations (GOC, 2010). “Treaty 8” requires that the government makes annual treaty payments to

bands who wished to implement more agriculture into their community (GOC, 2010). The

Canadian government has recently fulfilled this, over 100 years later, and are beginning to give
said promised sums of money to bands in British Columbia (GOC a, 2018). This was done with

the goal of helping to extend their current farming operation or enable the community to engage

in farming or other agricultural operations (GOC a, 2018). Therefore, the Canadian Government

will fund all supplies, equipment, and extra labor needed to build the facility and get the project

started using loans from benefit agreements similarly to “Cows and Ploughs”.

Labour Required and Issues

To save on building and maintenance costs, members of the community who wish to

participate may be able to do so. Labor can be costly during the construction of the facility or

even if needed for farm work, so the more people that become involved the easier it is to stay

within budget. An issue that may arise from this involves not having enough interest within the

community, resulting in no one wishing to participate in helping to build and/or manage the

farm. Another complication that may occur is the inability of workers to receive a paycheck.

Ideally, there would be enough interest in the community to participate that labour would be

shared amongst many people. However, those that are participating often may not receive

compensation depending on the governmental funding. So far there has not been any record of

First Nations receiving funding/benefits as well as a wage.

Comparison of Similar Facilities

After previous research, other facilities that have similarities to the Fort William First

Nation dual facility include federal prison farms or potentially hobby and subsistence farms.

Canada has had prisoners do farm work since the late 1800s (Goodman & Dawe, 2016).

Growing crops as well as rearing and slaughtering animals was a common penal practice, and

still is in some Canadian prisons today (Goodman & Dawe, 2016). The goal of these facilities
was not only to generate profit, but to educate prisoners in the field of agriculture and prepare

them for post-release employment (Goodman & Dawe, 2016). Penal dramas usually involved

only one sector of the industry, whereas the dual facility includes both beef and dairy animals as

well as plant agriculture. However similarly to the dual facility, prisoners often learned how to

milk cattle as well as raise and manage livestock, most of which previously knew little about

agriculture (Goodman & Dawe, 2016). Aspects of teamwork and education are common themes

among both operations, whether it be gaining a greater sense of morale or even pursuing a career

in agriculture post-prison or outside of the community farm.

Hobby and subsistence farms which include both plant and animal agriculture can also be

compared. The dual facility in comparison is larger, both in facility size and number of animals

with the equipment being more mechanized. However, the hobby farm is usually operated on a

personable basis, or in the case of subsistence farming as an entire economical livelihood. Both

the hobby and subsistence farms are likely operated by only a few people, whereas the Fort

William farm is maintained by many. However, all three farms are similar in the way that they

usually manage multiple different sectors of the agriculture industry at the same time in order to

provide a small profit or animal products that can be benefitted from.

Transportation and Issues

Compared to other Canadian First Nation reserves, Northern Ontario has exceptional road

networks that allow for connectivity of truck transportation services (Chapagain, 2017). Support

services in this area are increasing including agriculture associations, research stations,

processing facilities, and grain elevators (Chapagain, 2017). However, the demand for logistics

and farm mechanisation tools, as well as processing facilities and grain handling are still not

being sufficiently met (Chapagain, 2017). Fort William First Nation is relatively close to
Thunder Bay so it should not be an area that poses too many issues regarding transportation to

and from the reserve, whether it be custom cropping companies or the transportation of cattle.

Environmental Sustainability

When constructing a farm operation, one must be considerate of the environment and

plan for minimal impact. In an area like Fort William where land use intensity is essentially non-

existent, it is important that those working the land are knowledgeable and able to conserve the

exceptional soil quality found in these areas that are rarely seen and used today. With more

attention directed towards energy-efficient cropping systems, non-polluting and conscientious of

the conservation of water and soil, environmentally-friendly cropping systems can be developed

(Chapagain, 2017). This involves testing the soil to optimise nutrient requirements, designing an

agro-ecosystem that is both low cost and sustainable, and reducing the amount of fertilizer used

(Chapagain, 2017). However, planting and sustaining a healthy crop while also limiting effects to

the environment is a practice that is not easily mastered. Precaution must be taken to ensure that

all participating in the managing of crops know how to do it properly with minimal impact on the

environment. Therefore, environmental sustainability training programs are mandatory for those

wanting to manage crops

Health and Nutrition Information

Contrary to common belief, obesity and overweightness is a prevalent issue in Canadian

Aboriginal youth as there is higher reliance on more affordable, less nutritious food rather than

foods that are nutrient dense (Gates et al., 2013). In a study performed by Gates et al. (2013) less

than half of the youth surveyed met Canada’s Food Guide recommendations, with commonly

low intake of milk being a contributing factor. In the same study it was found that Aboriginal
populations have a high risk of bone fractures due to this, as milk is an important source of

vitamin D and dietary calcium to help build strong bones (Gates et al., 2013).

Milk is an exceptional source of fats, proteins, and essential nutrients including calcium

and phosphorus (Zhao & Agellon, 2017). It is notable as being an important component of a

balanced diet, particularly during childhood and adolescent stages (Zhao & Agellon, 2017). In

societies undergoing nutritional transition, the consumption of milk is steadily increasing (Zhao

& Agellon, 2017). Overall, dairy products are an important component of the diet for the

majority of individuals across their lifespan (Zhao & Agellon, 2017). In conjunction with this,

meat products are also a concentrated source of nutrients which can be critical for low-income

families (Godfray et al., 2018). Meat is an exceptional source of energy and some essential

nutrients including protein and other various micronutrients such as zinc, vitamin B12, and iron

(Godfray et al., 2018). It is possible to obtain all these nutrients from a variety of food sources;

however, the nutrient density of meat is what makes it desirable for those who cannot afford to

have a diverse diet (Godfray et al., 2018). By simply increasing the availability of both these

nutrient dense foods at no cost, one may observe improved nutrition and overall health of those

living in Fort William First Nation reserve.

Besides the diet, people who live in these northern reserves also suffer with high

likelihood of contracting diseases, mental health issues, and high suicide rates as compared to

non-indigenous peoples (Chapagain, 2017). By having a place where the community can connect

and learn from one another, it may serve as a place of belonging or even a greater sense of

morale for the community. In no way does building this facility fix the issues that are

unfortunately common in these areas, but it is small steps like these that must be taken to help

improve the lives of those who are struggling. It shows that we as a society, and the Canadian
government, are actively trying to improve after many years of displayed mistrust, doubtfulness,

and unforgiveness towards these communities.

Storage of Product

An additional factor that must be considered is storage of product, including both meat

and milk. Initially, what determines the amount of milk produced, is the balance between the

demand for milk from people within the community and therefore the number of cows milked

and the supply outcome. This is consistently measured to avoid over-supply and wastage of milk

as a result, as it cannot be stored as easily as meat, and therefore the communities own “quota”

must be met. In addition to this, one must be careful of bacterial growth that can occur when

storing milk as suboptimal temperatures create selective conditions for psychrotolerant bacteria

(De Jonghe et al., 2011). These bacteria have the potential to produce proteases and lipases

causing spoilage which degrade milk fat causing off-flavors and gelatinization (De Jonghe et al.,

2011). Continuous storage under suboptimal conditions encourages growth of Pseudomonas

strains, therefore caution must be taken to store dairy products properly (De Jonghe et al., 2011).

Milk must be stored safely in a refrigerator and consumed in a timely manner to prevent bacterial

growth. Fortunately, storage of meat is not as complicated, and can simply be put into a deep

freeze long term or a refrigerator short term until consumption.

Benefits to Canada + Future Opportunities

Northern Ontario farming communities are known to have faced many hardships both in

the past and present. An adverse climate, insufficient support, and attitudes of dependency on

government are just a few examples of why agriculture is not an easy task in Northern Ontario

and is not implemented as a way to improve food source sustainability in these areas (Chapagain,
2017). The funding and assistance provided by the Canadian Government for this project does

not excuse the negative actions that have occurred and continue to occur towards indigenous

peoples, however it can certainly help to improve their everyday lives. This may put Canada in a

better light regarding how the country treats their indigenous population and could potentially

stimulate similar ideas in other parts of the world for disadvantaged populations.

Future Studies Required and Unknowns

It would be extremely advantageous if a more accurate cost analysis could be performed

regarding this project. For example, if there is an existing barn that could feasibly undergo

retrofitting into a tie-stall, this would greatly reduce costs. It would also be beneficial if a census

could be performed in the Fort William First Nation community regarding their thoughts and

opinions concerning the facility. This would assist in helping to plan the size of the operation, the

degree of management that would be required, and the interest in participating or not. It would

also be useful to evaluate whether there is an interest in agriculture generally, possibly how

knowledgeable people are prior, and how many people within the community could seriously

benefit by receiving meat and milk products at no cost. This could be done by a simple survey

regarding nutrition, and could relay significant information about health status and whether the

introduction of these products into the diet could improve overall wellbeing.

Critical Evaluation of Market Potential

There is no doubt that this facility is of high expense for the Canadian Government, but

the benefits that could result may outweigh the inputs. People of the Fort William First Nation

reserve are provided with 2 nutrient dense foods that make up a large portion of their total diet.

These foods are of no cost in an attempt to reduce food insecurity that is unfortunately common
among First Nation reserves in Northern Canada. According to the 2015 Census, more than 1.67

million Canadians identify as an Aboriginal person (GOC, 2017). This is equal to 4.9% of the

Canadian population, including more than 630 First Nations communities in Canada (GOC,

2017). Although not all of these communities’ struggle with the same issues that are more

prevalent in Northern Canada, innovations such as the dual facility have the potential to change

lives. Even if it is less than 5% of Canada’s population, the dual facility can be used in many

other disadvantaged communities as an attempt to improve diet and nutrition, mental health,

education, and much more. In conclusion, this project is expensive for the Canadian

Government, but by having the potential to drastically improve the livelihoods of struggling

Canadian First Nations peoples, the benefits undeniably outweigh the costs.
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