Northern Ontario’s “Pine
River Ranch” Wins 2009 Environmental Stewardship Award
February 25, 2009 (Toronto) – The Ontario Cattlemen’s
Association (OCA) is pleased to announce that Amos and
Heidi Brielmann are the winners of this year’s
Environmental Stewardship Award (TESAward), sponsored by
RBC Royal Bank and OCA. The Brielmanns operate a 1500
head cow/calf ranch near Pinewood, Ontario, and were
nominated for the award by Kim Jo Bliss, a fellow
producer in the Rainy River District. The Award was
presented today at the 2009 OCA Annual General Meeting
by Sheila Smart of RBC Royal Bank.
Pine River Ranch (PRR) has a goal of making a profit
with healthy cows, healthy land and healthy family. The
Brielmanns continue to make improvements which not only
benefit the environment but also the livestock they
raise - which should, in turn, increase productivity as
well as profitability.
“Here in Rainy River we are truly lucky to have such an
environmental role model and steward,” says Bliss. “Amos
Brielmann, his wife Heidi and children, Susanne and Timo
have worked hard on their farm and are very deserving of
this award. They have undertaken numerous environmental
improvements. Not only have many been completed, but
more are in progress, as the family works to
continuously improve their operation.”
PRR operates approximately 2000 hectares of hay and
pasture land, breeding 600 Angus/Angus Cross beef cows
- wintering all calves and grazing them the following
year. Examples of environmental projects undertaken
include fenced off waterways and installation of solar
pumps (a real challenge was to provide fresh water for
up to 600 calves, even when it is -40°c).
“The
family and staff at Pine River Ranch have been the
active force behind achieving the goals we have set out
for ourselves,” says Brielmann. “We have also been
fortunate enough to have support from the Ontario Soil
and Crop Improvement Association, The Rainy River Soil
and Crop Improvement Association, The Rainy River First
Nation’s Watershed Program, The Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources, The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs, and The Green Cover Canada
Plan.”
The Brielmanns have created riparian areas over 12
kilometers and expanded their wintering lots from seven
hectares to 43 hectares, which in turn has reduced the
animal density to less than five animal units per
hectare. Over 15, 000 trees have been planted on the
Ranch. The Low Water Cattle Crossings that have been
installed are very impressive. One of PRRs major
improvements – installing the solar watering system -
has proven to be very beneficial to the Rainy River
District. Since the Brielmanns started the remote
watering systems, there was a strong acceptance from the
larger farmer community. These systems have provided
many others with the tools to be able to fence off
creeks, rivers and dugouts.
PRR has also been helping other farmers to design
solar-powered winter watering systems. These systems
have given others the option to feed cows during the
winter months away from the conventional barnyard. This
practice is reducing the manure loads in the farm yards
during the winter and in the spring with runoffs.
The Brielmanns will go on to represent Ontario at the
National Environmental Stewardship Award competition to
be held the week of August 9, in Regina, Saskatchewan.
TESAward recognizes the outstanding environmental
stewardship of an Ontario cattleman. Special
consideration is given to producers who have taken
innovative approaches to environmentally sustainable
cattle production. The deadline for applications for the
2010 Environmental Stewardship Award is November 27,
2009.
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For More Information, Contact:
Lianne Appleby, Ontario Cattlemen’s Association: (519)
824-0334
Amos and Heidi Brielmann, TESA Winners: (807) 483-7717
Sheila Smart, RBC Royal Bank: (519) 376-2441 |
