Local lamb producer’s learning lessons
By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter
Photo Courtesy of Ryan Greir
Greir had only a brief agricultural background growing up as a kid on Vancouver Island through his unrelated uncle Howard, who owned a mixed ranch on the island. Today, Greir aspires to convey the experiences he learned with Howard to his children and others, and to follow his lesson that “everyone should have an opportunity to get a pair of boots dirty.”
Greir, a full time powerline technician with Enmax in Calgary, fills his “spare time” raising both a flock of 150 Rideau Arcott ewes, which he plans on doubling to 300 breeding ewes in 2019; and his family, with the help of his wife Janna, a full time registered nurse.
Although he has found that establishing and growing a ranch has its challenges, the rewards of raising his family on the land are high, the experiences are garnered second to none and he has learned many lessons through the process.
“What motivates me to grow the ranch is knowing that it will provide opportunities for my children, extended family and their friends to experience living off the land. While our children are growing up in a world that is changing at a fast pace, the ranch will provide a place to simply be a kid, get their boots dirty, learn the value of a hard day’s work and learn the importance of protecting the land and water – our most valuable resources,” said Greir, who added he has also learned the value of patience, careful planning and determination.
To successfully grow a newer ranch in a couple of years is no small feat, and Greir attributes some of their success to building strong, trusting relationships and accepting mentorship by working with other sheep producers, local feed producers and the local abattoir.
He has learned much, such as the challenges of providing balanced nutrition to the sensitive ruminant animals, how there is a special technique to successfully move and herd a flock of sheep, the value of a well laid out fence and gate system, and help from a good herding dog, and how lambing time can be both rewarding and exhausting for both the ewes and the shepherds.
Greir has also learned that utilizing a variety of marketing options for selling lambs is the safest bet in a market that can drastically fluctuate. To gain the best return for his investment, he has used auctions and direct marketing, and has signed on with a distributor, Rocky Mountain Game Meats, for exclusive distribution of their lamb to fine dining restaurants and hotels across Alberta.
By using his knowledge and working on growing his ranch, Greir is able to become a greater advocate for the industry and to use his influence to help other lamb producers, large and small.
Recently Greir was elected to the Alberta Lamb Producers (ALP) board of directors where he is confident his experience in starting his sheep enterprise will allow him to “bring forward some of the issues and barriers that are preventing some of the younger generations from entering the industry.” He said he plans on working with the other directors to develop a new strategic plan for ALP in 2019 to utilize each member’s strengths and, in turn, help other lamb producers in Alberta.
Greir also prides himself on the fact his ranch works closely with the University of Calgary to “support and inspire interest in small ruminant animals.”
For four years now they have participated in the western Canadian sheep parasite study and Greir has taken every opportunity to assist the university in other studies, including opening their ranch to veterinarian students to gain hands-on experience with sheep.
Greir hopes to offer Whispering Cedars Ranch lamb to more local restaurants and families in the future, and to continue to work closely with local businesses and organizations. He also aspires to continue to provide the opportunity for his family and others to learn about life on the ranch.
Just as he had learned the most important lesson in ranching from his uncle Howard years ago, there should always be an extra pair of boots by the door for someone to get dirty.