Why the Coutts border crossing is so critical for Western Canada's meatpacking and cattle sector

Alberta-based meat packers and feedyard owners are voicing concerns about the ongoing blockade to protest COVID-19 restrictions at the Coutts, AB/Sweet Grass, MT border crossing. We’ve talked to numerous sources in the meatpacking and cattle feeding sector to get a handle on the issues that are arising as a result of the Coutts crossing remaining blocked. This 24-hour crossing is the major port of entry for many agricultural goods headed in both directions, including distillers’ dried grains (DDGs) and other feedgrains coming north, boxed meat going south, and live cattle travelling north and south. As we have written about over the…