Alberta ranchers worried about border protest rattling cattle sector

Groups representing ranchers and feedlot operators in Alberta are raising concerns about the harm prolonged border disruptions could have on an agricultural sector hit hard during the pandemic.

A demonstration at the U.S.-Canada border at Coutts, Alta., now in its sixth day, is tied to an ongoing, nationwide protest over federal rules for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated truckers entering Canada from the United States. 

The demonstration has seen a number of trucks block the border crossing into the U.S., though protesters opened one lane in each direction on Wednesday. Only limited amounts of traffic are proceeding into Montana.

The uncertain situation spurred three major groups representing the