Baird Cattle Co. is a fourth generation family-run cattle business, offering farm gate sales to sell meat and other products directly to the public, from their own farm store. Grandfather Thomas Baird established Baird and Co. at the first public stockyards in Vancouver at the foot of Fraser Street. His son James Baird, went to work with his Dad when he was 16 years old. In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s he started feeding cattle at a farm on Steveston Highway in Richmond, and later bought a ranch a few miles out of Cache Creek that he and his wife ranched for 3 years. While raising three young children, there were long days of feeding cattle, growing crops, and fixing fences – all with no running water or electricity! In 1962 James & his wife Joan moved to Ladner with their 4 kids. In 1970 James Baird partnered with Joe and Linda Volidka to expand J&L Meats in Ladner. The business moved to Cloverdale in 1974, where 10 years later it expanded, to be B.C.’s largest beef packer. He bought land from Douglas Lake Ranch in 1986, and built the feedlot in Merritt. Cattle were fed there for 24 years. James & Joan Baird raised their kids on the farm in Ladner, and loved the community, and the life-long friendships they created.  All 13 of the Baird grandkids spent a lot of time on the farm, building a lifetime of good memories. James Baird’s life was the Cattle Business, as his father’s was before him. He negotiated business on his word, and a handshake.  He had honesty, integrity, and an outstanding knowledge of Cattle. Sandra Baird and her brother Glen started the J. Baird Cattle Co. to honor the life and legacy of Jim and Joan Baird, and to provide opportunity to the fourth generation, to continue in the cattle business.   They are proud to continue the family history, and to be able to experience the way of life that their parents and grandparents worked so hard to provide.

Question: How are you supporting other local businesses?

Answer: We have several local suppliers in addition to supplying meats from our own cattle farm! We sell Simply Delish soups, Pixie Chicks Spices (from Victoria), and get other vegetables from local farms. The Backroads Family Farm Market (Guichon girls) are selling our Garlic at their store. The Beef is our own, but the butcher cutting and wrapping are provided by Bonetti Meats in Aldergrove – a long time meat business – our father did business with their father! We also use 100% Canadian suppliers for all our other purchasing – all of our banking, accounting & bookkeeping, media, waste management, construction & renovation and other suppliers are either B.C.-based (90%) or Canadian (10%). And we use B.C.-based or Canadian companies for all the other products we use, like office and cleaning supplies.

Question: What social practices are you proud of?

Answer: Our family has been in the cattle business for 4 generations over 60 years and counting. We still uphold the same values and ensure the same quality that our grandparents were devoted to years before us. The Baird family is committed to using our resources and experience to provide for your family. We are proud to provide great local jobs for 5 employees.

Question: What environmental practices are you proud of?

Answer: We provide our customers with local, ethically raised meats – that helps reduce the carbon footprint of shipping food all over the world. We also provide composted steer manure to help locals grow their own gardens. All of the meat, garlic and manure are from the Baird farms. Our beef cattle are mainly Black Angus and Hereford, raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics.