OTTAWA — Canadian cattlemen are expected to get some benefit when Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announces an estimated $33 billion stimulus package on January 27.

Speaking to the Renfrew Cattlemen’s Association at Opeongo High School near Cobden, John Masswhol told farmers he has sat in on a meeting with Flaherty who listed the three industry priorities in ths order. auto industry, livestock and forestry.

Masswhol is the Director of Government and International Relations with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.

He says there are 87,000 livestock farmers in Canada and their sheer numbers make them an overwhelming choice. He told the audience that when farmers get money they pour it back into the economy.

What’s more, the United States and Canada have cut back their cow populations and there is the potential of a shortage of beef in 2010. The Canadian beef herd was reduced by one million cows in 2008.