Canadian politicians and cattlemen estimate it will take a minimum of nine months and perhaps as many as 18 months for the legal challenge to USDA's decision to reopen the U.S. border to Canadian cattle to be resolved.

Dennis Laycraft of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association told The Guardian that while there is a chance it would reopen relatively quickly, "we have to look at the worst-case scenario" and explore other options for the beef industry, which is suffering after the loss of its largest customer.

Canadian Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell, following up on the government's donation of $50 million to market Canadian beef in new and existing export markets, said he is looking at programs to cut red tape so that slaughter houses can be built more quickly. He also is looking to lower trade barriers between provinces with an eye toward increasing Canadian per-capita consumption of beef.

Meanwhile, Mitchell is asking the provinces to donate to the Legacy Fund, the mechanism for funding marketing programs for beef exports. Alberta, the province hardest-hit by the export ban, already has contributed $30 million (Canadian) to the fund.