SSGA President's Report

A Report From Kelcy Elford President, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association

How clear our vision will be when we all look back on 2020!

SSGA held its first (and hopefully only) virtual AGM on Oct. 14th. I would like to thank our retiring directors Jerry Chanig, Barry Olney, Kelly Williamson and Barry Wasko for their years of dedication and service. I would also like to welcome our new directors Chay Anderson, Laura Culligan, Miles McNeil and Jamie-Rae Pittman to the board.

Thank you to Bill Huber, for your past two and a half years of leadership. I look forward to continuing our close working relationship with you in your Past President role. Garner Deobald was elected into the 1st Vice President position and Jeff Yorga was elected as 2nd Vice President and Kimberly Simpson is the new Finance Chair.

I was elected into the President position, which to be honest is overwhelming and humbling, yet at the same time an honour. Thank you to the board of directors for this opportunity. SSGA is steeped in history and the organization’s contribution to the cattle industry over our 107 years can’t be measured.

I have been an SSGA life member since 2006. I have been actively involved ever since, whether it be at the zone level and at the provincial level. Katherin and I have a place south and west of Moose Jaw, and live just off Highway #1 south of Caron. We moved from south of McCord in 2011—up till then Elford Ranch had been home. We have two kids showing signs of wanting to learn about the livestock business. Our operation has changed over the past nine years from cow/calf to short term cattle, and now back to a cow/calf direction.

One thing about this industry is that it is always changing. Weathering the change, I believe, is a skill that needs to be wellhoned if one wants to be successful across all aspects of the livestock industry.

I am proud of what SSGA has been able to accomplish this year. When COVID hit in March and there was uncertainty in the processing sector and “what is this market going to look like,” we didn’t have to look far to find someone to represent our members on the set-aside advisory committee, Murray Linthicum, who ranches as well as feeds cattle, rose to the challenge and helped put together a program that worked.

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation (SSGF) was announced this year as well, that has been a long time coming. Hats off to Chad MacPherson and Kelly Williamson who started this dream over five years ago.

As managers of one of the most fragile ecosystems, the SSGF will provide tools for ranchers to be rewarded for their constant effort to always improve the range—not just for converting grass into protein but for providing habitat for species at risk.

The lobby for irrigation has been going for as long as I have been on the board. What an exciting time, to see a $4 billion dollar investment announced to elevate agriculture in this province to a whole new level. Past President Doug Gillespie, continues to grow. If you haven’t participated, get ahold of the office and find out how to participate and receive a charitable tax receipt. This is a great way to help people who need a hand up.

Sadly, with the pandemic there is a rising need for the food banks in this province. This this is a great way to contribute.

One of the biggest things that SSGA was a part of this year was the WLPIP premium assistance. When COVID caused WLPIP premiums to soar, we worked closely with Minister Marit, the Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation and industry organizations to make WLPIP coverage more affordable. The federal and provincial governments came through in a big way and got the premiums back to an affordable level, giving producers the opportunity to cover their bottom line. Now, in the middle of the fall run, those that purchased WLPIP coverage are happy they did. I encourage all producers to use this tool to help them control their risk and protect their income.

The next year is ripe with opportunity for the SSGA. I look forward to the challenge of taking the members’ voice to government.