Beef Business January 2016

Beef Business Saskatchewan`s Premier Cattle Industry Publication January 2016

A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Publication Publication Mail Agreement #40011906

Working for Producers

Contents

Beef Business

Cover photo courtesy of Right Cross Ranch Photography, Kisbey, SK

A Proud Saskatchewan Tradition Since 1913

A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) Publication

Industry News 6

Price Insurance Works

10

Bottom May Be in Sight for Market Correction

13

Year End Review of BIXSco Inc.

General Manager: Chad MacPherson Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Tel: 306-757-8523 Fax: 306-569-8799 email: ssga@sasktel.net OR ssga.admin@sasktel.net Website: www.skstockgrowers.com Subscriptions Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Tel: 306-757-8523 Fax: 306-569-8799 email: ssga.admin@sasktel.net

Markets and Trade 14

Weekly Charts

17

Retail Meat Price Survey

Subscription Rate: 1 yr $26.50 (GST included) Published 5 times per year

Features 24

A Hard-Won Victory: US Repeals COOL

28

Verified Sustainable Beef Pilot Measuring the Good Work Being Done in the Canadian Beef Industry

32

SARPAL Fund Propels the SSGA Forward as a Leader in Species at Risk Conservation

Science and Production 39

Livestock Brands

40

Where's the Beef? Missing Livestock Files

Stewardship 42

Be Aware of "Nasty" Yellow Starthistle

44

SK PCAP - Artemis - One Young Owl's Journey to Recovery

Association News, Reports and Events 51

A Report from the SSGA President

52

Calendar of Events

55

Advertiser Index

56

Business Directory

Follow us on

Advertising Sales - Tracy Cornea Tel: 306-693-9329 Fax: 306-692-4961 email: tracy.cornea@gmail.com Design and Layout - Jackson Designs Candace Schwartz Tel: 306-772-0376 email: cjacksondesigns@gmail.com Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) Manager: Kayla Balderson Burak Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Tel: 306-352-0472 Fax: 306-569-8799 email: pcap@sasktel.net SSGA reserves the right to refuse advertising and to edit manuscripts. Contents of Beef Business may be reproduced with written permission obtained from the SSGA Manager and proper credit given to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. Articles submitted may not be the opinion of the Association.

SSGA assumes no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader from this publication based on any and all information provided.

Publications Mail Agreement #40011906 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses (covers only) to: Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Box 4752, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4

facebook.com/skstockgrowers @SK_StockGrowers cycle This M a

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Contributors Chad MacPherson Harvey Anderson Tara Mulhern Davidson Cam Wilk Deborah Wilson Jeff Gaye Doug Gillespie

This magazine is printed on paper that is comprised of 50% recycled paper and 25% post-consumer waste.

It is acid-free, elemental chlorine-free and is FSC certified

JANUARY 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ŠBEEF BUSINESS | 5

Industry News Price Insurance Works The cattle market went through substantial ups and downs in 2015.

Producers who purchased livestock price insurance were able to gain a level of protection to help offset the impact of market volatility.

The premium table on May 28, 2015 offered insurance coverage for midOctober at $282/cwt or $2.82 per pound.

The coverage cost $2.80/cwt.

Premium Cost = 600 X $2.80 = $1,680.00.00

In the spring of 2015, 1,018 calf price insurance policies were purchased in Saskatchewan through the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP).

This resulted in approximately 120,000 calves or 15 per cent of the provincial marketable calf crop being covered through the program. The total coverage provided was $186 million.

The producer has a floor price of $2.82 per pound. In October, during the final four weeks of the policy, the producer reviews the settlement prices.

At the time the coverage was purchased markets were at record highs. Producers were locking in price insurance protection from $226 per hundred weight (CWT) to $286 per CWT. Some producers selected higher coverage levels for a higher premium, while others selected lower coverage levels at a lower premium cost.

Producers were evaluating the market, their risk protection needs and finding the right fit for their operation with the price insurance options.

In September and October the cattle market ended its record highs from earlier in the year. This decline in prices put producers, who had purchased the calf price insurance, into a claim position.

During October, November and December producers who had purchased calf price insurance in the spring were receiving benefits as the market prices were lower than the prices the producers purchased coverage on. WLPIP provided over $4 million in benefits to Saskatchewan producers who purchased calf price insurance in the spring.

• Week 1 of claim window –

September 28, 2015 – Settlement Price – 294.54 (above coverage)

• Week 2 of claim window – October 5, 2015 – Settlement Price – 280.82 (below coverage)

• Week 3 of claim window – October

12, 2015 – Settlement Price - $269.83 (below coverage and can make a claim)

19, 2015 – Settlement Price $274.98 (below coverage and claim automatically settles)

During the second and third week of the claim window the producer could have submitted a claim for a portion or all of their insured weight. In week four, if the producer had any of the insured weight remaining it would have automatically settled. For this example the producer let the claim automatically settle in the final week for all of the insured weight: Claim = (Insured Weight X Selected Coverage Price) - (Insured weight X Settlement Price) = (600 X $282.00) - (600 X $274.98) = $169,200.00- $164,988.00 = $4,212.00 continued on page 8

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Example: On May 28, 2015, a producer had 100 calves they planned on marketing in midOctober each weighing an average of 600 pounds.

Insured weight = (number of head X expected sale weight) / 100 = (100 calves X 600 pounds) / 100 = 600 cwt 6

• Week 4 of claim window – October

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

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Canada’s largest selection of 2 year old Angus bulls.

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• 190 Red and Black Angus 2 Year Old Bulls • A Strong Set of 200 Commercial Red & Black Angus Bred Heifers due to Start Calving May 1st

With over 2000 mother cows exposed in 2015, we at Ole Farms raise trouble free cattle. In order to be profitable we believe that a cow must be able to: feed herself on forages for as many days as possible with minimal mechanical intervention, rebreed each summer and wean a calf every year.

All of our cattle must be deep bodied, easy fleshing and have solid feet. This enables them to hold condition and breed without being pampered. Our sale bulls are 21 months of age. They are moderate, forage developed and ready to make your operation more profitable.

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Industry News Price Insurance cont. from pg. 6 This producer would have automatically received a payment from WLPIP for $4,212.00 Where do your settlement values come from?

When a producer purchases price insurance for their cattle they have a forecasted price based on a number of factors including the futures market, currency exchange and basis. The producer also selects the time frame for when their insurance will provide coverage, which is anywhere from 12 to 36 weeks. Claims are made during the final four weeks of the insurance policy.

Producers compare their insured price to the settlement price offered by the program. If the settlement price is lower the producer is in a benefit position.

This settlement price is based on the actual sales data from Western Canadian auction marts. Depending on the area the policy was purchased for, either Saskatchewan/Manitoba or Alberta, the settlement price reflects the market sales in those regions. WLPIP accesses market data from 42 auction marts across the western provinces including the Internet auctions of TEAM and DLMS. This data provides a true reflection of the current prices producers are receiving for their livestock. This is the most comprehensive collection of cattle market data in Western Canada.

WLPIP is on sound financial footing. The claims producers had this past fall did not exceed the premium collected during the two years the program has been operating. WLPIP has been designed to be actuarially sound; over time claims will equal premiums collected. If claims

Vernon & Eileen Davidson Box 681, Ponteix, SK Canada S0N 1Z0 Phone (H) 306 625 3755 (Cell) 306 625 7863 • (Cell) 306 625 7864 www.davidsongelbvieh.com davidsongelbvieh@sasktel.net

8

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

should surpass the premium collected, there is deficit backing from the federal government and reinsurance is a part of the program to cover sizable payments.

What’s next?

Producers currently have the opportunity to purchase price insurance for their feeder cattle, fed cattle or hogs. Those options are available year-round. Price insurance for calves is available for spring born calves marketed in the fall. Producers can begin purchasing calf price insurance on February 2, 2016. The final day to purchase calf price insurance is May 31, 2016. B For more information regarding the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program, visit www.saskcropinsurance. com/wlpip, call 1-800-935-0000 or contact your local Crop Insurance Office.

Ross & Tara Davidson, Ash, Cameron & Jaime PO Box 147 Ponteix, SK Canada S0N 1Z0 Phone 306 625 3513 Ross 306 625 7045 • Tara 306 625 7345 www.lonesomedoveranch.ca lonesomedoveranch@sasktel.net

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www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 9

Industry News Bottom May Be in Sight for Market Correction Beef prices rose to record highs in 2015, and for many producers expectations rose along with them. The market has since corrected itself and prices have backed off. Does this represent the beginning of a downward trend?

Brian Perillat, Manager and Senior Analyst at Canfax, doesn’t think so. While he foresees strong prices in 2016, he says the peaks are behind us. The US market had already peaked by late 2014, he says, and strong prices in Canada were cushioned by the state of the loonie and strong basis levels. “Not only was the dollar softening, our prices were premium to the US, which really added fuel to our big fire,” he said.

“But by the end of 2015 the US market continued to be under more pressure and our dollar, until recently, had kind of stabilized. With those kinds of premiums we just all of a sudden had a few more cattle on the market.”

High retail prices affected the demand for beef, which reduced demand for fed cattle. Feedlots started losing money at the end of the year, Perillat said, and that translates to lower calf prices.

Meanwhile, the market has shifted from low cattle numbers and a tight beef supply to a larger herd and increased beef production. And it’s not just beef, but the supply of meat in general.

“That whole shift in mentality made a pretty big drive for meat prices to come down as the whole market tone just changed. And a little more quickly than people had anticipated,” Perillat said.

Packing capacity is down, particularly in the US. Fewer packers, in a market with more animals, exerts buyer’s-market pressure on prices. And the remaining plants are managing their kills more effectively, Perillat says, so their supply is better matched with their capacity.

They are also managing their output more effectively, with higher carcass weights yielding more beef per animal slaughtered.

10

“We were pushing carcass weights so high, we were just getting bigger and bigger and then when plants finally got their inventory and kill levels under control and prices started to drop, that just meant all these fed cattle that were being held back got dumped onto the market,” Perillat said.

The 80-cent per pound drop in calf prices from the peak in the summer of 2015 to the end of the year represent the biggest drop ever, bigger than the BSE-era losses.

On the other hand, prices are still higher than 2013 levels.

“For a lot of guys selling it’s disappointing, feedlots are losing money because prices have fallen for them as well. But if you compare it to 2013 we’re almost 80 cents a pound higher,” Perillat said. “So through all of this run-up and correction we’ve set some new plateaus and we’re going to remain historically strong, but I don’t know if we’re going to get back to threedollar calves anytime soon.”

He is cautiously optimistic that the correction is close to bottoming. There are some indicators, including the price relationship between beef and pork, that show the market is potentially nearing its low point. “We’re getting close to a bottom, but overall we’re not looking for a big bounce in cattle prices; hopefully some stability,” he said.

While lower demand means there are more cattle, Canada still hasn’t undergone meaningful herd expansion, and 2015’s record price run probably set that cause back.

“We may have a few more cattle around going into 2016. We’ve hardly exported any feeders because our markets remained strong relative to the US so we’re keeping the cattle in Canada,” Perillat said.

and exports of cows are down, “so we may have a few more cows around,” he said, “but the real expansion comes from heifer retention. We can’t expand by killing less cows. We’ve got to retain heifers and build our breeding stock numbers, and we’re not doing that. We’re still at historicallysmall heifer retention. If the weather cooperates, maybe we’ll see a modest increase in breeding stock numbers through 2016, but we’re well behind the US unfortunately.”

Continued profitability in the cow-calf sector is the key to building the Canadian herd, he said. Producers who were expecting $3.00 per pound for calves will be disappointed by recent prices, and that may discourage expansion, but if prices remain at current strong levels, there are positive prospects for some expansion.

“The other concept is interesting, Perillat said. “When prices were so high guys were looking at the value of their heifers and may have decided just to sell and take the money. At these more moderate price levels, maybe guys will hold some of their heifers around and breed rather than taking the big bucks they could get last year and earlier this year.”

For the twin issues of livestock prices and herd expansion, one important wild card is in play: the Canadian dollar. “The dollar is the huge one to watch. If this dollar continues to sink that will continue to cushion our prices or may support higher prices in Canada relative to the US. It may also help a bit of expansion,” Perillat said. B

In the meantime the US herd is expanding and that means more cattle in the pipeline, but Canada is not marketing many cull cows. Slaughter rates are down

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

JANUARY 2016

Join us for SBIC 2016!

January 20 – 22, 2016 at the newly renovated

Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre

DECISION MAKING

consumer trends

FEED LOT

POLICY scholarship

TRADE SHOW Industry meetings

SHARING

BRANDING Guest speakers

PARTNERSHIPS

If you are part of the beef industry, you should be part of

Conference, trade show, industry meetings, business networking and more.

For more information and to register visit www.saskbeefconference.com

SSGA 100th Limited Edition Print

“Riding for the Brand” by Bernie Brown Print size: 11.5” x 22”

ORDER FORM - PlEASE FAX TO 306-569-8799

Framed size: 17.5” x 28”

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Print Only: $80 (shrinkwrapped)

NAME:________________________________________________________

Framed Print: $230

______________________________________________________________

Shipping charges $15 + GST for individual orders

PH: (

ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________

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EMAIL: _______________________________________________________ PRINT ORDER INFORMATION:

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 FRAMED PRINT $230 Quantity:___

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(Make cheque payable to the SK Stock Growers Association)

 CREDIT CARD # _____________________________________________ TYPE OF CARD:  MC  VISA (Shipping charges add $15) $__________ 5% + GST: $__________ TOTAl Amount Paid: $__________

Box 4752, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 • Phone: 306-757-8523

Industry News Year End Review of BIXSco Inc. It has been 10 months since a new company, BIXSco Inc., was formed with two shareholders, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and Viewtrak Technologies Inc., to take over operations of BIXS – the Beef Information Xchange System.

Data and Analytics is what the world of sports calls it. While watching Sidney Crosby play, or watching a rookie from the minors playing their first pro hockey game, listen to the announcers. You’ll hear many statistics describing how they play the game and in-depth analysis of why they are or aren’t meeting performance objectives.

And so it is with agriculture. Data is in the headlines repeatedly as companies align strategically to better serve the industry. The ability to collect and move information has grown tremendously, but the biggest challenge on the horizon is to make the knowledge seamlessly available to more people, and the ability to interpret that data for decision making The Beef Info Xchange System(BIXS) has been making strong inroads with all of the stakeholders in the beef industry.

In July, an agreement was reached with Cargill to have case studies conducted to demonstrate the value of carcass data to the cattle/beef industry. These case studies explored the correlation of carcass data to genetics, but in general to explore what economic value it brings to the industry. From those arose other studies pertaining to Carbon footprint, GHG emissions, efficiency, etc. To complete these studies in a short period of time the data used was taken from BIXS. In one study, 1.9 million records were accessed and analyzed.

As one of the stakeholders in this industry, we expect to see many different value propositions to evolve out of these case studies. As an industry we have insisted we needed, or demanded,

the right to carcass data, but we have never explored value propositions for the various stakeholders, including the packers. We see this as “Connectivity” and “Collaboration” within an industry that has, historically, struggled to have the various stakeholder groups cooperate and work together. Our industry research conducted in June indicated that BIXS needs to become a winning proposition to everyone in industry.

For the past 9 months, the BIXS IT department has collaborated with CCIA’s IT department, working out data flow issues, as well as preparing for an anticipated increase in data flow moving forward. It has been inspiring and encouraging to see these two departments, from two important industry organizations, work collaboratively. Having a seamless data flow with CLTS is key to the success of BIXS. We also have collaboration happening with the pharmaceutical industry to track producers enrolled in health programs, and continuing to explore how to work with the Verified Beef Production Program. Our IT Director has continued to meet the deliverables required of the McDonald’s Verified Sustainable Beef Pilot Project, which has pleased the Project Manager and McDonald’s. BIXS has successfully demonstrated the ability to track cattle through the production chain.

But the most exciting news to date is that BIXS will be fully rewritten by June of 2016, enabling much more efficient uploading of data, better integration with software providers’ programs, simpler registration and more efficient use for producers. This was identified as a need early on and our IT team responded. This will improve “Connectivity” within the industry.

Animal traceability is not unique to Canada nor to the cattle industry.

Countries around the world struggle with how their traceability systems should

work and what is required of producers.

The requirement for food animal traceability is being driven by consumers, who want to know where their food comes from, how it is raised and that it is safe. As an industry we can no longer ignore this requirement on the part of our customers. Nor can we ignore the advent of the ethical eating movement, nor the value branding which is being utilized by major retailers After producers visited the BIXS booth at Farmfair and Agribition this fall we saw an increase of registrants in BIXS. Registration has also been prompted by participants in the McDonald’s Verified Sustainable Beef Pilot Project. There will be many opportunities to visit with us at many of the industry meetings that will held early in 2016. Stay tuned for the launch of the new BIXS website in the coming months. B

BIXS - working with the Canadian beef industry to find efficiencies and build collaboration along the value chain, while meeting the information needs of consumers. We are helping the beef industry unlock the value of data and reflect our pride in what we do. "Unlocking Value - Reflecting Pride" Twitter - @BIXSCdn • Facebook - BIXSco Inc. JANUARY 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 13

Markets and Trade SK Weekly Average Price Heifers 500-600 lbs

2012

230

2013 2014

180

2015

130

360 310 2012

260

2013

210

2014

160

2015

110

Wk 1 Wk 4 Wk 7 Wk 10 Wk 13 Wk 16 Wk 19 Wk 22 Wk 25 Wk 28 Wk 31 Wk 34 Wk 37 Wk 40 Wk 43 Wk 46 Wk 49 Wk 52

280

Price per hundred weight

330

Wk 1 Wk 4 Wk 7 Wk 10 Wk 13 Wk 16 Wk 19 Wk 22 Wk 25 Wk 28 Wk 31 Wk 34 Wk 37 Wk 40 Wk 43 Wk 46 Wk 49 Wk 52

Source: CanFax

200.00

0.95 2012

160.00

2013

140.00

2014

120.00

2015

CDN $ - US terms

Price per hundred weight

1.00

180.00

0.90 2014

0.85

2015

0.80

5 yr avg

0.75

100.00

Wk 1 Wk 4 Wk 7 Wk 10 Wk 13 Wk 16 Wk 19 Wk 22 Wk 25 Wk 28 Wk 31 Wk 34 Wk 37 Wk 40 Wk 43 Wk 46 Wk 49 Wk 52

Wk 1 Wk 4 Wk 7 Wk 10 Wk 13 Wk 16 Wk 19 Wk 22 Wk 25 Wk 28 Wk 31 Wk 34 Wk 37 Wk 40 Wk 43 Wk 46 Wk 49 Wk 52

0.70 Source: CanFax

Source: Bank of Canada

Lethbridge Barley Price

Alberta Weekly D1 & D2 Cows 310.00

160.00 150.00 140.00 130.00 120.00 110.00 100.00 90.00 80.00 70.00 60.00

2012 2013 2014 2015

Price per tonne

290.00

Wk 1 Wk 4 Wk 7 Wk 10 Wk 13 Wk 16 Wk 19 Wk 22 Wk 25 Wk 28 Wk 31 Wk 34 Wk 37 Wk 40 Wk 43 Wk 46 Wk 49 Wk 52

Price per hundred weight

Source: CanFax

Weekly Canadian Dollar

AB Fed Steer Prices 220.00

270.00 250.00

2012

230.00

2013

210.00

2014

190.00

2015

170.00 150.00

Source: Source:CanFax CanFax

Wk 1 Wk 4 Wk 7 Wk 10 Wk 13 Wk 16 Wk 19 Wk 22 Wk 25 Wk 28 Wk 31 Wk 34 Wk 37 Wk 40 Wk 43 Wk 46 Wk 49 Wk 52

Price per hundred weight

SK Weekly Average Price 500-600 lbs Steers

Source: CanFax

For more information visit www.canfax.ca

14

| ŠBEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

JANUARY 2016

LOVE WHAT YOU DO in the loft Bull & Female Sale February 25, 2016

Family Bred Genetics Since 1910 Breeding Stock Raised in a Cowman’s Environment Durability & Virility Built In

120

STAND TALL FOR AGRICULTURE...

In a world of uncertainty and bureaucracy, we need to stand tall with pride to protect our way of life! Family values, integrity, hard work and dedication. As we fulfill our passions and help feed the world.

-Tom

Head Sell

60

2-year-old Angus Bulls

45

Home Raised Commercial Heifers, Bred Angus & Speckle Park

15

Fancy Fancy Purebred Heifer Calves Tom & Shawnda Blacklock Box 145, Grandora, SK S0K 1V0 P: 306.668.2125 C:306.230.9809 E: benlockfarms@gmail.com www.benlockfarms.com

13th Annual Bull Sale On the Farm Monday, March 7, 2016

On offer 85 Red & Black Simmental & Simm/Angus Bulls

KWA 216C Big Time x Red Rock

KWA 59C Authority x Red Rock

KWA 257C Currency x Red Rock

KWA 8C CRM/BLI Roar x Bundi

KWA 128C Currency x Black Premium

KWA 45C Vision x BFP Bolagi N522E

KWA 18C Red Mountain x Integrity

KWA 101C Red Mountain x First Choice

KWA 148C Integrity x Red Rock

Ashworth Farm & Ranch Ltd.

Kelly & Janice Ashworth Box 53, Oungre, SK S0C 1Z0 (306) 456-2749 Fax: (306) 456-2776 jashworth@sasktel.net Kelly: (306) 861-2013 Kyle: (306) 861-9352 Owen: (306) 861-9044 16 | ŠBEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com Sale Day Phone: (306) 456-2733

JANUARY 2016

Markets and Trade RETAIL MEAT PRICE SURVEY as of December 30, 2015 ($/lb)

CUTS Ground beef/lean Ground beef/regular Roast/cross rib Roast/rib Roast/inside round Steak/rib eye Steak/round Steak/sirloin Steak/T-bone Steak/tenderloin

CO-OP 4.49 * 7.48 8.99 9.29 12.99 9.52 11.33 15.87 *

EXTRA FOODS 5.29 4.53 7.56 14.04 * 17.22 * 10.87 13.37 *

SAFEWAY 6.29 * 6.99 18.49 5.99 28.49 * 19.08 * *

SOBEYS 5.89 * 7.99 14.64 6.99 17.58 6.99 11.28 15.88 *

*these items were not in the display case on this date

Johne’s Disease surveillance Program Any purebred cattle producer located in Saskatchewan who is interested in participating is eligible to apply.

Program A blood test is conducted on every mature cow and bull in the herd. If Johne’s is found in a herd, veterinary consultation will be provided to complete a Johne’s disease risk assessment and develop a customized management plan. The identity of program participants and individual test results will be kept confidential.

Costs Covered Veterinary fees for blood collection, laboratory testing, sample shipping and veterinary fees for Johne’s Risk Assessment and Management Planning are covered.

How can I access this program?

All purebred Saskatchewan cattle producers are eligible for this program.

Enrollment is limited to a maximum of 50 herds per year. Space is available on a first-come, first serve basis.

Now accepting commercial cattle

JANUARY 2016

For more information, contact: Chad MacPherson, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association 306-757-8523, ssga@sasktel.net

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 17

AGE VERIFICATION TIPS for 2016: AGE VERIFICATION

associates an individual animal’s birth date with its approved Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) radio frequency identification (RFID) tag number in the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) database at www.clia.livestockid.ca.

Whether you age verify animals to meet breed standards, comply with region-specific regulations or maintain herd management records, CCIA’s highly-specialized, in-house technical support and mobile field teams have prepared this handy reference to support you during the 2016 calving season.

Six best practices from our experts:

1. Check your CLTS database tag inventory for the tags you wish to age verify by logging into your

account at www.clia.livestockid.ca with your CLTS username and password OR by contacting our complimentary technical support team. To create or activate a CLTS account, please contact a CCIA Client Services Representative toll-free at 1-877-909-2333 or by email at info@canadaid.ca.

Health of Animals Regulations require approved CCIA RFID beef tag dealers to issue tags to a tag buyer’s CLTS inventory within 24 hours of tag purchase. This means if the tags you purchase have not been issued to your CLTS account by the time you wish to age verify your animals, you will be unable to age verify those tags at that time.

However, if you give our team a week’s notice before you intend to age verify your animals, we can check your tag inventory in the database and resolve any issues before they occur.

2. Age verify an animal only after applying an approved CCIA RFID tag. Do not age verify a package of tags before applying the tags to animals. You can store leftover tags in a bag marked for culls and bulls that can be used at a later time.

3. To age verify, you must be an animal’s farm of origin (i.e., the animal must be born on your premises

only). If an animal loses its approved CCIA RFID tag, please apply a new tag to the animal. Please do not apply the new tag in a hole from a lost tag. If you must retag an animal, please submit a tag replacement or cross-reference event to the CLTS database. NOTE: A tag replacement event is used to associate a newly applied CCIA RFID tag number with a previously tagged animal when the lost tag number is unknown. A cross-reference event is used to report multiple CCIA RFID tag numbers associated with one animal (i.e., cross-referencing the new tag number applied to the animal with the lost tag number in the database, if the lost tag number is known).

age verify, you may enter exact birth dates with corresponding tag numbers, or a calving start 4. To date associated with a tag range that allows for all calves born within a 90-day time period to be age verified using the same calving start date. If you would like to use a calving start date, but your calving period is longer than industry’s 90-day standard, please use two separate calving start dates.

5. Age verify an animal only if you know the birth date for certain. Please enter the birth date as Year Month Day (i.e., YYYYMMDD) without spaces, dashes or slashes (e.g., April 23, 2013 should be entered as 20120423). NOTE: Reporting hours and minutes continues to be optional.

6. Providing a birth date cerfificate is a two-step process. Step one: Apply the approved CCIA RFID tag to the animal, then age verify that tag. Step two: Print the birth date certificate. NOTE: A birth date certificate can be printed with the correct birth dates only after the age verification event has been successfully submitted and processed error-free within the CLTS database.

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www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 19

THANK YOU STOCK EXCHANGE EXHIBITORS 98 RANCH/GEMSTONE CATTLE - LAKE ALMA, SK ABC CATTLE CO. - WHITEWOOD, SK ANDERSON CATTLE COMPANY INC. - SWAN RIVER, MB BAR CR ANGUS - PERDUE, SK BLAIR’S.AG - LANIGAN, SK BRIDGEWAY LIVESTOCK - WAWOTA, SK CEDARLEA FARMS/WINDY WILLOWS - HODGEVILLE, SK CRESCENT CREEK - GOODEVE, SK DAVIDSON GELBVIEH/LONESOME DOVE RANCH - PONTEIX, SK DUAL E CATTLE CO./U6 LIVESTOCK - WYNYARD, SK EASTONDALE ANGUS - WAWOTA, SK HEXTALL LIVESTOCK - GRENFELL, SK JJL LIVESTOCK - MELVILLE, SK JP CATTLE CO. - MCAULEY, MB KENRAY RANCH - REDVERS, SK LAKELAND COLLEGE - VERMILION, AB LILYBROOK HEREFORDS INC. - CLARESHOLM, AB MCCOY CATTLE CO. LTD./BECK FARMS - MILESTONE, SK MCINTOSH LIVESTOCK - MAYMONT, SK MOOSE CREEK - KISBEY, SK NEXERA LAND & CATTLE - DRAKE, SK PHANTOM CREEK LIVESTOCK - SWIFT CURRENT, SK SIX MILE - FIR MOUNTAIN, SK SMART FARMS ANGUS - MOOSOMIN, SK STEWART CATTLE COMPANY - RUSSELL, MB VERMUELEN FARMS - CEYLON, SK WARD’S RED ANGUS - SASKATOON, SK WHITECAP CHAROLAIS/HOWE RED ANGUS - MOOSE JAW, SK WRAZ RED ANGUS - WAWOTA, SK

20

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ANDERSON CATTLE COMPANY INC. - SWAN RIVER, MB CEDARLEA FARMS - HODGEVILLE, SK CREEK’S EDGE LAND & CATTLE LTD. - YELLOW CREEK, SK CRESCENT CREEK ANGUS - GOODEVE, SK EASTONDALE ANGUS - WAWOTA, SK FORDEN FAIRVIEW FARM - PUNNICHY, SK HBH FARM IN. - RIVERS, MB HOWE FAMILY FARM - MOOSE JAW, SK JANCLIFF ANGUS - EDAM, SK JORDAN RIVER CHAROLAIS - CARROT RIVER, SK JPM FARMS LTD. - GRAVELBOURG, SK LILYBROOK HEREFORDS INC. - CLARESHOLM, AB LONE PINE CATTLE SERVICES - VIBANK, SK MCINTOSH LIVESTOCK - MAYMONT, SK PHEASANTDALE CATTLE COMPANY LTD. - BALCARRES, SK RED WILLOW RANCH LTD. - CUT KNIFE, SK RIGHT CROSS RANCH - KISBEY, SK ROSEMEAD FARM - OTTAWA, ON T & S FARMS - ROSE VALLEY, SK WRAZ RED ANGUS - WAWOTA, SK Y COULEE LAND & CATTLE CO. - FRENCHMAN BUTTE, SK

BAR U RANCH - MORSE, SK BAR V LAND AND CATTLE - PRINCE ALBERT, SK BLAIRSWEST LAND AND CATTLE - DRAKE, SK GEHL RANCH - HODGEVILLE, SK GRIEVE, TOM - FILLMORE, SK HEBERT LIVESTOCK VENTURES - WAWOTA, SK JOHN BROWN FARMS - REGINA, SK MCVICAR STOCK FARMS LTD. - COLONSAY, SK MEBS RANCH - BROADVIEW, SK PHEASANTDALE CATTLE COMPANY LTD. - BALCARRES, SK PRETTY FARM LTD. - WEYBURN, SK R & J FARMS INC. - REGINA, SK RAYMOND LAND & CATTLE LTD. - ANEROID, SK SEBASTIAN, STEVEN - MONTMARTRE, SK SENTES FARMS - RAYMORE, SK SMITH NORTHERN RANCHING - DUCK LAKE, SK THREE STAR SIMMENTALS - WEYBURN, SK WESTMAN FARMS - VERMILION, AB WESTMAN, DEREK - VERMILION, AB WESTMAN, KYLE - VERMILION, AB

See you next year!

November 21-26, 2016 JANUARY 2016

Feature Western Canadian Holistic Management 2016 cONFereNce

SSGA Bulletin Sign Up

February 14 - 16, 2016

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STuDeNT Fee $120.00 Registration is non-refundable Registration includes all coffee breaks, two breakfast meals, two lunch meals and the evening banquet meal.

Producing Food as ifif itit Mattered Mattered Producing

HealtHy PeoPle HealtHy land and HealtHy Profits Registration information can be directed to the address below:

Pamela Iwanchysko Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Development

Phone: 204-648-3965 E-Mail: pamela.iwanchysko@gov.mb.ca OR online registration will be directed to the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association website www.canadianfga.com

Stay up to date with issues impacting the SK cattle industry by signing up to receive SSGA's weekly e-bulletin.

http://skstockgrowers. com/email-consentform/

SSGA 100th Anniversary Belt Buckles Please contact the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association office for orders:

$250 plus shipping and GST

22

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Box 4752, Main Floor, Canada Centre Building Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 TEL: (306) 757-8523 FAX: (306) 569-8799 Email: ssga@sasktel.net www.skstockgrowers.com JANUARY 2016

Feature A Hard-Won Victory: US Repeals COOL

by Jeff Gaye

With a stroke of his presidential pen, Barack Obama put the long dispute over US mandatory Country Of Origin Labelling (COOL) laws to an end last month.

the legislation. The US countered with regulatory changes, supposedly to make the law’s implementation consistent with WTO rules.

The protectionist measures of the COOL law had been a bone of contention for America’s continental trading partners, Canada and Mexico, since its inception in 2008. Those two countries argued that the law discriminated against imported cattle by making it unnecessarily difficult and expensive for US producers, feedlots and packers to manage them.

“COOL was a bad law for everybody, and at times it was frustrating when some people couldn’t see that.”

The law required imported animals and products to be segregated from US animals at every stage of production.

While a minority of American producers supported the measures, the rest of the US industry saw a litany of unintended consequences down the road. And the law, ostensibly created for the benefit of consumers, did not require country-oforigin information to be passed on at the retail level.

Canada and Mexico took their complaints to the World Trade Organization (WTO), who in November 2011 found the law to be in violation of international trading laws. The WTO affirmed that the US has a right to identify where food products come from, but found the COOL provisions were implemented in a way that interferes with trade.

COOL supporters in the US, including the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (R-CALF) urged the Administration to appeal the finding. Other groups, notably the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the American Meat Institute, wanted the US to comply with the WTO ruling.

The US appealed the ruling, and lost.

The Administration asked the WTO for 18 months to bring COOL into compliance but they were granted only six months, until May 23, 2013. By this time COOL opponents in Canada, Mexico and the US were calling for the outright repeal of

24

Among the changes was the introduction of mandatory labels for consumers, identifying where the animal was born, where it was raised and where it was slaughtered. John Masswohl, of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), said at the time that the new regulations made the law worse. “It’s an entirely perverse interpretation of the [WTO] ruling,” he said. Canada was confident the regulatory changes would not satisfy the WTO, and began to talk of seeking permission to retaliate by imposing tariffs on US imports.

Masswohl predicted the US’s footdragging would continue until the WTO process had played out and they reached the brink of retaliation from Canada and Mexico. He said the US government needs a crisis to provoke action, and a trade disruption would give them the impetus they need. “If it ever gets to the point where tariffs are in place, I don’t suspect they’ll be in effect very long,” he said.

Gerry Ritz, then federal agriculture minister, travelled to Washington and met with stakeholders including US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “The US industry is as upset as we are,” Ritz told Beef Business. “They find this more discriminatory than useful.” Stakeholders in the US meat industry identified major costs to continued non-compliance, Ritz said, that seriously affect their ability to operate. The Canadian government wasn’t especially optimistic that the US would comply with the WTO ruling by the May

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23 deadline, but Ritz wouldn’t rule it out completely.

“We’re always hopeful,” he said. “They could amend their proposal. If they go forward with the rule, we will go to the WTO and cry foul, of course. We’ll begin the process of retaliation, with our Mexican partners.”

The deadline passed with no action from the Americans, sparking angry reaction and warnings of retaliation.

“This is more than disappointing, it’s outrageous,” said then SSGA president Harold Martens. “Canadian producers, through their associations and through the government, have been working for months to restore fair trading rules to the beef industry. Not only has the US Administration failed to comply, they may make matters worse. This is costing our industry over $640 million a year,” Martens said. “And that doesn’t include the $2 million from our check-off fund that we’ve had to spend fighting this. We’re waiting to see what the government comes up with. We expect the measures to be aggressive, and we’re fully prepared to support them. The Canadian beef industry and the whole integrated North American beef market are being threatened, and we will not back down until fair trade is restored.”

While players on the international scene hammered at the issue, its effects were already starting to bite in the American heartland. Cargill closed packing plants in Plainview, Texas and Milwaukee, Wisconsin over the lack of animals, and smaller plants were also closing or under threat. One American analyst foresaw COOL causing 9,000 direct job losses in the packing industry alone. Producer groups, meanwhile, feared that fewer plants and reduced packing capacity would drive prices down. continued on page 26

JANUARY 2016

Feature A Hard-Won Victory cont. from pg. 24 The US was called to present its amended COOL regulations to a WTO compliance panel in 2014, and again the WTO found in Canada’s favour. Ritz and trade minister Ed Fast maintained the pressure, releasing a list of industries Canada would target if given the green light to impose retaliatory tariffs. The measures were strategically aimed at unfriendly lawmakers’ constituencies and included not only beef and pork, but wine, chocolate, fruit and vegetables, mattresses, office furniture and other products.

With the prospect of retaliation looming, COOL opponents in the US ramped up their efforts to repeal the law. The COOL Reform Coalition, representing more than 70 major American corporations and commodity organizations, urged the Administration to be ready to make changes should the US lose its final appeal.

of approximately $1 billion US combined.

With no indication Canada or Mexico was going to back down, both houses of US Congress quickly passed an omnibus appropriations bill that repealed COOL provisions on Canadian beef and pork.

SSGA president Doug Gillespie said it was a hard-won victory, and he thanked the CCA and the Government of Canada for seven long years of tireless effort on behalf of Canada’s beef industry.

“We had the support of our American friends through this as well,” he said.

“COOL was a bad law for everybody, and at times it was frustrating when some people couldn’t see that. But we stuck together as producers, and thanks to the CCA and federal ministers from both parties, we can get back to the mutual benefits that come from an open market.”B

Meanwhile, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected a court case seeking to stop the implementation of COOL. The Court’s judges ruled 9-2 against an injunction application brought by the American Meat Institute and a coalition of beef interests including the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Ultimately the US lost its appeal of the compliance panel finding, its last avenue of appeal, and the stage was set for retaliation. Canada and Mexico asked for permission to levy $3.1 billion (Canadian) and $713 million (US) respectively, while the US countered that damage done by COOL to both countries had totaled less than $100 million.

The election of a Liberal government in Canada prompted some COOL supporters to hope for a less aggressive Canadian stance, but the new government held to the course set by its predecessor.

The WTO finally announced permission for Canada and Mexico to retaliate to the tune

26

Preventing antibiotic resistance How you can help Antibiotic use can lead to antibiotic resistance. Do your part to stop the development and spread of resistant bacteria by: • Monitoring cattle health -- prompt treatment improves recovery rates and reduces the need for repeated treatments; • Having an accurate diagnosis before using antimicrobials, ensures that you can choose the right drug for the right bug; and • Always follow veterinary and/or label instructions.

saskatchewan.ca/agriculture

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Feature Verified Sustainable Beef Pilot Measuring the Good Work Being Done in the Canadian Beef Industry There has been a lot of buzz lately around the McDonald’s Verified Sustainable Beef (VSB) pilot, which was announced in 2014.

What are they measuring? Do they want to change the way I do things on my farm?

Who is doing it? Will it cost me anything?

Why now? And many more questions around the purpose and motivation behind this extensive pilot program.

McDonald’s sits on the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, which aims to be a national, multi-stakeholder initiative developed to advance existing and new sustainability efforts within the Canadian cattle industry. As a large supporter of the Canadian beef industry McDonald’s Canada sells 100% Canadian beef in its restaurants - they saw an opportunity to help the process along.

McDonald’s Canada is funding the pilot that allows beef producers and others in the industry to take part in developing indicators that measure the sustainable practices taking place on farms and ranches across Canada every

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day. While this pilot may influence global sustainability verifications in the future, it is very personal to the producers who are volunteering to take part.

When asked why they volunteered to be part of the pilot, Barry and Anne Wasko, of Bar 4 Bar Land and Cattle in Eastend, SK had this to say: “I think it is good for the cattle industry to tell our story (to consumers),” says Barry. Anne adds that it allows “the ranchers to quantify the work they have done all their lives.”

The cow-calf and backgrounder ranching couple mentioned that they had been nervous to get involved at the start, not knowing what was involved. “We were leery that there might be a surprise at the end with the report. But there were no surprises and the report is confidential,” says Anne. Before completing the verification Barry and Anne enrolled in the BIXS program and completed the Verified Beef Program, as a way to prepare themselves for the VSB verification.

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Where Food Comes from is the third party company in charge of completing the verifications, but they are hiring local verifiers who are well versed in the Canadian cattle industry. Gordon Stephenson went to Eastend to meet with the Waskos in October and impressed them with his knowledge of the business and understanding of what they were doing, specifically on their operation.

Barry said the two hours working through the indicators and the drive around their operation with Gord was worthwhile. “It reminded me about the care we take of the wildlife on our property. I don’t even think about the fencing we use to allow antelope through. It is just second nature.”

But it demonstrates sustainability on his land under the environmental indicators.

When asked if they would recommend the pilot to other beef producers, Barry says “Go for it.” Anne added one of the reasons they agreed was that McDonald’s was running the pilot. “They support us by using 100% Canadian beef in their operation. Why wouldn’t we support them?”

For more information on the pilot go to VSBpilot.ca or call Matt Sutton-Vermeulen at 515-371-7914. The pilot ends April 2016 and spaces are limited.

The Canadian Roundtable on Sustainable Beef website is http://crsb.ca

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JANUARY 2016

Join Us! SSGA has invited members of the McDonald’s Verified Sustainable Beef Pilot team to join their zone meetings in early 2016.

We will share an update on the pilot, what to expect next, and how you can get involved. You can also speak with producers who have already gone through the process and have your questions answered.

If you are interested in learning more about the Pilot, be sure to attend one of the upcoming zone meetings.

Youth Beef Club Video Contest

McDonald’s wants Canadian youth to get involved in the Verified Sustainable Beef pilot and is announcing a video contest that will give youth beef clubs an opportunity to share their thoughts on sustainable beef.

Four prizes are available to clubs that submit the winning YouTube videos describing "What sustainable beef means to me." The winning club will be awarded $5000; second prize is $2500; and two $1000 prizes go to the third and fourth place beef clubs.

Interested beef clubs can get more information at: www.vsbpilot.ca or call Matt Sutton-Vermeulen at 515-371-7914.

Contest closes March 1, 2016

Canada’s On-Farm Food Safety Program for Cattle Producers

Verified Beef Production in

SASKATCHEWAN DRIVING CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO FOOD SAFETY

PROOF OF RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT

AT THE SASKATOON INN, SASKATOON, SK

SASK VBP AGM - WED, JAN 20, 2016 @ 11:45AM All SK Beef Producers are encouraged to attend!

Beef Producers in Saskatchewan may qualify for funding provided through Growing Forward 2, a federal/provincial/territorial initiative,

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Food Safety Funding

Biosecurity Funding

Food Safety VBP Registered Funding

50% UP TO $750/PRODUCER

50% UP TO $1,000/PRODUCER

50% UP TO $2,000/PRODUCER

Eligible equipment includes:

Eligible items include services provided

Eligible equipment remains the same

by a vet to conduct and develop:

as food safety funding. To be eligible,

•

Squeeze with neck extender

•

Individual livestock scale

•

Biosecurity Assessment

producers must have their cattle

Record Keeping Software

•

Disease prevention practices

operation registered with VBP.

•

ENHANCING CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN THE WHOLESOMENESS OF BEEF To learn more about VBP in Saskatchewan:

Visit saskvbp.ca or contact Coy Schellenberg, Provincial Coordinator, at 306.859.9110 or office@saskvbp.ca

Biosecurity and Food Safety

2015 – 2016 WINTER WORKSHOPS TOWN

DATE

FACILITY & TIME

MELVILLE

FEB 2, 2016 (TUE)

HORIZON CU CENTRE – 12:00PM

SASKATOON

FEB 3, 2016 (WED)

SANDMAN INN – 12:00PM

MAPLE CREEK

FEB 4, 2016 (THU)

GLASCOCK BUILDING – 12:00PM

VAL MARIE

FEB 9, 2016 (TUE)

COMMUNITY CENTRE – 12:00PM

SWIFT CURRENT

FEB 10, 2016 (WED)

DAYS INN HOTEL – 12:00PM

TURTLEFORD

FEB 11, 2016 (THU)

LIONS CLUB – 12:00PM

MOOSE JAW

FEB 16, 2016 (TUE)

PUBLIC LIBRARY – 12:00PM

OGEMA

FEB 17, 2016 (WED)

RECREATIONAL COMPLEX – 12:00PM

ASSINIBOIA

FEB 18, 2016 (THU)

PRINCE OF WALES CENTRE – 12:00PM

WATROUS

FEB 23, 2016 (TUE)

CIVIC CENTRE – 12:00PM

PONTEIX

FEB 24, 2016 (WED)

COLUMBUS HALL – 12:00PM

MANKOTA

FEB 24, 2016 (WED)

AGRICULTURE HALL – 5:00PM SUPPER

BRACKEN

FEB 25, 2016 (THU)

COMMUNITY HALL – 12:00PM

YORKTON

MAR 1, 2016 (TUE)

GALLAGHER CENTRE – 12:00PM

FOAM LAKE

MAR 2, 2016 (WED)

COMMUNITY HALL – 12:00PM

WEYBURN

MAR 3, 2016 (THU)

PUBLIC LIBRARY – 12:00PM

FREE LUNCH AT ALL WORKSHOPS

All winter workshops begin with a FREE lunch at noon provided by Boehringer Ingelheim: ATTENTION PRODUCERS: •

In order to be eligible for any funding, producers need to complete the VBP training.

•

For Biosecurity Funding, producers must attend a Workshop.

•

For Food Safety Funding, producers must attend a Workshop or take the Online Course.

Watch our website for further details, and please RSVP for Workshops in advance

•

All Workshops and Online Courses are offered at no cost!

•

Please RSVP for the Workshop you plan on attending!

WORKSHOPS SPONSORED BY To learn more about VBP in Saskatchewan:

Visit saskvbp.ca or contact Coy Schellenberg, Provincial Coordinator, at 306.859.9110 or office@saskvbp.ca

Feature SARPAL Fund Propels the SSGA Forward as a Leader in Species at Risk Conservation

by Tara Mulhern Davidson

Native grasslands, particularly those in southwest Saskatchewan, are the last refuge for many species at risk in the province. Native grasslands are also an important forage resource for many livestock producers, making grasslands valuable from an ecological and cultural perspective as well as from an economic standpoint.

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) recently announced its new role in delivering on-the-ground species at risk conservation programming through a fund from Environment Canada.

The Species at Risk Partnership on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) fund supports projects that engage the ranching and agricultural communities in preserving key wildlife habitat. The SSGA will receive $2.58 million from Environment Canada to lead voluntary, producer-driven projects which will conserve habitat for species at risk in Saskatchewan.

Landowners face a variety of circumstances when balancing production with conservation, and they need appropriate and adaptable options to suit their requirements. Potential projects and practices supported through SARPAL are designed to fit land managers’ unique circumstances. “Ranchers have to constantly change and adapt to new challenges, whether they are environmental or economic, so it is really important to have a program like SARPAL that recognizes our need for flexibility while providing habitat for species at risk,” says Doug Gillespie, SSGA president.

This sentiment is echoed by Orin Balas, co-chair of South of the Divide Conservation Action Program (SODCAP Inc.), a grassroots organization that will be involved in the delivery of the pilot projects. “We’ve seen our ranching counterparts in other jurisdictions really band together and take a proactive

approach to help safeguard species and actually prevent restrictive legislation,” says Balas. “The methods and practices have to work for everyone involved in order to be effective,” he added.

The SSGA’s proposal includes some innovative ideas as well as money for fencing and other infrastructure that will protect land and water resources. The work will take place across the province over five years and will be focused on areas that have been designated as critical habitat for species at risk. This includes the Milk River watershed, also known as the South of the Divide region, of southwestern Saskatchewan, an area covered by SODCAP Inc. SARPAL projects will include new and inventive conservation strategies that benefit species and habitat while being practical to ranchers. Some potential initiatives include: continued on page 34

Earlier this year participants toured ranches conserving species at risk habitat in the South of the Divide area. Photo courtesy of Tara Mulhern Davidson

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Saturday, March 19, 2016

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www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 33

Feature SARPAL Fund cont. from pg. 32 • Habitat restoration: producers may receive a financial incentive to restore previously cultivated habitat back to native plant species in priority areas.

Cooperating producers will work with a SODCAP Inc. agrologist and follow preand post-seeding management practices to promote a successful establishment.

The seeded area will be maintained in perennial cover for 12 years during which time producers can utilize the land for grazing following the second year of establishment. At the end of the agreement, the producer no longer has any obligation to that project.

• Results-based conservation agreements: producers who own or manage candidate critical habitat for species at risk may be interested in participating in resultsbased conservation agreements. These agreements allow producers to strive for certain species’ habitat requirements or targets (i.e. specific grass height, litter mass). Producers continue to manage their pastures for grazing during the agreement. SODCAP Inc. will perform annual habitat assessments to determine if targets are met. If producers meet their targets, a financial payment is triggered.

If producers are unable to meet their targets, there is no consequence other than producers simply won’t receive a payment for that season. Management decisions remain within a producer’s capability including decisions related to range and livestock management, forage production, land accessibility, predator control, and agricultural development.

• Habitat management agreements: producers who own or manage identified critical or important habitat may participate in a habitat management agreement. Agreements will be tailored to each individual operation and benefit both the producer and the particular species or group of species at risk that are being managed. Participating in an agreement will include focused planning exercises with consideration given to continued on page 36

34

Greater Sage-grouse feathers and fresh scat near a ranch in the South of the Divide. Photo courtesy of Tara Mulhern Davidson

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Feature SARPAL Fund cont. from pg. 34 the producer’s objectives and resources, habitat conservation goals, and any other relevant circumstances or conditions.

Producers may be funded up to 100% for costs attributed to implementing their agreement on qualifying lands.

• Term conservation agreement: the SSGA is exploring the idea of becoming a conservation easement holder, with an ability to register term or finite easements specifically focused on species at risk habitat. Currently conservation easements in Saskatchewan are held ‘in perpetuity’ and restrict drainage, development and cultivation with minimal specific consideration to species at risk.

• Niche product branding: many consumers value conservation-friendly attributes when they purchase beef or other products and are willing to pay a premium for those products. Some producers may already be successfully marketing beef from their farm gate or participating in branded beef programs.

Niche marketing requires a real sense of entrepreneurship as well as a time commitment, but there may be a potential opportunity to strategically market beef raised on habitat that is critical or important for species at risk.

The conservation tools and strategies implemented through SARPAL and the SSGA will be new to Saskatchewan, and in many cases Canada. “It’s a groundbreaking project with new tools designed to help mitigate effects on

species at risk,” says Balas. “SODCAP Inc. is pleased to be able to partner with the SSGA to ensure ranchers, cattle and species at risk keep on co-existing as they have for generations,” Balas adds.

“We’re glad to take the lead on this,” says SSGA president Doug Gillespie. “Most of Saskatchewan’s remaining native grass prairie is on privately-managed ranchland.

Stewardship is a core value of the SSGA and our members are in the best position to protect habitat for species at risk.

SARPAL is the right approach,” Gillespie continues. “Regulations and fines don’t make sense when the ranching industry has voluntarily protected this habitat all along. Given the right tools, we’ll be able to do what’s best to support biodiversity on the land.” B

Ranchers in southwest Saskatchewan can participate in projects that benefit species at risk.

Photo courtesy of Tara Mulhern Davidson

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JANUARY 2016

low birth wts. hair performance ranch raised guaranteed semen tested powerful mothers

Saturday, March

26 , 2016

Johnstone Auction Mart, Moose Jaw, SK

35 Black Angus Yearling Bulls - 30 Two Year Old Horned Hereford Bulls & 6 Horned Hereford Yearling Bulls ANDERSON CATTLE

GEOFF ANDERSON, BETHUNE, SK 306-731-7921

TRIPLE A HEREFORDS

MURRAY, BRIDGET & LUKE ANDREWS 306-631-9271 OR 306-694-5821 RUSSELL & FAYE ANDREWS 306-693-2687 MOOSE JAW, SK

Catalog and Videos online at www.tripleaherefords.ca

More Baldie = More Profit

JANUARY 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ŠBEEF BUSINESS | 37

horn Sale t r o h S Sun Country

9

th

On offer will be 45 yearling and two year old Shorthorn bulls and 25 replacement heifers.

In the past 8 years, we have sold herd bulls to purebred breeders in 6 provinces and 11 states, but we are most proud to have had over 90 % of our bulls sell to commercial producers across Canada and the US. This sale offers thick made, easy fleshing breeding stock for the Beef Industry.

March 8th, 2016 1: 00 PM

Johnstone Auction Mart, Moose Jaw, SK

Sale will be broadcast live at www.dvauction.com

Isn’t it time you considered adding Shorthorn genetics to your breeding program?

For more information contact : HORSESHOE CREEK FARMS LTD. Grant & Chris Alexander Box 580, Weyburn, SK S4H 2K7 306-861-5504 (c) horseshoecreek@sasktel.net www.horseshoecreekfarms.com

ROCKING L CATTLE COMPANY Hector & Dylan Lamontagne Box 452, Wawota, SK S0G 5A0 306-739-2598 hj.lamontagne@sasktel.net www.rockinglcattleco.com

ANWENDER CATTLE COMPANY Gary, Kim & Sadie Anwender Box 770, Radville, SK S0C 2G0 306-442-2090 gks.acc@sasktel.net www.anwendercattlecompany.com

Science and Production Livestock Brands

by Cam Wilk, PAg, Livestock Services of Saskatchewan

The first step in protecting your livestock is choosing a good brand. Choose a brand that is distinctive and easily recognized.

Be sure to have your chosen brand registered.

There are a couple of things to consider when choosing your brand. Choose as simple a brand as possible. Brands for use on cattle are to consist of one or more capital letters of the English alphabet or Arabic numerals used in conjunction with one or more other acceptable characters, measuring at least three inches (75 mm) in height and two inches (50 mm) in width when applied to animals.

Acceptable Characters for Brands • Capital letters of the English alphabet, except the letter Q, and the following conditions: • C and E in the forward position

only (cannot be lazy, upside down or backwards); • M and W in the upright and forward position only; • F and G in the backward position only (cannot be lazy, upside down or in the forward position); • N, I, U, and V cannot be lazy; • H and S if lazy, are always lazy right (cannot be lazy left); • 7 and L If lazy, are always lazy left (cannot be lazy right); • Arabic numerals, except the numbers zero and one.

• A triangle;

JANUARY 2016

• A diamond; • A bar in the horizontal position that is applied: • above or below any letters or numerals; • before, after or between the letter(s) or numeral(s) of a brand; • A cross or plus;

the Livestock Services of Saskatchewan in Regina.Your nearest livestock inspector’s office will also help you to select a brand that has your desired qualities and meets the regulations.

Unregistered brands offer little or no protection and add confusion; and it is an offence to apply an unregistered brand to an animal.

• A slash that is applied at a 45 degree angle to the left or the right of a

character;

Submit the completed application form and the prescribed fee to: Livestock Services of Saskatchewan 3085 Albert Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0B1

• A quarter circle that is applied:

Fees for registration of a new brand are:

• above the character(s) of a brand with the ends of the arc pointing upward; or

• $50.00 to register an approved brand for a four-year term

• below the character(s) of a brand with arc pointing downward;

• $600.00 to register an approved brand for a lifetime

• A half diamond that is applied:

• $600.00 to register an approved brand for a corporate lifetime (20 years)

• A flying wing;

• above the character(s) of a brand with the apex pointing upward; or • below the character(s) of a brand with the apex pointing downward; • The term lazy means that the character is rotated 90 degrees to the left or right of vertical.

For more information Phone your district Livestock Inspector; or Phone the Brand Registrar, Livestock Services of Saskatchewan, (306) 787-4682; or Phone the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, toll free, 1-866-457-2377. B

Brands for use on cattle may be applied to the shoulder, rib or hip position on either the left or right side of the animal.

Those wishing to register a brand may obtain an Application to Register Brand form from the local Livestock Inspector or

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 39

Science and Production Active Missing Livestock Files January 2016

Area Missing from

Number of head

Animal description

Brand Description

Right ear – tattoo SM&# Left ear – dangle tag SM#&

Brand Location

RCMP subdivision

Livestock Branch contact

Date Reported

Watrous

Saskatoon 306.933.7660

Dec 14

Craik

Moose Jaw 306.694.3709

Nov 16

Nov 20

Colonsay

6

RWF Cows

Craik

16

Black or bwf bred heifers

Marcelin

2

Red cow and calf

RH

North Battleford

North Battleford 306.446.7404

Pelly

33

24 mixed calves 9 cows

LH

Yorkton

Yorkton 306.786.5712

Dec 8

Rockglen

20

LR

Assiniboia

Assiniboia 306.642.7246

Dec 15

LH

Black calves Green or yellow tags & RFID tags

St. Brieux

3

Yearling heifers

LR

Melfort

North Battleford 306.446.7404

Nov 24

Stonehenge

2

Heifer calves

LH

Assiniboia

Assiniboia 306.642.724

Dec 6

RFID Tags Information provided by Livestock Services of Saskatchewan

40

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

JANUARY 2016

Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch

Vernon & Eileen Davidson 306-625-3755 davidsongelbvieh@sasktel.net www.davidsongelbvieh.com Ross & Tara Davidson & Family 306-625-3513 lonesomedoveranch@sasktel.net www.davidsonlonesomedoveranch.com

Overby Stock Farm

Neil Overby 204-447-5552 St. Rose Du Lac, MB neil.overby@gov.mb.ca

Fir River Livestock

Dave Hrebeniuk - 306-865-6603 Darcy, Renee, Colt & Kenzie Hrebeniuk - 306-865-7859 Hudson Bay, SK firriver@xplornet.com www.gelbviehworld.com

CANADIAN GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION

Keriness Cattle Company Ltd. Kert Ness - 403-860-4634 kertness@shaw.ca Joe Ness - 403-852-7332 Airdrie, AB jonus@telus.blackberry.net

Carlson Gelbvieh Farms

Lon Carlson & Lorraine Beaudin 403-894-3413 Magrath, AB rstar91@yahoo.ca www.carlsoncattlecompany.com

5160 Skyline Way NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6V1 Ph: 403.250.8640 • Fax: 403.291.5624 Email: gelbvieh@gelbvieh.ca

Twin Bridge Farms Ltd.

Ron, Carol, Ross, Gail, Owen & Aaron Birch Ron & Carol 403-792-2123 Aaron 403-485-5518 Lomond, AB aaron@tbfarms.ca www.tbfarms.ca

Royal Western Gelbvieh Rodney & Tanya Hollman 403-754-5499 Rodney 403-588-8620 Red Deer County, AB rodscattle@platinum.ca

www.gelbvieh.ca

Stewardship Be Aware of “Nasty” Yellow Starthistle

by Harvey Anderson

Yellow Starthistle is a very nasty, invasive, alien plant which is growing close to Canada, in North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. This weed is related to the many other knapweed species, of which, we presently have 4 different species growing here in Saskatchewan.

The fact that other species of Knapweed, can grow successfully in Saskatchewan suggests that Yellow Starthistle will also grow well, if it gets established. The feature which makes this weed so nasty is the, 1 to 2 inch long thorns growing from the flower head. These can cause injury to grazing livestock and wildlife and the plant is reported to be extremely toxic to horses, causing “chewing disease”, if the animals eat it, in overgrazed pastures or in forage.

singly at the ends of many-branched stems. The plants normally grow to the height of 3 to 4 feet, at maturity.

With livestock movement from the US to Canada there is always some hay which is brought along to feed the livestock in transit, and that is the most likely way it will arrive here in Saskatchewan. Be aware of this weed and report it, if seen, to your local RM weed inspector as this is not a

plant any of us want to see establish itself, in any part of Saskatchewan.

Harvey Anderson is an Invasive Plant Management Advisor working jointly with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. Funding of this program is provided through the CanadaSaskatchewan “Growing Forward” program.

Yellow Starthistle was reported as being present in southern Alberta a few years ago but it is believed that the small patch was eradicated; so this weed currently no longer occurs in that province. Yellow Starthistle will likely be reported again in Alberta, in the future, as it is only a matter of time before it moves northward again through livestock movement or the importation of hay This weed can out-compete desired vegetation, whether it is native or domesticated forage species. This weed is very invasive and has taken over large areas, particularly in rangeland, pastures, gravel pits and in rural road right-ofways. It can invade grassed riparian areas, although it occurs mostly on well-drained soils, in the US. Generally, Yellow Starthistle occurs as an annual, or winter annual in its northern range and has a deep tap-root which enables it to extract moisture from depths.

This weed starts out as a fall or spring rosette, with deeply lobed basal leaves.

The flowering occurs in late June through August, and the flower color is bright yellow, with a star shaped arrangement of golden colored thorns protruding from the flower bracts. The flowers are located

42

Photo credit: bugwood.org

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

JANUARY 2016

30 Simmental Bulls Sell

25 Angus Bulls Sell

20 Hereford Bulls Sell Now offering commercial replacement heifers sired by previous sale bulls. Call for details. city view simmentals

The Barnett Family

Moose Jaw, SK

(306) 691-3747

IVANHOE ANGUS

WASCANA HEREFORDS

Sunnyside simmentals

Belle Plaine, SK

Regina, SK

Lumsden, SK

The Mountenay Family

(306) 345 2560

The Duke Family

(306) 536-4490

The Turnbull Family

(306) 731-2703

Stewardship Artemis – One Young Owl’s Journey to Recovery

by Tara Mulhern Davidson

There are many species at risk that make their home on prairie grasslands including the endangered burrowing owl. The burrowing owl arrives on the prairies in early spring to breed and nest, then flies back to Texas and Mexico starting at the end of September until about midOctober. One can imagine that there are several possible obstacles that these small owls encounter in their journeys to and from Saskatchewan’s grasslands.

For one owl named Artemis, her journey would have reached a dead end were it not for the rescue efforts of Parks Canada-Grasslands National Park and the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre (SBOIC).

This past September, two Parks Canada staff members were returning home after a long day of field work in the Grasslands National Park when they noticed a burrowing owl along the road. The young owl appeared to be flapping its wings abnormally, so they stopped to check.

Parks staff determined that the owl wasn’t simply feigning distress, the owl was injured and its left wing was drooping unusually. The staff members made the quick decision to try and gently catch and calm the bird, who then hitched a ride with them back to Val Marie. “Given the precarious situation that this species is in population-wise, the decision to capture and treat this bird was an easy one,” says Sherri Clifford, Manager of Resource Conservation at Grasslands National Park.

Fortunately for Artemis, the timing couldn’t have been better. A phone call to the Calgary Zoo research house located in Val Marie revealed that there was a visiting veterinarian on site who could examine the owl right away. It was determined that Artemis had a broken humerus in her left wing. While the news wasn’t great, the owl was kept comfortable and safe and she spent the evening in a pet carrier dining on a defrosted mouse which was helpfully supplied by Calgary Zoo staff.

The next day Clifford and Parks Canada staff got in touch with SBOIC to see what

44

Artemis is healing comfortably at the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre.

Photo credit: Lori Johnson, courtesy of SBOIC.

the next logical steps should be. “SBOIC was very helpful, they were willing to do anything to help out the injured owl,” explains Clifford. The owl was soon headed to SBOIC in Moose Jaw. “The first steps when we receive an injured owl are to take them to a vet and get them the care they need as soon as we can,” says Lori Johnson, Owl Coordinator at SBOIC. “We use a local vet, Dr. Melanie Blager, who does some wildlife rehabilitation for other species in

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

the area as well,” explains Johnson. “After Dr. Blager examined the owl and made sure she was stable, we took her to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan for further examination,” Johnson said. A closer look revealed that the bird’s wing was broken in two places and had already started healing on its own, meaning that surgery was out of the question. Ultimately, Parks Canada and SBOIC were hoping to reintroduce Artemis to the wild following continued on page 46 JANUARY 2016

LaBatte Simmentals

36th Annual Bull & Female Sale Friday, March 4, 2016 at 1:00 pm

Johnstone Auction Market, Moose Jaw, SK Guest Consignor:

Meadow Acres Farms

Visit our websites for information on our programs and herd sires: www.LaBatteSimmentals.com | www.MeadowAcresFarms.com LaBatte Bulls Sold in 2015

IPU 92B

Sired by EI Tigre

IPU 81B

Sired by Horizon

Sale Offering: 50 Polled Red Simmental Bulls 40 Polled Black Simmental Bulls 20 Polled Red & Black Females These bulls pictured, sold in 2015, are examples of the depth, thickness, meat and moderate frame emphasized by our breeding programs. We breed bulls that will interest ALL cattle producers. Their calves are easy and profitable to market.

The 2016 sale offering will include sons of Horizon and El Tigre who sired our 2015 bulls, plus the first sons of our exciting new herd sires IPU Red Zone, Kuntz Sheriff, and NUG Royal Red, who were all leadoff sale bulls when we invested in them.

Meadow Acres Bulls Sold in 2015

FBL 27B

Sired by Horizon

FBL 35B

Sired by Lotto 52Y

We offer semen-tested bulls, free wintering and free delivery.

Sight unseen purchase program available. To discuss your needs call Barry at 306-815-7900 (cell) or Dustin 306-487-7510 (cell).

IPU 28B

Sired by EI Tigre

Visit our websites, listed above, in February 2016 for links to our on-line sale catalogue.

Sired by EI Trigre

LaBatte Simmentals

For DVD’s and printed catalogues, call or email us.

Meadow Acres Farms

Barry & Brenda LaBatte

P.O. Box 72, Gladmar, SK S0C 1A0 Home: 306-969-4820 Cell: 306-815-7900 Email: labatte.simm@sasktel.net www.LaBatteSimmentals.com

JANUARY 2016

FBL 76B

Dustin & Kirsten | Blair & Laurel Fornwald Box 84, Lampman, SK S0C 1N0 Home: 306-487-2557 | Home: 306-487-2624 Dustin: 306-487-7510 | Kirsten: 306-487-7514 Email: meadowacres@signaldirect.ca www.MeadowAcresFarms.com

www.skstockgrowers.com | ŠBEEF BUSINESS | 45

Stewardship Artemis cont. from pg. 44 her recovery, but without the possibility of surgery, reintroduction is unlikely.

While working with owls is unique and rewarding, Johnson explains that there is a lot of paperwork involved. “We need permits to travel, house, breed or release the birds,” says Johnson. The Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre is involved in raising and releasing burrowing owls, although arguably their most successful role is in outreach and educational programming. The centre hosts visitors throughout the spring and summer and spends time on the road travelling with the owls visiting schools across the province and providing awareness about prairie and species conservation.

Parks Canada and its staff also offer education and information to visitors, the public and surrounding land managers.

“We advocate for the species beyond our boundaries,” Clifford explains. Other organizations in the province that work to conserve burrowing owl habitat include Nature Saskatchewan, through their Operation Burrowing Owl Program. The program currently has 360 voluntary landowner participants and conserves almost 150,000 acres of habitat. “Nature Saskatchewan is very fortunate to have so many passionate landowners participating in our programs and keeping a look out for species at risk, including the burrowing owl,” says Kaytlyn Burrows, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator with Nature Saskatchewan.

“Without the voluntary efforts of landowners, land managers, and the general public, recovery of this unique prairie owl would not be possible” says Burrows.

Artemis can take short flights, which indicates she is healing, and according to Johnson, she’s fitting in well with the other owls at the centre, including her roommate, Monkey. When asked how Artemis is doing these days, Johnson smiles and says “Artemis is doing well.

She’s a plucky little one.” B

46

A healthy pair of burrowing owls in their habitat.

Photo credit: Shelly Fisher, courtesy of Nature Saskatchewan

COWCAM Wireless System

www.precisioncam.ca NEW Pole Mount Wireless Cowcam System!

Watch over your livestock in great detail!

• All wireless systems include everything you need to view from any TV. • Wireless range, when all conditions ideal, can be as far as 1 km • Read an ear tag from over 150’ away in the dark

• Specially designed to address the environmental conditions of the prairie provinces, all outdoor rated equipment • Control the rotation, tilt, and zoom functions of the camera with a joystick • Zoom capability of over ¼ mile • Saves you 100’s of trips to the barn • Ability to add audio pickup to hear the activity surrounding camera NOW AVAILABLE Upgrade & view from your SMARTPHONE!

Cam Tr u s t e d Q u a l i t y,

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

A brand of Allen Leigh

Security & Communications Ltd.

545 Assiniboine Ave, Brandon, MB TF: 1.866.289.8164 T: 204.728.8878 info@allenleigh.ca

Tr u s t e d S u p p o r t ,

Tr u s t e d S e r v i c e !

JANUARY 2016

Help tell the real story of Canadian agriculture

Be an AGvocate Our industry needs more agvocates To reach its full potential, agriculture needs everyone in the industry to speak up and speak positively.

Agriculture More Than Ever is an industry-driven cause to improve perceptions and create positive dialogue about Canadian ag. Together we can share the facts and stories about this vibrant and modern industry, and tell the world why we love what we do.

It’s up to all of us to be agvocates and it’s easier than you think – visit AgMoreThanEver.ca and find out how you can get involved.

Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association is a proud partner of this cause 48

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

JANUARY 2016

march 13, 2016 1 pm mdt north east of maidstone, sk

JANUARY 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ŠBEEF BUSINESS | 49

Association News, Reports, and Events A Report From Doug Gillespie President, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association deals that they entered into in good faith. Contracting can be a valuable risk management tool for the cattle industry.

However, if people don’t honour the contracts they sign it threatens the integrity of the whole system and makes them not worth the paper they are written on. If you find yourself in this situation or are considering signing a contract in the future I encourage you to contact a lawyer for an independent legal opinion.

Colleen and I went on a trip to California to see our son, Kim, so I missed Agribition.

I would like to thank everyone for filling in for me. They did a marvelous job!

California has begun to get some badly needed rain, so the grass is starting to grow and is looking good. Their cattle sure need the green grass as they really suffered from the drought. I also observed that a lot of ranchers are using Hereford bulls on black cows.

I am very pleased to announce we have hired Quinn Anderson Folk as Program Manager for the SSGA. Her enthusiasm and happy personality will be a great addition to the office.

In the past few months there has been a significant market correction for feeder cattle which came as a bit of a surprise for most people. I have heard from a few producers who forward contracted their calves August and September, at a significant profit compared to the current market prices, with a November delivery date. When the producers went to deliver their calves they encountered challenges with the buyers not wanting to honour the terms of their contracts.

The weather has been better than any fall and early winter in memory. It has really saved on feed and work. In our area, the hay is still selling very high at the hay auctions.

On December 18, President Obama signed the omnibus bill which includes the repeal of COOL on beef and pork. Hopefully this long, drawn out affair has come to an end and trade can get back to normal with our largest trading partner.

The SK Beef Industry Conference (SBIC) is scheduled for January 20-22 in Saskatoon with the SSGA Semi-Annual scheduled for the morning of January 21. Please make plans to attend and participate in the discussions that will help shape the future of our industry. Hope to see you all there or at our upcoming zone meetings.

Goodbye ‘til then. And, have you sold a membership? B

Stock Grower Spring Break!

Plan to attend the second annual "Stock Grower Spring Break" trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico during the Campeoneto Millonario Nacional Charro. For more information on this trip please contact the SSGA office at 306.757.8523.

I have always thought that a person’s word was their bond. When the market goes up like last fall or goes down like this year people need to honour the

JANUARY 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 51

Calendar of Events JANUARY 2016

January 20-22 January 30

SK Beef Industry Conference MC Quantock - “Canada’s Bulls” Bull Sale

Saskatoon, SK Lloydminster, AB

February 6 February 8 February 10 February 14 February 14-16 February 15 February 16-18 February 18 February 25

Hill 70 Quantock Ranch Barn Burnin’ Bull Sale Moose Creek Red Angus 2-Year Old Bull Sale Advertising deadline for March magazine Diamond M Ranch 5th Annual Bull & Female Sale Western Canadian Holistic Management Conference Ole Farms 11th Annual Family Day Bull Sale Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference Chapman Cattle Co. 10th Annual “Forage Developed” Bull Sale Benlock Farms 3rd Annual Bull and Female Sale

FEBRUARY

Lloydminster, AB Kisbey, SK Estevan, SK Russell, MB Athabasca, AB Saskatoon, SK Stettler, AB Grandora, SK

MARCH

March 1 March 4 March 5 March 5 March 6 March 7 March 8 March 8 March 13 March 14 March 17 March 19 March 22 March 26 March 26 March 29 March 31

Double Bar D “Best of Both Worlds” Bull & Select Female Sale LaBatte Simmentals 36th Annual Bull & Female Sale Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch 27th Annual Bull Sale McMillen Ranching Ltd. 22nd Annual Bull Sale R+ 16th Annual Bull Sale Ashworth Farm & Ranch Ltd. 13th Annual Bull Sale McTavish Farms Charolais & Red Angus Bull Sale Sun Country Shorthorn Bull Sale Standard Hill Connection Polled Hereford & Black Angus Bull Sale Palmer Charolais with Nielson Land & Cattle Co. 5th Annual Charolais, Red & Black Angus Bull Sale Johnson Livestock Bull Sale Canada’s Red, White and Black Bull Sale City View Simmentals & Ivanhoe Angus 6th Annual Bull Sale Borderline Cattle Co. Bull Sale Stockman Select Bull Sale & Commercial Open Replacement Heifers Only the Good Ones Sell Production Sale Cattle Creek Ranch Red Angus Bull Sale

April 2 April 4 April 5 April 11 April 13 April 16 April 16

Burnett Black Angus Bull Sale Wilgenbusch Charolais 13th Annual North of the 49th Bull Sale Cedarlea Charolais & Windy Willows Angus “Git R Done” Bull Sale Moose Creek 22nd Annual Red Angus Yearling Bull Sale South View Ranch 16th Annual Red & Black Angus Bull Sale Brimner Cattle Co. and WRAZ Red Angus Cornerstone Bull & Female Sale Short Grass 38th Annual Bull & Female Sale

Grenfell, SK Moose Jaw, SK Ponteix, SK Carievale, SK Estevan, SK Oungre, SK Moosomin, SK Moose Jaw, SK Maidstone, SK Bladworth, SK Peebles, SK Moose Jaw, SK Moose Jaw, SK Rockglen, SK Moose Jaw, SK Edam, SK Maple Creek, SK

APRIL

Please submit resolutions to: the SSGA office Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Phone: 306-757-8523 Fax: 306-569-8799 email: ssga@sasktel.net

SSGA Meeting Notice SSGA SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING January 21st, 2016 at 9:30 am Saskatoon Inn · Saskatoon, SK 52

Swift Current, SK Halbrite, SK Hodgeville, SK Kisbey, SK Ceylon, SK Whitewood, SK Aneroid, SK

For a full SK Beef Industry Conference agenda visit www.saskbeefconference.com

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

JANUARY 2016

JANUARY 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 53

DMF 436B IPU Red Chakota X Titan

DMF 441B STF Royal Affair X Twain

DMF 424B Wheatland Terminator X Driver

DMF 488B IPU Red Chakota X Crocket

Advertiser Index Affordable Livestock Equipment

57

Hill 70 Quantock Ranch

3

R Plus Simmentals

53

Allen Leigh Security & Communications

46,56

Impact Trailer Sales

9

Saskatchewan Angus Assoc.

58

Apollo Machine & Products

56

Ivanhoe Angus

43

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

26

Arm River Red Angus

58

Jackson Designs

58

Saskatchewan Verified Beef Production

30-31

Ashworth Farm & Ranch Sale

16

John Brown Farms

58

Shadow Ranch

56

Beef Infoxchange System

Cover

Johnson Livestock

47

Solar West

57

Benlock Farms

15

Johnstone Auction Mart

58

Standard Hill Livestock

49

Bill Laidlaw Chartered Accountant Professional Corp.

57

Kelln Solar

57

Stockman Select

37

Canada's 3rd Annual Red & White Sale

33

Kramer Auctions

57

Sun Country Bull Sale

38

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency

18-19

Kyle Welding & Machine Shop

57

Superior Livestock Auction

58

Canadian Gelbvieh Association

41

LLB Angus

56

Sweet Pro

56

Canadian Western Agribition

20

Labatte Simmentals

45

Target Cattle Concepts

57

Chapman Cattle Co.

27

Lane Realty Corp.

6

Terra Grain Fuels

56

Cityview Simmentals

43

Linthicum Ranch

56

Western Canadian Holistic Management

22

Cowtown Livestock Exchange, Inc.

56

Man-SK Gelbvieh

58

Western Litho

58

Davidson Gelbvieh

8

Manitou Maine-Anjou

56

Diamond M Ranch

54

Masterfeeds

57

Double Bar D Farms

50

McDonald's

29

Ducks Unlimited Canada

59

McMillen Ranching Ltd.

4

Early Sunset Ranch

23

M.C. Quantock

Insert

Edward Jones

57

McTavish Charolais

21

FCC Ag More Than Ever

48

Meadow Acres

45

Federated Co-operatives Ltd.

57

Moose Creek Angus

25

Friendly Acres Seed Farm

56

New Life Mills

58

Frostfree Nosepumps Ltd.

56

New Vision Agro

58

GBT Angus

58

Nielson & Palmer Bull Sale

35

Gibson Livestock

57

Norheim Ranching

60

Grayson & Co.

58

Northstar Seed

57

Hi-Hog Farm & Ranch Equipment

28

OLE Farms

7

Paysen Livestock Equipment

2

SSGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE EXECUTIVE

Doug Gillespie President/Director at Large Neville, SK Phone: 627-3619 Shane Jahnke 1st Vice President/Director at Large Gouldtown, SK

Phone: 784-2899

Bill Huber 2nd Vice President/Director at Large Lipton, SK Phone: 336-2684 Harold Martens Past President/Director at Large Swift Current, SK

Keith Day, Lacadena Gerald Duckworth, Courval Kelcy Elford, Caronport Tom Grieve, Fillmore Dave Hoeft, Southey Paula Larson, D'Arcy Henry McCarthy, Wawota Norm Nordgulen, Assiniboia Donnie Peacock, Maple Creek Roy Rutledge, Assiniboia

ZONE CHAIR DIRECTORS Phone: 773-6782

Helen Finucane Finance Chair Regina, SK Phone: 584-2773

JANUARY 2016

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 - Zone 5 - Zone 6 - Zone 7 - Zone 12 -

Lloyd Thompson, Carnduff Stephanie Deg, Weyburn Terry Ostrander, Hallonquist Robin Wiggins, Maple Creek Bill Huber, Lipton Brent Griffin, Elbow Kimberly Simpson, Kyle Kelly Williamson, Pambrun

375-2934 394-4211 355-2335 722-3504 726-2941 379-9125 739-2205 642-4961 662-8288 642-5358

AFFILIATE DIRECTORS

Garner Deobald - Charolais Affiliate, Hodgeville 677-2589 Jack Ford - SaskMilk Affiliate, Wishart 328-4700 Tara Fritz - SImmental Affiliate, Shaunavon 297-3147 Laird Senft - Angus Affiliate, Fort Qu’Appelle 332-4823 Ashley L'Henaff - Shorthorn Affiliate, Melfort 920-7751 Jeff Yorga - Limousin Affiliate 531-5717

APPOINTED DIRECTORS

Dr. Andy Acton- Veterinary Advisor, Ogema

459-2422

SASKATCHEWAN CCA DIRECTORS

486-2146 891-9894 553-2213 666-2103 336-2684 854-2050 375-5534 582-6102

Brent Griffin, Elbow Pat Hayes, Val Marie Reg Schellenberg, Beechy Perry Rasmuson, Moosomin

854-2050 298-2284 859-4905 435-3110

Listings of email and fax numbers can be found on the SSGA website at www.skstockgrowers.com

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 55

NEW LI STI N G S

Machine & Products Ltd.

ROLLER MILLS

~ Electric or PTO models ~ 10 sizes available ~ Increase the nutrition value from your feed! ~ Manufactured in Saskatoon

Specializing in...

H H H

We regroove roller mill rolls - most brands 2502 Millar Ave, Saskatoon 306-242-9884 or 877-255-0187 apm@sasktel.net BeefBusiness_1.pdf 1 12/14/15 www.apollomachineandproducts.com

H Bale Feeders Corral Panels H Electric Fence Wind Breaks Solar Water Stations H Arrow Cattle Equipment Dealer

For more information please call: Arthur Weiss 866-354-7655 shadow20ranch@gmail.com

7:25 PM

COWCAM

Wireless & IP Systems Makes your calving €easier, safer & more profitable!

• Smartphone compatible • Save more calves • Stop disturbing them and check more frequently

Cam

Y

545 Assiniboine Ave, Brandon, MB I TF: 1.866.289.8164 T: 204.728.8878 I info@allenleigh.ca

www.precisioncam.ca Trusted Quality,

Trusted Support,

Trusted Service!

CT

Cowtown Livestock Exchange Inc. Maple Creek, SK

Regular Sales every Tuesday @ 11:00 a.m.

Locally Owned & Operated Call for info on Presort & Other Sales Phone 306-662-2648 Toll Free: 1-800-239-5933

www.cowtownlivestock.com

Linthicum Ranch Open replacement and Bred Heifers for sale, Hereford Black & Baldy Heifers for sale.

Also, commercial Hereford Bulls Murray & Jan Frank (306) 266-4377 (306) 266-4417

Glentworth, SK

Friendly Acres Seed Farm www.friendlyacres.sk.ca

306-744-2332

kevin.elmy@friendlyacres.sk.ca Grazing & Silage Corn Thunder, Hyland, Canamaize Cover Crops Tillage Radish® Forage Blends Gallagher Fencing Thunder Soybeans Call for local retailers

Your AD could be here!

Contact Tracy Cornea at 306-693-9329

LLB Angus Annual March Bull & Female Sale Private Treaty Sales LEE & LAURA BROWN Box 217, Erskine, Alberta T0C 1G0 Phone: 403-742-4226 email: llbangus@xplornet.com

www.llbangus.com Call (306) 345-2280 or visit www.terragrainfuels.com for more information.

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JANUARY 2016

Affordable Livestock Equipment

1-844-500-5341

www.affordablelivestockequipment.com Freestanding 21’ Panels Starting at $199 Windbreak Frames $399. sold less boards 10’ Panels 5 and 6 Bar $69 & $79 Bunk Feeder Panels $399 Continuous Corral Panels Horse Haysavers $459.

7’ High Game Fence Panels 50’ Round Pen Kits $1695 & Up

Pump Kit

Solar West 500

There is a Dealer near You!

Calmar, Alberta

Duralite & NOrbert StOCk trailer Dealer

®

a Tradition of Quality in Animal Nutrition

For Beef Nutrition Solutions Call - made of 12ga Galvanized Steel - Popular size 400, 500, 1000 & 1250 Imp. Gal. - Optional Features available

Kyle, SK

306-375-2271

Jerry Glab Jack Wagman Kurtis Reid Roger Kostron

1-306-891-8914 1-306-536-1004 1-306-220-2226 1-306-491-9096

Regina Mill Saskatoon Mill Humboldt Mill

1,000 gal 500 gal

www.kylewelding.com

1-877-440-2727 1-888-681-4111 1-800-747-9186

15’, 20’, 25’s in stock

7 me ra Year Frranty Wa

Reputation of Quality 16, 20 + 24’s in stock

Custom Orders are Welcome North Battleford, SK P: 306.445.5000 TF: 1.800.529.9958 Online Showroom at:

ONE CULTURE - ONE TEAM, TOGETHER WE’RE BETTER!

BL BILL LAIDLAW CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT PROF. CORP.

BILL LAIDLAW CA.CFP.

604 Government Road S. Weyburn, SK S4H 2B4 Ph: 306.842.5344 Fax: 306.842.5345 Bill@BillLaidlaw.ca

Chartered Accountant

RYAN GIBSON BUS: 306-692-9668 CELL: 306-631-0070 FAX: 306-692-3252 TOLL-FREE: 1-800-667-7176

Your AD could be here!

Forage Seed

Contact Tracy Cornea at

Corn Seed

306-693-9329

Neil McLeod 306-831-9401 www.edwardjones.com

Co-op Feeds We are a Canadian distributor for Pneu-Dart Pneu-darT

Graham McKenzie

306.861.7074 JANUARY 2016

INC.

Providing all your livestock needs.

Brandon: (204) 727-0571 Melfort: (306) 752-2894 Calgary: (403) 531-6656 Moosomin: (306) 435-3331 Edmonton: (780)472-6767 Saskatoon: (306) 477-6464

Know your goals so you can choose your investments.

Tyler Knibbs

Financial Advisor .

461 King Street Unit 3 Estevan, SK S4A 1K6 306-634-4870 www.edwardjones.com

Dale Watson

306.861.4618

Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund

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Integrity Commitment Results

All types of commercial and purebred livestock auctions and farm sales.

Wash rack facilities for livestock

www.johnstoneauction.ca

Wayne or Scott Johnstone Box 818, Moose Jaw, SK 306-693-4715 (Bus) Fax 306-691-6650

Representative for:

Proudly providing legal services since 1883

Weekly Online Sales

(306) 693-6176

Canadian Livestock Auction Ltd. Direct Ranch & Farm Purchases of: • Feeder Cattle • Slaughter Cattle • Breeding Stock

Layton Bezan Head Office: Box 1726, Regina, SK Canada S4P 3C6

Bus: (306) 775-0412 Cell: (306) 537-8898 Toll Free: 1-800-521-7355

e-mail us at: admin@graysonandcompany.com 350 Langdon Crescent Moose Jaw, SK S6H 0X4

Helen Finucane office: 306-775-1443 cell: 306-537-2648 phone: 306-584-2773 Carlyle, SK

Your AD could be here!

Celebrating 40 years in Canada!

For Upcoming Gelbvieh Sales and Breeders in your area contact: Ian Thackeray President (306) 861-7687 tgfis@sasktel.net

Contact Tracy Cornea at 306-693-9329

www.gelbvieh.ca

(306) 567- 4702

Box 688, Davidson, SK S0G

Annual Online 2 Year Old Bull Sale 3rd Friday in March Trevor, Cheryl, Brett & Carter Branvold Box 205 Wawota, Saskatchewan S0G 5A0 Ph: 306 739 2924 | Cell: 306 577 9141 gbtangus@sasktel.net | www.gbtangus.com

Your AD could be here!

Contact Tracy Cornea

306-693-9329

Jackson Designs 306.772.0376

Commercial Graphics Catalogue Design Photography

www.jacksondesigns.ca 58

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NEW VISION AGRO Box 479 Hague, SK S0K 1X0 PH: (306) 225-2226 FX: (306) 225-2063

email: newvisionagro@sasktel.net www.newvisionagro.com

Dealer & Distributor For: - Jay-Lor Vertical Feed Mixers - Masterfeeds - Cargill Rite Now Minerals - Baler twine, netwrap, silage bunker, covers, plastic wrap, Grain Bags

Check with us before you buy!

JANUARY 2016

RANCHING

NORHEIM

Your Livestock Equipment Specialists ARROW CATTLEQUIP • • • •

Squeeze Chutes Alleyways Crowding Tubs Portable Systems

• • • •

Loading Chutes Head Gates Bud Box Calving Pens

** Leasing options available on all steel

RED RHINO SELF UNLOADING HAY TRAILER 40 FT SELF UNLOADING HAY TRAILER 2 x 6,000lb axles, LED lights, trailer brakes Pulls easily with a 3/4 ton truck **Ask about our leasing options!

Net Wrap & Twine • Silage Covers & Wrap • Hay Monster Feeders Livestock Handling Equipment • Portable Corral Systems Self Unloading Hay Trailers • Tru Test Weighing Systems Gates & Panels • Steel Fencing • Freestanding Panels Lee - Saskatoon 1.306.227.4503

Mike - Asquith 1.306.220.2265

Kelly - Eatonia 1.403.990.2098

Sheldon - Redvers 1.306.452.7545

Chris - Spalding 1.306.874.8194

WWW.NORHEIMRANCHING.COM