Beef Business January 2017

Beef Business ‘

Saskatchewan’s largest circulated industry magazine Saskatchewan`s Premier Cattle Industry Publication Saskatchewan`s Premiere Cattlecattle Industry January 2017

A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Publication Publication Mail Agreement #40011906

Working for Producers

35 Horned and Polled Yearlings and Two Year Old Bulls

All bulls semen tested and fully guaranteed. ~ Heifer bulls available Over 90% of our customers are repeat buyers. Bulls are foot rot vaccinated

Contents Cover photo courtesy of Dwane Morvik, Eastend, SK

A Proud Saskatchewan Tradition Since 1913

Beef Business A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) Publication

Industry News 6

4-H Saskatchewan Turns 100

8

Canadian Federation of Agriculture Studying Credit Insurance for Producers

10

SSGA Receives Conservation Grant

12

Sheri and Miles Anderson Awarded the Meritorius Service Medal

14

Beef Drive Exceeds Expectations

14

Province Acts to Reduce Cougar Conflicts

16

SSGA Youth Mentorship Program

Markets and Trade 20

Retail Meat Price Survey

22

Weekly Charts

24

Community and Industry Help Rancher Through TB Ordeal

26

Agriculture Minister Stewart Takes Stock of Beef Issues

Features

Science and Production 40

Winter Corn Grazing Beef Cattle in Western Canada

44

Check-Off Remittances Reminder

46

Where's the Beef? Missing Livestock Files

47

Stepping Off the Beaten Path: Early Adoption of SARPAL

50

Grasslands Go Modern: New Modelling Methods Show Promise for Saskatchewan

51

SSGA Supports the Retention of the Horned Levy

52

SSGA Welcomes New Director - Rodney Gamble

53

A Report from the SSGA President

54

Calendar of Events

55

Advertisers Index

56

Business Directory

Stewardship

Association News, Reports and Events

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

Follow us on facebook.com/skstockgrowers @SK_StockGrowers cycle This M a

Tara Mulhern Davidson Fonda Froats Jeff Gaye Breeanna Kelln

Ross Macdonald Chad MacPherson Cam Wilk

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Contributors

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 2017

www.skstockgrowers.com | ŠBEEF BUSINESS | 5

Industry News 4-H Saskatchewan Turns 100 4-H Saskatchewan will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2017.

4-H clubs are known for their strong connection to agriculture, but 4-H Saskatchewan’s Executive Director Cera Youngson says the organization has broadened over the past century to encompass a wide scope of interests.

“We’re still proud of our rural roots and they’re very important, but a lot of people don’t realize how much the program has grown,” she said. “There’s international travel opportunities through 4-H. We have projects varying from geocaching to science and technology to astronomy.

There’s all kinds of things that you can do through the 4-H program today.”

Members and alumni will gather in Saskatoon March 25 for a gala to celebrate the centennial. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned expert on animal welfare and an authority on autism spectrum disorders. Youngson says that although Grandin is well-known in the beef community, her message is valuable for everybody.

it’s really about building confidence and communication skills, leadership skills – some of the soft skills that people might not realize they’re learning until they look back a few years later at the time spent in the program.”

The 4-H movement – which encourages young people to engage by using their heads, their hearts, their hands and their health – took root in Saskatchewan under the guidance of John G. Rayner.

The first clubs were formed in 1917 in

Dubuc, Colgate and Tantallon. Rayner’s philosophy was that the boy or girl is the primary concern, and the project work secondary.

Youngson said there will be plenty of local celebrations throughout the year.

Alumni can contact their local clubs or the provincial office for more information. 4-H Saskatchewan will host a come-and-go event at Canadian Western Agribition in November to wrap up the centennial year. B

Congratulations!

Former SSGA President Calvin Knoss and his wife Sandra were named the 2016 Commercial Breeder of the Year by the SK Charolais Association.

“Obviously we have a lot of beef members in the province, that’s our largest project here in Saskatchewan. But Dr. Grandin is a distinguished 4-H alumna herself so she’s going to speak to us about how that impacted her growing up. “As well, she’s a great proponent for all youth finding their place.”

Most 4-H members in Saskatchewan are involved in livestock, primarily beef. Light horse clubs and sheep clubs are popular, and a new swine club got started this year.

“Members as young as six are learning to take care of their animals and taking them all the way from the barnyard to the show ring as they grow through the program,” Youngson said. But she says the program is not just about raising better cattle.

SSGA Director Garner Deobald, his wife Lori and their family of Cedarlea Farms, were named the 2016 Breeder of the Year by the SK Charolais Association.

“A lot of people kind of get hung up on 4-H being about beef or about horses, but

6

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JANUARY 2017

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Industry News Canadian Federation of Agriculture Studying Credit Insurance for Producers After all the risk and hard work involved in raising beef cattle, or any other agricultural commodity, it’s frustrating to find a buyer and agree on a price only to get stiffed on the bill.

producers more confidence when dealing with new buyers.

risk (comparable to the deductible on auto insurance) will be 10 per cent.

Roff used a grain farming scenario as an example.

Last month federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced funding for a two-year research project to create a new regime of credit insurance for farmers and ranchers. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is conducting the study under the Canadian Federation of Agriculture Credit Risk Mitigation Program (CFACRMP).

“You know the crop’s in the bin,” he said.

“Now your next thought is how do I sell it. Do you go to brokers, do you go to dealers, do you go direct? Do you hope someone is going to call you, or do you just offload to one of the largest grain companies in Canada?

The CFACRMP will be administered online, with each producer having a separate account. It will be designed for simplicity and ease of use.

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association is a participating organization in the study.

Douglas Roff, who is working on the project, says the plan will allow producers to select which sales they want to insure on an invoice-by-invoice basis. Roff says the traditional model for credit insurance is designed for corporations to insure all of its receivables, domestic and foreign.

“If a farmer in Canada wanted to insure just one transaction he couldn’t do that, it was not possible,” he said.

“What will happen is that a farmer could insure one buyer, ten buyers or all buyers and it’s done on an invoice by invoice basis. That’s a hugely different approach than traditional credit insurance.”

There are several ways a seller could wind up not being paid for a sale. Sometimes it’s misunderstanding a handshake agreement, a buyer becoming insolvent, or even outright fraud.

A producer who has a good history with a particular buyer might not see the need to insure those invoices, and the program would allow them that choice. But often, Roff says, producers will accept a lower price from a familiar buyer rather than accept a better offer from a buyer they don’t know. Credit insurance can give

“You know you’re going to get paid but what you also know is that you’re not going to get a very good price. So although this is not a stated objective, we want to allow farmers to be a lot more proactive and not be forced into selling from the combine so to speak. “We want to empower farmers to be able to evaluate good offers they get.”

Systems where buyers post bonds to guarantee payment have their shortcomings, Roff says, especially when a bond falls far short of the seller’s losses in the event of a default. Under the credit insurance program, the buyer’s retained

“Credit insurance on its best day is really difficult for people to wrap their head around. And it’s the reason the vast majority of businesses in Canada have probably never heard of credit insurance,” Roff said.

“We think CFACRMP is pretty easy to understand and pretty easy to use. There are so few programs out there to protect farmers, at least in the credit insurance area.”

Roff acknowledges the business side of agriculture is every bit as risky as the production side. “I’m not saying that planting isn’t important or growing isn’t important or harvesting isn’t important,” he said, “but if you sell to someone and don’t get paid, that’s it, you’re screwed.”B

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JANUARY 2017

Industry News SSGA Receives Conservation Grant The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) has received a $200,000 grant from the Washington, DC-based National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) for grasslands conservation projects.

The SSGA is collaborating with the South of the Divide Conservation Action Program Inc. (SODCAP Inc.) to implement the projects, which include habitat management and habitat restoration to help protect species at risk.

“We’re enlisting the help of producers in the southwest who have shown an interest in participating,” said SSGA President Shane Jahnke. “We want to preserve the grasslands we have, and expand habitat onto some land that is no longer in its original state.”

Cooperating producers will implement grazing management strategies, control

10

invasive species with herbicides or grazing and establish perennial grasslands using native seedstock.

The grant is part of NFWF’s Great Plains Initiative, whose goal is to directly maintain or improve a million acres of interconnected, native grasslands in the Northern Great Plains. According to the NFWF, the program “works with willing private landowners and local partners to address these challenges by conserving and restoring native prairie and wildlife while also enhancing local ranching and tribal communities.”

The idea, NFWF says, is “to sustain healthy populations of grassland-obligate species while fostering sustainable livelihoods and preserving cultural identities.”

Through the southwestern Saskatchewan projects, the SSGA will develop and implement four Habitat Management

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Agreements on 4,000 acres of native grasslands and four Habitat Restoration Agreements which will control invasive species and restore habitat on 600 acres of previously disturbed grasslands.

The NFWF Funding will be matched

by Species At Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL), a program of the federal Environment and Climate Change Canada ministry.

“Our members have a huge stake in the state of Saskatchewan’s natural grass prairie,” Jahnke said. “The funding from NFWF and SARPAL will help us conserve habitat for species at risk, and will go a long way toward protecting the remaining grasslands.

“This is an important part of our commitment to sustainable beef production.”B

JANUARY 2017

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

Brittain Farms

Kelly & Colleen Brittain 780-352-0676 Falun, AB britt4@xplornet.com

JANUARY 2017

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

Goodview Gelbvieh Blair & Lorie Bentz 306-835-2748 Punnichy, SK blbentz@sasktel.net

Keriness Cattle Company Ltd. Kert Ness - 403-860-4634 kertness@shaw.ca Joe Ness - 403-852-7332 Airdrie, AB jonuscattle@gmail.com

Carlson Cattle Company

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

CANADIAN GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION

Jen-Ty Gelbviehs

Don & Lorna Okell 403-378-4898 Duchess, AB jenty@eidnet.org www.jentygelbviehs.com

RPS Gelbvieh

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.lonesomedoveranch.ca

Raymond & Pauline Sommerfeld 306-342-4490 Ryan Sommerfeld 306-342-7259 Medstead, SK ryan.sommerfeld@xplornet.ca

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

Overby Stock Farm

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

www.gelbvieh.ca

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 11

Industry News Sheri and Miles Anderson Awarded the Meritorius Service Medal Having already won The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) at the provincial and national levels, Miles and Sheri Anderson of Fir Mountain, SK had another prestigious honour bestowed on them in 2016.

In November, Governor General David Johnston presented Miles and Sheri with the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) at a ceremony in Edmonton.

According to the Governor General’s website, Meritorious Service Medals (Civil Division) are given “to recognize remarkable contributions in many different fields of endeavour, from advocacy initiatives and health care services, to research and humanitarian efforts.”

“Past recipients have tackled poverty in their community, improved education opportunities for children in Canada and abroad, or raised awareness of important causes and issues.”

The Andersons were recognized for their efforts to preserve grassland habitat and protect the species at risk that depend on it. They have collaborated with the scientific community and with governments at all levels, in Canada and the US. According to their MSM citation, “they have spread the notion that good management of the grasslands is beneficial to both wildlife and livestock.”

With the two TESA awards and the MSM, Miles says the attention has “been a bit much, maybe.” But he says it helps to promote the good work that can be done by the industry.

“I think it shows people how we really do things. I don’t know if it’s changed that much over the years, but it’s good that it’s being recognized,” he said. “Things like this can give a bit of a boost to ranchers in general, and it’s good for other people to see what we’re doing.”

12

Sheri and Miles Anderson with Governor General David Johnston

The ceremony usually takes place at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, but November’s presentation was held in Edmonton for the first time. More than 70 Canadians were given military or civilian honours.

“It was good that they came out this way,” Miles said. “It was very well done. There’s a lot of rules and pageantry involved in these things, but it was very good.” B

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BULL SALE Offering: 100 Black & Red Angus Yearling Bulls

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April 4, 2017 Warner, AB

Doug Munton: (403) 328-6966 Michael Munton: (403) 394-4903 Shane Whiteman: US (406) 366-0688 CAN (403) 795-0262

www.BENCHMARKANGUS.com

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Engineering Superior Beef JANUARY 2017

JANUARY 2017

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Industry News Beef Drive Exceeds Expectations canvassed local businesses and had set up a booth at the mall to fundraise nearly $2100.”

be in the neighbourhood of $27,000. “We have also received over $5500 in cash donations,” Jahnke said.

“The response to the Beef Drive has far exceeded our wildest expectations,” said SSGA President Shane Jahnke. “The generosity of beef producers never ceases to amaze me.”

Adrianna and Jorja Simpson of Kyle, SK set up a table in a Swift Current mall to accept donations for the drive. While they were there, they were able to discuss the beef industry – from their young perspective – with interested consumers. The sisters, aged 14 and 12 respectively, also reached out to beef industry stakeholders including trucking companies, abattoirs, auctioneers and their local credit union, to contribute to the Beef Drive.

Jahnke said Treen Packers of Swift Current, West Bridgeford Meats of Tugaske and Western Prime Meat Processors of Weyburn partnered with the SSGA on the effort, and processed the donated beef at a substantial discount. Western Prime also matched contributions pound for pound.

“We have received donations from people of all ages including a 90-plus year old Past President, and the Simpson girls who

The market value of the beef collected is more than $19,000 already, and if the drive reaches 5,000 pounds the value will

When the SSGA launched its Beef Drive in November, the organization’s goal was to raise 1,000 pounds of beef for Saskatchewan food banks.

So much for that. As of mid-December, the effort had delivered 3,459 pounds of ground beef and was on track to exceed 5,000 pounds.

“Thanks to everyone who donated an animal or cash, as well our three participating processors who helped make this program such a success,” Jahnke said. B

Province Acts to Reduce Cougar Conflicts The provincial government is adding to its existing measures to reduce conflicts between cougars and humans.

Some of the big cats are becoming habituated to the presence of humans, and pose a potential threat to people and livestock. At its 103rd Annual General Meeting last June, the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) passed a motion calling on the province to permit the hunting of cougars.

The resolution noted the severity of the problem in southwestern Saskatchewan, where cougars “are hanging around farm and ranch yards much more often than they should be.”

But the potential for dangerous interaction between cougars and people or livestock is not confined to Saskatchewan’s southwest.

“Sightings have become more common in the Cypress Hills region and along

14

the entire length of the forest fringe from Meadow Lake to Hudson Bay,” Environment Minister Scott Moe said.

“Although cougars are a protected animal and are a natural part of the Saskatchewan landscape, we take the concerns of residents seriously and will implement measures to reduce conflicts.”

Conservation officers will continue to investigate all incidents where public safety is at risk and will now respond in one or more of the following ways:

• contact a local predator control • • •

specialist to trap and dispatch the cougar; acquire the services of trained houndsmen to help deal with known cougar encounters; ensure that specialized equipment, including functional live traps, is available in problem areas; allow landowners to retain animals killed when protecting property, under a permit.

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“These options will focus directly on issues when and where they occur, and will help provide a safe and effective response to problem issues, and a better chance of capturing problem animals,” Moe said.

The new measures do not include the cougar hunting season called for in the resolution, but SSGA president Shane Jahnke said the government is on the right track.

“We believe that the additional measures the Ministry of Environment has put into place are a positive step toward reducing cougar conflicts,” Jahnke said. “Cougar encounters have become more frequent in many areas of the province, and these measures will provide more options to address public safety concerns and incidences of livestock predation.”B

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Industry News SSGA Youth Mentorship Program The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association views mentorship as the key to developing young leaders within the beef sector. According to SSGA President, Shane Jahnke, “Today’s youth are the leaders of tomorrow and we need to encourage them to get involved at a young age to help shape the future of their industry.”

With the help of the Youth Leadership and Mentorship program, a joint federalprovincial initiative under the umbrella of Growing Forward 2, the SSGA is offering five, two-year mentorships for young producers with leadership goals.

The mentorship program will pay the costs for participants to attend industry conferences and other events. Participants have been paired with experienced mentors to develop their understanding of the industry and their ability to lead.

The SSGA has chosen the following five participants and respective mentors.

aside from beef production. Learning about the marketing supply chain would help me understand how to improve our operation.

Mentee: Adrienne J Hanson – Langbank, SK Mentor: Jodie Griffin – Delisle, SK Current occupation: My primary occupation is offering custom grazing to cow-calf pairs and I am currently hosting 300 pair and 100 heifers on 1800 acres.

Current occupation: I am currently in my second year of the four year DVM program at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. I am involved in my family’s commercial cow-calf operation at Riverhurst and currently own 40 head myself.

Why are you interested in the program?

Owning only 40 head, my contribution to the beef industry is relatively minor currently. Through a mentorship, I hope to learn about the opportunities that would allow me to get involved in the SSGA and other industry groups. I am willing to work together to develop a plan to increase my contribution to the industry while I am a student and after graduation. I hope this program introduces me to industry leaders and producers, and addresses the current issues facing the industry and ways in which resolve them.

Why are you interested in the program?

I am interested in the SSGA mentorship program to help me expand my knowledge base through attending conferences and my network through meeting producers from other parts of the province. I am also interested in increasing my knowledge of cattle marketing options and risk management strategies.

Mentee: AJ Ostrander - Hallonquist, SK Mentor: Brian Weedon - Swift Current, SK

Mentee: Chay Anderson – Fir Mountain, SK Mentor: Chad MacPherson – Regina, SK

Current occupation: I am currently working on our family ranch with my dad and my goal is to one day take over the operation. We are a cow calf operation just south of Hallonquist, SK. I also ride and train ranch and rope horses on the side. I enjoy the work that I do and am grateful to be able to learn more about the beef industry.

Current occupation: My primary occupation is ranching full-time with my parents on their ranch near Fir Mountain.

Eventually I would like to take over the ranch, but my main goal is utilizing what we do have to its full potential.

Why are you interested in the program?

I feel that the program would give me a chance to broaden my knowledge of the other sectors of the beef industry

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Mentee: Kenny May – Riverhurst, SK Mentor: Henry McCarthy – Wawota, SK

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Why are you interested in the program?

The Mentorship Program is a good

JANUARY 2017

opportunity for young producers to learn the ins and outs of the beef industry. I am looking forward to learning about the way the SSGA affects policy and how to deal with challenging issues within the industry. It will also provide an opportunity for networking and discussing ideas at conferences and with a specific mentor.

Canada’s Red, White and Black Bull Sale

March 18, 2017 ∙ 1:30 PM Johnstone Auction Barn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Breeds Represented: Mentee: Samuel Wauer – Success, SK Mentor: Garner Deobald – Hodgeville, SK Current occupation: My primary occupation is as a large animal veterinarian at the South West Animal Health Centre in Swift Current, SK. Outside of the vet clinic, I am a young cow-calf producer who recently established a small commercial cow-calf operation just outside of Success, SK called the 6S Cattle Co. Why are you interested in the program?

This year I was invited, by a producer, to attend an SSGA meeting. There was so much value in listening to what was presented to producers at this meeting I wanted to learn more. I have been a past participant in the Student International Livestock Congress (Calgary), which underscored the importance of networking and learning about the external pressures on the beef industry.

The opportunity to attend conferences and be affiliated with an organization such as the SSGA is invaluable. B

JANUARY 2017

Polled Hereford, Horned Hereford Red Angus, Black Angus Limousin, Charolais & Simmental

Visit

canadaredwhiteblackbullsale.weebly.com for more information regarding contributors and the bulls consigned.

For information more please contact Rob O’Connor, Lone Pine Cattle Services Telephone (306) 550-4890

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 17

Markets and Trade RETAIL MEAT PRICE SURVEY as of December 28, 2016 ($/lb)

CUTS

CO-OP

EXTRA FOODS

SAFEWAY

SAVE-ON-FOODS

SOBEYS

3.99

5.30

4.99

4.40

4.39

*

4.53

*

4.39

4.39

Roast/cross rib

7.93

*

5.99

7.49

6.99

Roast/rib

7.99

*

*

*

*

Roast/outside round

8.38

*

5.99

7.99

*

Steak/rib eye

10.99

*

17.98

17.49

17.39

Steak/round

*

7.97

*

*

8.29

Steak/sirloin

10.43

12.92

7.37

12.99

6.39

Steak/T-bone

14.96

12.69

*

16.49

16.29

*

*

25.99

24.49

25.99

Ground beef/lean Ground beef/regular

Steak/tenderloin

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

Ole Farms 12th annual Family Day Sale February 20, 2017 ~ 1:00 p.m.

at the farm, 15 minutes southwest of Athabasca, AB (only 2 hours from Edmonton’s International Airport) With over 2000 mother cows exposed in 2016, 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.

Red & Black Bulls Sired By...

XO Crowfoot 0102X (65 sons sell) Red Ole Indeed 600Y S A V Resource 1441 Coleman Charlo 0256

Vision Unanimous 1418 Ellingson Scotsman 0010 DDA Pinebank 50H S A V Final Answer 0035

180

Coming 2 Year Old Bulls Sell

200

Commercial Bred Heifers Sell

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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Markets and Trade

280

2013

230

2014 2015

180

2016

130

310 260

2013

210

2014 2015

160

2016

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

330

Price per hundred weight

SK Weekly Average Price Heifers 500-600 lbs

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

AB Fed Steer Prices

180.00

2013

160.00

2014

140.00

2015

120.00

2016

CDN $ - US terms

Price per hundred weight

0.98

200.00

0.88

2015

0.83

2016

0.78

5 yr avg

0.68

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

0.93

0.73

100.00 Source: CanFax

Source: Bank of Canada

Lethbridge Barley Price

Alberta Weekly D1 & D2 Cows 310.00

160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60

2013 2014 2015 2016

Price per tonne

290.00 270.00 250.00

2013

230.00

2014

210.00

2015

190.00

2016

170.00 150.00

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

220.00

Source: CanFax Source: 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

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NOVEMBER 2016

Diamond M Ranch

6th Annual Bull Sale February 12, 2017 At the Ranch West of Estevan, SK

“Mature Bulls Designed for Today's Cattlemen�

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Feature Community and Industry Help Rancher Through TB Ordeal

by Jeff Gaye

Brad Osadczuk is starting to breathe a little easier.

Osadczuk is a rancher from Jenner, Alberta. He owns the herd at the centre of a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) investigation into a case of bovine tuberculosis discovered in September.

“Oh, it’s been a rough fall I guess you could say. It’s been a struggle,” he said just after Christmas.

Osadczuk was informed on September 22 that a slaughter cow he had shipped to the US had tested positive for TB. He says it’s been nothing but bad news from that day on. “We just never knew anything like this could ever happen to us,” he said. “We always thought we knew what we were up against in this industry, but this one here was a real eye opener.”

The early days of the investigation were exasperating for affected ranchers, as the CFIA went about its work without a lot of communication, Osadczuk says. “They were not really good communicators, and we were kind of just hanging in the balance waiting for the next phone call or next set of orders or whatever they needed from us. There was a lot of uncertainty and a lot of stress and anxiety just not knowing anything. And they were very vague. They didn’t tell us much off the bat, so it was tough.”

“I can’t complain now. I guess you could say we got to the top and had some conversations and things are quite good now. But it took pretty much a shakeup for that to happen. A lot of people in the CFIA a long way up the ladder weren’t very happy with me and the rest of my neighbours, but it took that to get our lines of communication improved. And it’s good now.”

The CFIA quarantined more than 50 premises after the outbreak was discovered. As of December 21, seven quarantines had been lifted.

“Approximately five” of the remaining quarantines are in Saskatchewan, the agency said.

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The CFIA’s general investigation area in Saskatchewan includes rural municipalities south of the South Saskatchewan River and west of Highway 4. Only premises that have been placed under quarantine by the CFIA are prevented from moving animals without permission. Producers in the general investigation area that have not been contacted by the CFIA are allowed to move animals (including sending cattle to auction markets and feedlots), but must comply with livestock identification requirements.

A CFIA investigation looks at herds that have come into contact with the infected herd, and herds that have received animals from or provided animals to the infected herd in the last five years. All of these herds are placed under quarantine.

“We always thought we knew what we were up against in this industry, but this one here was a real eye opener.”

According to a CFIA spokesperson, “The investigation uses both epidemiological information and testing to determine the disease risk of potentially infected herds.”

In this particular investigation, the use of community pastures, with animals comingling while grazing, resulted in cattle from 18 premises being considered part of the infected herd.

Animals who react to on-farm testing are ordered destroyed for further laboratory testing, the spokesperson said. Any herd that has a positive animal as a result of the laboratory testing is declared infected and the entire herd destroyed. If reactor animals test negative for bovine TB, the other animals on the farm are released from movement controls. Six animals have tested positive so far.

The positive test from Osadczuk’s ranch means all of his animals will be destroyed by the first week of January, “so we’re starting from scratch,” he said.

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“There’s a period of time where we’ve got to assess the level of infection. We don’t know what that looks like yet, we’ll hopefully get going on that in the new year and basically see what it’s going to take to get rolling and start repopulating our ranch. So that’s where we stand now.

We’re going to be depopulated here by the end of next week. And then we have to start. But that’s what we do, so we’re going to get moving forward.”

Osadczuk says the compensation process is underway. “We did quite a bit of dealing with the compensation department of the CFIA for the last part of December, and all of us in the community kind of work together with them,” he said. “We’re hopefully close to having compensation finished with, and hopefully we’ll get things moving along.”

In the meantime, the beef industry and the community – including the bankers – have been supportive.

“Our bankers have been more than helpful,” he said. “My banker was supportive and understanding and helpful right from day one. They came out to see me, and told us no matter what we’ll get through this.”

Finance had been a worry for the affected ranchers, who would typically sell cattle in the fall to pay bills and minimize overwintering costs. “We’re still a little bit behind with getting our annual loans and stuff paid,” Osadczuk said. “But we’ll get ’er done here, and as we get compensated for these cattle they’ve destroyed we’ll get all that straightened out.”

He said industry groups, particularly the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), were a big help.

“Bob Lowe, the chairman of ABP, was probably one of the first guys I called, and I spoke with Bob pretty much every day, maybe three times a day for the first month. And we’d talk quite a few times a continued on page 36

JANUARY 2017

23rd Annual Bull Sale

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www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 25

Feature Agriculture Minister Stewart Takes Stock of Beef Issues Another big issue for us, as always, is to continue with our growth plan agenda and create an environment where farmers and ranchers can succeed and grow. We always continue to try to expand and maintain our trade relationships. And we will continue to invest in agricultural research.

Those are the big issues that we are engaged in, and three out of the four are the ones that we’re sort of continually engaged in.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart sat down with Beef Business late last month to discuss the state of the province’s beef industry.

BB: It’s a new year, and a relatively new mandate for the government. What would you say are the governments’ and the ag ministry’s priorities going forward?

Stewart: Well from the 30,000 foot level the next agricultural policy framework GF3 or whatever they call it is one of the major things that’s on our mind these days. We have an online survey out already to get producers’ reaction to what they would like to see in the strategic initiatives piece. The deadline for that is January 31. We’ll do further consultations on business risk management programs after that.

And we’ll be negotiating with the federal government next summer particularly on what the final framework will look like so it’s ready for April 2018. It’s important that producers take advantage of these consultation opportunities because even though the program won’t start until 2018 it’ll likely be finalized in June or July 2017.

So we need to get these consultations done.

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BB: What are some of the highlights of the past year for the livestock industry in the province?

Stewart: Well, we had some drop in price during the last year but a lot of livestock producers are also engaged in the cropping sector and we had the second largest crop in history.You know cattle prices softened during the year but later this fall it’s made a nice comeback, putting most producers fairly comfortably into the profitability area. And that’s good news.

It’s a cyclical industry and we never know how long these things last but things are looking pretty good price wise right now.

I think it was a good hay production year and good grass year in almost all of the province. And those are some worries that producers won’t have to face this year that they often do. Generally speaking it should be a decent year for the cattle industry.

BB: You’ve already touched on this, but what would you say are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities facing livestock in Saskatchewan?

Stewart: Trade barriers under the Trump administration may be - and we don’t know - but if you listen to some of the talk and some of Mr. Trump’s expressed opinions, trade barriers including COOL may be an issue again. We’ll be vigilant on that file as much as we can as a province, and certainly we’ll be encouraging the federal government to do the same.

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Farm labour is always an issue, and quite likely will continue to be.

And the Canadian dollar is a petro-dollar.

When oil and gas are doing better the dollar gains strength, and we’re seeing that right now. There may be a downward pressure on livestock prices because of a stronger dollar, so that’s something we’ll have to watch.

We have some disease issues right now particularly tuberculosis in three herds in Saskatchewan and substantially more than that in Alberta. That’s something we’ll continue to deal with.

Carbon tax is a dark cloud over the head of agriculture these days and the cattle industry as well.

And on the opportunity side. we think there are substantial opportunities to expand into new markets with trade deals.

The TPP would be our preference, but once again Mr. Trump has said that he’s not interested in the TPP so that may be a deal killer for that one. But in the absence of the TPP I think we have very strong opportunities in Japan and Vietnam for bilateral trade agreements that would give us some good trade standing with those countries. And they’re both substantial importers of food.

I would think Saskatchewan has room to expand the cow herd and also probably at least backgrounding on the feeding side.

And we have continuing opportunities to tell our story, to continue to have social license to operate without undue interference.

There’s forage and beef research too. The Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence, I think that’s an opportunity for the future.

Construction has actually started on that facility. You know, while there are some challenges I think the opportunities are fairly significant. continued on page 28

JANUARY 2017

NOVEMBER 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 27

Feature Ag Minister Interview cont. from pg. 26 BB: What specific impacts do you anticipate a carbon tax could have on agriculture, and specifically livestock?

Stewart: For agriculture as a whole it’s pretty significant. Farm fuel costs alone are only about 30 percent of what we think the impact will be on agriculture.

That’s particularly cropping agriculture.

But as for the impact for a cow calf operation, the carbon levy will increase fuel costs, overwintering costs, extra fuel and fertilizer costs associated with haying and hauling cows, moving cattle and feeding cattle.

The effect of a carbon levy on the winter costs for a cow herd will depend on the type of feeding and manure handling system that’s used and the length of the feeding period, but they will be substantial. The extra costs associated with feeding, putting up hay, cutting, baling at $50 per tonne carbon levy are substantial and we think it will be a drain on the cattle industry as well as the cropping side.

We all think of our own fuel costs, but cattle producers use some fertilizer and they use other products that take a lot of carbon to produce, like farm equipment.

And those things will all be affected as well.

So it’s hard to calculate. We had an easier time calculating the grain farm impact at 10 to 12 dollars per acre likely, but we’re having a harder time getting a real handle on the additional cost for livestock producers. We’re still working on that.

BB: Whether Ottawa imposes a carbon tax or there’s a made in Saskatchewan carbon levy in the future, does the Government of Saskatchewan have a position on whether or how agriculture could be exempt from it?

Stewart: Well, any exemptions that have been suggested for agriculture only include farm fuel costs. And the federal government actually hasn’t suggested

one for this, but in the past we’ve heard about exemptions on this sort of thing. All they talk about is farm fuel costs and that’s 30 percent of the impact we calculate. So with an exemption we’re still hurt badly.

Our approach is to fight this thing. We’ll fight it in the court of public opinion and in the courts of the land. And I think we’re on the right side of this thing. We’re on the side that’s talking about facts not just good intentions. And I think we’re going to win both ways - in the court of public opinion and in the courts of the land. We have a very strong legal case as well.

BB: The benchmark for emissions policy is 2005 emissions. Is there anything in your discussion with the federal government that suggests they might be prepared to recognize the progress that’s already been made, and the carbon sink created by grassland and agriculture generally?

Stewart: Yes, what you said is correct.

The beef industry has made gains and so has the cropping sector with continuous cropping and zero-till. We calculate our agriculture in this province as carbon neutral, maybe even on the positive side.

At the very worst, very slightly on the negative side as far as neutrality goes. And I, and we as a government, have argued that the 2005 date just does not include all the good work that’s been done in both the livestock and cropping areas as far as carbon reductions in this province are concerned.

But the 2005 date is the date that was agreed upon in the Paris Accord. And as far as this federal government is concerned it’s inflexible. That’s all they’ll consider.

BB: What are the most significant changes in the proposal to amend the Provincial Lands Act? Stewart: Modernizing the wording is the largest change in the PLA. It hasn’t been updated since 1978 and it originated in the 1930s. Changes are intended to make the Provincial Lands Act less prescriptive and more enabling, in order to make it

more flexible to meet the needs of clients.

Enabling means that the legislation itself doesn’t contain much in terms of detail.

It contains the outline of the intentions of the act in broad terms, but the more specific details will be prescribed through regulations. We’ve consulted with stakeholders on the regulations and we’ll start to put a package of regulations together in the not too distant future. It’ll be a process though.

The changes to the act can allow longer term leases on Crown land or shorter term leases in some cases too; more flexibility in other words. And this I think has the ability to stabilize the ranching industry.

Plus, where it’s considered desirable by the landholders, you can also embrace projects like oil and gas and potash mines and wind farms on Crown land and have the opportunity to create long-term projects in those fields as well.

And government would have the ability to respond and take action when land is being misused by issuing immediate work stop orders or other enforcement tools, like administrative penalties, which we did not have before. We had to get a court order before. Now if we see somebody abusing Crown land we can act immediately.

The PLA could also provide clarification around the use of Crown land leases as collateral if one of our lessees goes to financial institutions to secure financing for their operations. Updates to the PLA would allow the value of the lease to be used as security. That would give farmers and ranchers more opportunities to access funding to expand their operations.

These are just some of the ideas. As I said, the act itself is not prescriptive but the regulations will set out the details.

BB: And could something like lease to own be in the regulatory package? Is that something the government has a position on or is open to? continued on page 32

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JANUARY 2017

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Feature Ag Minister Interview cont. from pg. 28 Stewart: We don’t have a position on that but there is flexibility about what we put in the regulations at this point.

BB: What is the government’s position regarding financial assistance to producers impacted by the tuberculosis quarantine?

Stewart: Well, you know, this is a serious problem. Not nearly as serious in Saskatchewan as it is in Alberta, but it’s very serious for the operations that are affected.

We have very small numbers affected compared to Alberta but we’ve been at a real disadvantage. Alberta was involved in this process three months before we were.

The CFIA is a great organization and they are very good at what they do.

But one of the things they don’t do is communicate well. And we’ve taken them to task on that and we’ve received better communications recently.

But still they’re a very secretive organization and I guess that’s to protect everybody’s rights. And we’ve not even been able to find out from them which Saskatchewan operations were involved, so we don’t know until those operations come forward and talk to us what their situation is.

We’re evaluating how long this is going to drag on, what the real costs are, the additional costs to the producers involved, and we’ve determined that our producers will be handled in a manner similar to the way Alberta producers are dealt with. We don’t want our people to be at any kind of a disadvantage.

BB: Is there any discussion of timelines for announcing an assistance program?

Stewart: I’m not going to suggest a timeline now, but one thing we have done is we’ve spoken with the federal government about AgriRecovery.

Alberta has applied for AgriRecovery and rightfully so because they have I think

16,000 more head than we have involved in this thing. And AgriRecovery is certainly a good fit for the Alberta situation.

It may or may not be for us, but in case it turns out to be the best way to go, we asked the federal government to get the paperwork done as if we had applied for it. If we decide it’s the right fit for our situation we can get into it almost immediately and get up and running with that program.

What we suggest for our producers that are affected directly by this issue is that they should apply for a cash advance.

And if we get to the AgriRecovery stage some of the costs incurred through the cash advance program are covered by AgriRecovery. The first thing to do to keep the cash flow going is to apply for the cash advance.

We will continue to evaluate whether AgriRecovery is the way to go, or if our numbers are small enough and our hurt is small enough that we can just cover this in some other way provincially. But certainly we’re geared up to go with AgriRecovery if that is deemed to be the best way to go in the end.

BB: Does your government have a plan to implement mandatory Premises Identification (PID)?

Stewart: We are headed in that direction for sure. You know it is anticipated that livestock movement reporting and PID will become mandatory in 2017. The federal government has said that they’re going to move in that direction some time ago, and we haven’t heard anything different.

The beef cattle industry in Saskatchewan is one of the last holdouts. I think with this issue we have now in Alberta and Saskatchewan, three months and a few days after the announcement of the [TB] outbreak the CFIA was still expanding the scope and number of facilities that were involved in this issue, and that is totally unacceptable. That’s the kind of thing that closes borders to trade.

We have to get with the program in this province, and everybody’s got to sign up, get a PID number and get involved because this is for the good of the industry and for the good of every producer.

BB: As part of the Next Policy Framework (NPF) process, do you anticipate significant changes from the current business risk management and nonbusiness risk management programming?

Stewart: That’s a very good question and it’s a hard one to answer at this time. But one thing we do know is the pot of federal money is no larger. That’s one thing we’ve been told. So we’re assuming that means it’s the same size. We haven’t exactly been guaranteed that, but we’re assuming that.

And so I guess that means for the major programs - AgriStability, AgriInvest, crop insurance and livestock price insurance - that if any program is going to be improved the money will likely have to come out of another one. So I would say that means probably that we shouldn’t expect much change.

But we’re one vote. Although we’re the largest agricultural producer in the country, we’re one vote around that table that includes nine other provinces and three territories.

So what ideas may come out of other parts of the country, that may garner more votes around that table than our priorities, is at this point hard to predict. I’ve had some good experiences around those tables and some bad ones. It sometimes doesn’t seem fair, as big as agriculture is in this province, that we get the same vote as Nunavut for instance.

So it’s unpredictable, but that’s what we know, that the pot of money is no larger.

And so we know that to pay Paul we’re going to have to rob Peter. I guess there will be some resistance to that generally speaking, but it’s an unpredictable thing.

BB: Are there new programs that you would like to see introduced with Growing Forward 3 or in NPF? continued on page 36

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JANUARY 2017

In The Loft At Benlock Farms

February 23, 2017 l 1:00 p.m.

60 50 6

2 Year Old Angus Bulls Home Raised Bred Heifers Fancy Fancy Heifer Calves

Quality Bulls just as simple as walking behind the barn at Benlock Farms!

In Memory

BOYD ANDERSON Boyd M. Anderson, a much loved family man and well known and respected rancher from Southern Saskatchewan passed away with family at his side at Providence Place in Moose Jaw on December 1, 2016 at the age of 96 years. Boyd was born March 1, 1920 in Nurse Meeker’s shack near the Montana border. He lived all his life in Southern Saskatchewan except from 1942-1945 when he served in World War II. He settled happily into ranching and family life with his new wife Lorene (nee Landers).

However Boyd also had a drive to improve living conditions for ranching and farming communities.

Immediately after returning from Europe he became involved in community and political affairs and this continued for over 40 years. His contribution to his community has been recognized with many honours including an honorary doctor of law degree from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Order of Merit and membership in the Order of Canada. Boyd will be missed by many, especially by his family. He loved sharing his love of the hills, the prairie and the history with everyone. He loved family get togethers and was keen to host and celebrate all special occasions. In later years Boyd and Lorene enjoyed many family visits and trips with their children and grandchildren. Boyd and Lorene were proud of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all will miss Grandpa Boyd’s wisdom, warmth

and wonderful stories. Boyd is survived by two daughters Marion (Dave) Wolff, Susan (Robin) Bell; two sons Arnold Boyd (Jenny), Lloyd (Nyla); 17 grandchildren Jim (Jennifer) Anderson, Jason (Lorie) Anderson, Don (Yeoyoung) Anderson, Krista MacKinnon, Robert (Irina) Wolff, Todd Wolff, Corbin (Lona) Froshaug, Ryan (Carla) Froshaug, Bonnie Froshaug, Justin (Elysse) Froshaug, Tyler Bell, Shane Bell, Brittany Bell, Mackenzie Bell, Connor Anderson, Lander (Taylor) Anderson, Chay Anderson; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Boyd is also survived by three sisters Lila (Elvin) Mitchell, June Barber, Thelma (Emile) Poirier, and one brother Carl (Camille) Anderson. Boyd was predeceased by his wife Lorene (nee Landers) in 2007; daughter Linda Froshaug in 2003; son-in-law Ralph Froshaug; grandson Neil Froshaug; two sisters Verna Montgomery and Marjorie Linthicum; five brothers Lawrence, Eugene, Cliff, Jim, and Martin.

Boyd’s funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the Glentworth United Church, Glentworth, SK. If friends so desire memorial tributes can be made to the Waverley Sports Garden, c/o RM of Waverley, Box 70 Glentworth, SK S0H 1V0.

If friends so desire memorial tributes can be made to the Waverley Sports Garden, c/o RM of Waverley, Box 70 Glentworth, SK S0H 1V0.

The Cowboy ’s Lament Through progre ss and the railr oad Our occupation’s go ne. We’ll get ou r ideas into wo And words into rds a song. First, th ere comes the cowboy. He’s th e pioneer of th e west. Of all th pioneers-The co e wboy is the best.

You miss him on the roundup-G one the merry shout. The gras growing in our s is trails. And the campfire’s all go out. ne Oh, when I thin k of those good old days My eyes, they som etimes fill. The tin can by the ca fire--The coyote mp on the hill. You freighters, our companions. Yo u’ll have to leav e the land. Can haul your load ’t s for nothing Th rough seven fe sand. Give it up et of to the Mossbac ks; Do your leve best--Shake ha l nds when you le ave us, And str out further west. ike In the days when freight was high er Old-timers ha a show. Pocket s full of money d --No sorrow di know, But, oh, d they how times have changed since -We’re poorly cl thenothed and fed.

Our wagons ar broke down--O e all ur horses almos t dead. So shak hands when yo e u leave us--Give a parting shou The grass is gr t. owing in our tra il, And the cam all gone out. p fires --Ben Arnold

Feature Ag Minister Interview cont. from pg. 32 Stewart: I think what we’d like to see is more flexibility in how we spend the money that’s allotted to the strategic initiatives, rather than large scale tinkering with major programs. It’s risky to open them up. Things can get worse in a hurry instead of better.

Stewart: We just want to thank all of our producers for doing the great job that they do, keeping us as the number one producer in the country and our beef herd’s the second largest in the country.

Producers have had some bad price news

in the early part of this year, and stayed the course and now all are in a position to reap the rewards, I hope, of somewhat better prices. I’d like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. B

But I think more flexibility in designing programs, maybe some new smaller programs that fit our province better with the strategic initiative dollars. I think that would be where I would look for new initiatives.

BB: And what’s the status of the cattle price insurance pilot for NPF? Stewart: I think it’s been a success. We have partners in the program and I hope we can make it permanent.

I still think there’s room for a lot more producers to become engaged. Those who have used it are fairly high on it. It’s just a matter of getting the word out that this is a good program and something producers should look at. Certainly more numbers, more producers being involved makes it a lot more of a sure thing to make it a permanent program.

BB: Any proposed changes to forage insurance?

Stewart: We’ll see. I don’t expect many this year and we’re on kind of a status quo here. We have made changes over the last couple of years that I think were helpful.

The program has overcome some of its obstacles with those new changes, and I think whether any of the new changes that we’ve discussed for this year are adopted in the 2017 plan is yet to be seen.

But if not we will continue to improve it in the future at least. We want this to be a program that producers have some confidence in.

BB: Is there a message or an issue that you’d like to touch on that we haven’t discussed?

36

Community Helps Rancher cont. from pg. 24 week all through the first few months. I still talk to Bob at least once a week,” he said.

“I was a delegate with Alberta Beef Producers for the last three years. And without them and without my ties to our industry producer groups I don’t know what I would have done, to be honest with you.”

So what advice would he have for producers dealing with a future outbreak?

“I don’t know if I can say that anyone could ever be prepared for it,” Osadczuk said. “Biosecurity has always been

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

something I’ve been fairly aware of and conscious of and kind of working toward, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that we would be talking about a tuberculosis outbreak, and the severity of it. It’s pretty overwhelming. It kind of feels like you’re in this by yourself, but it was good to know that we had the support of the industry. Hopefully, we can get through this and be better for it. I just want to thank everybody again, my fellow industry people and everybody, for their support and understanding,” he said. B

JANUARY 2017

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Science and Production Winter Corn Grazing Beef Cattle in Western Canada

by Breeanna Kelln, PhD. Candidate, Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan

Historically, many producers in Western Canada have wintered their beef herd using a traditional drylot feeding system.

In this type of system cows are fed stored forages, such as hay, in a corral or drylot.

The winter feeding period for beef cattle in western Canada is typically 200 days per year; therefore a large cost is associated with supplying feed nutrients to pregnant beef cows. Research has shown that harvested forage, such as hay, costs between $.02 and $.07 per pound of dry matter, which is double the cost for the same amount of nutrients from pasture.

In addition, the cost of feeding bales can be 3% of the cost of harvesting the hay.

This then leads to a substantial increase in the cost of production per kilogram of beef for the producer. The producer will also have extra expenses related to corral cleaning, manure handling and facilities maintenance. Studies have shown that fall and winter grazing annuals can result in improved cow body condition, postpone the onset of weight loss, and decrease costs. In addition, wintering systems can have a positive effect on nutrient cycling and soil health of the grazed land. There are many different winter grazing systems available to producers, including grazing standing whole plant corn.

When looking at winter grazing beef cows with standing corn, there are a few key points to ensure success, while maintaining cow health and increasing your bottom line.

•

Nutrients may come from applied fertilizer, residual nutrients, manure and what the ground gives up during the growing season.

•

Use caution when applying fertilizer to a grazing crop – 80 lbs of total available nitrogen is plenty to ensure a good corn crop for grazing. Ensure fertilizer placement is banded 2” over and 2” down from the seed, due to the salt toxicity of N and K.

•

Ensure early and effective weed control throughout the season. The most critical time for weed control is from the time of planting through mid-July when the leaf canopy closes.

Corn is a poor competitor with weeds at the early stages and yield can be lost if weeds are not well controlled in these early stages.

•• Remember that naïve cows will need

Photo credit: Greg Hill, Duval, SK

Corn Agronomy

•

Target a seeding rate of 28-32,000 seeds per acre.

•

Uniform seed depth and firm seedsoil contact are important, with an optimum seed depth of 1.5 inches deep or deeper to hit the moisture.

Accurate and even seed depth and spacing is critical to ensure even corn emergence and high yields.

•• Choose a hybrid that is roughly 150-

40

•

Cow History

Hybrid Choice 300 corn heat units (CHU) longer than your corn heat unit area. The hybrid chosen will also depend on the seeding date and environment in which it is planted. The goal is to have corn freeze and thus be grazed at the 1/3 to 1/2 milk line stage. Choosing a later hybrid will help ensure the crop

does not mature too much and will not produce black layer corn. This will reduce issues associated with acidosis, due to high starch accumulation in more mature corn. This will also ensure higher palatability of the whole plant, leading to more effective grazing and reduced residue on the field.

Take a whole-plant representative feed sample and have a feed test analysis completed. A feed test will allow you to compare the feed analysis to the requirements of the cows grazing and provide supplements if necessary for a balanced feed ration.

•

Ideal soil temperature at seeding is 10° C. For crops like silage and grain corn early seeding is ideal, however grazing corn can be seeded later, even up to the middle of June with successful grazing.

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

••

time to adapt to a winter grazing system. Since corn is a high quality feed, take the time to slowly adapt these cows to the grazing system by allowing them entry to the field with full rumens, supplying additional feed (ie., hay, green feed) and only allowing a small grazing paddock upon entry (2-3 hours of grazing).

Know and manage the cow age by limiting winter grazing to your main cow herd. Older or younger cows may not be able to graze as effectively as the main cow herd.

Grazing Management and Monitoring

•• To eliminate the risk of acidosis and founder, make sure to manage and monitor the grazing cows closely.

•

Know what stage the crop was at when it received a killing frost. continued on page 42

JANUARY 2017

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Science and Production Winter Corn Grazing cont. from pg. 40

•

Limit graze the animals on a 2-3 day rotation. This will ensure they have access to new feed every 2-3 days for proper nutrition, but will also ensure they clean up the stalk/stover of the crop to limit residue. It is preferable to leave no more than 2000 kg/ha (1786 lb/ac) of residue behind. You want to make sure the cows are cleaning up the feed material, however you want some material to be left to ensure they are getting enough to eat or in other words fed ad libitum (allowed to eat per their appetite – not limit fed).

•• Ensure good, clean, adequate water supply.

•

•

Ensure a proper mineral package is provided (2:1 Ca/P ratio, trace mineral and salt). This should be determined based on the feed test to ensure proper minerals are being supplied to maintain herd health.

Provide a source of shelter in the form of natural bush, if available, or windbreaks.

Key Questions How do I fence the paddocks/fields?

Use electric fencing with a high quality energizer to divide paddocks. One suggestion is to clear alleyways through the corn for the fencing before turning the cattle unto the corn. Rebar (concrete reinforcement bar) makes good posts and can be hammered or drilled with a cordless drill into the ground before freeze-up. Always have an extra fence available and fence the next paddock ahead of the cows before they enter a new grazing paddock. Cows will back graze the previous paddock to clean up residue.

What about soil compaction problems the following year?

Wait until the ground is frozen before turning the herd into the field. This will reduce the losses from trampling feed into the mud, but will also reduce compaction issues. Research has shown that if the herd is placed out after the ground is frozen and then removed before spring thaw, there is no issue with compaction.

How many grazing days will I get out of my corn? In other words, how many acres do I need to graze my cows?

On average research has shown us that we can get between 150-300 cow days per acre. Make sure to use a realistic target (especially for first time corn producers) which would be 150-200 cow days per acre.

Photo credit: http://www1.foragebeef. ca/$foragebeef/frgebeef.nsf/all/frg140/$FILE/ corngrazing.pdf

42

For example: Let’s assume you have 200 cows, and want to graze them for 30 days, the formula is: 30 days X 200 cows = 6000 cow grazing days Based on 200 cow-days per acre you would require: 6000 cow grazing days ÷ 200 cow days per acre = 30 acres of corn

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Photo credit: Greg Hill, Duval, SK

What will it cost?

Input costs for grazing corn can differ depending on commodity prices.

However, they may range from $195-$220 per acre. Although this is significantly higher than input costs for other forms of winter feeding, research has shown that winter grazing corn can decrease overall feeding costs. Cost for grazing cows, including yardage may range from $.70$1.40 per day, which is substantially lower than feeding stored forages.

Additional Benefits REMEMBER: A mature cow produces 60 lbs of manure (0.4%N and 0.2%P) and 20 lbs of urine (1.1%N and 0.01%P) per day! The benefit to an extensive grazing system is the nutrient from urine that you would lose if you spread that manure from a corral. Beef cows are poor utilizers of feed nutrients (80% of what they eat goes out the back end), so there are a lot of nutrients that are recycled in a grazing system. This means increased nutrient input back into the soil, increased organic matter and better soil health! B

JANUARY 2017

Science and Production Check-Off Remittances Reminder

by Cam Wilk, P. Ag,

Livestock Services of Saskatchewan is assisting the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) with the implementation of The Cattle Development Plan Regulations.

The Cattle Development Plan Regulations in part provides that cattle producers shall register with the Association and every cattle producer engaged in the production, marketing or production and marketing of cattle shall pay to the Association a levy that is composed of a refundable levy and a non-refundable levy collected at time of sale.

Pursuant to the regulations, the SCA may conduct audits of levy remittances by producers and livestock dealers. Both sellers and buyers are liable for levies.

Livestock manifests since 2014 include the following new terms and conditions.

On the front cover you will see: NOTE: New terms regarding the collection of personal information and the disclosure of personal information to the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (“SCA”) are included as part of the livestock manifest. PLEASE READ. The back of each manifest form will carry the following: IMPORTANT: The information collected in this livestock manifest is for the purpose of allowing Livestock Services of Saskatchewan Corporation (“LSS”) to provide livestock inspection services and administration as authorized

by Her Majesty the Queen in Right

44

of the Province of Saskatchewan, as represented by the Ministry of Agriculture.

For the purposes of The Cattle Development Plan Regulations, SR c.

A-15.21, Reg 8, LSS is also authorized to provide to the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (“SCA”) a copy of this livestock manifest and the information contained therein.

LSS and the SCA have entered into a non-disclosure agreement.

This provides that all information shared with the SCA must be held in confidence.

The Livestock Inspection and Transportation Regulations continues to require that, before transporting livestock, the owner or his or her agent shall complete and have in their possession a livestock manifest.

The manifest must include: • the owner’s address and phone number; • the number of animals and their destination; • the animals’ descriptions and brands; and • the signature of the owner or the owners’ agent.

A properly completed manifest identifies the owner of the livestock, helps to prevent livestock theft and ensures accuracy for processing producer payments, or finance payment information, if required.

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Good documentation contributes to efficiencies in the movement of livestock through the marketing systems and for the prompt payment for livestock.

Producers are exempt from completing and using a livestock manifest if they are transporting livestock to or from a veterinary clinic or between properties they own or control in Saskatchewan that are not more than 50 kilometres apart.

The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association ensures the proper collection and administration of the SCA check-off levy funds. These funds are to be used for research, development and promotion of the beef cattle industry in Saskatchewan.

Anyone with questions, concerns or suggestions about levy management or investment should contact the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association at 306-585-2333. B Any questions about brand registrations, manifests, permits or booking livestock inspection should contact the Livestock Services of Saskatchewan at 306-546-2195.

Cameron D. Wilk, P. Ag. Chief Executive Officer Livestock Services of Saskatchewan

Ryder Lee Chief Executive Officer Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association

JANUARY 2017

Science and Production Active Missing Livestock Files January 2017

Area Missing From

Number of Head

Animal Description

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

Colonsay

6

RWF cows

Craik

16

Black or bwf bred heifers

Dorintosh

4

4 bred heifer calves (red or black)

Neilburg

5

2 yearling heifers 3 yearling steers

Pelly

33

24 mixed calves 9 cows

Brand Location

RCMP Subdivision

LSS Regional Office

Date Reported

Watrous

Saskatoon 306.933.7660

Dec. 14

Craik

Moose Jaw 306.694.3709

Nov. 16

RH

Meadow Lake

North Battleford 306.446.7404

Nov. 5

RH

Kindersley

Swift Current 306.778.8312

Dec. 14

LH

Yorkton

Yorkton 306.786.5712

LR

North Battleford

North Battleford 306.446.7404

Nov. 19

LH

Roblin

Yorkton 306.786.5712

Nov. 26

LH

White dangle tags

Dec. 8

Calves NVB

Pierceland

Roblin, MB

11

6

5 black cows 5 black calves 1 BBF bull

1 red cow 2 black or BBF heifer calves 3 black or BBF steer calves

left ear split Bull has tattoo in ear

Manitoba brand

Information provided by Livestock Services of Saskatchewan

46

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

JANUARY 2017

Stewardship Stepping Off the Beaten Path: Early Adoption of SARPAL

by Ross Macdonald for SODCAP Inc.

Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) programing is charting new paths for coexistence between agricultural and wildlife.

The success of this programing is due to the cooperation of agricultural producers. These ranchers and farmers are prepared to step off the beaten path and are choosing to acknowledge and demonstrate that agricultural practices on their operation provide specific habitat for species at risk.

Currently, there are 6 programing options that may suit a specific operation’s situation:

• • • • • •

Grass Banking Habitat Management Agreements Habitat Restoration Niche Product Branding Results Based Agreements Term Conservation Easements

Each option is designed to work within individual operations to achieve specific habitat targets for key wildlife species.

These projects are moving beyond general stewardship principles and dialing in on specific habitat needs for specific wildlife species. The end result is a quantified amount of species at risk habitat produced on the individual agricultural operation for a specific dollar amount.

Habitat Restoration is a high priority for conservation! The habitat restoration option is more than seeding previously disturbed sites with native grasses. The goal is to design a management plan that will restore the structure and function to resemble the ecological potential of the particular site in question in key areas of the landscape. Restoration is the only way to increase the amount of habitat available for wildlife and species at risk.

If you have cultivated land or land in tame grass species that is adjacent to existing species at risk habitat, the Habitat Restoration programing is applicable.

Establishing new acres of seeded native

JANUARY 2017

grassland species is key to increasing connectivity of native grasslands and providing more opportunity for species at risk habitat. The logic is simple, more acres of restored native grasslands, the more potential habitat for species at risk.

However, pilot project uptake has been slower than expected.

So why wouldn’t an individual producer with cultivated lands or lands in tame forages utilize the Habitat Restoration programing? Some of the concerns are clarified below: Fear of agreements that may inhibit their ability to operate on the land.

• Valid concern! If your project qualifies

• • •

for funding you will be expected to sign an agreement to keep it in grass for 21 years and develop a grazing plan with an approved agrologist.

After the 21 years expires, there are no land use restrictions.

This program option represents a higher level of financial compensation than has been offered before!

These pilot projects provide an alternative to annual crops. If you have grown annual crops on contract, why not produce native grassland habitat on contract?

Fear that publicly stating your land is next to Species at Risk habitat may have negative consequences on your agricultural operation.

• Common concern! Species at Risk

•

legislation is intended to protect wildlife species for all of Canada and destruction of this habitat is prohibited.

The choice is yours. Those producers who are engaged in this programing truly are global leaders in demonstrating coexistence of agricultural practices and species at risk habitat. Support from the Government of Canada is a major part of the pilot projects and the guidelines have been developed by

•

•

• •

•

producers for producers. The greater the uptake on this programing, the more it will continue as an alternative to punitive action.

These pilot projects are more than rhetoric; they are actions that demonstrate that agricultural producers can be effective, key players in maintaining and expanding critical wildlife habitat. Be part of the solution rather than waiting for the legislation!

Similar programs exist in the US and producer cooperation in the habitat expansion efforts is being recognized as a key component and is preventing restrictive, ineffective legislation.

Fear that native rangeland species on cultivated lands will not be as productive as tame forages.

If you are looking for long-term grazing options, seeded native species are proven producers.

Research, and producer experience over the last 20 years has proven that seeded native grassland species can produce summer gains similar to those of tame species.

Have no fear! Native grassland species will serve your grazing needs and provide expanded wildlife habitat that tame species don’t provide.

Fear that the cost will be prohibitive.

• The bid process allows you to

• •

•

determine the costs for your operation and submit it for approval.

Don’t submit a bid that doesn’t work for you.

Simple, you know before you turn a wheel.

SODCAP & SSGA support 100% payment for restoration costs including lost production during establishment.

SODCAP agrologists will work with individual producers to determine the actual costs and calculate the bid as well as source seed that exceeds the quality required by the federal government. continued on page 48

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 47

Stewardship

LANE REALTY

Off the Beaten Path cont. from pg. 47

For the most VALUE & EXPOSURE that you deserve when selling your farm or ranch property, contact one of our Farm & Ranch Specialists today!

BOB LANE - Broker JASON BEUTLER - Yorkton/Estevan ED BEUTLER - Yorkton/Whitewood DALE MURDOCH - Swift Current/West Central JASON SELINGER - Regina/South Central SK DOUG JENSEN - Melville/Raymore DARREN SANDER - Saskatoon/Battlefords STAN HALL - Strasbourg/Watrous/Humboldt MURRAY MURDOCH - Kindersley/Rosetown/Davidson DARRELL HERAUF - Dairy/Poultry MORWENNA SUTTER - PA/Melfort/Wadena DANIEL MOSTERD - Saskatoon/Prince Albert ASHLEY MURDOCH - Outlook Country Residential

If you recognize the SARPAL programming as an opportunity to improve your operation and provide wildlife habitat with funding from the Government of Canada, please contact the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) and/ or The South of the Divide Conservation Action Plan (SODCAP). B Tom Harrison SODCAP Inc. Executive Director (306).530.1385 ed@sodcap.com www.sodcap.com

(306)569-3380 569-3380 (306) (306)735-7811 735-7811 (306) (306)620-7260 620-7260 (306) (306)774-6100 430-7747 (306) (306) 539-7975 (306) 621-9955 (306) 441-6777 (306)725-7826 725-7826 (306) (306) 8-8000 (306) 858-8000 (306)761-1863 527-9636 (306) (306)327-7129 327-7129 (306) (306) 281-8412 (306) 860-8686

"Now representing purchasers from across Canada, and overseas!"

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) and South of the Divide Conservation Action Plan (SODCAP) administer the SARPAL pilot projects that are made possible through Government of Canada support for agricultural producers.

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JANUARY 2017

Stewardship Grasslands Go Modern: New Modelling Methods Show Promise for Saskatchewan

by Tara Mulhern Davidson

It has been more than fifteen years since land cover images, dating back to 1994, were evaluated to estimate Saskatchewan’s native prairie land cover. Based on that assessment, in 2001 Saskatchewan’s Native Prairie: Statistics of a Vanishing Ecosystem and Dwindling Resource reported that approximately 21% of Saskatchewan’s native prairie was left remaining. The need to update this information using modern technologies to better identify conservation priorities has long been on the radar of Saskatchewan prairie stakeholders. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment is working on some promising land cover assessment techniques and habitat models that may change the way prairie and species at risk concerns are prioritized.

These innovative modelling initiatives will prove useful for issues like species at risk habitat, big game habitat, and resource development. “Right now industry has access only to actual known locations of species from the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre and relies on its own surveys to help guide development.

Using our developing habitat model that highlights high, medium, or low likelihoods of species occurrence, they can plan accordingly,” said Ryan Fisher, a landscape conservation specialist with the Ministry of Environment. Ben Sawa, a habitat ecologist with the Ministry of Environment, agreed that both the land cover and habitat projects will have benefits to industry and other stakeholders. “The more accurate land cover assessments we have, the more successful other models will be. We can provide industry with a way to pre-plan its siting and help other conservation organizations guide and prioritize their conservation efforts,” he added.

The Ministry’s land cover modelling project tested three methods of delineating native prairie from tame grasslands in a specific study area in

50

NDVI Approach 2016 – The normalized difference vegetation index that differentiated between tame and native cover, like other models, was tested in the field to ensure its accuracy. Photo courtesy of The Ministry of Environment

southwest Saskatchewan. The project evaluated the use of heads-up digitization of photo imaging, which is a more traditional land cover assessment method; a normalized difference vegetation index, which estimates cover based on how green an area is to distinguish between native and tame types; and a third method, called LiDAR which is a remote sensing technology that measures height differences in vegetation as well as on the ground.

“All modelling techniques were actually more successful than originally anticipated,” said Sawa, who coordinated the land cover project. The techniques were verified by field crews who visited test sites to ensure that digital results were reflective of what was happening on the ground. “This is a fairly novel approach to determine the difference between native and tame cover,” explained Sawa who added that the next steps may be to apply the normalized difference vegetation index on a larger area, perhaps on an

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ecoregion level, starting with the mixed grassland ecoregion and expanding from there. “Our initial promising results turned mapping land cover on a larger part of the province from a decade-long project into perhaps a three year project, just by using modelling,” Sawa said.

Fisher is leading the habitat modelling project which involves compiling species data from the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre, as well as a variety of citizen science projects, such as breeding bird surveys, and points recorded on online forums such as eBird and iNaturalist. “One of the biggest challenges is consolidating all of the information. There is a wide range of species at risk and biodiversity data in Saskatchewan, especially in the southern part, but it mainly exists in point form,” Fisher explained. “You can look at a map and see a point here that depicts a burrowing owl or a rare plant, but for areas that haven’t been surveyed, if there isn’t a point, is it fair to say they don’t exist there?” continued on page 52 JANUARY 2017

Association News, Reports, and Events SSGA Supports the Retention of the Horned Levy The Saskatchewan Stock Growers continuing the practice. A fourth option horns are present. Following the Code Association has been working for several was allowing the repeal to be the end of of Practice as it relates to animal welfare years to advocate for the retention of a horned cattle penalties in Saskatchewan. and safe livestock handling are considered The Saskatchewan Stock Growers horned fee in SK. We would appreciate important for maintaining the social Association has entered into a practical option for the the support of all cattle producers at the The most license of the beef industry. upcoming Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s continued collection of a horned fee partnership with Flaman to Association (SCA) AGM on January 25th is to contract Livestock Services of If horned cattle penalties are to continue, Memberships and in Reginaincrease during the Saskatchewan Saskatchewan (LSS) to continue inspecting it is proposed that the fee collected by LSS Beef Industry Conference. The SCA will and collecting the fee as they currently do would be $10 per head. Of this amount, Subscription readership. be discussing and debating, during for the MoA. LSS has the legal authority the cost of the physical inspection and the afternoon session, a resolution to through The Animal Identification Act collection is $3.44 (based on an estimate detemine its position on the future of a and The Animal Products Act to enter into of 15,000 animals), and education and horned fee in SK. third party agreements to provide services awareness initiatives to be $100,000, such as the collection of the special or $6.67 per head, for a total of $10.11, The Horned Cattle Purchases Act (HCPA) horned cattle fee. LSS has expressed which is then rounded down to the As to ofprovide September 1,nearest 2008dollar theforSaskatchewan sponsoredinmembership was introduced in The Saskatchewan interest in continuing the ease of accounting.

1939 to encourage cattle producers ongoing collection and administrative It is anticipated the horned cattle prize by Flaman will be a Stock Growers will be offeringthat a major prize to dehorn animals in order to reduce services of the proposed special numbers would decline over time, drawtofor all paid and renewal of existing injuries and bruising occurrences during assessment fee. Similar the process of new resulting in the inspection and collection transportation and marketing. The penalty establishing a feememberships for brand inspection,as follows: costs taking an ever-increasing portion Specs: Full rear door, side door, was set in legislation at $1 per head and LSS reviewed costs associated with the of the $10, necessitating decreased slots side window slides, rockprovision guard, of service and determined that amended in 1949 for to increase to $2 per education and awareness activities (as will 2-3,500 head, where it stands today. lb toreflex axles it needed to charge a fee of $50,850 New Memberships: in or Existing be appropriate if numbers are declining).

2015/2016 for this service based on it When the number of animals declines year 1 entry The member that sells the most SSGA The Government of Saskatchewan takingnew 1.5% of brand1 inspectors time. LSS to$105.00 less than cost-recovery at the $10 per introduced a bill during the spring session estimates an inflation increase of 1.5% for head, the necessity of the fee will be rememberships will receive a free registration for 2 year $194.25 2 entries of the legislaturetwo to repeal cattle AGM 2016/2017 if the current level of service examined. The funds generated from this 2009 SSGA . to thehorned 2 year spousal $97.12 1 entry legislation in Saskatchewan. The Ministry was continued. horned cattle levy that are surplus to the 3 year $262.50 entries by LSS. of Agriculture (MoA) was directed to cost of collection will be3managed work with industry stakeholder groups The removal of horns in beef cattle is done 3 year spousal $131.25 2 entries to create new regulations within existing to prevent injuries of other animals or If industry stakeholder groups are unable Life carcass injuries legislation to replace the HCPA with an workers and to minimize to$1050.00 reach a consensus on10 theentries development industry-led and industry-administered or bruising due to horns.

Preventing the of$525.00 a new industry-led and4 industryLife spousal entries solution if industry supports the retention need for horn removal through genetic administered solution to retain a horned of a horned cattle fee in some form. Earlier selection is recommended in the Code cattle fee by March 31, 2017 the collection All and draws will beof made atofthe SSGA Convention B this summer the MoA presented industry of Practice for the Care Handling the2009 horned feeAnnual will be discontinued. stakeholder groups with four options Beef Cattle with further requirements For morewhen information or to become a member, to consider. Three options were for on how to actually dehorn/disbud

SSGA MEMBERSHIP

Drive

12’ BERGEN STOCK TRAILER

please contact the SSGA office at 306-757-8523

Membership type: Member

Associate

Membership status:

Affiliate (call for rate)

Renewal

New

1 Year $157.50...................

Spousal $78.75 Spousal $145.69 2 Year $291.38 ....................

3 Year $393.75 ....................

Spousal $196.88 Lifetime: $2625.00 ............

Spousal $1312.50 Junior Membership 1 Year $26.75 2 Year $52.50 3 Year $78.75 Subscription 1 Year $26.25 2 Year $47.25 3 Year $68.25

Name _______________________________________________ _ Address_ ____________________________________________ _ City/Town______________ Prov_____

Postal Code _________

SSGA MEMBERSHIP

Drive

Phone (________) _________________________________Email ______________________________ Ranch/company name___________________________________________Herd Size ________________ Fall Sale Dates___________________________Spring Sale Dates ________________________________

In order to be eligible to receive the prize a member, subscriber or advertiser who’s entry is drawn must answer a g skill question. testin The chances of winning the sponsored membership prize draw is dependant on the www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 51 JANUARY 2017 number and type of membership sold during the membership drive of September 1, 2008 to the 2009 AGM. During a comparable d in 2007, perio there were approximately 300 new and renewal memberships sold.

Association News, Reports, and Events SSGA Welcomes New Director - Rodney Gamble Rod joined the SSGA Board as the Zone 3 Chair in June 2016 at the SSGA AGM. Rod, an SSGA lifetime member, and his wife Vickie ranch at Pambrun, SK where they have both a purebred and commercial cow-calf operation in partnership with their son Richard. They reside on the yard originally homesteaded in 1908 by Rodney’s grandfather.

Rod sees the biggest challenges and concerns facing the beef industry as maintaining a demand for beef; educating and listening to the consumer; and working with government to ensure legislation is not onerous. He feels that the SSGA can provide leadership to support the beef industry into the future by offering a vision, being proactive and using a measured response when reacting to current issues. B

Grasslands go Modern cont. from pg. 50 Fisher is developing habitat models on a species by species basis, prioritizing those that are more at risk or potentially in trouble. As the project continues, more species are added and they plan to incorporate rare plant information or groups of species that are often found together in similar conditions. “We are trying to make these models as realistic as possible, and have sought expert feedback to make sure that everything looks like it is in place,” Fisher explained.

“We’re hoping that a lot of outcomes of the models and native and tame work will end up on HabiSask – the Ministry of Environment’s online mapping platform,” Fisher said, adding that partners will be able to access the information on a broad scale. Similar modelling initiatives are taking place in other parts of the Prairies, including work done by the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute.

“They are doing a lot of modelling at the same scale using similar information so hopefully the maps that we generate will cross borders and the two mapping projects will be able to talk to each other,” Fisher added.

52

Species model – The habitat model demonstrates areas that have a low, medium, or high likelihood of occurrence for a particular species. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Environment

It is impossible to beat the experience of actually being on the prairie, along with the sights, sounds, smells, and real life species observations that happen out on the grasslands. However, the application of effective technologies such as these

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

models, will help industry and other organizations save time, plan accordingly, and conserve Saskatchewan’s original natural resource – our prairie grasslands. B

JANUARY 2017

Association News, Reports, and Events A Report From Shane Jahnke President, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association changes are a step in the right direction toward reducing human and livestock conflicts with cougars.

As I start writing my report, I must say that this sure has been a nice change in weather as opposed to how December started. I hope that everyone got away without having to defrost their water bowls a few times during the cold snap.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate for the rest of the winter.

It’s been a busy couple of months since my last report. The TB investigation in eastern Alberta and western Saskatchewan has been a tense situation for the producers directly involved and all beef producers as the investigation continues to unfold. To date, there are still only six confirmed cases, all from one herd which was located on 18 premises in Alberta.

During November I had the opportunity to attend the Premier’s and Agribition receptions. These events allowed members of the SSGA executive to interact with many of the MLAs and discuss issues of importance to our industry.

We would like to thank the Government of Saskatchewan for approving additional cougar control measures in SK. We have actively advocated for the implementation of additional control measures for over a year which included the creation of a licensed hunting season.

We may not have received everything we asked for but we believe that these

JANUARY 2017

The SSGA attended a meeting organized

by SARM to discuss livestock theft and loss issues throughout Saskatchewan.

The meeting started a good discussion on potential solutions to the problem and the group agreed to research the possibility of hiring a dedicated Livestock RCMP officer(s) to cover livestock loss cases. There are plans to meet again and continue this discussion with the possibility of including other commodity groups.

Once again, Agribition was a great week for the beef industry. Thank you to all who traveled to Agribition, helped out with a shift at the SSGA booth or supported the Commercial Cattlemen’s mixer.

A big hats-off to all of the producers and participating processing plants; Treen

Packers, West Bridgeford Meats and Western Prime Meat Processors that have helped make the SSGA Holiday Beef Drive a huge success. Since the Beef Drive was kicked off in early November we have received donations of approximately 3,500 pounds of ground beef with a fair market value of approximately $19,000 and $5,500 cash to help with processing costs. All of the meat is being donated to the Food Banks of Saskatchewan for distribution to the 29 food banks across the province. This number continues to grow as the donations continue to come in. The overwhelming success of this initiative goes to show that cattle producers are always there to help those in need.

I hope everyone has enjoyed a very Merry Christmas and that the rib-eye steak you barbecued for Christmas dinner turned out great.

Wishing you all the best in 2017! B

The 2017 Saskatchewan Livestock Association Honour Scrolls will be presented on January 25th at the SK Beef Industry Conference banquet in Regina.

This year’s recipients are:

Ted & Olive Perrin, Swift Current Bob Jackson, Sylvania, SK Bob & Marjorie Blacklock, Saskatoon, SK For more information or to purchase banquet tickets, please call Shannon at 306.731.7610.

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 53

Calendar of Events January 11-13 January 24-27 January 25 January 28 February 1 February 4 February 8-9 February 10 February 12 February 20 February 23 February 23 February 24 February 28 March 1-2 March 3 March 4 March 5 March 6 March 7 March 8-10 March 13 March 18 March 21 March 24 March 25 March 25 April 4 April 10

JANUARY 2017 2nd Annual Transboundary Grasslands Workshop SK Beef Industry Conference SSGA Semi-Annual Meeting MC Quantock “Canada’s Bulls” Bull Sale FEBRUARY Moose Creek Red Angus 2 Year Old Sale Hill 70 Quantock Barn Burnin’ Bull Sale Native Prairie Restoration & Reclamation Workshop Advertising deadline for March magazine Diamond M Ranch 6th Annual Bull Sale Ole Farms 12th Annual Family Day Bull Sale Benlock Farms “Love What You Do” Bull Sale Chapman Cattle Company 11th Annual Red and Black Angus ‘Forage Developed’ Bull Sale Standard Hill Connection Angus & Hereford Sale Double Bar D Farms “ Best of Both Worlds” Bull & Select Female Sale MARCH Calgary Bull Sale Labatte Simmentals with Meadow Acres Farms 37th Annual Bull & Female Sale McMillen Ranching Ltd. 23rd Annual Bull Sale R+ Simmentals 17th Annual Sale Ashworth Farm and Ranch Ltd. 14th Annual Bull Sale Sun Country 10th Annual Shorthorn Sale CCA AGM Palmer Charolais with Nielson Land & Cattle Co. 6th Annual Charolais Red & Black Angus Bull Sale Canada’s Red, White & Black Bull Sale City View Simmentals & Ivanhoe Angus 7th Annual Bull Sale Gillespie Hereford Ranch Bull Sale Early Sunset “Only the Good Ones Sell” Production Sale Stockmen Select Bull Sale & Commercial Open Replacement Heifers APRIL Benchmark Angus 21st Annual Bull Sale Moose Creek Red Angus 23rd Annual Bull Sale

Swift Current, SK Regina, SK Regina, SK Lloydminster, AB Kisbey, SK Lloydminster, AB/SK Regina, SK Estevan, SK Athabasca, AB Grandora, SK Stettler, AB Maidstone, SK Grenfell, SK Calgary, AB Moose Jaw, SK Carievale, SK Estevan, SK Oungre, SK Moose Jaw, SK Ottawa, ON Bladworth, SK Moose Jaw, SK Moose Jaw, SK Lac Pelletier, SK Edam, SK Moose Jaw, SK Warner, AB Kisbey, SK

SSGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE EXECUTIVE

Shane Jahnke President/Director at Large Gouldtown, SK

DIRECTORS AT LARGE Phone: 784-2899

Bill Huber 1st Vice President/Director at Large Lipton, SK Phone: 336-2684 Kelcy Elford 2nd Vice President/Director at Large Caronport, SK

Phone: 690-5309

Jeff Yorga Finance Chair Flintoft, SK Phone: 531-5717 Doug Gillespie Past President Neville, SK Phone: 627-3619

54

Jerry Chanig, Mankota Keith Day, Lacadena Gerald Duckworth, Courval Glen Elford, Milestone Calvin Gavelin, McCord Joe Gilchrist, Maple Creek Paula Larson, D'Arcy Norm Nordgulen, Assiniboia Donnie Peacock, Maple Creek Barry Olney, Estevan Roy Rutledge, Assiniboia

ZONE CHAIR DIRECTORS Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 - Zone 5 - Zone 6 - Zone 7 - Zone 12 -

Henry McCarthy, Wawota Stephanie Deg, Weyburn Rod Gamble, Pambrun Robin Wiggins, Maple Creek Bill Huber, Lipton Brent Griffin, Elbow Kimberly Simpson, Kyle Kelly Williamson, Pambrun

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

478-2658 375-2934 394-4211 436-4688 478-2533 662-3986 379-4523 642-4961 662-8288 421-1495 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 Lance Leachman - Hereford Affiliate, Maidstone 903-7299 Russell Murri - Shorthorn Affiliate, Swift Current 773-6583 Kurtis Reid - Hereford Affiliate, Hepburn 280-6858 Laird Senft - Angus Affiliate, Fort Qu’Appelle 332-4823 Lee Sexton - Goat Breeders Affiliate, Hanley 544-2660 Jeff Yorga - Limousin Affiliate, Flintoft 531-5717

APPOINTED DIRECTORS

Dr. Andy Acton- Veterinary Advisor, Ogema 739-2205 891-9894 582-2077 666-2103 336-2684 854-2050 375-5534 582-6102

459-2422

SASKATCHEWAN CCA DIRECTORS

Pat Hayes, Val Marie Perry Rasmuson, Moosomin Reg Schellenberg, Beechy Duane Thompson, Kelliher

298-2284 435-3110 859-4905 675-4562

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

JANUARY 2017

Advertisers Index Allen Leigh Security & Communications

56

Masterfeeds

57

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

55

Apollo Machine & Products

56

McMillen Ranching Ltd.

25

Saskatchewan Verified Beef Production Inc.

30-31

Arm River Red Angus

59

M.C. Quantock

INSERT

Simply Ag Solutions

56

Ashworth Farm and Ranch Ltd.

37

Meadow Acres Farms

11

Solar West

57

Barr & Olney

59

Moose Creek Red Angus

15

Spring Creek

56

Benchmark Angus

12

Morley's Ag Sales

56

Standard Hill Livestock

49

Benlock Farms

33

N.M. McMahon

57

Stockman Select

29

Calgary Bull Sale

48

Nielson Land & Cattle

43

Sun Country Bull Sale

9

Canada's 3rd Annual Red, White and Black Bull Sale

17

New Life Mills

58

Superior Livestock Auction

58

38-39

New Vision Agro

56

Sweet Pro

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency

56

11

60

Target Cattle Concepts

Canadian Gelbvieh Association

Norheim Ranching

57

27

Northstar Seed

57

Terra Grain Fuels

Chapman Cattle Co.

56

41

20

Union Forage

Cityview Simmentals

Ole Farms

36

57

Palmer Charolais

43

Western Litho

Cowtown Livestock Exchange, Inc.

58

Diamond M Ranch

23

Paysen Livestock Equipment

2

Double Bar D Farms

45

R Plus Simmentals

13

Ducks Unlimited Canada

18-19

Saskatchewan Angus Assoc.

58

Early Sunset Ranch

21

Edward Jones

57

Federated Co-operatives Ltd.

57

FeedMax Corporation

56

Friendly Acres Seed Farm

58

Frostfree Nosepumps Ltd.

56

GBT Angus

59

Gem Silage

56

Gibson Livestock

57

Gillespie Hereford Ranch

4

Golden Thread Livestock Images

58

Grayson & Co.

56

Hi-Hog Farm & Ranch Equipment

8

Hill 70 Quantock Ranch

3

Impact Trailer Sales

10

Ivanhoe Angus

41

Jackson Designs

57

John Brown Farms

59

Johnstone Auction Mart

58

Kelln Solar

57

Kramer Trailer Sales

57

Kyle Welding & Machine Shop

57

LLB Angus

59

Labatte Simmentals

7

Lane Realty Corp.

48

Linthicum Ranch

59

Luck Now Products

57

Man-SK Gelbvieh

58

Manitou Maine-Anjou

59

JANUARY 2017

Testing protects more than you think Did you know that testing for BSE helps protect the beef sector by showing consumers and trading partners that Saskatchewan cattle producers take disease risks seriously?

Help protect your industry. Test for BSE today.

saskatchewan.ca/bse

www.skstockgrowers.com | ŠBEEF BUSINESS | 55

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www.precisioncam.ca Trusted Quality,

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Working to create opportunities for farmers in Saskatchewan

Phone: 306-955-5477 / 1-866-298-7222 www.simplyag.ca

Machine & Products Ltd.

• ROLLER MILLS ~ Electric or PTO models ~ 10 sizes available ~ Increase the nutrition value of your feed! ~ Manufactured in Saskatoon • SILAGE COVERS & GRAIN BAGS We regroove roller mill rolls - most brands

2502 Millar Ave, Saskatoon 306-242-9884 or 877-255-0187 apm@sasktel.net www.apollomachineandproducts.com

Integrity Commitment Results

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(306) 693-6176

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

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BEEF & BISON FEED AVAILABLE IN: - COMPLETE FEED PELLETS - SUPPLEMENTS - MASH FEEDS CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-FEEDMAX (333-3629)

www.feedmax.com 56

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!

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

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

JANUARY 2017

Pump Kit

Solar West 500

There is a Dealer near You!

Calmar, Alberta

DURALITE, NORBERTS & FRONTIER STOCK TRAILER DEALER

STOCK WATER TROUGHS

Kyle, SK

306-375-2271

Made of 12 gauge galvanized with angle iron reinforcement and cross braces. Has 2” drain outlet (and overflow outlet at top if required).

Available in standard 400, 500, 1000, or 1250 Imp.gal., or custom built to your needs. Movable water trough on wheels also available.

FOR ALL OF YOUR BEEF NUTRITION SOLUTIONS CALL:

Humboldt / 1-800-747-9186 Regina / 1-877-929-8696 Saskatoon / 1-888-681-4111 Swift Current / 1-877-773-3001

Reputation of Quality 16, 20, 24 & 53’ ground loads in stock

7 YEAR STRUCTURAL WARRANTY

15’, 20’, 25’s in stock

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

kylewelding@sasktel.net | www.kylewelding.com

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.lucknowproducts.com

www.cowtownlivestock.com

Forage Seed

TMR MIXER FEEDERS

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

Neil McLeod 306-831-9401

VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL

Snowblowers Also Available Sales Rep: Randall Herperger 306-621-7031 www.edwardjones.com

Proud to provide all your livestock needs.

Brandon: (204) 727-0571 Calgary: (403) 531-6656

We are a Canadian distributor for Pneu-Dart

Edmonton: (780) 472-6767 Melfort: (306) 752-2894

Pneu-darT

Moosomin: (306) 435-3331

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Saskatoon: (306) 477-6464 ®Registered trademark of TMC Distributing Ltd., Saskatoon S7K 3M9

Graham McKenzie

306.861.7074 JANUARY 2017

Dale Watson

306.861.4618

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

IT’S HERE Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 57

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

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

Representative for:

Weekly Online Sales

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

Friendly Acres Seed Farm www.friendlyacres.sk.ca

306-744-2332

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

LIKE us on Facebook!

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

sbuchanan@gold-bar.com 306.681.5340 SARAH BUCHANAN

Thank You! Thank you to Treen Packers, West Bridgeford Meats Ltd. and Western Prime Meat Processors for their contributions to the SSGA's Beef Drive.

58

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

JANUARY 2017

B R E E D E RS NEW LISTING

(306) 567- 4702

Box 688, Davidson, SK S0G

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

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

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

SSGA Meeting Notice SSGA SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING January 25th, 2017 Evraz Place

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

Queensbury Convention Centre Regina, SK

*Please note that you do not have to be registered for SBIC to attend our semi annual meeting*

(Part of the Beef Industry Conference)

sk stockgrowers.com JANUARY 2017

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 59

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