Beef Business March 2016 by Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association

Beef Business Saskatchewan`s Premier Cattle Industry Publication March 2016

A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Publication Publication Mail Agreement #40011906

Working for Producers

Contents Cover photo courtesy of Helge By - Regina

Industry News 6

The SSGA and the Autism Resource Centre are Proud to Present Dr. Temple Grandin

Trans-Pacific Partnership a Huge Opportunity for Canadian Beef

Honour Scrolls

CRSB Releases its Draft of Indicators

Dr. John McKinnon Named Inaugural Recipient of the Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation

CCIA Reports Tag Retention Findings Weekly Charts

Retail Meat Price Survey

Subscriptions Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Tel: 306-757-8523 Fax: 306-569-8799 email: ssga.admin@sasktel.net

Features 29

A Chat With Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay

Chronic Wasting Disease on the Rise in Saskatchewan and Alberta

Cross-Breeding Has its Benefits

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

Science and Production 43

The Environmental Hoofprint of Canada's Beef Industry - Producing Beef With Lower GHG Emissions and Using Fewer Resources

Missing Livestock

Where's the Beef? Missing Livestock Files

Stewardship 50

Prairie Prose - Telling the Story of Prarie Conservation

Saltcedar (Tamerix) Has Arrived in Saskatchewan

Association News, Reports and Events 55

A Report from the SSGA President

Saskatchewan Shorthorn Association Report

Saskatchewan Angus Association Report

Saskatchewan Bison Association Report

SaskMilk Report

Saskatchewan Limousin Association Report

Zone 7 Scholarship Awarded

Saskatchewan Charolais Association Report

Saskatchewan Goat Breeder Association Report

Saskatchewan Simmental Association Report

SSGA Semi Annual Meeting Resolutions

Calendar of Events

Advertisers Index

Business Directory

Ple as

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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

MARCH 2016

A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) Publication 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

Markets and Trade 22

Beef Business

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

Contributors Harvey Anderson Tara Mulhern Davidson Jeff Gaye Doug Gillespie Greg Gilliland Les Kroeger Chad MacPherson

Carolyn McCormack Lee Sexton Joy Smith Michael Wheeler Cam Wilk Betty Wyatt Jeff Yorga

www.skstockgrowers.com | ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | 5

Industry News The SSGA and the Autism Resource Centre are Proud to Present Dr. Temple Grandin Livestock handling expert Dr Temple Grandin is coming to Regina in June to present “Different, Not Less – an Evening with Dr Temple Grandin.” Her talk is offered through an innovative partnership between the Autism Resource Centre and the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. Dr. Grandin is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, and a designer of livestock handling facilities. Her designs are in use around the world, and it’s estimated that half of all cattle processed in North America are handled in facilities that she designed. Autism and ranching might seem to be two distinct, unrelated topics. But Grandin is able to show exactly what the agriculture and autism communities can learn from each other. Grandin has autism, which means that she perceives, processes, and understands information differently than most other people. This has been her chief advantage in her career, she says. “As a person with autism, I’m an extreme visual thinker,” she said. “Everything I think about is a picture. The animal doesn’t think in words, they think sensory. What is it seeing, what is it smelling, what is it hearing?” Her innovations come from

actually spending time where livestock goes, from pens to chutes to slaughter plants, and analyzing the processes in a sensory, non-verbal way. Perhaps the biggest impact she’s had on livestock handling is her work improving the slaughter plants. She is responsible for equipment innovations like the centertrack beef restrainer system. “But the thing that had the biggest impact was an auditing program I developed for the American Meat Institute and implemented with McDonald’s in 1999,” she said. “Using a very simple scoring system, if a plant didn’t make certain scores they ran the risk of being taken off the approved suppliers list.” Failures in the plants, she said, were mostly attributable to broken equipment. The auditing program encouraged plants to maintain their equipment and their systems properly. It also led to innovations like non-slip flooring and appropriate light to minimize stress on the animals. Grandin is a dynamic and inspiring speaker. In 2010, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. That same year her life was the subject of a movie starring Claire Danes, which won a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy Awards.

FENCE 5X FASTER with the...

Autism isn’t a singular condition. There is a wide spectrum of types and degrees of autism, and one in 68 people will be diagnosed with autism in some form and to some degree. There is not a single family in Saskatchewan that is not been touched by autism, nor is there a person living in this province whose life is not connected to the agricultural industry. Many families are intimately connected to both communities. “Different, Not Less – an Evening with Dr. Temple Grandin” takes place at the Conexus Arts Centre on June 12, 2016. Dr Grandin will inspire you, just as she has inspired families, educators, agriculture experts, employers, and people with autism throughout her amazing career. B Tickets go on sale March 1, 2016. Please contact the Conexus Arts Centre ticket office at 306-525-9999 or 1-800667-8497 or online at http://www. conexusartscentre.ca/74.html

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Different, Not Less

An Evening with Dr. Temple Grandin Conexus Arts Centre

Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 6:00PM

The World Needs Different Kinds of Minds To Work Together. - Dr. Temple Grandin Tickets starting at $30

Visit www.conexusartscentre.ca or call (306)525-9999 or 1-800-667-8497. MARCH 2016

Presented by Saskatchewan Stock Growers Assocation and the Autism Resource Centre

www.skstockgrowers.com | ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | 7

Industry News Trans-Pacific Partnership a Huge Opportunity for Canadian Beef Canada’s beef sector is licking its chops at the prospect of joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Negotiations on the TPP wrapped up last October, and Canada signed the agreement in New Zealand on February 4. It is now subject to ratification by Parliament.

The benefit for the beef industry is especially appealing: Japan currently imposes a 38.5 per cent tariff on beef cuts and a 50 per cent tariff on certain offal. These will be immediately reduced to 27.5 and 39 per cent respectively, and then phased down to a 9 per cent tariff.

announce its position on ratification when that process is complete. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay told Beef Business that he needs to hear the agriculture industry’s position to help guide the government’s decision (see interview in this issue).

The TPP includes 12 countries – Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Vietnam. Together, the economies of these countries represent 40 per cent of the world’s GDP. There is potential for expansion to include Colombia, Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan.

Vietnam, meanwhile, will eliminate its 31 per cent tariff on beef cuts within two years, and its 34 per cent tariff on all other beef products within seven years. Feed grains and forage products will also gain improved access under the deal.

SSGA President Doug Gillespie said it’s important for producers to speak up. “The government has said it wants to hear from us,” he said. “We need to tell them that the TPP is good for ranchers, it’s good for the whole agriculture sector and it’s good for the thousands of Canadians who will have steady jobs when we boost our exports.”

The partnership will open up trade by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers and eliminating export subsidies, among other measures. A key gain for Canadian agriculture will be better access to markets in Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, where agricultural tariffs average around 17 per cent.

Saskatchewan’s sales to TPP countries already account for 45 per cent of its $13.9 billion in overall agriculture exports. With better access to these markets, the growth potential is considerable. The federal government is continuing its consultations with various stakeholders over the coming months, and will

“Every one of us needs to call or write our respective Members of Parliament, and send a copy to Minister MacAulay, to tell them that we support the TPP and we want it ratified.” B

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MARCH 2016

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All bulls will be semen tested prior to sale start date. SIRES REPRESENTED: Red Mar Mac Indicator 30Z, Red SSS Staunch 64Y, Red T-K Chimo 90W, Red Moose Creek Horizon 48A, Red Kenray Yarbo 123A, Red Crowfoot Moonshine 8081U & Red C-Bar Anticipation 101W.

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Industry News Honour Scrolls Bill married Lydia Thompson (deceased) on July 23, 1952 and they had four children: Marion Hardy (Allan); Lori Booth (deceased), (Roland); Susan Crawford (Bill) and Ron (Terri). He married Kathleen Brin August 21, 2003, with children Debbie, Brenda (Lyle), Dale (Linda) and Joe (Susan).

Bill Young Lumsden, Saskatchewan The Saskatchewan Livestock Association was pleased to acknowledge William (Bill) Lorne Young for his contributions to the community and to the livestock industry in Saskatchewan with this Scroll of Honour. He received his award at the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference in Saskatoon. Bill Young was born July 21, 1927 in Mazenod, SK. He attended Eastleigh School until grade 9 and completed grade 10 at Forest School, in the Lumsden area.

Bill received his first cow at the age of 12 and in 1942, the family moved to a farm north of Pense, SK where his son, Ron, and his family live today. Bill took over the family farm in 1960. He was very active as a leader in the Forest 4-H Club, and as a member of the Simmental Association. Bill is a life member of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association and never missed Agribition until 2012. In 1970, Bill started selling farm machinery for Farmland Sales as well as doing service selling for McKee. He sold Harvesters and Stack N Movers in all areas of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. McKee introduced a soft core round baler, in 1977, and Bill helped to sell the first three in western Canada. Over the next three years he took part in selling over 100 Stack N Movers and helped to get the round baler established. Bill helped organize Honour. They received their award at the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference in Saskatoon.

Bob and Gail Switzer Aneroid, Saskatchewan The Saskatchewan Livestock Association was pleased to acknowledge Bob and Gail Switzer for their contributions to their community and to the livestock industry in Saskatchewan with this Scroll of

Bob Switzer was born April 7, 1953 in Ponteix, SK. He attended elementary school at Aneroid, high school at Kincaid Central and studied as an AI Technician at the University of Saskatchewan. Gail Kornfeld was born November 23, 1960 in Val Marie, SK. She attended school in Val Marie and then studied at the Saskatchewan Technical Institute. Bob had three children with his first wife Sandra (deceased in 1988), Beau (Ashley), Kyle (Tara) and Jane (Curtis). Gail had one child from her first marriage, Bailee. Bob and Gail were married February 29, 1992. They are also very proud of their grandchildren Tate, Tilly, Sam and Lane.

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and introduced many first innovations in bagged silage feed systems and sold the first Farm Aid Tumble Feed Mixer in Canada as well as selling and delivering Farm Aid Feed Wagons. In 1978 he partnered with his son Ron in the cow business under the name and brand of Double Y Simmentals and later, they started their own 800 head feedlot and continued to increase the cowherd. He started Bill Young Sales & Service in 1986 and covered all of Western Canada. Later, he was one of the four founding members of Young’s Farm Equipment in Regina, SK, as well as forming Young’s North, a division of Young’s Equipment Inc. Bill sold out his share of the cows in 1997 and in 1998, retired from farming. Today, at 88, he is still involved in the odd farm machinery deal with the boys at Young’s Equipment. He is on the Board of Directors for the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village Museum, which holds a special place in his heart. Bill is an active fiddler with the Regina Heritage Fiddlers and the Good Life Fiddlers in Mesa, Arizona. He is a Legion member and a member of the Lumsden United Church.

Bob’s involvement in the Angus breed started at a young age and in the herd building years of Southern Lane and later Sandy Bar, the Switzer family showed their cattle throughout Canada. Through Bob’s experience in 4-H and working for other outfits, he found the show ring bug. He would consider his biggest win to be the 1995 Farmfair Sweepstakes Championship but also takes great pride in the Pen Shows won over the last several years as well. The Switzers have orchestrated the Short Grass Bull and Female Sale for 37 continuous years. Gail has seen to the inner workings of the ranch and the sale throughout the years. She enjoys gardening and takes great pride in maintaining the welcoming continued on page 13 MARCH 2016

5 annual ProDucTion Sale Th

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Grant Lodge Upward 18A

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Sale managed By:

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Industry News Honour Scrolls cont. from pg. 10 atmosphere of the Sandy Bar Ranch. Just last year, the yard at Sandy Bar was featured in the Canadian Cowboy Country magazine. Bob was a director of the Saskatchewan Angus Association in the late 1970s and was instrumental in organizing the first Angus and Angus influenced feeder calf sale at Moose Jaw. It was an overwhelming success and led to sales in Assiniboia, Maple Creek, Mankota, Medicine Hat and in later years, throughout Canada. In the early 1980s Bob assisted in starting the first feeder calf sale at Glasgow and Chinook, Montana, which are still going today. Bob is a Past President of the Canadian Angus Association and is a member of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, also serving as an affiliate director for a number of years. Bob was instrumental in the building of the 20,000 capacity feedlot, Red Coat Feeders where he served as a founding director and president. To this day he is a director, supplier and patron. Bob is very proud of Red Coat Feeders which is a total community project, running at full capacity having grown to 13 quarters of land with 17 full-time staff. The Switzers have bred some great cattle over the years and have started some of the most elite herds in the country. Their bulls are working in some of the most prestigious cowherds in the nation, both commercial and purebred. They have bred their cattle with the commercial cattlemen in mind, striving to have a low maintenance cow that calves easy, brings in a good calf in the fall and is re-bred; requiring fertility, good feet and legs and longevity which has resulted in many elite cows.

MARCH 2016

Ivan and Mary Muri Swift Current, Saskatchewan The Saskatchewan Livestock Association was pleased to acknowledge Ivan and Mary Muri for their contributions to their community and to the livestock industry in Saskatchewan with this Scroll of Honour. They received their award at the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference in Saskatoon. Ivan Muri was born November 3, 1935 in Vanguard, SK. He attended Nybo School; a one room school that was a mile and a half by horse from the yard. Mary Sowa was born May 8, 1944, at a farm near Hodgeville. She attended Walsh Valley; a one room school. Ivan and Mary were married February 11, 1961. They have four children and nine grandchildren: Russell (Wendy), Kathryn & Owen; Scot (Joni), Casey & Tanner; Betty (Don), Tamara & Whitney; and Tammy (Grant), Kyla, Shelby & Dakota. Very early in life, Ivan became involved in Shorthorns with his dad. They continually traveled the countryside looking at Shorthorn herds and visiting Shorthorn breeders. Through their travels they searched and bought Shorthorn genetics they felt would benefit their herd. Their breeding program established a strong cow base that was used to develop bulls that were sold mostly into commercial herds. Muridale Shorthorns have been registering Shorthorn cattle for 88 years and Ivan and Mary live on the original home site that was homesteaded in 1910.

When their children were younger they were involved in many sports and music and so, Ivan and Mary drove to many events. Ivan volunteered as a beef leader with the Hallonquist Multiple 4-H Club, the same club he was a member with as a boy. Mary was involved in 4-H as a project leader and volunteer, and was a member of the Shorthorn Lassie Association. Ivan has sold bulls at Swift Current and Regina bull sales for a number of years, winning a few champion ribbons. They have shown at Regional Shows in Saskatchewan; the Toronto Royal Agricultural Winter Fair; Edmonton Farm Fair and continue to support the show at the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina. Ivan and Mary have developed a strong market for their bred females and have successful sales at the Shorthorn Alliance Sale. Their highlight for selling bulls is the “Who’s Your Daddy Bull Sale” which has attracted many commercial cattlemen and purebred breeders with a good demand for their Shorthorn bulls. Ivan and Mary are very proud that some of their grandchildren, the fifth generation, are involved in the Shorthorn business. Ivan served as a director for the Saskatchewan Shorthorn Association and was a Board member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool at Hallonquist. Ivan volunteered for almost 40 years working at the Annual Amateur Hallonquist Rodeo and he and Mary continue to be active members of St. Joseph Catholic church in Hodgeville. Ivan and Mary have been host to numerous visitors from across Canada and throughout the United States and in 2002 hosted the World Shorthorn Congress Tour, which included guests from around the world. Their hospitality led to many cattle discussions and herd visits which they enjoyed. Ivan is a great promoter of Canadian beef cattle genetics and is very proud of the quality of cattle in Saskatchewan beef herds and the impact these genetics are having around the world. B

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Industry News CRSB Releases its Draft of Indicators The Canadian Roundtable on Sustainable Beef (CRSB) has released its draft list of indicators for a 60-day public consultation. The indicators are the specific criteria by which a cow/calf producer, backgrounder, feedlot or dairy beef operation will be assessed for sustainability. By conducting the consultation, CRSB intends to gather feedback from stakeholders to help them arrive at a final list. Input is welcome from everyone involved in the production and sale of beef, right up to the end consumer. Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, a producer near Calgary, is chair of the CRSB. “We encourage people and organizations to review the work we’ve done and give us constructive feedback,” she said. “We realize that the sustainability of the Canadian beef industry reaches many stakeholders and we want to ensure all perspectives are taken into account.” The indicators were developed through a process that included representatives from diverse stakeholder groups. Producers’ and other industry associations, retailers, restaurants, conservation organizations, scientists and government agencies were among the participants. All of the indicators are constructed to be outcome-based, rather than practicebased. This means a producer is able to choose the means that are suitable to his operation in order to achieve the desired outcome – the indicators do not prescribe how the goal is to be reached. The CRSB defines sustainability as “a socially responsible, environmentally sound and economically viable product that prioritizes the planet, people, animals and progress.” To that end, it has determined five principles for its sustainability indicators: natural resources; people and the community; animal health and welfare; food, efficiency and innovation. Each category has two to eight specific indicators that would be assessed in the verification process, as follows: 14

Natural resources 1. Riparian areas, surface and groundwater sources and nutrient runoff are responsibly managed to help maintain or improve watershed health. 2. Soil health is maintained or improved. 3. Operation employs beneficial management practices that support carbon sequestration and minimize emissions. 4. Operation implements practices to manage its impact on air quality for people and animals. 5. Operation implements practices to maintain or enhance grasslands, tame pastures and native ecosystems. 6. Operation maintains or enhances habitat for wildlife People and the Community 1. Operation ensures a safe and healthy work environment. 2. All workers are treated with equity and respect. Animal Health and Welfare 1. Nutritional needs of cattle are met to promote proper animal health. 2. Cattle have sufficient quantity and quality of water to meet their physical needs. 3. Operation can demonstrate how it monitors and maintains animal health; and addresses sick and injured animals. 4. Operation can demonstrate the responsible use and disposal of animal health products according to label or veterinary prescription. 5. Operation can demonstrate steps to mitigate/minimize animal pain. 6. Operation can demonstrate clear decision points for euthanasia and acceptable methods of euthanasia. 7. Stocking density in feeding areas and pastures allows all cattle to express normal behaviour including resting postures. 8. Operation can demonstrate how it minimizes animal stress. Food 1. Operation can demonstrate on-farm food safety procedures and contributes to the production of safe, quality beef. 2. Operation shares verification-relevant information up and down the value chain to allow for aggregate reporting. Efficiency and Innovation 1. Operation reduces, reuses and recycles, as feasible facilities, services and technologies exist or become available. 2. Operation can demonstrate responsible use of energy and resources. 3. Operation utilizes innovation and technology to improve responsible production. 4. Operation can demonstrate the safe and responsible use and disposal of crop products. 5. Operation can demonstrate responsible dead stock management. 6. Operation engages in continuous learning regarding sustainability in beef production.

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

continued on page 16 MARCH 2016

MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 15

Industry News CRSB cont. from pg. 14 The consultation process began on February 9 and continues until April 10. Stakeholders can view the list of indicators online and submit their comments. Information and instructions can be found at http://crsb.ca/public-consultationenglish/.

McDonald's is a member of the CRSB and has worked with the roundtable in developing criteria for its Verified Sustainable Beef (VSB) pilot program. As such, the proposed CRSB indicators are harmonized with the VSB indicators – producers who participate in either program will be well-positioned for verification with the other. Page Stuart, a cattle feeder and the Past Chair of the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association, co-chaired the committee that developed the indicators. “We wanted to have a balance - something realistic for producers that also meets the needs of retailers, food service providers and consumers,” she said. “I think we have achieved that. I look forward to the feedback we receive over the next 60 days.”

All comments will be reviewed, and a written response to each comment will be posted on the CRSB website following the consultation. The second draft of the indicators will be released for a 30-day public comment period in mid-2016. B

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Friday, March 25, 2016

1:00 CST Cowtown Livestock Exchange Maple Creek, SK Featuring: 60 Virgin Two-year old Bulls 20 Yearling Bulls 16

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MARCH 2016

BORDERLAND CATTLE COMPANY BULL SALE ~ MARCH 26, 2016 1:30 pm • At the Ranch • Rockglen, SK ON OFFER: Black Angus and Charolais Yearling and Two Year Old Bulls and Open Replacement Heifers • All bulls are ranch raised and performance tested • Delivery available • Free board until May 1st

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MARCH 2016

Industry News Dr. John McKinnon Named Inaugural Recipient of the Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation A researcher respected nationally and internationally as a leading expert on beef cattle nutrition and management has been awarded the 2015 Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation. Presented at the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference among many past and present colleagues and students, Dr. John McKinnon was surprised and honored by the announcement. Dr. McKinnon is a researcher, professor and the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Research Chair at the University of Saskatchewan. He has made phenomenal contributions to advancements in the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry through his long-term passion and dedication to progressive science, and exceptional collaboration, leadership and communication with industry. His research focuses on nutritional and environmental factors influencing the growth and carcass quality of feeder cattle and the nutrition of the breeding herd. Areas of emphasis within Dr. McKinnon’s research program have included the use of wet distillers by-products for feedlot cattle; nutritional evaluation of grain screenings for growing cattle; use of real-time ultrasound for predicting carcass quality of breeding and finishing cattle; the impact of the environment on performance of cattle in western Canada and the use of high lipid feeds for growing and finishing. Dr. McKinnon takes a whole systems approach to beef production and his leadership in collaboration and crossdiscipline research has been extremely beneficial to improving the competitive advantage of Canadian beef producers.

Tim Oleksyn, Dr. John McKinnon, Brad Wildeman and Sandy Russell.

In addition to the vast list of scientific publications he has authored, Dr. McKinnon is a leader in research extension. He writes countless articles, including as a regular contributor to Canadian Cattlemen – The Beef Magazine, one of the leading publications for Canadian beef producers. He has also been instrumental in the development and coordination of industry extension events to ensure innovative research findings are communicated directly to producers and cattle feeders, including the Saskatchewan Beef and Forage Symposium, the Western Canadian Feedlot Management School, and the Western Nutrition Conference. Dr. McKinnon is a sought after speaker at producer meetings and industry events where he skillfully shares his knowledge, research findings, and opinions on pertinent industry issues. He is an effective communicator not only at highly technical scientific forums but also in communicating research findings in a practical and applicable manner to cattle

producers and industry stakeholders. In addition, Dr. McKinnon works directly and one-on-one with numerous cow-calf producers, feedlot operators, veterinarians and feed industry personnel on their feeding and management programs. He willingly gives his time and expertise and is seen by the industry as approachable and available to share his knowledge. As a dedicated professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. McKinnon has mentored numerous students and researchers throughout his career. He has supervised or co-supervised more than thirty-five Masters of Science and Ph.D. students to program completion and supervised numerous post-doctoral researchers. Many of these individuals have gone on to have considerable impact in the beef industry and the research community. Dr. McKinnon continues to provide leadership for the future of the beef cattle industry through his ongoing continued on page 20

MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 19

Industry News CCIA Reports Tag Retention Findings The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) has released some preliminary findings from its national tag retention project. The results indicate that tags tend to be lost from mature cows far more than from calves and yearlings. The tag retention project aims to collect data that will improve the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags on cattle. It is testing seven different makes of tags in different herd sizes on operations from BC to Ontario. Five thousand animals have been tagged for the survey, with all of the seven tag models distributed equally over each operation. Tags are applied according to each manufacturer’s instructions. The animals are monitored over time for tag retention and readability. The findings

thus far indicate that tags tend to be lost more by mature cows than by calves and yearlings. “The average mature cow tag retention percentage was 89.7 per cent across the 13 herds where data was gathered in 2014,” said CCIA Tag Retention Project Manager Ross MacDonald. “Since the final calf/yearling tag retention percentage presented in April 2013 was 98.9 per cent, the preliminary mature cow data represents an average decrease in retention of 9.2 per cent.” Overall retention for the study so far is at 88.9 per cent, with some herds managing only 64.7 per cent retention, while others report 100 per cent.

preliminary tag retention data for the mature cows is lower and more variable than in the calf/yearling group,” MacDonald said. “Within the coming months, we will summarize and analyze the mature cow data for tag retention across all herds, tag loss by herd and tag brand as well as tag readability.” The CCIA’s final report on the study will be released on its website (www.canadaid. ca) in April. The report will include comparative results for the seven brands of tags. In addition to the statistical survey, the report will discuss reasons for tag and readability loss and offer suggestions to improve retention. B

“Although the mature cow data has yet to be analyzed for statistical significance,

Dr. John McKinnon cont. from pg. 19 efforts in the development of the Beef Cattle Research and Teaching Unit. This infrastructure will be a tremendous asset in maintaining the competitiveness of the Canadian beef industry well beyond his career at the University of Saskatchewan. “The value of Dr. McKinnon’s work on the Canadian beef industry is remarkable,” said Tim Oleksyn, a cow-calf producer from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan and Chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC). “He is dedicated to keeping a practical focus in his research initiatives and has always maintained the need for realworld application within the beef cattle industry.” The Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation is presented annually by the BCRC on behalf of Canada’s beef industry stakeholders. The award recognizes scientists and academics who are actively involved

in strong research programs aligned with industry priorities, continually engage with industry stakeholders, and demonstrate their passion and longterm commitment through leadership, teamwork, and mentorship. Nominations are accepted by the BCRC from industry stakeholders and must be accompanied by letters of support from industry stakeholders and scientific colleagues. The recipient is selected by a committee comprised of beef producers, industry experts and retired beef-related researchers located across the country. The award was established in 2015.

Reprinted with the permission of the BCRC. B

Nominations for the 2016 award are now being accepted and must be submitted to the BCRC by May 1, 2016. Remaining 2015 nominations will also be considered for the 2016 award, which will be presented at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in August 2016.

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

MARCH 2016

VK 28 C

VK 50 5C

VK 63 C

VK 10 C

MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 21

Markets and Trade

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

280

Price per hundred weight

SK Weekly Average Price Heifers 500-600 lbs

330

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

Source: CanFax

AB Fed Steer Prices

Weekly Canadian Dollar 0.98

200.00 180.00

2013

160.00

2014

140.00

2015

120.00

2016

CDN $ - US terms

Price per hundred weight

220.00

0.93 0.88

2015

0.83

2016

0.78

5 yr avg

0.73

100.00

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

0.68 Source: CanFax

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: Bank of Canada

Lethbridge Barley Price

Alberta Weekly D1 & D2 Cows

Source: Source:CanFax CanFax

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

Price per hundred weight

SK Weekly Average Price 500-600 lbs Steers

Source: CanFax

For more information visit www.canfax.ca

| ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

MARCH 2016

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

Verified Beef Production in

SASKATCHEWAN DRIVING CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO FOOD SAFETY

PROOF OF RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT

Canadian Beef is Sustainable, Safe and Wholesome. Let’s become VERIFIED and show consumers why! Beef Producers in Saskatchewan may qualify for funding provided through Growing Forward 2, a federal/provincial/territorial initiative,

NEW HE TO T

AM PROGR

Photo credit: Sam Wirzba samwirzba.com

Food Safety Funding

Biosecurity Funding

Food Safety VBP Registered Funding

50% UP TO $750/PRODUCER

50% UP TO $1,000/PRODUCER

50% UP TO $2,000/PRODUCER

Eligible equipment includes:

Eligible items include services provided

Eligible equipment remains the same

by a Vet to conduct and develop:

as food safety funding*. To be eligible,

•

Extra restraint on squeezes*

•

Individual livestock scales (load bars)

•

Biosecurity Assessment

producers must have their cattle

Recordkeeping software

•

Disease prevention protocols

operation VBP Registered (on-farm audit).

•

*Note: neck extender, head holder, shoulder holder

*Note: $750 cap per extra restraint mechanism

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

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

MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 25

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

MARCH 2016

Markets and Trade RETAIL MEAT PRICE SURVEY as of February 22, 2016 ($/lb)

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

CO-OP 3.99 * 7.48 14.73 8.61 14.96 6.49 11.33 11.99 *

EXTRA FOODS 5.29 4.53 7.66 * 7.47 * 7.97 8.61 13.37 *

SAFEWAY 5.84 * * 14.68 * 17.58 7.99 * 8.98 25.08

SOBEYS 5.31 5.29 9.19 14.68 9.19 18.49 7.39 11.78 9.01 25.08

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

MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | 27

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BW: -1.5 WW: 57 YW: 85 Milk: 13

Red SVR Hitch 7C

BW: -1.7 WW: 58 YW: 86 Milk: 14

Red SVR Tornado 167C

BW: -2.4 WW: 64 YW: 94 Milk: 12

BW: -1.1 WW: 63 YW: 90 Milk: 10

SVR Top Secret 385C

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016 28

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| ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

MARCH 2016

Feature A Chat With Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay by Jeff Gaye

Prince Edward Island MP, Lawrence MacAulay, was sworn in as the new Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food last November, as part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new Liberal government. MacAulay was a dairy and potato farmer before first being elected to Parliament in 1988, representing the Cardigan constituency in PEI. He has held the riding continuously since then. MacAulay took some time last month to answer a few questions for Beef Business. A complete transcript of that interview follows: Beef Business (BB): On the matter of BSE testing, Canada hasn’t met its OIE [World Organisation for Animal Health] testing numbers. Do you have a plan in place to address this? Minister MacAulay: We are of course committed to protecting human and animal health and take the management of BSE very seriously. The CFIA [Canadian Food Inspection Agency] participates in a working group with a mandate to achieve the level of BSE surveillance to help Canada meet its sampling objectives. The group includes representatives from federal, provincial and industry groups. The CFIA also conducts ongoing outreach MARCH 2016

through direct contact with veterinarians and producers to promote participation in a surveillance program. The agency supports provincial initiatives and reminds producers of the importance of continuing to submit BSE samples. The current sampling for detecting BSE is in line with the OIE guidelines and the CFIA focuses its targeted efforts on the cattle population. So that’s basically where we are.

Minister MacAulay: As you know we have Growing Forward 2. We’re just starting right now to look at Growing Forward 3. We’re always listening to people involved in the livestock industry and they play an important role in making sure that this is done appropriately. Research projects are underway to make sure our food is safe to eat and our beef is of high quality, and of course what we feed the animals too.

BB: Is there a specific plan to increase our testing numbers?

BB: There is a proposal awaiting your approval on upgrading the U of S facilities. Are there any insights you can share on that?

Minister MacAulay: I don’t think so, what is being done seems to be acceptable at the moment. But of course we’re always concerned if any problem comes up, or if there’s a problem with animal health or what we consume, of course we’d have to increase. But we think we’re maintaining it at the proper level. BB: Do you see an opportunity to clarify our trade protocol with Korea so when there’s a BSE issue they don’t have to wait for a full investigation report before they can reopen their borders? Minister MacAulay: They’ve opened their borders. It all comes down to science and research and what we’re able to do to explain to them in particular – and we have the people who are able to do this – we do the proper analysis on any of these problems, and proper surveillance. We have the veterinarians and researchers in place in order to make sure when we sell this product worldwide that it is safe. And that’s why science and research are so vitally important. To be able to stand behind what you sell. BB: That ties into our next question, regarding research facilities that could use some help at University of Saskatchewan. A mandate for ag research and innovation was included in your mandate letter from the Prime Minister. What do you see as a plan to enhance livestock and forage research and infrastructure?

Minister MacAulay: Not at the moment, I’m sorry. Of course we are always looking to improve our research and to make sure we stay on the cutting edge no matter what area we’re involved in. BB: Does the government have a plan in place or in development to address the ongoing labour shortage in the ag sector, especially in western Canada? Minister MacAulay: I can assure you it’s a problem in eastern Canada too, particularly where I live. Reliable access to labour is important in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector I can assure you of that. I’ve had a crash course in this stuff over the past number of years and I’ve learned how important it is to make sure that we have the people in place in order to make sure that we can process and keep our plants running. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is working with federal partners to ensure that the labour market policies and programs take into account the sector’s needs, agriculture, for sure, and anything else. We do not want to have less production or less manufacturing or meat plants not running because we do not have the people to run them. continued on page 30

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 29

Feature Lawrence MacAulay cont. from pg. 29 BB: International trade – any insights you can share about the status of the TransPacific Partnership [TPP]? Obviously this is very important to the beef sector and agriculture in general. Minister MacAulay: Absolutely, and I’m pleased you asked the question. The only thing I would like to say is if anybody supports the TPP, I’d like to hear from them. And anybody that has a problem, we’d like to hear from them too. As you know, we’re a trading nation and we support free trade, but it’s important to know just what problems some people might have, but I fully understand we export about half of what we produce. As you know it [TPP] was signed on February 3, but that just leaves it wide open for more pubic debate, and debate before the trade committee and on the floor of the House of Commons before we have a vote. But I’ve said this everywhere I’ve spoken, or when I’ve talked to agricultural groups, I want to hear from them if they have problems or if it’s a major asset to their commodity. Because so often you hear about the problems, and I want to hear about the problems, but also if it’s an asset you need to hear about that too. BB: What about China? Is there anything on the horizon about freer trade with China? Minister MacAulay: Of course you’d have to the First Minister that question but I am fully aware of what is going on in the middle class in China and in Asia in particular and what markets are there. And we have to be ready for those markets. We will export about 5 billion dollars in agriculture this year and that’s very, very important. It’s a very important area to be involved in. I’ve met the ambassador a couple of times since I got the job and he’s certainly interested in the question that you asked me too, but I cannot give him the answer! BB: Are there other countries on your visit

list that hold some promise for increased trade? Minister MacAulay: As you are probably aware I was in the US and had meetings with [Agriculture Secretary Tom] Vilsack and it was very interesting. Of course that was following the completion of the COOL problem, or the solving, making sure it was in the omnibus bill. Following that I met with the Secretary of Agriculture and had a very open and I hope fruitful conversation with him. Of course they’re our biggest trading partner. But it’s important that we trade with the EU, Japan, Mexico, there’s an awful lot of places to go with these products, and we can produce the food. And I guess it’s my job, and others in this area, to make sure that we find good markets. And that the people who do the work receive remuneration for the work they do. BB: Now that COOL is in the rear view mirror, how is our relationship with Secretary Vilsack, the US government and the US in general? Minister MacAulay: I would say excellent. We had an excellent meeting he and I, and our officials. You know we in the trade

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sector always have these little problems, though it certainly wasn’t little in the agricultural sector! But there’s always problems to solve and as you know the big deal was to make sure that [COOL] got on the omnibus bill. If it did not get on the omnibus bill, we’d still be in it! And the Prime Minister is having dinner on March 10 with Obama and that’s going to be important too, and you know it sends a great message. BB: Do you have a position on retaining the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program as you develop Growing Forward 3? Minister MacAulay: Well, as you are fully aware, a function of the government is working with the provinces and territories to help farmers manage their risk, and this is a pilot project in western Canada and the pilot project ends in 2018. Growing Forward 3 will be put together and when I meet with the provinces and territories, that and other things will be evaluated. And that’s when the decisions will be made. It’s important to the producers for sure. And I think it’s fair to say, dare I say, that it’s working pretty well at the moment. B

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| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

MARCH 2016

We all share the same table. Pull up a chair.

THE REAL STORY OF AG

“We take pride in knowing we would feel safe consuming any of the crops we sell. If we would not use it ourselves, it does not go to market.” – Katelyn Duncan, Saskatchewan

“The natural environment is critical to farmers – we depend on soil and water for the production of food. But we also live on our farms, so it’s essential that we act as responsible stewards.” – Doug Chorney, Manitoba

“The welfare of my animals is one of my highest priorities. If I don’t give my cows a high quality of life, they won’t grow up to be great cows.” – Andrew Campbell, Ontario

Safe food; animal welfare; sustainability; people care deeply about these things when they make food choices. And all of us in the agriculture industry care deeply about them too. But sometimes the general public doesn’t see it that way. Why? Because, for the most part, we’re not telling them our story and, too often, someone outside the industry is. The journey from farm to table is a conversation we need to make sure we’re a part of. So let’s talk about it, together. Visit AgMoreThanEver.ca to discover how you can help improve and create realistic perceptions of Canadian ag.

MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 31

Mantei Farms Angus   Sired by: Conneally Earnan - Conneally Thunder MFA Bear Cat 1Y (Tiger) - High Prime 4037

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MFA Earnan 83C

Sire: Connealy Earnan 076E Born: Feb 20, 2015 BW: 85 lbs

MFA High Prime 99C

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Sire: MFA High Prime 73A Born: Feb 22, 2015 BW: 87 lbs

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| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

MARCH 2016

What do wetlands mean to you and your family? Wetland conservation is vital for the well-being of all Saskatchewan families. Ask your local candidates what they will do to protect Saskatchewanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remaining wetlands.

Visit voteforwetlands.ca A few minutes of your time could make a world of difference.

Feature Chronic Wasting Disease on the Rise in Saskatchewan and Alberta by Jeff Gaye

Research is showing that Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is spreading in Saskatchewan and Alberta. CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that affects cervids, or members of the deer family. This includes whitetail and mule deer as well as elk, moose and caribou. Like BSE in cattle or scrapie in sheep, CWD is transmitted by prions, or misshapen proteins. These prion proteins cause normal proteins to convert to the prion form. The disease usually shows as altered behaviour and a continuous loss of body mass. Evidence suggests the disease was introduced through game-farmed elk and spread from there. “It was first detected of course in Colorado and Wyoming,” said Trent Bollinger, professor of veterinary pathology at the University of Saskatchewan and regional director of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. Its origin in those states is not known, but some believe it is the result of a prion disease “jumping” from livestock to deer – perhaps scrapie jumping from sheep. “In Saskatchewan,” Bollinger said, “it’s behaving like a newly-introduced disease. Prevalence is increasing, as is its geographic spread. We have four or five new wildlife management zones testing positive for CWD in both Saskatchewan and Alberta.” A lot of the spread seems to occur along habitat corridors. River valleys seem to be particularly effective at spreading it as young deer tend to disperse along these habitats. The prions can be transmitted from animal to animal via urine, feces or saliva. Direct contact between animals may be the cause, as well as contact with contaminated soil. “In fact certain soil types can enhance the transmission of this agent,” Bollinger said. “Things like montmorillonite clay can actually increase the activity of the prion agent to susceptible animals. So contact 34

A CWD infected buck feeds at a leaking grain bin while a healthy buck looks on. Spilled grain, hay stacks, bait sites or other sites that attract deer to focal areas are known to enhance disease transmission in wild deer.

with a contaminated environment, and direct animal to animal contact are the ways in which it’s transmitted.”

analysis and see whether that isolate is identical to another isolate, and trace its origin.”

There’s some recent evidence that the prions can move up though the plant into the emergent part of the vegetation. Bollinger says it has been shown that soils with prions can actually result in plants being infectious as well, so the leafy parts of the plant can retain the prion agent. “So it’s behaving like an introduced disease,” he said. “Not one that’s been present before and not just cropping up spontaneously from soil or has been around for centuries, it appears to be a new introduced disease.”

To determine whether CWD is transmissible between species, there have been trials where the prion agent was directly inoculated into the brains of cattle. Disease has occurred in these trials, but research has not yet been able to demonstrate natural transmission is occurring. “There’s quite a large species barrier when you introduce these prions to a new species,” Bollinger said. “In a laboratory environment you can show that a CWD agent can cause a change in the shape of the conformation of prion proteins from cattle and from sheep. They’ll take on this abnormal conformation so it appears it can occur there, but it occurs at a slower rate than what you would see if you had normal prion proteins from a deer and you expose them to CWD prion protein. So there’s a species compatibility issue in that there’s a bit of resistance to have these prion diseases jump into new species.”

Are livestock animals susceptible to the disease? “Potentially they are,” Bollinger said. “There’s been some direct inoculation transmission trials that show it’s possible. As far as it [CWD] being scrapie jumping from sheep to deer, there’s not yet definitive proof. It’s a difficult disease to deal with because it’s a misshaped protein and so you can’t sort of fingerprint it like you can with bacteria or viruses, do a DNA

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

continued on page 36 MARCH 2016

CATTLE CREEK RANCHING

RED ANGUS BULL SALE March 31st, 2016 at 4:00PM 65 Purebred Red Angus coming 2 year old BULLS 25 Purebred Red Angus Bred Heifers 85 Purebred Red Angus Open Heifer

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Feature Chronic Wasting Disease cont. from pg. 34 There’s no cause for livestock producers to panic, but Bollinger says inter-species transmission remains a concern. Another implication for agriculture is if forage or grain crops are contaminated with deer urine, saliva or feces, there could be restrictions put on the sale or movement of those crops. “I don’t know how realistic that is,” Bollinger said, “but jurisdictions, other governments, states are trying to prevent the introduction of CWD into their deer populations and I guess that could have implications for agriculture.” There are obvious implications for hunters, including food safety and reductions in deer populations. The disease has a long incubation period so deer can be infected and not show any clinical signs for a year or more, so a hunter wouldn’t necessarily know that a harvested deer is infected. The abnormal prions are in highest concentrations in lymphoid tissue in the gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, and in the brain and spinal cord; other tissues have much lower to negligible levels. Again, though, the risk appears to be small. “Currently, there’s no evidence to indicate that CWD is naturally transmissible to people,” Bollinger said. “Non-human primates can be infected and there have been some laboratory experiments to suggest that this is theoretically possible, but there’s no clear indication that it’s a significant risk.” The greater problem for hunters is the effect CWD is likely to have on deer populations. There have been some studies, primarily in the US, indicating that CWD, in conjunction with higher predation rates due to CWD, has resulted in population declines. Some of the computer models or simulations suggest there could be localized population reductions and in some cases severe reductions.

available for harvest in order to manage those populations. “That’s what we think will likely happen,” Bollinger said. “Even if they are infected early they seem to live to 2 ½, 3 ½ years so there’s probably going to be some reproduction that occurs. It could change the age structure and the maximum population levels that occur in areas. But I doubt that it will completely wipe out deer herds.” Farmers and ranchers have a role to play in better understanding the spread of CWD. Reporting to conservation officers any deer that are skinny and appear to be acting abnormal will help to track the occurrence of the disease. “Right now any sick or dead deer that’s found gets submitted to our diagnostic lab. We try to determine the cause of the disease and about 25-30 per cent of those submissions now are due to CWD and that number is climbing,” Bollinger said. “In the past we used to see other things like starvation, pneumonia and a range of different types of diseases. Sometimes

Saskatchewan’s environment ministry is promoting a hunter surveillance program and a CWD working group that includes government departments, research organizations and hunting associations. The working group aims to provide recommendations for controlling the spread of CWD. Bollinger says participation in the surveillance program and the working group can help.“I think that’s something ranchers can do. Trying to support the surveillance programs, allowing hunting, allowing research and management activities on their farms and ranches would help. I think there are still things we can try to do to see if we can reduce the prevalence of this disease. That requires landowner support, rancher and farmer support for these activities.”B

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Any increase in mortality due to chronic disease means there will be fewer deer

grain or carbohydrate overload, poisonings, injuries, brain abscesses, that sort of thing. But now the most common single diagnosis is chronic wasting disease.”

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(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)858-8000 858-8000 (306) (306)761-1863 527-9636 (306) (306)327-7129 327-7129 (306) (306) 430-7555 (306) 330-9224 (306) 281-8412 (306) 860-8686

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MARCH 2016

CANADA’S PREMIER HERD HEALTH VACCINATION PROGRAM JUST GOT BETTER. The recent addition of Bovi-Shield GOLD One Shot™ to the SelectVac Gold Plus (formerly Pfizer Gold Plus) herd health vaccination protocols allows you to vaccinate with one less needle for superior results and protection. Market your calves this fall as SelectVac Gold Plus which qualifies them for Canada’s only 0% BRD PULL RATE GUARANTEE.* Bovi-Shield GOLD One Shot is a significant advancement in combination vaccine technology — that’s why it’s now included as the #1 option in the SelectVac Gold program. Go to www.selectvacgold.ca today to register your herd online. Print your certificate right away or print a blank registration form that can be faxed or mailed.

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MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 37

Feature Cross-Breeding Has its Benefits by Jeff Gaye

There is renewed interest in cross breeding cattle to improve herds. Of course, cross-breeding is not new. There was a stronger focus on the practice in Canada in the 1960s when cattle were brought from continental Europe to breed with the mostly British breeds here. Selective cross-breeding can help ranchers optimize the genetics of two different breeds of cattle, and through the added advantage of heterosis – the strengths of the cross-bred animals’ traits will be enhanced. This is also known as out-cross breeding enhancement or hybrid vigour. Bruce Holmquist, who has several years of experience as a seed-stock producer and is also the General Manager of the Canadian Simmental Association, said the boost in performance through heterosis is an immediate, tangible benefit over raising strictly purebred animals. “I think that there’s always a fundamental belief that purebred cattle are more predictable because they are ‘pure,’ but that isn’t necessarily as true as people would believe. There can be as much variation within breeds as between breeds,” Holmquist said. Heterosis, he said, can mean not only better performing cattle but an optimization of other traits – such as fertility and milk, for instance – by up to 15 per cent. “And that’s something that’s free,” he said. “When some commercial producers went back to a herd that was mainly one breed, they stepped away from heterosis. They weren’t benefiting from that free effect that is gained from buying a bull of another breed will give you.” Some of the hybrid animals from the 1960s “exotic” boom had calving problems, and as a result some producers moved away from the continental breeds. Those issues have been corrected, Holmquist says, through selection of bulls that are easier calving, “so that’s

another reason that some people are having another look at the advantages of cross-breeding. Something that maybe holds the beef business back at times is that bull buying is sometimes done by trial and error,” he said. “There are some producers who are real students of the process, and they do have a planned breeding program, but quite often it’s just more breed-specific than exactly what your specific needs are and what that bull you’re buying is going to do for your herd.” The problem with merely selecting a breed and not finding the right bull for your program is that the results are hit and miss and can be more prone to failure, Holmquist said. “Sometimes it can be a great success, and sometimes it’s a complete miss. As seed stock producers, our responsibility is to provide as accurate information as possible for the commercial customers to make their bull selections with.”

breed.“And they do it in a very planned way.” Gelbvieh, Limousin, Simmental and Charolais are often used with Angus and Hereford in cross-breeding programs. Hybrid bulls can be used too, but the effect of heterosis is diminished with each cross. The most heterosis comes from breeding animals that are the most opposite. Using a Simmental on an Angus gives you more heterosis than using a Hereford on an Angus because the latter two are more alike. “I think there’s certainly has been a settling out of the number of breeds,” Holmquist said. “There’s probably four or five major breeds now that are used in different combinations across Canada.”B .

Holmquist thinks sometimes producers can focus on one trait too much at the expense of others. In the interest of easy calving, you might give up some performance. You might gain marbling through high-marbling genetics, but end up sacrificing yield and getting an animal that finishes too soon. This, he said, is another reason some producers are looking to put some different but complementary genetics on their British herds “We have a tendency to be pretty staid and traditional in the beef industry. If you look at genetic improvement and the gains that have been made in some of the other species like hogs and poultry, they’ve really outdistanced us on improvements and efficiencies,” Holmquist said. “And those are largely because hog and poultry production has gone to a two or three way breed-cross to take certain traits from different breeds and make improvements on another

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MARCH 2016

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www.skstockgrowers.com | ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | 41

Triple‘A’

19th Annual

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Selected from over 500 mother cows. A Large Genetic Selection: Sires Include ... Blairs New Generation 303Z, EXAR Significant 1769B, HF Kodiak 5R, JL Upward 1196, Mohnen South Dakota 402, PA Fortitide 2500, SCC Baloo 31A & Red Owng Barnabas 1209 Bell Angus - Ken Bell ..............................................306-591-7792 Cottonwood Angus - Brett Gaube ..........................306-537-4710 Glen Gabel Angus - Glen Gabel .............................306-536-1927 Hi Low Angus - Dan Howell ....................................306-581-7606 Nu-Horizon Angus - Kieran & Deb Doetzel............403-357-7648

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Triple H Angus - Perry & Dawn Hart & Family.......306-723-4832 Valley Lodge Cattle Co. - Gordon C. Roger...........306-570-8454 Willowview Angus - Ken & Sandy Harle ................306-359-6100 Wilmo Angus Ranch - John & Marg Willmott........306-345-2046 For catalogues contact 306-757-6133

Science and Production The Environmental Hoofprint of Canada’s Beef Industry Producing Beef with Lower GHG Emissions and Using Fewer Resources

Over the years, Canada’s beef industry has invested a lot of time and resources in, and reaped considerable economic benefits, from improvements in productivity and efficiency. With higher forage and feed crop yields, less land needs to be bought, leased or rented to produce the same number of calves or the same amount of beef. Similarly, improved feed conversions mean that less forage is needed to winter the cow herd or less feed grain is needed to grow a pound of beef. These improvements in productivity and efficiency have also produced environmental benefits. To produce high yields, forages need an extensive root system that promotes healthy soil, healthy soil microbes, improves structure, reduces soil losses due to wind and water erosion, and builds up soil organic matter (also known as carbon sequestration). Better feed conversion efficiencies are accompanied by reductions in methane and manure production.

the greenhouse gas impact of the beef industry is often vastly overstated. In 2010, the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released a report called “Livestock’s Long Shadow” which stated that livestock produce more greenhouse gas emissions than transportation, leading to headlines suggesting that burgers are worse for the planet than SUVs. It was significantly flawed because it counted all of the emissions involved in raising beef (e.g. emissions from cultivation and production of feed crops; grain drying; and the transport of feed, cattle and beef, etc.), but only the tailpipe emissions of vehicles not the emissions involved in extracting and refining the oil, steel, rubber, vehicle manufacturing, etc.. While beef producers took issue with that report for being unfair to our industry, anti-livestock activists also criticized that report for being too easy on meat.

While the beef industry was pursuing business-focused improvements in productivity and efficiency, a lot of farm kids moved to town, and raised their families in urban settings that rarely (if ever) come in contact with agriculture. This knowledge gap about how beef is produced has provided opportunities for the beef industry’s opponents to undermine our environmental reputation. Our industry is particularly maligned for producing greenhouse gases linked to climate change.

A more balanced FAO report named “Tackling Climate Change Through Livestock”came out in 2013. This less publicized report found that producing a kilogram of beef in Latin America, India or China generates twice the methane as in North America, Europe or Australia. In countries with more sophisticated production systems, cattle are bred, fed and managed in ways that produce faster, more efficient growth. As a result they reach slaughter weight sooner, and spend fewer days eating, ruminating, producing methane and generating manure.

Practically every living organism produces greenhouse gases, even plants, but cattle produce more than other livestock because rumen bacteria produce methane as they digest feed. Additional greenhouse gases come from manure (methane and nitrous oxide) and fossil fuel use (carbon dioxide). However, like the industry’s “water footprint”

Dr. Getahun Legesse and collaborators at the University of Manitoba and AAFC Lethbridge are working on a Beef Science Cluster project which is measuring how the environmental footprint of the Canadian beef industry has changed between 1981 and 2011. The first paper from this project, entitled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Canadian Beef

MARCH 2016

Production in 1981 as Compared to 2011” has been published in the international journal, Animal Production Science. What They Did: These researchers looked at many different Canadian research projects that studied how slight changes in reproductive rate, feed and forage crop yields, growth rates, carcass weights, etc. impact how much feed and land is needed to produce a kilogram of beef, and how much manure and greenhouse gases are produced as a consequence. A variety of data sources (e.g. Census of Agriculture data from Statistics Canada, Canadian Beef Grading Agency, Canfax, and largescale producer surveys) were also used. Dairy steers that entered feedlots and cull dairy cows were considered to produce beef, but veal calves were not. A range of cow-herd winter feeding management practices (confinement, in-field feeding, swath-, bale- and stockpiled grazing) and feedlot production scenarios (calffed, backgrounded, and backgroundedgrassed before finishing) were considered. Regional differences in diets (corn-based feeding in the east vs. barley-based feeding in the west) were accounted for. They combined the research information with the production data, and used a computer model to estimate how resource requirements (land base and breeding herd size) and greenhouse gas production changed over the 30-year period. What They Learned: Canada produced 32% more beef in 2011 than in 1981. Much of this was due to higher carcass weights; in 2011, slaughter steers were 29% heavier and heifers were 45% heavier than they were in 1981. Producing the same amount of beef in 2011 required 29% less breeding stock, 27% fewer slaughter cattle and 24% less land, and produced 15% less greenhouse gas than in 1981. continued on page 44

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 43

Science and Production Environmental Hoofprint cont. from pg. 43 Although some greenhouse gas emissions were from manure methane, CO2 (e.g. fuel use) and nitrous oxide from manure and soil, nearly three quarters of greenhouse gas emissions were due to enteric methane produced during digestion. Over 78% of the methane emissions occurred in the cow-calf sector, because the breeding herd spends nearly its whole life consuming forage-based diets that produce a lot more methane than grain-based diets do. What It Means: Reductions in the beef industry’s environmental hoofprint have largely come through technologies that improve production efficiencies. On the cow-calf side, optimizing nutrition improves growth and reproductive performance. When more females get pregnant and successfully wean a calf, fewer heifers need to be retained as replacements, so the breeding herd is smaller. On the feedlot side, heifer carcass weight has increased due to growth promotants that overcame the biological disadvantages that heifers have relative to steers. Improvements in feed crop yields mean that a smaller land area is needed to produce the same amount of feed. In other words, many of the same things that improve productivity on the farm, ranch or feedlot also contribute to a smaller environmental hoofprint for the beef industry.

impacts of Canada’s beef industry from farm to fork based on 2013 practices and data. The intent is to repeat this assessment on an ongoing basis, similar to the Beef Quality Audits, so that the industry can track our progress over time and identify opportunities for further improvements. You can learn more about the CRSB at www.crsb.ca and view the Fact Sheet “Producing Beef with Lower GHG Emissions and Using Fewer Resources” at http://www.beefresearch.ca/factsheet. cfm/producing-beef-with-lower-ghgemissions-and-using-fewer-resources-225 B Reprinted with the permission of the BCRC.

In the next few years this research team will use similar analyses to estimate how the Canadian beef industry and the pastures and rangelands it maintains impact water, carbon sequestration and biodiversity. This research study is focused on the historical changes in the beef industry’s environmental hoofprint between 1981 and 2011. It is designed to align with the National Beef Sustainability Assessment that the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) is conducting. The CRSB initiative is thoroughly evaluating the environmental, social and economic

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MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 45

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Science and Production Missing Livestock by Cameron Wilk P. Ag.

Many of you may have noticed recent media reports regarding a spike in alleged livestock thefts or missing livestock. I would like to share some Saskatchewan statistics from one of the LSS inspection districts. 2013 - 13 producers reported a total of 60 head missing; 2 cases alleged as probable thefts. 2014 - 31 producers reported a total of 533 head missing; 11 cases alleged as probable thefts. 2015 - 29 producers reported a total of 141 head missing; 6 cases alleged as thefts. As we enter the New Year reports are continuing to come in for 2015. Missing livestock reported in January 2016 are included in our missing livestock files in this publication. Livestock go missing for a number of reasons, one of which includes theft. However, there are some things to keep in mind to assist in finding your missing livestock. Each of you should remember that RFID tags should not be relied on as prima facie proof or sole proof of ownership. Tags can quite simply fall out or be removed and replaced by less than honest participants in our industry. It is unfortunate but these people are out there. RFID tag numbers are not recorded as part of a brand registry or on livestock manifests as part of the inspection processes. The information collected at the time of tag purchase and tag retirement is maintained at the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) office and in part includes: • date; • an individual, unique number;

MARCH 2016

• link to the herd-of-origin; and • the packing plant where the tag number is retired.

The information is secure. The CCIA will provide information only from those records to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in the event of a trace-back for health reasons. Other agencies do not have access to CCIA information, therefore they cannot find a tag owner’s name in the event that a missing animal, or a found stray animal, is reported. RFID tags will not automatically give producers protection against theft or for the return of a stray. There are steps that you can take to protect your livestock.

1. Brand animals with a registered

legible brand. Your nearest livestock inspector can help with advice on brands and proper application techniques. 2. Maintain accurate herd information which may include number of livestock, types, colour, brand symbol/s, brand location and any other identifiers. 3. Be aware of unusual findings such as distressed animals left in the field, a gate not done up “your way”, damage to fences, or unknown vehicle tracks. Animals are often allowed to escape a field by people who do not understand their responsibilities while pursuing recreational activities. 4. Talk to your neighbours about unusual vehicle traffic or animal behavior and movements.

Livestock Inspector to file a missing livestock report. The inspector will enter the missing livestock information into our provincial database. As a result, inspectors across the province will be alerted any time your brand is entered into the database, regardless of the seller. This information is also shared with inspectors from other jurisdictions, should your animal(s) stray or be moved out of the area. A very important matter with reporting missing livestock is reporting as soon as you realize they are missing. Unfortunately we receive reports of missing livestock years after the fact rather than days. B For more information, contact a Livestock Services of Saskatchewan District Manager: Cliff Cooper (acting), Swift Current (306) 778-8312 Bill McConwell, Moose Jaw (306) 694-3709 Ron Sabin, North Battleford/Saskatoon (306) 446-7404 Robert Solomon, Yorkton (306) 786-5712 Garth Woods, Moosomin (306) 435-4582 Barry DeJaeger, Winnipeg (204) 694-0830.

If you suspect your livestock may be stolen, file a report with the nearest RCMP detachment. Also visit your nearest

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 47

Science and Production Active Missing Livestock Files February 2016

Area Missing from

Number of head

Animal description

Brand Description

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

Colonsay

RWF Cows

Craik

Black or bwf bred heifers

4 Bred Heifer calves (red or black)

Dorintosh

Neilburg

2 Yearling heifers 3 Yearling steers

Pelly

24 mixed calves 9 cows

5 Black cows 5 black calves 1 BBF bull

Pierceland

Roblin

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

Brand Location

RCMP subdivision

Livestock Branch contact

Date Reported

Watrous

Saskatoon 306.933.7660

Dec 14

Craik

Moose Jaw 306.694.3709

Nov 16

Meadow Lake

North Battleford 306.446.7404

Jan 5

Kindersley

Swift Current 306.778.8312

Jan 14

Yorkton

Yorkton 306.786.5712

North Battleford

North Battleford 306.446.7404

Jan 19

Roblin

Yorkton 306.786.5712

Jan 26

White dangle tags

calves NVB left ear split Bull has tattoo in ear

Manitoba brand

Dec 8

Information provided by Livestock Services of Saskatchewan

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MARCH 2016

Stewardship Prairie Prose – Telling the Story of Prairie Conservation by Tara Mulhern Davidson

For anyone who is lucky enough to spend time out on the prairie, there is a certain feeling that one gets. This feeling is a hard one to explain to others, as perhaps it is different for everyone. The feeling may be different for a rancher who is carefully gathering pairs on familiar ground amidst fragrant wolf willow. The feeling may be that of excitement for a researcher who spies an elusive species that they have been searching for, long and hard. For small children who climb over prairie hills on a quest to capture early fistfuls of velvety crocuses, the feeling is probably different yet again, a feeling of adventure. The landscape leaves an impression on just about everyone who is lucky enough to be out on the prairie. Those who are familiar with prairie grasslands, and certainly those who make their living from the land, know well the benefits and beauty of these dwindling resources. For most people in Saskatchewan, however, they will not get to experience that “prairie feeling” firsthand. This presents a challenge for prairie stakeholders, because in order for the public to buy into the concept that prairie and its species are worth the effort or cost to conserve, they must value it in the first place. It’s perhaps easy for prairie conservationists to understand why we need to share the story of prairie, but exactly how do we do this? Developing an effective prairie story was a topic that opened the recent Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference, hosted by SK PCAP in Saskatoon, SK in February. Lorne Fitch, the Provincial Riparian Specialist for Alberta Cows and Fish, explored the challenges and myths surrounding prairie grasslands, and consequently barriers to conservation successes. “We lack a single, cohesive, cogent prairie story,” explained Fitch. “We can do better; we need to do better, at telling the story of prairie,” he went on to say.

Events like Native Prairie Appreciation Week help people from diverse backgrounds experience prairie hands on. Photo courtesy of Tara Mulhern Davidson

Fitch suggested a thoughtful approach is necessary. “We need to craft a better, more compelling news story,” he explained. “Creating a story that appeals to the heart, in a visceral way, and the mind in a cerebral way, will resonate with our audience,” Fitch said. Fitch’s presentation was set to a stunning backdrop of imagery from Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj, a Saskatchewan-based prairie researcher with a passion for photography. Gjetvaj later shared his experiences in a separate session about the use of photography for conservation, and reasoned that the biggest threat to the environment is human apathy. “Conservation efforts predominantly focus on solving biological problems, but solutions reside within people,” he said. “Photography triggers an emotional connection and initiates action,” he described. Gjetvaj suggested those who are most concerned about prairie conservation should strengthen their capacity in visual storytelling so they can better motivate and engage the public.

“Who writes the rules of prairie conservation? We all do,” Fitch affirmed at the conference. Accordingly, one could ask whose responsibility is it then, to tell the story of prairie. Ranchers and land managers are in a unique and advantageous position to develop the prairie story. Who better to share a story than those who are living and working on the landscape daily? Some ranchers may be amateur photographers who love to capture and share a beautiful prairie scene. Others may be folks who are good at spinning a yarn at a branding or engaging in conversations about grasslands with their extended family. There are even several ranchers who are well known authors, poets or songwriters who bring attention to grasslands through their creativity. Whatever the medium may be, however simple or complex it is, sharing a story about prairie and species at risk conservation is an effective tool to build public awareness and trust. How will you share your prairie story? B

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

MARCH 2016

501C

534C

Consignors:

RSL Red Angus

Robert & Sharon Laycock 306-937-2880 306-441-5010 (c)

Spittalburn Farms 619B

Michael & Sandi Gray 306-237-4729 306-227-1017 (c) www.spittalburnfarms.com

Sires Represented: Red RMJ Redman 1T • Red Northern Iceman 8U Red Lazy MC Redman 12X • Red Six Mile Moonshine Man 647A Red Lauron Scenic Route 8Y • Red Geis Knighthawk 72’09 Sale Consultants: Shane Castle - Castlerock Marketing 306-741-7485 (c) Dean McAvoy 306-612-3326

Stewardship Saltcedar (Tamerix) Has Arrived in Saskatchewan by Harvey Anderson, Invasive Alien Plants Group Planning Advisor

The worst weed in North America, yes probably worse than Leafy Spurge, has landed in our midst, in Saskatchewan. We have been expecting this plant to cross the Canadian border for some time; out of a US state and along a water course connecting the US and Canada. This weed, actually a shrub, is presently in Montana and North Dakota and has been moving steadily northward from Texas and other southern states for the last 50 or so years. Saltcedar loves riparian areas and wetlands, where it will choke out desired vegetation. Concentrated soil salts in the leaves, which drop annually, are deposited near the plant, which deter other plant species from growing. This weed is fire tolerant and a large consumer of water, up to 200 gallons per day for a single shrub. Creeks and small rivers can be dried up, if these shrubs line a watercourse, which we see happening in the US. Last week there were two separate reports of Saltcedar from locations in Saskatchewan, both of which are a good distance from the US/Canada border; one just some 5 miles south of the city of Swift Current and the other near the town of Findlater along Highway # 11. Although we may never really know how they arrived, they appear to have been transported to these areas through contaminated used construction equipment, which was moved north, either by sale or to work on contract, some 5-8 years ago, when the economy in the US in a downturn. The plants near Swift Current were probably introduced when a dragline was being used to expand an existing dugout, as a single plant was found on the top of the newly extracted dirt pile at the edge of this dugout. The Saltcedar is about 8 feet tall (at its tallest), and this dugout expansion work took place in 2005, which appears to be consistent with the plant’s present growth. At the Findlater location

6 separate plants were found, confined to about a 25 sq.ft. area, within a Ministry of Highways’ gravel pit site, near a crushed gravel pile. The crushing at this pit, was performed in 2008, and the largest Saltcedar plant, at this site, is 3-4 feet tall which, seems consistent, with the growth pattern of these plants. The Ministry of Highways’ staff, took the introduction of Saltcedar very seriously and shortly after the siting report, quarantined the site and stopped all material movement from the site. Before the Saltcedar was reported at this location, some gravel was being transported to a highway repair job nearby and some gravel was being moved into and spread on roads in a nearby RM. Both locations where gravel from this site was used will be monitored by the local weed inspector over the next few years as there is some possibility that this gravel also contained seeds or roots of Saltcedar. Both locations of Saltcedar will be surveyed to a further extent, to ensure all plants are found and treated as quickly as possible. This incident further outlines the need for RMs to have a Weed Inspector and a Weed Management Plan in place to

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deal with a new invasive weed species in a quick and thorough manner to prevent further spread. These incidents also point out the importance of mandatory cleaning and inspection of equipment moved into an RM, whether it’s for gravel movement or simply for mowing. Doing so may prevent the introduction of new invasive species, like weeds or plant diseases such as Canola Clubroot. All RMs in Saskatchewan, especially those near these locations, should have staff scouting for Saltcedar. B For fact sheets and identification material, feel free to contact Harvey Anderson at 306-933-7695. Harvey Anderson is an Invasive Alien Plants Management Advisor working jointly with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities out of the SA office in Saskatoon and covers all of Saskatchewan. Funding of this project is provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan “Growing Forward” Program.

MARCH 2016

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For Sale by Private treaty Time AI’d to SAV Autograph 5204 June 13th, exposed to Peak Dot Calving ease bulls Until September 13.

Peak Dot Easy Decision 116C

Bushs Easy Decision X Peak Dot Pioneer 548X BW: +2.3 WW: +88 YW: +142 M: +28 BW: 77 205 WT: 945 Peak Dot Easy Decision 219C

Bushs Easy Decision X SAV Iron Mountain 8066 BW: +2.8 WW: +74 YW: +122 M: +18 BW: 80 205 WT: 861 Peak Dot Easy Decision 8C

Peak Dot Easy Decision 117C

Bushs Easy Decision X Peak Dot Volt 950U BW: +2.7 WW: +83 YW: +133 M: +25 BW: 83 205 WT: 978 Peak Dot Easy Decision 4C

Bushs Easy Decision X SAR New Trend 4100 BW: +1.5 WW: +77 YW: +126 M: +26 BW: 79 205 WT: 942 Peak Dot Easy Decision 29C

Bushs Easy Decision X Peak Dot Epic 1069X BW: +3.9 WW: +76 YW: +134 M: +24 BW: 80 205 WT: 887 Peak Dot Unanimous 227C

Bushs Easy Decision X SAV Iron Mountain 8066 BW: +2.4 WW: +79 YW: +133 M: +20 BW: 80 205 WT: 886 Peak Dot Unanimous 48C

Vision Unanimous 1418 X SAV Iron Mountain 8066 BW: +3.0 WW: +75 YW: +125 M: +19 BW: 84 205 WT: 984

Vision Unanimous 1418 X Peak Dot Bold 204U BW: -0.4 WW: +70 YW: +120 M: +20 BW: 67 205 WT: 893

Peak Dot Easy Decision 151C

Bushs Easy Decision X SAV Iron Mountain 8066 BW: +2.1 WW: +74 YW: +125 M: +24 BW: 80 205 WT: 837 Peak Dot Easy Decision 147C

Bushs Easy Decision X SAV Bulletin 7904 BW: +3.8 WW: +71 YW: +128 M: +26 BW: 78 205 WT: 921 Peak Dot Tour of Duty 20C

RB Tour of Duty X SAV Eliminator 9105 BW: +3.0 WW: +78 YW: +132 M: +34 BW: 81 205 WT: 998 Peak Dot Unanimous 1113B

Vision Unanimous 1418 X SAV Iron Mountain 8066 BW: +3.3 WW: +73 YW: +126 M: +15 BW: 81 205 WT: 918

View Sale Book and Sale Cattle Photo Gallery at www.peakdotranch.com or phone Carson Moneo 306-266-4414 Clay Moneo 306-266-4411 Email:peakdot@gmail.com

MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 53

WRAZ 95C BW 0.1 WW 56 YW 89 M 16 TM 44 74 lb. BW heifer bull sired by Red Brylor JKC Ghost Rider 108Y

GBR 17C CE 86 BW -2.0 WW 35 YW 69 M 22.5 TM 40 Shape, volume, hair in one of many sons of Bar J Trojan 68X to sell

WRAZ 48C BW 0.8 WW 56 YW 91 M 19 TM 46 98 lb. super stout son of of Red Brylor JKC Ghost Rider 108Y

GBR 102C CE 82 BW -2.2 WW 32 YW 63 M 22.7 TM 39 Another son of our calving ease specialist Bar J Trojan 68X who is in the top 1% of the breed for calving ease and birth weight

WRAZ 29C BW -2.4 WW 59 YW 87 M 18 TM 48 • 75 lb. calving ease & minus BW in this big topped son of Red Crowfoot Moonshine 3084A

OPEN HOUSE at WRAZ, Saturday, April 2, starting at 1:30 PM Presale viewing of the bulls, their sires, dams & siblings with calves at foot. Phil & Lana Birnie & Family Box 461, Wawota, SK S0G 5A0 T 306-739-2988 • C 306-577-7440 “The program you Info@wraz.ca • Gordon Murray can count on” T 306-739-2177 • C 306-646-7980

GBR 43C CE 59 BW 2.3 WW 40 YW 80 M 23.5 TM 44 Hair, softness in this son of Pleasant Dawn Infusion 413A Sale Manager

306-584-7937 Helge By 306-536-4261 Candace By 306-536-3374 charolaisbanner@gmail.com

Kelly, Tracy, William & Wyatt Brimner Box 93, Manor, SK S0C 1R0 T 306-448-2028 • C 306-577-7698

View the catalogue online at www.bylivestock.com 54

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MARCH 2016

Association News, Reports, and Events A Report From Doug Gillespie President, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association we do things the way we do. Whether it’s your city relatives, the person behind the till at the grocery store or your hairdresser we need to tell our story or someone else is going to tell it for us.

It seems that lately every time you open a newspaper or turn on the tv, there is someone making false or misleading statements about the cattle industry. It is high time that we start to stand up for the industry that we love or we might be run out of business. Some of this misinformation is propaganda which is being generated by anti-meat activist groups such as the recent Globe and Mail story that promoted veganism as a way of saving the planet. Other sources include food retailers and restaurants that are using various niche programs to differentiate their products as superior to their competition. I have no issue with producers using various production methods based on what works for their respective operations and marketing program. However, I do have concerns when companies intentionally mislead consumers to increase their market share. At our AGM a couple of years ago an executive from a large restaurant chain was quoted as saying “That it wasn’t their responsibility to educate consumers”. So if it isn’t their responsibility, whose responsibility is it? As producers of safe, healthy and nutritious beef it is our responsibility to stand up for our industry if we want to maintain our social license and we need all producers to help in the fight. You can start by telling everyone you meet about the good job we are doing of taking care of our animals and the land as well as why

MARCH 2016

If you’re not sure what to say to consumers about our industry there is an online advocacy program called Beef Advocacy Canada (BAC) which has been developed by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association to give beef producers the tools to help advocate on behalf of our industry. This is a free program you can use from the comfort of your own home by going to www. beefadvocacy.ca. Help SWAT the Lies!

swatter

I would like to encourage everyone to “Help SWAT the lies!” about our industry by participating in our Lie Swatter program. When you read or see something that is factually incorrect or misleading about the livestock industry call our office at (306) 757.8523 and let us know about it. On February 3, 2016 International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland participated in the official signing ceremony of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal in New Zealand. This trade deal offers significant market access opportunities for Canadian beef producers and agriculture in general. However, just because we signed the deal doesn’t necessarily mean that the Government of Canada will ratify the agreement. In order to ensure that this critical trade deal is ratified we need as many producers as possible to contact your MPs and send letters of support to Minister Freeland and MacAulay encouraging them to ratify this important

TPP Fast Facts

• TPP countries represent 800 million

people with a combined GDP of $28.5 trillion which is nearly 40% of the world’s economy. • In 2014, TPP countries accounted for 45% of SK’s and 65% Canada’s Ag Exports. • Japan will reduce tariffs on beef from 38.5% to 9% over 15 years. trade deal for Saskatchewan and Canada. To find your MP’s contact information go to: www.parl.gc.ca/Parliamentarians/en/ members We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to partner with McDonald’s Canada to promote the Verified Sustainable Beef (VSB) Pilot at our recent zone meetings. The VSB pilot is working with producers and industry to assess the indicators that will be used to measure the sustainability of the beef industry. The resulting report will be presented to the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef this spring and will be used to lay the foundation of how we measure the sustainability of the beef industry in the future. Last month we announced an exciting new partnership with the Autism Resource Centre (ARC) in Regina. We have partnered with the ARC to co-host “Different, Not Less – An Evening with Dr. Temple Grandin” at the Conexus Arts Centre on Sunday June 12th. Dr. Grandin is an internationally recognized autism advocate and livestock-handling expert whose inspiring life story has revolutionized how we think about both the agricultural and autism worlds. Tickets for this presentation go on sale March 1, 2016 at noon and are available from the Conexus Arts Centre box office. Dr. Grandin will also be speaking the next day at the SSGA 103rd Annual General Meeting on low stress cattle handling. continued on page 56

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 55

Association News, Reports, and Events Saskatchewan Shorthorn Association Report by Betty Wyatt, Secretary/Treasurer

Where else but in Saskatchewan can livestock producers and farmers experience such diverse weather in less than one year? From the flooding of 2014 to the drought of 2015 ending with extremely volatile weather systems in late July bringing funnel clouds and flooded areas within hours. To some, Saskatchewan is a boring landscape, but one just needs to look to the living skies especially from June to September to witness if not an entertaining, or frightful skyline, an ever-changing panorama! Hopefully most cattlemen have been able to accommodate their stock in the era of these drier times. Many ranchers in AB were forced to sell or relocate their cattle to some Saskatchewan farms for the winter feeding season. The SK Shorthorn AGM was held on June 20, 2015 at the Muri farms in the Swift Current area. We saw the Muri cattle herds and appreciated the breath-taking view from Russell and Wendy Muri’s back door. Then we traveled to the country hall at Hallonquist where the Muri women had prepared a wonderful lunch, followed by guest speaker Kevin Elmy and the AGM. Following the meeting we traveled a short distance to Ivan and Mary, and Scot and Joni Muri’s for a barbecue banquet and social. A huge thank you to the families for hosting the event! CSA president Richard Moellenbeck presented Ivan and Mary Muri the Canadian Shorthorn Association the Legend of the Breed award, the highest award of the Canadian Shorthorn Association. Congratulations to these very deserving ambassadors of the Shorthorn industry. To reiterate how highly Ivan and Mary Muri are regarded in the cattle industry, they were also nominated for the 2015 Sask. Livestock Assoc. Honor Scroll, which they received at the Beef Industry Conference in January. Congratulations.

Richard, Rhonda, Riley, Rayleen, Russell and Royce Moellenbeck of Bell M Farms were nominated as the Saskatchewan Shorthorn Honour of the Breed recipients for 2015. The award is based on dedication and commitment to the breed and the association. Richard has served for many years on the SK Board and other livestock committees, and was recently inducted as the Canadian Shorthorn Association President. They are also the sales team for the Agribition Shorthorn sale and the Alliance Sale. Rayleen, a veterinarian technician by trade, served as the SK Shorthorn lassie for many years and continues to assist at the Agribition show. Royce is the computer, graphic design artist and is the detailer behind the new Saskatchewan Shorthorn logo, fondly referred to as the company CEO. Riley and Russell have continued their education but also contribute to the work on the family farm. Congratulations to the Moellenbecks of Bell M Farms! The presentation was made at the Shorthorn banquet during Agribition.

reserve champion status, you are eligible for Shorthorn awards and credit certificates. Please contact your leader or the SK Shorthorn secretary to receive details of criteria PRIOR to September 1, 2016. In Memoriam: On October 24, 2015 the Saskatchewan Shorthorn Association and the Shorthorn breed as a whole lost a devoted member. Arnold Moellenbeck of Englefeld passed away suddenly leaving behind his wife, Elizabeth, and sons Maurice (Donna); Vincent; Gordon (AnnaMarie); Richard (Rhonda); and Wayne; 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Deepest sympathy to the Moellenbeck families. Good luck to all with your winter and spring calving, El Nino seems to be favourable for a warm season! B Please go to saskshorthorns.com/news to view the CWA Shorthorn Sale results.

Agribition was a great week with warm temperatures that brought out record crowds. The crowning glory for the Shorthorn Association was the number of qualifiers in the Royal Bank Supreme, two of them making the top ten cut; the Moellenbecks with their Grand Champion Bull and JT Livestock with an outstanding female with calf at side. Good time are coming around for the Shorthorn breed! Many thanks to our Shorthorn Lassie Morgan Lehmann who assists in every aspect of the show, sale and banquet.

Please accept this as your personal invitation to attend this year’s convention in Regina on June 13-14, 2016.

Congratulations to Royce Moellenbeck for receiving Grand Champion status at his 4-H club show with his cow calf pair. Royce was presented with his award during the Agribition banquet. To all 4-H members, if you show a Shorthorn influenced project, stated as such, at the time of the 4-H achievement day and regional show; bearing Shorthorn characteristics and achieve club champion and or regional champion or regional

Until next time I wish everyone a successful calving season and I would like to encourage everyone to sell a membership. B

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President's Report cont. from pg. 55

In closing the provincial election is on April 4 and I would like to encourage everyone to participate in the democratic process. If you have any issues impacting the livestock industry that you would like raised please contact me or the SSGA office with your suggestions.

MARCH 2016

T BAR K RANCH

8th Annual Bull Sale- on the ranch - APRIL 7th 2016

KEVIN & KIM DORRANCE PHONE: 306-739-2944 CELL: 306-577-9861 BOX 389 WAWOTA,SK CALL: FOR DVD & CATALOG OF BULLS 127 Years in the Beef business

MARCH 2016

WWW.TBARKRANCH.COM

• 30 RED ANGUS YEARLINGS • 24 RED ANGUS 2-YEAR OLDS • 11 HORNED HEREFORD YEARLINGS • 15 HORNED HEREFORD 2YEAR OLDS

* SALE WILL BE LIVE ON DLMS* www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 57

Association News, Reports, and Events Saskatchewan Angus Association Report by Michael Wheeler, President secured as part of Growing Forward 2. We hope that we can secure permanent funding for the mentorship program and make it a permanent program.

Greetings fellow cattle producers. I hope that everyone is enjoying this busy time of year as we are all preparing for calving and bull sale season. The Saskatchewan Angus Association Board of Directors are a great group of volunteers who have also been very busy implementing our existing programming and planning for the future. I would like to thank the breeders who took the time to complete and return our membership survey. The survey was a good starting point for the strategic plan the Board has been working on to identify our priorities for the future. I would also like to thank the breeders who took the time in December to attend our planning session where we examined our past successes and trends that will shape our future. We looked at why the Saskatchewan Angus Association exists and who it will serve in the future. There were four main areas of focus or themes that developed from the planning session. The first priority was creating opportunities for membership education and engagement. We are examining ways to host information sessions for breeders and industry stake-holders; information will be forthcoming about these events. We also want to improve communication via social media and utilize that platform to reach everyone from breeders to consumers. The second priority for the Association is to continue pursuing young producers. Our current youth programming is very effective and the newly launched mentorship program is the next step. This program is up and running with funding 58

Our third priority is to be the consumer’s brand of choice. The Angus brand is a great strength that our Association wants to build upon. We have worked very hard in the past to gain acceptance from commercial cattlemen and that will remain a priority. Looking to the future we feel that we can also do more to be an advocate for beef and educate consumers about Angus beef. We want to give our members the tools and information needed to be advocates and answer consumers questions and break the myths that our opposition promotes to the public. If we do not tell our story, someone else will tell it for us.

Our fourth priority is to work on developing strategic partnerships that will help educate consumers and enhance the value of the Angus brand. We hope that by working together with other organizations, such as Ag in the Classroom or Saskatchewan Forage we can be more effective and efficient at delivering our message. We realize that our Association can not undertake a campaign that will change the world but we can take that first step and have those one on one conversations about our Angus brand. The summer months will bring our annual summer tour which has become a major event for the Association and everyone is welcome. Plans are currently underway for the tour to be in the Moose Jaw area August 8 and 9, so mark your calendars. B

 calving ease  grass-based  strong maternal  longevity  moderate frame

Shellmouth, MB 204-564-2540

2 yr old bulls sold private treaty off the ranch!

BUY A BULL..WIN A HEIFER! Check website for contest details!

www.nerbasbrosangus.com

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MARCH 2016

“A Family Tradition Bull & Female Sale”

MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 59

Association News, Reports, and Events Saskatchewan Bison Association Report by Les Kroeger, President

Although bison roamed the plains of North America for centuries, the commercial bison industry in Canada is just over 30 years old. From near extinction in the late 1800s, the recovery of bison in North America is truly a conservation success story. The Saskatchewan Bison Association (SBA) was established in 1991 to represent the interests of bison producers in Saskatchewan while working with other regional associations and the Canadian Bison Association. There are an estimated 250 bison producers in Saskatchewan of which almost 200 are members of the SBA. Today it is estimated that there are about 150,000 bison in Canada from a high of about 200,000 in 2008. There are an estimated 42,000 head currently in Saskatchewan. Like other livestock sectors the bison industry has been experiencing good returns because of the strong demand for meat products and more recently the weakness of the Canadian dollar has driven prices to their highest in history. In February 2016, Grade “A” bison bulls were selling for $6.00 per pound hot hanging weight. These returns are expected to attract further investment and stimulate growth in the industry. At recent producer meetings it is encouraging to see the number of younger producers participating at the meetings with several taking leadership roles. To support future growth and investment, with the support of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture the Saskatchewan Bison Association completed five years of data collection and developed production and financial performance benchmarks for use by producers, aspiring producers and financial institutions.

Bison producers like many livestock producers convert grass to protein. There are a number of bison producers who produce both beef and bison. These producers indicate that bison are a much hardier animal as they have evolved on the North American plains over centuries. Bison do not require shelters and calving problems are rare. Because of centuries of evolution in the cold climate, bison body metabolism slows reducing their feed intake in cold weather. Bison are known for their longevity and seeing a bison breeding cow past 15 years of age is not uncommon. Bison are very efficient foragers. Bison are a wild animal. Producers in the industry have made significant progress over the past two decades in understanding their behavior and handling them efficiently and effectively. Bison require more substantial handling facilities designed to accommodate their behavior. As a result bison herds tend to be less mobile than cattle herds. Another difference is the method of marketing meat products. The focus is on niche markets to maximize carcass value. Because of the low number of animals the price discovery system is not as well developed as it is in the cattle industry. The bison industry is small but with great potential. Although processing numbers have been higher in the past, in 2015 in North America almost 64,000 head were processed at federally inspected processing plants and another 11,000 head at provincial and state plants. The largest market for live bison and bison meat is the United States followed by European Union countries and Switzerland. Like the cattle industry, exports are important to the bison industry. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union will be very beneficial for the bison industry as it will remove the current 20% tariff and provide for

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a separate quota for bison meat. The Trans-Pacific Partnership will provide the bison industry with the same benefits it provides to the cattle industry. Both of these agreements are important as they assist in diversifying the markets and allow the bison industry to maximize carcass value while contributing to the long term future of the industry. There are many elements common to both the cattle and bison industries. The industry is working on its code of practice for care and handling of bison and participates actively with the cattle industry on livestock identification. Animal health and biosecurity programs are important to both sectors. The bison industry is working to complete premises identification in Saskatchewan in support of proposed traceability regulations when they are passed. Conservation of habitat is also important to both the beef and bison sectors. Both sectors understand the importance of sustainable production. Because bison is a wild species, working with the conservation community is also important so they can achieve their conservation goals and the bison industry can achieve its commercial goals. The Saskatchewan Bison Association is a supporter of Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan and has long been involved in “Agriculture in the Classroom” activities. The SBA has maintained a visible presence at Agribition for many years alongside cattle producers. In conclusion, although there are differences there are also many common elements shared by the cattle and bison sectors. The Saskatchewan Bison Association membership in the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association is just one small thread that reinforces working together. B If you have any questions about the bison industry please call 306-585-6304 or visit the web site at www.canadianbison.ca.

MARCH 2016

Crescent Creek Angus 18th Annual Bull & Female Sale Saturday April 2, 2016 1:00 pm Goodeve, SK Crescent Creek Pacesetter 12C

WOS 12C

BW: 96 LBS Sire: CRESCENT CREEK PACESETTER 20U Dam: CRESCENT CREEK ROSEBUD 152Y Out Cross Genetics at Their Finest at Any Angle

CRESCENT CREEK ROSEBUD 115F

WMO 23C

Featuring Sons Of

MC CUMBER 8R101 RITO 1136 KG WISDOM 1419 CRESCENT CREEK FORTUNE 67X CRESCENT CREEK ENTREPENEUR105A S CHISUM 0206 S MCCOY 373 PA FORTITUDE 2500

Crescent Creek Imprint 23C BW: 86 LBS Sire: CONNEALY IMPRINT 8317 Dam Sire: S CHISUM 6175

Top 1% for WW & YW

Offering •Offering Approximatley 60 Black Angus Yearling Bulls •45 Open Replacement Females •The heart of the replacement pen featuring time tested cow families.

ALL BULLS SEMEN TESTED PERFORMANCE DATA AVAILABLE DELIVERY ARRANGED OR SALE DAY PICK UP RECEIVE $75 DISCOUNT Wes, Kim & Family Box 192, Goodeve, SK S0A 1C0 Ph: (306) 876-4420 Cell: (306) 728-8284

Irene Box 103, Goodeve, SK S0A 1C0 Ph: (306) 876-4400

OBI (Rob Holowaychuk) Ph: (780) 916-2628

info@crescentcreekangus.com

Cattle Videos Available First Week in March on crescentcreekangus.com

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MARCH 2016

Association News, Reports, and Events SaskMilk Report

by Joy Smith, Manager of Policy & Communications • Finding efficiencies on our farms

while balancing proper animal care and health and public stewardship.

Too often the dairy and beef industries are painted as adversaries – we are told by the media, politicians, and even within our own sectors that our interests are competitive, simply because supply management is domestically-focused and other agriculture sectors are exportfocused. Frankly, our interests are far more aligned than they are different – in fact, we face many common challenges:

• Ongoing pressure and attacks from animal rights activists that threaten our social license;

• Scrutiny on retail prices of our

products over which none of us have any control;

• Responsibility and adaptation of the environment and sustainability of animal farming;

• Increasing restrictions as Intensive

Livestock Operations from RMs and the public;

The dairy industry in Canada is heading toward significant changes in the coming years, many of which are positive. A significant development is the proAction initiative, a program to which all dairy farmers in Canada have committed. proAction is a series of programs developed by farmers, for farmers, with the goal of allowing us to chart our own course while encouraging continuous improvement on-farm. The component areas of proAction are:

• Animal Care – performing ongoing

assessments on-farm to monitor and assist with appropriate animal care practices based on the Code of Practice;

• Food Safety – to prevent, monitor and reduce food safety risk on farms;

• Quality – practices to ensure that Canadian milk quality standards remain high;

• Environment – developing

requirements to demonstrate that dairy farms are committed to producing milk in an environmentally sustainable way;

• Biosecurity – ensuring that controls

are in place to minimize disease both within a farm operation and off the farm; and

• Traceability – ensuring that dairy cows can be traced appropriately.

The industry is also looking at fundamental changes in the coming years to address the challenges from globalization and changing technologies. We – producers and processors at the national level – are in the midst of planning these changes to our system through the modernization and adaptation of our pricing and structures to address the realities of modern markets. At the provincial level, SaskMilk has implemented a program to encourage new entrants to our industry, the Dairy Entrant Assistance Program (DEAP). DEAP continued on page 64

IF YOU CAN’T SHIP IT, TEST IT Help maintain current market access by having your cattle tested for BSE. Animals that are unfit for shipping, dead, diseased, dying or downer are the type of animals eligible for testing. BSEsurveillance surviellenceisisstill stillimportant important and makes a difference. BSE andevery everyanimal animaltested tested makes a difference. Protecting your investment is asProtecting easy as testing one animalisfor each your investment asBSE easy as year. MARCH 2016

testing one animal for BSE each year. www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS |

Association News, Reports, and Events Saskatchewan Limousin Association Report breed! Bull sale season is upon us, and your Saskatchewan Limousin producers welcome your inquiries.

The Saskatchewan Limousin Association was busy in 2015. We hosted our summer show during the Prince Albert Exhibition and a successful show and sale during Agribition in Regina. We would like to thank all of the volunteers and spectators who made these events a success. Times are good in the Limousin business, and commercial producers looking for calving ease, hybrid vigor and solid colors are turning to Limousin for their terminal cross solution. It pays to cross

Congratulations to the 2015 Saskatchewan Limousin Association Commercial Producer of the Year - Springhill Land and Cattle of Rockglen. The Hansen family have been using Limousin bulls in their cross breeding program for years, and continue to top calf sales when they market in the fall. Thank you to Dallas and Michelle, Cody and Amanda for their dedication and support. Please join us in Prince Albert August 2 to 6 for the 2016 provincial summer show. B Keep up with all the upcoming Saskatchewan Limousin Association events by following us on Facebook.

2015 Saskatchewan Limousin Association Commercial Producer of the Year - Springhill Land and Cattle of Rockglen. Left to right: Rhett Jones (SK Limousin Assoc. president); Michelle Hansen; Dallas Hansen; Cody Hansen: Amanda Hansen and Jeff Yorga

SaskMilk cont. from pg. 63 aims to assist new entrants in reaching a sustainable farm size more quickly and easily, and to remain viable and achieve growth over the long term. There has been great interest and uptake of the program. As with all agriculture, we are also facing challenges which require constant attention. There is, of course, the need to adapt and prepare for future increased imports, which is more a focus of our particular segment of agriculture; however, as noted above, many of our challenges are shared by all farmers. As producers with common interests in the areas of animal care, social license, ILOs, and the environment, we would like to continue to build relationships with other livestock farmers so that we can work together and share information and strategies common to our futures. If we focus on our many similarities rather than our few differences, we should be able to find a number of ways to pool our knowledge and efforts that will benefit us all. B 64

All-Aluminum Construction, available in 20' & 24' lengths

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

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Online Showroom at:

MARCH 2016

Zone 7 Scholarship Awarded

CHALLENGE Cowtown Challenge is an incentive program for members to recruit and renew memberships. The Cowtown Challenge is designed to encourage YOU, our members, to recruit your fellow cattlemen to join the SSGA. The Cowtown challenge recognizes recruiters based on a point system. Recruiters receive 2 pts. for recruiting a new one year membership or renewing a membership which expired more than 12 months ago. Recruiters receive 1 pt for recruiting a one year member past due 3-12 months.

Brian Braun, Zone 7 Director, presenting a cheque to scholarship winner Katelyn Wiens.

*Points will be prorated for multi-year, junior, spousal and life memberships. For more information visit www.skstockgrowers.com

The SSGA strongly believes in supporting youth in agriculture. One of the ways we do this is by offering scholarships for students pursuing post-secondary education in agriculture related programs. At the SSGA Zone 7 Annual on February 13, 2016, Katelyn Wiens of Demaine, SK was announced as the winner of the Zone 7 scholarship winner. Katelyn is a second year student in the Lakeland College Animal Health Technology program.

GIFT CARD

Box 4752, Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3Y4 (306) 757-8523 | (306) 569-8799 (fax) ssga@sasktel.net | skstockgrowers.com Find us on Twitter | Find us on Facebook

MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | 65

Association News, Reports, and Events Saskatchewan Charolais Association Report by Greg Gilliland, President

What a ride we’ve had in the last 12 months in the beef industry! Our breed has, and continues to see very strong prices for our product. The Char and Char cross calves have been sought after with enthusiasm by the feedlots, even more so now than ever. We saw some record prices early last fall, and possibly now some of the feeders are realizing what they need in order to make a dollar by the time these animals are hanging on a hook. As this industry is searching to find the balance of price per pound for profit we will continue to see Charolais influenced calves remain at the top and probably increase the gap between us and the other breeds. Charolais bulls are the number one terminal sire, this has been proven time and again with tests in feedlots. The cattle feeding industry knows they will turn a profit on them so the char cross calves will continue to top the market. To quote a part owner of a large feedlot in Nebraska “ A Charolais cross calf is the only breed you can buy without wondering what exactly you are buying anymore”. I believe every cow calf producer in the country should be buying a Charolais bull this spring if they don’t already have one. If there is one easy way to make yourself some money I can guarantee you it’s by breeding your cows, no matter what color they are, to a Charolais bull. If you are calving in the late spring on the grass you need to be running Charolais bulls, this way you have the option to market your calves in the fall. They will not only have more than enough weight, they will be in demand.

2015-16 SK Charolais Association Board of Directors. Front row (l-r) Dave Blechinger, Rosetown (sec-treas.) Carey Weinbender, Canora (1st VicePresident); Greg Gilliland, Carievale (President) Kelly Howe, Moose Jaw (2nd Vice-President) Back row (l-r) Stephen Wielgosz, Yellow Creek; Glen Mangels, Carrot River; Tyler Smyth, Herbert; Jared McTavish, Moosomin; Mike McAvoy, Arelee.

Our Association is currently printing a Saskatchewan Breeder Directory. If you would like one or would like to know where a breeder near you is please feel free to call me or any of

our Board members. Our numbers are listed under the Saskatchewan Board of Directors on our web site at http://www. charolaisbanner.com/sca/ B

Did You Know?

The SSGA has launched a new $25 junior membership for beef producers under the age of 25 years old.

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skstockgrowers.com

MARCH 2016

“Who’s Your Daddy?” Thursday, April 7, 2016 - 1:00 p.m. Saskatoon Livestock Sales, Saskatoon, SK 306-382-8088 We know that our bulls have to be better just to get your attention! That’s why we cull hard and only sell 50 bulls a year. These are the top cut from over 400 purebred Shorthorn cows. Thick, rugged, BEEF BULLS that are bred to handle the harsh conditions of Western Canada. Also offering a select group of open replacement heifers.

13th Ann ua l Bul l Sa le

HE SELLS

M ur ida le Co mm an de r 1B HE SELLS

SONS & HALF BROTH ERS SELL

Sa sk va lle y Bl itz 66 B Catalogs will be available on our websites Sale Bull videos at www.youtube.com/whosyourdaddybull

For more information or a catalog, contact:

S askvalley Stock Farm Carl Lehmann 306.232.3511 cmlehmann@sasktel.net saskvalleyshorthorns.com Special Representatives: Dr. Bert Moore 701.541.5035 Larry Toner 306.834.7652 Rolly Bateman 306.320.7466 MARCH 2016

Bell M Farms

Richard Moellenbeck 306.287.7904 rmoellenbeck@bogend.ca bellmfarms.com

Be ll M Vi sio na ry 12 7Y Muridale S horthorns

Scot Muri 306.741.6833 sjmuri@sasktel.net www.muridale.com

Internet Bidding Available Through www.dlms.ca luke@lukebowmanconsulting.com www.lukebowmanconsulting.com www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 67

Association News, Reports, and Events Saskatchewan Goat Breeders Association Report by Lee Sexton

Premises Identification and its importance. The college provided presentations on health, welfare and disease protocols through the efforts of Dr. Uehlinger and Dr. Schumann. The workshops also offered a successful membership drive for the SGBA. The Saskatchewan Goat Breeders Association (SGBA) is pleased to announce it is an Affiliate Member of the SSGA. We feel it is crucial to form alliances in the livestock sector in order to be a viable, successful industry. With the ever increasing demand for goat meat, moving the goat industry forward from a small hobby/show ring entity to a profitable business-minded enterprise will help meet the demand. This year we formed a partnership with the Saskatchewan Vet College and the Saskatchewan Government to host a series of six producer targeted workshops across the province. The Ministry of Agriculture presented information on

The SGBA upgraded its website this year. It was decided that if our industry was going to be taken seriously we needed to offer a professional website. We are still working on adding content, however it is already proving to be a worthwhile decision. Once again the association held a show and sale at Agribition. This year the dairy show was brought back and a youth show added. Both events were well received and attended. The sale was also a success with active bidding in the stands and on the Internet.

by speaking four times in two days on animal husbandry, nutrition, holistic management ideas, and what it takes to start a goat business. Dr. Uehlinger spoke on kid survival; the following representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture spoke about a variety of topics; Joe Novak - Premises ID; Nadia Mori â&#x20AC;&#x201C; forage; Shelley Jones on social license in the livestock sector and Melanie Boldt, of Pineview Farms, spoke to us about market development and sustainability. It was quite a lineup of successful, industry-minded professionals offering good and useful information. Our organization represents the meat, dairy and fiber sectors of the goat industry in Saskatchewan and we can offer information and services to other livestock sectors through extension and prescribed grazing services. B

Our annual meeting, in Saskatoon, featured our keynote speaker Dr. An Peischel who went above and beyond

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

$250 plus shipping and GST

| ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

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

MARCH 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 69

Association News, Reports, and Events Saskatchewan Simmental Association Report by Carolyn McCormack Secretary/Treasurer

s„™‘„š†‹ˆž„” sŒ““ˆ”š„’@a™™•†Œ„šŒ•” The Saskatchewan Simmental Association (SSA) had a successful year in 2015! The SSA works hard to promote the Simmental breed and support its members. We strive to promote the breed at purebred and commercial levels, as well as through support and encouragement of our youth – the future of the breed and the cattle industry. Spring bull sales, once again, remained strong and proved that the demand for Simmental genetics is getting stronger. The SSA “Win a $2000 Sale Credit Bull Promotion” proved to be very successful. Any bulls purchased from SSA members and the registration papers transferred, automatically enters the buyer’s name in a draw for a $2000 sale credit. The more bulls you purchase, the more chances you have to win! This credit is drawn for at our annual meeting in July and the lucky winner has one year to use the credit to purchase a bull or female at public auction or private treaty. Congratulations to the 2015 winner, TL Farms, Stoney Beach, SK. The 2015 Commercial Breeder of the Year was awarded during the Simmental Show at Canadian Western Agribition. Raymond Land & Cattle, Aneroid, SK were awarded the prestigious award and received a 3’x 6’ farm sign. The SK Simmental Associations continues to strongly support 4-H and youth programs in Saskatchewan. All members exhibiting a Simmental or Simmental influenced animal received a pair of SSA gloves. The SSA also gave out hoodies to Grand and Reserve Champions at all regional 4-H shows and spring steer and heifer shows to qualifying winners.

2015-16 SSA Board of Directors Back Row (l-r) - Sarah Delorme, Trevor Kuntz, Blair McIntosh, Tyler Libke (Vice President), Donna Asher Front Row (l-r) - Lyle Forden, Ryan Lundberg (President), Dave Erixon Absent: Kirsten Fornwald

The SSA awards scholarships to juniors moving on to post-secondary education. This year’s recipients were: Cody Ray Lafrentz, Darla Fedyk, Kale Scherger, Devynn McIntyre and Ryley Noble. To qualify for a scholarship, applicants or their parents must be members of the Saskatchewan Simmental Association and the application deadline is October 1, 2016.

For a list of upcoming spring bull sales or classifieds go to our website www. sasksimmental.com or follow us on Facebook.

The Saskatchewan Simmental Association Board of Directors continues to work hard to promote and encourage the breeding of Simmental cattle. Their hard work and dedication in the past and in the future will ensure the Simmental breed continues to thrive in Saskatchewan. B

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

MARCH 2016

Association News, Reports, and Events

SSGA MEMBERSHIP

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association has entered into a partnership with Flaman to SSGA Semi Annual Meeting increase Memberships and Subscription readership. Resolutions

Drive

Resolution #5 increasing incidences of cougar sitings WHEREAS the Saskatchewan and and confirmed cases of livestock Canadian beef cattle industry requires WHEREAS grazing is an environmentally predation. The sponsored membership functional access to a labour force that is sustainable management practice for prize by Flaman will be a BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the interested in working in all sectors of our grasslands; and industry. provincial government to list the cougar WHEREAS cattle production is a valuable as a naturally occurring native species in BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the part of the SK economy; anddoor, side door, SK. Specs: Full rear Carried federal and provincial governments to slots for side window slides, rock guard, develop and adopt policies that enable WHEREAS SK Parks is currently idling 2-3,500 torefl ex for axles all sectors of the beef industry including grasslands that are not lb being used Resolution #3 New or Existing Memberships: processing plants to access and fill their recreational purposes and grazing is labour requirements. prohibited. WHEREAS 1 yearLivestock Price $105.00 1 entry The member that sells the most SSGA new the Western Carried Insurance Program (WLPIP) has proven to memberships will receive a free registration for 2 year $194.25 2 entries BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the be an effective risk management tool for SSGA AGM. livestock producers;2 year to the2009 Resolution provincialtwo government to allow grazing and spousal $97.12 #6 1 entry on SK Parks property outside of provincial 3 ayear $262.50the Saskatchewan3 cattle entries park boundaries. WHEREAS WLPIP is pilot program under WHEREAS relies heavily on our2ability to Carried Growing Forward 23 that on March 31, industry yearends spousal $131.25 entries access world markets to sell our product. 2018. Life $1050.00 10 entries Resolution #2 BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA petition BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the Life spousal $525.00 4 entries the federal government to sign the TransWHEREAS cougars are currently listed as federal and provincial governments of to Pacific Partnership trade agreement a non-native protected species in SK; and make WLPIP a permanent program. delay.SSGA Annual Convention Carried All draws will be made without at the 2009 Carried WHEREAS there is now an established cougar population in SK based on Resolution #1

12’ BERGEN STOCK TRAILER

As of September 1, 2008 the Saskatchewan Stock Growers will be offering a major prize draw for all paid new and renewal of existing memberships as follows:

For more information or to become a member, 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

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. www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 71 MARCH 2016

Calendar of Events MARCH

March 13 March 14 March 17 March 17 March 19 March 22 March 25 March 26 March 26 March 26 March 28 March 29 March 31 March 31

Standard Hill Connection Polled Hereford & Black Angus Sale Palmer Charolais with Nielson Land & Cattle Co. 5th Annual Charolais, Red & Black Angus Bull Sale Bowerman Bros. & Nesset Lake Annual Black Angus Bull Sale Johnson Livestock Bull Sale Canada’s Red, White and Black Bull Sale City View Simmentals & Ivanhoe Angus 6th Annual Bull Sale Top Cut 24th Annual Black Angus Bull Sale Borderland Cattle Co. Bull Sale Mantei Farms Angus Bull Sale Stockman Select Bull Sale & Commercial Open Replacement Heifers Cockburn Red Angus & Merit Cattle Co. Bull Sale Early Sunset Ranch Only the Good Ones Sell Production Sale Cattle Creek Ranching Red Angus Bull Sale Sheidaghan Anghus 5th Annual Production Sale

April 1 April 2 April 2 April 4 April 4 April 4 April 4 April 5 April 6-7 April 6 April 7 April 7 April 8 April 9-10 April 9 April 10 April 11 April 14 April 14 April 15 April 15 April 16 April 16 April 17 April 18

Northern Progress 26 Annual Bull Sale Burnett Black Angus Bull Sale Crescent Creek Angus 18th Annual Bull & Female Sale Eastondale 9th Annual On the Farm Angus Bull & Female Sale North of the 49th 13th Annual Bull Sale Triple A Performance Tested 19th Annual Bull Sale Wilgenbusch Charolais 13th Annual North of the 49th Bull Sale Cedarlea Charolais & Windy Willows Angus “Git R Done” Bull Sale Kenray Ranch 2nd Annual Online Bull Sale Peak Dot Ranch Ltd. Spring Bull Sale T Bar K 8th Annual Bull Sale Who’s Your Daddy 13th Annual Bull Sale Johnston/Fertile Valley Bull Sale SK Beef Expo Six Mile Ranch 41st Annual Bull Sale Advertising deadline for May magazine Moose Creek Red Angus 21nd Annual Yearling Bull Sale Sliding Hills Charolais 10th Annual Bull Sale South View Ranch 16th Annual Red & Black Angus Bull Sale Freyburn Angus “A Family Tradition Bull & Female Sale” Your Choice Bull Sale Brimner Cattle Co. and WRAZ Red Angus Cornerstone Bull & Female Sale Short Grass 38th Annual Bull & Female Sale Who’s Your Daddy 13th Annual Bull Sale Rancher’s Choice Black Angus Bull Sale

June 12 June 13-14

An Evening with Dr. Temple Grandin SSGA 103rd Convention and AGM

Maidstone, SK Bladworth, SK Meadow Lake, SK Peebles, SK Moose Jaw, SK Moose Jaw, SK Maple Creek, SK Rockglen, SK Alameda, SK Moose Jaw, SK Moose Jaw, SK Edam, SK Maple Creek, SK Maple Creek, SK

APRIL th

Saskatoon, SK Swift Current, SK Goodeve, SK Wawota, SK Halbrite, SK Moose Jaw, SK Halbrite, SK Hodgeville, SK www.dvauction.com Wood Mountain, SK Wawota, SK Saskatoon, SK Saskatoon, SK Saskatoon, SK Fir Mountain, SK Kisbey, SK Canora, SK Ceylon, SK Oxbow, SK Maple Creek, SK Whitewood, SK Aneroid, SK Saskatoon, SK Medicine Hat, AB

JUNE

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

Regina, SK Regina, SK

MARCH 2016

Registered (est. 1963) & Commercial (est. 1948) Black Angus Cattle • APHA & AQHA Horses

r hoice u o Y C B ULL S ALE

South Shadow 92U Freedom 21B

Friday

to Nelson Farms, Bow Island AB

1:00 pm (CST)

•

A pril 1 5 • 2016

Cowtown Livestock • Maple Creek SK

65 Yearling Black Angus Bulls 10 Yearling Black Angus Open Heifers Many Thanks to Our 2015 Cattle & Horse Customers Bulls

South Shadow 6Y Tomboy 130B

to Luke & Ceanna Tannas and Diamond T Cattle, Water Valley AB

Kay Dee 134X Diamond 171B

to Corrie Richardson, Eastend SK

76 Grazing Coop * 7L7 Ranch Ltd * A Godkin Arndt Ent Ltd * (x2) C Parsonage Cobrett Farms Ltd * C & N Schock * D Hanson * D & R Lietz * (x2) Diamond S Angus * D & E Nagel E Stehr H Moorhead * J Parsonage * J Whitney * (x2) Kruczko Ranch * K & H Sehn * L Berreth * (x2)

Main Centre Colony * Oberle Farms * R Gordon Riverside Angus * (x2) R & L Story * R Reesor/S Reesor* (x2) R David Rod Nelson Farms * R Anderson * (x2) Sagebrush Cattle Co * Sandhills Cattle Co*(x2) Sunny Slope Ranch*(x4) T & C Leismeister * T Armstrong * T Taplin T-T Ranch Ltd * W Bowyer * (x3) Wiwa View Farms Ltd * * repeat customer

L & C Tannas and Diamond T Cattle Co. Konsoky Ranching * (x3)

Heifers

Burnett Angus Stokke Ranch M Belof (x2) C Richardson * Wiwa View Farms Ltd * Tannas Ranches * (34 PB) 7L7 Ranch Ltd * (20 Hfrs) S Schneider (20 Hfrs) P Jenzen (15 Hfrs)

Steers

Ed Dahlke * JGL *

Breds

T & C Leismeister *

Horses

L & C Tannas (x2) L Dierickse N Weiss L Meyer T & T Jacksteit

Private Treaty at the Ranch: Top-Cut Breds,

Open Replacement Heifers, APHA/AQHA Horses

Smooth Sir Son of NCHA Hall of Famer

Smooth As A Cat x Smart Lil Ricochet

We Welcome Your Calls & Requests for H erd Tours, Information or to be added to our mailing list

Photos, EPDs/Data, Videos , ‘View & Bid Online’ details and Sale Catalog will be available on the ranch website

www.DelormeRanch.ca

Don and Connie Delorme Box 28, Robsart, SK S0N 2G0

dcdelorme@sasktel.net HOME: 306.299.4494 CELL: 306.299.7778

South Shadow, Boundary, Kay Dee, Jay En Dee & Prairie Pride

MARCH 2016

Advertisers Index Affordable Livestock Equipment

GENEX Cooperative Inc.

Norheim Ranching

Allen Leigh Security & Communications

Gibson Livestock

Northern Progress Bull Sale

Apollo Machine & Products

Git 'R Done Bull & Female Sale

Northstar Seed

Arm River Red Angus

Golden Thread Livestock Images

Paysen Livestock Equipment

Beef Infoxchange System

Cover

Grayson & Co.

Peak Dot Ranch Ltd. Spring Bull Sale

Bill Laidlaw Chartered Accountant Professional Corp.

Hi-Hog Farm & Ranch Equipment

Rancher's Choice Black Angus Bull Sale

Borderland Cattle Co. Bull Sale

Impact Trailer Sales

Saskatchewan Angus Assoc.

15,78

Bowerman Bros. and Nesset Lake Angus Annual Black Angus Bull & Female Sale

Jackson Designs

Saskatchewan Beef Expo

John Brown Farms

Saskatchewan Verified Beef Production

Burnett Black Angus Bull Sale

Johnston Angus Fertile Valley

Shadow Ranch

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency

40-41

Johnstone Auction Mart

Sheideghan Anghus Production Sale

Cattle Creek Ranching Bull Sale

Kelln Solar

Sliding Hills Charolais Bull Sale

Cornerstone More Bang for Your Buck Bull Sale

Kenray Ranch 2nd Annual Online Bull Sale

Solar West

64,77

Crescent Creek Angus Bull & Female Sale

Kramer Auctions

South View Ranch Red & Black Angus Yearling Sale

Kyle Welding & Machine Shop

Stockman Select Bull Sale

Cowtown Livestock Exchange, Inc.

LLB Angus

Superior Livestock Auction

D&R Prairie Supplies

Lane Realty Corp.

Sweet Pro

Delorme Ranch Your Choice Bull Sale

Linthicum Ranch

T Bar K Ranch Bull Sale

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Liphatech Inc.

INSERT

Target Cattle Concepts

Early Sunset Ranch

Luck Now Products

Terra Grain Fuels

Eastondale Angus

Man-SK Gelbvieh

Top Cut Black Angus Bull Sale

Edward Jones

Manitou Maine-Anjou

Triple A Angus Bull Sale

FCC Ag More Than Ever

Mantei Farms Angus Bull Sale

Western Litho

Federated Co-operatives Ltd.

Masterfeeds

Who's Your Daddy Bull Sale

Freyburn Angus Bull & Female Sale

Merit Cattle Bull Sale

Friendly Acres Seed Farm

Frostfree Nosepumps Ltd.

Moose Creek Red Angus Yearling Bull Sale

Wilgenbusch Charolais North of the 49th Bull Sale

GBT Angus

Nerbas Brothers Angus

New Life Mills

New Vision Agro

SSGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE EXECUTIVE

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

Phone: 784-2899

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

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

ZONE CHAIR DIRECTORS Phone: 773-6782

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

MARCH 2016

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

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

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

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

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

AFFILIATE DIRECTORS

Garner Deobald - Charolais Affiliate, Hodgeville 677-2589 Jack Ford - SaskMilk Affiliate, Wishart 328-4700 Tara Fritz - SImmental Affiliate, Shaunavon 297-3147 Ashley L'Henaff - Shorthorn Affiliate, Melfort 920-7751 Laird Senft - Angus Affiliate, Fort Qu’Appelle 332-4823 Lee Sexton - Goat Breeders Affiliate, Hanley 544-2660 Jeff Yorga - Limousin Affiliate 531-5717

APPOINTED DIRECTORS

Dr. Andy Acton- Veterinary Advisor, Ogema

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

NEW LI STI N G

Machine & Products Ltd.

www.lucknowproducts.com

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

TMR MIXER FEEDERS

Specializing in... H H H

We regroove roller mill rolls - most brands

VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL

Snowblowers Also Available Sales Rep: Randall 1Herperger BeefBusiness_1.pdf 12/14/15 306-621-7031

ROLLER MILLS

7:25 PM

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

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

COWCAM

Wireless & IP Systems Makes your calving €easier, safer & more profitable! • Smartphone compatible • Save more calves • Stop disturbing them and check more frequently

Cam

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

www.precisioncam.ca Trusted Quality,

Trusted Support,

Trusted Service!

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

Cowtown Livestock Exchange Inc. Maple Creek, SK

Regular Sales every Tuesday @ 11:00 a.m. Locally Owned & Operated Call for info on Presort & Other Sales Phone 306-662-2648 Toll Free: 1-800-239-5933

www.cowtownlivestock.com

Linthicum Ranch Open replacement and Bred Heifers for sale, Hereford Black & Baldy Heifers for sale. Also, commercial Hereford Bulls Murray & Jan Frank (306) 266-4377 (306) 266-4417

Glentworth, SK

Friendly Acres Seed Farm www.friendlyacres.sk.ca

306-744-2332

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

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

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

MARCH 2016

Affordable Livestock Equipment

1-844-500-5341

www.affordablelivestockequipment.com Freestanding 21’ Panels Starting at $199 Windbreak Frames $399. sold less boards 10’ Panels 5 and 6 Bar $69 & $79 Bunk Feeder Panels $399 Continuous Corral Panels Horse Haysavers $459. 7’ High Game Fence Panels 50’ Round Pen Kits $1695 & Up

Pump Kit

Solar West 500

There is a Dealer near You!

Calmar, Alberta ®

a Tradition of Quality in Animal Nutrition

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

Kyle, SK

306-375-2271

Jerry Glab Jack Wagman Kurtis Reid Roger Kostron

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

Regina Mill Saskatoon Mill Humboldt Mill

1,000 gal 500 gal

www.kylewelding.com

DURALITE, NORBERTS & FRONTIER STOCK TRAILER DEALER

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

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

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

Online Showroom at:

BL BILL LAIDLAW CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT PROF. CORP.

BILL LAIDLAW CA.CFP.

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

Chartered Accountant

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

Your AD could be here! Forage Seed

Contact Tracy Cornea at

Corn Seed

306-693-9329

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

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

Graham McKenzie

306.861.7074 MARCH 2016

INC.

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

Know your goals so you can choose your investments. Tyler Knibbs

Financial Advisor .

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

Dale Watson

306.861.4618

Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund

Integrity Commitment Results

All types of commercial and purebred livestock auctions and farm sales. Wash rack facilities for livestock

www.johnstoneauction.ca

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

Representative for:

Proudly providing legal services since 1883

Weekly Online Sales

(306) 693-6176

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

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

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

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

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

Your AD could be here! LIKE us on Facebook! For Upcoming Gelbvieh Sales and Breeders in your area contact: Ian Thackeray President (306) 861-7687 tgfis@sasktel.net

Contact Tracy Cornea at 306-693-9329

www.gelbvieh.ca

(306) 567- 4702

Box 688, Davidson, SK S0G

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

Your AD could be here! Contact Tracy Cornea

306-693-9329

Jackson Designs 306.772.0376

Commercial Graphics Catalogue Design Photography

www.jacksondesigns.ca 78

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

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

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

Check with us before you buy! MARCH 2016

WHAT AFFECTS YOUR BOTTOM LINE?

Calving Ease…Performance…Milk…Efficiency…Fertility…Docility…Consistency… FIND OUT HOW GENEX CAN INCREASE YOUR BOTTOM LINE.

1HP00829 VICTOR 719T

1HP00829 TH 122 71I VICTOR 719T | Reg#: 42800895 DRF JWR Prince Victor 71I x NJW 1Y Wrangler 19D

• Victor 719T has become the industry standard for profitability – calving ease, early rapid growth, maternal and end product merit. • His no-holes genetic package makes him one of the most heavily used bulls in the breed. • Victor 719T daughters are wide-bodied, big-hipped females in a moderate mature size. They are attractive females that possess exceptional udder quality. CED

7.7 0.5 61 .76 .94 .92

88 .91

2% 10% 15%

MILK

M&G

CETM MCW UDDR

71 .82

1.34 .85

1.45 .84

1.4 .83

20%

10%

20%

15%

10%

28 .81

-2.4 .68

TEAT

66 .80

FAT

REA

MARB

-0.015 0.32 0.11 .72 .74 .70 25%

1SM00139 ALLEGIANCE

$BMI $CEZ

$BII

$CHB

15%

10%

15%

10%

1SM00139 SVF ALLEGIANCE Y802 | Reg#: 2638036 MR NLC Upgrade U8676 x Circlet Antoinettes Star

• A baldy Upgrade son that seems to get better with every EPD evaluation. • Allegiance has become a big spread sire from birth to growth. • Use like his sire, Upgrade, to add style and mass in an excellent EPD package, with the added benefit of a baldy face. CED

8.8 .55

1.2 .82

ADG

82.1 124.4 0.26 .75 .70 .70

MCE

5.9 .33

20.2 .32

MWW

STAY

DOC

61.3 20.9 14.3 .42 .32 .59 15%

45.3 .54

-0.42 .35

10%

REA

20%

1AN01299 FORTITUDE

SHR

API

15%

0.27 -0.048 1.36 -0.39 139.5 84.1 .43 .40 .35 .36 1%

1AN01299 PA FORTITUDE 2500 | Reg#: 17418539 GAR-EGL Protege x SydGen C C & 7

• Fortitude offers one of the most no holes, value added tabulations in the entire breed while transmitting added body length and breed-leading performance in a super attractive, structurally correct package. • His pedigree is stacked for feed efficiency and end product merit while ranking near the top of the breed in his combination of $W and $B. CED

WW YW RADG SCR DOC HPG CEM MILK MW MH

13 -1.9 57 113 0.36 1.33 25 10.1 12 .75 .88 .83 .75 .64 .80 .70 .20 .19

10% 5% 25% 10% 1%

20% 10%

$EN

24 26 0.3 -14.56 49 .25 .46 .33 .37

15%

10%

MARB

FAT

25%

20%

15%

0.62 0.95 -0.010 60.43 90.57 40.91 169.40 .48 .42 .41

PregCheCk™

88% Reliability

EPDs as of 1/29/16

1CH00961 WRANGLER

1CH00961 WR WRANGLER W601 | Reg#: M779102 CMF 192 Wrangler 256 x Oakdale Duke 9003P

• The go-to calving ease sire due to his percentile rank for calving ease and birth weight, backed by his high accuracy proof. • Wrangler adds respectable growth and REA, plus mating flexibility on an array of heifer pedigrees. CE

15%

14.5 -1.6 49 .78 .88 .82

69 .78

MILK

0 .40

SCR

REA

FAT

24 1.80 19 0.58 0.002 .64 .44 .50 .42 1%

10%

MARB

TSI

-0.04 204.48 .45 25%

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