Beef Business November 2019 by Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association

Beef Business Saskatchewan's Premier Cattle Industry Publication November 2019

A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Publication Publication Mail Agreement #40011906

Working for Producers

PROGRAMS PROGRAMS PROGRAMS PROGRAMS Ducks Unlimited Unlimited Canada Canada (DUC) (DUC) provides provides financial financial incentives incentives for for programs programs Ducks Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) provides financial incentives for programs that preserve, protect and restore habitat on the land for waterfowl and wildlife. wildlife. that preserve, protect and restore habitat on the land for waterfowl and that preserve, protect and restore habitatother on the land for and of wildlife. In addition addition these programs also provide provide other benefits forwaterfowl improvement of soil soil In these programs also benefits for improvement In addition these programs also provide other benefits forprevention. improvement of soil health, prevention of soil soil erosion, erosion, and flood flood and drought prevention. health, prevention of and and drought health, prevention of soil erosion, and flood and drought prevention. Here is a list of our current DUC programs that are offered Here is a list of our current DUC programs that are offered in our priority areas: Here a list ofareas: our current DUC programs that are offered in ourispriority in our priority areas:

Conservation Easements Easements (CE) (CE) Conservation DUC signs a CE with the landowner who agrees to protect the Conservation Easements (CE) DUC signs a CE with the landowner who agrees to protect the

natural value of the land (wetlands, native prairie, and tame signs aaCE the toto protect the DUC signs CE withland thelandowner landownerwho whoagrees agrees natural value of with the (wetlands, native prairie, and tame grasslands) in perpetuity in exchange for financial compennatural value of the land (wetlands, native prairie, and tame protect the in natural value of the land (wetlands, native grasslands) perpetuity in exchange for financial compensation. Haying and grazing are allowed on the uplands while grasslands) perpetuity inare exchange for compenprairie, and in tame inallowed perpetuity in exchange sation. Haying andgrasslands) grazing onfinancial the uplands while theDUC wetlands are kept intact. sation. Haying and grazing are allowed on the uplands while for paying 25-35% of fair market value in financial the wetlands are kept intact. the wetlands are kept intact. compensation.

Purchase of of Land Land Purchase DUC purchases land for the purpose of restoring and protecting Purchase DUC purchasesof landLand for the purpose of restoring and protecting the habitat on the parcels. DUC pays fair market value for land DUC purchases land for theDUC purpose restoring protecting the habitat on the parcels. paysoffair market and value for land andhabitat retainson ownership of these lands in perpetuity. DUC also the the parcels. DUC pays fair market value for land and retains ownership of these lands in perpetuity. DUC also buysretains land asownership part of ourofRevolving Land Conservation Program and these lands in perpetuity. DUC also buys land as part of our Revolving Land Conservation Program (RLCP), where we purchase the land, restore any upland or wetbuys land as part our Revolving Land Conservation Program (RLCP), where weof purchase the land, restore any upland or wetland habitat onwe the parcels and then restore sell the any landupland with a or CE. (RLCP), where purchase the land, land habitat on the parcels and then sell the land with a CE.wetland habitat on the parcels and then sell the land with a CE.

Long-term Lease Lease Long-term The long-term lease program (minimum 10 years) provides Long-term Lease The long-term lease program (minimum 10 years) provides

annual compensation to landowners based on current fair The long-term lease program (minimum 10 years) provides annual compensation to landowners based on current fair market compensation value for land (cultivated and grassland). DUC pays for annual to landowners based on current fair market value for land (cultivated and grassland). DUC pays for all restoration (grassland and wetlands) and manages the land market value for land (cultivated and grassland). DUC pays for all restoration (grassland and wetlands) and manages the land for the period(grassland of the lease. all and wetlands) and manages the land forrestoration the period of the lease. for the period of the lease.

Rangeland Programs Programs Rangeland Z DUC provides financial assistance to landowners for costs Rangeland Z DUC providesPrograms financial assistance to landowners for costs

ZZ Z

associated with constructing a new perimeter barbed wire DUC provides assistance landowners for costs associated withfinancial constructing a newtoperimeter barbed wire fence (up towith a maximum of $5,000) in exchange for proassociated constructing a new perimeter barbed wire fence (up to a maximum of $5,000) in exchange for protecting thetowetlands and upland habitat on the parcel. fence a maximum $5,000) in exchange for protecting(up the wetlands andofupland habitat on the parcel. tecting the wetlands and upland habitat on the parcel. DUC manages its lands through haying and grazing tenders, DUC manages its lands through haying and grazing tenders, and we invite producers to use portions ofgrazing our land in DUC manages its lands through andof tenders, and we invite producers to usehaying portions our land in and we invite producers to use portions of our land in

exchange for a fee, then we invest those proceeds back into exchange for a fee, then we invest those proceeds back into local conservation programs. Contact your local DUC office exchange for a fee,programs. then we invest those proceeds back into local conservation Contact your local DUC office for more information on this program. local conservation programs. Contact your local DUC office for more information on this program. for more information on this program.

Forage Programs Programs Forage DUC currently offers several types of forage programs Forage Programs DUC currently offers several types of forage programs

including the following: DUC currently offers several types of forage programs, including: including the following: including the following: Nutrien Forage Program ZZ Nutrien Forage Program This program provides $100 reimbursement for each Z This Nutrien Forage Program program provides $100 reimbursement for each 50lb bag of Nutrien seed purchased and seeded. This provides $100 reimbursement for each 50lbprogram bag of Nutrien seed purchased and seeded. 50lb bag of Nutrien seed purchased and seeded. Forage in Rotation Program DUC agronomists will Foragein inRotation RotationProgram Program–––DUC DUCagronomists agronomistswill work ZZ Forage work with you to implement a rotational forage program with you to implement a rotational forage program and Z Forage in Rotation Program – DUC agronomists will work with you to implement a rotational forage program and provide financial compensation for those areas that provide compensation for areas thatareas are seeded. work withfinancial you to implement a rotational forage program and provide financial compensation for those that are seeded. Rotational forage is a great way to combat clubroot and and provide financial compensation for those areas that are seeded. withseeded. DUC offering up to $50 per acre, it is a win-win. are Marginal Areas Program – DUC agronomists will work ZZ Marginal Areas Program – DUC agronomists will work with you toAreas find areas on your land that are growing poor Z with Marginal Program DUCthat agronomists willpoor work Program ––DUC agronomists will work you toAreas find areas on your land are growing crops due to excessive moisture or salinity, and work with you totofind find areason on yourland land thatare areand growing poor with areas your growing cropsyou dueto excessive moisture or that salinity, workpoor with you todue seedtothose areasmoisture to forage. DUC willand alsoseed provide crops excessive orDUC salinity, those crops excessive or salinity, with you to due seedto those areasmoisture to forage. willand alsowork provide financial compensation onalso those forage lands. The areas to forage. DUC will provide financial compenyou to seed those areas to forage. DUC will also provide financial compensation on those forage lands. The remaining cultivated acres remain farmed to maximize sation oncompensation those forageacres lands. Theforage remaining financial on those lands. The remaining cultivated remain farmed to cultivated maximize your crop yield and profit on themaximize most viable cultivated acres continue to be farmed to your crop yield remaining cultivated acres remain farmed to maximize your crop yield and profit on the most viable cultivated acres ofcan your field. so you profit on the most viable acres of your field. your crop yield and profit on the most viable cultivated acres of your field. acres of your field.

Wetland Restoration Restoration Wetland If wetlands have been drained or altered on your land, we can Wetland Restoration If wetlands have been drained or altered on your land, we can

help you restore them back to their natural levels. These projects Ifhelp wetlands have them been drained or altered yourThese land, we can you restore back to their naturalon levels. projects are usually combined with other programs such asThese our CE, lease help you restore them back to their natural levels. projects are usually combined with other programs such as our CE, lease or forage programs. are usuallyprograms. combined with other programs such as our CE, lease or forage or forage programs.

Some conditions conditions apply. apply. Contact Contact DUC DUC for for Some Some conditions apply. Contact DUC for more information at 1-866-252-DUCK (3825) more information at 1-866-252-DUCK (3825) more information at 1-866-252-DUCK (3825) or du_regina@ducks.ca du_regina@ducks.ca or or du_regina@ducks.ca

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Contents

Beef Business

Cover photo courtesy of Dwane Morvik, Eastend, SK

A Proud Saskatchewan Tradition Since 1913

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

Industry News 6

National Beef Strategy Supports Producer Viability

SSGA Launches Fourth Annual Beef Drive

SK Livestock Finance Co-operative Officially Launched

Communications Manager: Marusia Kaweski Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 (306) 757-8523 (306) 569-8799 (fax) ssgacommunications@sasktel.net

Markets and Trade 12

Weekly Chart

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 15

Manage Parasites Strategically in Saskatchewan Herds

Animal Transportation Research Targets Rest Stop Impacts

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

Science and Production 26

Labour Crisis Looming for Beef Industry

Who Does a Livestock Inspector Work For?

Where’s the Beef? Missing Livestock Files

The Leafy Spurge Problem: Strategies and Management

New Reasearch Recognizes Benefits of SARPAL Program

Innovative Practices and Heritage Knowledge

Stewardship Ethic

New Grasslands Film Stresses Cattle as a Solution

Design and Layout: Jackson Designs Candace Schwartz Tel: 306-772-0376 email: cjacksondesigns@gmail.com

Stewardship

Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) Manager: Carolyn Gaudet 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.

Association News, Reports and Events 43

SSGA Welcomes New Director Rob Selke

SSGA President’s Report

Calendar of Events

Advertisers Index

Business Directory

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

Contributors

cycle This M a

Ple as

Anne Lazurko Chad MacPherson Jason Pollock

zin ga

Fonda Froats Bill Huber Marusia Kaweski

facebook.com/skstockgrowers @SK_StockGrowers NOVEMBER 2019

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

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 5

Industry News National Beef Strategy Supports Producer Viability The National Beef Strategy 2020-2024 was unveiled in October 2019. It was designed to take advantage of opportunities in the industry and address its challenges at the same time. Developed by the Canadian Beef Advisors, it follows up the previous strategy developed for 2015-2019. The Canadian Beef Advisors is a group comprised of the national organizations representing the entire beef production chain in Canada, including the Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Beef Breeds Council, Canada Beef, Canadian Cattlemen's Association, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, National Cattle Feeders Association and the Canadian Meat Council. Beef Business sat down with Anne Wasko, chair of the Canadian Beef Advisors and chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, to talk about the new strategy’s pillars, dealing with industry challenges and developing the industry for the future. Unifying Sector The development of the 2020-24 Strategy has been a dynamic and collaborative process engaging all industry sectors and national and provincial organizations. The National Strategy is not just a plan, but a macro look at the industry across all sectors, said Wasko. It acts as a roadmap for the groups as they work together. When the national and provincial organizations first met to establish the 2015-19 Strategy, one of the aspects

they faced was the fragmentation with industry groups. The advisors wanted to look for ways to unite the voice of the beef industry and find consensus on issues when talking to other stakeholders and governments about the opportunities or challenges. “We are stronger as one,” she noted. This message of unity underpins the work of the group as well as of the strategy itself. During the 2015-19 Strategy, all the groups through the entire supply chain were able to sit down face-to-face to collaborate on issues and prepare for the future. The 2020-24 Strategy presents the next stage where the group is ready to tackle the difficult issues and develop directions for action and move forward in the best interests of producers in the country. “Now, we can sit down and have the hard conversations,” Wasko noted. “There’s lots of challenges for the industry; we know that.” Pillars The national strategy is made up of four foundational pieces, or pillars, that include beef demand, competitiveness, productivity and connectivity. They create a framework to support producer viability. After the first five years of the previous strategy, the advisors reassessed the pillars and made some changes in the 2020-24 Strategy to better address current issues. “These pillars are right, but we’ve been able to change our goals within those pillars,” Wasko explained. “They should continue to move the metrics

National Beef Strategy 2020-24 Pillars

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

along.” For example, the 2015-19 Strategy met the beef cutout goal and the new strategy has set an updated target of $270/cwt. At the same time, some areas of the pillars have changed as the advisors focus on new goals. For example, youth involvement and succession along with a responsive marketplace were added under the competitiveness pillar. A focus on growing concerns like the agricultural workforce shortage has been added. “Under the productivity pillar, there’s a focus area called information flow that was modified to include a lot more on the digital technology side,” she noted about technological innovations added to the plan which weren’t available in 2015. The advisors also reorganized the pieces within and between the pillars. For example, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef was moved to the demand pillar. Other changes included upgrading terminology. For example, the term “social license” used in the 2015-19 Strategy has been changed to “public trust” in the new strategy and has been moved from the connectivity pillar to the demand pillar. “There certainly have been adjustments and changes as to what fits under what pillar. That was the whole focus of this update,” said Wasko. “Even though these pillars by title are the same, there certainly have been changes to the goals and specific areas of work under those pillars.” Re-evaluation Wasko noted that the strategy was created to be a dynamic and fluid plan which allows it to be continually re-evaluated and reassessed according to ongoing conditions. Evaluation takes place at several levels. The advisors meet twice a year to assess progress, they receive interim reports on the various targets and discuss how current issues that have arisen can be addressed. “We don’t just leave it until 2024. We have interim benchmarks and monitor metrics as we go through this time frame,” she explained. “That’s what

NOVEMBER 2019

Industry News I mean by dynamic. It’s being looked at on a regular basis.” The beef advisors are tasked with ensuring that the strategy is moving forward as projected. Therefore, the group will do a reassessment if targets are not being met to decide whether the goals need to be adjusted or the targets reformulated. The strategy also anticipates how the industry can address changing priorities and issues. For example, consumer confidence, public trust and sustainability have risen to prominence since the first strategy was launched. Part of the flexibility allows the strategy to adapt to these new demands. Wasko cited the example of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef that she chairs. “It was only established under the previous national strategy,” she said. “It wasn’t there when the plan was first built.” Adaptation also means moving forward on goals. “Under the beef demand pillar, we have this goal of the cutout being maintained above $270/cwt over the next five years. Even though we met all the trade access goals in the previous strategy, we now start to move the needle in terms of specific marketing and working with Canada Beef on the Canadian beef advantage,” she said. Factors Although the advisors periodically reassess the strategy, the plan was also developed to be able to deal with the uncertainty of external factors. “As always, there’s lots of outside pieces, but I think that the pillars are built broad enough. They have to be flexible enough to deal with those issues because we’ll always have them,” Wasko stated. For example, one external factor is animal disease like African Swine Fever (ASF) which only rose to attention in the past year. Its impact in China and Asia is a developing situation that will influence Canada’s beef industry. “We don’t really know at the end of 2019 what that impact is going to be,” she continued. Other external factors that could influence the strategy are the Canadian federal election and next year’s election in the U.S., Canada’s largest trading partner.

NOVEMBER 2019

The domestic market also provides its own challenges with more players entering the protein market and changing consumer tastes. Wasko pointed out that misinformation about the beef industry is happening on the home front in Canada, aided by the rapid spread of information via the internet and from global reports. To address this challenge, the stakeholder and public engagement program, that wasn’t funded at the beginning of the last strategy, has been developed over the last couple of years. “That’s a brand-new piece of the strategy, and that’s why it’s there,” she continued. “I consider that one of our biggest challenges is getting ahead of this instead of always reacting to these false claims after the fact. We need to be out there in front, whether we’re talking about environmental impact, animal welfare or the nutritional value of Canadian beef.” Part of the work of the advisors is to ensure that each of the groups have the resources they need to stay on top of this challenge. That means, for example, having the Roundtable share its sustainability assessments with Canada Beef to provide data to discuss greenhouse gases in Canada not global numbers in their messaging. “To me, that misinformation piece is an area that I’ve been so passionate about,” she stated, adding that another top challenge for the industry is the labour crunch, which is addressed in the goals. On the other side of the coin, the industry has some enormous opportunities in the global marketplace. For example, African Swine Fever (ASF) is removing a large volume of pork from global production, specifically in China. At the same time, that opens the door for some huge market opportunities for Canada, which is a large net exporter of high-quality proteins. This is another example of the past strategy not including ASF, but the new strategy addressing it as part of the plan for the next five years. “Again, it’s a highly volatile uncertain marketplace as we continue to work down this road, and access is also the other piece of that,” Wasko explained.

A key area of focus for opportunities is on trade agreements. “The new plan continues to focus as it did in the past five years on strong trade agreements getting ratified and giving our producers and our packers the ability to export high quality beef to these markets,” she added. Another fast-moving area that was present but did not receive a lot of attention in the 2015-19 Strategy, and is more prominent in the 2020-24 Strategy, is the technology side. “That’s a big opportunity for the industry, and that’s an area that’s going to move faster than some of us are aware of,” she stressed. Producer Impact Wasko notes that producers' needs are not separate from the national strategy. The producers are linked to the strategy through various beef groups in the chain. “The messages come from the grassroots up initially. That’s how the strategy starts,” she notes. “The building blocks come from that piece.” Producers take their concerns to the provincial organizations, which turn to the national groups. The provincial groups are also part of the provincial planning group that discusses the key issues, challenges and opportunities in each region. At the national level, the beef advisors focus on and address the biggest challenges and opportunities. Because the strategy is funded by producers through check-off funds and memberships, the whole idea is to be the most efficient and effective in using those funds. In terms of the impact on producers, the various aspects of the four pillars in the strategy have a trickle-down effect to producers. The pillars have a piece on involvement and information flow. The plan is set, yet it is dynamic to be able to adapt to rapidly changing issues that can happen within the industry. “The producer doesn’t have to do anything different. The strategies have been built with their concerns coming from the province,” Wasko explain. “Now, we want to go forward to make a dynamic and profitable cattle and beef industry. That’s the bottom line. We have to survive. We have to be profitable. At the end of the day, that is the big macro-vision.” continued on page 20

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 7

Industry News SSGA Launches Fourth Annual Beef Drive Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) launched its fourth annual Beef Drive for the Food Banks of Saskatchewan (FBS) this fall. Matching previous successful drives, SSGA has set a collection goal of 10,000 pounds of beef donations. “Once again, we launch our fourth annual Beef Drive to assist this worthy program in our province. Our membership has given it incredible support over the past three years, and we invite you to be part of this year’s efforts,” SSGA President Bill Huber announced. “We would like to thank the Cargill Animal Nutrition Beef Team for continuing its support and joining us again as the sponsor for the fourth annual Beef Drive,” the SSGA president added. Cargill will be matching private donations dollarfor-dollar up to $5,000 through its Cargill

Cares program. Having the support of sponsorship for the Beef Drive is extremely important because it helps to defray the costs of processing the donated animals.

West Bridgeford Meats and Western Prime Meat Processors to process the beef into hamburger, which is delivered to the FBS in Regina and is then distributed across Saskatchewan.

“We are honoured to support the fourth annual Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association’s Beef Drive. Now in our second year as sponsor, we’re gratified to see the difference our industry can make when we work together to bring wholesome, nutritious food to Saskatchewan’s food banks,” stated Shannon Borden, Beef Brand Manager for Cargill Animal Nutrition Canada.

Saskatchewan’s beef producers have contributed generously during the three previous beef drives. Over 25,000 pounds of ground beef has been collected for the FBS that retails at over $120,000.

“We would also like to thank the three processors who have been partnering with the SSGA since we began the beef drives,” the SSGA president added. SSGA has been working with Treen Packers,

“Saskatchewan producers play an important role in demonstrating the heart and soul of community. They put so many endless hours into their operations, through all kinds of weather and unpredictable conditions, and yet, somehow, they keep going,” stated Laurie O’Connor, Executive Director of Food Banks of Saskatchewan. “And when times continued on page 20

SSGA BEEF DRIVE H E L P F I G H T H U N G E R T H I S H O L I D AY S E A S O N DONATE LIVESTOCK OR $ TO HELP PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS BEEF TO SK FAMILIES IN NEED. DONATE TODAY BY GOING TO: WWW.SKSTOCKGROWERS.COM/BEEF-DRIVE OR CALL (306) 757-8523 8

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

NOVEMBER 2019

Industry News SK Livestock Finance Co-operative Officially Launched It’s been a whirlwind launch for the SK Livestock Finance Co-operative (SKLF) before it officially launched on September 24, 2019. Within a record six months, the new co-operative was planned, organized and operational. The SKLF is a member-owned co-operative that offers feeder and breeder financing options for cattle and bison producers. Beef Business caught up with SKLF’s General Manager, Terry Wensley, to learn about the province’s newest livestock financing co-operative, its program offerings and what’s coming up for the organization. The seeds of the co-operative were planted in late August 2018 when the Saskatchewan government announced that it was winding down its Livestock Loan Guarantee (LLG) program. The LLG program was established in 1984 to enable feeder cattle loans. It was operated by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture for 35 years and, at the time of the announcement, had 45 active associations province-wide administering the program. LLG was originally set to wrap up by the end of December 2018, but the date was extended to July 31, 2019, to accommodate the establishment of the new co-operative. After that announcement, and after seeing a need in the marketplace to fill the livestock financing gap, a group of producers got together in November 2018 to start formalizing a plan. They put together a steering committee in December, developed a plan in January 2019 for the new co-operative to proceed, and incorporated SKLF in March 2019. SKLF became operational in June and started funding producers in September. “When you start a finance co-operative in only six months, that is a record time to be operational,” Wensley stated. “This is the result of a lot of hard work put in by our board of directors who have volunteered countless hours towards this initiative and our business advisors from McNair Business Development Inc. McNair has been with us since January 2019 and they, along with the board, have been the driving force behind making this finance co-operative possible.” SKLF is organized as a member-based co-operative owned by Saskatchewan livestock producers. Membership is required to participate in this co-operative. The steering committee became the board of directors consisting of elected members from five provincial regions and is chaired by Sandra Moen. The head office is located in Regina, SK, where Wensley runs the day-to-day operations and strategic development assisted by additional operations staff. Regional secretaries are located across the province in each of the five regions. He added, “Regional representation is very important to us.” Each regional secretary manages a local area, interfacing with the members, getting new members signed up, processing the financing, liaising with the livestock supervisors and suppliers for that region.

THE AFFORDABLE FINANCING OPTION FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS SK Livestock Finance Co-operative was established in 2019 with the vision of growing Saskatchewan's livestock industry by providing innovative, affordable and competitive financing options for Saskatchewan producers. The member-owned co-operative is pleased to offer the following financing programs:

FEEDER CATTLE 12 MONTHS | 5% DOWN

BREEDER CATTLE 5 YEARS | 10% DOWN

FEEDER BISON 18 MONTHS | 5% DOWN

BREEDER BISON 6 YEARS | 10% DOWN

Rates as low as Prime + 0.5%.

To learn more or apply to be a member, visit our website at:

SKLIVESTOCKFINANCE.CA

So far, the response has been positive from producers. Over 90% of those in the LLG program have moved over to the new co-operative, continued on page 10 NOVEMBER 2019

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 9

Industry News Finance Co-op cont. from pg. 9 which has been a big job and a logistical challenge to transfer over 45 associations from across the province. “We have currently over 800 members and new members are signing up weekly,” Wensley explained. An important aspect of bringing on new members is the cooperative’s focus on younger producers and helping them get easier access to credit. This has been a traditional challenge for many younger producers and a barrier to new producers entering the industry. “We are certainly interested in growing the Saskatchewan livestock industry by providing competitive and affordable financing options,” he said. SKLF’s vision was to provide innovative, affordable and competitive financing options for cattle and bison producers across the province. “We are hoping that the program meets and exceeds the expectations of Saskatchewan livestock producers, and we believe this program is more competitive than the existing LLG program was,” the co-operative’s GM stated. The Bank of Montreal is their partner institution in financing. What makes the co-operative unique, says Wensley, is that it is completely memberowned and member-driven and that it has regional representation from across the province in the form of the regional secretaries and board members. This format could even serve as a model for co-operatives elsewhere. “I think that this model could be a viable option in other jurisdictions or different sectors,” he said. What also makes SKFL unique is that it has a focus on growing the Saskatchewan livestock industry. “We understand the cattle and bison business,” he noted. “This will lead us to be flexible and be able to grant more credit for qualifying members.”

products receive government backing but the SKLF is completely private. The new co-operative has four financing programs – feeder and breeder programs for both cattle and bison. “We provide the option for producers to buy new stock or bring their old stock into the program, pending the financial criteria,” Wensley explained. Producers can apply for a limit under each program individually or under both feeder and breeder programs. For the feeder program, an assurance fund deposit of 5% is required. The cattle feeder loans are based on a one-year repayment term, while the bison has an 18-month term. Both have an interest rate of prime plus 0.50%. The breeder program requires an assurance fund deposit of 10% with an interest rate of prime plus 0.75%. Cattle have a five-year repayment term and bison have a six-year term. As for the future, the SKLF is looking forward to holding its first annual general meeting and board elections in January at the Saskatchewan Beef Industry

Meanwhile, the SKFL is focused on organization and development. It’s attracting producer interest from established and new producers and is continuing the process of transferring over producers from the LLG program and setting up new members. Down the road, though, “we certainly are looking at expanding our product offering. We do have some ideas for additional products… stay tuned!” Wensley said. “I think it’s really important as a cooperative that we’re here to grow and support our members, and we’re here to make sure that they are successful,” Wensley concluded. B *For more information on the SKLF: www. sklivestockfinance.ca

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According to Wensley, the co-operative provides an innovative product offering. To come up with its model of financial services “we did a comprehensive analysis from across the country and did what made sense for our market in Saskatchewan,” he explained. Many other

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NOVEMBER 2019

YOUR NEW VERMEER DEALER.

NORHEIM RANCHING

Visit us at the Agribition or on our website at norheimranching.com to learn more about the full-line up of Vermeer products. Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing or distribution at any time without notice or obligation. Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region. Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications. Vermeer and the Vermeer logo are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries.© 2018 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NORHEIM RANCHING SASKATOON, SK Lee: 1-306-227-4503 Moose Jaw Kelcy: 1-306-690-5209 NOVEMBER 2019

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Markets and Trade

230

2017 2018

180

2019 130

360 310 2016 260

2017 2018

210

2019

160

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

2016

Price per hundred weight

SK Weekly Average Price 500-600 lbs Steers

280

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

180 170

2016

160

2017

150

2018

140

2019

130

CDN $ - US terms

Price per hundred weight

0.98

190

0.93 0.88

2019

0.83

2018

0.78

5 yr avg

0.73 0.68

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

120 Source: CanFax

Alberta Weekly D1 & D2 Cows

Source: Bank of Canada

Lethbridge Barley Price

120.00

310.00 290.00

110.00 100.00

2016

90.00

2017

80.00

2018

70.00

2019

Price per tonne

Price per hundred weight

Source: CanFax

Weekly Canadian Dollar

AB Fed Steer Prices 200

270.00 250.00

2016

230.00

2017

210.00

2018

190.00

2019

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

60.00 Source: CanFax Source: CanFax

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

Price per hundred weight

SK Weekly Average Price Heifers 500-600 lbs

Source: CanFax

For more information visit www.canfax.ca

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NOVEMBER 2019

NOVEMBER 25TH - 30TH, 2019

VISIT US IN ARENA 5! EVRAZ PLACE, REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN

Between now and December 31st, 2019 active Members of the SSGA will receive a $1,250 Young’s Equipment Gift Card for Parts and/or Service at any Young’s Equipment location with the purchase of any of the following new units: - Case IH MFD Loader Tractor (60-185 HP) - Case IH RB565 Round Baler - NDE Vertical Mixer - Highline CFR Bale Processor

NOVEMBER 2019

In addition to that, we will donate $250 per unit sold to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association to support their formidable cause.

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 13

Markets and Trade RETAIL MEAT PRICE SURVEY as of November 4, 2019 ($/lb)

CUTS

CO-OP

SAFEWAY

SAVE-ON-FOODS

SOBEYS

SUPERSTORE

Ground beef/lean

4.69

6.00

5.29

5.99

8.00

Ground beef/regular

4.99

4.50

5.29

4.99

6.36

Roast/cross rib

5.99

12.01

9.40

7.99

8.00

Roast/outside round

5.99

6.99

4.45

3.78

Roast/inside round

6.99

8.40

7.99

6.35

Steak/rib eye

17.99

9.40

20.99

13.99

13.85

Steak/round

10.00

6.35

Steak/sirloin

9.49

7.26

12.99

8.90

8.40

Steak/T-bone

17.00

6.99

Steak/tenderloin

24.49

Roast/rib

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

SABER® Pour-On helps control lice, flies and ticks in beef cattle and calves • More concentrated than traditional pour-ons • Effective insect control for up to four weeks with a single treatment • Available in two convenient dosing options

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NOVEMBER 2019

Feature Manage Parasites Strategically in Saskatchewan Herds Parasites don’t rank very high on the decision-making list in livestock management, but they can still lower production and decrease return by their insidious impact on herd health. Beef Business spoke to Dr. Doug Colwell, principle research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada based out of Lethbridge, Alberta, to identify the types of parasites common to Saskatchewan cattle, options for treatment and how to manage parasites in a herd. Parasite Types The main parasites found internally and externally in cattle in Saskatchewan include the nematode parasites, the most common internal parasite. Also known as roundworms, they can be found in various parts of cattle intestines. They are quite prevalent in Saskatchewan and research by Dr. Fabienne Uehlinger found at least six species of roundworms in beef cattle in the province. For example, one very pathogenic species of roundworm, Ostertagia ostertagi, is known as the brown stomach worm or medium stomach worm. It can be found in the large intestine in cattle and can cause serious health effects. Roundworms can lead to production inefficiencies such as weight loss, poor feeding, diarrhea in calves and reduced milk output and reproductive problems in cows. While many cattle in Saskatchewan are exposed to the roundworm parasite, few become infected because there are insufficient worm eggs or third stage larvae on pastures to overcome a healthy cow’s natural immune response. The coccidia is a single cell parasite common in cattle. Some species are more common in early spring and later in the summer. The Eimeria zuernia species has caused considerable problems in Alberta. It tends to be brought on mostly by stress, such as during branding of calves. Calves are better able to fend off the parasite in a low stress situation. Most of the coccidia are not pathogenic and cattle seem to be able to control the parasite infection through their own immune response.

NOVEMBER 2019

Lice is an external parasite found in Saskatchewan cattle that is found in two types – chewing lice and sucking lice. There is only one species of chewing louse and there is generally one species of sucking louse. “We tend not to have all the species on any one group of cattle,” Colwell stated. The next most prominent parasite is the horn fly. It is found externally on cattle and is visible to producers. The tapeworm is an internal parasite which does not cause too much damage. “In half of the cattle we see, we will find eggs of the tapeworm,” Colwell said. The liver fluke parasite is occasionally found in cattle in Saskatchewan. “For the most part, we’ve been able to find it in the Cypress Hills area, but it is not common in the plains area because it is just too dry there to develop very well,” Colwell explained. There are two species, and one causes a significant amount of damage. The liver

fluke has three different hosts: the snail, the ant and the grazing animals. Seasonality Parasites are impacted by seasonal differences. The prevalence of parasites is determined largely by temperature and humidity. For example, brown worms are primarily found inside the cattle in the summer. There are also free-living stages of this worm that can overwinter on pasture. It is estimated that about 5% of them survive the freezing and warming that occurs in the winter. In the past, it was assumed that brown worms did not survive the winter and cattle would pick up the parasite in the pasture in the summer from an intestinal infection. However, now it is known that brown worms overwinter on the pasture, meaning that cattle can acquire the parasite as soon as they are on grass in spring. continued on page 16

If you want to have fewer sick calves with better feed conversion and better response to treatment, then read this: “We were delighted with the calf response to going on feed, overall health and improvement at our farm. We will continue to use this product for future calves.” “Healthier and happier calves. They seem to be able to fight off viral infection with just anti-inflammatories.” “The sick and dying calves were from the cows that were not on product before calving.” “Never had any trouble with sick ones after that. I’ll be using it on the calves again this year.”

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www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 15

Feature Parasites in Herds cont. from pg. 15 Horn flies dominate in the summer because they don’t survive the freezing temperatures of winter. They have a builtin cycle where the flies enter diapause. They shut down their body chemistry at a certain temperature and the larvae will not develop past that point, overwintering as larval stages. Lice are prevalent year-round on the animal but develop best at very low temperatures. Both the sucking and chewing species do not develop well in environments with a lot of sunlight and high temperatures. Regarding immunity, generally, the animal can supress parasite infection by using their immune response to defend from nematodes, lice as well as horn flies and coccidia, to a certain extent. However, when the animal is under some type of stress brought on by lack of feed quality, weaning, hot or cold weather or branding in calves, for example, their

immune system is downregulated and the parasites are then able to overpopulate and become a source of major illness.

shed eggs in cattle feces. They develop to a certain number of larval stages and then they become infective.

Colwell pointed out that most cattle on pasture carry some kind of internal or external parasite. However, the question becomes what makes a particular animal susceptible to a parasitic infection. Much depends on the cattle’s immune response and suitable environmental conditions that allow the parasite to get out of control. Susceptibility also depends largely on the age class and breeding of the host animal rather than on the weather or geographic location.

Similarly, lice are transmitted from animal to animal by the infective stages. Lice will transfer through physical contact of one louse-infected animal standing next to an animal without lice. The sucking lice are particularly sensitive to environmental conditions and only survive a few hours away from the host animal. Chewing lice survive quite well off the host, sometimes up to two or three days away from the animal. Thus, transmission can take place by contact within this period, such as by using a brush on an infected animal and then using it again on a non-infected animal days later.

Transmission Parasites are transmitted in a variety of ways. The size of the grazing pasture rarely matters in transmission. Big open spaces will have fewer parasites, and most transmissions occur by direct contact of animals in a central area, and through feed, feces and water. For example, the nematodes have a direct life cycle and are transmitted orally out in the pasture. They are adults in the animal host and

Given that producers work closely with their cattle and often work cattle with dogs and horses or multi-graze with other species, there is some concern about transmission to humans or other animals. “We’re really lucky that just continued on page 18

Strategic Deworming Makes Good Sense MERCK® is a registered trademark of Merck Canada Inc. ® Intervet International B.V. Used under license. © 2018 Intervet Canada Corp., operating in Canada as Merck Animal Health. All rights reserved.

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NOVEMBER 2019

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NOVEMBER 2019

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 17

Feature Parasites in Herds cont. from pg. 16 about none of these parasites are able to develop anywhere else,” Colwell said. Cattle parasites cannot be transferred to humans or horses through daily contact. They appear to be host specific. Horn flies are an exception because they can survive well on horses. Co-mingling with wildlife is not a danger in terms of cattle parasites. Wildlife like deer and antelope have their own specific parasites. On the other hand, both species of liver flukes in cattle will survive and develop in humans. They are transmitted orally through cattle feed or drinking water or by washing food in water contaminated with flukes and used by livestock. Treatment To treat cattle for parasites, producers generally don’t need a veterinarian’s recommendation to apply these products and they can make treatment decisions on their own. Colwell advises against the “treat everything” approach. “What you

really should aim for is doing strategic treatments,” he said. This means that only those animals that need it should be treated just before a parasitic overload has been reached. Animals need to be treated when parasites exceed the economic threshold, the density at which a control treatment will provide an economic return. However, it’s hard to identify which animals are in need. “It’s very difficult looking over the side of the fence to say those animals should be treated and those shouldn’t,” Colwell noted. It’s easier when there are identifiable conditions for parasite overload. Therefore, the common strategy has mostly been to treat a percentage of animals and leave the remainder untreated. For example, a producer can visually see the number of horn flies on an animal and can treat the one that has the most flies. An economic threshold has been identified as 200 flies per animal.

Colwell believes that more research is needed on the impact of horn flies. For example, cattle exhibit the same responses regardless of the number of horn flies they have. The behaviours include three classic movements – tail flicks, head tosses, and foot kicks to the stomach. Colwell would like to be able to measure the amount of energy a cow expends on these behaviours. There is a dual impact: All these movements use up energy as well as inhibit the cow from eating and growing. Another area for future study is temperament differences regarding an animal’s reaction to flies. Colwell has noticed that calmer animals tend to have a different response to flies. Due to the diversity of parasites that can infect cattle, Colwell noted that no single product would eliminate all parasites. The group of products called macrocyclic lactones, or Ivermectin-like compounds, effectively control a wide variety of parasites that cause economic

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Feature damage. This product has been on the market for 30 years and is commonly used today. “When it was first introduced, it was very good at controlling many of the internal parasites and several of the external parasites,” Colwell explained. It doesn’t control for internal parasites like tapeworms and liver flukes. However, nematodes as well as lice now seem to be showing resistance to this product. The permethrins like Boss and CyLence are used for ectoparasite control but are not systemic. They are applied outside the animal via ear tags or as a pour on for parasites like horn flies, lice and ticks. It has become standard practice to use macrocyclic lactones for fly control and worm control. Worms are also controlled by a group of compounds called benzimidazoles which are used in the form of pellets, premix or liquid suspension. Coccidiocidal compounds including amprolium and sulfas treat coccidia. Timing The timing of treatments depends on the parasite. For example, the best time to treat for lice is when the population is increasing. Colwell recommends applying in the fall from November to as late as January to get through the winter. The lice prefer cooler conditions, so populations multiply in the fall when the cattle hair coats are longer. For nematodes, the best time to apply treatment is when their numbers are highest. Nematode numbers grow between early spring and late summer. “Theoretically, you should apply roundworm control in the middle of summer,” said Colwell. However, for practical reasons most prefer to treat in the early spring before cattle head to pasture or in the fall after they come off pasture. “Management has to be something you have to think about,” he noted. Resistance Generally, there are parasites being encountered now that are resistant to every one of the treatment compounds.

NOVEMBER 2019

Most groups of parasites have examples of certain species being resistant, although not all species are resistant. For example, cattle commonly get treated for lice in the fall, in late October-November, with Ivomec or a similar product. There has been a shift in the kinds of lice that have been observed. Chewing lice used to be reoccurring, but now sucking lice has become the problem. It’s strongly suspected that sucking lice are becoming resistant to macrocyclic lactones as are flies. The development of resistance really depends on the amount of drug treatment pressure placed on a species. “If you treat everything all of the time,” Colwell explained. “You’re going to put a tremendous amount of pressure on the parasite, making them resistant.” This happens because the non-resistant types are eliminated in treatment, leaving the resistant parasites. Eventually, the resistant types flourish and form the bulk of the parasite population. “Now we’re at the point that we have to be careful and target treatments,” he added. To counter resistance, Colwell advises producers to continuously rotate among the classes of compounds they use to stay ahead of the changes in the parasite. When resistance is encountered, then protocols need to be changed. It is unknown if a treatment used outside the optimal time will still be effective. Colwell points out that several factors should be considered to determine if treatments are effective, such as parasite resistance, poor application or treatment, or poor uptake by the animal. Impact Parasites have an economic impact on cattle production but it’s difficult to measure the extent. For example, the presence of a roundworm parasite changes the behaviour of the animal but it’s not something that is quantifiable. Certainly, the external parasites, the flies and lice, have more measurable effects. For example, flies can be readily seen and counted. The presence of lice can be observed, and cattle behaviour changes

can be monitored. For example, they will spend more time scratching and less time eating and gaining weight. Cattle behaviour can change very subtly in response to internal parasites like roundworms. They might distribute themselves differently on a pasture because of the feed they are consuming. In typical behaviour without an internal parasite, cattle would select the feed they like best and eat that first, but those with parasites might not consume preferred feed first. “It’s very difficult for the average person to say a cow has parasites,” he said. The producer can’t really tell from observable symptoms if it is a parasite or another disease. It’s equally difficult to determine if the level of internal parasites is significant and has reached economic threshold. In the end, the economic impact really depends on the type of production. Internal and external parasites can affect the productivity and health of cattle. While most cattle’s immunity can defend against parasites, an overload can lead to disease. It is difficult to tell from observation when animals are carrying a high parasite load. Thus, they could go untreated and become less productive. Therefore, effective parasite control is important to maintain a healthy herd. Strategic treatment is the optimal strategy to avoid resistance. It is difficult to quantify the losses in production due to parasites. More research is needed in this area. Producers should not disregard the effect of parasites on herd productivity and should develop treatment protocols suitable for their herd in consultation with their veterinarian. B

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 19

Feature

4th Ann. Beef Drive cont. from pg. 8 are tough, they get together to lend a hand to neighbours and friends, and they demonstrate what it means to be part of a community.” The SSGA launched its first Beef Drive on World Food Day in the fall of 2016 as a way for beef producers to support the food banks in Saskatchewan. As part of the beef drive, beef producers and other individuals can donate an animal or make a cash donation to help defray the costs of processing the donated animals.

Premises Identification Protect your herd, the industry and our market access. Register today at saskatchewan.ca/premises-identification-program.

“By donating fresh ground beef, the Beef Drive can help provide Saskatchewan’s food banks with a healthy, high protein food source which is a challenge for food banks to supply due to its cost and perishable nature,” the SSGA president pointed out. “This source of protein has been such a great addition to food banks in our province. This Saskatchewan-grown beef has been greatly appreciated by food banks both large and small,” said O’Connor. “On behalf of the Food Banks of Saskatchewan, I want to express our deep appreciation for this wonderful donation, along with our respect for the hard work that producers do every day – efforts that allow families to put supper on the table.”B

TO DONATE To make your donation to SSGA’s 4th Annual Beef Drive or for more information, contact the SSGA office: 306-757-8523

saskatchewan.ca/livestock

Beef Strategy cont. from pg. 7 Next Steps With the new strategy in place, the next steps foresee the beef advisors ensuring that the specific goals and targets are underway and being met. Each pillar has specific goals and metrics that will be implemented by a specific group. “Each group is going to have their job,” said Wasko. For example, competitiveness will be handled in a variety of ways, such as part of regulatory policy and market environment. This is where the issues surrounding the labour shortage would be addressed. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattle Feeders or the Canadian Meat Council may be acting on this issue from their own perspective. “We know that they are all part of the beef advisors, so they are working to advance that,” she said.

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The National Strategy 2020-24 is intended to create a stronger and more unified industry to anticipate and manage change while meeting challenges and opportunities. “It’s a stronger industry that’s going to lead us to that successful vision – the dynamic and profitable cattle and beef industry,” Wasko concluded, adding that only through a unified voice and working together can the industry move forward today. B *To learn more about the National Beef Strategy 2020-24: www.beefstrategy.com

NOVEMBER 2019

www.skstockgrowers.com | Â©BEEF BUSINESS | 21

Feature Animal Transportation Research Targets Rest Stop Impacts Canada’s new livestock transportation regulations are set to be implemented on February 20, 2020. The cattle industry has achieved a high success rate in transporting animals. According to Canadian research, 99.9% of short haul (4 hours or less) and 99.95% of long haul (4 hours or more) beef cattle reach their destination without serious issues. A key change in the regulations is the reduction in the maximum time – from 48 to 36 hours – that cattle can be transported without food, water or rest (FWR). The cattle industry is concerned that this change will lead to more frequent loading and unloading exposing cattle to greater potential risk of injury and illness due to increased handling stress. To get a better understanding of the impact of cattle transport times and rest stops, Beef Business turned to Dr. Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein, a senior research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta. She is a co-applicant with Dr. Derek Haley from the University of Guelph on a research grant funded under the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC). They are leading a four-year research project on transportation times, rest stops and their impact on cattle welfare. Dr. Daniela Melendez, a post-doctoral fellow, will be conducting a series of experiments looking at specific factors related to rest stops and transport times. As each experiment is completed, the findings will be published and available to the public. When the whole project wraps up in 2022, a final report with results and conclusions from each study will be submitted to the BCRC. While they have only completed one third of the project, Schwartzkopf-Genswein was able to share some preliminary results with Beef Business readers about an experiment conducted last fall examining cattle health, welfare and performance following different rest stop durations.

The Study The research project was born when Schwartzkopf-Genswein and her research colleagues identified a gap in the research on animal transport and the effects of providing a rest stop on cattle welfare, especially under Canadian conditions. The figures for maximum animal transport and rest times, suggested when regulatory changes were initially being discussed, also caught their attention. The transport of unweaned calves will be limited to a maximum of 12 hours and weaned calves to 36 hours before requiring an 8-hour FWR stop. The current regulations permit 48 hours of transport before requiring a 5-hour rest stop. “Based on limited studies assessing the effects of rest and transport duration, we thought that best management practice needed to be studied in more detail,” she said. “We thought our study could provide more science-based evidence to inform the regulations.” The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) got onboard because there are so few studies on rest stops and their effect on cattle in the Canadian context. They wanted to examine in detail the effect that rest has on cattle welfare because the stress of loading and unloading is largely unknown. Some previous research has found that loading and unloading can be more stressful than the transport itself. “We really don’t know,” stated Schwartzkopf-Genswein, noting that their research team had many questions about the impact of the rest stops. “Is it better for the cattle to leave them on the truck and just get them to their destination? Is it better to offload them? Do they even drink and eat?” The project’s first experiment was completed last fall. SchwartzkopfGenswein described the experiment and some preliminary results. They used 320 pre-conditioned calves which had been weaned, vaccinated and were feeding from bunks prior to transport. The calves were between 7 and 8 months old and weighed 500-600 pounds. The calves

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were split into groups according to the length of transport – either 12 hours or 36 hours. The transport times tested are typical for cattle to be shipped within Canada. Each group was further split into subgroups having different lengths of rest stop time – no rest, 4 hours, 8 hours or 12 hours. After the rest period, the cattle completed another 4 hours of transport. Detailed physiological and behavioural samples were taken from a set of animals in each treatment. The researchers measured a set of indicators for health and welfare in cattle, specifically related to transport stress. “We looked at various blood indicators of stress, inflammation, infection, muscle damage, dehydration and energy reserves,” Schwartzkopf-Genswein described. Along with the physiological measurements, the experiment followed the calves for the first 28 days in the feedlot after the final transport. “We looked at the amount of standing and lying that they did in their pens within the first 14 days after the last transport. More lying is an indication that the calves were fatigued, while increased feeding would be an indicator of hunger,” she added. The research also measured transport and rest effects on performance – including shrink and average daily gain. We also assessed the overall demeanour or attitude of the calves at unloading and documented if we saw any lameness. Measurements were made before the trial started, after the first 12 or 36 hours of transport, before and after the final 4-hour transport leg, then in the follow up period 7 hours, 2 days and 28 days after transport. Although the results are only preliminary, Schwartzkopf-Genswein and her team had some expected and unexpected findings. “We were not surprised to see that the calves transported for 12 hours fared better that those transported 36 hours. The 12-hour calves had higher continued on page 24 NOVEMBER 2019

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canadaid.ca

CCIA

CANADIAN CATTLE IDENTIFICATION AGENCY

CLTS DATABASE Home for livestock traceability data; a first line of defence in the event of an emergency.

CCIA (Canadian Cattle Identification Agency) is led by a board of directors representing 16 livestock organizations across Canada, including: livestock producers, auction markets, livestock dealers, feedlots, veterinarians and processors.

WE’RE INDUSTRY As an industry led responsible administrator, our job is to provide information and tools to assist you.

TRACEABILITY TECHNOLOGY Cool features like the CLTS MOBO phone app, the 24/7 tag web store and our Resource Center are a few of the things we do.

To learn more about how we are working towards traceability together,

visit www.canadaid.ca

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www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 23

Feature Rest Stop Impacts cont. from pg. 22 body weight after the final transport and, therefore, lower shrink values as well as higher average daily gain,” she said. “We also saw that energy reserves were lower in the 36-hour group, which also makes sense because they were off feed longer.” Lower energy reserves was the only indicator that differed between the 36-hour calves given no rest and all other groups (rested for 4, 8 and 12 hours). Stress indicators in the 12-hour calves were lower than in the 36-hour calves which was expected. But the surprising result for the researchers was that, of all the variables measured (physiology, stress and performance), there was no clear indication that providing a rest of either 4, 8 or 12 hours reduced indicators of poor welfare,” she stated. In fact, contrary to researcher expectations, the preliminary data showed that overall there was little difference between calves rested 12 hours or not at all. Other interesting results appeared when looking at the recuperation times following transport. These times are an important factor because the purpose of the longer rest time, ostensibly, was to help the cattle to recover. “We looked at 7 hours, 48 hours and 28 days after rest (or not) and transport and at none of those time points did we see differences,” Schwartzkopf-Genswein noted. The research team plans to investigate these results in further experiments. The Pre-Conditioning Effect According to Schwartzkopf-Genswein, the results are pointing to the fact that pre-conditioning may have a greater positive impact on calf health and welfare outcomes than the effect of a rest stop. “I really think it has a major impact on the calves’ ability to manage transport stress,” she said. Their condition before being transported appears to be a buffer against stress factors. Negative effects would be easy to see because this study involved calves which are at higher risk during transport. They lack the fat reserves of an older animal and are less able to thermoregulate.

Strong emphasis should be placed on pretransport management, which includes pre-conditioning calves well before transport. Calves should be weaned at least 30-45 days prior to transport and vaccinated 21 days before transport. “Essentially, pre-conditioning separates out the stressors, so they don’t happen all at one time. You’re not weaning them and putting them right onto the truck,” Schwartzkopf-Genswein explained. Stress factors like castration, dehorning, and eating from a bunk prior to shipping would all occur well before transport. The research team hopes to continue with this line of research to determine which stress factors are more important to manage before transport. Other Factors Going forward with other experiments in the study, the research team will have to be cautious as they drill down and separate out the influencing factors. For example, the team will be considering other time points to examine the effects of time and to monitor indicators at other times. Another aspect of transport that can affect animal welfare is the driving and handling experience of the truck driver. Schwartzkopf-Genswein’s previous research showed that cattle fared better on trips and had less shrinkage when transported by more experienced drivers (greater than 5 years transporting cattle). Currently, drivers hired by major livestock transport companies take special training for transporting live animals. Some provide their own training. The Canadian Livestock Transport (CLT) program is a standardized certification course recognized in Canada and the U.S. The program is led by an industry initiative to address the need for increased accountability and improved handling practices in livestock transport. Key knowledge areas are animal welfare, health, behaviour, laws and regulations, vehicle and handling techniques and emergency response. Schwartzkopf-Genswein also cautioned that there is a lot of individual animal variation in both the physiological and behavioural measurements of

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welfare collected in the completed and upcoming experiments. The indicators reflect changes in the animal’s body that allow the animal to cope with changing conditions, but do not necessarily mean that the changes are related to reduced welfare. Future Study As for the future, the next experiment in the series will be looking at the effects of pre-conditioning (or not) and whether the calves are marketed ranch-direct or through an auction market, and what effect a rest stop may have under those conditions. This will provide more information regarding the importance of the condition of the calf before it gets transported. One of the concerns from the cattle industry as well as from the trucking industry has been the lack of rest stop infrastructure. Schwartzkopf-Genswein noted that this concern will partly be the focus of the last experiment in this series which will examine the quality of the rest stop. “The availability of a proper rest stop is one issue, but the effect of the quality of the rest stop has never been looked at,” she explained. Further down the road, she is interested in studying the feasibility of feeding and watering the animals on the truck without offloading. Right now, there is only one truck-trailer manufactured in Europe with the ability to feed and water onboard. “As we go along with this type of work, we should also separate out the true effects of rest, feed and water. Is the stress mostly related to being off feed and water? Or is it mostly related to lack of rest and/or the combination?” she said. More research is needed to determine which factor or combination of factors is more important. Feed and water would have to be separated out because cattle would still have to be offloaded to lie down and rest. Drivers try to keep them standing to prevent injury if they fall or get trampled. Meanwhile, it is too early to draw firm conclusions and a lot more work remains to be conducted. B

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www.skstockgrowers.com | Â©BEEF BUSINESS | 25

Science and Production Labour Crisis Looming for Beef Industry Canada’s agriculture sector faces an acute shortage of labour right now and the problem will worsen in the future. The beef sector is the second largest agricultural employer in Saskatchewan, which is set to experience a huge job vacancy rate within the next decade. Beef Business sat down with Portia MacDonaldDewhirst, executive director of Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), to get a better picture of agricultural labour in Canada and what it means for the beef industry for the future. CAHRC is a national, non-profit organization that addresses human resource issues in agricultural businesses across Canada. CAHRC works with industry associations, educators and all levels of government to examine issues and build meaningful solutions. Ag Labour Force Today Today, Canada’s agricultural labour force employs about 350,000, including business owners, managers, supervisors, technicians, harvesters, and labourers. Of these, 290,000, or 83%, are domestic workers and almost 60,000, or 17%, are foreign workers. “We have quite a substantially large workforce in the agriculture industry that is supported quite heavily by foreign workers, and has been for over 50 years,” stated MacDonaldDewhirst. Of the provinces, Saskatchewan was a significant employer in Canada’s agriculture sector, employing 37,500 people, or 11%, of the Canadian agricultural workforce in 2017. Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector also had the lowest reliance on foreign workers – only 1.6% of the provincial agricultural workforce compared to 17% Canada-wide. However, compared to other provinces, Saskatchewan relied the most on agriculture employment with over 7% of its workforce directly employed in agriculture production. The grain and oilseed industry employ about half of the province’s agricultural workers, followed by the beef industry which employs 24%.

Labour Gap The story making headlines in the agriculture sector is the large labour shortage of about 63,000 Canadians nation-wide. Saskatchewan agriculture has a shortfall of 1,600 workers, or 4%, according to 2017 data. “It’s been a consistent challenge over time to fill vacancies that occur in rural Canada and in an industry that isn’t as well understood by those in urban centres and those of us who are not as connected with our agricultural roots as we would have been at one time,” MacDonald-Dewhirst explained. Although the industry gets support from foreign workers, a big gap remains.

go unfilled given the available supply of domestic workers. This represents 30% of the total workforce required. In other words, more than one in three jobs will be at risk of going unfilled. Moreover, 46% of farmers in the CAHRC survey who had plans to expand reported scuttling their plans because they could not get the labour. The labour shortage is taking another toll. Nearly 90% of producers reported high levels of stress and longer hours for themselves and their workers as a result of not being able to find additional staff.

Demographics in the beef industry is going to be the biggest challenge moving forward.

In fact, the vacancy rate is exceptionally high. The agricultural industry’s vacancy rate is 5.4%, which is almost double the 2.9% national average for all other industries. Each part of the industry has its own struggles. Some commodities are experiencing vacancy rates as high as 10%. In terms of sectors, horticulture currently has the largest shortages and will continue to battle the labour gap in the future, according to CAHRC. The next largest vacancy rates are seen in the grains and oilseeds sector and the pork industry. “When we look at the value chain in the agriculture industry, we know that there are extreme shortages and very high vacancies, not only in primary production, but also in the processing side,” she added. Furthermore, when a position stays vacant in one part of the value chain, it impacts the value chain on either side. For example, labour shortages at meat processing facilities affects primary production.

The labour crunch stems from a complex of reasons. A big factor is that the agriculture sector is largely unknown to jobseekers. “Most Canadians don’t know very much about the agriculture industry and don’t recognize all of these great career options that are available within the industry,” MacDonald-Dewhirst pointed out. “The science, the technology, the engineering, the business – all of those components beyond just the production element. There’s an increasing use of specialists in the industry and integration of those skills.” Thus, parents, educators, guidance counselors, schools and ordinary Canadian jobseekers often overlook the opportunities that exist in the agriculture industry.

The impact of the agricultural labour shortage has emerged as a loss in productivity and profits. CAHRC reports that Canadian farmers lost $2.9 billion in sales due to unfilled vacancies in 2018. This more than doubles the $1.5 billion lost in 2014. In Saskatchewan it cost the sector $574 million, or 4.1% in sales. The province’s labour gap is expected to widen. By 2029, it is projected that 12,300 jobs in the agriculture sector will

Beef Labour The beef industry labour shortage really grabs attention. Over the next decade the industry’s demographics will have an impact. Right now, the beef industry has a labour gap of 1,660 Canadians. According to the CAHRC forecast, looking down the road to 2029, that figure jumps to just under 14,000. “It’s a big, big difference,” she stressed. continued on page 28

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NOVEMBER 2019

Train the workers you need Receive up to $10,000 per trainee The Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant provides employers with funding to train new or existing employees to meet the skill requirements for available jobs. The program ensures businesses have the skilled workers they need to thrive in Saskatchewan. Grain Millers Canada has utilized Job Grant to customize training opportunities for its future leaders. To learn how to apply visit:

saskatchewan.ca/job-grant

Funding provided by the Canada-Saskatchewan Workforce Development Agreement Financé par l’Entente Canada - Saskatchewan sur le développement de la main-d’œuvre

The Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant has helped us train our staff, and overall been a very valuable program for assisting in our growth as an organization. - Terry Tyson General Manager Grain Millers Canada

Science and Production Labour Crisis cont. from pg. 26 Several factors contribute to the labour gap in beef, primarily the pending retirement of both categories of agricultural labour – the owners and managers as well as the workers. “It’s an older industry both from the perspective of the owners and operators and managers,” MacDonald-Dewhirst stated. Compounding the issue is the fact that the beef industry has the highest composition of managers and owners, and almost 25% of them are 65 years and older compared to 16% of the overall agricultural workforce. She continued, “It’s an older workforce. There’s not only owners and managers that are older, but also 40% of beef workers themselves are expected to retire in the next 10 years – and that’s the highest of any industry.” Another factor is the shrinking size of the beef industry over the past decade. Many operators switched away from beef production and moved into specialized grains and oilseeds. The number of beef farms in Canada dropped by over twofifths between 2006 and 2016. “There used to be 60,900 farms, now there are 36,000,” MacDonald-Dewhirst explained the declining figures. “Because the number of farms is decreasing, the industry output is falling, and the number of workers required to support the industry also fell.” The contracting beef industry stands in stark contrast to its rising market potential. There is interest in countries expanding their protein consumption in the quality of the Canada beef brand. “There is a great story to be told about Canada’s beef industry and there’s lots of interest in growing this industry,” MacDonaldDewhirst stated. “The challenge for that – was and will be – is that the industry right now is demographically older. There needs to be a shift and support for transitioning that knowledge and skill as people leave the industry, and for transferring it to those who remain, as well as encouraging more people to join the industry.” Future The industry has been struggling with this labour challenge for many years. On the horizon will be continued innovation and 28

ways to use technology to address the labour shortage. The shift in technology is evident from the hand-held cell phones to large farming equipment that all need to be upgraded and updated often. Agriculture is quite integrated with sophisticated technology changes. “It’s about keeping pace with that change and being able to leverage the good information – the mining of that big data that is now available,” she added. Science and innovation are also bringing changes to agriculture and labour needs. New production techniques are being introduced. As a result, there is a requirement for different kinds of skills and a new blending of skills in the future. “In the industry, we need experts working in robotics, in computer science, in engineering – all those components are now integral to agriculture,” MacDonaldDewhirst noted. “We’ll need people with different kinds of skills like crop disciplines, computer science, engineering and ag knowledge bundled together – and on top of that, we’ll need a continued focus on good farm management and human resource management skills as well.” Filling the Gap As for how to meet this labour challenge and fill the employment gap, MacDonald-

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Dewhirst suggested a multi-pronged approach. “We’ve done research with Canada’s labour task force and there is a workforce action plan that identifies some key recommendations on how addressing this problem of the labour shortage needs to be tackled by a lot of organizations and stakeholders in collaboration.” She stressed that neither one single group, nor one activity will be able to fix the labour problem on their own. “It’s got to be tackled from a number of different ways and a number of different players,” she added. One way is an interdisciplinary or crossdisciplinary approach in education that uses case studies and real-world examples in work assignments. “Students learn best when they have real world examples and problems to work on,” MacDonaldDewhirst explained. “It would be quite instructive for business students to be tackling a case study that is related to the ag industry, or science students who aren’t thinking about animal science to be tackling that component, or the engineering students to be thinking about applying what they know within an agriculture setting.” Agricultural topics can be more integrated within programs that get restructured. “Ultimately, there has to be more attention paid to helping Canadians understand that the ag

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Science and Production industry is a very large industry in Canada. It supports a big part of our economy,â&#x20AC;? she continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big business in Canada and there are many unique, rewarding and interesting careers in the industry that are available for those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come from an agricultural background.â&#x20AC;? Another way is to focus on youth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the labour force of tomorrow. According to MacDonald-Dewhirst, some of the critical programming centres on the K to 12 group. Universities, colleges and post-secondary institutions also play a critical role in providing good quality training programs. It is important that ag organizations can work on building career awareness more broadly and encouraging their members and leaders to support early year and post-secondary educators with relevant programming, case studies and examples that align with the industry. Government too has a big role to play in ensuring good policy to support industry growth as well as policy and access to workers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both new migrants and temporary foreign workers. Beef organizations can also play a role in developing the labour force. Career awareness is a key component. MacDonald-Dewhirst suggests that association members can be encouraged to connect with organizations focusing on youth. For example, educators in the school system and post secondary systems are looking for speakers and resource people to assist with those things. She maintains that some great progress can be made by beef industry associations and groups in other industries by banding together to create a groundswell movement promoting the beef sector as an industry thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing and has great career opportunities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just a beef problem. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a problem across the multitude of agriculture and agri-food commodities and so, by working together, we all have a chance of helping each other and moving the needle,â&#x20AC;? she stated. There are also opportunities for industry to connect with untapped groups like those who are looking for a career change. These individuals would need assistance to better understand the industry. She NOVEMBER 2019

suggested the association could work with local employment agencies. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;When we did research with an immigrant serving agency in Alberta,â&#x20AC;? MacDonaldDewhirst recalled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;what we found was that they had no idea that the ag industry was interested in hiring new Canadians. And new Canadians often come with an agricultural background. They often come with skills that are relevant to the industry.â&#x20AC;? The key is to develop better linkages. She also stressed more research is needed in this area from a localized perspective. CAHRC and others can work with industry associations to research a situation to determine what avenues havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been tapped in terms of new, underrepresented groups that could connect with the industry.

Dewhirst said. She suggests that an industry association can ensure that agricultural employers are knowledgeable about good HR practices and have access to good tools and resources. The CAHRC has put together an HR toolkit, which is essentially an HR manager in a box, to help those in the ag industry with HR management. Having employers focus on good HR management skills and provide good training options and workshops for them assist in retention of workers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you have a labour shortage, you want to make sure that everybody who is in the industry stays there and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t decide, because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like where they work or theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not being treated well, that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to leave and go work in a different sector,â&#x20AC;? she added.

In order to attract and retain workers, it is important for agricultural managers to develop good human resources (HR) skills. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And there is always a need to focus on helping the industry focus on the training and skills that are needed,â&#x20AC;? MacDonald-

Conclusion With the strong demand for Canadian food products around the world, agriculture is poised for growth. However, workforce challenges affect the sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued on page 42

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www.skstockgrowers.com | ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | 29

Science and Production Who Does a Livestock Inspector Work For? by Jason Pollock, CEO, Livestock Services of SK

Some of you may remember the commentary below from a couple of years ago. This is the time of year when the majority of the marketing is taking place in Saskatchewan, so this article is an important reminder to the industry about the role of an inspector. The content is worth repeating, but before I do, I will risk a bit of embarrassment by telling a little story about myself that underscores the abilities of our inspectors that may often be overlooked by producers. I shipped my yearlings a little while ago, and as they filed past the inspector, I observed how he carried on a conversation with me, the dealer and the trucker while counting and inspecting the cattle at the same time. I wondered just how good a job he might be doing as we discussed the usual weather, markets and latest Rider game. After they ran through and were put into a holding pen for weighing, the inspector turned to me and asked, “Who do you normally get to brand at your branding?” I answered him that it was usually the same group of neighbors and he remarked “You may want to remind them that the bar goes under the P and not overtop.” I thought he was joking, but he wasn’t. I lightheartedly told him that I would eat my hat if there was a bar over P in the group. Surely, he must have seen a hair lick or something that resembled a bar over the P. Upon closer inspection he would see that the actual hot-branded bar would be under the P, right where it should be. Without further discussion, we went back to the holding pen to bring them up onto the scale. He pointed to a black heifer as she passed by us and asked me what I saw. As I looked at her and turned her back to get a second look, I began to wish I had opted for my straw hat that morning and not my felt. Amidst all the conversation and usual bustle at the bottom of the 30

loading chute, he caught what I had missed as the owner of the animal for the past year and half. I am proud of our inspection team and the important role they play in our industry. Here is the article reprint: In a recent conversation with some frontline inspectors I had the opportunity to ask them this question: “Who does an inspector work for?” It was an interesting conversation as they told me a variety of stories about their experiences. The obvious answer is that an inspector works for LSS as that is who signs their paycheck. That is true in a sense, but the fact is that LSS inspectors work for the livestock industry. It is the producers and owners who we work for. The inspection fees cover inspections when things go smoothly but, more importantly, they cover costs associated with the many incidents where discrepancies exist and additional verification is required, resulting in redirects, withholds and returns to rightful owners. This is where our inspectors add the most value to the industry. As a producer, I have been the recipient of a call from an inspector informing me of some abnormalities in one of my shipments to market. It was a little embarrassing, but I was really glad he was doing his job and I didn’t sell one of my neighbour’s yearlings by mistake. It happens easily, especially when we are in a hurry and the trucks are waiting. My kids say everything is calm in the corrals until I see the first truck rolling in, and then they just look for cover. In this business, we all strive to keep things straight and our livestock where they belong, but “stuff” happens. When this “stuff” happens, our inspection team is there to work for the industry to keep things straight. They are trained to look for secondary and tertiary brands,

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abnormalities, marks of other sorts, tags and RFID buttons, etc. to figure out the full ownership details before releasing funds. The legislation we operate under requires us to ask questions, to seek proof of ownership and to sort through various circumstances when you unload your cattle. When your livestock are being inspected, the inspector is not working for you at that point in time. They are working for every other livestock owner in the industry when they look at your animals. They are operating under the expectation that they will not find any differences between the manifest you filled out and the animals they are inspecting. They are verifying that the animals bear the same information that the manifest contains. When there is a difference, they attempt to identify the cause, right then and there, if possible. This type of action happens often but, due to workload and efficiency needs at unloading, is often done after you’ve left. You may get a call regarding your consignment when you get home, or the inspector may be able to sort things out by a database transaction search verifying what you’ve told him or her. Our goal is to provide our service to the industry without holding up the business transaction. We want to support the business transaction and verify for the buyer that they are getting what they paid for and that there will be no issues with their purchase. We are also supporting the timely payment of the owners of the animals. Having said all this, inspectors are human, and conditions are not always favourable, so it is important to do your part in branding clearly and describing your consignment accurately. Your effort will aid in inspection efficiency and accuracy. Every year, LSS inspects over 1,500,000 animals. This translates into significant industry value. Our people are dedicated NOVEMBER 2019

Science and Production Active Missing Livestock Files November 2019

Area missing from

Number of head

Animal description

Churchbridge

Wapella

Brand description

Brand location

RCMP subdivision

Livestock Branch contact

Date reported

Yearling heifers

Right hip

Langenburg

Yorkton 306-786-5712

August,14, 2019

Yearling heifer

Right hip

Moosomin

Moosomin 306-435-9533

October 2, 2019

Norquay

Yearling steers

Right rib

Canora

Yorkton 306-786-5712

October 9, 2019

Norquay

Yearling heifer

Right hip

Canora

Yorkton 306-786-5712

October 9, 2019

Crane Valley

Yearling heifer

Left hip

Moose Jaw

Moose Jaw 306-694-3709

October 10, 2019

Percival

Calves

Left hip

Broadview

Moosomin 306-435-9533

October 15, 2019

Information provided by Livestock Services of Saskatchewan

to facilitating commerce while fulfilling their regulatory responsibility. The next time you crack the latch and watch your hard work walk off the trailer, remember that the friendly face inspecting your manifest and comparing it to the load of animals is working hard for everyone else at that moment in time. They will work just as hard for you when all the other trailer doors open up and your neighbours unload their livestock.

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Our team works diligently to keep everything straight and prevent mishaps and mistakes as they repeat the process week in and week out all across the province. They are dedicated to keeping things in order and going the extra mile for everyone when required. I am proud of the team we have and know that they are a dedicated bunch. They are dedicated to you, the animal’s owner because that’s who a livestock inspector works for. B

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Stewardship The Leafy Spurge Problem: Strategies and Management By Anne Lazurko, for SK Prairie Conservation Action Plan

Over the past few years, farm and ranch organizations have passed a litany of resolutions asking provincial and federal governments for help to combat the widespread and growing issue of invasive weed species. Infestations by invasive weeds have ecological impacts, as well as economic impacts, such as reduced grazing potential and the cost of treatment. Ten years ago, a study found the economic costs of leafy spurge infestations alone was over $40 million in Manitoba. In Saskatchewan, Kathy Larson, a research associate at the University of Saskatchewan, is currently leading a twoyear study to assess the economic impact of leafy spurge on pastures at Elbow and Forsythe as well as in Douglas Provincial Park. Using drone-captured images and ‘ground truthing’ grids compiled through GPS mapping, Larson hopes to quantify the extent of the leafy spurge problem, and to then estimate provincial costs in lost grazing capacity, chemical control and indirect costs with fully shared results by early 2021. The goal is to provide Saskatchewan policy makers with information and the incentive to take action. With thousands of acres infested in this province, ranchers are on the front lines of early detection and response. Despite gaps in funding, many, like the patrons at Elbow Community Pasture, are already engaged in efforts to combat leafy spurge with similar mitigation efforts happening across the province. In the deep southwest, Melanie Toppi, a plant biologist with South of the Divide Conservation Action Plan (SODCAP), works with ranchers in a symbiotic effort to provide habitat for numerous species at risk by keeping pastures healthy for grazing. “The problem is that leafy spurge is very good at what it does,” Toppi says. “A deep

A shepherd manages goats grazing leafy spurge in southwestern Saskatchewan. Photo credit: Melanie Toppi

root system, seeds that jump if touched, the ability to grow in all types of weather and conditions.” It’s the perfect plant – except for the fact that it’s a weed that chokes out natural vegetation. Toppi has spent the past three summers working on control projects, many of which require a number of tools. For example, in the Frenchman Wood River Management Area spurge beetles are released around water where regulations restrict other methods, chemicals are applied around the edge of the property to stop encroachment, and targeted grazing by goats is done in the center areas. Last year 500 goats were part of this project, and sheep were introduced to the mix this year. “We have a shepherd who makes sure the area is grazed once and again later in the year, so it is overgrazed, weakening the spurge and preventing seed set,” Toppi says. “The nice thing is, the goats eat everything the cattle and horses don’t. Grass is the last thing they eat and so they are not competing with the cattle. It gives the native prairie plants the opportunity to out-compete the spurge.” Some ranchers have purchased goats themselves and love what they’re seeing, she says, but it could be eight to ten years before assessments can be made of the overall benefits.

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The costs of weed management can add up. Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) President Ray Orb says the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s (CAP) Invasive Plant Control Program should help. New for 2019-2020, the $500,000 program administered by SARM offers rebates of 50% on chemical and application costs to control prohibited weeds, and 50% on chemical costs only for noxious weeds, which includes leafy spurge. In this case, the other half of the chemical costs and the entire application costs are left to producers. Orb points to further efforts through the Plant Health Network (PHN). In its second year and with $715,000 in funding through CAP, the PHN has hired six agrologists as Plant Health Officers to develop, promote and implement best practices around identification, monitoring and controlling invasive species. These Plant Health officers are also a resource to assist councilors, weed inspectors and producers in understanding their responsibilities under the Weed Control Act. But they have no authority to enforce the legislation. This leaves some producers confused over who is responsible for reporting infestations. Under the Act, weed

NOVEMBER 2019

Stewardship inspectors have the authority to monitor and investigate. As it is currently administered by rural municipalities (RMs), the system is largely voluntary reporting or complaints-based with farmers asked to report infestations in their area. This becomes problematic because producers are asked to choose between reporting on their neighbours and preserving the value and productivity of their own land. “Ultimately, it’s the RM’s responsibility,” Orb admits. “The buck stops with them as far as enforcement goes.” Despite SARM encouraging all RMs to hire weed inspectors, not all have complied. Orb suggests producers in those areas can ask for help from neighbouring RMs or appeal to the province. He hopes RMs will engage fully in the process with the help of these new programs.

NOVEMBER 2019

The problem of invasive weed species will not be easily solved. Research, producer engagement and well-funded programs which help stakeholders in their efforts will go a long way in the fight. While leafy spurge takes the headlines, other invasive weeds can also wreak havoc. In response, the Saskatchewan Forage Council released a revised and expanded Saskatchewan Invasive Plant Species Identification Guide in 2018 to help producers with early detection. See the Guide: http://www.saskforage.ca/ images/pdfs/Publications/Invasive-PlantGuide.pdf B Targeted grazing by goats is used to control leafy spurge. Photo credit: Melanie Toppi

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Stewardship New Research Recognizes Benefits of SARPAL Program The first phase of the Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) program in Saskatchewan is nearing completion in 2020. The SARPAL program works with agricultural producers on voluntary stewardship initiatives to support the recovery of species at risk on agricultural land. To understand its effectiveness and benefits for participating producers, Beef Business sat down with Dr. Dana Reiter, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, to discuss her research with 36 producers involved in the program. Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) received SARPAL funding through Environment and Climate Change Canada to work with producers on the program with South of the Divide Conservation Action Program Inc. (SODCAP) acting as the delivery agent (see sidebar). Reiter did an independent evaluation of the SARPAL program through the University of B.C. funded by the Post-doctoral Fellowship under the Mitacs program. While many programs are evaluated from an outcomes-perspective, she

took a unique approach by getting the viewpoints of the program participants for their perspectives on its implementation. “That’s a view that’s under-represented,” she added. “I don’t know how anybody can make policy without talking to the people who are directly affected by that policy. It’s important for policymakers to hear their voices.” Reiter’s work may be used to assist in developing the potential next phase of SARPAL to better meet the needs of producers. Program Reception SARPAL was well-received by the participating ranchers and the program had broad support. “The whole idea,” says Reiter, “was to work with producers to help them preserve species at risk on their ranches” as well as to remain viable. Her research illustrated that producers found that both were possible. The producers also appreciated that the program wasn’t prescriptive, nor did it change what they were doing in their grass management. They preferred the results-based model because it accommodated for uncontrolled factors

like drought. “When I started my research, they were in the middle of a three-year drought,” she noted. Another positive aspect of the program for producers was the use of a local agent to deliver the program, in contrast to some programs with an anonymous person from far away who doesn’t understand their local situation. Both SSGA and SODCAP have ranchers at all levels of their organizations, many of whom themselves live in the unique ecosystem of southwest Saskatchewan. “Good rangeland management is good for all species,” Reiter said. “They are making their decisions for the long-term and what’s good for cattle is good for species at risk.” SSGA and SODCAP would understand the need by selling off some cattle or grazing an area they didn’t want to graze to remain viable. “They really appreciate the fact that the SARPAL program was designed with that in mind,” she said. The producers also very much appreciated that SSGA and SODCAP met with them personally to create workable and viable contracts. continued on page 36

What is SARPAL? Environment and Climate Change Canada introduced the Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) initiative in 2015 with a federal allocation of $2.9 million annually for the first phase. SARPAL works across Canada with farmers on voluntary stewardship initiatives to support the recovery of species at risk on agricultural land. In 2016 the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) received $2.58 million from SARPAL to work with producers in Saskatchewan industry to support rangeland sustainability, species conservation and recovery of species at risk in ways that also benefit farmers and ranchers. SODCAP Inc. The federal government led the development of a Multi-Species Action

Plan which focused on 13 species at risk. The South of the Divide Conservation Action Program Inc. (SODCAP Inc.) was developed as a partnership between stakeholders and government to implement recovery measures relating to the South of the Divide Multi-Species Action Plan. SODCAP Inc. operates by a board of directors that includes representatives from the agriculture sector, energy sector, environmental NGOs, as well as the local, provincial and federal environmental ministries. The Multi-Species Action Plan was officially signed in November 2017 and identifies critical habitat for 13 species and over 60 recovery measures to recover species at risk. It has identified 1 million acres of critical habitat. All critical habitat is native grass. There is a strong correlation between native grasslands and critical habitat.

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SSGA and SODCAP developed 6 different programming options for producers who are managing critical or important habitat in southwestern Saskatchewan – habitat management agreements, habitat restoration, resultsbased conservation agreements, term conservation easements, grass banking, and niche product branding. At the time of this study, the SARPAL project had 16 results-based conservation agreements, 13 habitat management agreements, 6 habitat restoration agreements, 2 grass banking initiatives, 2 niche product branding initiatives and 4 people expressing interest in term conservation easements. At the time of this study, the program involved over 200,000 acres.

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Stewardship SARPAL Program cont. from pg. 34 Recognition A key message that emerged in the research was that producers were already following management practices to preserve species and protect habitat. Ranchers have been “really, really great stewards of the land for generations,” said Reiter. Most of the ranchers she interviewed were on the land for three or more generations. “They’ve always known that they need to protect the grass to be a viable operation, and they know that their cattle grazing on grassland is very good for all species,” she said. For producers this was another positive aspect of the SARPAL program, and it gave them a feeling of recognition for the positive conservation work that they were doing. The research also looked at any changes producers had to make to participate in the program. “The producers found that they didn’t change an awful lot of their management practices to participate in SARPAL, which is one of the things that they appreciated about the program,” she noted. “They did make a few changes and learnt a bit more about species at risk and how they help to protect their species and habitat while maintaining a viable ranch.” This is a message that Reiter wants to get out to Canadians. “Ranchers are not only providing safe food for Canadians,” she noted. “They are also providing really

valuable stewardship of the last native temperate grasslands in the country.” That’s another point that emerged: the ranchers stressed that this is the last remaining temperate grasslands – an important, yet fragile ecosystem that is under siege. “In a way, they’re managing that land for all Canadians,” Reiter explained. “Canadians should know that if they support species at risk conservation and conservation of habitat, they should support these types of programs with their tax dollars.” Because they are good stewards of the land, the ranchers would like to be rewarded for doing the same work as environmental non-government organizations (NGOs) that receive substantial government funding to protect the environment and species at risk habitat. “That’s why government programs like SARPAL, which are supported by taxpayer dollars, should be supported and increased,” she said. While the NGOs take land out of production, the ranchers can protect habitat and keep the land profitable, contributing to the local and national economies. In the course of her research, Reiter encountered people outside the industry who recognized the value of grassland management by producers. One interview with an NGO employee made the strong point that keeping ranchers on the land continued on page 38

Cattle grazing on native prairie in southwestern Saskatchewan preserve habitat for species at risk. Photo credit: Paula Larson

Innovative Practices and Heritage Knowledge The other aspect of Dr. Dana Reiter’s research was documenting the ranchers’ innovative practices that grew out of a producer-driven idea at a Winnipeg species at risk conference last year. “I think the Canadian public needs to hear about that,” she said. “There’s some really interesting things that I don’t think that the average Canadian realizes that ranchers are doing.” These include creating frog-friendly dugouts, putting up hawk poles, and introducing beetles to control different invasive species. The ranchers also had their own collection of informational sources that Reiter found 36

invaluable to informing her research today. There were old photographs depicting the landscape in past historical periods, notebooks and records kept by previous generations recording weather patterns, decisions made and cattle management practices. These items are a different type of data that need to be included in research, she maintained. The producers wanted to share and document their stories and knowledge, which exist now as oral tradition – passed on through families. The ranchers want to have this information accessible to other ranchers, especially new and young

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ranchers who don’t have any other way to get this information. The information would also benefit Canadian society. “It’s really helpful for the Canadian public just to realize where their food is coming from and how the ranching practices and rangeland management are actually helping to protect species at risk and preserve the habitat,” Reiter said. Also, it is valuable to the academic audience, because a lot of government agencies rely on journals and new academic research. “Hopefully that affects policy and creates policy change,” she added.

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Stewardship SARPAL Program cont. from pg. 36 and supporting ranching livelihood is the only way to achieve desired outcomes of species at risk habitat and species at risk protection and to adapt to climate change and other environmental issues. The recognition was welcome because ranchers had expressed frustration in their interviews with media misinformation about their industry. They want their story told. “I think it’s underrepresented information,” Reiter said. Viability Producers are interested in species preservation, but they still need to be profitable to survive. Some ranchers not in the study have expressed doubts that they can do both. However, the results of the SARPAL program show that it is possible to conserve habitat and be profitable. The program provides some recognition for the grass management practices of participating producers. At the same time, there is a financial cost for rancher stewardship. “It’s costing them money to keep that land in native grass,” said Reiter. “If they are providing that service to the Canadian public as a whole, they should be rewarded for that.” She also noted that, to increase profits, the ranchers could choose other practices that would be irresponsible to the land like overgrazing and overstocking, or they could sell out and fragment the native grass for crop farming. Instead, they have chosen to be good stewards to keep the grass viable for generations to come. Good stewardship is a sound long-term operational decision. The ranchers expressed their concern for preserving the unique heritage of the native grasslands. When the native grass is broken up and fragmented in this unique area, a vital habitat is being decimated, they maintained. “It wasn’t just about them and their personal properties and rangeland,” Reiter conveyed their concern for the land. “If people keep breaking up that habitat, you are losing a really core centre of species at risk habitat.” She doesn’t think this part of the story gets

Ranchers in southwestern Saskatchewan have been good stewards of the Canadian temperate grasslands, which are fast disappearing. Photo credit: Tara Davidson

enough attention. “Canadians need to be aware that this is some of the most unique of ecosystems here that can really make a big difference for species at risk in Canada.” The Milk River Watershed in the southwestern Saskatchewan area is a very important region for species at risk, where they thrive. SARPAL focused on certain species, including Prairie Loggerhead Shrike, Greater Sage Grouse, Sprague’s Pipit, Northern Leopard Frog, Chestnut Collared Longspur, Swift Fox, and McCown’s Longspur. Program Benefits The research found that the SARPAL program provided a wide sweep of benefits. One of the biggest findings was the rancher stewardship aspect. The program helped ranchers continue with their rangeland management to support conservation, while providing healthy, local food for society, and protect the temperate grasslands where a lot of species at risk reside. The ranchers are also contributing to the national economy through their production output as well as to the fragile local economy in rural communities where they reside. Reiter said these results send a strong message to Canadian society, “Canadians, as a country and society, if we value species at risk and want to preserve them, then we need to support programs like SARPAL.”

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continued on page 40

Stewardship Ethic When Dr. Dana Reiter was analyzing her research data on the Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) program in Saskatchewan, she was struck by a strong stewardship ethic that existed in all ranchers. “Stewardship is absolutely a point of pride and something that they do,” she pointed out. “They put that over financial reward.” This was a major theme in her work. Reiter found that they still value the stewardship ethic even if they aren’t passing on the land. They are motivated to value the last remaining grasslands. “It’s important to them,” she said. “The grasslands are like Canadian heritage to them.” Many of the ranches Reiter visited have been passed down for generations. The ranchers decide to be good stewards in order to have the healthiest grass possible to provide them with the best cattle operation, which also protects species at risk on this rangeland. “I don’t know if the Canadian public knows this enough or realizes this enough that it would be a lot more financially lucrative to sell out and let the people tear up that land.” NOVEMBER 2019

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Stewardship SARPAL Program cont. from pg. 38 Although the ranchers appreciated learning about the species at risk on their land, they also recommended broadening the focus and taking a multispecies approach. They pointed out that the species that aren’t at risk were also flourishing which was also positive. For example, deer and antelope are thriving and expanding. The ranchers want to keep their grassland as healthy as possible for generations to come for all species to thrive there. She summarized their point, “If the cattle are happy, then all the species are happy on that land.” “Species are coming back because areas are being made viable for them,” Reiter said. She cited the example of the Grasslands National Park (GNP) which had not been grazed for the last 20 years, ostensibly to preserve species at risk. At that time, grassland ecologists thought that taking it out of production was the

best practice. Notably, these species at risk moved onto grazed land next to the park. Grassland ecologists have since changed their thinking. Grazing was reintroduced to the GNP in recent years when the park collaborated with the SSGA on a grass bank pilot project, using managed grazing by local ranchers. Recommendations Reiter asked the ranchers for their ideas about improving SARPAL programming. In general, they were satisfied with the program and its implementation. They suggested improvements could be made on the funding side. Under the five-year SARPAL program, many of them signed contracts for less than three years. A longer funding term, like 10 years, would provide more security and would allow them to develop long-term planning for their ranches. A higher level of funding would allow ranchers to put more land

into the program. It would also mean more ranchers could participate in the program and devote more land to habitat protection. Reiter noted that at least one rancher felt the program should be expanded beyond the South of the Divide region because other areas of the province had significant species at risk habitat and the potential to make a difference. However, the reality of the current program funding means that resources cannot be spread too thinly. While the ranchers appreciated the funding from SARPAL, the level was insufficient to create real behavioural change. The participating ranchers only tweaked their rangeland management, but for those ranchers who would have to change their practices substantially to participate, the costs would be too high. The funding would not be an incentive to

Last Chance for Funding! SSGA is entering the last year of funding for projects with critical habitat for species at risk! We are looking for producers who have native grasslands with critical habitat in southwestern Saskatchewan and are interested in participating in Habitat Management Agreements. Up to $30,000 in funding available per producer! For more information on funding or critical habitat, contact: Tom Harrison, PAg Executive Director, SODCAP Inc. 306-530-1385 ED@sodcap.com

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NOVEMBER 2019

Stewardship change their behaviour. “If you actually want to create behaviour change,” she said. “fund it so they can offer higher incentives.” The ranchers also suggested breaks at the local level to incentivize producers to participate in conservation, such as tax benefits from the rural municipality for keeping their native grass or credits at the federal level for sequestering carbon. The Future Starting in November, Reiter will expand her research to look at producers involved in SARPAL in B.C., Alberta and Manitoba and she will revisit Saskatchewan. Funded by a Liber Ero Post-doctoral Fellowship, she’s collaborating with SODCAP Inc. and Dr. Jeremy Pittman of the University of Waterloo, and Dr Lael Parrott of the University of British Columbia, Okanagan. They will prepare a final report to help

NOVEMBER 2019

Environment and Climate Change Canada and the local delivery agents in each province improve the program. As Reiter concludes this phase of the research, there’s a couple of messages emerging overwhelmingly from her data that she wants Canadians to hear. “Producers value this type of programming and if the Canadian public wants to protect species at risk and their habitat, then they should absolutely be made aware of the value of the SARPAL program and what ranchers are doing with their rangeland management to protect species at risk and their habitat,” Reiter maintained, adding that society needs to become serious about funding a successful program like SARPAL.

the general public feels really good about buying Canadian beef because, if they buy Canadian beef, they know it’s a safe, healthy food source for their family, and that’s a way to support the industry and producers who are supporting habitat and species at risk,” she stated. For Reiter, “the most powerful part of this research is getting this directly from the producers, talking to the ranchers in in-depth interviews.” She appreciates that they took time from their busy lives to participate in her research. “I’d like to express my gratitude for that.” B

To conclude, she wants to make sure Canadians know about another research finding: “I think it’s really important that

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 41

Stewardship FREE REGINA SCREENING November 14, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Followed by panel discussion. Rex Schneider Auditorium, Luther College University of Regina 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina

FREE SASKATOON SCREENING November 19, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Followed by panel discussion. The Roxy Theatre 320 20th Street, Saskatoon

New Grasslands Film Stresses Cattle as Solution Canada’s Great Plains grasslands are in peril, but cattle are positioned to be part of the solution. That’s the message in Guardians of the Grasslands, a short documentary film exploring the current state of one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems and the role that cattle play in protecting the grass and the species who live in this habitat. The 13-minute documentary was aimed at the general public. It was produced by Story Brokers Media House, in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s Public and Stakeholder Engagement team. It was filmed at the Waldron Ranch Grazing Co-operative near Longview, Alberta. The documentary is now being screened across Canada. The documentary emphasizes how the Canadian grasslands – largely located in Saskatchewan – are disappearing. About 74% has already been lost to crop production, urban and industrial development and other land uses. Grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems all over the world. In Saskatchewan, between 17% and 21% of the original native prairie remains intact. It’s a landscape that supports over 60 of Canada’s species at risk and provides much of the carbon capture potential for our country.

The documentary also describes how cattle provide ecological benefits and help preserve the grasslands and species through well-managed grazing practices. To illustrate this point, the documentary highlights the unique grass bank pilot project with collaboration between Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) and Parks Canada’s Grasslands National Park (GNP). Through managed grazing by local ranchers in the GNP and surrounding ranches, the project aims to conserve critical habitat for species at risk, particularly the Greater Sage-grouse, Sprague’s Pipit, and Chestnut-collared Longspur.

also demonstrates the important benefits cattle grazing bring to the environment. It also means a return of historical ruminant grazing to this northern prairie ecosystem which had been grazed by bison for thousands of years until recently. The project demonstrates the type of cooperation that can be achieved between government, ranchers, scientists and the community.

With this grazing project, Grasslands National Park has restored grazing to 40,000 acres of the park where it had been excluded for over 20 years. This project

*Those interested in hosting a screening can visit the documentary webpage for more information: https://guardiansofthegrasslands.ca/

Habitat targets are set and measured by the South of the Divide Conservation Action Program. SSGA administers the project that receives financial support from Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) program. B

Labour Crisis cont. from pg. 29 ability to meet production goals, as well as their contribution to the national economy. MacDonald-Dewhirst calls Canada’s agriculture industry “an entrepreneur’s dream to find a business niche” because, unlike some sectors, it has a hungry, growing customer base that’s not going away and it’s a stable industry. “That’s what we have in this industry. World populations with estimates indicating that there’s going to be a real challenge in feeding the population of the world in the next few years,” she concluded. “Canada is a major player in that already and can continue to be a major player – and maybe strengthen its position moving forward – because we have the natural resources to do that, we have the know-how. It’s just about clarifying the potential that this industry has for average Canadians so they can recognize that opportunity.” B *For the HR toolkit and more resources, so CAHRC’s website: https://cahrc-ccrha.ca/

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NOVEMBER 2019

Association News, Reports, and Events SSGA Welcomes New Director Rob Selke

Rob Selke was elected to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) Board of Directors as Director-atLarge during the 106th Annual General Meeting in June 2019. Rob manages the Saskatchewan ranch location of Remington Land and Cattle and resides at Morse, SK. While the ranch is relatively new to Saskatchewan, it has a deeprooted history in the cattle business. In Saskatchewan, Remington Land and Cattle is a modest cow-calf and backgrounding operation that finishes its calves with an eye towards the European Union market. They recently acquired some irrigable land and hope to develop that aspect of the business while continuing to grow responsibly. They have a small purebred herd and use both AI

and embryo transfer, where possible, to continually improve the genetic base.

beef business in Saskatchewan are very important to Rob.

Rob and his wife Susan have one son and two daughters and two grandchildren – with another on the way. All his children were raised in the cattle business. His son Cody and his family also live and work on the ranch. Both of their daughters lend a hand whenever possible. Rob says the family aspect of their business provides one of the biggest intangible benefits.

When asked what he thought were the biggest challenges facing our industry, Rob said that it “is the growing disconnect between the people that consume our product and we, the producers. Public perception is so easily swayed by advertising and politics; therefore, it is important for us as producers to keep up our industry’s image of being good providers of healthy food and responsible stewards of the land.”

Rob’s son Cody works full time on the ranch, which also employs several additional staff in a variety of roles and responsibilities. Rob says that the labour shortage in the ag sector, and particularly in the beef business, is a concern. Therefore, he feels very fortunate to have family, employees and neighbours who contribute to the operation’s success.

Rob thinks that SSGA can continue to support the livestock industry by being a reasonable and responsible voice for producers. We need to be constantly aware of public perceptions and the fact that there are entities out there that will continue to attack and disrupt our way of life. Rob commented that SSGA has huge value in being the truthful voice of reason when faced with negativity or ignorance.

Although new to the SSGA Board, Rob says he has “long been a supporter and felt it was time to try and make some contribution to the organization.” He sees it as an advantage providing the opportunity to hear the different views presented that affect our business. Sustainable and responsible land use and the growth and continued success of the

SSGA would like to extend a warm welcome to Rob and looks forward to his contribution on the board. B

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Association News, Reports, and Events A Report From Bill Huber President, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association

2019 has been a challenging year starting from the month of January. Looking back, February was the coldest on record in the past 80 years. The extreme cold weather posed a challenge for calving and livestock operations. April had extreme dry conditions in the province that led to a devastating wildfire in the Argo area near Biggar. To help those producers affected, SSGA organized the Argo Wildfire Benefit Concert in Biggar in July. April also brought a devastating snowstorm to the southwest of the province that led to cattle losses. Elsewhere in the province, a late cold spring was followed by an early summer drought that hit hay crops hard and slowed crop development. The fall has been wet with flooding and snowfall in September, delaying the harvest. As the year closes, the winter snow has arrived early in October. Despite the challenges, Saskatchewan cattle producers have been resilient, marketing over two million head and contributing to the GDP, as well as helping those in need through our Wildfire Relief efforts and Beef Drive. The year is quickly coming to an end and we look forward to more growth in the industry in 2020. Export opportunities are bright with a high protein demand and there are opportunities to expand our sector right here in Saskatchewan. SSGA attended the Throne Speech at the Saskatchewan Legislature on October 23. SSGA welcomes the aggressive new Saskatchewan Growth Plan presented 44

in the Throne Speech. It positions the agriculture sector as a central pillar and important driver of the economy. We also applaud the government’s plan to develop export markets and expand the value-added sector in the province. Much of Saskatchewan’s export growth will be driven by the strong agriculture sector. This plan creates the potential to add value to our products through more intensive livestock processing opportunities in the future. Developing irrigation in the value-added sector creates the potential for by-products and non-traditional crops to be used by the livestock industry. We look forward to working with the government over the coming years to help achieve the targets and grow our province. The Throne Speech also announced the continuation of the constitutional challenge to the federal carbon tax in the Supreme Court. It was a point mentioned by Premier Scott Moe in his letter to the prime minister. We are deeply concerned about the impact of the federally imposed carbon backstop on our beef exports. Producers are not able to pass on the tax costs down the value chain. The carbon tax will reduce producer profits and make our beef less competitive on world markets. The SSGA supports the Saskatchewan Government opposing the carbon tax and supporting the Saskatchewan people. Moreover, the federal government has not considered the contribution that our grasslands and pastures make in sequestering carbon. SSGA joins the industry’s appeal to the federal government to provide exemptions to farmers and ranchers to recognize and compensate the value of carbon sequestration by farmers and ranchers through sustainable grass and pasture management. The federal election was held on October 21. We would like to thank all those candidates running in the 14 ridings in Saskatchewan for letting your name stand. It takes a lot of courage and

effort to campaign and be willing to dedicate yourself to public service. To the successful candidates, we wish you a successful term serving your constituents in the province. SSGA prepared a list of industry priorities for federal candidates. We now encourage the newly elected federal government to address them as top priorities. These points include a swift resolution of the beef export ban to China. Since late June the ban has resulted in lost trade opportunities, lost profits and additional marketing costs. Another top priority to reduce market uncertainty is ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA). The U.S. is a very important trading partner for Canadian beef and live cattle. With changes to the animal transportation regulations coming in February, the industry is concerned by the lack of infrastructure to support additional rest stops. The new government must invest in rest stop infrastructure and build new capacities. In September, we received calls from a number of concerned producers about A&W using the Saskatchewan Roughrider brand to promote its Beyond Beef burger in a new TV commercial. SSGA had a series of meetings with the Saskatchewan Roughriders management and marketing representatives to clarify the Riders’ position and avoid any misrepresentation about the beef industry that could come from the commercial. As an official corporate partner of the Riders, A&W was able to use the team’s trademarks in their advertising. SSGA were able to provide the Riders with a greater understanding of the beef industry and its important place in the Saskatchewan economy. We were pleased to have such an open conversation with the Riders. It was an opportunity to build a relationship with a strong community organization. It also led to new opportunities to promote beef and to establish new partnerships. It was also a reminder that the province’s beef and crop industries share a symbiotic relationship with producers involved in both industries and the beef industry

NOVEMBER 2019

Association News, Reports, and Events using crop by-products and grade levels unsuitable for human consumption. The beef industry is prepared to stand on its own feet to compete in the protein sector. However, misinformation about the industry needs to be addressed constructively. Through our discussions with the Riders, doors have been opened to dialogue on promoting Saskatchewan and Canadian beef, showing that benefits can come through co-operation. We launched our fourth annual Beef Drive for the Food Banks of Saskatchewan this fall. We would like to thank the Cargill Animal Nutrition Beef Team for joining us again as sponsor this year. We continue to work with Treen Packers, West Bridgeford Meats and Western Prime Meat Processors to process the beef. I would like to extend our gratitude to our members and those non-members who contributed to and supported our beef drives in the past. This year, our collection goal is 10,000 pounds in beef donations. We encourage you to

donate an animal or make a cash donation to offset processing costs. Call the office at 306-757-8523 to let us know. Calf prices have been close to last year’s prices and remain stable. They are expected to remain flat over the fall-early winter. Feed grain supplies are adequate despite the dry conditions in spring and early summer that delayed crop growth. The Saskatchewan market hasn’t felt the expected price impact following the Cargill packing plant fire in August in Kansas. A concerning secondary effect of the fire, however, was a public lobbying effort in the U.S. for COOL, which would impact Canadian exports and influence prices offered in Canada. By all indications, we should have a strong calf run again this year, despite some market instability. Coming up for the rest of the year, November looks to be a busy month with meetings. The Canadian Western Agribition gets underway on November

25. I encourage everyone to stop by the SSGA trade show booth in the Exhibit Mall – have a coffee and see what’s new. Then, at the end of the week on Friday, November 29, join us for some socializing at the Commercial Cattlemen’s Mixer. 2020 is just around the corner. Mark your calendar to join us at our Semi-Annual Meeting coming up in January. It takes place next year in Saskatoon during the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference on January 29-30, 2020. In closing, I hope to see everyone at the Agribition! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to give me a call!

Bill

Visit us at the Canadian Western Agribition November 25-30, 2019

Located in Affinity Place Booth 900

NOVEMBER 2019

Calendar of Events NOVEMBER November 6-10

FarmFair International

Edmonton, AB

November 6-9

Yorkton Harvest Showdown

November 12-15

Canadian Forage and Grassland Association AGM

Moncton, NB

November 13

Farms at the Table Conference

Saskatoon, SK

November 19-20

Grassland Conversation Market Symposium

November 19-20

Regenerative Ag Days

November 24-25

Canadian Bison Association AGM

Regina, SK

November 25-30

Canadian Western Agribition

Regina, SK

November 29

Commercial Cattle Mixer & Bull Pen Alley People’s Choice

Regina, SK

December 4

Gemstone Cattle 5 Annual Bull and Female Sale

Brooks, AB

December 4

Cudlobe Angus Bull Sale

Stavely, AB

December 4

Bench Angus Bull and Purebred Heifer Sale

December 7

Peak Dot Ranch Bull Sale

December 9

Y Coulee Land & Cattle Bull & Female Sale

December 10-12

Western Canada Conference on Soil Health & Grazing

December 14

Advertising Deadline for January Issue of Beef Business

Yorkton, SK

Calgary, AB Brandon, MB

DECEMBER th

Shaunavon, SK Wood Mountain, SK Lloydminster, SK Edmonton, AB

JANUARY 2020 January 29-30

Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference

Saskatoon, SK

January 29

Moose Creek Red Angus 2 Year Old Sale

Kisbey, SK

FEBRUARY 2020 February 1

SSGA Zone Scholarship Application Deadline

February 1

Hill 70 Quantock Ranch 50th ‘Barn Burnin’ Bull Sale

February 12

Advertising Deadline for March Issue of Beef Business

Lloydminster, SK/AB

SSGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE EXECUTIVE

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

Bill Huber President/Zone Chair Lipton, SK

Phone: 336-2684

Kelcy Elford 1st Vice President/Director at Large Caronport, SK

Phone: 690-5209

Garner Deobald 2nd Vice President/Affiliate Director Hodgeville, SK

Phone: 677-2589

Jeff Yorga Finance Chair Flintoft, SK Phone: 531-5717 Shane Jahnke Past President Gouldtown, SK

Phone: 784-2899

Jerry Chanig, Mankota Keith Day, Lacadena Glen Elford, Avonlea Calvin Gavelin, McCord Joe Gilchrist, Maple Creek Aaron Huber, Lipton Murray Linthicum, Glentwoth Barry Olney, Estevan Roy Rutledge, Assiniboia Rob Selke, Morse Lee Sexton, Hanley Barry Wasko, Eastend

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

Henry McCarthy, Wawota Karen McKim, Milestone Rod Gamble, Pambrun Brad Howe, Empress, AB Bill Huber, Lipton Brent Griffin, Elbow Kimberly Simpson, Kyle Kelly Williamson, Pambrun

478-2658 375-2934 436-7121 478-2558 662-3986 336-2684 266-4377 421-1495 642-5358 629-3238 544-2660 295-3852

739-2205 436-7731 582-2077 661-0409 336-2684 854-2050 375-5534 582-6102

AFFILIATE DIRECTORS

Garner Deobald - Charolais Affiliate, Hodgeville 677-2589 John Hylkema - SaskMilk Affiliate, Hague 604-798-6450 Tara Fritz - SImmental Affiliate, Shaunavon 297-3147 Ian Leaman - Shorthorn Affiliate, Chaplin 631-3694 Gordon Schroeder - SK Sheep Dev. Board 933-5582 Laird Senft - Angus Affiliate, Fort Qu’Appelle 332-4823 Jeff Yorga - Limousin Affiliate, Flintoft 531-5717

APPOINTED DIRECTORS

Dr. Andy Acton- Veterinary Advisor, Ogema

459-2422

SASKATCHEWAN CCA DIRECTORS Pat Hayes, Val Marie Lynn Grant, Val Marie Reg Schellenberg, Beechy Duane Thompson, Kelliher

298-2284 298-2268 859-4905 675-4562

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

NOVEMBER 2019

Advertisers Index Allen Leigh Security & Communications Apollo Machine & Products ArcRite Welding Arrowquip Barr & Olney Bench Angus Boehringer Ingelheim Bud Williams Livestock Marketing CCIA Canadian Western Agribition Cowtown Livestock Exchange, Inc. Commercial Cattlemen's Mixer Cudlobe D&R Prairie Supplies Ducks Unlimited Canada eAnimal Products Edward Jones FeedMax Corporation Frostfree Nosepumps Ltd. GBT Angus

49 48 49 35 50 37 17 48 23 51 49 45 21 43 2 15 48 49 49 50

Gem Silage Gemstone Cattle Co. Grassland Trailer Hi-Hog Farm & Ranch Equipment John Brown Farms Johnstone Auction Mart Kelln Solar Kramer Trailer Sales Kyle Welding & Machine Shop Lane Realty Corp. Linthicum Ranch Man-SK Gelbvieh Manitou Maine-Anjou Masterfeeds Merck Animal Health Milligan Biofuels Moose Creek Angus N.M. McMahon Chartered Professional Accountant New Life Mills New Vision Agro

48 29 49 28 50 49 48 49 49 10 50 50 50 49 14,16 48 25 48 48 49

Norheim Ranching Peak Dot Ranch Pneu Dart/Target Cattle Concepts Prairie Dog Feeders SK Angus Assoc. SK Beef Industry Conference SK Livestock Finance Co-operative SK Ministry of Agriculture SK Ministry of Trade and Export SaskTip Simply Ag Solutions Smeaton Fencing SODCAP Inc. Solvet Sweet Pro Western Litho Y Coulee Land & Cattle Co. Young Dale Angus Youngs Equipment

11,52 3 45,48 48 50 4 9 20 27 33 48 49 40 18 48 49 41 50 13

You are invited to attend the Commercial Cattlemen’s Beef on a Bun Friday November 29th

owing Immediately foll l Cattle Show the Commercia hange in the Stock Exc 6 pm) (approximately

Proudly Sponsored by:

NOVEMBER 2019



Order the Bud Williams Livestock Marketing book today!

Some discounts apply until Dec, 2019! Visit www.stockmanship.com or call 417-719-4910 for more information!

PRAIRIE DOG FEEDERS LLC

www.edwardjones.com

Fastest, easiest, most economical way to control prairie dogs! Feeder distributes bait from 4-wheeler! www.prairiedogfeeders.com Feeder can be used to control Richardson's Ground Squirrels!

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

Call Austin at 303-621-5967

Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund

Machine & Products Ltd.

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

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

Working to create opportunities for farmers in Saskatchewan We are a Canadian distributor for Pneu-Dart Habitat Protection & Enhancement Phone: 306-955-5477 / 1-866-298-7222 www.simplyag.ca

Pneu-darT

Graham McKenzie

306.861.7074

INC.

Dale Watson

306.861.4618

NOVEMBER 2019

STOCK WATER TROUGHS Made of 12 gauge galvanized metal

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

www.johnstoneauction.ca

Popular sizes: 400, 500, 1000 Imperial gal.

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

Kyle, SK 306-375-2271 kylewelding@sasktel.net | www.kylewelding.com

Cowtown Livestock Exchange Inc. Maple Creek, SK

Regular Sales every Tuesday @ 10:00 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

Your AD could be here! Contact 306-757-8523

COWCAM

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

Security & Communications Ltd.

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!

We have your hauling needs covered. Check out our website to see what we have in stock or call 1-306-445-5000 and we can discuss your trailer needs. Custom orders available!

GOOSENECK, BUMPER PULLS

Financing & Leasing

DUMP, UTILITIES, CAR HAULERS

aVaiLaBLe

15’, 20', 25' LENGTHS

GOOSENECK, PECKOVERS

kramertrailersales.com

Animal Nutrition Programs designed to achieve optimum health, results & profits – delivered with service beyond the competition.

“Masterfeeds is the only brand we trust. It just works.” MASTERFEEDS CUSTOMER SASKATCHEWAN:

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

NEW VISION AGRO Box 479 Hague, SK S0K 1X0

BEEF & BISON FEED AVAILABLE IN: COMPLETE FEED PELLETS SUPPLEMENTS MASH FEEDS

CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-FEEDMAX (333-3629)

NOVEMBER 2019

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!

Smeaton Fence Supplies Ltd. Box 222, Smeaton, SK Canada S0J 2J0 Phone or Fax (306) 426-2305

TOM JENSEN, President

SUPPLIER OF AG FENCING & GAUCHO CATTLEMAN HIGH STRENGTH REVERSE TWIST BARBED WIRE

B R E E D E RS Saskatchewan Stock Growers Associa�on, Advoca�ng for Independent Ca�le Producers in Saskatchewan for 106 Years.

SSGA MEMBERSHIP

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association has entered into a partnership with Flaman to increase Memberships and Subscription readership.

Your AD could be here! Contact 306-757-8523

Drive Helen Finucane

phone: 306-584-2773 cell: 306-537-2648 Carlyle, SK

As of September 1, 2008 the Saskatchewan Stock Growers will be offering a major prize Annual Online draw for all paid new and renewal of existing 12’ BERGEN STOCK TRAILER 2 Year Old Bull Sale memberships as follows: Specs: Full rear door, side door,3rd Friday in March The sponsored membership prize by Flaman will be a

slots for side window slides, rock guard, 2-3,500 lb toreflex axles

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

New or Existing Memberships:

The member that sells the most SSGA new memberships will receive a free registration for two to the2009 SSGA AGM.

1 year

$105.00

1 entry

2 year

$194.25

2 entries

2 year spousal

$97.12

1 entry

3 year

$262.50

3 entries

3 year spousal

$131.25

2 entries

$1050.00

10 entries

$525.00

4 entries

Life be here! Your AD could Life spousal

Call now!

All draws will be made at the 2009 SSGA Annual Convention

306-757-8523 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 ________________________________

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com NOVEMBER 2019 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

Your Livestock Equipment Specialists Welcome to the

Next Generation of Feed Processors

Lee Norheim - Saskatoon

1.306.227.4503

Kelcy Elford - Moose Jaw

1.306.690.5209

Find Norheim Ranching in the Affinityplex #928

www.supremeinternational.com 1.800.563.2038 WWW.NORHEIMRANCHING.COM