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Beef Business ‘
Saskatchewan’s largest circulated industry magazine Saskatchewan`s Premiere Cattlecattle Industry Publication Saskatchewan's Premier Cattle Industry Publication September 2020
A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Publication Publication Mail Agreement #40011906
Working for Producers
Programs Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) provides financial incentives for programs that preserve, protect and restore habitat on the land for waterfowl and wildlife. These programs also provide other benefits for improvement of soil health, prevention of soil erosion, and flood and drought prevention. Here is a list of our current DUC programs that are offered in our priority areas:
Forage Programs
Ducks Unlimited Canada currently offers several types of 10-year forage programs, including:
Z Forage Incentive Programs Z Pays $35 per acre for establishment of any perennial forages
Z Receive an additional rebate of $100 per 50lb bag if seed purchased from Nutrien Ag Solutions
Z Forage in Rotation Program – DUC agrologists work with you to implement forage into your crop rotation. Rotational forage is one tool to combat clubroot, and with DUC offering $35 per acre, it’s a win-win.
Z Marginal Areas Program – DUC agrologists work with you to address areas on your land that are growing poor crops due to excessive moisture or salinity. DUC will pay $125 per acre to seed these areas to forage. The remaining cultivated acres continue to be farmed to maximize your crop yield so you can profit on the most viable acres of your field.
Purchase of Land DUC purchases land for the purpose of restoring and protecting habitat on the parcels. DUC pays fair market value for land and retains ownership of 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 wetland habitat on the parcels and then sell the land with a CE.
Long-term Lease The long-term lease program (minimum 10 years) provides annual compensation to landowners based on the crown land cultivation lease rates. DUC pays for all restoration (grassland and wetlands) and manages the land for the period of the lease.
Rangeland Programs Z DUC provides financial assistance to landowners for costs associated with constructing a new perimeter barbed wire fence (up to a maximum of $5,000) in exchange for protecting the wetlands and upland habitat on the parcel
Z DUC manages its lands through haying and grazing tenders,
Wetland Restoration If wetlands have been drained or altered on your land, we can help restore them to their natural levels. These projects can be combined with other programs such as our CE, lease or forage programs.
Conservation Easements (CEs) DUC signs a CE with the landowner, who agrees to protect the natural value of the land (wetlands, native prairie and tame grasslands) in perpetuity in exchange for DUC providing financial compensation.
and invites producers to use portions of our land in exchange for a fee, then invests those proceeds back into local conservation programs. Contact your local DUC office for more information on this program.
Some conditions apply. For more information contact DUC at 1-866-252-3825 or email du_regina@ducks.ca
SHANE JAHNKE TERRITORY MANAGER, SASKATCHEWAN PH: (306) 222-6614 SHANE.JAHNKE@VETOQUINOL.COM
Available in plastic bottles
CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN
Contents
Beef Business
Cover photo courtesy of Sherri Grant, Val Marie, SK
A Proud Saskatchewan Tradition Since 1913
A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) Publication Industry News 6
Seventeen Years Later, BSE Nightmare May be Ending
7
AGM Update
8
SSGA Directory, Meatocracy App Help Producers With Direct Sales
10
Wetlands Project to Look at Drainage, Water Quality
12
WLPIP Premiums Reflecting Normal Market Volatility
13
Financial Incentives for Landowners to Protect Greater Sage Grouse Critical Habitat
14
Irrigation Project Offers Huge Potential
16
Livestock Marketers of Saskatchewan
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 Advertising Inquiries Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Tel: 306-757-8523 Fax: 306-569-8799 ssgacommunications@sasktel.net Subscriptions Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Tel: 306-757-8523 Fax: 306-569-8799 email: ssga.admin@sasktel.net
Markets and Trade 17
Retail Meat Price Survey
18
Weekly Charts
20
Directory
Subscription Rate: 1 yr $26.50 (GST included) Published 5 times per year
Features
Design and Layout: Jackson Designs Candace Schwartz Tel: 306-772-0376 email: cjacksondesigns@gmail.com
Feedlot Directory
22
Fall Vaccination of Beef Calves for Protection Against Respiratory Disease
27
There’s Reason for Cautious Optimism as Packing Capacity Recovers
29
Big Markets, Small Markets, Storytelling, and Trust
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
Science and Production 32
Livestock Services of Saskatchewan Year in Review
35
Active Missing Livestock Stewardship
36
Stewardship Tool For Farmers: Adding Native Perennials in Low-yielding Cropland Areas or Edges Association News, Reports and Events
38
In Memory of Jack McDougald
40
SSGA President's Report
43
Advertisers Index
44
Business Directory
cycle This M a
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SSGA reserves the right to refuse advertising and to edit manuscripts. Contents of Beef Business may be reproduced with written permission obtained from the SSGA Manager and proper credit given to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. Articles submitted may not be the opinion of the Association. SSGA assumes no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader from this publication based on any and all information provided. Publications Mail Agreement #40011906 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses (covers only) to: Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Box 4752, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4
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
Follow us on facebook.com/skstockgrowers
Contributors Nathan Erickson Fonda Froats Carolyn Gaudet Jeff Gaye
Bill Huber Chad MacPherson Jason Pollock Diego Steinaker
@SK_StockGrowers
SEPTEMBER 2020
www.skstockgrowers.com | ŠBEEF BUSINESS | 5
Industry News Seventeen Years Later, BSE Nightmare May be Ending by Jeff Gaye
Canada’s long national BSE nightmare might finally be nearing its end. The immediate fallout from the discovery of a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or “mad cow disease”) in a beef cow in 2003 was devastating to Canada’s livestock industry. The effects are still being felt in our international trade. By the standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (known by the French acronym OIE), Canada’s current status is “controlled risk” for BSE. The Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has applied to have the status changed to the most favourable ranking, “negligible risk.” A country may apply for negligible-risk status 11 years after the birth of its most recent case. According to David Moss, general manager of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), CFIA broke new ground working together with the industry to assemble a robust application. “This is the first time CFIA has done this, in recent times anyway,” Moss said. The agency turned to many stakeholders and sectors within the industry to build their submission—feed mills, renderers, packing plants, and producer organizations including the CCA. “The submission is made to OIE by CFIA, as the responsible regulator, but assistance with collecting of data, submission of the marketing data, and communication of data, and just all different aspects of the application, we worked together on,” he said. “And it was a resounding success.” Moss says the intensive industry-wide effort assembled an excellent submission that was ready well in advance of the OIE deadline.
6
“The submission was due at the end of July, and we were done and ready to go probably by the end of June. We submitted early and had it in OIE’s hands at least two weeks before the deadline,” he said. OIE will now study the submission, and may return to CFIA with questions. This would normally be expected in September or October, notwithstanding OIE’s own challenges dealing with Covid-19 restrictions. At that point, CFIA has just 24 hours to respond. Moss says the whole industry is ready to move quickly if OIE has questions about the application. “The team is kind of on standby. And if we get a request from OIE it’s all people on deck,” he said. The next step is an OIE subcommittee review before the application goes before the OIE main body. Moss says he expects a decision around May 2021. As an OIE member, Canada is represented by CFIA appointees at the subcommittee level and in the deciding body. These people will not be eligible to participate in the decision-making process for Canada’s application, but Moss said they were able to advise CFIA and its industry partners and help build their strong submission. One possible snag is the difference between Europe and North America on the handling of specific-risk material, or SRM, from beef carcasses. Despite the differences, Moss says both processes are valid and he expects the science will carry the day. Canada’s BSE status to date has been a technical barrier rather than a reputational one as far as international trade is concerned, Moss says. If anything, Canada’s up-front handling of its BSE crisis has cemented its positive reputation as an honest trader.
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“It’s typical of us as Canadians, we follow rules quite well. Just look how we’re dealing with our pandemic in comparison to other countries,” he said. “From the BSE perspective, we’ve always been above and beyond the global testing requirements, and the tests that we’ve written for BSE are more robust than other countries. We have a four-factor BSE test versus the two-factor. You add all these things together and our reputation globally for genetics and meat quality and eating experience is extremely high.” He said Canada’s SRM removal protocols gained us international credibility, and our own consumers’ confidence in our products after the BSE discovery was unprecedented. “Canada was the first country in the world to get BSE and have beef consumption go up. It never happened before,” he said. “Again, it’s our ability to communicate to our consumers that there’s strict quality and safety controls in place in Canada.” Should OIE approve the negligible-risk application, Canada will be able to make up some ground in markets like South Korea. Currently, as trade agreements with that country progress, the US has a slight tariffrate advantage over Canada and is one year ahead on tariff reductions. Canadian beef that is exported to the US, and then sold to South Korea, has to be segregated from the US “negligible-risk” beef. This results in significant discounting of the price of the Canadian product. Add to that the additional high-risk material that must be removed from Canadian beef carcasses because of our controlled-risk designation, and the disadvantage becomes even more severe. “It’s referred to in ‘street wording’ as longlist versus short-list SRM products. The
SEPTEMBER 2020
Industry News 107th AGM is Going Virtual US is working off the short list and we, unfortunately, are on the long list,” Moss said. “So it’s about 53 to 58 kilograms of our end product that we have to keep out of that animal that the US does not. And of course, that gives us a competitive cost disadvantage that can be upwards of $25 to $35 a head. So moving to that negligible-risk status helps pave the road for us to make a legitimate request to go to the short list.” While still working towards a favourable outcome on the BSE file, Moss says he is excited about the possibilities raised through a new working relationship between the industry and CFIA. The agency has said it wants to apply this new template to other projects, and Moss believes there’s potential to deliver more positive results on other issues. Already the team is working on its application to use the short list for SRM products in case the negligible-risk application is approved.
The AGM is scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 pm on Wednesday, October 14. In addition to conducting SSGA business, registrants will hear an update from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association’s 107th Annual General Meeting will take place virtually next month. “We had been hoping to meet in-person,” said SSGA president Bill Huber. “We held off as long as we could before deciding to hold the meeting online, but the pandemic situation is still uncertain. People have to make plans, so we had to make a decision.” The AGM is required under the SSGA bylaws, and is an important opportunity to put forward resolutions coming from members through their Zone meetings. Board elections are another part of the official business conducted at the AGM. Six Director-At-Large two-year terms are expiring, and elections will be held for those posts.
The deadline for submitting resolutions and nominations is October 1. “Our members’ safety was our main concern in going virtual,” Huber said. “We also have to think of our responsibilities to the community at large. We’ll do what’s necessary, and we’ll look ahead to our usual AGM and Convention next year.” The planning process for the 108th AGM, to be held in Assiniboia, is already underway. Registration for this year’s virtual meeting is now open on the SSGA website. The agenda and other details will be posted as they are finalized. B
“I think it was a very good eye opener for CFIA about how you can work effectively with industry,” he said. It’s just been a very refreshing engagement with them over the last year, year and a half. And that’s certainly a credit to Siddika (Dr. Siddika Mithani), the president of CFIA. She’s just a wonderful person and we enjoy working with her so much.” “It’s nice to talk about a good news story for a change,” Moss said. “We need one of those.” B
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Industry News SSGA Directory, Meatocracy App Help Producers With Direct Sales by Jeff Gaye
There are a couple of new ways for producers with meat for sale to get the word out. The SSGA has begun operating a directory of producers offering direct sales of beef; and Meatocracy is a new app that connects all kinds of meat producers with potential customers. The SSGA directory was created to help producers sell their product and earn some money during this spring’s concerns that the usual supply chain would be backed up due to Covid-19 outbreaks at packing plants. “Nobody was sure how that situation was going to turn out,” said SSGA president Bill Huber. “And of course, nothing’s 100 per cent certain even now.” Many producers already offered meat for sale at the farm gate, and many more turned to direct sales in order to keep income flowing while the packers were fully or partially closed. “Even a temporary loss of packing capacity creates uncertainty for producers with cattle to sell. When consumers buy their beef from the farm gate, they’re getting great value while helping out their local farmers and ranchers,” Huber said. “And people like to know where their food comes from,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for consumers to meet the people who produce the top-quality beef Saskatchewan is famous for.” Producers can register online through the SSGA. There is no cost for SSGA members. “Initiatives and opportunities like this are part of the benefits of joining,” Huber said. Consumers can find the directory on the SSGA website, skstockgrowers.com. Meanwhile, meet Meatocracy. The farmgate meat sales app has been up and 8
running since the end of June, and as of late August had 90 producers and 2,600 customers signed up.
to ensure that their web store is optimized and it looks good and they’ve got nice product descriptions.
According to owner Lyndon Lisitza, the app (which can be operated from a mobile phone or through the website), is designed simply to connect buyers and sellers.
“But the nice part is that we worked to make these store fronts completely compatible with multiple social media platforms.” This way, he says, you can share your Meatocracy “web store” page on your Facebook or Instagram accounts.
“We initially created it due to what we saw was just a general increase in demand for localized food and especially for meat,” he said. Lisitza says Meatocracy offers more than one way to get the word out that you have meat for sale. The first way is through the app itself. “For a producer it’s pretty simple,” he said. “A producer can sign onto the app saying that they’d like to sell meat. They can set their market radius and then they can specify whether they want to do delivery or pickup, or they can offer both.” For each producer, Meatocracy creates a virtual “storefront” with products and prices—from ground beef only, to bulk sales like quarters, halves, or whole animals. Then they set up their banking info for payment, and they’re ready to go. “Every producer who signs on it will build their store out on the mobile app. But in addition, they get their own personalized web site, same functionality as the app,” Lisitza said. “We work with every producer
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When a buyer and seller agree on a transaction, Meatocracy collects from the customer and transfers the money directly into the producer’s account. Lisitza says it’s a great way for customers to find farms with meat for sale, and to connect with local producers. “This is a good opportunity to just log into the app, see what’s available from your local farmer and just order it online and have them deliver it to you,” he said. Meatocracy is paid by commission. For every transaction, the seller pays a seven per cent commission, plus a 2.9 per cent credit card processing fee. For buyers, especially for urban dwellers who don’t know their local producers, it’s a good introduction to farm-direct meat sales. And for sellers, Lisitza says it’s an easy and convenient way to be seen by new potential customers. “It’s just a convenient shopping experience,” he said. B SEPTEMBER 2020
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In the Hub of the Livestock Industry since 1967 SUNDAY
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Industry News Wetlands Project to Look at Drainage, Water Quality The SSGA is working with the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association and the Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm near Langham on a project to develop and study a water drainage plan for the property. The project is one of 11 agricultural water demonstration projects being funded by the Water Security Agency (WSA) under a $1 million program. Greg Ottenbreit, the minister responsible for the WSA, made the announcement in July. The WSA will partner with 10 different stakeholder organizations to conduct the 11 projects. The program will allow the agricultural and environmental communities to develop solutions and practices for managing water on agricultural land, while mitigating effects on the quality and quantity of water draining downstream. The project being undertaken by SSGA, the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association and Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm will look at a 40-acre site on the farm. The site has permanent wetlands as well as lands that seasonally hold water from spring snow melt.
Weiseth said, and how effective that is for protecting water quality by reducing nutrient losses in runoff water. “We’re very fortunate to be working with the Saskatchewan Stock Growers on this project,” he said. “And really where our collective interest lies, is one of our treatments will look at what impact regenerative agriculture practices like poly-cropping, cover cropping, forage crops, that sort of thing has on protecting water quality.” The treatment would include a mixture of species with legumes in the mix. “And the idea being with the legumes, of course, you would have a lower fertilizer application at seeding compared to a cereal or oilseed crop,” Weiseth said. “And with that lower fertilizer application, you would expect a larger uptake and removal of nutrients from the soil, and subsequently a reduced pool of nutrients that is susceptible to runoff in that snowmelt water.”
The project will demonstrate drainage techniques that take the amount of water into consideration, as well as the nutrient load the water is carrying. Weiseth said Discovery Farm would like producers to have a look at the findings and implement what would work for them on their own operations. “Part of the role of the project is to demonstrate how effective these practices are. We’ve designed them using commercial equipment and things like that, so the idea being that if a producer sees what we’re doing and becomes interested in it, they can quite readily adopt it and incorporate it into their own operation,” he said. According to the WSA, each of the 10 funded projects will bring a different perspective on water management and will help contribute agronomic, environmental, infrastructure and economic expertise. continued on page 14
Blake Weiseth, the Discovery Farm’s Applied Research Lead, says they’ve worked with WSA to develop a drainage construction plan on the property. “What that will do is consolidate a number of these smaller wetlands into a more permanent wetland on the property, or to another appropriately identified outlet on the property,” he said. Those activities are slated to happen this fall. “Then we’re going to be following that up. Some fieldwork will happen this fall already, but largely next spring we’ll be starting a multi-year field study,” he said.
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The project will look at what impact a well-designed drainage plan has when implemented in conjunction with other beneficial management practices, 10
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Industry News WLPIP Premiums Reflecting Normal Market Volatility by Jeff Gaye
Beef prices are volatile by nature, but the added volatility associated with the Covid-19 pandemic appears to have subsided. Nonetheless, the Saskatchewan government has decided to continue its 40 per cent subsidy to help cover Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP) premium jumps. Under the program, the government has covered 40 per cent of increased premiums since February 25. The program was to be reassessed September 1, at which time Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) decided to extend it to December 31. The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) has added an additional 8 per cent payout to offset premium increases, and has also extended its program to December 31 to match the SCIC program. “Volatility in the premium has really subsided and has been back to normal, and even in some spots below normal for quite some time,” said Jodie Griffin, WLPIP program coordinator for SCIC. “The escalation and the volatility was really more in April, May, and part of June. But since then, it has come back down into what we would consider normal volatilities for the premium. There’s been no payouts for a while now,” Griffin said. WLPIP allows producers to buy insurance against falling prices. The producer determines the “floor” price they want to insure, and pays premiums based on the risk.
“It may seem a little bit lacklustre in dollars because I think a lot of people had thought it was 40 per cent of the total premium, and that wasn’t the case. It’s that volatility piece that’s the main driver of premium calculation,” Griffin said. And, she adds, the 40 per cent premiumincrease subsidy is a Saskatchewan-only program. “The WLPIP is a collaborative effort with the four western provinces, and Saskatchewan was the only one that took the lead on that.” “For those that are eligible and are receiving the premium rebate, if they have not paid their premiums on their calf policies or their feeder policies, that premium rebate will automatically be applied to what is owed,” Griffin said. “They will receive a statement that will show that the rebate has been applied, and the balance is what is owed to SCIC for them to come in and pay.” The SCA portion will be paid by cheque and mailed to eligible producers.
Griffin also encourages producers to have a look at the Livestock Set Aside program that was established to help deal with pandemic fallout. The Government of Saskatchewan contributed up to $5 million for Saskatchewan’s 40 per cent cost share in the National AgriRecovery Set-aside program. This program is a partnership between the Saskatchewan government and the federal government. “Saskatchewan livestock producers now have access to a total of $12.5 million dollars under the Set-aside program,” Griffin said. “The Set-aside program came into play due to the Covid-19 as it impacted packing plants that experienced temporary closures. This created a backlog of marketready cattle and bison in Saskatchewan.” The program helps with managing the cost of holding back market-ready livestock while processing plants deal with the backlog of animals caused by Covid-19 outbreaks. This program is designed exclusively for finished livestock.
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Tensioned Loop for Newborns
COMPRESSION ANALGESIA
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The higher the floor price, the higher the premiums.
DELAYED CASTRATION
Built-in Cutter Self-locking Loop
With Covid-19 introducing new volatility into the market, the Saskatchewan government announced in May that it would subsidize 40 per cent of the premium increases (not 40 per cent of the total premium) effective February 20.
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Industry News
“It’s based on a per-head per-day basis to cover that additional cost. We encourage those producers who are applying to put the cattle or the bison into the set-aside to maintain those livestock on a maintenance ration over a defined period of time. Cattle and bison that come into the program cannot not be on the program any longer than 63 days,” Griffin said. She says the set-aside and the premiumincrease subsidy reflect the Ministry of Agriculture’s commitment to helping the livestock sector deal with the effects of the pandemic. And the WLPIP, in general, is an important risk-management tool for producers. “This insurance product is so important to our industry to protect them against an event like we are going through right now,” Griffin said. “And then when you’ve got costs to purchase that go way out of the norm of what they would normally pay, Minister Marit [agriculture minister David Marit] felt it to be very important to try to provide as much assistance as we possibly could.” On a related note, she adds the WLPIP cash settlement window starts on September 14. “The largest participant in the program is our cow-calf sector,” she said. Fall run is about here, and if any of those producers have questions give us a call. We’ll help them through it.” B
Financial Incentives for Landowners to Protect Greater Sage Grouse Critical Habitat The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) in partnership with the South of the Divide Conservation Action Program Inc. (SODCAP Inc.) have successfully implemented “Results Based Conservation Agreements” (RBCAs) with producers of two Grazing Corporations, Val Marie Grazing Corp and the Beaver Valley Grazing Corp, to protect 50,626 acres of Greater Sage Grouse Critical Habitat. In total, these two grazing corporations are responsible for managing 160,000 acres of native grasslands, which includes critical habitat for several species in addition to the Greater Sage Grouse, such as Sprague’s Pipit, Swift Fox and Mormon Metalmark. RBCAs were developed so that the Grazing Corporations are rewarded financially upon achieving the results. “Results” refers to habitat targets described below, that a producer can manage for, over and above the current normal industry standards for livestock production. These habitat targets for species at risk are measurable and quantifiable, based on the current state of knowledge and within the ecological potential of the range site. Habitat targets for species at risk are greater than the habitat that exists under normal agricultural practices, which provide for basic forage and livestock needs. For
example, important habitat attributes the greater sage grouse include healthy and robust sagebrush plants for food and cover and forbs for food for the chicks. Litter is also important for cover, enough to hide in but not so much that it would impede movement of the birds. Healthy grasslands in good range condition are necessary for foraging and brood rearing areas. These types of agreements are nonprescriptive, meaning that the producer is the decision maker. During the summers of 2019 and 2020, SODCAP staff and contracted students monitored the habitat targets on lands under agreements to determine if habitat requirements were met. The monitoring protocol used for Greater Sage Grouse included eighty 100m transects and followed habitat characteristics that can be influenced by livestock grazing: forb canopy cover, herbaceous droop height, sagebrush robel pole and litter loads. Upon achieving the Habitat Targets for Greater Sage Grouse, producers from both Grazing Corporations received a financial payment incentive based on $3.50/ acre per year. This project was funded by the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and the US National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). B
Critical Habitat for Greater Sage Grouse protected at Val Marie Grazing Corp. Photo credit: Diego Steinaker
SEPTEMBER 2020
www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 13
Industry News Irrigation Project Offers Huge Potential Jeff Gaye
A multi-phase $4 billion expansion of the province’s irrigation system will provide major benefits for agriculture, secondary industries and communities in Saskatchewan, according to Aaron Gray of the Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association (SIPA). The project, announced by the Saskatchewan government in July, will upgrade and expand irrigation infrastructure from the Lake Diefenbaker basin. It will be conducted over three phases and will take 10 years to complete. When finished it will more than double the irrigable land in the province. Work on Phase 1 will begin this year. Gray says the increased irrigation capacity will be a huge boost for the beef industry’s entire supply chain from forage crops to feedlots, and could even position the province to attract a major packer or processing company. “Every time you can turn on a milliondollar rain at the at the flip of a switch, especially for value-added—when you can guarantee you can have your feedstocks for your animals year in and year out and can bank on so many tonnes a year—that’s a win for any type of industry,” he said. Gray says the ability to expand reliable production will create all kinds of synergies among different industries. Byproducts from corn grown for ethanol production, for example, can be used in feedlots, as can wheat straw. “You can dramatically increase tonnage of corn and you can grow direct feedstocks for your cattle, but that’s not where the value-added is,” he said. “Basically it’s from the processing facilities. It’s your byproducts that are created. “Look at our ethanol plant right now. The dry distiller grains that come out are perfect for feedstocks.”
14
He says the number of feedlots in the Lethbridge-Taber area of Alberta is related to the success of irrigation projects there and the proliferation of related activity. “You get millers or cleaning facilities or processing facilities with byproducts, let alone being able to grow your own crop or your corn or big barley silage,” he said. “And the nice thing too, is when you have irrigated wheat, for example, you grow so much straw. Instead of putting it back into the ground, you want to get rid of it. And what better use than to have a feedlot at your back door that you can supply straw? Every industry complements everybody if they can grow the crop.” “But if you have no rain, you have no grain.” Gray predicts that more efficient and predictable feed supplies will encourage expansion of the feeding sector, and this could eventually attract a packing plant. “There’s no reason why that could not happen. We did have a packing plant in Moose Jaw, the plant is still there, and it’s not very far from the end of Phase 3,” he said. “The more feedlots you put up the cheaper and more feasible it will be to put a packing plant in instead of having to truck the cattle west to get slaughtered. That’s a very good possibility.” Whether it’s meat or other food products—Gray mentions the Cavendish Farms potato plant in Lethbridge— Saskatchewan’s infrastructure is ready to handle growth, he said. The availability of workers from Saskatoon would benefit growers near Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project, and Moose Jaw and Regina are near the Global Transportation Hub with its road and rail connections.
“If you get the value-added crop producers, the employment can easily come out of the city and it might start migrating young families into the rural area. And it just might start revitalizing the schools in some of our towns,” he said. A provincial government news release says the irrigation projects are building blocks for regional economic development in Saskatchewan. “Initial estimates show the investment will result in a $40 to $80 billion increase in the provincial Gross Domestic Product over the next 50 years. The project is estimated to create 2,500 construction jobs a year, over the next 10 years,” the release reads. Gray says “it’s just something that has been long overdue for Saskatchewan—to try to make the Palliser Triangle’s desertlike conditions profitable. “The land is good here,” he said. “Just some years the tap doesn’t turn on at the right time.” B
Wetlands cont. from pg. 10 “Agricultural water management is extremely important to our economy and the environment, but every region of our province is different,” Ottenbreit said. “We need to listen and learn from, and work with farmers and ranchers on the landscape. “These projects will allow stakeholders, WSA and local leaders to better understand how we can solve complex water management issues.” B
Reliable, less weather-dependent production could also re-energize smaller communities by bringing in workers and their families.
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SEPTEMBER 2020
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LIVESTOCK MARKETERS OF SASKATCHEWAN 306-933-4404 | office@agribiz.ca | livestockmarketers.ca
Cowtown Livestock Exchange AM Tyler Cronkhite Box 730 | Maple Creek, SK S0N 1N0 306-662-2648 | cowtown.ls@sasktel.net www.cowtownlivestockexchange.com Heartland Livestock Services AM Stewart Stone Suite 210- 4401 Albert Street Regina, SK S4S 6B6 306-566-4303 | stewart.stone@hls.ca www.hls.ca Holdstock Livestock OB/AS Roger Holdstock Box 564 | Weyburn, SK S4H 2K7 306-842-3144 | jholdstock@sasktel.net JGL Livestock OB/AS Bill Jameson RR 280 Hwy #1 West, Box 40 Moose Jaw, SK S6H 4N7 306-692-4911 | office@jglcattle.com www.jglcattle.com Johnstone Auction Mart Ltd. AM Scott & Wayne Johnstone Box 818 | Moose Jaw, SK S6H 4P5 306-693-4715 info@johnstoneauction.ca www.johnstoneauction.ca Kelvington Livestock Clint Peterson Box 640 | Kelvington,SK S0A 1W0 306-327-4642 kelvstockyards@sasktel.net www.kelvingtonstockyards.com
Mankota Stockmen's Weigh Co. Ltd. AM Chris Williamson Box 248 | Mankota,SK S0H 2W0 306-478-2229 mankotastockmens@sasktel.net www.mankotastockmens.com Miller Livestock Order/Buy Co. Ltd. OB Deryl Miller Box 60 | Saskatoon,SK S7K 3K1 306-382-3277 | millerlivestock@sasktel.net www.millerlivestock.ca Northern Livestock Sales Lloydminster AM Brent Brooks Box 930 | Lloydminster, SK S9V 1C4 306-240-5340 brent.mlstockyards@sasktel.net www.northernlivestocksales.ca/LLS Northern Livestock Sales Meadow Lake AM Brent Brooks Box 130 | Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1Y1 306-240-5340 brent.mlstockyards@sasktel.net www.northernlivestocksales.ca/MLS
Prairie Livestock OB/AS Dion Huel Box 964 | Moosomin,SK S0G 3N0 306-435-3327 | office@prairielivestock.ca www.prairielivestock.ca Saskatoon Livestock Sales AM Pat Tellier Box 60 | Saskatoon,SK S7K 3K1 306-382-8088 admin@saskatoonlivestocksales.com www.saskatoonlivestocksales.com Spiritwood Stockyards (1984) Ltd. AM Justin Kahl Box 160 | Spiritwood, SK S0J 2M0 306-883-2168 | SSY@sasktel.net www.spiritwoodstockyards.ca Weyburn Livestock Exchange AM Roy Rutledge Box 1504 | Weyburn, SK S4H 3N8 306-842-4574 wle@weyburnlivestock.com www.weyburnlivestock.com
Northern Livestock Sales Prince Albert AM Brent Brooks Box 186, South Elevator Road Prince Albert, SK S6V 5R5 306-240-5340 brent.mlstockyards@sasktel.net www.northernlivestocksales.ca/PALS
AM - Auction Market | AS - Assembly Station | OB - Order Buyer
Adele Buentter | Bay 6A 3602 Taylor St E | Saskatoon, SK S7H 5H9 16
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Markets and Trade RETAIL MEAT PRICE SURVEY as of August 27, 2020 ($/lb)
SUPERSTORE
SAFEWAY
SOBEYS
COOP
SAVE ON FOODS
Ground beef- lean
$4.00
$6.00
$7.00
$2.99
$6.36
Ground beef - regular
$4.29
$4.50
$4.50
Cross rib roast
$6.48
*
$9.51
*
$18.03
$18.03
Outside round roast
$7.20
*
*
$6.00
$10.01
Inside round roast
$7.99
$10.01
*
$8.00
$10.01
Rib eye steak
$12.00
$22.04
$19.03
$20.45
$23.54
Round steak
$11.49
*
$10.01
Sirloin steak
$8.68
*
$8.00
$9.01
$6.99
T-bone steak
$10.90
*
$17.03
Rib roast
Tenderloin
$5.50 $9.09
$22.72 $25.05 $25.03 *these items were not in the display case on this date
$25.04
178B CATTLEMEN’S CHOICE RIFLE PACKAGE $650.00 178B ONLY $500.00 389 CARTRIDGE RIFLE $1,200.00 196 CARTRIDGE RIFLE $1,100.00 10CC DARTS $32.00 PER PACK
SEPTEMBER 2020
www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 17
Markets and Trade
220 210
2017
200 190
2018
180
2019
170
2020
160
260 250 240
2017
230 220
2018
210
2019
200
2020
190 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
230
Price per hundred weight
SK Weekly Average Price 500-600 lbs Steers
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
2017 2018 2019 2020
CDN $ - US terms
0.78 0.76 2020
0.74
2019
0.72
5 yr avg
0.70 Wk 1 Wk 4 Wk 7 Wk 10 Wk 13 Wk 16 Wk 19 Wk 22 Wk 25 Wk 28 Wk 31 Wk 34 Wk 37 Wk 40 Wk 43 Wk 46 Wk 49 Wk 52
0.68 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
0.80
190.00 180.00 170.00 160.00 150.00 140.00 130.00 120.00 110.00 100.00
Source: CanFax
Source: Bank of Canada
Lethbridge Barley Price
Alberta Weekly D1 & D2 Cows 310.00
115.00 110.00 105.00 100.00 95.00 90.00 85.00 80.00 75.00 70.00 65.00
2017 2018 2019 2020
Price per tonne
290.00 270.00 250.00
2017
230.00
2018
210.00
2019
190.00
2020
170.00 150.00
Wk 1 Wk 4 Wk 7 Wk 10 Wk 13 Wk 16 Wk 19 Wk 22 Wk 25 Wk 28 Wk 31 Wk 34 Wk 37 Wk 40 Wk 43 Wk 46 Wk 49 Wk 52
Price per hundred weight
Source: CanFax
Weekly Canadian Dollar
AB Fed Steer Prices
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
18
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SEPTEMBER 2020
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SASKATCHEWAN FEEDLOT DIRECTORY 7L FEEDERS LTD Lot Capacity 10,000 Kelly Friesen, Danny Reimer & Brandon Reimer Box 790, Porcupine Plain, SK S0E 1H0 Cell: (306) 813-7033 Email: 7LFeeders@gmail.com
CEYLON GAP FEEDERS INC Lot Capacity 20,000 Luis Medoria Cortez Box 128, Ceylon, SK S0C 0T0 Ph: (306) 454-2250 Fax: (306) 454-2216 Email: luis@ceylongapfeeders.com Facebook: Ceylon Gap Feeders
L-7 FEEDERS Lot Capacity 2,500 Chad & Crystal Ross Box 1087, Estevan, SK S4A 2H7 Fax: (306) 634-7762 Cell: (306) 421-6346 Email: chadross@xplornet.ca
BAR JB RANCH LTD Lot Capacity 6,000 Eric Buyer Box 40, Carnduff, SK S0C 0S0 Ph: (306) 717-8905 Website: www.barjbranchltd.com
DIETRICH FARMS LTD. Lot Capacity 2,200 Jim Dietrich Box 68, Mendham, SK S0N 1P0 Ph: (306) 628-4249 Cell: (306) 628-7170 Email: jdietrich@sasktel.net
LIVING SKY BEEF Lot Capacity 1,500 Ryan Thompson Box 263, Ceylon, SK S0C 0T0 Ph: (306) 815-7401
BEZAN LAND & LIVESTOCK LTD Custom Grazing & Feeding Lot Capacity 1,200 Layton Bezan Box 1726, Regina, SK S4P 3C6 Cell: (306) 537-8898 Fax: (306) 775-0444
DUCKWORTH RANCHES INC. Lot Capacity 2,500 Gerry Duckworth Box 37, Courval, SK S0H 1A0 Cell: (306) 630-8760 Fax: (306) 394-4211
BIRCH ISLAND LAND & CATTLE Lot Capacity 8,000 Ben Stuart Box 122, Rhein, SK S0A 3K0 Ph: (780) 888-7303 Email: birchislandsk@gmail.com BLUESTONE STOCK FARMS Lot Capacity 500 Jason & Karla Hicks Box 265, Mortlach, SK S0H 3E0 Ph:/Fax: (306) 355-2265 Cell: (306) 630-7466 Email: bluestone@sasktel.net Website: www.bluestonestockfarms.com
EXCELLERATOR GENETICS Lot Capacity 4,000 Ron Dietrich Box 116, Moosomin, SK S0G 3N0 Ph: (306) 435-9381 Email: excellerator@sasktel.net Website: www.excelleratorgenetics.com FLOTRE FEEDERS Lot Capacity 1,000 George Flotre Box 21, Bulyea, SK S0G 0L0 Ph: (306) 725-4510 Cell: (306) 725-8292 Email: gjflotre@gmail.com
BUFFALO PLAINS CATTLE CO Lot Capacity 25,000 Phil Lynn Box 674, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 4P4 Ph: (306) 624-2381
HI-LITE CUSTOM FEEDLOT Lot Capacity 5,000 Dan and Jeff Stevenson 6-4, R.R. 1, Melfort, SK S0E 1A0 Ph: (306) 752-3665 Fax: (306) 752-4405 Email: danny.hi.lite@yourlink.ca
BURNTOUT CREEK RANCH Lot Capacity 4,000 Jordan Kowal Box 36, Crooked River, SK S0E 0R0 Cell: (306) 873-0129 Email: jordanfkowal@gmail.com
JDC AG Lot Capacity 3,000 Jeremy Dennis Box 447, Yorkton, SK S3N 2W4 Ph: (306) 786-2888 Cell: (306) 641-5110
20
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M & T FEEDLOT Lot Capacity 3,500 Greg Thompson Box 336, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 4N9 Ph: (306) 694-5314 Fax: (306) 693-8822 Cell: (306) 631-7413 NBI FEEDYARDS INC Lot Capacity 10,000 Kees Kokke Box 9, Peebles, SK S0G 3V0 Ph: (306) 697-1510 POUND-MAKER AGVENTURES LTD. Lot Capacity 28,500 Brad Welter Box 519, Lanigan, SK S0N 1C0 Ph: (306) 365-4281 Fax: (306) 365-4283 Email: pma@pound-maker.ca Website: www.pound-maker.ca PRIMROSE LIVESTOCK LTD Lot Capacity 17,000 Steve Primrose Box 2117 Swift Current, SK S9H 4V1 Cell: (403) 382-9998 RED COAT CATTLE FEEDERS INC. Lot Capacity 18,500 Kevin Antworth Box 86, Hazenmore, SK S0N 1C0 Ph: (306) 264-3844 Fax: (306) 264-3206 Email: info@rccf.ca SHUR-LIVESTOCK EXPORTING & TRUCKING Lot Capacity 800 Norm Shurygalo Box 308, Beinfait, SK S0C 0M0 Ph: (306) 388-2329 Fax: (306) 388-2321 Cell: (306) 421-3482 Email: shur01@sasktel.net
SEPTEMBER 2020
SASKATCHEWAN FEEDLOT DIRECTORY SMITH RANCH Lot Capacity 1,500 Terry Smith Box 64, Mendham, SK S0N 1P0 Cell: (306) 628-7742 Email: terrysmith7742@gmail.com SUNNY SLOPE CATTLE LTD Lot Capacity 2,500 Don Bowyer Box 1744, Maple Creek, SK S0N 1N0 Ph: (306) 662-2901 Fax: (306) 662-4450 Cell: (306) 741-4375 Email: don@sunnyslopecattle.com Website: sunnyslopecattle.com TEE TWO LAND & CATTLE CO. Lot Capacity 2,500 Duane Thompson Box 285, Kelliher, SK S0A 1V0 Cell (306) 795-7277 Email: teetwo@xplornet.com
TD3L HULL RANCH Lot Capacity 2,000 Terry & Debbie Hull Levi Hull Box 160, Willowbrook, SK S0A 4P0 Ph/Fax: (306) 782-7295 Cell: (306) 641-6270 Email: td.hull@yourlink.ca
WILLOW PARK RANCH Lot Capacity 2,000 Josh Wurz Box 70, Tessier, SK S0L 3G0 Ph: (306) 237-9510 Fax: (306) 237-9511 Cell: (306) 220-0400
TOP GUN FEEDERS Lot Capacity 10,000 Derek Lawton Moose Jaw, SK Ph: (780) 712-0763 Email: derek@titanlivestock.com WESTWOOD LAND & CATTLE CO. Lot Capacity 10,000 Kevin Woods Box 6, Moosomin, SK S0G 3N0 Ph: (306) 435-2102 Fax: (306) 435-4833 Cell: (306) 435-7313 or (306) 435-3711
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Feature Fall Vaccination of Beef Calves for Protection Against Respiratory Disease by Dr. Nathan Erickson
Principles of Controlling Respiratory Disease It has been well documented that respiratory disease in fall weaned calves is the most important cause of economic loss in this type of calf. It has also been well demonstrated that the cause of respiratory disease is multifactorial, meaning that there is not just one factor that puts calves at risk of disease, but rather a combination of factors. Clearly the pathogen (virus and/or bacteria) involved in the disease is required, but other factors are also needed to cause disease. For disease to occur calves will likely have experienced stress on their immune system such as that caused by weaning, transport, weather fluctuations, castration, commingling, dehydration or presence of other disease such as BVD, to name just few. It is possible that by changing the risk factors, the risk of disease could be mitigated; however, management is not always easily changed, and it is possible that the cost of the change may not provide a good return on investment. As a result, we typically rely on vaccines to aid in the control of diseases, such as respiratory disease. However, vaccination is not straightforward, especially with regards to effectiveness and appropriate timing. First to discuss perceptions of effectiveness. Effectiveness is difficult to assess on a broad level because the effectiveness of immunization (I say immunization purposefully because immunization means the immune system has responded to the vaccine that was administered, whereas vaccination simply means to administer the vaccine) depends upon the risk factors associated with the calves, the timing of administration, and handling of the vaccine. If a group of calves has a large number of, or more severe risk factors then the effectiveness of the vaccine will not be as good as a group of calves with few or less severe risk factors. An example that I often use is comparing two groups of calves - one group has a high percentage that are 22
intact bulls and the other group is all steers. Both groups are vaccinated with the same vaccine at the same time, but the intact bulls are also castrated on the day of vaccination. Inevitably the group with the bulls will have a much higher treatment and death rate from respiratory disease. A couple of the reasons for the higher than normal respiratory disease rates are: 1) The additional stress on the bull calves (castration) results in steroid release that suppresses the immune system, leading to a lack of response to the vaccine (they were not immunized) 2) The presence of the large number of non-immunized bull calves caused the other calves in the pen to be at higher risk because they were faced with a greater disease challenge Point 2 likely needs more explanation. Vaccines do not simply prevent disease, rather a vaccine helps to control the effect that a disease may have on an individual or group. A good vaccine applied appropriately should reduce the severity of disease, decrease the duration of shedding of the virus/bacteria, minimize the amount of virus/bacteria shed by an infected animal, and increase the amount of virus/bacteria that an animal needs to be exposed to, to cause disease. In the above example, the steers mixed with the bulls are put at greater risk of disease because the bulls will likely be shedding more disease and for longer periods, and this can overwhelm the immunity that had been established in the steers. This demonstrates that our management decisions clearly have trickle down effects to all of our calves. How we choose to manage and purchase calves can have an important impact on the effectiveness of our vaccine programs. The question of timing of fall vaccination has become important over the past few years and I believe that it will grow in importance over the coming years. The food production industry has observed increased pressure on the use of antibiotics for metaphylactic/preventive
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purposes. The pressure that has been applied to change the use of antibiotics is likely to continue and as a result we will need to find alternative ways to mitigate disease in weaned calves. Immunization of calves is an obvious option, however, we may need to rethink the timing of vaccination in order to better prepare immunity prior to disease challenge. Currently, the vast majority of the industry vaccinates on or near the day of weaning. This is not ideal because weaning, as another stressor, results in a release of cortisol, suppressing the immune system. This suppression can result in cattle not responding to a vaccine administered in the face of the stressor. It has been demonstrated that immunization is more likely to be successfully achieved if the calves are vaccinated 2 – 4 weeks preweaning, though the exact optimal timing has not been determined. It does not escape me that pre-weaning vaccination is difficult to manage from a time and labour standpoint. The challenges associated with preweaning vaccination are why it has never been widely adopted previously. Therefore, other options for improving post-weaning immunity should also be considered. Intranasal vaccination may be an effective tool at priming immunity when administered at weaning. Intranasal vaccines induce an immune response within the immune tissue within the nasal cavity of a calf; this is called mucosal immunization. Mucosal vaccination results in a rapid immune response, within hours of vaccination, which is protective against certain viruses/bacteria. However, more evidence is needed to show that the mucosal immune response is not suppressed by cortisol, the stress steroid, before this could be considered a viable alternative. Ultimately the deciding factor for the adoption of a vaccine program, or any health strategy for that matter, is going to be the economics. A program that shows a strong return on investment would SEPTEMBER 2020
Feature mean that the vaccination strategy was effective in terms of health and that the reduction in disease risk not only paid for the adoption of costs of the program, but also resulted in improved animal productivity over another disease control program or the absence of a program. Tools are available to aid in some this decision making. Recently the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) released a downloadable spreadsheet that helps calculate the risk of various scenarios. (http://www.beefresearch.ca/resources/ decisiontools.cfm) The risk analysis tool by BCRC used published data to determine the risk of economic loss as a result of various levels of disease within an otherwise equal group of calves. The calculator takes into account purchase cost, feed cost, loss due to mortality, treatment cost and production losses to determine the overall cost of respiratory disease within different scenarios. The calculator gives output based on a group of calves that arrived vaccinated or three groups of calves,
with three different treatment rates, that arrived unvaccinated. In the scenario that is published on the website, calves that were unvaccinated at arrival, in the best case scenario, had a $6/head greater loss than the calves that arrived vaccinated. The premium paid for the vaccinated calves was likely recovered, but when the difference is only $6/head it is difficult to call buying pre-vaccinated calves an economic win. However, if the worst case scenario is observed, the difference in loss is $171/head; in the worst case scenario purchasing pre-vaccinated calves is a clear economic win. How do you determine where on the spectrum between best case and worst case your calves would end up? This is difficult to determine and is where the art of risk management comes into play; risks including buying lighter/younger, bulls, non-vaccinated, or recently weaned and accepting greater disease risk at a cheaper price or risking a higher purchase price and hoping for a return on the investment. More often the risk of cheaper
higher risk calves is taken because the return is more likely. However, one approach that is unwise is to spread risk by buying both low and high risk calves and housing them in the same pens/ pastures or adjacent pens/pastures. The benefit observed in the purchase of lower health risk pre-vaccinated calves will likely be washed away if these calves are commingled within pens or housed in pens adjacent to higher health risk calves. The immunity of the prevaccinated calves can only withstand so much of a challenge before the benefit is lost through a challenge of disease which is great enough to overwhelm immunity. An excellent example of overwhelming immunity is found when a BVD persistently infected calf is placed in a pen of otherwise healthy calves. The presence of a persistently infected calf has been reported to increase the risk of treatment in its own home pen and pens adjacent to the home pen by 43%. While the mechanism is different in the BVD situation, we can see here that having continued on page 24
All ca�le everywhere will get some kind of a bid no ma�er what type of hodge podge group they are in: 1. Mixed quan�ty (300 pounds from light to heavy) 2. Mixed quality 3. Mixed breeds 4. Growthy & non-growthy Whoever buys them will make great money sor�ng them up and marke�ng them properly. There is no free lunch. If you want top dollar the ca�le need to be professionally sorted and sold by compe��ve bid. No excep�ons. Why take one offer? It might cost 3-4 cents per pound to get that done right, but it pays back 7 to 10 cents a pound. “Professional” means some one who knows ca�le and knows the orders. Good quality oats always sell for more money than the kind that has already been through the horse!
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www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 23
Feature Fall Vaccination cont. from pg. 23 calves with higher risk factors can impact the health of an entire pen. Another way to look at the situation of commingling lower and higher risk cattle is by considering the expected effect of a vaccine. If a group of poorly immunized calves is housed with well immunized calves, the poorly immunized calves will likely shed virus/bacteria at high rates for long periods and this will likely override the benefit of the protection of the well immunized calves. If disease pressure is too high, even good immunity can be overwhelmed. Immunization works, but its effectiveness is heavily dependent on producer management and proper application of vaccines. As a result, I strongly encourage producers to work closely with their veterinarians to develop immunization programs for their herds that are appropriate for the risk level of calf type being placed into their feeding operation. It is important to work closely with your veterinarian to develop the most appropriate immunization program for your herd because each herd is unique in terms of its risk factors and management. Making the correct choice of vaccine and using that vaccine properly can impact the effectiveness of your herd’s immunization program. There are a number of different vaccines available from various pharmaceutical companies and each one can differ on a number of factors including route of administration, dose size, and components (types of virus/bacteria included and carrying substance/adjuvant). Making a decision between these different vaccines can seem daunting, but working with your vet, through discussion of animal type and animal management, can help in making these choices. Practical Tips to Improve Vaccination Success It is important to work with your vet to determine which antigens are must haves for your herd and which may considered optional. To control respiratory disease, live vaccines containing antigen
24
(antigen is what the immune system responds to in the vaccine) components for viruses such as bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV1 but, also called IBR), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3), and bovine viral diarrhea virus types 1 and 2 (BVDV 1 and 2) should be included at minimum. Typically in respiratory disease, a viral infection occurs first and damage caused by the virus allows for secondary bacterial infection. Vaccines are also available for bacteria, including Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni.
Histophilus somni is most often found as a combination with a Clostridium vaccine (often we call these black leg vaccines); however, there are some other options available too. One challenge that we sometime have in including a Histophilus somni component is when there is also the need for tetanus protection. There is no clostridium vaccine that has both tetanus and Histophilus somni and if cattle are being castrated or dehorned, a tetanus vaccine should be considered mandatory; however, there are some options to get around this problem, but it will likely mean additional injections.
There are many different combinations of antigens in the different commercial vaccines. The 5 viral antigens mentioned above are typically found in one standalone vaccine, however, can also be found in combination with one or two bacterial components. Most commonly the 5 viral antigens are in combination with Mannheimia haemolytica, but other combinations are also available.
Vaccines can also differ in terms of route of delivery. Most vaccines are administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. In the last few years the industry has had movement toward the development of intranasal administration. Currently the only antigens for respiratory protection that are available by intranasal administration are BHV1 (IBR), BRSV, continued on page 26
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Feature Fall Vaccination cont. from pg. 24 PI3, Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. Recent field work that I conducted showed that there was no significant difference between using a viral intranasal or injectable product to prime immunity at branding/spring turnout time. Intranasal and injectable vaccines should be seen at very least as equivalent. However, intranasal vaccine may be the preferred choice if rapid immunity is needed. Intranasal vaccines, of which there are several viral and one bacterial currently licensed, have been shown to result in a rapid and protective onset of immunity. These may be useful in situations where large groups of non-vaccinated calves are commingled; however, we must also consider the amount of disease pressure present when measuring the effectiveness of any vaccine. If the disease pressure is very high even a vaccine with a rapid response may not be as protective as one may hope.
you never know when a chute is going to break or cattle are going to get mixed accidentally, etc. Also, when mixing the vaccine, gently roll the vial to mix the powder and liquid, and avoid aggressive shaking of the vial. Syringes should be cleaned after every day of use, but use only warm water in syringes that are used for live vaccines. Residues of soap and other disinfectants have been shown to remain in syringes and this will result in death of the live vaccine the next time the syringe is used. Change needles every 10 animals, whenever the needle is bent or if the needle gets contaminated (ie dropped etc.) and have a safe container to store used needles. Prior to use, routinely check the dosing of multi-dose syringes. This can be done by drawing clean water into the syringe, setting the dose and injecting a given number of doses into a single use plastic syringe. I typically
Vaccine effectiveness can also be affected by our handling of vaccines, including temperature, mixing technique, disinfectants, etc. Vaccines should be transported in coolers, but not placed directly on ice packs. Direct placement on ice packs could damage the viability of live virus/bacterial vaccines. Direct placement onto or below heaters in cold weather should also be avoided for the same reason. Vaccine should be stored in refrigerators, ideally on the center shelves and not in the doors, near vents or freezer compartments. The most temperature stable part of a fridge is the center shelves. Vaccine component viability can be disrupted by continuous temperature fluctuations, as well as extreme high or low temperatures. Vaccine mixing is important to consider as well. Live vaccines typically have a powder and liquid component that need to be mixed together prior to use. Once mixed, the vaccine is only stable for 1 to 2 hours, after this the live components will begin to become unviable. I typically recommend that my clients only mix as much vaccine as they can use in an hour;
26
inject 5 doses, 2 ml each, into a 10 or 20 ml syringe; if the dosing is off significantly I replace the multi-dose syringe. I have also begun checking brand new syringes as I have had problems with a few of them right out of the box. I use very few definitive statements, but this is one that I say unapologetically because of personal experience: never use bottle top mounted syringes, as the dosing is terribly inaccurate. If the animal does not get the correct dose of a vaccine it is less likely to mount an effective immune response. Vaccination to create proper immunization of your herd can seem a daunting task, but if proper techniques are used, and informed choices are made, vaccination will result in protective immunization of your herd. All the best this fall and I hope for everyone’s good health, both animal and human. B
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Feature There’s Reason for Cautious Optimism as Packing Capacity Recovers Jeff Gaye
Packing plant closures following Covid-19 outbreaks this spring threatened to create a critical backlog in the supply chain. Producers and feedlots were faced with the prospect of holding large numbers of cattle while a compromised system tried to keep meat production moving. There are lingering aftereffects, says Brian Perillat, Canfax manager and senior analyst, but the major packers are clearing the backlog and there is no panic. Barring, of course, a second wave or other disruptive event. “For the most part, it’s been a pretty good news story all in all, compared to where we were back in April,” Perillat said. “We’re basically seeing these packing plants have pretty much fully recovered and are back to pre-Covid capacity and slaughter rate. So much so that over the last 10 to 12 weeks we’ve been killing more fed cattle than a year ago,” he said. In March and April when plants were closed, many in the industry feared it would take months to work through the backlog. The resumption of operations, and the addition of Saturday shifts, have things moving again. Feeders and producers also managed their production in anticipation of a blocked system. That is helping the chain to recover lost ground. “Some guys started to push cattle back a little bit, feeding them later or lower gaining rations. Other guys just fed some of those cattle longer and bigger,” Perillat said. But aggressive processing numbers have allowed the industry to stay on top of the front-end cattle and have helped to manage inventories. “We’re probably close to 100,000 head of cattle not accounted for, that haven’t gone through the system. But that said, they’re not all pushing on the market or knocking SEPTEMBER 2020
on the door waiting to be processed,” he said. While there were about 100,000 fewer cattle slaughtered, there were almost as many that weren’t placed. The net result is comparable in the US, where approximately a million cattle were kept from the packing plant, but the same number were not placed. At the height of the shutdowns, there was a prospect of too many cattle vying for too little capacity, while too much retail demand was chasing too little output. The result would have been low prices for producers and feeders, with high prices to consumers. Perillat says that scenario began to play out before packing production started to recover. “The wholesale market went crazy, almost doubling old record highs,” he said. “Not quite, but going well beyond any past record high prices. But they did kind of come crashing down. From a demand level they caught some support, possibly even better levels than we expected. They went from $210 all the way to $475, and we’re talking U.S. wholesale prices. “And now they’re back to like $225. But you know, they only dropped as low as $200, so they didn’t go much below the pre-pandemic prices and have already started to come back.” Demand has remained strong, all things considered. The obvious hit on that side has been food service demand, with restaurants closing or severely limiting their service offerings. Typically half of end-consumer beef sales is through restaurants. The proportion has shifted in favour of retail sales of ground beef and better-quality middle meat cuts, Perillat says, as more consumers cook at home.
And scary stories about meat plants as hotbeds of infection didn’t capture the public’s imagination. “Consumers still like their meat,” he said. “If anything, one thing the pandemic showed is ‘do not short consumers of beef.’ Prices went through the roof because retailers and consumers wanted beef. And the demand is still very strong despite those other stories or fringe groups trying to push their agenda.” Beef markets are full of unknowns at the best of times, let alone in a global health crisis. This first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has introduced some uncertainty that will have to be resolved even if there isn’t a similar episode with a second wave. Perillat says the industry has to keep an eye on whether the packers can maintain production through the fall and winter, whether demand remains high, and whether export opportunities remain strong. Since May, 32,000 more cattle have been slaughtered in western Canada as packers moved through a backlog of about 130,000 head. “We still have a lot of cattle to work through, feedlots are still losing money,” he said. “Prices are depressed for fed cattle at the slaughter. Calves and feeders are actually above a year ago, but there continues to be these big numbers that are weighing on the market. “But barring anything terrible, it’ll slowly, I think, continue to realign closer to a year ago.” There are some opportunities to learn from this episode, but for now everyone is focused on getting back to normal. continued on page 28
www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 27
Feature Packing Capacity cont. from pg. 27 For consumers, Perillat said, “I think there was some talk that they realize how important agriculture is, how all the people along the whole supply chain are critical to them getting food. And that maybe there could be a little bit more strength there. But we’ll see. “I think everyone has a short memory span.” He says as far as lessons go for the supply chain, negative events and the accompanying uncertainty can make people nervous that it could always happen again. “Any time you have some of these uncertainties, people become a little bit more jittery or nervous at the producer level. I think for the most part, a lot of people are looking at business as usual, to be totally honest,” Perillat said.
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| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com
SEPTEMBER 2020
Feature Big Markets, Small Markets, Storytelling, and Trust Jeff Gaye
A smaller portion of an expanding global protein market still translates to good news for the beef industry, says Professor David Hughes. Hughes, Emeritus Professor of Food Marketing at Imperial College London, writes a weekly food market blog as “Dr. Food.” He spoke with Beef Business after his presentation at the recent Canadian Beef Industry Conference. He suggests that beef is in a good position to grow in volume sales even as its share of the overall protein market shrinks. He also says that moving away from a monolithic idea of commodity beef, and into more specialized products, is a good thing for the industry. He says his conclusions on the global protein market, based on pre-Covid research, may need to be moderated with new data. “Just about every country will experience some sort of recession, some of them pretty aggressive recessions, and that means smaller household incomes. And that means that people will be pinched. And when they’re pinched, they will tend to trade down,” he said. Nonetheless, he said there is a genuine consensus that “over the next five years or so, there will be a continued strong growth in protein overall and particular growth for meat.” The biggest market has always been, and will continue to be, for plant protein. But as the world’s population and economy grow, the demand for meat will grow with them. And beef, Hughes said, is “the clear premium item.” “It doesn’t matter where I go in the world,” he said. “You go to a retail store in Thailand, for example, and beef will be there. And it’s about three times the price of chicken. Three times the price of pond fish. Beef is placed at the premium end of
SEPTEMBER 2020
the market in almost all countries that I visit.” As people’s incomes increase in the socalled emerging world, Hughes said, “they want to eat more meat. It’s that simple, and that’s sort of brilliant.” The world market for beef protein should remain buoyant even in the Covid economy, he said, thanks to another pandemic: African Swine Fever, which has left China short of meat and looking to buy. “We would have expected, given that everybody is going into recession, that meat prices would have softened significantly. However, we’ve got a 20-million-tonne meat hole in the Chinese market and they’re a country which is not going into recession,” Hughes said. “Chinese demand for meat overall is holding up international prices. China has become far and away the largest importer of beef. It’s always been the largest importer of pork and it’s becoming the largest importer of chicken. So they’re just sucking meat from around the world to fill that 20-million-tonne hole.” A “differentiated market” Hughes talked about the opportunities presented by a market that is becoming fragmented—different customers are looking for different traits in the beef they buy. While the established beef industry may see this as a threat to the way they do business, Hughes says there is money to be made from differentiated product. “Unfragmented or undifferentiated I see as being weak, because that suggests the commodity: the commodity beef. And whenever I hear that phrase, the commodity beef, it immediately means two things: low margin and cyclical behavior,” he said.
The word “beef,” he explains, is a noun. When you offer a simple noun, the consumer’s choice is purely binary: yes they want beef, or no they do not. “The margin is in adjectives. What sort of beef? The trick is to find out what adjectives mean something to consumers and they’re willing to pay more for,” he said. With generic commodity beef, a consumer with certain environmental concerns might choose something else. Another consumer who fears growth promotants might be inclined to just say no. Other consumers have flavour preferences. With differentiated products, the industry has an opportunity to sell beef to all these people. “Isn’t it funny how the wheel turns? When I moved to Canada in 1973, Dominion was a significant supermarket chain. ‘Mainly because of the meat’ was their catch phrase,” he said. “If they sold grass-fed beef, what they meant, it was D-Grade. It meant it was the older beef from the dairy herd, sold at a substantial discount. “And then suddenly if you look over the last 20, 30, 40, 50 years, suddenly now in Whole Foods, grass-fed is perceived to be premium. The adjectives and the value change over time.” Commodity beef constrains total consumption, and differentiation or segmentation expands total consumption, he said. Marketers can then cater for the specific needs of subgroups. But, he says, “it also brings cost.” Hughes speaks of the Canadian Wheat Board and the Fonterra dairy co-op in New Zealand as examples of commodity organizations that dealt in—and continued on page 30
www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 29
Feature Markets cont. from pg. 29 pushed—undifferentiated commodities. The approach simplifies their supply chains and reduces costs, “but they miss out on the higher value opportunities,” he said. “It complicates the whole process. The supply chain and people who are commodity-driven will always push back against that.” Value is lost when an industry tries to push its commodity into the market. Higher margins, added value, and even increased sales volume come from responding to market demand. “If you come from a commodity background, then almost by definition you put yourself into a production-push
frame of mind,” Hughes said. “How quickly can we get product through the plant and get that to use the physical plant at 100 per cent? That’s what they want to do.” Producers are the best spokespeople Canadian beef can do much more to stand out in consumers’ minds at home and abroad, he said. “Particularly in the prairies, you’ve got a brilliant story about food, for crops and livestock. And I don’t know, there’s always been a sort of reluctance to tell it,” he said. “The provenance link is the number one megatrend of the last year for the people who do all this sort of consumer research. It’s about storytelling. People want
transparency, they want traceability in the supply chain. And they want to know who produces it and how they produce it.” As a onetime non-executive director of a berry-farming cooperative in the UK, he found producers were the best spokespeople for agriculture. “When there’s an issue, get farmers to talk about it. It’s very, very powerful because city folk aren’t stupid folk, and they can spot integrity. “And Canadian farmers have got an astonishing amount of trust. Way more than the church or the police or politicians or anything like that. And, you know, you can leverage that as long as you don’t over-promise and under-deliver.” B
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SEPTEMBER 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020
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Science and Production Livestock Services of Saskatchewan Year in Review
by Jason Pollock, CEO, Livestock Inspection Services of SK
In fiscal 2019-20, LSS inspected a total of 1,665,644 head of cattle and horses which is a small 1.7% decrease from the 201819 fiscal total of 1,693,584 head. These animals were recorded during 185,748 inspections. The average animals per transaction has slowly risen as producer demographics and operations change. Based on the volume of the various classes and weights of animals inspected throughout the year, LSS has determined that the average value of animals inspected in the past year sits at approximately $1500 per head. This makes a total inventory estimated market value of $2,507,121,000 for all animals inspected for trade and/or transport out of Saskatchewan. During normal inspection duties, LSS staff often uncover transaction irregularities relating to prima facie proof of ownership (the brand) as well as to other identifiers and documents provided. These include expressions of interest from security interest holders, court orders, shareholders and sometimes family members. It is the inspector’s responsibility then, to determine whether a withhold or redirection of settlement may be in order. Many withholds initiated by inspection staff are temporary and are resolved without involving outside parties, as the inspector completes diligence around brand and producer transaction searches needed to verify claims of ownership by the seller. Should documents provided and inspector data searches provide inadequate information, the inspector will initiate a formal withhold under the authority provided by their powers as an inspector. Completed queries will help determine whether the proceeds of sale can be released to the seller, or perhaps redirected to another party. 32
Although many temporary withhold orders do not generate a hard statistic, a test reporting of efforts expended over the past two years shows 878 instances where proceeds for over 17,000 head were subject to extra LSS staff scrutiny prior to being released. Behind the scenes efforts to clear livestock do require significant effort by the inspectors if animals and settlements are to flow at the speed of commerce. During fiscal 2019-20 LSS inspection staff did record numerous incidents relating to the following irregularities: • Irregularities uncovered during 105 other inspections saw funds redirected to owners and creditors who were determined to be the correct recipients of the proceeds of sale. A simple calculation of both withhold and redirection benefits to the industry around ownership shows that the value of funds withheld/redirected far surpasses the total cost of inspection fees levied by LSS in the entire service. • Shipping without inspection is the most common infraction of the Inspection and Transportation Regulations, but there are several other offences related to noncompliance with the legislation as well. • It is appropriate to note that livestock inspection agencies in all western North America continually share information and cooperate in enforcement and compliance efforts in the interest of efficiency and protection for all industry players. This is especially important for Saskatchewan, as we are largely an export jurisdiction. • General investigations and herd searches were initiated at numerous locations as part of separate investigations initiated for
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•
•
•
•
parties with an interest in livestock inventory held, or possibly held at these locations. The background on many of these files are not clear cut and take significant resources to investigate the validity of claims and to complete the inspections, sometimes over the course of repeat visits in multiple locations. The outcomes do not always provide satisfaction to all but are a necessary part of diligence in administering the legislation. There were 83 files relating to reports of theft and missing livestock, which involve 418 head of cattle and horses with an estimated market value of $627,000. Six of the files were determined to be possibly criminal matters and are in varying states of investigation. Often livestock reported as missing with no immediate evidence of theft are later determined to have been harboured by a finder, and as such these files take some time to progress. Inspection staff also logged 35 other files relating to infractions ranging from failure to obtain a dealer license and bond, to failure to notify inspection, use of an expired brand and refusal to provide a manifest. LSS does provide unofficial support to Saskatchewan municipalities in relation to their administration of The Stray Animals Act. LSS does not receive compensation for these efforts but did respond to 57 reports of stray animals involving 112 head. Often LSS support in determining ownership of livestock found at large allows for timely removal from dangerous situations while minimizing costs to the municipalities and producers relating continued on page 34
SEPTEMBER 2020
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Science and Production LSS Year in Review cont. from pg. 32 to damages, capture and transport of these animals. The market value of these reported animals would be significant aside from the other savings incurred. LSS is responsible for administering the provincial livestock brand registry. At the end of last fiscal year, the Saskatchewan brand registry contained 14,315 active brands. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, the following brand registry activity occurred:
• LSS issued 230 new cattle and
LSS maintains an objective analysis of the services we provide as well as the tangible and perceived value to the livestock industry of Saskatchewan. The summary of this analisis is below.
horse brands, compared to 278 last fiscal year,
• LSS transferred 358 cattle and
horse brands, compared to 156 last fiscal year,
• LSS issued 90 lifetime cattle and horse brands, compared to 102 last fiscal year,
• LSS re-issued 1,955 cattle and
horse brands, compared to 2013 last fiscal year,
LSS appreciates the continued guidance provided by its membership. The SSGA has been an instrumental part of our success and we look forward to continuing to serve the producers of Saskatchewan in the coming year. B
• Total brands issued is 2,633
compared to 2,549 last fiscal year.
Cost to Saskatchewan Livestock Industry: Inspection fee collected Commission paid to livestock dealers for remitting inspection fees Net Operational Revenue from Inspections
$ 4,602,609 ($40,760) $ 4,561,849
Quantitative Benefits to the Saskatchewan Livestock Industry: Note: estimated average value $ 1,500 per head for all calculations Proceeds redirected to rightful owner; 2,903 head Stray animal identification, 112 head Reported missing or stolen livestock, 667 head Cattle/proceeds withheld for clearance in 2520 instances involving 12,342 head Value of regulated documents supplied to industry Measured Benefit to the Saskatchewan Livestock Industry Qualitive Benefits to the Saskatchewan Livestock Industry: LSS Inspection and Movement Database utilized by MoA/ CFIA Security provided to credit institutions allowing producers access to affordable credit Licensing administration and security held in trust by 139 Dealers and 290 Agents Management of the Provincial Brand Registry (13,770 Registered Brands)
$$$$ $$$$ $$$$ $$$$
Net Measured Value provided to the Livestock Industry by LSS
$ 19,551,801
$ 4,354,500 $ 168,000 $ 1,000,500 $18,513,000 $77,650 $ 24,113,650
Summary of Financial Position for year ending March 31, 2020 2020
2019
Total Assets
3,693,435
3,757,225
Cash, Investments and Accounts Receivable
2,669,448
1,152,869
Property and Equipment Revenues Income (Loss) After Expenses
34
| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com
0.00
0.00
5,168,497
5,216,796
204,989
440,923
SEPTEMBER 2020
Science and Production Active Missing Livestock Files September 2020
Area missing from
Number Animal of head description
Bredenbury
19
Kennedy
Brand description
Brand location
RCMP subdivision
Livestock Date reported Branch contact
Yearling steers/ heifers
Left hip/ right hip
Esterhazy
Yorkton (306) 786-5712
Aug 10, 2020
1
Bull
Right hip
Carlyle
Moosomin (306) 435-4582
Aug 14, 2020
Lipton
5
Yearling Heifers
Left rib
Southey
Yorkton 306 (306) 786-5712
Aug 17, 2020
Baljennie
2
Calves
Biggar
North Battleford (306) 446-7404
Jul 27, 2020
Not Branded
Information provided by Livestock Services of Saskatchewan
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Stewardship Stewardship Tool For Farmers: Adding Native Perennials in Low-yielding Cropland Areas or Edges Prairie ecosystems have some of the richest soils, that are black, porous, full of nutrients which provide habitat for a diverse array of insects, birds and mammals. Tilling has caused the quality and many of those nutrients to be lost in the soils. Over the past 20 years, no-till practices have begun the slow recovery of soil organic carbon. Although the soils have started to rebound, biodiversity on the prairies has continued to decline. The use of pesticides, herbicides, and the loss of habitat have led to reductions in insect and bird populations. The quality of waterways and wetlands has also decreased, under the influence of erosion and fertilizer runoff. To address the issue of soil loss and nutrient runoff, Iowa State University has
been researching adding native perennial species to cropland since 2007 in their STRIPS (Science-based Trails of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips) project. They have found that planting just 10% of cropland, either in-field or on the edge of fields, with native prairie species can drastically reduce soil loss and nutrient runoff. Researchers have found that small patches can make a big difference, where the multifunctional benefits of the native prairie strips outweigh the loss of cropland converted. The native prairie STRIPS are native species that can withstand heavy rain, and their deep perennial roots are more effective by improving infiltration, or raising soil organic matter. The use of cool season exotic grasses planted in monocultures would not provide the same benefits
as they are weak-stemmed and tend to lay flat under heavy rain. Adding native perennials throughout cropland, in lowyield areas or along field edges may be beneficial if your goals include reducing erosion and nutrient runoff, particularly in sloped fields. Using native, flowering, perennial plants creates more on-farm habitat for beneficial insects, such as pollinators. If additional pollinators would be beneficial to your crop yields, Stephanie Frischie, from the Xerces Society suggests to site pollinator habitat along field edges or other areas that are marginal for crop production. However, adding native vegetation and forbs interspersed through cropland as narrow strips
CFR 650 / 651 BALE PRO®
by Highline Manufacturing - A Division of Bourgault Industries Ltd.
CFR 650 BALE PRO® - Is a great option for cattle operations looking for a durable, well-engineered bale processor. The CFR 650 Bale Pro® has a dual feed roller processing chamber with a centrally driven flail drum processor (pictured left). Expand your CFR 650 by adding a Feed Chopper™ and Grain Tank with MGI™. CFR 651 BALE PRO® - Unlike the CFR 650 Bale Pro®, the 651 Bale Pro® has a slat and chain processing chamber with an offset flail drum. Expand your CFR 651 by adding a Feed Chopper™ and Grain Tank with MGI™.
FEED CHOPPER™ The Feed Chopper™, exclusively from Highline®, is a secondary processing option to create shorter cut lengths. Rather than stationary knives that pulverize or drag leaves off of stems, the Highline® Feed Chopper™ truly slices through the hay creating an optimal consistency. The Feed Chopper™ is a great alternative to tub grinders.
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Stewardship may actually lead to habitat sinks for pollinators and other wildlife, where they can be harmed or killed by insecticides. Therefore, wherever the habitat is located, it is important to protect pollinator habitat from pesticide exposure through drift, soil and groundwater. Habitat can be protected from pesticide exposure through physical distance or by planting evergreen trees or grasses (which attract fewer insects) as a buffer. We all know that farmers are working against very thin margins and with a lot of uncertainty. Reducing even 10% of their potential acres seems like it would be a gamble. However, by adding native perennials, the costs of inputs on low-yielding acres would be reduced. For mixed farm operations, the native perennials can be grazed or hayed, adding additional value. Just like any native seed planting, adding native perennials require a modest
investment in site preparation and seed planting. Maintenance tasks include some mowing in the establishment years and spot treatment for weeds. There are programs available in certain areas that can help with the cost of seed for these native prairie perennials. In Saskatchewan, there is the CheeriosXerces program supplies pollinator habitat seed mixes to farmers who are interested in using a variety of crop rotations and conservation practices, willing to plant diverse forage blends and wildflowers seed mixes, maintaining the plantings for at least 5 years, able to protect pollinator habitat from pesticide impact and interested in sharing their story with others. For more information, you can contact Stephanie Frischie at stephanie. frischie@xerces.org or 219-208-5879. There is also funding from ALUS Canada in certain watersheds in southern Saskatchewan. Since 2006, when ALUS
Canada first started working in the Prairies, there have been improvements in 3,400 acres of grassland projects, 1,200 acres of wetland projects and 400 acres of tree projects. ALUS projects have resulted in doubling of insect species and tripling of insect abundance, significant nutrient capture, and small increases in soil carbon with much larger increases over long term. More information can be found here: https://alus.ca/home/get-involved/ participer-au-programme-alus/ B
Packing Capacity cont. from pg. 28 “If there’s a second wave or something more extreme happens, we may be questioning things more. But right now, most people are just trying to recover with the old system to get us caught up on cattle numbers.”B
SSGA 2020 AGM Resolutions Zone 3 & 12 WHEREAS Health Canada recently released their decision on the re-evaluation on the license of strychnine for the control of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (RGS); and WHEREAS there is currently no equivalent or adequate alternative to strychnine as an option for controlling the overpopulation of RGS on agricultural lands.
Up to 20% off orders placed by 15th Oct
BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the Government of Canada to reconsider their decision to cancel the registration of strychnine for the control of RGS. Zone 4 BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA voice its opposition to the use of the term ‘meat’ as a descriptive of plant based products, by partnering with other meat producing organizations such as pork, lamb, chicken and turkey and taking the opposition forward to the appropriate authorities.
SEPTEMBER 2020
***Fall fencing specials*** 20% off iSeries remote and energizer when purchased together. 15% off M1500. 10% off posts. 15% off in stock energizers
www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 37
Association News, Reports, and Events In Memory of Jack McDougald Jack became active in the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association in 1956. Opposition to the idea of a marketing board for the cattle industry was para¬mount in those years. He served as president of the association in 1961 and 1962. In recognition of his contribution to community and the livestock indus¬try, the Saskatchewan Livestock Association present¬ed Dad with an Honour Scroll in 2014.
John (Jack) Andrew McDougald passed away at Maple Creek on May 31, 2020 at the age of 94 years. Jack was born August 27, 1925 to James and Florence (Cumberland) McDougald in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and was raised, along with his two younger brothers, in Maple Creek, while spending time on the Y Bar ranch south of Maple Creek. In 1939, at the age of 13, Jack joined the Reserve Army. That year, his unit, The 14th Canadian Light Horse, was the last unit to take horses to camp at Dundurn. In 1943 he enlisted in the Canadian Army, taking basic training at Saskatoon, Kingston, and Hamilton. World War 2 ended just as his unit was completing their training, so his hope to go overseas did not come to be. He remained in contact with unit comrades ever since. He was forever proud to be a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, as it was the Legion that ensured that the young soldier would complete his Grade 12 at Regina, and helped former soldiers get into agriculture. After finishing with the army and high school, Jack returned to Maple Creek and began ranching. He was always open to innovative ideas regarding range management and cattle breeding. Being interested in good grazing practices led him to become an active member of the Society for Range Management for many years.
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Jack believed in a strong community through active participation. He served in various capacities with the Rural Municipality of Maple Creek, Cypress Lodge Special Care Home, Maple Creek Union Hospital, Saint Mary’s Anglican Church, Southwest Oldtimers Association, International Order of Odd Fellows, and the Royal Canadian Legion. For a number of years he drove for the Handi Bus, Seniors Taxi, and Meals on Wheels. A story from Christmas Eve 2018 gives us a picture of who Dad was. A news reporter, fresh to Maple Creek, had heard that the Anglican Church was putting on a supper for those alone at Christmas. He approached the church with apprehension. It seemed too quiet. There were no signs. Perhaps he was mistaken… A voice called, “are you here for supper?” The newcomer answered, “why yes I am.” “Well it’s this way, follow me, I’m Jack by the way. Come, I’ll show you where you can put your jacket. I’ll find you a place at the table, you can sit next to me.” And so it went that a newcomer was welcomed into the community. This account was in the newspaper the next week. Dad was forever welcoming, always meeting new people, and he loved learning and sharing. We know that Dad had a network of friends, young and old, greater than we will ever know. Going out for a cup of coffee with friends and neighbours was a great pleasure, if a game of crib or whist was on, so much the better. Music was important and there was a great variety
| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com
via radio, home stereo, dances, theatre, jazz festivals, music cafes, and internet radio. The telephone kept him in touch with friends and relatives constantly. He lived independently until recently, and took his last driving tour about Maple Creek in early March. In 1954 he married Ivy Park. Together they ranched until retiring to Maple Creek in 1987. They were active in the community. Dad rode his bike about Maple Creek for many years, and forever made a point of having a daily walk. He was a regular at the curling rink for many years. They did a good bit of traveling until Ivy passed away in 2003. Jack continued to do some traveling, and spent several winters in Victoria. Jack is survived by sons John (Renata), Angus (Darlene), Ray (Noelene), and daughter Claire (Doug Wilson); grandchildren Jolene (Mike), Cory (Nicole), Angela, Alexandra (Shawn), Jim (Louise), and Shaun, and numerous great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews, and sisters-in-law Jean McDougald and Evelyn Park. Jack was predeceased by his wife Ivy, brother Alex, and brother Dan & his wife Jackie. Jack was also predeceased by brother-in-law Cecil Park, sisters- and brothers-in-law Bernice & Clinton McPhee and Margaret & Bill Herbert. Due to COVID-19, a private graveside interment was held June 4, 2020, with the Archdeacon Peter Boote officiating. A memorial service will be held in the future as covid-19 restrictions allow. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to condolences@saamis.com, subject heading Jack McDougald. Those who wish to remember Jack may do so with a gift to St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, c/o Mary Anne Friday, Box 353, Maple Creek, SK, S0N 1N0, or the charity of one’s choice. B
SEPTEMBER 2020
Join Us Virtually
SSGA 107th AGM
October 14th, 2020
1:30 pm
Due to COVID-19 we will be holding our 107th AGM virtually. Members must register prior to October 9th, 2020 in order to receive the link to access the meeting and participate in the election of Directors at Large. Members can register by going to: www.skstockgrowers.com/event/ssga-107th-agm-convention Please submit resolutions by October 1st to: SSGA Office Box 4752, Regina, SK, S4P 3Y4 Phone: (306) 757-8523 Fax: (306) 569-8799 Email: ssga@sasktel.net SEPTEMBER 2020
Please submit nominations for Directors at Large by October 1st to: SSGA Office Box 4752, Regina, SK, S4P 3Y4 Phone: (306) 757-8523 Fax: (306) 569-8799 Email: ssga@sasktel.net | ŠBEEF BUSINESS | 39 www.skstockgrowers.com
Association News, Reports, and Events A Report From Bill Huber President, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association of Northern Saskatchewan while in the Central and South parts it was a mixed bag. If you were lucky enough to have received a shower or two, your hay and pasture could have been average, but some parts of the province are extremely dry and remain to be dry.
As I write, we are nearing the end of August and still in a strange environment because of the pandemic. There were days I thought the situation was improving and then the curve goes up again with more positive cases, I would like to commend Premier Scott Moe and the Government of Saskatchewan in the way they have dealt with the COVID 19 pandemic, to maintain the health and safety of everyone while working to keep the economy strong. Over the past few months, we have participated in regular conference calls with the Ministry of Agriculture and other livestock organizations to deal with some of the negative effects the pandemic has had on the agriculture industry and especially the livestock sector. We were there every Wednesday morning to support the Minister to try and help resolve some of the roadblocks we were faced with. As a result, two of the positive outcomes were the changes brought to the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP) premiums and the launching of a Livestock Set Aside Program to help support the feeding industry. The weather this spring and summer has been a little different to say the least. We saw flooding and too much rain in parts
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In just over a month from now, we will be heading into a provincial election and this year’s election will be a little different than past elections due to COVID. However, this opportunity only comes along every four years and it’s an important opportunity to communicate the priorities for the livestock industry to all parties and candidates. SSGA is currently drafting our election priority document for the livestock industry and it will be publicly available in the near future. I would like to encourage all livestock producers to reach out to your local candidates to help communicate the challenges and opportunities facing our industry.
been President. I would also like to thank, Deputy Minister, Rick Burton and all of his staff for all their hard work to help support and improve our industry. In closing, it has been a pleasure and an honour serving as your President for the last 2.5 years. I would like to thank all of our staff, Chad, Fonda, Sharon and Carolyn for the hard work and dedication they have shown, especially in the last five months. We will continue to work together in the months and years ahead to improve and grow this valuable industry that we all love and work in.
Bill
We are only a few short weeks away from the fall calf run and markets are fairly steady and we hope prices will remain strong with good demand for feeder cattle this fall. As you all know, our 107th AGM and Convention was postponed in June because of the pandemic. However, we have rescheduled the business portion of the AGM for October 14th at 1:30 pm. We will be holding the meeting virtually so we are asking everyone to pre-register by going to www.skstockgrowers.com. I would like to remind everyone that the deadline to submit nominations and resolutions is October 1st. This will be my last report as your President. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister Dave Marit and former Minister Lyle Stewart for the great working relationship we have had over the past 2.5 years that I have
| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com
SEPTEMBER 2020
Between now and December 31st, 2020 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 In addition to that, we will donate $250 per unit sold to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association to support their formidable cause.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Name: Address: Town: Postal Code: Telephone: Fax: E-mail:
❑ 1 Year $157.50 ❑ 1 Year - Spousal $78.75 ❑ 2 Year $291.38 ❑ 2 Year - Spousal $145.69 ❑ 3 Year $393.75 ❑ 3 Year - Spousal $196.88 ❑ Life $2625.00 $1312.50 ❑ Life - Spousal Annual Beef Business Magazine ❑ Six issues per year $26.25
(included with all memberships)
All prices include GST. Membership fees are tax deductible.
Please return completed form with payment to: Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Box 4752, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4
SEPTEMBER 2020
Mission To serve, protect and advance the interests of the beef industry in Saskatchewan through communication, education, research and advocacy to help ensure a prosperous, viable and healthy future for individuals and the the livestock industry
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association serving the Saskatchewan Cattle Industry since 1913 The SSGA is a non-profit organization established in 1913. The SSGA represents the cattle industry on the legislative front with a strong united voice focused on safeguarding the interests of producers by working to defeat or amend proposals that could negatively impact the industry and actively supporting proposals that will strengthen and advance the industry. These activities are carried out through SSGA representation on many stakeholder groups and committees.
skstockgrowers.com
www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 41
Association News, Reports, and Events
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
42
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 12 -
Henry McCarthy, Wawota Karen McKim, Milestone Kimberly Simpson, Congress Brad Howe, Empress, AB Bill Huber, Lipton Brent Griffin, Elbow Rod Gamble, Pambrun
| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com
478-2658 375-2934 436-7121 478-2558 662-3986 336-2684 266-4377 421-1495 642-5358 629-3238 544-2660 295-3852
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 Ben Rempel - SK Goat Breeders, Waldheim 321-7338 Gordon Schroeder - SK Sheep Dev. Board 933-5582 Marlene Monvoisin - Angus, Gravelbourg 648-3634 Jeff Yorga - Limousin Affiliate, Flintoft 531-5717
APPOINTED DIRECTORS
Dr. Andy Acton- Veterinary Advisor, Ogema
459-2422
SASKATCHEWAN CCA DIRECTORS 739-2205 436-7731 375-7939 661-0409 336-2684 854-2050 582-2077
Ryan Beierbach, Whitewood Lynn Grant, Val Marie Pat Hayes, Val Marie Reg Schellenberg, Beechy Duane Thompson, Kelliher
532-4809 298-2268 298-2284 859-4905 675-4562
Listings of email and fax numbers can be found on the SSGA website at www.skstockgrowers.com
SEPTEMBER 2020
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30 45 46 45 15 46 44 44 47 12 45 45 35 2 44 10 46 45 37
Gem Silage Grassland Trailer Hanson Fencing Heartland Livestock Services Hi-Hog Farm & Ranch Equipment Highline Manufacturing John Brown Farms Johnstone Auction Mart Kelln Solar Kramer Trailer Sales Linthicum Ranch Man-SK Gelbvieh Manitou Maine-Anjou Masterfeeds Merck Animal Health Milligan Biofuels N.M. McMahon Chartered Professional Accountant New Life Mills New Vision Agro
45 45 45 28 28 36 46 45 44 45 46 46 46 7,45 19 44 44 45 46
Norheim Ranching Northern Livestock Sales Orwig's Tubs Perlich Bros. Pneu Dart/Target Cattle Concepts Prairie Dog Feeders Rock Block SK Angus Assoc. SK Livestock Finance SaskTip Simply Ag Solutions Smeaton Fencing SweetPro Thunderstruck Ag Equipment Vetoquinol Western Litho Westway Feed Products Weyburn Livestock Exchange Young Dale Angus Young's Equipment
48 26 4 9 17,44 44 44 31,46 24 43 44 44 25,44 21 3 45 11 23 46 33,41
YOU CAN HELP SOLVE THIS CASE AND EARN CASH REWARDS IF THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE LEADS TO THE ARREST OR CONVICTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL(S) INVOLVED. (Calls are not traced or recorded and callers can choose to remain anonymous.)
A Leader Conservation Officer responded to a mature pronghorn antelope buck that was shot, killed, and left to waste sometime between noon on Saturday, April 25th and 10am Sunday, April Ap 26th. The pronghorn was found 5 miles West, 4 miles South and 400m East of Richmound, SK. There was no pronghorn antelope season on at the time.
Visit www.sasktip.com for all of the latest cases.
SEPTEMBER 2020
CASE 2
CASE 1
If you have any information regarding this case or other violations: Call the Toll-Free Turn In Poachers & Polluters Line 1-800-667-7561 Call #5555 from a Sasktel Cellphone (no text messages) Report online at www.saskatchewan.ca/tipp On April 28th, 2020, Estevan Conservation Officers investigated a shot and left pregnant cow moose at SW 18-06-05 W2, approximately 12km Northeast of Lampman, SK. The investigation indicated that th the moose had likely been shot and wounded on or before Saturday, April 25th, and succumbed to its injuries on Sunday, April 26th. There was no moose season on at the time. Follow @sasktip
www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 43
PROTECT YOU AND YOUR TRACTOR WITH
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We Move Water • Remote Livestock Watering • DeWatering • Irrigation • Winter Watering Solutions www.kellnsolar.com 1-888-731-8882
We have new books: Smile and Mean it: the Bud & Eunice Williams Story Stockdogs: Partners and Friends
Smeaton Fence Supplies Ltd. Box 222, Smeaton, SK Canada S0J 2J0 Phone or Fax (306) 426-2305
TOM JENSEN, President
Visit www.stockmanship.com or call 417-719-4910 for more information.
PRAIRIE DOG FEEDERS LLC
SUPPLIER OF AG FENCING & GAUCHO CATTLEMAN HIGH STRENGTH REVERSE TWIST BARBED WIRE
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
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
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| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com
Pneu-darT
Graham McKenzie
306.861.7074
INC.
Dale Watson
306.861.4618
SEPTEMBER 2020
All types of commercial and purebred livestock auctions and farm sales. Wash rack facilities for livestock
www.johnstoneauction.ca
Wayne or Scott Johnstone Box 818, Moose Jaw, SK 306-693-4715 (Bus) Fax 306-691-6650
MANAGE RISK We’ll help you get the best return for your livestock.
Phone 403-775-7534 www.cowsincontrol.com
CT
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
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 Joey 306-421-6950 hansonenvironmentalrentalltd@gmail.com
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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!
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Your AD could be here! Contact 306-757-8523
“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
SEPTEMBER 2020
www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 45
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)
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!
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
B R E E D E RS Your AD could be here! Call now! 306-757-8523
Your AD could be here! Contact 306-757-8523
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Associa�on, Advoca�ng for Independent Ca�le Producers in Saskatchewan for 107 Years.
Helen Finucane phone: 306-584-2773 cell: 306-537-2648 Carlyle, SK
Linthicum Ranch Ltd. Open replacement and bred heifers for sale. Black/black baldy heifers.
Contact: Man-Sask Gelbvieh President Joe Barnett at 403-465-2805
46
| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com
Murray & Jan Linthicum (306) 266-4377
Glentworth, SK
SEPTEMBER 2020
GUIDE YOUR HERD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION with the CLTS Resource Centre
Photo by Rob McDowall, Church Ranch
canadaid.ca
CCIA
CANADIAN CATTLE IDENTIFICATION AGENCY
The CLTS Resource Centre is your “how to” destination for everything Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS). Here you’ll find comprehensive step-by-step guides to easily navigate your way through the CLTS, on your computer or on your mobile device.
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Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS), captures regulated and volunteer livestock traceability data such as birth dates, move-in and retirement, data essential to a first line of defence in the event of an emergency.
Led by representation from 16 livestock organizations from across Canada, CCIA is the responsible administrator for beef cattle, bison, sheep and pending regulation cervids and goats in Canada (with some exemptions in Quebec).
Tags and tag accessories when you need them, 24/7. All approved beef and breed-specific breed tags, preapproved cervid and goat indicators, management tags, and readers available for purchase.
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