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
