Beef Business September 2014 by Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association

Beef Business â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

Saskatchewanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest circulated industry magazine Saskatchewan`s Premiere Cattlecattle Industry Publication

September 2010

September 2014

A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Publication Publication Mail Agreement #40011906

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Contents

Beef Business

Cover photo courtesy of Kylie McRae, Kisbey, SK

A Proud Saskatchewan Tradition Since 1913

A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) Publication General Manager: Chad MacPherson Administrative Assistant: Wilma Switzer Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Tel: 306-757-8523 Fax: 306-569-8799 email: ssga@sasktel.net OR ssga.admin@sasktel.net Website: www.skstockgrowers.com

Industry News 6

Livestock and Forage Steering Committee Update

COOL Fight Continues

4-H Member Donates Steer Proceeds to Children's Hospital

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Continues to Move Forward

Federal Government Announces New Labelling Regulation for Mechanically Tenderized Beef

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

Markets and Trade 11

Retail Meat Price Survey

Weekly Charts

Advertising Sales - Tracy Cornea Tel: 306-693-9329 Fax: 306-692-4961 email: tracy.cornea@gmail.com

Features 13

Ergot Poisoning in Saskatchewan Cattle

Big Beaver's Burgess Ranch Wins TESA

Get Better Before You Get Bigger

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

Design and Layout - Jackson Designs Candace Schwartz Tel: 306-772-0376 email: cjacksondesigns@gmail.com Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) Manager: Natasha Wilkie Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Tel: 306-352-0472 Fax: 306-569-8799 email: pcap@sasktel.net

Science and Production 20

Where's the Beef? Active Missing Livestock Files

Stray Livestock

26 27

A Report From the SSGA President SSGA 101st AGM Resolutions

SK PCAP - Invasive Species - A Significant Threat to Grasslands Biodiversity

Calendar of Events

Advertiser Index

Association News and Reports

Stewardship

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

facebook.com/skstockgrowers @SK_StockGrowers cycle This M a

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Contributors Barry Blakley Vanessa Cowan Jeff Gaye Doug Gillespie Fawn Jackson

Kathy Larson Chad MacPherson Leanne Thompson Cam Wilk

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

SEPTEMBER 2014

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Industry News Livestock and Forage Steering Committee Update The Livestock and Forage Steering Committee, established by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture in April, has issued an update on its activities. The update identifies the members of the Steering Committee and outlines its duties and responsibilities. The committee’s mandate is “to review research, training, and outreach capacity of facilities within the province, relevant to the ruminant livestock (with an emphasis on beef cattle) and forage sectors.” The committee is developing a plan to better coordinate livestock and forage research, development and technology demonstration, and adoption activities. Specific duties of the steering committee include providing recommendations on developing and managing integrated facilities and research programs to support the beef and forage sectors. It is also responsible for recommendations

regarding a move of Western Beef Development Centre to Goodale Farm. The committee will develop a governance structure to bring together the operation of livestock and forage research facilities, and promote the new structure to all stakeholders and potential participants. They are responsible to identify potential needs and sources of funding and other commitments from provincial government, U of S, and the livestock and forage industry. In its monthly meetings, the committee has discussed its intent to form a regional and national “livestock and forage centre of excellence.” Once they have drafted a plan, they will present it to the various stakeholders for feedback. The committee welcomes questions and comments. Committee members are: Appointed members of the committee include:

· University of Saskatchewan – College of Agriculture and Bioresources (Dr. Mary Buhr, Dean); Western College of Veterinary Medicine (Dr. Doug Freeman, Dean); Office of the Vice-President Research (Dr. Jim Basinger, Associate Vice-President Research) · Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture – Agriculture Research Branch (Dr. Abdul Jalil, Executive Director) · Forage and Livestock industry – Aaron Ivey, Murray McGillivray, Chad MacPherson, Tim Oleksyn, Janice Bruynooghe A copy of the committee’s July update can be obtained from the members listed above, or from the committee’s co-chairs Dr. Jim Basinger, 306-966-1615 jim.basinger@usask.ca; or Aaron Ivey, 306-795-7332 aaron.ivey@sasktel.net. B

COOL Fight Continues As of Beef Business’s press deadline there hasn’t been a formal announcement from a World Trade Organization (WTO)’s compliance panel review of US Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) legislation. Some publications have been reporting since late August that the result has been leaked and that it favours the position of the Canadian and Mexican governments. Agriculture and Agri-Foods Minister Gerry Ritz says he expects an announcement soon. The respective governments have been advised of the decision, and it will be released once the governments have had an opportunity to address the specific wording. The decision then has to be translated before it is released. The compliance panel was struck to examine whether new regulations within the COOL legislation bring the law into compliance with a 2011 WTO ruling, upheld on appeal in 2012. That ruling, and the subsequent appeal, determined that COOL unfairly discriminates against imported cattle in

the US market. Canada and Mexico had brought the initial complaint to the WTO. Meanwhile, a court case seeking to stop the implementation of COOL was rejected by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The court’s judges ruled 9-2 against an injunction application brought by the American Meat Institute and a coalition of beef interests including the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Opponents of COOL say the law is damaging the US beef industry. Regulations requiring imported cattle to be segregated from those born and raised in the US, and the administrative burden of tracking imported animals are discouraging American producers, feedlots, and packing plants from importing cattle. This is exacerbating existing supply shortages and affecting the ability of packers to operate profitably. Cargill announced in July that it is closing its Milwaukee processing plant, at a cost of 600 jobs, because of a shortage of cattle. COOL critics say a fully integrated beef

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market could have prevented the closure. They say the loss of processing capacity will make it more expensive for US producers to get their product to market and ultimately with fewer packers to sell to prices paid to producers will drop. This fall’s WTO compliance panel ruling is likely to be appealed no matter which way it goes. If Canada’s position is upheld on final appeal, Ritz has said Canada will impose strategic retaliatory tariffs on a variety of US products. Some members of Congress are urging the Administration not to appeal an unfavourable ruling, arguing that Canadian retaliation would have serious effects across the US economy. Ritz says he hopes a ruling in Canada’s favour this fall will convince the Administration and Congress to make serious changes to the legislation. “We won with the WTO in 2011 and 2012. Maybe the third time’s a charm,” he said. “I’ve often said this is a political solution to a problem that never existed,” Ritz said. “It’s time to move beyond politics and do the right thing.” B

SEPTEMBER 2014

Industry News 4-H Member Donates Steer Proceeds to Children’s Hospital The Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan project has another $70,000 to work with, thanks to 10-year-old Cadence Haaland and his 4-H steer. Cadence bought the steer last December, as his 4-H project, and sold it at the Prairieland Junior Ag Showcase finished beef sale in July. Pinnacle Builders of Martensville bought it for $13,000, and donations kept pouring in. CN Rail matched the donations to bring the total to the $70,000 mark. CN Rail’s “Miracle Match” program matches all donations made to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. Construction of the new hospital, to be located at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, is funded, but The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan (CHFS) is responsible for raising funds for

most of the equipment and furnishings. It also raises awareness and funds for pediatric medical research, equipment and patient care services across the province.

“Lots of 4-H kids donate, this was just done publicly to raise awareness and inspire others,” he said. Cadence, Cassidy and Cohen Haaland are members of the Hanley 4-H Beef Club. B

Cadence and his younger brother Cohen are dealing with a blood condition called hypogammaglobulinemia. The disorder affects their immune systems, and they require regular blood injections to help protect them from infections. The treatments allow them to live normal lives, but they are regular visitors to RUH. Cadence decided that donating the profits from his steer would be a good way to give something back for the care they have received.

The SSGA would like to encourage readers to donate to this very worthy cause. The following link will take you directly to the donation page:

Cadence’s proud father Chad Haaland is quick to point out that many 4-H members give their profits to charities.

https://www.childrenshospitalsask.ca/ sslpage.aspx?pid=480 or by mail at: Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan #1 - 345 3rd Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1M6

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SEPTEMBER 2014

2014-07-25 11:29 AM

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Industry News The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Continues to Move Forward to a large extent are already doing all of these things,” said Jackson.

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) from September 24 to 25, 2014, in Kelowna, BC. Spearheaded by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), the CRSB aims to be a national, multi-stakeholder initiative developed to advance existing and new sustainability efforts within the industry. The AGM will offer a couple of days of insightful discussions on sustainability initiatives that the CRSB is working on, defining sustainable beef, as well as providing attendees the opportunity to help set future goals for the organization. Defining Sustainable Beef The topic of defining sustainable beef continues to be of particular interest to industry stakeholders and consumers. Currently the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is working on finalizing the Principles and Criteria of Sustainable beef that will be rolled out at their Global Conference on November 2-5, 2014 at the WTC Events Center in São Paulo, Brazil. Once these are rolled out the regional roundtables will undertake the task of developing indicators. CCA’s Manager of Environment and Sustainability, Fawn Jackson, explained, “The GRSB is developing broad sustainability principles around categories such as animal care, food safety, community and environment. Examples of criteria under the environment principle would be things such as taking care of water, soil, air and biodiversity. The CRSB’s job will be to create country specific indicators for the criteria.”

The beef industry is under continual and growing scrutiny to prove that it is sustainable. “This is an opportunity for the Canadian beef industry to lead the conversation around defining sustainability and showcasing how we care for the land, animals and communities we live and work in,” noted Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, an Alberta producer and Chair of the CRSB. Benchmarking and Setting Goals for the Future In complement to the definition work being done, the CRSB is currently undertaking a sustainability assessment project. This initial project will enable the Canadian beef industry to benchmark where it is today and set targets and an action plan for the future. The assessment will benchmark the environmental footprint for natural resources such as water, biodiversity and air quality. It will also look at broader topics such as animal care, ecosystem services, community involvement and economic health. “This study will look at how we utilize our natural resources, as past sustainability studies have done, but also how we contribute to things such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity, water filtration and vibrant rural communities,” said Tom Lynch-Staunton from Livestock Gentec, and Chair of the CRSB Sustainability Assessment Committee. “For these reasons this will be the most comprehensive and robust sustainability study completed.”

“Development of indicators isn’t going to be a simple task, however our producers 8

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Objec=ves Principles Criteria Indicators Means of Veriﬁca=on

The sustainability assessment, which was initiated in March of 2014, is currently at the scenario selection stage, soon to be moving into the data collection phase. A survey for all aspects of the supply chain (from cow-calf to retailers and food service) will be coming out shortly to obtain data feedback. Supply chain stakeholders, including primary producers, should keep an eye out for it in the near future. This project is funded by the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund and members of the CRSB. “Defining sustainable beef, having the research behind where we are today and a strategy forward is going to really change the ‘sustainable beef’ conversation,” said Copithorne-Barnes. “We have a great story to tell and these endeavors are going to enable us to effectively communicate it.” Membership in the CRSB includes agriculture businesses, processors, beef producers, retailers, foodservice operators, NGOs among other industry sectors. Founding members include the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, McDonald’s Canada, the World Wildlife Federation, Cargill, JBS, Loblaws Companies Limited, Costco and more. To view the full membership, find out how to become a member and for more information on the CRSB visit www.crsb. ca or contact Fawn Jackson at jacksonf@ cattle.ca B

What are we trying to get done? What are we fundamentally trying to do, What is our intent? What conditions need to be met to achieve the principle? What are we going to measure? How do we verify the outcomes?

SEPTEMBER 2014

Industry News Federal Government Announces New Labelling Regulation for Mechanically Tenderized Beef The federal government has announced new labelling requirements for mechanically tenderized beef (MTB). The new labels are intended to help consumers know when they are buying MTB products and how to cook them.

Federally registered plants that produce mechanically tenderized beef cuts, such as steaks or roasts, have been required to label those products as tenderized and with cooking instructions since July 2013. B

Health Minister Rona Ambrose announced the regulation. “Without clear labels, it is difficult for consumers to know which beef products have been mechanically tenderized,” she said. Mechanical tenderization is a process that breaks down muscle fibre using needles or fine blades. When meat is tenderized in this way pathogens from the surface of the meat, which are easily killed through normal cooking, are introduced deeper into the cut. Thus, MTB needs to be cooked to a higher internal temperature than an untenderized steak or roast to be safe to eat. Health Canada has mandated that all MTB products sold in Canada must be clearly labelled as “mechanically tenderized” and include instructions for safe cooking. MTB should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 63°C (145°F). Health Canada recommends turning over mechanically tenderized steaks at least twice during cooking to kill harmful bacteria. The new labelling regulation applies to all industry sectors selling uncooked MTB to other industry members or consumers. This includes, but is not limited to, grocery retailers, butcher shops, meat processors, and importers of MTB. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will be verifying that labels meet the new requirements. Ambrose said “This announcement, along with new industry labelling guidelines we have released, will help Canadians know when they are buying these products and how to cook them.”

SEPTEMBER 2014

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©BEEF BUSINESS

SEPTEMBER 2014

Markets and Trade RETAIL MEAT PRICE SURVEY as of August 8, 2014 ($/lb)

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

CO-OP 4.49 NA 7.25 6.98 7.25 14.73 7.71 8.84 14.73 21.08

EXTRA FOODS 4.21 3.58 7.11 NA 5.99 NA 8.51 7.25 14.68 NA

SAFEWAY 2.99 4.19 8.19 NA 7.59 20.39 6.99 10.49 10.99 23.59

SOBEYS NA NA 7.92 12.69 NA 10.29 NA 8.83 9.99 21.50

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

John Williamson General Manager Ph: 306.478.2229 Fax: 306.478.2443

PO Box 248 Mankota, SK S0H 2W0 mankotastockmens@sasktel.net

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SEPTEMBER 2014

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Markets and Trade SK Weekly Average Price 500-600 lbs Steers 270 Price per hundred weight

250

2011 2012 2013 2014

230 210 190 170 150 130 110 Wk 1

Wk 22

Wk 43

Source: CanFax Source: CanFax

Source: CanFax

For more information visit www.canfax.ca

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Feature Ergot Poisoning in Saskatchewan Cattle by Vanessa Cowan, BSc hon. and Barry Blakley, DVM PhD

Historically in Saskatchewan, ergot contamination of livestock feed has not been a major veterinary concern. However, in the past three years, health problems in cattle associated with ergot have increased dramatically. In certain regions of Saskatchewan, ergot contamination has become the major feed-related poisoning. The economic impact associated with ergot exposure in livestock has been felt by crop producers, feed companies, and livestock producers. The issue of contamination has become progressively more severe for cattle producers in particular due to the current environmental conditions in Saskatchewan and the prevalence of beef production operations. Attention is required to reduce ergot contamination in animal feeds and decrease the consumption of moldy feeds by livestock. Existing Canadian feeding recommendations for all livestock species are currently under review. Ergot is the name given to a mixture of chemicals (â&#x20AC;&#x153;ergot alkaloidsâ&#x20AC;?) produced primarily by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Several ergot alkaloids in varying concentrations may be present in an infected feed sample. The relative alkaloid composition is partly dependent upon the plant species. It is assumed the effects of the alkaloids are additive. The total alkaloid concentration in a feed sample appears to be a reasonable indicator of overall toxicity to the animal consuming the feed.

farming practices such as herbicide application may enhance the growth of the fungus, resulting in greater ergot production. Low till or no till practices allow the fungus to remain on the surface of the soil and encourage further spread. It has been suspected that roadsides containing contaminated brome grass may be the primary source of fungal infection for cultivated fields. The spread of the fungus can be minimized if roadsides are cut on a regular basis. Grasses heavily grazed on pasture are rarely infected since the flowering or seed stages do not have the opportunity to develop. Rotational grazing has the potential to be problematic, but has not been reported.

The fungal infection invades the plant and prevents normal seed development. Normally, ergot bodies resemble the seed in terms of size and shape, although considerable variation is encountered. Ergot contamination of feed may be assessed by three main methods: visual inspection (i.e. counting ergot bodies), weighing the amount of ergot bodies in the feed, or by chemical analysis. In most grain samples, the sclerotia are easily detected upon visual inspection due to their dark purple/black appearance. In Saskatchewan, however, most poisonings have been associated with the consumption of pelleted rations containing weed seed screenings. These screenings often contain high levels of ergot that cannot be identified visually. continued on page 14

The fungus infects the plant during its flowering stage and ultimately replaces the seed. In Saskatchewan, ergot bodies, also known as sclerotia, have been identified in a variety of cereals and grasses, including rye, triticale, wheat, barley, oats, brome grass, and sedge grass. Infection during the flowering stage is often in June or July, depending upon the type of plant and the environmental conditions present at that time. If weather conditions are cloudy, wet, and perhaps cool, fungal contamination and growth will be substantial. In addition, current SEPTEMBER 2014

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Feature Ergot Poisoning cont. from pg. 13 Cattle grazing on pastures are unlikely to be affected. The visual and weight assessments alone are unreliable, as considerable variability is encountered between samples. Generally, if more than five sclerotia are present in a litre of feed, health problems may be observed in the cattle. By weight, 0.1-0.3% is considered problematic. Based on chemical analysis of the feed, 100-200 ppb (g/kg) total ration is considered acceptable for cattle to consume. Chemical analysis of ergot in feed is the only reliable and reproducible method of quantification and should be considered when contamination is expected. This service is available through Prairie Diagnostic Services in Saskatoon (www.pdsinc.ca). The ergot alkaloids are extremely potent chemicals producing a variety of clinical manifestations which are somewhat time and dose dependent. At extremely high concentrations in feed, ergot will cause

symptoms of ataxia, convulsions, and belligerence in livestock. This is rarely observed in Saskatchewan. At moderately low concentrations, ergot will cause blood vessels to constrict, resulting in reduced blood flow to the extremities. Sloughing of ears, tails, and hooves is observed in extreme cases due to gangrene from reduced blood flow. These classic effects are irreversible and develop a few weeks after continued consumption of contaminated feed. The constriction of vessels is a primary mechanism to regulate body temperature, a process that is also affected by ergot exposure. In extremely hot or cold weather, heat exhaustion or frozen extremities may be observed. In addition, the hormone prolactin, which is associated with milk production, is also reduced by ergot exposure. As a result, dairy cows are very susceptible, therefore feeding ergot contaminated feeds to dairy cows is not recommended. Milk production remains suppressed for the entire lactation period. Starvation of nursing calves may also occur. The effects of ergot on prolactin and milk production

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are also observed in beef cattle, but are more subtle and therefore more easily overlooked. Ergot does not appear to be a major food safety concern. The ergot alkaloids are rapidly broken down in the animal and do not accumulate in milk or meat. However, loss of animal productivity and decreased performance can be substantial. Ergot contamination is poised to be a persistent animal health and economic issue to cattle producers throughout Western Canada. B Barry Blakley is the supervisor of the diagnostic toxicology laboratory in Prairie Diagnostic Services with over 30 years of experience in veterinary toxicology. Prairie Diagnostic Services is located in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Blakley can be reached for inquiries regarding the content of this article and current ergotrelated research by email at barry.blakley@ usask.ca or by phone at 306-966-7350.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Feature Big Beaver’s Burgess Ranch Wins TESA by Jeff Gaye

lam would sneak across the border to escape the reach of US Marshalls. The trail stretched from Saskatchewan to Mexico, with plenty of places to hide. Dutch Henry, Sam Kelley, and the infamous Sundance Kid were among the fugitives to make their way north into Big Muddy country. The badlands, 60 kilometres long, 3 kilometres wide and up to 160 metres deep, were carved by Big Muddy Creek, once a glacial torrent but now a patient little river (most of the time) and one of only three Canadian waterways that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. The creek flows 307 kilometres from Willow Bunch Lake through the badlands and into Montana, where it meets the Missouri River.

The very name “Big Muddy Badlands” sounds like something out of cowboy poetry. It brings to mind the lore of the Old West – riding the range, cowboys and campfires, roundups, rustlers and outlaws. The badlands have seen its share of outlaws. It was the northern end of the “outlaw trail,” where bad guys on the

SEPTEMBER 2014

For anyone who knows nothing about ranching except what they’ve seen in the Hollywood horse operas, the range would fit their preconceptions almost perfectly. And like the legendary cowboys and outlaws, the land looks tough. But like any ecosystem, and maybe more than most, the native grass prairie of the Big Muddy Badlands is extremely fragile. Without care, a ranching operation could easily destroy the valley’s capacity to sustain itself.

Michael and Tammy Burgess own Circle Y Ranch near Big Beaver, and are the winners of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) in Saskatchewan for 2013. Michael and Tammy fully appreciate the importance of looking after the land. Michael, 59, is the third generation of his family to operate the ranch, and his father and grandfather before him realized that without proper stewardship the ranch would have no future. R.F Burgess came to the Big Muddy 77 years ago, and he immediately understood that grazing in the semi-arid prairie would run in cycles, with wet years offset by droughts. “Sustainability here is about trying to maintain a flat line,” Michael says. “It’s about trying to level out the peaks and valleys.” To do that, R.F Burgess, his son Edward, and now Michael have worked with the land, rather than against it. Through the years they have utilized ranching practices like stockpiled forage, dormant season grazing, restrotational grazing, and remote stock watering to preserve and maintain their 20,000 acres of mostly native-grass prairie. continued on page 16

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Feature Burgess Ranch cont. from pg. 15 Above all, Michael says, the sustainable approach is good for business. “If you look after the land and the grass, it’ll look after you,” he said. For the Burgess ranch that means fencing off large blocks of the ranch at a time to allow for regrowth after grazing. Through cross-fencing, the Burgesses have created three breeding pastures. Each one is used from July until early fall, once every three years. “The pastures get well utilized the year they are used,” Michael said, “but the recovery from almost three years of rest is phenomenal.” The Burgesses take pride in preserving the ranch’s native grass prairie. While the cattle seem to prefer the lowlands in the valley, the difficult job of fencing the rugged badlands helps to keep the animals on higher ground. “The highlands

produce nice stands of needle-and-thread grass and green needle grass,” Michael said. The floor of the valley, on the other hand, is more fragile, especially in the spring. At that time the alkali is deep and difficult to traverse. “If cattle are allowed on it,” Michael says, “it punches out and leaves it rough and pocked for years.” In fact, the drought-prone badlands can harden like cement. That’s why the Burgesses take care to limit the number of cattle they keep, limit traffic on the ranch and stick to established trails as much as possible. Damage to the land will last a long time. Michael says there is an overgrown trail that famous Lakota Chief Sitting Bull travelled when he came out of exile to surrender to American authorities in 1881. “If you go crossways, you bump the old wagon ruts,” he said. The Burgesses also promote grass growth by placing mineral tubs and salt in the

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brush. When the cattle trample the brush to get to the mineral, more native grass grows in its place. There is a block of range reserved for winter grazing, used only in the dormant season after weaning. The rugged terrain and wooded coulees provide adequate shelter for the cattle, and their grazing is supplemented with hay. The cows will stay out in the badlands as late as May after they have calved out. Water is a challenge. There are some springs on the ranch, and dugouts help to keep a reliable water supply. One of the most dependable dugouts was built by Michael’s father, Edward, in the 1960s. (Edward, now 91, still helps out on the ranch.) Movable solar-powered pumps feed watering troughs and keep the cattle out of the dugouts. Environmental stewardship has paid off in dollars and cents, Michael says, but the rewards go much further. “We’re protecting our way of life. You’ve heard the saying – find something to do that you love, and you won’t work a day in your life. I love to see the grass waving. We enjoy the wildlife, we’re always excited when we see a baby fawn or a bull moose. This is good habitat for mule deer.” Hunting on foot is permitted on the ranch. “Hunters seem to appreciate this,” Michael said. “It gives them a chance to find the big one without being bothered by truck-hunters spoiling their stalk.” It also reduces damage from vehicle tracks and reduces the fire risk. The ranch is home to several bird species, some of which are on the endangered list. “We have burrowing owls, loggerhead shrikes, and piping plovers. We’re happy to do our part for the endangered species,” Michael said. In fact, he believes strongly that it’s thanks to ranchers that some of these species are still around at all. He has taken his passion for stewardship beyond the ranch gate, having served on the SSGA Land Use Committee and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Advisory Committee. He has served as Chair of the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP), and continues to play a key role with the

to view current listings and virtual tours

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Feature Rancher’s Stewardship Alliance Inc (RSAI), of which he is a founding member. Michael says these days there are more environmental pressures on the industry as a whole. “We need our organizations like the Stock Growers, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and RSAI to show the general public the benefit they’re deriving from our stewardship of the natural prairie,” he said. “We’re working with the public and showing them that what we’re doing is to their benefit.” The Circle Y operation is guided by the concept articulated by R.F Burgess right from the beginning: “if you have old grass, you’ll have new grass.” This is true both literally and figuratively, as the ranch is poised to continue into a fourth Burgess generation. “Our son and daughter are both here, and they’re learning,” Michael said. The ranch is also home to the Old Porch Gallery where Tammy, an artist and author, displays her work and regales visitors with tales from the region’s colourful history. Beef producers will always be at the mercy of external forces: weather, the feed supply, and rising and falling markets. The fragile badlands ecosystem requires special care, and oil and gas development is knocking at the door along with all the complications that go with it. Still, the Burgesses are optimistic about the ranch’s future.“As long as we have ranching-friendly governments and ranchers’ conservation organizations, we can position ourselves for sustainability,” he said. He applauds efforts like the provincial and national TESA programs for recognizing the steps ranchers take, on their own initiative, in the interest of environmental stewardship.“Personally I would like to see managers of native prairie recognized for the ecological benefits we are providing to society,” he said. “We provide a home to many of the species on the endangered and threatened list.” Conservation is a matter of duty, he says, but “we should be rewarded and not threatened with sanctions for providing this service.” B

SEPTEMBER 2014

Get Better Before You Get Bigger by Kathy Larson, MSc, PAg, WBDC Economist

During record price times everyone is talking about expansion, but is it right for you? Choosing to expand during record price times also means incurring record costs for heifer development because the market value of the weaned heifer calf needs to be included in the replacement heifer costs. This is compounded by the reduced cash flow that comes from holding additional heifers rather than selling them off the ranch. Alternatively, perhaps focusing on improved productivity is a better plan during record price times. The saying “get better before you get bigger” was a key point made by one of the speakers at the 2014 Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference in January. It is also a key consideration put forth by Dr. Harlan Hughes to producers currently considering expanding their herds. I agree with this statement, expansion is not for everyone. Getting better first requires you to measure your herd’s productivity and unit cost of production because you need to know where you are before you can determine what to improve upon. Let us consider a cowherd size of 250 cows. If an additional 30 heifers were retained in Fall 2014, the herd could grow by just over 10% (30 replacements x 87% conception = 26 head; 26/250= 10.4%). Retaining 30 additional heifers will reduce cash flow by nearly $35,000 (30 heifers @ 530 lb x $2.20/lb) because the heifer calves are not being sold. Production Parameters

These replacements need to be developed over Winter 2014/15 at an estimated cost of $280 per head and then grassed during summer 2015 at a cost of $100. The cost of natural service is estimated at $60. The 30 heifers will cost $440 per head to yield 26 bred heifers (87% conception). The total cost for developing 30 additional heifers is $48,180. The cost needs to be adjusted by the estimated sale value of the four opens, which results in a projected cost of $1619 per head for the 26 bred heifers, growing the herd just over 10%. After being confirmed pregnant, the bred heifers still need to be over-wintered in winter 2015/16 and grassed in summer 2016 before the sale of a weaned calf in fall 2016. Assume cost of production is $700 per cow. The 26 bred heifers will cost an additional $18,200 to maintain until their first calf is weaned in fall 2016. For this example herd, a 10% expansion (26 cows) is projected to cost $60,300 ($2319/hd) to produce an extra 26 calves in Fall 2016 (assuming no calf death loss). If the calves are worth an estimated $1200 each (525 lb x $2.30/lb = $1207), the 1st calver nets $500 to the ranch ($1200 less $700 annual cost of production). It will take until the fourth calf crop (2019) to fully recoup the development costs on the 2014-born replacement heifers, assuming calf prices and production costs remain the same. continued on page 18

UCOP $1.41

$1.45

Calf Crop

Weaning Weight

Profit/Cow

90.0%

550

$ 438.50

87.5%

550

85%

550

82.5%

550

80.0%

550

$1.50

$1.54

$1.59

$ 406.88 $ 375.25 $343.63 $ 312.00

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Feature Get Better cont. from pg. 17 Be sure to enter into expansion only if you have a high profit herd. If you do not know if you are high or low profit, it is a good exercise to calculate your cost of production on an annual basis using your ranch’s actual production and financial details. The WBDC has a cost of production calculator free for download from its website at www.wbdc. sk.ca/economics_current.htm#coptool. Webinar training sessions on the calculator will be available in fall 2014. Rather than getting bigger, getting better might be the right approach for your ranch. After a decade of cutting

costs, the focus now needs to shift back to increasing productivity. In cost of production analysis, the unit cost of producing (UCOP) 100 lbs. of weaned calf is a critical measure – even more important than calculating your cost per cow. Why? Weaned calves are a cow-calf ranch’s main source of revenue. Dividing costs across total pounds of weaned calf for sale is the price per pound that the calves need to sell for in order to break even. As UCOP decreases, profit increases. If we all agree that producers have done enough to minimize costs, the only way to decrease UCOP is to increase production (lbs of calf weaned) - improved conception rates, reduced calf death loss, tighter calving seasons, all lead to more pounds of calf weaned.

1 Harlan Hughes “Market Advisor” column in July 2, 2014 issue of Beef Magazine titled “Thinking About Herd Expansion? Keep These Points In Mind” was used as the basis for this article. 2 In WBDC’s Heifer Development Study, the cost to develop replacement heifers in a drylot setting to 65% of mature body weight by first breeding was $278 per head (see Fact Sheet 2014-02). 3 87% is the average 1st year conception rate achieved by the replacement heifers in WBDC’s Heifer Development Study. 4 Approximately 11% higher than the 2012 average COP calculated by WBDC through a survey of SK cow-calf producers.

Keep your family and animals safe from rabies Have your veterinarian vaccinate your pets and select livestock. Your veterinarian will advise you on the frequency of vaccination and livestock you should consider vaccinating. Never keep wild animals as pets. Wild animals pose a potential rabies threat to caretakers and to others. If you see a wild animal acting strangely, contact your local municipal animal control office to report it.

There can be two producers with the same cost of production on a per cow basis and same average weaning weight. But the price those producers need to sell their calves for to break-even can be very different. Why? Unit cost of production is not calculated from average weaning weight, it is calculated from total pounds weaned. Producer A can have a 550 lb average weaning weight, but if only 80% of his cows weaned a calf, the break-even price (UCOP) will be higher ($1.59 vs $1.41) than Producer B who also weaned 550 lb calves but had 90% of their cows wean a calf. The 10% difference in calf crop (# live calves weaned / # females exposed) is worth an additional $99 per head ($1.59 $1.41 = $0.18/lb x 550 lb). The table above expands upon this example showing how incremental changes in calf crop (# calves weaned/# females exposed) can impact UCOP and profit per cow. For simplicity, weaning weight is held constant at 550 lb. Profit calculations are based on a $2.30/lb weaned calf price. A producer with 550 lb calves and $700/cow cost of production has a projected profit that can range from $438.50 per cow (90%) to $312 per cow (80%) depending on their calf crop percentage. There are all sorts of tables and calculations available illustrating how calf crop, conception rate and weaning weights can impact profit. But these are just examples. Knowing your numbers for your own herd is invaluable. Deciding on whether or not to expand should be an informed decision based on your herd’s key productivity measures and unit cost of production. We've all heard the statement “you cannot manage if you do not measure”. Just as important, is the statement “get better, before you get bigger”. B If you are interested in learning more on how to calculate productivity measures and unit cost of production, please contact Kathy Larson at 306-930-9354 or klarson.wbdc@pami.ca

www.health.gov.sk.ca/rabies

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Vacant Grazing Land For Sale The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is selling nearly 6,000 acres of grazing land in the Rural Municipality of Nipawin No. 487. The land is located approximately 25 miles North and 10 miles West of Tisdale, Saskatchewan. This land is livestock grazing ready, including fencing, water, and facilities. Deadline for receipt of tenders is 2 p.m., November 20, 2014. To view the land or for more information, contact Tim Feist at 306-862-1789 or visit www.saskatchewan.ca/crownlands. saskatchewan.ca

The Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC) hosted its 16th annual Summer Field Day June 24, 2014

The WBDC WoulD like To Thank The WBDC WoulD alSo like To exTenD our appreCiaTion The 2014 FielD Day SponSorS: SPECIAL DISTINCTION • Termuende Trust Fund GOLD • Kelln Solar • Tru-Test • Blair’s Crop and Livestock Solutions • Canadian/Sask. Angus Association • The Western Producer/ Saskatchewan Cattlemens Connection • Rafter 8 Products • Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association • Canadian Cattlemen/ Farm Business Communications SILVER • Hergott Farm Equipment • Saskatchewan Charolais Association • Kramer Auction • Lamb Acres Electric Fencing • Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation • Saskatchewan Simmental Association • Allflex Canada • RBC Bank • Discovery Ford • Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. • Dow Agro Sciences HYDRATION SPONSOR • Rio Nutrition

To The Day’S SpeakerS:

• Dr. Kendall Swanson, North Dakota State University • Dr. Kim Ominski, University of Manitoba • Ross McDonald, CCIA • Terry Kowalchuk, Ministry of Agriculture • Leanne Thompson, Sask. Forage Council • Glen Cartwright, Merck Animal Health • Dr. Shannon Tracey, ALMA • Dr. John Campbell, Western College of Veterinary Medicine oTher SpeCial aTTenDeeS: • Paul Johnson, Ministry of Agriculture • Bob Termuende and Scott Schultz of the Termuende Family • Tim Oleksyn, PAMI board chair and chair of the WBDC Strategic Advisory Committee

Johne’s Disease surveillance Program Any purebred cattle producer located in Saskatchewan who is interested in participating is eligible to apply. Program A blood test is conducted on every mature cow and bull in the herd. If Johne’s is found in a herd, veterinary consultation will be provided to complete a Johne’s disease risk assessment and develop a customized management plan. The identity of program participants and individual test results will be kept confidential. Costs Covered Veterinary fees for blood collection, laboratory testing, sample shipping and veterinary fees for Johne’s Risk Assessment and Management Planning are covered. How can I access this program? All purebred Saskatchewan cattle producers are eligible for this program. Enrollment is limited to a maximum of 50 herds per year. Space is available on a first-come, first serve basis. For more information, contact: Chad MacPherson, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association 306-757-8523, ssga@sasktel.net

SEPTEMBER 2014

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 19

Science and Production Active Missing Livestock Files September 2014

Area Missing from

Number of head

Animal description

Brand Description

Brand Location

RCMP subdivision

Livestock Branch contact

Date Reported

Ituna

Heifers Black and Red

Ituna

Yorkton 306.786.5712

June 26

NW 5-16-10 W2

Hereford heifers

NVB tattoos RE with prefix HDB or WMB

Indian Head

Moosomin 306.435.4582

July 11

Medstead

Red white face steer

NVB RFID tag and dangle tag #57

Glaslyn

North Battleford

June 6

Battleford

Cows

Blue & Yellow ear tags

North Battleford

North Battleford 306.446.7404

Jan 2014

LH or LR

Information provided by Livestock Services of Saskatchewan

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

$250 plus shipping and GST

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Box 4752, Main Floor, Canada Centre Building Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 TEL: (306) 757-8523 FAX: (306) 569-8799 Email: ssga@sasktel.net www.skstockgrowers.com SEPTEMBER 2014

November 24-29, 2014

--------------------------------------------------------------

SIGNATURE BEEF EVENTS FIRST LADY CLASSIC & FUTURITY Bred heifer show

PROSPECT STEER & HEIFER SHOW & SALE ..................

Presented by:

COMMERCIAL CATTLE .................. SHOW & SALE JUNIOR BEEF EXTREME including BULL PEN ALLEY Multi breed female show for youth Presented by:

Presented by:

..................

RBC BEEF SUPREME CHALLENGE Champion of Champions our purebred nale

..................

THE YARDS

Displays of breeding programs

Presented by:

Visit www.agribition.com or call (306) 924-9589

ENTRY DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1, 2014 SEPTEMBER 2014

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 21

Assiniboia Livestock Auction Cowtown Livestock Exchange Heartland Livestock Services Mankota Stockmens Weigh Co. Meadow Lake Stockyards Ltd.

Parkland Livestock Market Saskatoon Livestock Sales Spiritwood Stockyards Weyburn Livestock Exchange Whitewood Livestock Sales Contact any of these auction markets to book your calves today!

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Join us at Agribition as we host the Canadian National Angus Show. Increased prize money available for Angus Influenced commercial cattle. Get your entries in now to win cash prizes! Enter at www.agribition.com.

Over $3,000 in prizes!

SEPTEMBER 2014

Science and Production Stray Livestock

by Cam Wilk, PAg, Livestock Services of Saskatchewan the stray, and the date and time of the commencement of the restraint.

Livestock Services of Saskatchewan Inspectors are often the first point of contact when people have to deal with stray livestock. As this grazing season winds down it is timely once again to discuss the roles and responsibilities. It is important to note the significant role your Rural Municipality plays regarding any stray livestock.

The RM administrator must advertise the restraint of the stray in one issue of the local newspaper circulating in the municipality or for two consecutive days on any radio or television broadcasting station in the municipality between 7 am and 10 pm. The finder, during the period of restraint, is required to provide the stray with wholesome sustenance and shelter normally provided to such animals, along with veterinary care, if necessary.

Should a stray animal or animals be found, provisions on how to deal with the stray are contained in The Stray Animals Act and Regulations. The procedures are also summarized by Saskatchewan Government Relations Advisory Services in a publication entitled Stray Animals Guide.

The owner of a stray is liable for any fees payable respecting his or her stray animal and such fees or compensation are payable to the RM. This, however, does not include damages caused by a stray. The exception is when the owner and the finder agree to an amount and the owner pays within 12 hours of notice.

If the owner of the stray is known, you must immediately notify the owner of the discovery and restraint of the stray. The owner of the stray has 12 hours within which to pay the finder the restraining fees and get his/her strays released. The fees are prescribed in the regulations and cannot be altered.

If any fees are not paid or the owner is unknown, the RM is responsible to pay the fees to the finder, poundkeeper or other persons, and the municipality may sue the owner of the stray for recovery of any amounts paid. As listed below the fees can be significant.

If the owner and finder cannot agree on the fees to be paid regarding the restraint, or if the owner fails to pay the agreed upon amount or fails to remove the stray from the finderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premises after paying the fees, the finder is required to notify the administrator of the Rural Municipality (RM) of the restraint. The RM administrator shall immediately provide the owner with particulars of the restraint. If the owner is unknown, the finder must also notify the RM administrator and either the district livestock inspector or the RCMP of the restraint, the location of SEPTEMBER 2014

When all fees and any other penalties are paid, the RM administrator shall, by notice to the finder or poundkeeper, authorize the release of the stray. If the owner remains unknown and the RM has waited seven days after impoundment, the administrator shall give notice to the poundkeeper to deliver the stray to the nearest auction market. The auction market shall sell the stray by public auction to the highest bidder and deduct any sales commission fees, yardage, veterinary costs or other expenses from the proceeds. Immediately after the sale, the auction market shall forward to the RM administrator any remaining proceeds of the sale. The Act and Regulations also provide additional procedures when dealing with valueless strays, dangerous strays and open and closed herd laws. B For more information, see the Stray Animals Guide on the Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs website at http://www. municipal.gov.sk.ca/Administration/ Guides/Stray-Animals.

Service Provided

Fee or Other Compensation

Impounding a stray

Maximum $50 per animal

Aiding in restraining or impounding a stray

Maximum $20 per hour per person

Providing veterinary services with respect to a stray, including a valueless or dangerous stray

All reasonable charges

Providing care and sustenance for restrained and impounded stray

Transporting strays and disposing of carcasses of dead strays

(a) Maximum $25 per day per head for the first 50 head and restrained and impounded at one time; and (b) $20 per day per head for each animal over 50 head restrained or impounded at one time (a) $100 for up to 20 kilometers travelled; and (b) Maximum of $5 per kilometer travelled in excess of 20 kilometers

Loading of carcass of dead stray

Maximum of $100 per hour or part of an hour

Advertising restraint of a stray

All reasonable charges

Disposing of a valueless or dangerous stray where authorized by an administrator

Maximum $50 per hour to a maximum of $500 per animal

www.skstockgrowers.com | ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | 23

EMERGING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AGM & Convention Moose Jaw June 8-10th s r o s n o p S r u O o t u o Thank Y Heritage

Crescent Point Energy Farm Credit Canada SIGA - Living Sky Casino SK Ministry of Agriculture Western Litho Printers Western Producer

Gold

Canadian Cattlemen, FBC Publishing Ducks Unlimited Canada Gibson Livestock Golden West Radio RealAgriculture.com Zoetis

Silver

Bank of Montreal Canadian Hereford Association Canadian Western Agribition Crop Production Services Merck Animal Health Morris Industries Nelson Motors & Equipment Rafter 8 Products TD Canada Trust

Bronze

Allflex Canada Assinboia Livestock Auction CIBC Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd. Heartland Livestock Services JGL Johnstone Auction Mart Livestock Markets Association of Canada Livestock Media Plus Mankota Stockmenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Weigh Co. Masterfeeds Prairie Land & Investment Services Real Estate Centre Red Coat Cattle Feeders Saskatchewan Bison Association Saskatoon Livestock Sales Saskatoon Processing Co. SaskTel South Country Equipment The Hartford Weyburn Livestock Exchange Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization

Thank You to Our Tradeshow Exhibitors Allflex Canada Canada Farm & Ranch - Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Signature Service Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Canadian Cattle Identification Agency Canadian/Saskatchewan Angus Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crop Production Services E. Bourassa & Sons Edward Jones Grassland Trailers Merial Canada North Star Seeds Paysen Livestock Equipment Rafter 8 Products Rio Nutrition Saskatchewan Cattlemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association Saskatchewan Charolais Association Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan Saskatchewan Verified Beef Production SIGA - Living Sky Casino Simply Agriculture Solutions TEAM Auction Sales The Cattle Range West Central Pelleting Western Beef Development Centre Western Producer Zoetis

Chad MacPherson, General Manager Box 4752, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 P: 306.757.8523 F: 306.569.8799 E: ssga@sasktel.net www.skstockgrowers.com

Association News and Reports A Report From Doug Gillespie President, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association The first couple of months, as President, have been very interesting and I am trying to get up to speed on the issues at hand. One of the things I would like to accomplish this year is increasing our membership. If every member sold one new membership to their neighbor, friend or family member our membership would double. I welcome more participation from members by phone or email to either myself or the office to let us know what you think and your opinions on issues.

The AGM was a great success thanks to Chad and the efforts of his staff and volunteers. Sunday kicked off with supper followed by the CCA Town Hall meeting. It was very well attended with interesting information and lots of participation from the floor. There was a real good lineup of speakers on Monday. Jodie Griffin gave a very informative presentation on Price Insurance and answered many questions for the producers. Trish Sahlstrom gave A&W’s side of their “Better Beef Campaign”. She faced the questions she was handed with some very interesting responses. Dr. Leigh Rosengren’s presentation on antimicrobial use was very interesting as it is a subject everyone from 8 to 80 should hear. Those were some of the very informative speakers we had at the conference. The business part of the meeting went smoothly, with a number of thought provoking and important resolutions being presented. The resolution that has drawn the most attention was the one for a reward for the conviction of cattle rustlers. The meeting concluded with the election of new Board members; myself as President, Shane Jahnke as 1st Vice President and Bill Huber as 2nd Vice President. We have a great executive and look forward to working with the rest of the Board.

Insurance to find a more workable and affordable forage insurance to help producers during periods of drought or flood. In closing, I would like to thank Harold for all of his time, effort and dedication over the last three years and I will continue to value his knowledge and experience as Past President. B

Another issue I will be working on is to encourage the government to proceed with a Producer Assurance Fund to cover non-payment for cattle. I think this is more important, at this time, than ever before. We also need to encourage Crop

“When my pen riders pull cattle, I want them to have a fast acting treatment that’s cost-effective.”

It just makes sense to treat cattle for BRD with the new generation macrolide, that is fast acting,1 long lasting2 and has a price that won’t break the bank. (And it’s plastic, so you won’t break the bottle either.) ®

Treat them with ZACTRAN .

Ask your veterinarian why ZACTRAN is ideal for cattle in your feedlot.

1. Giguère S, Huang R, Malinski TJ, Dorr PM, Tessman RK & Somerville BA. Disposition of gamithromycin in plasma, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid, bronchoalveolar cells, and lung tissue in cattle. Am. J. Vet. Res. 72(3): 326-330 (2011). 2. Based on label claims. ZACTRAN ® is a registered trademark of Merial Limited. © 2014 Merial Canada Inc. All rights reserved. ZACT-13-7558-JAD-E

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dossier : BOV-14106

client : Merial

8/7/14 2:32 PM

SEPTEMBER 2014

date/modif. rédaction

relecture

D.A.

épreuve à

Association News and Reports SSGA 2014 Annual General Meeting Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Resolution #1

Resolution #4

Resolution #5

WHEREAS the Provincial Lands Act is going to be updated.

WHEREAS the provincial government has given hunters the right to access the former PFRA lands without permission after November 1st; and

WHEREAS the government is not in favour of ad hoc programs to cover drought and floods;

BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the provincial government to recognize the value within provincial government crown grazing leases and provide ability for producers and lenders to utilize this value for security purposes.

WHEREAS biosecurity for noxious and invasive weeds or animal diseases are readily spread by various means of transportation; and

Resolution #2

WHEREAS fire is a major issue.

WHEREAS the federal government has issued an emergency order and recovery plan to save the Greater Sage Grouse; and

BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the provincial government to modify the regulations to allow management of the former PFRA pastures to control access by any means other than by on foot.

WHEREAS the ranching community is bearing the brunt of the cost and labour of implementation; and

and WHEREAS the government continues to enhance Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation programs for grain and pulse growers to manage risk. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the federal and provincial governments to enhance existing SCIC forage insurance programs to provide better risk management coverage for forage crops from incidents of drought and flood. continued on page 28

WHEREAS there has been little to no consultation directly with ranchers; and WHEREAS there is no method of addressing West Nile Virus or predators or other causes of decline. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the Federal Minister of Environment to delay the emergency order until there has been meaningful consultation with the ranching community. Resolution #3 WHEREAS our government has moved to protect the Greater Sage Grouse; and WHEREAS their policies will cause undue financial stress on ranchers. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the Government of Canada to fairly compensate producers for their financial hardship.

SEPTEMBER 2014

www.skstockgrowers.com | ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | 27

Association News and Reports AGM Resolutions cont. from pg. 27 Resolution #6 WHEREAS the SSGA life membership fees have been $1,000 for the past twenty years. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA life membership fees be increased from $1,000 to $2,500. Resolution #7 WHEREAS the Species at Risk Act (SARA) allows for financial compensation in support of voluntary conservation agreements; and WHEREAS current government policy involving SARA makes species at risk and its required habitat a liability to landowners and land managers. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the federal and provincial governments to enable the sections of SARA that support voluntary conservation agreements that are fully compensated and recognized by the Act. Resolution #8 WHEREAS the Animal Pedigree Act provides credibility for Canadian genetics in domestic and international markets; and WHEREAS repealing the Animal Pedigree Act could negatively impact purebred cattle producers ability to export genetics to international markets. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the Government of Canada to retain the Animal Pedigree Act. Resolution #9 WHEREAS the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently switched to a centralized import number distribution centre; and WHEREAS livestock importers have been experiencing significant delays while 28

trying to obtain import numbers, which is impeding commerce and creating additional expenses in the importation process. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the CFIA to streamline the import permit application process allowing importers to obtain permit numbers in a timely fashion, similar to pre-existing turnaround times. Resolution #10 WHEREAS there is a resurgence in cattle rustling.

Resolution #12 WHEREAS leafy spurge is a difficult weed to control and causes added expense and labour to farms and ranches. WHEREAS leafy spurge is appearing along provincial highways and right of ways. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the SK Ministry of Highways to take the necessary steps to eradicate leafy spurge on their right of ways and ditches.

BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA host a reward fund of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons stealing livestock from a SSGA member. Resolution #11 WHEREAS there is an acute shortage in Saskatchewan for agriculture labour, particularly year round permanent labour with skills needed for livestock production; and WHEREAS there is also an acute shortage of labour for meat processing in Alberta, where Saskatchewan cattle producers rely on value added operations to send their cattle; and WHEREAS the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has been successful in the past in supplementing labour in the agriculture and meat processing sectors as a last resort when employers have been unable to find enough Canadians to fill vacancies; and WHEREAS there has been abuse of the TFWP in other sectors and the federal government is expected to make significant changes to the program. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA support the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to reform the TFWP so that employers may not routinely replace Canadians, but at the same time maintain a viable foreign worker program and immigration system designed to alleviate chronic and legitimate labour shortages as exist in the livestock and meat processing sector.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Stewardship Invasive Species A Significant Threat to Grassland Biodiversity by Leanne Thompson for SK PCAP

Invasive plant species are non-native plants introduced outside of their natural habitats. In this new environment, free from their natural ‘enemies’, they have an advantage that allows them to outcompete native plants for space, moisture and nutrients. On native rangeland, invasive species pose a significant threat to grassland biodiversity and are often extremely difficult to remove once they’re established. Examples of invasive species found in Saskatchewan native grassland include weeds such as leafy spurge, common tansy, burdock and downy brome as well as introduced agronomic grass species such as crested wheatgrass and smooth bromegrass. Many of the invasive species we battle today first appeared in Canada’s grasslands as early as the mid-19th century, when European settlers began importing seeds – both deliberately for agricultural use and accidentally through contamination by weed seeds. Unfortunately, some of these imported seeds have become invaders of native grassland, due to their aggressive growth habits and lack of natural predators. Other routes of entry for invasive species have come more recently and include grassland recreation, such as camping, hiking, and motorized vehicles, all of which can contribute to the inadvertent spread of invasive seeds. As cattle producers, we get upset when invasive species show up in our grasslands as we know their spread reduces the carrying capacity and forage quality of pastures and thus impacts our bottom line. There is also the associated cost of controlling these weeds, both in terms of management time and potentially expensive control methods. But did you also know that the spread of invasive species can have a negative impact on biodiversity and on the habitat for many native prairie species?

SEPTEMBER 2014

Invasive species move into native rangeland and can alter the plant community and structure of native prairie, upsetting the fine balance in these ecosystems and reducing their ability to function to their potential. In areas of native rangeland where species at risk may be present, invasive species can be devastating to populations of plants or animals that are already under stress. A recent, extreme example was taking place in an Environmental Reserve near Medicine Hat where protected, critical habitat for an endangered plant, Tiny Cryptanthe (Cryptantha minima), was becoming dominated by the invasive plant baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata). A project in May of 2014 saw cooperators come onto the site where they removed nearly 22,000 baby’s breath plants in a massive effort to control this highly invasive weed. The intent is to continue monitoring the site to locate and remove weeds as well as gauge the impact on Tiny Cryptanthe and other native plants.

as well as the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre (www.biodiversity.sk.ca) have information on mapping and documenting invasive weeds, as well as information on the Saskatchewan Weed Control Act. The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, a PCAP Partner, administers invasive plant management and control programs (www.sarm.ca/programs/administeredprograms/invasive-plant). In addition, the Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC), another PCAP Partner, published an invasive species ID guide and Best Management Practices (BMPs) fact sheets for invasive plant species which are available at www.saskforage.ca. Call the SFC office (306) 969-2666 or the PCAP office (306) 352-0472 to request hard copies. B

So what can land managers do to reduce the impact of invasive species? The most effective, economical, and ecologically sound approach to managing invasive plants is to prevent them from invading in the first place. Land managers often concentrate on fighting wellestablished infestations, at which point management is expensive and eradication is unlikely. Infestations must be managed to limit the spread of invasive plants, but weed management that controls existing infestations while focusing on prevention and early detection of new invasions can be far more cost-effective. For more information on invasive species and their management, several resources are available. The Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council (www.saskinvasives.ca)

Photo credit: Julie MacKenzie

Calendar of Events September 10-13 September 17-19 September 25-27 September 26-28 September 26-28 October 10 October 24-25 October 30-November 1 November 4-9 November 5-8 November 18-19 November 24-29 November 28 December 10 December 10-11 January 21-23

SEPTEMBER 2014 SVMA Conference Canada Beef Forum North Dakota Stockmen's Association AGM SSPCA Animal Welfare Conference Young Ranchmen's All Breeds Livestock Show OCTOBER 2014 Advertising deadline for November magazine Edam Fall Fair Stockade Roundup NOVEMBER 2014 Farmfair International Harvest Showdown CanFax Fall Forum Canadian Western Agribition Commercial Cattle Mixer DECEMBER 2014 Advertising Deadline for January magazine Farm & Food Care SK AGM JANUARY 2015 SK Beef Industry Conference

Saskatoon, SK Toronto, ON Dickinson, ND Saskatoon, SK Swift Current, SK

Edam, SK Lloydminster, SK Edmonton, AB Yorkton, SK Calgary, AB Regina, SK Regina, SK

Saskatoon, SK Regina, SK

IF YOU CAN’T SHIP IT, TEST IT Help maintain current market access by having your cattle tested for BSE. Animals that are unfit for shipping, dead, diseased, dying or downer are the type of animals eligible for testing. BSE surviellence is still important and every animal tested makes a difference.

Protecting your investment is as easy as testing one animal for BSE each year. For more information visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/BSE or phone 1-877-727-5273.

SEPTEMBER 2014

Advertiser Index Abe’s Signs

Linthicum Ranch

Allen Leigh Security & Communications

Man-SK Gelbvieh

Arm River Red Angus

Manitou Maine-Anjou

Assiniboia Livestock

Mankota Stockmen Weigh Co. Ltd.

Bill Laidlaw Chartered Accountant Professional Corp.

Masterfeeds

7,33

McClay Design

Canada Beef Inc.

INSERT

Merial

Canadian Western Agribition

New-Life Mills

Cowtown Livestock Exchange, Inc.

New Vision Agro

E Bourassa & Sons

Norheim Ranching

Edward Jones

Paysen Livestock Equipment

Farmfair International

Plain Jan’s

Friendly Acres

Rosetown Flighting Supply

Frostfree Nose Pumps

Real Estate Centre

GBT Angus

Saskatchewan Angus Assoc.

22,33

Gem Silage

Gibson Livestock

Grassland Trailers

Grayson & Co.

Jackson Designs

John Brown Farms

Johnstone Auction

Kelln Solar

Kramer Auctions

Kyle Welding & Machine Shop

LLB Angus

Lane Realty Corp.

16,33

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture 18,30 Saskatchewan Verified Beef

Saskatoon Livestock Sales

Sittler Composting

Solar West

Superior Livestock Auction

Terra Grain Fuels

West Central Pelleting

Western Beef Development Centre

Western Litho

Weyburn Inland Terminal

Zoetis

SSGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE EXECUTIVE

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

Phone: 784-2899

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

Keith Day, Lacadena Gerald Duckworth, Courval Kelcy Elford, Caronport Tom Grieve, Fillmore Dave Hoeft, Southey Fred Lansdall, Leross Henry McCarthy, Wawota Norm Nordgulen, Assiniboia Jason Pollock, Maple Creek Roy Rutledge, Assiniboia

ZONE CHAIR DIRECTORS Phone: 773-6782

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

SEPTEMBER 2014

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

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

Lloyd Thompson, Carnduff Helen Finucane, Regina Terry Ostrander, Hallonquist Robin Wiggins, Maple Creek Bill Huber, Lipton Brent Griffin, Elbow Kimberly SImpson, Kyle Kelly Williamson, Pambrun

375-2934 394-4211 355-2335 722-3504 726-2941 675-4499 739-2205 642-4961 662-3552 642-5358

AFFILIATE DIRECTORS

Garner Deobald - Charolais Affiliate, Hodgeville 677-2589 Jack Ford - SaskMilk Affiliate, Wishart 328-4700 Tara Fritz - SImmental Affiliate, Shaunavon 297-3147 Laird Senft - Angus Affiliate, Fort Qu’Appelle 332-4823 Jaime Whitworth -Shorthorn Affiliate, Lipton 336-2706 Jeff Yorga - Limousin Affiliate 531-5717

APPOINTED DIRECTORS

Dr. Andy Acton- Veterinary Advisor, Ogema

459-2422

SASKATCHEWAN CCA DIRECTORS

486-2146 584-2773 553-2213 666-2103 336-2684 854-2050 375-5534 582-6102

Lynn Grant, Val Marie Brent Griffin, Elbow Pat Hayes, Val Marie Reg Schellenberg, Beechy Perry Rasmuson, Moosomin

298-2268 854-2050 298-2284 859-4905 435-3110

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

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