Beef Business September 2016 by Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association

Beef Business Saskatchewan`s Premier Cattle Industry Publication September 2016

A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Publication Publication Mail Agreement #40011906

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Contents

Beef Business

Cover photo courtesy of Dwane Morvik, Eastend, SK

A Proud Saskatchewan Tradition Since 1913

A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) Publication

Industry News 6

SSGA 103rd AGM Highlights

Great Western Brewing Company and SSGA Announce Partnership

Mentorship Program Developing Industry Leaders

Earls Apologizes, Joins CRSB

Meet the Newly Elected SSGA President, Shane Jahnke

SSGA Welcomes New Director Barry Olney of Estevan, SK

SSGA Calls for Instrument-Based Grading

SSGA Producer Survey

Keeping Canada's Beef Industry Strong and Growing

Retail Meat Price Survey

Weekly Charts

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 Subscriptions Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Tel: 306-757-8523 Fax: 306-569-8799 email: ssga.admin@sasktel.net Subscription Rate: 1 yr $26.50 (GST included) Published 5 times per year

Markets and Trade

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

Features 21

Transitioning Your Ranch to a Non-Family Member

Provincial and National TESA Awards for Anderson Ranch

New Study Sheds Light on the Ecological Goods and Services Provided by Grasslands

Science and Production 30

Why is Canada Proposing Changes to the Veterinary Antimicrobial Regulations and What Does it Mean for Your Stock?

Livestock Services of Saskatchewan Head Office Relocation

Where's the Beef? Missing Livestock Files

Stewardship 33

Slither and Swoop: Snakes and Bats on the Prairie

Habitat Restoration and Livestock Grazing

Watch for Dalmation Toadflax along Rail Lines

Association News, Reports and Events 39

SSGA Supporting Youth in Agriculture

A Report from the SSGA President

SSGA AGM Resolutions

Calendar of Events

Advertisers Index

Business Directory

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Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) Manager: Kayla Balderson Burak Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 Tel: 306-352-0472 Fax: 306-569-8799 email: pcap@sasktel.net SSGA reserves the right to refuse advertising and to edit manuscripts. Contents of Beef Business may be reproduced with written permission obtained from the SSGA Manager and proper credit given to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. Articles submitted may not be the opinion of the Association. SSGA assumes no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader from this publication based on any and all information provided. Publications Mail Agreement #40011906 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses (covers only) to: Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Box 4752, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4

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

Contributors Harvey Anderson Edward Bork Tara Mulhern Davidson Fonda Froats Jeff Gaye Shane Jahnke

Dean Klippenstine Lawrence MacAulay Ross Macdonald Chad MacPherson Leigh Rosengren 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

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Industry News SSGA 103rd AGM Highlights Farewells and welcomes, honours and awards, and an inspiring pre-agenda event were among the highlights of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association’s 103rd Annual General meeting in Regina in June. Five directors retired from the SSGA board: Helen Finucane, Tom Grieve, Dave Hoeft, Harold Martens, Terry Ostrander and Lloyd Thompson. A special presentation was made to Tom in appreciation of his more than 25 years of service. Five new directors were elected to fill the vacancies: Jerry Chanig, Glen Elford, Calvin Gavelin, Joe Gilchrist and Barry Olney. Rod Gamble was ratified as the new Zone 3 chair. Before the banquet, the privilege of being the first table at the buffet line was auctioned off, with proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society. Calvin and Sandra Knoss, and Helen and Dan Finucane won the auction with an $800 bid. The gesture was in honour of longtime SSGA employee Wilma Switzer and her battle with cancer. The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) for Saskatchewan was presented to Miles and Sherri Anderson for their

attention to soil health, plant life and species at risk on their operation near Fir Mountain (see article in this issue). Former president Harold Martens had the honour of bestowing an Honorary Life Membership on Bob Bjornerud. The Honourable Bob Bjornerud was an MLA from 1995 to 2016, and Minster of Agriculture from 2007 to 2012. He introduced the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program, repatriated the AgriStability administration to Saskatchewan and, with federal Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz, rolled out an assistance program in response to the flooding in 2010 and 2011. “During Bob’s time as an MLA and in his role as Minister of Agriculture he was a voice for rural Saskatchewan and brought a true common sense approach to government,” Martens said. Prior to the official opening of the AGM, the SSGA and the Autism Resource Centre (ARC) welcomed Dr. Temple Grandin to the Conexus Arts Centre stage for a talk titled “Different, Not Less – An Evening with Dr Temple Grandin.” Dr. Grandin is a world-renowned expert on livestock handling. She also has autism, and is a respected authority on that subject.

Keely Wight, Executive Director of the ARC, said the partnership worked very well and Dr. Grandin easily tied the two subjects together for a mixed audience. “It was exciting because first of all it was a new partnership between the ARC and the Stock Growers, so that was innovative. It was a really good working relationship for us to be able to work together for that, and it was just very natural for her to talk about two things that she’s lived with for so long.” Shane Jahnke, SSGA President, feels the same way. “There’s not a family in Saskatchewan that isn’t touched by autism, directly or indirectly,” he said. “That includes our members and everybody in the agriculture community. What’s unique about Temple is she can discuss her area of special expertise – livestock handling – and bring her experience with autism into the conversation.”B AGM speaker presentations and videos are available online at http://skstockgrowers. com/ssga-agm-presentation-videos/.

F O R A G E

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Industry News Great Western Brewing Company and SSGA Announce Partnership The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association has entered into a partnership with Great Western Brewery. Great Western, located in Saskatoon, was born in 1989 when the Carling O’Keefe brewery in Saskatoon announced it was closing. Sixteen employees of the brewery managed to raise the capital to buy it and keep it operating. It is now the biggest brewery in Saskatchewan, and the biggest independent brewery in Western Canada. “As a Saskatchewan enterprise, Great Western is a perfect fit for us,” said SSGA

president Shane Jahnke. “They have strong ties to Saskatchewan communities and they believe in supporting local agriculture.” All Great Western brands are brewed with 100 per cent Saskatchewan malted barley. The brewery produces three brands under each of the Great Western and Original 16 labels. They also make three Brewhouse brands, Olympia and Gold Strong. “We’re very pleased with the partnership,” said Great Western’s Chief Commercial Officer Strat Kane. “The Stock Growers obviously have a great history in the province, they’re very attached to

their communities.“We thought it was a great way for us to support some of the initiatives they’re doing, and also to connect our brands with them because we feel like we’re also a big part of the Saskatchewan community.” Kane said the partnership could include funding and other support of SSGA events. He says the arrangement will be mutually beneficial.“It’s a great vehicle where the Stock Growers get to learn more about the beer industry, the beer categories and our brands,” he said. B

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Industry News Mentorship Program Developing Industry Leaders Brad Howe is one of four young producers who have participated in the Youth Leadership and Mentorship Program with the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. The program is offered under Growing Forward 2. Brad and his wife Mona operate Two Rivers Ranch on the Alberta border, west of Leader between the Red Deer River and the South Saskatchewan. He was paired with SSGA past president Doug Gillespie as his mentor. “When I looked into it, it was maybe a bit self-serving but I also wanted to see what I could offer in terms of leadership down the road,” Brad said. “There’s lots of things I’ve learned, and I should be able to give something back to the industry. It’s such a big and broad and varied industry with so many parts to it, the program has sure broadened my horizons.” The mentorship program was created as a way for producers under the age of 39 to get involved in the industry. Each mentee receives a budget of $4,000 to attend industry conferences and professional development workshops. The program helps eliminate financial barriers that may prevent young producers from getting involved in industry activities, while exposing them to unique learning experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to attend.

The program provides an opportunity for young producers to develop their industry knowledge and leadership skills so they can be the leaders of tomorrow. SSGA president Shane Jahnke said it can be hard for young producers to get off the ranch and learn about the many facets of the beef industry. “The mentorship program is an excellent learning and networking opportunity for young producers who are interested in getting involved in industry advocacy and policy development,” he said. Howe says the experience will help him on his operation, but more importantly it has given him insight into what goes on beyond the farm fence. “Now that I’m toward the end of it, my interest in learning more has expanded. I always like to surround myself with people who are a little smarter than me, you can always gain some insight. It doesn’t have to be another beef producer, I can learn from people in the food service industry or feedlots. You get to see the cream of the crop in the industry and gain some knowledge from them.” He sees himself taking an advocacy role for the industry in the future.

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Howe said he got good value from seeing how industry and government work together. “I learned a lot about the way our industry interacts with our provincial government,” he said. “We had the opportunity to meet with and do some lobbying with the ag minister and the environment minister as well as some top bureaucrats. We also attended the budget speech at the legislature. “We’re fortunate in Saskatchewan that we’ve got a government that wants to work with producers, and increase our competitiveness. That comes back to investing in different things like this mentorship program.” 8

“Hopefully we can, as mentees, eventually give back and be a part of these industry groups and help further the industry down the road. Doug was an excellent mentor, he provided me with a lot of insight into the history of the Stock Growers as a producer-driven group, how they work for the producer and the value they add to the Saskatchewan beef industry. “I might one day become a director on the Stock Growers or contribute at the level of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.” B

Doug Gillespie, Brad Howe and Kelly Williamson

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Industry News Earls Apologizes, Joins CRSB Earls restaurants officially made peace with the Canadian beef industry at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary last month. The restaurant chain had drawn criticism in April for its decision to purchase only “Certified Humane” beef from a US supplier. Canadians were incensed at the suggestion that Canadian beef is raised less humanely than beef sold with the Certified Humane label. The move backfired, and Earls saw their sales drop by 30 per cent. Earls president, Mo Jessa, was part of a panel discussion on beef demand at the conference. He apologized profusely for the misstep, which he described as “a dumb decision.” “I am asking for your forgiveness. Allow me the chance to work with the industry,” he said. “We offended the

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beef community in Canada. You have my promise we will never do anything to offend the beef industry again.” His remarks were well-received at the conference. Jessa now sits on the Canadian Roundtable on Sustainable Beef (CRSB). He told Beef Business he is confident that Canadian producers treat their animals well. But, he said, “I think it will matter [to consumers] that it has been somehow audited and verified.” He said the CRSB and the Verified Beef Production (VBP) program are the means to assure consumers that sustainability and animal welfare standards are observed in the industry. “The consumer will find confidence in that,” Jessa said. “I think nowadays consumers want there to be some kind of process the industry has put itself

through, and it can be proud to say that it meets their criteria of sometimes worldfamous standards. Why not market it that way instead of just saying ‘just trust us’?” Rob Meijer, president of Canada Beef, agrees. He says sales angles like Certified Humane or A&W’s “Better Beef” will arise again because they have an emotional, rather than a logical appeal to consumers. “The way I look at it there is going to be more, and that’s why we have to get behind and give a program like VBP a fighting chance,” he said. “If we don’t have something like that to back up what we already know we’re doing really well, it’s going to be hard for people to say ‘I trust you.’ “This is our confirmation that we’re as good as we know we are, and we’re as ethical as we say we are.” B

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Industry News Meet the Newly Elected SSGA President, Shane Jahnke it’s just our opportunity to give back to the industry through our time and commitment to the organization. It’s in our blood,” he said. Jahnke was elected as an SSGA Director at Large in 2009. “I chaired the beef committee for a few years, and then stepped into the role of Second Vice and Vice President and just went up the ladder.”

Shane Jahnke, from Gouldtown, was elected president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association at the organization’s 103rd Annual General Meeting in June. His grandfather and a great-uncle had also held the post, as have his mother and father. “With me it started with Grandpa, and extended to Mom and Dad. The industry has given us plenty as ranchers,

He says the SSGA’s role is to serve its members by addressing agriculture and beef industry issues.“We’re a membership organization, we advocate on a multitude of issues. We lobby the government on the Lands Act, Species at Risk, and other issues,” he said. “We’re a voice for our membership to the government and to other industries.” Jahnke said youth in agriculture is among the organization’s priorities. “We need to maintain the young people coming into the industry,” he said. “Species at risk and the environment are always a top priority. We’re the premier stewards of the land, we’ve been at it for hundreds of years and the environment always plays a key role

in our industry. And the Saskatchewan government is opening up the Lands Act, and they’ve asked for our input.” He says he inherits an organization that is in excellent shape, and he sees it getting even better.“I think we’re getting stronger,” he said. “We’re going into our 104th year, which says a lot about the organization. Membership is good, you look at our current board, we’ve got an excellent range of young and old, feedlot operators to cow-calf and auction marts. We’re very diverse and I think our organization has never been stronger.” The SSGA’s future is bright, Jahnke said, as long as the membership is engaged. “Get involved! It’s a heck of a democracy we have in this organization, so come and be heard and all input is welcome,” he said. “If you have any questions or concerns just feel free to give me or the office or any of the directors a call.” B

SSGA Welcomes New Director Barry Olney of Estevan, SK Barry was elected to the SSGA Board as a Director at Large at the AGM in June 2016. He runs a mixed farming operation consisting of 400-500 cow/calf pairs, 5100 acres deeded and 2200 acres rented land. The owned land has been in Barry’s family since 1950 which his parents farmed until 1978. Barry’s daughter, Emily Geisel, helps out on the farm and is very active in 4-H.

challenges facing the livestock industry. He feels that the industry needs to be proactive, instead of reactive when it comes to this issue. As an SSGA Director, Barry looks forward to reaching out and helping local ranchers for the good of the industry. B

Barry believes educating the public on agriculture is one of the biggest

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Industry News SSGA Calls for Instrument-Based Grading The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) says it’s time to adopt instrument grading as the industry standard for grading beef carcasses. At its 103rd Annual General Meeting in June, the SSGA adopted a resolution calling on the beef industry to “adopt and hasten the full deployment of the E+V technology as the official determinant of the beef carcass grade and yield system, and that the yield be estimated as a percentage yield on each carcass.” The resolution further called for the industry to more fully recognize, in the pricing system, the impact of differing yield percentages on the value of beef carcasses. Grading is currently done by graders under contract to the Canadian Beef Grading agency. The graders assess the meat on the basis of quality, mostly

determined by marbling; and yield, based on their visual assessment of rib eye area and fat thickness. They assign a quality grade of A, AA or AAA to the carcass, with correspondingly higher prices paid by the packer for the higher grades. They also assign a yield grade of Y1, Y2 or Y3. But, while this kind of assessment can identify the degree of marbling in the meat, it doesn’t take into account the fat on a carcass that is trimmed into the rendering bin. And because it depends on a human’s subjective appraisal, it can be inconsistent, especially for calculating carcass yield. Charlie Gracey, one of Canada’s foremost beef industry analysts, wholeheartedly agrees with the SSGA resolution, and he says it’s the beef industry’s leaders who are holding up advances in the grading system.

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According to the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), the E+V grading instrument photographs and analyzes the rib eye area between the 12th and 13th ribs of both sides of each carcass. The computer grading camera measures grade fat, rib eye width, rib eye length, and calculates a lean yield percentage, providing a lean yield grade and a marbling score. The technology removes some of the variables that can make consistent visual grading difficult. It assesses marbling under the same light and at the same distance for each rib eye, based on minute calculations of red and white pixels within the traced muscle. Not only does the system deliver accurate quality measurements, it allows for a much more reliable assessment of yield than graders can deliver via visual inspection.

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Industry News Carcasses vary in their yield depending on how well muscled they are, and also how fat. Packers have paid less attention to yield because of the difficulty of delivering reliable assessments. “What we need to do is introduce instrument grading so all those questions disappear,” Gracey said. “The instrument will give you an objective assessment of quality and an objective measure of yield. Only then can we expect the packer to really pay attention to yield.” Yield has value, he said. “If you’re producing a steer today and you want to have high quality – because that’s what the packers are paying for – there’s a lazy way to get good marbling, and that’s to feed the animals excessively.” An animal grows first in bone, then in muscle, then in fat. So one way to get marbling is to make the animal overly fat, which is a widespread practice. “The intelligent way to get marbling is to be able to measure it accurately and then select for it,” Gracey said. While there are lots of cattle that will produce high yield and minimum fat, he says the problem is it occurs by accident. With instrument grading and the traceability technology already available, it is possible to deliberately breed animals that will yield more high quality meat with less waste. In the meantime, everybody is losing. Not only does it cost the producer and the feedlot two and a half times the energy input to put a pound of fat on an animal as it takes for a pound of lean, packers are paying a premium for the well-marbled AAA carcass but trimming away an astonishing amount of relatively worthless fat. “We’ve got to get to the instrument grading to do this, nobody argues [against] this seriously,” Gracey said. “But we’ve been very, very slow to get there.”

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Gracey recalls the changes made to the grading system in 1972 were producerdriven, and privatization of the delivery of grading in 1996 also came about because of pressure from within the industry. As the person responsible for implementing the 1996 changes, he recalls being told to “get this done in a hell of a hurry, because we’re following right behind with instrument grading.” Twenty years have passed, and Gracey says it seems to be inertia more than resistance that is behind the lack of progress. It’s time for the industry to get moving, he says. “If the intelligent way to raise quality cattle is through breeding, that means the information has to flow all the way back, not only to the feedlot but to the guy that bred the cow,” Gracey said.“If we’re going to improve our carcasses, we need data, and the best data is grading data. And the best grading data is objective, instrumentbased grading data.”

carcasses, while penalizing the overfinished product which may contain quality meat but also carries excessive outside fat. It was packers, after all, who called for more marbling in beef in 1993 and 1994 to meet retailers’ demands. Producers were able to respond by providing the traits the market demanded. Gracey says producers will go where the value is, and will be able to adjust their production to meet grading that takes quality and yield into account. Gracey said he would like to see producers and their organizations push hard for these changes, and he is pleased with the SSGA resolution. He singled out SSGA General Manager Chad MacPherson as a driving force on the issue. “I have great admiration for Chad. He’s one of the executives who is pushing for this thing and he has been constant about that,” Gracey said. B

And while the beef industry goes about the business of producing high-quality food, everyone from the cow-calf operation to the retailer wants to be able to show that their practices are sustainable. Instrument grading, and paying for carcass yield, will improve the economic sustainability of the industry by reducing wasteful fat production, and will also make production more efficient in terms of land use, water, feed consumption and everything else that goes into it. “Putting on this extra tonnage of fat – it’s massive – is a cost to the system,” Gracey said. “It takes resources, it takes feed, so reducing it intelligently is highly sustainable. All of the increase in carcass weight over the past two or three years has been added fat.” Packers would benefit too. Grades based on yield would make it easier for packers to pay the best prices for more valuable

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Industry News SSGA Producer Survey The SSGA recently completed our second annual online producer survey. A total of 160 people took the time to complete the survey. Of those, 93% of respondents identified themselves as cattle producers and the remainder were industry stakeholders or identified themselves as ‘other’. SSGA members comprised 56% of the respondents and 44% of respondents were not current SSGA members.

Average inventory for all respondents was: cows 228, calves 220, bulls 19, replacement heifers 54, stocker calves or yearlings 117. Herd Plans in Next Two Years

Producers Age Range

Based on our survey results, in the next two years 56.5% of respondents are planning to maintain their herd size while 30% are planning to expand and 11% to contract.

Nearly 65% of respondents were over the age of 50 and the biggest age group was the baby boomers in the 50-65 age range. Male respondents outnumbered females four to one and 76% of all respondents were cow-calf producers; 18% seedstock; 5% backgrounder and 1% feedlot.

Average Number of Acres Utilized for Forage Production and Grazing

Note: Several producers stated that they were involved in more than one segment of the industry but the survey did not allow them to make multiple selections. Average Number of Head on Ranch

When asked what the biggest factor(s) restricting expansion of their operation, we received the following responses or a combination of the following responses: 44% - Land and feed availability; price of land; flooded land 23% - Availability of labour/time 12% - Age 11% - Cash resources/cost to expand 9% - Market stability/risk

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Industry News

Predators Responsible for Predation Losses

Succession and Labour Producers were asked whether or not they had an heir and if so whether or not they were encouraging them to take over their cattle operation; 71% of respondents were encouraging the next generation to get involved and 29% were not. The most common reasons for answering ‘No’ included:

• • • • •

No heir Next generation not interested Educated, with higher paying job in the city Too intensive, low ROI Inequalities with grain farmers

Without an heir, 41% of respondents said that they would work with a non-family member interested in entering cattle production, 43% were not sure and 15% would not work with a non-family member. The biggest obstacles for attracting the next generation of producers entering cattle production were seen as:

• Capital cost - specifically start up cost and especially the cost • • • •

of land Need for instant gratification vs. more inconsistent income Workload vs. profitability Having cattle ties you down, hard to find reliable help Market risk, regulations, special interest groups, consumer trends

Producer participation in Business Risk Management (BRM) Programs Yes

Western Livestock Price Insurance Program

45%

54%

Crop Insurance

53%

46%

Forage Insurance

33%

67%

AgriStability

55%

44%

AgrInvest

76%

22%

Of the producers surveyed 88% reported losses due to predation and 81% of all predation losses were from coyotes and 5% each for cougars, bears and wolves and 3.8% from ravens. The survey also asked for feedback on the SK Crop Insurance Predation Compensation Program and the program received mostly positive feedback. Some suggestions for improvement included better training of field staff and improved clarity to producers on the claim process. Having carcass remains available to verify a claim was the most common issue. SSGA Performance and Perception How responsive is the SSGA to input from its members?

continued on page 16

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Industry News Producer Survey cont. from pg. 15 In response to this question, 57% of respondents answered that SSGA is very or somewhat responsive to input from members and 37% were neutral. There was feedback that the SSGA needs to increase contact with our members and do a better job of keeping them informed of our activities.

Print publications (89%) continue to be the most popular source for receiving beef industry information. Many survey participants commented that they value the information and communications they receive from the SSGA through meetings, Beef Business magazine, social media and e-mail bulletins.

How strongly would you agree or disagree with the following statements about the SSGA?

It is difficult to summarize, into a short report, all of the valuable feedback and comments we received. Although many of the individual comments have not been mentioned, they have been taken into account. The survey gave the SSGA an opportunity to receive feedback and learn how we can continue to improve as an organization. Thank you to those who participated and provided your valuable input. If you have any additional comments or suggestions do not hesitate to contact the office at 306.757.8523 or ssga@ sasktel.net. B

As part of the survey we asked questions about our performance and public perception as an organization. Overall we believe that feedback mostly positive but we have identified that there is room for improvement. Communications The preferred method of providing input to the SSGA was email at 68% followed by zone meetings/AGM at 14%. All survey respondents use email and 73% had a smart phone and 55% use a tablet/laptop computer. Where do you get your beef industry information from?

We are currently accepting applications for the SSGA Mentorship Program. The application deadline is September 30, 2016. Applications are available by going to www.skstockgrowers.com/youthmentorship-program/

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Industry News Keeping Canada’s Beef Industry Strong and Growing by Lawrence MacAulay, MP Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food

Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector is a powerhouse for the Canadian economy – and our beef and cattle industry is a vital part of that. As the first-ever Canadian Beef Industry Conference was recently held in Calgary, bringing together beef stakeholders from across the country, there could not have been a better time to talk about our newly elected government’s commitment to supporting the Canadian beef industry. We recognize that this dynamic sector contributes over $30 billion to our economy, $10.5 billion in farm cash receipts and close to $4 billion in beef and cattle exports. We are proud that Canadian beef is recognized around the world for its premium quality, safety and value. In July, I had the privilege of visiting the Calgary Stampede, which is a tremendous showcase of Canada’s agriculture and food industry, including our beef industry. I met with many ranchers and visited impressive exhibits focused on promoting the many ways our ranchers and industry leaders are keeping the sector on the cutting edge. I fully appreciate the work our ranchers do to put the best quality beef in the world onto the plates of consumers. As a former farmer, I know full well the hard work and dedication it takes to grow and produce our food. Prime Minister Trudeau has mandated me with a number of key priorities which will greatly benefit the beef sector, including trade, innovation, and sustainability. Trade is critical for the success of Canada’s beef industry, with almost 55 per cent of our production exported. Last year, international demand for Canadian beef rose by 15 per cent, and we’re working hard to help the industry increase on that growth curve.

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In July in Calgary, I announced a federal investment of $6.4 million to help increase global consumer demand for the Canadian beef brand through promotion and market development activities. This investment builds on other significant achievements by our government to develop international markets for Canadian beef. Access has successfully been restored or expanded in key markets such as Mexico, Ukraine, South Korea and Taiwan, and I have met with my counterparts from China, Japan and other key markets to pursue further opportunities. As well, we recently successfully achieved the repeal of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling law, restoring full access to the United States. The implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Europe will also open up new opportunities for our high-quality beef, and our government is working hard to ensure full access to this market for Canadian beef once it is brought into force. I am committed to continuing to engage on the international stage on behalf of our world-class Canadian ranchers and farmers. On sustainability, over the past three decades the Canadian beef industry has made real progress in mitigating environmental impacts, reducing its carbon footprint by 15 per cent, while boosting production by a third. The industry continues to show forward thinking on sustainability through the great work of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. Our government is committed to help the industry improve on this impressive record. Another key to competitiveness is innovation, which is a top priority for

Minister MacAulay addressing officials and agricultural sector leaders during a trip to Washington D.C. shortly after the repeal of the Country of Origin Labeling law.

our government. Our investments are supporting the Beef Science Cluster and other vital work in beef genomics and meat quality. We are also working with the Canadian industry to build trust, confidence and markets here in Canada and around the world. The federal investment of $2.6 million in the industry’s new Verified Beef Production Program will help producers meet consumer concerns about animal care, biosecurity and environmental stewardship. In July, my colleagues from across the country agreed on key priority areas for the next agricultural policy framework which will help our producers and processors capture new opportunities in the global marketplace and ensure the sector is safer, stronger and more innovative. I thank the Canadian beef industry for its engagement in our discussions on the next policy framework. Together we will work to ensure this vital Canadian industry continues to grow and thrive. B

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 17

Markets and Trade RETAIL MEAT PRICE SURVEY as of August 23, 2016 ($/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

SAFEWAY

SAVE-ON-FOODS

SOBEYS

3.98

EXTRA FOODS 3.99

3.99

6.99

4.39

* 7.48 15.60

3.48 7.38 *

3.89 6.99 7.99

5.48 * *

3.89 6.99 11.99

7.71 * 5.49 12.48 12.49 19.99

6.34 18.14 6.99 8.16 14.46 *

* 16.39 7.99 13.28 17.79 26.99

6.99 18.49 * 11.53 17.69 25.99

* 15.99 7.99 12.49 12.99 25.99

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

| Â©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Markets and Trade SK Weekly Average Price Heifers 500-600 lbs

2013

230

2014 2015

180

2016

130

310 260

2013

210

2014 2015

160

2016

110

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

280

Price per hundred weight

330

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

Source: CanFax

AB Fed Steer Prices

180.00

2013

160.00

2014

140.00

2015

120.00

2016

CDN $ - US terms

Price per hundred weight

0.98

200.00

0.93 0.88

2015

0.83

2016

0.78

5 yr avg

0.73

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

100.00 Source: CanFax

Alberta Weekly D1 & D2 Cows 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60

Source: Bank of Canada

Lethbridge Barley Price 310.00

2013 2014 2015 2016

Price per tonne

290.00 270.00 250.00

2013

230.00

2014

210.00

2015

190.00

2016

170.00 150.00

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

Price per hundred weight

Source: CanFax

Weekly Canadian Dollar

220.00

Source: CanFax Source: CanFax

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

Price per hundred weight

SK Weekly Average Price 500-600 lbs Steers

Source: CanFax

For more information visit www.canfax.ca

| Â©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

SEPTEMBER 2016

Feature Transitioning Your Ranch to a Non-family Member by Dean Klippenstine, CPA, CA

When it comes to farming, it’s as important to formalize business structures to keep and motivate key employees as it is for any corporation. At MNP we have been working with the agriculture sector for more than 60 years to enable the profitable sustainability of Canada’s farming industry. Key employees isn’t just a corporate term As we grow older, it’s normal to want to keep involved in what we love, but not work as hard at it – yet still make money. The same goes with farmers: there are those who want to keep farming but not work as hard for the next 20 years as they did 20 years ago, while still bringing in an income. Agriculture is a fast paced, dynamic industry and, like any business, farms run better and are more profitable with smart, hardworking, motivated young people influencing and driving the business to continually improve and keep up with industry advancements. In order to do that, just as in any business, a farm operation needs to retain and motivate key long-term employees. Business succession and goal congruence between owners and employees is not an agriculture-specific challenge. Companies all over the world have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to build and refine structures that encourage management teams to take ownership and to act in the best interest of the shareholders. These structures range from profit sharing, stock options to phantom shares, commissions and share purchase plans among others. The following methods have proven to be successful in the agriculture sector for aligning farm owners and farm managers interests. The Best Person for The Best Fit You want to find someone with the desire to farm, but who does not have the opportunity. This person must enjoy

SEPTEMBER 2016

working on a farm and be capable of being your key right-hand person. This can be an opportunity to look for a person who brings an additional skill set to the farm. For example, if your strengths lie in animal health, you may want a more mechanically inclined person. If your strengths are managing day-to-day operations and logistics, but are weaker on animal health, you may look for that skill set. At MNP, we’ve seen farms seeking very similar skills and abilities to that of the owners to allow this key person to eventually run the farm entirely. That way, the owners can retire with a passive investment. The farm stays as a family investment even if none of the children take over the operation. Such a candidate could be a small farmer in the area without access to the capital needed to operate a farm but who is highly skilled and proficient at running a farm. It could be a neighbor’s child or an industry person with all the training, knowledge, energy and desire to farm but no opportunity because their family farm is too small, or the parents don’t require another full-time operator. This concept can also work to bridge a gap if and when your children are ready to take over the farm. For The Common Good The key to a good business arrangement is goal congruence, in other words, all parties should make decisions and exert their efforts to maximize the performance of the entire operation. Lack of goal congruence is the major cause of friction and frustration in a farming arrangement. But before goal congruence can be achieved, the appropriate structure needs to be established, the division of profits needs to be negotiated and all parties must have a clear understanding of the arrangement.

Here are some common red flags impeding the critical intersect of dreams and goals. They all have one thing in common: they force the participating individuals to choose between being greedy or being unprofitable, neither of which is appealing. Operational example of improper farm structure Operating Two Herds — i.e. The key employee has his own herd. Scenario 1: All the hay has been cut and they are forecasting rain in two days. Does the owner bale his field or the key employee’s field for his 30 cows? Should the owner bale key employee’s first? Unprofitable Should the owner bale theirs first? Greedy Scenario 2: Farm owner is on holidays for two weeks and someone is coming to buy five replacement heifers. Should the key employee sell his calves or the owner’s? Should the key employee sell the owner’s calves? Unprofitable Should the key employee sell their own calves? Greedy The key point of these examples is that trying to operate two independent businesses under a shared roof and shared management team causes an endless number of conflicting decision points. It is critical to be only one business. The objective then, is to develop an operating structure which motivates all the operators to do what is best for the whole operation. Everyone should be motivated by the bottom line.

continued on page 22

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 21

Feature Transitioning Your Ranch cont. from pg. 21  In most cases this person does not share in land appreciation so land rent at fair market value is calculated and deducted from operational profits before the profit sharing is calculated. For instance, if the farm has $1,000,000 worth of land and the farm only made $30,000, then the operation didn’t make money that year because they could have made $30,000 by renting out the land and not had any of the work involved in owning cows.  Some operations charge interest for the use of family equity (not equity in land just livestock, machinery/buildings and operating capital). If there is $1,000,000 in equity in cattle and machinery, then the farm would be charged an agreed interest rate of, for example, three percent. Profits of the farm would be calculated only after the first 30,000 for the use of the equity.

1) To allow everyone to see the profitability of the farm, which ensures that it is being managed well, and; 2) To track each of the stakeholders equity in the farm resulting from their share of the profit, their withdrawals and contributions. Once the business arrangement is finalized, all parties involved work to maximize the farm’s profit so all may benefit. But that’s not the end of planning. The parties must still figure out how to communicate, determine each individual’s roles and responsibilities, develop an effective decision making process, and address operational and corporate governance.

Remember arrangements and the people in them can change over time, so this key person may be with you for only a couple of years or a decade. And keep in mind that every year you operate your farm with a motivated employee whose goals are aligned with yours, it will improve your farm’s profitability and your quality of life. B Dean Klippenstine, CPA, CA is a Business Advisor, Agriculture with MNP’s Regina office. He can be reached at 306.790.7946 or dean.klippenstine@mnp.ca

While not extensive, this article should plant the seed for further discussion with your accountant or business advisor and perhaps your future business partner.

 The key person is paid a salary (hourly or monthly). Typically profits are shared with this key person based on a percentage. There is no magic number, but would likely range from 5-15%, based on a number of factors such as age, size of farm, years of the relationship, etc. One useful way to think of the percentage of profit would be to measure it in relation to the number of head of cattle (or acres in a grain farm). If I had a 500 head herd, would I let a key employee run 25 cows on my farm and get the profit from them? If so, then splitting the profit of the farm 95/5 would be a fair arrangement. Rules of Thumb

 Start with the big picture and then

work down to the details, in order of importance.

 More than one herd puts the farm ownership and management team in a constant struggle. Keep it to one.

What will you do in a livestock-related emergency? Are you prepared for an emergency? Let the Saskatchewan Premises Identification Database help you protect your cattle. Register at premisesid.saskatchewan.ca.

 Ensure the farm produces a full accrual

financial statement (regardless of whether it is required for tax purposes or not) for two reasons:

| ©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

SEPTEMBER 2016

Bob Toner CAA SK/MB Director of Business Development See him down the road this fall.

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Feature Provincial and National TESA Awards for Anderson Ranch by Jeff Gaye

Miles and Sheri Anderson of Fir Mountain were announced as the Saskatchewan winner of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) at the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Annual General Meeting in June.

life on the northern edge of the Great Plains ecosystem. Attention to wildlife, innovative use of fencing and strategic grazing have been the keys to their conservation of soil health and natural biodiversity.

Last month, they were honoured at the inaugural Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary as the national TESA winners.

Their operation encompasses approximately 14,000 acres, with 6,000 acres of provincially-leased grazing land that is especially environmentally sensitive. This portion is southwest of Fir Mountain in the Milk River watershed, bounded on the south by the Montana border and on either side by Grasslands National Park.

Six Saskatchewan ranches and one Saskatchewan feedlot have won the national award in its 20 year history. The Andersons were nominated because of their concern for sage grouse and other species at risk, their sustainable grazing practices, and their support of research into the diversity of plant and animal

This corner of southern Saskatchewan forms the northern tip of the Great Plains ecosystem. “We’re on the migratory path of species that migrate back and forth

on the Great Plains. The animals and everything else that goes with it – we’re on the very north end of it,” Miles said. “We have a little different ecosystem from the areas north of us. Most of the Great Plains ecosystem is in the United States, with only a small part reaching into Canada. Because of that we have a bunch of species that are listed in Canada that exist on our place that aren’t listed in the United States. “That kind of makes it a little unique.” The operation’s location – within the province of Saskatchewan, bordering on the US and in close proximity to the federally-managed park – has meant the Andersons have to deal with environmental and wildlife authorities in several jurisdictions. They support

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Feature and actively participate in research that promotes good management of the land. Miles says ranchers bring a long view that short-term studies can’t provide.“It’s a generational thing in the ranch community. We’re dealing with 100 years of experience and knowledge. In a bureaucracy I don’t know what the average lifespan would be – six, eight, ten years, and they don’t even see a cycle. So you have these hot and cold cycles, you have El Nino, La Nina, all these things come into play. If you look at the prairie now after the five years we’ve had, and you think that’s the normal, you’re going to be sadly disappointed when the 80s hit again and it’s dry. And you’d go back and say ‘what did you do to this place?’ But that’s just the way it works. It goes up and it goes down. It’s alive, it breathes, everything expands and contracts. And because we’re out there every day, we see this.” continued on page 26

Bruce Tait, MNP Senior Vice President, Agriculture and Resource Industries, Sheri Anderson, Miles Anderson, and Bob Lowe, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Environment Committee Chair Photo courtesy of Canadian Cattlemen's Association

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Feature TESA Awards cont. from pg. 25 The Andersons’ collaboration on research projects, and their attention to the wildlife on their land, have earned them the respect of state, provincial, and Canadian and US federal agencies. These agencies see the Andersons as a source of information and advice. Cattle grazing is an important part of the Andersons’ management strategy. They intersperse intensely-grazed patches with more lightly-grazed patches. The former allows forbs, or flowering non-grass plant species, an opportunity to grow, while the latter provides ground cover for sage grouse and other nesting birds. Grazing, Miles says, is an important part of preserving the natural biodiversity of the land. His cattle fill the role that the great herds of bison used to play in allowing many different types of plants to grow. “Any big grazer that takes off a volume of grass, and kind of indiscriminately wraps their tongue around and pulls it out, as opposed to the browsers like the deer and the elk, and other things that just nibble at things - if you don’t remove that grass then all the little things that grow underneath it don’t get the sunlight. Then pretty soon you have this grassland and that’s pretty much all it is, just this matte of old dead grass.” This makes grazing a vital process for plant diversity, and one that Miles says requires further research. He says the cycle of grass growth and grazing may have an effect on bee populations in the grassland. Without grazing, he suggests, the grasses will out compete the forbs. This deprives pollinators, such as bees, of a food source. “If the bees don’t exist, then they can’t pollinate the forbs, and if the forbs don’t exist there’s nothing for the bees to eat. There’s the symbiotic relationships, all of this stuff has to be tied together.”

big mind to sort this stuff all out. All I know is that with properly managed rangeland all this stuff exists. But if it’s not properly managed, the stuff disappears. I’ve been saying that no-grazing is not properly managed. It’s unmanaged.” Environment Canada and Grasslands National Park are studying the region largely because of threats to the sage grouse, and they are learning more about the positive impacts of grazing on soil health and plant heterogeneity. Miles says the more beef producers can learn, the better they will be able to explain the benefits of ranching to the public.

non-grazing, would be sorely missed. And because we haven’t done that research, we can’t give ourselves enough credit,” Miles said. “And maybe the non-farming public don’t realize that our grazing, agriculture, isn’t as detrimental to natural lands as they would think. It’s probably up to us to ease their minds so that they don’t have to worry about the stuff all disappearing just because we’ve got cows grazing on it. That’s why we’re trying to maintain the acres we have that are still natural. Just because cows are out there, they’re not going to disappear.” B

“A vast number of species that occur on the land with grazing, as opposed to

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Feature

SSGA MEMBERSHIP

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers New Study Sheds on the Ecological Goods and Association has entered intoLight a partnership with Services Flaman to Provided by Grasslands byand Dr. Edward Bork, University of Alberta, increase Memberships Dept. of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science Subscription readership.

Drive

spatial data on land cover changes for including CO2, as well as more potent Saskatchewan contains 25 million the province and present market values GHGs such as methane. hectares of farmland, of which 36% is for carbon of $15/t CO2-e, an estimated used for livestock grazing, with most (4.8 $4B worth of carbon is currently retained Assessment of vegetation responses to M ha) consisting of native grasslands. in native grasslands within each of the long-term grazing indicated livestock While it is recognized that these areas Prairie and Parkland regions. Moreover, were associated with increased plant are important for forage and livestock more than $11B worth of carbon has species diversity under moderate production,The theysponsored also provide membership many other been lost from the Parkland alone due moisture conditions (i.e. in Aspen Parkland ecological goods and services (EG&S), prize by Flaman will be a to past native grassland conversion into and Foothills Fescue environments). including carbon storage and biodiversity. annual cropland. The study also found Additionally, exposure to livestock grazing Results of a recent collaborative study that native grassland possessed superior limited woody species encroachment between the University of Alberta and metrics of soil health, including improved into mesic grasslands of the Montane Alberta Environment and Parks used a Specs: Full rear door, side door, soil structure (i.e. aggregation) and water and Upper Foothills. While grazing did large network of 114 sites across much of slots for side window slides, rock guard, retention. While equivalent data are not not lead to widespread changes in range Alberta to provide novel insight into these 2-3,500 lb toreflex axles available for Saskatchewan grasslands, health or native species cover, it facilitated benefits. Newthe or Existing Memberships: similarity in climate and soils to Alberta an increase in introduced species suggests would also be (largely agronomics) in high 1 moisture Perennial grasslandsthat are important 1 year $105.00 entry The member sells the sinks most SSGA new those values substantial. environments, where this pattern was for carbon, although the specific role willgrasslands receive ainfree registration for 2 year $194.25with greater ecosystem 2 entries associated carbon. of memberships northern temperate 2009is unknown, SSGA AGM. The study also revealed to the that long-term ecosystemtwo carbon storage 2 year spousal $97.12 1 entry exposure to grazing was consistent with Overall results from this study highlight including the influence of grazing year situations 3 entriesand maintaining, and in3some the$262.50 compatibility of native grasslands and land use conversion. In this study, increasing, the size3ofyear select carbon pools grazing in maintaining, and in2 some cases native grasslands were found to hold spousal $131.25 entries within native grasslands. While grazing increasing, a variety of ecological goods large amounts of carbon, including Life 10production, entries predictably reduced carbon in litter and and$1050.00 services, including forage above ground in dead and decaying surface mulch, this change was offset biodiversity and carbon storage. This vegetation, but also below ground as Life spousal $525.00 4 entries by modest increases in other carbon information adds social license to the soil organic and inorganic carbon. In pools, including root mass, above ground practice of livestock grazing on public pairwise comparisons, native grasslands herbage production, and soil organic andSSGA warrants the development stored approximately 1.5 times more total All draws will be made rangeland, at the 2009 Annual Convention matter, specifically in regions of high of policies and market mechanisms carbon than introduced pastures, and moisture availability. Subsequent studies that reward private grassland managers 1.62 times more than annual cropland, For moreininformation or to become a member, are quantifying the role of grazing for maintaining and improving these respectively. By linking these values to please contact SSGA office at and 306-757-8523 altering various greenhouse gases (GHG), the ecological goods services. B Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

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

Membership type: Member

Associate

Membership status:

Affiliate (call for rate)

Renewal

New

1 Year $157.50................... Spousal $78.75 Spousal $145.69 2 Year $291.38 .................... 3 Year $393.75 .................... Spousal $196.88 Lifetime: $2625.00 ............ Spousal $1312.50 Junior Membership 1 Year $26.75 2 Year $52.50 3 Year $78.75 Subscription 1 Year $26.25 2 Year $47.25 3 Year $68.25

Name _______________________________________________ _ Address_ ____________________________________________ _ City/Town______________ Prov_____

Postal Code _________

SSGA MEMBERSHIP

Drive

Phone (________) _________________________________Email ______________________________ Ranch/company name___________________________________________Herd Size ________________ Fall Sale Dates___________________________Spring Sale Dates ________________________________

In order to be eligible to receive the prize a member, subscriber or advertiser who’s entry is drawn must answer a g skill question. testin The chances of winning the sponsored membership prize draw dependant on the www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | is 27 SEPTEMBER 2016 number and type of membership sold during the membership drive of September 1, 2008 to the 2009 AGM. During a comparable d in 2007, perio there were approximately 300 new and renewal memberships sold.

| Â©BEEF BUSINESS | www.skstockgrowers.com

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contributes unnecessarily to this problem. The proposed changes will limit unregulated access to antimicrobials while improving access to low-risk management tools to provide more alternatives to antimicrobials. The first proposed change limits importation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). Essentially, these are the raw ingredients used to make veterinary pharmaceuticals. Currently, Canadian pharmaceutical companies must follow good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards when fabricating, packaging and labelling drugs while persons, including veterinarians, can import APIs with little oversight. If approved, all persons importing APIs for veterinary use will be licensed and thus held to the same GMP requirements. This regulation is aimed to mitigate the risk posed by APIs of uncertain quality, potency or purity entering the food chain. The second proposal is most likely to interest beef producers. It restricts the importation of non-regulated antimicrobials. Often referred to as the “Own Use Importation” loophole, the current regulations allow producers to import unapproved drugs, including antimicrobials as APIs and dosage form, for use in their own herd. This loophole permits the use of veterinary medications that have not been examined and approved as safe by Health Canada. While the dosage-form drug may be approved in another country, producers are at risk of having violative residues if the product is not permitted in Canada, has inadequate directions, or inappropriate withdrawal continued on page 31

Visit our website at www.lanerealty.com to view current listings and virtual tours

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Science and Production Livestock Services of Saskatchewan Head Office Relocation by Cameron Wilk, P. Ag.

We have moved !!!! A good number of our registered livestock brand holders have for many years come to our offices in Room 202-3085 Albert Street or more commonly known as the Walter Scott Building. As of August 8, 2016 our office is located at: Livestock Services of Saskatchewan 2160 Victoria Avenue East Regina, SK S4N 6M5

Phone: 306-546-5086 (Brand Registrars Office) Fax: 306-546-1277 email: brands@lssc.ca My phone number has changed to 306546-2195 for questions or concerns about the livestock inspection program. For questions concerning livestock dealer invoicing or other invoicing you may contact Rusty Hawryluk at 306-546-1270.

features such as self-help for brand application, brand renewals and online payments. This project is funded through Growing Forward 2, a cost-shared partnership between federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments designed to support an innovative, competitive and profitable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.

In the near future, I will be announcing our new public web site which will have

Antimicrobial Regulations cont. from pg. 30 times. In conjunction, a list will be maintained for drugs that CAN continue to be imported by producers for own-use. These products will be demonstrated equivalent with a drug authorized for sale in Canada. The list will not include drugs that contain APIs or prescription drugs. The third proposal will improve reporting of sales data for veterinary antimicrobials. Many products are licenced for use in several species and classes of livestock so currently reported data describe the volume sold for food animal versus companion animal. This change is intended to improve our understanding of where and how antimicrobials are used in Canada. Such information will help clarify the role agricultural industries play in the public health threat posed by AMR and provide assurances to our export markets. Finally, the fourth proposal is to develop a new regulatory pathway to bring lowrisk veterinary drugs to market. Many

SEPTEMBER 2016

products, known as Veterinary Health Products (VHP), are available to many of our international competitors but are not available in Canada due to burdensome licencing requirements. The proposed change will introduce an alternative pathway to allow for the importation and sale of these VHP. This is intended to ensure Canadian producers are on a level playing field with our international competitors by providing appropriate, low-risk alternatives to antimicrobials.

I encourage you to not only take the time to read the full Gazette article, but to provide your comments to your association or the federal government directly. For more background on the issue of antimicrobial stewardship in Canadian agriculture look for my blogs at www. knowfoods.ca B

We are each responsible for good antimicrobial stewardship on our individual farms, ranches, and businesses. With these proposed changes, Health Canada is taking responsibility for ensuring that the products used in Canadian food-animals are safe for the animals themselves and the consumers they are destined to feed. The proposed regulatory changes address longstanding concerns raised by the medical community and our export markets.

www.skstockgrowers.com | ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | 31

Science and Production Active Missing Livestock Files September 2016

Area Missing From

Number of Head

Animal Description

Brand Description

Brand Location

RCMP Subdivision

LSS Regional Office

Date Reported

Big River

Spiritwood 306.883.8525

July 7

NVN 15 hands high Roman nose scars on withers

Big River

Cando Biggar

1 cow 42 mixed calves

Alberta brand RH

North Battleford

North Battleford 306.446.7404

Jan 19

Eastend

Mixed cows

Shaunavon

Swift Current 306.778.8312

Mar 17

Hubbard

1 black bull 1 black cow NVB 1 black bull calf NVB 1 red heifer NVB

Yorkton

Yorkton 306.786.5712

July 19

Spiritwood

2 red bulls 2 white bulls 2 RWF bulls

Spiritwood

North Battleford 306.446.7404

Feb 10

Grey gelding

Information provided by Livestock Services of Saskatchewan

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Stewardship Slither and Swoop: Snakes and Bats on the Prairie by Tara Mulhern Davidson

during the summer to raise their pups in a relatively short time. “We think that they are probably choosing trees that are at a comfortable ‘room temperature’ so that they don’t have to spend energy on heating or cooling themselves,” explained Bohn, adding that they might share their accommodations with relatives.

Tera Edkins gets up close and personal with a bull snake. Photo courtesy of Tera Edkins

When one ponders prairie wildlife, the first species that comes to mind may be the speedy pronghorn, perhaps the majestic bison, or even the beleaguered sagegrouse. Two Saskatchewan biologists however, are working hard to put snakes and bats on the prairie conservation map, literally and figuratively, through their research at the University of Regina. They were on hand at the recent Native Prairie Appreciation Week (NPAW) tour in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan in June to discuss their fascinating subjects. Shelby Bohn, an MSc candidate with the University of Regina’s Department of Biology is studying prairie bats. “I’m interested in bats because there is just so much about them that we don’t know yet. I really like getting to solve some of those mysteries,” said Bohn, who studies silver-haired bats. Bohn’s research looks at pregnant and lactating female bats to determine how they save energy

SEPTEMBER 2016

Tera Edkins focuses her time on species that slither. Edkins is also an MSc Candidate in the Department of Biology at the University of Regina and is passionate about prairie snakes. “They’re amazing in their ability to live in such a wide range of habitats and conditions. With our freezing winters, you wouldn’t think of snakes as a group that could persist here, but they do. To me, that’s just incredible,” explained Edkins. She is evaluating the movements and habitat selection of the bullsnake, a species Edkins says there is relatively little known about in Canada. “I am looking at what kinds of habitats bullsnakes like to use, where they spend the winter, and where they move during the active summer season,” Edkins stated, who added that she is also assessing human development and activities that influence bullsnakes. Both biologists are studying species that aren’t always visible or even that popular on the prairie, however they are a valuable part of the ecosystem. “Just like many other animals, they act as both predators and prey and, ultimately, help to keep the ecosystem functioning,” said Edkins. Bohn indicated that bats face some significant challenges in Saskatchewan and elsewhere. Certain hibernating bats, including the little brown bat and the northern long-eared bat, both listed as Species at Risk in Canada, are susceptible to a disease known as White-nose Syndrome (WNS). The disease, caused by an invasive fungus, isn’t in Saskatchewan yet but Bohn said it is continuing to spread across North America. “These hibernating species are seeing population

declines in the parts of their range where the disease is present,” explained Bohn. “Other bat species, including the silverhaired bat, are vulnerable to fatality from wind turbines,” said Bohn. The biggest challenge facing prairie snakes, including the bullsnake, is habitat loss due to urban development and agriculture, cited Edkins. Saskatchewan is home to nine different snake species, two of which are Species at Risk including the eastern yellow-bellied racer and the prairie rattlesnake, listed as Threatened and Special Concern respectively. “For both of these species, their listing is mainly due to habitat loss,” explained Edkins. “The bullsnake, on the other hand, is listed as data deficient, meaning there isn’t enough information on this species to place them or to tell if they are, in fact, threatened. This is something I hope my research will be able to address,” Edkins added. Edkins admits that snakes are not always popular and have even faced persecution. “Human persecution can be a big problem for snakes. Many people dislike snakes and may even demonstrate a hostile attitude toward them when they’re encountered,” she explained, adding that their slight resemblance to the prairie rattlesnake doesn’t help their cause. Edkins is very keen to create public awareness and education about snakes, particularly teaching people to respect these species. “Many people often think that bullsnakes, or other snakes, are aggressive animals, always looking for a fight,” said Edkins. “In fact snakes will try to avoid dealing with humans at all costs,” she adds. “They are actually very hard to find!” Bohn agreed that bats have also suffered a bad public image over the last few hundred years. “But we’re working to change that too,” she countered. “There has been amazing interest in our work,” continued on page 35

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 33

Stewardship Habitat Restoration and Livestock Grazing by Ross Macdonald

Native prairie is key to providing habitat for species at risk, and the South of the Divide Conservation Action Plan Inc. (SODCAP Inc.) is working with local landowners to restore native prairie plant species to cultivated lands. It is important to maintain the existing native prairie grasslands and huge potential exists within the South of the Divide (SOD) area to seed native plant species and expand the habitat area for a variety of species. If you are interested in restoring habitat for species at risk on your cultivated land, SODCAP technicians can help you develop a plan and provide access to funding for up to 200 acres of restoration. Land that is currently under annual cropping or tame forages and near species at risk locations is eligible for funding. Seeded native plant species provide a great alternative to tame forages. For many years there was a common assumption that re-establishing native plant species on cultivated land would result in lower yields and reduced animal gain. However, Dr. Allan Iwaasa, AAFC research scientist at Swift Current has demonstrated that since 2001, reestablishment of native plant species into cropland has been successfully accomplished using conventional seeding technology and productive, sustainable grazing systems have been achieved. (Iwaasa et al., 2012) The seeded native grasslands are providing consistent forage production and acceptable average daily gains (ADG), improved biodiversity and additional environmental benefits to soil and water. This valuable research shattered the commonly held assumptions and demonstrated that seeding native plant species is a viable alternative for cultivated land. Within the SOD area, hundreds of acres of cultivated land have been successfully restored to native plant species. These restored acres are providing valuable grazing for livestock producers.

“It is great midsummer grazing and the cattle come out of those pastures shiny as a new penny.” Elmer Palmer from Consul, SK has grazed pastures with seeded native species for several years. And although he acknowledges that cheaper forage seeds are easier on the budget, the seeded native species his cattle graze on NCC’s Old Man on His Back (OMB) ranch have been a great summer grazing resource. “It is great mid-summer grazing and the cattle come out of those pastures shiny as a new penny,” Palmer stated.

producers and habitat restoration for species at risk. Research conducted locally supports using a diverse seed mixture when seeding native plant species. Kusler (2009) found that incorporating a wide array of native plant species is important to provide a balanced mixture for livestock production and to increase habitat biodiversity. So if you are looking for an excellent grazing resource for your livestock while providing habitat restoration for species at risk, seeding a diverse mixture of native plant species will work for you. B For more information regarding producer funding for restoring habitat on cultivated land south of the divide and seeding native plant species, please contact:

Unsure at first, Palmer attended one of the first field demonstration days at OMB featuring habitat restoration and seeded native plant species and was amazed by the initial production and lush growth. First hand experience grazing those restored acres has made Palmer a supporter of incorporating seeded native species into land management decisions especially on cultivated acres that are marginal for annual cropping. Over time Palmer expects the forage stand to come into balance with the environmental limitations but he has been impressed by the production and resulting condition on his cattle when they come out of those pastures. Palmer also vouched for the expertise of Restoration Specialist, Larry Gabruch who was involved with the species selection and establishment on several habitat restoration sites in southwest Saskatchewan. The wide array of species included in the mixture and the successful establishment have provided an excellent grazing resource for neighbouring cattle

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Photo courtesy of Larry Gabruch

SEPTEMBER 2016

Stewardship

Tom Harrison, Executive Director SODCAP Inc. (306)-530-1385 www.sodcap.com Larry Gabruch, P.Ag., Restoration Specialist (306)-716-9603. www.sodcap.com/restoration.html Iwaasa, A.D., Schellenberg, M.P. and McConkey, B.G. (2012). “Re-establishment of Native Mixed Grassland Species into Annual Cropping Land.”,Prairie Soils and Crops, 5: 85-95. Kusler, J.P. (2009). “Comparing simple and complex native forage mixtures for grazing cattle in southwestern Saskatchewan (Master’s Thesis). University of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon, SK.

Photo courtesy of Larry Gabruch

Slither & Swoop cont. from pg. 33 Bohn said. “One of the places we go to catch bats is near a campsite. People always ask us what we’re doing and we usually end up having a conversation about bats, which is really cool,” Bohn added. The respective work that Bohn and Edkins are doing is not only providing insight into species that are sometimes misunderstood, but it is creating a culture of interest and appreciation for two fascinating groups of prairie animals. B

Shelby Bohn examines a bat. Photo courtesy of Shelby Bohn

SEPTEMBER 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 35

Charting the Course SSGA

AGM & CONVENTION

June 13 & 14, 2016

Conexus Arts Centre, Regina, SK

Thank You to Our Sponsors Vétoquinol Canada Inc. Heritage Canadian Cattlemen Magazine Crescent Point Energy Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Western Litho Printers Western Producer

Gold

Ducks Unlimited Canada Gibson Livestock (1981) Ltd. Golden West Radio Merck Animal Health Real Agriculture Western College of Veterinary Medicine Zoetis

Silver

Allflex Canada BMO - Bank of Montreal Canadian Western Agribition Elanco Animal Health Farm Credit Canada Great Western Brewing Company Nelson Motors & Equipment TD Canada Trust 36

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Westway Feed Products Young’s Equipment

Bronze

Assiniboia Livestock Auction Bio-Agri Mix (BAM) Blair’s Crop & Livestock Solutions Canadian Hereford Association CIBC Co-op Feeds Heartland Livestock Services JGL Livestock Johnstone Auction Mart Ltd. Lane Realty Livestock Media Plus Mankota Stockmen’s Weigh Co. Ltd. Merial Canada Inc Paysen Livestock Equipment Red Coat Cattle Feeders Inc. Saskatchewan Bison Association SaskTel South Country Equipment VIDO West Coast Reduction Ltd Weyburn Livestock Exchange SEPTEMBER 2016

Thank You to Our Tradeshow Exhibitors AgriClear Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Canadian Cattle Identification Agency Canadian Cattlemen Magazine Cows in Control Ducks Unlimited Canada Edward Jones ILC Ag/Cherry Insurance Merial Canada Inc. PCAP Saskatchewan/Canadian Angus Association Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association Saskatchewan Charolais Association Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation Saskatchewan Forage Council Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Saskatchewan Verified Beef Production Simply Agriculture Solutions Inc. SODCAP Inc. TEAM Auction Sales Tru-Test Inc. West Central Pelleting Ltd. Western Beef Development Centre Western Producer Young’s Equipment SEPTEMBER 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com Chad MacPherson, General Manager Box 4752, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4 E: ssga@sasktel.net P: 306.757.8523 F: 306.569.8799 W:| www.skstockgrowers.com www.skstockgrowers.com ©BEEF BUSINESS | 37

Stewardship Watch for Dalmatian Toadflax along Rail Lines by Harvey Anderson, Invasive Alien Plants Group Planning Advisor SARM and SK Ministry of Agriculture

Last week I was called to assist the RM of Vanscoy’s Weed Inspector who had noticed a new weed in his rural municipality. The weed was growing on the CN Rail right-of-way near the small community of Grandora, which is just west of Saskatoon on the main line of CN Rail. The weed inspector was unable to find a local contact person or find a phone number of anyone with CN in Saskatchewan who was responsible for eradicating this weed, as is required under the Weed Control Act. This weed, Dalmatian Toadflax is designated as a Prohibited Weed in Saskatchewan, and the rural municipalities are given the authority to require landowners to eradicate this weed.

Dalmatian Toadflax also has a deep and extensive root system, which spreads the plant locally through sprouting from the lateral roots. It can spread quickly because of its aggressive nature. It thrives in coarse, well-drained soils and will take root on roadsides; rail line beds; in rangeland; hay land; overgrazed pastures and wasteland. This weed, like many other invasive species, is diminished by soil disturbances, such as road construction, frequent fires, and overgrazing, but once established it can completely dominate by crowding out desirable forbs and grasses thereby altering the native plant communities and reducing grazing value, for domestic animals and wildlife alike. Dalmatian Toadflax plants contain

a poisonous glucoside which is harmful to cattle if consumed in large quantities. Most cattle will avoid the mature plants, but apparently sheep and goats will graze this weed with no reported ill effects. These localized populations will likely spread onto agricultural lands, if they are not quickly eradicated within the CN rail line property. All rural municipalities with rail lines should be aware that the rail lines are known as major “ Pathways of Spread of Invasive Plants”, so should be scouted periodically. This scouting can be a problem with the rail lines restricting access to non-rail-line employees. There are varying opinions as to who may

Dalmatian Toadflax is a close relative of the much more common Yellow Toadflax which is present in Saskatchewan and occurs widely, usually in fairly small patches. There is information that these two species can cross and create hybrids, which may be very invasive plants. Originally Dalmatian Toadflax was brought to North America as an ornamental plant more than 100 years ago from the Mediterranean region of Africa. It is a perennial forb which spreads by creeping roots as well as by seed. An individual plant can grow to 40 inches in height, with pale green stems and showy yellow flowers ringed by orange which can each be about one inch long; its flowers resemble Snapdragon flowers. The leaves are broad, heart-shaped and waxy, and grasp the stem. A single mature plant, with multiple stems, can produce up to 500,000 seeds beginning in late June/early July. The seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years. Dried floral stalks can remain standing and retain seed for a couple of years, but most are dispersed in the first year.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

SSGA Supporting Youth in Agriculture be responsible for bringing this plant to Saskatchewan. But now that it’s here, we need to control it and/or eradicate it. At present there are only two reported locations of this Prohibited Weed species in Saskatchewan, one along a CN Rail Main Line and one on a former CN Rail Line, which was recently acquired by a short-line rail company. Through the Weed Control Act an RM Council can designate a Quarantine Area around this weed population, but in this case the rail line split the total population resulting in the Toadflax growing on both sides of the rail bed. Weed Inspectors have had difficulty in finding the right contact person at the rail line who can deal with this issue. They have been told, by rail line employees, that CN and CP are governed by federal legislation and have to respect only the Ministry of Transport’s legislation.

The Youngest 4-H Beef Exhibitor at the Youth Livestock Event at the Swift Current Ag & Ex Frontier Days Landin Benjamin, from the Clairbank 4-H, being presented with the SSGA sponsored show halter by judge Brody Gardner.

According to CN’s Code of Business Conduct, “CN employees must comply with the laws, rules and regulations applicable in their jurisdiction.” I confirmed this statement with the head of CN’s legal division and as a result CN’s spraying contractor will be spraying the Dalmatian Toadflax population at the Grandora site before it spreads further. Harvey Anderson is an Invasive Plant Management Advisor working jointly with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. Funding of this program is provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan “Growing Forward”Program. Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Association at Nationals in Gillette, Wyoming Back Row: Coach Darla Briere, Sarah Demmans, Kassidy Williamson, Bailey Briere, Chanse Switzer, Tanner Froshaug, Tee McLeod Middle Row: Colter Taylor, Jaclyn Noll, Matt Leippi, Riley Tallis, Riley McClintock Front Row: TJ Loeppky, Dylan Larson, Logan Delinte Photo courtesy of Carla Froshaug SEPTEMBER 2016

www.skstockgrowers.com | ©BEEF BUSINESS | 39

Association News, Reports, and Events A Report From Shane Jahnke President, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association fall marketing of cull cows. Prior to BSE, Canada was exporting between $270 and $290 million of beef to Mexico per year. Of this, 20-25% was over-30-month (OTM) beef. This step completely normalizes Canada-Mexico beef trade as Canada approved Mexico to export beef to Canada two years ago.

I hope everyone has enjoyed a great summer. First off, I would like to thank Doug Gillespie for all of his hard work during his tenure as President of the SSGA and I would also like to extend an even bigger thank-you to his wife, Colleen. I want to acknowledge our General Manager, Chad MacPherson who has gone above and beyond throughout this past year. The work that Chad and his team did for the SSGA 103rd Annual General Meeting and Convention was outstanding. It was great to see the participation and attendance at the event this past June in Regina, which says a lot for the strength of our organization. The Board has been busy working on several resolutions that emerged from the AGM. The SSGA had previous communication and continues to be involved in the consultation process in regard to the opening and revisions of The Provincial Lands Act of Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) has been excellent to work with in continuing to improve its forage insurance program including the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program (FRIP). I believe we are making headway on our resolution involving the increased population of and predation by cougars. Shortly after the convention it was announced that Mexico and Taiwan will reopen their borders to Canadian beef. With Mexico positioned to re-open fully in October 2016, this will provide an additional market during the typical 40

Taiwan’s decision restores previous access for Canadian beef from cattle under-30months (UTM). While Taiwan isn’t as large a Canadian beef market compared to some of the other trading countries, they do import some different cuts of meat that should increase total carcass value in the long run. Canada exported $12 million of beef to Taiwan in 2014. The Government of Saskatchewan recently announced that Premises Identification (PID) will eventually be required, through regulation, when

signing onto any programs administered by the Ministry of Agriculture. Participation remains low under the current policy of voluntary enrolment in the current PID Program. The SSGA has always been a strong proponent of PID and I believe that this new requirement will help increase the number of producers acquiring a PID. I encourage producers to take the time and sign up for a PID by going to http://premisesid. saskatchewan.ca/pid/. I would like to thank all of those who are willing to invest their time in the SSGA. We have a strong past and I believe that we can have a great future in our cattle industry. Please feel free to contact myself, the SSGA office or any of the SSGA directors if you have concerns or issues that you would like to see brought forward to the organization. B

Grassland Trailers provides a full line of trailer products from W-W, Titan, Duralite, Circle D and Krogmann Bale Beds. Compare the quality and value.

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Box 1106, Assiniboia, SK S0H 0B0

306 640 8034 or 306 642 3050 email: gm93@sasktel.net

SEPTEMBER 2016

Association News, Reports, and Events 2016 Annual General Meeting Resolutions

BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the Government of Saskatchewan and SCIC to offer fire insurance coverage for grass. Carried

WHEREAS producers are still required to pay taxes & lease fees on agricultural land under water where producers have no ability to generate any production. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the Government of Saskatchewan, SAMA and SARM to review their taxation and fee assessments policies for agriculture land taken out of production by large scale flooding. Carried

BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian beef industry leadership adopt and hasten the full deployment of the E+V technology as the official determinant of the beef carcass grade and yield system and that the yield be estimated as a percentage yield on each carcass and that the industry be encouraged to more fully recognize, in the pricing system, the impact of differing yield percentages on the value of beef carcasses. Carried

Resolution #2

Resolution #5

Resolution #6

WHEREAS the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture supports irrigation development in the province and it is important to maintain older existing flood irrigation projects in the southwest; and

WHEREAS the objective of a modern, efficient beef industry should be the production of beef carcasses that combine high quality and high yield.

WHEREAS currently there is limited information on the carbon sequestration benefits of grasslands.

Resolution #1 WHEREAS fire poses a considerable risk to grass; and WHEREAS fire insurance for grass isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t currently available commercially.

continued on page 42

WHEREAS six projects in southwest SK comprising of over 20,000 acres are being divested by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in March 2017. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA encourage Saskatchewan Agriculture irrigation branch to recognize the importance of these flood irrigated projects and work with irrigators to encourage their continuation producing livestock feed in southwest Saskatchewan. Carried Resolution #3 WHEREAS there are habituated (tame) cougars in southwest Saskatchewan that are hanging around farm and ranch yards much more often than they should be. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the Government of Saskatchewan to have a licensed cougar hunting season in SK and to allow the use of dogs if they wish to. Carried Resolution #4 WHEREAS the Quill Lakes watershed has experienced extensive flooding in recent years; and SEPTEMBER 2016

Testing protects more than you think Did you know that testing for BSE helps protect the beef sector by showing consumers and trading partners that Saskatchewan cattle producers take disease risks seriously?

Help protect your industry. Test for BSE today.

saskatchewan.ca/bse www.skstockgrowers.com | ÂŠBEEF BUSINESS | 41

Calendar of Events SEPTEMBER September 20-22 September 21 October 10 November 2-3 November 9-13 November 15-17 November 21-26 December 2 December 7-8 January 24-27

Western Nutrition Conference Multiple Approaches to Habitat Conservation Webinar OCTOBER Advertising deadline for November magazine NOVEMBER Traceability Symposium Farmfair International Canadian Forage and Grassland Association Conference Canadian Western Agribition DECEMBER Saskalta Angus Complete Dispersal Sale Foraging into the Future JANUARY 2017 SK Beef Industry Conference

Saskatoon, SK

Calgary, AB Edmonton, AB Winnipeg, MB Regina, SK Medicine Hat, AB Swift Current, SK Regina, SK

Resolutions cont. from pg. 40 BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the CCA, BCRC, and other potential parties about the opportunity that grasslands and cattle grazing have with carbon sequestration and the need for additional research to define its value. Carried Resolution #7 WHEREAS The Provincial Lands Act of Saskatchewan is to be opened for revision; and WHEREAS the regulations in The Provincial Lands Act are critical for management of practices and transition of Crown lands for future generations. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA continue to be part of the consultation process for developing the formulation of the regulations contained in the Act. Carried Resolution #8 WHEREAS the provincial auditor is planning to review the provincial fuel tax exemption. BE IT RESOLVED that the SSGA lobby the Government of Saskatchewan to retain the fuel tax exemption. Carried Formal responses from government can be viewed by going to www.skstockgrowers.com/policy. 42

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SEPTEMBER 2016

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Western Litho

SSGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE EXECUTIVE

Shane Jahnke President/Director at Large Gouldtown, SK

DIRECTORS AT LARGE Phone: 784-2899

Bill Huber 1st Vice President/Director at Large Lipton, SK Phone: 336-2684 Kelcy Elford 2nd Vice President/Director at Large Caronport, SK

Phone: 690-5309

Jeff Yorga Finance Chair Flintoft, SK Phone: 531-5717 Doug Gillespie Past President Neville, SK Phone: 627-3619

SEPTEMBER 2016

Jerry Chanig, Mankota Keith Day, Lacadena Gerald Duckworth, Courval Glen Elford, Milestone Calvin Gavelin, McCord Joe Gilchrist, Maple Creek Paula Larson, D'Arcy Norm Nordgulen, Assiniboia Donnie Peacock, Maple Creek Barry Olney, Estevan Roy Rutledge, Assiniboia

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

Henry McCarthy, Wawota Stephanie Deg, Weyburn Rod Gamble, Pambrun Robin Wiggins, Maple Creek Bill Huber, Lipton Brent Griffin, Elbow Kimberly Simpson, Kyle Kelly Williamson, Pambrun

478-2658 375-2934 394-4211 436-4688 478-2533 662-3986 379-4523 642-4961 662-8288 421-1495 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 Lance Leachman - Hereford Affiliate, Maidstone 903-7299 Ashley L'Henaff - Shorthorn Affiliate, Melfort 920-7751 Kurtis Reid - Hereford Affiliate, Hepburn 280-6858 Laird Senft - Angus Affiliate, Fort Qu’Appelle 332-4823 Lee Sexton - Goat Breeders Affiliate, Hanley 544-2660 Jeff Yorga - Limousin Affiliate, Flintoft 531-5717

APPOINTED DIRECTORS

Dr. Andy Acton- Veterinary Advisor, Ogema 739-2205 891-9894 582-2077 666-2103 336-2684 854-2050 375-5534 582-6102

459-2422

SASKATCHEWAN CCA DIRECTORS

Pat Hayes, Val Marie Perry Rasmuson, Moosomin Reg Schellenberg, Beechy Duane Thompson, Kelliher

298-2284 435-3110 859-4905 675-4562

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

NEW LI STI N G

Working to create opportunities for farmers in Saskatchewan

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

Phone: 306-955-5477 / 1-866-298-7222 www.simplyag.ca

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

www.feedmax.com BeefBusiness_1.pdf

12/14/15

7:25 PM

COWCAM

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

Specializing in... H H H

Cam

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

www.precisioncam.ca Trusted Quality,

Trusted Support,

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

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

Trusted Service!



Machine & Products Ltd.

ROLLER MILLS

   

~ Electric or PTO models ~ 10 sizes available ~ Increase the nutrition value from your feed! ~ Manufactured in Saskatoon We regroove roller mill rolls - most brands 2502 Millar Ave, Saskatoon 306-242-9884 or 877-255-0187 apm@sasktel.net www.apollomachineandproducts.com

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

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

SEPTEMBER 2016

Affordable Livestock Equipment

1-844-500-5341

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

Pump Kit

Solar West 500

There is a Dealer near You!

Calmar, Alberta ®

a Tradition of Quality in Animal Nutrition

For Beef Nutrition Solutions Call Kyle, SK

306-375-2271

-Livestock Water Troughs - made of 12 gauge Galvanized Steel - Popular sizes 400,500, 1000 & 1250 Imp. Gal.

1,000 gal

valve protector hitch, removable wheels & implement jack for portable trough - Wood burning heater.

www.kylewelding.com

Jerry Glab Jack Wagman Kurtis Reid Roger Kostron

DURALITE, NORBERTS & FRONTIER STOCK TRAILER DEALER

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

Regina Mill Saskatoon Mill Humboldt Mill

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

Reputation of Quality 16, 20, 24 & 53’ ground loads in stock

7 YEAR STRUCTURAL WARRANTY

15’, 20’, 25’s in stock

Custom Orders are Welcome North Battleford, SK P: 306.445.5000 TF: 1.800.529.9958

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

Online Showroom at:

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

www.lucknowproducts.com

Glentworth, SK

Forage Seed

TMR MIXER FEEDERS

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

Neil McLeod 306-831-9401

VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL

Snowblowers Also Available Sales Rep: Randall Herperger 306-621-7031 www.edwardjones.com

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

Graham McKenzie

306.861.7074

INC.

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

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

Financial Advisor .

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

Dale Watson

306.861.4618

SEPTEMBER 2016

Providing all your livestock needs.

Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund

Integrity Commitment Results

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

www.johnstoneauction.ca

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

Representative for:

Proudly providing legal services since 1883

Weekly Online Sales

(306) 693-6176

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

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

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

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

Helen Finucane office: 306-775-1443 cell: 306-537-2648 phone: 306-584-2773 Carlyle, SK LIKE us on Facebook! For Upcoming Gelbvieh Sales and Breeders in your area contact: Ian Thackeray President (306) 861-7687 tgfis@sasktel.net www.gelbvieh.ca

(306) 567- 4702

Box 688, Davidson, SK S0G

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

Friendly Acres Seed Farm www.friendlyacres.sk.ca

306-744-2332

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

Cowtown Livestock Exchange Inc. Maple Creek, SK

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

www.cowtownlivestock.com

Jackson Designs Commercial Graphics | Catalogue Design Photography www.jacksondesigns.ca | 306.772.0376

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

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

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

Check with us before you buy! SEPTEMBER 2016

bEEf EVEnTs

www.agribition.com

Visit for the full schedule of events including all breed show and sales

RANCHING

NORHEIM

Your Livestock Equipment Specialists RED RHINO SELF UNLOADING HAY TRAILER 8 BALE SELF UNLOADING HAY TRAILER 2 x 6,000lb axles, LED lights, trailer brakes Pulls easily with a 3/4 ton truck

**Ask about our leasing options!

Livestock handling equipment made easier, faster and safer

Lee - Saskatoon 1.306.227.4503

Mike - Asquith 1.306.220.2265

Kelly - Eatonia 1.403.990.2098

Sheldon - Redvers Chuck - Gull Lake 1.306.452.7545 1.306.671.7454

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