Across the working landscapes of Saskatchewan, the wetlands and grasslands needed by wildlife are owned and sustainably managed by ranchers like you.
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) offers farmgate conservation programs designed to support your business and stewardship efforts:
Looking to buy land? DUC Conservation Easements pay up to 40% of FMV with no restrictions on haying or grazing.
Need more forage? Take advantage of financial incentives and expert advice with DUC’s Forage Conversion Program.
Or lease land through our annual Hay Tender Program.
Movement Matters
Client participation
The movement record function in the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) is available for use ahead of regulatory amendments. CCIA has added features to the CLTS movement reporting model to ease the administrative burden of our clients. We encourage clients to participate by reporting livestock movements in the CLTS and sharing feedback on this feature.
The regulatory amendments will focus on the identification and registration of premises where livestock are kept or collected, the identification of livestock, and the domestic movement reporting of livestock. Using the movement record in the CLTS strengthens traceability and supports communication between producers, transporters and destinations. This leads to faster identification and notification of stakeholders during a disease outbreak. Log in and check it out!
CLTS movement record
A movement record is initiated by the producer, all parties (producer, transporter, and destination) enter their data, and the destination submits the movement informati
Currently the movement feature is not a regulatory requirement, although it meets the proposed regulations and is a step towards more effective traceability.
Group movements
The Group Move-In/Move-Out feature allows movement reporting without listing individual tag numbers, but is only available for assembly points such as auction marts or assembly yards.
Auction marts and assembly yards are not required to report tag numbers—but must include the total number of animals and species.
Feedlots and other sites must report tag IDs in the Move-In event.
• CLTS MOBO App: Mobile reporting (soon to be bilingual)
• CLTS Web Portal: Manual entry for low volume reporting
• Excel File Upload: Batch submission via CLTS Web Portal
Help us make livestock traceability work for you, wherever you are. What works for you?
We’re here to help 1.877.909.2333
support. canadaid.ca
clts.canadaid.ca info@canadaid.ca
A unique, customizable ecosystem that brings together the expertise of our partners for time-saving solutions for Canadian ranches. Monitor, track and visualize your herd health while gaining pasture-level insights to help you care for your animals, even when you’re away.
Canadian ranchers are feeding the world
They work hard to produce the world’s highest quality livestock. Empowering them with digital tools helps to streamline their e orts and increase productivity. Every ranch can customize a digital toolkit to monitor and make decisions on individual animals. Operations of all sizes can gain herd health insights and communicate to maximize their investments for every acre of land and drop of water.
Smart Paddock’s all-in-one smart system o ers 24/7 monitoring of a rancher’s cattle and assets. It provides real-time alerts for unusual activity, theft, strays, and more. Reusable ear tags track cattle movement, detect signs of distress, and trigger notifications if they cross virtual fence lines.
FarmSimple Solutions helps ranchers measure water levels and temperatures in troughs, tanks, and bowls and provides instant alerts to any issues, helping save time and money.
To find out how you can get started, call us at 1.844.SASKTEL (1.844.727.5835)
sasktel.com/smartag
SaskTel’s solutions and Ag partnerships can help provide:
› End-to-end traceability
› Livestock health and movement monitoring
› Remote water trough status updates
› Fleet and equipment tracking
› Centralized asset oversight
A Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) Publication
SSGA reserves the right to refuse advertising and edit manuscripts. Contents of Beef Business may be reproduced with written permission obtained from SSGA's General Manager, and with proper credit given to Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. Articles submitted may not be the opinion of SSGA. SSGA assumes no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader from this publication based on any and all information provided.
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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses (covers only) to: Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Box 4752, Evraz Place, Regina, SK S4P 3Y4
Animal Health Canada
Beef Cattle Research Council
Adele Buettner
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Samantha Chamberlin
Jessica Colby
Carolyn Gaudet
Jeff Gaye
Brenna Grant
Mindy Hockley-Anderson
Chad MacPherson
Kori Maki-Adair
Jason Pollock
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Catherine Seidle
Corissa Wilcox
Garth Woods
Jeff Yorga
Upcoming Traceability Changes: What Beef Producers Need to Know
Kori Maki-Adair
Final rules expected in winter 2025
Beef producers in Saskatchewan should be aware of upcoming changes to Canada’s livestock traceability rules. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is amending Part XV of the Health of Animals Regulations, with the final version expected in the Canada Gazette, Part II in winter 2025.
Why these changes matter
Traceability systems are designed to follow an animal through its lifetime. Stronger traceability helps Canada respond faster to animal disease outbreaks, limits economic damage, and protects access to export markets. From a pasture to market perspective, the system is intended to safeguard both producers and consumers.
Key changes for beef producers
If the regulations are finalized as proposed, here’s what they’ll mean for cattle operations:
• Quicker reporting – Movements, deaths, and other key events will need to be reported within seven days, down from the current 30-60 days.
• Premises Identification (PID) required – All livestock sites must be registered through Saskatchewan’s premises identification program.
• Event reporting for cattle –Cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and farmed cervids (deer and elk) will all be added to event reporting rules already in place for pigs and wild boar.
• Flexibility in tagging – Approved animal indicator (tag) requirements will be updated to support new technology and innovation.
• Less paperwork – On-farm recordkeeping requirements will be reduced, with information stored in central databases.
UPSIDES
• Stronger traceability means Canada is better positioned to contain a disease outbreak, reducing the overall economic fallout.
• Protecting export markets is critical for beef producers, and these changes help maintain global confidence in Canadian beef.
• Reducing paper records could save producers time and headaches.
CHALLENGES
• Tighter timelines – Reporting within seven days could be difficult during busy seasons like calving, branding, or harvest, especially for smaller operations with limited staff.
• Added costs – More frequent reporting, new tags, or software changes may mean higher costs for producers that are not currently using digital tools within their operations.
• Technology and connectivity barriers – Not all rural areas have reliable internet or cell service, which may make timely reporting a significant challenge.
• Learning curve – Adjusting to new systems and rules will require
time, training, and possibly new equipment.
What producers should do now
• Stay informed – Watch for updates from industry associations and CFIA as final details are released.
• Prepare for shorter reporting timelines – Review your current record-keeping and reporting practices to ensure they can meet the seven-day requirement.
• Register for a provincial premises identification number – If you haven’t already, ensure your operation is registered with Saskatchewan’s Premises Identification program.
With the best intentions for the future of Canada’s livestock industry, Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been working together with provinces, industry groups, and international partners to ensure the new regulations and system are practical and consistent.
Even still, producers may want to raise concerns about workload, cost, and connectivity before the new rules take effect.
For more information or to review the regulatory proposal, please visit: https:// inspection.canada.ca/en/about-cfia/actsand-regulations/forward-regulatoryplan/2024-2026#a1_5_3
For further information regarding Saskatchewan’s Premises Identification program, please visit : https://premisesid. saskatchewan.ca/pid/welcome.page or contact the Agricultural Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
Mandatory Wildlife Testing for Bovine TB and CWD Begins in Key SK Zones
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment has launched mandatory testing for bovine Tuberculosis (TB) and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in select Wildlife Management Zones (WMZs) for the 2025–26 hunting season. The initiative responds directly to disease concerns that affect both wildlife health and livestock producers.
Bovine TB and CWD are not only threats to wildlife populations but also have potential implications for cattle herds and market access. In recent years, two cattle herds in Saskatchewan were confirmed with bovine TB (2023 and 2024), reinforcing the need for closer monitoring of disease at the wildlife–livestock interface.
Environment Minister Travis Keisig emphasized that “monitoring wildlife health protects Saskatchewan’s vibrant hunting and agriculture economies.”
By requiring hunters to submit samples, the province aims to strengthen surveillance and reduce risks to both wildlife and livestock.
Testing Requirements
Mandatory testing applies to hunters harvesting animals in the following zones:
• Bovine Tuberculosis: WMZs 37 and 39
• Chronic Wasting Disease: WMZs 43, 47, 50 and 55
Hunters in these zones must submit the animal’s head for testing within one month of harvest or by January 21, 2026, whichever comes first.
Voluntary CWD testing is also encouraged across all other WMZs. Deer, moose, and elk samples can be submitted provincewide, helping track the spread of the disease.
Submission Process
• Hunters register at cwdsk.ca to receive a unique tracking number.
Kori Maki-Adair
• Heads should be doublebagged, tagged, and dropped at any designated collection site.
• For hunters keeping mounts, trained technicians at select sampling stations can collect required tissue.
Test results will be posted online at saskatchewan.ca/cwd, with an estimated four to six-week turnaround.
Disposal Options
What Beef Producers Can Do Now
STAY INFORMED
TALK TO LOCAL HUNTERS
STRENGTHEN
BIOSECURITY
MONITOR UPDATES
REPORT CONCERNS EARLY
To reduce risks of disease spread, the province is expanding its carcass disposal program, adding more free disposal bins across Saskatchewan. Hunters can use these to dispose of carcasses, waste, or meat from CWD-positive animals.
What Producers Should Watch
• Disease proximity: TB in wildlife near cattle operations could create significant management and market challenges.
• Surveillance data: Increased testing will provide better information on where risks are emerging.
• Partnerships with hunters: Producer groups may consider working with local hunting organizations to encourage compliance and ensure strong surveillance coverage.
Looking Ahead
CWD has now been confirmed in 63 of 83 WMZs across Saskatchewan, highlighting its steady spread. While not known
Review the list of WMZs under mandatory testing to see if they overlap with your operation.
Encourage hunters on or near your land to comply with mandatory or voluntary testing.
Limit cattle–wildlife interaction where possible (feed storage, fencing, water sources).
Check provincial websites regularly for new carcass disposal sites and surveillance results.
to infect cattle, CWD remains a major concern for wildlife management and rural economies. Bovine TB, on the other hand, continues to be closely monitored for its potential impact on domestic livestock.
Producers are encouraged to stay updated on testing zones, surveillance results, and carcass disposal locations through the province’s official websites.
For information on:
• Bovine TB and safe field handling, visit: saskatchewan.ca/bovinetb
• CWD testing and disposal, visit: saskatchewan.ca/cwd
Protecting both cattle health and market access depend on strong cooperation between producers, hunters, and government.
If you suspect unusual illness in your herd, contact your veterinarian or CFIA immediately. B
Status of the Bovine TB Investigation in SK
Following the detection of a bovine tuberculosis (TB) case on November 29, 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the disease in the herd where the infected animal had spent most of its life prior to slaughter. The CFIA’s investigation and testing remain ongoing. By the end of August, more than 100 herds in Alberta and Saskatchewan had been drawn into the investigation, a number expected to increase through the fall as the CFIA traces and contacts herds that may have received animals from the index herd.
Investigation status as of September 3, 2025
Infected herd
• 1 infected herd has been humanely depopulated with 25 cases of bovine TB to date
• Cleaning and disinfection is underway
• The strain found in the infected
herd is not a close match to any strain previously reported in livestock or wildlife in North America
Lifeline herds (herds traced from an infected animal in the infected herd)
• 7 herds identified with 4 herds released from quarantine
Trace-in herds (herds that provided animals to the infected herd)
• 11 herds identified
• CFIA continues to identify these herds and prepare for testing
Trace-out herds (herds that received animals from the infected herd)
• 98 herds identified with 44 herds released from quarantine or no quarantine required
Contact herds (herds that shared a fence line or may have co-mingled with the infected herd)
Tag well with Shearwell
• CFIA continues to identify these herds and prepare for testing
Proximity herds (herds within five kilometres of the infected herd)
• 14 herds identified
• These herds will be tested later in the investigation
For additional information on the disease investigation process, visit: https:// inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/ terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/ bovine-tuberculosis
REFERENCE:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Status of the bovine tuberculosis investigation (2024) https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animalhealth/terrestrial-animals/diseases/ reportable/bovine-tuberculosis/ investigations#a2024 B
Higher Compensation Now Available in the Event of Disease Outbreaks
Kori Maki-Adair
Beef producers in Saskatchewan will now see higher federal compensation if their animals are ordered destroyed due to a reportable disease.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated its Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations (CDATR), raising the maximum amounts payable to reflect today’s cattle prices:
• Registered (purebred) cattle: up to $16,500 (previously $10,000)
• Commercial/non-registered cattle: up to $10,000 (previously $4,500)
The new maximums are a significant step up from the 2015 levels, which producers have long said were out of step with real market value.
When a federally reportable disease is detected, CFIA can require animals to be depopulated to protect other herds and safeguard Canada’s export markets. Compensation helps offset the financial loss to ranchers caught in these situations.
While the amount a producer actually receives depends on the animal’s current market value, these new limits ensure payouts can more realistically reflect the value of today’s cattle.
“We’re increasing the maximum amount of compensation for cattle to better reflect latest market value and help ensure that our producers have access to appropriate compensation when disease response efforts impact their businesses,” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
What Producers Should Know
• Compensation is market-based: Payments are calculated on current market value, but cannot exceed the new limits.
• Early reporting helps everyone: The CFIA notes that fair compensation encourages producers to report suspected diseases quickly, which is key to protecting the herd health of the province and maintaining export access.
• More security for high-value animals: The higher limits are especially important for purebred operations and seedstock breeders who may have animals worth well above the old cap.
With more than 2.6 million beef cows in the province, Saskatchewan is a cornerstone of Canada’s cattle industry. Producers here have a lot at stake in maintaining herd health and protecting trade markets. The updated compensation rules provide additional peace of mind should a serious disease event ever affect local herds.
For details on how compensation works and what to expect if animals are ordered destroyed, visit CFIA’s resources at https://inspection.canada.ca/en/ animal-health/terrestrial-animals/ diseases/compensation/noticeindustry-2025-06-18. B
• Increase the fee from $2.75/head to $3.25/head. — Comes into force September 1, 2025.
• Increase the fee from $3.25/head to $3.75/head. — Comes into force September 1, 2028.
Item 7 – 20-year corporate brand registration, transfer and renewal
• Decrease the fee from $600 to $250
Livestock Tax Deferral Announced for 2025: Initial Regions Released
Beef producers in Saskatchewan and across the Prairies now have clarity on the first regions that will qualify for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral program, following an announcement by the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food on August 18, 2025.
The Livestock Tax Deferral allows eligible producers in designated areas to postpone paying taxes on part of the income earned from the forced sale of breeding stock due to drought, excess moisture, or flooding. By deferring this income to the following tax year, producers can better align taxable income with the cost of replacing breeding animals once conditions improve.
How It Works
• To qualify, a producer must reduce their breeding herd by at least 15 per cent in a prescribed region.
• If drought or flooding continues for multiple years, income can be deferred until the first year the region is no longer prescribed.
• Where reductions are between 15 to 30 percent, producers may defer 30 per cent of net sales income; if reductions are 30 per cent or more, up to 90 per cent of sales income can be deferred.
The initial list of qualifying regions has been released, with more areas expected to be added as weather, climate, and production data continue to be monitored through the season. To ensure fairness, buffer zones are also applied, extending eligibility to producers just outside designated regions who are facing similar conditions.
“As we continue to see the very real and challenging effects of climate change, Canada’s new government is committed to supporting our livestock producers,” said Minister MacDonald. “By offering a tax deferral option to those in affected areas, we are helping folks manage uncertainty, make informed business decisions, and
Kori Maki-Adair
safeguard their livelihoods.”
Saskatchewan Regions Included in the Initial List
Many of the prescribed regions are in southwest, south-central areas, and parts of the northern grainbelt in Saskatchewan where dry conditions and forage shortfalls hit hardest earlier this season.
Examples of included Rural Municipalities (RMs) are:
• Southwest and South-Central: Maple Creek No. 111, Mankota No. 45, Carmichael No. 109, Lac Pelletier No. 107, Happyland No. 231, Chaplin No. 164.
• Northern Grainbelt: Arborfield No. 456, Hudson Bay No. 394, Big River No. 555, Buckland No. 491, Birch Hills No. 460.
• Buffer Zones: RMs like Beaver River No. 622, Hoodoo No. 401, and Buchanan No. 304 are included as buffers to capture nearby impacted producers.
What it Means for Saskatchewan Producers
For cattle producers across the province, where drought and feed shortages are ongoing concerns, the deferral provides financial breathing room. Deferring income until replacement breeding stock can be purchased helps reduce the immediate tax burden from forced herd reductions.
Producers are also reminded of the broader suite of business risk management (BRM) programs:
• AgriStability: For 2025, coverage has been increased from 80 per cent to 90 per cent, and the payment cap doubled from $3 million to $6 million.
• AgriInsurance and AgriInvest: Continue to support producers facing disasters beyond their control.
Online Resources to Check Your Eligibility
At a glance: Livestock Tax Deferral 2025
Who qualifies?
• Livestock producers in prescribed RMs or buffer zones.
A full list of prescribed Saskatchewan RMs and buffer zones is available through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/ agriculturalproduction/ weather/livestocktax-deferralprovision/2025livestocktax-deferralprescribed-regions.
• Breeding herd reduction of 15 per cent or more.
What does it do?
• Defers part of income from forced breeding stock sales.
• Aligns tax liability with future herd rebuilding costs.
Deferral levels:
• 15 to 30 per cent herd reduction = 30 per cent of income deferred.
• 30 per cent + herd reduction = 90 per cent of income deferred.
Other support in 2025:
• AgriStability: 90 per cent compensation rate; $6 million maximum payment
• AgriInsurance and AgriInvest: Ongoing coverage options
The Canadian Drought Monitor (CDM) is Canada’s official system for tracking and reporting drought conditions nationwide. This page provides access to monthly updates, maps, and resources on current drought status across the country: https:// agriculture.canada. ca/en/agriculturalproduction/ weather/canadiandrought-monitor B
What to Do When You Find Stray Livestock
Jessica Colby
Livestock usually leave the farm by way of truck and trailer.
But sometimes, they leave on their own without the producer knowing, running at large and considered stray.
A stray is defined as an animal unlawfully running at large or an animal found outside its owner’s enclosure and on public or private property without permission.
The Animal Production Act (act) and The Animal Production Regulations (regulations) include requirements and processes for handling stray livestock in Saskatchewan.
This legislation applies to cattle, horses, bison, alpacas, llamas, sheep, goats, donkeys, ostriches, emus, and hogs,
as well as game farm animals, fur farm animals, and farmed wild boar licensed under the regulations. It does not apply to insects, poultry, fowl, wildlife or stray pets like cats and dogs.
If a stray is running at large, the owner must take immediate action to capture the animal as soon as they know it is at large. If the stray is a domestic game farm animal, fur farm animal, or farmed wild boar, the owner must immediately report the escape to their game farm inspector.
If the stray is restrained by a finder or brought into the municipality’s care, the owner is required to pay any fees outlined in Table 5 of the regulations, provide a declaration of ownership, and retrieve the animal. Anyone may restrain a stray, but not everyone may be comfortable doing so.
Under the act and regulations, a finder is defined as someone who restrains a stray, and the restraint must comply with the act and regulations, as well as The Animal Protection Act, 2018, The Animal Health Act, and the Code of Practice for that particular species. The Trespass to Property Act applies if the animal is not on the finder’s personal property.
Harbouring a stray animal is also an offence, and liability provisions are set out in the act and regulations.
What do you do if you restrain stray livestock?
Immediately contact the animal’s owner and provide them with an itemized statement of costs claimed, if any, in accordance with Table 5 of the regulations. In many instances,
Find information on responding to animal disease, rollovers, fires, extreme weather and other emergency events, as well as links for mental health supports, emergency contacts and more.
saskatchewan.ca/livestock-emergencies
neighbours may choose not to charge for restraining and caring for the animal(s) for a short period of time. Damages to property are not a cost listed in Table 5 but can be pursued through consultation with a lawyer.
Contact the local municipality if the owner does not pay the costs or retrieve the animal within 24 hours of notification. Additionally, if after 24 hours the owner is not known or cannot be notified, immediately contact the local municipality.
In the case the local municipality is closed, notify law enforcement and contact the municipality when the office reopens.
The steps the municipality will take to address the stray livestock will depend on if the owner is known and/or if the animal is dangerous. The animal’s owner is subject to municipal process and liable to additional fees outlined in the legislation.
INDUSTRY NEWS
If the owner is unknown, the municipality must make reasonable inquiries to locate the owner and receive a declaration of ownership.
After the municipality is notified of a stray, they will work with the finder to transfer the animal’s care to the municipality’s pound or come to an agreement with the finder to act as a temporary pound and poundkeeper. All agreements should be in writing with clear expectations for both parties.
If the owner remains unknown or is not willing to pay fees or retrieve the animal, the municipality may put the animal up for sale in accordance with the regulations.
Livestock owners are required to construct and maintain fences or enclosures to prevent animals from escaping. While livestock producers do their best to contain their animals, they may become stray.
There are legally required steps to take when addressing stray animals. Whether you are an animal owner, neighbour, or municipality, responding properly to a stray animal sighting supports livestock producers, animal and public safety.
In addition to the act and regulations, The Stray Animals Guide, found on saskatchewan.ca/livestock , was developed to help livestock producers, municipalities and the public know what to do when they encounter stray livestock.
This article is not a substitution for the legislation.
The full legislation, including liabilities and detailed provisions, can be found online at publications.saskatchewan.ca by searching “The Animal Production Act ” and “The Animal Production Regulations.”
MARKETS AND TRADE
MARKETS AND TRADE
RETAIL MEAT PRICE SURVEY
Any cattle, sheep or goat producer located in Saskatchewan interested in participating is eligible.
Program
A blood test is conducted on every mature animal in the herd/ ock. If Johne’s is found in a herd/ ock, veterinary consultation will be provided to complete a Johne’s disease risk assessment and develop a customized management plan. The identity of program participants and individual test results will be kept con dential.
Costs Covered
Veterinary fees for blood collection, laboratory testing, sample shipping and and veterinary feew for Johne’s Risk Assessment and Management Planning are covered 100 per cent for a producer’s rst year of participation in the program. Producers are responsible for 50 per cent of the costs for all following years of participation.
How To Access the Program
Space is available on a rst-come, rst-served basis. For application information, visit skstockgrowers.com/johnes-disease-surveillance-program.
For more information, please contact the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association at 306-757-8523 or schamberlin@skstockgrowers.com
Agriculture Front and Centre: Federal Minister Heath MacDonald on Building Canada’s Future
An interview with the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada conducted by Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association General Manager Chad MacPherson for Beef Business Magazine
August 12, 2025
Chad MacPherson (CM): Minister MacDonald, thank you for being with us today, and congratulations on your appointment. Could you start by telling our readers a little about yourself?
The Honourable Heath MacDonald (HHM): Thank you. I come from Canada’s smallest province, where I grew up surrounded by farming and fishing. My mother’s side of the family farmed beef cattle and grew grain, while my father’s side fished. I like to say I was raised with a bit of “surf and turf.” I’ve been a Member of Parliament for several years, and before that served as a provincial MLA, including as Minister of Finance.
Since becoming Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, I’ve travelled extensively across Canada Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and abroad to Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines to advance trade. It has been a busy but rewarding start.
CM: You’ve had a full summer engaging with stakeholders. What have been the highlights and takeaways from those travels?
HHM: My priority is to keep agriculture at the forefront of government decisionmaking, always with a strong economic focus. I’ve found provincial ministers across the country very united in this.
We share the goal of building the strongest economy in the G7, and agriculture is central to achieving that.
This is a new government with a new agenda. That means we must deliver results, build trust, and, where needed, mend fences across the country. I’ve built strong working relationships with my counterparts in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and beyond, and we’re aligned on key priorities.
At the same time, we’re focused on growing the sector sustainably. These discussions will continue, including at our upcoming Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Ministers’ meeting in Winnipeg. Face-to-face dialogue is crucial as we consider the future of farming.
CM: Looking ahead, what are your priorities for the Canadian livestock industry?
HHM: Diversification is key. On recent visits to Asia, it was clear there are strong opportunities for Canadian beef and livestock products. Listening directly to producers whether cow-calf operators or feedlot owners has reinforced the importance of responding to their challenges. My focus is on creating the conditions for growth, ensuring barriers are addressed, and acting on producer priorities.
CM: At our June AGM, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) members passed a resolution calling for changes to the Livestock Tax Deferral Program. Is Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) considering any adjustments?
HHM: I’m not sure whether that
The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, Prince Edward Island, and Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood, brings a unique “surf and turf” background to his role, having grown up with beef farming on his mother’s side and fishing on his father’s.
First elected provincially in 2015, he served as Minister of Tourism and Economic Development and later as Minister of Finance before entering federal politics in 2021.
Re-elected in 2025 and appointed to Cabinet shortly after, MacDonald combines deep rural roots, over 20 years of private sector experience, and a strong economic perspective with a passion for agriculture, community service, and advancing accessibility.
He and his wife live in Cornwall, PEI, where they enjoy family life with their two adult children and two granddaughters.
resolution has reached my desk yet. That said, everything is open for discussion. My very first decision as minister involved adjusting compensation for cattle culled due to disease, so I know how critical these tools are.
We need to evaluate requests on their merits sometimes nationally, sometimes regionally. If a program isn’t working
for producers, then it must be revisited. Flexibility is key, and we must always be open to making changes that better support farmers.
CM: Drought has been a major issue in the Prairies. Some regions have had rain, but many are still suffering. Will there be an AgriRecovery program this year?
HHM: Discussions are underway. At season’s end we’ll assess the full extent of the impact. The process begins with provinces Saskatchewan, Alberta, or others submitting a request. If there’s a demonstrated need, we are prepared to respond.
CM: For years, industry has asked for cost-shared livestock price insurance premiums. What is the status of that request?
HHM: I haven’t personally seen that proposal yet. My staff may have, but it hasn’t come across my desk. I appreciate you raising it it’s something I’ll follow up on.
CM: Related to risk management, are there any new tools being developed at AAFC?
HHM: Since I’ve taken office, we’ve raised the AgriStability compensation rate to 90 per cent with provincial agreement, which was a significant step. Beyond that, I’m not aware of new programs
FEATURE
immediately ready to roll out, but I’ll review what’s in development.
CM: Thank you. Turning to animal health—thank you for increasing compensation levels for cattle destroyed in bovine TB investigations. Is there an update on the AgriRecovery request for producers under quarantine?
HHM: Not at this time. We prioritized raising the compensation cap, as it was badly outdated. Now that this has been addressed, we will follow up on other related issues, including quarantinerelated costs.
CM: Producers are also concerned about harmonizing Canada’s specified risk material (SRM) policy with the United States. What is the status?
HHM: It’s on our radar. Any changes must be carefully considered to ensure they are right for the long term. But alignment with the U.S. is an important issue.
CM: The Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s (PMRA) approval process has long been criticized as costly and slow, putting Canadian producers at a disadvantage. Is reform underway?
HHM: While the PMRA doesn’t fall under Agriculture, we’ve raised these concerns with them directly. They’ve committed to streamlining timelines, and for the first time they will join us at the FPT meeting
in Winnipeg. That will allow us to ask pointed questions. I’ve been assured improvements are coming.
CM: One example is a pour-on insecticide that producers found effective under emergency access, but the company withdrew its Canadian application due to excessive registration costs. Producers were very frustrated when they lost access to the product.
HHM: That’s exactly the kind of case we’re discussing with the PMRA. If a product is approved in the United States or Europe but not here, Canadian producers are at a competitive disadvantage. These processes need to be reformed to level the playing field.
CM: Let’s turn to trade. Reducing interprovincial trade barriers has been a government priority. How might this benefit livestock?
HHM: Some livestock already moves freely across provinces, but barriers remain particularly around slaughter and processing. Greater internal trade benefits farmers, but so does expanding external trade. Demand for Canadian beef is strong globally. We need to seize every opportunity.
CM: On your recent trade missions, where do you see the greatest opportunities? continued on page 18
HHM: Building relationships is essential. Canada’s reputation for food safety is strong, and demand for our beef is high. In the Philippines, for example, Canadian beef was prominently featured in stores and restaurants, with our flag proudly displayed. We need to diversify trade so we aren’t overly dependent on one or two markets. Bilateral agreements are key to opening doors. Now is the time to act while demand is strong.
CM: Finally, is there anything you’d like to leave with our readers?
HHM: Agriculture and agri-food are central to Canada’s economy, contributing nearly seven per cent of GDP. Yet sometimes the sector is taken for granted. My role is to ensure Canadians understand the critical importance of farmers and
FEATURE
the food system, from farm to fork. If we want a strong national economy, we must support agriculture.
CM: Thank you, Minister. We appreciate your time and look forward to welcoming you back to Saskatchewan, perhaps for Canadian Western Agribition in November.
HHM: Thank you. I’ll look forward to it.
trade, strengthening risk management, or ensuring the sustainability of Canadian livestock and crops, his message is consistent—Canada’s prosperity depends on agriculture, and the voices of farmers will remain central to shaping its future.
We thank Minister MacDonald for his time and openness. He welcomes real feedback from Canada’s beef producers. It’s clear that he looks forward to continued collaboration with those at the heart of the industry.
As Minister MacDonald settles into his new role, his focus remains clear: keeping agriculture “front and centre” in Canada’s economic future. With roots in both farming and fishing, decades of business and public service experience, and a deep respect for producers across the country, he brings a grounded yet ambitious vision to the portfolio. Whether it is advancing
Smooth Handling Starts Here
Mark and Karin Elford Win SK Stewardship Award
Jeff Gaye
It’s a principle as old as ranching itself: take care of your land, and your land will take care of you.
Mark and Karin Elford take that idea to heart. Now semi-retired, the Elfords still ranch 5,280 acres near Wood Mountain including 4,800 of native grass prairie.
The Elfords are the2025 recipients of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) for Saskatchewan. Mark says looking after the native grass is vital to their operation.
“That’s our bread and butter,” he said.
The native grass is resilient enough to have survived thousands of years of everything the prairie climate could throw at it. Yet at the same time, it is so fragile that a few years of poor management could change it forever, even destroy it.
When you rely on the natural grass, you learn to understand it: how do the different plant species respond to grazing, how does drought affect your grazing plan, how do you manage the land to encourage sustainable outcomes?
And of course it’s not the same everywhere. Much of the Elfords’ ranch is at about 3,000 feet elevation and receives less rainfall than even other land nearby.
“I’ve often said that although it’s not labelled as such, we’re in a desert. That’s one way to describe it because where we live, we survive on less rainfall than anywhere else in the province,” Mark said.
The ranch relies on rest and rotation of pastures to keep the grass and the cattle healthy. Timing is important to allow good recovery of the different plant species that make up the grassland.
“Certain pieces are grazed at certain times of the year,” Mark said. “For example, we’ll calve on native range. When those cattle get onto that land it’s been rested for the most part for 22 months.”
The long rest period gives the emerging plants a chance to establish their root systems and allow for better recovery after the cow-calf pairs are moved.
“When you graze plants that are starting to emerge, the new growth and so on, the impact on those plants is greater than if you graze it after it’s set seed,” Mark explained. “So the rest and rotation is extremely important.
“The resting time allows plants to reach their potential in growth and seed production. And what we know now is that after they create the seed, then they will root. The longer and higher the grass is above the ground most often will mean that there’s a really good root base underneath.”
Where tracts of grass are struggling, the Elfords will graze them in the dormant season to help them recover.
“On parcels that need a little more help, and you still need to have some value come from piece of ground, using dormant-season grazing on those parcels really helps to bring them back,” Mark said.
The operation’s grazing plan isn’t laid out strictly according to the calendar, but after careful monitoring of how the grasses are recovering. The Elfords pay attention to the “increasers and decreasers” in their grasses to determine how the land is responding to grazing pressure.
“There are certain species that will increase in population and certain species that will decrease. Almost always the ones that decrease are the ones that you want,” Mark said.
A large percentage of blue grama grass in the mix indicates the land has been grazed a bit too hard. More desirable grasses like needle and thread, Northern Wheat Grass, Canadian Wheatgrass, and Porcupine Grass are decreasers on the native prairie (though they can be increasers in other parts of the province).
Mark says, “We make our living making sure that we’ve got those species strong in our mix.”
With four and a half miles of the West Poplar River running through the ranch, water resources and riparian areas also warrant the Elfords’ attention.
Obviously the more watering sites you can have, the more even the grazing will be. Mark and Karin have introduced watering sites including dugouts and springs to
Mark and Karin Elford, recipients of the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award, relax in the native grass on the site of Mark’s grandfather’s homestead near Wood Mountain, SK—where Mark thinks his grandfather's kitchen once was, where generations of care for the land began.
Photo courtesy of Gail Peterson
spread out the grazing.
“Cattle are lazy, and they will always graze in almost a circular pattern away from your water sources. So if there’s one single water source, the pressure on the grasses closer to those water sources is a lot higher than further away. Having more water sources inside of a particular field allows that that range to be grazed more evenly,” Mark said.
The herd also has some access to the river, but the Elfords control that. They will put fences a mile apart that keep the cattle off of the riverbanks. There are natural crossing places with a gravel bottom where the Elfords have laid gravel and rock access points. This prevents the animals from collapsing sections of riverbank or damaging waterfowl and shorebird nests.
A healthy river has benefits for the Elford family, too. Pools and sinkholes along the river provide some good fishing spots.
“There are some sinkholes here and there around it, so in some ways there are some things to watch out for,” Mark said. “But for the most part it’s a blessing, especially when we have a decent snow run, then we’ve always got fish here for the grandkids to catch.
“They have a grand time. That’s a human benefit from having that river being healthy.”
But it’s not exactly a side benefit it’s part and parcel of the symbiosis the Elfords recognize between beef production and the natural ecosystem. Mark says the unique lifestyle of remote rural agriculture lends itself to an appreciation of what the land offers if you take care of it.
“I was born to it, I guess. My dad was not a large cattle rancher, but I was raised on a cattle ranch and you learn things,” he said.
And the learning hasn’t stopped. Mark is quick to credit the ranchers that have set an example of stewardship over the years.
“I actually chaired the Environmental Stewardship Committee in the early 2000s. And during that time as a producer and even before that, I was really trying hard to do well. And I saw some excellence,” he said.
“To be able to be included with some of those people as managers of the range, it’s a great honour. We’re humbled, Karin and I and our family, to be included with that group of people and that group of grass managers.”
The herd also has some access to the river, but the Elfords control that. They have built more than one group of fences, that are about a mile apart, to keep the cattle off the riverbanks. They graze the land during the songbird season, but avoid it when shorebirds are nesting.
There are natural crossing places with a gravel bottom where the Elfords have laid gravel and rock access points. This prevents the animals from collapsing sections of riverbank or damaging waterfowl and shorebird nests.
“The range supports the animals that aren’t farmed and the animals that are, and it has to support the people,” Mark said.
“The people are the ones who make the decisions of how many of our domestic animals are going to be there. And with the decisions we make, we determine the livelihood or the betterment of all of that, of all of those animals and the birds.
“If they’re present, if they’re healthy and doing well, then the people are going to be healthy and doing well because your management is right.”
The national TESA award winner will be announced this month at the Canadian Cattle Association meeting in Lévis, Quebec. B
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FEATURE
MyLivestock Inspection Pilot: Cutting Red Tape and Saving Time for SK Beef Producers
Kori
Maki-Adair
As cattle begin to move in large numbers during fall run, Saskatchewan producers are facing mounting pressure to keep pace with complex regulatory requirements while keeping their operations running smoothly. A new digital platform called MyLivestock aims to ease that burden, providing a way to streamline brand management, livestock transport records, and herd health documentation.
Launched by SaasyCloud, in partnership with Livestock Services of Saskatchewan (LSS), the MyLivestock inspection pilot is being introduced at a critical time. Producers are managing cattle movements, balancing marketing decisions, and navigating an evolving set of traceability and transport regulations.
A Platform Timed for Peak Season
For most beef operations in Saskatchewan, fall run is the busiest time of year. Calves are weaned, ownership changes hands, and thousands of animals move to feedlots, backgrounding, or direct to market. These movements generate not only physical work but also significant amounts of paperwork brand documents, transport records, and regulatory compliance documents.
Traditionally, producers have relied on paper forms and manual filing systems. Brand renewals involved waiting for mailed certificates, and livestock manifests often had to be completed by hand, sometimes under tight deadlines at loading time. According to project manager Michael (Mike) McNutt, MyLivestock will debut this fall with a commercial pilot using inspected manifests, a major step forward for Livestock Services of Saskatchewan. The pilot phase is designed to fine-tune the system before expanding province-wide.
Instead of waiting days for brand renewals, producers can now renew brands and download certificates instantly. Transport records can be generated with pre-populated information such as trailers or ownership details, reducing repetitive data entry. The platform also allows supporting documents such as photos or receipts to be attached directly, helping producers stay organized in case of inspection or audit.
Mike said, “Producers used to wait weeks for paper brand certificates. With MyLivestock, certificates are downloadable immediately, which makes renewals much more efficient.”
He also said that paper forms don’t always “capture the detail required, and they’re hard to share. Having everything stored digitally with the ability to add photos or supporting documents creates a much clearer record.”
Responding to Regulatory Pressures
Over the past decade, cattle producers across Canada have faced steadily increasing expectations for documentation. Federal Humane Transport Regulations now require up to 37 distinct data points for each load of livestock, ranging from departure and arrival times to trailer conditions and feed/water intervals. At the same time, the Health of Animals Regulations are being amended to expand livestock identification and traceability requirements.
For producers, these changes translate into more paperwork, more detailed records, and higher stakes if errors occur. Compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a key factor in protecting market access. In the event of a disease outbreak, the ability to rapidly trace animal movements and health status can make the difference between a localized issue and a sector-wide shutdown.
MyLivestock is designed to lighten that administrative load. By providing digital templates that meet federal standards, the platform helps producers generate compliant records quickly and accurately. Traceability reporting and/or herd management documents can be retrieved on demand whether for shipping cattle, renewing brands, or demonstrating compliance during an inspection.
Looking Ahead: Phase II
The current release of MyLivestock
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focuses primarily on brand renewals and transport records. But a second phase of development, scheduled for 2025, will expand its capabilities. Planned features include:
• Digital inspected manifests issued directly by LSS
• Electronic transport certificates for interprovincial and other regulated movements
• RFID tag reconciliation, linking electronic ID tags with herd inventories
• Animal health and herd management reporting and export tools
If fully realized, these additions could transform MyLivestock from a compliancefocused platform into a broader herd management tool, integrating regulatory requirements with everyday production practices.
The Core team Behind the Project
Much of the platform’s direction can be traced to Mike McNutt, project manager at SaasyCloud. Mike brings a unique combination of experience to the role: a background in cattle production, years working in livestock regulation, and a career in agricultural technology development.
The original concept for MyLivestock was conceived by Sam Morreel, SaasyCloud’s chief executive officer and chief technology officer. There was no unifying digital platform in the industry that was easy to use, Canada-wide and served the needs of all stakeholders, including transporters. Sam primarily serves as program manager, technical architect and data center operations engineer.
Sam said, “Right now, producers are dealing with multiple forms for multiple agencies. Our goal was to consolidate that process into a single digital-based entry system for all parties in the movement chain that saves time and reduces errors.”
MyLivestock’s UX designer and development team lead, Keanan Meier, has been on the project since day one. He is responsible for ensuring that MyLivestock’s demographic can easily understand and use the many features the platform has to offer, particularly on mobile devices.
Partnering with SaasyCloud on this project was a natural extension of our relationship with them. They have provided IT services to LSS for over a decade and provide support and ongoing development work for our internal database.
LSS values its role in the Saskatchewan livestock industry and moving forward with technology is a key part of continuing to provide value to our stakeholders.
We are looking forward to implementation and realize that this is a forward looking, multi-year transition that will be accelerated as technology becomes more and more a part of our industry.
MyLivestock, when fully implemented, will offer a host of benefits to the users and being a part of improving the tools and options available to industry for value and efficiency is a critical step forward for LSS.
Jason Pollock Chief Executive Officer
Livestock Services of Saskatchewan
pressures producers face. His regulatory experience provides insight into what inspectors and auditors require, while his tech background allows him to translate those needs into practical, user-friendly tools.
This blend of perspectives has shaped the way MyLivestock was built. Having worked directly with producers, McNutt understands the day-today realities of cattle operations and the time
The result is a platform intentionally designed to balance compliance with usability. One of the key features of the platform is that data, including repetitive data, is shared amongst parties in a movement, in real time. For example, commercial transporters get the required information electronically, which helps them with the next step, and so on. Record templates are built to align with federal rules but presented in a way that’s accessible to producers who may not have extensive computer experience.
continued on page 24
SaasyCloud Project Manager
Mike McNutt of Regina, SK
MyLivestock Inspection Pilot cont. from pg. 23
Saskatchewan’s Place in the Traceability Picture
Saskatchewan’s beef industry is a major contributor to Canada’s cattle sector, with a large base of producers and a cow-calf herd that makes up a significant share of the national inventory. The province’s size and extensive grazing lands make livestock transport a central part of production, whether moving calves from ranches to feedlots or shipping finished cattle to markets.
This scale means Saskatchewan producers are especially affected by traceability and transport rules. Paper-based systems can quickly become overwhelming during peak movement seasons, and the cost of mistakes whether in fines, lost time, or market delays can be high.
By digitizing and streamlining record-keeping, platforms like MyLivestock aim to provide a buffer against those challenges. They also position producers to adapt more easily as federal and provincial regulations continue to evolve.
The Road Ahead
For many producers, adopting digital tools represents a cultural as well as operational shift. Paper forms have been the norm for generations, and moving to online systems requires both trust and adjustment.
McNutt emphasizes that the platform is intended to support producers rather than add complexity. Features such as secure logins, document backups, and mobile access are continually being refined to ensure the best user experience possible. The ultimate goal is a tool that integrates seamlessly into
FEATURE
existing workflows, reducing rather than increasing the workload.
As the beef industry in Saskatchewan continues to navigate a changing regulatory landscape, the introduction of tools like MyLivestock signals a broader trend: the digital transformation of livestock management. What began as a solution to brand renewals and transport paperwork may, within a few years, become an essential hub for managing compliance, animal health, and production records.
Mike concluded the interview by saying, “Strong record-keeping is not only about
compliance. It also helps strengthen consumer trust and positions our industry to respond effectively to any future traceability requirements.”
This fall, MyLivestock will remain in its commercial pilot phase, with SaasyCloud and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan set to announce its full release in the future. Once fully launched, the platform is expected to simplify fall run paperwork and give producers more time to focus on their cattle.
Create digital manifests from your phone
SCIENCE AND PRODUCTION
SK Barley Producers Lead the World in Sustainable Production, New Study Shows
A new study from the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at University of Saskatchewan confirms what local farmers have long known: Saskatchewan producers are global leaders in sustainable barley production.
The research, released July 7, 2025, shows that barley grown in Saskatchewan and Western Canada carries the lowest carbon footprint of any region studied, outperforming countries like Australia and France.
For beef producers, this is good news. Barley is a cornerstone feed grain in cattle finishing rations, and its sustainability profile strengthens both the competitiveness of Saskatchewan beef and consumer confidence in how it is raised.
Kori Maki-Adair
Research Highlights
• Lowest global carbon footprint –Saskatchewan barley recorded the smallest carbon intensity, whether or not soil carbon sequestration was included.
• Science-backed credibility –Results are based on carbon life cycle analysis using internationally recognized ISO standards (14044 and 14067).
• Building on success – The findings align with similar research on wheat, canola, peas and lentils, confirming Western Canada’s leadership in climate-smart agriculture.
What It Means for Beef Producers
Barley’s low carbon footprint reinforces the sustainability story of Canadian beef, especially as international markets and consumers place greater emphasis on food system transparency.
Why This Matters for Beef Producers
• Feed Sustainability = Beef
Sustainability
Barley is a key cattle finishing feed. Its low carbon footprint helps strengthen beef’s overall environmental profile.
• Market Confidence
International buyers and consumers increasingly want proof of sustainable production. This study gives beef a stronger story to tell.
• Policy and Trade Advantage
Verified, science-based data supports Canadian beef in trade negotiations and sustainability frameworks.
• On-Farm Recognition
Practices many producers already use like reduced tillage, crop rotation, and precision nutrient management are being recognized for their value.
agri-food value chain.”
Trade and Market Advantages
“Barley’s environmental profile strengthens the overall case for Canadian beef as a responsibly raised protein,” said Jill McDonald, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley).
“Farmers’ use of practices like reduced tillage, crop rotations, and precision nutrient management are driving measurable improvements that ripple across the
The SaskBarley release highlights that third-party validation from GIFS will be a powerful tool for exporters, brewers, and food processors. For beef producers, the same applies: marketing cattle fed on sustainably grown Canadian barley may support trade access and branding in premium global markets where sustainability metrics influence buyer decisions.
Looking Ahead
SaskBarley stressed the importance of evidence-based research in shaping agricultural policy and trade. Having strong, verifiable data ensures that sustainability frameworks reflect realworld practices on Saskatchewan farms helping both crop and livestock sectors remain competitive.
The full GIFS report is available at: www.gifs.ca/sustainableag
Chief Executive Officer Jason Pollock Livestock Services of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan’s livestock sector depends on secure commerce. That’s not just a slogan—it’s our day-to-day work at Livestock Services of Saskatchewan (LSS). Every year, our inspectors, brand registrar, managers, and support teams facilitate thousands of transactions through inspection and identification services, documentation that proves ownership and movement, and the integrity management that underpins trust at the auction ring, on-farm, and across borders.
Our vision is simple yet powerful: a secure marketing environment for the livestock industry. To achieve that, LSS is guided by values that producers can count on— credibility as impartial protectors of the industry, accountability to adapt with market trends, proactivity in meeting evolving needs, and integrity in regulatory enforcement. These principles are more than aspirational—they are measured in real outcomes for producers, dealers, lenders, and the provincial economy.
The most recent data paints a clear picture of the return on investment in livestock inspection. In a single year, inspection services supported revenue collection on 1,673,056 head, with industry remitting $4.56 million in fees
Inspection That Pays for Itself: Why SK’s System Delivers— and What’s Changing September 1, 2025
Jason Pollock
net of dealer commission. Against that cost, the measured benefits to Saskatchewan’s livestock industry totalled $35.03 million, generating a net measured value of $30.47 million.
That value isn’t theoretical. It shows up in the barn, at the mart, and in the bank. Inspection redirected $6.56 million in proceeds to rightful owners on 2,853 head where ownership was contested or unclear. The system helped identify 161 stray animals, valued at $370,300, and supported the recovery of 559 reported missing or stolen head valued at $1.29 million. Beyond these direct benefits, inspection integrity safeguarded $26.72 million by withholding proceeds for 11,618 head until proper clearance was achieved, protecting buyers, sellers, and financial institutions alike.
Inspection also supports access to affordable credit. With documentation and verified ownership, lenders have confidence to extend financing, ensuring producers can manage cash flow, invest in herd growth, and weather volatile markets. The value of legislated-use documents—manifests, permits, and related forms—adds an additional layer of assurance, while the LSS Inspection and Movement Database, accessed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Canadian Food Inspection Agency, provides a trusted record of livestock movements and compliance.
These results are possible because LSS operates under the Animal Production Act and Animal Production Regulations, which establish the framework for livestock inspection in Saskatchewan. Within that framework, LSS:
• Issues, transfers, and maintains livestock brands.
• Provides inspection services for livestock marketed in Saskatchewan and in Manitoba on behalf of Saskatchewan producers.
• Grants Inspection Certificates for the movement of livestock post inspection for movement within and outside the province.
• Administers licensing and security through 126 dealers and 279 agents.
• Manages the Provincial Brand Registry, home to more than 11,000 registered brands.
This system is essential for secure livestock commerce. Without reliable inspection and documentation, ownership disputes would escalate, lenders would hesitate, dealers would face increased risk, and producers would be more vulnerable to theft or fraud. Instead, Saskatchewan producers benefit from one of the most comprehensive, credible livestock inspection frameworks in Canada.
To ensure these services remain sustainable, effective September 1, 2025, the livestock inspection fee will adjust to $3.25 per head (up from $2.75).
Importantly, this is an Animal Production Regulation change resulting from consultations led by the Ministry of Agriculture with Saskatchewan’s livestock industry through the owners of LSS.
The regulation fee table will change again in 2028 with an additional $0.50 per head increase. Industry and government have established a stepped approach to ensuring the continuation of services in Saskatchewan to ensure our inspection system remains in place to protect and facilitate commerce.
LSS does not have the authority to determine what the inspection fees are. continued on page 28
Inspection That Pays for Itself cont. from pg. 27
This is directed by our owners, industry, and the discussion is facilitated by the Ministry. Our role is to provide service delivery within the regulatory framework established by government and industry within the means afforded by the prescribed fees.
The Ministry’s consultation process included input from industry owners of LSS, who emphasized the importance of balancing sustainability with affordability. This balance resulted in the stepped fee increase decision to keep pace with cost pressures and provide security for the inspection system.
The last fee adjustment occurred in 2015. In the decade since, inflationary pressures—from rising transportation and labour costs to technology investments—have placed strain on the financial capacity for LSS to maintain
SCIENCE AND PRODUCTION
service delivery. Without an update, the financial sustainability of inspection would erode, threatening the reliability and reach of inspection services across the province. This modest increase helps ensure province-wide coverage continues, while remaining predictable and manageable for producers and dealers.
For most operations, the impact is straightforward. Inspection fees will increase by $0.50 per head and this will be deducted from the proceeds of sales in accordance with existing practices. In return, producers and dealers retain a system that generates tens of millions of dollars in value annually, protects ownership rights, and sustains confidence in Saskatchewan livestock markets.
For dealers and auction marts, the change means updating fee boards, documentation templates, and consignment information in advance of the September 1 date. District managers
are available to support with questions and ensure a smooth transition.
LSS remains focused on professionalism, impartiality, and integrity in all aspects of service delivery. At the same time, we are moving forward with technology adoption—transitioning to digital documentation that will reduce errors, speed up reporting, and improve compliance. This modernization reflects our commitment to proactive leadership in the livestock value chain.
The inspection fee change will help sustain a secure, province-wide system that producers and dealers rely on for business. By maintaining the integrity of transactions and protecting the value of Saskatchewan livestock, LSS helps ensure our industry is positioned to compete and thrive in an increasingly complex global marketplace.
Are You a Competitive Supplier of Weaned Calves?
Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network
2024 COP Benchmark Results
Canfax Research Services
The last five years have seen a rapidly shifting landscape with inflated input costs and surging cattle prices. It can be easy to coast, allowing cost structures to rise to the level of cash coming into the operation. But now is the time to set yourself up for the next phase of the cattle cycle. High prices cure high prices; they will not stick around forever.
How are you investing into your business to be more competitive when prices turn? Are you a competitive supplier of weaned calves? Do you know if you are a high or low-cost producer?
Individual benchmarking allows for incremental improvement from year to year. Comparison to a provincial average tells a producer if they are competitive in the marketplace. Comparison to similar management systems allows producers to identify ways they can improve their competitiveness.
The Canadian Cow-calf Cost of Production Network (COP Network) was designed to give producers benchmarks that represent a variety of production and management systems, showcasing incremental steps that can be taken to improve competitiveness. The aggregated results give an indication of what to aim for.
It should be noted that benchmarks are not based on who is the most productive. Benchmarks are based on who is the most profitable. Benchmarks come from the top third, not the average.
What costs are you covering?
In 2024, with revenue (+16 per cent) growing faster than total costs (+five per cent), profitability improved across Canada (Figure 1). All benchmark farms covered short-term (cash) costs, and a vast majority (95 per cent) managed to cover medium-term (cash and depreciation) costs (Table 1).
Covering depreciation is critical to longterm survival of an operation as it ensures that assets can be replaced. As machinery and repair costs move higher, producers calculating depreciation based on book value can be caught off-guard as replacement costs move higher. About 59 per cent of farms were able to cover long-term (cash, depreciation, and opportunity) costs.
Covering opportunity costs represents a return to land, labour and capital, giving producers the signal to expand the herd.
In comparison, in 2023, 95 per cent of farms covered short-term costs, 91 per cent covered medium-term costs, and about 50 per cent covered long-term costs.
Overall, average short-term profits were up from $668/cow in 2023 to $919/cow in 2024, medium-term profits up from $465/cow to $675/cow, and long-term profits were up from -$25/cow to $163/cow. (Table 1).
While these figures reflect a positive trend in profitability for 2024, there is significant variability between operations. The top-third benchmark farms had
Figure 1. Canada Average Cost in 2024 continued on page 30
What is the COP Network?
The Canadian Cow-calf Cost of Production Network (COP Network) uses standardized data collection, which allows for comparison both within and between provinces, and internationally.
Since launching in 2021, the COP Network has collected data from more than 235 producers contributing to 64 cow-calf benchmark farms that represent various production systems.
Each benchmark is based on data from three to seven producers. Data collection occurs every five years with annual indexing of input and output prices, as well as crop and forage yields, in subsequent years.
Individual benchmark farm summaries, can be found at: https://canfax.ca/resources/costofproduction/cop-results.html
Supplier of Weaned Calves cont. from pg. 29
SCIENCE AND PRODUCTION
short, medium, and long-term profits that were 33 per cent, 58 per cent and 306 per cent higher than the average. Some operations have experienced much higher profitability, while others saw less favourable results.
Profit Drivers
The 5% Rule says that profits are driven by:
• Marketing - output price (revenue)
• Productivity - pounds produced/sold
• Input costs - cash, depreciation and opportunity
When the 64 benchmarks are divided into three equally-sized groups based on medium-term profit (see Figure 2), it becomes clear that controlling costs is a major profit driver representing the key difference between the groups.
Total costs dropped 21 per cent from the low to medium-profit group and by another 23 per cent from the medium to high-profit group supporting a significant 223 per cent and 47 per cent increase in medium-term profit, respectively.
Meanwhile, the total revenue had modest gains of seven per cent and one per cent, making a smaller contribution. This highlights the critical role that controlling costs plays in maximizing profits, which is something producers have more control over than output prices.
Controlling Costs
Overall, total production costs per cow have an upward sloping supply curve (Figure 3), with both low-cost and highcost production systems represented.
In 2024, the average total cost (Table 1) rose to $1,850 per cow, up five per cent from 2023. The increase was more pronounced in the East, where costs increased from 2023 by seven per cent, compared to a four-per-cent increase in the West since 2023.
The larger cost hike in the East is primarily due to inflationary pressures offsetting the
*Total revenue including calves, cull cows and bulls, breeding stock, and productivity from opens and death loss
effects of the 2023 drought in the West, as well as increased demand from Western producers purchasing winter feed from the East in 2023.
Breaking down the total costs, 59 per cent ($1,094) were cash costs, 13 per cent ($244) depreciation, and 28 per cent ($512) were opportunity costs. These are consistent with the previous year, which had 61 per cent cash costs, 11 per cent depreciation, and 28 per cent opportunity costs.
Continuous Improvement
The difference, when comparing the costs for the top-third farms to the bottom two-thirds (Figure 4), has widened 10 percentage points from 2021 to 2023
from 20 to 30 per cent for cash and 38 to 48 per cent for depreciation costs. This represents the top third making continuous improvements in their operations. This widening gap shows how those who are most competitive cement their position during profitable times.
Total costs for top-performing farms are 24 per cent to 32 per cent lower than those of the bottom tier, driven by consistent double-digit reductions in cash costs, depreciation, and opportunity costs across all years. It is worth noting that the top-third group does not focus on just cash costs, but is controlling every aspect of their cost structure.
In contrast, weaned calf prices show
Figure 2. Medium-term profit, total cost and total revenue of low, medium and high profit groups
SCIENCE AND PRODUCTION
only modest variation between top and bottom farms, with differences ranging from two to six per cent, underscoring the limited influence producers have over market prices.
As cattle prices have increased in recent years, the total revenue gap has narrowed—from 16 per cent in 2021 to just four per cent in 2024—suggesting that when prices are high, all cow-calf producers benefit.
But when the price cycle turns, it should not be forgotten that these topperforming operations not only control costs, but also received more revenue. It is never too late, nor too early to start working on developing reputation cattle.
Preparing for the next phase of the cattle cycle
At the top of the price cycle, producers have an opportunity to set themselves up strategically for the future. Reinvesting profits into operational improvements, genetic advancement, or resource efficiency can serve as a proactive hedge against the cyclical nature of the cattle market.
While the shrinking cattle supply has shifted market leverage toward cow-calf producers, enhancing profit potential, it has simultaneously increased exposure to market volatility, with large price ranges. Cost control combined with building reputation cattle can buffer operations against price volatility and enhance resilience in subsequent phases of the cattle cycle. Thoughtful planning during this phase is essential to ensure sustainability and competitiveness as the industry transitions into the next cycle.
Key Takeaways:
1. Manage your costs
2. Market quality, reputation cattle
3. Reinvest profits
Released in July 2025, this research was conducted by Canfax Research Services in collaboration with provincial coordinators, with funding provided by the Beef Cattle Research Council.
Disclaimer / Copyright Notice: Canfax Research Services (CRS) tries to provide quality information, but we make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information. CRS does not guarantee and accepts no legal liability arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any material contained in our publications. Reproduction and/or electronic transmission of this publication, in whole or in part, is strictly forbidden without written consent from CRS.
Figure 3. Total costs ($/cow) on benchmark farms in 2024
Figure 4. Percent Difference Between Top Third and Bottom Two-Third, based on Medium-Term Profits
Managing Bred Heifers and Mature Cows Separately During Breeding
Managing bred heifers and mature cows separately during breeding and calving is a practice that can significantly improve herd fertility, animal welfare, and productivity. Although it is common to manage heifers and cows together to minimize labour and management, grouping them together may lead to production losses.
One of the key differences between bred heifers and mature cows is that heifers are still growing while also developing a fetus. Often, heifers are targeted to be 65 per cent of their mature body weight at breeding and 85 per cent at first calving.
This means that between becoming pregnant and getting ready to calve, a heifer needs to gain 20 per cent of her mature body weight in addition to the extra weight from the calf and associated fluids. Mature cows do not have this extra metabolic demand and primarily focus on maintaining weight and body condition.
For example, if a mature cow weighs 1,350 pounds, the bred heifer needs to be 875 pounds at breeding and 1,150 pounds at calving. This leads to an overall gain of 275 pounds, plus an additional 165 pounds for the calf, placenta, associated fluids, and milk production.
As a result, the heifer must weigh 1,310 pounds by the time of calving. These calculations are a good rule of thumb, but can vary depending on heifer weight at breeding, weight of the calf at birth, and overall body condition of the heifer.
and Calving
Catherine Seidle and Corissa Wilcox
Nutrition
Since bred heifers are still growing, their nutrient requirements are substantially higher than those of mature cows. When bred heifers and cows are managed together, it is impossible to feed them appropriately for their individual needs. If the producer balances the ration for mature cows, the heifers are underfed. Conversely, if the producer feeds a more nutrient-dense ration for the heifers, the cows are overfed.
Formulating the ration to meet average requirements will likely result in reduced performance in younger animals and increased feed costs, negatively impacting an operation’s bottom line. Nutrition plays a crucial role in breeding, as optimal nutrition helps reduce the number of
days to return to estrus and improves pregnancy rates.
Bred heifers have a higher demand for nutrients, especially during late gestation and into lactation as they require nutrients for growth and development. To support these processes, bred heifers require an additional 10 to 20 per cent more protein and energy compared to mature cows.
Restricting these important nutrients during gestation may have negative consequences, such as decreased colostrum production, impaired calf immunity, and an increased postpartum interval.
Nutrient restriction of dams during fetal development has been shown to have a negative impact on growth and health
aBW = Body weight; BW at breeding (65% mature BW); BW at first calving (85% mature BW plus pregnancy weight
bPregnancy weight = includes weight of calf, placenta, associated fluids, and milk production
cADG = Average daily gain; required ADG based on 283 days from breeding to calving
Catherine Seidle, MSc, PAg
Moose Jaw Regional Office Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Corissa Wilcox, MSc, PAg Swift Current Regional Office Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
SCIENCE AND PRODUCTION
of offspring. Using a five-year average for Saskatchewan calf prices at $2.88 per pound (Canfax), a decrease of 10 pounds at weaning could reduce profit per calf by $28.80. Even a small loss in production could significantly impact profitability.
Monitoring body weight of bred heifers is the most reliable way to ensure they are growing appropriately. Recording weights at processing times is a great way to monitor animal growth and development. However, if a weigh scale is unavailable on farm, body condition scoring (BCS) throughout gestation is a practical tool to monitor body weight gain, condition, and development.
This hands-on assessment scores cattle on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = underconditioned, 3 = ideal, and 5 = overconditioned. To perform the assessment, feel the fat cover at the short ribs, along the spine, at the hooks and pins, and at the tail head. A thin layer of fat indicates the animal is in optimal condition (BCS = 2.5-3.5).
Animals in ideal condition have improved reproductive outcomes and produce heavier calves, which increases profitability. The Beef Cattle Research Council website (www.beefresearch.ca) offers a body condition scoring tool that can help evaluate scores measured on your operation.
Behaviour
Older, larger, and more mature cows are often dominant in the herd, leading to competition issues with younger animals. Decreased gains in younger animals may result from hierarchical behaviour. Grouping animals of similar size and nutritional requirements encourages uniform feed intake.
Older cows and those with lower body condition scores, requiring a more nutrient-dense diet to regain weight, can be managed alongside the bred heifers. This limits competition among pen-mates
and allows targeted feeding strategies to optimize gains and reduce overall feed costs without supplementing the entire herd.
Breeding
Managing heifers separately from the main cow herd during breeding allows producers to select appropriate heifer sires. As previously discussed, heifers are not fully grown at the time of first service. Therefore, selecting a sire specifically for younger females improves mating selection and ensures that expected progeny differences (EPDs) are appropriate for younger and smaller animals.
Birth weight and calving ease EPDs are particularly important considerations when selecting a sire for heifers, compared to the traits prioritized for mature cows.
It is recommended that heifers be bred earlier in the breeding season to calve before the main herd. Breeding heifers one month before mature cows increases the number of heifers calving in the first 21 days. It also extends their postpartum interval before re-breeding for the next calving season; therefore, improving pregnancy rates for second calvers.
Another strategy is to use a synchronization program on first and second calvers. Depending on the operation, synchronization programs can induce cycling and capitalize on genetic potential through artificial insemination.
Calving
Bred heifers require closer monitoring during calving due to the increased risk of dystocia and other calving complications. Heifers may have poorer maternal instincts compared to mature cows since this is their first calving experience. Separating bred heifers into their own group allows producers to provide closer supervision and identify animals needing assistance more quickly.
Facilitating a smooth calving process supports post-calving recovery and increases the likelihood of weaning heavier calves. Additionally, managing bred heifers separately helps evaluate reproductive performance, assisting in making informed culling decisions, if necessary.
Other Considerations
The average cost to raise a replacement heifer was $2,904 in 2023, according to the Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network. Given the substantial investment, effective heifer management is crucial to ensure longevity and productivity in the herd as breeding females.
Managing heifers separately from mature cows optimizes the producer’s investment while also improving animal health, welfare, nutrition, and production. Keeping detailed records is valuable for livestock operations, allowing producers to monitor progress, make informed management decisions, and compare records with industry benchmarks.
Separating bred heifers from mature cows during breeding and calving allows for better nutritional management, reduces competition, and improves overall herd productivity. By tailoring feeding programs to meet the specific needs of heifers and cows, producers can optimize herd health and efficiency. Implementing these targeted management strategies can result in improved reproductive performance, healthier calves, and enhanced economic returns.
For more information, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 B
SCIENCE AND PRODUCTION
ACTIVE MISSING LIVESTOCK FILES
NOTE: If you have any information related to these or any missing livestock file, please contact Livestock Services of Saskatchewan or RCMP Livestock Investigator Cpl. Owen Third at 306-537-9448.
We are excited to continue our regular feature series highlighting the remarkable contributions of women in agriculture. This initiative is about celebrating and honouring the inspiring women who are shaping the future of Canadian agriculture through their dedication, leadership, and innovation.
Do you know a woman whose story deserves to be told? We invite you to send in nominations for women who exemplify excellence in agriculture—whether as livestock producers, researchers, educators, or advocates. Their impact matters, and we want to share their stories with our readers.
Nomination Guidelines:
• Eligibility: Women who are, or have been, dedicated to any aspect of agriculture in Canada or abroad.
• How to Nominate: Email the nominee’s name, contact information, and a short description of their contributions—along with why you believe they deserve recognition—to gm@skstockgrowers.com.
• Deadline: Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis.
By sharing these stories, we aim to shine a spotlight on the incredible achievements of women in agriculture and inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps.
Thank you for helping us celebrate these leaders and role models.
Best regards, The Editor
A REPORT FROM JEFF YORGA PRESIDENT, SASKATCHEWAN STOCK GROWERS ASSOCIATION
Friends,
Welcome to the September edition of the Beef Business. Saskatchewan’s trusted source for industry updates and information.
I would like to start off this column by thanking everyone who attended and participated in our 112th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. It was great to see enthusiastic participation with informative presentations and debate. Hats off to Chad and the staff for another job well done.
Congratulations goes out to Emma Thomason for her Rangeland Scholarship win, and to Mark and Karin of Elford Ranch for winning The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA). Good luck in Québec this month for the national TESA competition. We’ve spotlighted these award winners in this issue.
Our AGM sets the direction for the board of directors over the next year. The discussions and resolutions brought forward are our marching orders. Those resolutions are also printed in this issue, please take the time to read through them.
It is difficult to fill a resolution with enough background and context to make them self explanatory. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.
We have had several responses from government since the resolutions were circulated. It was refreshing to see that we are on the same page as the Ministry of Agriculture. I am confident, that in the near future, we will see positive movement on a number of files.
One example is the recent satellite-based soil moisture pilot. Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) members asked for a better rainfall insurance program, one that more accurately reflects the realities at the ranch, and not at the weather station in town. This tool has the ability to do just that.
Thank you to our members for the input. When the program is launched next year, be happy to know that you played a part in its development.
On the flip side, our responses, from the Ministry of Environment around our hunting and land management resolutions, were not met with the same positivity or a call to action around shared goals.
It will be the board’s responsibility over this term to improve that relationship and build a coalition of like-minded groups. Our goal is more successful hunts, and positive outcomes for the land owners who are stewards of the king’s game. The solutions seem straightforward, but time will tell if we can all agree.
We have had several discussions around ranching and the role of occupational health and safety in the event of an accident. Everyone agrees that when that little black cow decides it’s your time, there is no amount of safety meetings or paperwork that would have prevented it.
The recently decided court case in Southeast Saskatchewan will form the
basis for our lobbying efforts. While tragic, the actions by officials on the ground made the situation worse for all involved.
Learning about the process and the result directly from those involved has given this group the resolve to make sure it is not repeated. Expect to hear more from us on this file in the future.
The AGM is also a time for the board to transition and new faces to join.
This year saw long-time director Lee Sexton from Hanley retire from SSGA’s board. I would like to thank Lee for his work over the years. I enjoyed our conversations and have a sneaking suspicion that this is a ‘see you later’ and not a ‘goodbye.’
We would like to extend an official welcome back to Brooks Whitney as he returns to our board. Brooks and his wife Jamie have four young kids, so I thank him for making the time to give back to his industry.
Also, I would like to thank the rest of the executive for their dedication—1st Vice President Kelly Williamson, 2nd Vice President Henry McCarthy, Finance Chair Chay Anderson, and Past President Garner Deobald.
History is written by those that show up, so thank you for showing up.
At the time of writing, markets are still moving up. Demand is showing no signs of slowing, and pickups are moving off the lot faster than anyone would have predicted!
If you are successful at marketing your calves this fall, please take a minute to enjoy it. You earned it!
Here’s hoping fall rain finds you as well!
Until next time,
Jeff
President Jeff Yorga Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association
Between now and December 31st, 2025 active Members of the SSGA will receive a $1,250 Young’s Equipment Gift Card for Parts and/ or Service at any Young’s Equipment location with the purchase of any of the following new units:
- Case IH MFD Loader Tractor (60-185 HP)
- Case IH RB565 Round Baler
- NDE Vertical Mixer
- Highline BP60 series Bale Pro®
In addition to that, we will donate $250 per unit sold to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association to support their formidable cause.
Resolution #1
WHEREAS there is an ongoing issue with the elk population in Moose Mountain Park; and
WHEREAS the Big Game Draw harvest success rate in Moose Mountain Park is low;
BE IT RESOLVED that Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) lobby the Ministry of Environment to create an open archery season in the Wildlife Management Zones where it is an issue.
Resolution #2
WHEREAS other agriculture industries have numerous business risk management tools that have premiums funded by federal and provincial governments; BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA continues to lobby both levels of government to include Livestock Price Insurance premiums in the same way.
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association 2025 Annual General Meeting Resolutions
Resolution #3
WHEREAS landowners co-exist with the wildlife and can see the effects that poorly managed wildlife herds can have on the ecosystem;
BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA lobby for producer big game tags to help manage wildlife populations.
Resolution #4
WHEREAS in times of drought and stressed herd population management decisions;
BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA lobby the provincial and federal governments to implement a 10-year tax deferral as a permanent tax deferral disaster program on the sale of breeding livestock.
Resolution #5
WHEREAS electronic logging devices are mandatory; and WHEREAS electronic logging devices do not consider animal welfare outcomes or provide flexibility within a specified distance to your final destination; BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA lobby the Government of Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency to implement similar regulations for perishable food products to align with United States of America agricultural exemptions.
Resolution #6
WHEREAS SSGA Zone 1 has seen an increase in the elk population; and WHEREAS livestock producers bear direct costs from the elk, i.e., loss of feed, loss of stockpiled forage, damage to fencing, etc.; and
WHEREAS the current tag allocation is not keeping up to the increase in the elk population;
Necropsy
Histopathology
Surgical
Dermatopathology
Immunohistochemistry
Clinical
BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA lobby the Government of Saskatchewan to create and distribute landowner tags to be distributed as the landowner sees fit to increase the success rate of the annual hunt.
Resolution #7
WHEREAS the average age of primary livestock producers continues to climb; and
WHEREAS succession of the livestock industry in Saskatchewan depends on recruiting and retaining young producers; BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA look at strategies to recruit and retain young producers.
ASSOCIATION NEWS AND REPORTS
Resolution #8
WHEREAS SSGA has supported industryled certification programs like VBP+ and EU; and
WHEREAS it is important for producers to understand the cost benefits of these programs; and
WHEREAS Kathy Larson at University of Saskatchewan has expressed interest in understanding cost benefits to these certified programs. These types of studies would provide information to producers around the value of participating in certification programs and comparing productivity and profitability metrics for certified Saskatchewan beef operations; and
WHEREAS, if positive links are found, it can strengthen the case for these programs, potentially increasing participation and enhancing the overall sustainability and market access for Canadian beef;
BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA supports research to complete a cost-benefit analysis of certification programs.
Resolution #9
WHEREAS a large amount of cull bulls and cows have a short time span from sale to abattoir; and
WHEREAS tagging these animals can be a safety risk to producers and their infrastructure;
BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA lobby Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to invest in a tag or traceability system that reduces the safety risks involved in tagging cull cows and bulls.
Resolution #10
WHEREAS bovine tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks are increasing in frequency; and WHEREAS bovine TB cases are occurring in areas with an over population of elk; BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA lobby the Ministry of Environment to expand their TB testing program to help combat the spread of bovine tuberculosis.
Resolution #11
WHEREAS the risk of domestic and wildlife diseases has the potential to devastate livestock producers’ livelihoods; and
WHEREAS there are currently no tools provided by any level of government to address this risk;
BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA lobby the Government of Saskatchewan for the development of risk management tools to address the risk of losses due to disease outbreaks.
Resolution #12
WHEREAS Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA) assessed values increase when native prairie is broken; and
WHEREAS native prairie is a fragile ecosystem that is endangered;
BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA lobby the Government of Saskatchewan to change the SAMA evaluation process.
WHEREAS unsuccessful ad hoc control programs have been implemented by the Government of Saskatchewan at a cost to taxpayers; and
WHEREAS land managers are economically and environmentally impacted by the increase in these populations; and
WHEREAS outfitting can create opportunities to gather population data, control populations, and provide revenue streams for producers that manage these working landscapes;
BE IT RESOLVED that SSGA lobby the Government of Saskatchewan to allocate opportunities for outfitting by land managers in the province.
Resolution #15
WHEREAS landowners provide habitat and feed for wildlife;
BE IT RESOLVED that all landowners be given a free big game tag to be used by the landowners or a designated person. B
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112th AGM & CONVENTION ON THE
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Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Rangeland Scholarship
Congratulations to Emma Thomason of Central Butte, SK, recipient of the 2025 Rangeland Scholarship, awarded in recognition of her outstanding commitment to agriculture, community, and leadership.
The Rangeland Scholarship is an annual $1,000 award established in 1995 through member donations, matched by Saskatchewan Environment’s Fish and Wildlife Development Fund. It recognizes students who demonstrate leadership skills, community involvement, and academic achievement in fields related to rangeland management.
Who’s Eligible?
• Saskatchewan residents
• SSGA members or immediate family of members
• Enrolled in a post-secondary program related to range management (Preference given to third-year students)
Application Deadline: May 1 Award Presentation: Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Annual General Meeting in June
How to Apply: Download the form and instructions at skstockgrowers. com, then submit your application to Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, Box 4752, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3Y4.
2025 recipient of the Rangeland Scholarship Emma Thomason of Central Butte, Saskatchewan
Why Your Membership MAKES CENT$
• Receive gift cards with the purchase Case IH MFD Loader Tractor (60-185 hp) or RB565 Round Baler from Young’s Equipment ................................ $1,250
• Receive gift cards with the purchase NDE Vertical Mixers or Highline CFR Bale Processor from Young’s Equipment ..................................................... $1,250
• Rebate on the purchase of Tru-Test scale ............... $50
• Receive preferred pricing on Livestock Mortality Insurance from Cherry Insurance up to ........... $1,000
• Receive SSGA communications including a Beef Business subscription $50+
• Lobbying on your behalf............................ PRICELESS
$1,500 is the average cost for a producer for airfare, hotels, meals, taxi and other travel costs to lobby for 3 days in Ottawa?
1 Year - $26.75, 2 Year - $52.50, 3 Year - $78.75
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Participate in grassroots democracy with leadingedge professional development.
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Pronghorns: Built for Speed and Survival on the Great Plains
Carolyn Gaudet, Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan
September is well on its way, as is the pronghorn mating season or rut. In the northern part of the pronghorns’ range, in Saskatchewan and Alberta, the rut occurs for approximately three weeks in September and early October. It is a great time to see large groups of pronghorns as the males become more territorial and aggressive, while herding does within their territory. Pronghorn are captivating due to their history and fascinating adaptations that have helped them survive on the Prairies.
Considered a conservation success story, pronghorn were almost extirpated by 1915 in North America. Their population dropped to approximately 13,000 individuals in 1915 due to unregulated hunting, fences, loss of habitat, as well as competition for forage with sheep. The low population numbers were overcome with habitat protection, a hunting ban, and captive breeding.
Three national parks were established in Saskatchewan and Alberta as pronghorn reserves, where pronghorns could breed and be released to other areas. By 1936, when pronghorn numbers and their range had expanded, the hunting ban in
Pronghorn are the fastest land animal in North America.
Saskatchewan was lifted and the national parks were dissolved in 1947. The pronghorn population is now estimated at 750,000 adults and considered stable.
Pronghorn are well adapted to life on the Prairies and have existed in North America for 1.8 million years; they survived the last ice age 11,000 years ago when many species did not. Pronghorn commonly feed on forbs, shrubs, grasses, and cacti, including species that might be unpalatable to other animals.
They also have large kidneys that help remove toxins and extract water from the vegetation they eat. This adaptation allows pronghorn to go long distances without drinking water, which is ideal in a landscape prone to drought.
Pronghorn are the fastest land animal in North America, maintaining high rates of speed over long distances. Some records report pronghorns running at 60 to 90 kilometres per hour, for up to 15 kilometres.
Pronghorn evolved in the Prairies with predators including the now extinct
American Cheetah, as well as other pre-ice age predators such as lions, jaguars, and hyenas. Some of the adaptations to achieve this sustained speed include a heart twice as large for their body size, increased lung capacity, large airways, and thin bones.
It is a common misconception that pronghorn go under fences because they are unable to jump. Although they have slender leg bones and narrow toes that could make landing from a jump hazardous, and they may lack the instinct to jump over obstacles, video evidence exists of pronghorn jumping over fences.
In addition to being able to outrun any existing natural predators, pronghorn have large eyes that are positioned to give them a wide peripheral vision, seeing predators in a 300-degree arc, up to six kilometres away. Although these adaptations served them across more than a million years, these characteristics do not help pronghorn with the current threats of vehicles, impassable fences and roads, and severe weather events leading to deep snow (Aikens et al 2025).
Improve fence lines at known pronghorn crossings as they remember the safe places to cross roads or fences.
cause of mortality in a study in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana from 2003 to 2011, followed closely by predation and anthropogenic causes, mainly collisions on roads or railroads (Jones et al 2020).
Projects with GPS-collared pronghorns, led by the Alberta Conservation Association, have been able to map pathways across landscapes that are used by pronghorn. Pronghorns in the Canadian Prairies migrate between 300 and 800 kilometres per year.
The population is interconnected across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Montana, where individuals collared in one jurisdiction may end up in another jurisdiction, or all three jurisdictions, through the course of a year.
These studies found the largest barrier to movement in the Canadian Prairies is the TransCanada Highway. A few collared pronghorns did cross the TransCanada Highway; however, there is one report of a doe waiting up to 10 days to find a safe way to cross the four-lane highway.
STEWARDSHIP
What can you do?
Wildlife friendly fencing allows pronghorn to cross a fence line to avoid predators or severe weather without being subjected to injuries and infections from scraping their hide on the barbed bottom wire. Wildlife friendly fencing has a smooth bottom wire at least 18 inches from the ground.
It is beneficial to improve fence lines at known pronghorn crossings as they remember the safe places to cross roads or fences.
Restoring prairie habitat is also beneficial for pronghorn, as well as all other wildlife species. Being strategic about locations of habitat restoration can also improve the connectivity of this habitat.
There may be funding available for wildlife friendly fencing in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Programs at Nature Saskatchewan and Alberta Conservation Association have funding available for
wildlife friendly fencing. The Government of Saskatchewan has published a useful resource: “A Landowner’s Guide to Wildlife Friendly Fences: How to Build Fences with Wildlife in Mind.”
Pronghornxing.org is a great resource for more information about improving pronghorn migration.
REFERENCES
Aikens et al. 2025. Pronghorn movements and mortality during extreme weather highlight the critical importance of connectivity, Current Biology, Vol 35 (8), Pages 1927-1934.e2, ISSN 09609822, https://doi.org/10.1016/j. cub.2025.03.010.
Jones et al. 2020. Annual Pronghorn Survival of a Partially Migratory Population, The Journal of Wildlife Management, Vol 84 (6), Pages 1114-1126, https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ doi/10.1002/jwmg.21886
Rest Right, Recover Strong: Avoiding Setbacks in Grassland Management
Mindy Hockley-Anderson
As a rancher, your land is both your livelihood and legacy. Keeping your pastures productive and resilient is crucial for the long-term success of your operation, especially during difficult times such as drought or shifting markets. One of the most important, but often misunderstood, concepts in grazing management is the difference between rest and recovery.
Although they may sound similar, they are not the same; and understanding the difference can help ranchers make more informed management decisions and impact how their land performs year after year.
weaken the land’s overall health.
But what about recovery?
Recovery focuses on improving the functionality of the ecosystem, not just pausing its use, and involves actively helping the land regain health through intentional, planned grazing management.
Grasslands evolved with disturbance, not endless rest.
Rest is straightforward and simply means taking livestock off a pasture for a period of time. Most ranchers understand this and are actively incorporating it into their grazing plan. Rest is a valuable tool, especially after events of heavy grazing pressure, drought, or other stress. It is a chance for plants to have a break; so, they are able to photosynthesize, regrow, and rebuild root reserves.
But rest alone is not enough to keep pastures resilient. In fact, leaving land ungrazed for too long can cause more harm than good. Without grazing or disturbance, some grasses can overtake the area and choke out other species, decreasing the overall biodiversity. It can also give woody plants a chance to creep in and further decrease forage quality. From a distance, these pastures may look green and lush, but up close, the rangeland is less diverse and less productive.
Grasslands evolved with disturbance, both from grazing and wildfire. These natural forces shaped and maintained healthy ecosystems over time; but when rest goes on for too long, it can disrupt these cycles and gradually
rates and the time spent grazing that pasture, you are still able to leave enough vegetation behind that the plants are able to restore energy reserves, leave litter for the following year, and maintain balance between the different species of grasses and forbs.
Depending on the specific operation and available resources, this can take various forms, such as rotational grazing, adaptive grazing management, or even prescribed burns in areas affected by woody encroachment.
If you are truly looking to recover the health of a pasture, it is a delicate balance between rest and recovery.
For instance, you may have observed that one of your pastures was overgrazed, or did not get enough moisture following a more intense grazing period; so, you are now planning to give that pasture a full year of rest from grazing. This rest period is important for the plants to re-establish their roots, increase overall biomass, and improve soil cover.
Once it has had a chance to rest, we can begin recovery with light grazing.
Light grazing will bring the necessary disturbance that encourages new growth, cycles nutrients, and potentially helps to control more dominant grass species. This pasture may need to be grazed lightly for a few years before you can increase the stocking rate; or, you may have to spend more time resting it throughout the year, before it is able to function properly again.
Think of your pasture as an athlete it needs recovery.
By reducing the stock
Think of your pasture as an athlete. Running back-to-back marathons with minimal rest harms recovery. True rest followed by gradual, lighter activity, supports long-term health after intense stress.
All the planning in the world will not change the fact that we are still at the mercy of Mother Nature. Without rain, grasslands cannot get the rest or recovery they need—no matter how well we manage.
Drought conditions greatly affect the ability of native grasslands to function properly, even though they are one of the most resilient landscapes. Proper management leading up to a drought, where landowners are truly resting pastures and also letting them recover, can be the difference between having pasture available to graze, or not, if the rain stops.
Rangelands impacted by significant drought or fire often require extended periods of rest and recovery. In many cases, full recovery can take several years, and patience is essential to avoid undoing progress. When your land is beginning to recover, you will notice changes on the ground, and these changes include increased plant diversity, increased ground cover, and overall improved soil health.
What can landowners do?
Monitor your pastures regularly—looking at which species are growing, how much litter is on the ground, how the soil
continued on page 52
As Saskatchewan’s landscape changes, the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation is working alongside ranchers to preserve native grasslands and keep working lands working, today and for generations to come.
Funding for Practical Support:
Cross fencing for improved grazing management
Invasive weed control measures
Livestock water system development
Native grass seeding
Wildlife friendly fencing
Term Conservation Easements
Perpetual Conservation Easements
Whether you're planning for the future or looking to enhance your land today, SSGF offers flexible, voluntary conservation options that work with your operation, not against it.
Contact Us
www.ssgf.ca communications@ssgf.ca 1-306-530-1385
Avoiding Setbacks cont. from pg. 50
responds after rain, and whether you are meeting your production goals. Use that information to adjust your grazing plans, timing, and intensity.
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation can be used as a tool to complete full rangeland health assessments, and provide a comprehensive report on the health of your pastures. This information allows ranchers to make more-informed decisions based on what is happening right on the ground.
At the end of the day, good ranching is about more than running cattle— it is about managing your land. By
Introducing Sam Chamberlin to the SSGA Team
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, my name is Samantha Chamberlin, most know me as Sam. I'm pleased to be covering Lexi Macza's maternity leave.
I ranch with my husband Mylyn and 13-year-old daughter Tory near Nokomis, Saskatchewan. Along with our ranch cows, we also raise Brahma bucking cattle raising some of the biggest bucking cow and bucking bull superstars in Canada.
My husband and I are Canadian Pro Rodeo stock contractors and we also contract several semi-pro and invitational events in all four Western Provinces. As well, our stock is invited to the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) and Canadian Cowboys Association (CCA) finals rodeos, annually.
Along with bucking cows, I also love my barrel horses. I have been racing for as long as I can remember. I take great pride in my string of horses that I have trained myself, and compete on all season, at several amateur and semi-pro rodeos across Western Canada.
I am very honoured to have been given the opportunity to join Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association and thoroughly enjoy supporting the Association and helping where I am needed. I look forward to continuing to do my part in advocating for the beef industry and being a part of this amazing group of producers.
Samantha
Chamberlin Program & Policy Manager | schamberlin@skstockgrowers.com
| 306-528-7658
Photo background courtesy of Crowbait Creative
SIMPLY THE BEST
OLSTUBS
COOLER DAYS. SHORTER GRASS. FALL NUTRITION MADE SIMPLE.
OLS Mineral Tubs deliver the protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals your herd needs to stay in top shape, breed back, and calve healthy — while easing weaning stress and supporting immune and gut health in calves. Simply the Best Nutrition- Rain, Snow or Shine!
ADVERTISER INDEX
• SERVICES: Whether you are a specialty producer looking to get your product to a specific market or distributor, or if you are producing commodity livestock for sale, we can partner with you. From our multi-species capabilities to our ability to handle smaller volumes, we offer excellent capabilities for producers in the Canadian Prairies to maximize their profitability.
• FACILITY: We have a state-of-the-art facility to allow us to reach markets across Canada, the USA, and beyond. We understand producer’s needs, their care for their animals, and their honest, straightforward nature. Call us to hear how we can work together to get your product to market.
• GRASSFED: “True North Foods is partnered with A&W Canada to supply Canadian grassfed beef for A&W’s grassfed burger program.
Linthicum Ranch Ltd.
Murray & Jan Linthicum (306) 266-4377 Open replacement and bred heifers for sale. Black/black baldy heifers.
Glentworth, SK
THE EXECUTIVE
Jeff Yorga
•
President Flintoft, SK Phone: 306-531-5717
Kelly Williamson
1st Vice President
Pambrun, SK Phone: 306-582-7774
Henry McCarthy
2nd Vice President Wawota, SK Phone: 306-577-8091
Garner Deobald
Past President
Hodgeville, SK Phone: 306- 677-7777
Chay Anderson
Finance Chair
Fir Mountain, SK Phone: 306-640-7087
Find email contact for the Executive Directors at skstockgrowers.com
SSGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Neil Block, Abbey, SK 306-587-7806
Gerry Delorme, Assiniboia, SK 306-640-7493
Calvin Gavelin, McCord, SK 306-478-7748
Joe Gilchrist, Maple Creek, SK 306-662-3986
Adrienne Hanson, Langbank, SK 306-421-8538
Lance Hockley, Yellowgrass, SK 306-891-8189
Gord Kozroski, Gull Lake, SK 306-672-7463
Kelly Lightfoot, Assiniboia, SK 306-642-8977
Kurtis Reid, Martensville, SK 306-220-2226
Brooks Whitney, Maple Creek, SK 306-662-7777
Chris Williamson, Mankota, SK 306-478-7036
Kelly Williamson, Pambrun, SK 306-582-7774
ZONE CHAIR DIRECTORS
Zone 1 - Henry McCarthy, Wawota, SK 306-739-2205
Zone 2 - Karen McKim, Milestone, SK 306-436-4616
Zone 3 - Larry Flaig, Assiniboia, SK 306-266-2070
Zone 4 - Brad Howe, Empress, AB 306-661-0409
Zone 5 - Aaron Huber, Lipton, SK 306-331-0097
Zone 6 - Dave McKenzie, Delisle, SK 306-493-8127
AFFILIATE DIRECTORS
Garner Deobald - SK Charolais Affiliate 306-677-2589
Gord Ell - SaskMilk Affiliate 306-535-1922
Kyron Manske - SK Simmental Affiliate 306-267-7530
Marlene Monvoisin - SK Angus Affiliate 306-648-8200
Rob O’Connor - SK Hereford Affiliate 306-550-4890
Ray Rintoul - SK Shorthorn Affiliate 306-917-7805
Gord Schroeder - SK Sheep Affiliate 306-933-5582
Trenton Vanderpost - SK Goat Breeders Affiliate
Jeff Yorga - SK Limousin Affiliate 306-531-5717
Dr. Andy Acton - Veterinary Advisor, Ogema, SK 306-459-2422
Ryan Beierbach, Whitewood, SK 306-532-4809
Garner Deobald, Hodgeville, SK 306-677-7777
Lynn Grant, Val Marie, SK 306-298-2268
Philip Lynn, Marquis, SK 306-361-9299 Karla Hicks, Mortlach, SK 306-355-2265 • AgriInvest
Zone 7 - Darcy Moen, Kyle, SK 306-962-3944
Zone 12 - Chay Anderson, Fir Mountain, SK 306-640-7087
