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Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s

Connection The voice of saskatchewan’s cattle producers

Vol. 5 No. 1

SODCAP: A NEW APPROACH TO SPECIES AT RISK RESOLUTIONS FROM THE 2015 SCA AGM

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

Connection is published in Saskatoon in partnership with Western Producer Publications. Mail Agreement No. 40069240

Teresa Mann is SPEAKING UP FOR AGRICULTURE

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Engines that power up and stay productive BBefore you even realize your power requirements have p changed, your 6M will ch respond.

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February/March 2015 Vol. 5 Issue 1 Published for the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association www.saskbeef.com

10 calculate your unit cost of production

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Discover your break-even point

contents bill strautman photo

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supply and 14 short greater opportunities

The Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence (CBCE) is a key part of the Canadian beef marketing strategy going forward.

co-exist Producers struggle to 18 with wolves More than 70 producers attended a February predation and protection seminar in Tisdale.

4 Chair report

5 News in brief

6 Speaking up for agriculture

12 Beef producer webinars 16 Soil biology must be nourished

20 New approach for species at risk

22 Resolutions from the 2015 SCA AGM

24 SCA at Agribition On the cover: Speaking up for agriculture | Dave furman

30 CEO report

Publisher:

Editor:

Art Director:

Layout Designer: Advertising Director:

Creative Director: Marketing Manager: SCA Representatives:

Shaun Jessome Bonnie Warnyca Michelle Houlden Shelley Wichmann Kelly Berg Robert Magnell Jack Phipps Craig Douglas Bill Strautman

Editorial: P: 306-695-3976 C: 306-539-9381 Editorial fax: 306-665-3587 bonniest@sasktel.net Advertising: 1-800-667-7776 Advertising fax: 306-653-8750 connection.advertising@producer.com National sales: Lisa Graham / Denise Bott Suite 201 - 300 Willow Road Guelph, Ontario N1H 7C6 Tel: 519-836-4072 Fax: 519-836-2499 Subscriptions: 1-800-667-6929 Subscription fax: 306-244-9445 subscriptions@producer.com Send inquiries to: Connection Subscriptions, Box 2500, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4.

Connection magazine is published in partnership with Western Producer Publications.

Contents copyright 2014. All rights reserved.

No part of Connection magazine may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association.

The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or staff. Connection and Western Producer Publications do not take responsibility for any unsolicited materials. Advertising in Connection does not indicate an endorsement by the SCA. We strive for accuracy in presenting articles and charts. However, we are not responsible for errors or liability in the event of losses resulting from readers’ use of our magazine and website.

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, 310820 51st St. East, Saskatoon, SK., S7K 0X8. ™

photo

@saskcattlemens

Printed with inks containing canola oil Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240 Registration No. 10676

CHAIR REPORT

The year ahead As we approach another calving season it is difficult to recall any more optimism in our industry than we are presently experiencing. Record high calf prices, exceptional cattle feeding margins, good packer profitability and a relatively easy winter have all contributed to the good fortune of the Saskatchewan cattle industry. It is very rare that all the stars line up as they have.

Having said that, it is imperative that we keep our eye on the ball. We in the cattle industry have for many years been forced to ‘manage by crisis’. It is now time to tackle issues that, albeit may not be of emergency proportions, are important to the long-term sustainability and objectives of the Saskatchewan cattle sector. Some of the growth strategies your SCA board of directors will be working on in the coming year will include research and marketing initiatives, particularly feed grain and forage production, as well as participating in the relatively new National Beef Marketing Strategic Initiative.

As well, we all know cattle identification and traceability has been more or less 15 years of frustration. There have been hundreds of industry meetings, countless

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proposed regulations that have been changed or amended over and over, plus unprecedented involvement by both the federal and provincial governments and their agencies. The price tag has been enormous.

It is our hope that as your representatives, in the coming year we can help to solve the many dilemmas that seem to plague this very complicated issue. Consumer concerns such as food safety, nutritional value and animal welfare will also be high on our radar screen. We want to make sure we have a seat at the table to ensure sound decisions are made.

Here at home, we want to ensure that the problems and concerns at the grass root level are recognized and brought forward. Pasture transitions, flood and drainage, labour relations, predation, land ownership and right-to-farm legislation among others will be reviewed and our interests will be brought forward.

In order to accomplish the objectives of our industry we must work with and improve governmental relations. Not just here at home but with other jurisdictions as well.

And we need to work more closely with our national organizations that represent us. We will be working hard

to achieve these goals, so we as Saskatchewan producers can go with a united voice to be heard.

On another note, regarding the latest BSE incident in Alberta, it is important that we remember that Canada’s national surveillance program is in place to detect any minute possibility of another serious outbreak. The international community is aware of this and isolated cases are not unexpected. With all the checks and balances that Canada has in place, we are confident that our status as “a controlled risk country” will remain firmly intact. We have worked hard to open many international doors to Canadian beef over the past decade and have every confidence that these markets will stay in place and continue to grow.

In closing, I consider it to be an honour and a privilege to represent you as Chair of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association. I will do all I can to improve our industry. I would invite any producer in Saskatchewan with a concern he or she may have to call me directly at 306-6310005 or email billjameson@ jglcattle.com.

Sincerely,

BILL JAMESON | SCA Chair

Board Members: District 1

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ryan Beierbach • Whitewood, SK p: 306.532.4809 or 306.735.1341 e: shophighplains@me.com

Loss of Carcass Collection and Disposal Services

Philip Lynn • Marquis, SK p: 306.788.4421 or 306.361.9299 e: lynncattle@isp.ca

District 2

Saskatoon Processing Co., a Division of West Coast Reduction Ltd., has advised the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture that it is discontinuing dead stock pickup and disposal service to some customers.

Producers who have been using rendering services and have been advised that the service will no longer be provided, will need a new plan to dispose of dead livestock.

Death of animals is normal and even the best livestock operations have regular mortalities. Dead stock must be disposed of in an environmentally sound fashion to protect water resources.

Composting and burial offer two alternatives.

Composting requires a bulking agent, such as chopped straw, along with a loader to form and turn the compost pile. The compost area should be located out of sight and managed to ensure proper composting and to prevent scavenging.

Runoff from the compost pile must not affect surface water.

Burial is possible if the sub-surface soil protects groundwater resources. If there are sandy soils, large diameter wells or shallow aquifers in the area, burial is not likely an option.

Allowing wildlife to scavenge carcasses is not an approved disposal method.

Scavenging animals such as ravens and coyotes should not be encouraged. They may cause nuisance issues for neighbours, increase livestock predation and provide a vector for the introduction and spread of disease.

Livestock producers should contact the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture for technical assistance regarding the disposal of dead stock.

Producers that have approval under

The Agricultural Operations Act are required to inform the Ministry of changes to their mortality management plans.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s publications, Managing Livestock Mortalities and Composting Animal Mortalities, A Producer’s Guide are good references to assist in choosing an appropriate carcass disposal method.

They are available on the Saskatchewan ministry’s website (http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca) or by contacting one of our Regional Engineers.

Northwest (Saskatoon) David Cook 306-933-5322 Bryce Sundbo 306-933-5095

Southern (Moose Jaw) Chelsey Eberts 306-694-3672 Chris Pinno 306-694-3673

Northeast (Yorkton) Brian Campbell 306-786-1505 Sheldon Diduck 306-786-1429

SPCA leaves rural Saskatchewan It came as a surprise to everyone that after 40 years, the Saskatchewan SPCA is pulling out of rural investigations. Their current contract ends in March and will not be renewed. But, the government says it will find someone else to carry on the work as a watch dog for animal welfare in rural Saskatchewan. The SPCA enforces The Animal Protection Act for the province.

At press time there had been no announcement of its replacement.

District 3A

Laurie Disney • Wood Mountain p: 306.476.7522 or 306.476.2729 e: odiznee@gmail.com

District 3B

Larry Grant • Val Marie, SK p: 306.298.4901 or 306.741.9867 e: drylake@sasktel.net

District 4

Rick Toney • Gull Lake, SK p: 306.672.3703 or 306.671.7900 • e: rtoney@sasktel.net

District 5

Levi Hull • Willowbrook, SK p: 306.641.6271 • e: levihull507@msn.com

District 6

Garret Hill • Duval, SK. p: 306.725.7451 or 306.725.4909 e: lbranch.ghill@gmail.com

District 7 & Past Chair

Paula Larson • D’Arcy, SK p: 306.379.4523 or 306.221.0509 e: larsonranchphoto@sasktel.net

District 8

Michael Spratt • Melfort, SK p: 306.752.6336 • e: mspratt@sasktel.net

District 9A

Arnold Balicki • Shellbrook, SK p: 306.468.2935 or 306.468.7240 e: balickiangus@yahoo.com

District 9B

Dean Moore • Paradise Hill, SK p: 306.344.5370 • c: 306.344.7981 e: dsmoore@bellevista.ca

SCFA

Brad Welter • Viscount, SK p: 306.365.4281 • e: welter@pound-maker.ca Bill Jamison • Moose Jaw, SK p: 306.692.4211 or 306.631.0005 e: billjameson@jglcattle.com

SSGA

Lloyd Thompson • Estevan, SK p: 701.340.5133 • e: tfourranches@xplornet.com Harold Martens • Swift Current, SK. p: 306.741.3961 or 306.757.8523 e: mranchltd@shaw.ca

Craig Douglas, CEO

p: 306.665.2333 • c: 306.380.4668 • ceo@saskbeef.com

Bill Strautman, Communications Specialist p: 306.665.2333 • c: 306.380.4608 e: communications@saskbeef.com

Patty Englund, Policy Analyst

p: 306.665.2333 • c: 306.380.4636 e: policy@saskbeef.com

Bev Magill, Project Manager

p: 306.665.2333 • c: 306.281.4077 e: project@saskbeef.com

Raquel Schultz, Executive Administrator p: 306.665.2333 • f: 306.665.2336 e: officeadmin@saskbeef.com

c o v e r s t o ry

Speaking up for agriculture

Saskatchewan young advocate

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I use Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to tell our story of cattle production and the daily challenges and rewards. teresa mann | viScount, Sk., cattle producer

dave furman photos

by bonnie warnyca How often do we hear someone say there are no young people in the agriculture industry?

Well meet Teresa Mann. She is just one of the countless new faces working in and on Saskatchewan agriculture.

Teresa grew up on a small farm at Viscount, Sask., along with her mom and dad plus two older sisters. She is the fifth generation on the farm.

She has always been active in her community and on the farm. She tackled all the difficult chores — drove tractor, rode the lawn mower, weeded trees, and helped with calving and processing the 50-head commercial cow herd the family has maintained for years.

She was also involved in curling, volleyball, basketball, school fundraisers and 4-H. “When I started in the Viscount 4-H beef club seven years ago, we had 15 members.

Now we have 27 and the majority are junior members ages 9 to 12,” says Mann. “So I’m encouraged that there are many more young people interested in agriculture.”

Over the years, the family herd consisted of a mixed bag of pedigrees, from Limousin, Angus, Hereford and Charolais. A

few years ago, looking for more calving ease along with quieter temperament, the family bought a neighbour’s Angus herd.

The now run purebred Simmental bulls and are building their herd numbers by keeping their own replacements.

“We needed to get more hybrid genetics into the herd and we wanted biggerframed calves. The Simmental influence has worked out well,” says Mann.

Teresa’s dad Myles retired from his fulltime job three years ago, after working at the mine in Colonsay, Sask., for 30 years. He has since started a custom bale hauling business that keeps him busy summer and fall.

Teresa graduated high school two years ago and attended the University of Saskatchewan for a year. She now has a full time job at Crop Production Services in Viscount and works in sales as well as invoicing and running the forklift.

At 20 years old, she is adamant that she will always have cattle.

“Like many others, my favourite time of the year is calving. It’s that time when you see the results of decisions made. My second favourite thing to do is to show cattle.

I’ve shown in 4-H and visited with purebred cattle producers in the area and watched many classes in the purebred ring at Agribition. I hope to some day take

a few of my own purebreds to town,” says Mann.

“Last year, I bought two purebred black Simmental heifers and they produced a heifer calf and a bull calf. The bull calf’s sire, an artificial insemination progeny, is in high demand in the industry so we are hoping this calf will develop into a top breeding sire.”

“I don’t think that there is a huge difference between the black and red Simmentals frame-wise. For me, it’s basically a colour preference. I’m a fan of the black, white-face Simmental.”

Mann like many young agriculture producers uses social media to advocate for agriculture. She uses Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to tell her story of cattle production and the daily challenges and rewards.

“I basically share my daily activities on the farm and my visits to cattle shows and crop production seminars,” says Mann.

“There’s a large selection of people on social media and not everyone is pro agriculture. I’ve found there is no use trying to convince someone that our industry is vital.

“I have talked about the A & W ad (beef raised without added hormones) camcontinued on page 8 ››

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 |

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‹‹ continued from page 7

paign and made my opinion known that I’m not in favour of it.”

“While they are trying to set themselves apart in the fast food industry, what is lost is that much of their meat comes from outside of Canada.”

“There was an article in The Western Producer that said A & W doesn’t use cull animals. But I’m unsure about that. Any cow under 30 months of age can be culled for one thing or another, so I think it’s a broad statement and misleading.”

Last year, Mann participated in the Ag in the Classroom program and talked with children in Grades 3 and 4 about raising cattle.

“Even though the kids come from a small town and rural setting, they didn’t know that in the dairy industry, for instance, that only cows are milking animals,” Mann recalls.

“There were lots of questions around calving and how many calves a cow can have in her lifetime. They wanted to know where a lot of the milk products came from and how they were made.”

Each Ag in the Classroom visit includes a fun, educational activity. Mann showed the kids how to make butter. They each received a small cup with a lid filled with whipping cream.

They shook and they shook until finally

Teresa Mann says speaking up for agriculture has become a necessary part of the cattle business. | dave furman photo

they felt a solid form in their cup. When they opened the lid, they found butter.

Mann said they were thrilled and thought it was the coolest.

One of Mann’s favourite cattle bloggers is Dairy Carrie (www.dairycarrie.com).

Mann follows her with her debates on animal welfare as she tries to debunk PETA and Mercy for Animals arguments. Mann says while these animal activists show only a snapshot of what happens daily on a farm and turn it into a negative, we have a much better story to tell.

Mann has completed the first of two online beef advocacy courses, which were created in partnership with the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and Canada Beef Inc. The first course had several sections and she says it was more like a refresher course about what happens in various parts of the Ag industry.

Participants need 80 percent to pass each section and are allowed to repeat the assignment until you pass. Mann repeated one test, scoring 95 percent overall. She says the second course is aimed at helping producers prepare for media training and how to educate others outside the ag industry.

“Dad is always pushing me to learn more and do more on the farm. He’s taught me to build corrals, fix water hydrants, thaw water bowls, clean corrals with a skidsteer and tractor, build and fix fence, vaccinate cattle, pull calves and use the dart gun in summer to treat cows on pasture,” says Mann.

“He talks about increasing the commercial cow numbers but I would rather increase the purebred cow numbers. But since he is full-time on the farm and I’m off to Lakeland College in Vermillion in September to take an animal science program and an ag business course, that debate may have to wait.”

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 |

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pr o d uc t i o n c o s t s

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Calculate your unit cost of production There are so many numbers we know by heart - phone number, PO box number, Social Insurance Number, PIN number, but how about your UCOP number? UCOP is an acronym for unit cost of production. It is essentially your break-even price.

Article supplied by the Western Beef Development Centre When talking about cow-calf production, UCOP refers to the break-even price for weaned calves and it is reported as dollars per pound of weaned calf ($/lb of weaned calf). While many of us know that calculating cost of production is important, going through the motions of actually calculating UCOP is another story.

The Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC) has been publishing cost of pro-

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duction benchmarks for the cow-calf sector in Saskatchewan since 2001. Voluntary participation by cow-calf operations across Saskatchewan was required to generate the data that was reported as industry benchmarks. Each year, cow-calf producers were invited to participate in the study, receiving their wholeranch COP analysis for free with the understanding that their individual numbers would be averaged together

and shared with the industry.

Table 1 has some of the key average findings from 2001 to 2012. The average herd size (# of cows) for study participants has increased from 173 cows in 2001 to over 350 in 2012. Average weaning weight is 532 lb. Average total costs per cow wintered are $613/ cow and when calf loss is figured in the average breakeven on the calves was $1.215/ lb (assuming all calves weigh 550 lb). See Table 1.

Except for 2002 and 2003, participation ranged from 17 to 30 producers per year. Do note, while there are some repeat participants in the study, the majority are first-time participants, but this was improving. In 2012, 16 of the 22 participants were repeat participants. Repeat participation is ideal as a producer needs to measure their opera-

tion year-over-year to fully assess any changes in management and to identify problem areas.

The small sample size has led some to question how representative the WBDC’s COP study numbers are given that there were nearly 14,800 farms reporting beef cows in Saskatchewan as of January 1, 2014.

There were 67 participants in 2002 and 53 in 2003. There were also two economists traveling the province to collect the data through on-farm visits in those two years. For the 2012 Study (data collected February-April 2013), onfarm visits were replaced with email or fax submission of data on detailed forms.

There were more than 50 operations who signed up to be in the 2012 cost of production study, but when all was said

Table 1. WBDC Annual Cow-Calf Cost of Production Study Findings, 2001-2012* 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2008

2010

2011

# of Herds in Study

30

67

53

17

22

18

22

30

2012 22

Herd Size (# of cows)

173

155

211

303

264

241

282

305

354

Wean %

94%

92%

94%

93%

94%

89%

88%

88%

88%

WWT (wean weight)

510

523

515

524

565

545

542

549

510

DOF (days on feed)

n/a

175

165

170

153

151

160

165

160

Total Costs ($/Cow)

$584

$650

$601

$553

$582

$573

$615

$625

$630

Break-Even ($/lb of calf)

$1.22

$1.35

$1.24

$1.13

$1.10

$1.19

$1.29

$1.31

$1.42

Margin ($/Cow)

$144

($68)

($60)

$3

$138

($110)

($9.29)

$122

$46

* The study was not conducted in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

and done, only 22 submitted their data for analysis.

The reality is, cost of production analysis requires a great deal of production and financial information. When a producer is not working on collecting that data through the production cycle (from breeding to weaning) it can feel overwhelming to recall all the information.

When WBDC was conducting the annual study, data was collected February through April for the previous year’s calf crop. The time lag was necessary; weaned calf data is required (and our primarily spring calving herds in this province tend to only wean October through December) and year-end financial data is required (for many operations December 31 is year-end).

This time lag between weaning and data collection meant that producers had to try and think back more than a year to recall winter feeding and calving details.

This is made even more difficult by the fact that producers were in the midst of a new winter feeding period and calving season. Note that when doing cost of production analysis, winter feeding details need to be coming from

the winter feeding period that started prior to the calves being born. For example, if calculating cost of production for your 2013 calf crop, you would need to provide winter feeding details for the 2012/13 fall/ winter feeding period.

Producers that were participating in WBDC’s study yearover-year were seeing the benefits of measuring their operations each year and began asking if they could use the cost of production program on their own at home.

“Ideally, producers should be recording their production data throughout the year and entering it into the cost of production calculator”, says Kathy Larson, WBDC beef economist.

Producer requests prompted WBDC to apply to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture Development Fund for funding to develop a producer-friendly cost of production tool. They were successful in receiving that funding and are using part of the funds to upgrade the CowProfit$ program which has been used extensively by WBDC for COP analysis.

For those not willing to wait for the CowProfit$ upgrade,

Larson used her experience in data collection for COP to develop a basic COP calculator for cow-calf producers to use at home complete with follow along steps and instructions.

The Excel-based calculator enables a livestock producer to calculate cost of production not only for their cow-calf operation, but also for their replacement heifers, backgrounders, grassers, finishers, pasture, stored forage (e.g., hay) and grain. Calculating cost of production separately for each of those business lines is called whole-ranch analysis.

“Whole-ranch analysis is a very useful as it can help a producer determine where money is being made and where it is being lost on the operation,” says Larson.

The calculator can be downloaded for free from Western Beef’s website: bit.ly/1B77Z2V. To help with learning the tool, an example data set for a made up operation (ABC Ranch) is also available for download. If that is not enough, instructional tutorial videos are available to walk producers through the steps.

When a producer first opens the calculator a welcome page describing the tool is available. Progressing

from left to right through the tabs in the calculator, producers will enter the production and financial data related to the enterprises on their operation.

Once all the required data is entered, cost of production summaries will be generated for each enterprise on the operation. In addition, Production Indicators, Winners and Losers and Whole-Farm Reports are generated.

If you have not calculated cost of production before, now is a great time to start.

The Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP) was introduced in Saskatchewan earlier this year.

For producers interested in taking out price insurance, choosing a coverage level becomes a whole lot easier if you know what price you need to break-even.

The only way to know your break-even is to go through the steps of sorting out production and financial information into the respective business lines on your operation. WBDC’s COP calculator can help you do exactly that. Download it today and add another number to those you know by heart – your UCOP.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 |

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w e b i n ar s

Beef producer webinars Expert advice in your own home

By Tracy Herbert Producers can learn a lot by attending conferences and field days.

But sometimes it’s just not possible and that’s where webinars can help.

Webinar participants listen to live presentations on their computer, tablet or smartphone, and can participate by asking questions. There are lots of webinars available for beef producers and nearly all are free.

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) hosts one webinar per month from November to April with a speaker that covers a different topic each time.

For example, a past webinar was called Boosting the calfcrop percentage in your beef herd presented by Dr. John Campbell from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

Each BCRC webinar lasts about an hour and is held during the evening. BCRC webinars are free thanks to guest speakers who volunteer their time and expertise, and with funding by the national checkoff and Canada’s Beef Science Cluster. The webinars are also recorded, so if you register but miss it, you’ll get an email a couple of days later with a link to watch the recording, plus links to good resources to learn even more about the topic.

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Webinars are easy to register for, join and participate in. You will need access to a fast and reliable internet connection to see and hear the presentation.

Keep an eye out for webinars this winter and give one a try.

You’ll get free, credible information from a beef industry expert on animal health, feed efficiency, genomics, forages, food safety or environmental stewardship.

To find the details on BCRC’s next webinar, and recordings of past BCRC webinars, visit www.beefresearch.ca and look under ‘Resources’.

Actual feedback after a BCRC webinar: • I find these webinars very good. I don’t have to waste time travelling to seminars.

Saves on fuel and time. I can be involved on my time after chores are done. I don’t have to leave home when I need to be close by to look after things. Always willing to learn more. This is a great way to make it happen. - Jason, producer from Saskatchewan.

• Thank you for the wonderful presentation of information.

As a first-time webinar attendee, you made the process

to attend very easy and simple to follow. - Teresa, producer from Saskatchewan.

• I came into webinar late but found the information very good and to the layperson’s level. I got a good understanding of minerals and uses in the herd, how to feed loose and block minerals and what to look for to determine what minerals maybe deficient. A very useful and informative session. – Debbie, producer from Alberta.

Tracy Herbert is a Beef Extension Co-ordinator with the Beef Cattle Research Council.

5

things to know about BCRC webinars

1. No one can see or hear you. When you log into a

webinar for the first time, you might be surprised to see the presenter’s face on your screen in addition to hearing his or her voice.

That might make you wonder, can they see me?

Should I be quiet? The answer to both questions is No. Audience members’ webcams are not turned on, microphones are on mute and other audience members don’t know that you’re signed on. If you’d like to make a comment or ask a question, there is a chat box to type into.

2. Interested in the presentation but aren’t available

at the time it’s being held? Register anyway. Webinars are often recorded. By registering, you will receive an email with the link you need to watch it on your own time. Attending the live event is more interesting because it gives you the opportunity to interact and ask questions.

3. Sign in 5-10 minutes early. Your computer might

need to download software before it can open the webinar. That can take a few minutes, so it’s best to sign in early so you don’t miss a thing.

4. Don’t have high speed internet? Don’t let that stop

you. Consider calling a neighbour that does and watch the webinar together, or call your regional ag office to ask whether arranging a group viewing is possible. That way you’ll have the added bonus of being able to chat with your friends and neighbours about what you heard after the presentation.

5. Share your feedback and what you want to learn

about next. Most webinars, including BCRC’s, will ask you to fill out a short survey afterward. That feedback is very helpful to the organizers. It helps them to do an even better job of the next one, and to choose the topics that are most meaningful and useful to you.

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“Registration as a professional Agrologist (PAg.) indicates to livestock producers that they are receiving science-based information from a qualified professional. It also ensures I stay up to date in the latest production and nutritional science.”

Carla was born in Theodore SK. She graduated with a diploma in Animal Health Technologies from SIAST and followed up with a degree from the U of S College of Agriculture & Bioresources in Animal Science.

H.A. (Bart) Lardner, PhD, PAg Senior Research Scientist & Adjunct Professor Western Beef Development Centre Bart is focused on applied beef and forage research for the cow-calf sector. His expertise is integrating annual and perennial forages into extensive grazing rotations to provide adequate nutrition to beef cattle throughout the year.

Bart’s research is practical and relevant and his results are quickly adopted.

“The professional agrologist (PAg) designation lends credibility to research and extension services provided to ranchers.

It’s evidence that the knowledge and advice is based on proper science.”

Bart was raised in the Okanagan and Peace River areas of B.C. He studied Animal Science at Fairview College in Alberta, and the U of S College of Agriculture & Bioresources earning a Bachelors, Masters and a PhD in grazing animal nutrition.

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 |

13

ca n a d a b e e f

Short supply and greater opportunities

Rob Meijer, president of Canada Beef Inc., says it’s a new day for how Canada markets beef. | CANADA BEEF PHOTO

The new Canada Beef Centre of Excellence is key in helping to brand Canadian beef. | BILL STRAUTMAN PHOTO

By Bonnie Warnyca While announcing the merger of the Canadian Export Federation (CBEF) and the Beef Information Centre (BIC) to create Canada Beef Inc. in 2011, the management team vowed to change the strategy behind Canadian beef marketing.

Over three years into the business plan, there are visible and measureable signs emerging to show the effectiveness of creating more of a pull from the market as compared to a push from the marketers.

“We walked slowly on our brand journey. Much of the success in the domestic and foreign markets has come from a very calculated approach to marketing.

Sometimes it’s a beautiful thing when the market is a bit short. People then have to make tough choices to get what they really want,” says Rob Meijer, president of Canada Beef Inc. “Even with the higher beef prices, the market hasn’t balked at the price because their value assessment isn’t based

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on price. That is the crux of a well thought-out, strategically positioned brand strategy.”

“It’s easy to get caught up in a spot market at times, but we recognize that Canada is our home turf and is the most important market. We will ensure Canadians aren’t short of Canadian beef. We have extremely loyal brand partners in Canada and we are developing a greater roster of the same type of partners around the world.”

Meijer says that in the past, we believed we had to line up with the trade including food services, packers and retailers to try to convince them to buy our product.

But by creating a brand pull and loyalty in the market, these vendors are increasingly asking for more Canadian beef.

“The reality has always been that as an entity, Canada Beef Inc. doesn’t own anything. We are an agency that represents the producer. We are at the point where if we see a strong market pull, we will drop what we’re doing in one market and go after another market that better fits

Success story Leveraging the Canadian beef brand story has led to increased brand loyalty in 2014, contributing to the 45 percent increase in Canadian beef export value from January to November 2014.

The Canadian Beef Advantage will be front and centre at the new CBCE. | BILL STRAUTMAN PHOTO

our business plan. I’m not the kind of person that will put the strategy on cruise control and sit back,” says an enthusiastic Meijer.

“We have already changed how we handle the promotion of the beef product.

The industry is applauding our efforts with Canada Beef’s Tim Horton’s and CFL promotion. They see us out there positioning, articulating, leveraging and connecting with the public and the consumer in a new way.”

“More and more you will see us rewarding and publicly acknowledging those who are with us.”

It’s a new day Meijer says it’s out with the old method of trying to connect with the consumer through pamphlets, cooking demos and the like. Today is a new day.

Canada Beef will engage the public and consumer through social media, through apps for their phones with recipes and directions to the nearest retailer to get their beef for the supper table.

The Canadian Beef Advantage will be transmitted through the work to be accomplished in the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence (CBCE), which has just opened its doors.

Located adjacent to the Canada Beef offices in Calgary, the CBCE will engage the public to educate and train and help

Exports of Canadian beef to mainland China were up 12 percent in volume at 6,452 tonne. The value of Canadian beef exports to the U.S. and Mexico were up 48 percent and 70 percent respectively and export beef values to Japan were up 32 percent.

them to be part of the evolution of their own ideas around beef consumption and creativity in their own kitchens.

“For instance, while traveling on holiday many people try different cuts of beef and recipes in the country they are visiting. They love the new menu idea, yet when they return home to Canada, the beef cuts needed to make that recipe are not available,” points out Meijer.

“We don’t need to again tell someone how to cook a beef roast — if they want that information they can go on line.

Let’s create the demand for something like skirt and show the consumer how to use it in a different way such as grinding it and making tacos for the kids.”

“Part of the moving forward strategy is to educate and train and get the public and consumer engaged in using the right beef cut in the right way for the most enjoyable eating experience.”

Not all products are destined for Canadian dinner tables. We eat only about 20 percent of the carcass. But Canada Beef is working to improve that.

The CBI president admits that getting product positioned into some countries is not without its challenges. If CBI can increase the amount of beef product consumed in North America, it would displace some of the beef we now export without some of the politics and difficulties in sending Canadian beef around the world.

“There is a diverse population of cultures in North America. For instance, there are more Koreans living in California and the West Coast than we could supply by sending our product to Korea,” says Meijer.

“We are seeing more Hispanic opportunities on the West Coast of the U.S. over what we would have to go to Mexico to find those customers.”

“The CBI team is talking with food service and retail to define how we approach the many different cultures to create exposure for the Canadian Beef product. There will always be products that the bulk of North American consumers will not eat and there are high value markets for those products.”

While CBI is sensitive to the protein switch whether it be to pork or chicken, they still stand on the fact that a beef roast and other muscle cuts deliver good value.

Meijer wrote the Canadian Beef Advantage promise and he not only believes it but stands behind it every day when he goes to work.

“Each and every day that Canadian beef is produced and delivered with pride and tradition, and as exceptional as the land on which it is raised; Canada beef is excellent without compromise.

We will do what is right, that is our promise.”

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 |

15

s OI L

Soil biology must be nourished

By Blain Hjertaas

Blain Hjertaas is a rancher and holistic management educator from Redvers, Sask. | Martin HJERTAAS Photo

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One word often associated with production systems these days is “sustainable”. It means being able to repeat over and over.

We are dealing with a degraded land base in agriculture and we need to have a system to regenerate or build it back.

Sound impossible? Not at all.

Just a few basics and we can have a food production system that builds soil organic matter, produces nutrient dense food, maintains production levels and is profitable all at the same time.

To achieve these goals we need to ask ourselves what we need to create life. There are four basic processes that we need to look after to achieve our objectives.

The first is solar capture.

Abundant amounts of solar energy fall to the earth every day and it is absolutely free.

The trick is to have an agriculture system in place to capture this unlimited energy source.

There are only three things we can do. Put up bigger leaves, put leaves closer together and keep it green longer. Most annual systems are dismal in solar collection. Winter annuals, multi cropping and perennial systems are much better.

The second basic process is diversity. In a natural system, diversity is always the rule. Diversity makes for highly stable communities. The more diverse the more stable. As we move toward simpler communities, populations are less resilient and more prone to disease and insect infestations.

In our modern industrial agriculture we have been treating the symptom of loss of diversity with toxic chemistry

trying to maintain an unnatural monoculture. To be successful in the future we need to embrace diversity. Multi cropping, slow release seed coatings, pasture breaks and annual grazing are all being examined as ways to move from monoculture.

The third process is an effective water cycle. A desert is created by an ineffective water cycle, not a lack of rain. To be effective, water must enter the soil, not run off. Bare soil will have a large amount of runoff compared to the same covered soil. To be successful, we need to keep our soils totally covered in either green or brown litter year around. This enhances biological life by maintaining adequate moisture and temperature for our below ground livestock.

The last process is a functional mineral cycle. All plants exude 20 to 30 percent of the sugar they produce in their leaves into the rhizosphere – the area immediately around the root hair. Why would a plant be so wasteful as to let 30 percent of its production leak out into the soil? The answer is the plant co-evolved with the micro-organisms in the soil.

There is a wonderful symbiotic relationship that exists between the soil particles, plant roots and the micro-organisms. These micro-organisms can take unavailable plant nutrients and change them into plant available form. This is how we get nutrient dense food.

Our modern agriculture has short-circuited this process by using artificial plant nutrients. This gives us low nutrient density food, while destroying much of the structure and life of the soil. We

have put all our focus on chemistry rather than biology. It is the biology of the soil that we need to nourish if we are to be successful and regenerative.

We sometimes lose focus and forget that the purpose of agriculture is to feed ourselves. If we look at how well we are doing, our neighbours to the south have the safest food system in the world according to the United States Department of Agriculture, and yet, the U.S. population is one of the unhealthiest in the world. It begs the question what has gone wrong. I believe healthy soil equals healthy food equals healthy people.

As soil organic matter increases, carbon dioxide is sequestered from the atmosphere to the soil, helping mitigate climate change. More organic matter equals more water-holding capacity. More organic matter and more soil micro-organisms make more nutrients available to create more nutrient dense food.

More organic matter provides better soil structure, which allows roots to move through soil profile more easily and into deeper layers accessing more nutrients.

The change to biological agriculture is a hopeful sign and is great news. Yields will not go down, people will be better fed.

For those who believe we need a never-ending, ever-increasing amount of inputs dumped into our soils – 1.1 billion tons of pesticides in 2014 – think about what keeps our forests fertilized, or what changed our rich prairie soil from zero percent organic matter at the end of glaciations to 10-12 percent at settlement? What kept these ecosystems healthy?

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Attend a Workshop and Receive the Vet Advice In-Person and On-Farm

To learn more about VBP in Saskatchewan, visit saskvbp.ca or contact Coy Schellenberg, Provincial Coordinator, at 306-859-9110 or office@saskvbp.ca

pr e d at i o n

Producers struggle to co-exist with wolves

Tough questions, no easy answers

By Shirley Byers When it comes to wolves preying on livestock, Mike Gollop, wildlife specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, is a man in the middle.

He’s fielding hour-long phone calls from livestock producers, trappers and outfitters. He’s taking input from producers and trappers to the provincial government and he’s coming back with policy and programs that aren’t always welcomed with open arms.

So far, he’s not hearing directly from the creatures at the centre of the controversy, but they’re leaving plenty of evidence of their position in the pastures of Saskatchewan. In the Weekes area alone, in the northeastern corner, 30 cows and more than 300 calves were killed by wolves in an 18 month period beginning in 2013.

At the same time, a study out of Washington State University concluded that the best way to control wolf populations and minimize livestock predation may be to stop killing wolves.

For each wolf killed, the odds of more livestock depredations increase significantly, according to WSU wildlife biologist, Rob Wielgus and data analyst Kaylie Peebles, writing in the journal PLOS ONE. An alpha breeding pair will prevent young offspring from mating but if the pack is thrown off balance by a loss of one of their number, sexually mature wolves may become free to breed. This leads to an increase in breeding pairs, who, once they have pups become bound to one place and can’t hunt deer

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and elk as freely. They may then begin to prey on livestock.

“It’s a complicated subject,” Gollop says.

“I don’t know what the simple solution is.”

At a February seminar in Tisdale, about 70 people watched presentations on livestock predation and protection and expressed their views in lively question and answer sessions.

Gollop explained how biology and the natural history of the wolf relates to livestock predation. He also reported on the pilot project at Weekes.

The Weekes project was created in response to the high number of wolf predation claims in the area. One hundred wolf licences were issued – each allowed two wolves to be killed for a maximum harvest of 200.

Running from last Sept 15 to March 31 this year the licences are restricted to wildlife management zone (WMZ) 49, which runs south along the forest from Carrot River to Greenwater Lake Provincial Park, then east along the forest to Hudson Bay. As of Feb. 6, 73 licences had been bought.

“As you can see right off the top, interest wasn’t over the moon about this,” said Gollop. He feels a decision to not include the forest in the hunt territory may have dampened enthusiasm.

Another reason for lack of interest, he speculated, may be that those interested in hunting wolves could, for $11 more, buy a fur licence, trap an unlimited number of wolves and bypass the extra rules, such as wearing regulation hunting gear, that the big game licence under the Weekes project required.

Wolf ways Wolves generally breed as two-year-olds.

Pups, four to seven to a litter, are born in March. A wolf pack usually consists of one alpha pair, which are the only members of the pack that reproduce, as well as pups and yearling pups. A pack can number as high as 42 but is likely less.

While some studies have concluded pack size relates to prey – packs preying on deer are smaller in number than those preying on moose – many other studies found no relationship to prey size but more to prey

BELOW: “A producer can shoot a wolf at any time, but only on their own property,” says Mike Gollop, wildlife specialist with the Ministry of Environment. After the kill, they must report it to the Ministry of Environment. If they possess a fur license, they can trap wolves on their own and others’ property with permission. | SHIRLEY BYERS photo

abundance. Packs become larger as more prey is available.

For official purposes, Saskatchewan’s wolf population is estimated at more than 3,000, although Gollop said that’s too low.

Next door, in Manitoba, wolf numbers are estimated to be 4,000 to 6,000.

Apart from people, starvation is the greatest threat to wolves and a few are taken out as road kill.

Gollop addressed the Washington study by saying: “I think if you have a problem, going after the wolves makes sense. Taking

file photo

that entire pack out is one solution but another pack will take its place. What the study says is (counterproductive), is generally fanning out and killing as many wolves as you can. The wolves are so resilient, you just bust up the social order.”

Livestock producers’ concerns Niall Campbell farms near the village of Bjorkdale. He has guard dogs and regularly checks his cattle and sheep. He’s never had a wolf kill but he believes it’s just a matter of time.

“We have cattle a mile and a half from the Sylvania Community Pasture where there were eight cattle killed and they killed some moose on a farm about half a mile away,” he says.

He says he was frustrated with the seminar and feels others were as well. “They didn’t give one answer for the average producer to deal with wolves.”

“I was at a meeting at Greenwater Park 10 or 12 years ago. They had a representative from the U.S. (department of natural resources) speaking. If they have a confirmed coyote kill there they get an airplane, they go out, they find them, track them down and shoot them and it’s game over. That’s how they should handle wolves here.”

Several trappers at the seminar voiced concerns over the low returns versus the amount of effort involved in trapping wolves. Ken Gartner is a government licensed predation specialist from Grenfell, Sask., where wolves are becoming more plentiful.

He wondered if some producers expect too much. Sometimes good animal husbandry is at least part of the answer, he says. “There are certain things you have to do to help yourself. You can’t always expect the government to do it for you.”

He thinks the the best way to address the wolf problem is to involve and work closely with trappers and perhaps provide an incentive to those involved.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 |

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sP oEdCcap S IES AT R IS K

New approach for species at risk

By Bonnie Warnyca

The greater sage grouse is one of the species at risk. | file photo

It might have seemed sudden, but the announcement of the South of the Divide Conservation Inc. (SODCAP), has actually been brewing behind the scenes.

For years, the federal and provincial governments have been strategizing about how to tackle species at risk in southwestern Saskatchewan.

After the federal government issued an emergency order to protect the greater sage grouse in December of 2013, producers began voicing their concerns about a top-down approach for species at risk. It’s difficult to know if producer voices had a hand in the sudden creation of this new nonpartisan organization, which was officially launched in July of 2014.

Tom Harrison, a cow-calf producer north of Lumsden and formerly with the Water Security Agency, is the executive director of SODCAP. In his former role, he managed habitat stewardship programs in the southwestern part of the province.

“With over 14,000 sq. kilometres, the South of the Divide is extremely important

for species at risk due to the large body of native prairie it encompasses. After years of monitoring, research and planning by various government agencies about 750,000 hectares of critical and important habitat has been identified for 13 species,” says Harrison.

“An overall action plan with 60 recovery measures has been drafted to target these species. Under SODCAP, the first part of the action plan is to meet one-on-one with landowners and leaseholders to gather information about greater sage grouse, Sprague’s Pipit and the Swift Fox habitats on their land.”

“We plan to get 60 visits in before the end of March. Producer participation is critical to the success of this strategy.”

SODCAP staff will go out and measure the habitat – not the animals. For instance, one side of the sage brush area might be high and dense while another side may not be as advanced. The current habitat will be photographed and documented to make it possible to measure a recovery-based outcome.

The approach is unique because it includes results-based

conservation agreements between SODCAP and the landowner or leaseholder, with three parts: Habitat targets will be outlined in each agreement Agreements will be designed on an individual basis to achieve the desired goals.

Where needed, technical assistance is available to help.

When results or habitat targets are reached, an incentive payment will be triggered in the area.

Two pilot projects running in the area have already achieved their goals and triggered payments to producers. $250,000 in additional funding for incentive payments is coming under the Sage Grouse emergency protection order.

While current funding agreements are only signed year to year, the new SODCAP board is working to secure core funding to be able to sign three-year and five-year agreements.

“We are not in place to impede development agriculturally or industrially. We are working with producers and members of the oil and gas industry in a collaborative effort to reach all our goals,” continues Harrison.

We are not in place to impede development agriculturally or industrially. We are working with producers and members of the oil and gas industry in a collaborative effort to reach all our goals.

Tom Harrison | SODCAP executive director

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“We don’t have authority to regulate anything. But, similar to the Safe Harbour agreements in the U.S., we want to ensure that producers are protected against unforeseen occurrences such as disease within a species, which could impact target increases.”

SODCAP’s board consists of seven directors, with representatives from the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Inc., Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, Nature Conservancy of Canada, SaskPower and Crescent Point Energy. The provincial and federal ministries of environment are also represented but in a non-voting role.

In addition to the executive director, four employees are in place to handle finances, literature searches and producer visits.

The new organization has received $50,000 from Environment Canada to assist with start-up costs.

Additional funding has been secured from the Habitat Stewardship Program with matching funding from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. Funding has also come from SaskPower, the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Inc. and the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Development Fund.

For more information about SODCAP contact: Tom Harrison at 306-530-1385 or prairiecloudscape@sasktel.net.

ABOVE: The swift fox is one of the 13 species included in habitat reclamation by SODCAP. | file photo BELOW: The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and SODCAP members tour sites where ranchers are actively involved in improving greater sage grouse habitat. | tom harrison photo

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 |

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r e s o lu t i o n s

Saskatchewan cattle producers debated and voted on 16 resolutions at the 2015 AGM in Regina, held on January 22.

Resolutions that carry provide guidance and direction for SCA board policy. | sca photo

sca resolutions - 2015 AGM 2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 3

Whereas BSE submission numbers are below target levels; and

Whereas the fall calf run is an extremely busy time for Saskatchewan cattle producers; and

Whereas we are trying to reach negligible status; and

Whereas the SCA district meetings are held during the busiest week of the season; and

Whereas more 4D animals (dead, downer, distressed, diseased) are being marketed, which puts the industry at risk of public scrutiny about humane transport; and

Whereas cattle producers have a difficult time attending and supporting these district meetings; therefore

Be it resolved that SCA investigate the feasibility of putting a $4 levy to be placed on marketed animals to create a fund that compensates producers 80 percent of the market value for animals submitted for BSE testing, and report back at the next AGM.

»»Motion carried

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 2 Be it resolved that the list of people receiving refunds of the provincial check-off be made available to the membership at large; perhaps through the magazine or online.

»»Motion was removed by the chair as it is not feasible according to the Agri-Food Act.

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2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 6

Whereas cattle have increased in value; and

Be it resolved that SCA district meetings be scheduled for the first week of December and the date of the SCA annual general meeting be left in January with the SBIC.

Whereas cattle theft has increased because of the value of the cattle; therefore

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 4

»»Motion carried

»»Motion carried

Whereas animal movement tracking is more difficult and takes longer without premises ID; and Whereas Alberta has mandatory premises ID; therefore Be it resolved that the SCA encourage the provincial government to make premises ID mandatory.

»»Motion carried

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 5 Whereas much pasture, hay land and crop land has experienced excessive flooding because of drainage; therefore Be it resolved that SCA lobby the provincial government to come up with a strategic plan

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»»Motion carried

Be it resolved that the SCA should work with the RCMP and the Ministry of Justice to establish cattle theft reporting protocols and expectations of actions and followups when cattle thefts have been reported.

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 7

Whereas trespassing on agricultural lands for hunting has been an issue for cattle producers; and Whereas within the trespassing laws in Saskatchewan there is an exclusion for hunting; therefore

Produced by: SeCan Product/Campaign Name: CDC Maverick Date Produced: February 2015

Whereas $75 is a minute sum as compared to the salvage value of animals moved through the system; therefore

regarding land drainage in consultation with producer associations so that unnecessary flooding of hay, pasture and crop land does not occur.

Ad Number: SEC-MAV14-M Publication: SK Cattlemen’s Connection Trim: 8.125” x 5.312” Bleed 8.625” x 5.625”

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 1

Be it resolved that the SCA investigate the provincial trespass laws, and then lobby the provincial government to eliminate the “exclusion for hunting” from the current trespassing laws.

»»Motion carried

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 8 Whereas the SCIC payment for predation on an under 300 pound calf is $400; and Whereas the current cost of raising a cow without income from her calf is more than $600 based on WBDC research; therefore

the U.S. to change its practices and not provide a direct benefit to the adversely affected livestock sector; therefore Be it resolved that if Canada introduces tariffs, that funding equivalent to the amount raised by the tariffs be made incrementally available to the livestock sector for research and market development initiatives.

Be it resolved that the minimum payment for an under 300 pound calf lost to predation start at $650.

»»Motion carried

»»Motion carried

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 10

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 9

Whereas there are currently limited incentives to become a VBP audited producer; and

Whereas the United States has imposed Country Of Origin Labelling requirements that adversely affect Canadian livestock and that have been deemed unacceptable by World Trade Organization Panels; and

Whereas there are significant funding inequities between Saskatchewan and other VBP programs in Western Canada; therefore

Whereas if the U.S. does not comply with the panel rulings, Canada may be granted the right under the WTO to introduce retaliatory tariffs on unrelated products, when appeals are over; and

Be it resolved that the SCA lobby the government of Saskatchewan to create a second level of food safety funding for VBP audited producers.

»»Motion carried

SEC-MAV14-M_SKCC.qxd 2/9/15 PM Page 1 Whereas Canada’s livestock industry6:26 has suffered

immense damage from the U.S. measures and any retaliatory tariff is designed to put pressure on

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 11 Whereas the SCA has passed a motion to support the concept of the National Beef Strategic Plan; therefore Be it resolved that the SCA participate in the discussion regarding the costs of funding the National Beef Strategic Plan.

»»Motion carried

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 12 Whereas the Livestock and Forage Steering committee (LFSC) that was struck by the Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture has recommended a collaborative and innovative approach to forage and livestock research, technology transfer and teaching; and Whereas this would entail concentrating research activities at the University of Saskatchewan Goodale Farm and the proposed Clavet Beef Cattle Research and Teaching Unit; therefore Be it resolved that the SCA endorse and support the new structure and format of the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence.

Motion carried continued on page 26 ››

»»

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 |

25

r e s o lu t i o n s

‹‹ continued from page 23

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 13 Whereas the University of Saskatchewan is currently selling or generating revenue from agricultural assets; therefore Be it resolved that the SCA ask that any current or future revenue generated from these assets be directed back to agricultural research.

»»Motion carried

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 14 Whereas the Horned Cattle Trust fund is no longer effective; therefore Be it resolved that the SCA support discontinuing this fund.

»»Motion defeated

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 15 Whereas wolf numbers are increasing in eastern Saskatchewan and moving into livestock producing areas; and Whereas wolf harvest is necessary; and Whereas wolves belong in our parks and provincial forest, not on agricultural land; therefore Be it resolved that wolf hunting be allowed on agricultural land in Saskatchewan starting in the fall of 2015 for licensed big game hunters.

»»Motion carried

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 16 Whereas forages supply 80 percent of cattle diets in Canada; and Whereas the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is crucial to supporting growth in forage research and development; therefore Be it resolved that the SCA lobby CCA to continue their funding of the CFGA.

»»Motion carried

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Technotill Flexibility Was The Selling Feature Bob Kidd likes the fact that he has an economical seeding system that will work with all crops, in all conditions, whether he’s establishing forages, seeding cereals into stubble, or converting old pastures to canola.

Kidd and his family run a mixed farming operation, including a 320 head commercial Angus/Simmental cow-calf operation, 2,500 acres of crop, and about 1,500 acres of pasture and hayland.

“We use a custom blend for forages so there is only one batch of seed. “We need to make sure that seed batch is seeded at the proper rate to cover the field.”

Kidd’s custom forage blend usually includes two or three varieties of alfalfa or other legume such as birdsfoot trefoil. And then there is a blend of five grass types. He likes to use varieties suited to different growing conditions to optimize production under varying conditions.

Technotill works equally well to convert played out pastures and hayfields to annual crops. Kidd will direct seed annual crops into sod in either fall or spring.

“We are extremely pleased at how well our seeding system equipped with Technotill has worked,” says Kidd.

“What sold us on it was the flexibility of the system and we haven’t been disappointed. I don’t know if it is the best system in every situation, but certainly works well under all conditions.”

Learn more about how Bob Kidd uses Technotill.

Visit technotill.com

Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch

O'Faelan Farms Inc.

Vernon & Eileen Davidson 306-625-3755 davidsongelbvieh@sasktel.net www.davidsongelbvieh.com Ross & Tara Davidson & Family 306-625-3513 lonesomedoveranch@sasktel.net www.davidsonlonesomedoveranch.com

Ron Whalen 902-651-2006 Vernon River, PEI drrwhalen@yahoo.ca www.ofaelanfarms.ca

Foursquare Gelbvieh

Roger & Kim Sayer 403-875-8418 Carstairs, AB rogerandkimsayer@yahoo.ca

Twin Bridge Farms Ltd.

Ron, Carol, Ross, Gail, Owen Stone Gate Farm & & Aaron Birch Ron & Carol 403-792-2123 V&V Farms Ltd. Aaron 403-485-5518 Darrell & Leila Hickman Lomond, AB 780-581-0077 Gelbvieh Stock Exchange Sale Group aaron@tbfarms.ca Vermilion, AB Don Okell - 403-793-4549 www.tbfarms.ca darrell.hickman@lakelandcollege.ca jenty@eidnet.org Vern & Vivienne Pancoast www.jentygelbviehs.com Maple Grove Gelbvieh 403-548-6678 Gary or Nolan Pahl - 403-977-2057 Lee & Neal Wirgau Redcliff, AB garypahl@shockware.com 204-278-3255 vvfarms@xplornet.com www.towerviewranch.com Narcisse, MB maplegrove@xplornet.com

Prairie Gelbvieh Alliance Sale Group Kirk Hurlburt - 306-222-8210 hurlburtlivestock@sasktel.net Chad Nicholas 306-436-7300 cnicholas@mccoycattle.com Ian Thackeray 306-861-7687 tgfis@sasktel.net

Eastern Canadian Gelbvieh Assoc. c/o Laurie Hurst Durham, ON 519-369-1763 carrollcreekcattleco@gmail.com www.go-gelbvieh.com

Keriness Cattle Company Ltd. Kert Ness - 403-860-4634 kertness@shaw.ca Joe Ness - 403-852-7332 Airdrie, AB jonus@telus.blackberry.net

Gelbvieh Association of Alberta/BC

c/o Merv Tuplin - 780-450-1280 Edmonton, AB mervtuplin@gmail.com

Carroll Creek Cattle Company Jason Hurst 519-881-7929 Durham, ON jasonhurst0@gmail.com

Fir River Livestock

Dave Hrebeniuk - 306-865-6603 Darcy, Renee, Colt & Kenzie Hrebeniuk - 306-865-7859 Hudson Bay, SK firriver@xplornet.com Man-Sask Gelbvieh Assoc. www.gelbviehworld.com c/o Lee Wirgau - 204-278-3255 Narcisse, MB maplegrove@xplornet.com

5160 Skyline Way NE, CANADIAN GELBVIEH Calgary, Alberta T2E 6V1 403.250.8640 • Fax: 403.291.5624 ASSOCIATION Email:Ph:gelbvieh@gelbvieh.ca • www.gelbvieh.ca

mark e t plac e 960 acres of lakefront pasture only minutes east of Saskatoon

HUMANE BLOODLESS DRUG FREE CATTLE GOATS SHEEP

CALLICRATE “The ‘WEE’ BANDER is well worth the investment. ” JOHN BLEVINS CALIFORNIA

Pasture has been selectively grazed and has good access to highway and services are close by. Good pasture or hold as investment please contact for details James Hunter Coldwell Banker Rescom Realty Agricultural Specialist 306.716.0750 sasklandhunter.com email sasklandhunter@ sasktel.net

CATTLE RATTLE Robert and Jessie Izyk

MADE IN USA

RR 1 Blackie, AB Canada T0L 0J0

Ph/Fax 403-684-3696 Cell 403-888-8301

thecattlerattle@gmail.com

For all your livestock handling needs

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Dodge

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DODGE-A-THON 2014 RAM 3500 HD SLT CREW CAB 4X4

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DODGE-A-THON PRICE SALE ON OVER 400 UNITS Incl. Freight & Truck Loyalty $284 Bi-Weekly MSRP $59,260 WE WON’T BE UNDERSOLD WWW.DODGECITYAUTO.COM 2200 8th Street East, Saskatoon, Sk

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For More Information www.stonegatefarms.ca or www.gelbviehworld.com Fir River Livestock Stone Gate Farm V&V Farms Hudson Bay, SK Vermillion, AB Red Cliff, AB 306.865.2929 780.581.0077 403.548.6678

Sales Consultant: Kirk Hurlburt - 306.222.8210

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(Corner of 8th & Preston)

1-800-667-4755 306-374-2120

Dealer #911673

M A R K ET P L A C E

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Available in black, white or blue

Huge selection of banjo fittings at competitive pricing.

306.253.4343 or 1.800.383.2228

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Organic Sainfoin Seed

Europe’s “Healthy Hay” - sainfoin.eu An ancient, non-bloating, nutritious, low input, perennial forage loved by all animals.

Recent research from Utah State University indicates both better meat flavor and nutrition from sainfoin supplemented forage.

(306)739-2900 primegrains.com/prime-sainfoin.htm jhusband@primegrains.com

Watch over your livestock in great detail Save more calves, make more money, get more sleep!

27X PTZ Camera

Livestock Monitoring System

Pole Mount Wireless

Livestock Monitoring System Upgrade Your System to be Smartphone Compatible All wireless systems include everything you need to view from any TV. ■ Wireless range, when all conditions ideal, can be as far as 1 km ■ Specially designed to address the environmental conditions of the prairie provinces, all outdoor rated equipment ■ Read an ear tag from over 150’ away in the dark ■ Control the rotation, tilt, and zoom functions of the camera with joystick ■ Ability to add audio pickup to hear the activity surrounding camera ■ Zoom capability of over ¼ mile ■ Saves you 100s of trips to the barn 545 Assiniboine Ave., Brandon, MB R7A 0G3 Phone 204-728-8878 Toll free 1-866-289-8164

www.allenleigh.ca

“Trusted Quality, Trusted Support & Trusted Service!”

306-363-2131

WWW.BERGENINDUSTRIES.COM Dehorned and Polled Bulls www.barpipe.com

Doug Finseth Manager Ph: 403-852-3865 doug@barpipe.com

Jay Cross Ph: 403-978-2767 jay@barpipe.com Okotoks, AB

THE FARMER’S ALMANAC IS PREDICTING A HARSH, COLD & WET WINTER... IT’S TIME FOR A SUBARU!!

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 |

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Canada’s beef industry is changing

Recently, a presentation was given at the Manitoba Beef Producers annual meeting about the changing face of Canada’s beef industry. It was enlightening, to say the least.

It was also a reminder that what worked for Grandpa and Dad on the farm won’t necessarily work today.

On the farm A young rancher reminded the audience we need to change the way we think about farming. The marketing of beef is changing. There is also a changing demographic in Canada. Producers must meet the needs of the new demographic to remain competitive.

As Canada moves toward its next birthday, newly released demographic data show how rapidly the complexion of our 35 million residents is changing.

In 2011, the percentage of visible minorities was 19.1 percent, according to Statistics Canada. By 2031, that number is expected to grow

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to 30.6 percent, with South Asian and Chinese immigrants driving much of that growth.

Compare that to 50 years ago, when the visible minority population was just two percent, and the majority of immigrants were from Europe. Combine that with an aging population, smaller families, more health concerns, a high demand for quality and a hunger for variety, and it becomes clear the market place is complex and changing.

On marketing Canada Beef is on the road of strengthening the Canadian beef brand. It is a process that takes time. Steps to improving brand awareness begin with recognition of the problem – a lack of awareness.

From there, the steps include learning about the brand, getting people to like the brand, and then talking about the product to spread the word. How many people have noticed the Canada Beef red maple leaf logo on the beef at the local grocery store?

James Bradbury of Canada Beef, shared an interesting observation about how different foods on the menu are presented differently to the customer. He reminded us that 30 years ago, the wine menu said red or white wine.

Today, before we order the bottle of wine, we are able to know what country and re-

gion it came from, the grape type, the characteristics of the soil the grape vines grew in, the type of climate of the area, and how many years it’s been in the bottle.

And when we look at the entrees, the menu says beef and the cut of meat. His point is, the beef story needs to be told. In some cases, a menu might say “Angus” beef, but there is more that could be added, including where the beef was raised (rolling green pastures and pristine streams of water under blue skies and fluffy white clouds), what it was fed, how it was cared for, and the health benefits of beef.

On the consumer level Consumer demand on retailers and restaurants has also changed. Personal eating styles are influenced by age, personal health, ethnicity and family food attitudes.

Population demographics, perceptions, awareness and attitudes are key factors that influence food purchases.

The demographic of Canada is changing. The most important driver behind the demand for food products is the population demographics.

Customer surveys reveal expectations are changing.

The Canadian appetite, like its population, is always changing. Foods we once dreamed about are now a reality. Dining out, once thought to be luxurious, is

now common. The nation’s population is wealthier, older, more educated and more ethnically diverse than in the past and these changes are predicted to become more pronounced in the next 20 years. These changes will impact the demand for food, specifically meat protein.

We are seeing producers looking for new ways to be profitable. We are seeing younger producers question the way Grandpa and Dad raised cattle and produced beef. We are seeing marketing techniques change. We are seeing consumers demand more information about how their food is produced and where it is produced.

We are seeing the consumption of beef linked to health, sustainability, animal husbandry, demographics and market research. We are seeing retailers and restaurants listening to their customers through surveys.

We are seeing businesses reinvent themselves and renewing their strategic directions. We are seeing businesses compete for the consumer dollar and attempt to keep the customer loyal to their brands.

We are seeing change everywhere we look. Change is constant for all of us. Welcome it and reap the rewards of opportunity.

CRAIG DOUGLAS | SCA CEO

Help tell the real story of Canadian agriculture

Be an AGvocate Our industry needs more agvocates To reach its full potential, agriculture needs everyone in the industry to speak up and speak positively.

Agriculture More Than Ever is an industry-driven cause to improve perceptions and create positive dialogue about Canadian ag. Together we can share the facts and stories about this vibrant and modern industry, and tell the world why we love what we do.

It’s up to all of us to be agvocates and it’s easier than you think – visit AgMoreThanEver.ca and find out how you can get involved.