Apr2015scc

Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s

Connection The voice of saskatchewan’s cattle producers

Vol. 5 No. 2

LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS

Castration goes under the microscope

APRIL/MAY 2015

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

Perrin Ranch A rancher’s legacy

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Beef Producers

April/May 2015 Vol. 5 Issue 2 Published for the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association

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www.saskbeef.com

What Beef Producers Need to Know

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• Ask your veterinarian whether a tetracycline-based antibiotic should be used first (e.g. Oxytetracycline, Liquamycin, Biomycin) before moving to an antibiotic of

Need to Know LOCKHART photo

High Importance (e.g. Micotil, Draxxin, Zuprevo, Zactran) or Very High Importance (e.g. Baytril, A180, Excenel, Excede) in human medicine

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• Reduce stress on animals to keep their immune systems strong.

Consider practices such as:

CASTRATION GOES UNDER 20 THE MICROSCOPE

This Turkish Kangal is outfitted with a spike collar which helps prevent serious injury in the event of a dustup with a livestock predator.

In the first part of a four-part research project researchers deducted that the optimum time for castration is within a week after birth.

HUMANS

Low stress cattle handling

•

Low stress weaning techniques such as fence-line cl. pets)

Antimicrobial Use - by category • Preconditioning calves % of total

CONNECTION

5 News in brief

LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS

12 Bad news - good news about

VOL. 5 NO. 2

Antimicrobial Use -CASTRATION by category

soil carbon

GOES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

ALL

(in ANIMALS

LE LOT CATT EDeconomics TryFEour

of preconditioning HIGH calculator at MEDIUM LOW beefresearch.ca/AMR

% of total

16 Dairy industry ramps up animal welfare scrutiny

< 1% HIGH + VERY HIGH COMBINED

HUMANS

APRIL/MAY 2015

ALL ANIMALS (incl. pets)

VERY HIGH

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) plays an important role in identifying and funding research of priority to the Canadian beef cattle industry to advance its competitiveness and sustainability. The BCRC manages the research allocation of the national check-off and funds leading edge research through Canada’s Beef Cattle Industry Science Cluster.

ALL ANIMALS (incl. pets)

4 Chair report

SASKATCHEWAN CATTLEMEN’S

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

On the FEEDLOT CATTLE LOW

HUMANS

THE VOICE OF SASKATCHEWAN’S CATTLE PRODUCERS

•

file photo

GUARDIAN 14 LIVESTOCK DOGS

• Use biosecurity practices to reduceofspread of infection among animals total

or two-stage

SHANNON SCHELLENBERG photo

In 2004 Ted and Olive Perrin were recipients of the SSGA TESA (The Environmental Stewardship Award) provincially and won nationally for their conservation efforts on the Perrin Ranch.

What

Need to Know

Watch this video to see why responsible use is important at beefresearch.ca/AMR

6 PERRIN RANCH - A RANCHER’S LEGACY

MEDIUM

PERRIN RANCH A RANCHER’S LEGACY < 1% HIGH + VERY HIGH COMBINED

cover: Perrin Ranch - A rancher’s VERY legacy HIGH | SHANNON HIGH SCHELLENBERG photo

@saskcattlemens

18 Lacomb study plans to tweak swath grazing

22 What’s up with my food?

24 Foreign investors hit paydirt 26 Regenerative agriculture 28 Checkoffs: An investment in research

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 Patty Englund 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. ™

32 SCA Resolutions - actions

38 CEO report

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

CHAIR REPORT

Board Members: District 1

SCA plans office move to Regina As we all know, our industry operates in an ever-changing environment, from weather patterns, crop production, feed grain disparities, animal health problems and consumer demands to dramatic market swings, particularly in cattle futures and currency markets.

Because of some of these issues, and the fast-paced world of agriculture, the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association is taking some major steps to be more active and to become more agile in dealing with the business of cattle production and beef marketing, not just within our province but on the national and international stage as well.

The board of directors has decided to move the SCA headquarters from Saskatoon to Regina. This decision was not taken lightly as it has several major short-term ramifications, including staff changes, office lease agreements and no doubt short-term business disruptions.

However, we believe that this is the right move to accomplish the mandate given to the SCA, which is “to effectively provide one single, unified voice for the province’s beef industry”.

This is the first step to-

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wards our goal of improving government relations and getting closer to the concerns of the Saskatchewan cattle producer. Of course, in order to do this job effectively, we need the cooperation of all segments, including the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.

The SCA staff and board of directors will be reaching out to these organizations for direction on how to best represent the entire industry.

I believe we now have an outstanding board that is knowledgeable, diligent and cohesive. Over the past several weeks, the board has had to make a number of difficult decisions and has been very unified throughout this process.

We are hopeful that some of the current staff will make the move with us, however at the very least, we are seeking the services of a chief executive officer to lead in carrying out the SCA mission. Our target date for this transition is no later than June 30.

Of course, as this process unfolds, we continue to work on industry business on a daily basis. Our current staff,

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

led by Patty Englund, is working hard to promote our industry and are out at the many spring trade shows, such as the Saskatoon Home Show, the Regina Spring Home Show and Gardenscape in Saskatoon, talking face-to-face with our beef customers.

In the bigger picture, there is a controversy brewing surrounding the use and claw back of the national checkoff. Some provinces are clawing back national dollars earmarked under agreement to the Canadian National Beef Strategy operated by Canada Beef. I will be attending a meeting in Winnipeg in April in an attempt to solve this issue.

Also in the works are updated cattle dealer regulations, the progress of the Beef Cattle Research Teaching Unit as well as numerous other projects.

I also want to encourage any cattle or beef industry group to apply for qualifying support through the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Development Fund.

In closing, I want to thank the board and the SCA staff for the cooperation and work ethic displayed over the last few weeks of intense deliberations.

BILL JAMESON | SCA Chair

District 2

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

District 3A

Laurie Disney • Wood Mountain, SK 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 DAVID WEIMAN photo

In the Feb/March issue of the Connection, we inadvertently missed the attribution of the wolf photo which appeared in the predation story. The photo was taken by David Weiman.

NEWS IN BRIEF AAFC - Advance Payment Program under review The Advance Payments Program (APP) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides producers with cash advances on eligible commodities. These advances offer improved cash flow, therefore increasing the flexibility producers have in marketing their products. Producers can access up to $400,000 in advances. The first $100,000 is interest-free and the remaining $300,000 is interestbearing. The amount of the advance reflects up to 50 percent of the expected market value of the agricultural product and must be repaid upon the sale of the commodity or at the end of the production period, whichever comes first.

While about 25,000 farmers across Canada participate in the APP, there are a significant number of producers that have

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

not obtained an interest-free loan.

The APP is being evaluated by AAFC and one of the goals is to find out why more Canadian farmers do not participate.

If you have not received an APP interestfree loan, AAFC is interested in knowing why you have not or what changes to the program would encourage you to participate. Your feedback is important to ensure that this program benefits as many producers as possible.

You can use this link to participate in this very important AAFC survey: http:// fluidsurveys.com/s/APP-Producers/ Or, contact Don Ference, President, Ference Weicker & Company at ference@ shaw.ca or by calling 604-688-2424 (extension 304).

Information provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

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

Patty Englund, Interim 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

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

cov er story

T

THE PERRIN RANCH

A RANCHER’S LEGACY

By Bonnie Warnyca/PHOTOS BY SHANNON SCHELLENBERG

On the pages of scattered memories, well-known cattle producer Pete Perrin talks about the man that first settled the land where Perrin Ranching was born.

he man was Robert Cruikshank, a Scottish lad, who apprenticed as a banker and as a 20-yearold made his way to Winnipeg. But the banking industry would have to do without him as the call to head farther west was just too loud to ignore.

He quickly found a position with the Canadian Land and Ranch Company back then ‘The 76 Outfit’ - located near Gull Lake. In 1898 he recorded his first land acquisition, registering two cattle brands.

Over time, Cruikshank built up his cow numbers and amassed about 50,000 acres of lease and purchased land. One of his holdings is now the Beechy Community Pasture.

No one really knows how this man, once a banker, became known as a good hand and one of the early “Cattle Kings”.

Cruikshank first raised Shorthorn cattle, but in later years changed to Herefords. Along with his partner John D. Simpson of Moose Jaw, they once owned the notorious Turkey Track ranch, which at one time ran 24,000 head of cattle.

Cruickshank was one of the first six ranchers to organize the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association in 1913 and served as the first SSGA vice-president.

“In order to address the problem of cattle mange, Cruikshank established two

dipping vats on the ranch - one at the winter quarters and one on the summer range. The vats were made for the swim method, with sulphur and lime used for the dip. Usually a steam engine was used to heat the dip.”

“Government range inspectors patrolled the ranches and sometimes even if they only found one or two cattle with mange, they ordered the whole herd dipped.” (Taken from Pete Perrin’s memories documented by Ted Perrin) FAST FORWARD past the names of Robert Cruikshank Jr., who took over after his dad passed. Past the Smith and the Knight ranches and the Funks to Lawrence Ohmacht and John Minor, who both had holdings which would eventually be bought out by Pete Perrin.

Pete and his brother Jesse ran the Matador Community Pasture, which bordered both the Ohmacht and Minor ranches. Ohmacht owned land to the north of the Matador and a homestead along the Saskatchewan River.

The rancher/bachelor was a regular visitor to the Perrin household. When he retired in 1943, he offered Pete the opportunity to buy him out. Pete did just that and in 1951 added the Minor holdings. At that point, Perrin Ranching encompassed about a township of rangeland (23,040 acres) continued on page 8 ››

In order to address the problem of cattle mange, Cruikshank established two dipping vats on the ranch - one at the winter quarters and one on the summer range. The vats were made for the swim method, with sulphur and lime used for the dip. Usually a steam engine was used to heat the dip.

PETE PERRIN

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APRIL / MAY 2015 |

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‹‹ continued from page 7

Jesse’s two sons Ted and Dennis Perrin eventually hired on with Uncle Pete and became shareholders.

After taking an Artificial Insemination (AI) course, Ted introduced Charolais genetics into the herd of Hereford cattle. A bold move in those days, but soon the tan calves were sought after in western Canadian sale rings. Later he used AI to introduce Red Angus genetics for a maternal cross.

In 1978, the arrival of a young man by the name of Reg Schellenberg would set the stage for yet another change in ranch history.

Schellenberg hired on to the Perrin Ranch after working for several years in the forage division of the Swift Current Research Station. Two years after his arrival, he married Ted’s second eldest daughter Shannon. From that union, we pick up the story of Perrin Ranching Ltd. and its happenings over the next 35 years.

“When I hired on, heifers were still only being bred at two years of age and calving at three. It was a common practice in the 60s and 70s. That’s probably the biggest jump in ranch history - when we went from calving three-year-olds to

calving two-year-olds and selling the steers off the cow,” recalls Reg Schellenberg.

Prior to the calving change, the cows calved in May on the range. Because the cattle were retained longer, there were about 1,200 head of all ages - from cows to yearling heifers to two-year-old steers.

Another big change for the ranch occurred in the 1960s when the province built the Gardiner Dam and expropriated 3,000 acres of the ranch. It was a huge loss because it encompassed the winter pasture with a lot of natural shelter along the river bottom. The area was also a great source of hay. The home place was forced to move a half mile north.

By 1983, Reg and Shannon were able to purchase their first shares in the ranch.

From 1983 to 1990 the family corporation included Ted and Olive, Shannon and Reg, plus Shannon’s sister and brotherin-law. In 1990, the ranch was divided into two corporations. Reg and Shannon retained the Perrin Ranching name with a slight twist, calling it Perrin Ranching 1990.

Since that time, the cattle have undergone another change - from a Red Angus base herd to a Black Angus herd.

“Up until this time we used Red Angus

bulls on our heifers and Charolais bulls for the terminal cross. A lot of our cows were tan with a strong influence of Red Angus. For about five years, we bred everything red and then introduced the Black Angus genetics. I bought the first Black Angus bull in 1995,” recalls Reg. “Changing cattle colors is almost like changing politics, but we were happy with the results.”

“The cows, which still had a shot of Charolais, raised some excellent black steer calves. We wanted the Black Angus influence because we saw an opportunity to sell into the Certified Angus Beef Program. I credit Neil Jahnke for having the insight to help establish Black Angus in this corner of the province.”

But the herd - which had reached upwards of 400 - slowly declined post-BSE. “Because the cattle were worth less over that period of time, we had to sell more to provide more income. The herd numbers shrunk to around the 300 mark. But since 2008, we have retained more heifers to prepare for a market turnaround,” says Coy Schellenberg, Reg and Shannon’s son.

“We will calve out 450 cows this spring beginning the first week of April. We have a 60-day breeding season, which

When I hired on, heifers were still only being bred at two years of age and calving at three. It was a common practice in the 60s and 70s. That’s probably the biggest jump in ranch history when we went from calving three-year-olds to calving twoyear-olds and selling the steers off the cow.

REG SCHELLENBERG

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was shortened last year to 55 days.”

In the past five years, the family has slowly introduced Black Simmental genetics, carefully selecting bulls with exceptional EPDs for birthweight and milk.

They look for moderate-framed Simmental bulls with depth of rib and thickness.

“Between 400 and 500 cows allows us to operate as a family unit and still gives us the opportunity to stockpile grass a year ahead. Our rangeland consists of 80 to 90 percent native grass and it takes about 30 acres to support a cow-calf pair,” says Coy. “We also background most of our heifer calves, selling some in the spring and retaining our replacement heifers to breed.”

He says that while some experts believe that tame grass has no place alongside native grass, the spring production of meadow brome and crested wheat grass is perfect for April calving. It allows the native grass more time to develop and has become a huge tool in their native rangeland management.

The Schellenbergs used square bales and a chore team for winter feeding up until 2002. They’ve since gone to round bales and a bale processor which grinds both green feed and the older carryover hay. The good quality alfalfa/grass hay simply gets rolled out. A normal bale count is 1,400 to 1,500 and they add straw bales for extra roughage.

A couple of years ago, the Schellenbergs tried swath grazing but the swaths ended up under a foot of snow with a twoinch ice cap.

“The home place provides the wintering ground and the rangeland in the river valley is rested from spring until late

Perrin Ranching 1990 is a family run ranch. The rangeland consists of 80 to 90 percent native grass. It takes about 30 acres to run a cow-calf pair.

fall. Once calving is done and calves are branded, the cattle are moved to the north camp and don’t return until November. This provides excellent winter grazing when the cows arrive home from summer range,” says Coy. Reg says they used to trail the pairs 24 miles to the summer range (north camp) but in hindsight, the trip was tough on the young calves. They now truck the cattle and instead of taking two days for the trek, the pairs are unloaded in about two hours.

The cow herd is split into two calving fields, which makes it easier for checking, gathering and branding. In the event of bad weather, it’s also easier to cancel trucks bound for the summer pasture.

Since 2002, the family has marketed their calves at a Certified Angus sale at Maple Creek. Fellow Black Angus producer Bob Switzer introduced the family to the Dalke Brothers of Morden, Manitoba and they have bought the Perrin Ranching calves every year since.

Both father and son believe they must take a turn in cowboy politics and have taken their place alongside every land owner in the ranch’s history as Saskatchewan Stock Growers members.

“Carl Block used to say that decisions get made by the people that show up.

With so many proposed changes impacting our industry, we need to be at the table before someone else dictates regulations for us,” stresses Reg. “I’ve learned a lot about how things get done on the provincial, federal and international stage. I’m one of four Saskatchewan reps on the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. I chair the Canadian Cattlemen’s Animal Care committee and was involved with rewriting the new Beef Code of Practice. I’m also on the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency as a CCA director and a life member of the SSGA.” “It’s not always easy to get away, but I believe there’s more to the business of ranching than raising good cows. My wife Shannon is very supportive and even with her off farm job, is a big part of running the ranch. This is a family run operation and everyone does their part.”

Coy and his wife Laura-Lie have two young children, making them the fifth generation on this ranch. Coy graduated university with a degree in animal scicontinued on page 10 ››

APRIL / MAY 2015 |

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VERIFIED BEEF PRODUCTION IN SASKATCHEWAN ‹‹ continued from page 9

ence and a minor in rangeland management. He always knew he would settle on the ranch. Coy is also able to run a part-time off-farm job from home.

“The bulk of the work happens from November to March during the workshop season and in the evenings when I get home. When producers are busy – I’m at home doing the same things,” says Coy, provincial coordinator for the Sask.

Verified Beef Program (VBP).

So far the VBP has trained more than 18,000 Canadian cow-calf producers.

There has been an 83 percent uptake of the program by the Canadian feedlot industry and only about 35 percent acceptance from the cow-calf sector.

“The program was released by the CCA in 2004 and it has been slower than expected to catch on in the industry. But it needed time to prove its worth in the marketplace. With some higher profile companies such as McDonald’s trying to meet consumer demands, I’m getting

more calls from producers wanting to be verified,” says Coy. “Most operations are doing a good job of record keeping and adhering to proper withdrawal times, but just need to document their actions a little more. It’s a minimal cost to join the VBP which includes the on-farm audit. The operation is then certified for eight years and must provide a declaration or example records annually.”

Reg gives credit to the generations of ranchers before him that so carefully and passionately preserved the land entrusted to them. He says the expertise that has been passed down on how to manage native prairie has served them well.

Ted and Olive Perrin were recognized for their care of the land by receiving the SSGA TESA (Environmental Stewardship Award) for Saskatchewan and nationally.

In the words of Uncle Pete, “If you take care of the rangeland – it will take care of you and the next generations.”

In the words of Pete Perrin, “If you take care of the rangeland - it will care for the next generations”.

Beef Producers in Saskatchewan may qualify for funding provided through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative

Cash Flow Solutions For Your Farm Now More Convenient Than Ever!

45

GRAIN & LIVESTOCK COMMODITIES ONE APPLICATION, ONE LOw fEE

100,000

$

INTEREST FREE

400,000

$

MAXIMUM ADVANCE

FOOD SAFETY 50% up to $750/producer

BIOSECURITY 50% up to $1,000/producer

Eligible equipment includes:

Eligible items include services provided by a Vet to undertake:

*squeeze with neck extender *individual livestock weigh scale *record keeping software

NEW WEBSITE FOR SASKVBP.CA!

We did an overhaul of our website, it’s more modern and user friendly...

Go Check it Out!

To be Eligible, Producers Must Have:

$2,500 in Cattle Sales, Completed VBP Training, Room Left in $750 Cap Whether you’re just getting started or have been farming for years, the flexibility of a cash advance can benefit your farm’s financial plans. And now it’s easier than ever, with all your advance needs in one place at CCGA.

To be Eligible, Producers Must:

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

Applications accepted beginning March 1, 2015.

Apply over the phone at 1-866-745-2256, online at CCGA.ca, or by mail, fax, or email.

The cash advance program administered by CCGA is made available to Canadian farmers through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advance Payments Program.

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*Biosecurity Assessment *Biosecurity Protocol Development

To learn more about VBP in Saskatchewan, visit saskvbp.ca or contact Coy Schellenberg, Provincial Coordinator, at 306-859-9110 or office@saskvbp.ca APRIL / MAY 2015 |

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car b o n r e c o v e r y

Bad news – good news about soil carbon

By Blain Hjertaas

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

Not the average topic of conversation for most people, but carbon is critical to all of our survival. 2015 is the International Year of Soil as declared by the United Nations.

In fact, 99.7 percent of what we eat each day comes directly from the soil. Over the eons of time mankind has abused soil to the point that in some cases civilizations have collapsed. Occasionally, agricultural practices have destroyed the soil, forcing the people to move on. Unfortunately, as our populations have expanded, there is now nowhere else to go.

The production of food can cause a soil loss of up to four tons of soil per person per year on an annual basis.

That can equate to a huge amount of soil loss annually from our agricultural areas.

Clearly this is not

sustainable. Add to this the loss from urbanization and population increase and there is potential for disastrous consequences. Throw in climate change and it doesn’t bode well.

I don’t believe it’s a bad news story. We know how to fix this. It’s simple and a win-win for all. It all has to do with carbon.

We have put our carbon in the atmosphere instead of in the soil. We have lost a great deal of organic matter, carbon and humus over the last 130 years of farming in western Canada. The 1930s took their toll, the summerfallow era took more and each time tillage is performed more carbon is oxidized and goes into the atmosphere.

Add to this the carbon released from fossil fuel burning and we have an increase from a historical level of 300 ppm to 400 ppm of carbon dioxide in a 50 year period. This is a huge increase in a very short period of time and we are just beginning to understand the ramifications. At this point in our history there is no indication of slowing our

rapid increase.

It would seem prudent to me that we should take carbon back out of the atmosphere and put it into the soil where it can do some good. The process is simple. Photosynthesis does it free for us every day if we have green leaves working for us.

The plant takes oxygen and carbon dioxide from the air and makes simple sugar or glucose. This is transported to the roots where 20-30 percent exudes from the roots into the rhizosphere to feed the fungi and bacteria.

This is a symbiotic relationship between plants and bugs. They get sugar from the plant and in return they can make unavailable nutrients available to the plant. They build structure in the soil and as death occurs the plant and animal remains are converted into more complex forms of carbon or humus.

The more humus we have the more soil microbes there are, the more water holding capacity the soil has, the more nutrient dense the food that is produced will become and the higher the overall yield will be. This keeps getting better and the energy source is solar energy converted by green leaves. Sounds like a pretty good thing.

Several years ago a group of farmers decided to explore whether soil car-

Several years ago a group of farmers decided to explore whether soil carbon levels could be regenerated and begin to build.

bon levels could be regenerated and begin to build. The soil carbon coalition was formed to monitor soil carbon levels across North America’s farmland.

Plots were established and initial samples were analyzed in 2011. In the fall of 2014 these same sites were again visited and analyzed for carbon. The results are very impressive with all farms showing positive increases in three years.

In tonnage, the seven farms

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proves conclusively that cows are carbon negative as this wouldn’t have happened if cattle had not been improving the soil on these farms.

Cattle ensure the litter on the ground is pushed tight so that decomposition can occur. The act of grazing stimulates the growth of grass making more solar capture possible. We need biology working on our farms to make this happen. Livestock enhance biology.

This is a great news story.

All of these farms have had increases in grass production, had a decrease in inputs, are holding more water in the soil and producing more nutrient dense food. Clearly farmers are more profitable, consumers have better food and society has more water holding capacity mitigating floods and mitigating climate change. To view results check out the web site at www.soilcarboncoalition.org

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tested in southeast Saskatchewan had 4,627 hectares between them and sequestered the equivalent of 131,370 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The average Canadian has a carbon footprint of 18.9 tonnes.

Therefore each hectare negated the effect of 1.5 persons or these seven farms had a zero carbon footprint for 6,973 people.

All of these farms practice high stock density grazing with long recovery periods. It

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APRIL / MAY 2015 |

13

prE D ATION

LEFT: Turkish Kangals are ferocious protectors of livestock yet gentle with the Lockhart children. Jessica Lockhart shares a moment with one of her favorite pals.

BELOW: The Lockharts believe that livestock guardian dogs are just one part of an overall predation strategy which includes dead stock removal, daily checking of livestock and engaging the services of a predation specialist. | lockhart photos

Livestock guardian dogs integral part of this northern ranch

By Shirley Byers Cody and Liesl Lockhart raise cattle and sheep in the heart of predator country.

They’ve got bears, they’ve got cougars, they’ve got coyotes and they’ve got wolves. But since they figured out how to manage the problem with livestock guardian dogs, they also have zero predator kills.

Candll Lamb and Cattle Co., the Lockharts’ ranch in the Debden area of northcentral Saskatchewan, is surrounded by the deep dark woods that predators love to hang out in.

There’s the Prince Albert

National Park to the east, a huge forestry management zone to the north and the Big River First Nation to the west.

“We’re kind of in a terrible location,” Cody says with a grin. “Maybe that’s why the land was a bit less money.”

The Lockharts moved to their 3,000 acre ranch in 2009. They run 500 to 600 cows and 1,200 ewes, all birthing on pasture. They bale graze, swath graze and corn graze. Their animals are never in corrals.

They lost about a dozen calves the first spring. That fall they started losing one 80-90 lb. wether (a castrated

male sheep) every single morning.

“We were under the threat of losing one percent of our flock every morning. Yet, getting rid of the predators wasn’t the answer. If we eradicated a local population of wolves or coyotes, a new pack or breeding pair would move in to take their place. That’s when we started looking into guard dogs,” says Cody.

Hero, a male Great Pyrenees, was their first livestock guard dog. Originating in the Great Pyrenees Mountains of southern France and northern Spain, these white dogs are not herders. Their

We were under the threat of losing one per cent of our flock every morning.

CODY LOCKHART | CANDLL LAMB & CATTLE CO.

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working style is to stay close to the livestock and ward off predators with their deep, strong bark.

The Lockharts were happy with Hero’s work, but as their livestock numbers increased, he needed help. So they added two Anatolian Shepherds.

Weighing in at a muscular 100-150 lbs., these dogs are more athletic and more aggressive than Great Pyrenees, and they patrol a large perimeter. Unlike the Great Pyrenees, if a predator is sighted, they’ll leave the pasture to give chase and they will kill a persistent predator.

As their livestock numbers increased, predation pressure also increased. When four or five of their dogs were killed by predators, they added another even larger breed of dog, the Turkish Kangal, and outfitted all of their guard dogs with spike collars. Those two moves saved countless trips to the vet as well as the lives of dogs and livestock.

Matching dogs to jobs It’s necessary to have different breeds on the job because each breed has its own spe-

ciality, Liesl says.

“If we had a pack of Kangles, they would run together leaving no one to guard the animals. If we had all white dogs (Great Pyrenees or Maremmas) the predators would never be killed. They’d just be out there and finding new ways to grab livestock.”

They recommend a minimum of two dogs per cow herd/flock. While there are some acreage settings that only warrant one guardian dog, whenever there is predation pressure there needs to be at least two and preferably more to match the predators.

Predators will figure out how to work around one dog.

Care and training The goal with livestock guard dogs is to foster their natural instinct to bond to another animal. As soon as possible they should be introduced to the livestock they will be guarding. The Lockharts do this by keeping pups in a yard with bottle babies or in a kennel in the pasture.

At around six months of age, when they feel they’re ready, the pups are released unsu-

pervised for an hour per day, gradually increasing their exposure to the herd and to the other dogs.

“The pack setting for raising a livestock guard dog is great,” says Liesl. “They teach the pups much faster than I could so that dog knows how to behave around other dogs.

It knows how to behave around livestock and it knows how to behave around people.”

But during the pup’s adolescence, trouble can happen.

Pups may rough up other animals. It’s a very common stage for dogs, and dog owners should not get alarmed or think a dog is ruined if it draws blood.

Handlers should verbally reprimand the dog. Or they may outfit a rowdy teen with a dangle stick – a stick attached to a dog’s collar with a long chain so it can’t run without knocking its knees with the stick or knocking itself on the head with the chain.

A triangle yoke collar is also effective. Sometimes that’s all it takes to curb an energetic young dog.

The Lockharts spray paint their dogs with numbers to keep them safe from hunters and neighbours who aren’t familiar with them.

Premium quality kibble costs about $5,000 per year for 11 dogs. The guard dogs eat about the same amount as a border collie. They also skin dead cows and feed that raw beef to the dogs, plus their butcher supplies free meat scraps. As part of socializing the puppies, they train them to tolerate the giving and withdrawal of food. The dogs are also leash trained for vet trips and handling.

Old-school rules for training guard dogs, such as don’t hand feed, make eye contact, touch, pet or praise them need to be re-examined.

The Lockharts maintain that human contact from birth onwards socializes the dogs, makes them easier to handle for vet visits and more predictable around strangers.

Cody and Liesl Lockhart say livestock guardian dogs have made their lives easier and saved the lives of countless sheep and cattle.

APRIL / MAY 2015 |

15

a n i mal w e l far e

Dairy industry ramps up animal welfare scrutiny

BY BONNIE WARNYCA

ABOVE: Dr. Jennifer Walker, DVM, is the director of dairy stewardship for Dean Foods in Dallas, Texas. She says the company is investing millions of dollars to help dairy farmers demonstrate strong animal welfare practices to their customers. | dean foods photo

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Members of the livestock industry have traditionally been intertwined, but that sense has been heightened in recent years especially in the arena of public opinion.

It seems whenever a negative incident happens to one species, it becomes a pox on all our houses.

So, it was no surprise that the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) and the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists invited Dr. Jennifer Walker, DVM to speak at their 2014 Agribition luncheon. Walker works as the director of dairy stewardship for Dean Foods in Dallas, Texas.

“Animal welfare is a concern shared by all involved in animal production. We felt it was valuable to look south of the border to see how the dairy industry is developing their sustainability programs,” says SSGA general manager Chad MacPherson.

“We are all dealing with similar challenges when it comes to consumer demands and animal activists. We can learn from each other and Dr. Walker provided a lot of food for thought.”

Walker was hired in 2010 by Dean Foods of California to develop a minimum standard model for its fluid milk suppliers. Initially, the company used a middleman to buy milk from co-operatives but more and more they were buying directly from dairy producers.

Today, they purchase milk from about 900 farms and indirectly their supply represents about 12,000 farms from New York to California. The suppliers can include milk from a 50-head Amish cow herd to a much larger and more modern dairy operation.

With added scrutiny from such animal advocacy groups as PETA and Mercy for Animals, Dean Foods officials realized they had to develop a supplier program that could measure animal welfare.

The challenge has been to create a pro-

gram that fits everyone. Dean’s philosophy is that every farm will have the opportunity to succeed under the new model unless they choose not to.

“We know where the milk comes from, so we have no issue with traceability but we need to develop a standard. Then if a video or a complaint is launched against one of our suppliers, we can take a course of action. We want to build a system which all dairy producers can easily buy into,” says Walker.

“We don’t expect producers to be perfect right out of the gate. But Dean Foods will work with them to bring their operation up to the new standards and consumer expectations.”

“If an animal welfare issue does arise, we want to assure the public that we are working with that producer to improve things.”

Walker used the example of being able to document such things as excess lameness in a herd. If there are a higher number of lame cows, then it is something that must be improved.

“Generally most people understand that we look after our animals in the best possible ways. Our biggest risk is when people think that we are indifferent to the animal’s suffering,” she says.

There are guidelines already in place under the U.S. farm bill but Dean Foods wants a program they alone can audit.

“When we look at animal welfare, we try to find indicators that aren’t specific but give us a window of what might go wrong on a farm. Lameness is one, or it might be nutrition problem or heat stress, any number of things. Body condition is certainly important,” says Walker.

“Dean Foods didn’t hire me to be the nation’s veterinarian. They hired me to develop an outline for producers to follow. The animal rights groups tend to focus on things that are visually disturbing in the short term such as tail docking or dehorning.”

In the U.S., most dairy cattle are horned and since the gene pool is small, the com-

ABOVE: In Canada, the dairy industry has an on-farm food program called Canadian Quality Milk. The industry is in the process of expanding its reach. | saskmilk photo

pany isn’t looking to mandate polled genetics. Walker admits that rapid change in genetics is dangerous. But, she says, producers can reduce pain associated with dehorning by doing the procedure on one-day-old to two-day-old calves instead of waiting until they are 10 to 12 weeks of age. They can also use Lidocaine or other anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce or eliminate any pain associated with dehorning.

Walker says she is often asked if producers will be paid more for following these new protocols. The blunt answer is no.

“Dean Foods is already investing millions of dollars to help dairy farmers demonstrate to their customers that they do a good job. At the end of the day, everything we do to improve animal welfare improves the bottom line,” says Walker.

In Canada, the dairy industry has an on-farm food safety program, Canadian Quality Milk (CQM), but is working on

adding four new components, which include traceability, bio-security, animal welfare and the environment.

Keith Flaman, general manager for SaskMilk, says the new program is called pro-Action.

“This will all eventually be combined with the CQM program to further assure our customers that these important issues are dealt with. When we look at animal welfare we believe there is a separation between animal abuse and animal welfare. There is no place for abuse in any operation.”

“In Saskatchewan, we have 165 dairy producers and 22,000 head in the milking herd and that number is rising. The average dairy herd in Saskatchewan is the largest in Canada.”

“With so many consumers unaware of how farm animals are nurtured, they don’t understand what the norm is. They often relate animal welfare to their pets and we need to educate them about what healthful dairy operations look like.

Dairy animals aren’t pets, but they are looked after very well.”

After an animal abuse video came to light from a dairy operation in Chilliwack, B.C., in June of 2014, the dairy industry has been working harder to de-

velop an action plan to deal with farms that aren’t properly caring for their animals.

“In Saskatchewan, we can quickly take action against a dairy farm that is mistreating their animals – but not all provinces have the same regulations,” says Flaman.

“All provinces are involved in the development of an animal care program, based on the already developed national standard for managing dairy cows. The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle will be rolled out over the next three years. The new directives will include certain mandatory practices, as well as suggested practices.

For many farmers, there won’t be significant changes. But there will be for some.”

“All dairy farm employees are to be trained in issues regarding abuse. There will be validators and audits to ensure the practices are followed and there will be consequences.”

Flaman says that while no Canadian milk retailer has requested specific protocols, the industry is moving ahead with enriched management regulations.

“We are constantly working on being more transparent about why and how we do things,” he says.

APRIL / MAY 2015 |

17

s wat h g ra z i n g

Lacombe study plans to tweak swath grazing

By Shirley Byers

Vern Baron, Forage Physiologist - Agronomist at the Lacombe Research Station, is heading a study to try to make swath grazing even better. | photo BY ANN DE ST REMY

Vern Baron, a forage physiologistagronomist at the Agriculture Canada Lacombe Research Centre, believes swath grazing was invented by a producer who, when facing a winter feed shortage, turned his or her cattle on a swathed cereal field. It just made sense.

It makes even more sense today. Research suggests that swath grazing (with judicious use of electric fencing) can reduce total daily feeding costs per cow by 40 to 60 percent. This is based on a 46 to 66 percent reduction in yardage costs and a 19 to 50 percent reduction in feed costs.

Daily feed costs range from 27 to 50 cents per cow per day. Yardage or nonfeed costs tend to be more or less constant, but reducing equipment, labour and fuel in feeding can reduce the cost to as low as 19 cents per cow per day for swath grazing.

The feed cost is a function of the cost of production per acre, yield and the rate at which the cows clean up the swath. Yardage costs can always be reduced. How much feed costs are reduced depends on good agronomic and grazing management.

Improved agronomic and grazing management practices have increased the yields of crops seeded for swath grazing. Increased yields mean decreased overwintering feed costs. But swath-grazed cattle tend to gain less weight than those on second-cut grass, so tweaking the nutritive value of the swathed-grazed crop is a priority. As

well, weathering or loss of quality in the swath can still be an issue.

Baron is heading a study — Innovative Swath Grazing/Increasing Forage Capacity “to further improve pasture carrying capacity and reduce overwintering costs.” He plans to evaluate new annual forage varieties and develop management strategies for improved forage quality that can be maintained throughout the swath-grazing season.

Typically barley is seeded later (mid to late June), in order to hit that soft dough stage in mid-September. But yields suffer. Researchers have seen differences in barley varieties. Some maintain their yields better than others with late planting. An example would be Gadsby, a two-row feed barley.

As well, some new unnamed triticale varieties might be better choices for swath grazing than others. Plant breeders with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development have produced advanced lines of barley and triticale with better fibre digestibility. These new lines will be tested for resistance to weathering loss and compared to popular forage types under winter grazing conditions.

This research includes a comprehensive weathering trial and two winter grazing trials to evaluate the suitability of this new material for overwintering beef cows.

The weathering trial will look at annual forages: corn, oats, barley, winter triticale and fall rye, all planted in the spring. Beginning in September, forage quality will be monitored over the winter months.

Weathering is a factor, but it’s hard to quantify. Rain on swaths that subsequently freezes it to the ground is about the worst weathering that a swath can sustain.

VERN BARON | FORAGE PHYSIOLOGIST-AGRONOMIST

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SWATH CALCULATOR

file photo

It can be difficult for producers to find information on how different varieties might work. Recommended Varieties lists quote yields for silage or hay. At Lacombe, work is underway on a calculator that would help producers project what a carrying capacity for swath grazing would be given a certain yield and quality.

For each variety, an average yield and quality would be provided so producers could see what an expected cost and carrying capacity would be.

“We can’t guarantee ‘X’ amount of savings on a particular farm but based on a system of evaluation we can tell you, this is what you might be looking at for your savings or your cost,” says Baron. file photo

“One of the things we’re seeing is that the quality, be it barley, triticale, corn or whatever, is quite variable. But probably what we’ll find is that those varieties and species which have high quality in the fall usually end up with high quality in the spring,” says Baron.

“We’re not seeing the absolute slam dunk drop in quality that people talk about. Weathering is a factor, but it’s hard to quantify. Rain on swaths that subsequently freezes it to the ground is about the worst weathering that a swath can sustain.’’

“The problem is more complex than one variety or one species being better

in this respect than another. It may come down to how you manage that crop so that you can swath it as late as possible and swath it in the biggest possible swath.”

While timing and size of swaths are important, Baron thinks that barley loses quality faster than triticale or corn.

No one is sure why but it could be because the kernels in barley are more exposed than in the other typical swath grazing species. He also thinks barley is more predisposed to leaf diseases, which may lead to spoilage in winter and may also reduce quality in the fall.

It appears that anything that reduces grain content in a swath is a negative, he says.

“Maybe it needs grain in it. How you manage the cereal swath for grain content could be important. We are studying the grain or starch content in the kernel filling period and how that works out with swath grazing compared to forage used for silage in a backgrounding operation. There are no definitive answers yet,” he says.

Results from this study, funded by the national checkoff and Canada’s beef science cluster, will begin to emerge in about two years.

APRIL / MAY 2015 |

19

ca s t rat i o n

Castration goes under the microscope

Dr. Karen SchwartzkopfGenswein with AAFC Lethbridge and Dr. Ed Pajor of the U of C are trying to pinpoint the most welfare friendly age and method of beef cattle castration. | AAFC photo

Preliminary data indicates the most welfare-friendly age and method for castration is in that first week of age and banding. | FILE photo

By Bonnie Warnyca One might assume that castration methods have already been thoroughly examined over the years, but previous studies did not look at the effects of castration at young ages (zero to four months of age).

Consumer concerns about mitigating pain in beef animals, the updating of the Beef Cattle Code of Practice and the push from major retailers has activated the cattle industry to take a closer look at this long-accepted procedure.

Out of the three possible

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methods of beef calf castration including knife, burdizzo and banding, the knife and banding methods seem the most popular with producers.

Dr. Karen SchwartzkopfGenswein with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Lethbridge and Dr. Ed Pajor at the University of Calgary, are currently leading a four-year study looking for the most welfarefriendly age and method of castration. In 2014, they castrated 108 bull calves using both the banded and knife methods. The calves ranged from newborns or zero-aged

Genswein.

“We also followed the behaviour patterns in all the calves up until the time the banded calves dropped their testicles.”

From this first part of a four-part research project, the researchers deducted that the optimum time for castration is within a week after birth. But, looking at the Canadian cattle industry, it’s difficult to determine at what age most producers castrate their calves and the jury is still out on the optimal method of castration.

“The banding method does produce discomfort for several hours after banding and again at three to four weeks when the testicles are starting to slough off. When this happens, there is an open wound that is vulnerable to bacteria and infection. It is also about the time that animals can go off feed and lose weight,” explains Schwartzkopf-Genswein.

“Although we have not fully analyzed all the data, the in-

dicators of acute pain measured in this study suggest that the most welfare-friendly age and method is band castration during that first week of age.”

Second part of the study The second part of the castration study at AAFC Lethbridge will involve 2015 born calves and the researchers plan to apply one shot of analgesic before castration by both banding and knife at zero age to try to determine the effect on pain mitigation.

Overall, researchers stress that the key to success with any method of castration is to have it performed properly by an experienced person.

Year three of this study There is often a combination of stressors along with castration of older animals such as castration along with branding and/or weaning. The third-year research will compare the effects of single castration procedures versus calves that have gone

through multiple procedures.

“By comparing animals that have been castrated to animals that have been castrated as well as branded or weaned, we hope to determine the added effect on the health of the animals. We will compare how long the inflammation and swelling from castration varies between the two groups. In this way, we can better piece together the best pain-free experience for castrating beef calves,” says Schwartzkopf-Genswein.

Year four – will look at wound healing and wound healing strategies.

Funding for this study was provided under the Beef Cluster jointly funded by BCRC and AAFC. Editor’s note: Currently, there are few approved pain treatment options for castration procedures. In a recent study led by Dr. Michael Jelinski, in collaboration with the Alberta Livestock

and Meat Agency (ALMA), AAFC, Alberta Veterinary Laboratories and Morison Farms Feedlot, researchers looked at using oral meloxicam as a cost-effective solution for reducing pain in weaned beef calves following band castration.

In this study, the research team developed the oral formulation of meloxicam to test its effectiveness. In a report released by ALMA, it appears that the oral meloxicam therapy did not appear to provide band castration pain relief on its own, but could give complementary therapy to local anaesthesia to extend the period of pain relief.

The study also demonstrated pain relief when oral meloxicam was administered at the time of castration and when given at three weeks post-castration, when the scrotum is sloughing.

The data collected in this trial will contribute towards future work focusing on animal welfare.

calves (up to one week old), to two month-old bull calves and four month-old bull calves.

“We did all the measurements we know of to gauge degree of pain and length of pain associated with each procedure. We looked at the animals’ physiology and behaviour and their cortisol readings, which is a measurement of stress. We recorded other behaviours such as struggling, tail flicks, and vocalization. We documented if the animals laid down or stood after the procedure. We even video-taped the length of their steps while walking,” says Schwartzkopf-

APRIL / MAY 2015 |

21

c o n s u m e r d e ma n d s

What’s up with my food?

The changing world of food production and consumer expectations

By Kelly Sidoryk Never before have agriculture producers felt such specific demands from the consumer – gluten-free, hormone-free, free-range, natural etc. Price is a massive driver, but there is a broad array of other considerations coming into play.

The complexity of it all is akin to a giant puzzle with no completed picture to guide the players and no certainty that all the puzzle pieces are even on the table or whether there

may be more than one puzzle.

Add to that a diverse group unaware of each other trying to work together to complete the puzzle.

David McInnes, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute in Ottawa, recently discussed this topic at the Lloydminster Agri-Visions.

He told producers there are opportunities but they need to work together since navigating through the trends and trying to define those that are lasting, is not easy.

He says the marketplace is evolving and consumers are different. The mindset of how we supply and produce food is changing.

“The market is shifting from a supply push to a demand pull. Producers can’t just hope for a market.

Consumers want to know where their food comes from, how it is produced and if it is good for them.

Their expectations can be divided into the areas of

provenance, ethics, sustainability and health,” he notes.

In a report from the Canadian Pork Council on European consumer buying criteria, both the best traceability and strong animal welfare and environmental guarantees were ahead of the lowest price.

The issue of sustainability is becoming a top priority for food companies, as is locally produced and animal care.

McDonalds’ corporate social responsibility report states that by 2020, 100 percent of coffee, palm oil and fish is to be sustainable production certified and they plan to begin purchasing verified sustainable beef in 2016.

There are many hurdles to overcome. One is the definition of sustainable, which McDonalds is seeking input from producers to develop. Never mind that currently there is no verification body for sustainable beef production.

However, organizations like the Global Round Table for Sustainable Beef Production are moving towards the issue with the mandate of social responsibility, being environmentally sound and economically viable.

McInnes said McDonalds is not the only company including this in their operational strategy - Walmart, Loblaws, Safeway are all moving in the same direction.

The recent A & W campaign has caused controversy but is conveying a message. Since the onset of this campaign, McInnes noted that the A & W stock has risen in value.

Another significant oppor-

tunity is coming from emerging markets, particularly in countries such as China, with a large population and very little trust in their own food production.

“300 million people in China buy online. A recent internet campaign resulted in over one million litres of milk being sold online in a single day,” says McInnes.

The ethnic market is another area of substantial growth for the Canadian food industry as the demographics of our population changes.

By 2050, 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities compared to 49 percent today. Also, there’s a shift globally with more people moving into the affluent category from striving.

There’s still the challenge of trying to define passing and emerging trends. McInnes points to gluten-free as an example - where only one percent of the population has a medical condition requiring them to eat gluten-free but it’s estimated up to 30 percent of consumers are purchasing those products.

As consumers are asking where their food comes from, McInnes suggests producers should be asking where their product is going and how is it processed and marketed.

“This opens up the possibility for producers to move out of the commodity market and to a value-added product. But it also requires a different way of operating,” he says.

“Producers, processors and retailers all need to work to-

gether to engage consumers on emerging food issues.

This ‘systems view’ also involves linking consumer health, sustainability and economic factors.”

“Traditionally we have relied on specific producer groups to fight the battle but that’s not going to work in the future. There’s a need to differentiate our product and we can add value by appropriately meeting changing consumer expectations. The Canadian brand has trust at its foundation but it does require the industry being aligned with a strategy.”

It’s important that producers try to ensure that the correct message is getting out, and communication is strengthened.

McInnes says regulation, such as improved labelling, is only part of the answer in how we communicate with consumers. Some regulation is required but again it should not be up to one entity to manage. The marketplace requires more players to become involved.

It’s also important to remember that science evolves, giving us new information about ingredients and health.

For example, cholesterol was deemed to be bad years ago.

Now, with new evidence and information, it’s not the health culprit it once was.

The answers are not perfectly clear, but at the core is communication on both sides of the fence. Sharing knowledge and information will aid in building the puzzle.

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APRIL / MAY 2015 |

23

s armla o dcap n d i n v e s t m e n t f

Foreign investors hit paydirt

Saskatchewan farmland is a profitable venture for investment funds, pension plans and megafarms

Saskatchewan land ownership case studies

»»

By Sean Pratt There has been a marked change in Saskatchewan farmland ownership over the past two decades, according to a new study.

Investment funds, pension plans and megafarms own an increasing amount of Saskatchewan dirt.

The study looked at land ownership in three rural municipalities where there has been significant turnover: Excel, southwest of Regina; Lajord, southeast of Regina; and Harris, southwest of Saskatoon.

“We found that in a relatively short period of time there has been a significant change in land tenure,” says Annette Desmarais, Canada research chair in human rights, social justice and food sovereignty at the University of Manitoba and coauthor of the study, which will soon be published in the online journal Canadian Food Studies.

The researchers found that 8.5 percent of farmland in the RM of Excel was owned by outside investors, 9.4 percent in Lajord and 13.1 percent in Harris for an average of 10.3 percent.

Most of the investment in the RM of Harris is by what the study refers to as farmer/ investor hybrids. They are not investment companies but they are also not the typ-

RM of Excel had less than one percent foreign ownership in 1994. By 2014, that number had risen to 8.5 percent or 22,474 acres.

»»RM of Lajord had about 1.5

percent foreign ownership in 1994. By 2014, that number had risen to 9.4 percent or 19,301 acres.

»»RM of Harris had less than one percent foreign ownership in 1994. By 2014, that number had risen to 13.1 percent or 160 acres.

Source: Information Services Corporation Ownership dataset

Land ownership has come under increased scrutiny as producers say they can’t compete with corporate investors. | file photo

ical family farm.

The hybrids include Cor Van Raay and Van Raay Land Inc., who made his money in the Alberta feedlot industry.

He owns 8,596 acres in the three RMs and 33,730 acres in the province.

Nil-Ray Farms Ltd. has also bought a sizeable amount of land. The company is owned

by Brian and Lee Nilsson, who used to own one of Canada’s largest beef packing plants. Nil-Ray owns 8,923 acres in the three RMs and 14,802 acres in the province.

Desmarais said barely any land was owned by people other than Saskatchewan

farmers 20 years ago.

Everything changed in 2002 when the province relaxed its farmland ownership laws to allow investment by all Canadian citizens and certain classes of Canadian-owned corporations.

Desmarais is alarmed by how quickly 10 percent of the land in the three RMs has been snapped up by investors and megafarms.

“There is certainly a significant amount of land that is changing hands and now being owned by outside investors,” she says.

That isn’t sitting well with

farmers like Deb Smith from Kindersley, Sask., who is frustrated that her son has been forced to compete for land with well-financed land investors from Alberta.

“I don’t want our land being owned by non-Saskatchewan residents or corporations,” she says.

“If you want to own land in this province, you and your family must reside here, your children must go to school in this province and your entire family must be involved in activities in your Saskatchewan community. Otherwise, you don’t own land here. End of story.”

Desmarais said that was a common refrain from the farmers she spoke to in the three RMs in the study.

“The one thing people talked about a lot was just how quickly the price of land has risen as a result of all this interest by people who have a lot of money,” she says.

“The biggest concern that people seemed to voice is this is really an effective way to make sure that young people don’t have a chance to farm.”

The study did not explore what happened to land prices in the three RMs, which will be part of a future provincewide study about farmland ownership.

However, the authors did offer their thoughts on the subject.

“Larger farms and fewer farm families mean that many rural communities are unable to sustain the services and institutions that require a critical mass of users to continue to operate,” they say in the study.

“The steady erosion of schools, hospitals, churches and post offices as well as the closing of businesses, banks and grain elevators creates a downward spiral, making it more difficult to continue to live in these communities.”

Reprinted with permission of The Western Producer

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soil

Regenerative agriculture – improving soil health

According to Dr. Christine Jones, science has shown us that on a given piece of property, over 95 percent of terrestrial diversity is within the soil itself (less than five percent is above the ground. | file photo

By Trevor Lennox,

Regional Forage Specialist, Saskatchewan Agriculture

“Regenerative agriculture” is a new term that is developing on some farms where producers are looking to improve the soil health on their operation.

One component of soil health that has perhaps been neglected in the past is our understanding of how plants and soil microbes contribute to healthy soil.

Australian soil scientist Dr. Christine Jones challenges the conventional model of agriculture, which has told us that “plants take

from the soil.” According to her, nothing could be further from the truth. She states: “Observe what happens in bare soil. It dies, then it blows or washes away. If you could see what happens around the roots of actively growing plants you would want to have as many green plants in your soil for as much of the year as possible.

It is not ‘natural’ for the soil to be bare over summer.”

Science has shown us that on a given piece of property, over 95 percent of terrestrial diversity is within the soil itself (less than five percent is above the ground). Jones says that in order for this soil

life to flourish, the soil ecosystem requires fuel in the form of carbon (from green plants) and “habitat” in the form of high root biomass.

She further suggests that the soil surface requires year-round protection from erosion and temperature extremes (both highs and lows). According to Jones, it is “life” that gives soil its structure, enabling the infiltration and retention of moisture, restoring water balance across the landscape and reversing the processes of desertification, and it is “life” that provides natural fertility, sequestering carbon, nitrogen and

sulfur from the atmosphere and increasing the availability of phosphorus and trace elements in the root zone.

According to Jones, the fundamental question in regenerative agriculture is: “How do we get life back into the soil?”

There is increasing recognition of the fundamental importance of soil microbial communities to plant productivity. According to Jones, many biological functions are compromised by commonly used agricultural practices.

She outlines four basic principles of regenerative agriculture, proven to restore soil health and increase soil carbon and nitrogen. The first principle is the maintenance of year-round living cover, via perennial pastures on grazed land and/or multi-

species cover crop on farmed land. Almost every living thing in and on the soil depends on green plants (or what was once a green plant) for its existence. The more green plants, the more life.

It’s well accepted that groundcover buffers soil temperatures and reduces erosion, but it is perhaps less recognized that actively growing green groundcover also fuels the liquid carbon pathway, which in turn supports, among other things, mycorrhizal fungi, associative nitrogen-fixing bacteria and phosphorus solubilising bacteria - all of which are essential to both crop nutrition and the formation of stable humified carbon.

The second principle is to provide support for the microbial bridge, to enhance

economical way to improve soils. As well as the benefits arising from the addition of manure and urine to soils, high-intensity short-duration grazing increases root exudation and stimulates the number and activity of associative nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the root zone, which fire up in response to defoliation and provide the extra nitrogen required by the plant for the production of new growth.

For more information on this topic, you can contact Trevor Lennox, Regional Forage Specialist in Swift Current at 306-778-8294 or trevor.lennox@gov.sk.ca, or you can view a collection of papers by Christine Jones on the Amazing Carbon website.

the flow of carbon from plants to soil. This requires reducing inputs of high analysis nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers that inhibit the complex biochemical signaling between plant roots and microbes.

The third principle is to promote plant and microbial diversity. The greater the diversity of plants the more checks and balances for pests and diseases and the broader the range of microhabitats for the soil organisms involved in nutrient acquisition, nutrient cycling and soil building.

The fourth principle is that land responds positively to the presence of animals provided management is appropriate. Rotational grazing of livestock on perennial pastures is the fastest and most

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investments

CHECKOFFS: AN INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH

Producer checkoffs and private investments are critical to maintaining strong research expertise, facilities, projects and technology transfer in Saskatchewan.

Andrea Brocklebank, Executive Director, Beef Cattle Research Council

What does this mean to Saskatchewan beef producers?

“Telling the future by looking at the past….is like driving a car by looking in the rear-view mirror” – Herb Bordy… but history helps illuminate the present.

Shortly after confederation, agriculture became a nation-building tool to settle the West and prevent U.S. expansion. Agriculture provided freight for Canada’s railroads, fed the urban population, and supplied processors and exporters. Canada’s Experimental Farms Stations Act of 1886 supported productivity-boosting research resulting in even more freight, food, and economic spinoffs.

Since then, Canada’s farm population has declined as technology reduced the need for farm labour. In 1931, according to the agricultural census, 31.7 percent of Canada’s population lived on farms. By 2005, 2.2 percent lived on farms.

Many Canadian universities have a narrow focus on animal welfare, genomics, or environmental research. A broad farmto-fork approach is necessary to conduct applied research of direct benefit to beef producers. The University of Saskatchewan has Canada’s most comprehensive applied forage, cattle and beef research program. The expertise, infrastructure, and research within and between the Departments of Soil, Plant, and Animal Sciences, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Organization (VIDO), the Crop Development Centre, the Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC), and others allow for research that provides meaningful outcomes that directly benefit Saskatchewan’s and Canada’s beef industry.

What does this mean for applied cattle, forage and beef research?

Industry investment and leadership are critical to the success of strong research programs.

As Canada’s population grows, governments are challenged to support healthcare, education and other programs demanded by Canadians. Very few Canadian voters are beef producers, and the beef sector is a relatively small part of the economy (less than 2% of the GDP). Consequently, public funding for applied agricultural research has declined over the last several decades.

Although both federal and provincial governments continue to be important and significant contributors to Canadian beef and forage research, lack of industry support has been used to justify cutting or redirecting public research and extension programs. This is especially apparent as researchers retire. A lack of industry support and investment means that retired researchers have not been replaced and research programs have been cut. Government research funding is increasingly triggered and guided by industry investments. The ratio varies, but often government contributes $3 for every $1 industry invests.

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For example, the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair position held by Dr. John McKinnon was supported in part by industry. Dr. McKinnon works closely with cow-calf producers, feedlot operators, veterinarians and the feed industry on numerous aspects of beef cattle management. The relevance of Dr. McKinnon’s research and extension efforts to Canada’s beef industry can be directly attributed to his keen interest in working closely with industry. Yet without industry funding this position may not have existed.

Dr. McKinnon has played an important role in developing the proposed new Beef Cattle Research and Teaching Unit (BCRTU). The half-century old university feedlot is in need of replacement. Its location in the centre of Saskatoon is unsuitable, its design no longer reflects industry standards, and it no longer meets animal care standards. The proposed BCRTU will overcome these challenges and allow the university to conduct

Uptime. All the time.

Andrea Brocklebank, executive director, Beef Cattle Research Council. | LORI LOREE PHOTO

meaningful research into the future. The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association’s commitment of one million check-off dollars to the BCRTU provided a clear signal to government that the BCRTU is an industry priority and meaningful progress is being made to ensure the construction of this important facility proceeds.

The Termuende family ranch bequeathed to the University of Saskatchewan is another significant private investment. This initial partnership evolved into the applied beef cattle research and extension program at the WBDC. It has led to significant investments in infrastructure and ongoing support of research expertise and programs by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, and other funding agencies.

The WBDC is evolving to strengthen its ties with the beef and forage research programming at the University of Saskatchewan. The intent is to relocate the WBDC researchers, program and herd to the Goodale research farm managed by the WCVM. Locating the WBDC near the BCRTU and closer to the Saskatoon campus will provide greater access and opporcontinued on page 30 ››

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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.”

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‹‹ continued from page 28

tunities for researchers and students. This integration will come at a cost, and industry will need to consider what role it plays as this transition proceeds.

A number of critical beef and forage researchers are set to retire in the next five to 10 years, which is a significant concern. The BCRC and other industry groups have invested checkoff dollars to train new researchers in these areas.

Training new researchers to replace anticipated retirees helps ensure that research positions are maintained and research programs are transitioned so that research momentum is not lost. Even still, like the Beef Chair positions in Animal Sciences and the WCVM, industry may need to provide seed funding to leverage government funds to ensure new researchers are hired into permanent positions.

Check-off funds can only be spread so far, so this is an opportunity for private industry partners to make a very meaningful investment with a lasting impact.

What is the beef industry’s role in funding research?

Producer organizations support research through provincial and national check-off investments. Each provincial cattle organization decides how to allocate their national check-off dollar between research and marketing initiatives. Saskatchewan producers allocate 30 cents of every dollar of the national checkoff to research programming through the BCRC, with the remainder being allocated to marketing of beef (68 cents) and administration (2 cents).

Producer checkoffs helps provide consistent levels of funding to support critical research programs and lever-

age government research funding.

Unfortunately checkoff revenues are under significant pressure. When annual inflation is considered, the purchasing power of the national checkoff has fallen from $1.00 in 1999 to 80 cents in 2013. Cattle inventories and sales have also declined to levels last seen in the early 1990s, leading to still fewer national check-off funds available for research.

This is greatly limiting industry’s ability to fund high priority research and support badly-needed initiatives like new beef industry chairs.

The National Beef Strategy (beefstrategy.com/) outlines what industry could achieve if the national checkoff was increased from $1.00 to $2.50/ head. If implemented, Saskatchewan would have a $2 provincial checkoff and a $2.50 national checkoff. To put this into perspective relative to current prices, with the proposed increase, Saskatchewan producers would be investing a total of 0.43 percent of a weaned calf’s value, or 0.27 percent of a fed animal’s value into policy, research, and marketing initiatives. This is less than a half of what other agricultural commodities invest.

Producer checkoff funds help support ongoing research programs, while private contributions (e.g. Termuende Research Ranch) and endowments (e.g. beef industry chairs and the Beef Cattle Research and Teaching Unit) allow larger investments in research facilities and expertise.

Investments provide an opportunity for all producers who value the contributions that Saskatchewan’s applied cattle, forage and beef research programs have made to their industry to help ensure it continues while leaving a lasting legacy.

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1-800-667-6929 | www.producer.com |

resolutions

2015 Resolutions update Following is an update on what’s happening with regards to the resolutions passed at the 2015 SCA annual general meeting, including what committees are working on specific resolutions. Contact information for committee chairs has been provided. If you have any background information or additional details to provide on the specific topic, feel free to contact the committee chair.

By Bill Strautman

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 1 Whereas BSE submission numbers are below target levels; and Whereas we are trying to reach negligible status; and Whereas more 4D animals are being marketed which puts the industry at risk of public scrutiny about humane transport; and Whereas $75 is a minute sum as compared to the salvage value of animals moved through the system; 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% of the market value for animals submitted for BSE testing, and report back at the next AGM. Motion carried Action – referred to the Animal Health Committee to investigate and come back with recommendations. Animal Health Committee chair – Dean Moore, cell 306-344-7981, email dsmoore@bellevista.ca

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. Note – in a letter from the Agri-Food Council of Saskatchewan clarifying the issue, the following comments were provided: “It is important to recognize the legal framework that is in place to ensure private data is protected and properly managed. Under

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current privacy rules, personal data that is collected may only be used for the specific reasons it was collected. For example, producer information that is collected for registration and administration of levy dollars should not be disclosed or used for any other purpose.” and “Please remember that any improper use of private information may have legal implications for your agency.”

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 3 Whereas the fall calf run is an extremely busy time for Saskatchewan cattle producers; and Whereas the SCA district meetings are held during the busiest week of the season; and Whereas cattle producers have a difficult time attending and supporting these district meetings; therefore 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.

Motion carried Action – referred to the Traceability Working Group to investigate and come back with recommendations. Traceability Working Group chair – Rick Toney, cell 306-671-7900, email rtoney@xplornet.com

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

Motion carried Action – referred to the Environment Committee to investigate and come back with recommendations. Environment Committee chair – Harold Martens, cell 306-741-3961, email mranchltd@shaw.ca

Motion carried Action – referred to the Communications Committee to investigate and come back with recommendations. Communications Committee chair – Levi Hull, cell 306-6416271, email levihull507@msn.com

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 4 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.

Producers discuss resolutions at the SCA annual general meeting in Regina, January 22, 2015. | SCA photo

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 7

Motion carried

Motion carried

Whereas trespassing on agricultural lands for hunting has been an issue for cattle producers; and

Action – referred to the Animal Health Committee to investigate and come back with recommendations. Animal Health Committee chair – Dean Moore, cell 306-344-7981, email dsmoore@bellevista.ca

Action – a letter was written to Federal Agriculture Minister Ritz and cc’d to Trade Minister Fast and Finance Minister Oliver.

Whereas within the trespassing laws in Saskatchewan there is an exclusion for hunting; therefore 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 6 Whereas cattle have increased in value; and Whereas cattle theft has increased because of the value of the cattle; therefore 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 follow-ups when cattle thefts have been reported.

Motion carried Action – staff will write a letter to the Justice Minister and copy the RCMP supervisor of Saskatchewan.

Action – referred to the Environment Committee to investigate and come back with recommendations. Environment Committee chair – Harold Martens, cell 306-741-3961, email mranchltd@shaw.ca

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

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 10 2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 9 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 if the US 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 Whereas Canada’s livestock industry has suffered immense damage from the US measures and any retaliatory tariff is designed to put pressure on the US 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.

Whereas there are currently limited incentives to become a VBP audited producer; and Whereas there are significant funding inequities between Saskatchewan and other VBP programs in western Canada; therefore 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 Action – a letter of support was written and provided to VBP that will be used when VBP approaches the provincial government with their request.

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 11 Whereas the SCA has passed a motion to support the concept of the National Beef Strategic Plan; therefore continued on page 34 ››

APRIL / MAY 2015 |

33

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Be it resolved that the SCA participate in the discussion regarding the costs of funding the National Beef Strategic Plan.

Motion carried Action – the Executive Committee is participating in the discussion.

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

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 13

Whereas wolf harvest is necessary; and

Whereas the University of Saskatchewan is currently selling or generating revenue from agricultural assets; therefore

Whereas wolves belong in our parks and provincial forest, not on agricultural land; therefore

Be it resolved that the SCA ask that any current or future revenue generated from these assets be directed back to agricultural research.

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

Motion carried

Action – referred to the Environment Committee to investigate and come back with recommendations. Environment Committee chair – Harold Martens, cell 306-741-3961, email mranchltd@shaw.ca

Canadian Beef Producer Recognition Day

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 16

August 22 at 5 pm • Calgary Stampeders at Saskatchewan Roughriders

Action – referred to the Research Committee to investigate and come back with recommendations. Research Committee chair – Michael Spratt, cell 306-3921-7175, email mspratt@ sasktel.net

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 14

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

Whereas the Horned Cattle Trust fund is no longer effective; therefore

Be it resolved that the SCA endorse and support the new structure and format of the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence.

Motion defeated

Be it resolved that the SCA support discontinuing this fund.

Action – none required as resolution was defeated.

Motion carried Action – a letter of support has been written and provided to endorse the concept.

2015 SCA AGM – Resolution 15 Whereas wolf numbers are increasing in eastern Saskatchewan and moving into livestock producing areas; and

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 Action – staff contacted Saskatchewan CCA representatives to bring this resolution forward at the CCA annual general meeting in March 2015.

SCA Board of Directors - 2015 Back row (L-R): Dean Moore, Brad Welter, Philip Lynn Middle row (L-R): Arnold Balicki, Laurie Disney, Michael Spratt, Garret Hill, Lloyd Thompson, Harold Martens Front row (L-R): Paula Larson, Rick Toney, Bill Jameson, Ryan Beierbach, Levi Hull, Larry Grant

Canada Beef, the Canadian Football League^ and the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association are working together to promote Canadian beef producers and Canadian football. One Saskatchewan beef-producing family will be recognized on the sidelines during the game and a 30 second video highlighting beef farmers and ranchers will play on the stadium video screen. Beef producers attending the game will be asked to stand and be recognized by the fans at the game.

Saskatchewan beef producers are encouraged to visit the SCA booth at the Pre-Game Fan Fest, to meet with Riders fans and tell them about how you raise cattle on your operations. The partnership also allows the beef industry to talk to consumers about nutrition and athletics, plus provides opportunities to talk about using beef as a great tailgate protein choice.

Contest rules: Tell us why your family should be the one picked to represent Saskatchewan cattle producers at a CFL® game.

Send your entry - no more than 300 words – to the SCA at info@saskbeef.com. One lucky family will be drawn at random to receive up to five tickets to the game. The family will also be recognized on the sidelines during the game.

ENTRY DEADLINE IS JUNE 30, 2015

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® Registered trademark of the Canadian Football League | ^ Trademark of the Canadian Football League | + Registered trademark of the respective Canadian Football League teams, used under license. | ~ Trademark of the respective Canadian Football League teams, used under license.

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ATTENTION CATTLE PRODUCERS

C EO R E P O R T

Research funding - top priority for SCA In the past year I have visited many of the facilities in Saskatchewan that specialize in beef, feed or forage research. Saskatchewan is a centre of excellence in these and other areas of agriculture research. We all benefit from this research, directly and indirectly.

As a development commission, the SCA is tasked with providing for the effective development and promotion of the industry by investing the beef check-off collected. One of SCA’s main areas of investment is research. According to John Cranfield, a professor at the University of Guelph from 2005 to 2008, every check-off dollar invested in marketing and research activities earned nine dollars for Canadian cattle producers.

Saskatchewan contributes 30 percent of it’s national check-off to the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC).

BCRC is committed to funding leading-edge research to position the Canadian beef cattle industry as a global leader in beef quality, animal health, food safety and environmental stewardship. BCRC has defined two core research objectives - to enhance industry sustainability/reduce production costs and to improve beef demand/quality.

Declining investment in beef and forage research for a number of years has led to the current long-term viability situation. One of the concerns is that we are losing our researchers. Many are retiring and not being replaced.

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Another concern is the closing of several Agriculture and Agri-food Research sites across the country.

Currently, 45 percent of all agriculture research and development in Canada is done

by Ag Canada. As the federal government agriculture research budget is cut, fewer researchers are being asked to maintain the current levels of research. This is not sustainable. A transition plan is needed to ensure beef and forage researchers are in place to mentor their successors. Without that, applied research and tech transfer expertise will be lost to the detriment of the industry.

Research, in many instances, is long term. Funding needs to be long term as well.

When testing the performance of forage varieties, trials take at least four years to produce any significant results. According to Dr. Bruce Coulman, a forage researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, in the last four years there have been few new varieties submitted for testing.

“In the past, when we had new trials being seeded every year, most new varieties would have many sites and years of testing in the prairies. So it provided producers with performance data reasonably close to the climatic conditions of their farms,” says Coulman.

“If producers find this type of performance data important in their decisions to buy new varieties, then they should refuse to buy varieties that have no third party per-

formance data, or have data from other areas of Canada, or from other countries. If they do not consider local testing data important in their purchasing decisions, then the regional testing systems will die.”

It’s not all gloom and doom.

Exciting things are happening. At the 2015 Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference (SBIC) in January, the establishment of a Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence was announced. The opportunity for growth and expansion of research via this facility will hopefully address SCA’s concern of retaining/ replacing researchers in this province.

Research funding is available through SCA’s Saskatchewan Beef Industry Development Fund (SBIDF). The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) has identified key research priorities it believes are critical to the future success of the Saskatchewan livestock industry. These include genomics, animal health, nutrition and management, environmental stewardship and forage/by-products.

Further information on the SCA’s Saskatchewan Beef, Feed and Forage Industry Research Strategy and the SBIDF can be found on our website.

Saskatchewan and SCA have significant roles to play in research. So do you, the producer.

I encourage your input and feedback.

PATTY ENGLUND | INTERIM CEO SCA

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