Forage and
Livestock eNews
Updates and information from across
the industry
November
6, 2009 - Vol 1, Issue
15 | |
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Dear Leanne |
Weather conditions this week have allowed
field work to continue. In many areas of the
province, straw has been baled, bales are being hauled,
and those with crop out are managing to get some more of
it into the bin. Many producers are taking
inventory and making plans for winter feeding. As
discussed in the last issue, forages should be feed
tested to help you get the most out of
your rations this winter. In this
edition of the Forage and Livestock
eNews you will find information on determining
forage value and pricing, an update on livestock
traceability initiatives in the province as well as a
farm business management program currently available to
help
producers. As
always, feel free to share this publication with anyone
you think may be interested, or encourage them to join
our mailing list.
Please contact us if you have comments or questions
about our e-newsletter. Also, let us know if
you have ideas for upcoming issues. We
welcome your
input! | | |
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Determining
Forage Value
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The wide variation in quality and quantity of
forages available from year to year in Saskatchewan can have a
profound effect on the value of this commodity. If you
are looking at purchasing forages this year, here are some
points that you may want to consider in figuring out what the
forage is worth to your operation. First, what
will the forage be used for? Type and age of livestock,
species, physiological state and the time of year it will be
used all come into play when determining what quality and
quantity of forage you will need. In this respect, a
feed test can be very useful. Ask the seller if a feed
test is available or if one can be submitted. The cost
of feed testing can easily be recouped if you are able to feed
the forage more efficiently. Next is the
big question, "What is the hay worth?" This will depend
on a number of factors including, supply and demand in your
area, forage quality, and the price and availability of other
feeds. It's a good idea to do some research on forage
prices prior to making an offer. Concise forage price
information is limited in Saskatchewan as the majority of
transactions take place at a farm-gate level. However,
you can search the classified ads in newspapers, look at
online listings, or various Saskatchewan Forage Council
publications including the Saskatchewan Hay and Pasture report
and the Forage Market Price Reports. One thing to keep
in mind is that many of these sources show asking prices only
and may not reflect actual prices paid for forage.
Other ways to determine the value of forage
include using the results from a feed analysis or looking at
feed prices for alternative feeds. To look at the value
of a lot of forage on your operation you can compare the
relative feed value of the forage to that of another feed such
as barley or pellets where there is a more established price
in the marketplace. For example if the
main nutrient you are concerned about in your ration is
energy, you could look at the energy value from the hay test
(example hay feed test TDN = 63.87%) and compare to the energy
in barley (average TDN in 48 lbs barley = 83%). Based on
this example, the relative value of the hay based on energy
content would be: (current barley price x forage
TDN) ÷ barley TDN ($110/tonne x 63.87) ÷ 83 =
$84.65/tonne You could also look to alternative
feeds to determine a relative value for hay in your
operation. For example, grain screening pellets or straw
and barley grain may be available as an alternate feeds in
your livestock rations. Working with a nutritionist is
recommended to balance a ration and compare ration costs using
various feed sources. Another big
consideration when valuing forages is transport. When
speaking with a seller, be sure to ask if the price being
quoted is in their yard or yours! Reported
transportation costs in Saskatchewan range from
$5.00-$6.00/loaded mile or $100-$150/hr for short hauls (as of
July 15, 2009), so can add a significant cost to the
forage. In short, doing your homework before
purchasing forages can help ensure you are getting the most
bang for your buck!
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Saskatchewan Livestock Tracability Initiative
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In a press release on October 27, 2009, Agriculture
Minister Bob Bjornerud announced a $5 million Saskatchewan
Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate.
"I have always maintained that any traceability
programming in Saskatchewan should be voluntary and directed
by the industry," Bjornerud said. "This program will help our
livestock industry move forward with voluntary
traceability."
The Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability
Rebate will provide rebates of up to 70 per cent of eligible
costs for the purchase and/or lease of Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) handheld and panel readers. Funding is
also available for training, software, installation and
facility modifications relating to the use of RFID
readers.
Cattle, bison, sheep, goat, hog and cervid producers,
feedlots, backgrounders, veterinary clinics, meat processors,
assembly yards, privately managed community pastures, fairs
and exhibitions are eligible for a 70 per cent rebate, to a
maximum rebate of $50,000 per facility for all eligible items
combined. Auction marts may receive a 70 per cent rebate, to a
maximum rebate of $100,000 for all eligible items combined.
"Saskatchewan cattle producers appreciate Minister
Bjornerud's leadership and efforts to make certain that the
implementation of traceability occurs in a manner that does
not place excessive costs on producers," Saskatchewan
Cattlemen's Association President Jack Hextall said. "This
type of voluntary program provides cattle producers the
opportunity to prepare for the realities facing our industry
and ensures that Saskatchewan will not be left behind other
jurisdictions as livestock traceability moves
forward." "We appreciate the provincial government
moving forward on traceability on a voluntary basis,"
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association President Calvin Knoss
said. "Today's announcement will help livestock producers
participate in a traceability system that is ultimately
working toward increasing Canada's share of beef sales
worldwide." Applications and further details are
available on the Ministry of Agriculture's website at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102818025598&s=256&e=001cStWHX5smovkDaK9bUBZZrjlmj_yF50vIQIz0ucckOBXy_74BX9_45ripVg4OqXIOjf28I4MBpq5iftxuAiC_NkXX2_wDoYT_jZtifUT0IQwjEa_OXqkLp-PsUqzGrYX, through
the Ministry of Agriculture's 10 regional offices, or by
calling toll-free 1-877-874-5365.
The rebate is retroactive to April 1, 2009. The
deadline for applications is January 31, 2013. The
Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate is part
of the federal-provincial Growing Forward suite of
programs.
Pictures (L to R): RFID tag, panel reader
mounted in chute, hand-held wand reader.
Top of Page
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Business Management Assistance for
Producers
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The Farm Business Development
Initiative (FBDI) is currently being offered to producers in
the province as a way to adopt progressive business management
strategies. The program is being delivered by the
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture through the Growing
Forward plan. The program focuses on farm
business management in nine
areas: ·
Business
Strategy ·
Production
Economics ·
Financial
Management ·
Business
Structure ·
Risk Assessment
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Marketing ·
Human
Resources ·
Succession
Planning ·
Environment Producers interested in taking
advantage of this valuable program will go through the
following process. First you will complete the "Taking
Stock" self assessment. This assessment will help
identify strengths and weaknesses that the business may want
to focus on in developing a management plan. Next
producers meet with a Regional Farm Business Management
Specialist to review the Taking Stock assessment and discuss
available resources in each of the priority areas. After
completing a Farm Development Plan, which will outline what
programs and services you want to participate in, a plan to
utilize the program's financial benefits will be formed.
Then producers will gather information, training
or consulting in their priority areas. If applicable, you may
apply for financial benefits. Upon completion, producers
request a reimbursement of 75 per cent of eligible
costs. To be eligible for financial reimbursement of
training or consulting services, producers need to participate
in at least one of the nine progressive farm business
management areas. For more information or to
inquire about enrollment in the program, contact the
Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377, visit the
Ministry website www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca. Or contact
your Regional Ministry office. North
Battleford 306-446-7964 Prince
Albert
306-953-2363 Tisdale 306-878-8842
Kindersley
306-463-5513 Outlook 306-867-5575 Watrous
306-946-3220 Yorkton
306-786-1531 Swift
Current
306-778-8218 Moose
Jaw
866-457-2377 Weyburn
306-848-2857
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Leanne Thompson - Editor Forage and
Livestock eNews
Forage and Livestock eNews is
published by the Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC).
Opinions
and information are provided by the authors and
publication does not imply endorsement by the
SFC. |
The
Saskatchewan Forage Council recognizes the support of
our Annual Sponsors:
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Financial support for this project has
been provided by:
the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan through the
Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food
Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) program. Funding for the
ACAAFS program is provided by Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada
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