Drought Affected Ranchers Would Benefit from Tax Deferral

Saskatchewan Stockgrowers Association, June 21, 2015

Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) President, Doug Gillespie, today asked the federal government to take the steps required to allow drought stricken ranchers to defer taxes on livestock they have been forced to sell due to dry conditions.

In announcing the request Gillespie said, “Livestock producers in several areas across Saskatchewan are reporting hay yields that are from 50%-70% below normal as well as poor growth on pastures. As a result, many producers could be forced to sell portions of their breeding herds.”

Gillespie added, “While recent rains will improve pasture conditions in some areas, it is too late for many hay crops as well as any producers forced to sell due to poor pasture growth earlier in the season.”

“We have had reports from producers indicating that hay is in short supply across the province with prices running at record high levels,” said Gillespie, “We expect many producers will find it difficult to find the feed required to carry their cowherds through the winter, depending on whether some drought damaged grain crops can be salvaged for forage to be used in cattle feed.”

The SSGA’s tax deferral request is aimed at a federal policy provision whereby the Ministers of Agriculture and Finance can designate certain areas as significantly impacted by drought. This in turn allows producers in these areas to defer a portion of the tax due on breeding animals sold due to drought until the following year. This provision helps producers retain some of the cash required to rebuild their herds when drought conditions abate.

To view the full article, click here.

Posted July 27, 2015 

Saskatchewan Forage Council AGM and Field Day a Success

This year's AGM and tour was held on June 23 near Lanigan, SK in conjunction with the Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC) field day. Keynote speaker was Jim Gerrish and the day featured a number of speakers and an afternoon bus tour.

2015 Summer Field Day Handbook (pdf)

AM Presentation-Jim Gerrish-What Really Matters in Grazing Management

AM Presentation-Kathy Larson-Western Canadian Cow-Calf Survey Results

PM Presentation-Jim Gerrish-Pasture Improvements-How do you know that it will pay?

Gerrish-Cost-Benefit Calculator for Pasture Improvements (excel)

Posted July 18, 2015

Flexibility and Options for Producers Dealing with Dry Conditions

Government of Saskatchewan, Released on July 2, 2015 

Today Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced additional measures and adjustments to programming to help address the dry conditions across the province.

“The hallmark of our government is delivering programming that is flexible and able to meet the needs of producers,” Ritz said. “This extension gives producers an additional tool to make the decisions that best suit their individual operations."  
"The lack of moisture through the spring and so far this growing season has severely reduced the hay and forage crops in many parts of the province,” Stewart said.  “By being flexible with existing programs, we are hoping to help producers source the feed they need for their livestock.”

Through the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Program, the deadline for seeding crops for greenfeed has been extended from June 30 to July 15.  Producers who have Crop Insurance will now be able to seed and insure any cereal greenfeed crop.

If a Crop Insurance customer wants to use their annual crop acres for livestock grazing or for feed they can contact their local Crop Insurance office.

Crop Insurance customers also have coverage should their annual crops suffer from the dry conditions.  The producer can register a pre-harvest claim if they do not want to carry the crop through to harvest.  If the producer takes their crop to harvest, but it has a reduced yield, they can file a post-harvest claim.  Producers concerned about the dry conditions should contact their local Crop Insurance office to review the options available for claims, compensation and the requirements for the options they choose.

The AgriStability Program also provides an option for producers looking to access a portion of their benefit early.  Through the interim benefit, producers enrolled in AgriStability can get 50 per cent of their estimated final benefit.

The Ministry of Agriculture continues to examine options for producers dealing with the dry conditions.  While the Saskatchewan Pastures Program is at capacity, the Ministry has requested that other organizations consider opening any conservation lands for grazing or salvaging of forage.  In addition, the Ministry will now allow sub-leasing of Crown lease land.  Crown land lessees with excess grazing or hay resources may now receive permission by contacting their local Agriculture Regional Office.

Producers are also encouraged to access the feed grain and forage listing service as a way to connect buyers and sellers of feed grains, forages and other agricultural-related services through a free listing service.

For more information, contact:

Denise Dobko
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
Melville
Phone: 306-728-7434
Email:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
Phone: 613-773-7972

Posted July 12, 2015

Saskatchewan Forage Council Welcomes New Executive Director

The Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Leanna Rousell as their new Executive Director.
Leanna Rousell comes to the SFC having experience working with producer associations tied to the livestock industry including the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency and the WHLZ project as well as administrative experience at Saskatoon Livestock Sales. Leanna is looking forward to taking over this role following the resignation of former Executive Director, Leanne Thompson.
 
Rousell is excited about this new position and remarks “As a forage and livestock producer myself, I appreciate the work done by this organization in the past on extension and communication of forage related issues and hope to carry on this tradition as I take over the Executive Director role.”
 
Saskatchewan Forage Council President, Kelly Williamson says, “The Board looks forward to working with Leanna. She has a keen interest in the forage industry and we look forward to her new perspective on projects and direction for the organization. At this time we would also like to thank Leanne Thompson for her work with the SFC. Many of our successes and advancements in the industry are in large part due to her efforts.”

Leanna will be operating the Saskatchewan Forage Council from her home office located near Asquith, SK. Please note that contact information for the Saskatchewan Forage Council including mailing address, phone and fax numbers are changed effective immediately.

For more information, please contact:
Leanna Rousell, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Forage Council
Ph/Fx 306.329.3116
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Kelly Williamson, President
Saskatchewan Forage Council
Ph 306.582.7774
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Posted May 1, 2015