Province Working with Patrons to Transition First 10 Federal Community Pastures

Today, Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced the first 10 federal community pastures to be transferred to the province and to patron-controlled operation for the 2014 grazing season. Patrons will have the opportunity to own or lease these pastures.

"Patrons have had cattle grazing these pastures for years; they know this land better than anyone else; they are our best environmental stewards; and they will continue to have access to these lands which are important to their businesses," Stewart said. "We will continue to work closely with patrons to ensure a smooth transition as they take the steps necessary to operate these pastures."

The following federal community pastures will transfer to patron operation for the 2014 grazing season:
     * Estevan-Cambria;
     * Excel;
     * Fairview;
     * Ituna-Bon Accord
     * Keywest;
     * Lone Tree;
     * McCraney;
     * Newcombe;
     * Park; and
     * Wolverine.

"For many producers in this area, pastures are important to their operations," Chair of the patron advisory committee for the Ituna-Bon Accord Community Pasture Aaron Ivey said. "I believe producers will welcome the opportunity to take more control of their pastures at a local level. This transition can ensure they have access to the grazing into the future."

In May, an industry advisory committee was formed to provide advice and recommendations on this transition. The following recommended principles will guide the transition of these pastures to patron groups:
     * Pasture patron groups will have the opportunity to own/lease each pasture;
     * Each pasture will be maintained as a complete block;
     * Any sales will be based on market value; and
     * Any sale of native prairie land will be subject to no-break and no-drain conservation easements.

To read the complete SK Ministry of Ag News Release, click here.

Posted October 19, 2012

Province Consulting With Federal Pasture Patrons

Patrons Will Help Determine Pasture Transition Process

The Government of Saskatchewan will be further consulting with federal pasture patrons on the transition of federal community pastures to patron-controlled ownership and operation.

"We have said all along that the patrons of these pastures are the priority for our government throughout this transition," Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said. "Our goal is to ensure patrons are able to continue using these lands and we want to give them every opportunity to have input about the transition of their pastures."

While these consultations continue, the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are working to ensure patrons are able to utilize these pastures for grazing in 2013. Both governments are negotiating a memorandum of understanding that will see federal staff continue to manage these pastures for the 2013 grazing season.

Following the federal government's decision to discontinue the Community Pasture Program, Saskatchewan established an advisory committee made up of industry leaders and cattle producers. The advisory committee recommended the following principles form the framework for this transition:
     * Pasture patron groups will have the opportunity to own and operate each pasture;
     * Each pasture will be maintained as a complete block;
     * Sales will be based on market values; and
     * Any sale of native prairie land will be subject to no-break and no-drain conservation easements.

To read the complete SK Ministry of Ag News Release, click here.

Posted August 17, 2012

Report Assesses Impact of Roundup Ready Alfalfa

The Canadian Forage & Grassland Association (CFGA), through a project partnership with the Saskatchewan Forage Council, is pleased to announce the release of a national, industry-wide market impact study providing an unbiased, fact-based assessment of the potential impact of Roundup Ready® alfalfa (RRA) on Canada’s forage industry. This collaborative project, with input and direction from stakeholders across the industry, will assist the forage industry nation-wide in its efforts to respond to the new and emerging issue of genetically modified crops.

The report provides an overview of Canada’s forage industry, including export statistics, and a synopsis of the technology and current regulatory status of RRA in Canada. The analysis of the topic is far-reaching as it includes a discussion of the basics of alfalfa reproduction and potential for gene flow and seed cross contamination, an overview of strategies implemented by other commodity groups in their efforts to adapt to the introduction of GE technology, and the current status of RRA in the United States. Key to this study was widespread input from stakeholders across Canada’s forage industry, from those concerned about potential impacts on export markets to producers anticipating a new and effective weed control system. Potential economic impacts are quantified.

To read the complete News Release, click here.

Forage Research in Canada

After 10 years of extremely narrow or negative margins, the outlook for Canada’s cow-calf sector has become brighter. Growing market access to an increasing global demand for beef means that feeders and packers are competing aggressively for the calves and fat cattle produced from Canada’s smaller cow herd. Grain prices are also high, so grazers are competing with the grain sector for land. High feed grain prices encourage longer backgrounding and grazing periods prior to feedlot finishing. All of these factors point to the need for scientifically validated tools to increase forage productivity per acre.

At one time, Canada’s forage research was almost solely funded by government. The beef industry focused on animal health, productivity, beef quality and food safety research, and didn’t notice that retiring government forage researchers were not being replaced. This led to a drastic loss in Canada’s forage production and breeding research expertise. Provincial forage councils recognized this problem, but had no check-off system to raise forage research funds.

Canada’s beef industry eventually realized that more productive forages would require a greater check-off investment in forage research. Between 2001 and 2008, the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) allocated 10 per cent of its research budget towards forage and grasslands research. Since 2009, this allocation has doubled to 20 per cent.

To read the complete BCRC article, click here.

May 29, 2012