By Nigel Maxwell

Sask. cattle producers discuss national beef strategy

Oct 29, 2015 | 11:58 AM

A national beef strategy is at the forefront of discussion for a series of meetings taking place this week across the province.

The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) is having its fall district meetings with the next one to be held at St. Agatha’s Roman Catholic Church in Shellbrook on Thursday night.

The National Beef Strategy is proposing an increase of $1.50 per head to the national check-off.

The check-off, which is currently set at $1.00 per head of cattle, is a mandatory levy on cattle sales which funds research and marketing for the industry in Canada, according to Canada Beef.

An increase could help generate up to $17 million for administration, research and marketing for the industry.

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“The more you promote the industry, the more beef products you get to sell.” said Arnold Balicki, director for District 9A.

Balicki added the better the research, the better the tools producers will have to function.

The funds from the increase in check-off will, among other things, replace the Legacy Funds.  

The “Legacy Funds” were allocated to the beef industry over ten years by the federal government and the Alberta provincial government.

The $80 million dollars collected by 2005 was spent in full over the last decade on marketing and promotion.

Balicki said producers need a new source of revenue. 

Thursday night’s meeting marks the third last in a series of meetings that have been going on all month. 

“It’s been overwhelming in support of the national check-off,” said Balicki.

This resolution, and others, will be voted on by producers at the SCA’s annual general meeting in January.

The NBS is not the only issue on the table at the meetings.

Representatives from Saskatchewan Crop Insurance will be on hand to talk about the hay and pasture forage program.  There will also be representatives from the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program.

Balicki said producers are free to talk about any issue they have on their mind.

District 9A will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday night in Shellbrook.  District 8 will meet Friday night at the Recplex in Tisdale.

The final meeting on Nov. 4 will be held in Lloydminster.

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