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Agriculture Roundup for Monday, December 5, 2022

Dec 5, 2022 | 9:59 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – The president of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) and rancher from Beechy, Sask. passed away suddenly on Friday.

Reg Schellenberg was first elected as a CCA director in 2010 and became CCA President on March 25.

Nathan Phinney, who will now become CCA’s new president said Schellenberg’s legacy and impact on the Canadian cattle industry will be felt for years to come.

“His gentle demeanor and strong character are qualities that many of us in the industry looked up to,” Phinney said in a statement. “He will be fondly remembered for being a tireless advocate for cattle producers, taking a particular interest in advancing the priorities related to animal health and care, as well as protecting and preserving our industry for the next generation.”

Schellenberg is survived by his wife Shannon, two sons, a daughter and nine grandchildren.

Canada’s agriculture minister was at Agribition in Regina last weekend promoting the government’s new Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Marie-Claude Bibeau took part in two roundtable discussions as part of her tour Saturday of the annual agricultural exhibition, and her office said the talks included discussion of the first ever Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office.

The agriculture department said the office will have over $30 million in funding and will deepen partnerships with Indo-Pacific economies.

The Indo-Pacific encompasses more than 40 economies, including six of Canada’s top 13 trading partners — India, Japan, China, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s latest available data shows more than 866,000 birds have been impacted by the H5N1 strain of avian flu this year in British Columbia.

CFIA said there are currently 43 infected premises in the province, while 21 others have recovered.

A representative for the B.C. Poultry Association said the virus is causing a turkey shortage in the province ahead of Christmas.

Amanda Brittain said the association is anticipating a 20 per cent drop in available turkeys in B.C. when compared with past years.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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