Focusing on the Future is the theme for the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Annual General Meeting and Convention next month in Moose Jaw.
This year’s theme celebrates the resilience, innovation, and leadership of Saskatchewan’s livestock producers while tackling key industry challenges and opportunities.
President Jeff Yorga says after some challenging times, producers are finally seeing some optimism in the cattle industry.
"There are a lot of issues that weren't addressed during, you know, drought and low prices that can sometimes get washed away when there's a little bit of rain and we have some higher prices. So you know, we need to make sure that as we're looking forward to greener pastures, we are focusing on why we're here. The situation that brought us here, and working hard to make sure that never happens again".
He notes the cattle industry has finally been experiencing higher prices, but the reason for that is the lack of supply of cattle.
"And the reason there's a lack of supply of cattle is because there's been a lack of moisture and producers exiting the business. You can't forget that because that's a lot of pain and suffering for the producers that are still here and you know, a lot of producers, you know, to be quite honest, aren't here anymore. And you know, that's a disappointing thing for the industry, but it's something that we have to acknowledge, address, and make sure we deal with for the future."
The Stock Grower's AGM and Convention gives producers an opportunity to network and learn more about what's happening in the industry, from market trends and industry changes to animal health and trade, risk management, and more.
This year's convention includes an industry update from Canadian Cattle Association President Tyler Fulton, a market outlook, and a forward-looking discussion on innovation and regulation with Saskatchewan Agriculture. The keynote speaker is Devry Boughner Vorwerk, founder and CEO of DevryBV Sustainable Strategies, a globally recognized leader in agribusiness and international trade. Her presentation focuses on the trade war and the implications for the global beef industry.
Yorga says another key presentation will focus on changes that are coming to the manifest system.
"We're going to have Ashley Scott from the CIA there to present on traceability and how this is going to affect us all going forward, going electronic, and the changes that are being forced on the industry. It's not something that industries asked for, but it's something that industry is gonna have to react to. And so we're going to get the first hand on how that's going to go."
Yorga says overall he's expecting to see a number of resolutions coming out of the discussions , including on the topic of TB.
"There's been a lack of transparency around the process, and there's been a lack of transparency for the people involved, which adds to the suffering. We are hopeful that there will be changes at the CFIA level to make sure that situations like this don't happen again, and if they do, to make sure that it's a smooth process for the producers and a smooth process for the industry."
A key concern for those involved in the TB case and investigation has been that the CFIA's compensation program, many feel the compensation rates are outdated and insufficient at $4,500 per head for a commercial animal and $10,000 for a registered animal.
The Saskatchewan Stock Grower Association's Annual General Meeting and Convention runs June 8-10 in Moose Jaw.