The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, Saskatchewan’s oldest agriculture association, wrapped up its 102nd Convention and Annual General Meeting Tuesday June 9 in Swift Current. The meeting’s theme was “Connecting With Consumers.”
SSGA President Doug Gillespie said ranchers came away from the meeting with new enthusiasm to share their story with the beef-buying public. “There’s plenty of good news for producers as well as for the millions of Canadians who enjoy beef,” he said.
Members learned about developments in animal welfare, premises identification and traceability of cattle, and sustainability. On Monday they honored the Jason and Karla Hicks family of Mortlach, whose Bluestone Stock Farms won The Environmental Stewardship Award for 2015.
At the AGM, members debated 24 resolutions dealing with the business of beef production. Among the resolutions passed were motions supporting the trade benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership; calling for penalties to landowners who illegally drain moisture from their land; making the Species At Risk Act less onerous on landowners; and dealing with the growing population of introduced wild boars.
Gillespie said the industry has a good relationship with beef consumers. He believes the more consumers know about where their beef comes from, the happier they’ll be. “We’re the envy of the world when it comes to ethical production methods and food safety,” he said. “This AGM showed that producers are always on top of best practices that benefit the land, our animals, and our customers.”
Gillespie says it’s important for producers to get the word out. “Canadian cattle producers have a good news story to tell about producing high quality safe food for consumers around the world. We all need to do a better job of conveying this message to consumers, or someone who doesn’t necessarily have our best interest in mind will be doing it for us.”
Gillespie and the rest of the SSGA executive were re-elected to serve another one-year term.
SSGA is a province-wide member driven advocacy organization representing independent self-reliant cattle producers’ interests for 102 years. The SSGA advocates through education, communication, and research for an economically and environmentally sustainable cattle industry where cattlemen are free to do business–within a free and open market place, free from industry limiting laws and regulation.
For more information contact:
Chad MacPherson, General Manager, SSGA
306-757-8523
ssga@sasktel.net
