Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association to Meet in Estevan

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The 93rd annual general meeting and convention of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA), scheduled from June 11 to 13 in Estevan, will have a more positive outlook than the previous years' meetings.

The bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) nightmare seems more under control, and hopes of prosperity are re-emerging, as the convention's program attests.

The meeting starts unofficially on Sunday with a golf tournament, and the real business starts on Monday at the annual general meeting. The guest speaker is Ron Witherspoon of Interactive Management Group, a well-known agriculture consultancy. His presentation is entitled "Farming has a Future."

Tuesday begins with a presentation by Judy Stitt of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA), which will bring SSGA members up to date on the identification initiative.

“As executive director and national administrator of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, Julie is working with industry organizations, government agencies and producer groups to ensure the success of the national livestock identification and tracking program for animal health and food safety within Canada,” explains Sheila Fishley, general manager of the SSGA.

Following that will be a panel session—a first for the SSGA—that will be moderated by Kevin Hursh, well-known agriculture columnist and certified agricultural consultant. The panel will feature the U.S. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association economist Greg Doud; Brad Wildeman, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) vice-president and chair of its foreign trade committee; Arno Doerkson of the Canada Beef Export Federation; and Charlie Gracey, a long-time CCA official, former member of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and former president of the Canadian Beef Grading Agency.

The panel discussion will focus on expanding the Saskatchewan cattle industry in export-dominated markets.

“We are hoping people will bring lots of questions, and we feel this is something that will interest the Saskatchewan beef industry,” says Fishley.

The AGM and convention program is available on the SSGA website at: www.saskatchewanstockgrowers.com/

For more information, contact:

Sheila Fishley
General Manager
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association
(306) 757-8523