 Forage and
Livestock eNews
Updates and information from across
the industry
November
20, 2009 - Vol 1, Issue
16 | |
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| Dear Leanne |
 As Rider fever sweeps over Saskatchewan, I
hope you will have time on Sunday to witness history in
the making. As part of the generation who has
never had the opportunity to attend a CFL Western Final
at home in Regina, I am not passing up this golden
opportunity! Why do Saskatchewan people feel
so strongly about the Roughriders? Some feel
that they represent the optimism that seems
infectious in this province. Some others suggest
that we love the Riders as they are
constant contenders against teams from the "big"
cities. Still other believe that because the
Riders are the only professional sports team in the
province we don't have any other options (this sentiment
seems to come from those who live just to the west or
east of us)! However, I believe that
Saskatchewanians love the Riders because they
demonstrate our spirit; scrappy, crafty and determined
to prevail. These traits seem to surface in many
of our people who have connections to the agriculture
industry. In these difficult times, maybe we need
a bit of a diversion, so enjoy the game on Sunday and I
hope you are inspired by the Riders to emerge with a
renewed outlook on Monday!
As always, feel free to share this publication with
anyone you think may be interested, or encourage them to
join our mailing list.
Please contact us if you have comments or questions
about our e-newsletter. Also, let us know if
you have ideas for upcoming issues. We
welcome your
input! | | |
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| Stakeholder Forum Provides
Preliminary Results on the Value of Saskatchewan's
Forage Industry
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The Forage Industry Stakeholder Forum took
place on November 17, 2009 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This
meeting was the second in a two-forum series focused on the
forage industry in Saskatchewan. With over 40
stakeholders in attendance, this second forum provided the
initial results from a multi-year project investigating the
value of forages in Saskatchewan. Stakeholders
also provided input and suggestions regarding the data
presented and engaged in important dialogue about the future
direction of this industry. The forum was a
component of the project entitled "Saskatchewan's Forage
Industry: A Multi-level Analysis", which is investigating the
direct and indirect effects that forages have on the economy,
society and environment in Saskatchewan. Information on
the value of forages in the province was previously lacking,
therefore this report will fill that void and raise the
profile of forages as a contributor to the Saskatchewan
economy.  Project consultants Leanne Thompson and Michael
Hill gave presentations covering the scope of the forage
industry in Saskatchewan as well as the initial results on the
market and non-market value of forages. Market value of
forages was estimated at $552 million/year and included forage
seed, hay (domestic use and export), processed forage,
pasture, energy and carbon trading markets. Non-market
value (i.e. environmental and societal benefits) was estimated
between $1 billion and $2.4 billion/year and included services
such as wildlife habitat, reduction of soil erosion, climate
change services, consumptive wildlife use, pollination
services and saved government
programs. Stakeholders provided input
and suggestions regarding how value was determined and project
consultants will follow up with these ideas prior to
publication of the final report which will be available in
February 2010. The final report will be available on the
Saskatchewan Forage Council website at www.saskforage.ca as
well as on partner websites. Partners on this project
include the Feeds Innovation Institute, Saskatchewan Ministry
of Agriculture, Knowledge Impact in Society, the Centre for
Studies in Agriculture Law and the Environment and Ducks
Unlimited Canada. The Saskatchewan Forage
Council gratefully acknowledges financial support for this
project from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the
Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan through the Advancing
Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS)
program. Funding for the ACAAFS program is provided by
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. For more
information on this project, please contact Project
Consultant, Leanne Thompson: Phone: (306)
454-2777 e-mail: thompsonleanne@sasktel.net
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Greens and Genes: What's New in Forages and Beef
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The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
invites you to attend the Greens and Genes event in North
Battleford on Wednesday December 2, 2009. This
event will feature speakers and a tradeshow showcasing a
variety of topics from bale grazing to genetics.
Greens and Genes will take place at the Gold
Ridge Centre, 12002, Railway Avenue East in North
Battleford. Registration will take place at 9:00AM with
speakers beginning at 9:30AM. Registration is payable at
the door and will be $20.00
(includes lunch). Please make your cheque
payable to the Saskatchewan Forage Council.
If you are interested in attending, please pre-register
on or before November 27, 2009 so we have an accurate number
for the lunch.
For more information please contact:
North
Battleford Regional Office
1192-102nd Street
North
Battleford, Saskatchewan, S9A 1E9
(306) 446-7964
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Forages Make a Comeback at
Agribition
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The Saskatchewan Forage Council is
pleased to be part of "Grasslands! Your Forage and
Ranching Experience" during the 2009 Canadian Western
Agribition show. This venue will provide a one stop shop
for show attendees to obtain forage related information,
updates on current research and to browse commercial forage
related retailers. This is the first time a dedicated
forage showcase and venue will be presented at Agribition and
organizers are hopeful that the idea will be well received by
exhibitors and visitors alike.
The idea
behind this forage venue encompasses two key concepts:
1) Present an opportunity to
showcase and promote the forage industry. What is the
scope of the forage industry, profile current research on
forages and provide educational and extension material on
forages. Essentially, demonstrate to exhibitors and
visitors the importance of forages to the livestock
industries.
2) Create a venue
whereby trade and commerce is encouraged at the local,
national and international level.
Until 2007,
Canadian Western Agribition has always held a forage quality
competition as a part of the Show. Due to declining
sample entries, volunteers from the Grains and Forage
Committee decided that forages deserved a fresh look and a
renewed presence at the Show. The forage and silage
competition was cancelled, and a Forage Showcase & Venue
was developed.
"Agribition is the premiere
livestock show in Canada and forages should have a presence at
this important agricultural event" remarks Saskatchewan Forage
Council President, Leam Craig. "Forages are the basis
for livestock production in Saskatchewan, and hopefully having
a venue dedicated to forages at Agribition will help to
highlight this connection".
The
Saskatchewan Forage Council is one of four select groups
chosen by Agribition to occupy the non-commercial booth space
along with the University of Saskatchewan, Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada and the Saskatchewan Ministry of
Agriculture. These non-commercial booths in the forage
venue will be fully staffed on Thursday, November 26 and
Saturday, November 28, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm and visitors will
be able to talk to a representative from the four select
groups. However, visitors will find that booths in the
larger forage venue will have representatives to speak with
outside of these times as well.
The Forage
Showcase and Venue will be located in the Prairie Building,
strategically located near the Beef Barns, the Livestock Show
and Sale Arenas and the Livestock Show and Sale Office.
"Grasslands! Your Forage and Ranching Experience" is an
Agribition sponsored event.
So be sure to stop by the Prairie Building to say hello
to the Saskatchewan Forage Council!
Top
of Page
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Leanne Thompson - Editor
Forage and
Livestock eNews
Forage and Livestock eNews is
published by the Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC).
Opinions
and information are provided by the authors and
publication does not imply endorsement by the
SFC. |
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The
Saskatchewan Forage Council recognizes the support of
our Annual Sponsors:
 
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Financial support for this project has
been provided by:
the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan through the
Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food
Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) program. Funding for the
ACAAFS program is provided by Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada
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