Importance placed on cow herd size questioned

Importance placed on cow herd size questioned

Some in the cattle sector don’t think policy should focus on expanding herd; others say fewer cows limit check-off revenue

The number of cows in the provincial herd is not necessarily the best measure of a successful industry, yet that is the focus of public policy, says the Sask. Stock Growers Assoc.



Jodie Griffin, program coordinator for the Livestock Price Insurance program, presents at the SSGA AGM.  Photo: Melissa Jeffers-Bezan

Livestock Price Insurance coming to maritime producers

At the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) conference on June 10 in Swift Current, Sask., Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) vice president Tyler Fulton highlighted the expansion of Livestock Price Insurance, which will be available to producers in Eastern Canada. Initially announced in February, the expansion will finally come into effect sometime this week. “It’s something […] Read more





Parliament Hill, in Ottawa – Ontario, Canada. Photo: Ulysse Pixel

Producers welcome change to cash advance program 

After much lobbying, federal government increases interest-free portion of program to $250,000

The interest-free portion of the federal Advance Payments Program will be $250,000 this year, much to farmers’ relief. The amount had been set to drop back to $100,000 at the end of this month after sitting at $350,000 for 2023.


Jack Chaffe, Beef Farmers of Ontario past-president, is all smiles while his nine years of board service was acknowledged during the annual general meeting gala dinner Feb. 21, 2024.

Chaffe joins CCA executive as Ontario officer at large

Colleagues reflect on his nine-year leadership as BFO president

Jack Chaffe is taking his love of cattle to the Canadian Cattle Association as Ontario officer-at-large on the executive. “My aspiration is taking the Ontario voice to the national voice, taking the issues there and have them be resolved,” said Chaffe, after stepping down as Beef Farmers of Ontario president on Feb. 21. He said […] Read more

The lessons learned through the BSE outbreak will hopefully safeguard the sector from experiencing anything similar in the future.

Beef sector reflects on May 20, 2003

Two decades of recovery from BSE

The dates are seared in Dennis Laycraft’s brain: May 20, 2003, when the first positive-testing cow was confirmed; August 10, 2003, when the U.S. and Mexico restored import access for Canadian boneless beef from animals under 30 months of age; July 14, 2005, when the U.S. reopened full access for all Canadian beef, both live […] Read more