The Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association has established a PFRA Pastures Working Group, composed of SCA directors who have PFRA pasture experience, plus representatives from the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association.
According to an SCA press release, the role of the working group is to gather information on the upcoming pasture divestitures, evaluate options and keep the SCA board and members informed on the progress of the transitions.
SCA chair Mark Elford states the SCA's position on the pasture divestiture includes the following points:
the government will assist patron groups in setting up a shareholder/co-operative system, with in/out strategies;
the land be transferred in a block and not divided up;
native rangeland will have a no-break, no-drain policy;
sales are made at market value;
patron groups will own or control the pasture, whether deeded or leased.
Elford, along with other leaders in the Saskatchewan cattle industry, currently sits on the PFRA Pasture Ministerial Advisory Committee appointed by Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart.
According to the release, the SCA has consulted with a number of pasture patron groups and is planning to meet with representatives from the first 10 pastures, slated for divestiture in 2014. One stated goal of the association is to develop a transfer process, to ensure each pasture group has the information it requires to negotiate its own specific agreement.
For more information on the SCA, visit www.saskbeef.com.
