RED DEER, Alta. – The Alberta Cattle Commission has approved a new structure but delegates balked at a name change to match the new plan.
A proposal to change the name of the 26-year-old commission to Alberta Beef Producers or Beef Producers of Alberta was rejected by a majority of delegates at the recent semi-annual meeting here.
They did favor a new mandate which welcomes a broader representation of delegates from throughout the province, as well as membership from the other leading cattle organizations in Alberta.
Read Also
Beef check-off collection system aligns across the country
A single and aligned check-off collection system based on where producers live makes the system equal said Chad Ross, Saskatchewan Cattle Association chair.
“We’ve always been able to face our challenges and take advantage of our opportunities,” said Larry Helland, chair of the Alberta Cattle Commission.
Over the years the commission has been criticized for how it collected and spent money, made policy and for being too bureaucratic.
A new structure should address some of those concerns as the commission slims down while taking in a broader-based membership.
The new strategy was approved by members and must go to the agriculture minister for approval. The cattle commission along with other commissions and marketing boards is governed by the Alberta Marketing Council.
The new commission will have five committees including beef promotion, government affairs, producer liaison, public affairs and technical and animal health.
Focus on beef business
There will also be a cattle industry committee and an Alberta Beef Forum. The forum will be a “think tank” of industry members that can help target project funding and focus on activities important to all sectors of the beef business.
There will be 71 delegates in total drawn from nine zones as well as other industry representatives.
Each zone will have seven delegates. The Alberta Canada All Breeds Association may send one delegate; Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, two; Alberta Milk Producers, one; Feeder Associations of Alberta, two and Western Stock Growers Association, two.
Industry delegates will be elected by their respective organizations and like zone delegates may serve three terms of two years. After the terms end, they must sit out at least one year.
All delegates can participate in committees, receive small honorariums and travel expenses. All are eligible for election as directors to national organizations like the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Beef Information Centre, Canada Beef Export Federation and may serve as chair of any ACC committees.
There will be nine zone directors and three directors at large. The past chair of the commission will also sit on the board of directors.
The cattle commission represents an estimated 35,000 producers in the province.
Membership is automatic with the sale of cattle where $1.50 is deducted each time an animal is sold. This gives the organization about $5.8 million in revenue annually. The bulk of the money, $3.5 million or 94 cents a head, is directed at beef promotion. The ACC is allowed six of 15 seats on the Beef Information Centre board of directors.
Association representation
The cattle commission is entitled to seven of 27 seats on the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association board of directors based on the province’s share of cattle and calves. Alberta contributes about $380,000 to the running of the CCA.
