Some sheep producers were angry about being excluded from Saskatchewan’s recently announced livestock support program, but a senior industry official wasn’t one of them.
Gordon Schroeder, executive director of the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, said it would be inappropriate for a sector doing so well to take an ad hoc payment.
However, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want government money.
While the sheep and lamb industry is a bright spot in the livestock business, he added, it does need help.
The sector produces only 45 percent of domestic demand and must expand. Strong prices after years of poor cash flow have prompted producers to sell their ewe lambs rather than keeping them to rebuild their flocks.
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Consequently, consumption is growing and flocks are shrinking or holding steady.
Schroeder said the industry wants the government to help by contributing development money. A ewe lamb retention program and workshops to encourage multi-species grazing are examples of how the government could help.
“We had better do some rebuilding, otherwise we’re in big trouble.”
Provincial agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud said he is willing to discuss industry assistance.
He cited money for predation programs as an example of how the government already helps.
