MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Saskatchewan cattle producers would like more time to take advantage of a discount on crown lease land offered for sale.
A resolution passed at the recent annual meeting of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association calls on the board to lobby agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud to extend the 10 percent discount available in the first year of the five-year program.
These are difficult, uncertain times for producers who hold much of the lease land, said director Reg Schellenberg of Beechy. He said it might be difficult for them to make a purchase this year.
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The discount is supposed to decline by two percentage points each year.
The membership also wants the organization to have its say as the provincial government modernizes the Lands Act.
One of those changes might be the ability to use lease land as security with lenders.
“The government … has asked the SSGA land use committee to be involved,” said Mark Elford of McCord. “These folks are anxious to work with us on behalf of leaseholders in Saskatchewan.”
Another resolution requests that Sunday hunting, recently approved for 2009, be discontinued in 2010.
“I think it’s incredible they went forward without consulting landowners,” said Brian Weedon of Swift Current.
He also said it takes away from the “quiet enjoyment” that leaseholders should be able to claim as a benefit.
Finally, the members directed their board to lobby Bjornerud for a new program that will offer financial and businesses assistance to develop and retain young farmers and ranchers.
“A lot of us are scared of going broke,” said Shane Jahnke of Gouldtown.
One resolution directed at Ottawa asked the government to obtain a world health ruling on the need for the long list of specified risk material removal on cattle more than 30 months of age in order to maintain Canada’s controlled risk status.
Another asks the government to make Tordon 22K eligible under the Grower Requested Own Use import program so that producers can afford to control noxious weeds.
Other resolutions included:
- That resolutions passed at zone meetings be taken to the next board meeting so they are dealt with in a timely manner.
- That the board work only with like-minded organizations when issues concern the principles of the SSGA.
- That there be no further restrictions or regulations on ranching in the Great Sand Hills.
