Bob Bjornerud told Saskatchewan cattle feeders attending their annual meeting in Saskatoon last week that he will establish a western lobby to take agricultural issues to Ottawa.
As Saskatchewan’s minister of agriculture, Bjornerud’s cattle-producing constituents face some of the toughest times ever. He said the federal government’s support programs fail to meet many western farmers’ needs.
“When we go to Ottawa we need one message. We can fight behind closed doors, but when we take issues to Ottawa we need to speak with one voice … they can’t divide us that way. We need to establish what the highest priorities of western farmers are and ensure they are dealt with,” he said.
Bjornerud said ad hoc payments do not provide sustainability for producers.
“There is nothing you can write into a long-term business plan.”
