Saskatchewan Agriculture announced late Oct. 8 that producers who own market-ready cattle can now register for the fed cattle set-aside program.
It is one component of a strategy to help the livestock industry cope with market losses related to BSE.
Producers must participate in a national bidding process called a reverse auction to receive payments for withholding livestock from slaughter.
Once they register, they will receive program registration numbers and personal identification numbers that will be used each time they bid.
Bidding was scheduled to begin on Oct. 12.
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Bids are based on what producers think it will cost them, each day, to feed a steer or heifer. Eligible steers must weigh a minimum of 1,100 pounds, with a group average weight of 1,300 lb. Heifers must be at least 1,000 lb. with a group average weight of 1,200 lb.
Up to five lots of animals can be entered in a single bid. The first lot must contain 10 head. Subsequent lots must contain a minimum of 40 head.
A federal auction manager will receive the bids and decide which are accepted for the set-aside period of up to 120 days and how many animals will be accepted each week.
The lowest bids – on a national scale – will be accepted.
Details of Saskatchewan’s calf set-aside were expected this week after Western Producer deadlines.
British Columbia has also committed money for a BSE set aside program.
B.C. agriculture minister John Van Dongen announced Oct. 7 the province would spend $6 million on a calf set-aside. The federal contribution was pegged at $9 million.
The B.C. Cattlemen’s Association welcomed the news, but noted ranchers require the final details before they can make marketing decisions.
