After nearly five years of debate, the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association is changing its name to the Saskatchewan Cattle Association.
It’s an echo of the name change that occurred in 2022 when the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association became the Canadian Cattle Association.
Discussion about the name change at the SCA’s annual general meeting last week centred on three perspectives: that the debate has been going on for too long and continues to waste time; that the word “cattlemen’s” has been a “stumbling block” when meeting with politicians and others outside the organization; and that the name change is political.
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One of the few in the room to raise that point, past-chair Arnold Balicki said the issue “is not advocacy, it’s politics.”
He added that the group’s decision in 2021 not to change the name should be upheld because this year’s AGM wasn’t as well attended as the one in 2021 , which was virtual. As well, producers attending district meetings have opposed a name change, and the district meetings are more representative.
Balicki said that of the 130 producers who attended his district meeting, 70 wanted to keep the name as is. A second district was cited as having 40 who attended, all saying to not change the name.
However, for many producers and board members, the issue has been subject to much deliberation and must be settled.
“We waded through this issue for quite some time,” said Duane Thompson.
”I would never be accused of being politically correct, but I think it is a good move. Our acronym won’t change and out of respect for the women in our association, I think it’s a good thing to do.”
Jolene Shea, SCA director for District 7, said the only way to get past the issue was to change the name. She and other women who spoke up said they aren’t looking for recognition as women in the cattle industry, just to finish the debate.
“I can guarantee that none of us women need the name to be changed for us,” said Christine Strube, SCA director for District 9A.
“Nor do we want even a penny of our check-off dollars to be spent on changing it, or discussing it. The reality is, though, that time is money, and we have been spending it on this issue.”
Strube said an organization’s name is the first impression it makes on others, whether they’re consumers, supporters or those being lobbied. The current name is getting in the way, she added.
“Us women, we don’t need a name change to be included; we’ve been cowgirls for a long time,” said Julie Mortenson while holding her young daughter.
“I do think it wastes time in lobbying circles when we’re talking to politicians, when we have to discuss the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association. The politicians get hung up on that. So, I think that we just need to bite the bullet, make the name change and carry on with business.”
SCA vice-chair Chad Ross said cost is not an issue because it would be minimal. The legal name would remain the same, but the public facing name would be changed. The only cost would be slight rebranding of logos and merchandise to drop the four letters.
