Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Starting in September 2006, students registered at the University of Saskatchewan will be able to work toward a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness degree, according to Associate Professor Tom Allen of the Department of Agricultural Economics.
“Officially, the program starts next September, but we are already having a significant number of students changing their course load in January to be able to come into it.
“We have been trying to increase offerings in agribusiness at the College for years, decades really. In the mid-nineties, we looked at it seriously. We set up a committee, of which I was a co-ordinator, and we ended at that time developing a minor—a six-credit course—in agribusiness. It became almost immediately the most popular minor in the College. We kept hearing from past students and employers that we should be offering more business training to our students.”
Allen points out that more than 50 per cent of students in agriculture schools end up in marketing, sales and other types of very applied business activities, according to a study conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture and Purdue University.
“Our studies with our students found the same thing. The majority of our graduates go into some form of management position. We looked further into it a couple of years ago with a more in-depth exploration of what our students do after graduation. We also conducted a major project where we hired a research assistant to survey the 50 largest agribusinesses in Western Canada to get a more accurate picture of needs.”
What emerged at all levels was a desire among these agribusinesses to access graduates with more business training.
“What they were saying to us is they want agriculture science, but they also want the business training—and historically they have hired the agriculture students first, only to teach them the business afterwards,” Allen says. “More recently, we have witnessed the reverse: a trend to hire business students who would then be taught some agriculture. What they would have preferred would have been to have students that have both the business and the agriculture training.”
Allen explains how, two years ago, the College of Agriculture addressed the situation head on.
“We put a committee together and we started the planning and application process to develop a program that has a very large component offered through the College of Commerce, starting at the second year level. We have a certain amount of Commerce courses that are required, plus in the third and fourth years, students are able to access the upper year Commerce courses to complement their upper year agriculture courses. It is a good blend. I think it will be the preferred degree for any of the students that go into the agricultural businesses to work.”
When asked if this is a Canadian first, Allen admits that others – at the Universities of Guelph and Manitoba, for instance – have been offering this specialty for some time.
“We are not industry leaders on this one. Agriculture has changed immensely in Saskatchewan. We have to be much more market aware. We have to be knowledgeable about trade issues. We can’t just be producers. We are good at producing commodities, but now we also have to be marketers; we have to manage these businesses.
“If you think of it, the farm is not small business anymore. Many farms exceed the definition of small businesses—they are so big. You need the management skills and definitely, when you start looking at the whole value-chain, we’ve got connections between parts of the value-chain that weren’t there before. Business skills are an essential component if you want to be successful.”
Allen is pleased with the response from the community so far. He and his colleagues have been fielding calls from parents and prospective students from around Western Canada who had heard about this development, and already new students have expressed a desire to sign up.
For more information, contact:
Tom Allen
CIBC Scholar in Agricultural Entrepreneurship
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4012
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Celebrate 25th Anniversary
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
There will be a little extra pride in evidence at this year’s Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association (SCFA) Convention, January 27 and 28 in Saskatoon, as the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Jamie Blacklock is the SCFA’s General Manager.
“We are going with the theme ‘Celebrate the Past and Create the Future’ so that we are all aware of where we came from and the progress that we have made over 25 years. We should celebrate and be proud. Let’s take a close look at where we are today and evaluate the facts of our situation so that we can make the best decisions for tomorrow.”
Blacklock and her team have rounded up speakers guaranteed to make this event memorable. For instance, on Friday the 27th, National Meat Association Executive Director Rosemary Mucklow will address participants.
“She is a key person who has been in the meat industry for the last 40 years,” notes Blacklock. “The National Meat Association is one of the greatest allies of the Canadian beef industry. They were an extremely strong voice and have been working very hard the whole time to get back to normalized trade of live cattle—she is a key player in the big picture. Rosemary Mucklow is going to bring a strong message on the importance of working together, not only within the livestock industry, but all the way through to the meat industry as well.”
According to Blacklock, cattle feeders appreciate knowing the numbers that affect their business, so the SCFA is bringing in CanFax Senior Market Analyst Anne Dunford to address that need.
“Anne tends to be a big pull. The delegates like to hear what she has to say - what looks like it’s coming down the pipe. She has current information and actual numbers for them to take back to their operations so they can make the best decisions for themselves. With tarde access to the U.S. renewed, a broader range of markets are accessible, so major changes are likely on the way.”
The SCFA hosts this event in conjunction with the Livestock Loan Guarantee Program, the Livestock Markets and Order Buyers Association and Saskatchewan Quality Starts Here (QSH). They all have their annual meetings as well during the Convention, explains Blacklock.
“The cattle feeders were key in the development of the Livestock Loan Guarantee Program—a tight connection there, as well as with the Livestock Markets and Order Buyers Association. Concurrently, the QSH/VBP working group will meet. The Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association chairs that group, along with the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. We believe it is absolutely critical. It is all about on-farm food safety. From start to finish, we might as well all work together.”
“The President’s reception on Friday night gives our President a chance to speak face to face with the delegates and give a good overview of what we have been hashing out over the last year, along with what some of the topics and coming initiatives are,” Blacklock says. “It is a good evening for the delegates and the members to sit down and really talk about the issues. It also sets the stage for the next day.”
Michael Levy of Custom House Global Foreign Exchange will be one of the speakers featured on Saturday.
“He is a high-energy, entertaining presenter with tons of information to share. Cattle feeders are number crunchers, so they tend to enjoy the hard facts that Michael can expound upon. With renewed access to the U.S. and Japanese markets, the timing is great. He will be able to go a little more in depth in terms of currency and exchange rate factors.”
The SCFA Convention’s last guest speaker will be cattle industry consultant Charlie Gracey.
“His presentation is titled: ‘Past, Present and Future of the Industry.’ Charlie has been a key player in the Canadian industry. He has been involved at many different levels for a long time. We want to make sure participants know where we have come from so they are ready to take advantage of opportunities as they manifest themselves in the future.”
Blacklock says the President’s Reception and the Cattlemen’s Feast ‘n’ Festivities are open to anyone who wants to come. “We sell a lot of additional tickets for these evenings.”
The SCFA Convention and AGM takes place at the Saskatoon Inn. To find out more or register, visit: http://www.saskcattle.com
For more information, contact:
Jamie Blacklock
General Manager
Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association
(306) 382-2333
There will be a little extra pride in evidence at this year’s Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association (SCFA) Convention, January 27 and 28 in Saskatoon, as the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Jamie Blacklock is the SCFA’s General Manager.
“We are going with the theme ‘Celebrate the Past and Create the Future’ so that we are all aware of where we came from and the progress that we have made over 25 years. We should celebrate and be proud. Let’s take a close look at where we are today and evaluate the facts of our situation so that we can make the best decisions for tomorrow.”
Blacklock and her team have rounded up speakers guaranteed to make this event memorable. For instance, on Friday the 27th, National Meat Association Executive Director Rosemary Mucklow will address participants.
“She is a key person who has been in the meat industry for the last 40 years,” notes Blacklock. “The National Meat Association is one of the greatest allies of the Canadian beef industry. They were an extremely strong voice and have been working very hard the whole time to get back to normalized trade of live cattle—she is a key player in the big picture. Rosemary Mucklow is going to bring a strong message on the importance of working together, not only within the livestock industry, but all the way through to the meat industry as well.”
According to Blacklock, cattle feeders appreciate knowing the numbers that affect their business, so the SCFA is bringing in CanFax Senior Market Analyst Anne Dunford to address that need.
“Anne tends to be a big pull. The delegates like to hear what she has to say - what looks like it’s coming down the pipe. She has current information and actual numbers for them to take back to their operations so they can make the best decisions for themselves. With tarde access to the U.S. renewed, a broader range of markets are accessible, so major changes are likely on the way.”
The SCFA hosts this event in conjunction with the Livestock Loan Guarantee Program, the Livestock Markets and Order Buyers Association and Saskatchewan Quality Starts Here (QSH). They all have their annual meetings as well during the Convention, explains Blacklock.
“The cattle feeders were key in the development of the Livestock Loan Guarantee Program—a tight connection there, as well as with the Livestock Markets and Order Buyers Association. Concurrently, the QSH/VBP working group will meet. The Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association chairs that group, along with the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. We believe it is absolutely critical. It is all about on-farm food safety. From start to finish, we might as well all work together.”
“The President’s reception on Friday night gives our President a chance to speak face to face with the delegates and give a good overview of what we have been hashing out over the last year, along with what some of the topics and coming initiatives are,” Blacklock says. “It is a good evening for the delegates and the members to sit down and really talk about the issues. It also sets the stage for the next day.”
Michael Levy of Custom House Global Foreign Exchange will be one of the speakers featured on Saturday.
“He is a high-energy, entertaining presenter with tons of information to share. Cattle feeders are number crunchers, so they tend to enjoy the hard facts that Michael can expound upon. With renewed access to the U.S. and Japanese markets, the timing is great. He will be able to go a little more in depth in terms of currency and exchange rate factors.”
The SCFA Convention’s last guest speaker will be cattle industry consultant Charlie Gracey.
“His presentation is titled: ‘Past, Present and Future of the Industry.’ Charlie has been a key player in the Canadian industry. He has been involved at many different levels for a long time. We want to make sure participants know where we have come from so they are ready to take advantage of opportunities as they manifest themselves in the future.”
Blacklock says the President’s Reception and the Cattlemen’s Feast ‘n’ Festivities are open to anyone who wants to come. “We sell a lot of additional tickets for these evenings.”
The SCFA Convention and AGM takes place at the Saskatoon Inn. To find out more or register, visit: http://www.saskcattle.com
For more information, contact:
Jamie Blacklock
General Manager
Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association
(306) 382-2333
Organic Update In Bruno A Must For Industry With Bright Outlook
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) Agribusiness Development Specialist Don Perrault wouldn’t miss it for the world. The Organic Update, scheduled to take place at the Prairie Ursuline Centre in Bruno on February 15 and 16, is a must for any producer in this promising sector of the agricultural economy.
“The Organic Update is a two-day event targeting the organic community across Saskatchewan, but also outside the province, as we have noticed an increasing number of participants from other Prairie jurisdictions attending.
“This is the fourth year that we have held such an update,” says Perrault. “In the first two years, we held one-day events in Melfort. Last year, we changed the format to a two-day event and we moved to this unique facility.”
Organizers say holding the event in Bruno makes sense, as it is a central location and the facility lends itself well to the theme. The town is home to the annual Cherry Festival in August. The Organic Update is the emerging winter tradition.
“The first day we target producers, focusing mostly on organic management practices,” says Perrault. “Sessions will cover both cropping and livestock production in dark brown and black soils. Basically, it is targeting the north and central regions of the province, and scientists will round up the sessions with discussions on soil dynamics, manure management and current organic research.”
Brenda Frick, the Prairie Co-ordinator for the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, organizes the day.
“Essentially,” explains Perrault, “day one focuses on interviews with over 30 successful organic producers. We will also bring a panel of expert organic farmers to highlight their innovative practices.”
At the end of day one, there will be an all-organic supper hosted by the Prairie Ursuline Centre. This is always a treat.
“On day two, we are targeting more marketing and processing,” Perrault goes on. “We will start with an update on the organic beef market—what potential exists there. And then there will be an update on the organic meat development strategy.”
SAF Livestock Development Specialist Sandy Lowndes has been working with organic meat producers, and she will report some of her findings.
“We’ll also have a speaker from Farmer Direct in Regina who will expand on markets, who is buying what in the organic field. This will be followed by a discussion on adding value to organic grains through processing with a representative of Northwest Community Mills Co-operative Ltd., an organic producer processing group located at Maymont. The group has just come back from Europe on a fact-finding trip, and they will report on their findings.”
“There will be a short presentation by some of our staff on developing ideas and resources that can help to develop your idea as an organic producer,” continues Perrault. “In the afternoon, we have a speaker from Pure Source, which is a company that has done a good job in the organic sector, encouraging the processing of organic products. The business of processed organic food will be discussed.”
This will be followed by a presentation on resources available at the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre in Saskatoon for creating an organic food product.
“Our last speaker is Don Mitchell. He will talk about the politics of food, as he has written a book on the subject: ‘Grow Locally, Eat Locally, the Market Politics of Food.’ This will be music to our ears: he encourages consumers to eat locally.”
For more information, contact:
Don Perrault
Agribusiness Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 953-2361
Brenda Frick
Prairie Co-ordinator
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada
(306) 966-4975
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) Agribusiness Development Specialist Don Perrault wouldn’t miss it for the world. The Organic Update, scheduled to take place at the Prairie Ursuline Centre in Bruno on February 15 and 16, is a must for any producer in this promising sector of the agricultural economy.
“The Organic Update is a two-day event targeting the organic community across Saskatchewan, but also outside the province, as we have noticed an increasing number of participants from other Prairie jurisdictions attending.
“This is the fourth year that we have held such an update,” says Perrault. “In the first two years, we held one-day events in Melfort. Last year, we changed the format to a two-day event and we moved to this unique facility.”
Organizers say holding the event in Bruno makes sense, as it is a central location and the facility lends itself well to the theme. The town is home to the annual Cherry Festival in August. The Organic Update is the emerging winter tradition.
“The first day we target producers, focusing mostly on organic management practices,” says Perrault. “Sessions will cover both cropping and livestock production in dark brown and black soils. Basically, it is targeting the north and central regions of the province, and scientists will round up the sessions with discussions on soil dynamics, manure management and current organic research.”
Brenda Frick, the Prairie Co-ordinator for the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, organizes the day.
“Essentially,” explains Perrault, “day one focuses on interviews with over 30 successful organic producers. We will also bring a panel of expert organic farmers to highlight their innovative practices.”
At the end of day one, there will be an all-organic supper hosted by the Prairie Ursuline Centre. This is always a treat.
“On day two, we are targeting more marketing and processing,” Perrault goes on. “We will start with an update on the organic beef market—what potential exists there. And then there will be an update on the organic meat development strategy.”
SAF Livestock Development Specialist Sandy Lowndes has been working with organic meat producers, and she will report some of her findings.
“We’ll also have a speaker from Farmer Direct in Regina who will expand on markets, who is buying what in the organic field. This will be followed by a discussion on adding value to organic grains through processing with a representative of Northwest Community Mills Co-operative Ltd., an organic producer processing group located at Maymont. The group has just come back from Europe on a fact-finding trip, and they will report on their findings.”
“There will be a short presentation by some of our staff on developing ideas and resources that can help to develop your idea as an organic producer,” continues Perrault. “In the afternoon, we have a speaker from Pure Source, which is a company that has done a good job in the organic sector, encouraging the processing of organic products. The business of processed organic food will be discussed.”
This will be followed by a presentation on resources available at the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre in Saskatoon for creating an organic food product.
“Our last speaker is Don Mitchell. He will talk about the politics of food, as he has written a book on the subject: ‘Grow Locally, Eat Locally, the Market Politics of Food.’ This will be music to our ears: he encourages consumers to eat locally.”
For more information, contact:
Don Perrault
Agribusiness Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 953-2361
Brenda Frick
Prairie Co-ordinator
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada
(306) 966-4975
Saskatchewan Beef Symposium Prepares Producers for Industry Future
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
This will be about as complete an overview of what’s in store for the beef sector in the province as anyone can access.
The Saskatchewan Beef Symposium that will take place on February 8 and 9 in Saskatoon will prepare producers for the future of the beef industry, explains Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair John McKinnon.
“The event is the creation of four groups in the province charged with beef research, extension and development activities: the University of Saskatchewan, the Western Beef Development Centre, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
“We got together to put on a symposium that focuses on issues that are relevant to producers, specifically where the industry will develop in terms of value-added beef production, as well as where the current research focuses of these groups are—how they impact beef producers.”
The Saskatchewan Beef Symposium takes place every two years. It is open to beef producers and industry representatives who seek to increase their knowledge on a number of issues.
“Among these, we are focusing on the development of the ethanol industry in Saskatchewan. This is an area where we see significant growth, particularly in how it integrates with cattle feeding operations,” notes McKinnon.
To address this issue, the ethanol session will feature Lionel LaBelle, the President of the Saskatchewan Ethanol Council; a representative from Husky Energy; Keith Rueve of Pound-Maker Agventures Ltd; and Vern Racz, Director of the Prairie Feed Resource Centre at the University of Saskatchewan.
“The Pound-Maker people are talking about the integration of cattle and ethanol,” explains McKinnon. “The people from Husky are talking about what their plans are going to be, how they will interact with the cattle industry in Western Canada, as well as with the Saskatchewan Ethanol Council.”
“There will be emphasis on the conventional stand-alone ethanol plant, but also on the integrated ethanol/cattle approach, to be more specific. It has huge potential for the livestock industry,” says SAF Livestock Development Specialist Bryan Doig.
“On one hand, we have the feedlots utilizing spent grains that are produced at the ethanol plant as a by-product. The integrated concept means that, instead of the stand-alone ethanol plant that is just producing ethanol and distiller’s dry grain, what we have is an ethanol plant that is connected to a feedlot, so all of the wet grain and solubles that are by-products of ethanol production are utilized as livestock feed, without having unnecessary costs like extra drying,” Doig explains.
This covers just one of five sessions, emphasizes McKinnon.
“We have a very interesting session looking at value-added beef production in the province, where we get producer groups such as Natural Valley Farms and Prairie Heritage Beef Producers breaking new ground. They will be talking about their plans to take control of their market and elaborate on how they will go directly to consumers with their product.”
Other sessions will focus on the production of superior beef carcasses, and the Kyoto Accord and how it affects Saskatchewan beef producers. There will also be a session on alternative management ideas for grazing and wintering your beef cows.
Larry Thomas, Associate Editor of the Canadian Cattleman Magazine, will deliver the keynote address on Wednesday, February 8. The theme will be “The Canadian Beef Producer Reality Show—Challenges from Within.”
The symposium brochure is available online at www.wbdc.sk.ca.
For more information, contact:
John McKinnon
Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4137
or
Murray Feist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Ruminant Nutrition Specialist
(306) 694-3938
This will be about as complete an overview of what’s in store for the beef sector in the province as anyone can access.
The Saskatchewan Beef Symposium that will take place on February 8 and 9 in Saskatoon will prepare producers for the future of the beef industry, explains Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair John McKinnon.
“The event is the creation of four groups in the province charged with beef research, extension and development activities: the University of Saskatchewan, the Western Beef Development Centre, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
“We got together to put on a symposium that focuses on issues that are relevant to producers, specifically where the industry will develop in terms of value-added beef production, as well as where the current research focuses of these groups are—how they impact beef producers.”
The Saskatchewan Beef Symposium takes place every two years. It is open to beef producers and industry representatives who seek to increase their knowledge on a number of issues.
“Among these, we are focusing on the development of the ethanol industry in Saskatchewan. This is an area where we see significant growth, particularly in how it integrates with cattle feeding operations,” notes McKinnon.
To address this issue, the ethanol session will feature Lionel LaBelle, the President of the Saskatchewan Ethanol Council; a representative from Husky Energy; Keith Rueve of Pound-Maker Agventures Ltd; and Vern Racz, Director of the Prairie Feed Resource Centre at the University of Saskatchewan.
“The Pound-Maker people are talking about the integration of cattle and ethanol,” explains McKinnon. “The people from Husky are talking about what their plans are going to be, how they will interact with the cattle industry in Western Canada, as well as with the Saskatchewan Ethanol Council.”
“There will be emphasis on the conventional stand-alone ethanol plant, but also on the integrated ethanol/cattle approach, to be more specific. It has huge potential for the livestock industry,” says SAF Livestock Development Specialist Bryan Doig.
“On one hand, we have the feedlots utilizing spent grains that are produced at the ethanol plant as a by-product. The integrated concept means that, instead of the stand-alone ethanol plant that is just producing ethanol and distiller’s dry grain, what we have is an ethanol plant that is connected to a feedlot, so all of the wet grain and solubles that are by-products of ethanol production are utilized as livestock feed, without having unnecessary costs like extra drying,” Doig explains.
This covers just one of five sessions, emphasizes McKinnon.
“We have a very interesting session looking at value-added beef production in the province, where we get producer groups such as Natural Valley Farms and Prairie Heritage Beef Producers breaking new ground. They will be talking about their plans to take control of their market and elaborate on how they will go directly to consumers with their product.”
Other sessions will focus on the production of superior beef carcasses, and the Kyoto Accord and how it affects Saskatchewan beef producers. There will also be a session on alternative management ideas for grazing and wintering your beef cows.
Larry Thomas, Associate Editor of the Canadian Cattleman Magazine, will deliver the keynote address on Wednesday, February 8. The theme will be “The Canadian Beef Producer Reality Show—Challenges from Within.”
The symposium brochure is available online at www.wbdc.sk.ca.
For more information, contact:
John McKinnon
Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4137
or
Murray Feist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Ruminant Nutrition Specialist
(306) 694-3938
Copeland Seeds Never Loses Sight of Farm Roots
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
It may be one of the most successful farm-based operations in the Rosetown-Elrose area. Copeland Seeds has never lost sight of its family farm roots, says Bob Copeland.
“We are the processor—the middlemen hired by the exporters to process the product for them and to get it to port on time, in containers or hopper cars or boxcars, or whatever they want to ship it in,” Copeland says. “We process lentils primarily, but all kinds of grain for export for different companies. We got into the cleaning business in 1968. My father started to do pedigreed seed, and in 1978, we got into lentils. It has just taken off from there.”
The business started as an operation firmly grounded in reality, explains Copeland.
“We started small, as most businesses should, and over the years, we have done sunflowers, canaryseed, a few chickpeas, and to date we still clean a lot of common seed for the local growers, cereal grain mostly. We have 13 full-time employees right now, and we have had anywhere up to 22 people hired throughout the year.
“We work on contract for a set price. Depending on the year, on average we may handle 22,000 metric tons of just lentils. The most we have done is 29,000 metric tons in a year.”
Copeland notes that “The pulse industry has become limited in part due to our transportation challenges. We could do more, but logistically, we can’t ship the product overseas—it does limit you at times in terms of how much you can do volume wise.”
Despite limitations, the operation has done quite well over the years, success Copeland attributes to service and quality.
“We have maintained a high standard in the quality that we put out and in the work we do when we are loading containers. We make sure the container is good; we make sure the bags aren’t ripped; we try to look after this as much as we can. I guess in the early years, there weren’t a lot of processors around and we actually had quite a few people exporting to Spain, Columbia and other places coming here and witnessing the quality of the work that we did, and I guess that has just continued on.
“What we say we can do with the product, we try and carry it through. I guess we have gained the trust of the grower, as well as that of the importer and exporter.”
Copeland is not only carrying on a family tradition—he is building on it. “It has been a family run business since my father started it. We do farm, as well. We have a separate company name for that, Copeland Farms. The seed is the commercial business. And through Copeland Farms, we continuous crop 7,600 acres of mostly lentils and malting barley—two-row barley.
“We have been very fortunate to work with people like Dr. Brian Harvey, a plant breeder at the University of Saskatchewan. Such relationships enabled us to access the new two-row out there that so far has grown in demand: the Copeland barley. We hope that continues.”
Like many agri-entrepreneurs, Copeland always has an eye on the future. “In our family, we believe that agriculture will get turned around and treat us alright. The last few years have not been good in agriculture. To tamper that, we don’t keep all our eggs in one basket. My grandfather started farming in 1932 in this area. He passed it on to my father. Now, I’m looking after it with him.”
For more information, contact:
Bob Copeland
Copeland Seeds
(306) 378-2286
It may be one of the most successful farm-based operations in the Rosetown-Elrose area. Copeland Seeds has never lost sight of its family farm roots, says Bob Copeland.
“We are the processor—the middlemen hired by the exporters to process the product for them and to get it to port on time, in containers or hopper cars or boxcars, or whatever they want to ship it in,” Copeland says. “We process lentils primarily, but all kinds of grain for export for different companies. We got into the cleaning business in 1968. My father started to do pedigreed seed, and in 1978, we got into lentils. It has just taken off from there.”
The business started as an operation firmly grounded in reality, explains Copeland.
“We started small, as most businesses should, and over the years, we have done sunflowers, canaryseed, a few chickpeas, and to date we still clean a lot of common seed for the local growers, cereal grain mostly. We have 13 full-time employees right now, and we have had anywhere up to 22 people hired throughout the year.
“We work on contract for a set price. Depending on the year, on average we may handle 22,000 metric tons of just lentils. The most we have done is 29,000 metric tons in a year.”
Copeland notes that “The pulse industry has become limited in part due to our transportation challenges. We could do more, but logistically, we can’t ship the product overseas—it does limit you at times in terms of how much you can do volume wise.”
Despite limitations, the operation has done quite well over the years, success Copeland attributes to service and quality.
“We have maintained a high standard in the quality that we put out and in the work we do when we are loading containers. We make sure the container is good; we make sure the bags aren’t ripped; we try to look after this as much as we can. I guess in the early years, there weren’t a lot of processors around and we actually had quite a few people exporting to Spain, Columbia and other places coming here and witnessing the quality of the work that we did, and I guess that has just continued on.
“What we say we can do with the product, we try and carry it through. I guess we have gained the trust of the grower, as well as that of the importer and exporter.”
Copeland is not only carrying on a family tradition—he is building on it. “It has been a family run business since my father started it. We do farm, as well. We have a separate company name for that, Copeland Farms. The seed is the commercial business. And through Copeland Farms, we continuous crop 7,600 acres of mostly lentils and malting barley—two-row barley.
“We have been very fortunate to work with people like Dr. Brian Harvey, a plant breeder at the University of Saskatchewan. Such relationships enabled us to access the new two-row out there that so far has grown in demand: the Copeland barley. We hope that continues.”
Like many agri-entrepreneurs, Copeland always has an eye on the future. “In our family, we believe that agriculture will get turned around and treat us alright. The last few years have not been good in agriculture. To tamper that, we don’t keep all our eggs in one basket. My grandfather started farming in 1932 in this area. He passed it on to my father. Now, I’m looking after it with him.”
For more information, contact:
Bob Copeland
Copeland Seeds
(306) 378-2286
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Pulse Crop Development Workshops Cater to producer Needs
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
The upcoming Pulse Crop Development Workshops scheduled for Swift Current, Moose Jaw and Sedley on January 31 and February 1 and 2, respectively, aim to provide the latest on pulse crops where it matters most, according to Provincial Special Crops Specialist Ray McVicar.
“There is a lot of pulse crop production in southern Saskatchewan ," he explains. "We found that there are many people who don’t get the chance to attend Pulse Days in Saskatoon in January. We organize these workshops every year in association with the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers to make industry development information more readily accessible to southern Saskatchewan producers.”
Pulse crop production in Saskatchewan has increased tremendously during the last two decades—rising from 30,000 acres in 1981 to five million acres in 2005. This increase is a result of a strong partnership between public and private stakeholders who have worked together to enhance the pulse industry, explains McVicar.
“These stakeholders include Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG), the University of Saskatchewan, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and many private companies involved in basic and applied research, processing, handling, market development and export, as well as biological and chemical product manufacturing.
“SAF continues to play a significant role in the pulse industry,” continues McVicar, “mainly in the areas of research and extension. Plus, through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), SAF provides funding for pulse research conducted by scientists at different levels.”
The workshops will feature industry displays and presentations: Market Movers for the Pulse Industry with Marlene Boersch of Mercantile Consulting Venture in Winnipeg; new research developments with Yantai Gan of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada>; agriculture business centres for Saskatchewan with Ken Evans (SAF); and new pulse crop varieties with Bert Vandenberg and Tom Warkentin of the University of Saskatchewan. There will be a session on insect pest management with Dan Johnson of the University of Lethbridge and Scott Hartley of SAF, and there will also be a talk entitled Pulse Futures: Food, Fuel, Nutraceuticals with Bob Tyler of the University of Saskatchewan.
McVicar believes it is important that growers and industry players like processors and others have a chance to get together.
"The whole industry is built on partnerships among the marketers, processing companies, researchers, the governments—both Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food," he says. "We have really grown together, to the point where Saskatchewan is a major player in the pulse world. So we stage these workshops because we have made this entire journey together."
To pre-register, call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 by January 27, 2006.
For more information, contact:
Ray McVicar
Provincial Special Crops Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-4665
The upcoming Pulse Crop Development Workshops scheduled for Swift Current, Moose Jaw and Sedley on January 31 and February 1 and 2, respectively, aim to provide the latest on pulse crops where it matters most, according to Provincial Special Crops Specialist Ray McVicar.
“There is a lot of pulse crop production in southern Saskatchewan ," he explains. "We found that there are many people who don’t get the chance to attend Pulse Days in Saskatoon in January. We organize these workshops every year in association with the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers to make industry development information more readily accessible to southern Saskatchewan producers.”
Pulse crop production in Saskatchewan has increased tremendously during the last two decades—rising from 30,000 acres in 1981 to five million acres in 2005. This increase is a result of a strong partnership between public and private stakeholders who have worked together to enhance the pulse industry, explains McVicar.
“These stakeholders include Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG), the University of Saskatchewan, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and many private companies involved in basic and applied research, processing, handling, market development and export, as well as biological and chemical product manufacturing.
“SAF continues to play a significant role in the pulse industry,” continues McVicar, “mainly in the areas of research and extension. Plus, through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), SAF provides funding for pulse research conducted by scientists at different levels.”
The workshops will feature industry displays and presentations: Market Movers for the Pulse Industry with Marlene Boersch of Mercantile Consulting Venture in Winnipeg; new research developments with Yantai Gan of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada>; agriculture business centres for Saskatchewan with Ken Evans (SAF); and new pulse crop varieties with Bert Vandenberg and Tom Warkentin of the University of Saskatchewan. There will be a session on insect pest management with Dan Johnson of the University of Lethbridge and Scott Hartley of SAF, and there will also be a talk entitled Pulse Futures: Food, Fuel, Nutraceuticals with Bob Tyler of the University of Saskatchewan.
McVicar believes it is important that growers and industry players like processors and others have a chance to get together.
"The whole industry is built on partnerships among the marketers, processing companies, researchers, the governments—both Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food," he says. "We have really grown together, to the point where Saskatchewan is a major player in the pulse world. So we stage these workshops because we have made this entire journey together."
To pre-register, call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 by January 27, 2006.
For more information, contact:
Ray McVicar
Provincial Special Crops Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-4665
Agreements Between Grain and Stock Producers Could Be Beneficial
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
It seems the livestock sector is enjoying renewed vigour these days, but a little caution is always in order.
One of the ways to reduce risks for both grain and livestock producers is to enter into agreements that are mutually beneficial, according to Sarah Sommerfeld, an Agri-Business Development Intern with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.
The opening of the border to the United States for cattle under 30 months of age, and the reopening of the Japanese border to cattle less than 20 months of age, bode well for the industry. Producers have been and are expanding operations, and consequently they are requiring access to more forage resources.
“But expenses within the agriculture industry continue to increase, and producers are continually trying to keep costs in check," explains Sommerfeld. "Livestock operators are no exception; therefore, purchasing large acres of grazing land may not be financially viable or attractive for them. A solution may be the creation of agreements between the owners of cultivated land—grain producers—and livestock producers.”
Typically, these sorts of agreements have not been very common, explains Sommerfeld, but more producers—of both livestock and grain—are slowly realizing the potential value of working together in a mutually beneficial partnership.
“For example," she elaborates, "a grain producer could contract with a livestock producer to grow an annual forage crop for swath grazing or baled green feed. An annual or perennial crop may also be grown for silage. At the start of the growing season, the intent may be to produce a crop for human consumption, but growing conditions may down-grade the crop to livestock feed. Provision of a fence and water supply could be the responsibility of either the land owner or the livestock producer.”
Sommerfeld suggests that establishing these agreements presents the opportunity for grain producers to invest in livestock without extra expenses, labour or management.
“Producers might feel uneasy entering into an agreement that is not typical for their sector, whether it is livestock or grain production that is being considered," she says, "but as agriculture continues to evolve, operators must be willing to evolve along with it and to think progressively. It could mean the grain producer puts up a fence at his/her own cost or develops a water source, and recovers those expenses through the rent he or she charges the livestock producer.”
These agreements take some of the risk off the livestock producer, but they also reduce the grain producer’s risks because the grain producer has a guaranteed price and market for the crop.
“If the two parties can work together, and the grain farmer produces a crop that the livestock can use, then it is a win-win situation,” concludes Sommerfeld.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Sommerfeld, BSA
Agri-Business Development Intern
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 867-5557
It seems the livestock sector is enjoying renewed vigour these days, but a little caution is always in order.
One of the ways to reduce risks for both grain and livestock producers is to enter into agreements that are mutually beneficial, according to Sarah Sommerfeld, an Agri-Business Development Intern with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.
The opening of the border to the United States for cattle under 30 months of age, and the reopening of the Japanese border to cattle less than 20 months of age, bode well for the industry. Producers have been and are expanding operations, and consequently they are requiring access to more forage resources.
“But expenses within the agriculture industry continue to increase, and producers are continually trying to keep costs in check," explains Sommerfeld. "Livestock operators are no exception; therefore, purchasing large acres of grazing land may not be financially viable or attractive for them. A solution may be the creation of agreements between the owners of cultivated land—grain producers—and livestock producers.”
Typically, these sorts of agreements have not been very common, explains Sommerfeld, but more producers—of both livestock and grain—are slowly realizing the potential value of working together in a mutually beneficial partnership.
“For example," she elaborates, "a grain producer could contract with a livestock producer to grow an annual forage crop for swath grazing or baled green feed. An annual or perennial crop may also be grown for silage. At the start of the growing season, the intent may be to produce a crop for human consumption, but growing conditions may down-grade the crop to livestock feed. Provision of a fence and water supply could be the responsibility of either the land owner or the livestock producer.”
Sommerfeld suggests that establishing these agreements presents the opportunity for grain producers to invest in livestock without extra expenses, labour or management.
“Producers might feel uneasy entering into an agreement that is not typical for their sector, whether it is livestock or grain production that is being considered," she says, "but as agriculture continues to evolve, operators must be willing to evolve along with it and to think progressively. It could mean the grain producer puts up a fence at his/her own cost or develops a water source, and recovers those expenses through the rent he or she charges the livestock producer.”
These agreements take some of the risk off the livestock producer, but they also reduce the grain producer’s risks because the grain producer has a guaranteed price and market for the crop.
“If the two parties can work together, and the grain farmer produces a crop that the livestock can use, then it is a win-win situation,” concludes Sommerfeld.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Sommerfeld, BSA
Agri-Business Development Intern
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 867-5557
Miniature Herefords Seek Acceptance in League of Beef Cattle Breeds
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
In 1991, Unity, Saskatchewan’s Jerome and Sharon Kratchmer decided to acquire some miniature Herefords. They run a mixed farm with commercial cows and grain. They also sell hay. According to Jerome, the animals seemed the right fit for their agricultural operation.
“We wanted miniatures to have them on the farm because the other cows are gone all summer, but we still wanted some cattle around," he explains. "We didn’t get them as a moneymaking venture. They are small, but they have the same problems as the big cows. You can have C-sections. It is like any breed. You try to breed out the problems.”
In 1742, the Tomkins family in Herefordshire, England, set out to develop a breed of high-yielding beef cattle that could survive and grow in all kinds of environments, and which was endowed with early maturity and high rates of reproduction. The first breeding herds of Herefords were brought to Canada in 1831 and into the United States in 1840. These original Herefords were much smaller than today’s animals, ranging from 45 to 50 inches in height.
In the mid-1960s, a Texan rancher noted that buyers of his farm-gate beef showed a preference for smaller cuts. While his neighbours selected their Herefords to breed larger animals, he started to breed for smaller animals
“Ours were the first ones brought into Canada, in March 1991, from Fort Davis, Texas,” Kratchmer explains. “I have two dozen now.” Kratchmer knows of a number of miniature Hereford owners who are not regular cattlemen.
“If you only have five acres on your acreage, you can keep them," he says. "A fellow who bought two heifers from me is going to slaughter them as he needs them for food. That is where his regular meat comes from."
In a way, the miniature Herefords are a match made in heaven for today’s world, explains Kratchmer.
“It is not as physically demanding to move them around. In terms of portion size, people are eating less meat now. A steak from a miniature Hereford is similar to a pork chop in size, or a little bigger. So you are not getting a big frying pan full of just one steak,” he says.
But the miniatures still face significant hurdles on their way to the beef market.
“It is the same problem as with bison," he explains. "People raised a whole bunch of bison but they didn’t have a market for the meat. That is what you have to look into. The problem with miniature Herefords is that we don’t have enough animals around to create a meat market yet. They don’t sell for as much as the big cattle because they don’t fit in.
“This is a niche market that won’t take anything from the beef industry. I haven’t shown them locally. They get attention. Most people simply ask: do you still have them?”
In Kratchmer's mind, every passerby who comes to his yard to admire the miniature Herefords represents an opportunity to make headway for the little breed that turns out the perfect steak.
For more information, contact:
Jerome Kratchmer
Unity, Saskatchewan
(306) 228-3156
In 1991, Unity, Saskatchewan’s Jerome and Sharon Kratchmer decided to acquire some miniature Herefords. They run a mixed farm with commercial cows and grain. They also sell hay. According to Jerome, the animals seemed the right fit for their agricultural operation.
“We wanted miniatures to have them on the farm because the other cows are gone all summer, but we still wanted some cattle around," he explains. "We didn’t get them as a moneymaking venture. They are small, but they have the same problems as the big cows. You can have C-sections. It is like any breed. You try to breed out the problems.”
In 1742, the Tomkins family in Herefordshire, England, set out to develop a breed of high-yielding beef cattle that could survive and grow in all kinds of environments, and which was endowed with early maturity and high rates of reproduction. The first breeding herds of Herefords were brought to Canada in 1831 and into the United States in 1840. These original Herefords were much smaller than today’s animals, ranging from 45 to 50 inches in height.
In the mid-1960s, a Texan rancher noted that buyers of his farm-gate beef showed a preference for smaller cuts. While his neighbours selected their Herefords to breed larger animals, he started to breed for smaller animals
“Ours were the first ones brought into Canada, in March 1991, from Fort Davis, Texas,” Kratchmer explains. “I have two dozen now.” Kratchmer knows of a number of miniature Hereford owners who are not regular cattlemen.
“If you only have five acres on your acreage, you can keep them," he says. "A fellow who bought two heifers from me is going to slaughter them as he needs them for food. That is where his regular meat comes from."
In a way, the miniature Herefords are a match made in heaven for today’s world, explains Kratchmer.
“It is not as physically demanding to move them around. In terms of portion size, people are eating less meat now. A steak from a miniature Hereford is similar to a pork chop in size, or a little bigger. So you are not getting a big frying pan full of just one steak,” he says.
But the miniatures still face significant hurdles on their way to the beef market.
“It is the same problem as with bison," he explains. "People raised a whole bunch of bison but they didn’t have a market for the meat. That is what you have to look into. The problem with miniature Herefords is that we don’t have enough animals around to create a meat market yet. They don’t sell for as much as the big cattle because they don’t fit in.
“This is a niche market that won’t take anything from the beef industry. I haven’t shown them locally. They get attention. Most people simply ask: do you still have them?”
In Kratchmer's mind, every passerby who comes to his yard to admire the miniature Herefords represents an opportunity to make headway for the little breed that turns out the perfect steak.
For more information, contact:
Jerome Kratchmer
Unity, Saskatchewan
(306) 228-3156
BYOB (Build Your Own Business) Conference Coming Up
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
If the field of agri-business has ever crossed your mind as a career opportunity, you might benefit from the upcoming series of three conferences on business-building resources, says Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) Agri-Business Development Specialist Ron Monette.
“We want to talk about the opportunities that exist for rural business and to provide information on the entities that can assist entrepreneurs in exploring those opportunities," says Monette. "As a result, we will provide information on opportunities that may exist and have been looked at and developed in the area around each of the three locations.”
The “BYOB” (stands for “Build Your Own Business”) conferences will take place at the Bella Vista Hotel in Humboldt on January 18, at the Watrous Community Centre on January 25, and at Rosthern’s St. Odillion Catholic Church Hall on February 1.
Are you one of those energetic, budding Saskatchewan entrepreneurs waiting for the opportunity to develop your idea into a thriving business that contributes to your community’s well-being?
“Most of us have thought about it,” states Dianne Olchowski of the Sagehill Development Corporation in Bruno, one of the conference organizing partners. “Some of us have put the idea aside for various reasons, but sometimes the itch to start your own business just won’t go away, and you just have to do something about it."
To provide as much information as possible, SAF's Agri-Business Development Branch has teamed up with a number of local organizations with compatible mandates to create events that are full of value for participants. Partners include three local Regional Economic Development Authorities (REDAs), among others.
“The Sagehill Development Corporation, which is our local Community Futures organization, the Carlton Trail REDA out of Humboldt, the Saskatoon REDA, which covers Rosthern, and the Long Lake REDA, which covers Watrous, have all come on board," Monette says. "Other groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce in Humboldt, are also supporting our effort.”
Local entrepreneurs and enterprises will share their successes at these events, explains Monette.
“In Watrous, we have representatives from Drake Meats and Wagon Wheels Farms coming forward; in Rosthern, it is a local pet food manufacturer that has been invited, along with Parenteau Gourmet Foods; in Humboldt, Champêtre County of St. Denis will attend, as well as Country Log Ranch, which has created a goat dairy.”
The conferences would not be complete without a few guest speakers:
“At different locations, Al Scholtz will share his insight on rural entrepreneurship," says Monette. "Tom Allen of the University of Saskatchewan will talk about marketing strategies for rural businesses. We’ll also have Melanie Boldt of Pineview Farms, a natural meat producer, processor and marketer of poultry, sausages and other processed meats near Martensville. Kevin Hursh will wrap up each event with a talk about opportunities in rural Saskatchewan.”
Each day's opening speaker will encourage participants to think outside of the box and to recognize the specific opportunity that is right for themselves, their families and their communities. The second speaker of the day will build on the first presentation by focusing on what comes next.
“What critical actions need to be taken to ensure your chosen opportunity has the best possible chance of success as a thriving, sustainable business? The importance of knowing the marketplace for an opportunity and how to access that market is a critical element of this process,” believes Monette.
Each event will also have a lunch time speaker focusing on each of the local communities' recent activities regarding business development.
“Following a hot lunch,” continues Monette, “participants will meet a series of entrepreneurs who have already successfully developed their agri-business opportunity. They will identify how it worked for them, what some of the most critical issues were in developing their business, and how they successfully dealt with those issues.”
The next session will focus on the event partners, who will explain to the audience what their organizations do, with particular emphasis on how they can help entrepreneurs at the early stages of business development.
The final speaker will wrap up the event at each location with a call to action based on his or her personal experience, empowering participants to follow their dreams.
To register, call the Saskatoon Agriculture Business Centre at 306-933-6128.
For more information, contact:
Ron Monette
Agri-Business Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 933-6128
If the field of agri-business has ever crossed your mind as a career opportunity, you might benefit from the upcoming series of three conferences on business-building resources, says Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) Agri-Business Development Specialist Ron Monette.
“We want to talk about the opportunities that exist for rural business and to provide information on the entities that can assist entrepreneurs in exploring those opportunities," says Monette. "As a result, we will provide information on opportunities that may exist and have been looked at and developed in the area around each of the three locations.”
The “BYOB” (stands for “Build Your Own Business”) conferences will take place at the Bella Vista Hotel in Humboldt on January 18, at the Watrous Community Centre on January 25, and at Rosthern’s St. Odillion Catholic Church Hall on February 1.
Are you one of those energetic, budding Saskatchewan entrepreneurs waiting for the opportunity to develop your idea into a thriving business that contributes to your community’s well-being?
“Most of us have thought about it,” states Dianne Olchowski of the Sagehill Development Corporation in Bruno, one of the conference organizing partners. “Some of us have put the idea aside for various reasons, but sometimes the itch to start your own business just won’t go away, and you just have to do something about it."
To provide as much information as possible, SAF's Agri-Business Development Branch has teamed up with a number of local organizations with compatible mandates to create events that are full of value for participants. Partners include three local Regional Economic Development Authorities (REDAs), among others.
“The Sagehill Development Corporation, which is our local Community Futures organization, the Carlton Trail REDA out of Humboldt, the Saskatoon REDA, which covers Rosthern, and the Long Lake REDA, which covers Watrous, have all come on board," Monette says. "Other groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce in Humboldt, are also supporting our effort.”
Local entrepreneurs and enterprises will share their successes at these events, explains Monette.
“In Watrous, we have representatives from Drake Meats and Wagon Wheels Farms coming forward; in Rosthern, it is a local pet food manufacturer that has been invited, along with Parenteau Gourmet Foods; in Humboldt, Champêtre County of St. Denis will attend, as well as Country Log Ranch, which has created a goat dairy.”
The conferences would not be complete without a few guest speakers:
“At different locations, Al Scholtz will share his insight on rural entrepreneurship," says Monette. "Tom Allen of the University of Saskatchewan will talk about marketing strategies for rural businesses. We’ll also have Melanie Boldt of Pineview Farms, a natural meat producer, processor and marketer of poultry, sausages and other processed meats near Martensville. Kevin Hursh will wrap up each event with a talk about opportunities in rural Saskatchewan.”
Each day's opening speaker will encourage participants to think outside of the box and to recognize the specific opportunity that is right for themselves, their families and their communities. The second speaker of the day will build on the first presentation by focusing on what comes next.
“What critical actions need to be taken to ensure your chosen opportunity has the best possible chance of success as a thriving, sustainable business? The importance of knowing the marketplace for an opportunity and how to access that market is a critical element of this process,” believes Monette.
Each event will also have a lunch time speaker focusing on each of the local communities' recent activities regarding business development.
“Following a hot lunch,” continues Monette, “participants will meet a series of entrepreneurs who have already successfully developed their agri-business opportunity. They will identify how it worked for them, what some of the most critical issues were in developing their business, and how they successfully dealt with those issues.”
The next session will focus on the event partners, who will explain to the audience what their organizations do, with particular emphasis on how they can help entrepreneurs at the early stages of business development.
The final speaker will wrap up the event at each location with a call to action based on his or her personal experience, empowering participants to follow their dreams.
To register, call the Saskatoon Agriculture Business Centre at 306-933-6128.
For more information, contact:
Ron Monette
Agri-Business Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 933-6128
Saskatchewan Bison News: An Industry Quarterly with Attitude
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Pick up a copy of Saskatchewan Bison News and it’ll make an impression right away. There is something about the layout, the look and feel of the publication that makes it stand out.
The Saskatchewan Bison Association (SBA) has had a newsletter since the organization got going in the early 1990s, explains Jim Warren, executive director of the SBA and editor of Saskatchewan Bison News. The purpose of the publication was to keep members informed on industry developments, and to act as an extension arm in terms of communicating the most current production, marketing and management information to members.
“About two years ago," he says, "we determined there were things we could do to develop greater effectiveness within the organization. We had developed a strategic plan. I’d joined the association in January of 2004 and I had had some experience in communications and publishing. I presented a plan to the board that suggested we could increase readability and attract advertisers if we made a concerted effort to improve the quality of the publication.”
Warren and his colleagues reviewed the editorial plan and came up with the concept of breaking the publication down into several regular sections that would appear in each edition.
“The publication always begins with the hot button issue in the industry. Anything from border issues to announcements of BSE support programs and all news developments in the industry," he explains. “In every edition, we follow that with an analysis of bison markets right across North America and here at home, and then we try to follow that up with a marketing-related news story, like European Union trade barriers. We have a feature piece on the current important issue to the industry and we address that issue in detail.”
Good focus is key, believes Warren, and the right mix of stories is also important.
“It’s a fast-paced world now," he says. "Many folks need jobs to support their agricultural habits. There is not always the time and opportunity to read a longer piece, so we try to keep stories short, but we always have a good meat-and-potatoes piece in each issue. Then we try to have a health and production issue piece: for example, the use of different vaccines or new research that is coming out on production.
We follow that up in the back section with news about members, especially those who are doing new and novel things in the area of marketing. Then we talk about our own events, the people who attended, and exciting things that may have happened. We also give information about which numbers people need to call. We keep them handy, and we list coming events.”
At the moment, Saskatchewan Bison News has a circulation of about 550. It goes to SBA members and a number of industry stakeholders: people in the meatpacking and processing business, and people in the bison industry across North America. For Warren and his colleagues, the extra effort the publication requires is well worth the results.
“Look at a typical association newsletter. The way they do it is they have the president’s report; then they have the executive director’s report, then they’ll have the committee reports. What tends to happen is they all pretty much repeat each other. I just thought, 'let’s be like a magazine and talk about the issues!' If the president is the main spokesperson on a particular issue, we’ll use him as a resource, but I try to get as many other members and people from the organization involved as possible.”
Warren recalls how people would only occasionally purchase advertising before the publication was revamped.
“Sometimes, someone wanted to help out the organization and bought a sponsorship type of ad. Sometimes people had things they wanted to sell and knew this publication was going out. By improving the look, we increase readability and retention. If we put out a good product, chances are that people will want to keep it around. I wanted to make it really inviting. At the same time, we believed that, if we improved the look, it would improve our chances to attract advertisers. As a result, in the first year, the new Saskatchewan Bison News broke even. It turns out the improvements have paid for themselves.”
For more information, contact:
Jim Warren
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Bison Association
(306) 585-6304
www.saskbison.com
Pick up a copy of Saskatchewan Bison News and it’ll make an impression right away. There is something about the layout, the look and feel of the publication that makes it stand out.
The Saskatchewan Bison Association (SBA) has had a newsletter since the organization got going in the early 1990s, explains Jim Warren, executive director of the SBA and editor of Saskatchewan Bison News. The purpose of the publication was to keep members informed on industry developments, and to act as an extension arm in terms of communicating the most current production, marketing and management information to members.
“About two years ago," he says, "we determined there were things we could do to develop greater effectiveness within the organization. We had developed a strategic plan. I’d joined the association in January of 2004 and I had had some experience in communications and publishing. I presented a plan to the board that suggested we could increase readability and attract advertisers if we made a concerted effort to improve the quality of the publication.”
Warren and his colleagues reviewed the editorial plan and came up with the concept of breaking the publication down into several regular sections that would appear in each edition.
“The publication always begins with the hot button issue in the industry. Anything from border issues to announcements of BSE support programs and all news developments in the industry," he explains. “In every edition, we follow that with an analysis of bison markets right across North America and here at home, and then we try to follow that up with a marketing-related news story, like European Union trade barriers. We have a feature piece on the current important issue to the industry and we address that issue in detail.”
Good focus is key, believes Warren, and the right mix of stories is also important.
“It’s a fast-paced world now," he says. "Many folks need jobs to support their agricultural habits. There is not always the time and opportunity to read a longer piece, so we try to keep stories short, but we always have a good meat-and-potatoes piece in each issue. Then we try to have a health and production issue piece: for example, the use of different vaccines or new research that is coming out on production.
We follow that up in the back section with news about members, especially those who are doing new and novel things in the area of marketing. Then we talk about our own events, the people who attended, and exciting things that may have happened. We also give information about which numbers people need to call. We keep them handy, and we list coming events.”
At the moment, Saskatchewan Bison News has a circulation of about 550. It goes to SBA members and a number of industry stakeholders: people in the meatpacking and processing business, and people in the bison industry across North America. For Warren and his colleagues, the extra effort the publication requires is well worth the results.
“Look at a typical association newsletter. The way they do it is they have the president’s report; then they have the executive director’s report, then they’ll have the committee reports. What tends to happen is they all pretty much repeat each other. I just thought, 'let’s be like a magazine and talk about the issues!' If the president is the main spokesperson on a particular issue, we’ll use him as a resource, but I try to get as many other members and people from the organization involved as possible.”
Warren recalls how people would only occasionally purchase advertising before the publication was revamped.
“Sometimes, someone wanted to help out the organization and bought a sponsorship type of ad. Sometimes people had things they wanted to sell and knew this publication was going out. By improving the look, we increase readability and retention. If we put out a good product, chances are that people will want to keep it around. I wanted to make it really inviting. At the same time, we believed that, if we improved the look, it would improve our chances to attract advertisers. As a result, in the first year, the new Saskatchewan Bison News broke even. It turns out the improvements have paid for themselves.”
For more information, contact:
Jim Warren
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Bison Association
(306) 585-6304
www.saskbison.com
Friday, January 06, 2006
SFGA Conference Seeks to Further The Prairie Fruit Industry
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
“Welcome to our ‘An Industry in Motion’ conference,” says the invitation brochure. “Whether you currently own an established operation or are just now looking into opportunities in the fruit industry, this conference offers something for you.”