PASTURE PATRONS MEETING SASKATOON

[SADIE]

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[SADIE]

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[SADIE]

Here is an overview. Over 250 pasture patrons registered for this meeting packing the hall for this venue in Sutherland. Many cattemen drove 4-5 hours to be present. Provincial Minister of Ag Lyle Stewart spoke first after welcoming remarks to this large concerned audience of cattlemen.

Lots of media attention present. TV, radio stations and newspaper reporters.

Manitoba quest speaker shared how far Manitoba was in their organized group of PFRA pastures and shared how the Government of Manitoba was working with this group moving forward. That certainly "woke up" the Saskatchewan Lands group personnel in the room yesterday.

The afternoon session was alot of discussion but at the end of the 2 hours a new association of pasture patrons was formed with the current steering committee moving forward and being the bridge to a structure of a new pasture patrons association which wants representation from the 7 PFRA pasture districts..

The SCA conference started yesteray as well in Saskatoon and a few from the SCA (non PFRA) were in our attendance??

The AGM today of the SCA has many of these cattlemen that are PFRA pasture patrons staying around to be part of the vote today on two critical resolutions that will be brought forward at the SCA AGM.

At least there is a grassroots organization that could be representing about 2000 PFRA pasture patrons. Comments were that it was a great informative meeting that was well prepared. The story will go out into all communities across this province and grow from there.

[GaryE]

Good work Ken

[smcgrath76]

Bueno. That is great.

[SADIE]

The SCA annual meeting AGM this new pasture patrons group did not receive the support on the resolutions that were put forward for this meeting.

This did not surprise myself. The only support the SCA gave was to ask for a "stay" or slow down on the first 10 pastures that were scheduled to be gone this year.

Talking with some old contacts that were present from Alberta the comment came forward. Segregation of cattle groups are present in both provinces.

[kato]

It's that same old divide and conquer principle. It seems all across the country, the mainstream organizations have lost touch with what the people they are supposed to represent actually want.

All the more reason why we need the SADIE's of this world. Somebody's got to stir the pot and get them to look up out of their gopher holes.

[per]

There were interesting dynamics at play in the room for sure. Lots of turf protecting.

[SADIE]

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[SADIE]

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Here is the map of Saskatchewan. The 62 pastures are broken into 7 districts and represent about 2000 pasture patrons.

Gary E. I am working on an email tonight to all the rural veterinary clinics in the province to thank them for also reaching out to their client base list that knew who was a PFRA pasture patron in their area Several of our profs from WCVM also attended with a very keen interest in what an organized new group of PFRA pasture patrons can mean to the dynamics of the cattle industry in Saskatchewan. They were very supportive of this movement as well.

The division of the cattle groups in this province is becoming more obvious all the time now. I think more and more cattlemen will learn quickly the process of getting back their check-off $$$$ as well from now on.

[grassfarmer]

Good man you've elected president of your
Association Sadie! Got a chuckle out a bunch of
western ranchers electing a "friend of the CWB" to
lead their campaign. I guess you've just got to elect
the best people to get the job done.

[smcgrath76]

Glad to see this going Sadie. I still
cannot see why a government would get rid
of the PFRA pastures when they were a
breakeven proposition, created rural jobs,
and protected millions of acres of fragile
ecosystems and native rangelands. It
boggles the mind how any government could
not find a way to spin that in a positive
direction.