The Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference runs today and tomorrow at the Delta Hotels in Regina.

Grant McLellan, the chief executive officer for the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association says this year's theme is What's Now, What's New, What's Next.

"It's a little bit of a reflection on the past couple of years that have been challenging for producers, but we also know that there's a lot of movement and innovation in the sector. So we really wanted to bring that kind of theme and concept to producers."

He points out that when you look at the agenda, there are a lot of great speakers with presentations focusing on Foot and Mouth Disease, vaccine banks, precision forage management, reproductive efficiency of beef cows.

The Beef Industry Conference also includes a number of breeder and producer group AGM's.

McLellan says the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association  AGM goes Wednesday afternoon and includes a couple of resolutions.

One resolution coming out of District 4 in Eastend asks the SCA to investigate opportunities to fund research into virtual fencing.

He says the other resolution that they expect will get a little more attention is from District 1 at Kenosee Lake and calls for the SCA to increase the provincial portion of the check off by $1.50 per head starting April 1, 2025.

The resolution reads as follows...

Whereas the costs of doing SCA business has increased, and the number of cattle to market is reducing.

Whereas the last Provincial increase was 1987 to $1.00 and 2012 to $2.00 and to date remain with Alberta as having the lowest provincial checkoff levy.

Whereas in order to continue to bring Saskatchewan’s share in helping its counterparts in opening new markets, research and technologies, continuing to bring knowledge to consumers on the value of beef and to provide services the industry requires.

Be it resolved that SCA increase the provincial portion of the checkoff by $1.50 per head starting April 1, 2025.

The Conference wraps up on Wednesday with presentation on recruitement and hiring strategies in the 2024 labour market,  what you need to know about AgriRecovery and AgriStability as well as updates from the Canadian Cattle Assocciation and the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.