Changes are being made to Saskatchewan's beef check-off rate and the national beef check-off rate.
The provincial rate is increasing to $5.25 per head from $4.50, effective Friday, August 1. CEO of the Saskatchewan Cattle Association Christina Betker noted the increase was approved at its Annual General Meeting in January.
The national check-off rate will now be the same as the provincial rate, regardless of where the cattle are sold in Canada. General Manager of the Canadian Beef Check-off Agency Melinda German explains, "when cattle trade across a provincial border, the provincial rate is now going to follow those cattle, so no matter where Saskatchewan cattle are going to sell in Canada, their provincial rate is going to follow them, so that means if they sell into Manitoba or if they sell into Alberta, the check-off will be $5.25 which will equal what Saskatchewan is changing their rate to effective August 1st."
Under the previous system the national rate was applied to the province where the cattle was sold, so if a herd from Saskatchewan was sold in Alberta, the producer would pay Alberta's check-off rate of $4.50 per head, said German.
She added the change affects the Western provinces of B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan and will align them with what the Eastern provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec already use.
German notes it is the first change made to the national check-of in over 20 years and was made to better reflect how cattle are marketed today.
"Back then cattle were not as fluid. They didn't go across borders as much or as far within Canada but we see a lot more movement now of cattle across Canada. 20 years ago, the provincial rates were very similar but what we're seeing now is the province's provincial rates really do vary quite significantly across Canada. What we wanted to do was mirror or address more the industry of today, cattle moving more and provincial check-off rates being higher than what they used." she said.
German also said it follows a year of consultation with producer-led organizations.
Money collected from the check-off goes toward the provincial cattle association's advocacy and research efforts.
