(Twitter/@SARM_Voice)

By Alice McFarlane

SARM Mid-Term Meeting

Ag minister promotes intensive livestock operations

Nov 14, 2019 | 10:14 AM

The provincial agriculture minister encouraged the development of intensive livestock operations at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities mid-term convention in Regina today.

David Marit told the roughly one thousand delegates agriculture is a key pillar of the economy and the livestock sector has surpassed $2 billion in farm cash receipts.

He said intensive livestock operations like hog barns and cattle feedlots play an important economic role in the province.

“Not only do they contribute to our agriculture industry but they are also a great, positive influence on our communities. These operations also provide a market for our feed grains which is obviously important this year with the amount of feed grain that’s out there,” Marit said.

Marit cited the hog operation at Ogema, now owned by Olymel, where in 2001 Ogema’s population was less than 300 people and it’s school was on the verge of closing. Since construction of the 6,000 sow, farrow to finish operation, the town’s population has increased to more than 400 people. The local school had a 50 per cent increase in enrolment and new businesses have been opening.

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“Olymel has also contributed to community focused events like the Ogema swimming pool. They also contributed $10,000 towards the Ogema Heritage Hall,” he said. “In the last year alone, Olymel purchased 39,000 tonnes of lower grade grains and pulses for their operation.

Marit said farmers can benefit from intensive livestock operations in other ways. The manure produced by livestock is a cost effective source of nutrients.

He said it took a lot of work to get to this point and he expects there was some opposition to the development from the start.

The ministry of agriculture convened a livestock development steering committee with a number of industry groups to work on the process with the goal to identify ways to improve the planning and approval process.

“This will take time but I`m confident we can make it happen. As people involved in approving ITO`s, it’s important you have clear robust plans in place for when a perspective developer approaches you. Not only will this help you make a sound decision, but it will help you make it in a timely way,” he said. “It’s important that our work be aligned. That way we avoid duplicating regulatory oversight and avoid duplicating the work we’re each doing.”

Marit recognized intensive livestock operation Pound-Maker Agventures, which was established in 1970 when local farmers were looking for a new market for their grain.

“They constructed a 2,500 head feedlot. The company has had a significant impact on the community of Lanigan since that time. Several expansions to the feedlot have occurred and the construction of a 10 million litre ethanol plant was constructed in 1991. Now, the one time feedlot capacity is 26,000 head and the ethanol plant has production capacity for approximately 15 million litres per year,” Marit added.

“To support Pound-Maker production in 2018-19, it purchased 80,000 tonnes of grain, nearly 800 rail cars or seven unit trains. The company employees roughly 50 people and makes an effort to contribute to its community.”

“There is great potential for more of this type of agriculture development in our province. By working together these projects can benefit local communities, the agriculture industry and our province as a whole,” Marit said.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF