Swift Current hosting Sask Stockgrower’s Association AGM on June 7-9

The Saskatchewan Stockgrower’s Association (SSGA) will convene in Swift Current on June 7 to 9 to help educate, and enhance the business of local livestock producers during their annual SSGA annual general meeting at the Stockade.

SSGA President Doug Gillespie says there is something for everyone during two full days of conference speakers.

“We have many good speakers that should appeal to a broad variety of people, from producers to consumers. The theme of the convention is ‘ Connecting with Consumers’, so some of the keynote speakers are slanting toward that, such as the McDonalds verified sustainable beef program for one thing, and Dr. Jennifer Walker will speak about animal welfare and why it matters, and that’s a huge concern of consumers these days.”

Additionally, those who attend the three-day event will hear from experts in the Canadian Cattle Industry to discuss the outlook for the year, which Gillespie says is very strong.

“It looks extremely good. It’s setting record prices all the time, and with COOL [Country Of Origin Labelling] being lifted, it should help it even more.”

The SSGA annual general meeting has been held in various places in Saskatchewan. “It moves all over,” Gillespie said. “It’s been held in Weyburn, Yorkton, Regina, Moose Jaw, Maple Creek, and it was in Swift Current three or four years ago. It moves around to try to get everybody involved.”

Organizers have made it easy for locals to sit on sessions that interest them, noted Gillespie.

“You can register for one day – there is a wide variety of what you want to do, whether it’s full conference, single day, whatever you want to participate in – one day, two, or all three.” There’s also a video link online, he explained. “If you go to the website [www.skstockgrowers.com] , if you can’t attend one day and still want to see the speakers, you can go online, you need a subscription, but that will allow you to view the day’s proceedings on the day of, and after the meetings.”

Gillespie is optimistic that the provincial meeting will attract a lot of visitors to Swift Current, but the nature of the industry does limit their attendance levels.

“The number of people attending varies, depending on the year and what’s going on, how busy they are, and you know agriculture, when it’s busy, especially like it is this year, they’ll have other things to do. But nevertheless it’ll bring a lot of people into the city.”

The annual general meeting kicks off Sunday, June 7 at the Swift Current Trap Club at 5:30 p.m. with a skeet shooting challenge, followed by the President’s Reception. To register, call 306-757-8523.

The Saskatchewan Stockgrower's Association is a provincial organization that has represented independent cattle producers for the past 102 years.