Livestock Allocation, Management and Fee Schedule

Updated: July 2008

Effective November 1, 2000

Authority

The Saskatchewan Pastures Program is established under The Pastures Act and is operated under The Provincial Community Pastures Regulations.

Purpose

To establish fees and conditions for managing livestock throughout the year in the Saskatchewan Pastures Program (SPP).

A.   Application

1. All established clients and new applicants to the grazing program must submit an application form by October 31. All applicants will be notified regarding their allocation.
2. The Regional Manager will review the tentative allocations with the Patron Advisory Committee. Recommendations from the Advisory Committee will be considered. The Ministry determines the final allocation.
3. The Pasture Manager will notify successful applicants of their delivery date.
4. Patrons, at the Manager's discretion, may arrange to bring bred cows to the pasture at a specified time other than normal take in, if the cattle are placed in the dry field.

B.   Assured Allocations

1. Producers who have established eligibility and have been granted an allocation in a pasture will be entitled to an assured allocation and will not be required to re-qualify on a yearly basis.
2. Clients are eligible for an assured allocation in only one provincial pasture.
3. Allocation of grazing space to new clients and increases to existing clients will be awarded based on consultations between the Pasture Manager and the Advisory Committee.
4. Clients may be given a one year conditional contract to deliver more than the maximum established for any pasture that has excess grazing capacity.
5. Patrons whose allocation has been suspended or canceled may request a meeting with the Chair of the Patron Advisory Committee, Pasture Manager, Regional Manager and Provincial Manager if requested within fifteen (15) days of the suspension or cancellation.

C.   Client Organization

1. The Ministry supports organized client involvement in pasture operations.
2. An incorporated Advisory Committee may:

a. create bylaws consistent with pasture policy;
b. bill for services or accept SPP billing for services rendered;
c. operate an Artificial Insemination (AI) or natural breeding program;
d. operate compensation funds;
e. collect fees for and operate municipal tax funds;
f. perform various segments of pasture operations and
g. act as an advisory group for pasture management.

3. The Ministry will support client groups in their collection of fees.

D.   Under-delivered Allocations

1. Successful applicants to the grazing program may revise their allocation up to March 1 of each year. Where notice is given prior to March 1, the under-delivery penalty may be waived.
2. Any space remaining after March 1 may be re-allocated to applicants on a waiting list or clients wishing an increase.
3. The under-delivery penalty will include charges for prorated taxes.
4. The patron's allocation will be reduced in future seasons to the number of stock delivered, except where prior approval was obtained from the Regional Manager. The patron may be eligible for an increase from that level on the same basis as other clients at that pasture, at the discretion of the Regional Manager.

E.   Services

1. All services to livestock must be completed prior to delivery to the pasture, except breeding. This includes branding, dehorning, castrating, all vaccinating and placement of identification tags, as set out in the Community Pasture Receipt (CPR).
2. Veterinary services and special treatment - when considered necessary by the Pasture Manager, emergency treatment for diseases, pests and injury, including services of the local veterinarian, may be undertaken at the client's risk and the cost charged directly to the client. Where possible, the Pasture Manager will advise the client prior to treatment.

F.   Client Breeding Program

1. The client body is responsible for the Pasture Breeding Program and will assess and collect breeding fees.
2. Bulls must meet general health standards as determined by the Pasture Manager, including fertility examinations and disease testing.
3. Breeds must conform to the Saskatchewan Pastures Program (SPP).
4. Bulls must be removed at the end of the breeding season, or enrolled in grazing or wintering programs, as directed by the SPP. Breeding fields will be determined by the SPP.
5. Patrons will be required to remove and replace any unmanageable, sick or injured bull(s) they have provided.
6. The Pasture Manager will administer standard medications to client bulls as required and the cost will be charged back to the owner.
7. Clients must notify the Pasture Manager by March 1 of each year of the number and breed of bulls to be supplied.
8. All client bulls must carry the registered brand of the owner.
9. The SPP will not provide compensation for loss of, death or injury to a bull.
10. SPP staff will be available to assist and advise groups of clients interested in organizing their own breeding program.
11. Artificial Insemination programs may be operated by the clients where there is sufficient demand and adequate facilities.
12. Dry fields will be available at any pasture where there is an adequate demand. Where dry fields are being deleted or combined due to lack of demand, female stock will have priority over steers; i.e. clients may be required to deliver only female animals.

G. Wintering Program

1. Applications to the wintering program must be made by September 1. Where space permits, late applications may be accepted. Application forms may be obtained from your Pasture Manager.
2. No bulls will be accepted into the wintering program after December 1 except as replacements.

H.   Fees

1. Grazing fees and taxes will be waived for animals that have died. Animals missing at roundup, and not found, will have grazing fees credited.
2. At the discretion of the Regional Manager, the minimum charge may be waived in cases where a shorter pasture season is prescribed by the SPP, when livestock are traditionally removed early for marketing or when patrons are requested to remove their cattle by the Minister. The daily charge per adult will be charged. Calves, colts and lambs will be charged the full season rate.
3. Animals in the wintering program will be charged the daily post take-out fee for days up to the day that the animal is switched from grazing to feeding. At this time, the fee will change to the wintering fee.
4. Bulls in the wintering program must be pre-paid by November 1; a later date may be arranged with the Pasture Manager, at the Pasture Manager's discretion.
5. Fees for all livestock must be paid before the cattle are removed.
6. Clients in the wintering program may substitute replacement bulls into the annual contract.
7. Animals that die during the wintering program will be charged fees from take-in to day of death.
8. Daily fees for bulls will be charged fourteen (14) days prior to the breeding season.
9. Schedule of Services:

Dwight Miliker, Provincial Manager
Saskatchewan Pastures Program
Saskatchewan Agriculture
3085 Albert Street
REGINA, SK
S4S 0B1
306-787-5191