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Finances are among Cattle Feeders’ top issues

Ryan Kasko, ACFA’s new board chair, talks in this blog about priority issues for the upcoming year.

Non-refundable checkoff

ACFA is working on a plan to collaborate with Alberta Beef Producers to build a new path forward that would include an Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund, Ryan said.

ā€œWe will be asking producers to vote in a plebiscite this fall to return to a non-refundable checkoff,ā€ he said. ā€œThe money generated will be used to finance marketing activities, research and other projects that will benefit the Alberta beef industry.ā€

Ryan said the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) used to provide $20 million for industry research and marketing initiatives. The funding has been eliminated, so it is hoped the checkoff proceeds will at least partly offset the lost funds. ā€œWe’re hoping to work with the government to show the value this investment is providing, and to hopefully get more government funding,ā€ he said.

Farm safety

The association is also heavily invested in making sure its members understand recent changes to the Alberta Labour Code. ā€œWe’re offering a feedlot safety program to ACFA voting members so that feedlots can get up to speed on farm safety, specifically in reference to those changes,ā€ Ryan said.

Trade

NAFTA is at the top of cattle feeders’ minds. ā€œAlthough we’re not directly involved in negotiations, we work alongside the National Cattle Feeders’ Association and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association to support them in their efforts to make sure the beef industry remains part of NAFTA.ā€

Looking for a new CEO

Bryan Walton, ACFA’s president and CEO, will retire this fall, and a search for a replacement has started.

ā€œWe will be sad to see Bryan go,ā€ said Ryan. ā€œHe’ll be a hard person to replace. But at the same time, any change provides an opportunity for new ideas, and we’re looking forward to that process.ā€

You can learn more about Ryan and his work as a cattle feeder in an earlier Meet the team post.

3 challenges facing Alberta’s beef industry

Beef is big business in Alberta – but like any business owners, ranchers and cattle feeders must navigate regulations, market conditions, public opinion and much more in their bid to stay competitive and profitable.

This was the subject of a recent article in Alberta Beef Magazine, in which ACFA chair Martin Zuidhoff and vice-chair Ryan Kasko were asked about cattle feeders’ new and old challenges. Read more

Meet the team: Page Stuart, past board chair

This is the first in our ā€˜Meet the team’ series, and this week we’d like to introduce you to Page Stuart. As she transitions from board chair to past chair, Page remains a powerful asset to our association.

Read more