An update from the Government Desk

This article was first published in Volume 4 Issue 3 of ABP Magazine (September 2024). Watch for more digital content from the magazine on ABP Daily.

This summer has been a busy one! It has been jam-packed with events, announcements, and program development.

July started with a bang and some good old-fashioned stampeding! This year’s Stampede Summit saw outstanding attendance from politicians, giving ABP and other organizations a unique opportunity to network with numerous cabinet ministers, MLAs, MPs, and Senators. Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lawrence MacAulay, and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation Minister, RJ Sigurdson all delivered greetings at the event.

Right after the Stampede, the federal and provincial agriculture ministers met in Whitehorse, Yukon, for the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) meetings. Minister Sigurdson presented the work done by AFSC on the AgriStability analysis and pilot. Hopefully, we will receive a decision on the proposed AgriStability changes in the coming months. With the proposed changes, AgriStability would be much more responsive to cow-calf producers.

Another big win for the beef industry, and agriculture as a whole, was the changes made to the Next Generation Loan Program. More details on how the program was improved can be found on page 30. These changes stem from an ABP resolution passed at the 2024 ABP Annual General Meeting and are welcome improvements, making the program more supportive of new entrants into agriculture and providing easier access to capital. Thank you to the AFSC staff and Minister Sigurdson for pursuing these changes.

I cannot emphasize enough how much of a champion Minister Sigurdson has been for agriculture and rural Alberta.

Wildlife is a major concern for beef producers. Nearly every year, ABP receives resolutions about problematic wildlife. In July, Minister of Alberta Forestry and Parks, Todd Loewen, introduced a program permitting hunters to manage troublesome grizzly bears and elk. Both species arguably have the most impact on beef producers. ABP has been advocating for a legal mechanism to address problem animals for years. While this may not be exactly what ABP requested, it is a positive step towards managing wildlife impacts.

Land use conflicts will certainly be a priority in the coming months. Safe, reliable access to land is crucial for farmers and ranchers. for ABP, this will manifest in tackling two very different issues: 1) trespassing and hunter-producer relationships, and 2) conservation on private lands. Both are long-standing issues.

Private land conservation is also a long-standing conversation. Cattle producers need to lead the narrative on how these policies, programs and initiatives can both benefit and impact them.

I know that this year has been especially hard for some producers due to uneven rainfall and skyrocketing input costs. It’s tough. Everyone needs someone to talk to sometimes, and support is available. I strongly encourage you to search “need to talk resources” on ABPdaily.com for help.

Wishing everyone a plentiful harvest and a smooth, healthy weaning season. And hey, if things don’t go as planned, that’s okay too. Next year is just around the corner.