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Check out what events are going on in the industry and around Alberta at www.albertabeef.org/producers/events.
Grass Routes News

In this issue

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  • Two.
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  • Fed Cattle Feed Cost Offset Initiative bid process opens June 29 - Program application opens June 22
  • CRSB and CCA to meet with Canadian government on beef sustainability
  • Open Farm Days relaunches
  • In other news...

Fed Cattle Feed Cost Offset Initiative bid process opens June 29 - Program application opens June 22

Beginning June 29, producers will be able to participate in the bid process for the Fed Set-Aside component of the 2020 Canada-Alberta Fed Cattle Feed Cost Offset Initiative. This is the second component of the AgriRecovery initiative.
 
Note: The (first) Fed Cattle Feed Assistance component continues until Tuesday, June 30. Producers who applied for this component of the initiative before June 22 will be sent an initial payment the week of June 22-25, and a final payment in July. Producers who apply after June 22 will receive one payment in July.
 
The Fed Cattle Set Aside: Bid Process 
The second component involves a bid process that producers can choose to participate in each week. All components of this process will occur online, and participants need an AFSC ID and an AFSC Connect account to place weekly bids.

  • If you are interested in participating in the bid process, contact AFSC at 1.877.899.2372 or reach out to any branch office as soon as possible to set up your online account.
  • Once an AFSC account is set up, you can log in to AFSC Connect and complete a one-time registration to participate in the bid process.
  • Starting June 22, program application for the bid process is available online through AFSC Connect.
The first bidding period will open June 29 and close July 1
  • To take part in the initial June 29 bid process, you’ll need to ensure you have an AFSC ID number and an AFSC Connect account set up, and accept the program terms and conditions by Wednesday, June 24.
  • Clients who have completed the process by the end of day June 24 will be notified on Friday, June 26 about the upcoming June 29 bid process.
Weekly bid process steps
  1. Friday: Enrolled producers are notified about the upcoming bid process that begins the following Monday morning at 9 a.m.
  2. Monday: At 9 a.m., the bid process begins. Eligible producers submitting a bid will be required to supply:
    1. Premises ID
    2. Lot Number(s)
    3. Number of Eligible Animals in each Lot
    4. Animal Type - Heifer or Steer
    5. Average net weight of the Lot must average 1,300 lbs for heifers or 1,400 lbs for steers at the date the bid is submitted
    6. Bid amount
  3. Wednesday: The bid process for that week closes at noon.
  4. Friday: By noon, all eligible participants are notified if their bids for that week were accepted or rejected.

If a participant’s bid is accepted, they have seven days to submit supplemental information on each accepted bid. This includes the CLTS account number, PID, lot number and registered RFID tags associated with the eligible animals. 

Watch this video to learn more about the bid process: Fed Cattle Set Aside bid process explained 

The bid component of the initiative will continue until the initiative’s funds are distributed, the need to set aside animals no longer exists or the initiative reaches its end date of March 31, 2021.
 
Note: This initiative remains subject to a signed contribution agreement by both levels of government.
 
Find more information on the AgriRecovery page, call the AFSC Client Service Centre at 1.877.899.2372, contact a branch office or use the AFSC.ca online chat. Common questions and answers are located on the AFSC website here. Please contact AFSC for any additional information you require.
 
Overall, the 2020 Canada-Alberta Fed Cattle Feed Cost Offset Initiative compensates producers for the extraordinary cost of keeping slaughter-ready cattle on maintenance rations. Beef producers can hold on to market-ready cattle for several weeks, allowing the supply of animals to more evenly match demand and processing capacity.

CRSB and CCA to meet with Canadian government on beef sustainability

This week, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association are hosting its first joint Fly-In (virtually) to Ottawa. Members of CRSB will meet with Members of Parliament and Senators focused on environmental policies and sustainable agriculture, and build awareness of the CRSB, and the multi-stakeholder commitment and initiatives to drive sustainability outcomes with the Canadian beef industry. The meetings are largely focused on the environmental aspect of beef sustainability including grasslands, climate change, water, and food waste.
 
Please join the conversation online using #beefsustainability and tag @CRSB_beef and @CdnCattlemen.
 
Watch @CRSB_beef and @CdnCattlemen social feeds to promote our engagement with government throughout next week. We invite you to share our posts throughout the week or to share your own environmental stewardship story.

Open Farm Days relaunches

Farms and ranches interested in being part of this year’s Open Farm Days, running August 15 and 16, 2020, are asked to apply by June 30. Albertans, now more than ever, are interested in exploring and learning more about Alberta grown food and the producers who grow it.
 
Hosts will receive supports, including hand sanitizers, insurance, access to a culinary coach, and other resources to make hosting easier. Organizers are also working on an online booking system to manage the number of people coming to their farms.

Register for Open Farm Days

Organizers are also offering alternative ways that farms and ranches can participate during the weekend, such as instructional videos and virtual tours.
 
Because of COVID-19, organizers are continuously communicating with government officials, making sure that Open Farm Days is in accordance with provincial regulations. Organizers can also help connect participating farms and ranches interested in culinary events with corresponding AHS staff for their region.
 
Open Farm Days showcases Alberta’s agriculture industry and growing rural tourism sector. Host farms open their gates to share their agricultural experiences with their urban neighbours and to help them understand where their food comes from.

In other news...

  • ABP Chair Kelly Smith-Fraser appears on the AFSC Podcast – Managing Risk in Alberta’s Cattle Industry
  • Listen to ABP Research and Production Manager Karin Schmid talk about the new Forage U-Pick project on Cattle Country
  • Did you miss the ABP Producer Town Hall? The audio recording is available here
  • The Public and Stakeholder Engagement team, in collaboration with Canada Beef, CRSB and CMC, have developed a new video on the Beef Supply Chain and the Impacts of COVID-19. It is available here or on www.raisingcdnbeef.ca

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