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ALP Needs You!

Join the ALP Board of Directors – Fall 2023!

*Nominations are due by July 31, 2023*

Four Director-at-Large positions on the ALP Board will be up for election this fall. 

Alberta Lamb Producers is the voice of producers in discussions with industry stakeholders and government.  ALP needs a strong Board of Directors to ensure the interests of producers are represented, viable marketing opportunities are developed, and that check-off dollars are spent wisely. 

To stand for election, you MUST submit a completed nomination form to the ALP office by July 31, 2023.  Nominations forms are provided below and also from the ALP website (https://ablamb.ca/index.php/about-alp/joining-the-alp-board). There are four Director-at-Large positions open on the 2023/24 Board.  Candidates can be nominated from any region in the province - there no restrictions due to zone or geographical location.

Director Nomination Form

ALP Director Description

The official ballots for the 2023 ALP Director’s election will be mailed with the fall issue of N’ewesletter.  Producers have the option of advance voting by mailing the ballot to the ALP office or of voting in-person at the AGM on November 18^th at the Red Deer Resort and Casino.

What do you need to serve on the ALP Board as a Director?

• No previous board experience is required.
• Must be an eligible sheep producer residing in Alberta (Eligible producers must have paid service charge (check-off) to ALP within the last two years i.e. after Sep 1, 2021).
• Enthusiasm, ideas and a vision for building a strong lamb industry.
• A commitment to collaboration and the ability to work with other board members for the benefit of the industry.
• Ability to make the minimum commitment of 3-4 in-person board meetings, bi-weekly conference calls, and the ability to monitor and respond to emails at least every 48 hours. Per diems and expense reimbursements are provided.

It’s not all work!  In addition to contributing to the industry, serving on the Board gives you opportunities for personal growth and skills development, such as making important industry contacts, and obtaining experience in board governance, leadership and project management.

May 8, 2023—L’Orignal, Ontario— The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting the agri-food sector’s labour market needs and strengthening Canada’s food supply system. One key to success for Canadian farmers and food processors is their ability to recruit and retain a skilled workforce.

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/05/canada-announces-extension-to-the-agri-food-pilot-facilitating-access-to-permanent-residence-for-workers-and-their-families.html">announced the extension of the Agri-Food Pilot, which will now run until May 14, 2025. Launched in May 2020, the pilot helps facilitate the transition of experienced workers in agricultural and food industries to permanent residence in Canada.

To support employers and candidates, the Minister also announced the removal of the annual occupational caps, or the limits for how many candidates can apply for a specific occupation under the pilot. Removing these limits will provide an opportunity for more eligible candidates to apply. By the end of the year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) intends to introduce new changes to the pilot in stages, including

• expanding open work permit access to family members of all participants in the Agri-Food Pilot—regardless of the participant’s job skill level
• allowing unions to attest to a candidate’s work experience, as an alternative to employer reference letters
• giving applicants residing in Canada the option to either meet the job offer requirement, including the median wage requirement for the job offer, or the education requirement, including educational credential assessment verification
• accepting work experience gained under an open work permit for vulnerable workers, giving more workers an opportunity to qualify

For more details, please consult the https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/05/canada-announces-extension-to-the-agri-food-pilot-facilitating-access-to-permanent-residence-for-workers-and-their-families.html">Press Release.

Alberta Wildfires and Emergency Preparedness

Due to the current outbreak of wildfires across the province and as we move further into windy, dry, weather conditions, ALP would like to remind producers about our Emergency Preparedness Resource section on our website (https://ablamb.ca/index.php/resources/emergency-preparedness). This section has numerous resources available at no charge to producers.

ALP also has past webinar recording posted on our YouTube channel, SheepCentralAlberta: //www.youtube.com/@SheepCentralAlberta/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@SheepCentralAlberta/videos  including:

Preparing for Emergencies in the Alberta’s Sheep Industry with Shauna Mellish (AHEM)

https://youtu.be/zNNRZSE_U4I

ALP Mentors Contact Listing

ALP recognizes the importance of mentorship in our industry as we continue to see new producers joining the industry and producers looking to expand their flocks. ALP would like to support both new producers and existing producers by adding a new listing on our website under the ‘Industry Contacts’ section where a contact list can be accessed that provides names and contact information for experienced producers who are interested in mentoring their fellow producers.

Much like the other contact lists on our website, there is a disclaimer: ALP in no way endorses the mentorship/experienced producers or their services in the listing. While care has been taken to ensure that the information provided on our industry contacts is as accurate and as up to date as possible, ALP cannot be held responsible for missing information or errors.

If you are an experienced Alberta Lamb Producer and are interested in mentoring fellow producers, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 403.948.8533 to provide your contact information for this new listing.

Marketline

Based off producer feedback we have been receiving this past year, the ALP Board has decided to phase out sharing our e-communication Marketline as well as uploading the information/reports onto our website due to the skewed reporting which can provide an inaccurate reading of the current AB market ex: Auction Marts in Alberta don’t provide averages, or the number of head sold in each category. ALP also has no way of validating the information being provided, which in turn means an inaccurate market is being portrayed in our report. To avoid any misleading market information, as of June 1, 2023, ALP will no longer be sharing nor sending these market updates. We will however still provide the links on our website (https://ablamb.ca/index.php/industry-information/lamb-market-reports)  for producers to view the auction marts weekly reports both in Alberta and Ontario.

Should you have any feedback on this, please send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the office at: 403-948-8533.

N’ewesline

The ALP Board has also made the decision to phase out sending our e-communication N’ewesline. Effective June 1, 2023, ALP will no longer be sending out the monthly e-communication that producers opt in for through Mailchimp. Instead, we will continue to send emails containing the same or time sensitive/important information on an as needed basis, to all eligible Alberta Lamb Producers we have email addresses for in our database. If you are unsure if we have an email address on file for you, please reach out to the ALP office at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 403-948-8533.

Should you have any feedback on this, please send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the office at: 403-948-8533.

Join Steven Roche in interviewing Janna Greir with Whispering Cedars Ranch and Karl Denwood with Lone Valley Farm Ltd discussing recent research on pain mitigation using lidocaine-loaded castration bands in Canadian sheep flocks. Hear the perspectives and experiences of these two producers and from these two producers.
Listen to the podcast here

The City of Calgary has just posted a tender for targeted grazing. For more information and to apply please visit:

https://vendor.purchasingconnection.ca/Opportunity.aspx?Guid=fe9eaa1a-a11c-3864-0a68-39c2ed480000&

Sustainable CAP Information Resources

Please find below some materials that provide details about the Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program, Farm Technology Program and Efficient Grain Handling Program. For specific questions, please direct inquiries to the program emails as listed below.

Farm Technology Program Fact Sheet

Efficient Grain Handling Program

RALP Fact Sheet

RALP FAQ

Sustainable CAP Program General Overview

All Program Inquiries go to:

RALP: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Farm Technology: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Efficient Grain Handling: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sign up for news and website update emails: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 310-FARM (3276)

The Sustainable CAP Program presentations and the webinar recordings/presentations are now available to share with producers.

Please find below  copies of both presentations along with the link to the recording and program resources below. 

RALP Overview - Extension Training

Sustainable CAP

Recording Link: https://youtu.be/A5hXPESlyJA

Website Links

Sustainable CAP: https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx

RALP: https://www.alberta.ca/resilient-agricultural-landscape-program.aspx

Farm Technology: https://www.alberta.ca/farm-technology-program.aspx

Efficient Grain Handling: https://www.alberta.ca/efficient-grain-handling-program.aspx

The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) has launched a new Labour Market Information survey and is seeking input from farmers across Canada.

CFA strongly urges its members, owner-operators, agricultural workers and supporting stakeholder groups to take part in this survey that will be open until April 30, 2023. Please distribute this survey throughout your networks to ensure an adequate level of responses is achieved.

The survey provides important data on the labour market that will be used to help clarify labour shortage issues. By better understanding how workforce needs have changed, the agricultural industry can present the new research to policy makers to guide future action on the growing workforce crisis.

Click here to take the survey.

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the union representing over 155,000 federal public servants, are on strike after the federal government and PSAC failed to reach an agreement yesterday. PSAC members play a key role in the administration of agricultural programs and services, as well as the movement of good across Canada and into international markets.

More specifically, a labour disruption could affect delivery of certain federal agriculture programs, including AgriInvest, AgriStability, the Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program, Youth Employment and Skills Program, and programs under the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Beyond these programs, the services provided by the Canadian Grain Commission and administration of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, both vital services for Canadian agriculture, could also be negatively affected. 

Through our membership to the CFA (with our affiliation to the National Sheep Network (NSN)), the CFA has written to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada requesting that the government take urgent measures to ensure adequate contingencies are in place (e.g., Essential Service Agreement) that would ensure any strike action would not unduly impact the movement of agriculture products and that all programs continue to be delivered uninterrupted.

More information on service impacts is available on Canada.ca/labour-disruptions and will be updated regularly. A quick unofficial summary of the related impacts is available here: https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/here-s-how-the-strike-by-public-service-workers-will-impact-federal-services-1.6353262

We will be sure to share any additional information that we receive as it becomes available.

Thank you

The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Act implements an annual 1% tax on the value of vacant and underused residential properties directly or indirectly owned by those who are not permanent residents or Canadian citizens. It became effective Jan. 1, 2022, and the first tax return for year-end Dec. 31, 2022, is due at the end of April 2023.

The application of penalties and interest under the UHTA for the 2022 calendar year will be waived for any late-filed underused housing tax (UHT) return and for any late-paid UHT payable, provided the return is filed or the UHT is paid by October 31, 2023.

This transitional relief means that although the deadline for filing the UHT return and paying the UHT payable is still April 30, 2023, no penalties or interest will be applied for UHT returns and payments that the CRA receives before November 1, 2023. Learn more here:  https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2023/underused-housing-tax-penalties-and-interest-waived.html

Click here for a Q&A on the UHT: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/uhtn15/questions-answers-underused-housing-tax.html

Through ALP'S affiliation with the NSN and their CFA mmebership, the CFA is seeking an exemption to the UHT for agricultural businesses in the future to reduce the administrative burden of this tax. While CFA is seeking long-term solutions for this issue, our efforts will most likely not impact the current tax year, so we still encourage producers follow the guidance laid out below. 

How does the UHT impact your farming operation?

If you operate your farm through a Canadian corporation or Canadian partnership and it owns a residential property, you will be required to file a UHT return even if no UHT is owed due to applicable exemptions noted below. If you do not file, the late filing penalty will apply.

Let's look at the example of a Canadian corporation carrying a cash crop operation. The corporation is 100% owned by Canadian citizens and possesses several residential homes on its farms. This corporation is required to file a UHT return. It would be exempt from the UHT as a Specified Canadian Corporation, but the UHT return must still be filed to claim the exemption. It could be subject to a $10,000 penalty if it does not file a UHT return on time. This penalty would apply for each year a UHT return is required and not filed by the April 30 deadline.

How much is the UHT?

The UHT on vacant or underused residential property is 1% of the home's taxable value or 1% of its most recent sale price, whichever is greater. Owners can also file an election between Jan. 1 and April 30 of the following calendar year to use the property's fair market value (FMV) to determine the owing UHT and if they can obtain an appraisal. If two or more individuals hold title to a property, each owner will be responsible for the UHT based on their ownership interest.

What are the UHT filing requirements and penalties?

Failure to file a UHT return by April 30 of the following year, when required, could result in a penalty of at least $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for other entities, such as Canadian corporations, partnerships, and trusts.

If an owner qualifies for an exemption but is not an excluded owner, the UHT return still must be filed, even if an exemption applies and no UHT is owed. The penalty for late filing will apply.

What should farm owners do next?

The UHT has received little attention since it became law, as many Canadians believe it simply does not apply to them—but the law affects a broad range of property owners. Countless numbers of farm corporations and farm partnerships across this country will have an obligation to file a UHT return, even if they owe no UHT. Non-filing can result in substantial financial penalties.

If you are concerned the UHT may apply to your farm operation, contact your advisors for guidance.

ALP is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has fulfilled the vacant Interim Director position. While we currently await his formal appointment from Marketing Council, we are pleased to welcome Martin Winchell to the Board of Directors. As this is an interim position, an election will be required for the position at the ALP AGM on November 18, 2023.

Marty Winchell is the newest interim board member with ALP. He has been raising, wrestling, fighting, and swearing at sheep since the age of 15. 

He grew up on a broiler farm in Rocky Mountain House, attended the U of A in Ag. and has been working in the ag industry his entire professional life, with stints in the lower mainland, and Edmonton, before returning to the family farm.   Currently working in municipal gov’t, Marty and his wife Cindy ( of 25 yrs) have 4 kids and a hodge podge of recreational, not for profit animals.

In addition to sheep, the Winchell’s also have a cow herd, put up hay, and often have a few pigs roaming around.

Always trying to adapt, they have recently made the transition to lambing indoors and have yet to lose a lamb to ravens this year! With the recent improvement in facilities, there is hope they will increase frequency of lambing as well as lambing percentage.

You can find his contact information here

Please help us in welcoming Martin to the ALP Board of Directors!