Downloadable documents (in pdf) are available from the following:

• FACS 18th Annual General Meeting and Conference
• FACS 18th Annual General Meeting and Conference
• FACS 17th Annual General Meeting and Conference
• FACS 16th Annual General Meeting and Conference
• FACS 15th Annual General Meeting and Conference
• FACS 14th Annual General Meeting and Conference
• 2005 Stock Persons' School
• FACS 12th Annual General Meeting & Conference
• BSE Information
• 2003 Stock Persons' School
• FACS 11th Annual General Meeting and Conference

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2011 Stockmanship Clinic Cattle, horses and their handlers benefited from the 2011 Stockmanship Clinic, April 30. Livestock handlers learned practical techniques, during live demonstrations by internationally recognized stockmanship expert Curt Pate and veteran Saskatchewan horse trainer Dwight Dokken. Both sessions took place at the Prairieland Ag Centre in Saskatoon.

Download brochure (425 KB)

2010 FACS Annual Meeting and Conference
Not everybody understands agriculture like you do. For a fresh perspective on the tough questions asked by the 97% of the population unfamiliar with farming, attend ‘Fence Lines to Corporate Board Rooms.’

Download brochure
Download registration form

Stockperson's School Thursday May 6, 2010 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Room 2302 University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK	Download Brochure PDF (1.33 MB)
2nd Annual Stockmanship Series March 26/27, 2010 Prairieland Park Ag Centre, Saskatoon Back by popular demand Renowned Cattleman and AQHA Clinician Mr. Curt Pate Download registration form (PDF 25KB)	Download brochure

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2009 FACS Annual Meeting and Conference
Keeping current with the ever-changing advancements in animal welfare requires constant vigilance.

Download brochure and registration form (637 KB)
Download Proceedings (PDF 1.15MB)

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Click image to preview pictures from the 2009 Stockmanship Series

Click links below to listen to interviews Curt Pate on cattle handling Dr Marquez on horse ulcers

2009 Sponsors

Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health Merial Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association Saskatchewan Livestock Markets and Order buyers Association Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture The Western Producer Westway Feed Products

FACS Stockmanship Series,
May 2009
Presentations available for download as PDF files:

• Points To Consider When Managing Pasture - HA (Bart) Lardner Western Beef Development Centre - (2.87MB)
• Gastric Ulcers in Horses: Causes, Prevention and Treatment Fernando J. Marqués DVM, Diplomate ACVIM Associate Professor of Large Animal Internal Medicine Western College of Veterinary Medicine University of Saskatchewan - (13 KB)
• IGENITY- Sinclair - (1.0 MB)
• Beef Market Update - Sandy Russell, MSc, PAg Spring Creek Land & Cattle Consulting Inc. - (974 KB)
• Top 10 Threats: Courses and Treatments - E. JAnzen University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine - (5.45 MB)

There was something for just about anyone with a keen or even indirect interest in the responsible care and production of livestock. 

From an evening ‘Back Yard Horse Seminar’ to an all day Stock Person’s School and a very hands on Stockmanship and Stewardship Seminar with internationally-acclaimed instructors, the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan (FACS) has outdone itself with its latest outreach effort. 

“We are immensely pleased with the results of this first-ever four-event Series. The speakers and instructors covered a great deal of material and handling methods for participants. The feedback has been most encouraging; so much so that we are planning to make the Series an annual event,” according to FACS Executive Director Adele Buettner. 

Building on the success of the annual Stock Person’s School and previous Back Yard Horse Seminars, FACS developed the 2009 Stockmanship Series to include these events, as well as a day-long Stewardship and Stockmanship Seminar and a special session for auction market employees. FACS brought in the American team of Curt Pate, American Quarter Horse Association Instructor; and Dr. Ron Gill, Texas A&M University Livestock Extension Specialist, to conduct the two new sessions. 

The Stock Person’s School, which took place at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), attracted a wide cross-section of participants from livestock producers, to pasture riders to graduate students. 

Participants heard presentations from Dr. John Campbell, WCVM Professor; Dr. Eugene Janzen, Assistant Dean Clinical Practice, Community Partnerships, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary; Mr. Bart Lardner, Western Beef Development Centre; Dr. Fernando Marques, WCVM Associate Professor; Ms. Sandy Russell, Spring Creek Land and Cattle Consulting Ltd and Mr. Lee Sinclair, Merial. 

 Attendees at the Stewardship and Stockmanship Session, which took place at the new Prairieland Park Ag Centre, were elated about being part of an interactive teaching opportunity with the American team of Curt Pate and Ron Gill. 

The final event of the Series took place at the Saskatoon Livestock Sales facilities, at which auction market employees learned about advancements in handling practices and safety measures.

Here is what attendees and Sponsors had to say about this unique and successful event!

Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health has been a long time supporter of FACS and its many events and services. The Stockmanship Series was an excellent opportunity to provide the livestock industry with a unique and worthwhile learning experience. We commend FACS for its vision and efforts! "
Gordon Roger, Western Canadian Sales Manager, Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health (Sponsor)

"Once again FACS has organized and delivered an excellent livestock seminar with up to day information on marketing, herd health and calf care in preparation for the grazing season. More than 25 First Nation Livestock Producers attended the seminar, as part of the Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation Agriculture Extension Program.“Seminars such as this give our producers the opportunity to access information and network with industry leaders, the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, as well as other Saskatchewan livestock producers.
Caroline Maze, Agriculture Manager for the Foundation

Kim McLean, a University of Saskatchewan PhD student, had this to say about the Stock Person’s School: "As a graduate student, I am used to learning intense scientific research. Today's Stock Person's School allowed me to see this research conveyed in a much more applicable manner. As a researcher this was very motivating to continue with providing innovative beef research for Saskatchewan beef producers."

“The Livestock Marketers Association of Saskatchewan (LMAS) was very impressed with the quality and substance of the sessions. This was the first such Series offered in Canada, and we were pleased to collaborate with FACS on this successful project.”
LMAS president Jeff Jameson (Sponsor)

The FACS Stockmanship Series brought in horse and cattle owners in from all over the province. Producers listened to speakers regarding up to date topics that affect their specific industries. This event has something for the backyard horse owner, to the working cowboy and everyday rancher. It will continue to expand in knowledge and scope.
Lee Verne Sinclair, Technical Sales Representative, Merial Canada Inc. (Sponsor)

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Fence Lines to Corporate Board Rooms, the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan’s 17th Annual Conference

Change – from without and within – is upon us. Everyone in the meat industry – from producers to packers, from marketers to regulators – is making adjustments brought on by change.

As an industry committed to quality, how we respond to health concerns by consumers, lobbying tactics by activists or delivery demands by customers will impact our economic returns and, ultimately, our sustainability.With this in mind, the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan 2008 ‘Fence Lines to Corporate Board Rooms’ Conference will take an in-depth look at current and potential changes faced by the meat industry.
Download brochure (PDF 294 KB)
Download registration form (PDF 92 KB).

Download Proceedings (PDF 2.82 MB)

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Presentations from the 2008 Stockpersons' School:

• "Poor Conception Rates:  Reasons Worth Checking," Dr. John Campbell (829KB)
• "Planning for the Worst, Hoping for the Best," Dr. Chris Clark (3537KB)
• "Rotational vs Intensive Grazing" Mr. Chad Haaland (877KB)
• "Herd Health Considerations in Communal Grazing Systems" Dr. Eugene Janzen (1198KB)
• "Feeding Requirements for Bulls & Cows," Dr. Bart Lardner (611KB)
• "Reproductive Scene Investigation "RSI"," Dr. Colin Palmer (879KB)

Two very successful Low Stress Handling Workshops featuring Bud Williams Methods, taught by Richard McConnell with help from Tina Williams were held on March 12 & 13th, 2007.  Click for brochure with registration form on back page.

• March 12, 2007 - Swift Current, Sask.
• March 13, 2007 - Saskatoon, Sask.

Fence Lines to Corporate Board Rooms, the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan’s 16th Annual Conference!

Be at the forefront of animal agriculture issues and plan to attend on December 12th & 13th, 2007, Saskatoon Inn Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Download brochure (PDF)
Download registration form (PDF)
Download Proceedings (PDF)

"Fence Lines to Corporate Board Rooms," FACS 15th Annual General Meeting and Conference, December 12 and 13, 2006: 

• Conference brochure (219KB)
• "When the Push Becomes the Shove," Julie Bryant (3,962KB)
• "The Far-Reaching Effects of HR503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act" Tim Case (244KB)
• "Agriculture: Fight, Flight or Respond?" Crystal MacKay (427KB)
• "Animal Welfare: An Auditors Perspective" Erika Voogd (2,593KB)
• Saskatchewan Animal Care Statistics, 2005-2006, FACS (40KB)

"Fence Lines to Corporate Board Rooms," FACS 14th Annual General Meeting and Conference, December 13 and 14, 2005: 

• Conference brochure (1265KB)
• "Should They Stay or Should They Go," Dr. Terry Whiting (876KB)
• "A Virtual Salmon Farm Tour," Mary Ellen Wallling (543KB)
• "Parting the Trees to See the Forest: A PMU Perspective," Norm Luba (248KB)
• "Everybody loves a circus . . . or do they?" Leslie Ballentine (497KB)
• "Animal Activism - Strategies for Survival," Lisa Bishop (84KB)

"2005 Stock Persons' School," May 10, 2005, Saskatoon:

• School brochure (1,220KB)

Once again the FACS - U of S Stock Person's School attracted participants from across the three prairie provinces. PFRA Riders, Stock Growers, Feedlot workers and general cattlemen attended this one day School eager to learn more about a variety of issues from herd health in cattle to low stress handling of livestock to responsible animal care in horses.

As always, this School brings some of the most respected speakers in North America to deliver informative and timely topics. Of particular interest this year was Dylan Biggs of Coronation Alberta who spent the afternoon focusing on the benefits of being able to control animals responsibly and calmly in all situations.

Much appreciation is extended to our sponsors, AIMS, Kane Veterinary Supply Limited, SAFRR, Schering Plough Animal Health and Westway Feeds.

"Fence Lines to Corporate Board Rooms," FACS 12th Annual General Meeting and Conference, December 8 and 9, 2003: 

• Conference brochure (80KB)
• Executive Director’s Report," Adele Buettner (133KB)
• "President’s Report," Dr. John Patience (136KB)
• "Opening Remarks," Dr. John Patience (62KB)
• "Auditing Animal Welfare on Farms: What Can We Measure?" Dr. Tina Widowski (199KB)
• "Carcass Disposal & the Environment: What You Need to Know," Don Farrer (BSE Panel) (159KB)
• "Livestock Processing Today & Tomorrow," Bruce King (BSE Panel) (204KB)
• "What’s for Dinner?" Greg Whalley (582KB)

BSE Information:

• Also see our "For the Media" section for BSE related information
• "Commonly Asked Questions about BSE," (173KB) AND "BSE A Year Later - Now What?" (1396KB), Dr. Chris Clark, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
• "What is BSE and What Happened in the UK?" Dr. Chris Clark, BSE Information Seminar, May 28, 2003, Saskatoon (1128KB)
• "BSE Transmission and Perspectives on Canada's Situation," Dr. John Campbell, BSE Information Seminar, May 28, 2003, Saskatoon (985KB)
• View photos from the BSE Information Seminar, May 28, 2003, Saskatoon

"2003 Stock Persons' School," May 8, 2003, Saskatoon:

• School brochure (54KB)
• "Cattle Handling on the Range," Dr. Temple Grandin (12,006KB)
• "Pasture Diseases 101," Dr. John Campbell (157KB)
• "West Nile Virus," Dr. Trisha Dowling (1,067KB)

"Fence Lines to Corporate Board Rooms," FACS 11th Annual General Meeting and Conference, January 9 and 10, 2003: 

• Conference brochure (45KB)
• "How Two Commodity Organizations are Addressing Animal Welfare in a Big Way" Dr. Paul Sundberg, Assistant VP of Veterinary Issues, for Dr. Anna Johnson, Director of Animal Welfare for the National Pork Board in Des Moines, Iowa (98KB)
• "New Pressures, New Expectations: Safeway’s Role and Commitment in an Ever Changing Market Place," Ms. Toby Oswald-Felker, Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs, Canada Safeway Limited, Calgary (1,736KB)