Nova Scotia’s beef, pork and sheep producer associations are setting up a new organization to co-ordinate producer programs and look for “joint ventures” in the meat business.
Pork Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Cattle Producers and the Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia are now developing what’s to be called the Agri-Commodity Management Association.
The new business model already has the support of the province’s agriculture department and the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.
The ag department has approved $300,000 in funding for the new organization over three years.
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The goal is for the association is to be self-sustaining by year three, the province said in a release Friday.
“A co-ordinated approach to sharing resources and information means our industries are more competitive,” provincial Ag Minister John MacDonell said in the release. “I applaud these groups for coming together and creating an effective, sustainable business model.”
The three livestock groups have agreed to share professional services and administrative support to provide “consistent, quality support” while reducing overhead costs, the province said.
The commodity groups have also already created a governing structure and bylaws for the new association, to be based in Truro.
Brad McCallum, already well known in the province’s ag sector, has been named the new association’s first executive director, the province said.
