E-Newsletter Making connections dsfsfa An update from MBP September 17, 2021
mbbeef.ca
By: Angela Lovell
[note: this article presents highlights from a presentation entitled, “How do we make connections?” at the recent Canadian Beef Industry Conference.]
What happens when a couple of social media influencers, with some pre-conceived notions about beef production, visit a couple of beef producers on their farms? They all learn a lot about each other and the importance of getting the real story, about how beef is produced in Canada, out to consumers. Dina Ottoni Battistessa is a mother of three, runs a preschool in Calgary, and writes a blog called Move, Play, Mom. When she visited with Cherie Copithorne-Barnes on her family ranch just outside of Calgary, Ottoni Battistessa had some knowledge of the plate side of food production, as the daughter of a fourth-generation Montreal butcher. Ottoni Battistessa brought along her dad and two young sons on the tour, and they were all surprised by the size and complexities of the ranch operation. “I learned so much,” Ottoni Battistessa said during a panel discussion at the virtual Canadian Beef Industry Conference in August. “Just understanding the nutrition and health of the animals, the testing of the soil, all these things that we learned along the way. For us, seeing the
environmental and sustainability side, there is a lot that goes into that. I think that’s the part where we need more education for consumers.” Apryl Munro started an online social media platform, This Kinda Life with Sarah Lajeunesse in 2016. When they visited with beef producer, Gordon Dibble of Dibbhurst Farms at Ingersoll, Ontario, they were armed with ideas about livestock production that came largely from American-based Netflix documentaries. Munro said that she quickly realized, after meeting and chatting with Dibble, that Canadian beef production is completely different, and it opened her eyes to the disinformation being spread through these types of media. continued on page 4
Read this week’s CCA Action News where resources from the Canadian Cow-calf Cost of Production Network are outlined. Check out methods for understanding and reducing Cow Depreciation. Cow-calf and dairy-beef producers can sign-up here.
Recording available here
For reliable information and resources please visit:
Meet 5 Of The Female Farmers Growing Our Food - Chatelaine Creativity needed to address veterinarian shortage - Canadian Cattlemen
Manitoba’s Controlled Crop Residue Burning Program
Always Call Before You Burn
1-800-265-1233 Stubble burning restrictions
Manitoba’s crop residue burning regulation restricts daytime burning between August 1 and November 15. Burning at night is illegal. Burning within Burning Permit Areas requires a permit issued by Manitoba Conservation and Climate. If you do not comply, you may be fined as much as $50,000.
If you must burn, be responsible Before you burn straw, stubble or chaff this fall, call 1-800-265-1233 or visit manitoba.ca to find out whether burning is allowed in your area that day. Burning is permitted only on days when the weather conditions allow for effective smoke dispersion. It is essential that you make sure appropriate fireguards are in place during a burn and you must supervise your fires at all times.
Consider the alternatives In most years, crop residue management practices can reduce or eliminate the need to burn. For more information, contact your local Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development office or visit manitoba.ca.
2020 Crop Residue Burning Program MB Beef Producers 1/2 Page Ad (8.5”w x 5.5”d) Full Color
Connections – cont. “It’s all so intentional and sustainable, it’s like a wide circle, taking care of the soil, to then growing the crops, then feeding the animals, and making sure the cows get the best food so that it produces the best meat,” Munro, also part of the panel, said. “It’s about making sure the cows are the healthiest they can be.”
connected to consumers. “You realize how important it is that people have an understanding of exactly what we are doing,” she said. “It’s important to make sure that we give them the stories that are needed from a personal perspective, but they also need to understand the science that we do.”
The fact that Dibble told her he rarely takes a holiday because he’s too busy caring for his animals made a big impression on Munro. “It was heartwarming to hear that it’s not just a job for him, it’s a lifestyle; he’s so satisfied and it comes out in his work,” she said.
Both influencers came away with changed perceptions and a determination to get the real story about Canadian beef production out to a wide audience via their social media platforms.
Dispelling preconceptions Dibble admitted that he was nervous about hosting a social media influencer on the farm. “I was hoping that they wouldn’t take what we do here the wrong way, but I was pleasantly surprised,” he said, although he was initially disappointed by some of the perceptions they came with. “The thing that disappointed me the most was that they were under the assumption that we would not look after a sick animal as well as we do, and that was the most difficult pill for me to swallow, to know that consumers are under the impression that we are not doing as good a job as we actually are. So, I am glad that the message got across that we are proud of what we are doing and how we treat the animals.” Copithorne-Barnes is more used to having visitors to the farm because she is closer to a large urban centre, but says the experience made her realize how important it is that producers share what they do with as many people as they can, especially people like Ottoni Battistessa’s father who, as a butcher, is directly
“My biggest takeaway was that this is a farm that’s run by family, and it’s by no means the giant manufacturing plants that you see on documentaries; everything is about the care of these cows,” Munro said. “We need to be your allies in this, and what Gordon has done is arm us with information so we can say we know what we are talking about.” “There is a lot of misinformation out there,” Ottoni Battistessa said. “I feel it’s my job to share information that is real and authentic.” Not every beef producer has the time to be on social media or to host regular farm tours, even though both are good ways to change the narrative and make connections, but Dibble and Copithorne-Barnes are happy there are influencers out there that are willing to partner with the industry to get their messages out. “We need to have partners who believe in us as individual producers but also the product we are producing,” Copithorne-Barnes said. “I am thankful that there are those who are willing to do it on our behalf, and it’s [up to us to make] sure that those relationships are open, honest and transparent.”
Manitoba Sets Guidance for Additional Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine
(September 15, 2021 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba will begin offering third
doses of mRNA vaccines to immunocompromised people and for individuals who may choose to receive a third dose for travel purposes, while also setting out policies to guide medical exemptions to immunization, Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of the Vaccine Implementation Task Force, announced today. Effective today, third doses will be available to: • people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to a medical condition and/or treatment; • individuals who wish to receive a third dose for travel purposes; and • individuals who have received one or two doses of a vaccine that is not approved by Health Canada. “We know that people who are immunocompromised may not be able to develop a good defence against COVID-19 with just two doses of the vaccine,” said Reimer. “This initial plan for the third dose recognizes those who are at increased risk of severe illness. It also responds to the individual challenges faced by people travelling outside of Canada.” Reimer noted a complete list of the medical conditions and/or treatments that would result in a person being considered immunocompromised and recommended to receive a third dose, is available online at www.manitoba.ca/vaccine. It includes people
who: • are receiving active chemotherapy (or immunotherapy) for cancer; • have received a solid organ transplant and are currently receiving chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive therapy; • were born with moderate or severe dysfunction of their immune system; • are living with untreated or advanced HIVAIDS; or • are taking certain medications that severely affect the immune system. People who are immunocompromised can be immunized by their health-care provider. Individuals who would like to receive a third dose for travel purposes must be vaccinated by their health-care provider and go through an informed consent process, or present a prescription to a pharmacist. People who have previously received a vaccine not approved by Health Canada can be immunized at super sites, pop-ups or mobile clinics, or by a health-care provider. Individuals who receive a dose of an mRNA vaccine following one or two doses of a vaccine not approved by Health Canada will be considered fully immunized and can have their immunization record updated by following the process outlined at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/immuniza tionrecord/residents.html#immunizationrecords. In all situations, these doses should be given a minimum of 28 days after the person’s most recent dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. Based on the guidance of the vaccine implementation task force’s medical advisory committee, people in one of three situations may be eligible for a temporary or permanent
continued on page 7
Manitoba Sets Guidance for Additional Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine medical exemption to vaccination. This must be reviewed by a specialist physician and then submitted to the Vaccine Implementation Task Force. It includes people who: • had a severe reaction after the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g. myocarditis, GuillainBarré syndrome); • are receiving treatment that affects their ability to mount an immune response, meaning vaccination must be timed carefully with their treatment schedule (e.g. receiving immunocompromising treatment after a transplant, certain types of cancer treatments); or • had a severe allergy or anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or its components that cannot be managed by the Health Sciences Centre Allergy Clinic. The process to submit medical exemptions will be finalized as soon as possible, along with
updated clinical guidance for health-care professionals. The province is also developing a way to ensure individuals with a valid medical exemption are able to access the same benefits as those with an immunization card. This work is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Reimer noted the province’s decision to recommend third doses for moderately to severely immunocompromised people was developed in consultation with the Vaccine Implementation Task Force’s medical advisory committee, which includes health-care professionals from a wide range of specialities. It is also informed by guidance on third doses released last week by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. A complete list of conditions is available at www.manitoba.ca/vaccine under Eligibility Criteria.
Hay West Initiative Launched This is a relief program operated by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, working with farmers across eastern and central Canada to provide hay to drought stricken western livestock producers.
Best efforts will be made, given available supply to make hay available, for sale, to applicants.
Visit the CFA’s Hay West website to learn more and apply. Due to high demand, Hay West 2021 cannot and does not guarantee the provision of hay.
FAQ on next two pages
FAQ on CFA’s Hay West 2021 Initiative What is Hay West? Hay West is a relief program operated by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, working with farmers across eastern and central Canada to provide hay to drought stricken western livestock producers. How much funding has been acquired, and where is the funding coming from? CFA has received contributions from a handful of different parties, enough to begin moving substantial amounts of hay. We can say however, we are still seeking further funds and partners to allow us to move as much hay as possible. To date, how much hay has been pledged/donated? While this changes daily, as of Sept 17th registered suppliers in Ontario, Quebec, PEI, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have offered 38,000 bales of hay, with an estimated extra 5,000 bales coming in the near future. CFA is expecting more hay to become available – some to be pledged and some donated. Has any hay been shipped, under your program/organization from east to west at this point? Yes, as of Sept. 16th a thousand bales of hay have been sent through CFA’s initiative from the Atlantic Provinces, Ontario and Quebec to the Prairie regions. CFA expects this number to go up substantially over the next month as we build momentum and learn how best to ship and distribute hay. How will you be choosing which applicants get hay? Those who need to receive hay can apply at the website www.haywest2021.net. Those who are able to supply hay can also sign up at this website using a link near the bottom of the page. Inquiries can be directed to info@haywest2021.net Hay is being prioritized for those farmers who have breeding herds and access to water for their herds. CFA in partnership with its provincial members, is working to develop a distribution protocol that will result in securing as much breeding stock as possible –losing breeding stock will have the most serious consequences for the national herd levels for years to come. CFA is focusing on areas of the Prairies that have been hardest hit by the drought.
Has the CFA determined how much hay is needed and how much can be provided by farmers? The drought has caused severe feed shortages in Western Canada, with estimates of up to a 4M tonnes hay shortfall. CFA’s Hay West program will never be able to address the entire shortfall but the goal is to provide relief to as many of our western farmers who are most in need as possible, to save breeding stock and to help facilitate a meaningful opportunity for Eastern Canadian producers to show support to their Western counterparts. A drought of this magnitude brings serious implications beyond food production – in particular it compounds farmers’ stress levels and can erode overall mental health for farmers and farm families. Do farmers have to pay for the hay? CFA is operating on a break-even basis under this initiative, with hay being purchased from Eastern Canadian farmers and resold at cost to recipients. The price to farmers receiving hay will be $0.10 per pound for all hay supplied. How do I donate to help farmers? Cheques payable to CFA can be sent to CFA, or E-transfers can also be accepted. Donations will be used directly to pay for hauling hay to farmers in need. It should be noted that contributors will not receive a charitable receipt. For any media inquiries, please contact: Laurie Karson Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Laurie@canadian-farmers.ca
Province Extends Application Deadline for BMP 503 re: Water Source Development (August 19, 2021 Province of Manitoba News Release) The Manitoba government has
extended the application deadline for Ag Action Manitoba- Assurance: Beneficial Management Practice (BMP 503) to Oct. 1 from Sept. 1, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler announced. “As our dry weather continues, we are committed to ensuring that agricultural producers have options when it comes to dealing with this drought,” said Eichler. “By extending this application deadline, we will ensure that more producers will be able to apply and get assistance when they need it most.” The Ag Action Manitoba Program Assurance under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, helps agricultural producers protect ground and surface water sources that are essential to ensuring the health of livestock and ground water sources. To date, the province has received almost 100 applications for a total of $630,000 in funding for the Managing Livestock Access to Riparian Areas BMP. Items eligible for cost-shared funding include:
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water source development, constructing new or rehabilitating existing wells or dugouts;
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solar, wind or grid-powered alternative watering systems;
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permanent fencing to restrict livestock access to surface water and dugouts; and
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permanent pipeline development.
More details on the program are available at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/canadianagricultural-partnership/pubs/guidebook/agaction-mb-program-guide-forfarmers.pdf#page=30 and answers to frequently asked questions are at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/canadianagricultural-partnership/pubs/faq/bmp-503faq.pdf . For information on how to apply, visit www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/environment/envir onmental-farm-plan/assurance-bmp.html . For more information about managing dry conditions and other resources for producers, visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/dry.html
FAQ on next two pages
Now available! Click here for the digital issue.
Frequently Asked Questions BMP: Managing Livestock Access to Riparian Areas (503) Q1. When is the deadline to apply?
A: Applications must be received no later than 11:59 pm Friday, October 1, 2021. Applications will be accepted continuously up to that date and will be reviewed on a weekly basis. They will be assessed by technical reviewers based on the environmental benefit assessment index, program priorities and project planning.
Q2. Do I have to complete my project this fall? A: Yes. The project must be completed and claims submitted by November 5, 2021.
Q3. If I have already done a water source development project this spring, am I eligible? A: Any projects for water source development occurring after April 1, 2021 are eligible. However, projects will need to be assessed prior to approval, and may require additional components (e.g. fencing of the dugout, alternative watering systems, etc.) in order to meet the BMP criteria.
Q4. What do I need to include with my application? A: Please answer the questions provided in either the Farmers Application Form or ISP Application Form, and refer to the BMP Specific Questions listed in either the Farmers Guidebook or ISP Guidebook to assist you. Ensure that you explain the proposed project in detail, current practices on the farm, and the environmental benefit of the new practice. Include an aerial map of the pasture with the location of the existing and proposed water sources identified as well as any fencing (existing and proposed).
Q5. Do I need a valid Environmental Farm Plan Statement of Completion? A: You can submit an application without a valid Statement of Completion, however, if your project is approved, you will be required to provide proof of a valid EFP by November 5, 2021 when you submit your project claim for reimbursement. Environmental Farm Plan workshop dates and locations will be listed at www.ManitobaEFP.ca .
Q6. Are confined livestock operations eligible? A: No. This BMP is focused on livestock in pasture-based systems.
Q7. Do I have to dig a dugout to a specific size? A: All dugout work, including new construction or rehabilitation of an existing location, should follow the dugout construction guideline.
Q8. Can I drill a new well in my yard? A: Drilling a well in the yard is eligible if it is primarily intended for watering livestock on pasture and is the most cost efficient means of doing so. It can be used for supplying water to the yard as well, assuming the pastures are next to the yard. Only the well and pasture components are eligible for funding, not any components used for inyard water.
Q9. Do I need any permits? A: Applicants must meet all regulatory requirements. This may include: A Water Rights License is required for all livestock operations extracting more than 25,000 litres of water (25 m3 or 5,499 Imperial gallons) per day. If developing a new water source, a permit must be obtained in advance of starting work. Approvals from the rural municipality or Crown. Any other standards or approvals as required by law.
Q10. Can I pump / pipe / haul water from an existing water source into a dugout that has gone dry? A: Piping or hauling water from any water source (well, dugout or wetland) into a dugout that has run dry is not eligible.
Q11. Do I have to fence my dugout? A: Dugouts must be fenced to ensure livestock do not have direct access to the water within, which will prevent contamination and protect water quality.
Q12. I just need a water trough or water storage tank. Is this eligible? A: No - watering system components such as watering bowls, troughs or storage tanks are only eligible as a part of a water source development project. However, if your project includes development or rehabilitation of a water source (ex: well or dugout) or management of a riparian area (ex: exclusion fencing), watering system components are eligible.
Q13. How deep does a pipeline need to be? A: Summer pasture pipelines permanently installed underground, and which can be properly winterized before freezing are eligible (ex: installed with a pasture pipeline plow). Above-ground pipelines are ineligible. Projects must be for permanent solutions only.
Q14. Can I apply for a project on a pasture that I rent? A: Yes. Either the landowner or renter can apply. If the renter applies, they must identify the landowner and provide contact information with their application. For pastures on Crown Land, you must get approval from your local Farm Production Extension Specialist – Crown Lands.
Q15. If I have more questions, who can I contact? A: Farmers can visit their local ARD/MASC Service Centre or call toll-free 1-844-769-6224.
Manitoba Beef Producers 2021 DroughtRelated Industry Survey reservoirs, restoring existing water sources, or hauling water. Producers are also asked to indicate their intentions with respect to herd sizes going forward, such as projected culling rates. This survey should take about 5-10 minutes to complete. Your participation is sincerely appreciated.
In support of Manitoba Beef Producers’ drought-related advocacy efforts with the federal and provincial governments, MBP is conducting a confidential producer survey to gather further data on the impact the drought is having on the province’s beef sector. For example, producers are being asked to identify their estimated percentage of feed/forage production compared to last year. Producers are asked to indicate if they are incurring additional fencing costs in order to access alternate sources of feed for grazing. There are questions related to the drought’s impact on water resources. This includes investments producers are having to make in this area, such as digging new wells or
Note: All data and comments collected will be aggregated before being used for MBP’s advocacy activities. No operation-specific identifying information will be shared with governments. Thank you in advance for your consideration in completing the survey which can be found at the following link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ YX52PFG MBP is continuing to engage with government officials about the severity of the drought, its effects on producers and the need for a timely, multi-pronged approach to help the beef industry deal with the immediate and longerterm implications of the drought.
Environmental Farm Plan Workshops Availability Due to COVID-19, all EFP workshops will be taking place virtually via Online Meetings until further notice. To register for an EFP workshop, click on the link “Register now!” in the link below for your preferred workshop date. Once registered, you will then receive an email with a link to access the meeting. Workbooks are mailed and you should receive yours approximately 1 week prior to the workshop. You can also visit this link to register: Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) are an essential part of every farm operation. These workshops will guide producers through the EFP workbook to help assess and identify the environmental assets and risks on their farm operations, and develop an action plan to address the identified risks. Workbooks and support material will be provided to those who attend. There is no preparation required for this workshop. EFPs must be renewed every five years to remain valid. If you are unsure if your EFP is valid, please contact KAP to inquire at (204) 697-1140.
https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/environme nt/events-and-deadlines/index.html Note: Workshops are currently available through November 2021.