E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP December 10, 2021
mbbeef.ca
Helping Canada’s beef industry meet consumers’ demands for a sustainable product beef. As shoppers in Canada and around the world increasingly look in grocery store aisles for sustainable and humane food options that ensure animal well-being, it is more important than ever to raise awareness of the beef industry’s commitment to animal care, biosecurity and environmental stewardship practices.
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, along with Bob Lowe, President of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (PC: AAFC)
(December 8, 2021 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) During the recent Canadian Cattlemen’s
Association (CCA) directors meeting in Ottawa, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced nearly $200,000 in support of their Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program and remote auditing. The VBP+ program is a voluntary certification program administered by the CCA to certify beef cattle operations meet high standards for food safety, animal care and environmental stewardship. The funding will go towards a web portal and an app for remote audits, which will make it easier for cattle producers to access the VBP+ program. The funding announced yesterday brings the total Government of Canada investment into VBP+ and its environmental component, the Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, to $1.9 million. With over 1.6 million cattle already under the management of certified VBP+ operations in Canada, this announcement will help more cattle producers meet market demands for sustainably raised beef. Canada’s livestock producers and processors have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, safe and delicious
Quotes “Canadian cattle producers care for their animals and our environment. Canada’s beef industry, through the leadership of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and it’s Verified Beef Production Plus program, is stepping up to meet the demands of consumers for food made to the highest standards for safety, animal care and environmental stewardship. This investment will help give more cattle producers access to this indispensable program and strengthen their relationship with consumers.” - The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food “VBP+ is one of the tools beef producers can use to ensure consumer trust and help our industry meet ambitious national strategy goals, which will help us meet beef demand well into the future. Increasing efficiency in certification infrastructure and delivery enables VBP+ to keep producer costs reasonable while on market opportunities.” - Bob Lowe, President, Canadian Cattlemen's Association “VBP+ is encouraged with the announced investment by the federal government that enables our organization to meet the needs of consumers and stakeholders by building and maintaining a robust and rigorous certification and training system, efficient and accessible for all Canadian beef producers. This investment allows VBP+ to create and validate the auditing and training tools needed to move our beef industry forward.” - Cecilie Fleming, VBP+ Management Committee Chair continued on page 3
For reliable information and resources please visit:
Support for VBP+ - continued from page 1 Quick facts •
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a five-year, $3-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.
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The funding announced yesterday is through the federally-delivered AgriAssurance Program: National Industry Association component under the CAP. This Program helps industry develop and adopt systems, standards and tools to support quality, health and safety claims about Canadian agricultural and agri-food products.
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The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, established in 1932, is a not-for-profit national association incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act representing the interests of Canada’s 60,000 beef farms. This association provides leadership for the Canadian beef cattle industry, including assisting in its development, as well as adaptation to new ideas and technologies. The Canadian beef industry has half the greenhouse gas footprint per kilogram of production compared to the global average. Along with Canada, the U.S. and the EU, the CCA has taken the Global Methane Pledge, to reduce methane emissions by at least 30 percent below 2020 levels by 2030.
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Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) is a voluntary, market-oriented, producer managed forward-looking program enabling Canada's beef industry to anticipate and meet emerging and growing demands for beef production systems throughout the Canadian beef value chain.
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The Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, provides a tool to certify farms, ranches and processing facilities against sustainability standards, supports retail and foodservice companies to meet sustainable sourcing commitments, and provides sustainability messaging for consumers through marketing labels and claims enabling purchasing of beef from Certified Operations.
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Beef production contributes approximately $21.8 billion to Canada’s GDP (2018-2020 Statistics Canada/Canfax averages).
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In 2020, Canada exported 425 million kilograms of beef to international markets, valued at $3.26 billion.
Associated links •
AgriAssurance Program
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Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
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Verified Beef Production Plus
Chronic Wasting Disease Bulletin #4: Second Infected Animal Found in Manitoba, Update on Management Activities Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development advises that a second deer infected with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected in Manitoba and additional steps are being taken as part of the provincial emergency response to the initial discovery of CWD. The second CWD case was found in a mule deer as part of routine surveillance from an animal observed to be emaciated and acting erratically in an area just north of the U.S. border and near the Saskatchewan border. Following the initial discovery of CWD in Manitoba, the province moved swiftly and decisively with a number of measures aimed at containing and reducing the spread of this fatal and highly contagious disease amongst members of the deer family (deer, elk, moose and caribou). In the area of the initial discovery, the province initiated a temporary hunting ban, followed by a special local community deer hunting opportunity in the temporary CWD containment zone and now the next phase of containment is set to begin. The province has reached out to communities, stakeholders, Indigenous groups and local residents to ensure they are aware of the risks of CWD and are kept up to date with the provincial response. Starting Dec. 13, a carefully coordinated effort to significantly reduce the deer population in the CWD containment zone will begin. Based on science and consultation with other jurisdictions, it has been determined that the best chance to reduce the further spread of CWD is to reduce the deer population in the area it was first discovered. With a very short window of opportunity to reach potentially infected deer before CWD spreads further into Manitoba, local landowners have been contacted for permission to access their land. Where the province has permission, it will undertake a targeted effort to reduce the deer population in the CWD containment zone. As part of this measure, efforts will be made to salvage as much meat as possible from animals found to be
free of CWD. That meat will be made available on a priority basis to Indigenous communities, beginning with communities affected by hunting closures in the region and also to local landowners upon request. This will result in a reduced deer population in this area, but is designed to ensure the rest of the province’s deer population remains healthy. If CWD spreads from this area, it will have a significantly larger, longer-lasting impact on the deer population in Manitoba that will be felt for generations. A successful population reduction now will help support the gradual return of a healthy deer population to this area in the future. Regular communication and updated information is important for CWD awareness, education and public action. More information, including fact sheets and answers to frequently asked questions is available online and will be updated regularly. This includes details on where and how to submit a sample for CWD testing, submission information, hunter CWD sample test results and the most recent updates. The site will evolve and provide Manitobans with easily accessible, up-todate information. CWD is a fatal disease that affects members of the deer family, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose and caribou. Animals infected with CWD may appear healthy until the later stages of the disease and while CWD is not known as a human health risk, meat from a CWD infected animal is not recommended for consumption. Hunters active in areas where CWD has been detected should have their harvested animal tested and practice safe carcass handling protocols, and will be notified immediately if their animal has tested positive for CWD. For more information, visit https://gov.mb.ca/fishwildlife/wildlife/cwd.html Hunters with concerns or questions about an animal that has been harvested can contact the province by email at CWD@gov.mb.ca or by phone at 1-800-214-6197.
Chronic Wasting Disease in Manitoba Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a disease that impacts members of the deer (cervid) family. The province has a proactive program for management and surveillance of CWD and has been monitoring wild cervids for the disease since 1997. Manitoba announced its first positive confirmation of CWD in the province on November 1, 2021. This fact sheet provides some helpful information about CWD in Manitoba, management efforts by the province, and how individuals can assist.
What is CWD? • C WD is an incurable, highly contagious and always fatal disease of the central nervous system that impacts big game members of the deer family, which includes deer, elk, moose and caribou. • T he disease is caused by one or more strains of self-propagating proteins, called prions. Once an animal is infected with CWD, prions begin to replicate, first in the immune system (lymph nodes and tonsils) and later, in the brain, spinal cord and other organs. • CWD can only be seen under a microscope, and diagnosis is done by testing the central nervous system and lymph node tissues. • CWD belongs to a group of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). TSEs tend to be species-specific and scientists believe that most are not naturally transmissible between different species.
How is CWD spread? • Infected animals shed prions in saliva, feces, urine, blood and possibly, even after death, through their remains. • C WD spreads from animal to animal, particularly in herds, but can also be spread through the movement of material from dead animals (including, for example, disposal piles for guts). • A nimals can also become infected through the uptake of prions deposited in the environment (eg. shared food sources, contaminated soil) where they can persist for extended periods of time (eg. possibly 5 years or more). • The probability of transmission goes up in densely used areas and areas where animals concentrate.
What are the impacts to CWD infected animals? • In early stages, infected animals typically appear normal, while also spreading the disease. • As the disease progresses, animals tend to be less alert, and less fearful, with a general unhealthy look and obvious weight loss. • With time, infected animals become very thin and uncoordinated, with drooping ears and heads, are unaware of their surroundings and often have excessive drooling. At this point, death is near. • There is no cure for CWD. It is always fatal, with animals dying typically within two to three years and sometimes, as long as five years or more from the time of infection.
What are the impacts of CWD to deer, elk, moose and caribou populations? • When CWD becomes established in an area, population declines have been seen in deer and elk. • This population level impact can be significant as mature, prime breeding animals are progressively removed from the landscape. • If the disease were to infect relatively uncommon species like boreal woodland caribou, there is concern these effects may be even greater. • It is most important to take early, aggressive action to contain an outbreak of the disease.
What are the health risks for people, livestock and other animals? • Currently, there is no direct evidence that CWD can be spread to humans or other animals, though the science is still developing in this area. • The World Health Organization, Health Canada, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and numerous other public health agencies recommend against eating meat from CWD-positive animals. Available data suggest that risk of transmission to humans is low, but it is not zero. • These public health agencies also recommend against feeding meat or other parts of CWD-infected cervids to other animals.
How is Manitoba reducing the risk of CWD in the province? • Manitoba has had proactive programming in place for prevention and surveillance of CWD in wild cervids since 1997. The program has included mandatory submission of samples from hunters harvesting animals in the Mandatory Surveillance Zone (an area along the western border of the province; details are available in Manitoba’s annual Hunting Guide). • Manitoba also prohibits the import of native/exotic cervids, the import of unprocessed carcasses, the possession of substances containing bodily fluids, the feeding of cervids in the Mandatory Surveillance Zone and baiting by licensed hunters province-wide. • Samples from cervids harvested outside the Mandatory Surveillance Zone can also be submitted for CWD testing and results of all hunter submitted samples are made available online at www.manitoba.ca/cwd. • Manitoba has also produced a fact sheet to provide CWD-related information on Protocols for Harvesting and Testing Cervids in Manitoba. It is available online at www.manitoba.ca/cwd.
Where has CWD been found in Manitoba? • On November 1, 2021, Manitoba announced the first CWD positive animal found in the province, located on the west side of the province near Lake of the Prairies. A mule deer in this area was observed to be unhealthy; it was euthanized, tested and confirmed to be infected with CWD. • Manitoba is continuing its CWD surveillance program and will inform the public of any future detections, online at www.manitoba.ca/cwd.
Where else is CWD present in North America? • CWD has been found in wild deer, elk and moose populations in Saskatchewan and Alberta and in many US states. There have also been CWD outbreaks on deer and elk farms in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Quebec and in many US states.
What can I do to reduce the risks associated with CWD? • Avoid contact with any wild animal that appears to be sick and if you observe any of the following situations, report it to a conservation officer as soon as possible: o o o o
Any signs of illness or disease in deer, elk, moose and caribou Sightings of elk, moose, and white-tailed deer with ear tags Locations where elk, moose, and white-tailed deer are congregating near hay bales or feedlots Report illegal feeding sites, and do not intentional feed any cervids
• Continue to hunt big game in Manitoba. This benefits wildlife by managing over-abundance, and by dispersing big game, which reduces close contact between individuals. • Contribute samples from your harvested animals for CWD testing. There is no CWD test available for living animals, thus the province relies on testing samples from harvested animals. While it is mandatory to submit samples from animals harvested in the Mandatory Surveillance Zone, hunters are encouraged to submit samples from the Voluntary Surveillance Zone along the U.S.A. border, or elsewhere in the province. • When harvesting animals, leave organs or hides in the place of origin to compost in a responsible manner (eg. away from open view, water bodies, and buildings), or otherwise dispose of responsibly. • Read Manitoba’s fact sheet about CWD-related information on Protocols for Harvesting and Testing Cervids in Manitoba. It provides information about protecting human health; collecting and submitting biological samples for CWD testing; and recommendations for disposal and clean-up. For more information about CWD in Manitoba visit www.manitoba.ca/cwd. Questions about CWD can be emailed to cwd@manitoba.ca. To report signs of illness in wildlife, sightings of cervids with ear tags, illegal feeding sites, and locations where cervids are congregating near hay bales or feedlots, contact a conservation officer in the local district office or call the TIP line at 1-800-782-0076.
Expanded financing products to unleash young farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs allow these businesses to take advantage of new opportunities, grow the economy and create more middle-class jobs. Features include no processing fees, preferential interest rates and up to 18 months to make a purchase.
(December 7, 2021 FCC News Release) Today the
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced enhanced and expanded financing opportunities through Farm Credit Canada (FCC) for young farmers and young food business owners in an effort to unleash the ideas, passion and energy of Canadian youth in our world-leading agriculture and food industry. The expansion of three FCC loans will help young farmers and those who are getting started or growing their business in the agriculture and food industry. FCC has increased the lifetime maximum amount it will approve for the Young Farmer and Young Entrepreneur loans from $1 million to $1.5 million. The Young Farmer Loan Program offers qualified producers, who are under 40, loans of up to $1.5 million to purchase or improve farmland and buildings. The loan includes features to support their long-term success, including lower lending rates. The Young Entrepreneur Loan offers financing of up to $1.5 million per qualified applicant, under age 40. It can be used to start or expand a business and to purchase shares in an agriculture-related business, including those in the agri-food sector. This access to capital will
Additionally, the eligibility and the lifetime maximum approval of the Starter Loan have been expanded and increased. The Starter Loan is designed to support new entrants into the industry, helping them build a solid credit rating and improve their financial literacy. The Government of Canada has made it a priority to support the entrance and inclusion of young Canadians into the agriculture and agrifood sector. These enhanced loan products build upon other Government of Canada programs such as the Youth Employment and Skills Program, which has helped fund about 2,000 jobs for youth in the agriculture sector in 2021. “One of the biggest challenges young farmers and entrepreneurs tell me they face is access to capital. These specialized loans mean the next generation will be better able to become established and contribute to Canada achieving its full potential as a leading food supplier worldwide and help maintain Canada’s position as a world leader in sustainable agriculture,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “We have a strong and diverse industry and getting a good start will allow more bright and ambitious people to pursue their dreams.” “By expanding and enhancing the Young Farmer, Young Entrepreneur and Starter loans, FCC is reducing the barriers for young people to enter or become more established in Canada’s continued on page 8
Expanded financing products to unleash young farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs agriculture and food industry,” said Michael Hoffort, FCC president and CEO. “Beyond offering greater access to capital, FCC provides knowledge and learning opportunities that support the growth of the next generation.” Since April 2019, FCC has approved over 6,700 loans specifically tailored for young producers and entrepreneurs worth almost $2.1 billion. FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture and food lender, with a healthy loan portfolio of more
than $41 billion. Our employees are dedicated to the future of Canadian agriculture and food. We provide flexible, competitively priced financing, management software, information and knowledge specifically designed for the agriculture and food industry. As a selfsustaining Crown corporation, we provide an appropriate return to our shareholder, and reinvest our profits back into the industry and communities we serve. For more information, visit fcc.ca.
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates Eligibility for first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine includes anyone ages five or older. A third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all adults a minimum of six months after their last dose with limited exceptions. More information is available at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibil ity-criteria.html#third. Many Manitoba vaccine sites are offering walkin and appointment-based vaccinations for COVID and seasonal flu. Eligible individuals can book their appointments online or by calling (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC). For hours and days of operation, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.html.
More resources about: •
Vaccine campaign in Manitoba www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca.
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Possible exposure locations by region www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/update s/flights.html#event
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Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.
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Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.
Herd Management Drought Assistance Program
Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the Herd Management Drought Assistance program? This program assists livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals, when culling is above normal because of winter feed shortages. If you are a producer, you may be eligible to apply for assistance to: purchase replacement breeding females retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement animals will help you return your inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels. Who can apply for the Herd Management Drought Assistance program? You are eligible if you are a primary producer, who owned eligible animals that were located in Manitoba, and you were responsible for their feeding expenses as of Mar. 16, 2021. If you are an elk producer, you must have a Game Farm Production Licence, and only elk that were farmed under that licence are eligible. You must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program. What animals are eligible? The program provides assistance to replace breeding female beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats and elk that the applicant owned and had located in Manitoba as of Mar. 16, 2021. Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding. Is feed assistance provided for breeding animals that were culled? Feed assistance is not available under this program for breeding animals that were culled. Assistance to purchase feed for breeding animals kept over the winter is available from the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program. You can receive both herd management and feed assistance for your herds or flocks. However, you cannot be paid twice (herd management and feed assistance) for the same animals. Does it matter when breeding females were culled? The program provides assistance to replace breeding females culled from Mar. 16, 2021 to Mar. 15, 2022. The decline in a producer’s inventory of breeding females over this period is one of the criteria being used to determine the program payments. Which herd inventories need to be declared? The program uses the following dates to assess the impact of drought and recovery on an applicant’s inventory of breeding females: Mar. 16, 2021 Mar. 16, 2022 Jan. 31, 2023
The difference between the Mar. 16, 2022 (drought impacted) inventory and the Jan. 31, 2023 (recovery) inventory indicates the effect that purchasing and retaining replacement females has on drought recovery. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory
March 16, 2022 inventory
Increase in inventory due to purchasing
(recovery inventory)
(drought impacted)
and retaining replacements
What are the payment rates for this program? Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below. Payments are made for breeding females that are purchased or retained. Animal Type(s) Payment ($) per head Beef Cattle, Bison and Elk $250 Sheep and Goats $50 Payments are based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between Mar. 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023. The payments are calculated as follows: Per Head Payment Rate
Increase in inventory due to
Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250
purchasing and retaining
Sheep/Goats $50
replacements
Herd Management Program Payment
Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory
Is there a payment cap? Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payment will be made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level. Why are payments made after breeding females are replaced? The program is designed to assist producers in restoring their herds after the drought. The program does not pay producers to downsize their herd. Breeding animals that have been culled must be replaced to be eligible. What animals are not included in the breeding female inventory declared for this program? The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females: animals sold before being exposed to breeding for the first time market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding animals sold after Mar. 15, 2022 animals leased by the applicant animals not located in Manitoba as of Mar. 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete)
When is an adjustment required for the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of breeding females? Breeding females that gave birth between Jan. 1, 2022 and Mar. 15, 2022 and were sold in the same time period must be included in the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory declaration for the number of head. These females most likely have not been culled because of drought and are not eligible for assistance. Does the program provide assistance for culling immature replacement females? If immature females intended to breed are culled, a payment will be triggered if it causes the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of mature and bred females to decline. However, the decision to cull mature females can impact this payment. For example, if heifers intended to breed in the summer of 2021 are culled, the March 2022 inventory of breeding females may decrease because the herd has fewer bred heifers than normal. However, if the number of cows normally culled is reduced, the lower number of bred heifers may be partially or totally offset. How do I apply for the Herd Management Program? The application package will be available as of Jan. 10, 2022 on the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development website (www.manitoba.ca/agriculture) in-person at Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation Service Centres by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail If you are applying, you will need to fully complete and submit your application, as part of a two-step process. This process includes filling out: 1) application form to declare: a. Mar. 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) claim form to declare : a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females Do we need to send in receipts, invoices or other records with our applications or claims? No, you do not have to submit invoices, receipts or proof of payment with your application or claim forms. However, you are expected to keep these documents for all breeding animals you have sold or purchased. You may be asked to submit them as part of a review or audit of your application or claim. In a limited number of cases, an on-farm visit or pregnancy check may also be requested to verify declarations. What is the earliest date the application and claim form can be submitted? Applications can be submitted starting in Jan. 2022 when they are available, if you know the number of breeding females you will own as of Mar. 16, 2022. Similarly, you can submit claim forms starting in December 2022, if you know the number of breeding females you will own as of Jan. 31, 2023
What are the program timelines and deadlines?
Jan. 10, 2022 - Applications will be available.
April 15, 2022, 11:59 p.m. – This is the deadline for applications declaring Mar. 16, 2021 and Mar. 16, 2022 inventories.
December 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available.
Feb. 17, 2023, 11:59 p.m. – This is the deadline for claim forms declaring the Jan. 31, 2023 inventory.
For more information, contact: Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Toll-free: 1-844-769-6224 Email: ARD@gov.mb.ca
REMINDER
Intake for Ag Action Manitoba – Assurance: Beneficial Management Practice Activities is Now Open
Producers are advised that the intake period for Ag Action Manitoba – Assurance: Beneficial Management Practice activities begins on Monday, November 8th and closes on December 10, 2021 for projects that will occur in 2022/23. More details on available on the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development site: https://www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/environ ment/environmental-farm-plan/assurancebmp.html
• Permanent fencing to restrict livestock access to surface water and dugouts — construction materials — associated components and installation costs
• Permanent pipeline development — pipe, plumbing materials, trenching, earthworks, etc. — professional and contractor fees
This intake period includes applications for BMP 503 ‒ Managing Livestock Access to Riparian Areas. For this BMP there is a cost share ratio of 50:50 and a funding cap of $10,000 per application. Applicants may submit more than one application. Under BMP 503 the following costs are eligible: • Water source development – Wells — drilling new or deepening existing wells, test hole drilling, screening, casing, well caps etc. — water pumps and required plumbing components — professional and contractor fees
• Water source development – Dugouts — constructing new or rehabilitating existing dugouts, test hole drilling, etc. — professional and contractor fees
• Alternative watering system equipment — solar, wind or grid powered systems — associated components and installation costs
• Watering system components* — watering bowls, troughs or storage tanks * Eligible as a part of a water source development project; items are not eligible as a stand-alone.
• personal labour ($25 per hour) and personal equipment use (at set program rates outlined in the Farm Machinery Custom and Rental Rate Guide) Ineligible costs include: maintenance and operation expenses; perimeter fencing for upland grazing management; expenses related to removing or replacing existing fences or water infrastructure, such as storage tanks or water troughs; portable livestock corral panels; portable gas/diesel powered water pumps, generators, water meters; materials and construction costs for pump houses; aeration systems for dugouts, etc.; above ground pipelines; hauling or pumping of water to fill empty dugouts; and, temporary set up of watering systems. continued on page 14
Intake for Ag Action Manitoba – Assurance: Beneficial Management Practice Activities is Now Open Examples of other BMPs eligible for cost-shared funding to farmers include: Resource Management Planning, Establishment of a Cover Crop, Increasing Frequency of Perennials in Annual Rotations, Perennial Cover for Sensitive Lands, Improved Pasture and Forage Quality, Intercropping, Farmyard Runoff Control, Relocation of Confined Livestock Areas, and others. An Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Statement of Competition is not required at time of application, however it is required at time of claim, if approved. EFP Workshops are ongoing through the fall and winter. Dates and locations are posted at www.ManitobaEFP.ca.
Government support cannot exceed 25 or 50 per cent of eligible expenses, depending on project type, with varying funding caps from $10,000 to $100,000. The total maximum amount payable to one farm operation is $60,000 (not including BMP: Barn Odour Reduction and BMP: Managing Livestock Access to Riparian Areas) over the term of the Ag Action Manitoba program. Farmers may apply and receive funding for more than one BMP over the term of Ag Action Manitoba. Only one application per BMP on the same parcel of land and/or for a single project where there may be common components across multiple applications, will be eligible for funding.
Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program
Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program? The program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing low moisture levels. The program will assist livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to purchase feed in order to maintain their breeding herds. Producers may be eligible to apply for two types of assistance: 1. Feed assistance - buy and test feed for eligible breeding animals 2. Feed transportation assistance - transport purchased feed from distant locations for eligible breeding animals Who is eligible for the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program? Primary producers who owned or leased the eligible animals, located in Manitoba, as of June 1, 2021 and continued to own or lease them to March 15, 2022 or later are eligible. Eligible animals include breeding head of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU), sheep, goats and bison. Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding. The producer must own or lease a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program. How do I apply? Applicants can download the Application Form, Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals, and associated program documents on the website at manitoba.ca/agriculture. Application packages can also be picked up at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or mailed to you by calling us at 1-844-769-6224. The minimum value of receipts required to submit an application is $500. Review the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance – Farmers Guidebook for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs and other program requirements. When is the deadline to apply to the program? April 15, 2022 is the final day to apply. Can multiple applications be submitted? Yes, you can submit more than one application until program maximums are reached.
1. Feed Assistance What feed assistance can I apply for? The eligible feeds that can be purchased for eligible animals from June 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022 to maintain them over the winter include: grazed corn and greenfeed mechanically harvested hay, silage, greenfeed, stover, straw, including those purchased as standing crops or grazed in a swath grain and concentrates (pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, soybean meal, screenings, dried distillers grain and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator) When can eligible feeds be purchased? Are claims retro-active to a certain date? Eligible feed purchases can occur from June 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022. Is there assistance for feed testing the eligible feedstuffs? Yes, the program will pay for feed testing to determine the nutritional value of eligible feeds. Can feed be purchased for feeders or non-breeding animals? No, feed for feeders, growing animals or non-breeding aged animals is not eligible under this program. How will livestock feed assistance payments be calculated? The administrator will make payments to the applicant for purchases and testing of Eligible Feed made between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, as follows: On a per breeding head basis, a producer share will be applied $50 per head for beef and dairy cattle, bison and horses (PMU only) and $10 per head for sheep and goats. Payments will be equal to 75 per cent of the purchased cost of feed and feed testing that exceeds the producer share to a maximum per head payment. The maximum payment is $250 per head for beef and dairy cattle, bison and horses (PMU only) and $50 per head for sheep and goats. How are the breeding head determined in calculating payments? Breeding head are based on the number declared on the Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals at the time of first application. The declaration is the number of head being maintained and fed over winter, and does not include animals that have or will be sold prior to March 15, 2022. If applicants reduce their breeding animals below the number declared with their first application, they should contact the Program Administrator and submit a new declaration.
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2. Feed Transportation Assistance What feeds qualify for feed transportation assistance? Feed transportation assistance is provided for the movement of eligible feed types (hay, straw, greenfeed, stover, silage, grain and concentrates) to eligible breeding animals. The eligible concentrates are pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, soybean meal, screenings, dried distillers grain and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator. What are the eligible dates and distances for feed transportation? Transportation costs for eligible feed purchased and transported between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, for a minimum distance of 40 kilometres up to a maximum one-way distance of 600 kilometres. What are the payments for the feed transportation assistance? Payments will be calculated on the tonnes hauled on a per loaded kilometre basis up to 600 kilometres. For hay, straw, greenfeed, stover, and silage the payment rates are: $0.16 per tonne kilometre for the first 100 kilometres of a haul $0.10 per tonne kilometre for the remainder of a haul for up to an additional 500 kilometres. For grains and concentrate, the payment rate is $0.05 per tonne kilometre up to 600 kilometres. Payments for each receipt or invoice provided by the applicant will be the payment rate multiplied by the distance transported multiplied by the number of tonnes transported, or the amount of the receipt, whichever is less. Feed can be hauled further than 600 kilometres; however, the extra distance is not eligible for payment. Can feed be sourced from outside of Manitoba qualify for assistance? Feed can be sourced from outside Manitoba and the shipping will still be eligible based on the program’s rates and distances. Does the feed transportation assistance come out of the feed assistance funding? Feed transportation assistance is in addition to funding available to a producer for feed purchases. It is not subtracted from the $250 per head cap for beef, bison and PMU horses or $50 cap for sheep and goats. Is feed transportation assistance available for animals moved to an alternate feeding location? Feed transportation assistance is not available for animals for which producers have received assistance to move eligible animals to an alternate feeding location under the Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program. Alternate feeding locations should have adequate feed locally available for the animals moved. What feed is not eligible for feed transportation assistance? Feed for market animals or ineligible animals. Feed produced on your own operation. Feed for breeding animals that are sold/culled prior to March 15, 2022. Feed that is sold or replaces similar feed that is sold. Feed transported less than 40 kilometres. Feed transported to an alternate feeding location used to house eligible animals for which the applicant received payments under Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance.
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REMINDER
Reminder: Applications being accepted for Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program The intake for the Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program is open. Funded by the federal and provincial governments it will provide targeted financial assistance to Agricultural Crown Land forage leaseholders to adopt best management practices to sustainably increase the productivity on their Agricultural Crown Land forage leases. Eligible recipients must have an active Agricultural Crown Land lease that is in good standing and must complete an Environmental Farm Plan. Eligible items under the Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program include grazing management plans, water
source development and watering systems, cross-fencing for pasture management, and forage rejuvenation such as forage establishment and brush management. Improvements must be completed within the one-year pilot project. Farmers could begin submitting applications on November 8, 2021. For more information on the Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program, and other Ag Action Manitoba- Assurance Beneficial Management Practices programming in Manitoba, please visit: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/canadianagricultural-partnership/ag-action-manitobaprogram/for-farmers.html.
See pages 19-21
Frequently Asked Questions Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program
Q1. What is the Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program?
A: The ACLFP is a pilot program that provides Agricultural Crown Land (ACL) lessees with 75% cost-shared programming of up to $30,000 per farm operation to develop a grazing management plan, add infrastructure (cross-fencing, wells, dugouts) and rejuvenate forage lands (perennial forage seed, seeding and brush management) in order to improve pasture productivity. Project must occur between April and December of 2022. Program details can be accessed here: http://webpublishing.mbgov.ca/en/agriculture/canadian-agriculturalpartnership/Documents/guidebook/ag-action-mb-program-guide-for-aclfp.pdf
Q2. Who is eligible to apply? A: ACL lease holders in good standing can apply. A farm business or operation with multiple shareholders or partners, operation names or units, will count as one eligible applicant. Each farm operation can submit one application that includes all applicable activities (planning, infrastructure and/or rejuvenation). However, Municipal lands under ACL lease are not eligible for this program.
Q3. When is the deadline to apply?
A: Applications must be received no later than December 31, 2021. They will be assessed by technical reviewers based on the environmental benefit assessment index, program priorities and project planning.
Q4. Do I need support from ACL to submit an application for a project? A: Yes. You will need a Letter of Support for the proposed project from your local Farm Production Extension Specialist (FPES) – Crown Lands (see contact info in Q14, below) and the Letter of Support must be submitted along with your application. While your FPES-Crown Lands must ensure that your proposed project is suitable for your ACL lease, they are not responsible for ACLFP funding approval.
Q5. What do I need to include with my application?
A: Be sure to answer all questions in the application form itself: explain the proposed project in detail, current practices, and the benefit of the new practice; answer all BMP Specific Questions (as listed in the guidebook), and complete the budget table in full. Along with your application, you will need to include: - a written Letter of Support from your local FPES – Crown Lands for your proposed project (see Q3 above). - an aerial map of the forage land with the location of the existing and proposed water sources identified as well as any fencing (existing and new), and land to be rejuvenated. - an official quote for contracted items (if applicable).
Q6. When can I start my project?
A: Projects must occur between April 1, 2022 and December 30, 2022 in order to be eligible for ACLFP funding. Project deadlines will be specified in the approval letter, should your application be approved. If work is started on a project before formal written approval of program funding is received, the applicant does so at their own risk.
Q7. When do I need to complete my project?
A: The project must be completed and claims submitted by the date indicated in your decision letter (all claims must be submitted no later than December 30, 2022).
Q8. Do I need any permits?
A: Applicants must meet all regulatory requirements. This may include: • approvals from the Crown: ACL Work Permit – see Q9 below. • a Water Rights License is required for all livestock operations extracting more than 25,000 litres (25 m3 or 5,499 Imperial gallons) per day. If developing a new water source, a permit must be obtained in advance of work beginning. • any other standards or approvals as required by law.
Q9. How do I get a Work Permit from ACL to implement a project on my ACL lease? A: An ACL Work Permit is required prior to conducting work on ACL leases. - If your ACLFP project application is approved, an ACL Work Permit will be issued to you from your FPESCrown Land along with the approval letter. - If you plan to initiate your project in advance of receiving ACLFP approval, you will need to secure an ACL Work Permit from an FPES – Crown Lands prior to beginning work.
Q10. 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 when you submit your project claim for reimbursement. Environmental Farm Plan workshop dates and locations will be listed online.
Q11. Does my dugout or well need to have a specific capacity?
A: The ACLFP pilot program does not have guidelines for dugout capacity, but you should discuss your plans with your FPES – Crown Lands.
Q12. 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.
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. If I have more questions, who can I contact?
A: If the question is about project implementation on an ACL lease, please contact: FPES – Crown Lands Greg Logan Luanne Berjian Neil Overby Tyson Gillis
Location Beausejour Minnedosa Dauphin Dauphin
Districts 20, 50, 52 30, 31 42,51 43, 44
E-mail Greg.Logan@gov.mb.ca Luanne.Berjian@gov.mb.ca Neil.Overby@gov.mb.ca Tyson.Gillis@gov.mb.ca
A: If the question is about specific eligibility criteria or the application process, please contact: • Andrea Bertholet (Andrea.Bertholet@gov.mb.ca) or • Colleen Wilson (Colleen.Wilson2@gov.mb.ca).
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.
CALLING ALL BEEF PRODUCERS! Contribute to the update of the National Beef Sustainability Assessment The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is in the process of updating the National Beef Sustainability Assessment (NBSA), expected for release in 2023. The NBSA provides farm to fork national sustainability performance metrics for the Canadian beef sector, from environmental, social and economic perspectives. The metrics from our first Assessment, released in 2016, are widely used to demonstrate Canada’s global sustainability leadership, and have been critically important to the beef industry’s communication efforts with respect to sustainable beef production over the past five years. The accompanying Sustainability Strategy highlighted key areas for continuous improvement, which has also helped inform the industry’s 2030 goals. The CRSB is looking for a minimum of 500 beef producers to participate in an online survey. This survey provides critical inputs to inform many of the NBSA performance metrics. • •
The first 200 producers that complete the survey will receive a $20 gift card. ALL completed surveys will be entered for a grand prize (Tag reader, valued at $1100), as well as seven regional prize packs (e.g., gift sets, experiences, gift cards, swag, etc.), which will be awarded through a random draw following the close of the survey period in January 2022.
We would like to thank the following CRSB members who have generously contributed these grand prizes.
Please complete a 30-45 minute survey by January 7th 2022. ENGLISH: http://survey.groupeageco.ca/s3/NBSA-ENG FRENCH: http://survey.groupeageco.ca/s3/NBSA-FR We appreciate all who participate in this process and contribute to the success of the NBSA update! If you have any questions, please contact us at projects@crsb.ca/.