E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP December 17, 2021
mbbeef.ca
Additional Funding Announced For Hay West 2021 Initiative
Through Hay West 2021, the CFA is connecting Eastern farmers with Western and northern Ontario farmers in need of feed. The Government of Canada and corporate sponsors are helping to offset the freight costs to transport hay between those farmers. In September, the government approved $1 million, which has helped transport approximately 150 shipments (5.6 million pounds) of hay to feed 16,750 cattle. Over the coming months, up to $3 million in additional funding will continue to support the movement of hay across the country.
Mary Robinson, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, along with Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announce support to help farmers that have been devastated by the drought. (PC: CFA)
(December 15, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and AgriFood Canada News Release) This year, Canada’s farmers
have been hit hard by extreme weather, including the drought across western Canada and in northern Ontario, and the flooding and landslides that struck British Columbia. Despite these challenges, many stepped up in solidarity to help their fellow farmers and ranchers from across the country. During an event with President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) Mary Robinson, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of up to $4 million towards the CFA’s Hay West 2021 initiative.
Hay West is a beacon of solidarity during a year that has been marked by extreme weather events affecting the lives of Canadian farmers, who are on the front lines of climate change. In response to this year’s historic drought – the worst in more than 60 years – the Government of Canada and the governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario came together to make available up to $825 million in cost-shared AgriRecovery disaster relief funding. This funding has already helped thousands of livestock producers, particularly cattle producers, cover the extraordinary costs they faced this year, including to obtain livestock feed, transportation and water. The federal and provincial governments also made changes to adjust the farmer income supports under the AgriStability program and, in the Prairies, to adjust the AgriInsurance program so that drought-damaged crops could be used for feed. continued on page 5
For reliable information and resources please visit:
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
To have the fullest protection possible against COVID-19 going into the holiday season, Manitobans are encouraged to get their second and third dose as quickly as possible. While COVID-19 vaccine appointments continue to be available at regional or provincial vaccine clinics, for many people the fastest way to be immunized is at a nearby medical clinic, pharmacy or urban Indigenous clinic. Please check the online vaccine finder or with a medical clinic or pharmacy near you that provides the COVID-19 vaccine to find the next available opportunity to be immunized. The timeline between second and third dose is being shortened for some individuals. Anyone aged 60 or older or those aged 18 or older who live in a First Nations community who received their second dose on or before July 10 are now strongly encouraged to receive their third dose. A six month timeframe between second and third doses continues to be recommended for most other eligible Manitobans. More information is available at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibili ty-criteria.html#third. Eligibility for first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine continues to include anyone
aged five or older. Second dose appointments can be made for children ages five to 11. The interval between first and second doses must be a minimum of eight weeks, or a minimum of 21 days for children living in First Nations communities. Many Manitoba vaccine sites, as well as pharmacies and clinics, are offering walk-in and appointment-based vaccination for COVID and seasonal flu. Eligible individuals can book their appointments online, by calling (toll-free) 1844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC), or by contacting their local pharmacy or medical clinic directly. Visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/fi nder/html for some of the available options. More resources about •
Vaccine campaign in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine a nd https://protectmb.ca.
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Possible exposure locations by region: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updat es/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.
Province Issues 2021 Fall Conditions Report Hydrologic Conditions of Manitoba Basins at Time of Freeze-up: Schuler below normal levels for this time of the year but within their operating ranges. Lake Manitoba is below its operating range and near record-low levels for this time of year.
(December 16, 2021 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba Infrastructure’s Hydrologic
Forecast Centre has released the 2021 Fall Conditions Report that indicates soil moisture levels at the time of freeze-up are below normal in most Manitoba basins, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced. “The fall conditions report informs us of the hydrologic conditions of Manitoba basins at the time of freeze-up,” said Schuler. “Hydrologic and weather conditions in the winter and spring are the main influences that affect the risk and extent of low or high water events.” Most river basins in the province received belownormal precipitation between May and October and above-normal temperatures in the summer and fall months with some improvement in precipitation in November. Because of this, soil moisture at the time of freeze-up for most Manitoba basins is generally near normal to below normal. Most major lakes in Manitoba with the exception of Lake Manitoba are at below normal to well-
The long-term weather outlooks from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the U.S. National Weather Service Climate Prediction Centre indicate the development of La Nina weather conditions globally. La Nina weather conditions generally favour normal to below-normal precipitation for most Manitoba basins with a slight chance of above-normal precipitation in northern Manitoba. The Hydrologic Forecast Centre will continue monitoring Manitoba basin conditions throughout the winter and spring, and share and exchange relevant information with nearby jurisdictions so that Manitoba is well prepared for the spring runoff season in 2022. Spring run-off is still strongly dependent on future weather conditions, including the amount of winter and spring precipitation, as well as snowmelt conditions. Manitobans can be assured watershed conditions will be monitored closely along with basin condition updates and spring flood outlooks through the winter, noted Schuler. To read the 2021 Fall Conditions Report, visit www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/pdf/2021/2021 _fall_conditions_report.pdf.
Hay West – continued from page 1 The solidarity of Canadian agriculture can also be seen in British Columbia, where 30 farms are still under evacuation orders and thousands more have been devastated by the effects of flooding and landslides, which have submerged crops and affected the welfare of livestock. Farmers and their communities, with the help of emergency forces, have succeeded in saving thousands of animals and helping many farmers with their urgent needs. Both the federal and provincial governments are currently fast tracking a joint assessment through the AgriRecovery framework to provide support to producers through a disaster relief package. The Government of Canada is committed to the long-term sustainability of the agriculture sector, and building its resilience to extreme weather events. In the past year it has announced over $550 million in new programming, including the Agricultural Climate Solutions and Agricultural Clean Technology programs, to help farmers and agri-food businesses implement sustainable practices and technologies that help to mitigate climate change. Quotes “The past year for our producers has been marked by numerous challenges related to climate change. They have demonstrated great strength of character, the willingness to rebuild, extraordinary resilience and also exceptional solidarity. They were able to rely on each other, and on our government, no matter where they were in the country, making it easier for everyone to bounce back. By investing in Hay West, our government is bolstering the solidarity that unites our agricultural producers.” - The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“CFA is appreciative of AAFC's contribution of up to $4 million to Hay West 2021. This funding will help offset transportation costs to move hay from eastern Canadian farms to western Canadian farms, helping a portion of western farmers and ranchers who have experienced a catastrophic drought. Without hay, a vital part of a cow’s diet, these ranchers and farmers face the difficult decision to prematurely cull herds. The impact of the 2021 drought has been devastating and the need for hay and funding for this program will continue until pastures are available in mid 2022. CFA will continue to seek additional funding from both the government and corporate donors to help move as much hay as possible, and to save as many animals as possible over the coming months.” - Mary Robinson, President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture Quick facts •
The funding is provided through the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP), a $50.3 million, five-year investment to help the agricultural sector adapt and remain competitive.
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Hay West 2021 revitalizes similar initiatives undertaken in 2002 (Hay West) and 2012 (Hay East).
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The Hay West 2021 initiative uses an electronic virtual exchange service to facilitate buying and selling transactions and minimize these time consuming activities for producers. It is operating on a break-even basis, with hay being purchased from Eastern Canadian farmers and resold at cost to Western Canadian recipients.
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CFA established the program as a relief measure for Western Canadian producers. It will also help protect the future herd in Western Canada by providing as much hay as possible to breeding stock impacted by persistent drought in the region. This investment is helping provide relief to livestock producers in affected provinces.
CFA Pleased to Announce $3 million of Funding for Hay West from Canadian Government, But More Funding is Needed for Coming Months
(December 15, 2021 Canadian Federation of Agriculture News Release) Today, the Canadian
Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) held a press conference to announce $3 million of funding for the Hay West 2021 initiative. This brings the government's total contribution to the program to $4 million. The Hay West initiative helps farmers in the West who are currently suffering from a hay shortage due to the devastating 2021 drought. Farmers from the Maritimes, as well as Ontario and Quebec, have graciously committed and/or donated hay to be sent out west to help feed livestock. All proceeds from donations go directly to paying the transportation costs for moving hay across Canada and the logistical support needed to do so. CFA has sent over 5.5 million pounds of hay out West, but the demand is great and more funding is needed to send as much hay as possible over the coming months. “The Hay West program has been a heartwarming response to a devastating situation. We have seen farmers come together to help their colleagues across the country, and this funding from AAFC will facilitate the delivery of hay to farmers and ranchers who otherwise would have no feed to maintain valuable breeding stock. Breeding stock takes decades to build up and the more animals we can help maintain the more we minimize the long-term damage to our beef sector,” said CFA President Mary Robinson.
“We appreciate today's announcement, this funding is a clear signal from the government that it supports this important initiative. Hay West 2021 will not fill the need for hay in its entirety, but the hay we are able to send will help mitigate the fallout and long-term damage. So far, we have helped feed approximately 17,000 cattle. These funds will help avert disaster for a few months, but the need for more hay will continue into late Spring in order to keep western herds viable and to avoid further culling of valuable breeding stock,” “We know valuable breeding stock are now being culled due to both a lack of hay in the immediate, as well as ‘supply uncertainty’ through to Spring. We also know that those eastern farmers who baled and stockpiled extra hay to ship to western Canadian farms will have to consider selling it elsewhere, potentially to the US, because we cannot give them a firm commitment that we will be able to move it for them. Today's announcement will certainly help alleviate much of the immediate uncertainty and some of the stress that these farmers are facing,” “With these funds, we can feed more, but we will be seeking ongoing funding from the government and corporate donors to continue this program over the coming months to help as many animals and producers as possible. Every shipment is saving animals and saving farm families' livelihoods. The more certainty and predictability we can give farmers on both ends of these shipments, the better they will be able to prepare and help minimize the long-term impacts of this feed shortage on our Canadian Beef Sector. The more funding we secure, the continued on page 7
CFA Pleased to Announce $3 million of Funding for Hay West from Canadian Government, But More Funding is Needed for Coming Months more breeding stock we can help maintain and the faster recovery will be.” As of this announcement, the government has provided $4 million to the Hay West program. CFA has also received other donations from Farm Credit Canada ($50,000), the Ontario Federation of Agriculture ($50,000), the government of Prince Edward Island and CN Rail ($125,000 with an offer to match other donations up to an additional $125,000, for a total commitment of $250,000). CFA would like to note the matching donation from CN Rail above, meaning that any new donations to the program will effectively double their impact. If you are a corporate or private donor looking to make a contribution to Hay West 2021, please contact Laurie Karson at Laurie@canadian-farmers.ca
Watch the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Hay West video by clicking on the graphic above.
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NEWS RELEASE Loblaw Expands Commitment to Sustainable Beef Sourcing Company tripling initial purchase to three million pounds by 2023
December 16, 2021 – The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) is pleased to announce that Loblaw Companies Ltd. (TSX:L; “Loblaw”) is expanding its commitment to beef sustainability in Canada with a purchase of three million additional pounds of beef sourced from CRSB Certified Sustainable farms and ranches by 2023, tripling its initial purchase of one million pounds in 2020. With this latest commitment, Loblaw is reaffirming not only the importance of sustainably-raised food options for its customers, but also its unwavering support of the Canadian farmers and ranchers dedicated to sustainable practices on the ground. The beef will be purchased from CRSB Certified farms in partnership with the Ontario Corn Fed beef program, according to standards set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. “Today’s announcement reaffirms our long-term commitment to help advance sustainability in the beef supply chain in Canada,” said Simon Romano, Vice President of Fresh Procurement, Meat, Seafood and Deli for Loblaw Companies Ltd. “As both a retailer and a founding member of CRSB, our hope is that more beef producers will embrace certification of their on-farm practices that meet CRSB standards for sustainability.” Loblaw is working with its supply chain partners toward a system where at least 30% of the beef it sources will be CRSB Certified and will be incorporated into Loblaw’s overall beef purchases for its Ontario Corn Fed Beef brand, sold in Ontario stores. Sourcing even a portion of beef from farmers and ranchers that have had their sustainable practices independently audited against standards provides consumer assurances about how their food is raised, supports ongoing improvements, and signals the importance of Canada’s agricultural system for climate change mitigation and its role in a sustainable food system. “CRSB appreciates the ongoing support from a large grocery retailer like Loblaw, committed to working collaboratively with the beef industry in support of our sustainable practices, and sharing that story with Canadian consumers,” says Anne Wasko, Chair of the CRSB and rancher from Eastend SK. “This robust commitment will show our community of beef producers that Loblaw values their dedication, and is serious about working with them to make real progress.” Canada is a global leader in sustainable beef production, but there are always improvements that can be made. The Canadian beef industry has committed to a suite of robust 2030 improvement goals, including a 33% reduction in greenhouse gases, a 50% reduction in post-harvest food loss and waste, and preserving the 35 million acres of grasslands remaining in Canada, to name just a few. These goals will be achieved if we all work together. Learn more at beefstrategy.com. Learn more about CRSB sustainability certification and meet some of their certified ranchers at crsbcertified.ca. For more information about Loblaw’s sustainability efforts visit loblaw.ca/responsibility. - 30 1
ABOUT THE CRSB The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) advances Canadian beef industry sustainability through multi-stakeholder engagement, collaboration, communication and science. The CRSB drives recognition and continuous progress in Canadian beef through sustainability performance measurement, a voluntary 3rd party sustainability certification program, and projects and initiatives aligned with strategic goals. The CRSB’s Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, known as CRSB Certified, recognizes sustainable practices in beef production and processing, enables sustainable sourcing, and delivers 3rd party certified science-based assurances about sustainable beef production in Canada. Learn more at crsb.ca. ABOUT LOBLAW COMPANIES LIMITED Loblaw Companies Limited is the nation's largest retailer, providing Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services. Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well® – promotes the needs and wellbeing of Canadians, who make one billion transactions annually in the company's stores. With more than 2,400 corporate, franchised and associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and associate-owners employ almost 200,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers. For more information, contact: Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) info@crsb.ca Loblaw Public Relations pr@loblaw.ca
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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. Improvements must be completed within the one-year pilot project. Farmers can submit applications until 11:59 pm on December 31, 2021. Eligible projects must be related to forage management techniques that improve productivity and sustainability, including: 1. Planning: Input from a knowledgeable professional to create a grazing management plan that takes into account forage rest and recovery, stocking rates, paddock rotation and placement of water infrastucture. 2. Infrastructure: Targeted placement of key infrastructure components such as
cross-fencing and watering systems can enable enhanced livestock management strategies. 3. Rejuventation: Timely renovation of forage stands and management of encroaching brush can improve forage productivity and animal performance. Refer to the Ag Action Manitoba Program - Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Guidebook for more detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs and other requirements. There is a cost share ratio of 75 per cent government, 25 per cent applicant. The total maximum amount payable to one farm operation under Assurance: ACLFP is $30,000. This does not impact the existing program cap for Assurance: Beneficial Management Practices. For more information on this pilot program, and other Ag Action Manitoba- Assurance Beneficial Management Practices programming, see https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/canadi an-agricultural-partnership/ag-action-manitobaprogram/aclfp.html
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).
Reminder: Producers Can Apply For Drought Assistance Via Three Programs Through AgriRecovery Manitoba beef producers affected by the drought conditions are reminded that they may be able to receive assistance via two programs under the AgriRecovery framework aimed at helping with the extraordinary costs incurred for feed and transportation. Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program will help producers purchase and test feed for livestock to maintain their breeding herds including transporting purchased feed from distant locations. The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program will offer assistance to help offset freight expenses associated with moving livestock to alternative feed supply areas. Eligible animals under the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program are breeding animals of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for pregnant mare urine (PMU), sheep, goats and bison. Producers must be supporting a minimum of 10 animals to qualify for assistance and the program covers feed and feed transportation expenses between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022. Feed must have been delivered from a supplier at least 40 kilometres away and assistance is available for hauling feed for up to a maximum oneway distance of 600 km. Eligible feed purchases are those made between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022. The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program offers help for producers with extraordinary costs to transport breeding animals of beef cattle, sheep and goats to alternate locations to feed, up to 1,000 km. This program does not cover moving animals to market or sale. Applications are available at https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/agrire covery-feed-purchase-transport-assistance.html and
must include receipts for feed purchases and transportation. A video with more information about these initiatives is available at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD7OiKfhYv B8p4bxsvxcT_hxQpCL1Ykea The Herd Management Drought Assistance program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: •
purchase replacement breeding females
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retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock
The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to predrought levels. Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021. The application package will be available on Jan. 10, 2022: access it online at the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development website (www.manitoba.ca/agriculture), in-person at ARD and MASC Service Centres, or by calling 1-844-7696224 to receive a copy in the mail. Further Resources: •
Herd Management Drought Assistance - Frequently Asked Questions
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Video - Herd Management Drought Assistance - Determining Payments
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Video - Herd Management Drought Assistance - Two-Step Application Process
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Factsheet - Herd Management Drought Assistance
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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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
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/.