Cattle Country - February 2022

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BY MANITOBA MANITOBABEEF BEEFPRODUCERS PRODUCERS

FEBRUARY JULY 2021 2022

Calving season is underway at farms across Manitoba, including Lazy J Ranch, where 45 calves (and counting) have joined the herd. Photo credit: Sarah Ramsey

Forage insurance and managing drought risk

BY RON FRIESEN

“In years like this it really comes in handy for sure,” road allowances and ditches. Still others try to carry a Van Deynze says. “It is production based and produc- full year of extra hay into the next year, providing old Like most Manitoba beef producers, Ray Bittner tion was hard to come by in a lot of Manitoba this year. stock to fall back on. Some vary the size of their herds had a really tough year in 2021 because of a crippling It was a very useful tool for a lot of our customers. It is during the winter to accommodate the amount of hay Laura Plett, of Sawmill Creek Livestock near Stead, enjoys some family time with son Dustin between filming segments on her property for the upcoming Season 32 of Great drought ravaged crops and Donalee pasturesJones) throughout something that I think will help farmers get through a on hand. Also, forage is typically a low input crop and Tastes ofwhich Manitoba.

(Photo credit: producers tend to see insurance premiums as an expense very challenging year.” the province. they’d rather not incur.

For Bittner, forage insurance helped keep his But unlike many producers, Bittner had a backstop All of which creates a struggle for MASC to increase operation afloat during last year’s drought crisis. that helped to keep his operation going: forage insurance. the enrolment for forage insurance, says Van Deynze.

Unfortunately, he is a minority among cattle producers.

“2021 was a big claim year for myself and many of “There are some options they make use of that seem Figures from Statistics Canada show that Manitoba my neighbours in the North Interlake which had rainfall to work for some producers,” he says. “It’s a mixture of had 1.35 million acres of forages in 2021.

Of that, 1,453 amounts of 30-40% of normal during the growing seaa number of things but at the end of the day, from our forage producers insured 340,000 acres only 25 per son,” Bittner wrote in a recent e-mail to Cattle Country. perspective, we would sureinlike see more cent of the total, according to MASC. “I personally a great was detected an to Alberta cow producers and intermeans good news for both trad- Lowe.

BY RON FRIESEN would have reduced my herdThat participate in the insurance programs we have.”

That’s better than in 2020, when 1,298 clients deal if I had not been in forage insurance ers in 2021.

But beef and ranchers who proThe industry has asked Ottawa to en- national borders immediately slammed who export forage acrescourage for a 21Canada’s percenttrading coverage cover a beef wideexports. range of options, through insurance andhas thefinally AgriRecovery pro- insured It tookforage 18 years, but Canada partners toThose recog-programs shut to Canadian duce it, industry officials286,000 say. including insurance, forage rate. But stillability a pittance compared to annual crops gramdeclared I am continuing been BSE-free. on with the same herd size the OIE’s ruling and accept Canadianbasic hay Since 50 per cent of beefestablishment in Canada is “Theand difference will itbeis the to nize insurance, pasture insurance, forage seedfound insurance, which MASC regularly insures to the tune of 90 per cent looking to the future.for Animal access markets that we otherwise weren’t beef without restrictions, he said.

The forward World Organization exported, producers suddenly themgreenfeed insurance, and others, says Van Deynze. of seeded acres.

“AgriInsurance is a program Health (OIE) has recognized Canada that as a more In a May 27 statement, federal Agricul- selves with collapsed market prices and aniable producto because we didn’t have that status,” The the question now whether year’s disaster will If forage insurance is soture helpful to beef producers,Bibeau said ers should enroll in,” continues.

“Producers country with negligible riskBittner of bovine spon- said Minister Marie-Claude mals theyiscould not last sell because the market Tyler Fulton, Manitoba Beef Producers encourage more beef producers to sign up for forage as Bittner says it is, why is the take-up rate so low? shouldencephalopathy not look at it as(BSE), a gamble will president. occasionally giform givingthat it the government will do so. could not absorb them. insurance. is optimistic, noting the Part ofCattlemen’s the reason,Asaccording “Canada to Van Deynze, is that those compensate theirthe premium costs. Producers most preferredthem statusforunder OIE’s syswill inform tradingVan Deynze The result was cataclysmic fornumber the inBob Lowe, Canadian of insured forage acres increased by nearly 20 per cent forage growers can mitigate their risk in a number of should look at it as when there is president, said some Asian partners of Canada’s BSE negligible risk sta- dustry. CCA estimates direct economic tem for evaluating BSE risk.a very bad year comes, sociation (CCA) between 2021. ways, of which insurance onlyand one.

MASC forage a backstop that will keepinthem business.”countries still limit The announcement Mayinremoves willAundertake immediate work2020 to and losses between 2003 and 2006 alone ranged Canadian beef imports is tus “Hopefully, participation will to Some grow review a few years ago found that producers often own David Van Deynze hears that a lot.

As chief prodthe final trade barrier against Canadian to cattle under 30 months of age, citing BSE support expanded global market access for between $4.9 billion andcontinue $5.5 billion. after a challenging year.

We think for the most part or operate more forage acres than they actually need for uct officer with the Manitoba Agricultural Services beef exports. concerns. Now they no longer have reason Canada’s high-quality cattle, beef and beef 26,000 beef producers left the industry be-it so it’s status forMore 2022,” he says. insuresaid. them all. works quite well, Corporation, Van Deynze regularly has clients telling themselves, providing little incentive Negligible risk status means import- to do so. products,to ” Bibeau tween 2006 andquo 2011. than 2.2 milHe adds MASC will know better after 31, Some producers have access to roughage sloughs and him they consider AgriInsurance the first line of defense ing countries no longer have any grounds converted “Assuming that the world is based It has been a long and difficult jour- lion acres of pasture lands were March which is the enrollment deadline for the 2022 crop year. cattails that they can access for feed in really dry years. among business risk management (BRM) programs for for restricting beef from Canada because of on science-based trade, there’s no reason ney for Canadian beef producers since that to crops, creating a major negative environOthers mitigate risk” by other acres, such as a case of BSE mental and ecological impact. Page 2  farmers hurt by natural disasters such as drought.

BSE. to have those restrictions anymore, saidaccessing black day in May 2003 when Page 2 

President's President’s Column

Weather2021 MBP related scholarship emergencies recipients

Reliable Recipe for a summerheart healthy water and happy stomach

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Canada achieves BSE negligible risk status

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CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

2021 a challenging year for cattle producers

A closer look at risk management The 2021 production year proved challenging for cattle producers, with the drought-related feed and water shortages, continued disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the threat of a strike at our largest beef packing plant, and the discovery of an atypical BSE case found in a cow in Alberta. Any one of these risks can represent a real threat to the viability of a cattle operation, but together they impacted the whole industry in a way not seen for almost 20 years when BSE was first discovered in Canada.

As small business owners, we are inherently risk takers. We bet on our own work ethic and skills to competitively raise healthy and sustainable beef with the hope of earning a living and supporting our families. However, sometimes events outside our control can wreak havoc on our farms and ranches, such as they did this past year.

Managing risk is important for all types of agricultural operations across different sectors. For the last 15 years I have been a cattle producer in Birtle, Manitoba, but I have also held an off-farm, part-time job as Director of Risk Management for a hog marketing coop called HAMS. The better part of my off-farm career has been spent informing hog producers of market risks and devising tools to mitigate price risk. Over this period, independent hog producers have adopted risk management practices that have helped them survive the market downturns.

Beyond the farm practices that help us to be resilient, the beef sector has business risk management (BRM) tools available that can help mitigate some of the effects of these risks. Some specific examples include MASC’s forage insurance program suite under AgriInsurance, Livestock Price Insurance (LPI), and the federal/provincial/territorial program, AgriStability.

When I started using forage insurance about three years ago, I was skeptical that I would see a benefit and I struggled to rationalize another expense on my farm.

However, the past two years of dry weather and a more uncertain climate have confirmed to me that the program has real value. The most convincing argument for joining is this: over time, your coverage becomes based

 Page 1 Bittner, who is also the Livestock Predation Prevention Project Lead for Manitoba Beef Producers, says a long-term strategy is necessary for forage insurance to be effective. That includes:

the hardest hit areas of drought who were forced to buy most of their feed, I believe AgriStability would have been the most beneficial program to help maintain the viability of their farm or ranch.

In Manitoba, three specific programs have been developed jointly by the federal and provincial governments via the AgriRecovery framework to help address the worst outcomes of the drought of 2021 on the beef cattle sector. The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program has helped some producers to secure feed to maintain their cow herd. The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program provides help to offset freight expenses incurred for moving livestock to alternative feed supply areas. And, for those producers who were forced to sell a portion of their breeding herd due to shortages of winter feed, the Herd Management Drought Assistance program will provide modest support to help rebuild their breeding herd in the year ahead.

Program administrators recently introduced some changes to the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program that will help more producers by expanding the list of eligible expenses. For example, feed additives and premixes, including molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats, are now eligible. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021.

AgriRecovery is intended to work together with the core BRM programs to help producers recover from natural disasters like droughts and floods. It is important to note that AgriRecovery programs are not permanent and can’t be relied upon in future production years. Each disaster is assessed separately to determine whether or not programs will be provided under AgriRecovery.

The purpose of all of these programs is to help provide tools that producers can use to manage the risks that threaten their farm. They are not perfect and will not address all the risks that we face, but I have found them helpful for managing our operation and hope that you might consider them for your farm. They could strengthen your operation and as result, positively impact your mental health.

TYLER FULTON President’s Column

on your own production and the governments of Canada and Manitoba cover 60% of the premium costs. I have found this to be the most effective tool to help address some of the types of risk associated with a drought.

Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) is the simplest way you can manage the price risk associated with your calf or feeder sales. The coverage levels are based on an estimate of steer calf or feeder prices that incorporate feeder cattle futures, the Canadian dollar, the cost of feed and historical basis levels. The program provides various marketing periods and levels of coverage for which you can purchase a policy. If, when you sell your calves, the index price is lower than your coverage, then you are entitled to a payout. While the premium cost is not shared by government, the administration costs are supported by federal and provincial governments.

To learn more about whether it might work for you I recommend following the coverage levels and costs for a few weeks on their website (LPI.ca) and comparing them to the price that you received for your calves in recent years. It may surprise you.

AgriStability is a risk management program offered under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership between the federal and provincial/territorial governments. It is a broad program that addresses significant declines in income, whatever the cause. If your production margin for the program year falls more than 30% below your historical reference margin, you are entitled to a payment. Previous to 2021, the program design was not favourable to cow/calf type operations as they had limits to reference margins related to expenses that made it more difficult to trigger a payment. However, the program was changed early in 2021 and it is now more equitable to cow/calf operations. For those producers in

Producers have expressed dissatisfaction with LPI ever since the program was introduced in 2014. Part of the problem is that producers pay all of the premiums, unlike crop insurance where premiums are cost-shared between producers and government. (Van Deynze points out, however, that the administration cost for LPI is paid entirely by the two levels of government, the same as AgriInsurance.)

Another concern is that producers find prices and coverage to be very volatile, leading one to call LPI “very frustrating and unpredictable.”

All of which leaves crop insurance as producers’ best option for risk management, especially if the drought continues in 2022, says Bittner.

“So far soil moisture is lacking, snow cover is minimal, forages were damaged in 2021 and there is no residue left from the past year. This is a recipe for low yields in 2022 unless dramatic rain occurs in April/ May/June,” he says.

“While producers look at older fields on their land with difficulty affording fertilizer and difficulty justifying an additional crop insurance bill in fall, 2022 is likely the best year to sign up for forage insurance and try to cover the potential forage shortfall that could arise.”

Western Canadian provincial governments moved quickly to make it more flexible for producers to deal with drought-stressed crops and make them available for grazing or greenfeed, said Dennis Laycraft, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association executive vice-president.

Producers also received drought relief aid under AgriRecovery to purchase, test and transport feed to maintain breeding herds. Another program promised help in rebuilding cow herds depleted by producers forced to cull animals because of feed shortages.

• Keeping forage crops under four years of age because they produce better yields and receive better coverage from MASC. • Having pure stands of alfalfa because they are covered much better than mixed grass-alfalfa in Laycraft said it won’t be known until later this windollars per tonne. ter how helpful the support has been. “But it certainly • Producers with multiple years of production are did help in terms of allowing more hay to be kept at covered with their own data rather than regional home.” data.

Other programs were less rewarding. Laycraft said AgriStability still needs improvement, although adjust“While the above practices take a few years to ments to reference margins announced last year were implement, they are well worth it,” Bittner says. “To beneficial for cow-calf producers. defend against 2022 forage losses, signing up now is But Livestock Price Insurance failed to gain support critical and getting forages inspected before season is in 2021.

Manitoba producers insured only about 20,000 also important.” head of cattle under the program in 2020-21, a drastic Manitoba cattle producers also received emergency drop from the three previous years when clients insured assistance from other business risk tools in 2021 with up to 50,000 head annually. varying degrees of success.

DISTRICT 1

ALFRED EPP

R.M. of Albert, Cameron, Whitewater, Edward, Brenda, Winchester, Morton

DISTRICT 2

NANCY HOWATT

R.M. of Riverside, Strathcona, Argyle, Lorne, Turtle Mountain, Roblin, Louise, Pembina

DISTRICT 5

STEVEN MANNS

R.M. of Elton, North Cypress, North Norfolk, Cornwallis, Oakland, South Cypress, Victoria, South Norfolk

DISTRICT 9

TREVOR SUND

R.M. of Woodlands, Rockwood, St. Andrews, Rosser, St. Francis Xavier,

DISTRICT 6

Bonnet, Brokenhead, St. Clements, LGD of Alexander, Pinawa

R.M. of Wallace, Woodworth, Daly, Pipestone, Sifton, Whitehead, Glenwood

DISTRICT 10

MELISSA ATCHISON

MIKE DUGUID SECRETARY

DISTRICT 3

DISTRICT 7

R.M. of Bifrost, Gimli, Fisher, Armstrong

R.M. of Portage la Prairie, Cartier,

R.M. of Russell, Silver Creek, Rossburn, Ellice, Birtle, Shoal Lake, Strathclair, Archie, Miniota, Hamiota, Blanshard

DISTRICT 11

ANDRE STEPPLER

Roland, Morris, Stanley, Rhineland, Montcalm

DISTRICT 4

KEVIN DUDDRIDGE

R.M. of Richot, Ste. Anne, Hanover, De Salaberry, La Broquerie, Franklin, Stuartburn, Piney, LGD Reynolds

TYLER FULTON PRESIDENT

DISTRICT 8

MATTHEW ATKINSON 2ND

R.M. of Harrison, Clanwilliam, Rosedale, Glenella, Saskatchewan, Odanah, Minto, Langford, Lansdowne, Westbourne, LGD Park

ARVID NOTTVEIT

R.M. of Siglunes, Grahamdale, Eriksdale, Coldwell, St. Laurent

DISTRICT 12

MARK GOOD TREASURER

R.M. of Lawrence, Ochre River, Ste. Rose, McCreary, Alonsa

DISTRICT 13

DISTRICT 14

MARY PAZIUK

R.M. of Shell River, Shellmouth,Hillsburg, Boulton, Grandview, Gilbert Plains, Ethelbert, Mossey River, Dauphin, LGD Park

MANITOBA BEEF PRODUCERS

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING LEAD

Ph: 1-800-772-0458

Deb Walger

Unit 220, 530 Century Street Winnipeg, MB R3H 0Y4

PH - (204) 772-4542 FX - (204) 774-3264 info@mbbeef.ca www.mbbeef.ca

GENERAL MANAGER Carson Callum

POLICY ANALYST Maureen Cousins

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JIM BUCHANAN

R.M. of Minitonas, Swan River, Mountain, The Pas

David Hultin

FINANCE

OFFICE ASSISTANT Jennifer Patryluk

LIVESTOCK PREDATION PREVENTION PROJECT COORDINATOR Ray Bittner

CATTLE COUNTRY EDITOR David Hultin

DESIGNED BY

Print Studio One

CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

3

Reasons for optimism in 2022 Happy New Year!

As I look ahead in the new year, I have a great deal of optimism for the beef sector. There are a lot of positives to look at, even after coming off a really challenging year in 2021.

Even with all the negative press that the beef industry has been getting over the last number of years, demand globally for Canadian beef is extremely high. The recognition by many in the public eye of the high quality protein and other nutritional attributes provided by beef is good to see. However, it’s still important to continue to promote Canadian beef both domestically and internationally to dispel any myths about the product and to keep the positives in the forefront.

I was very pleased with the success of one of these promotion efforts this past year, which was the 32nd season of Great Taste of Manitoba (GTOM). Each of MBP’s two episodes featured a recipe wonderfully prepared by our Food Expert Tamara Sarkisian. Unfortunately for MBP, Tamara is moving back to Ontario to be closer to family, so we only had her on the team for a short time.

Tamara recently welcomed a new addition to her family, a baby boy. I personally wish her and her growing family all the best, and thank her for everything she contributed to the beef industry. I know she will continue to be a beef advocate in her own nutrition business as well.

During each episode of GTOM, a Before the Plate segment was also aired. These two segments featured Stead-area beef producer Laura Plett and her family, Tim Sopuck from Manitoba Habitat Heritage

Livestock Predation Prevention Pilot Project update Are predators taking a bite out of your livestock?

Literally?

The Manitoba Livestock Predation Prevention (LPPP) Pilot Project is seeking producer cooperators who are interested in trying different risk mitigation practices (RMPs) for reducing the possibility of predator problems in their herds.

Manitoba producers who have had previous predator claims with the MASC Wildlife Damage Compensation Program for Livestock Predation are eligible to apply for the RMPs that are still open. These projects will be set up and evaluated in summer 2022,

CARSON CALLUM

General Manager’s Column Corporation (MHHC), and Brandon-area beef producer Brett McRae’s family. They touched on topics such as beef production and the environment, including ecosystem services. Each segment was very well done and demonstrated a positive message for the sector. I want to thank all involved for their willingness to take part in these features and for doing such an amazing job.

As we think of public trust, the top message I deliver to folks in my circles is how much benefit the Canadian beef industry provides to the environment. I often raise its importance in the battle against climate change as well. As we know, beef producers maintain precious grassland habitat that is disappearing at alarming rates. These habitats provide many benefits from an ecological perspective, but when cattle are able to utilize them, they also produce quality food for the global population. A main MBP focus in 2022 will be continuing to advocate for producers to be supported for maintaining these important lands, such as recognition of ecosystem services, thereby helping to level the playing field with commodity crops. If producers aren’t supported through land payments, carbon credits, etc., then we will continue to see total acres of important

Ray Bittner Project Lead

so if you are interested, please contact me as soon as possible at the number or email provided at the end of this article.

The following is an overview of available RMPs which are offered through the project.

Game cameras are very useful tools in species identification of predators and predator numbers. They sense animal movement and snap photos of the field of view so you can correctly identify predators and their behaviors on your operation. Game cameras can be used 24 hours a day, but the top priority is choosing a predator traffic location. Preference will be given if these are used in combination with other RMPs. Composting pens are intended to assist in the removal of food sources predators may scavenge. While this will not totally eliminate on-farm predator activity, it will help reduce the frequency of predator visits and the threat of interactions with livestock. Pens will be custom installed and are up to 60 by 60 feet square. The installation cost is very reasonable with the producer only responsible for a 25% share of costs.

Predator resistant livestock penning is a heavy duty livestock pen built with multiwire high-tensile electric fence wires and predator resistant gates. This type of pen can provide multiple acres with protection

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grassland ecosystems decline through land conversion.

Beef producers are champions for environmental sustainability, and there are many wheels in motion to get some support for this effort.

Looking forward in 2022, I hope we have fewer crises to deal with such as drought or floods, and see a positive production year. We can then continue efforts of importance, such as the environment file I referenced or the agricultural Crown lands challenges that need resolve, among other key files. We have a great team to accomplish many of these important tasks. We are also looking forward to working with Derek Johnson, MLA for Interlake-Gimli, who was recently appointed Minister of Agriculture. And MBP thanks outgoing Minister Ralph Eichler for his years of service to the agriculture sector.

In light of the recent pandemic-related challenges, MBP’s board and staff have decided to change the format of our 43rd AGM to be strictly virtual, rather than a hybrid in-person and virtual event as originally planned. Although I was greatly looking forward to an in-person event, it is the responsible decision to make in consideration of the health and safety of all involved.

Conditions permitting, we are planning on doing a summer BBQ and knowledge transfer event to allow for the fellowship in the Manitoba sector that we’ve all been missing as a result of the pandemic. Watch for more details in the months ahead.

Here’s to a safe and productive calving season!

against most predators. A pen will be custom installed and is up to five acres in size. The installation cost is very reasonable with the producer only responsible for a 25% share of costs.

Fladry wire is a polywire with streamers sewn on intended to ward off wolves and coyotes due to the streamers’ movement and the electric shock upon contact. While their use is a short-term practice for birthing periods or while you have compromised livestock under care, it is claimed to be effective at limiting coyote and wolf movement and it is portable. Fladry wire, fence posts, gates, and a solar-powered fencer is all included in the package.

Vet assessments and consultations are another option. Animal husbandry is an important component of a predation management strategy. This RMP involves an on-farm livestock assessment and consultation by a local veterinarian. The intent is to discuss management practices related to optimal herd health, and to reduce the risk of weak animals on the farm. Such animals can be prime targets for predators, and animals which die due to other causes can attract predators. More than 10 additional farms can apply for this RMP. As well, trapper assistance is provided at no cost to producers via the provincially-funded Problem Predator Removal Services Program (PPRP) run via the Manitoba Trappers Association (MTA). Producers who have made a predation loss claim through Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) can apply for trapper assistance to remove problem predators.

For more information about how the program operates, contact the MTA at 204-295-1512.

Consideration is being given to delivering workshops this spring or summer to raise awareness of risk mitigation practices producers can use on their farms and ranches, or initiatives they can access, such as the PPRP. Check MBP’s website and social media channels for further details.

For more information or to enquire taking part in the LPPP project please contact Ray Bittner at (204) 7680010 or RBittner@mbbeef.ca Individual RMP factsheets, photos and diagrams can be found by visiting https://mbbeef.ca/producers/ and clicking on the Livestock Predation Prevention Project icon on the left side.

Project funding is being provided by the Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers and the Manitoba Sheep Association. Guidance is being provided by members of the Livestock Predation Protection Working Group, which includes the aforementioned entities, as well as the Manitoba Trappers Association, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

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CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

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CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

5

Cattle producers continue efforts to protect grasslands and species at risk

BY WAYNE HILDEBRAND Allan and Jacqueline Downey are 4th generation Melita area cattle producers who have worked with Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC) for close to 20 years to protect native grassland pastures and species at risk along the Souris River Valley.

“Our main pasture is along a five mile stretch of the river valley starting at the USA border,” said Allan. “The pasture is almost all native grassland on the wide river flats and banks.”

“My great grandfather homesteaded the farm in the late 1880s,” Allan said. “He fenced the Mixed Grass Prairie that was grazed by huge herds of buffalo.” Over thousands of years the plants, birds and animals adapted to survive and thrive in the grasslands of this dry corner of the province.

Eighty per cent of Manitoba’s Mixed Grass Prairie is now gone. The grasslands of the Downey farm are helping to protect many prairie species, including the endangered Ferruginous Hawk, Baird’s Sparrow, and Sprague’s Pipit.

“Jacqueline and I signed Conservation Agreements with Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation to permanently protect our native grassland pastures in 2003, 2006 and 2011,” said Allan. “In 2020 Tom Moran from Manitoba Habitat Heritage contacted me about a new

Polled purebred Simmental (Photo credit: Allan Downey)

program aimed at protecting threatened and endangered species on grass pastures. Tom explained that the program provided funding that included the cost of fencing materials. No one had ever offered to buy me fence posts before, so we looked into it.”

“It is common for our habitat programming to change over time,” said MHHC Habitat Conservation Specialist Tom Moran. “Recently MHHC has developed incentive programs for beef producers that recognize the positive connection between grasslands, cows, wildlife habitat and protection of species at risk.”

“Over time you build a relationship with area landowners,” said Tom. “It was easy for me to contact Allan, Jacqueline and their son Ryan to discuss and explain the new program for cattle producers and their pastureland.

The program provides funding for several things including perimeter pasture fencing, cross fencing, dugouts, watering systems and shrub mowing. Program funding is available for 2022 projects.”

“We really appreciated Tom contacting us to discuss the new program,” said Allan. “The financial assistance helped, and the new fence sure looks nice. In the end, the funding MHHC provided allowed us to replace nine miles of permanent perimeter fence, put in 2.6 miles of temporary cross fence, and build 6 new dugouts.”

“The summer of 2021 was one of mixed blessings,” Allan said. “It was so dry that for the first time we never

baled any hay, but we had time to pound posts and replace old fence.”

“We care a lot for our cows and native prairie grasslands,” said Allan. “There are fewer cattle producers every year and 2021 was a tough year for many. It is encouraging that MHHC understands that beef producers are protecting their grasslands, raising food, and helping endangered species at the same time. It is nice to feel appreciated.”

Sprague’s Pipit species at risk in southwestern Manitoba (Photo credit: MHHC)

Native prairie - Souris River Valley (Photo credit: Allan Downey)

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6

CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

Producers can apply for drought assistance via three programs through AgriRecovery Manitoba beef producers affected by the drought conditions are reminded 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.

As well, there is a herd management program to assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed.

Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program helps 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 offers 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 one-way 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.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AT

@ MBCHAROLAIS

Applications are available at https://www.gov.mb.ca/ Animals culled under the Herd Management agriculture/livestock/agrirecovery-feed-purchase-trans- Drought Assistance program are not eligible for asport-assistance.html and must include receipts for feed sistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs purchases and transportation. launched on Aug. 31, 2021. The application package The Herd Management Drought Assistance pro- can be accessed online at the Manitoba Agriculture gram will assist livestock producers in offsetting the and Resource Development website (www.manitoba. cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above ca/agriculture), in-person at ARD and MASC Service normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may Centres, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy be eligible to apply for assistance to: in the mail.

• purchase replacement breeding females There are also a number of resources on this site • retain replacement females from their existing to provide more details on the three programs, such herd or flock as frequently asked questions, program guides, certain The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s application forms, explanatory videos, and important inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels. deadline reminders.

Of note, the breeding females culled due to drought For explanatory videos see: https://www.youtube. can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement com/playlist?list=PLD7OiKf hYvB8p4bxsvxcT_hxQpfemales from the applicant’s existing herd or flock. CL1Ykea The replacement must contribute to an increase in the Manitobans can also stay up to date on Manitoba’s applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on agricultural programs and services by following @ January 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above MBGovAg on Twitter https://twitter.com/MBGovAg. pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: • Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, SERVICES and bred does.

Lois McRae & Joyce Gordon • Purchases of females that will RR 1 B ox 5 7 be bred by Jan. 31, 2023 Brandon, Manitoba R7A 5Y1 • Retaining females from the h: 204-728-3058 c: 204-573-5192 applicant’s existing herd to be f: 204-727-7744 bred for the first time by Jan. m a r m a c f a r ms1@gmail.com 31, 2023.

The replacement animals must be LIVESTOCK INSURANCE maintained in the herd or flock until specializing in livestock insurance for over 45 years Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

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CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

7

Measuring range and pasture health BY: DR. MARY-JANE ORR, MBFI GENERAL MANAGER Goods & Services (EG&S) to regenerate the natural cap-

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ital in the land. Range and pasture EG&S include food production, water regulation, carbon sequestration, soil formation, erosion control, pollination, and wildlife habitat biodiversity. Evaluating and planning management approaches to address areas of improvement will benefit producers on the farm through lower feed costs, increased stability of forage production, lower forage stand maintenance costs, and increased flexibility and efficiency for extending grazing.

Documenting outcome-based indictors over time has an added value of being a resource to show evidence of improved management. Outcomes-based accreditation provides a pathway to incentivize practices through label recognition for product premium supply chains. The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) collaboratively developed the Sustainable Beef Production Standard, where certified operations are eligible to use the CRSB Certification Mark to promote sustainability by direct marketing customers, supply chain purchasers, and the public. The certifying bodies of the Standard include Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) and Where Food Comes From Inc., who work with operations to identify areas for improvement and prepare for certification audits.

In the CRSB Sustainable Beef Production Standard, natural resources are one principle in the framework in addition to people and the community, animal health and welfare, food safety and quality, and innovation.

The emphasis under CRSB is that each certified operation manages natural resources responsibly and improves ecosystem health. The Standard requirements were designed for broad adoption with tiered levels to be accessible to individual operations, support continuous improvement of beef production, be relative to the regional conditions, and support awareness building around beneficial practices. Under this certification framework, carrying out a range and pasture health assessment would place the operation in the top level of Excellence for the goal of grasslands, tame pastures, and native ecosystems being maintained or enhanced.

Building on this initiative, Cargill’s certified sustainable beef program markets beef at a premium and provides a credit per head for cattle processed at Cargill that were retained in certified operations throughout the production cycle. A challenge in the rollout of the program, especially for cow-calf operations, is having livestock remain in the certified supply chain over potentially multiple sales. Increasing uptake of VBP+ certified producers, direct contract cattle to other certified operations, marketing livestock in special VBP+ auction

Dr. Mary-Jane Orr (Photo credit: MBFI) sales, and promoting certification status will all work towards increasing the benefits to individual producers.

Savory Institute’s Land to Market program, under development to be rolled out in Canada, similarly markets a branded product premium to consumers that is verified to be sourced from producers using regenerative practices to improve their land. The Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) takes observations and measurements, built on similar principles to the Manitoba RPHA, over short- and long-term time intervals to verify producers are regenerating their farms. Holistic Management Canada is the Regional Hub Verifier and working to bring the program to Canadian producers.

Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives (MBFI) is a VBP+ audited operation, and automatically CRSB certified through the single audit process. Having completed the Holistic Management EOV monitor training program in January 2022, we are looking forward to establishing monitoring sites at both the Brookdale and Johnson Farm stations. For the 2022 field season, we are building an on-farm research study utilizing the MB RPHA and EOV over short- and long-term time frames to establish soil health, forage, and livestock productivity measures to benchmark whole farm operations. For more information email MBFI at information@mbfi.ca.

Resource Links: Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association: Manitoba Range and Pasture Health Assessment Workbook (https://mfga.net/rangeland-pasture-health) Beef Cattle Research Council: Rangeland & Riparian Health (https://www.beefresearch.ca/research-topic.cfm/ rangeland-riparian-health-82) Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef: Sustainable Beef Standard (https://www.crsbcertified.ca/ producers/beef-production-standard) Savory Institute: Land to Market program Ecological Outcome Verification (https://savory.global/ land-to-market/eov)

12

MARCH

Investing your time in range and pasture health assessment provides a snapshot in time of each range or pasture’s ability to support livestock grazing capacity.

In reading and attending training opportunities I’ve observed two scales of focus for implementing range and pasture health assessments. The first being farm focused to quantitatively identify issues in the land base to prioritize interventions and to monitor the impact of management to sustain and improve productivity over time. The second focusing on access to labeled supply chains for financial incentives through farm accreditation or verification.

The Manitoba Range and Pasture Health Assessment (RPHA) Workbook, produced and available through the Manitoba Forage and Grasslands Association webpage, is a resource for producers to build awareness and field skills to recognize impacts on their land. The Manitoba RPHA workbook defines health as the degree to which the integrity of soil, vegetation, water, and air, as well as the ecological processes of the ecosystem are balanced and working together relative to the site’s ecozone potential. Ranking assessments are made on five indicators: 1) plant community composition, 2) community structure, 3) site soil stability, 4) litter levels for nutrient cycling and water regulation, and 5) invasive weeds.

The resulting health score is summed for an overall health rating of either healthy, healthy with problems, unhealthy.

The RPHA Workbook goes into depth on the implications of each indicator, and the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) resource page on Rangeland & Riparian Health provides further reading and resources. The Grazing Response Index (GRI), developed

by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, is a tool that can help evaluate a grazing plan for the current season and help to understand health assessment indicator score results. While the GRI does not monitor overall health, the rating value represents the expected response of forages to the current grazing plan, taking into consideration grazing frequency, grazing intensity, and opportunity for the plants to recover.

Seeking improvements in pasture health will increase the capacity of the land to resist detrimental damage and shorten the recovery period following a disturbance. In-field observations of previous management outcomes may also indicate warning signs that pastures are compromised and require rejuvenation to sustain targeted carrying capacity. Beyond sustaining production, assessments identify areas to enhance Ecological

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CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

MBP scholarship recipients TYLER PANKIW Hi, my name is Tyler Barrie Pankiw. I am a 3rd generation beef farmer on my mother and father’s sides of my family ‒ Green Bush Angus and Honey Land Farms, respectively. My grandfather Barrie Baker gave me my middle name, and spent most of his life raising black Angus cattle. So, you could say I was born with the title of pro beef.

Like many Canadian beef farmers’ sons and daughters, I spent my school breaks on the farm or in the pasture. Waking up in the minus 35 nights of November and March to check cows and care for newly-born calves. Everyone has their methods of doing this, but I was happy once spring finally rolled around and my fingers were no longer numb from collecting colostrum.

I love showing up to work and seeing my family there with me. We go through it all together. The brisk mornings are spent cracking jokes, checking the herd, and hoping not to step on a fresh cow pie. It is truly a different type of experience. You learn about parts of life that are sometimes looked away from, and we do that together. Sure there might be a row here and

BROOKLYN WIRGAU Growing up on a farm raising a purebred and commercial Gelbvieh herd has taught me a lot about the beef industry as well as the importance of it.

I enjoy being in agriculture as it has allowed me to learn lifelong skills and well as create long-lasting relationships. I have gained many experiences from being involved in the beef industry that shaped me into who I am today. The beef industry means a lot to my family; we don’t know life without being involved in it. From a marketing perspective it has helped

MATTHEW PAULS Raising cattle isn’t just another job: it truly is a way of life.

Having grown up on a beef producing farm, I am very proud to say that I have been able to experience this lifestyle and all it has to offer. The cattle industry is one that has a great amount of significance to me, my family, my community, and the province as a whole, and that significance is why I feel so strongly about being able to be part of this great industry.

My family has been raising beef cattle for as long as I can remember, and my father for his whole life. As any cattle producer will tell you, this takes a great deal of commitment. It means spending long hours putting up hay in rough sloughs, and equally long hours pulling calves on freezing winter nights. This is a lot for one person to handle, so as soon as my brother and I have been able to, we have helped our parents in any way that we can with the haying, feeding, treating, birthing, and fixing required to maintain the operation. Without a doubt, working as a family with the cows is not the most relaxing experience.

Uncooperative cattle seem to have a way of pushing everyone’s buttons, so to speak, and can be extremely frustrating. However, I can say with confidence that having the opportunity to work together through joy and adversity has brought my family much closer together. Being in the cattle industry provides much more than beef. To us, it gives both meaningful work and a closer bond.

there on how work should do things, but we learn in the end. I am trying to say that beef farming can be challenging, just like many other industries. But we like it the way it is; otherwise, we would not be here.

Those in the community that like fresh beef like it just as much. The farm provides jobs for members of the community that want to work in the outdoors, farmhands, large animal vets, and techs. Our farmhands learn how to operate machinery through training and time, to prepare safe, clean environments for the livestock, to feed and care for them. These people work in close-knit groups, often requiring quality communication skills to avoid problems. They might work different hours than us, but we all end up getting our boots dirty by the end of the day, whether it be the sun setting or rising.

Our black and red Angus cattle provide for the province.

They do the most demanding job of all, transforming energy into a more compact and usable form. At the same time, they stand through the harsh winter days or bask in a pond during the hot summer months. It is not only the beef that they produce that is important to us, but also the manure. All the nutrients left after they have processed the feed we give them are essential to us. This solid manure we dry out and spread across the fields in the area.

The manure breaks down, and the nutrients are then usable again for crops to grow. Higheryielding crops mean more bushels in the bin or, better yet, the elevator.

Everyone in agriculture works together, in one way or another. You can always count on someone to give you a hand or two when things are tough, and that is why I am a Manitoba beef producer.

our herd expand, both buying and selling cattle. The industry has not only taught me, but my family what hard work and determination is to be able to run a beef farm.

Being a past 4-H member it has been a huge eye-opener on how important it was to raise my 4-H projects, as well as market them. Over the years I have sold many steers and by doing that I have been able to provide food for many people in the community.

Being involved in the industry I have had the opportunity to help my community.

Growing up in Lundar I have been able to see all the other local farms within the community; as a small town

in rural Manitoba the majority of the families live on cattle farms. There are a lot of youth who grow up on farms and are understanding the importance of continuing their family farm in future years. It is great for our community as there is lots of local meat to buy. Without all our local farmers being involved in the industry we would not be the community we are today. People in our community are proud to be farmers and proud to support them to help make the industry grow.

Throughout Manitoba the beef industry is a fairly diverse industry; everyone involved is passionate about it and wants to continue to grow the industry as well as make it better for future generations. The industry has helped our economy grow, which means a lot to our province. The industry depends on beef produces across the province. I hope to see in future years younger generations continuing to carry on what past generations created and for everyone in Manitoba to continue to support beef producers.

My community also has strong ties to the beef industry. Despite a slight downward trend in recent years, many family cow-calf operations still exist in our region. Such farms are an important part of our area as they provide a way of life for many area residents. Beef producers also have much impact on the community through their support of the Beef 4-H program. In addition, the prevalence of smaller cow-calf farms has led to growth in the feeder steer market. Many families simply buy steers from the cow-calf farms and raise them to slaughter for beef.

Such trade showcases the important connection between beef farmers and the community at large.

Finally, beef production has a lot of significance to Manitoba. Despite the fact that our province has less massive feedlots, we still have the third most cattle by province in Canada. This means that many smaller cow-calf operations and small feedlots are more prevalent. This smaller-scale setup translates into more localized transactions, supporting the many butcher shops across the province and providing an important economic benefit to Manitoba.

In fact, many businesses, from cattle equipment manufacturers, logistics companies, restaurants, and everything in between have some sort of “steak” in the cattle industry.

In closing l want to emphasize how glad I am to have had the opportunity to grow up in this industry.

Being involved in agriculture has allowed me to develop relationships with my family, community, and our animals. I’ve been able to learn the importance

of hard work, the responsibility that comes with animal husbandry, and a diverse skillset I wouldn’t have if I didn’t live on a farm. In fact, my experience with our cattle is the primary reason I intend to pursue Veterinary Medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Despite the difficulties it brings, I simply can’t imagine a life in which I’m not connected to agriculture in beef production in some way, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world!

www.mbbeef.ca

CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

RILEY JANKE My family has been involved in the beef industry for four generations. I am proud to say I am a fourth-generation beef farmer. My great grandpa started our heard with 10 cow-calf pairs, and we have since grown our heard to 140 cow-calf pairs. Our herd consists of Red and Black Angus. My family and I are very dedicated to our animals. We pride ourselves on showing our animals respect, as well as making them as comfortable as possible.

Ever since I was young, I have been surrounded by cattle. I willingly spend every morning during the summer months checking pastures. Watching my own animals grazing fresh green grass on a summer morning is very relaxing. Ensuring my animals are healthy and comfortable is my top priority. I believe my passion for cattle comes from my father. He has taught me how to properly maintain a healthy herd.

From dragging myself out of bed at 2 a.m. during a snowstorm to check for newborns, to spending my Friday nights shoulder deep pulling a calf, it’s all in my best interest to sustain a healthy herd.

MEGAN BESWITHERICK The beef industry is one of the most important industries in the world, feeding the world and helping to control CO2 levels with the required pastureland.

Not only does the world rely on the beef industry, but so does my family, my community, and Manitoba.

The beef industry means everything to my family. It has been our life and passion for the past 25 years, my community because it runs on the charity

JILLIA MEGGISON What the beef community means to my family, my community, and Manitoba is not simply a paycheck.

Although many of the families in my community make their living on raising and breeding beef, it is more a lifestyle than a career. Being raised on a beef and mixed grain farm, I have been around cows my entire life. I have grown comfortable with them to the point where I know how to safely handle cows, and when to run and seek safety behind a fence.

Working with such large animals as a teen and young adult has taught me to love working with cattle and to be patient even in the most frustrating times, and that although they may seem tame and calm, they can become dangerous very quickly. I have learned to pick up on the signs of when they become stressed and are less safe to work with. When I was first starting to help with the cows, my dad made sure I knew to be careful, keep my head up, stay on my toes, be loud, and always be paying attention while in the pen with the cows. I’ve also learned about their eating habits, how to check a herd to make sure everyone looks healthy, and that cattle always come running for oats!

The beef industry was part of my childhood, not just because beef products are ingredients in most of

My grandpa once told me that if I loved my job, I would never work a day in my life. I could never imagine myself not being a beef producer. I pride myself on the fact that our beef operation is run strictly as a family-owned and operated business. Everyone pulls their weight which is what makes the job so enjoyable.

Working with my family can be challenging at times, but in the end, I know that we all have the same goal, which is to do best by our animals.

I find it disappointing with the number of farms opting out of cattle. In the last decade I have seen many neighbors in my rural area do away with their beefers. I believe the beef industry is the keystone in my community. Marquette is a wonderful environment to house cattle. Our pastures are well treed, and the grass is never greener on the other side of the fence!

Along with my community, the beef industry is vital to the identity of Manitoba. Local beef producers are all in the game together. If the neighbors’ cows get out, your friendly neighbor is often there to help regather the herd. This reputation is what our beef industry should be built on. I for one believe Manitoba beef producers build their own entities on those bases.

and support of the surrounding beef farmers, and Manitoba because it is protecting the environment and keeping the costs of nutritional beef products in Manitoba low.

My family has been heavily involved in the beef industry since before I was even born, it has always been our way of life. My parents started our company, B2 Cattle Co. in 1997, transitioning from our generational dairy farm to a new start with beef, never looking back since. Not only has growing up on a beef farm taught me a passion for animals, but it has also taught me resilience and forward-thinking.

The beef industry is important to my family and me, it is our way of life and our passion. My parents have never ceased to be passionate and proud of their accomplishments with their cattle, passing that along to my two sisters and myself. The influence and help of my parents have allowed one of my sisters and me to start our own cattle company, Lil Chicks Cattle Co., and pursue our dream of raising purebred Simmental cattle.

To say that the beef industry means everything to us is an understatement, it has allowed us to follow our dreams and love what we do every single day. All of these traits are the reason why I love, am proud to be a part of, and will forever enjoy the freedom of the agriculture industry.

The small community of Austin and area is an agriculture-based community, where over double the residents live in the country than in the town itself.

It is not uncommon to see tractors and grain trucks

pulling into town to pick up groceries on the way by.

One of the main industries in is the beef industry, which makes up a large portion of jobs available in the area. From the ranchers, other business opportunities arise, such as feedlot cleaning, manure spreading, vet clinics, and butcher shops. The beef industry is an essential part of the economy of my community, and to the non-for-profit organizations in the community, because beef producers are among some of the most charitable in the community.

As for Manitoba, the beef industry is one of the largest industries in the province and is a part of our identity. Due to a large number of fields and pastureland belonging to farmers and ranchers occupying friendly Manitoba, the CO2 levels in the province are very low, showing that we, as a whole, are doing our part to help the environment. Not only does the beef industry positively impact the environment, but it also allows the nutrition of beef products to come at a more affordable cost in Manitoba because of little to no transportation costs.

After reviewing all the positive impacts that the beef industry makes on the environment, community, and Manitoba, it is clear that the industry is an important part of our society. Not only does it provide a positive effect on the health of our economy in the prairies, but also the common passion for the success of the industry due to the large numbers of participants. The beef industry means everything to me and is a beacon of hope to do good for our economy in trying times.

my favourite foods, but because I learned to anticipate that around mid-February, I could watch as my dad pulled a cow, or that in the fall we’d have a crew at our house to help with preg checking all the cows.

I’ve learned about the responsibility of growing animals that will feed others. Each morning with only the odd break, my father and grandfather go out with the tractor and feed, water, and check the cows.

Unable to go on long vacations, and always needing to stay close by when calving season comes along is a large part of their lives, and commits beef producers to their jobs. This shows how deeply beef producers are rooted in their jobs. When they get their livestock, they cannot abandon the animals and choose a new career. When you become a producer, you’re in it for the long run, through tough seasons and tough markets. In the town I grew up in, cattle brought the community together, whether it was because someone needed help with a big job, or just everyday conversation about how things are going with the animals.

What it means to be a beef producer is being willing to help out fellow producers with big jobs, committing your time and life to raising cattle and supplying beef feeding your country. It means learning the behaviors of the animals and knowing how to respond. Being a beef producer means being a part of

a community that helps each other out, that is sustained by hard work and long hours. Becoming a beef producer is a large investment of time and money, but it is time and money well spent and I’m proud to be the daughter of a beef producer.

www.mbbeef.ca

9

10 CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

2021: A perfect storm for beef producers

BY: ANGELA LOVELL If there ever was a perfect storm of things that could go wrong, beef producers weathered it in 2021, continuing to wade through the tough trends set in motion the previous year.

Michael Young, President of Canada Beef, has been in the industry a long time, and has never seen so many headwinds lined up as this past year, including widespread drought across Western Canada that affected grain and forage production, the ongoing pandemic and livestock diseases that disrupted markets and the supply chain.

“We went into 2021 with a huge opportunity to fill gaps that existed in the market [because of African Swine Fever in Asia which decimated the hog industry there in 2020], and then COVID-19 hit and everyone was challenged to maintain supply chains and get the volume up and into the market,” Young says.

But, as Canadian beef producers faced these challenges, they also had some good news, as beef demand stayed strong, and the industry adapted to be resilient to whatever came its way. The industry had learned valuable lessons since the onset of the pandemic in spring 2020. It is estimated that the meat processing industry in North American spent around $1.5B on measures to protect its employees and be able to continue to operate during the ongoing pandemic.

“As we went through wave after wave of COVID, we were able to ensure our processing plants could continue operating on a full capacity basis,” says Dennis Laycraft, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) Executive Vice-President. “That was important because we were seeing record demand for our products.”

Despite the slowdowns in processing in 2020, Canadian beef exports still set a new record for value that year, and in 2021, surpassed that record by 27 per cent. That growth was due to continued strong demand particularly from the United States (which saw the strongest beef demand in 33 years) and Asia.

“When we went through the challenges with supply chains, and people were staying home and doing more home meal preparation, beef became one of their favourite meals again,” Laycraft says.

Promoting sustainable, nature-based solutions There have been massive and concerted efforts by the beef industry to debunk common misconceptions about beef production and consumption, and emphasize its sustainable practices, and positive role in protecting fragile ecosystems and addressing climate change.

In June, various industry partners including Canada Beef, CCA, Beef Farmers of Ontario and Media Planet launched an online “Untold Stories About Canadian Beef” campaign. In May, the award-winning video, Guardians of the Grasslands, a co-project of CCA, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada, was publicly released, and has since received more than 15,000 views on YouTube and been shown in many schools across the country.

Another highlight of the year was the first ever United Nations Food System Summit that was held in New York in September. At the summit, there was much discussion about plant-based proteins, which mobilized the global animal protein industry to share its story about the sustainability of its products, with Canada leading the way.

“What we saw was that the animal industries from across the world got more involved and there was very

strong support from the cropping sector as well about the importance of livestock in agriculture and the need for nature-based solutions,” Laycraft says.

There are few animals that are more integral to nature-based solutions for agricultural sustainability than cattle production, whether it’s preserving grasslands, practising regenerative agriculture, or being able to utilize low quality grains for feed.

“Canada’s [government] representative talked about how sustainable Canada’s livestock industries are, and having positive comments come out about livestock industries in Canada was quite significant,” Laycraft says.

A year of drought The summer of 2021 brought more challenges for beef producers across Western Canada as the second year of widespread drought, wildfires and floods affected different regions. The severity of the drought, which extended to northwestern parts of the United States, meant producers faced feed shortages as pastures and feed crops struggled to produce adequate yields. The issue was compounded by the fact that China had been buying up vast quantities of grains and oilseeds in late 2020 and early 2021 as its hog industry began to revive from the African Swine Fever outbreaks that had decimated it in the previous two years.

“We entered the drought with some of the lowest inventories of grains and oilseeds that we’ve ever had,” Laycraft says. “We needed a good crop to get through that and we didn’t get a good crop, so we had a shortage of feed and high prices for feed heading into it, so it made the drought an even more severe event than it would have been if we had gone into it with normal grain inventories.”

Even though western Canadian beef producers were able to import feed corn from the U.S., the added transportation costs and high corn prices had a negative effect on cattle prices as the year progressed.

Adversity, though, often brings out the best, like the efforts of farmers in Eastern Canada, who had some of their best forage crops in years, to get hay to their counterparts in the west. It also demonstrated the importance of producer organizations across every province from Ontario to British Columbia, that continued to work to help alleviate issues for their members.

“As we went through water shortages, drought, and wildfires that were wreaking havoc in British Columbia, and then the floods, CCA worked closely with all of the organizations, and the federal and provincial governments to get some disaster assistance and drought relief available for producers,” he says. “It shows how important organizations are, when you get into difficult circumstances, to work together and get that strong message to government. We’re going to lose some of our herd this year, that’s inevitable when you have a drought the size that it is, but it would have been far worse without the type of support that we were able to get from government.”

That support also extended to changes in AgriStability to make it more useful to beef producers, with the reference margin limits adjusted to make it easier for cattle producers to qualify.

Promoting the positive story of Canadian beef Although Canada didn’t suffer from actual food shortages during the past year, consumers did face higher food costs based on inflation and distribution challenges relating to the pandemic. Consumers also noticed a sharp increase in the price of all of animal

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proteins at the meat case and on the menu. The Canada Beef team was quick to roll out value-based marketing strategies to help the retail sector merchandise lower priced cuts and preparation methods to support consumers looking to stretch the food budget.

“Beef always represents some of the highest valued protein choices in the meat case or on the menu, so we were faced with formidable challenges to support beef’s market share,” Young says. “Canadians will always purchase more ground beef when the prices go up, so our team was quick to provide additional merchandising options for the retail sector and preparation ideas for the ground beef category to support consumer choices.”

The development and launch of the Canadian Beef Information Gateway (Gateway) has provided an innovative solution that will deliver huge returns on investment for the Canadian cattle and beef industry, as it moves through and beyond pandemic conditions, says Young. The Gateway is a digital ecosystem of consumer information to simplify selection, preparation, and enjoyment of a wider variety of beef cuts more often. The Gateway is accessible via a QR code or the UPC bar code already on every package of beef.

“The idea for development of the Gateway became obvious when our team noticed the resurgence of Quick Response (QR) codes using handheld smart phones and tablets to provide consumers with the information they need when they wanted it,” Young says. “Consumer research by Canada Beef confirmed that consumers are looking for more information about beef nutrition, cooking methods, recipe videos, food safety and beef quality and grading information. Surveyed shoppers who purchase beef at least once a week expressed interest in accessing this information by scanning a QR code.”

The Gateway is an exciting new approach to support consumers who are already eating beef, and to persuade new customers to try different beef products. It also provides the opportunity to make connections with younger people who don’t have the same connection as their parents did with beef and cooking at home.

“We’ve been challenged for years to make a connection with millennials and Gen Xs. The pandemic created a situation that has brought families back to the kitchen to prepare and enjoy meals at home,” Young says.

It was also the year that Canada finally achieved negligible risk status for BSE from the World Organisation for Animal Health, which Young says is a big step forward in being able to close the door on BSE and move forward in getting the same equitable trade access as Canada’s global competitors.

“We had the opportunity to co year across the beef supply ch stories have been truly inspiri faced, and continue to face, h kindness, understanding and continue to support each othe sustainability impacts.”

Progress on beef sustainability A total of 7.4 million lbs. of beef were sold with a Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) certified sustainable claim in 2020-21, a 35% increase over the previous year, totalling over 17 million lbs. since 2018. Five new retail, restaurant and foodservice companies joined the CRSB certified sustainable beef program last year, and sourcing by existing partners remained strong, with some expanding.

“Sourcing commitments by retailers demonstrate on-going consumer demand into the future, and it is a great time for beef producers to seize opportunities through this certification program,” says Monica Hadarits, Executive Director of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).

CRSB also conducted a survey for the Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, and held two virtual workshops to gather feedback on what’s working well and what needs to be improved from individual producers, as well as producer organizations.

CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022 11 “The feedback will help to ensure our internal discussions in 2022 are grounded in practical experiences,” Hadartis says.

During 2021, the CRSB also initiated a review of the National Beef Sustainability Assessment, by conducting a beef producer survey, receiving over 300 completed surveys. These surveys will be aggregated and used to inform key national sustainability metrics that will be calculated and released in 2023, to indicate progress towards the goals set out in the 2016 National Beef Sustainability Strategy.

“These metrics are critical advocacy and communication tools with stakeholders, policy makers and the public about the global leadership role that Canadian beef farmers and ranchers play in sustainability outcomes,” Hadarits says.

In April, building upon the five-year goals that were outlined in the 2020-2024 National Beef Strategy, the industry collaborated to launch a suite of ambitious tenyear goals that provide clear messaging about the process to continually improve how cattle are raised and enhance the natural environments under the care of beef farmers and ranchers. They include goals to improve water and soil quality, support the health and safety of people throughout the supply chain, improve beef quality and incorporate technology to improve efficiencies.

The goals underscore the vast benefits of raising beef cattle in Canada, beyond supplying global protein demand, and address all five principles of beef sustainability which have been adopted by the Canadian beef industry: natural resources, people and community, animal health and welfare, food, and efficiency and innovation.

“The CRSB was very pleased to participate in the goal development process,” Hadartis says. “These 2030 goals provide the foundation to bring stakeholders together and build partnerships for future success, and we look forward seeing what emerges to make these goals a reality.”

The goals were also highlighted at the Global Conference on Beef Sustainability, as well as featuring prominently in dialogues at the United Nations Food Systems Summit, held in New York in September.

Communicating Canada’s sustainability story Lastly, the CRSB joined two new initiatives that bring the food system together to measure and communicate Canada’s sustainability story, and streamline reporting for producers — the Canadian Agri-Food Sustainability Initiative (CASI) and the National Index on Agri-Food Performance. The CRSB has leadership roles in both of these initiatives.

“We were proud to see recognition of our efforts on the 2030 Goals and public campaigns through nominations by the Best of CAMA (Canadian Agri-Food Marketers Alliance) Awards, and to share our expertise in communicating sustainability with marketing professionals across the Canadian agriculture industry,” Hadartis says.

Not to say that 2021 has been without its share of challenges such as drought, fires and floods, that have affected the productivity of CRSB-certified farms along with other cattle producers.

“The supply of beef from CRSB-certified farms and ranches to meet the growing demand has been a challenge, and we have been working with the value chain to help address the challenge, and will continue to do so in 2022,” Hadartis says. “Aligning communications efforts across the value chain and answering the questions producers have about participation in the program are ongoing priorities this year, as well as continuing the dialogue with consumers and the public about the positive role that Canadian beef production plays in a healthy and sustainable food system.”

Hadartis says the CRSB will continue to share the outstanding sustainability performance of Canadian beef to audiences beyond the industry. Marketing partnerships with Canada Beef, Public and Stakeholder Engagement, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Birds Canada, and others have proven to be highly impactful, and these efforts will continue.

“Our committees will be hard at work this year calculating those new metrics for the assessment, updating the standards for the certification program, and continuing to communicate Canada’s beef sustainability story,” Hadartis says. “Being part of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, we can say that many regions around the world do not have those metrics and/or a program to share - these have proven to be beneficial when engaging with stakeholders such as banks, retail and food service companies, NGOs, researchers and governments.”

Canadian beef industry looks ahead in 2022 Looking ahead to 2022, Young says a big concern is increasing inflation, that will continue to put pressure on the food budget, and will mean more competition at the meat counter and on the menu.

The past year has not affected everyone equally. While export demand for beef is up and the retail sector has thrived, the food service industry in Canada has been hard hit by successive COVID-19 measures that have seen many restaurants close their doors for good. That’s meant the industry is working hard on strategies and support programs to provide beef product solutions that are better suited for many foodservice categories and emerging concepts like home meal replacement, meal kits, take-away and delivery.

“The volume shifted to retail, and they saw double digit increases, and part of that was food service simply walking over to retail,” Young says. “We are challenging ourselves to be the group that brings solutions to the table for that sector.”

Competition for the stomach has always been fierce, and we see that getting fiercer,” Young says. “Many folks mention the price increase of beef these days, even though, pork, chicken and plant-based proteins have gone up in price as well,” he says.

onnect with many this past hain and beyond, and their ing. Many of our members hardships. Through listening, d collaboration, we can er and make meaningful – Monica Hadarits, CRSB.

DBD_MBCatCountry_Jan22.indd 1

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“There are many, lower value cuts that can work well for Canadians, so an important part of our job is to present those options to consumers to buy it, retailers and food service people to offer it and provide ideas about how to prepare it, so it’s going to be a satisfying experience for the consumer that can fit any budget.”

Canada Beef has also identified a growing trend, and a huge opportunity, to bring ethnic recipes and preparation methods to the table, as many retail clients are asking for culturally appropriate recipes that can utilize Canadian beef.

“We want to make sure that there are beef choices that fit different levels and different price points,” Young says. “We are creating recipes and cooking methods that are culturally acceptable to different Canadians. The gateway is helping us to customize recipes we never had before for different regions of Canada that represent a huge population of customers we’ve never spoken to before.”

What will Mother Nature do?

But, as with most years in agriculture, everything hinges on what Mother Nature will bring and 2022 is no different. With it being a La Niña year, statistically speaking, producers in Western Canada could expect a lot of snow over the winter that would definitely help the drought situation going into spring, but at time of writing, it’s too early to tell how that scenario will pan out.

But, if producers can get adequate moisture to provide good grain and oilseed yields north of the border and corn in the U.S., that should start to lower feed prices to a more manageable level as inventories, without the overheated demand seen from Asia last year, continue to recover.

But with dugouts dry and aquifers badly depleted in many areas, if the rains don’t come, producers could be heading into a third straight year of serious drought and continued to experience shortages of feed and potable water.

“This year can move in either a positive or negative direction,” Laycraft says. “We know beef demand is going to remain strong. The only thing limiting our exports right now is our supply. We could easily sell more product as we move forward under the favourable terms we have with the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) countries. It could shape up to be a very strong year for the industry, but we need Mother Nature to cooperate.”

Supporting the future of the industry Canada Beef is also taking a lead educational role in the industry, with efforts to encourage the next generation of not only producers (through partnering with CCA on its Cattlemen’s Young Leaders mentorship programs) but also supporting the culinary arts and butchery industries.

“We are plugged in now, in a way we’ve never been before, to support young people getting into the business of preparing food,” Young says. “We are also doing our best to make the economic indicators line up so that it is encouraging for young producers to get into the business, because the demand is there and it’s growing longterm. We’re working hard to bring the value back, and bring that profitability back to the producer.”

www.mbbeef.ca

12 CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

University of Manitoba research aims to increase production, profitability and enhance environmental sustainability BY: PETER FROHLICH, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIVESTOCK AND THE ENVIRONMENT, UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA As the new year begins, the National Center for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE) and University of Manitoba (UM) researchers are continuing to support research priorities laid out by the Canadian beef industry. Research teams have hit the ground running with a palette of projects that address both Beef Cattle Research Council and the Manitoba Beef Producers research priorities. Ongoing projects address competitiveness and cost reduction, improve beef demand and quality and enhance public confidence by focusing on environmentally sustainable production methods within the beef value chain and beyond. Several projects have received seed funding dollars from beef producer groups. This funding is then stretched further by matching dollars provided by collaborations and funding programs at federal, provincial and industry levels.

Researchers with the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences are spending grower dollars effectively by practicing systems-based research. With this approach, several research questions are answered in a single project through collaboration with scientists from different disciplines within the university, as well as external partners including universities, government, industry and conservation groups.

Nutrition, feed efficiency and forage utilization Challenges associated with drought including feed availability and rising feed costs, as well as climate change and public trust are ever-present for cattle producers. University of Manitoba researchers, collaborators and producers are working together to buffer change and create new feed management strategies that will enable livestock production to prosper. Effective use of forages and extending the grazing season can translate to increased profitability. Intercropping corn with high protein forages can equal higher yielding pastures and precision feeding can improve cattle performance.

Researchers with the departments of Animal and Plant Science are evaluating the benefits of intermediate wheatgrass as a dual-purpose crop that can function as a cash food grain crop and as a high-quality forage for grazing beef cattle in late fall/early winter. In this integrated crop-livestock research project, the team is measuring soil productivity, cattle performance, environmental footprint and economic potential of same season food and feed crop. In addition, the group is assessing the suitability of this system to serve as a habitat for songbirds and nesting waterfowl.

A project on corn intercropping strategies for extended winter grazing is in the works for 2022. Animal and Plant Science researchers are planning to use prairie-wide small plot and large pasture studies, coupled with economic analysis, to evaluate the effectiveness of intercropping corn with high-protein forages. The purpose of this practice will be to increase the yield and nutritive value of the pastures for beef cattle grazing in late fall/early winter.

To round up the feed priority, researchers with NCLE have been exploring the use of precision feeding systems to improve performance on pasture through supplementation. An early outcome of this study has shown that precision feeders can be used to supplement cattle on pasture to improve performance without compromising forage utilization.

Environmental sustainability Addressing our natural environment and its sustainability through research not only ensures we can continue to farm effectively for decades to come but also enhance on-farm profitability. With public and industry interests focused on greenhouse gas emissions, preserving biodiversity, carbon footprinting and overall environmental stewardship in agriculture, the solutions are based in sound research.

Animal Science researchers together with teams from Agriculture and Agri Food Canada (AAFC) and the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institutes (ABMI) are assessing the effects of beef production on biodiversity in Alberta. This project investigates the effects of beef production on many plant and animal species including vascular plants, mosses, lichens, birds, mammals and mites. ABMI holds one of the world’s most comprehensive databases on biodiversity and habitats and when linked with detailed information on Alberta’s

beef production practices the pair can provide a powerful tool in understanding the effects of beef production on biodiversity. Approaches developed in Alberta will then be applied to other regions in Canada.

Should productivity-enhancing technologies be limited in cattle production systems? A research team from Animal Science together with AAFC are examining the impact of productivity enhancing technologies (PET) such as implants and natural feed additives on cattle productivity, GHG’s, ammonia and water use.

Results indicate that removal of PETs would increase the environmental footprint including GHGs, ammonia, as well as land and water use associated with beef production.

Researchers with the departments of Animal and Soil Science are investigating the impact of feeding and manure management practices on GHG emissions.

Together with a team at Virginia Tech University the researchers are reinforcing the importance of beef production by studying the impact of removing livestock from the landscape with a focus on GHG emissions and on the nutritional adequacy in Canadian populations.

Another study looks at the impact of cattle grazing on water dynamics and nutrient cycling in prairie pasture landscapes. Researchers have collected data on the weather, soils, land use, topography, and land management practices in several watersheds in the western provinces. As a result, the team can define grazing management scenarios and simulate pasture productivity, quality as well as examine nitrogen and phosphorus excretion estimates.

Scientists with Animal Science and AAFC are testing a feed additive to see is if influences methane production. Biochar, a charcoal known for its carbon sequestration capacity was tested to see if its addition to cattle diet would decrease methane production. Results show that addition of Biochar to rations and hay-based diets did not mitigate methane production in cattle.

UM researchers use a holistic approach to address environmental sustainability. Scientists at the University of Manitoba are partnering with conservation groups to better understand the interaction between beef production and our ecosystem to preserve natural environments that are vital to the health of our planet.

Scientists with Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research at Ducks Unlimited Canada are working with AAFC and Universities of Manitoba and British Columbia to quantify ecosystem services such as carbon stocks, water quality and biodiversity associated with wetlands in beef production landscapes. The teams have completed the first year of mapping wetlands including 48 sites in the prairie provinces.

The World Health Organization has a priority to recycle food resources and reduce food waste. In one year alone Canadian’s waste over 35 million metric tons of food. Researchers at the Universities of Manitoba and Lethbridge along with AAFC and Manitoba Agriculture are conducting life cycle assessments that calculate environmental impact to determine the land sparing effect and reduction in GHG emissions associated with substitution of cereal grain-based animal feeds with by-products and surplus foods.

Economics and profitability Working towards a better understanding of on farm management practices will result in increased profitability and a stronger bottom line.

Research teams from Animal Science and AAFC have partnered with Canfax to assess on farm management practices of cow-calf operations with a focus on cost of production, as well as GHG emissions. Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is a group that provides information on market analysis and industry trends to farmers to maximize profits. The research team is using bench marking data gathered from 24 producer groups across Canada to examine on-farm practices effecting cost of production as well as GHG emissions. This research will identify best management practices that can be targeted for policy development and program delivery to improve economic and environmental sustainability of the Canadian cattle industry.

Food Safety Eliminating incidences of food borne illness due to

microbiological contamination and minimizing expensive food recalls are priorities for the food processing industry and for UM food scientists.

Researchers at the department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences are determining the ability of E. coli found on stainless steel and polyurethane surfaces to survive and transfer to fresh beef surfaces during processing. The team is also investigating sanitizer resistance and learning which sanitizers are most effective to eliminate E. coli biofilms found on food processing equipment.

Health and Welfare Information generated by projects that address on farm health and welfare ensure healthy animals, address worker safety, farmer mental health and overall enhance public perception of cattle production systems.

Animal Science Researchers and collaborators from AAFC and the University of Alberta are evaluating Redosier dogwood extract as an alternative to antibiotics to improve growth and health of newly-weaned calves.

Red-osier dogwood is a locally grown deciduous shrub well known for its many uses and health enhancing properties, especially with Indigenous groups.

Researchers at the department of Entomology are investigating the relationship between ticks, known transmitters of anaplasmosis, their abundance and risks to cattle and livestock workers. The team has completed the first year of assessments where they determined tick quantities on pasture and their relationship to biting pressure on cattle, horses, and humans.

To further expand research capacity in animal health and welfare, effective January 2021 the University welcomed Meagan King as the Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science. King has completed her PhD in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Guelph. She intends to develop a research program that examines interactions between livestock species and their environment to develop best management practice that support raising animals for food. King is also planning to start a project focused on producer mental health.

Visit the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences outreach website Manitoba Agriculture and Food Knowledge Exchange (MAKE) http://www.makemanitoba.ca for select project highlights on beef production and additional topics in agriculture.

NCLE Team Animal Science Emma McGeough Kim Ominski Marcus Cordeiro Meagan King Plant Science Doug Cattani Yvonne Lawley Soil Science Mario Tenuta David Lobb Francis Zvomuya

Annual Bull & Female Sale

Entomology Kateryn Rochon Agriculture Economics Derek Brewin Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Sara Pogue, Tim McAllister Aklilu Alemu Emma Stephens Wenzhu Yang Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute Majid Iravani Ducks Unlimited, Wetland and Waterfowl Research Pascal Badiou Lauren Bortolotti University of Alberta Lingyun Chen

March 30, 2022 On The Farm

La Rivière, MB - 1:00 PM

40 Head Sell Charolais Bulls Plus Heifers & Commercial Heifers

Jeff & Jackie Cavers Box 237, La Riviere, MB R0G 1A0 P: 204-242-3467 | C: 204-242-4448 www.C2charolais.com

SALE MANAGEMENT T Bar C Cattle Co. Ltd. 306-220-5006

View the catalogue online at WWW.BUYAGRO.COM

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CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022 13

BULL SALE BULL SALE

Annual Simment al & Angus

SELLING L SIMMENTA S LL U B & ANGUS L IA C ER M M PLUS CO S R BRED HEIFE

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March 3, 2022 On the Farm mcauley, manitOba

Glenn & Barry Lowes Eric & Melissa Pateman

McAuley, MB Glen: 204-851-5669 | Barry: 204-851-0342 Eric: 306-434-8567 brookecanart@gmail.com mmwilson87@hotmail.com www.jpcattle.com SALE MANAGED BY T Bar C Cattle Co. Ltd. info@tbarc.com | www.buyagro.com Chris Poley: 306-220-5006 Shane Michelson: 403-363-9973 Ben Wright: 519-374-3335

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find us on: find us on: find us on: Watch & Bid Online

Watch & Bid Online Miles & Bonnie Glasman Matthew & Leanne Glasman Miles & Bonnie Glasman Matthew & Leanne Glasman Jared & Chelsey Glasman Watch & Bid Online Russell, MB Jared & Bonnie ChelseyGlasman Glasman Russell, MB Miles & MatthewHome: & Leanne Glasman Russell, MB 204.773.3209 Russell, MB Home: 204.773.3209 Jared &204.773.3279 Chelsey Glasman Russell, MB Home: Matt’s Cell: 204.773.6055 Home: 204.773.3279 Matt’s Cell: 204.773.6055 Russell, MB Home: 204.773.3209 Miles’ Cell: 204.773.6275 mlg@glasmanfarms.com Miles’ Cell: 204.773.6275 mlg@glasmanfarms.com Home: Matt’s Cell: 204.773.6055 Jared’s204.773.3279 Cell: 204.796.0999 www.glasmanfarms.com Jared’s Cell:204.773.6275 204.796.0999 www.glasmanfarms.com Miles’ Cell: mlg@glasmanfarms.com mjsimmentalangus@gmail.com mjsimmentalangus@gmail.com Jared’s Cell: 204.796.0999 Sale Managed By: www.glasmanfarms.com www.mjsimmentalangus.com Sale Managed By: www.mjsimmentalangus.com T Bar C Cattle Co. Ltd. mjsimmentalangus@gmail.com T Bar C Cattle Co. Ltd. Chris: 306.220.5006 Sale Managed By: www.mjsimmentalangus.com Chris: 306.220.5006

T Bar C Cattle Co. Ltd. Chris: 306.220.5006

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M&J Farms MB Cattle Country Jan22.indd 1 M&J Farms MB Cattle Country Jan22.indd 1

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90 Red & Black Simmental, Black Angus & Sim/Angus bulls

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Cattleman’s Connection Bull Sale Friday, March 31, 2022 at 1:00 PM At The Farm, Oak River, MB

2022-01-07 1:58:53 PM

March 10, 2022

1:00 pm at Spring Creek Ranch, Moosomin, SK

ell S s ’ n o S

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Visitors are always welcome!

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Sale Managed By: T Bar C Cattle Co. Ltd. Chris: 306-220-5006 Shane: 403-363-9973 Ben: 519-374-3335 www.buyagro.com

HBH Angus MB Cattle Country 2022.indd 1

Red Simmental

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2022-01-07 1:54:41 PM

Springcreek MB Cattle Country 2022.indd 1

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14 CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

Thoughts on the markets and what might be in store for cattle producers in the new year Like every other year before, 2022 has opened with Black Swan number two is the announcement in optimism in the beef cattle sector. The question on the January that both China and South Korea were banning table is whether cattle feeders and producers will come the imports of Canadian beef. The ban was the result away disappointed at the spring prices. of the discovery of an older cow on a farm in Alberta RICK WRIGHT The Bottom Line Like every other year, the fundamentals in mid-Dewith a case of atypical BSE. The cow never made it to cember were all pointing to an aggressive market in the the processor, and there was no chance that the meat spring. Fed cattle prices were showing strength and exwas in the food chain. Once again, China is flexing their port markets for Canadian beef continued to improve.

Cash prices for cattle in Manitoba in late December ‘economic muscles’ on Canadian agriculture. China is Even though the feed grain prices did not experience the and early January looked pretty good. 950-pound east- the fastest growing beef importer in the world. China seasonal drop as expected and supplies of corn from the ern quality steers averaged around $195.00, 850-weight increased their imports from the USA 110% in 2021. If USA were getting harder to find, feeder cattle demand steers at $197.00 and 800 pounders at $200.00. This they are not buying Canadian beef, they fill their needs was still strong. The supply of feeder cattle for the spring made anyone who purchased calves during the peak of elsewhere. If Japan happens to follow suit, the result sales was predicted to be lower, as many feed strapped the fall run, or held their calves back, feel good about would be short of catastrophic for the beef industry. producers sold their calves in the fall rather than hold- their fall decisions.

This will also mean that we depend on the USA to ing them until spring. With a smaller projected supply, 2022 has a couple of ‘Black Swans’ that are circling absorb more of our surplus beef. Last year, Canada was the “supply and demand” ratio should indicate strong the cattle market. Just how big of an impact they have the biggest source of beef imports into the USA. Canada prices. on the Canadian cattle market remains to be seen but accounted for 28.6% of all American beef imports. The The Christmas break brought cold weather, but it they certainly have some in the cattle feeding business USA imports beef to fill the supply gaps that are linked also brought snow, which will create some much needed feeling nervous. to their export markets. Experts on the south side of run off for dugouts and creeks and might help raise Black Swan number one is the Omicron variant the border are predicting small imports of beef from all the water table. The American feeder cattle market on and the latest wave of COVID-19. This fast spreading, sources in 2022. The packers are almost certain to use the lightweight calves under 700 the reduction of export opportupounds was strong, and with the 2022 has all the potential to see record prices for cattle! The big ‘if’ is the nities to keep the fed cattle prices USA dollar strengthening, the under pressure in the short term.

American feedlots started looking weather, and if we don’t get favourable seeding and pasture conditions, One other cause for concern north for feeder cattle, putting well that is another story for another time. Like all cattle producers, here is the shrinking supply of feed more competition in the market, is hoping for rain, greener pastures, good crops, and higher cattle prices. grains and no reason to indicate especially on the heifer calves. A any price relief in the first four to few of the bigger feeders started offering forward con- extremely contagious mutation is causing labour issues five months in 2022. On the 10th of January, Lethbridge tracts for the fall, which looked appealing. 950-pound at many of the packing and processing plants across barley was at $450 metric ton, with corn priced at $418 steers off grass for August delivery at $200.00 per hun- North America. None of the processors have had to mt. Corn in Nebraska was at $5.84 (US) per bushel. dredweight looked attractive as a seller if you already close completely, but many are not at capacity because If the ‘Black Swans’ land, the heavier feeder cattle owned the inventory. Some producers contracted open of workers on quarantine. If the harvest lines or the have potential for a downward correction. The lightyearling heifers off the grass for late August delivery at processing shifts are short, the packers need fewer cattle. weight cattle under 700 pounds should remain very $188.00 per hundredweight. Those prices were 10 to 12 Fewer cattle mean more cattle backed up, and with the strong as the “grasser” operations build inventory gamcents per pound higher than the top end cash prices paid supply chain backed up, there is little reason for the bling that there will be enough grass for the summer.

Until next time, Rick. in Manitoba in the fall of 2021. packers to increase their price.

March92022

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 Delayed Payment Plan available at hamcocattleco.com or contact us  Free Board April 15 on Bull will be available online line Bull Videos will available BullVideos Videos will beuntil available on line  Online Bidding with DLMS The Hamiltons For moreinformation information or catalogues catalogues view view ususon onon line For more or viewus line For more information line Glen & Carleen (204) 827-2358 or catalogues Dr. David & Shelley (204) 822-3054 at hamcocattleco.com or contact us at hamcocattleco.com or contact us at hamcocattleco.com or contact us Bull& Kyle Videos willCellbe(204) available Larissa (204) 526-0705 325-3635 Cell on line

larissa_hamilton@hotmail.com Embryo@mymts.net The Hamiltons For &more information or catalogues view us on line Glen Carleen (204) 827-2358 Dr. 822-3054 Glen & Carleen(204) (204)827-2358 827-2358 Dr. David Shelley (204) 822-3054 Glen & Carleen Dr. David David&&&Shelley Shelley(204) (204) 822-3054 at hamcocattleco.com or contact Larissa & (204) 526-0705 Cell 325-3635 Cell us Larissa & Kyle Kyle (204)526-0705 526-0705Cell Cell (204) (204) Larissa & Kyle (204) (204)325-3635 325-3635Cell Cell larissa_hamilton@hotmail.com Embryo@mymts.net larissa_hamilton@hotmail.com Embryo@mymts.net

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CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022 15

Happy Heart Health Month! Tips for a happy and healthy heart BY: TAMARA SARKISIAN, RD Did you know that February is Hearth Health Month? And not because of Valentine’s Day, but simply for raising awareness around heart disease and how to keep your heart healthy. Many factors can influence our heart health and diet plays a huge role in this process.

It is important that we get a balance of nutritious foods daily to keep our hearts pumping efficiently.

A wholesome diet that includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains is ideal for

Beef Shepherd’s pie Ingredients: • 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut in halves • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt • 1/2 cup milk • 2 Tbsp butter • 1 tsp garlic powder • salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2 tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, diced 2 carrots, peeled and diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups mushrooms, diced 1 ½ lb lean ground beef 1 tsp marjoram 1/2 tsp thyme 3 tbsp flour 1 ½ cup beef stock 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 cup corn 1 cup frozen peas salt and pepper to taste

Step 1: Mashed potato layer In a large pot, boil potatoes until soft and drain water. Place pot of potatoes back onto stove top on low heat, add plain yogurt, milk, butter and garlic powder and mash together until potatoes are smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2: Ground beef layer In a separate large saucepan, add olive oil and sauté onion, garlic, and carrots for 3-4 min on high heat. Add mushrooms and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until mushrooms soften. Transfer sauteed vegetables onto a separate plate and place pan back onto stove top. Cook ground beef on medium high heat in the same pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon and cook until meat is brown.

Return cooked vegetables into ground beef and mix in marjoram and thyme. Sprinkle flour, pour in beef stock and stir in tomato paste until well combined. Simmer on medium high heat for 6 min. Add frozen corn and peas and cook for another 2 min.

Step 3: Putting it all together In an oven safe Pyrex dish (12 x 8-inch) or large cast iron pan, spread ground beef mixture evenly at the bottom of the dish. Top with a spoonful of mashed potato and spread evenly to create a second layer. Bake on 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Offers for Sale by Private Treaty 50 Yearling Black Angus Bulls and 10 2 yr. old Bulls Sires Represented: *Bar-E-L Candidate 10C *BM Archer 29D *Young Dale Absolute 3D *BJ Harvestor *Young Dale Hi Definition 185B Son of Cowboy Logic 181F

keeping your heart healthy.

If you are looking to make a healthy and comforting meal for this cold month of February, you can still enjoy your favourite foods without compromising your health. My mom’s famous shepherd’s pie is a meal that screams comfort but can still be healthy as it includes a balance of fibre, protein, and nutrients! See below for my mom’s classic shepherd’s pie recipe.

DIRECTIONS

POTATO LAYER

BEEF LAYER

keeping our blood pressure in check and adding less strain on the heart muscles. Lean cuts of beef are great sources of protein that can be beneficial for our heart health as they provide us with vitamins and minerals which contribute to healthy blood flow. For a healthy heart, we also want to focus on including ½ your plate vegetables to assure that you are getting enough vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Potassium, a mineral found in potatoes, is beneficial for lowering blood pressure and fibre (usually abundant in most vegetables) helps to keep your cholesterol in check which can all contribute to

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16 CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

StockTalk Q&A Feature Brought to you by Manitoba Agriculture Tim Clarke

Livestock Specialist - Beef Manitoba Agriculture Beausejour, MB R0E 0C0 204-768-0534 Tim.Clarke@gov.mb.ca Question: How do I utilize high nitrate and canola silage feeds safely?

Answer: Canola regrowth this past summer proved to be a blessing for many producers looking for additional feed. On a dry matter basis, crude protein in canola forage that is in the late flower/early pod stage of maturity generally averages 12 to 14 per cent and can be as high as 18 per cent. Total Digestible Nutrients TDN (energy) typically ranges from 55 to 60 per cent. As the crop matures, the levels of protein and energy decrease significantly. A feed analysis is recommended to determine actual nutrient values. Canola tends to accumulate nitrate and sulphur. It is recommended that both parameters be included in the feed analysis.

Cattle may develop scours when fed canola hay or silage as the predominant source of roughage. It is recommended that canola hay or silage comprise no more than 50 per cent of the total feed intake, depending on nutritional analysis. Canola contains high levels of sulphur (0.5 to 1.3 per cent). It is recommended that total dietary sulphur not exceed 0.4 per cent on a dry matter basis. If cattle diets exceed this level of sulfur intake, there may be several implications.

Cattle fed long-term diets of these roughages may develop a condition called Haemolytic Anaemia and die. Feeding at levels of 50 per cent or less should prevent this condition from occurring.

Feeding canola forage to cattle for long periods may inhibit the use of trace minerals, particularly copper and selenium. Copper deficiency leads to poor fertility, and selenium deficiency leads to white muscle disease in newborns. Ensure that recommended levels of copper and selenium are fed daily.

In some situations, high levels of dietary sulphur create hydrogen sulfide gas in the rumen. This can lead to sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia (PEM), a dietary disease that can cause lesions to form in the brain. Clinical signs include a lack of muscle co-ordination, facial muscle tremors, teeth clenching, circling, stupor and blindness. These conditions are soon followed by recumbency, convulsions and death.

Fatal cases of PEM have been confirmed in Saskatchewan. It was determined that these were caused by the consumption of large amounts of canola forage with high sulfur levels.

Sulphur is present in groundwater, as well as in feed. It is a good idea to check the sulphur level of both the feed and the water to avoid the cumulative build-up of sulphur in the rumen.

may not be safe enough to feed if original levels were extremely high.

Some plants are more likely to accumulate nitrates, including Canada thistle, pigweed, lambs quarter, kochia, wild sunflower, smartweed, Russian thistle, oats and barley. Perennial forages, such as brome grass and alfalfa, are not normally high in nitrates, but should be monitored if you are planning on cutting immediately after a fall frost.

Younger plants, and especially annual plants, tend to contain higher nitrate levels.

For that reason, it is always important to test all feeds after poor growing conditions.

Concentrations tend to be highest in the stems, then leaves, then grain.

Try to avoid feeding high nitrate feeds to sick, hungry, pregnant or lactating animals. These animals have a lower tolerance level to the nitrate as compared to healthy cattle. Make sure all animals have access to plenty of clean drinking water as this will help dilute the nitrate in the animal’s body. To effectively dilute high nitrate feeds, you should have a feed test done. Once you know how much is in the feed, you can dilute it to the safe level of 0.5 per cent nitrate (NO3) (dry matter basis). Table 1 shows the different levels and effects of nitrates in your forage.

Table 1. % Nitrate DM basis 0-0.3

Virtually safe

0.3-0.6

Moderately safe in most situations, if animals are stressed, limit to 50 per cent of the ration

0.6-0.9

Potentially toxic to cattle, do not use as sole feed source

0.9 and up

Dangerous to cattle, often causes death

Animals will need to be adapted slowly to feeds containing nitrates. After a period of adaptation (one to two weeks), the animal’s tolerance level to nitrates increases and higher levels can be fed. However, if the animals are off high-nitrate feeds for a few days, they will need to be re-adapted to the problem feed if it is to be fed again.

Adaptation periods can be sped up by feeding limited amounts of the ration frequently throughout the day, instead of one large feeding once a day. As mentioned above, the low and high nitrate feeds need to be blended together to decrease the toxicity.

This does NOT mean putting out one bale of low and one bale of high nitrate hay free choice because the animals may eat only the high nitrate feed, which could be toxic.

Feeding supplemental grain (two to five lbs./head/day) with high nitrate forages can assist with the dilution of the nitrate level. The energy provided by the grain also helps the rumen micro-organisms convert the nitrite into ammonia, which can then be excreted via urine and feces. Balancing rations is important with feeding high nitrate feeds, since the nitrate level can increase the animal’s requirements of vitamin A. If the ration requires supplemental protein, avoid using non-protein nitrogen (NPN), such as urea, since this can make the situation worse.

Symptoms of nitrate poisoning include rapid pulse rate, increased respiration rate, labored breathing, muscle tremors and weakness and the mucosal membranes will be darker in colour (blue colour on inside of lips and tongue) and the blood will be a chocolate brown in colour. Different classes of livestock have different tolerance levels, as shown in Table 3 below.

Table 3. —

Maximum safe levels (dry matter DM basis) % in ration Animal Type

%NO3

Feedlot Ruminants (feeder cattle)

0.74

Pregnant Cows

0.49

Young Calves

0.49

Pregnant Horses

0.92

Horses

1.23

Pregnant Sheep

0.49

Sheep

0.74

Dairy

0.15

Photo credit: Manitoba Agriculture

NITRATES Feed tests on canola and other types of annuals for greenfeed or silage are coming back with high levels of nitrates. When growing conditions are normal, nitrates are not a bad thing. They are the building blocks of proteins. They are absorbed by the roots and sent to the leaves where the sun’s energy (photosynthesis) turns them into proteins.

However, when growing conditions are disrupted (e.g., frost, drought, hail, extended cloudy periods, spray drift) excess nitrate levels can accumulate. Nitrates can also accumulate in crops that are grown in soils with high levels of nitrogen fertilizer.

This is typically the case in the mid-growing season when nitrogen (N) levels have not been depleted by crop growth, or late in the season if crop growth has been delayed by cool temperatures or dry conditions. This year, we see nitrate issues as a result of the excessively dry conditions and/or in crops with delayed growth and excess levels of N left over in the soil. After an extended dry period, moisture along with warm temperatures are needed to resume growth and convert built up nitrates into protein (>22°C is optimum). As fall temperatures drop to 10°C, growth will continue to slow and nitrates may continue to accumulate.

Since nitrate levels do not dissipate during the hay curing process, options are to wait a few days to see if temperature improves enough for growth to resume, or to cut and ensile the forage. Ensiling generally reduces nitrate concentrations by 40 to 50 per cent.

After a hard killing frost, cut the crop immediately as there is no chance for the plants to use up the nitrates by photosynthesis, and you will cut off the nitrate supply from the roots. Always test before feeding, because a 50 per cent reduction in nitrates

Effect on Animal

We want to hear from you For the next issue of Cattle Country, a Manitoba Agriculture forage or livestock specialist will answer a selected question. Email your questions to Tim.Clarke@gov.mb.ca StockTalk Q&A for Cattle Country is brought to you by Manitoba Agriculture. We encourage you to email your questions to our department’s forage and livestock team, who have a combined 175 years of agronomy experience. We are here to help make your cattle operation successful. Contact us today.

Marnie McCracken

The Pas

204-620-1545

Marnie.McCracken@gov.mb.ca

Elizabeth Nernberg

Roblin

204-247-0087

Elizabeth.Nernberg@gov.mb.ca

Pam Iwanchysko

Dauphin

204-648-3965 Pamela.Iwanchysko@gov.mb.ca

Tim Clarke

Arborg

204-768-0534

Shawn Cabak

Portage

204-239-3403

Shawn.Cabak@gov.mb.ca

Glenn Friesen

Winnipeg

204-770-7266

Glenn.Friesen@gov.mb.ca

Juanita Kopp

Beausejour

204-825-4302

Juanita.Kopp@gov.mb.ca

www.mbbeef.ca

Tim.Clarke@gov.mb.ca

CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022 17

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204-776-2322 Bulls and females available by private treaty on farm and Douglas Bull Test on March 26.

Email cam.limousin@gmail.com

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204-736-2878 Red and black polled bulls and females for sale www.cherwaylimousin.ca

204-838-2019 / cell 204-851-0809 2 Year old and Yearling bulls for sale by private treaty on the farm.

Email diamondtlimo@gmail.com Brad 204-648-6333 Glen 204-648-5222 Bulls for sale on farm www.hockridgefarms.ca

L & S Limousin Acres

204-838-2198 Bulls sell March 26 at Douglas Bull Test

Maplehurst Farms

Bob 204-274-2490 Bulls for sale on farm and at the Douglas Bull Test, March 26

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Rick 701-340-2517 Breeding stock available private treaty on farm. Calves for sale in fall of 2022.

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Art 204-856-3440 / 204-685-2628 45 2-Year-Old and Yearling bulls available on farm.

Limousin, plus Angus and Limo x Angus. Look for fall female sale.

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18 CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

Vet Practice Pearls BY: DR. TANYA ANDERSON, DVM A new year and new challenges… many uncharted.

It is at times extremely difficult to remain positive but positivity fuels a drive for change and improvement. And change is good… nothing moves ahead without taking the time to reflect on what works and what does not.

This month’s topic is about quick pearls in beef practice — some dos and don’ts for keeping replacements. Bull buying has started as has heifer selection for retention and sale. Get out your calving records and review them prior to going out to the pens.

Tip #1 - Sick as a calf means no as a replacement Remember that calves treated at <3 months of age are 2.5x more likely to die before reaching maturity and will have a decreased growth rate pre-weaning. These animals never reach their genetic potential for production — for milk production, frame size, muscling.

Remember that the leading causes of nursing calf health problems are diarrhea, pneumonia and navel ill. These all result as a failure of passive transfer. These calves did not get enough colostrum… whether through lack of access (poor mothering, bad weather, etc.), poor quality (genetic, malnutrition) or too little quantity (malnutrition, genetic, twins, leakage/theft pre-calving). The causes are many and varied. If you have sick calves every year, work with your veterinarian and look at the problem from all angles and consider all the possible reasons rather than only the reasons that you want to see as the issue.

Then XX them out of your potential replacement list.

Cows that get pneumonia almost always have chronic lung abscesses that rupture or reactivate to cause repeated pneumonia episodes that ultimately result in death or premature culling with lowered lifetime production.

Calves that have recovered from septic disease where bacteria from a navel infection or severe pneumonia or diarrhea get into the blood stream and disseminate throughout the body organs are particularly at risk of future health issues. This can be a cause of joint stiffness (vertebral bones in the spine, hips, hocks, knees), general malaise (liver, kidney, bone, heart or lung abscesses) and infertility (seminal vesiculitis in bulls)… just to name a few.

I really hope this is not a trend but I am now seeing at least two to three cases a year of navel abscesses in mature cattle. The ones I get to necropsy are often the purchased purebred high value animals. I wish I had a video of the fountain of pus blasting upward after I opened a navel abscess in a yearling bull that was a poor

doer from the day he was delivered to a client’s farm. your veterinarian for advice on culling during dystocia Don’t get me wrong…he was a great looking prospect - management. sale pictures and stats were excellent but he had navel ill as a calf and it haunted him.

Tip #3 - Bull scrotal size does matter Fertility is a difficult trait to select for since most Tip #2 - Don’t keep replacements fertility traits are lowly heritable and difficult and off cows that you help calve time-consuming to measure (e.g. - cow longevity).

Hard-calving cows produce hard-calving heif- Cross-breeding and good nutrition are well documenters. The most common cause of dystocia in cattle is ed to improve herd reproduction but too broad to apply fetopelvic disproportion. This is most common in quick easy measurements to improve performance.

Scrotal circumference is one easy to measure and heifers when the fetus is of normal size for its breed but the maternal pelvis is not big enough, or the fetus highly heritable trait that is one of the most accurate inis unusually large and cannot be delivered through a dicators of puberty in bulls. It predicts sperm output as pelvic canal of normal size. If you have a heifer or cow well as the future sperm producing characteristics such that cannot deliver a calf of “usual size” on her own, as motility and an increased % normal. Having fertile she needs to leave. Cows that have difficulty during bulls available to breed cows through multiple breeding calving have significantly lower fertility at rebreeding seasons is essential for herd profitability.

Research also has shown that selecting for increased and their calves are more prone to failure of colostral scrotal circumference leads to decreased age at puberty transfer and subsequent neonatal disease.

Note that this does not mean dystocia due to other in the female offspring. While this seems like a bit of a issues — uterine issues, malpresentations (head back, negative — smaller heifers getting bred younger, heifer legs back, breech, etc.). Those are individual circum- pregnancy rate is an important measurable trait that has stances and not repeatable. However, scar tissue or significant economic benefit. Cattle that conceive early intrapelvic masses will not resolve and would be valid in the breeding season tend to calve early the remainder reasons for culling but are not a genetic issue. Ask of their lifetime and have greater lifetime productivity. bulls are available for viewing at t he f ar m anytime

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Amber McNish, Union Forage ...................................................... 204-264-0609 Jonathan Bouw, Edie Creek Angus ............................................. 204-471-4696 Jason Bednarek, 2B Land & Cattle .............................................. 204-768-0184 Ben Fox, Fox Technologies................................. 204/638/4181 / 204-647-5060

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CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022 19

58th Annual Manitoba Test Station Bull And Female Sale

March 26, 2022 Starting at 1:00 p.m. sharp

128 bulls and 54 heifers on test 8 breeds available- Angus (Red & Black), Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Saler, Simmental & Shorthorn Ranch Horse Sale to follow One stop shop for top quality bull power and select replacement females Longest running development center in Canada Internet bidding provided by DLMS Catalog and video links of offering can be viewed early March at www.buyagro.com Rare opportunity to select genetics from 40 different consignors across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario who bring their best stock to be performance tested and developed together Performance date, Cup ultrasound data and EPD’s available All bulls and females will have passed a breeding soundness evaluation prior to the sale. No deferred bulls sold here! All animals have tested BVD negative Animals are grown out on a developer ration to optimize gains to promote longevity and soundness

Agricultural Crown Land Lease Auctions Being Held Online January 31 to February 4 (Province of Manitoba News Release)

43rd Annual General Meeting JOIN US ONLINE

FEBR UA RY 1 0 , 2 0 2 2 Register at: mbbeef.ca

MANITOBA LIVESTOCK CASH ADVANCE INC.

The Manitoba government’s agricultural Crown land lease and permit auctions will be held online beginning Monday, Jan. 31, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler announced January 12.

“The online auction format ensures we can offer all Manitoba producers the opportunity to lease agricultural lands while remaining in accordance with current public health orders,” said Eichler. “Potential bidders are encouraged to become informed prior to the auction by researching the parcels and units of interest and becoming familiar with lease or permit obligations.”

A number of agricultural Crown land parcels will be available to rent for haying, grazing or cropping. The official listing of agricultural Crown lands available for rent can be found at: http://resd.ca/leases_and_permits/LPproperties. aspx#agLeasePermit.

The online auctions will be hosted by Garton’s Auction Service from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, with further information to follow on https:// gartonsauction.com/.

These leases and permits are available to farmers and ranchers to provide an additional land base to conduct agricultural activities. The Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program supports the sustainable expansion of the livestock herd in Manitoba, contributes to ecological goods and services, and supports mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

For more information about the upcoming auctions, visit www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/ land-management/crown-land or contact your local ARD and MASC Service Centre.

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View Catalogue and Videos of Bulls @www.dlms.ca – cattle vids or srauction.ca and Denbie Ranch Facebook

COVID protocols will apply

20 CATTLE COUNTRY February 2022

CONCERNED ABOUT TAG RETENTION?

WE ARE LISTENING

Photo courtesy of Canadian Gelbvieh Association

IMPROVED TAGS = BETTER RETENTION

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CCIA

CANADIAN CATTLE IDENTIFICATION AGENCY

SHEARWELL RFID — An innovative one-piece wrap-around beef tag, the first of its kind. The microchip is overmolded in a plastic insert so readability and read range of the transponder are never compromised.

DESTRON DMR RFID — Upgraded version of the Destron eTag. Improvements include a fully molded outer tag housing for better durability and water resistance with an enhanced locking mechanism for greater retention.

ALLFLEX - Is continually striving for the improvement of their product and the new design and manufacturing methodology for their male tag stud is in response to tag retention issues reported by producers.

MORE RESEARCH = BETTER RETENTION

BEST PRACTICES = BETTER RETENTION

Tag retention is important to a successful traceability system and the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) has done our research.

Ongoing tag testing trials, intensive research and direct producer feedback on their experiences have resulted in manufacturers improving their tag offerings. To learn more about CCIA’s research activities visit https://www.canadaid.ca/traceability/research/

Better tag application practices mean better tag retention.

Always use the manufacturer recommended applicator with the tag and follow placement guidelines.

Check out our new and improved tag offerings at

tags.canadaid.ca

or contact us directly at info@canadaid.ca | 1-877-909-2333 To provide feedback on your tag experience, fill out and return the Approved Indicator Quality Control Form found at: https://www.canadaid.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Approved-Indicator-Quality-Control-Form_fillable-2021-11-19.pdf www.mbbeef.ca

CCIA

CANADIAN CATTLE IDENTIFICATION AGENCY