In the past few weeks, we have seen snowstorms, flooding and wildfires affect livestock operations in Canada. Challenging events like these are a reminder of the importance of being prepared should a natural disaster such as these or other emergencies arise.
Organization (EMO) for assistance. If EMO requires Agriculture’s assistance, they will assign an issue to the department’s Emergency Planning Leader, who then works with the department’s Executive Management Committee to direct activities to address the emergency.
The following information has been provided by Manitoba Agriculture re: emergency preparedness and agricultural operations.
Step 1
Producers/operators/community representatives/individuals are the first point of responsibility to deal with their own emergency situation.
Step 2
If individuals cannot provide appropriate response to their emergency situation, their local authority is the first point of contact for emergency-related information and assistance.
Step 3
If the local authority cannot handle the situation, the local authority will contact Manitoba Emergency Measures
If animals are in distress, please contact the Animal Care Line at 204-945-8000 (in Winnipeg), 1-888-945-8001 (toll free) or animalcare@gov.mb.ca.
Emergency preparedness and response resources
• Animal Health Emergency Preparedness
• Animal Care Line information and reporting
• Manitoba road closures
• Manitoba Hydro outages map
• Manitoba weather conditions
• Flood maps and reports
• Mental Health - Manitoba Farm, Rural, & Northern Support Services
continued on page 2-3
Organization Requests
Manitoba Agriculture General department inquiries, application form for programs inquiries
Animal Care Line Animal welfare emergencies, animal health and wellness inquiries
Contact information
Agriculture@gov.mb.ca or 1-844-769-6224 toll free
animalcare@gov.mb.ca or 1-888-945-8001 toll free; (204-945-8000 in Winnipeg)
Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) Centres
Insurance, lending, farmland school tax rebate, wildlife damage compensation, management plus program inquiries
Animal Health Emergency Management (AHEM) offers the following general advice for producers re: proactive measures that can be completed in advance to prepare producers for a wildfire emergency. They include:
• Having contact information for prearranged off-farm evacuation sites (lairage points) handy
• Reviewing wildfire history in area
• Identifying and maintaining equipment that may help fight an approaching grassfire or wildfire (e.g., disk, harrow, tractor, water truck)
• Reducing vegetation and wood debris within 10 to 30 meters of farm structures by thinning and pruning
Contact a specific office by visiting the MASC website here.
• Creating firebreaks by clearing vegetation and exposing bare soil to help curb the movement of wildfire
• Mapping the location of fire extinguishers, these should be in all barns, shops, and structures that have the potential to catch fire. Fire extinguishers should be easy to find within the structures, and all staff and family members should know where they are located and how to use them
• Predetermining the location evacuation sites and routes that may be used for animal movement and have a map of the identified areas readily available for all staff, family and first responders
• Storing hay, straw, beddings/shaving outside the barn in a dry, covered area, if possible
• Having water and feed readily available or at the pre-arranged lairage site(s) to ensure that all affected livestock have sufficient feed and water
• Creating a detailed inventory of livestock and developing list of emergency contacts prior to any wildfire event
• If in a wildfire susceptible area, procuring and installing some type of irrigation/ sprinkler system to help suppress fire
• Preparing an evacuation kit that includes but is not limited to:
o Supply of feed, supplements, and water for 7 to 10 days
o Blankets, halters, leads, water buckets, feed buckets
o Copies of vaccination records, medical records, and proof of ownership
o Tools
o Cash and credit card
For Manitoba information regarding active wildfires, burn restrictions, fire hazard maps, travel restrictions and more visit:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/
https://www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/burn_condition s.html
https://www.gov.mb.ca/nrnd/wildfire_program/
https://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation_fire/FireHazard/daily-fcst-firehazard.html
To report a wildfire in Manitoba, call 1-800-7820076 (toll-free)
To learn more about emergency preparedness in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/emo.
by December 8
Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is accepting applications until Friday, December 8, 2023 for consideration for the local awarding of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA). Since 1996, TESA has recognized producers who go above and beyond standard industry conservation practices and set positive examples for other cattle producers and the general public. As stewards of a vast portion of the Canadian landscape, Canada’s beef cattle producers play a significant role in protecting and enhancing the environment. They continuously strive to improve existing stewardship conservation practices to create a sustainable future – always farming for tomorrow.
At the local level, a producer receives provincial recognition for their outstanding environmental contributions. In the case of Manitoba, this occurs in conjunction with MBP’s annual general meeting in February. All provincial award recipients then move forward to compete for national recognition from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). The national TESA recipient is announced during the CCA’s semi-annual meeting at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference.
Each nominee exemplifies significant innovation and attention to a wide range of environmental stewardship aspects in their farm operation. Such innovations extend beneficially to areas far beyond their land, including water, wildlife and air.
All beef cattle operations in Canada are eligible to apply for TESA. Beef producers interested in TESA can apply by filling out the application form found in this edition of the MBP Enewsletter or by going to:
https://www.cattle.ca/sustainability/tesa
Producers can either nominate themselves, another individual or be nominated by an organization. All methods are equally encouraged.
The completed application form, along with all supporting documentation (such as letters of support, photos and/or videos), is to be submitted to Manitoba Beef Producers by email to info@mbbeef.ca no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023. If you have questions, please contact the MBP office at 204-772-4542.
This year's TESA nominee Lowry Farms is from Manitoba. Glen and Pam Lowry are committed to making every acre of their cattle farm more productive through sustainable practices.
(May 15, 2023 Environment and Climate Change Canada News Release) At the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), Canada, along with 195 other countries, adopted the historic Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Framework aims to safeguard the world’s nature, halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, and put nature on a path to recovery by 2050.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, launched consultations with Canadians on the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy for Canada. Canadians are being asked to provide their thoughts on biodiversity priorities and are encouraged to take part in engagement efforts that will take place over the coming months.
Although countries are only expected to submit their implementation plans for the KunmingMontréal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP16 in 2024, Canada is leading the way as one of the first to develop and implement its domestic strategy.
Minister Guilbeault hosted a National Biodiversity Symposium to further engage Canadians in the development of Canada’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. The Symposium featured active engagement with different levels of government, representatives of Indigenous groups, key stakeholders from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, academia, women, youth, and local communities to discuss Canada’s path forward on protecting and conserving biodiversity.
The launch of these consultations comes ahead of the federal-provincial-territorial meeting of environment ministers later in May, where
Minister Guilbeault will reiterate his call to provinces and territories to join the federal government in publicly supporting ambitious goals to protect nature and biodiversity with continuing contributions from within their own jurisdictions.
As a large and biodiversity-rich country, Canada is driving global action through historic investments and ambition in international negotiations. The Government of Canada launched the largest campaign in Canadian history to conserve nature, backed by over $5 billion in investments, with a goal of protecting 30 percent of land and water by 2030, in full partnership with Indigenous peoples. The Government is making steady progress, having protected over 300,000 square kilometers of land since 2015, which is around half the size of Manitoba, and gone from 1 percent to 14 percent of our oceans protected. However, more progress is needed to stop biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems.
“Building off the momentum of hosting COP15 in Montréal last December, we are inviting Canadians to join in and speak up to help shape our domestic strategy for implementation of the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework. Through this discussion, we want to bring forward the full diversity of Canadian perspectives so that we can build an ambitious and inclusive strategy. Nature cannot wait for us. We need to act now.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Associated links: Discussion Paper Online Survey (available until July 14) Symposium meeting
(May 18, 2023 Canadian Food Inspection Agency News Release) Investing in Canadian small businesses to develop innovative tools, products and services helps protect the safety of Canada's food and the health of our plants and animals.
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced a $1 million investment in Bioimaging Research Solutions Inc., a small business based in Guelph, Ontario, to continue their work to develop cutting-edge technology to protect Canadian livestock from bovine tuberculosis and support market access for Canada's beef and cattle exports. With this investment, the company is developing an artificial intelligence system to improve the efficiency of disease surveillance activities in slaughter plants.
Bovine tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial disease of livestock that can result in production losses, barriers to market access and risks to both animal and public health. Current methodologies of detection are long and cumbersome, and there are no known automated tools to support surveillance efforts. Bioimaging Research Solutions Inc. will receive $1 million over 2 years to develop an automated surveillance tool that will scan cattle carcasses as they move along a slaughter line. Machine learning algorithms will be used to "teach" the automated system to differentiate between tissue of concern and healthy tissue. The automated tool will be able to make splitsecond decisions when assessing the tissue for detection of granulomas for bovine tuberculosis surveillance, helping inspectors check for signs of disease more efficiently.
Canada has made great strides towards eradicating bovine tuberculosis, and all provinces and territories are currently recognized as free from the disease in domestic livestock. Improvements to disease surveillance can help to maintain Canada's status as free from bovine tuberculosis, thereby preserving market access opportunities. Ultimately, this innovation may support Canada's efforts to detect animal diseases early, while maintaining Canada's reputation as a supplier of safe and high quality livestock and livestock products to our current and future trading partners.
Bioimaging Research Solutions Inc. previously received $150,000 through the Innovative Solutions Canada program to develop a proof of concept as part of phase 1 of the "Detection of granulomas for tuberculosis surveillance" challenge. The company successfully completed phase 1 and this additional funding will support the development of a prototype as part of phase 2 of the challenge.
The Government of Canada's continued collaboration with small businesses results in novel solutions that help protect Canadians, the environment and the economy, both now and into the future.
continued on page 7
"Collaboration in research and development for new technologies helps to achieve faster results. Federal government funding for projects protecting animal health supports animal welfare and trade."– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Protecting the wellbeing of all Canadians means safeguarding Canada's food, plants, and animals. Our government is proud to partner with Canadian small and medium businesses to help them develop new efficient technologies which will serve to better protect Canada's food supply."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health
"Our government is committed to providing Canadian businesses with opportunities to grow and innovate. With this additional support from the Innovative Solutions Canada program, Bioimaging Research Solutions Inc. will be able to develop an innovative prototype of its automated tool to improve disease surveillance. Through projects like this one, we can better protect Canadians' health and safety while strengthening our economy."
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Quick facts
• Innovative Solutions Canada is a research and development procurement program administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
oThrough this program, 21 federal departments and agencies invite small businesses to develop novel solutions to Government of Canada challenges
oSmall businesses can also propose to have the government test their late-stage prototypes in real-life settings
o The program's ultimate goal is to promote the growth of Canada's firms while helping support the participating government organizations' mandate, such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
• These funding opportunities result in innovative solutions to challenges faces by the agency, or fill a gap in the marketplace for the industry we regulate
Associated links
• Innovative Solutions Canada
• Detection of granulomas for tuberculosis surveillance
(May 18, 2023 Province of Manitoba News Release)
The Manitoba Wildfire Service advises that although wildfire danger across Manitoba is low, Manitobans are encouraged to remain cautious throughout the long weekend as temperatures will begin to rise.
There are 11 active wildfires currently burning in Manitoba. The Manitoba Wildfire Service is actively working to suppress multiple fires in the area of Norway House Cree Nation and Pimicikamak Cree Nation, utilizing ground crews and aircraft.
Due to dry conditions and fire risk near Lundar Beach Provincial Park, effective immediately, campfires at Lundar Beach Provincial Park will only be allowed in approved pits and limited to developed areas between the hours of 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. This restriction is being applied in this provincial park until further notice.
Manitobans are reminded to avoid wildfire areas and watch for road closure or detour signs. When using an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in areas where backcountry travel is permitted, ATV operators are asked to stay on developed trails, stop frequently to check areas around the engine and exhaust for debris, and carefully dispose of any debris found. Operators are also reminded to be prepared by carrying a fire extinguisher, axe and shovel. Provincial burning permits are required for outdoor fires set within the Burn Permit Area from April 1 to Nov. 15 annually. Provincial burn permits issued under the Wildfires Act may be cancelled or restricted at short notice if fire danger conditions require. The province will not issue burning permits for areas where municipalities have already implemented burning restrictions.
The public is reminded to contact a local municipality or the local Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development office for more information. Burn permit holders are reminded to check weather conditions, have adequate suppression equipment and ensure proper fuel breaks are in place before burning. Never leave an outdoor fire unattended and always extinguish it before leaving, exercise caution when in or near forested areas.
FireSmart Tip: Having a detailed plan in place is crucial for responding to a wildfire in a timely and effective manner. If you have not already done so, take some time to create a wildfire evacuation plan. If you already have a plan in place, take some time to review it to ensure that everything is sufficiently accounted for. A quick review can be the key difference between an effective and ineffective plan.
The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support for emergency response activities. Manitoba EMO continues to work closely with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and the Canadian Red Cross in supporting ISC-led response measures with First Nation communities.
For further information on Manitoba Wildfire Service, situation updates, restrictions and other important wildfire links go to www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/ or follow the Twitter account at https://twitter.com/mbgovnews To report a wildfire, call 911 or the TIP line (tollfree) at 1-800-782-0076.
Canada’s first agri-food sustainability index launched Index provides comprehensive reporting framework designed to accelerate sector-wide action
Press release, Ottawa: May 11, 2023 – Canada has published its first sustainability index for the country’s agriculture and food sector, the National Index on Agri-Food Performance, as a pilot. It presents a holistic frame of reference of sustainability priorities, with the goal to help align this diverse sector on reporting, to step-up transparency and to ready Canada’s agri-food supply chains for new global disclosure standards that are coming in 2024 and to meet other sustainability expectations. The Index complements extensive work underway to advance and measure sustainability across Canada’s food system.
The Index’s 20 indicators detail some 130 metrics. The measures include the environment, food integrity (including food safety), economic, and societal well-being priorities (including matters relating to the workforce, food security and farm animal care).
An unprecedented private-public coalition has driven this work forward. With 129 partners, the coalition has grown in size by some 50% since last year. Partners include representation from across agri-food supply chains, social, environmental and Indigenous NGOs, academia, innovation and technology organizations, financial institutions, and three levels of government, among many others (see p. 2).
The initiative addresses one of the most pressing issues facing humanity: producing food more sustainably – and showing it. The work also positions Canada as among the very few nations globally that have developed such a comprehensive approach encompassing an entire economic sector.
“The global imperative to reduce emissions, address the crisis of climate change and deliver on a breadth of sustainability expectations is redefining what it means to be a leader in today’s agri-food world,” says David McInnes, the project’s coordinator. “This Index can now present the sector’s overall credentials and help distinguish Canada’s trusted food brand globally and back up sustainability claims at home.”
While the Index does not score individual producers or companies, it presents consolidated national results from production to food retail, reporting on positive sustainability performance, areas needing improvement and the data gaps. Such insights are expected to be used inform policy, strategy, and research priorities.
Improving the sustainability measures and benchmarking change over time is also a priority for the partners. The intended next step, once funding is secured, involves setting up a new Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking to evolve the Index and engage with even more stakeholders. The Centre would be housed by the Canadian AgriFood Policy Institute.
“Compiling the breadth of sustainability measures into one place for the first time is a significant milestone and doing this in lockstep with so many partners is unparalleled”, says McInnes.
Today, the following documents were published: a summary of recent work, the Index pilot, a detailed plan to operate a future Centre, and seven short papers on selected Index results about sustainability
Link to the final report: https://www.agrifoodindex.ca/publications-and-events
Link to partner testimonials on using the Index: https://www.agrifoodindex.ca/partner-testimonials
Contact: David McInnes, Founder & National Coordinator, National Index on Agri-Food Performance: daviddmcinnes@gmail.com
About the National Index on Agri-Food Performance: Since 2020, a private-public coalition has been engaged in a unique collaboration to define how the sustainability of Canada’s agri-food sector ought to be measured. The work reflects the country’s agri-food context and broadly aligns with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, other Canadian and global goals, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors being advanced in capital markets www.agrifoodindex.ca
Coalition partners:
Committment to the land, water, air, and wildlife is a prerequisite to raising healthy cattle. Sustainability is not a buzzword... it's a way of life.
Since 1996, The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) has been awarded annually at the provincial and national level to recognize cattle producers’ leadership in conservation. Nominees and applicants are selected based on their stewardship practices, accomplishments and goals.
All beef cattle operations in Canada are eligible to apply. Producers can either be nominated by an individual or organization or apply themselves through their provincial or regional cattle organization(s). All methods are equally encouraged.
Where provinces or regions have annual stewardship awards, nominees and applicants compete for awards based on their province or region of residence. Where provincial or regional organization(s) do not present an annual award, they can select a nominee who has engaged in significant environmental stewardship activities on their farm or ranch.
Past nominees are encouraged to resubmit their application. Previous recipients may not reapply.
Provincial recipients are announced at their respective provincial cattle association’s annual general meeting. All provincial award recipients then move forward to compete at the national level.
The national TESA recipient is announced during the Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC). All provincial recipients are awarded an all-expense paid trip for two to attend CBIC and the CCA Semi-Annual Meeting that is held in different locations across Canada in August of each year. The national TESA recipient is also awarded a belt buckle and certificate.
July 1st of each year.
THE BRITISH COLUMBIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION
#4 - 10145 Dallas Dr. • Kamloops, BC • V2C 6T4 PHONE 250.573.3611
FAX 250.573.5155
EMAIL info@cattlemen.bc.ca
ALBERTA BEEF PRODUCERS
165, 6815-8th Street N.E. • Calgary, AB • T2E 7H7 PHONE 403.451-1176
FAX 403.274.0007
EMAIL katelynl@albertabeef.org
SASKATCHEWAN STOCK GROWERS ASSOCIATION
Box 4752 • Regina, SK • S4P 3Y4 PHONE 306.757.8523
FAX 306.569.8799
EMAIL ssga@sasktel.net
MANITOBA BEEF PRODUCERS
220-530 Century St. • Winnipeg, MB • R3H 0Y4 TOLL-FREE 1.800.772.0458 or 204.772.4542
FAX 204.774.3264
EMAIL info@mbbeef.ca
BEEF FARMERS OF ONTARIO
130 Malcolm Rd. • Guelph, ON • N1K 1B1 PHONE 519.824.0334
FAX 519.824.9101
EMAIL info@ontariobeef.com
LES PRODUCTEURS DE BOVINS DU QUEBEC/ QUEBEC CATTLE PRODUCERS
555, Boulevard Roland-Therrien, Bureau 305 • Longueuil, PQ • J4H 4G2
PHONE 450.679.0540
FAX 450.442.9348
EMAIL mediaspbq@upa.qc.ca
MARITIME BEEF COUNCIL
7 Atlantic Central Dr. • East Mountain, NS • B6L 2Z2
PHONE 506.349.5395
FAX 902.893.7063
EMAIL maritimebeefcouncil@gmail.com
Name(s): Farm Name: Address:
1. Provide a description of your farm including the environment it operates in.
2. What have you done/what are you doing to improve environmental management on your farm?
3. What are your challenges and successes? Please include high-resolution images and data which help show measurable results.
4. What factors have enabled you to make management changes? (e.g. Working with conservation organizations, programs such as the Environmental Farm Plan, funding support, education, etc.)
5. What are your environmental goals for the future and how do you plan to carry them out?
6. Include two letters of reference that speak to your leadership in conservation.
Please limit your application to 10 pages (not including letters of reference and photos). Electronic applications are preferred and a single, complete PDF document is requested. A sample application from previous years can be found online at https://www.cattle.ca/sustainability/theenvironmental-stewardship-award/how-to-nominate/
Contact your provincial organization listed on the previous page to determine when your association requires you to submit your application for the provincial award.
A selection of no less than ten high-resolution images suitable for reproduction on social media, print etc. Video presentation link if available, media stories/ broadcasts showcasing your stewardship efforts.
TESA sponsorship program is available to appropriate organizations that wish to affiliate themselves with the CCA’s TESA program. In addition to showing support for environmental stewardship and Canada’s beef cattle producers, the program also provides the opportunity to join industry leaders, government representatives and nearly 60,000 Canadian beef farms in the national discussion on environmental issues affecting the industry. For more information, visit www.cattle.ca/what-is-tesa
For more than 65 years, MNP has been helping beef producers get the most from their operations. Whether you are looking to pass the farm on to the next generation, improve your profitability, be more competitive or expand MNP’s beef industry specialists will help you get the results you’re looking for. To find out what MNP can do for you, contact Marvin Slingerland, Partner, MNP Lethbridge, at Director of Livestock Services at 1.800.661.8097 or Marvin.Slingerland@mnp.ca
