E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP December 22, 2023
mbbeef.ca
Governments of Canada and Manitoba Expand Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program for Carbon (December 20, 2023 Joint Federal/Provincial Government News Release) The governments of Canada and Manitoba have
expanded eligibility and are providing funding under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s carbon sequestration and grasslands resilience stream of the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) to support additional Manitoba producers, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced. “Expanding eligibility of carbon sequestration and grassland resilience practices under Manitoba’s Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program ensures all Manitoba producers are eligible to build on-farm resilience and adapt to our changing climate,” said Kostyshyn. “With increased climate variability making it even more difficult for producers, we need to make sure our programs align with the needs of Manitoba producers to encourage sustainable farming.” The carbon sequestration and grassland resilience stream of RALP will now offer funding to all primary producers across the province, community pastures, agricultural Crown land forage lease holders and Indigenous primary producers and communities.
“Manitoba’s producers continue to lead when it comes to environmental stewardship and growing a more sustainable agriculture sector,” said MacAulay. “The Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program will help producers implement more environmentally friendly onfarm practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve biodiversity.” Beneficial management practices available under this expanded stream focus on program activities directed towards improving carbon sequestration, sustainability and productivity. These projects enhance valuable ecological goods and services and provide mitigation and adaptation practices to support producers in a changing climate, noted the ministers.
Beneficial management practices available for funding are agroforestry and grasslands and grazing management. The ministers noted selected applicants receive a maximum of $15,000 per project at 75 per cent of the total approved eligible costs. Projects have up to 18 months to be completed. continued on pages 3-4
MBP Remembers Former MCPA Director and President Larry Schweitzer Larry Russell Schweitzer; passed away suddenly in Scottsdale, AZ on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 66 years of age. Larry is lovingly remembered by his wife Audrey Kuik-Schweitzer; daughter Shelley (Tim) Johns, grandchildren Jaxon, Jazmin, and Alexis; daughter Jody (Blair) Kristinnson, grandchildren Kynley, Ayden, and Dawson; son Kyle (Stacey) Schweitzer, grandchildren Kolton, Jamie and June; his siblings Cam (Myrna) and their family, Lee Ann (Kelly) Haggarty and their family, Wayne (Shannon) and their family. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church, 635 McDiarmid Dr, Brandon, MB on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 2:00pm. Following the service a reception will be held at the Victoria Inn Grand Salon, 3550 Victoria Ave, Brandon, MB. Interment will take place at the Hamiota Cemetery at a later date. Manitoba Beef Producers sends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of former MBP District 7 director and president Larry Schweitzer. He served in various capacities on the board of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association (MCPA) from 2001 to 2006, including serving as MCPA president in 2005. He also represented the MCPA at the national level through organizations such as the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and he represented MBP at the National Cattle Feeders Association. Larry was very knowledgeable and passionate about the cattle industry, particularly the feeding sector. He was committed to the advancement of the beef industry even in the face of challenges such as BSE, mCOOL, and adverse weather conditions. He loved an engaging discussion, had a great sense of humour and loved his family and friends. He certainly will be missed. Larry Schweitzer Obituary
For those that are unable to attend, you can view the service live by clicking the following link: Livestream Link For those so desiring, donations may be made in Larry's memory to Diabetes Canada, 401 - 1 Wesley Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4C6 (www.diabetes.ca) or to the Manitoba Beef Producers - MBP Scholarship, 220 - 530 Century St, Winnipeg, MB, R3H 0Y4 (www.mbbeef.ca). If you are wishing to send flowers to the service, please contact Campbell Flowers & Gifts directly at (866) 620-2744 for assistance. Messages of condolence can be shared or candles lit using the Tribute Wall link. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry Russell Schweitzer, please visit our floral store. https://www.campbellfuneralhome.ca/obituary/Lar ry-Schweitzer
Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program – continued from page 1 Applications are being accepted until Jan. 22, 2024. All projects must be on agricultural land and participating farmers must have a valid environmental farm plan statement of completion to submit with the project claim for reimbursement. A separate stream under RALP, watershed resilience, has watershed districts as eligible applicants working with primary producers to improve watershed health. Producers can reach out to their watershed district to inquire about available programming. The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially-territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
Community Pastures, Agricultural Crown Land forage lease holders, and Indigenous primary producers and communities, including First Nations and Métis. Beneficial Management Practices eligible for funding include: •
Agroforestry
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Grasslands and Grazing Management
Program information: •
Detailed program information including the Program Guide, Program Terms and Conditions, Applicant Information Form and the Application Worksheet can be found on the Sustainable CAP website: https://www.manitoba.ca/scap/climate change/carbon-sequestration.html
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Application intake is currently open and will close 11:59 pm on January 22, 2024.
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An EFP is not required at time of application, however it will be required at time of claim. EFPs can be completed online: www.manitobaefp.ca
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The application process requires:
More information on this program can be found below. Intake Now Open Until January 22nd for Applications to Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program
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An Applicant Information Form for each new applicant
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An Application Worksheet for each separate project
Source: Manitoba Agriculture Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program: Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience (RALP) will support on-farm beneficial management practices and projects that enhance the provision of ecological goods and services. The eligibility has been expanded, and eligible applicants now include primary producers across Manitoba, Association of Manitoba
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All completed forms and worksheets must be emailed to: agriculture@gov.mb.ca
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For more information call 1-800-8114411 or email at agriculture@gov.mb.ca.
Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program – continued from page 1 Thank you for your interest in our program and we look forward to receiving your completed application information form and applicant worksheet(s). The Manitoba Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program began accepting applications and worksheets beginning December 18, 2023. The deadline for submitting the completed application worksheet to agriculture@gov.mb.ca is 11:59 pm on January 22, 2024. Please note that Watershed Districts are eligible for a different RALP funding stream, RALP: Watershed Resilience, where districts collaborate with primary producers within district boundaries to implement projects on agricultural land. Farmers are encouraged to contact their local watershed districts to inquire about any programs that may be available: Environment, Climate and Parks | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca) For more information, contact: Manitoba Agriculture agriculture@gov.mb.ca 1-800-811-4411
Statement CCA comment on latest draft of the federal offset protocol: Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle (REME) December 18, 2023
Ottawa, ON - On December 10, 2023, the Government of Canada released a statement announcing the latest draft federal offset protocol: Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle (REME). The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) is looking into details of the protocol and will be responding with a formal submission, highlighting the importance of practical, pragmatic solutions that are based in science. “We look forward to looking at how this protocol will provide incentives directly to beef producers on the ground, which will help our industry work towards our 2030 goals,” said Nathan Phinney, CCA President. “We believe in a science and evidence-based approach in which producers can voluntarily adopt new practices and/or innovations that could reduce enteric methane emissions.” The Canadian Beef Advisors have made a goal to reduce primary production greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 33 per cent by 2030, as well as a suite of goals to support research, innovation, and technology adoption to support both the environmental and economical sustainability of the sector. The REME protocol is intended for use by those undertaking a project to reduce enteric methane emissions in confined beef cattle feeding operations through improved management, diet reformulation, the use of feed additives, growth promotors or other innovative strategies to generate offset credits under the Canadian Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Offset Credit System Regulations. It is important to clarify that Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System is national in scope and is designed to complement and not compete with offset systems in provinces or territories. A federal offset protocol does not apply in a jurisdiction that has a provincial offset system with an active protocol for the same project activities, i.e., Alberta’s Quantification protocol for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fed cattle – Version 3.0 in Alberta’s Provincial Offset System. The federal protocol is meant to put all beef producers on even footing by providing an avenue for management changes that reduce enteric methane emissions to be rewarded in every province. It will be critical for producers with experience using such protocols and producer associations across the country to comment on the development of the REME protocol, for an outcome that is practical and feasible in a commercial setting. CCA is working with governments, industry, and beef producers across the country to ensure that the needs of Canadian farmers and ranchers are met within this draft protocol. We will submit our comments on the draft protocol, Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle, and remain engaged in this process until the draft is complete.
The Canadian Cattle Association is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 60,000 beef farms and feedlots. www.cattle.ca
Statement For more information about the draft protocol, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/pricingpollution-how-it-will-work/output-based-pricing-system/federal-greenhouse-gas-offsetsystem/protocols/draft-reducing-enteric-methane-emissions-beef-cattle.html For further information, contact: Michelle McMullen Communications Manager Canadian Cattle Association 403-451-0931| mcmullenm@cattle.ca
The Canadian Cattle Association is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 60,000 beef farms and feedlots. www.cattle.ca
Manitoba Government Encourages Manitobans to Participate in Budget 2024 (December 15, 2023 Province of Manitoba News Release) The Manitoba government is
encouraging Manitobans to participate in Budget 2024 by taking part in the online EngageMB survey, joining telephone town hall sessions, and attending in-person public meetings, Finance Minister Adrien Sala announced. “Our government is committed to stabilizing the province’s finances, while taking action to fix health care and lower costs for people,” said Sala. “We want to hear from Manitobans on their priorities to make sure Budget 2024 meets the needs of Manitoba families.” In-person sessions and telephone town halls will be held in January and February, with an inperson session already confirmed in Brandon on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Riverbank Discovery Centre (1 – 545 Conservation Dr.). Additional consultation dates will be released in the new year.
The minister noted participants are asked to pre-register and reserve a spot for an in-person meeting or sign up to receive a phone call for the telephone town hall at https://engagemb.ca/budget-2024. Manitobans can participate in the online survey at https://engagemb.ca. Manitobans can also email comments and ideas to MBbudgetfeedback@gov.mb.ca or mail written submissions to: Minister of Finance c/o budget engagement 103 - 450 Broadway Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V8 The Manitoba government will release its full public engagement schedule along with the online survey at https://engagemb.ca/budget2024.
Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program extends support to farm employees (December 12, 2023 News Release) The Manitoba
Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP) is proud to announce the expansion of its services to include farm employees, opening doors to mental wellness and support for all those integral to the agriculture community. Starting January 1, 2024, the MFWP is extending its service to provide six, one-on-one, no-cost, confidential counselling sessions annually by professional counsellors with backgrounds in agriculture to non-family farm employees. "Farm businesses traditionally lack dedicated health and wellness programs for employees, yet the stress of the job is real. We want to
change that narrative," says Marcel Hacault, MFWP’s chair, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and valuing the well-being of all farm workers. This expansion was prompted by direct requests from the farming community. “We were approached by farmers to enhance the coverage of our program. As we are a grassroots organization open to hearing from our stakeholders, we’ve embraced this opportunity to extend our support to all farm employees,” adds Hacault.
The MFWP remains dedicated to its vision of mental wellness for Manitoba farm families, and to bridging the gap in mental health services for the agriculture industry. “We are thankful for the unwavering support received from the agriculture community thus far through building awareness of our program, financial support, and the growing need for the services we provide,” says Roberta Galbraith, MFWP’s vice chair.
About the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program is a non-profit organization established October 26, 2021, and is led by a working board of directors. The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program exists to provide one on one counselling sessions by professional counselors with backgrounds in agriculture to farmers and their families seeking mental health services. For more information, visit manitobafarmerwellness.ca.
For more information about the program or to book an appointment, visit manitobafarmerwellness.ca.
MBP meets with new Minister of Agriculture L-r: Carson Callum, MBP General Manager; District 12 Director Mark Good; District 7 Director Tyler Fulton; District 8 Director and MBP President Matthew Atkinson; MBP Policy Analyst Maureen Cousins; and, the Hon. Ron Kostyshyn. MBP looks forward to continued engagement with the Minister and departmental staff.
Manitoba Beef Producers appreciated the opportunity to meet on December 19 with the Hon. Ron Kostyshyn, Minister of Agriculture and staff from the department, as well as Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation. Topics discussed included: livestock inspection and livestock-related crimes; the completion of the pilot Livestock Predation Prevention Project and potential future steps; agricultural Crown lands; and, the need for improvements to business risk programs to make them more responsive to the needs of livestock producers, among other matters.
SAVE THE DATE MARCH 12 - 14, 2024
SUSTAINABILITY OF CANADIAN AGRICULTURE 2024 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
Embracing Change for a Sustainable Future Photo: D.J. Cattani
Tuesday, March 12
The Role of Indigenous Perspectives in Reshaping our Food Systems
Wednesday, March 13 Water....At the Root of it All HOLOS model workshop
Thursday, March 14
Adopting Precision Technologies for a Sustainable Future
Visit us at:
https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/sustainability-canadian-agriculture-2024
MPI’s Winter Tire Program offers low-cost options, increased safety for Manitobans (December 21, 2023 MPI News Release) Don’t be
fooled – even with fluctuating temperatures, winter conditions have arrived across the province and Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)’s Winter Tire Program is here to help make sure your vehicle is ready to navigate slick and slippery roads. The Corporation’s long-standing program returns for its ninth year to provide low-interest financing at prime plus two per cent on up to $2,000 per vehicle to eligible individuals towards the purchase of winter tires as well as associated products and services. Since its launch in 2014, the program has provided over 230,000 loans to customers throughout the province.
“MPI is proud to continue to offer this popular program, which aims to reduce overall claims and keep Manitobans as safe as possible in the months when road conditions are often the most treacherous,” said Satvir Jatana, MPI’s Chief Customer Officer. To take part in the Winter Tire Program, Manitobans can visit any participating winter tire retailer across the province to confirm eligibility and begin the loan authorization process. The program offers financing terms between one and four years, and customers can choose their monthly payment withdrawal day. Full details of the program can be found at mpi.mb.ca/wintertires.
FEATURING
Founder of RealAgriculture, Shaun Haney manages one of the leading industry ag media companies for Canadian farmers and ranchers. RealAgriculture provides the latest in ag policy, agronomics, current events and farm management from their website, radio show, and podcast streams. Raised in Winnipeg, Aisha Alfa is now living in LA thriving as a comedian, actor & writer. You may recognize her from Degrassi, The Beaverton or Criminal Minds. She was also Rumor’s Comedy Club’s “Funniest Person with a Day Job."
Draft 12 Manitoba Beef Producers’ 45th Annual General Meeting Agenda Location: Victoria Inn Hotel & Conference Centre, 3550 Victoria Avenue, Brandon, MB The Manitoba Beef Advantage Day One − Thursday, February 8, 2024 9:00
Registration Begins and Trade Show Opens
10:00 – 12:00
Industry Knowledge Session
The Manitoba Competitive Advantage • Ontario feedlot operator on sourcing Manitoba cattle – Jack Chaffe, Chaffe Farms • Sustainability and beef production – Sarah Klopatek, JBS Chief Livestock Scientist (virtual) • Cattle marketing options and what works from one producer’s perspective – speaker TBC • Corn-based production and why it makes increasing sense – Brett Graham, Syngenta 12:00
Lunch for registered AGM delegates
12:45
Screening of MBP-funded videos highlighting beef production in Manitoba • Great Tastes of Manitoba beef producer family profiles • Fields to Forks video featuring Manitoba beef producers
MBP’s Annual General Meeting Convenes 1:00 – 1:10
MBP General Manager Carson Callum calls meeting to order
1:10 – 1:30
Greetings from Elected Officials • Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food ‒ virtual • Hon. Ron8 Kostyshyn, Minister of Agriculture – in person • Heather Stefanson, Interim Leader of the Official Opposition or Ag Critic Jeff Bereza -- invited
1:30 – 2:15
Business Portion of the Annual General Meeting ▪ Approval of Agenda ▪ Report from the President ▪ Report from the General Manager ▪ Report from the Finance Chair • Review of MBP’s audited financial statement • Appointment of MBP auditor for the upcoming fiscal year ▪ Introduction and ratification of MBP directors
2:15 – 3:00
Resolutions Debate (Part 1) ▪ Adoption of Standing Rules for Resolutions Session
3:00– 3:30
Coffee Break and Opportunity to Visit Trade Show
3:30 – 4:00
Resolutions Debate (Part 2) if required
DRAFT Agenda, MBP’S 45TH Annual General Meeting, Feb. 8-9. 2024, Victoria Inn, Brandon
1
4:00 – 4:15
RCMP Livestock Investigations Unit ‒ RCMP Cpl. Owen Third; (If time permits: PSE video Reduce, Reuse, Ruminate)
4:15 ‒ 5:15
Keynote Speaker: Shaun Haney, RealAgriculture
5:30
Cocktail Hour
6:30
MBP President’s Dinner A. Opening Remarks from the MBP President B. Dinner and dessert C. Greetings from Premier Wab Kinew – INVITED to AGM D. Presentation of Manitoba’s Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) E. Recognition of retiring director Nancy Howatt, District 2 F. Presentation of MBP’s Lifetime Achievement Award
8:30
Entertainment Comedian Aisha Alfa
•
Friday, February 9, 2024 8:00 – 8:30
Coffee service, trade show opens
8:30 – 8:45
Livestock Predation Prevention Project update • Ray Bittner, Project Lead
8:45 -- 9:20
Title to be determined, but will be related to Canadian agricultural policy • Dr. Al Mussell, Director of Research, Canadian Agri-Policy Institute – confirmed
9:20 – 9:50
Coffee Break and Opportunity to Visit Trade Show
9:50 – 11:20 • • • • •
Roundtable Updates and Q&A With National Beef Organizations Beef Cattle Research Council – Andrea Brocklebank, Executive Director – confirmed Canadian Cattle Association – speaker to be confirmed Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef – Ryan Beierbach, Board Chair – confirmed National Cattle Feeders Association – Will Lowe, Board Chair – confirmed Canada Beef – tentative
11:20 ‒ 11:55
Market Update • Canfax ‒ Brenna Grant, Executive Director – confirmed
11:55
MBP President’s Closing Remarks
12:45 to 2:30
Producer Workshop • Data collection and how to best utilize it once you have it Note: This workshop is free for producers, but lunch is not included.
DRAFT Agenda, MBP’S 45TH Annual General Meeting, Feb. 8-9. 2024, Victoria Inn, Brandon
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Resolutions Suggestion Form for 45th Manitoba Beef Producers AGM MBP’s board of directors is now accepting in writing suggested resolutions for potential debate at its 45th Annual General Meeting set for February 8-9, 2024, back at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Conference Centre at 3550 Victoria Avenue in Brandon. If the resolution is deemed to be in order by MBP’s Resolutions Committee it will be considered for debate at the AGM. In consultation with the resolution’s author, proposed resolutions may be subject to editing by MBP for clarity and to ensure consistency of formatting across all resolutions. Please note: If the resolution covers off matters on which MBP is already conducting advocacy work, it may be deemed to be redundant and not taken forward for debate so as to ensure there is time to debate resolutions on emerging matters. As well, it is also important that proposed resolutions deal with something that is potentially achievable and clearly state the actions you are asking MBP to consider taking. The sample resolution format is below and two examples are on the second page. Send the proposed resolution and your contact information to info@mbbeef.ca to the attention of General Manager Carson Callum and Policy Analyst Maureen Cousins. Or, you may fax it to 1-204-774-3264 or mail it to 220-530 Century Street, Winnipeg MB R3H 0Y4. For resolutions to be considered in time to be published in the December edition of Cattle Country prior to the 45th AGM, they need to be received by MBP no later than 9 a.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023. Otherwise they will be accepted for consideration until 9 a.m. Friday, January 26, 2024. All resolutions for debate will be posted on MBP’s website. Whereas
Whereas
Be it resolved to recommend that Manitoba Beef Producers
Your name: Address: (include MBP District number if known) Phone Number:
Email Address: