Manitoba Beef Producers will be featured on Great Tastes of Manitoba on November 16. Recipes include Carne Asada nachos, Beef Souvlaki skewers with Tzatziki + the mini documentary We Produce Genetics featuring the Anderson family of Swan River.
Manitoba Beef Producers’ Fall District Meetings are being held October 21st to November 5th in odd-numbered districts holding director elections.
Everyone is invited to discuss issues and opportunities affecting the beef industry. MBP would also like producer feedback on the potential for a Livestock Inspection Service in Manitoba, so your attendance is strongly encouraged. In-person meetings start at 4:30 pm – with a delicious beef on a bun meal provided. These meetings are free to attend, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged. And, an all districts virtual meeting will be held the evening of November 6th beginning at 7 pm.
MBP’s board of directors is also accepting in writing suggested resolutions for potential debate at its 46th Annual General Meeting set for February 20-21, 2025, at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Conference Centre at 1808 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg. The form is available here: PDF
Manitoba Beef & Forage Conference
Working on the Farm with Hands-On Science!
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
William Glesby Centre
11 2nd St NE Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
Registration
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION COST
Register by October 1, 2024
1. Early bird registration - $75
2. Farm registration (2 people from the same farm) - $125
3. Students - $60
REGISTRATION
Register on or after October 2, 2024
$100 per person
No farm registrations accepted after October 1.
REGISTRATION IS NON-REFUNDABLE BUT TRANSFERABLE
Registration includes access to all sessions and lunch catered by Merv’s Pitchfork Fondue.
To register please visit manitoba.ca/agriculture/ livestock/beef-conference.html
Questions about registration? Call: 204-761-3300
Accommodations
Super 8
2668 Saskatchewan Ave, W
204-857-8883
Canad Inns
2401 Saskatchewan Ave, W 204-857-9745
Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham
5100 Crescent Road West 204-400-5083
Wednesday, October 30
8:00 REGISTRATION, COFFEE and BOOTH DISPLAYS
9:00 THEATRE – Dr. Frank Mitloehner, University of California Davis
Climate-Smart Livestock: Separating Science from Scare Tactics
Livestock, in particular cattle, are often branded as major methane (CH4) emitters. This thought-provoking presentation will explore the true impact of CH4 emissions from the beef and dairy sectors on temperature, clarify misunderstandings regarding greenhouse gases related to animal production and uncover the potential role of animal agriculture in fighting climate change.
10:00 THEATRE – Patti Durand, Brightrack Consulting Strategies for Low Stress Handling of Family Succession Planning Conversations
Farm succession is a top source of uncertainty for farm families. How can you lead, guide, and participate in planning discussions, while protecting the family and the business? Join us to find out!
11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK/VISIT DISPLAYS
11:30 BREAKOUT SESSION
(Choose one of three offered sessions)
B-1 VISUAL ARTS ROOM - Cheryl Waldner, University of Saskatchewan
Investigating Effective Strategies for the Control of Johne’s Disease in Western Canadian Cow-Calf Herds – A Potential Economic Loss for your Herd
Johne’s disease poses significant challenges to the beef cattle industry because of its negative effects on animal health and farm income. Although the diagnostic tools currently available for detecting Johne’s aren’t perfect, testing and culling infected animals is the most effective way to control the disease. Learn more about what you can do to protect your herd and to determine if testing makes financial sense on your operation.
Featuring Dr. Nadine Wohlgemuth, Virden Animal Hospital
B-2 ART GALLERY – Ben Hamm, Manitoba Agriculture
Safeguarding your Profit – Incorporating Business Risk Management Tools as Part of your Everyday Chores
This presentation will cover calculating production risk and understanding the steps you can take to maximize profitability and alleviate risk in volatile times. Ben will focus on the pros and cons of AgriInsurance for forages, Livestock Price Insurance and talk about how AgriStability can fill the gaps.
Featuring Tyler Fulton, Cattle Producer, Birtle, Manitoba and CCA Vice President
B-3 THEATRE – Dr. Stephanie Hansen, Iowa State University
Smart Mineral and Vitamin Nutrition for Stronger Beef Herds
Wondering how trace minerals help keep your cattle productive and healthy? Learn about Stephanie’s research, as it relates to the critical ways micronutrients support growth, health and reproductive success in cattle.
Featuring Dr. Mary-Jane Orr, Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives
12:30 LUNCH AND BOOTH DISPLAYS
1:30 THEATRE – John Hart, Wildlife Biologist, Custom Wildlife Capture and Consulting, LLC
Keeping the Wolf from the Door - Effective Tools and Techniques for Producers to Reduce Wolf Damage
John will share his experience in wolf damage management by addressing wolf biology and behaviour, dispelling misconceptions about wolf predation and explaining various techniques for protecting livestock from wolves.
2:30 REPEAT OF BREAKOUT SESSION
(Choose one of three offered sessions)
3:30 REFRESHMENT
4:00 THEATRE – Dr. John Basarab, University of Alberta Genomic Strategies for Improving Beef Cattle Efficiencies in a Changing Environment
Join Dr. Basarab to learn about genomic tools for commercial beef production. This presentation will highlight current research as well as the benefits and considerations for using genomic tools to boost profitability, reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and help cattle adapt to changing environments.
5:00 CLOSING REMARKS AND ADJOURNMENT
Hear from local producers and industry experts about applying research on the farm. Our breakout sessions feature local producers and their on-farm experience.
Organizing Committee:
Pam Iwanchysko, Elizabeth Nernberg, Cindy Jack, Kristen Bouchard-Teasdale, Shawn Cabak, Andrea Bertholet, Juanita Kopp, Mary-Jane Orr (MBFI) and Melissa Atchison (MBP)
Organized by Manitoba Agriculture in partnership with Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives and Manitoba Beef Producers.
Applications for Consideration for The Environmental Stewardship Award Due to MBP by
December 13
Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is accepting applications until Friday, December 13, 2024 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 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 Cattle Association (CCA). The national TESA recipient is announced during the CCA’s semiannual meeting held in August in conjunction with the Canadian Beef Industry Conference.
Each nominee exemplifies significant innovation and attention to a wide range of environmental stewardship aspects in their farm or ranch operation. Such innovations extend beneficially to areas far beyond their land, including water, wildlife and air.
How to Nominate
All beef cattle operations in Canada are eligible to apply for consideration for TESA. Interested producers can either nominate themselves, or be nominated by another individual or an organization. All methods are equally encouraged. More details and the application form can be found at: https://www.cattle.ca/sustainability/tesa
Note: If you are a producer who is considering selfnomination, MBP can provide you with guidance and suggestions on completing the application process.
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 Friday, December 13, 2024. If you have questions, please contact the MBP office at 204-772-4542.
Canadian Grain Commission compensates producers at 75% for unpaid deliveries to Global Food and Ingredients Inc.
(October 21, 2024 Canadian Grain Commission News Release) Producers who were not paid for grain delivered to Global Food and Ingredients Inc. will be compensated for their eligible claims through the Canadian Grain Commission’s Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program.
Following a review of individual producer claims, the Canadian Grain Commission determined that there were 29 eligible claims totalling $2.661 million for unpaid deliveries to Global Food and Ingredients Inc. The company had $2 million in security available so individual payments will be prorated. As a result, producers will receive 75% compensation for their eligible claims. Cheques have been mailed to producers.
In addition to this compensation, the Canadian Grain Commission is working with the receiver, Richter LLP, to realize on proceeds from the sale of the company’s grain inventory. Holders of outstanding primary elevator receipts may receive a portion of these funds through the Canadian Grain Commission at a later date, once the receivership has been concluded.
Quotes
“While 100% compensation is always the goal, we are pleased to provide the maximum available compensation to eligible producers. By working closely with the receiver, we may be able to provide some additional compensation beyond the security held.”
– David Hunt, Chief Commissioner, Canadian Grain Commission
Quick facts
• The Canadian Grain Commission’s Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program regulates grain companies to mitigate the risk of payment failure to producers and to support the grain quality assurance system.
• As a condition of licensing, licensed grain companies are required to tender security for outstanding grain liabilities to producers to the Canadian Grain Commission as a bond, letter of credit, letter of guarantee, or payables insurance. If a licensed company does not meet its payment obligations, the Canadian Grain Commission uses the company’s security to compensate eligible producers.
• If a licensee fails to meet its obligations, producers are eligible for compensation within 90 days from the date of their grain delivery or within 30 days from the date a cash purchase ticket or cheque was issued to them. The lesser of these two time periods applies.
• The Canadian Grain Commission fixes the amount of security to be provided by licensees on the basis of the monthly liability reports submitted by the licensee, pursuant to the Canada Grain Regulations
Associated links
• Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program - Payment protection
• History of payments to producers
• Canada Grain Act
Government of Canada reduces immigration
(October 24, 2024 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada News Release) Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan: a plan that will pause population growth in the short term to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth in the long term. For the first time ever, the levels plan includes controlled targets for temporary residents, specifically international students and foreign workers, as well as for permanent residents.
Immigration is essential to our country’s economic success and growth. As Canada reopened following the pandemic, the needs of businesses were greater than the supply of workers available to support their recovery. We took decisive measures to attract some of the world’s best and brightest to study and work in Canada, and to integrate them into the economy quickly. This meant a faster economic recovery. It also meant that robust immigration helped prevent a recession, while contributing to Canada’s workforce.
In response to the evolving needs of our country, this transitional levels plan alleviates pressures on housing, infrastructure and social services so that over the long term we can grow our economic and social prosperity through immigration. This unprecedented plan offers a comprehensive approach to welcoming newcomers one that preserves the integrity of our immigration programs and sets newcomers up for success. Canadians also expect a wellmanaged immigration system from the Government of Canada.
The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan is expected to result in a marginal population decline of 0.2% in both 2025 and 2026 before returning to a population growth of 0.8% in 2027. These forecasts account for today’s announcement of reduced targets across multiple immigration streams over the next two
years, as well as expected temporary resident outflows resulting from the 5% target, natural population loss and other factors.
With this year’s levels plan, we have listened to Canadians. We are reducing our permanent resident targets. Compared to last year’s plan, we are:
• reducing from 500,000 permanent residents to 395,000 in 2025
• reducing from 500,000 permanent residents to 380,000 in 2026
• setting a target of 365,000 permanent residents in 2027
The Levels Plan also supports efforts to reduce temporary resident volumes to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026. Given temporary resident reduction measures announced in September and this past year, Canada’s temporary population will decrease over the next few years as significantly more temporary residents will transition to being permanent residents or leave Canada compared to new ones arriving.
Specifically, compared to each previous year, we will see Canada’s temporary population decline by
• 445,901 in 2025
• 445,662 in 2026
• a modest increase of 17,439 in 2027
These reductions are the result of a series of changes over the past year, including a cap on international students and tightened eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers, implemented to decrease volumes and strengthen the integrity and quality of our temporary resident programs. The changes are designed with long-term economic goals in mind to make sure that we continue to attract the best and the brightest.
Government of Canada reduces immigration
These changes will help provinces, territories and stakeholders align their capacities and allow the population to grow at a sustainable pace as we encourage institutions to do their part in better welcoming newcomers.
Other measures from the 2025-2027
Immigration Levels Plan include the following:
• Transitioning more temporary residents who are already in Canada as students and workers to permanent residents
Representing more than 40% of overall permanent resident admissions in 2025, these residents are skilled, educated and integrated into Canadian society. They will continue to support the workforce and economy without placing additional demands on our social services because they are already established, with housing and employment.
• Focusing on long-term economic growth and key labour market sectors, such as health and trades
Permanent resident admissions in the economic class will reach 61.7% of total admissions by 2027.
• Strengthening Francophone communities outside Quebec and supporting their economic prosperity Of the overall permanent resident admission targets, Francophone immigration will represent
o 8.5% in 2025
o 9.5% in 2026
o 10% in 2027
Through this plan, we are using our existing programs so that everyone including newcomers has access to the well-paying jobs, affordable homes and social services they need to thrive in our beautiful country.
Quotes
“Today’s announcement is the next step in our plan to address the evolving immigration needs of our country. While it’s clear our economy needs newcomers, we see the pressures facing our country, and we must adapt our policies accordingly. These changes will make immigration work for our country so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes and supports they need to thrive. We have listened to Canadians, and we will continue to protect the integrity of our system and grow our population responsibly.”
– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Quick facts
• Canada’s population has grown in recent years, reaching 41 million in April 2024. Immigration accounted for almost 98% of this growth in 2023, 60% of which can be attributed to temporary residents.
• This plan to right-size population growth after the post-pandemic surge will support continued robust GDP growth and enable GDP per capita growth to accelerate throughout 2025 to 2027, as well as improve housing affordability and lower the unemployment rate.
• Reducing the volume of immigrants will help to alleviate some pressure in the housing market, with the housing supply gap expected to decrease by approximately 670 000 units by the end of 2027.
• The temporary resident targets in the levels plan do not include short-term visitors or seasonal workers, who are not captured in annual population estimates. Targets are for
Government of Canada reduces immigration
the number of net new temporary residents entering Canada each year.
• The Government of Canada has put in place measures to manage the volume of temporary resident arrivals, uphold the integrity of our immigration system and protect vulnerable people, including
o reforming the International Student Program
o tightening eligibility requirements for
▪ temporary foreign workers
▪ post-graduation work permits
▪ work permits for spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers
• According to Statistics Canada, immigrants are making important contributions across every sector of Canada's economy—namely, health care, construction and transportation. When it comes to Canada's residential construction sector, immigrants play a key role, accounting for 23% of all general contractors and residential builders.
On October 25 MBP took part in the Manitoba Home Ec Teachers Association professional development day at Leila North Middle School. Pictured: Chef Anna Borys and David Hultin, MBP Communications and Marketing Lead. (Photo credit: Gina Sutherland)
Over 200 students in grades 3-5 from the Brandon and Westman areas took part in this year's edition of MooMania as part of AG EX. Students visited a variety of interactive stations - including MBP - to learn about the life of a cow including the benefits of beef and the business of beef. Pictured: Melissa Atchison, Research and Extension Specialist with MBP.
Further Temporary Foreign Worker Program reforms announced
(October 21, 2024 Employment and Social Development Canada News Release) Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program is designed as an extraordinary measure to be used when a qualified Canadian is not able to fill a job vacancy.
In recent months, the Government of Canada has taken steps to strengthen the integrity of the TFW Program, and on August 26, 2024, committed to completing further reviews over the following 90 days to ensure that the TFW Program remains responsive to labour market needs, while also helping to protect temporary foreign workers from fraud and abuse.
That is why today, Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, announced targeted reforms to one of the TFW Program streams. Effective November 8, 2024, the starting hourly wage for workers coming into Canada through the highwage stream will be increased to 20% higher than its current level, which is the median wage in the applicable province or territory of work. This represents an increase to the existing threshold of between $5 and $8 per hour, depending on the province or territory of work.
As a result, a greater number of jobs are expected to be subject to the stricter rules of the low-wage stream, including additional employer requirements related to housing, transportation and recruitment of workers already in Canada.
This reform is also designed to prioritize the hiring of domestic workers, in keeping with the TFW Program’s goal of protecting Canada’s economy and Canadian workers. As noted by Minister Boissonnault in a speech at the 21st Century Workforce Summit on October 17,
2024, Canadian employers have access to untapped pools of talent in Canada, including youth, among whom the unemployment rate is more than double the annual average. Similar circumstances also exist for other underrepresented groups, including Indigenous persons, women and persons with disabilities.
Minister Boissonnault also announced that, starting on October 28, 2024, employers will no longer be able to use attestations from professional accountants or lawyers to prove their business legitimacy. He added that the TFW Program will further build on existing information sharing agreements with provincial and territorial partners, as well as existing employer registries, to enhance data sharing. These measures will help to ensure that only genuine and legitimate job offers are approved, helping prevent misuse of the program and ensuring stronger worker protection.
While the majority of employers use the TFW Program as intended, the Government of Canada is continuing to carefully monitor for misuse and fraud, as well as for shifts in labour market conditions. Further adjustments will be made, if needed, to help ensure that only compliant employers with demonstrable labour needs can access the TFW Program.
Quotes
“This change to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program reinforces our commitment to protecting temporary foreign workers, while prioritizing the Canadian workers available to join the labour force. By raising the threshold for high-wage stream positions, we are supporting wage growth for Canadians.”- Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault
Further Temporary Foreign Worker Program reforms announced
Quick facts
• The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) remains an important tool that helps protect the Canadian labour market from possible negative impacts of hiring temporary foreign workers, such as wage suppression or displacement of Canadian workers. Employers must apply for an LMIA and receive a positive assessment before they can seek to hire temporary foreign workers.
• The low-wage stream and high-wage stream are two components of the TFW Program, differentiated by the wage level offered. There are key differences between the streams:
o The low-wage stream is for jobs where the wage offered is below the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%. Under this stream:
▪ employers must provide supports for workers that include return transportation to their country of origin and ensuring or providing suitable accommodation;
▪ employers must conduct at least two additional methods of recruitment that are consistent with the occupation (targets an audience that has the appropriate education, professional experience and or skill level required for the occupation);
▪ employers are limited to a temporary foreign worker complement of 10% of their workforce at any worksite (up to 20% for
certain high-demand sectors); and
▪ the TFW Program will not process LMIA applications for positions in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher.
o The high-wage stream is for jobs where the wage offered is above the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%. Under this stream:
▪ there is currently no limit on the number of workers an employer can hire; and
▪ CMA unemployment rates are not taken into consideration in LMIA application assessments.
• The changes announced today are forecasted to result in 34,000 positions moving from the high-wage stream to the more stringent rules of the low-wage stream. This shift could result in as many as 20,000 fewer positions being approved through the TFW Program when combined with other policies in effect as of September 26, 2024, including the following:
o the Government of Canada does not process LMIAs in the low-wage stream in CMAs with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher (with some exceptions for high-demand sectors); and
o employers may hire no more than 10% of their total workforce through the TFW Program (with some exceptions for high-demand sectors).
• As part of the LMIA, all job offers made by employers must be assessed to ensure that
Further Temporary Foreign Worker Program reforms announced
both the business and the job offer are genuine and legitimate. Applicants must provide supporting documents, as detailed on this web page: Business legitimacyCanada.ca
• The Government of Canada is striving to ensure better representation of underrepresented groups in the Canadian labour market. Examples of challenges facing these groups include the following:
o In September 2024, the youth unemployment rate was 13.5%, compared to the national average of 6.5%.
o Indigenous people at all education levels had higher unemployment rates in 2023 (7.7%) than the nonIndigenous population aged 25 to 54 (4.5%).
o In 2022, the employment rate among those aged 16 to 64 with
Associated links
disabilities (65.1%) was 15 percentage points lower than the rate for those without disabilities (80.1%).
• Minister Boissonnault provides next steps on recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
• Minister Boissonnault reducing the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada
• Minister Boissonnault announces new measures to address fraud in Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program
