December 6, 2024
Great Tastes of Manitoba, a farm-to-table collaboration showcasing the nutritious, affordable, delicious foods grown by Manitoba’s farmers including Manitoba Beef Producers, is seeking Food Influencers and a Manager of Data & Analytics. Please see page 10-11 for information. .
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 semi-annual 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.
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 selfnoomination, 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.
Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program: Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience:
• Funding Purpose: To increase the environmental resilience of agricultural landscapes by accelerating the adoption of beneficial on-farm land use and management practices that increase carbon sequestration; two BMPs are eligible for funding:
o Agroforestry
o Grasslands and Grazing Management
• Application Deadline: Dec. 12, 2024
Livestock Predation Prevention:
• Funding Purpose: Purchase of preapproved equipment and guardian dogs
• Application Deadline: Dec. 20, 2024
Food Safety and Traceability:
• Funding Purpose: Equipment for monitoring and controlling food safety parameters, and improving traceability systems
• Application Deadline: Jan. 23, 2025
Phone: 204-745-3068
https://www.truenorthfoods.ca/
Explore Sustainable CAP priority areas and programs at manitoba.ca/sustainablecap/, check out our YouTube playlist, or call 1-800-811-4411. Stay tuned for updates!
Manitoba Agriculture has launched a new interactive dashboard, showcasing farm cash receipts trends from 2013 to 2024. This tool offers annual and quarterly data, making trend analysis over the past decade straightforward. It includes detailed data on specific crops and livestock, serving as a great resource for farmers, researchers, and anyone interested in agricultural economics.
(December 3, 2024 Province of Manitoba News Release) The Manitoba government will stand up a trade office in Washington, D.C. in the new year, Premier Wab Kinew announced during his State of the Province address.
“Manitoba has what America needs and a trade office in the heart of the capital will strengthen trade ties and protect Manitoba jobs as we work with the incoming Trump administration,” said Kinew. “It’s one piece of our economic development strategy and it’s part of how we speak to the incoming Trump administration in their language. We’re focused on boosting productivity, attracting investment and job creation.”
The premier noted the office will develop relationships with decision makers and
industries in the United States where Manitoba has strong trade connections in states such as Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.
The trade office will be a permanent presence in Washington, part of every aspect of the Manitoba government’s economic development strategy and have a direct line to government, the premier noted.
A trade office was recommended by the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council, which was created in December 2023. The council brings together business and labour leaders to advise on the provincial economy. A sub-committee of the council on U.S. trade traveled with the premier and other ministers during a trade mission to Washington earlier this year.
Researchers at the University of Manitoba are looking to sit down with small groups of farmers to listen and learn from you, the real experts! Let them provide you with food, an honorarium for your time, and a team agronomist to discuss anything you like. This is your chance to help inform our research as well as policy. If you prefer, they can also just meet online.
Let them know if you are interested with your meeting preferences here! https://forms.gle/f3nZK6XqX56gBSCk6 More info about the project and team: https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/leap Email, call, or text with any questions: Megan King Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba Meagan.King@umanitoba.ca / 613-532-5923
(December 4, 2024 - Jakarta, Indonesia - Global Affairs Canada News Release) The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, has concluded her visit to Indonesia, the first stop of the largest ever Team Canada Trade Mission to Indonesia and the Philippines. The mission, a key initiative under Canada’s IndoPacific Strategy, opened doors to an important market for a diverse group of Canadian exporters and innovators.
With a young population and an economy that has quickly expanded over the past decade, Indonesia offers exciting opportunities for Canadian businesses. In Jakarta, Minister Ng engaged with more than 300 representatives of over 190 organizations working in a variety of sectors in which Canada has proven expertise, including agriculture and processed foods, clean energy and technologies, information and communication technologies and infrastructure.
Minister Ng and Budi Santoso, Indonesia’s Minister of Trade, kicked off the trade mission by announcing the conclusion of negotiations of the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This important milestone in Canada’s long-standing relationship with Indonesia will provide further opportunities for Canadian businesses in one of the Indo-Pacific’s largest and most dynamic markets and help create well-paying jobs for middle-class Canadians.
As part of the Canada-Indonesia CEPA, Minister Ng signed two MOUs between the governments of Canada and Indonesia:
• on Critical Mineral Cooperation
• on the Establishment of a Bilateral Dialogue on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues
While in Jakarta, Minister Ng also witnessed the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between Canadian and Indonesian companies. These MOUs exemplify the successful efforts of Team Canada Trade Missions in promoting internation trade and business connections in the Indo-Pacific region, resulting in more and better jobs for Canadians.
MOUs were signed between the following organizations:
• JBS Foods Canada and Indoguna Utama
• Proto Global Ltd. and TÜV NORD Indonesia
• the Business Council of Canada and the Indonesian Business Council
• The Business Council and the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO)
• The Canada-ASEAN Business Council and the ASEAN Centre for Energy
• Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
While leading and participating in several business events during the trade mission, Minister Ng heard from members of the private and public sectors on how everyone benefits from inclusive trade and acting sustainably. This is an important aspect of the free trade agreement negotiations between Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). She highlighted Canada’s ability to increase the efficiency and reliability of Indonesia’s energy system to help fight climate change, a shared priority for both countries. As an example, Canada is collaborating with the World Bank and ASEAN to connect 2 million people to the electrical grid in eastern
Indonesia, scale up solar power investments and lower the cost of power generation in eastern Indonesia.
Minister Ng held bilateral meetings with several new cabinet ministers appointed after the inauguration of Prabowo Subianto as president of Indonesia in October 2024. Topics of discussion included the conclusion of negotiations for the Canada-Indonesia CEPA, progress in ASEAN-Canada free trade agreement negotiations and Canada’s support for Indonesia’s economic growth and energy transition.
Quick facts
• The Indo-Pacific is Canada’s second-largest regional export market after the United States. In 2023, yearly 2-way merchandise trade between Canada and the region was valued at $257 billion.
• Launched in November 2022, Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy is creating opportunities to expand trade and investment, grow good jobs and build supply chain resilience.
• In 2023, Indonesia was Canada’s 22ndlargest trading partner worldwide and thirdlargest among Southeast Asian countries.
• In 2023, 2-way merchandise trade between Canada and Indonesia was valued at $5.1 billion. Canadian merchandise exports to Indonesia were valued at $2.3 billion, making it Canada’s largest export market in ASEAN.
• In September 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Paul Thoppil, Canada’s first Indo-Pacific Trade Representative (CIPTR). The CIPTR’s office is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The location underscores the emerging importance of Indonesia as a regional hub and demonstrates Canada’s vision to diversify its and expand its representation in the Indo-Pacific.
Selected Excerpts from Backgrounder:
Conclusion of negotiations for a Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
Description: On December 2, 2024, the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia concluded bilateral trade negotiations for the Canada-Indonesia CEPA. This important milestone in Canada’s long-standing relationship with Indonesia will provide further opportunities for Canadian businesses in one of the Indo-Pacific’s largest and most dynamic markets.
JBS Foods Canada and Indoguna Utama
Description: This MOU will help JBS, one of Canada’s largest beef companies, work with Indoguna Utama, the biggest beef supplier and distributor in Indonesia. JBS will be able to start exporting beef once all market conditions and Indonesia’s import market access requirements are met.
To read backgrounder in its entirety, go to:
Backgrounder: Minister Ng announces significant support to help Canadian businesses succeed in Indonesia
(Source: Statistics Canada’s The Daily for December 6, 2024) The Farm Product Price Index (FPPI) fell 5.9% in September compared with the same month one year earlier. The drop in the crops index was behind the FPPI decline, as it more than offset the gain in the livestock and animal products index.
Lower prices for major grains and oilseeds lead to drop in the crops index
The crops index was down 13.1% in September, the second consecutive year-over-year decrease. The decline in the crops index was mainly attributable to lower prices for major grains, oilseeds and specialty crops.
In September, the grain index fell 22.9 compared with the same month one year earlier. The decline was driven by lower prices for all major grains, led by durum (-39.5%), barley (-25.1%) and corn (23.6%). Competition from other exporting countries led to a drop in demand for Canadian grains. Canadian exports for most grains were lower in the first three quarters of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023.
The oilseeds index (-18.8%) also decreased in September 2024 compared with the same month one year earlier, owing to lower prices for canola (19.8%) and soybeans (-17.1%). This marked the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year declines in the oilseeds index. Higher soybean production in the United States put downward pressure on oilseed prices in the 2024/2025 crop year.
In September, the specialty crops index (-6.9%) also reported a decline compared with September 2023.
Prices were lower across all specialty crops in September 2024, led by chickpeas (-17.5%). Meanwhile, the indexes for fresh fruit (+12.3%), fresh potatoes (+8.6%) and fresh vegetables (+2.0%) recorded gains, moderating the year-overyear decline in the crops index in September 2024.
The livestock and animal products index rises, supported by strong demand for cattle In September, the livestock and animal products index increased 3.3% compared with the same month one year earlier. This marked the sixth consecutive year-over-year gain for the month of September.
The cattle and calves price index rose 6.7% from one year earlier in September. Cattle prices were supported by a smaller cattle herd and strong demand, including exports of live cattle. In the third quarter of 2024, both the value (+38.0%) and volume (+19.0%) of live cattle exported to the United States for immediate slaughter were up compared with the same quarter in 2023. The gain in the volume of cattle exported was largely driven by an increase in steers (+64.9%) and heifers (+8.9%) exported for immediate slaughter.
In September 2024, the hogs (+0.2%) and dairy (+3.7%) indexes reported gains compared with September 2023, while the poultry (-0.8%) and eggs (-0.4%) indexes both declined.
To review the report in its entirety, go to: Farm Product Price Index September 2024
Part-Time/Term
Competitive freelance salary to be negotiated based on duties assigned
Please submit a resume video sample and minimum three references to Great Tastes of Manitoba Senior Producer, greattastesmb@gmail.com, by Januar y 17, 2025
We thank all those who apply, but only applicants who meet the qualifications will be contacted for an interview.
Great Tastes of Manitoba is a farm-to-table collaboration showcasing the nutritious, affordable, delicious foods grown by Manitoba’s farmers. The well-known brand reaches consumers through a multi-platform approach which includes a website, social media presence, YouTube channel and Manitoba’s longest-running locally produced television series. We are seeking a diverse team of entertaining, food personalities to appear in our videos starting in June 2025. Successful cast members will appear in sponsored food-related video content targeting a consumer audience and represent the Great Tastes of Manitoba brand on the @GreatTastesTV YouTube channel. Cast members will report directly to the series’ senior producer, Donalee Jones.
•Participation in content development meetings with series producers
•Recipe research and development
•Contributing personal experiences and knowledge to script development
•On camera delivery of scripted video content with a Teleprompter
•Ability to cook on camera
•Possible participation in Great Tastes activations at live events
•Ability to self-record vlog and social media content
•Successful candidate must have permanent residence in the province of Manitoba
•Excellent verbal communication
• Experience or keen interest in culinary arts/cooking/food & nutrition
•Have taken or be willing to take a Certified Food Handler Training Program
•On camera/performance experience
•Flexible work hours
•The ability to work with the team of video production professionals at Frank Digital and film on location in Frank’s Kitchen
•The opportunity to share your love of cooking with local food with a wider audience online
•Term contract renewal would be negotiated annually as funding allows
Are you data-driven?
Part-Time/Term
Competitive freelance salary to be negotiated based on duties assigned
Please submit a resume and minimum three references to Great Tastes of Manitoba Senior Producer, greattastesmb@gmail.com, by January 17, 2025
We thank all those who apply, but only applicants who meet the qualifications will be contacted for an interview.
Great Tastes of Manitoba is a farm-to-table collaboration showcasing the nutritious, affordable, delicious foods grown by Manitoba’s farmers. The well-known brand reaches consumers through a multi-platform approach which includes a website, social media presence, YouTube channel and Manitoba’s longest-running locally produced television series. We are seeking a part-time Manager of Data & Analytics to join our expanding team from February to December 2025, with the potential for renewal. Due to the flexible nature of the position, hours will be determined based on the candidate’s strengths and availability, which could be up to 12 hours per week. The Data Manager will report directly to the series’ senior producer, Donalee Jones.
• Working with the GTOM Senior Producer & Digital Producer to implement a targeted digital marketing plan
• Tracking digital marketing and social media analytics and providing recommendations based on results
• To develop customer surveys and report results to sponsors
• Participation in client-facing meetings and communication
• Successful candidate must have permanent residence in the province of Manitoba
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work independently
• Post-secondary education in marketing, communications, or creative field
• Proficiency with Meta Business Suite, YouTube Creator Studio, WordPress, Survey Monkey and Google Analytics
• Minimum 2 years experience in Sales/Marketing or similar creative field
• Post-secondary education in marketing, communications, or creative field
• Experience or knowledge of agriculture in Manitoba will be considered an asset
• Experience or knowledge of culinary arts/food will be considered an asset
• Work independently from home OR at our offices at 509 Century Street (free parking)
• Flexible work hours
• On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
• Term contract renewal would be negotiated annually as funding allows