Cattle Country - March 2022

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BY MANITOBA MANITOBABEEF BEEFPRODUCERS PRODUCERS

MARCH 2022 JULY 2021

The photographer had the cattle’s undivided attention as a fresh bed of hay was laid down at a farm in the Deerwood area. (Photo credit: Jeannette Greaves)

New ACL rules still cause frustration three years in Laura Plett, of Sawmill Creek Livestock near Stead, enjoys some family time with son Dustin between filming segments on her property for the upcoming Season 32 of Great

BY: ANGELA LOVELL(Photo credit: Donalee Jones) Tastes of Manitoba.

role as minister of agriculture, I’m looking to find ways of Crown land lease coming up for an open auction; we can better serve Manitobans and achieve long-term the chance of being able to outbid a more established Changes to the Agricultural Crown Lands (ACL) sustainability and success for the beef industry. The producer are slim. That’s the reality, so the benefit for a program implemented in September 2019, are causing a changes that have taken place with respect to agricul- young producer in that scenario is certainly not there.”

Dale Myhre, who ranches with his three sons near lot of frustration for cattle producers across Manitoba as tural Crown land should be viewed in the context of crane River in the Interlake region, says he’s seen a lot broader adjustments that might be possible to ensure the results of those changes begin to play out. of young people leaving the area, and a lot of older profair and transparent processes.”

Changes to the ACL program have included subducers being forced to give up their agricultural Crown “Manitoba’s approach to the use of agricultural stantial rental rate increases, reduction of lease terms lands and retire over the past years.cow and interCrown land should be based on optimism for not only from 50 to 15 years, an online auction process, extending was detected in three an Alberta That means good news for both trad- Lowe.

BY RON FRIESEN When proposed changes to the ACL program were modernization and increased productivity, but for our leaseholder eligibility to Canadian residents of beef and ranchers who proThe industry has asked Ottawa to en- national borders immediately slammed ersoutside who export first announced, Myhre and a group of other Crown government’s protein strategy and for the sustainability Manitoba, and the but elimination of finally unit transfers.

It took 18 years, Canada has courage Canada’s trading partners to recog- shut to Canadian beef exports. duce it,These industry officials say. land lease holders Since formed lobby the of thiswill land whiletothe nize industry grows,” Johnson changes are BSE-free. causing a lot of insecurity and financial been declared the OIE’s ruling and accept Canadian 50 an per association cent of beef to in Canada is “The difference be base the ability government to review the changes.

Their biggest fear added. pressure for many current andfornew ACL leaseholders.

The World Organization Animal exported, producers suddenly found themaccess markets that we otherwise weren’t beef without restrictions, he said. backAgriculthen wasselves that with increases in market rent and theand online Not living up Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP)ashas Health (OIE) has recognized Canada a been In billing a May 27 statement, federal collapsed prices aniableinvolved to because we didn’t have that status, ” to their auction process would mean a lot of long-standing lease Many Manitoba producers are questioning whether in the consultation from sponthe outset country with negligibleprocess risk of bovine saidand TylerproFulton, Manitoba Beef Producers ture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the mals they could not sell because the market not benot able to afford the program is achieving anygovernment of the provincial govern- holders would could vided recommendations to the provincial giform encephalopathy (BSE), giving it the government, will do so. absorb them.to bid on the parcels president. they had relied on, in some cases, for generations. ment’s stated goals for making the changes.

Those goals manypreferred of whichstatus haven’t madethe their waysysinto the new most under OIE’s “Canada will inform those trading The result was cataclysmic for the inBobACL Lowe, Canadian Cattlemen’s AsNow, three years later, Myhre’s have included supporting the growth of Manitoba’s livestock program. tem for evaluating BSE risk. direct fears economic sociation (CCA) president, said some Asian partners of Canada’s BSE negligible risk sta- dustry. CCA estimates worst come true. industry in a sustainable manner and helping young “MBP has had many concerns that acountries lot of the The announcement in May removes still limit Canadian beef imports tus and will undertake immediate work to losses between 2003 and 2006 alone ranged producers providing betterexpanded access toglobal Crown “It has the way webillion expected; thatbillion. there would changes the ACL program not line up the final to trade barrier againstdid Canadian support market access forgone between $4.9 and $5.5 Some to with cattle what under 30 months ofbyage, citing BSEthem lands. be a major loss of ranchers and economic hardships,” we had recommended in our consultation, concerns. and we have beef exports. beNow they no longer have reason Canada’s high-quality cattle, beef and beef 26,000 beef producers left the industry “It’s hard to understand products, what some of thesaid. benefits Myhre says. “The said More we’rethan bringing in beenNegligible looking torisk get status some adjustments to those modernmeans importto do so. ” Bibeau tweengovernment 2006 and 2011.

2.2 milare to some of the groups that the Province saw benthese programs to free up some agricultural land for izations ever no since,” says Carson Callum, MBP General ing countries longer have any grounds “Assuming that the world is based It has been a long and difficult jour- lion acres of pasture lands were converted efiting says Matthew Atkinson, young but the younga people, they’veenvironleft and Manager. for restricting beef from Canada because of on science-based creating major negative trade,from there’sthem,” no reason ney for Canadian beefChair producers sinceproducers that to crops, of MBP’s Crown Lands Committee.

“I am still in the this has happened over only three years.”

The new Minister of Agriculture, Derek Johnson BSE. to have those restrictions anymore,” said black day in May 2003 when a case of BSE mental and ecological impact. Page 2  Page 7  told Cattle Country in a recent statement: “In my new demographic of a young producer, and if I have a parcel

President's Column

Weatherrelated emergencies

Reliable summer water

Page 2

Page 4

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POSTMASTER ETURN UNDELIVERABLE OPIES TO: POSTMASTER:: PLEASE PLEASE RRETURN UNDELIVERABLECCOPIES MBP, UNIT 220, 530 CENTURY STREET, WINNIPE G, MB R3H 0Y4 WINNIPEG, 0Y4 CANADIAN ATIONS MAIL PRODUCT CANADIAN PUBLIC PUBLICATIONS PRODUCT SALES AGREEMEN T NUMBER 40005187 POSTAGE PAID IN G. AGREEMENT IN WINNIPE WINNIPEG.

Canada achieves BSE negligible risk status

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CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

A sense of optimism after a tough 2021 cattle production year As I write this column, we just recently completed our 43rd Annual General Meeting, held virtually. The meeting was a success, with great information and entertainment from all our presenters. However, it is my hope that this was the last AGM to be held virtually, as I sorely miss those in-person conversations that can only happen at these meetings. We are planning a summer event amid eased public health restrictions where we can get together and exchange ideas and reconnect.

Watch for details! Thanks to everyone who took the time to participate, either as a delegate or a presenter.

Following our AGM I had a reporter approach me with the question, why are you so optimistic after such a brutal year? Set aside the fact that optimistic is generally my default mood, I believe that market factors are finally coming together for the cow/calf producer. To be clear, there are widespread cashflow deficits on Manitoba cattle operations due to the drought. I have heard from several producers about how they are having difficulty making ends meet and I recognize the tremendous stress this places on people. However, what brings me optimism about the coming year is the promise of better spring growth due to above average snowfall across most of the province and the current bullish market outlook.

While there are a few areas of concern on the market outlook (very weak fed basis levels and supply chain disruptions), overall fundamentals are the best that they have been since 2015. Longer-term supplies of live animals are tight with both the US and Canadian herds seeing declines after the drought. Barring another crop failure, cattle feeders should be in a good position to compete aggressively for the finite supply of calves this fall, especially with the pen space that has been added over the last two years. The growth in the feeding sector should translate into more competitive feeder cattle basis levels.

Probably most significant are the demand trends, both domestic and export, which feeds my opti-

TYLER FULTON President’s Column

mism. Growth in domestic demand has been exceptional as consumers added more beef to their diet in 2021 and were willing to pay higher prices for it. Canada’s beef exports have exceeded even the most optimistic expectations with nearly 40 per cent growth in value year over year, an unprecedented move in recent times. Markets like Mexico, Southeast Asia and Japan represent great opportunities longer term for additional export demand with positive demographic trends and improved market access.

The beef industry is a co-ordinated value chain that uses market functions to facilitate the process. Most of the cow/calf operations are smaller, independent farms that do not retain ownership of the calves into the feedlots and through to slaughter. Since each segment of the value chain is unique and independent, it can often take a long time for prices and market signals to move from the consumer all the way back to the first link in the chain. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted these normal processes, but as conditions normalize, I have faith that a greater share of those consumer dollars will flow to the cow/calf sector this year.

All of these fundamental factors have contributed to projected fall calf prices (based on US feeder cattle futures, the current Canadian dollar and historical basis levels) that are 15-20 per cent higher than those prices seen just four months ago. These prices are real and available for producers to secure with a Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) calf policy. At the time that I am writing this (February 15), a 600lb steer calf policy for the early fall timeframe is available for $234/cwt which

During our virtual 43rd AGM, we asked atttendees to send us a photo as they took part in the meeting.

Thank you to MBP President Tyler Fulton (top) and Linda Horner (bottom) for letting us share your photos!

equates to $180/head more than what the market offered last year!

There is no doubt that the whole industry feels beaten up after the last year, but given the prospect for a wetter spring and strong market fundamentals, I think there is good reason for cautious optimism.

Directors for the upcoming year remain unchanged from 2021, although there are vacancies in Districts 4 and 14. A full recap of the 43rd AGM is available on pages 4, 12-13.

DISTRICT 1

ALFRED EPP

DISTRICT 5

STEVEN MANNS

Boissevain-Morton, Brenda-Waskada, Grassland, Cornwallis, Elton, Norfolk-Treherne, Deloraine-Winchester, and Two Borders North Norfolk, Oakland-Wawanesa, Glenboro-South Cypress, and Victoria

DISTRICT 2

NANCY HOWATT

Argyle, Cartwright-Roblin, KillarneyTurtle Mountain, Lorne, Louise, Pembina, and Prairie Lakes

DISTRICT 6

MELISSA ATCHISON

Pipestone, Riverdale, Sifton, Souris-Glenwood, Wallace-Woodworth, and Whitehead

DISTRICT 3

DISTRICT 7

Cartier, Dufferin, Grey, MacDonald, Portage la Prairie, Rhineland, Roland, Stanley, Thompson, Montcalm, Morris, and Ritchot

Ellice-Archie, Hamiota, Prairie-View, Riding Mountain West, Rossburn, Russell-Binscarth, and Yellowhead

DISTRICT 4

MATTHEW ATKINSON 2ND

ANDRE STEPPLER

VACANT

TYLER FULTON PRESIDENT

DISTRICT 8

Clanwilliam-Erickson, Glenella-Lansdowne, De Salaberry, Emerson-Franklin, Hanover, Harrison-Park, Minto-Odanah, Oakview, La Broquerie, Piney and Stuartburn, Montcalm, North Cypress-Langford, Rosedale, Morris, Ritchot, Springfield, Ste. Anne, Taché, and West Lake-Gladstone R.M. of Piney and Reynolds

DISTRICT 9

TREVOR SUND

Alexander, Brokenhead, East St. Paul, Lac Du Bonnet, Rockwood, Rosser, St. Andrews, St. Clements, St. Francois Xavier, West St. Paul, Whitemouth, Woodlands, LGD of Pinawa, Reynolds, Springfield, Ste. Anne, and Taché

DISTRICT 13

DISTRICT 14

MARY PAZIUK

Dauphin, Ethelbert, Gilbert Plains, Grandview, Roblin and Mossey River

VACANT

Minitonas-Bowsman, Mountain, and Swan Valley West

MANITOBA BEEF PRODUCERS

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING LEAD

Armstrong, Bifrost-Riverton, Fisher, and Gimli

Ph: 1-800-772-0458

Deb Walger

DISTRICT 11

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

DISTRICT 10

MIKE DUGUID SECRETARY

ARVID NOTTVEIT

Coldwell, Grahamdale, St. Laurent, and West Interlake

DISTRICT 12

MARK GOOD TREASURER

Alonsa, Lakeshore, McCreary, and Ste. Rose

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

GENERAL MANAGER Carson Callum

POLICY ANALYST Maureen Cousins

www.mbbeef.ca

David Hultin

FINANCE

OFFICE ASSISTANT Jennifer Patryluk

LIVESTOCK PREDATION PREVENTION PROJECT COORDINATOR Ray Bittner

CATTLE COUNTRY EDITOR David Hultin

DESIGNED BY

Print Studio One

CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

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Mental health a key topic addressed rd at MBP’s 43 Annual General Meeting Greetings all, I want to start by thanking all for attending our 43rd Annual General Meeting this past month. Although it was unfortunate that we had to conduct it virtually again, it was still a great event. I am pleased with the number of folks who attended and with how things went overall. You always run the risk of major technical errors in an event like that, but we got through it very smoothly. We look forward to planning an in-person event this summer to have some of that missing connection with producers and others in the industry.

Our AGM had a variety of topics, as well as the usual business component. The main speaker I want to revisit was the presentation by our keynote Dickson Delorme (AKA Quick Dick McDick). Quick Dick has become very popular on social media for his hilarious takes on topics related to agriculture. His humour has a really rural spin to it that many that attended could relate to. However, his presentation during our AGM

CARSON CALLUM

General Manager’s Column didn’t just focus on the humour. It touched on his life up until now, and the mental health struggles he has dealt with over time.

Dickson’s focus on this aspect was likely relatable to many listening. In agriculture, a very common issue people deal with is burnout. Burnout is a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. His explanation of how he has been exposed to it and what he has done to get past it was appreciated.

When you think about the challenges that the ag sector goes through and its reliance on factors outside of its control, it is common to get burnt out. It is also common

Cattle Country reader survey Cattle Country, a free publication of Manitoba Beef Producers, is the only newspaper in Manitoba written by beef producers, for beef producers. The newspaper has been in print since 1998 and is also available in a digital format.

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not to recognize it, swallow your pride, and move on.

Acknowledging you may be struggling is an important first step to getting past it.

Speaking from experience, burnout is not a good place to be. It’s important to take a step away from the stress and do things that make you truly happy.

Spending quality time with family and friends and not thinking about stressors at work is always a great way to recharge and refocus. This can be hard when farming is so intertwined with daily life, but anything you can do to step away is important. Dickson pointed out the importance of humour, and why he does what he does.

There are many ways to focus on your mental health, such as taking time away, exercise, and having a hobby.

For me, I always try to incorporate humour in our workplace culture and with interactions with the board of directors. This is not to say we do not take industry issues and opportunities seriously, but it helps to always remember to laugh.

For those readers who haven’t checked out Quick Dick McDick, I encourage you to view some of his videos on YouTube. One of my favourites is his take on the importance of cattle on the landscape.

Before I close, I again want to urge producers to look at the AgriRecovery support programs that have been announced and adjusted related to feed and transportation costs and herd management drought assistance.

On February 2 the federal and provincial governments announced that more types of extraordinary expenses are now eligible for program coverage. These include accessing additional crop or pasture acres, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, hauling water, harvesting extra acres or hauling self-produced feed from distant locations. The deadline for feed assistance applications is April 15th, with expenses claimable up to March 15th. They can help fill in some of the gap caused by the drought of 2021. For more information go to the Manitoba Agriculture website at https://www.gov.mb.ca/ agriculture/ or call 1-844-769-6224.

Until next time, Carson.

Chris Poley: 306-220-5006 Shane Michelson: 403-363-9973 Ben Wright: 519-374-3335 VIEW THE CATALOGUE ONLINE AT BUYAGRO.COM

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CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

Update on administration by-law changes, resolutions debate, from MBP’s 43rd Annual General Meeting Proposed amendments to the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association (operating as Manitoba Beef Producers) administration by-law and resolutions debate were on the agenda when MBP held its 43rd Annual General Meeting virtually on February 10.

By-law Amendments AGM delegates approved amendments to the organization’s administration by-law allowing for the option of one additional term of service for an interested MBP director. This means that a director can now serve up to four consecutive two-year terms with MBP’s board, provided they remain eligible to serve.

A provision was added to the by-law related to appointments to external committees. The board of directors may permit, from time to time, members who are in good standing in accordance with the by-law to represent the Association on provincial, national and other boards.

District Configurations The list of districts in the administration by-law has been updated to reflect municipal amalgamation processes that have taken place in recent years, including local government name changes. This has also meant a slight reconfiguration of where certain local governments are now listed, affecting Districts 5, 7, 8 and 13.

The updated listing is as follows: District number one shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities, as the case may be, described under the Municipal Status and Boundaries Regulation (the “Regulation”) to The Municipal Act (Manitoba): Boissevain-Morton, Brenda-Waskada, Grassland, Deloraine-Winchester, and Two Borders.

District number two shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and Rural Municipalities (“RM”) as described in the Regulation: Argyle, Cartwright-Roblin, Killarney-Turtle Mountain, Lorne, Louise, Pembina, and Prairie Lakes.

District number three shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and RMs, as the case may be, as described under the Regulation: Cartier, Dufferin, Grey, MacDonald, Portage la Prairie, Rhineland, Roland, Stanley, Thompson and those portions of Montcalm, Morris and Ritchot which lie on the West of the Red River.

District number four shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and RMs, as the case may be, as described under the Regulation: De Salaberry, EmersonFranklin, Hanover, La Broquerie, Piney and Stuartburn, those portions of Montcalm, Morris, and Ritchot which lie East of the Red River, those portions of Springfield, Ste. Anne and Taché and which lie South of the Trans Canada Highway and all those portions of Townships One to Eight inclusive in Ranges Fourteen to Seventeen East of the Principal Meridian in Manitoba inclusive, which lie South of the Trans Canada Highway and which are not included in the said Rural Municipalities of Piney and Reynolds.

District number five shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and RMs, as the case may be, as described under the Regulation: Cornwallis, Elton, Norfolk-Treherne, North Norfolk, Oakland-Wawanesa, Glenboro-South Cypress, and Victoria.

District number six shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and RMs, as the case may be, as described under the Regulation: Pipestone, Riverdale, Sifton, Souris-Glenwood, Wallace-Woodworth, and Whitehead.

District number seven shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and RMs as described under the Regulation: Ellice-Archie, Hamiota, Prairie-View, Riding Mountain West, Rossburn, Russell-Binscarth, and Yellowhead.

District number eight shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following

Continuing Consolidated Statutes of Manitoba, M250: Dauphin, Ethelbert, Gilbert Plains, Grandview, Roblin and Mossey River.

District number 14 shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and RMs, as the case may be, as described under the Regulation: Minitonas-Bowsman, Mountain, Swan Valley West, and all those portions of the Province of Manitoba lying North of the North Boundary of Township Twenty-seven which are not included in Districts One to Thirteen inclusive, and the said Rural Municipalities and Local Government Districts.

Resolutions Debate MBP’s board of directors agreed to accept in writing late resolutions for consideration for debate at the AGM. One such resolution related to the Verified Beef Production Program was debated and carried as follows: Whereas a number of Manitoba beef producers participate in Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+), a program that enables certified Canadian beef cattle farms and ranches to prove that these operations adhere to the highest standards for food safety, animal care and environmental stewardship, which is important when it comes to maintaining public confidence in beef production; and Whereas in the past cost-shared funding was available through successive agricultural policy frameworks to help Manitoba beef producers implement beneficial management practices (BMPs) related to their participation in the VBP program (e.g. food safety on-farm, biosecurity and animal care BMPs), but this funding is not available to them under the current Canadian Agricultural Partnership Ag Action Manitoba Program; and, Whereas the priorities outlined in the November 10, 2021 Guelph Statement about the Next (agricultural) Policy Framework (NPF) deal with focus areas such as advancing sustainable agriculture and agri-food, building sector capacity, the environment, and resiliency and public trust, among others; and Whereas the aforementioned NPF priorities include supporting the agriculture sector “to develop, adapt and enhance assurance systems”, and the beef industry believes that government investments in BMP initiatives are beneficial for producers and also help governments meet their policy objectives related to sustainable agriculture and agri-food production.

Be it resolved to recommend that Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) advocate for the reinstatement of costshared beneficial management practices related to the Verified Beef Production Plus program as part of any assurance programming that will be offered in the Next Policy Framework (2023-2028).

Municipalities and RMs, as the case may be, as described under the Regulation: Clanwilliam-Erickson, Glenella-Lansdowne, Harrison-Park, Minto-Odanah, Oakview, North Cypress-Langford, Rosedale, and West Lake-Gladstone.

District number nine shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and RMs as described under the Regulation: Alexander, Brokenhead, East St. Paul, Lac Du Bonnet, Rockwood, Rosser, St. Andrews, St. Clements, St. Francois Xavier, West St. Paul, Whitemouth, Woodlands, the Local Government District of Pinawa, all those portions of Reynolds, Springfield, Ste. Anne and Taché which lie North of the Trans Canada Highway and all those portions of surveyed and unsurveyed Townships Eight to Thirty-six inclusive and Ranges Four to Seventeen East of the Principal Meridian in Manitoba inclusive which lie North of the Trans Canada Highway and East of the East shore of Lake Winnipeg and which are not included in the said Rural Municipalities and Local Government Districts, and including the City of Winnipeg.

District number 10 shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and RMs, as the case may be, as described under the Regulation: Armstrong, Bifrost-Riverton, Fisher, Gimli, and all of those portions of surveyed and unsurveyed Townships Twenty-three to Thirty-seven inclusive and Ranges One to Eight East of the Principal Meridian in Manitoba inclusive and One to Three West of the Principal Meridian in Manitoba inclusive, which lie West of the East shore of Lake Winnipeg, including all of the Islands in Lake Winnipeg within the said Townships and Ranges, and which are not included in the said Municipalities and RMs. District number 11 shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and RMs, as the case may be, as described under the Regulation: Coldwell, Grahamdale, St. Laurent, and West Interlake, and all those portions of surveyed and unsurveyed Townships Twenty-six to Forty-eight inclusive, Ranges Four to Twelve West of the Principal Meridian in Manitoba inclusive which lie East of the West shore of Lake Manitoba, West of the West shore of Lake Winnipeg and South of the South bank of the Saskatchewan River, which are not included in the said RMs. District number 12 shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Municipalities and RMs, as the case may be, as described under the Regulation: Alonsa, Lakeshore, McCreary, Ste. Rose, and all those portions of surveyed and unHALTER BREAKING DONKEYS & HALTER surveyed Townships Twenty-nine to Fortyeight inclusive, Ranges Starts March 24th, 2022 at 9:00 am Thirteen to Eighteen Ends March 26th, 2022 at 6:00 pm West of the Principal Meridian in Manitoba inclusive which lie East of the East shore of Lake Winnipegosis and South of the South shore of Cedar Lake, which are not included in the said Rural Municipalities.

District number 13 shall comprise all of the area bounded by the outer limits of the following Rural Municipalities as Go to DLMS to Login/Bid at described under Part Videos can be viewed at Find us on Facebook www.farmgatetimedauctions.ca www.cattlevids.ca III, the Municipal Swan Hills Ranch Boundaries Act, Cell: (204) 734 - 0210 Home: (204) 539-2570 Contact Scott Tibble

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CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

New polycrop establishment insurance provides more options for Manitoba producers BY: ANGELA LOVELL Although Manitoba livestock producers have different options for insuring their annual and feed crops, including forage, pasture and hay insurance, they had no way to insure multi-species polycrops.

That’s changed this year with the launch of a new Polycrop Establishment Insurance (PEI) that Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) is offering to producers this spring to provide financial assistance if an eligible polycrop fails to establish.

“Polycrops have become more commonplace here in Manitoba, so a business risk management program that will support these type of production systems is important to have,” says Carson Callum, General Manager of Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) “It’s something we have advocated for some time and it’s good to see MASC broadening their offerings to producers to recognize these practices.”

MASC meets on a regular basis with groups like MBP and relies on them to keep them updated of new cropping practices and requirements for updates to insurance programs, says David Van Deynze, Chief Product Officer at MASC. “MBP was instrumental in getting this polycrop insurance going,” Van Deynze said. “They made us aware that more producers are growing polycrops, and there was no insurance option for them, so we thought the establishment insurance was a good place to start as we learn more about this practice.”

How it works With the PEI program, producers can select coverage at either $40 or $80 per acre if the polycrop, or a portion of it, fails to establish. Producers need to make their selection by March 31, and it’s important to note that even if they have a current contract with MASC, they will need to contact their local MASC office to let them know they want to add the PEI option to their existing contract for 2022.

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MASC defines polycrops as a mix of two or more annual crops, other than greenfeed, grown simultaneously on the same acre for the purposes of livestock feed, soil restoration or green manure.

Eligible crops in polycrop mixes include warm-season grasses like corn, millet and sorghum, cool-season grasses like barley, oats or triticale, legumes such as field peas, forage peas or hairy vetch and brassicas like kale, forage radishes and purple-top turnips. Polycrops must be seeded by June 25 to be eligible for coverage and coverage ends on August 31.

Higher seed costs The PEI reflects the fact that seed costs for polycrops are typically higher than for annual or single forage crops. Scott Duguid, who grew around 400 acres of polycrops and 300 fall cover crops on his farm near Gimli last year says his seed costs for multi-species polycrops run anywhere from $25 to $45 per acre above a cereal greenfeed depending on the mix and his goals.

“In a dry year like last year, where the crops were pretty much failures, if I had got my $35 per acre back it would have made it easier to go ahead for this year,’ Duguid says.

Duguid is pleased with the way the new polycrop insurance program looks. “It looks very similar to MASC’s forage establishment insurance, so it’s something [producers] can understand,” he says. “And it includes a lot more species than I expected as well. I think this is a very good start for crop insurance, and they can start collecting data on it and maybe in the future it will evolve again.”

Many reasons to grow polycrops Producers commonly grow polycrops primarily to provide additional, flexible feed sources for their livestock, but they can also help improve soil health and resiliency of forage and cropping systems to things like drought or excess moisture conditions.

“With a polycrop you can still have growth in fall for grazing after you have taken a cut for green feed, silage or bales,” says Larry Wegner, past-chair of the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association (MFGA), which has long been promoting regenerative agricultural practices like polycrops and has also advocated for an insurance option for these types of crops.

Last year Wegner planted a 12-species polycrop on his ranch near Virden, and although it wasn’t a stellar year because of the drought and heat, because of the diversity of species the crop wasn’t a complete write off either.

“Even in a dry year like last year it was amazing to see how certain crops flourished,” Wegner said. “The peas took a beating all year but they were still there in fall, and although the annual, cool season crops burnt up, the warm season ones came when we got moisture later in the fall, and they gave us a little bit of grazing, so at least we had something.”

Interest in polycrops is definitely growing, and the PEI will provide an added incentive for producers new to polycrops to give them a go.

“More producers are definitely looking at polycrops but some were hesitant to try them because they couldn’t get insurance to protect themselves,” Wegner says. “This PEI program will give the new producers a chance to try this and protect their investment going into it.”

MASC provides a factsheet and more information about the Polycrop Establishment Insurance on its website at https://www.masc.mb.ca/masc.nsf/ fact_sheet_901_polycrop_establishment.html

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New polycrop establishment insurance available through MASC (Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba Agriculture is advising dollar values for many crops insured in Manitoba are mostly higher than the previous year and have reached record levels in many cases, Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced January 25th.

Total AgriInsurance coverage for 2022 is expected to exceed $4.66 billion on 9.8 million acres.

This means the average coverage is estimated at $463 per acre, compared to $321 per acre in 2021.

This substantial increase in coverage reflects the expectation of continued strength in commodity prices into the 2022 crop year.

“With a widespread drought throughout the province, 2021 was a difficult year for many Manitoba farmers,” said Johnson. “We’re proud to increase our support to the agricultural sector as we value its strength as a driving force to our economy.”

AgriInsurance premium rates have increased by about 10 per cent due to the reduced program surplus as a result of record payments in 2021.

Premiums per acre will also be higher for most crops due to the increased coverage.

Based on industry and producer feedback, several other program enhancements for 2022 include: The introduction of a new Polycrop Establishment Insurance that will provide financial assistance to Manitoba farmers if an eligible polycrop fails to establish. Polycrops are a mixture of two or more annual crops other than greenfeed that are grown simultaneously on the same acreage for the purpose of livestock feed, soil restoration or green manure.

An increase in the indemnity level for table and processing potatoes destroyed prior to harvest from 85 per cent to 90 per cent, resulting in a better reflection of current potato harvesting costs.

The vegetable acreage loss insurance has been updated to reduce the minimum required acres for the program to one-half from three. This will provide smaller commercial producers with an effective risk management tool.

The AgriInsurance program is a risk management tool for Manitoba farmers to protect against production shortfalls and quality losses caused by natural perils. The program is administered

by Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriInsurance premiums for most programs are shared 40 per cent by participating producers, 36 per cent by the Government of Canada and 24 per cent by the Manitoba government. Administrative expenses are paid 60 per cent by Canada and 40 per cent by Manitoba.

The hail insurance program, administered

by MASC outside the scope of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will also see increased coverage levels for 2022. Maximum hail dollar coverage is increasing to $400 per acre from $300 per acre, based on higher expected gross revenue for most crops. The 2022 premium rates are the same for most risk areas and expected coverage will increase to $1.5 billion from $1.1 billion.

5

CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

Increases to MASC lending limits will help Manitoba producers MHHC pa ys producers to conserve, restore, or enha nce wildlife ha bita t.

For more informa tion ca ll Roy Bullion (204) 729-7592 or visit www.mhhc.mb.ca

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www.mbsimmental.com President: Melissa McRae 204-573-9903 Secretary: Laurelly Beswitherick 204-637-2046 b2@inetlink.ca Feb. 21 Feb. 27-28 Feb. 28 Mar. 2 Mar. 6 Mar. 3 Mar. 7 Mar. 8 Mar. 9 Mar. 11 Mar. 11-12 Mar. 12 Mar. 13 Mar. 13-14 Mar. 13-15 Mar. 14 Mar. 15 Mar. 16 Mar. 17 Mar. 18 Mar. 21 Mar. 25 Apr. 2

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CALF PROCESSING BETTER BY DESIGN

(February 10, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) is increasing limits on several lending products to help the province’s producers manage demands of farming in today’s economy, Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced.

“Our government recognizes the economic pressures on producers as they strive to succeed in the competitive world of agriculture, despite the challenges presented by last year’s drought and the impact of the ongoing pandemic,” said Johnson. “In response, MASC has increased lending limits to provide our farmers, especially the younger generation, with financial options that give them greater flexibility in managing, establishing or expanding their operations.”

MASC’s lending programs provide Manitoba’s agricultural producers access to credit with reasonable interest rates and flexible repayment terms.

The corporation provides direct loans and stocker loans, and guarantees loans made by private-sector financial institutions to help create and expand farming operations in rural Manitoba, thereby supporting the transition to the next generation of farmers. Limits were last updated in 2018.

Effective April 1, 2022, the direct loan limit will increase to $4.25 million from $3.5 million, reflecting increased land values and operating costs.

Loans may be used to purchase agricultural land and buildings, agricultural equipment, breeding livestock and quota for supply-managed commodities.

They may also be used for construction or renovation of farm buildings, greenhouses and nurseries, consolidation and refinancing of debt, and financing operating expenses.

Limits on stocker loans, which provide producers with short-term financing for the purpose of purchasing feeder cattle and lambs or as a cash advance on their retained feeder animals, are also being increased. As well, effective April 1, 2022, stocker loan limits will increase to $750,000 from $500,000. With Manitoba’s beef herd reduced significantly because of recent drought years, increasing the lending limit to $750,000 from $500,000 provides an excellent tool to help producers rebuild their herds, the minister noted.

Limits on the Manitoba Livestock Associations Loan Guarantee program, which encourages feeding cattle in the province thereby providing several economic spinoffs, will increase to $750,000 from $500,000 and association limits will increase to $12 million from $8 million, both as of April 1, 2022.

“By providing lending programs, our government further supports and encourages the sustainability, development and diversification of agriculture and the rural economy of Manitoba,” said Johnson. “These changes will help ensure that MASC’s lending products remain relevant to producers and that capital is available. Supporting growth in the agricultural industry is important as it is a key driver of our provincial economy.”

For more information, contact an AG-MASC Service Centre or go to www.masc.mb.ca.

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Efforts continue to address ACL program concerns

Around 90 per cent of his Myhre’s land base is agricultural Crown lands, which he relies on to provide the forage he needs for his 700 cow/calf herd. For Myhre, the ACL online auction held in February didn’t go well.

Unable to afford the rent increase, which has tripled, he had no choice but to give up the ACL acres he had leased for the past 20 years. The rent increase for Myhre has meant he’s had to pay an extra $100,000 over the last three years. Rent now also has to be paid in advance, whereas under the old program it could be paid in the fall once producers had sold their calves.

“It hasn’t forced us out of business yet, but a number of our neighbours have been forced out because the land is not productive land. They can’t more intensely farm it because it’s fragile land, they have to farm it sustainably, so they had nowhere to turn,” Myrhe says.

Shorter leases a disincentive to improve the land Atkinson, who farms near Neepawa holds both ACL hay and pasture leases, as do most of the other people serving on the ACL Committee, so they well know the frustration and concerns that producers have with the process.

One of the biggest concerns, says Atkinson, is around the lease term, which has been shortened from 50 to 15 years, and which disincentivizes producers to make improvements to their Crown lands.

“As part of its protein strategy the province has stated it wants to achieve a 15 per cent increase in the productivity of ACL. Producers are trying to sustainably manage the land, providing valuable ecosystem services, while at the same time working to enhance their pasture and forage capacity,” Atkinson explains.

“If I build new fences and put in watering systems, I’ve really increased the land’s value but the chances are in 15 years, I’m not going to get the value back out of those improvements,” Atkinson says. “This makes lease holders more reluctant to invest in improvements. We’d like to have further discussions with the province about the improvements situation, and about recognizing the valuable ecological goods and services producers are providing that benefit all Manitobans.”

Another concern is that the method of evaluating any improvements that have been made could be a potential source of conflict, Atkinson adds.

Under the new process, the outgoing leaseholder must negotiate a value for the improvements with the incoming leaseholder, and if they can’t agree, remove the assets within 30 days. That’s not feasible, especially with things like dugouts or even fencing during the winter months, and it still doesn’t compensate producers for the cost to install the improvements in the first place.

“If you have a fence line or dugout there, it’s a pretty free-for-all system,” Atkinson says. “Something needs to be designed that doesn’t potentially incite conflicts between outgoing and incoming leaseholders.”

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transfers, which were allowed under the old system so that a retiring or exiting producer could transfer the remainder of their Crown lands lease along with the rest of their farm assets.

“In the old system, if a producer sold his unit, he would get paid for his improvements,” Myhre says.

“There was some good will involved then, because the [purchaser] knew it wasn’t just tangible assets [he was buying], but the fact that the producer had made it into a working ranch and everything that goes with it, so he could have sold his ranch for more. Now, when he puts it into the auction people are bargaining, if they even take it, because some land is not even being taken up in the auction because it doesn’t work. Potentially, a producer, for four generations of work, could walk away with nothing.”

Online auction process needs more transparency The move to online auctions is also causing some concerns on a number of fronts. Producers are frustrated that they don’t know who they are bidding against.

“Something that was committed to throughout consultations was that bidders would know who we were bidding against,” Atkinson says. “We aren’t seeing that.”

The list of lands coming up for auction are released only a short time before the auction, giving producers little time to scout the parcels and see what they are bidding on.

“We want to encourage people to know the parcels of land and what they’re getting into, and it would be nice to see something like a working list of potential parcels that could come up in the next couple of years so producers can view them during the grazing season.”

Most producers are doing a good job of managing their ACL acres and they want to be recognized for that, not just monetarily, but from the aspect of the value of their stewardship to the public good.

“On my Crown land, I pay rent, and taxes, and liability insurance on it, and I provide a lot of service in keeping that land valuable for the province,” Atkinson says. ‘People want to hunt and sightsee on that land because it’s well managed and it creates habitat. I think that we need some ability to protect that investment too. I’m not saying keep everybody off, I want to showcase that what we are doing is good, but in an informed manner that protects the investment for the producers and public safety also.”

Informed access has long been a thorny issue with Crown lands, which the general public have a right to use for recreational and other purposes. The current ACL rules do not always ensure adequate protection for leaseholders, animals out on the landscape, or the public.

Atkinson knows firsthand that some people do not always inform the lease holder that they intend to access the Crown lands or respect the property and safety.

“I shouldn’t go out there in the middle of a fire ban and find somebody camping in the middle of my hay field. I don’t have control over somebody going in or out and not closing the gate and the cattle end up on a roadway. I think it’s fair to ask for a way to protect our investments and protect public safety while also recognizing that the right to public access is also there. It’s been a challenge to get that recognized and is frustrating,” says Atkinson. “So we continue to raise the importance of informed access with the provincial government.”

Enforcement an ongoing issue Producers were also frustrated with elements of the old ACL system and many lobbied for updates, but one of the biggest frustrations had always been around enforcement of the processes, which, Atkinson says, has not improved under the new ACL program.

“One thing we certainly didn’t gain on, and actually lost on, was enforcement,” he says. “I’m not criticizing the local ACL extension specialists, but the staffing leveling has become very small in recent years. We have seen huge rental rate increases but we’ve not seen any of that put back into Crown lands in terms of staffing the department back to where it needs to be. Producers are paying up to four times more out of pocket and it’s important they see a return from that in terms of services.”

New Minister willing to listen With COVID restrictions and widespread drought, governments have had plenty to deal with and it’s made having conversations tougher than usual, but Atkinson is optimistic that there will be some meaningful discussions, and hopefully a review of the current ACL process.

“I have begun to engage with beef producers and other stakeholders on the Agricultural Crown Lands program,” said Johnson. “I want to hear all views regarding how we can better use our agricultural Crown land resource to ensure sustainable growth of Manitoba’s livestock industry, which is critical. Growth comes through productivity, modernization and maximizing usage of all our assets including Crown land. I also want to ensure that our approach will consider how young and beginning farmers can access agricultural Crown land that in the past may not have been available to them.”

It’s a complicated file and it’s important to have those conversations, get everybody up to speed, and on the same page,” Atkinson says. “I’m hopeful that we can have those conversations going forward because producers have concerns and frustrations about it.”

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CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

Drought relief program expanded for Manitoba livestock producers under AgriRecovery framework (February 2, 2022 Joint Government News Release) The governments of Canada and Manitoba are continuing to support livestock producers by expanding the eligibility of expenses under the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program.

Today, federal Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced the addition of extraordinary expenses producers incurred in

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accessing feed, water and pasture as part of the program to address the challenges faced throughout the drought in 2021.

“Canadian producers have stayed strong and resilient as they took care of their land and animals, while facing natural disasters,” said Bibeau. “Our governments recognize the need to adjust risk management programs to support them. By expanding the eligibility criteria of allowable expenses under AgriRecovery, we are helping

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

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Manitoba producers get feed to their herds and move forward through this challenging period.”

“Manitoba producers care deeply about their livestock and these programs offer a flexible and responsive approach that will help them recover from the drought and plan for the 2022 growing season,” said Johnson.

“Since the program was introduced in August, industry stakeholders have told us that the needs of producers had changed. In response, we recognized that producers need additional help with other extraordinary expenses to recover from the drought and today’s announcement addresses that expressed need.”

Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was established to help producers purchase and test feed for livestock to maintain their breeding herds, including through the transport of purchased feed from distant locations.

“Manitoba Beef Producers thanks the federal and provincial governments for listening to our concerns about how to make the programs more reflective of the many different types of strategies producers have had to use to source critical feed and water resources for their livestock,” said Tyler Fulton, president, Manitoba Beef Producers. “These important additions will better address the wide array of extraordinary costs arising due to the drought and will help mitigate some of the negative financial impact it is having on producers.”

Many producers have obtained feed and maintained their herds through baling extra acres, renting extra pasture, hauling water and other extraordinary measures.

Among the additional extraordinary costs now covered are expenditures related to rentals of additional crop or pasture acres, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, hauling water, harvesting extra acres or hauling self-produced feed from distant locations.

Eligible animals under the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program include breeding animals of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for pregnant mare urine, sheep, goats, bison and elk.

Producers must support a minimum of 10 animals to qualify for assistance. The program covers feed, feed transportation and related extraordinary expenses incurred between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022. The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program has processed more than 1,200 claims and will accept new claims until a deadline of April 15.

The governments of Canada and Manitoba will continue to work in collaboration to support farmers during this challenging period to ensure they have access to the necessary resources to maintain competitiveness.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program complements two other AgriRecovery programs offered to producers. The Herd Management Drought Assistance program helps producers replace breeding animals culled due to drought.

The Livestock Transportation program offers assistance to producers facing extraordinary costs to transport breeding animals of beef cattle, sheep and goats to alternate locations to feed, up to 1,000 kilometres. Both programs are part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership with funding shared on a 60-40 federal-provincial basis.

Under the Canada-Manitoba AgriRecovery Drought Assistance program, the Government of Canada is investing up to $93 million and the Manitoba government is investing $62 million to cover eligible extraordinary costs, for total program funding of up to $155 million.

For detailed program information, producers can contact their AG-MASC Service Centre or call toll-free at 1-84-GROW-MB-AG (1-844-769-6224). They can also visit: www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/canadian-agricultural-partnership/business-risk-management-programs/ index.html.

Manitobans can stay up to date on the province’s agricultural programs and services by following Manitoba Agriculture on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MBGovAg.

CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

9

New regenerative accelerator project on the prairies

BY: WAYNE HILDEBRAND

Liam Hamilton in corn grazing crop (Photo credit: Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation)

producer support of regenerative farming.”

Based on the success of the $124,179 Trust-funded first phase, Holistic Management Canada (HMC) was approved for an additional $200,000 in Conservation Trust funding. In Phase Two, HMC will work with an additional 10 farms to increase the ecosystem function of their properties and impact over 4,000 acres.

“What I love about this project is that the ecological services from Regenerative Agriculture go well beyond the farm gate,” Dana said. “These include improved water quality, reduced flooding, improved biodiversity, enhanced wildlife habitat, and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere that helps reduce the impacts of climate change. These benefits are enjoyed by all Manitobans.”

Beginning in 2019, the Government of Manitoba took a unique approach to funding new conservation and climate change adaptation activities by establishing three permanent trust funds at The Winnipeg Foundation. With a total investment of $204 million, the Conservation, GROW and Wetland GROW Trusts are annually awarding $10 million to new projects across Agro Manitoba. The Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, a private charity based in Manitoba, manages the granting programs.

As farmers move to modify farm practices to improve their soil and the environment, it would be nice to see an improvement in Canada’s next Soil Health Report Card.

For more information: Dana Penrice, Coordinator, Holistic Management Canada. Cell phone: 1-204-4412227. Email: coordinator@holisticmanagement.ca

In an effort to improve soil health, Holistic Management Canada has received $324,179 from Manitoba’s Conservation Trust to support new Regenerative Accelerator projects across the province.

Ninety-five per cent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils. Scientists are warning that soil health has been degrading faster than our current ability to replenish it.

A Soil Health Report Card for Canada was produced by the Soil Conservation Council of Canada in 2021.

One of its conclusions was not encouraging: “Poor soil health caused by decades of past management practices is cutting into farm profits and hurting the environment.

Greater attention must be given to the costs and benefits of soil management practices going forward.”

“The focus of regenerative farming is improving soil quality by building organic matter back into the soil,” said Dana Penrice, project coordinator for Holistic Management Canada. “Zero and minimum tillage were a fantastic start to building soil, but we need to expedite soil improvement strategies like intercropping, cover cropping, eliminating tillage, adding organic matter, and integrating livestock into cropping systems.”

“We have been working with five farmers across Manitoba to provide support for the transition to regenerative farming practices,” said Dana. “Project goals are to improve soil quality, boost production, reduce inorganic fertilizer and pesticide applications, reduce soil erosion, sequester carbon, and increase the water holding capacity of soils. We also want to preserve

and restore pastures and grazed grasslands by helping farmers implement planned grazing systems.”

Cam and Shelley Hamilton along with their son Liam and daughter Andrea are participants in the Regenerative Accelerator Project. They operate Fair Valley Farm Ventures, a cow-calf operation on the sandy soils near Glenboro.

“Our sandy soil doesn’t hold inorganic fertilizer and it doesn’t hold water,” said Cam. “With light soils we are always managing for drought. We look to more organic ways to build our soil, store water and provide nutrients.

“Increasing organic carbon and organic matter to improve soil health is a key principle of regenerative farming, so we are experimenting with making bio complete compost from manure,” said Liam. “Adding organic matter helps hold water which improves plant resiliency during dry periods. The compost is loaded with microorganisms which helps with nutrient cycling in the topsoil.”

“We are also trying multi-plant species crops, corn grazing, interseeding and cover cropping to get ground cover, prevent erosion and build fertility,” said Andrea.

“The financial support from the Conservation Trust and Regenerative Accelerator Project really helps to minimize the risk associated with trying to implement new soil building strategies.”

“Farmers and their families know that healthy soils are the foundation of their productivity and profitability,” said Dana. “Sharing the outcomes of the Regenerative Accelerator Project is essential to gaining

Andrea Hamilton in six plant species full season cover crop.

(Photo credit: Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation)

Pictured left to right: Cam, Andrea, Liam, and Shelley Hamilton, 2022 corn grazing. (Photo credit: Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation)

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10 CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

Producer-led groups form coalition; land AAFC’S on-farm climate action projects for Manitoba & Saskatchewan producers Winnipeg, MB – (Feb 22, 2022) - Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) is pleased to announce that the organization is a successful recipient of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) On Farm Climate Action Fund Project. The MAW-led project, which was supported by 38 organizations throughout the region, will receive up to $40 million over the two-year project to be delivered throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan around three key farming practices that benefit climate resiliency in agriculture: rotational grazing, nitrogen management, and cover crops.

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“The fight against climate change is not only about reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, but also helping farmers to innovate and adopt more sustainable farming practices,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “We will continue to do what is necessary to protect our environment and provide farmers with the support needed to make their operations more sustainable for future generations. The On-Farm Climate Action Fund builds on the work already underway by our Government to lower greenhouse gas emissions and help improve longterm climate resiliency in the agriculture sector.”

“We are ecstatic to receive this news,” said Lynda Nicol, MAW executive director. “The project partners we are aligned with all have long history of producer-focused project delivery and producer outreach, which are key components of the project proposal’s success.”

Nicol said the AAFC project will be overseen by a steering committee led by MAW, and including Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW), Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA), Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC), Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC), and Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP), in addition to representatives from watershed districts in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

The project partners will be fully engaged in planning, outreach, mentorship, and producer engagement.

“We are taking a grassroots, regional approach to addressing issues related to climate change in agriculture,” said Garry Wasylowski, MAW board chair.

“Supporting farmers to implement BMPs related to nitrogen management, rotational grazing, and cover cropping will have a positive impact on Canadian agriculture. We are proud to have the opportunity to deliver this programming in Manitoba and Saskatchewan thanks to AAFC.” Nicol pointed out the front-end work of the MFGA in the organizing of the regional group’s discussions around the proposal opportunity and says the framework and respective group networks, including conservation interests and agriculture groups, are in place to allow the group to move forward quickly under MAW’s leadership.

“This is a project for producers and has been since our very first steps together as a group,” said Nicol.

“We are intent on producers seeing the great impacts they can make on their farmlands via this project and are confident in the strength of our delivery partners to move this project forward to communicate, mentor and engage producers efficiently while delivering the on farm climate actions identified by AAFC that are so paramount to this project. We expect more program details will be released in March.”

For More Information: Lynda Nicol, MAW executive director, 204-570-0164, lynda@manitobawatersheds.org

Offers for Sale by Private Treaty 50 Yearling Black Angus Bulls and 10 2 yr. old Bulls

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12 CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

43 MBP AGM looks forward to a better 2022 for beef producers rd

BY: ANGELA LOVELL At the Manitoba Beef Producers 43rd annual general meeting held virtually on February 10, Manitoba’s new Minister of Agriculture, Derek Johnson outlined changes to various programs to assist livestock producers who have faced multiple challenges over the past year, with severe drought topping the list.

Johnson announced that as of April 1, MASC’s lending limits will be increased. The limit for direct loans will increase to $4.25 million from $3.5 million to reflect increases in land values and other operating costs.

Direct loans can be used to purchase land, buildings, equipment and breeding livestock, for construction or renovation of farm buildings or for debt consolidation and re-financing of some operating expenses.

The limit for stocker loans will increase to $750,000 from $500,000 and producers can make use of these short-term loans to purchase replacement heifers and feeder cattle, or as a cash advance for producers retaining their own feeder animals.

In his address to AGM delegates, Johnson said the limits had been raised to ensure they remain relevant to producers and support the sustainability, development and diversification of agriculture and the rural economy in Manitoba, and as an excellent tool to assist producers to rebuild their herds.

As well, the individual borrowing limit through the Manitoba Livestock Association’s Loan Guarantee Program will increase to $750,000. The maximum borrowing limit per association will also increase to $12 million from $8 million previously.

In late January 2022, the provincial and federal governments announced the expansion of eligible feeds and the addition of extraordinary expenses incurred by producers in accessing feed or pasture or hauling water under the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program.

In closing, Johnson said: “My department recognizes how much our producers care deeply about their livestock, and these programs will help towards the recovery and ongoing sustainability and growth of our beef sector.”

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister MarieClaude Bibeau emphasized in her virtual message to delegates the important role that beef producers play in mitigating climate change, and the half-a-billion dollars of funding the federal government has committed to programs that support sustainable practices and clean technology in agriculture.

“The drought was a stark reminder that farmers and ranchers are on the front lines of climate change,” Bibeau said. “Manitoba cattle producers already play a significant role in meeting our sustainability goals, from carbon storage to preservation of wildlife and native forages. Our consumers and trading partners are demanding sustainable food, and Manitoba beef producers can deliver.”

Business risk management program changes The AGM’s morning session began with an overview of some of the business risk management (BRM) programs available to livestock producers, including updates to existing programs and a few new options for 2022.

To date, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) has paid out around $48 million to producers affected by the 2021 drought through various forage-related programs, said Jared Munro, President and CEO of MASC. In addition to existing programs like basic and select hay insurance, forage establishment insurance, hay disaster benefit, pasture and pasture days insurance and greenfeed insurance, MASC is offering a new Polycrop Establishment Insurance Program, for 2022 which covers mixes of annual grazing crops.

There are also changes to the definitions of greenfeed for the Greenfeed Insurance Program to make it more flexible and include novel crops that some producers are using as greenfeed.

“These new programs are based on the input we have received specifically from MBP and your directors,” said Munro.

He also highlighted the Livestock Price Insurance programs (LPI) that provides the opportunity to manage price, basis and currency risk in one product. Producers can lock in a floor price for calves, feeders or fed cattle and the program provides flexible coverage for 75 per cent to 95 per cent of the expected price.

Munro says MASC is concerned that participation in LPI has dropped off over the past few years, and has put together an industry working group, including representatives from MBP, to try and find ways to address

to trigger AgriStability. Removal of RML has made the program much more responsive for some of these farms,” Funk explained.

Another change to AgriStability since 2020 is to private insurance treatment, that means producers getting payments from other private insurance programs will no longer offset and limit AgriStability payments.

Instead, the private insurance payments can stack on top of AgriStability coverage.

“As far as the coverage level for the producer, those receipts (for private insurance) still build that reference margin making it more likely that you’ll get higher payments in the future, but when you do get a payment, it’s

“With less [feeders and calves] around, a we will find a better equilibrium if demand that can flow back to produc issues that producers have identified as reasons for not participating in the program, such as premium volatility.

“Volatility in the futures market drives the premium cost, so looking at ways to dampen that a little bit and make a more stable product is certainly at the highest level of priority,” Munro said. “We are looking forward to continued involvement with the industry to try to make the product work better for producers.”

Next on the agenda was Steve Funk, Director of Ag Risk and Management Resources at MNP, who discussed changes to AgriStability, and tried to dispel some misconceptions around the program, such as how margin drop equates to the productivity of the farm.

The AgriStability margin has three components, Funk explained; production, price and direct inputs.

The formula to determine revenue is production multiplied by price. Producers must incur a 30 per cent drop in margin before a payment is triggered under AgriStability, but what does that mean in terms of production, price or revenue?

The revenue component of the margin is highly sensitive to various changes that might trigger an AgriStability payment, Funk said.

As an example, a margin that has $100 of revenue, and $70 of expenses (direct inputs) would be a $30 margin. What is required to make that margin drop by 30 per cent is a $9 drop in revenue ($30 x 0.3 = $9). That represents a nine per cent drop in revenue if the revenue is $100.

“A nine per cent drop in revenue will equate to a 30 per cent margin drop,” Funk said. “What determines how sensitive the drop in revenue is going to be to trigger AgriStability payments is the proportion of expenses relative to the revenue.”

For cow/calf and grains and oilseeds the revenue drop required to trigger an AgriStability payment varies between 13.5 and 19.5 per cent, and for feedlots it is less than 10 per cent.

“This is important to remember because the revenue, price and production drops required to trigger AgriStability are always less than 30 per cent and often substantially less than 30 per cent,” Funk says. “The program is very sensitive to revenue drops and payments could be driven by prices going down, production going down, costs going up and any one of combination of those things. “ Funk also talked about the effect for some livestock and grain operations of removing reference margin limiting (RML) which was one of the recent changes to AgriStability.

“The RML made the program less responsive for some of these beef cow/calf and grain and oilseed farms depending on their eligible expense to eligible revenue ratio, because they would require a higher revenue drop

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not going to offset your AgriStability,” Funk said.

MNP has tools on its website for producers to look up changes to AgriStability and access calculators to determine their revenue trigger point if they know the figures that make up their margin.

Market outlook for 2022 With ongoing disruptions in the beef supply chain, producers were looking forward to some predictions on where the market is headed for 2022, and according to Brian Perillat of Canfax, there is good news and some better prices on the horizon.

Both the global demand for beef and wholesale beef prices hit all-time highs in 2021, with exports up 20 per cent in volume and 37 per cent in value. Canadian cattle producers struggled to take advantage, though because of ongoing issues with drought-induced feed shortages that raised their production costs, and no increase in the size of the Canadian herd, so feedlots were importing more cattle from the U.S. to meet the demand from packers.

But, although the U.S. has record numbers of cattle on feed that is helping to keep the supply chain full, their herd has shrunk by around 1.6 million over the past three years, which Perillat says presents a good opportunity for Canadian beef producers.

“I am optimistic for calf prices going forward as we have gone through the peak of this cycle now and are going to be into some sharply lower cattle numbers for the next year or two,” Perillat said. “With less [feeders and calves] around, and less cattle at the processing plants, we will find a better equilibrium if demand remains strong, so there are a lot of dollars that can flow back to producers.”

Despite the drought, culling rates across the Prairies has not been high and there was only a modest decline in the breeding herd, which bodes well as the glut of cattle in feedlots today works its way through the system.

“Most cow/calf producers are resilient in finding some sort of feed, and we are seeing great demand for calves with some new feedlots and a little bit of expansion in the packing capacity in western Canada which has increased production by 30 per cent since 2015,” Perillat said. “Often, Manitoba feeder calf prices are among the strongest in Canada, and we are seeing some strong futures contracts, so we anticipate some stronger prices this year for calves.”

There are still challenges for the sector, including the ongoing competition for land that is driving land prices up in many areas, a potentially higher dollar, high feed costs that put the Canadian industry at a disadvantage to the U.S. and high inflation, that could potentially drive interest rates up. But there is plenty of room for the industry to share the wealth in the year ahead.

CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022 13

“Wholesale prices were extremely high [in 2021] and fed cattle prices have been average or slightly above the five-year year average, which means producers are getting a smaller share of the consumer dollars,” Perillat said. “As cattle numbers tighten up and slaughter capacity has been tapped out or there’s been a bottleneck, less dollars flow to producers. But we are talking 1.6 million less cows and breeding stock around, that’s going to make the packing plants compete more for protein and there’s some big margins that means they can pass those dollars down to the feeding sector.”

MBP directors and executive update for 2022 The business portion of the AGM began with reports from President Tyler Fulton and General Manger Carson Callum. Both talked about the challenges producers faced over the past year such as drought and ongoing issues around the pandemic. They spoke to the many hours MBP directors and staff have put into lobbying for resources and assistance from the provincial and federal governments, as well as continuing to work on existing files such as changes to business risk management and agricultural Crown lands programs.

encourage you to talk about your experiences in raising beef and caring for the environment with anyone who asks for more information.”

Directors for the upcoming year remain unchanged from 2021, although there are vacancies in Districts 4 and 14. The MBP executive (elected by the Board prior to the AGM) also remains the same: Tyler Fulton, President; Melissa Atchison, Vice-President; Matthew Atkinson, 2nd Vice-President; Mark Good, Treasurer; and, Mike Duguid, Secretary.

The was only one resolution presented and approved this year, which recommends that MBP advocate for the reinstatement of cost-shared beneficial management practices related to the Verified Beef Production Plus program as part of any assurance programming that will be offered in the Next Policy Framework (20232028).

Feedlot industry struggled in 2021 but accomplished much The feedlot industry imported a lot of cattle and feed from the U.S. last year and that’s driven up costs and hampered the ability of the sector to make money,

and less cattle at the processing plants, remains strong, so there are a lot of dollars cers.” – Brian Perillat of Canfax Fulton said he is optimistic about the year ahead.

“Looking ahead there is still some uncertainty, but I think the fundamentals support a higher market, so there’s good reason for optimism,” he said. “There is strong demand for our safe and high-quality beef products, there is growing recognition of the valuable ecosystem services provided by beef production in Manitoba, especially as part of the climate change discussions. I

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but it’s still managed to accomplish a lot in 2021 said Casey Vander Ploeg, Vice-President of the National Cattle Feeders Association (NCFA).

A joint industry statement was issued in April to support the development of UHF (ultra-high frequency) tag technology, that will put the beef sector on a better footing to be able to meet the enhanced traceability requirements on the horizon. NCFA was also involved

with other industry partners to help Canada achieve BSE negligible risk, negotiate Trusted Trader Designation for cattle convoys shipped to the U.S. and provide input into new feed and animal transportation regulations.

NCFA will chair the Canadian Beef Advantage for 2022 and will continue to lobby and work on outreach and advocacy initiatives, said Vander Ploeg, and work in the areas of digital technologies, climate change and business risk management programs, regulations, production and supply chain issues and the future growth and sustainability of the industry.

Last laugh The conference concluded with a presentation

by Quick Dick McDick (aka Dickson Delorme from Tuffnell, Saskatchewan). Delorme shared his personal story of his own mental health challenges following a 19-year career in the transportation industry during which he says he became addicted to work.

With humour and honesty, Delorme described how his journey back to the family farm led him to find the power of laughter, and to create his alter-ego, Quick Dick McDick, who, with his humorous parodies of farm and rural community life has become a social media phenomenon with over 74,000 YouTube subscribers and more than seven million views.

Any money Delorme raises through his videos he donates back to local charities and organizations and believes in the adage that ‘if you don’t tell your own story, someone will tell it for you’. His recipe for doing that: • Always sprinkle funny into it (laughter helps people heal) • Make it for Tuffnell (make it about and serving your local community) • No topic is off limits (sometimes the most uncomfortable conversations are the most important to have).

• Keep it as a side-gig (farming is the true end game) • Don’t force it (just let it happen) • Keep a big set of shoulders (don’t let the comments on social media get to you).

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14 CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

Province releases spring flood outlook (February 18, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre’s spring flood outlook reports the risk of moderate to major flooding in most southern Manitoba basins is dependent on weather conditions from now until the spring melt, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced.

“Our government continuously monitors all watershed conditions across the province to remain vigilant and ready to respond to ensure that all Manitobans are protected should there be a risk for flood conditions,” said Piwniuk. “The Hydrologic Forecast Centre monitors river flows and lake levels daily throughout the year,

and we work in collaboration with municipalities and communities to best prepare for potential flood mitigation operations.”

The Hydrologic Forecast Centre advises that, while there is a risk of major flooding along the Red River and its tributaries, including the Roseau, Rat and Pembina rivers, water levels are expected to remain below community flood protection levels at all locations. There is also a risk of moderate flooding for most other southern Manitoba basins including the Assiniboine and Souris rivers and the Whiteshell lakes area. The risk of spring flooding is low for the Interlake region and northern Manitoba regions.

The Hydrologic Forecast Centre also reports that operation of the Red River Floodway is expected this spring to reduce water levels within the city of Winnipeg with some operation of the Portage Diversion anticipated to prevent ice jamming on the Assiniboine River, the minister noted.

The 2022 spring flood outlook report is available at: www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/pdf/2022/february_2022_ flood_outlook_report.pdf.

The next flood outlook will be released late March.

News Release CCA pleased to see progression towards Canada-UK FTA February 17, 2022 Ottawa, ON – The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased to see progression on a future Canada-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the tabling of the objectives for negotiations on February 16, 2022, by the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade.

While Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) are currently operating under the interim agreement, CCA’s highest priority has been on achieving a long-term ambitious FTA with the UK that resolves existing trade limiting factors. CCA continues to share its priorities with the Government of Canada as it is imperative that the beef industries in Canada and the UK can enjoy equal access and mutual benefit from and grow this trade relationship. The establishment of progressive trade parameters, such as those contained in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), will be CCA’s focus for future negotiations that can now start 30 days after the tabling of the negotiating priorities.

“It is imperative that the beef industries in Canada and the UK both have the opportunity to benefit from this trade relationship,” says Bob Lowe, CCA President. “Currently, the trade relationship is unbalanced and correcting this will be our focus for this negotiation as well as future trade deals.”

Trade Facts: • Imports from the UK increased in 2020, going from $15.9 million CAD in 2019 to $31.6 million.

However, in 2021, there was a decrease to $16.3 million.

• Exports to the UK stood at $20.2 million in 2019, $17.7 million in 2020, and in 2021, they declined to $7.6 million.

• The trade balance for 2021 was -$8.7 million in favour of the UK. • Under the interim Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA), Canada’s total access of hormone-free beef was 3,279 tonnes in 2021 and will be 3,869 tonnes cwe in 2022. Under the TCA, the UK has full duty access to Canada.

CCA will continue to monitor the beef trade balance between Canada and the UK and the forth coming negotiations.

For further information, contact: Michelle McMullen Communications Manager Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 403-451-0931| mcmullenm@cattle.ca

The CCA is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 60,000 beef farms and feedlots.

Visit www.cattle.ca

www.mbbeef.ca

CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022 15

Innovative agricultural insurance product to strengthen Manitoba forage and livestock sectors (February 16, 2002 Joint Federal/ Provincial Government News Release) The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing $253,600 through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) to develop a new usage-based insurance (UBI) product, in collaboration with Dairy Farmers of Manitoba (DFM), to respond to needs expressed by forage crop growers and other stakeholders in a 2020 review of forage insurance programs, Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson and Terry Duguid, member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, announced.

“The forage and livestock sectors in Manitoba have been vulnerable in times of substantial forage shortages, as was the case during last summer’s drought conditions, and traditional risk management and insurance methods used for other crops do not always work well for their specific needs,” said Johnson. “We are pleased to work with industry to develop this ground-breaking insurance product that will help forage growers better meet operational challenges, especially under extraordinary circumstances.”

“Forage producers have seen firsthand the impacts of ongoing climate-related challenges – most notably this past

year,” said Duguid. “By using scientific tools to gather and assess local conditions, projects like this will create new solutions for drought-affected producers in Manitoba.”

The province will enter a two-year contribution agreement (2021/22 to 2022/23) with DFM to provide up to $253,600 in CAP-Ag Action Manitoba Strategic Initiatives (industry-led) federal flow-through funding. The project will be led by DFM in partnership with Manitoba Beef Producers and four additional producer organizations.

“Dairy Farmers of Manitoba is pleased to work with the Canada and Manitoba governments and agriculture sector to support the development of this innovative UBI product that will benefit forage growers throughout the province,” said David Wiens, chair, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba. “Using leading-edge artificial intelligence, the product will measure and predict forage crop yields automatically and in near-real time based on satellite remote sensing, weather and geophysical data.”

The project will develop a usage-based, farm-specific index insurance product for Manitoba forage growers.

It includes the integration of satellite

remote sensing and other big data, combined with an interactive web-based application that farmers can use to individualize their insurance, receive real-time and dynamic pricing, monitor forage production throughout the season and fast-track claims settlements, the minister noted.

AIRM Consulting will conduct the project over an 18-month period and develop a website with a geographic information system interface for farmers to purchase insurance, monitor their policies and support claims settlements.

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes a $2-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.

For more information, visit https:// agriculture.canada.ca/en/about-our-department/key-departmental-initiatives/ canadian-agricultural-partnership or www.manitoba.ca/agriculture.

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16 CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

Outlook for cattle prices is starting to look better As I sit down to write this in early February, the markets in Manitoba are experiencing their biggest volume week in 2022. The demand for the calves is strong, with interest on all classes from Ontario. The US is very strong on heifers under 750 pounds and good black-hided steers under 650. Alberta, despite a continued bottleneck at the packers that is creating a backlog of market-ready fed cattle, is looking for inventory. Local demand is strong for grass-type cattle, but there is little to no appetite for replacement-type heifers. Young, bred cows and heifers of good quality are meeting a better demand than before Christmas, with potential buyers mindful of their feed supplies.

Many of the cattle feeders in the west are paying special attention to feed inventories. Most have enough feed purchased to cover their existing inventory, but getting the feed delivered in a timely fashion is causing the industry additional stress. Most of the larger feedlots are bringing in corn and DDGs from south of the border. Supplies are tight and they have to bring feed from further away. Much of the corn is delivered by trains, which have been delivering seven to 21 days late. The result is that some of the feedlots have limited numbers of days of feed inventory on-site, and that is causing concern in the west. It is hard to imagine the number of b-trains of corn and barley, along with the feed additives that are consumed daily in the big feedlots in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The situation has been somewhat compounded by the requirement by both the US and Canadian governments that require truckers crossing the border to be vaccinated. A large percentage of the Canadian truckers who regularly transport goods back and forth between Canada and the US are vaccinated. There is no doubt that the service they supply is an essential service. The livestock hauling industry has been short of truckers for a number of years. Long-haul cattle haulers are a dying breed, and I shudder to think of what the cattle transportation industry will look like in five years’ time. This

RICK WRIGHT The Bottom Line

concern has nothing to do with a vaccine mandate; the problem has been manifesting for years. There were a few cattle haulers who joined the convoys to protest in the provincial and federal capital; that is their right and I respect that. Their absence had little to do with the truck shortage we are currently experiencing in the cattle business. The fact is, there are not enough cattle trucks available to handle the demand. This shortage has also caused a spike in the freight rates. The cost of trucking cattle to Ontario this spring has ballooned from 10 cents per pound to nearly 15 cents per pound. With diesel fuel costs on the rise, we have experienced two price increases for loads destined to Alberta since the fall. American truckers are so busy in the south that they have no desire to come up to Canada to pick up loads for American destinations.

The use of electronic logs, combined with the lack of infrastructure to accommodate the current livestock hauling regulations, has made cattle hauling an undesirable occupation. In February of this year all cattle moving from western Canada have to be unloaded for feed and water at rest stations like “The Barn” near Thunder Bay. The regulations, which are now enforceable, state that the maximum time cattle can be off feed and water is now 36 hours down from 48, with the extension to 40 if close to destination. The duration of the rest stop has been increased to eight hours from six hours. This has created bottlenecks for the trucks moving cattle east. Throw in the odd winter storm or road closures, and the backlog of trucks waiting to unload is even longer. There are only two official feed and water stations on Highway #1 east of Winnipeg.

Expect to hear more about “transfer of care” documents in the coming months. This is another section of the latest revisions of the transportation regulations. CFIA has the authority to have the owner of the livestock being hauled document when the livestock last had access to feed and water, along with documentation that the cattle were suitable for transport when loaded. The transporter is then required to take the document with the livestock to the next destination (auction, assembly yard, feedlot, or any other intermediate site). On delivery, the receiver is expected to take the document and sign off that the livestock were received in “good condition.” The intermediate site is expected to keep the document on file in case there is a situation where CFIA is required to do an investigation. The majority of producers are totally unaware of this requirement, and the industry suggestion of an educational promotion fell on deaf ears. Some intermediate sites have been getting pressure from CFIA inspectors for not demanding the documents when livestock arrive. The Livestock Markets Association of Canada has proposed that cattle that are hauled less than 300 miles be exempt. The majority of these cattle will have access to feed and water well within the 36 hours cited in the transport regulations.

The outlook for cattle prices is starting to look better despite the grain markets holding firm. Fed cattle contracts for later in the year are well over the $3.00 mark on the rail. Yearling prices off grass are strong.

Steers for August at 1000 pounds are close to $2.00 per pound. 900 pounders are $205.00 with 1000-pound heifers for August and September between $1.88 and $1.90.

The fall calf prices are still up in the air, but one thing for sure is that there will be a lot fewer calves for sale this fall than last year. The contraction of the North American beef cow herd should trigger strong prices, provided we get some average crops in the major grain growing regions.

Until next time, Rick.

Protect yourself from market price Changes Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) is an insurance program that provides price risk management to beef producers when market prices are volatile.

• Get forward price coverage for calves you plan to market between September and February 2023 with the LPI – Calf program.

• Coverage options are available to choose from every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3 p.m. - 12 a.m. (CT).

• The last day to purchase LPI – Calf policies is June 9, 2022.

Visit LPI.ca or phone 1-844-782-5747 for program details.

www.mbbeef.ca Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) ad Size: 9.63”wide x 7.75”deep

CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022 17

Hearty beef stroganoff keeps late winter chills at bay

Beef Stroganoff Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

BY: TAMARA SARKISIAN, RD March is here which means spring is near! Although spring is quickly approaching, we can often experience some chilly days this month, so why not make a cozy bowl of beef stroganoff to keep you warm. This recipe is a quick spin on a classic beef stroganoff and would be perfect for a weekend meal shared with your loved ones or even on a weeknight!

The best thing about this dish is that you can use various cuts of beef. I used sirloin steak, but any tender cut of beef or fast fry beef works well. In some cases, you can even use ground beef for a more affordable option too.

Many kids love pasta, so if you have any fussy eaters in your household, this could be a great dish to try. Beef is an excellent source of iron and vitamin B12 which are essential nutrients for both children and adults. Did you know that vitamin C can help to increase the absorption of iron? You can pair your beef stroganoff with a side salad that includes vitamin C rich foods like tomatoes and peppers for an additional boost of iron.

I hope you enjoy this creamy and hearty beef stroganoff recipe as much as I do! This can be a great meal for leftovers or can also be kept frozen for a day where you’re short on time for cooking. Bon appétit!

Get in on what other producers already know to be true

1 lb sirloin or tenderloin steaks 1 package egg noodles 3 cups mushrooms, sliced 1 onion, sliced 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1 Tbsp butter 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1¼ cup beef stock 2 Tbsp flour ½ cup dry white wine ½ cup sour cream salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS Step 1: Cook noodles according to package directions and set aside.

Step 2: In a large skillet, sear steaks on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove steaks from heat and set aside.

Step 3: In the same pan, add butter and sauté onion, mushrooms, and garlic for 7-8 min. Add white wine to deglaze pan and stir in Dijon mustard. Cook for another 5 min. Whisk in flour, Worcestershire sauce and beef stock. Simmer for 5 min then mix in sour cream until everything is well combined.

Step 4: Slice the beef into strips. Add beef strips and noodles into the saucepan to combine it all together.

Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh parsley.

Photo credit: Tamara Sarkisian

MORE POUNDS = MORE PROFIT

TAG THEM LIMO

Limousin RFIDPhoto Tagscredit: Available Tamara Sarkisian

THIS SPRING, USE A

LIMOUSIN BULL Amaglen Limousin

204-246-2312 / 204-823-2286 View bulls and females for sale online at www.amaglenlimousin.ca

Campbell Land & Cattle

Circle Dot Ranch

Wayne Yule 204-383-5390 Yearling Limousin and Limo x Angus bulls for sale on farm selected from 45 years of breeding. Visitors welcome.

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

Email cam.limousin@gmail.com

Diamond T Limousin

Cherway Limousin

Hockridge Farms

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

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

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

L & S Limousin Acres

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

Maplehurst Farms

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

Park Performance Limousin

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

Triple R Limousin

MANITOBA LIMOUSIN ~ ASSOCIATION ~ FIND US ON FACEBOOK

manitoba_Limousin_Association

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

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

www.mbbeef.ca

18 CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

StockTalk Q&A Feature Brought to you by Manitoba Agriculture Elizabeth Nernberg Livestock Specialist Manitoba Agriculture

Elizabeth.Nernberg@gov.mb.ca Question: I have heard that the drought assistance program available in Manitoba has been expanded to include additional items eligible for assistance. I am so confused by the funding that’s available. Can you please clarify the programs and application deadlines?

Answer: Through AgriRecovery, a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, three different programs are available to help support Manitoba livestock producers affected by the 2021 drought conditions. They are: 1. Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance 2. Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance 3. Herd Management Drought Assistance These programs offer assistance to help producers recover from the extraordinary costs such as: • buying, testing and moving feed from distant locations • replacing breeding animals due to winter feed shortages • moving your livestock to alternate feeding locations • hauling water, renting extra pasture and harvesting extra acres for feed (NEW) Producers do not need to be enrolled in AgriInsurance, AgriInvest or AgriStability to participate in these AgriRecovery drought assistance programs. Further details and deadlines on these programs can be found below.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance helps producers source feed to maintain their breeding herd during the June 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022 timeframe with a maximum per head payment of $250. Changes to this program were made to expand the eligible feeds to include feed additives and premixes, such as molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats, retroactive to June 1, 2022. Funding is available for a wide range of feeds including hay, silage, greenfeed, straw, grain and concentrates. Annual crops purchased for grazing are eligible.

Complete feeds are also eligible with the exception of feed intended for young stock.

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

Roblin

204-247-0087

Dauphin

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

Elizabeth.Nernberg@gov.mb.ca

Tim Clarke

Arborg

204-768-0534

Tim.Clarke@gov.mb.ca

Shawn Cabak

Portage

204-239-3403

Shawn.Cabak@gov.mb.ca

Juanita Kopp

Beausejour

204-825-4302

Juanita.Kopp@gov.mb.ca

Brothers Sell

Elizabeth Nernberg Pam Iwanchysko

PrimePlus_MBCattle_Feb22.indd 1

Additional assistance was recently added to the Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance Program for extraordinary expenses that may have occurred due to the drought. It includes the following: • rental of extra pasture, forage, crop acres for livestock feed • temporary fencing for supplemental grazing • hauling drinking water for livestock due to drought • transportation of feed you produced from distant locations • harvesting feed you produced on acres that you do not normally use for livestock feed production You can claim these expenses by submitting a one-time declaration of extraordinary expenses.

For harvesting and hauling feed and water, you can claim custom fees and the fuel and paid labour for using your own equipment. Crops seeded for grain and harvested for greenfeed or silage, slough ditches and other acres not normally harvested, straw baled from someone else’s acres, and crop regrowth are examples of harvesting costs that can be claimed.

To accelerate the processing time of your application, ensure you have the necessary documents required besides your application form such as the declaration of eligible breeding animals. In addition, invoices are required for each feed and transportation purchase claimed. Provide proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt, eTransfer). For extraordinary expenses, you do not have to submit invoices or proof of payment with your application, but they must be available if requested. However, a Declaration of Extraordinary Expenses declaring the total dollar value of each type of expense claimed is required.

When you submit your invoices and proof of payment for eligible feed purchases, and declaration of extraordinary expenses as part of the application process, a producer share is applied when you submit your first application. The producer share is the value of initial eligible feed invoices and declared extraordinary expenses submitted but not cost shared. The producer share for beef cattle is $50 per breeding head.

The level of extraordinary expenses used in the payment calculation is also capped, at a level of $133.33 per breeding head for beef cattle

Livestock feed transportation assistance is provided for the movement of eligible feed transported between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, for a minimum distance of 40 kilometres (km) up to a maximum one-way distance of 600 km. For feed you produced, transportation is claimed as an extraordinary expense and limited by the $250 per head cap for feed purchases and extraordinary expenses. Funding assistance transportation of purchased feed is above and beyond the $250 per head cap. Program rates apply to both the claims for hauling purchased feed and feed you produced.

April 15, 2022 is the application deadline for feed purchases, extraordinary expenses, and feed transportation claims.

Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance is also available to help offset freight expenses associated with moving livestock to alternate feeding locations required to manage breeding herd feed shortages. The animals had to be transported between August 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, for a minimum distance of 40 km up to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 km. The return trip is eligible for up to 1,000 km oneway. The breeding animals must return to your farm operation when the temporary feeding at the alternate location ends. The application deadline for this program is July 30, 2022.

Herd Management Drought Assistance provides assistance to replace breeding females culled due to drought and to support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels. Females can either be purchased or retained from your own herd. For beef, a $250 payment/head will be made for replacement of eligible breeding females culled, based on the increase in your drought impacted breeding female inventory on March 16, 2022, and the recovery inventory on January 31,2023. No payment is made for increases beyond your pre-drought inventory on March 16, 2021.

For Herd Management, April 15, 2022 is the deadline to apply declaring your pre-drought and drought impacted inventory of breeding females. You then submit a second declaration of your recovery inventory after Dec 1, 2022 so that your payment can be calculated.

As highlighted, important deadlines are coming up for some of the programs that are currently available to livestock producers affected by drought. For complete details on these programs please visit www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/canadian-agricultural-partnership/business-risk-management-programs/index.html or call 1-844769-6224.

www.mbbeef.ca

2/5/2022 2:27:35 PM

CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022 19

Vet column: weak calf syndrome BY: DR. TANYA ANDERSON, DVM

risk to produce weak calves. One red flag is cows losing weight in late gestation. Calving time is not the time to be Drought years mean changes in feed programs. reviewing your nutrition program. Work with a qualified Unfamiliarity with different feeds and failure to feed nutritionist in the fall to ensure adequate feed (quality test, evaluate water quality and work with a nutritionist and quantity) and appropriate vitamin/trace mineral or veterinarian can mean inadvertent deficiencies of supplementation. Feed test for mycotoxins, nitrates and vitamins, minerals, energy, and protein. This puts energy and protein levels. Body condition score your your herd at a high risk for weak calves at birth. These cows and sort them into groups based on their feed needs. “dummy” calves take up valuable labour resources and Remember that heifers, second calvers and old cows genif not dealt with aggressively, many die within the first erally require additional attention. This would be a good week. While every herd can expect to experience one or time to review your genetics and cull those “hard-keeptwo slow calves, outbreaks do occasionally occur. This ers” that don’t fit into your management program. article will review the most Don’t waste feed energy Arrange for a herd visit to common causes with tips to feeding lice and internal pardeal with individual cases. asites. Use a pour-on endectoassess if there are cow factors Calves born with “weak cide in the fall after freeze up to contributing to calf weakness. calf syndrome” are often deprevent a lice infestation. Due pressed and unable to stand, warm fall weather, a second Although you may have had your to walk or nurse on their own. treatment early in the year veterinarian out in the fall at Some die shortly after birth is becoming more the norm. while others live for a few days if calving season is well pregnancy test time, things can Even with supportive care before underway, it is not too late to rapidly change at the herd level use a pour-on now. Just be sure fading away. Deaths occur despite adequate colostrum to treat all calves on the ground over the winter, particularly consumption. and those that are born within if extreme cold, wind and If you are experiencing two weeks of the herd being higher than expected calf mortreated. Have fecal analyses abnormally high snowfall tality, contact your veterinardone on late gestation cows to conditions exist. Even a mild ian for advice. Post mortems assess whether deworming is should be conducted and tissue in your herd or not. A winter with rain/sleet/snow with required samples as per lab protocol strategic deworming program wide temperature fluctuations can yield a 25lb weight gain per should be sent for analysis.

Unfortunately, a quick diagweaned calf by improving milk creates hardship for herds if nosis during the postmortem yields and reducing pasture nutrition is inadequate. is rare unless there is an obcontamination. However, my vious congenital abnormality. experience has been that not all Data from research through the Western College of herds require deworming so test before implementing Veterinary Medicine and the Western Interprovincial that management changes.

Scientific Studies Association revealed that many of the Review your vaccination program. BVD (Bovine calves that died within a few days of birth had low levels Virus Diarrhea) has been identified as a factor in some of selenium, Vitamin E and Vitamin A. Calves noted herds with weak calf syndrome. IBR and Leptospirosis to have had difficult births often had abnormalities of are common causes of abortion. Weak calves are also the thyroid glands and muscle tissue. Only lab testing more at risk for developing scours and pneumonia. can detect these abnormalities and help guide you to the Today’s vaccine selection provides safe alternatives for specific problem in your herd. Doing a quick external vaccinating at all stages in a cow’s life – pregnancy or exam of a dead calf provides little value. pre-breeding. Discuss the best options for your herd Arrange for a herd visit to assess if there are cow with your veterinarian. factors contributing to calf weakness. Although you may Be vigilant at calving time – this is the cattleman’s have had your veterinarian out in the fall at pregnancy “harvest time.” Calving difficulty is a major factor assotest time, things can rapidly change at the herd level over ciated with early calf losses. Early examination and assisthe winter, particularly if extreme cold, wind and abnor- tance (if >1 ½ hours after waterbag evident) will minimize mally high snowfall conditions exist. Even a mild winter the number of calves born weak as a result of a difficult, with rain/sleet/snow with wide temperature fluctuations prolonged birth. Head (think brain) and tongue swelling creates hardship for herds if nutrition is inadequate. contribute to poor oxygen levels, failure of nursing and Cows on low protein (less than two pounds/head/ poorer absorption of colostrum. Check cows for mastitis, day) and/or low energy diets in late gestation are more at teat trauma and milk production. Cull cows with dystocia

(requiring assistance at calving) or failing to wean their calves. Select bulls for calving ease and low birthweights.

Provide shelter with ample bedding for young calves to minimize trampling and hypothermia as a result of wind and moisture. Wintering and calving cows in the same area allows a buildup of infectious disease in the straw pack, elevating the risks of calf scours and navel infection. Practice the two-week rule bymanaging cow/calf pairs in groups where all calves are within two weeks of age of each other. Mixing different aged calves increases the risk of scours transmission.

Weak calf syndrome doesn’t develop overnight nor is it easy to correct with a quick injection or treatment.

If you are in crisis mode, identify “at risk” calves and provide special care. Help them nurse or provide supplemental colostrum. Ensure calves are warm, dry, and nursing regularly. On the advice of your veterinarian, consider vitamin (A and E) and selenium injections – for both cows and calves. With the help of your veterinarian, get an accurate diagnosis and take preventative action to avoid more dummy calves next calving season.

Pleasant Dawn Charolais 20th Annual Bull Sale • 2:00 PM Saturday, March 19, 2022

Video Sale at the farm, Oak Lake, MB

Internet bidding available at www.bylivestock.com Catalogue and videos are online at www.pleasantdawn.com

On Offer: 65 YEARLINGS • All are Polled

Your source for calving ease, performance and maternal genetics

Pleasant Dawn Charolais

Trent & Ashley Hatch trent.hatch@gmail.com 204-855-3078 C 204-721-3078 Sale Manager Helge By 306-536-4261 Jon Wright 306-807-8424

YEAR ROUND

Forage and Grazing

CANADA’S GRAZEFORAGE YEAR INNOVATORS ROUND

PERENNIAL FORAGES • ANNUAL COVER CROP FORAGES • DROUGHT GRAZING FORAGES

Perennial Forages | Annual Forages High Performance Alfalfa ......................................................... | Hybrid Fall Rye Graeme Finn, Union Forage 403-312-2240

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

Toll Free: 1-877-COW-CHOW www.mbbeef.ca

Ken Van Driesten, Nutrisource/Dairytech/Bullseye ................... 587-727-0433 Michael Mott, Michael Mott Livestock ........................................ 204-861-0319 Joey Bootsman, Bootsman Ag Enterprises ................................ 204-720-8386 Darren keown, 3K Holdings.......................................................... 204-937-7333 Scott & Darryl Perkin, Perkin Seed & Soil Company .................. 204-534-8137

WWW.UNIONFORAGE.COM

20 CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

Emergency management workshops and other planning resources for livestock producers A serious animal disease outbreak is recognized as an industry’s greatest vulnerability because of the potential impact it could have on the affected industries and livestock sectors. Knowing what to do when a serious animal disease is suspected on your farm is key to limiting the spread and impact of a disease outbreak.

“The First 48 Hours for Producers” is a NEW quick reference tool developed by the Animal Health Emergency Management (AHEM) project that lists the key Communication, Enhanced Biosecurity, and On-farm Investigation actions to take to protect yourself, your animals, and business after being notified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that there is a suspicion of a federally regulated disease on your farm. See: https://animalhealth.ca/wp-content/ uploads/AHEM-CFIA-48hrs_InfoSheet.pdf This resource can be used alongside other AHEM producer tools and handbooks found at www.animalhealth.ca/resources to proactively plan, prepare and

Webinar 2: Resourced and Ready – Exploring Proactive Disease Management Tactics and Tools Explore the concepts and support tools found in the AHEM resources and ask questions about animal health emergency management.

Upcoming webinar dates: March 17 and April 14 (English and French). All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 11:00 am (Central) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern).

Webinar 3: Testing, Testing, 1-2-3 – Scenarios for producer Handbook application Participants will be introduced to AHEM’s producer-oriented simulation workshops, which give a practical understanding of how AHEM resources are used as guidance before, during and/or after a serious animal disease outbreak.

Upcoming webinar date: July TBD, 2022.

Registration for this webinar is coming soon.

Visit www.animalhealth.ca/workshops for more information including webinar dates and registration.

respond to an animal disease emergency event.

AHEM is offering a new three-part series of engaging virtual webinars geared for livestock producers.

In each 60-minute interactive webinar we share vital information, tips, and tools for understanding how to prepare and respond during a serious animal disease emergency.

Webinar 1: Navigating the Unexpected – Emergency Management 101 A general overview of emergency management along with producer roles and responsibilities. The information is designed to boost preparedness with proactive steps and to provide insight into the knowledge and skills required during a serious animal disease outbreak.

Upcoming webinar dates: March 22 (English & French) and April 5. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 11:00 am (Central) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern).

Did you know?

Half-page and full-page advertising opportunities also available.

Subscribe Today!

MBP distributes a free, weekly ENewsletter to members and partners on timely beef topics.

Contact David for more information.

mbbeef.ca/news/

204-558-4502

HUNTER CHAROLAIS 11th Annual BULL SALE THURSDAY APRIL 7th, 2022 1:30 pm • AT THE FARM, ROBLIN, MB

Cattleman’s Connection Bull Sale Friday, March 31, 2022 at 1:00 PM

49 Yearling Bulls 45 Charolais, 3 Hereford, 1 Shorthorn

At The Farm, Oak River, MB

New Date!

• Complete Performance Data Available • Bulls can be viewed anytime • FREE DELIVERY in Manitoba and Saskatchewan

HBH Johnny Cash 5J

HBH Vision 50J

CE 6.0 BW 1.7 WW 60 YW 113 Milk 23

CE 6.0 BW 0.4 WW 54 YW 98 Milk 27

Sire: Vin-Mar Jonny Cash 3513

Sire: Everblack Vision 119F

• Online bidding available on DLMS.ca

They Sell!

• Contact us for more information or a catalogue

Let us look after your purchase until April 15 and we will deliver him to you FREE OF CHARGE!

HBH Perfect Storm 49J

Sire: HF Perfect Storm 198E

CE 7.0 BW 1.5 WW 61 YW 111 Milk 26

Catalogue and videos will be available at www.huntercharolais.com

Hunter Charolais Box 569, Roblin, MB R0L 1P0 Doug & Marianne Hunter 204-937-2531 C 204-937-7737 Jimmy Hunter 204-937-0219 Michael & Candace Hunter 204-247-0301 @HunterCharolais • huntchar@mymts.net

A Charolais family operation for over 30 years

Sale Manager

HBH Angus Farms Inc.

Box 94, Oak River, MB, R0K 1T0 Brayden Heapy Darcy Heapy Ph: 431-282-3085 Ph: 204-365-7755 braydenheapy19@gmail.com dheapy@mymts.net www.HBHAngusFarms.com

Helge By 306.536.4261 Jon Wright 306.807.8424 charolaisbanner@gmail.com www.bylivestock.com

www.mbbeef.ca

Visitors are always welcome!

Please stop by to see the bulls and have a visit.

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

CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022 21

Cow-Boys ANGUS

BULL SALE

March

23

2PM TAYLOR AUCTIONS MELITA, MANITOBA

Consignors RAMROD CATTLE CO. Tony & Jody Dekeyser Ryan & Lacey Brown 204-264-0270 204-747-5991 Medora, MB email• ramrod@xplornet.ca RAMROD WEST Tyler and Rheanne Dekeyser Redvers, SK 306-840-7701 FRASER FARMS Jeff & Nancy Fraser Melita, MB 204-522-5964

LIVE BROADCAST THROUGH DVAUCTION SALES CONSULTANT CASTLEROCK MARKETING

SAFETY ALERT SAFETY ALERT

Stay on the right track while snowmobiling It’s winter in Manitoba and that means another season of fun for snowmobile Stay on the right track while snowmobiling

enthusiasts. But just as you wouldn’t hit the trails without your helmet and other guidelines

It’s winter in Manitoba and that means another season of fun for snowmobile essential gear, you shouldn’t head out for a ride without knowing a few enthusiasts. But just as you wouldn’t hit the trails without your helmet and other to help gear, you you get shouldn’t home safe. essential head out for a ride without knowing a few guidelines to help you get home safe.

Reduce your speed around utility poles.

Reduce your speed around utility poles.

Guy wires that anchor the poles have yellow, reflective covers to make them more snow.

Guy wires that anchor the poles have yellow, reflective covers to make them more visible, but sometimes the covers become damaged or hidden by drifting visible, but sometimes the covers become damaged or hidden by drifting snow.

Darkness, fog, or blowing also make them difficult to spot.

Darkness, fog, or blowing snow snow can alsocan make them difficult to spot.

Steer of downed polespoles and power Steerclear clear of downed and lines. power

lines.

A lineline may may energize nearby nearby objects. Stay at least 10 metres away Afallen fallenpower power energize objects.

Stay at least 10from metres away from the entire area and report the damage to Manitoba Hydro at 1-888-MBHYDRO the entire area and report the damage to Manitoba Hydro at 1-888-MBHYDRO or 911.

or 911.

If someone does contact a downed power line, either directly or through their machine, do not touch them oraany objectspower around them.

Call 911.

If someone does contact downed line, either directly or through

machine, doice not touch them or any objects around them.

Call 911.

Stay off the near hydroelectric dams and generating stations.

their

Fluctuating water levels and strong currents may result in unstable ice conditions.

Stay off the ice near hydroelectric dams and generating stations.

Avoid sledding nearlevels substations and other hydroelectric facilities.

Fluctuating water and strong currents may result in unstable ice conditions.

Check out the new issue of the Outlook at www.cdnangus.ca/manitoba -angus-association/theoutlook/

Unmarked terrain and trespassing on private property can contain unexpected and deadly Avoidhazards. sledding near substations and other hydroelectric facilities.

Unmarked terrain andheading trespassing Plan your route before out. on private property can contain unexpected and deadly hazards.

Becoming disoriented or lost is much more likely to happen at night or on a large frozen lake. Make a point of riding with individuals familiar with the area and always Plan yourwhere routeyoubefore heading tell someone are going and whenout. you plan to be back.

Becoming disorientedforormore lostinformation. is much more Visit hydro.mb.ca/safety

likely to happen at night or on a large frozen lake. Make a point of riding with individuals familiar with the area and always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back.

Visit hydro.mb.ca/safety for more information.

January/February 2022 Available in accessible formats upon request.

Safety. It’s in your hands.

Facebook: @Manitoba Angus www.mbbeef.ca

Safety. It’s in your hands.

January/February 2022 Available in accessible formats upon request.

22 CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

Beefing up our understanding of biodiversity

BY THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIVESTOCK AND THE ENVIRONMENT, UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA Imagine trying to count and map a thousand different species of mammals, birds and plants, lichens, mosses and soil mites, and using this information to explore the benefits and impacts of the beef industry.

It might seem impractical, if not impossible. But now this quantitative snapshot of land use practices and biodiversity has been produced through a collaboration of the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI), the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). By combining ABMI’s rich data set and modeling expertise with the detailed knowledge of cattle production systems possessed by NCLE and AAFC, they’ve created a new tool for understanding the impacts and relationships.

“We are proud to be part of the first and only team in Canada examining biodiversity associated with cattle production systems at this scale,” says NCLE director and animal science professor Kim Ominski.

“A richness of species is the mark of a healthy agroecosystem, and cattle producers retain the open spaces that make that richness possible. Studies like this help us understand how cattle producers can operate those levers, so they can maximize benefits while mitigating any potential harm.”

Part of an international effort The NCLE researchers involved in this benchmarking project are part of a team of scientists and cattle sector partners helping to map the biodiversity footprint of beef production in Alberta, with the intent to continue these efforts across Canada. This project is linked to an international effort led by the Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance Partnership (LEAP) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Canada’s representative, AAFC researcher Tim McAllister, is the current chair of the LEAP steering committee and has also served as the LEAP Biodiversity Technical Advisory Group Leader. McAllister encourages researchers all over the world to use LEAP assessment methods, which are also the foundation of the approaches used by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. In this way, LEAP is bringing a consistent approach to the measurement and study of biodiversity in livestock production systems everywhere.

McAllister says it’s an important step for the study of biodiversity, which until recently had no single common unit of measurement.

“Biodiversity is intrinsically complex – and perhaps this is why it’s left out of many environmental assessments of the livestock sector,” he explains. “Now, thanks to this international effort, we have a life cycle assessment model that gives us common measures and language for understanding the biodiversity impact of livestock production in different contexts. We can express the biodiversity impact per tonne of protein produced.”

Leveraging data to find the answers The mammoth task of mapping cattle production impact on biodiversity is made possible by the use of comprehensive datasets and advanced computer modeling. When combined, researchers can determine the biodiversity impact of different types of livestock operations in specific contexts.

For assessments here in the Prairies, the starting point is the vast biodiversity and habitat dataset collected by the ABMI. The institute has counted and recorded more than 1,000 species, from mammals to lichens, at over 500 sites extending across beef-producing regions in Alberta At each of these sites, ABMI has recorded the abundance of each species, as well as local habitat characteristics such as soil, climate, and land use variables.

“This is a unique opportunity to link what is one of the world’s most comprehensive databases on biodiversity and habitats with detailed information on Alberta’s beef production practices,” says Majid Iravani, applied research scientist at ABMI. “With this data, we’ve been

Photo credit: Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

able to quantify the impacts of the entire beef sector on biodiversity in a consistent way across Alberta and determine how different beef production stages and systems lead to loss and gain in animal and plant biodiversity.”

Researchers then overlaid regional land use data showing where different types of beef cattle operations are located, and the land use types supporting these operations.

When the two datasets are run through biodiversity models, researchers can determine how individual species and biodiversity as a whole are impacted by different types of cattle operations – from cow-calf systems on range through to large commercial feedlots.

“The collaboration and the synergy behind this project are a great example of what NCLE is all about,” says Ominski. “We’re combining data and expertise across a range of disciplines, and then producing outcomes that are more than the sum of their parts.”

“The ultimate goal is to add the biodiversity findings to a larger life cycle analysis, combined with measurements of greenhouse gases, nutrient movement, carbon sequestration and water quality. Approaches developed in Alberta will then be applied across the country,” adds Mohommad Reza Marami Milani, the postdoctoral fellow working on this project.

“NCLE researchers and partners have been studying all of these sustainability factors, and now we have one more area of knowledge to bring to the table,” Ominski says.

Among those at the table are producers who want to make their operations more sustainable, efficient and trusted by the public, she says.

“As cattle producers turn inedible forms of plant life into highly nutritious food, they can also support biodiversity. In this way they can help regulate our air, water quality and climate, while preserving the rich biodiversity in native grasslands, one of Canada’s most threatened ecosystems. This kind of data modelling shows us how.”

Researcher Team Tim McAllister (PI), AAFC Lethbridge Kim Ominski and Marcos Cordeiro, Animal Science, University of Manitoba Majid Iravani, Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, University of Alberta Sarah Pogue, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lethbridge Project postdoctoral fellow (PhD)

www.mbbeef.ca

Mohammad Reza Marami Milani (University of Manitoba) Funders and Partners Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Mitacs Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

HAMCO CATTLE CO. al u 24th Ann

Angus Bull Sale

Saturday, March 19, 2022

At the farm , South of Glenboro, MB

1:00 p.m.

Your source for Elite Angus Genetics!

Selling 50 Red & 50 Black Angus Yearling Bulls Selling 12 Red & 20 Black Angus 2 Year old Bulls

üSired by AI Sires & Top End Herd Bulls üAll bulls have passed a semen test üBulls on home performance test - data available  Developed on a high forage TMR ration  Selected from a 550 purebred cow herd  Hamco Bull Insurance program available  Delayed Payment Plan available  Free Board until April 15  Online Bidding with DLMS

Bull Videos will be available on line For more information or catalogues view us on line at hamcocattleco.com or contact us

The Hamiltons

Glen & Carleen (204) 827-2358 Larissa & Kyle (204) 526-0705 Cell larissa_hamilton@hotmail.com

Dr. David & Shelley (204) 822-3054 (204) 325-3635 Cell Embryo@mymts.net

CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022 23

What’s new in 2022? MBFI events and on-farm demonstration BY: DR. MARY-JANE ORR, MBFI GENERAL MANAGER and evaluate the impact of proposed work for the beef in coming up with monitoring plans to put data behind The fall and winter of 2021-2022 marks the completion of all current demonstration studies that have been ongoing over the last three to six years at Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives (MBFI). Findings are shared in presentations and added to our website research page.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for exciting news on a new platform being rolled out in April to share MBFI findings and interesting discussions in industry news.

MBFI is looking forward to hosting a series of workshops and field tours in collaboration with Manitoba Agriculture. Starting in April, a full day workshop will be held at both the Eriksdale (April 13th) and Grandview (April 14th) community centres featuring Steve Kenyon of Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd presenting on how to build pasture productivity with pasture planning. In the afternoon, additional speakers will illustrate free tools to map your pastures and provide pointers on how to develop successful applications for cost sharing grazing projects.

Follow up events over the summer include workshop #2 (June 1st) at the MBFI Brookdale Farm which will highlight electric fence design and construction, solar power solutions for remote watering systems, and pasture water pipelines. Workshop #3 (July 6th) will provide hands-on learning at the MBFI First Street Pasture for taking pasture health assessments, and at the Brookdale Farm for collecting and evaluating soil health measurements. Workshop #4 (August 3rd) at the MBFI Brookdale Farm will feature annual forages for crop-livestock integration and have presentations on developing alternative feed rations.

Over the last three years we have been learning as MBFI staff worked to build capacity and collaborative partners to lead producer-inspired projects. We have been listening to feedback from producers and getting inspired for the next round of work through attending field tours, webinars, and conferences. The majority of proposals submitted for review by the MBFI Research Advisory Committee (RAC) were developed by MBFI staff bringing forward questions initiated through oneon-one conversations with Manitoba producers.

The MBFI RAC gathered in January to review studies proposed and rank recommendations to the MBFI Board of Directors for on-farm research and demonstration studies to be carried out in the 2022 field season.

Committee members provide independent advice on the scientific, technical, and real-world production merits of proposed studies. Their recommendations improve the quality of study design, identify potential collaborators,

and forage industry.

The RAC membership includes twelve representatives with a balance of beef producers, industry specialists, and scientific community members. Half of the committee members are appointed by our core partners of Manitoba Beef Producers, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and Manitoba Agriculture, and half are invited to the committee by the MBFI Board of Directors. A few highlights of the 2022 projects to start this spring can be summarized by the following questions.

How does growing a diverse intercrop with a cereal greenfeed change forage yield, forage quality, and soil health measures? MBFI staff Clayton Robins, Leah Rodvang and Ron Kristjansson, started noticing changes in the soil structure of fields grown with intercrops and proposed a side-by-side comparison over three production years of a monoculture cereal greenfeed rotation compared to the same cereal with a diverse intercrop mix. We will be targeting a field that has been in continuous corn production and has a prominent hard pan soil layer. Benchmark measures of soil health will be collected in the spring to establish a baseline and each following year to capture changes, and differences in forage yield and quality will be tracked over production years.

How do grazing management options change forage productivity and pasture health indicators? MBFI will be starting two large grazing studies building on previous work. One is at First Street Pasture in collaboration with Mae Elsinger (Rangeland Biologist, AAFC) to monitor the impact on forage productivity and range health from grazing interval and rest, comparing short daily moves with longer five to eight day moves targeting the same utilization rate.

The second study will be led by Pam Iwanchysko (Ag Adaptation Specialist, MB Ag) at the Brookdale Farm to evaluate the impact of grazing utilization rate and rest to increase forage productivity and rejuvenate pastures. We will be comparing the take-half-leave-half (i.e. 50% utilization) planned grazing with 75-day minimum rest to total grazing (i.e. 80-90% utilization) with longer up to full season rest.

How can MBFI support on-farm evaluation of innovation in Manitoba and promote knowledge transfer across the province? MBFI is enthusiastic to build relationships in areas of Manitoba outside our home base of Westman. We want to work with producers taking the lead in trying new practices on their home operations and contribute our know-how and support

observations to objectively evaluate impacts in the field.

Showcasing is through coordinated field days with local innovators in different regions starting with a focus in the Parkland, Interlake, and Eastern Manitoba.

Save the Dates April 13, 2022; Eriksdale Community Centre – Grazing Basics with Steve Kenyon April 14, 2022; Grandview Kinsmen Community Centre – Grazing Basics with Steve Kenyon June 1, 2022; MBFI Brookdale Farm – Electric fencing, solar power, and pasture water pipelines July 6, 2022; MBFI First Street Pasture & Brookdale Farm – Pasture and soil health assessments Aug 3, 2022; MBFI Brookdale Farm – Annual forages and alternative feed rations For more information or to start a conversation please email MBFI at information@mbfi.ca.

www.mbbeef.ca

/ManitobaBeef

/ManitobaBeefProducers1

Annual Bull Sale Tuesday, March 29, 2022 On the Farm: Swan River, MB

On offer 58 Black & Red Angus Yearling & Two Year Old Bulls Featuring Progeny from: Red U-2 Foreigner 413B- NCJ Coming In Hot 24E- Red Halls Barry 40CRed ACC Nozeka 81G- ACC Stunner 14G- ACC Buckaroo 39G- HF Gold Buckle 92E- Paintrock Trapper

Sale Broadcast and Videos available through:

Sale Management:

Bruce & Ione | Austen, Katie & Finley | Breanna Austen: 204-281-3560 | Bruce: 204-281-0851 Austen@andersoncattle.ca | andersoncattle.ca

www.mbbeef.ca

24 CATTLE COUNTRY March 2022

CONCERNED ABOUT TAG RETENTION?

WE ARE LISTENING

Photo courtesy of Canadian Gelbvieh Association

IMPROVED TAGS = BETTER RETENTION

canadaid.ca

CCIA

CANADIAN CATTLE IDENTIFICATION AGENCY

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

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

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

MORE RESEARCH = BETTER RETENTION

BEST PRACTICES = BETTER RETENTION

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

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

Better tag application practices mean better tag retention.

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

Check out our new and improved tag offerings at

tags.canadaid.ca

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

CCIA

CANADIAN CATTLE IDENTIFICATION AGENCY