Cattle Country - August 2022

PUBLISHED BY MANITOBA BEEF PRODUCERS

AUGUST 2022

At MBP’s July 13 producer BBQ some directors who served on MBP’s board of directors were recognized by current or past directors for their recent service, including (l-r) Gord Adams, District 1 (recognized by Melissa Atchison); Robert Metner, District 11 (recognized by Dianne Riding); Riding, District 9 (recognized by Tom Teichroeb); and Nancy Howatt recognized Peter Penner, District 3. Also recognized but unable to attend were Kevin Duddridge (District 4) and Jim Buchanan (District 14). (Photo credit: David Hultin/MBP)

Cattle Producers Relieved By Federal Beef Label Exemption As a cattle producer, Tyler Fulton has watched an unrelenting stream of catastrophes batter the beef industry over the last 20-plus years.

There was BSE, which abruptly closed international markets to Canadian beef exports and nearly wrecked the livelihoods of thousands of producers.

There was U.S. country-of-origin meat labelling (COOL), a restriction costing the industry millions of dollars in lost export sales and depressed markets.

There was also a litany of domestic problems: E. coli, low market prices, flooding, drought, feed shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic.

But now the good news is that the beef industry has narrowly avoided another problem which could potentially have been the worst of all – a federal regulation

which, it was feared, might have persuaded consumers not to eat beef.

Health Canada has exempted beef and pork from a measure which would have required packages of ground meat sold in grocery stores to carry warning labels that the products contained high levels of saturated fat. The exemption, announced June 30, came after an intensive campaign called Don’t Label My Beef by the Canadian Cattle Association and other concerned groups.

Producers worried the package labels could have confused consumers into thinking ground meat was bad for them and influenced them not to buy it.

For Fulton, Manitoba Beef Producers president, the exemption is a welcome change for the cattle sector.

“We’ve had so many issues over the last 20, 25 years that, when one like this comes along, it feels like it’s another hurdle,” he told Cattle Country.

“It was completely backwards, confusing and distracting to the consumer that the government would have suggested something like this.”

The controversy centered around a proposed regulation by Health Canada called front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labelling. The measure required processed and packaged foods high in sugar, salt and/or saturated fat to carry a warning label if the contents exceed 15 per cent of the maximum recommended daily allowance of those items.

It’s part of the Healthy Eating Strategy, a Health Canada initiative launched in 2016 to help Canadians move away from highly processed foods and make more wholesome food choices.

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President’s Column

Wild Pigs Wreaking Havoc

Automating Replacement Heifer Selection

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Page 6

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

BY: RON FRIESEN

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CATTLE COUNTRY August 2022

Victory on Package Labelling Important As I sit down to write this month’s column, I am thrilled to be able share some breaking news (as of June 30th). As many of you are aware, the federal government – through Health Canada – had put forward new frontof-package (FOP) labelling rules for consultation and consideration in late March. Among the proposed rules was one whereby ground beef would require a warning label stating that the product was ‘high in saturated fat’.

I am proud to report that after considerable work and advocacy by the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) and the provincial beef organizations’ staff and directors, we secured an exemption for ground beef from this labeling requirement! This is an important victory for our sector, as well as for consumers who value our high quality and nutritious beef products.

For me, this was the largest and most intense advocacy campaign with which I have been involved on behalf of the beef industry. The issue resonated strongly with our members, as we all understood it represented a direct threat to the viability of our farms and ranches.

My involvement with the campaign included taking part, along with CCA and MBP directors and staff, in more than 10 meetings with elected officials and their staff to build a united group that could advocate for a change to the proposed regulation. Numerous letters were also written to federal and provincial officials alike to state the need for an exemption for ground beef from

cuted. Without our funded national and provincial beef organizations undertaking this critical advocacy work, we would have been left with a new regulation that would have resulted in lower demand for our delicious, nutritious and sustainable product.

The second lesson that I have from this experience is this: when we tell OUR story about beef and how it’s raised, we benefit from overwhelming support from the public. Even though I question why we had to fight this proposed regulation to begin with, I think that it raised the profile of our industry and left consumers with a greater reason to trust us in raising their food.

We happily celebrated this win with producers at our first-ever summer BBQ at the Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Brookdale site. It was a great day and thanks to all who came. Looking ahead, I will be attending the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Agriculture in Saskatoon to advocate for the beef sector’s needs related to the Next Policy Framework which will replace the Canadian Agricultural Partnership when it comes to an end next March. And I will be attending the Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC) in Penticton in August, which will be a good opportunity to meet face-to-face with industry leaders and producers and discuss issues and opportunities in our sector.

Here’s to a successful summer of haying!

TYLER FULTON President’s Column

FOP labelling. Our industry’s campaign was very successful in raising the profile of the issue with decision makers and the public, resulting in major TV (CBC, Global, CTV), radio, and online interviews involving our staff and directors, as well as coverage on several regional outlets. There were also numerous articles and editorials on the issue in local and national newspapers across Canada, in both farm-focused and urban-based publications alike. Over the course of these interactions, the message resonated and garnered strong support.

Increasingly, I found it easy to have these conversations as it became obvious of the overwhelming support that we had for our practical position.

There are two overwhelming takeaways that I have from this experience. First, I have always been proud of our CCA and MBP staff’s dedication, hard work, and professionalism, but in being part of the campaign and seeing the strategy and tactics used to defend our position, I got a new appreciation for the thoughtful, targeted and efficient plan that was designed and exe-

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on health,” such as milk, fruits, vegetables, vegetable oils and other foods “without added saturated fats, sugars or sodium.”

But Fulton said the exemptions were inconsistent because they included some highly processed sugary foods such as packaged cookies.

He also noted the saturated fat content of ground beef exceeds the limits only when the product is raw, not after it is cooked.

“Nobody consumes the product when it’s raw and so it really overlooks the whole preparation of the product and the impact it has on the nutritional attributes.”

Both Fulton and Dahl expressed concern about what the labelling requirement might have done to Canada’s international meat trade. Fulton said the measure would also have applied to imported ground meat as well as domestic product. He said countries such as the United States could have complained their own meat was being unfairly treated in Canada and applied duties on Canadian product entering the U.S. in retaliation.

No other country requires single-ingredient products to carry health warning labels, says CCA. The regulations received final publication in Canada Gazette Part 2. They take effect on July 20, 2022. The food industry has until January 1, 2026 to make this change.

FOP would have targeted ground beef “These labels are widely recognized by health organizations as an effective tool to help counteract rising rates of diet-related chronic disease in Canada,” a Health Canada statement said.

However, livestock groups argued the measure, if implemented, would have unfairly targeted fresh ground meat.

“I do not see a health policy objective in this regulation,” said Cam Dahl, Manitoba Pork general manager, before the exemption was announced. “The fact is that ground meat is being singled out and I fail to see the health policy objective in doing that.”

In its campaign, CCA said ground beef is a prime source of nutrition and protein. It is also affordable to shoppers at a time of rising food prices. CCA said almost 50 per cent of beef consumed in Canada is ground. More than 90 per cent of Canadians eat it every week.

“It’s the most affordable nutrients and protein available in the grocery store at a time when inflation and affordability are key to so many Canadians,” said Jennifer Babcock, CCA’s government relations manager.

“I think our request for an exemption for ground beef was very much based on common sense.”

The labels will still apply to most packaged foods high in sugar and sodium.

Health Canada’s measure had been in the works since 2018 when it published a regulatory proposal in Canada Gazette Part 1 and called for public comment.

Babcock said CCA and other groups expressed their concerns and provided a research-based rationale on why ground meat should be exempt from labelling. But when Health Canada announced an updated regulation in early 2022, the labels still applied to ground meat.

Health Canada insisted the intent was not to convey a health warning to shoppers. But Babcock said it was hard to call it anything else.

“We are describing it as a warning label because Health Canada’s intent for putting them on is to encourage consumers to move away from those products and toward others.”

In its statement, Health Canada said label exemptions could occur if the food “provides a protective effect

Preference will be given to those students pursuing a field of study related to agriculture or to those acquiring a skilled trade or pursuing a career that would be beneficial to the rural economy.

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The completed application, supporting documents, references, required essay or video, etc. must be submitted to MBP by 4:30 p.m.

Friday, November 4, 2022.

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

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specializing in livestock insurance for over 45 years DISTRICT 13

DISTRICT 14

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

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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 August 2022

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FOP Labelling, Crown Lands and More Keeping MBP Busy Hello beef industry colleagues. I hope you are all reading this while your cattle are out on grass, and feed has been put in the ground and growing. I know the spring storms and abundance of moisture has been making things challenging, but I feel this a better situation than last year’s drought. If you are having severe challenges MBP should be aware of, please give me a call at the office.

With drought not being the top of mind focus this year, a great many other topics have taken up MBP staff and directors’ time. The most recent major win for our provincial cattle groups, and the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) was the Front-of-Package labelling exemption under the new food warning labels being introduced by Health Canada. Originally Health Canada was going to have a “high in saturated fat label on ground beef, but after a phenomenal effort by our collective advocacy groups and support from the public, we were able to obtain an exemption from this warning.

This is due to the whole food nature of ground beef and the nutrition it provides. Such amazing work was done to get this past the finish line by my colleagues in the sector, led by Jennifer Babcock in the Ottawa CCA office. Thanks as well to all of you that signed the Don’t Label My Beef petition!

Another major focus of MBP over the past few months is related to the Next Policy Framework (NPF).

This new framework, starting in spring of 2023, will be the basis for support programming for producers moving forward. This involves items like business risk management (BRM) programs and support for beneficial management practices. I took part in a joint industry consultation with the provincial government to put forward MBP’s perspectives. I strongly encouraged supportive measures be taken in the NPF to preserve important grassland habitats in Manitoba by providing recognition for the valuable ecosystem goods and services beef producers provide in managing the landscape. It is also important to ensure there are equitable BRM tools in place to support beef producers’ risk management activities. This one is very important considering the increasing weather-related challenges producers have been dealing with.

Further on the advocacy side, MBP’s Crown Lands Committee met with Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson and other key government officials on continued concerns related to the Agricultural Crown Land modernization process. We have again raised the key issues arising, such as the lack of unit transfers, the effects of the steep and swift rental rate increase and several

CARSON CALLUM

General Manager’s Column others. Minister Johnson and his team seem committed to making changes to the program to address some of our industry’s concerns, and toward making it more a workable rental system. We look forward to continuing this effort in the coming weeks.

One of the best parts of working in the agriculture sector is the talented individuals you get to work with.

One of these individuals I had the pleasure of working with over the last few years is Fawn Jackson. Fawn is Manitoba born and raised, and very passionate about the beef industry. She spent the last 11 years at the CCA working on behalf of beef producers. During her time there, she had many successes, such has playing a

MBP expresses its thanks to Manitoba’s Fawn Jackson for her many years of service to the cattle industry during her time with the CCA. (Photo credit: Fawn Jackson)

critical role in setting up the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. Fawn is moving on to a new opportunity in her career path, and I wanted to take a moment to thank this Manitoba talent for all she done for the beef sector. Thank you Fawn, and we looking forward to working with you again down the road.

I want to end this edition by greatly thanking all that attended our summer BBQ at the Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Brookdale site. This was a great way to connect with many members who we hadn’t seen in a long time due to impacts of the pandemic. It was especially nice to finally be able to recognize retired directors, something we usually do in person at our AGM banquets. Whether it was a nice comment or a bit of a roast, it was nice to have the formal recognition of these well-deserving directors who put so much of their time into the betterment of the industry.

Have a great rest of the summer folks!

Carson

In June, Manitoba Beef Producers participated in the Meet a Rancher promotion organized by grocery store chain Save-OnFoods. Thirteen store locations across western Canada took part in the consumer outreach, including two in Manitoba, with Past-President Dianne Riding (pictured), along with District 9 Director Trevor Sund, representing MBP. (Photo credit: David Hultin/MBP)

Three Predation Management Workshops Held in June Concerned ranchers came together at three Livestock Predation Prevention Project (LPPP) field days in late June to hear about what can be done to mitigate the risk of predator attacks on their livestock.

Ethelbert, Pansy, and Mulvihill Community pastures were the host sites for Manitoba Beef Producers’ predation management events. The meetings included presentations by Manitoba Trappers Association (MTA) trapper representatives, and staff from Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation and Manitoba Beef Producers.

Trapper presentations focused on what ranchers can do to make the trapping process most successful.

While no one strategy will fix all your predator problems, persistent trapping through more than one season is the most successful.

Conservation Officers explained landowner/ operator’s rights to protect property in Manitoba, and the responsibilities involved with problem predator

removal. The Problem Predator Removal Program, which is supported by Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development and delivered by the MTA was also explained.

Conservation biologists discussed predator behavior, populations, and behaviors which can be helpful in the management of risks associated with problem predators.

MASC gave an overview of the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program for Livestock Predation, and the evidence that needs to be collected for successful claims.

Manitoba Beef Producers outlined the status of the Livestock Predation Prevention Project which is in the process of evaluating 11 different practices to reduce predator traffic on farms and ranches.

Overall, the field days were a success, with the events’ timing fitting in between frequent rains. Thank you to the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures for hosting these events, the speakers for their informative presentations and the producers who participated.

www.mbbeef.ca

(Photo credit: Ray Bittner/MBP)

For more information, LPPP factsheets can be viewed or downloaded at www.mbbeef.ca. Please visit the website and navigate to “Producers” and “Livestock Predation Pilot Project” section. Or contact project lead Ray Bittner at rbittner@mbbeef.ca.

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CATTLE COUNTRY August 2022

Deadline to Apply for Disaster Financial Assistance for Spring Flooding Livestock Losses is August 8 The following information was compiled from resources on the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization’s website related to the 2022 Spring Flood DFA program.

Beef producers are reminded that August 8, 2022 is the deadline to apply for the Manitoba government’s 2022 Spring Flood Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program.

The program, announced May 9 is providing assistance to eligible individuals and municipalities experiencing damages to infrastructure, private residences, farms or small businesses due to spring flooding. DFA helps provide financial assistance for uninsurable losses to basic and essential property. DFA will also assist with verified livestock losses, such as those sustained in the spring storms.

The following items are typically eligible for DFA: • Costs to respond to a flood (e.g. dikes, pumping) • Clean up and removal of debris • Livestock fencing, harvested and stored crops, limited silting, field erosion • Repair and restoration of principal residences, primary outbuildings, driveways, essential farm/small business buildings, damaged pens and corrals • Damaged items in the house, essential furniture, essential clothing and primary appliances • Mandatory evacuation costs to a pre-set limit.

Examples of ineligible costs include: losses that could have been covered by insurance; costs recoverable through other government programs; losses recoverable through legal proceedings; non-essential items; normal operating/maintenance costs; capital purchases; upgrades or improvements; loss of income or opportunity; damages that are a normal risk of trade or occupation; and, long-term maintenance issues unrelated to the event.

Manitobans are encouraged to check with their insurance providers to review their policy coverage before applying for DFA. Insurable costs, such as sewer backup, are not covered by DFA. Some Manitobans may have also purchased overland flood insurance.

Apply for DFA using the online application form at: https://forms.gov.mb.ca/dfa-application/ Paper DFA applications are also available to be mailed to you directly, or at most municipal offices.

In order to process your claim, you need to provide: the most recent property tax bill and a completed Insurance Declaration Form. Other documents will be required once it is determined whether you are eligible for DFA.

It is important to take pictures of damages before they are repaired and before you dispose of anything.

Track all your disaster-related repairs and activities, including labour/equipment hours, etc. Keep all receipts, invoices and other documents for disaster related expenses as they are required in order to support your DFA claim. To be eligible for payment you must provide invoices to demonstrate repairs have been completed and that costs have been incurred. Original proof of payment must also be provided. All mandatory documents must be submitted to Manitoba EMO before payment will be issued.

It is important to take pictures of damages before they are repaired and before you dispose of anything.

Track all your disaster-related repairs and activities, including labour/equipment hours, etc. Keep all receipts, invoices and other documents for disaster related expenses as they are required in order to support your DFA claim.

The maximum amount of DFA available for private residences, farms, small businesses and NPOs is $300,000. A standard 20 per cent deductible is also applied to DFA payments. For all eligible costs, there are maximum amounts that DFA will pay out.

DFA programs are open for a period of one year from the time the DFA program is established. All repairs must be done and all required documents must be submitted to Manitoba EMO by the program closure date (May 9, 2023). In exceptional circumstances, an extension may be granted if more time is required to return your property to its pre-disaster condition.

For more information about eligibility or to apply, visit www.manitoba.ca/emo/dfa or email dfa@gov.mb.ca.

DFA and Livestock Losses As noted, the DFA will provide assistance related to verified livestock losses. The following information has been provided by the provincial government and

Manitoba Livestock Cash Advance Inc.

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For complete program details and to download the DFA application form, go to: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/dfa/farm.html Frequently asked questions about DFA: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/dfa/faq.html To view a video on how to apply for DFA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0S_STwXlP0 For other inquiries contact Manitoba’s Emergency Measures organization as follows: Toll Free: 1-888-267-8298 Fax: (204) 945-4929 Email for Disaster Financial Assistance: dfa@gov.mb.ca

“Our friendly staff await your call!”

1-866-869-4008

Manitoba Beef Producers to assist producers as they consider making a claim under the DFA program.

DFA will provide assistance to farms that have experienced livestock losses as a result of spring flooding in 2022. To qualify for DFA, your farm must have yearly gross revenues of between $10,000 and $2 million and employ no more than 20 full time workers. It must be an owner-operated business and the owner-operator must be the day-to-day manager. The farm cannot be a hobby farm.

In the DFA application form, producers should note the number and types of cattle lost, e.g. calves, fed steers, fed heifers, bulls, etc.

Under the DFA program criteria, a veterinary certificate is required to verify that the losses were a direct result of the event. This is non-negotiable.

Note: The cost to obtain the veterinary certificate can be submitted as a DFA eligible cost.

For losses that happened some time ago, the producer should contact their veterinarian, explain the situation, and obtain the needed certificate.

Manitoba Beef Producers has developed a template that vets can use to support the producer’s DFA application. In the veterinary certificate the cause of loss needs to be attributed to the ‘2022 spring flood’ and the date of loss should be stated.

Assistance for livestock losses will be calculated as follows: Is based on the Wildlife Damage Compensation program for predation losses (MASC). See: https://www. masc.mb.ca/masc.nsf/fact_sheet_679_wildlife_damage_livestock.html Will provide a price per pound for livestock losses.

The price is based on the Canfax value on the date of loss (www.canfax.ca).

Different types of cattle are priced differently on Canfax, so therefore the farm will need to provide details on the type of livestock that were lost as well as the animal’s weight.

For calf losses, the compensation will provide assistance based on a 500 lb. cow.

Producers should also examine the DFA eligibility criteria related to infrastructure damage to determine if there are any other losses for which they may be eligible to seek compensation.

You have 90 days from the announcement of a DFA program to submit an application form to Manitoba EMO. The application deadline for the spring 2022 DFA program is August 8, 2022.

Subject to Credit Approval

www.manitobalivestock.com www.mbbeef.ca

CATTLE COUNTRY August 2022

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Government of Canada Launches Consultations to Inform the National Agricultural Labour Strategy (June 27, 2022 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector is an important engine of economic growth that feeds millions of people in Canada and around the world. It is also part of the country’s critical infrastructure, essential to the health and well-being of all Canadians. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, launched consultations to solicit input and inform a National Agricultural Labour Strategy.

The agriculture and agri-food sector faces obstacles that distinguish it from other economic sectors currently facing labour shortages. As part of the engagement process, an online consultation will open on June 27,

2022 and run until September 28, 2022. This process will seek input on recommendations to address chronic workforce challenges to build short- and long-term solutions that enable the agriculture sector to attract a skilled workforce. Provinces and territories, as well as employers, unions, underrepresented groups, workers, and other key groups will be engaged to develop the strategy and ensure it reflects the unique needs of the sector.

A number of areas of focus have been identified, including the use of automation and technology, targeted skills development and training, employment incentives and best practices, improved working conditions and benefits; and programs to recruit and retain workers.

“As everyone is looking to Canada to increase its contribution to global food security, our agriculture and agri-food sector is facing a severe labour shortage that prevents it from reaching its full potential. I encourage all stakeholders to take part in these consultations, through which our government wishes to foster the significant engagement of the industry and ensure that together we put in place effective and sustainable solutions.”

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“Canada’s agricultural sector feeds millions of people each year, and is a huge driver of our national economy. To ensure it can continue to grow and innovate, we’re working with industry partners to build the strong, skilled workforce they need to thrive.”

- The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

The sector is already demonstrating leadership in tackling these challenges, through initiatives such as the Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council-led development of a National Workforce Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing. The Government of Canada’s National Agricultural Labour Strategy is intended to complement these efforts and utilize input directly from industry to achieve solutions.

The Government of Canada is committed to taking concrete action in addressing the ongoing labour challenges facing the country’s agriculture and agri-food sector and to best position the sector for future growth.

Who is the focus of this consultation?

The Government of Canada is consulting with the Agriculture and Agri-food sector including employers, farmers, producers, processors, workers, unions, Indigenous communities, women in agriculture, youth, small and emerging sectors as well as other key stakeholders and partners.

Key questions for discussion We are seeking feedback on any, or all, of the questions listed below: • What has your experience been with recruiting and retaining workers in the agricultural and agri-food sector?

• What are the future skills and technology needs of the sector?

• What potential solutions should be explored to help address labour shortages in the sector?

Tips on How to Stay Sun Safe On The Farm This Summer BY: ANGELA LOVELL Farmers may not get to play in the sun very often but they certainly are working in it every day, and in the hectic summer months it’s all too easy to forget the basics of sun safety.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) says that in Canada, sunlight is strong enough to cause skin cancer, premature aging of the skin and harm to the eyes. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and it’s also one of the most preventable.

The CCS website has some good resources and information to help everyone stay sun safe, but below are some basics that are a good reminder to anyone working or playing in the outdoors on hot, sunny days.

Reduce exposure to UV rays Exposure to UV rays increases the risk for melanoma and other skin cancers, as well as eye and lip cancer.

To limit your exposure: • Check the UV index on your local weather forecast each day.

• Reduce time in the sun between 11 am and 3 pm when UV rays are the most intense.

• Find shade especially if your shadow is shorter than you are, which means the UV rays are at their strongest.

• Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more on exposed skin and reapply every two hours (more often if you have been swimming).

• Use a lip balm with a SPF and reapply as needed.

• Cover up as much of your skin as possible with clothing made from tightly woven fabric.

• Wear sunglasses that are labelled for both UVA and UVB protection.

• Wear a hat with a broad brim to protect head, face, ears and neck.

• Don’t think because it’s cloudy the UV rays are not harmful – practice sun safety even on dull days, and on sunny days in winter.

Resources: Canadian Cancer Society website: https://cancer.ca/ en/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/be-sun-safe

MH Mina 609, sired by Shoshone Ferrall 6340

Beautiful wedge shaped cow that raised calves into her teens for us We would like to announce our Fall "Grazing & Genetics Tour" to be held in October.

Date yet to be determined.

Do not expect a program designed to increase gain and size each generation to produce the most desirable and functionally efficient female replacements" - the late Roy Beeby, Beeby Red Angus

Our breeding program is focused on creating fertile cows that efficiently raise calves, are reliably repeatable, have excellent udders and feet and require minimal replacements (longevity); traits required to be profitable in the cow business.

www.ediecreekangus.com

MODERATE MATERNAL EASY CALVING EASY FLESHING www.mbbeef.ca

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CATTLE COUNTRY August 2022

Wild Pigs Become More of a Nuisance for Manitoba Producers BY: ANGELA LOVELL Five years ago, Manitoba cattle producer, Brett Graham noticed a small patch of damage in one of the pastures that looked like someone had taken a rototiller into the middle of the field, and he knew he’d had wild pigs on the property.

Graham and his dad, Robert, have a 350-head cow/calf operation at Holland, close to Spruce Woods Provincial Park, a hotspot for wild pigs in Manitoba.

They have seen increasing amounts of damage on their pastures and in their alfalfa, grazing corn and silage corn crops.

“In the pastures we see a lot of rooting, and damage, and that also leads to risks for invasive weeds like leafy spurge,” Graham says. “We spend a lot of time making a nice smooth field for cutting alfalfa hay, and try to keep it that way, and then the pigs come in, dig it all up and make it rough.”

All pigs love corn, and it’s in those fields that Graham sees the most damage, although it’s often not even visible until he goes to harvest the crop because the pigs will eat areas out of the centre, and they keep coming back even when there’s a different crop on the old corn ground.

“We do a lot of corn grazing, and the next year when we have planted the field to something else, we see them come back and dig it up looking for any old cobs that fell to the ground or got worked in the previous year,” he says. “There could still be corn cobs in the ground even two years later, and they tend to go and dig it up and cause a lot of damage.”

How did wild pigs get to Manitoba?

Wild boar is native to Europe, Asia and a small portion of North Africa and over the years they have been transported around the world and spread through all continents except Antarctica. Australia has around 17 million wild pigs, the continental US has a little bit over seven million and they are spreading across large areas of South America, Africa and North America. They eat anything, including agricultural crops, and cause an estimated 2.5 billion worth of crop damage annually in the U.S. alone.

In western Canada, domestic wild boars from Europe were introduced in the 1980s and 1990s as a way to diversify agriculture, but over the years accidental escapes and deliberate releases from farms introduced them into the wild where their population has increased at an alarming rate to become an issue across all the Prairie provinces.

“If you look at the maps, you will see this tremendous occurrence of pigs in Saskatchewan, and so all of Manitoba’s success in dealing with them will be tied to their own actions but also what Saskatchewan does or doesn’t do about their much broader and much more pressing situation with wild pigs,” Dr. Ryan Brook of the University of Saskatchewan says.

Wild pigs are not just a Canadian or North American problem; they are a global crisis and the worst invasive large mammals on the planet says Brook, who has been tracking the exponential growth of wild pigs across the country. The database he has created at the University of Saskatchewan contains around 60,000 sightings, with an average of four new reports coming in daily for the past five years. Several thousands of those sightings have been in Manitoba.

An exploding population That said, nobody has a firm handle on the exact population of wild pigs in Manitoba, but what is known is that it’s increasingly rapidly because wild pigs breed prolifically. A mature female pig can have two litters averaging six piglets per year, and females become sexually mature at the age of six months.

“Wild pigs have an incredibly high reproductive rate and they have no natural predators on the Canadian Prairies, so there’s a high survival success rate of the young,” says Dr. Ryan Brook, who heads up the Canadian Wild Pig Research project at the University of Saskatchewan. “You can go from one to 100 in two years very easily. Wild pigs are expanding on the Canadian Prairies completely out of control right now.”

Wild pigs also do a lot of environmental damage to a few trail cameras to try and figure out how many are watersheds and landscapes, destroying local flora that around and where they are coming from. other animals depend on and generally disturbing the “Trail cameras are one of THE most important ecosystem. tools because pigs are often active at night, and because Although wild pigs can run down and kill adult they’re so elusive, having big networks of lots of cameras white-tailed deer, Brook has not heard of any preying is one of the critical tools to find out where they are,” on cattle, but they do frequently chase and harass them. Brook says.

“Producers have said in a number of cases that “I encourage producers to put cameras up around they’ve actually had to set up a new feed and water sta- their livestock and run some fence posts or in trails tion for their cattle that won’t come back because they’re where they see wildlife coming, and document what is scared of the wild pigs chasing them,” Brook says. going on. Once they know where pigs are coming from, Threat of diseases and get a sense of how many, then they can start to look Although Graham has not lost any cattle to wild at control efforts.” pigs, he’s more concerned that the herd has become used Graham has a number of trail cameras on his propto their presence, which is worrisome, especially when it erty. “Having cameras and looking for a sign of them is comes to possible disease transmission. the first priority, and once you start seeing them, if you Wild pigs can carry up to 89 different diseases, can get involved in a trapping program or talk with the and there is potential to transmit diseases to domestic conservation people to start to manage them by taking livestock, pets, wildlife and possibly even to humans. out the females and not have them not breeding will “Wild pigs are a potential vector for a number of help,” he says. diseases, and that can be anything from influenza to Currently, Manitoba producers cannot get compenporcine epidemic diarrhea to African Swine Fever,” sated for damage to their crops from wild pigs, forcing says Robyn Harte, Livestock Specialist – Swine with some producers, who have seen significant losses in corn Manitoba Agriculture. crops, especially around the Spruce Woods area, to stop “They can act as reservoirs for disease and because growing corn altogether. of the size of the swine industry in Manitoba, should one What producers can do to try and help with the of these pigs either come into contact with an operation issue of wild pigs is understand and learn about them and infect it, or we find one dead on the side of the road, and install strategic fencing to keep them out of key and discover that something incredibly catastrophic areas like haystacks. like African Swine Fever is present in the animal, that’s “That’s harder when you have large areas of corn, a border-closing disease.” but if producers think about fencing as a key tool to try It would also be almost impossible to try and and keep pigs out of feed, away from watering troughs control the spread of new diseases if wild pigs brought and generally away from livestock, that’s always a good them into North America, says Wayne Lees, who is the one,” Brook says. “Every cattle producer in Manitoba is coordinator for the Invasive Swine Eradication Project a fencing expert, they understand fencing and so that’s that Manitoba Pork initiated this year. an easy component to add.”

“It becomes a herculean effort then to control those Hunting makes things worse diseases when you have wild pigs travelling around By far the most effective tool for controlling wild the countryside, so that’s why it’s so important to get a pigs is trapping. Hunting them generally makes the handle on it now,” he says. problem a lot worse and is not part of a viable solution Brook’s team has been monitoring wild pig move- to stop their spread. That’s a message that people somements in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and says there is times struggle to believe, Brook says. a lot of spatial overlap with domestic pigs. Although his “The intuitive sense is that if you have 12 wild pigs team hasn’t done much research into wild pig and cattle and you kill four of them, then your population has interaction, Brook says there is a concern because while gone down, but the reality is those that survive become pigs are generally raised in barns with high biosecurity, much nocturnal and elusive,” Brook says. “Hunting will grazing cattle are much more accessible. also break up the groups and spread them around the “The average cattle herd in Manitoba is an extensive landscape, so people may believe they have eradicated system with summer pastures spread broadly across them, but that is almost never the case.” the province and lots of ready access, so we have some What’s more likely is that the group of pigs that were significant concerns about those interactions with cattle shot at have broken up and spread to the neighbours. around disease, stealing food and causing damage,” “They are harder to find and remove once they’ve Brook says. been shot at even once,” Brook says. “They are incredibly What can producers do to about wild pigs? smart and adept. Hunting has been a major factor to Reporting sightings of wild pigs is vitally important, help spread them across the landscape.” says Lees, adding that getting a better picture of how Trappers aim to try and catch whole groups of pigs many there are and where they are in Manitoba is an at once if possible. important first goal for the wild pig eradication project.

“Wildlife groups are using traps to capture pigs and “The biggest issue is finding out where they are, so take out whole groups; it’s much more effective than having producers report either on the Squeal on Pigs hunting,” Graham says. “But you need to know what website or by calling 1-833-SPOT-PIG is really important they are doing: they have to be monitored constantly. because otherwise we don’t know where to look,” Lees You can’t just put a trap out and come back in a week to says. “Having eyes and ears on the ground is probably the see if you caught pigs, you have to be able to deal with single most important thing that people can do.” them instantly.”

The Squeal on Pigs website also has information about what signs to look for that indicate wild pigs could be in the area and how to identify them.

Squeal on Pigs website: The Canadian Wild Pig https://squealonpigsmb.org/ Research Project Facebook page also offers a Google Canadian Wild Pig Research Project Facebook page: Earth file for free downhttps://www.facebook.com/WildPigResearch load where producers can search rural municipalities Manitoba Pork – Wild Pigs factsheet: in Manitoba that have wild https://www.manitobapork.com/swine-health/wild-pigs pigs and assess the risk to their operations.

Province of Manitoba Brook urges producers Environment, Climate & Parks – Invasive Swine in Manitoba factsheet: who think they have wild https://www.gov.mb.ca/fish-wildlife/pubs/fish_wildlife/ws_invasive_swine_fs.pdf pigs in their area to put up

Resources to learn more about wild pigs

www.mbbeef.ca

CATTLE COUNTRY August 2022

7

StockTalk Q&A Feature Brought to you by Manitoba Agriculture Juanita Kopp

Livestock Specialist-Beef Manitoba Agriculture juanita.kopp@gov.mb.ca Fall Management of Beef Calves Question: What is the best way to wean beef calves?

Answer: Weaning is a critical time in a calf’s life and can cause a great deal of stress if not managed correctly. Weaning is stressful because the calf is removed from its dam, milk supply and it has to adjust to a different diet and environment. Management practices should aim to minimize this stress and ensure sound condition - nutritionally and immunologically.

Avoid combining weaning with other stressful procedures such as castrating bull calves, dehorning, vaccinating (best to administer vaccines 4 to 8 weeks before weaning), deworming and implanting. These activities should all be done well in advance of weaning, so calves can be weaned without having to go through a handling facility.

Try to familiarize the calves to feeders, troughs, waterers and their post-weaning environment. Move the cow-calf pairs into the field or facility a few days before. Remove the cows from the calves, not vice-versa. Ensure ample access to a palatable, high-quality balanced ration that includes minerals and vitamins to support their immunity.

Weaning Strategies Traditional Weaning

Fence-line Weaning

2-Step Weaning

Complete abrupt separation of cows from calves

Calves separated from cows by a fence for 5 to 7 days, while the fence is shifted gradually or completely separated

Use a plastic nose piece to prevent the calf from nursing

Vocalization and fence-line walking for up to 3 days

Compared to traditional weaning: less vocalization, less fenceline walking, and better gains (or less weight loss)

Allow calves to remain with the cows for 7 to 14 days, then complete separation

Sometimes combined with shipping calves (not recommended – if you can, avoid)

Extra time and labour is required

Compared to traditional weaning: less vocalization, less fence-line walking, no consistent advantage related to growth

Need a permanent fence structure for separation

Added cost of nose pieces, must check daily to ensure placement

Question: Is creep feeding beef calves a good management decision?

Answer: Creep feeding is generally a good management decision, but it comes down to economics.

It may be a good decision if pastures are in poor condition, cows are losing condition, calf prices are high, feed prices are low and calves are being sold shortly after weaning.

It may not be a good decision if pastures are in good condition (good forage quality and yield), cows are in good condition, low calf prices, high feed prices, need to retain more replacement heifers and calves are being retained as backgrounders.

Creep feeding calves in the fall can extend your pastures, improve calf weaning weights, make calves more uniform, decrease stress at weaning and allow for easier transition onto feed.

The decision to creep feed should come down to the potential for economic return.

Knowing your feed costs versus the value of calf gain is critical to make this decision.

Manitoba Agriculture has a calf creep feed calculator available online at: http:// www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/farm-management/production-economics/cost-of-production.html Question: Should we precondition our calves?

Answer: gain, it comes down to economics. Preconditioning involves preparing calves for the ‘next’ stage of their lives and usually means preparing them for the feedlot.

Retaining the calves for at least 45 days after weaning and would include bunk training, adaptation to solid feeds and different waterers and troughs. Preconditioning may also include vaccinations, dehorning and castration, but these should be done well in advance of weaning.

You need to ask yourself a few questions before considering preconditioning beef calves: • Do you have a market for preconditioned calves?

• Do you keep good records?

• Are your calves relatively uniform?

• What will your cost of gain be versus the price received?

• Can you afford the additional feed (grain and/or concentrate)?

• Do you have the appropriate facilities to accommodate calves?

• Do you have the time for keeping additional records, observing animals and managing the feeding?

• Can you afford the extra labour?

The benefits of preconditioning are heavier calves that bring additional premiums at sale if a market has been established beforehand.

Extra handling required Question: What about early weaning?

Answer: Consider early weaning if your pastures are in poor condition or if your calves are nursing first-calf heifers. Early weaning at 90 to 150 days of age may create more efficient use of feed resources by directly supplementing calves to maintain weight gain rather than supplementing the cow to produce milk. Weaning at 150 to 170 days of age decreases lactation stress on cows when forages are limited and improves cow condition.

Calves weaned at 300 to 400 lb will require a good commercial starter ration containing 14 to 16 per cent crude protein.

www.mbbeef.ca

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 Elizabeth.Nernberg@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.

Shawn Cabak

Portage

204-239-3403

Shawn.Cabak@gov.mb.ca

Pam Iwanchysko

Dauphin

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

Elizabeth Nernberg

Roblin

204-247-0087

Elizabeth.Nernberg@gov.mb.ca

Juanita Kopp

Beausejour

204-825-4302

Juanita.Kopp@gov.mb.ca

8

CATTLE COUNTRY August 2022

Lenore Cattle Producer Protects Grasslands With Conservation Agreement BY: WAYNE HILDEBRAND

signed two Conservation Agreements with Manitoba “Our farm is a cow-calf operation only,” said Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC) to protect their Alexander. “The land is not suited to grain and does Bill Alexander is a fourth-generation cattle producer grassland pastures and preserve the natural ecosystems much better in grass. Keeping it in pasture with perenwho farms near Lenore. Bill and his wife Darla recently on their farm. nial grass and forage cover really helps the soil.”

“My neighbor was telling me about conservation programs that provide financial support to cattle producers to protect wildlife habitat, including grasslands,” Alexander said. “Darla and I checked out the programs being offered by a few conservation organizations. After contacting Ian Fortune, a habitat conservation specialist with Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, we stopped looking. They had what we wanted.”

Bill and Darla’s farm plan to preserve and sustainably manage their native and tame grassland pastures fit perfectly with MHHC’s goal to work with Manitoba cattle producers to protect grasslands and maintain healthy habitat for wildlife, waterfowl, and Species at Risk.

“It’s just a great property,” said MHHC habitat specialist Ian Fortune. “Their farm happens to be located within the Mixed Grass Prairie target landscape and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan target landscape. That makes it a biodiversity hot spot!”

When Bill Alexander’s great grandfather Frank Alexander homesteaded the farm 137 years ago, it was a broad fescue grassland plain with some hummocky An overhead photo of the Alexander property taken by a drone. (Photo credit: Bill Alexander) ridges, interspersed with lakes and sloughs. Today the farm is a beautiful mix of grasslands, woodlands and wetland habitat.

“Most of the original Mixed Grass Prairie is now cultivated cropland, which is a challenge for wildlife and bird species that adapted to a grazed grassland ecosystem for 8,000 years prior to settlement,” said Fortune. “From a resource inventory, MHHC found that the Alexander farm is host to a variety of grassland birds like Sharp Tail Grouse and many species of waterfowl such as Blue Winged Teal, Mallard and Northern Shoveler.”

“Darla and I decided to sign two Conservation Agreements with Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation,” said Bill. “The Agreement is registered on the title of the land. It designates wildlife habitat areas that are protected in perpetuity, including our tame and native grassland pastures. We like that our Agreement allows us to rejuvenate the tame grasslands if the stand gets weak.”

“There was some hesitancy with signing up in perpetuity, but our grazing plan didn’t have to change and the financial compensation for protecting the grassland pastures and habitat was pretty good,” Bill said. “I mean, you always want more, but it seemed fair.”

“Working with Ian through the process to sign up and register a Conservation Agreement with Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation went well,” said Bill.

“MHHC looked after everything. Ian was excellent to work with.”

Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation is a registered charitable habitat organization. For more information, check out the website at http://mhhc.mb.ca

Box 274, Austin, MB R0H 0C0 President: Melissa McRae 204-573-9903 Secretary: Laurelly Beswitherick 204-637-2046 b2@inetlink.ca

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For more information call Ian Fortune (431) 235-3058 or visit www.mhhc.mb.ca

www.mbbeef.ca

CATTLE COUNTRY August 2022

9

Automating Replacement Heifer Selection: How Research Into Promising Technology Can Help BY: DR. SUSAN MARKUS (LAKELAND COLLEGE, LIVESTOCK RESEARCH SCIENTIST) & DR. MARY-JANE ORR (MBFI, GENERAL MANAGER) The Western Canadian Beef Cow-Calf survey showed that reproductive issues represent the main reason for culling females, often before reaching three years of age. Reproductive assessments of female commercial beef cattle are often only done visually, if done at all. Typically, bulls are subjected to detailed breeding soundness evaluations and are rightfully viewed as having the largest impact on genetic (with resulting economic) improvement of the herd.

However, it is the cows that have the largest economic impact on costs of production with their year-round feed expenses necessitating the production of a marketable calf each year. Targeting improved fertility and longevity of replacement heifers is a promising area of development to lower herd maintenance production costs and reduce the environmental footprint of unproductive livestock.

Selecting beef replacement heifers is a task that typically relies on the keen eye of the herdsman. If you don’t have access to important data and records, you’ll also need

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a good memory of both the dam’s and sires’ performance plus weights and birthdates.

However, just because she looks good and has great genetics behind her, doesn’t mean she is guaranteed to raise a calf for years to come. Choose carefully because it can cost a lot. Raising and growing heifers can range from $1,600 to $2,800 per animal to get them to breeding age. Making the best available choice can streamline you to your herd goals and manage the significant investment in developing replacements.

Precision ranching uses data from a variety of sources to guide selection in herd development and in grazing management to have the right animal at the right time in the right location. The challenge of limited labour resources and low returns on investment in the cattle business means automation technologies of livestock management where economically viable could be critical to increasing overall farm profitability. New remote sensing technology (e.g. cameras, wearable sensors) may potentially aid in automating reproductive evaluation and selection of heifers and bulls by capturing individual estrus, activity levels, health status, and breeding attempts through mounting behaviours.

Precision Cattle Ranching for Improved Reproductive Efficiencies – a recently approved project led by Dr. Markus at Lakeland College, Vermilion, Alberta in collaboration with Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives (MBFI) along with Thompson Rivers University and the BC Cattlemen’s Association is comparing traditional methods of heifer selection, genetic parameters, and various remote sensing technologies to assess female reproductive efficiency. Assessments include breed composition, conformation (scoring feet, legs, pelvis, udder form), performance (weight, body condition, average daily gain, pregnancy, offspring), and temperament traits. By using remote sensing technology on individual animals, research objectives are to evaluate how well location, activity, body temperature, and behaviours can determine age at puberty, estrus, libido, and bull ability to service cows. Observing such predictive aspects of reproductive efficiency are crucial to avoid allocating costly labour, feed, facility, and land resources to unproductive cattle.

Using the apps and web portals linked to various devices, the heifers at three locations (BC, AB and MB) will be monitored for heat cycle behaviours. There will be smart camera monitoring of behaviour patterns during winter feeding and pasture grazing with artificial intelligence evaluation to validate sensor alerts. Heifers were fitted with rumen boluses to measure internal temperature and activity levels that are indicative of their heat cycles and health status as well as their frequency of water consumption. GPS ear tags are being used to determine animal location and activity levels. Leading into the breeding season, detailed physical characterizations have been carried out on all the yearling heifers including ultrasound scans for both carcass traits and reproductive tract development, DNA genomic analyses and indexes including breed composition, hybrid vigour scores and molecular breeding values.

The project asks the question “can female reproductive efficiency and longevity be assessed at an early age using technology that measures important traits?”.

Proof of concept and new tool feasibility for the chosen technologies are the main focus. Valuable data on each heifer will be analyzed and compared to their actual performance as we follow them for the next three years. We are looking forward to seeing how the different approaches align and if both traditional and remote sensing technologies identify the top performing heifers.

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10 CATTLE COUNTRY August 2022

Beef Production Supports the Preservation of Prairie Wetlands

BY PETER FROHLICH, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIVESTOCK AND THE ENVIRONMENT (NCLE), UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA Typical descriptions of wetlands portray these ecosystems as abundant sources of fresh water, rich vegetation, habitats for migrating waterfowl and other wildlife.

Throughout Canada, these ecosystems can be found on the prairies, in the boreal forest, along coastlines and even in the tundra. According to Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) our wetlands are truly diverse. They can appear as marshes, bogs, fens, swamps and open water.

However, there is much more to these ecosystems then meets the eye. From the environmental and the sustainability perspectives, Canada’s wetlands play an important role in carbon cycling and climate regulation, water quantity and quality regulation, and are hotspots for biodiversity. Essentially prairie wetlands provide an abundance of ecosystem services, the benefits humans derive from various natural environments.

Furthermore, Canada’s wetlands are an important part of the cattle ranching landscape. These ecosystems can serve as a valuable source of water and forage and can provide refuge to cattle on hot days.

Agriculture, Urban Expansion and Conservation During past decades, drainage due to agricultural and urban expansion and the historical extraction of resources have not been kind to these diverse ecosystems. According to DUC, the existence of wetlands has slowly declined and in settled areas of Canada, up to 70 per cent of our wetlands have already been destroyed or degraded.

For more than 80 years, conservation groups like DUC have been effectively moving wetland preservation activities forward. DUC has been achieving results that have significantly helped to protect these disappearing ecosystems. However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to slow and stop the disappearance of prairie wetlands.

In the spring of 2020 DUC partnered with researchers from the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment at the University of Manitoba, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to create a multidisciplinary team whose goal is to investigate ecosystem services derived from wetlands and to further explore the benefits of wetlands embedded in grasslands that serve as cattle grazing environments. With funding from the Beef Cattle Research Council, the governments of Canada and Manitoba through the Ag Action Manitoba

program, and the Alberta North American Waterfowl Management Plan Partnership this project will quantify ecosystem-level carbon sequestration and investigate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and microclimate regulation while exploring nutrient retention, water storage and biodiversity on prairie wetlands.

Scope of the Prairie Ecosystems Services Project Data collection is centered on wetlands located within grasslands, as well as croplands. The ecosystems under investigation are associated with three watersheds located throughout the prairies, including two grassland and two annual cropland sites in the Prairie Pothole Region of southwestern Manitoba. The data will also be collected in conjunction with information collected from sites from an extensive survey of GHG emissions from wetlands embedded in grasslands and cropland from three prairie watersheds across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

In addition to assessing numerous ecosystem services, the research explores the impact of converting grassland to annual cropland and the resulting effects on biodiversity using waterfowl as a model. The study is also measuring the proportion of prairie wetland habitats that exist within beef production landscapes and provides an estimate of ecosystem services associated with these habitats using the DUC waterfowl productivity model.

Using unique strategies to measure greenhouse gas emissions The study employs the use of Eddy Covariance Systems or flux towers to capture GHG exchange at the wetland scale. Traditionally, flux towers are used to study GHG emissions associated with ecosystems such as forests, peatlands and coastal salt marshes but have rarely been used to study small freshwater wetland ecosystems that are present in the Canadian prairie region. The main benefit of this technique is that GHG measurements capture a larger footprint incorporating the various ecotones of a wetland (open-water, emergent vegetation, wet meadow, etc.) allowing for better quantification of GHG exchange and carbon sequestration across the entire wetland.

What have we learned so far?

According to Pascal Badiou, a research scientist with DUC and project lead, data collected thus far shows

(Photo credit: Ducks Unlimited Canada)

that the type of vegetation and the amount of open water has a significant impact on the GHG emissions associated with a wetland.

Sulphate and phosphorous affect methane production. Increased sulphate and decreased phosphorous levels in an environment promote lower methane emissions. Results from the study show that wetlands embedded in cropland have higher phosphorous and lower sulphate concentrations, resulting in higher methane emissions. Conversely wetlands that include perennial cover such as grasslands have higher sulphate but lower phosphorous concentrations resulting in overall lower methane emissions.

Furthermore, Badiou says that it may be beneficial for farmers to maintain perennial cover around wetlands imbedded within crop land as this vegetations is a buffer between crops, improving water quality by removing phosphorous and reducing GHG emissions.

As the project continues, researchers will continue to quantify differences in water quality and water quantity of wetlands embedded in grassland relative to cropland. The research will also examine biodiversity impacts of converting grassland to annual cropland and quantify wetland habitat that exists within beef production landscapes based on ecosystem services provided.

The project is scheduled to conclude in the spring of 2024.

Findings from the project will improve the understanding of the ecosystem services associated with prairie wetlands embedded in prairie beef production landscapes. Using natural climate solutions such as the preservation of grasslands and wetlands by beef producers represents a major environmental service associated with the beef industry. Accounting for these ecosystem services is key to developing effective communications to increase public knowledge, assist in policy implementation and to enhance the public confidence in the beef industry.

For more information on the study please contact Ducks Unlimited Canada at media@ducks.ca .

Applications for Consideration for The Environmental Stewardship Award Due to MBP by December 9

eridge

www.mbbeef.ca

Photo credit: Jenna Loveridge

Photo credit: Jenna Loveridge

Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is accepting applications until Friday, December 9, 2022 for consideration for the local awarding of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA).

Since 1996, TESA has recognized producers who go above and beyond standard industry conserCommittment to the land, water, air, and wildlife is a vation practices and set positive examples for other cattle producers and the general public. As stewards of a vast portion of the Canadian landscape, Canada’s beef cattle producers play a significant role in prerequisite to raising healthy cattle. Sustainability is not a buzzword... it's a way of life. protecting and enhancing the environment. They continuously strive to improve existing stewardship conservation practices to create a sustainable future – always farming for tomorrow.

At the local level, a producer receives provincial recognition for their outstanding environmental contributions. In the case of Manitoba, this occurs in conjunction with MBP’s annual general meeting in February. All provincial award recipients then move forward to compete for national recognition from Committment to the land, water, air, and wildlife is a the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). The national TESA recipient is announced during the prerequisite to raising healthy cattle. Sustainability is not CCA’s semi-annual meeting at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference. a buzzword... it's a way of life.

Each nominee exemplifies significant innovation and attention to a wide range of environmental stewardship aspects in their farm operation. Such innovations extend beneficially to areas far beyond their land, including water, wildlife and air.

How to Nominate All beef cattle operations in Canada are eligible to apply for TESA. Beef producers interested in TESA can apply by filling out the application form found on the MBP website ‒ www.mbbeef.ca.

Producers can either nominate themselves, or be nominated by another individual or an organization. All methods are equally encouraged.

The completed application form, along with all supporting documentation (such as letters of support, photos and/or videos), is to be submitted to Manitoba Beef Producers by email to info@mbbeef.ca no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2022. If you have questions, please contact the MBP office TESA NOMINATION & APPLICATION PACKAGE at 204-772-4542.

raise the bar on raising beef

CATTLE COUNTRY August 2022 11

Industry Dominated By a Series of Highs and Lows It’s mid-July, and I have spent most of the summer touring western Canada doing customer calls, contracting yearlings and attending the LMAC convention. Most of the areas that I travelled to now have received enough rainfall to revive the pastures and hay land. Crops in Alberta are coming along nicely with many parts of Manitoba way behind in the seeding department. In the Interlake, farmers have gone from severe drought conditions last year to excessive amounts of moisture this spring and summer.

Most of the farmers whom I have spoken with are confident that they will grow enough feed to get them through the next 12 months. Grain prices have started to drop which adds to the optimism in the cattle industry. What I did notice was an underlying tone below the optimism, which was very concerning.

The optimism was largely centered on the price expectations for the upcoming fall. Falling grain prices and smaller cattle numbers were indicators of a better market.

Below that, the message was loud and clear from the cow-calf sector and the backgrounders. This spring was the tipping point in Manitoba! A harsh winter used up precious feed and bedding supplies faster than expected.

Five weeks of Colorado lows brought miserable spring weather during calving season. Heavy spring rains kept farmers off the fields. This, combined with huge price increases in farm inputs and equipment costs, have many cow calf producers throwing their arms in the air and declaring, ‘What are we doing this for?’ The mood in the industry is filled with frustration, anxiety, and depression, and in some cases, anger! The mental state of the cow-calf industry is not healthy, and it is province-wide. Many producers are seriously considering shutting down their operations and quitting the business altogether.

RICK WRIGHT The Bottom Line

The common statement I hear every week is that ‘the feedlots have to pay more for these calves or it’s not worth the investment and the work required to keep calving these cows!’ Most cow-calf producers claim that they haven’t made any money in the past three to four years. They see the meat prices in the store climb, but the market for their calves has not kept pace. The past three years have been especially bad with all of the ‘black swans’ that have negatively affected the cattle markets.

The most recent was the surge in the grain prices to feed the cattle.

The true problem starts at the top; the packing industry. The bottleneck at the top of the production chain has limited competition, allowing them to control demand and hook space for the finished cattle. Without sharing some of those profits with the rest of the industry, the packers risk losing many of their primary producers who supply the ‘raw product’: the calves at the start of the supply chain.

In the past 12 to 18 months no sector in the production supply chain has made any significant money in the cattle industry. The cow-calf industry has been stuck in a rut; the backgrounding industry for first quarter spring deliveries has seen negative margins for the past three years. The grassing operations are holding their own, with some very good returns expected this fall. The feedlots are investing more money per animal in production costs but not seeing any increases in their

bottom lines. The scenario is no different in the USA. They have four major packing companies compared to our two and they produce 10 times more fed cattle than we do.

Many producers feel that as an industry we need to build our own plants and compete with the big corporate packers. It seems like a simple plan, but the old adage still applies, “it’s easy to harvest the cattle but tough to sell the meat,” especially into a global market where established corporate packers have long-term relationships with the wholesalers and retailers. In the USA, there are reports of many new plants being built with producer and government money by independent companies. If history repeats itself, the ‘big four’ will wait for the new plants to get operational, will squeeze them out of business, and then buy them from the receivers at pennies on the dollar to replace their own aging infrastructure.

On the optimistic side, this fall seems to be shaping up for a very strong calf and yearling market. With the contraction of the cattle numbers on both sides of the border, feeders are predicting a shortage of feeder cattle.

As producers staying in the business try to rebuild their herds, the number of heifers retained this fall could further influence the shortage. The prices that we could see this fall could be the best since 2015. The million-dollar question is, ‘Will it be enough to convince the cow-calf producer who is ready to quit to stay in the business?’

The cow-calf industry has experienced a lot of collateral damage in the past 18 months, and in their current state of mind, many of our producers are done! Their spirit is broken! What can we do as an industry to help them heal? I am not really sure; maybe it’s just the evolution of the cattle business.

Until next time, Rick

Wet Spring Brings Summer Lameness BY: DR. TANYA ANDERSON, DVM With all the moisture this spring and recent heat, expect more summer lameness problems. Foot rot is caused by a bacteria that thrives under warm moist conditions. When cattle stand in mud and water, the skin between their toes softens and becomes more readily damaged by rough vegetation, dirt clods or stones, allowing bacteria to invade the skin. Winter cases of foot rot are common in poorly bedded pens with frozen mud, ice and manure. Early treatment with antibiotics is curative but delays can result in severe consequences when the bone and joints become infected. Seek veterinary advice sooner rather than later if lameness persists and get those problem cases examined.

When treating lame cattle with suspect foot rot, remember the golden rule - simple foot rot always responds to a single label dose of long-acting oxytetracycline. If the animal remains lame or recovers then gets lame again, it does not have foot rot. Simple foot rot cases have swelling between the claws that can also extend to above the claws but does not involve just one claw. Affected animals typically touch the foot gingerly to the ground or hold it up and only briefly place weight on it while walking. Severely affected animals may even graze standing on their knees.

Simple Footrot

Hairy Heel Wart

If you purchase dairy cows to raise orphan calves, you may inadvertently introduce an imitator of foot rot hairy heel wart (AKA strawberry foot rot). It is common to see a red, raised (but sometimes flat) ulcerated sore reaching from the heel, between the hooves and then up onto the top of the foot. As the heel is the most painful, these animals tend to walk and stand with the toe on the ground. Treatment requires topical applications of antibiotics, bandaging and hoof care. Few respond to a single dose of antibiotic.

Pay attention to feet in the fall at takeout and in the spring at calving. If feet are overgrown and you have not culled, ensure that trimming is done prior to turnout or that animals are pastured in an area where they can be easily loaded up for treatment during the grazing season if needed. If a lame foot has any claw abnormality, I guarantee that abnormality will be part of the problem and a foot trim required as a part of the treatment plan.

Avoid keeping replacements from cows with poor feet and critically assess breeder herds when purchasing yearling bulls. Unfortunately, many of the heritable foot diseases in cattle do not show up until animals are over three years of age and you have grown your herd with those genetics.

Feeding programs and environmental stressors also influence hoof health. Horizontal and vertical sandcracks and ridges in the hoof wall can develop after

Advanced Foot Rot - Will Need A Claw Amputation

Vertical Sandcrack

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the stress of weaning or calving, high fever (pneumonia, uterine infection, mastitis) or a sudden change in nutrition, whether lush grass, heavy grain rations or during a period of nutritional deficiency (especially protein), including a lack of vitamins and minerals (especially zinc). Heavy mature animals appear more susceptible to developing vertical sandcracks which split open as the hoof grows out allowing bacteria access to the underlying tissues. Horizontal sandcracks begin to bend and flex as they grow out resulting in horn breakage and easy access of bacteria into the underlying tissues. Any feet with sandcracks need the crack pared out and the hoof trimmed to prevent further hoof wall splitting.

Any lame cattle not responding to a single dose of antibiotic need an in-depth examination. My experience has been that the unresponsive foot rots are usually toe abscesses. Trimming, treating and flushing out the abscess costs under $200 and the prognosis is excellent.

Pretty cheap compared to lost value when a claw amputation for salvage is required due to delayed treatment on a $7,000 bull. Chasing cattle in pasture once or twice a week to give yet another antibiotic injection can’t be anyone’s idea of a good time. Quiet cattle turned mean, breeding gone awry and huge weight losses are not profitable either. Timely diagnosis and management of foot issues is a win/win for all - the producer, the animal and the consumer.

Horizontal Sandcrack

Toe Abcess

12 CATTLE COUNTRY August 2022

Jamaican Pockets of Love Make Everything “Irie!”

BY: ANNA BORYS, MBP FOOD EXPERT If I could create a new food group, it’d be the “savoury filling wrapped in carbs” food group. If you think about it, almost every culture has their version.

Calzones. Pierogi. Gyoza. Pasties. Empanadas. The list goes on! Very often these delicious dumplings will introduce either a new technique or perhaps a new spice while still maintaining the same concept and familiarity that you’re used to. Jamaican Patties are a great jumping off point.

If you’ve never heard of them, they’re not at all the same as a hamburger patty. Just Google search “Patty vs Patty”, there’s a great CBC short documentary on the subject. The first time I’d ever heard of, or tried a patty

(Photo credit: David Hultin/MBP) Mark your calendars! Manitoba Beef Producers Food Expert Anna Borys and Great Tastes of Manitoba host Dez Daniels were on set in the new GTOM cooking studio filming episodes for the upcoming Season 33. Tune in to CTV Winnipeg at 6:30pm or watch online via GreatTastesMB.ca on October 8 and December 3 for six delectable new beef recipes.

was after a long beach day in Montego Bay. I have been chasing that experience ever since to no avail (but the search has been super tasty!). After several attempts, I’ve finally concluded that no two patties are alike, but this recipe leaves me with the same satisfaction as that warm day on Doctor’s Cave Beach.

A very simple ground meat mixture loaded with veggies and spice wrapped in the flakiest pie pastry flavoured with curry and turmeric, this hand-held spicy Caribbean pastry paired with a sweet chutney is perfect for any occasion. It’s also a perfect meal or snack for on-the-go lifestyles. I like to prepare a batch and freeze them so on those evenings where I don’t have time to cook, or need a last-minute meal idea, I can toss them in the oven and 25 minutes later dinner is ready!

Although the recipe specifies a size, feel free to make them smaller as they’d also make a perfect after-school snack, or appetizer platter. The sweet/cold peach mango chutney combined with the hot/spicy of the patty is a fantastic pairing but using your favourite store-bought sweet chutney will also work. If freezing, I recommend egg washing before they go in the freezer and then lining a sheet pan with parchment and spacing out the patties so they don’t stick together when freezing. Once they’ve frozen completely, they can be transferred to a large airtight resealable bag. The added breadcrumb is used to soak up excess juicy goodness while binding the meat mixture to prevent a crumbly interior. And like any recipe using hot peppers, use to your own discretion!

Enjoy!

Jamaican Patties With Peach Mango Chutney Dinner, Yields 9-10 Patties Flaky Pastry Dough: • • • • • •

2 cups - all purpose flour 1 ½ - tsp salt 1 tbsp - curry powder ½ tsp - turmeric, ground 1 cup - butter, unsalted, small cubes ½ cup - ice water

Spicy Beef Filling: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1lb – lean ground beef ½ cup – tomatoes, chopped 1/3 cup – green pepper, finely chopped ½ cup – yellow onion, fine diced ¼ cup – green onion, finely chopped ½ tsp – allspice, ground 1 tbsp - ginger, fresh grated 1 ½ tsp – garam masala 3 cloves – garlic, minced 1 ½ tsp – salt ¼ tsp black pepper, ground ½ lime – juiced 1 – scotch bonnet, or habanero pepper, seeded and minced • ½ cup – panko breadcrumbs Mango Peach Chutney: • • • • • • • •

2 cups – peaches, sliced, frozen 2 cups – mangoes, chunks, frozen 1 – navel orange, zested and juiced ½ cup – orange juice 2 tbsp – honey 1 bay leaf 3 tbsp – red wine vinegar ½ small - red onion

FLAKY PASTRY 1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, curry powder and turmeric.

2. Cut in unsalted butter until the butter reaches the size of small peas, or coarse breadcrumbs.

3. Add cold water in two additions while mixing with your hands or utensil. Press dough together

(Photo credit: Anna Borys)

to form a ball. If dough does not come together, add an extra teaspoon of water at a time until a dough ball forms.

4. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight.

SPICY BEEF FILLING 1. In a large non-stick pan over medium high heat all add ingredients except the panko breadcrumbs. Stirring occasionally, cook for about 8-10 minutes until cooked through. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

2. Stir in panko breadcrumbs to absorb excess moisture and thicken slightly. Loosely cover and put in fridge to chill completely before filling pie pastry.

MANGO PEACH CHUTNEY 1. Bring all ingredients to a simmer in a small pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally to help break down fruits and onions.

2. Simmer over medium low heat for about 30 minutes until fruit has started to break down and soften.

3. Remove bay leaf and discard. Blend ingredients with a hand immersion blender or using a potato masher, mash until larger chunks are broken down with a few larger chunks remaining.

Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.

4. Transfer hot chutney to a container and chill completely before serving. Chutney will continue to thicken as it cools.

ASSEMBLY 1. Lightly flour working surface and roll dough out to about ½ cm thick. Using a 7” bowl as a stencil,

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cut out rounds and set aside. (Cover cut rounds with plastic wrap or a towel to prevent drying out.)

2. On the lower half of each round, place a 1/3 cup, packed of chilled meat mixture, leaving about 1½-2 cm around the edge.

3. Pull top half of pastry down over filling and using a floured fork, crimp edges to seal, creating a half circle shape like a calzone or empanada.

4. Transfer filled pastry to a parchment lined sheet pan. Repeat with remaining rounds and filling.

Dough trim can be gathered up and re-rolled to create more rounds. (Note: it is important to let the dough re-chill and rest about 20 minutes between rolls to allow the butter to firm up and the gluten to rest).

5. Once all pastries have been filled and crimped, whisk together 1 egg and 1 Tbsp of water until smooth and there’s no streak of egg white.

Lightly brush all pastries on tops and sides until evenly coated.

6. Using a paring knife or kitchen shears, gently cut 2-3 vent holes in top surface of pastry.

7. Chill pastries for about 1 hour before baking or freeze individually for baking at another time.

8. Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and internal temp reads 160°F. If baking frozen patties, adjust baking time to about 22-25 minutes.

9. Serve with chilled Peach Mango Chutney.

NOTES • Dough and filling can be made in advance. Any leftover meat can be frozen for the next time you make patties.

• Chutney also makes for a great accompaniment to other meats.