Q2

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP May 26, 2022

Topics being covered include:

All livestock producers and trappers are welcome.

• How to get compensated for predator losses (MASC) • Know your legal rights to defend your property from predators (Manitoba Conservation) • Gain insights into predator behavior (Manitoba Conservation wildlife biologist) • Problem Predator Removal Program (Manitoba program) • Trapper advice on how to make predator removal more successful (Manitoba Trappers Association)

mbbeef.ca

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Survey of beef producer well-being by University of Manitoba Please consider participating in our research study designed to better understand your stress levels and mental health, and other factors that may related to your well-being such as farm management and animal health. Survey link: https:// rcsurvey.radyfhs.umanitoba.ca/surveys/ ?s=FAT9E48E43 As researchers from the University of Manitoba, we are not affiliated with or financially supported by the Beef Cattle Research Council or any provincial producer organizations. These folks are simply helping us advertise the study to recruit farmers like you to participate!

This research has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus. If you have any concerns or complaints about this project, you may contact any of the above-named persons or the Human Ethics Officer at (204) 474-7122 or HumanEthics@umanitoba.ca.

Please feel free to contact the Faculty Supervisor Meagan King with any questions.

Email: Meagan.King@umanitoba.ca Call: (204) 474-7697 Call or text: (613) 532-5923

The Disaster Financial Assistance Program and Livestock Losses On May 9, 2022 the Manitoba government announced Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) related to damages to infrastructure, private residences, farms or small businesses due to spring flooding. DFA will also assist with verified livestock losses. The following information has been provided by the provincial government and Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) to help 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. o Note: The cost to obtain the veterinary certificate can be submitted as a DFA eligible cost o 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 helped develop a template that vets can use to support the producer’s DFA application and this information is being circulated to them. 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. This form is also available on the “DFA for Farm” page on the EMO website under “Step 2: Apply and mandatory documents.” See: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/dfa/farm.html Assistance for livestock losses will be calculated as follows: o 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 o 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) o 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. o 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.

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 upcoming program webinars see: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/pdfs/2022_dfa_webinars_pr.pdf For other inquiries contact Manitoba’s Emergency Measures organization as follows: o Toll Free: 1-888-267-8298 Fax: (204) 945-4929 Email: dfa@gov.mb.ca

Emergency Measures Organization 1525 – 405 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3L6 T 204-945-3050 Toll free 1-888-267-8298 F 204-945-4929 www.manitobaemo.ca

Disaster Financial Assistance Virtual Information Webinars Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) will be offering virtual information webinars on the 2022 Spring Flood Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program.

Those with flood related impacts to their private residence, farm, small business or nonprofit organization are encouraged to attend an information session to learn more about the application, screening, inspection, evaluation and payment process.

Manitoba EMO will offer webinars on the following dates: May 30 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

June 8 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The presentation will be approximately 45 minutes with an opportunity for questions and answers at the end of each session. Please note that all webinars have the same information presented.

If you would like to attend an information webinar, please email Manitoba EMO at dfa@gov.mb.ca and include in the email your name, municipality and the date you would like to attend. Manitoba EMO will reply with a link to the virtual information webinar.

If you have any questions, please contact Manitoba EMO at 204-945-3050 or toll-free at 1-888-267-8298. Our business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thank you Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization

FCC supports beef sustainability program For customers who are already CRSB Certified, applying for the program is a simple process at fcc.ca/sustainabilityprograms. That is also where producers interested in becoming certified and taking advantage of the incentive payment can find more information.

May 24, 2022 - Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has created a new offering to attract and recognize Canadian beef producers certified to sustainability standards set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).

The FCC Sustainability Incentive Program will provide a payment to FCC customers who are CRSB Certified through CRSB’s certification bodies including Verified Beef Production Plus, Where Food Comes From Canada. and the Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance Program.

“Canadian producers are already expert stewards of the land and livestock, and the beef sector has been a leader in demonstrating their sustainable practices through the CRSB,” said Todd Klink, FCC’s vice-president of marketing.

“We are pleased to work with the CRSB to recognize FCC customers who have already achieved their certification and to encourage additional producers to become certified.”

The payment to customers, made by FCC, will be calculated as a portion of their lending with FCC to a maximum of $2,000 per year. Certified producers are welcome to re-apply for the incentive payment each year for the life of the FCC Sustainability Incentive Program.

“The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef applauds FCC for seeing the benefits of CRSB Certified beef production practices,” said Anne Wasko, CRSB chair and co-owner of Bar 4 Bar Land and Cattle Inc. “The Canadian beef industry is continually evolving for the benefit of people, animals, and our planet. Thanks to the sustainable practices demonstrated by CRSB Certified beef producers, we have seen tremendous environmental stewardship and a high standard of animal care, which leads to a thriving beef industry today and for future generations. Sustainable practices will help achieve the ambitious long-term goals set by the industry,” she said.

In a group of certified beef producers who participated in an earlier pilot of the Sustainability Incentive Program there was high praise.

“This will be a great program for producers like us and for the cattle industry,” shared one FCC customer who entered the program. “We invest a lot in our operation, and it is important to be recognized with something in return.”

The CRSB certification program involves an ongoing audit process with its partners to ensure operations are meeting its sustainability standards based upon five principles, including natural resources, people and community, continued on page 7

animal health and welfare, food, and efficiency and innovation.

the industry and communities we serve. For more information, visit fcc.ca.

“There is an increasing demand from consumers for certified assurances of sustainably-raised beef,” Wasko noted. “Canadian farmers and ranchers care about the environment, and we will continue to do what’s right to conserve our land and our animals, and to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of the future.”

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) advances Canadian beef industry sustainability through multi-stakeholder engagement, collaboration, communication, and science. The CRSB drives recognition and continuous progress in Canadian beef through sustainability performance measurement, and projects and initiatives aligned with strategic improvement goals. The CRSB’s Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, known as CRSB Certified, is a voluntary 3rd party-audited sustainability certification program that recognizes sustainable practices in beef production and processing and enables sustainable sourcing, delivering credible, science-based assurances for consumers about sustainable beef production in Canada. Learn more at crsb.ca.

“FCC already has lending solutions to support our customers’ sustainable practices. Launching this program with the CRSB is another way to support the industry on its sustainability journey,” said Klink. “While collaborating with the CRSB on this program is the first partnership of this kind, FCC has the intention of building incentive programs for other sectors in the future.”

FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture and food lender, with a healthy loan portfolio of more than $44 billion. Our employees are dedicated to the future of Canadian agriculture and food.

We provide flexible, competitively priced financing, AgExpert management software, information and knowledge specifically designed for the agriculture and food industry.

As a self-sustaining Crown corporation, we provide an appropriate return to our shareholder, and reinvest our profits back into

-30For more information or interviews, please contact: Jill McAlister Corporate Communication Farm Credit Canada 306-540-4840 jill.mcalister@fcc.ca

AgriInsurance Seeing Deadline for Soybeans Extended Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) has announced that that the AgriInsurance full coverage seeding deadlines for soybeans are now June 8 in Soybean Area 1 and June 4 in Soybean Areas 2 and 3. In addition, soybean growers in these areas will now be eligible for insurance if planting occurs in the five days following the full coverage seeding deadline; however, coverage will be reduced by 20 per cent.

The full coverage seeding deadline for Soybean Area 4 continues to be May 30 with no extended seeding deadline coverage. These changes are permanent and will be part of the AgriInsurance Contract going forward. MASC is not considering seeding deadline extensions for other crops at this time.

The final spring seeding deadline for many major crops is June 20. AgriInsurance contract holders who are unable to seed by June 20 due to wet conditions are eligible for Excess Moisture Insurance (EMI).

MEDIA BULLETIN AVAILABLE HERE

Scholarship The Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up Scholarship has been established by the Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up committee to support deserving Manitoba youth. The scholarship is administered by the ‘Scholarship Committee’, a subcommittee of the Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up committee. The decisions of the Scholarship Committee shall be final.

Eligibility 1. Applicants must be a Manitoba resident, between the ages of 17 and 25 years as of January 1 of the application year.

2. Qualified applicants must be participants of Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up, past or present, and demonstrate a strong level of activity within the beef industry and their community.

3. Qualified applicants must be pursuing a post-secondary education, preferably in an Agriculture related field.

4. Scholarship(s) will be given in the amount of $1000 and must be used at a recognized post secondary or graduate institution.

5. Recipient must be in their second semester of post secondary school to receive the scholarship money and must provide student ID number and copy of transcript.

6. If the recipient is not currently attending post secondary institution, then the money will be entrusted in their name for a maximum of 3 years. If money is not used after this time, it will then be returned to the Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up Scholarship Fund.

7. Previous applicants not chosen as recipients may reapply.

8. The top 5 applicants will be selected to interview at Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up. Final selection will take place there and the presentation to the recipient(s) will be made at the awards banquet.

9. Deadline to apply is July 1st, 2022.

10. Send completed applications to: Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up Scholarship Committee Box 370 Oak Lake, MB R0M 1P0 amrimke@rfnow.com

Scholarship Application Part A – Personal Information Full Name Address Phone Email Address Date of Birth Part B – Post Secondary Information Post-Secondary Institution Course/Diploma/Degree Length of course (years) Year of Graduation Program Description

Part C – Education Background Name of last secondary school Address Principal Highest Grade Completed Year Part D – Written Assignment Please answer the following in essay format. Answers must be typed. Please do not exceed the number of words allotted. a. Describe your past/present involvement with Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up and with the beef industry in Manitoba. (250 words) b. Describe your interests and volunteer involvement in your local community, your school and the wider community. (250 words) c. How will you contribute to the beef industry in Manitoba in the future, either through the education you are seeking, the personal career you are seeking or otherwise? (300 words)

Part E – References Name two persons, other than relatives or members of the institution staff, to whom reference may be made as to personal qualities and for verification of information supplied.

Reference 1

Reference 2

Name: Title: Address: Phone: Email: Statement of Applicant I hereby certify that the information I have included with this application is complete and true in all respects.

Signature:_______________________________________________

Send completed applications to: Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up Scholarship Committee Box 370 Oak Lake, MB R0M 1P0 amrimke@rfnow.com

Date:_______________________

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadline:

July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP May 20, 2022

mbbeef.ca

FLOOD BULLETIN #23

Province Issues High Wind Effect Alert and Risk of Ice Pileup Warning for Major Lakes (May 19, 2022 Province of Manitoba news release) Manitoba

Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is issuing a high wind effect alert for lakes Winnipeg, Manitoba and Winnipegosis for May 20. Strong, sustained winds from the north forecast for tomorrow will create a risk of ice pileup and cause water levels to rise along shorelines. Wave action could also add to the temporary increase in water levels. Wind speeds are forecast to be highest in the morning and will moderate by the afternoon. However, the risk will persist throughout the day.

In the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, there is a high risk for the western shoreline from Winnipeg Beach to Hnausa, and on the eastern shoreline from Grand Marais to Victoria Beach. The remaining southern shorelines in the south basin are at moderate-high risk.

There is also a high risk in an area near the Lake Manitoba Narrows and a moderate to high risk for the southern shorelines of Lake Manitoba from St. Laurent to the shoreline near Langruth, and the southern shoreline of Lake Winnipegosis.

A map of the Manitoba lake wind effect forecast for May 20 showing the affected areas is available at: https://gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/floodoutlook/forecast _centre/lakes/wind_alert/2022/manitoba_lakes_May_20_ 2022_WindAlertMap.pdf.

Property owners are advised to remain vigilant and take any necessary precautions.

A complete list of flood warnings, watches and high water advisories is available in the daily flood reports found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html.

PLEASE VISIT THE MBP SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS FOR THE LATEST FLOOD BULLETINS OVER THE LONG WEEKEND. Twitter: @ManitobaBeef Facebook: Manitoba Beef Producers

For reliable information and resources please visit:

COVID-19 BULLETIN #579: All Manitobans over 50 now eligible for a second booster dose, update re: access to treatment The following information was announced by the Manitoba government on May 20, 2022.

Vaccination Manitoba is expanding eligibility for the second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine to include: •

individuals aged 50 or older who live in the community (previously aged 70 or older);

•

First Nations, Inuit and Métis people aged 30 or older, regardless of where they live (previously aged 50 or older);

•

•

individuals aged 18 to 49 years who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (new); and residents of any age of personal care homes and elderly persons housing congregate living sites.

The province is also shortening the intervals to be eligible for booster doses. The first booster can now be given four months after the person’s primary vaccine series (usually two doses). The second booster dose can now be given four months after the first booster.

COVID-19 continues to circulate throughout the province and vaccination is the best protection against serious outcomes. It is not too late for people to receive their primary vaccine series or booster. To date, more than 590,000 first booster doses have been given to eligible people including nearly 80 per cent of those aged 60 and older. Nearly 10,000 people have received their second booster dose to date.

To find a location that offers the COVID-19 vaccine, Manitobans can use the online vaccine finder at www.manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.ht ml or call 1-844-626-8222 (toll-free).

Treatment Eligibility for COVID-19 treatment now includes adults who have symptoms that began within the last five to seven days, tested positive with either a rapid antigen or PCR test, and are at higher risk for severe illness because they: •

are not fully vaccinated;

•

have not received a booster dose;

•

have not been previously infected with COVID-19;

•

are an older adult, as risk increases with age;

•

have one or more chronic medical conditions;

•

are moderately to severely immunocompromised, due to a medical condition or treatment;

•

are obese; or

•

are pregnant.

Some people who have received all of the vaccine doses they are eligible for may still be eligible for treatment if they are at higher risk for more severe outcomes for other reasons.

These criteria are broader than the requirements previously in place and people who may be eligible should speak with their health-care provider to determine which treatment may be right for them. Treatment continued on page 4

COVID-19 BULLETIN #579: All Manitobans over 50 now eligible for a second booster dose, update re: access to treatment criteria for young people under the age of 18 remains unchanged.

Paxlovid is an antiviral pill that can be prescribed to treat COVID-19 and is now more broadly available. Beginning today, people can fill their Paxlovid prescription at more than 175 community pharmacies across the province. A list of locations and more information is available at https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/treatment/paxlov id-locations.html.

For more information about COVID treatment, visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/treatment.

Additional Information To date, the Manitoba government has distributed 14.3 million rapid antigen tests.

They continue to be available at libraries and retail locations across the province. A list of all

participating retail locations, sorted by regional health authority, is now available at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/locations.ht ml.

Manitoba continues to post weekly COVID-19 epidemiology reports at: www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveill ance/covid-19/index.html.

•

COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

•

Vaccine campaign: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine.

•

Testing information: www.manitoba.ca/covid19 /testing/index.html.

•

Outbreaks: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/pr s/index.html.

The Disaster Financial Assistance Program and Livestock Losses On May 9, 2022 the Manitoba government announced Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) related to damages to infrastructure, private residences, farms or small businesses due to spring flooding. DFA will also assist with verified livestock losses. The following information has been provided by the provincial government and Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) to help 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. o Note: The cost to obtain the veterinary certificate can be submitted as a DFA eligible cost o 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 helped develop a template that vets can use to support the producer’s DFA application and this information is being circulated to them. 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. This form is also available on the “DFA for Farm” page on the EMO website under “Step 2: Apply and mandatory documents.” See: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/dfa/farm.html Assistance for livestock losses will be calculated as follows: o 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 o 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) o 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. o 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.

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 upcoming program webinars see: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/pdfs/2022_dfa_webinars_pr.pdf For other inquiries contact Manitoba’s Emergency Measures organization as follows: o Toll Free: 1-888-267-8298 Fax: (204) 945-4929 Email: dfa@gov.mb.ca

Emergency Measures Organization 1525 – 405 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3L6 T 204-945-3050 Toll free 1-888-267-8298 F 204-945-4929 www.manitobaemo.ca

Disaster Financial Assistance Virtual Information Webinars Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) will be offering virtual information webinars on the 2022 Spring Flood Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program.

Those with flood related impacts to their private residence, farm, small business or nonprofit organization are encouraged to attend an information session to learn more about the application, screening, inspection, evaluation and payment process.

Manitoba EMO will offer webinars on the following dates: May 24 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

May 30 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

June 8 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The presentation will be approximately 45 minutes with an opportunity for questions and answers at the end of each session. Please note that all webinars have the same information presented.

If you would like to attend an information webinar, please email Manitoba EMO at dfa@gov.mb.ca and include in the email your name, municipality and the date you would like to attend. Manitoba EMO will reply with a link to the virtual information webinar.

If you have any questions, please contact Manitoba EMO at 204-945-3050 or toll-free at 1-888-267-8298. Our business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thank you Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization

News Release Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Mentorship Program names its 2022 semi-finalists May 17, 2022 Calgary, AB – The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s (CCA) Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL) Mentorship Program is pleased to announce its 24 semi-finalists for the upcoming 2022-2023 program year.

The CYL Program welcomes young people ages 18-35 from across Canada involved in all areas of the beef supply chain and seeks to build the next generation of industry leaders through mentorship and various professional and personal development opportunities.

After conducting the competition virtually for the past two years, CYL Selections will be making an exciting return to the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Penticton, BC on August 16, 2022. At CYL Selections, semi-finalists will compete for one of 16 spots in the upcoming CYL program year by participating in judged roundtable discussions on timely beef industry related topics.

“It’s important to have programs like this in our industry to give our young people the tools and resources they need to succeed,” said CCA President, Reg Schellenberg. “Their ideas and optimism on industry challenges and opportunities inspire our work to make sure we’re building a successful way of life for generations to come.”

The semi-finalists are selected by a judging panel from submitted written applications. The 2022 semifinalists, in no particular order, are: •

British Columbia: Morgan Kitchen (Vanderhoof), Raelynn Blumhagen (Jaffray)

•

Alberta: Austin Ashbacher (Arrowwood), Carling Matejka (Ponoka), Delanie Knull (Crossfield), Gleise Medeiros da Silva (Edmonton), Heath Ferguson (Calgary), Jill Renton (Cayley), Morgan Williams (Gibbons), Nicky Nixdorff (Airdrie), Russell Gallelli (Crossfield), Sarah Golby (Youngstown), Shae Wasyliw (High River)

•

Saskatchewan: Brodyn LaBatte (Gladmar), Tyson Ringdal (Outlook)

•

Manitoba: James Kinley (Cartwright), Madison Leonard (Winnipeg), Stefan Bouw (Anola)

•

Ontario: Brittany Sherry (Douro-Dummer), Clairina Paquette (Alliston), Danika Mayer (Alexandria), Holly McGill (Listowel), Madison Lewis (Meaford)

•

Québec: McKenna Richardson (Clarendon)

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

Visit www.cattle.ca

Following the competition, the 16 CYL finalists are matched with an industry leader in their specific area of interest in the beef industry for a nine-month mentorship opportunity. In addition, they are granted a $2,000 budget to fund their engagement in beef industry events, meeting with their mentor, and learning opportunities throughout the year.

The CCA congratulates this year’s semi-finalists and wishes them the best of luck during the final round of competition.

About the CYL Program The CYL Program is a national initiative of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association which provides young people ages 18-35 with industry-specific training and mentorship opportunities. Through networking, travel and mentorship, participants are equipped with the skills they need to further the success of the Canadian beef industry. Since being established in 2010, the program has seen over 150 graduates.

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

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

Visit www.cattle.ca

Updated Livestock Transport Regulations and What You Need to Know 2. Record Keeping for Transporters >> Animal Transport Record and Transfer of Care Record are required.

3. Required Feed, Water and Rest Times >> Learn about changes to interval requirements and definitions of travel time.

Changes to the Transport of Animals Regulations (Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations) came into effect in February of 2020 and are being actively enforced. Before heading out on the highway, it is important to know the rules.

There are four major changes in the new regulations focusing on: 1. Categorizing Animals Fit for Transport >> Consult the Transport Decision Tree.

4. Contingency Planning >> A verbal or written plan must cover all predictable natural or manmade scenarios that may delay a trip.

Demonstrating compliance requires documenting the steps taken to ensure the welfare of the animals in your care and keeping records of any issues. If in doubt, write it down.

A smooth trip with no delays is worth the time and effort.

READ THE FULL POST >>

AgriInsurance Seeing Deadline for Soybeans Extended Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) has announced that that the AgriInsurance full coverage seeding deadlines for soybeans are now June 8 in Soybean Area 1 and June 4 in Soybean Areas 2 and 3. In addition, soybean growers in these areas will now be eligible for insurance if planting occurs in the five days following the full coverage seeding deadline; however, coverage will be reduced by 20 per cent.

The full coverage seeding deadline for Soybean Area 4 continues to be May 30 with no extended seeding deadline coverage. These changes are permanent and will be part of the AgriInsurance Contract going forward. MASC is not considering seeding deadline extensions for other crops at this time.

The final spring seeding deadline for many major crops is June 20. AgriInsurance contract holders who are unable to seed by June 20 due to wet conditions are eligible for Excess Moisture Insurance (EMI).

MEDIA BULLETIN AVAILABLE HERE

Travel Advisory – Gretna Port of Entry – CBSA Service Has Resumed (May 20, 2022 Canada Border Services Agency News Release) CBSA service at the Gretna port of

entry has resumed.

Heavy flooding in North Dakota that resulted in highway closures has now receded. Therefore, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has resumed service at Gretna.

The CBSA recognizes border disruptions affect both travellers and industry and would like to thank travellers and commercial partners for their patience.

Follow the border wait times for ports of entry on the CBSA’s Web site.

West Perimeter Highway Southbound At Portage Avenue Will Be Temporarily Reduced To A One-Lane Roadway For Construction From May 24 To 27 (May 20, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

on a milled surface and workers are not present.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure reports traffic will be delayed along the west Perimeter Highway (Provincial Trunk Highway 101) southbound at Portage Avenue with the start of a construction project on May 24 and continuing until approximately May 27, weather permitting.

The southbound lanes of the west Perimeter Highway to the westbound Portage Avenue exit ramp 42B will be closed periodically during the project. A detour will be provided when the ramp is temporarily closed.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane southbound from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and reopened to two lanes when crews are not on site.

The project will involve milling, which is grinding and removing the existing road surface, then resurfacing with new asphalt pavement.

A safety flag crew will be present to direct traffic, as required. The speed limit will be reduced to 60 km/h while workers are present and 80 kilometres per hour (km/h) if travelling

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure will update impacts to traffic through the Manitoba 511 information system at www.manitoba511.ca/en/index.html.

Engaging Canadians on a National Adaptation Strategy to build a climate ready economy and communities (May 16, 2022 Environment and Climate Change Canada News Release) Building a strong and

healthy future for Canadians means building homes, infrastructure, and an economy that are ready for the realities of climate change. To do that, Canada needs a coordinated national response.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, launched a public consultation to develop Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy, a whole-of-society blueprint for coordinated action across the country, ensuring communities and Canadians are prepared for the impacts of climate change. The Minister launched the consultations at a virtual adaptation conference attended by over a thousand participants, including provinces, territories, leaders of National Indigenous Organizations, as well as climate adaptation experts, industry representatives, and members of the public.

To kick off the public consultations, the Government published a discussion paper that sets out guiding principles as well as goals and objectives for five key areas of focus: Health and Well-being, Natural and Built Infrastructure, Environment, Economy, and Disaster Resilience and Security.

Climate-readiness includes measures such as preventing the construction of homes on floodplains, increasing tree coverage in urban forests to reduce the effects of heatwaves, and using data to map and manage the risks of wildfires.

The Strategy will build on a strong foundation of action being taken across the country, such as the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), which has received a significant increase in investment, now $3.4 billion, for infrastructure projects to help communities better prepare for climate-related disasters.

Canadians, community organizations, and interested stakeholders are all invited to share their opinions by participating on the dynamic online consultation portal at https://letstalkadaptation.ca until July 15, 2022. The Government of Canada has committed to finalizing the National Adaptation Strategy by fall 2022.

To further demonstrate leadership on climate change adaptation, Canada will be hosting the seventh edition of the global biennial Adaptation Futures conference, the largest dedicated adaptation event in the world, in October 2023 in Montréal. The Government of Canada will contribute $650,000 to support the conference that is being organized by Ouranos in partnership with the World Adaptation Science Programme. It will attract leading decision-makers, policy-makers, scientists, and practitioners across the globe to share knowledge on adaptation challenges and opportunities.

Quick facts •

According to the Canadian Climate Institute, the number and cost of catastrophic weather events in the past decade alone were twice as high as those recorded in the previous decades combined (i.e., 1983 to 2009). The Insurance Bureau of Canada found that severe weather caused $2.1 billion in continued on page 14

Engaging Canadians on a National Adaptation Strategy to build a climate ready economy and communities insured damage in 2021 and said that the “new normal” for insured losses from severe weather events across Canada is $2 billion per year. Uninsured losses are estimated to be double that amount.

•

To inform the development of the National Adaptation Strategy, the Government of Canada has been engaging and consulting with provinces and territories, municipal governments, and Indigenous Peoples and organizations.

•

The Government of Canada launched five Expert Advisory Tables in fall 2021 to provide advice on transformational goals and objectives of the National Adaptation Strategy within five key systems: Health and Well-being, Natural and Built Infrastructure, Environment, Economy, and Disaster Resilience and Security.

•

Planning for the future means planning for ongoing climate change. As the climate continues to change, our actions to prepare and respond to the impacts of these changes must also grow and evolve. The National Adaptation Strategy is being designed

for ongoing evaluation as we make progress and take action.

•

Building on significant investments to date, Budget 2022 announced key items to advance federal adaptation efforts, including funding to support Indigenous Climate Leadership and the development of a Canada Green Homes Strategy, which will help to increase the climate resilience of existing buildings.

Budget 2022 also announced other investments related to adaptation, such as funding for freshwater and agriculture initiatives, wildfire response, and to enhance federal coordination of emergency responses.

•

The Government of Canada is also seeking stories, photos, and videos from Canadians to showcase how individuals and communities are adapting to and preparing for climate change impacts (e.g., installing community gardens, protecting or restoring a wetland, planting trees to prevent erosion, creating gathering areas for emergencies). Submissions will be accepted until July 15, 2022 on the letstalkadaptation.ca website.

Manitoba Hydro advises extreme caution on waterways Unprecedented rainfall increases flows on Manitoba rivers (May 20, 2022 Manitoba Hydro news release)

Manitoba Hydro urges Manitobans to be careful on and around the province’s rivers and lakes – especially near the utility’s generating stations – as unprecedented precipitation this spring has created record-high water flows and high water levels on some lakes.

“We all need to be careful of the high flows, increased levels and rapidly changing water levels we’re seeing on our rivers, particularly when near our generating stations on the Winnipeg River,” said Manitoba Hydro President and CEO Jay Grewal.

“Please look for and obey all warning signs,” Grewal said. “Property owners and resource users should secure docks and move valuable items like boats to higher ground.”

Winnipeg River levels Winnipeg River property owners and resource users will see water levels rise over the next 10to- 15 days by approximately: •

1.2 feet upstream of Eight Foot Falls

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2.1 feet at Nutimik Lake

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1.9 feet at Dorothy Lake

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2.2 feet at Margaret/Eleanor Lake

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2.3 feet at Sylvia Lake

•

1 foot upstream of Silver Falls

Flows on the Winnipeg River are high because the Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB) was forced to make large increases in outflow from Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul, both of which drain into the Winnipeg River. The LWCB manages the water levels of Lake of the Woods

and Lac Seul, Ont. The Winnipeg River is expected to crest in early June.

Lake Winnipeg outflows Record-high flows on the Winnipeg River are also combining with very high flows on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers and other tributaries to drive up levels on Lake Winnipeg. In response, Manitoba Hydro continues to increase outflows at the Jenpeg Generating Station located at the north end of the Lake Winnipeg.

“What we’re seeing is unprecedented,” Grewal said. “We’ve gone from drought conditions to record flows in less than one year. On the Winnipeg River alone, record flow conditions are occurring across most of the watersheds in Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota following heavy precipitation since the start of April, and there is more rain in the forecast.”

Grewal said Manitoba Hydro is steadily increasing outflows at the Jenpeg Generating Station, located where the west channel of the Nelson River flows into Cross Lake (135 kilometres south of Thompson), to manage the level of Lake Winnipeg until it’s back below 715 feet above sea level (ASL).

Water levels on the Nelson River downstream of Jenpeg are forecast to steadily increase over the next month. Manitoba Hydro is communicating with communities that may be affected by the increase in water flow from that facility.

Lake Winnipeg is currently at 714.9 feet ASL and forecast to peak in the 717 feet ASL range by early July. Last year at this time, the lake level was at 712.8 feet ASL. During the last major flood in Manitoba in 2011, the water level on continued on page 16

Manitoba Hydro advises extreme caution on waterways Unprecedented rainfall increases flows on Manitoba rivers Lake Winnipeg peaked at 716.9 feet ASL around July 7, 2011.

Manitoba Hydro’s Lake Winnipeg control structures include a series of deep channels put in place to allow greater flows out of the lake to overcome some of the constrictions at the natural outflow channel at Warren Landing. The added channels allow an extra 50 per cent more outflow in high water periods compared to the period before the regulation of lake outflows in 1976.

Manitoba Hydro is licensed by the Province of Manitoba to operate Lake Winnipeg for power production when the lake is between 711 and

715 feet above sea level. When the lake reaches 715 feet, the utility must operate its facilities to maximize the discharge from the lake.

One of the primary purposes and benefits of Lake Winnipeg Regulation was the prevention of significant shoreline flooding (as seen in the 1960s and early 70s), as well as improved hydropower production on the Nelson River.

For more information, please contact: Bruce Owen – Media Relations Officer 204-794-8270 bowen@hydro.mb.ca

Additional steps to deliver timely passport services for Canadians (May 17, 2022 Employment and Social Development Canada News Release) With pandemic

restrictions easing around the world, interest in travel is growing among Canadians, and demand for new or renewed passports is growing along with it. Service Canada is experiencing increases in passport processing times, and is responding by prioritizing those travelling imminently and ensuring that those with less urgent needs can access the right service channels for them.

Service Canada’s ability to serve Canadians swiftly was affected by the unprecedented volume of applications and the obligation to impose in-person capacity limits for both clients and staff to protect the health and safety of those visiting and those working inside Service Canada Centres.

Service Canada is pleased to announce the reopening of all passport service counters across the country. Reopening measures were implemented the week of May 9 following a brief trial period. They mark a return to prepandemic in-person service capacity, with a 40% increase in capacity at service counters.

Capacity in waiting rooms has also been significantly expanded, and Service Canada has also taken additional measures to simplify and expedite passport processing.

A number of measures have been put in place to make it easier for Canadians to access passport services, and to improve and streamline processing to better meet their needs.

Canada Centres, opened additional processing hubs, and created a new workload management and processing technology to increase efficiency, all while meeting health protocols.

Service Canada continues to hire and train more employees, and teams at the passport office, processing and call centres are working overtime every day and on weekends to increase processing capacity. This includes opening select Service Canada Centres on Saturdays for passport service.

A simplified renewal process now allows applicants to renew an expired passport if it was issued in the last 15 years. The simplified process is also available to those who had their passport lost, stolen or damaged. Applicants do not need to have a guarantor or provide their original documents, such as proof of citizenship or photo identification. They simply need two photos, two references, their completed form and the applicable fees. These changes make renewing a passport easier and faster, while maintaining the highest level of program integrity.

Service Canada has also launched eservices.canada.ca/reservation/, an online appointment-booking tool that applicants can access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from their computer, tablet or cellphone to book their appointment online. The tool also directs them to the right location to submit their passport applications. Service Canada recognizes that some circumstances cannot wait for an appointment: •

Service Canada has hired 600 new employees specifically to support the processing of passport applications, opened more dedicated passport intake counters in over 300 Service

Anyone who needs a passport within two business days must visit one of the specialized passport sites (Service Canada Centres – Passport Service) continued on page 18

Additional steps to deliver timely passport services for Canadians offering urgent pick-up service. Proof of travel is required.

•

Those travelling within 25 business days can use the walk-in service at one of the 35 specialized passport sites (Service Canada Centres – Passport Service).

Appointments are recommended, and proof of travel is required. Please note that wait times at these sites may be long due to the current demand.

•

For anyone travelling in more than 25 days (or with no specific travel date), over 300 Service Canada Centres are available to receive passport applications in person. No proof of travel is needed. These applicants also have the option to mail in their applications.

Although processing times are currently longer than prior to the pandemic, 98% of Canadians who apply in-person at a specialized passport office currently receive their passports in less than 10 business days. In March and April 2022, Service Canada received approximately 500,000 applications for passports, and is therefore prioritizing those with more imminent travel.

Canadians should make sure they have valid passports well before booking travel. If they do need a passport, or need an existing passport to be renewed, they should apply well before they book their trip to ensure it can be delivered in time.

Associated links •

Canadian passports and travel documents - Canada.ca

•

Find a Service Canada Office

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Welcome to the eServiceCanada Appointment Booking Tool - E-service Canada.ca

Manitoba RCMP remind off-road vehicle operators to be safe where ORV use is permitted. Always remember to be on the lookout for hazards in the ditch, such as culverts, driveway approaches, and road signs •

No riding: o

On privately owned or leased land without permission

o

Within 30 metres of a dwelling that is not yours between midnight and 7:00 am

o

Within 30 metres of a playground or area set aside for recreation that is not fully fenced

o

In a careless manner

o

Without reasonable consideration for other persons and property

(May 13, 2022 Manitoba RCMP News Release)

With the warmer weather upon us, many Manitobans are eager to get outside and enjoy the outdoors which may include riding off-road vehicles (ORVs). The Manitoba RCMP wants to remind operators of the laws of ORVs to ensure a safe ride.

Most of the laws around ORVs fall under the Off Road Vehicles Act. For details, please refer to the Act, but here are some general rules to keep in mind when riding an ORV: •

•

Anyone under the age of 14 must have direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian who is a minimum of 18 years of age. Youth over the age of 14 can ride without parental supervision, but cannot cross a roadway until they obtain a valid driver's licence.

All ORV operators and riders must wear properly fastened safety helmets unless the vehicle is equipped with rollover protection and the occupants are wearing securely fastened seat belts.

•

ORVs are not to be operated on roadways, shoulders, medians of divided roadways, or sidewalks

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ORVs are permitted to be in the ditch, provided travel is in the same direction as vehicle traffic, the ORV is to the right of the roadway and the shoulder, and the ORV is being operated in an area

•

When conditions are dry, use caution as sparks from an ORV can ignite grass and branches, starting a fire

•

Be aware of local bylaws in the area you are riding

•

Impaired driving laws apply to ALL motorized vehicles. Only operate an ORV when sober and alert

In 2021, RCMP in Manitoba responded to 8 fatal collisions involving ORVs and 58 collisions where serious injury occurred. Contributing factors in these collisions included speed, no helmet and impaired driving.

Knowledge and safety are key, so make sure you are aware of the rules in place in the area where you are riding. Be safe and enjoy the ride!

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadline:

July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP May 13, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Manitoba Government Announces Disaster Financial Assistance Program for Spring Flooding (May 9, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) The

Manitoba government is providing Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) to individuals and municipalities experiencing damages to infrastructure, private residences, farms or small businesses due to spring flooding, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced.

“Our government is committed to supporting Manitobans in addressing the cost of damages related to spring flooding,” said Piwniuk. “We continue to work with local authorities on response efforts and a program will be available to assess damages and provide assistance for those who need it.”

DFA programs provide provincial assistance for certain disaster-related losses when a widespread natural disaster strikes and creates an unreasonable financial burden. DFA helps Manitobans recover by providing financial assistance for uninsurable losses to basic and essential property. DFA will also assist with verified livestock losses.

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

The federal government may provide financial assistance to provincial and territorial governments through Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements following large-scale natural disasters. The minister noted the province is confident the impacts of the spring 2022 storm will be eligible for federal funding.

When the province establishes a DFA program that is eligible for cost-sharing with the federal government, municipalities will have the option to opt into the Mitigation and Preparedness Program (MPP) to invest their cost-sharing amount into a mitigation or preparedness project. More information on this program will be shared with eligible municipalities. Since 2020, many municipalities have redirected their portion of DFA costs into mitigation projects that increase the resilience of Manitoba communities, noted Piwniuk.

The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization will be offering webinars for the public to provide an overview of DFA and answer questions. More information about dates, times and how to register will be available online in the coming weeks.

For more information about eligibility or to apply, visit www.manitoba.ca/emo/dfa or email dfa@gov.mb.ca. The toll-free number for EMO is 1-888-267-8298.

For reliable information and resources please visit:

The Disaster Financial Assistance Program and Livestock Losses On May 9, 2022 the Manitoba government announced Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) in relation to damages to infrastructure, private residences, farms or small businesses due to spring flooding. DFA will also assist with verified livestock losses. The following information has been provided by the provincial government and 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. o Note: The cost to obtain the veterinary certificate can be submitted as a DFA eligible cost o 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 helped develop a template that vets can use to support the producer’s DFA application and this information is being circulated to them. 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: o 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 o 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) o 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. o 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.

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: o Toll Free: 1-888-267-8298 o Fax: (204) 945-4929 o Email for Disaster Financial Assistance: dfa@gov.mb.ca

Flood Bulletin #19: More Rain Forecast for Much of Southern and Central Manitoba, Risk of Ice Pileup on East Side of Lake Manitoba and Flood Warning Issued for the Winnipeg River System (May 12, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is monitoring a potential severe weather system that could bring 20 to 50 millimetres (mm) of rain to much of southern and central Manitoba over three days, with much of it arriving tomorrow. The forecast rain will impact flows and levels in most rivers and creeks with the highest impact likely in western and southeast Manitoba.

Thunderstorms and intense rain, up to 60 mm, are possible in the Duck Mountains area and the upper Assiniboine and Qu’Appelle river basins in Saskatchewan and southeastern Manitoba. Some localized areas could receive higher amounts of precipitation. While there is still uncertainty in the weather forecast, there is a band through central Manitoba stretching into the Interlake region that is projected to receive lower amounts of precipitation.

Weather forecasts indicate southern Manitoba will experience strong south to southwest winds starting May 13 with gusts of up to 90 km/h.

There is a high risk of ice pileup on the east shore of Lake Manitoba including areas along Twin Lakes and Lundar beaches. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and to take any necessary precautions.

The strong winds could also cause water levels in flooded areas of the Red River Valley to rise by up to a foot in some areas. Wave action could also add to the temporary increase in water levels and could result in temporary overtopping of roads.

There is a low risk of ice –pileup on major lakes due to the south wind. Flooding continues in the Interlake region, Red River Valley and many other

portions of central and southern Manitoba.

Residents in these areas are advised to monitor local conditions and take any necessary floodmitigation actions.

A flood warning is issued for the Winnipeg River from the Ontario border to Lake Winnipeg. Abovenormal rain and snowmelt since early April in the watershed has created significant inflow into the Winnipeg River system. Lakes and communities along this reach are expected to receive record flows exceeding those experienced in 2014, the previous record inflow. Depending on future rain conditions, levels in some locations could exceed the record 2014 levels. Residents and property owners along this stretch of the river are cautioned for flooding and the potential sustained high water levels in these areas.

Most ditches and waterways are either full or near capacity. Heavy rain occurring over a short period on saturated soil could create overland flooding.

An overland flood warning for a portion of southwest Manitoba and the southeast corner of the province remains in effect. The remainder of southern Manitoba remains under a flood watch.

An overland flood warning indicates a higher probability of overland flooding occurring based on forecast precipitation, whereas an overland flood watch indicates that overland flooding is possible but not as likely to occur. Water level forecasts will be updated to determine impacts from this precipitation on areas that are already experiencing flooding.

The Assiniboine River basin is forecast to receive up to 30 mm of rain in the next two days (May 1213). As the result of this rain, flows and levels along the Assiniboine River main stem and continued on page 5

Flood Bulletin #19: More Rain Forecast for Much of Southern and Central Manitoba, Risk of Ice Pileup on East Side of Lake Manitoba and Flood Warning Issued for the Winnipeg River System tributaries are expected to increase. Generally, levels on most tributaries are expected to rise by one to two feet and slightly more for smaller creeks and streams. The effect of this precipitation may necessitate an increase in the outflow from the Shellmouth reservoir, pending a meeting with stakeholders on the Shellmouth Liaison Committee. The effect of any increased flows will diminish as the river moves downstream and operation of the Portage Diversion will further reduce flows before they reach Headingley and Winnipeg. River users should be cautious. The province will continue to monitor conditions in the upper Assiniboine River as well as downstream river levels.

Flood warnings remain in place for most parts of the Red River north of Emerson (except Winnipeg), Dauphin Lake, the Pembina, Morris and Little Morris rivers, the Shannon and Netley creeks, Fisher and Icelandic rivers, the Assiniboine River from the Shellmouth Dam to Brandon, Birdtail Creek, the Whiteshell lakes area and the Whitemouth and Birch rivers. The Little Saskatchewan and Rolling rivers have been upgraded from flood watch to flood warning. A complete list of flood warnings, watches and high water advisories is available in the daily flood reports found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html.

Several communities throughout the province continue to be impacted by high water levels. The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization

(EMO) continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support for response and recovery activities.

Reported impacts to date include loss of road access, flooded properties and damage to infrastructure. Because of these impacts, 28 states of local emergency have been declared. Manitoba EMO continues to work with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) in supporting ISC-led response measures with First Nation communities.

The Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion continue to operate to lower water levels in Winnipeg. Flows in the floodway channel was near 42,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) this morning.

Flows upstream of the floodway inlet this morning are approximately 83,000 cfs.

Up-to-date information on highway conditions, including detours and road closures, is available at www.manitoba511.ca or by calling 511.

Flood mitigation assistance can be directed to the municipal authority. In case of an emergency, residents are advised to contact 911.

For questions about forecasts, water levels, provincial waterways or provincial water control infrastructure, call 204-945-1165 or email floodinfo@gov.mb.ca.

For more information about flooding in Manitoba, including forecasts, visit www.manitoba.ca/flooding.

Additional flood information For more information about flooding in Manitoba, including forecasts, visit www.manitoba.ca/flooding.

The Manitoba government is warning of a possible SMS phishing scam involving the Disaster Financial Assistance program.

Members of the public have reported receiving texts inviting the receiver to claim $150 in disaster financial assistance by clicking on a fake URL. This is an attempt to access personal data.

The Manitoba government does not use texting to contact the public about support through this program. If such a text is received, do not click on the link. For more information on what to do if a fraudulent text is received, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website at www.antifraudcentrecentreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.

Backgrounder: States of Local Emergency as of May 11 States of local emergency have been declared in the following 28 communities: Town of Arborg; Rural Municipality (RM) of Armstrong; Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton; RM of Cartier; Municipality of Clanwilliam-Erikson; RM of Coldwell; RM of Dufferin; Municipality of Emerson-Franklin; RM of Fisher; RM of Grahamdale; RM of Grey; RM of Gimli; RM of Headingley; RM of Macdonald; RM of Montcalm; City of Morden; RM of Morris; Municipality of Norfolk Treherne; Municipality of Pembina; Municipality of Reynolds; RM of Rhineland; RM of Ritchot; RM of St. Laurent; RM of Thompson; RM of West Interlake; RM of Whitemouth; Town of Winnipeg Beach; and RM of Woodlands.

MBFI Brookdale Farm Hwy 10 and PR 353

Government of Canada invests to bring high-speed Internet to up to 1,162 Manitoba households (May 13, 2022 Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada News Release) The COVID-

19 pandemic has transformed how we live, work, learn and do business, and now more than ever, Canadians across the country need reliable high-speed Internet to access services, supports and opportunities. Through the Universal Broadband Fund’s (UBF) Rapid Response Stream, the Government of Canada is taking immediate action to get people living in rural and remote communities connected to high-speed Internet.

Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, announced $1,045,800 in funding to bring high-speed Internet through Starlink to up to 1,162 rural households in St. Laurent, Twin Lakes Beach, Laurentia Beach and Oak Point, Manitoba.

This funding will enable the Rural Municipality of St. Laurent to reimburse households in these four communities for the initial cost of connecting to Starlink’s satellite network. For information about this program, please visit the Rural Municipality of St. Laurent’s website.

The announcement builds on the Government of Canada’s progress toward making sure that 98% of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026. As we work to rebuild from the pandemic, the Government of Canada will continue to make investments in infrastructure

to build strong communities and a more competitive and resilient Canada for everyone.

Quick facts •

Canada’s Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload.

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The Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) is a $2.75 billion investment by the Government of Canada designed to help connect 98% of Canadians to highspeed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% connectivity by 2030.

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To date, 180 projects supported through the UBF’s Rapid Response Stream have been announced. These projects will bring high-speed Internet to more than 92,000 households in rural and remote communities across Canada.

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The UBF is part of a suite of federal investments to improve high-speed Internet. Find out more on the Highspeed Internet for all of Canada page.

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Since 2015, Government of Canada funding has supported projects to bring improved Internet speeds to over 1.2 million households in rural and remote communities across Canada.

Manitobans Encouraged to Take Precautions to Minimize Risk of Tick Exposure (May 13, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and public health officials with Manitoba Health are reminding Manitobans that tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease, are preventable.

Lyme disease is becoming more common in southern Manitoba. To help prevent infection, Manitoba Health recommends people visit their health-care provider within 72 hours to receive antibiotics if they have had a high-risk tick bite, which is defined as: •

reliably identified as a blacklegged tick;

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attached for a minimum of 36 hours or the tick was engorged; and

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from southern Manitoba (south of the 53rd parallel) or another known risk area outside of Manitoba for Lyme disease.

Blacklegged ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis are most commonly found in and along the edge of forests and in areas with thick, woody shrubs or other vegetation. However, they can also be found in urban areas including household yards.

These ticks are typically found from snowmelt to snowfall, with peaks in activity in the spring and fall.

Manitobans can protect themselves and minimize their risk of exposure by: •

applying an appropriate tick repellent on exposed skin and clothing, following label directions;

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wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts;

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staying to the centre of walking trails;

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inspecting themselves, children and pets after spending time outdoors;

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removing ticks as soon as possible from people and pets; and

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keeping grass and shrubs around homes cut short to create drier environments that are less suitable for blacklegged tick survival.

It is also important for people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of tick-borne diseases.

A list of symptoms can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/tickbo rne/index.html. People should contact their health-care provider if they think they may have anaplasmosis, babesiosis or Lyme disease. For more information, individuals can also contact Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) 1-888 315-9257.

Manitoba’s partnership with the eTick program, which is developed and operated by Bishop’s University, helps monitor and assess the continued expansion of blacklegged tick populations. Manitobans who find ticks on animals, humans or in various habitats can submit a picture to have it identified by experts, which will confirm if the tick belongs to a species capable of transmitting diseases. For more information or to submit a picture of a tick, visit www.etick.ca.

To learn more about blacklegged ticks, tickborne diseases and prevention, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/t ickborne/.

Baler twine and grain bag recycling in Manitoba – important changes Following the recent completion of a pilot program, Manitoba producers can now recycle use ag plastic twine and grain bags at more than 35 collection sites around the province. This is part of an industry-led program that’s regulated by the provincial government under Manitoba’s Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Regulation.

The program is managed on behalf of industry

by Cleanfarms, which is a not-for-profit stewardship organization that specializes in managing ag-recycling programs. Cleanfarms operates other programs in Manitoba to help recover ag plastics from farms, such as the pesticide and fertilizer container recycling programs and the empty seed, pesticide and inoculant bag collection pilot.

Manitoba leads the way Manitoba is the first province in Canada to launch an industry funded, province-wide program to recycle baler twine; and the second (next to Saskatchewan) to implement a grain bag recycling program. In just four years of operation, the Saskatchewan grain bag program substantially exceeded recovery targets, a show of commitment amongst farmers and collection sites.

Making it easy to collect and store used twine Collection sites provide free ag collection bags for farmers to store their used twine and conveniently transport it to collection sites. This also offers a handy reminder that there’s a new way of managing twine to help keep farms clean and protect the environment.

Expanding the network of collection sites Starting now, farmers can turn in twine and grain bags for recycling at 35-plus collection sites across the province with, no fee for drop

off. Cleanfarms is also exploring ways to increase access for both grain bags and twine in targeted areas and hopes to bring new sites online soon. Producers can find where to bring their twine here.

Environmental Handling Fee The program is funded through an Environmental Handling Fee (EHF) charged at the time of purchase. The EHF for twine supports essential services in Manitoba, such as baling and transporting collected materials, compensating collection sites, and other management costs that are help keep this used agricultural plastic out of landfill and the environment.

The EHF of $0.33/kilogram for baler twine ($3.00 for 110/28,000 twine) or $0.225/kilogram for grain bags ($45.00 for a 10 x 300 foot grain bag) is charged when growers purchase these items and it is used only to support the management of this program.

What to expect in 2022 2022 is the program start-up or ‘transitional’ year. It’s the time when companies that place grain bags and twine in the Manitoba market find out about the program so they can make sure the appropriate EHF applies to their products, and most importantly, producers learn how and where they can participate.

The goal is to create an efficient, cost-effective and convenient program, and Cleanfarms will keep producers updated as the program continues to develop.

For more information: Please visit www.cleanfarms.ca or call 877-6224460 ext. 2229.

Government Of Canada Invests in the Future Generation of Agricultural Leaders (May 9, 2022 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) Canada's young farmers are

helping to strengthen our agriculture and agrifood sector through their leadership and innovative contributions. The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment of up to $2.1 million for three organizations to support development opportunities for Canadian youth in agriculture.

With funds under the AgriCompetitiveness Program, these organizations will deliver important programming and initiatives that help to develop the future generation of agricultural leaders.

Canadian 4-H Council (4-H Canada) will receive up to $1.8 million over two years to develop new curriculum and resources that empower youth through leadership programs, aimed at growing their practical knowledge and skills in key areas concerning Canadian agriculture.

Through this project, 4-H Canada will reach an increased number of youth in diverse audiences, create new mentorship opportunities and advance awareness of Canadian agriculture, food literacy and exciting careers in the agri-food sector.

Canadian Young Farmers' Forum (CYFF) will receive up to $195,168 over two years to build

industry capacity and provide training and education to young farmers across Canada.

With this support, CYFF create new initiatives to address specific needs for the reality young farmers are facing today, in order to provide them with the additional knowledge and skills required to increase their operations' profitability and efficiency.

Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) will receive up to $119,724 over two years to support its seven regional recognition events, as well as its three-day national recognition event.

These events are held each year to recognize young farmers who exemplify excellence in their profession and to promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture to Canada and its economy. Funding will also be used to increase agriculture awareness and support the continued positive growth of public trust in the agricultural sector.

Young farmers are passionate and entrepreneurial, eagerly paving the way with fresh perspectives to meet the changing needs of tomorrow. The Government of Canada will continue to support opportunities for youth who are securing the future of Canada's agriculture sector and ensuring a resilient food supply chain.

Information Released from the 2021 Census of Agriculture On May 11, 2022 Statistics Canada released results from the 2021 Census of Agriculture, which provides new information about emerging trends and issues faced by farm operators in Canada. The following are some key findings as reported by Statistics Canada.

Data from the Census indicates that trends identified in previous census cycles, such as industry consolidation and aging of farm operators, have continued in 2021. At the same time, the agriculture industry is adapting and modernizing, with higher rates of technology adoption, renewable energy production, use of direct marketing solutions, and sustainable farming practices.

In 2021, the Census of Agriculture counted 189,874 farms, a moderate decrease of 1.9% from 2016. While farms in Canada reported a 3.2% decrease in total farm area from 2016, the total area for hay and field crops increased slightly, by 0.3%, to 92.9 million acres in 2021. The number of head reported for major livestock categories has also increased modestly since 2016.

In 2021, there were 65,135 oilseed and grain farms, or 34.3% of total farms, followed by beef and feedlots (20.9%). Meanwhile, 82.7% of total farm area was accounted for by these two sectors: 127.1 million acres.

Livestock numbers remaining steady despite pandemic and labour challenges The pandemic posed many challenges to the Canadian livestock sector from 2020 to 2021.

One of the more significant challenges was the early shutdown of meat processing facilities in an effort to contain outbreaks of COVID-19. A labour shortage further challenged the meat processing industry.

Cattle and calf inventories increased slightly from the previous census. In 2021, farms in Canada reported 12.6 million total cattle, up from 12.5 million in 2016. The percentage increase in milk cows, steers and beef cows offset declines in heifers for slaughter, heifers for dairy herd replacement, heifers for beef herd replacement and bulls.

Sustainable practices becoming a hallmark of the agriculture industry Another source of transformation in the agriculture sector is the use of sustainable practices to cope with climate change. These adaptations are important, as the frequency of extreme climate events has increased in recent years and such events could represent a challenge for the industry in years to come.

Land practice methods include in-field winter grazing or feeding, rotational grazing, plowing down green crops, planting winter cover crops, and having shelterbelts or windbreaks.

In 2020, 64.5% of farms reported land practices, up from 53.7% in 2015.

Another way Canadian farms have adapted to warmer and drier conditions has been by shifting their focus to more drought-tolerant crops, such as barley. From 2016 to 2021, farms in Canada reported a 24.3% increase in barley acreage. This was the biggest percentage increase among the top 10 contributors of hay and field crops reported in Canada. In 2016, farms reported 6.7 million acres of barley; by 2021 there were 8.3 million acres.

Large farms continue to change the face of the agriculture industry Over time, farms have been evolving to become increasingly sophisticated businesses that harmonize automation, modernization and production operations. As a result, many farms continued on page 12

Information Released from the 2021 Census of Agriculture have consolidated and become increasingly larger both in terms of sales and number of employees. Conversely, smaller and mid-sized farms are declining in Canada, thereby impacting the rural landscape and profile of Canadian regions.

Continuing the trend of farm consolidation from the previous census, the proportion of farms in the top two sales classes increased, while the number of smaller farms declined. The proportion of farms with sales of $1 million or more in 2020 was 9.9%, up from 7.2% in 2015.

Farms in the top sales classes also account for the largest share of total farm operating revenues and a larger share of total farm employees. For example, in 2021, farms reporting at least $2 million in sales accounted for 51.5% of total farm operating revenues. This compared with 41.5% in 2016.

Farmers ensuring that Canada's agricultural outputs are maintained during the pandemic Livestock inventories and acreage for prominent crops have remained quite stable and even increased modestly since 2016. Total hay and field crop area increased by 0.3% since 2016, to 92.9 million acres.

As was the case in 2016, canola remained the top crop acreage in Canada among all types of hay and field crops in 2021, despite a ban from China that restricted total canola exports from Canada in 2018 and 2019. In 2021, farms in Canada reported 22.3 million acres of canola, an 8.1% increase in canola acreage from the previous census. The number of farms reporting canola rose 0.8% from 2016 to 2021.

Farms incur 83 cents in expenses for every dollar of revenue Canadian farm operating revenues totalled $87.0 billion in 2020, while expenses reached $72.2 billion. On average, for every dollar in revenues, farms incurred 83 cents in expenses.

The expenses-to-revenues ratio across farm types shows that farms classified as oilseed and grain farming were the most profitable farm type in 2020, with an expenses-to-revenues ratio of 0.76. Sheep and goat farms had the highest ratio, at 0.97.

More farm operators are turning to off-farm work The number of farm operators working off the farm increased by 3.8% from the previous census. In 2020, 47.7% of farm operators in Canada reported off-farm work. In 2015, there were 120,665 farm operators reporting off-farm work, and by 2020 the number increased to 125,280.

Of these farm operators, the proportion who worked off the farm on a full-time basis declined slightly from 68.1% in 2015 to 66.0% in 2020, while the number of those working part time off the farm increased from 31.9% to 34.0%.

For more information visit: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/dailyquotidien/220511/dq220511a-eng.htm And for more detailed breakdowns by sector, see: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/surveys/3 438

Construction Activity Has Begun At Deacon's Corner (May 10, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) reports the intersection reconstruction of the Trans-Canada Highway (Provincial Trunk Highway 1) at Provincial Road (PR) 207, commonly known as Deacon’s Corner, is slated to start May 10.

MTI advises the motoring public there will be temporary traffic controls in the eastbound and westbound directions, and motorists should

heed the construction signage and use caution when travelling through the intersection.

Residents and businesses located in Lorette should consider using PR 405 as an alternate route to avoid delays at Deacon’s Corner.

MTI advises construction on this project will continue through October 2022.

Current information about traffic impact can be found at: www.manitoba511.ca/en/index.html .

Media Release May 9, 2022

Squeal on Pigs campaign launched Manitoba Pork, in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba, and in collaboration with Manitoba’s agricultural sector, is launching the Squeal on Pigs campaign. Squeal on Pigs is designed to help spread awareness of the significant issue of invasive wild pigs on our landscape, and to empower Manitobans with the ability to spot wild pigs on the landscape and report their movement.

Movements can now be reported via squealonpigsmb.org or toll-free at 1-833-SPOT-PIG (1-833-776-8744).

“Manitoba Pork’s Squeal on Pigs awareness campaign is an excellent example of a proactive measure the sector is taking to reduce the risk of disease transmission and protect the health and well-being of animals in the province,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“Working collaboratively with Manitobans on this awareness initiative will help make the sector more resilient and sustainable for the future.”

“It is critical that proactive measures be taken to protect the health of animals in our province’s pork industry, and this is why our government is pleased to have joined other supporters to invest in the Manitoba Invasive Swine Eradication Project”, said Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson. “Manitoba Pork’s new communications and awareness initiative is another tool to help bring rapid disease detection that leads to an effective response and ensures the continued welfare of the sector.”

“Our province is at an ecological and environmental crossroads when it comes to dealing with the threat of wild pigs,” said Dr. Wayne Lees, project coordinator, Manitoba Invasive Swine Eradication Project. “Together with our partners in both the provincial and federal governments, as well as Manitoba’s agricultural sector, we are committed to tracking, surveillance, and eradication efforts that will effectively address the concerning growth of the wild pig population in our province.”

The goal of Squeal on Pigs campaign is to identify where wild pigs are in Manitoba, control their spread, and remove as many pigs as possible from the landscape. Manitoba Pork is working collaboratively with Manitoba Agriculture and Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development, as well as with other local and national organizations who have a stake in this issue. Over the coming weeks, advertising and other materials will be made public, encouraging Manitobans to report sightings using the hotline and website.

Manitobans are asked to report evidence of wild pig sightings or any signs of activity so that movements can be better tracked, and eradication efforts can be furthered. Manitobans are also being asked not to hunt wild pigs on their own, as hunting disperses wild pig populations over wider areas, changing movement patterns and harming trapping efforts.

The Manitoba Invasive Swine Eradication Project was announced in January 2022 as a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and Manitoba Pork, through funding from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The 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.

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Supportive Quotes May 9, 2022 “Wild pigs are vectors for dozens of diseases, including those that would have a devastating impact on domestic pigs. We cannot allow wild pigs to gain a further foothold in our province and put not only our provincial hog sector at risk, but our provincial economy at risk as well.” – Rick Préjet, chair, Manitoba Pork Council “Invasive swine create problems for all of agriculture, from livestock through grains. Invasive swine have significant negative ecological impact. This project is an example of agriculture and government collaborating to reach a solution.” – Bill Campbell, president, Keystone Agricultural Producers “In addition to the significant damages wild pigs can cause to pastures, forages, crops, and wildlife habitat, they have been known to chase livestock such as cattle, posing a threat to animal health and safety. It is important there is an effective strategy to address the considerable challenges wild pigs pose to Manitoba’s agriculture sector and we support this important initiative.” – Tyler Fulton, president, Manitoba Beef Producers “Potato producers across our province are seeing the damage that wild pigs can cause to potato fields, and we want to see their population controlled so that damage to potato crops does not get worse, and so that more acres aren’t affected. We fully support this initiative, realizing the risk that wild pigs impose, particularly to our counterparts in the hog sector.” – Dan Sawatzky, general manager, Keystone Potato Producers Association

For further information: Joey Dearborn Communications and Website Coordinator, Manitoba Pork (204) 232-4916 jdearborn@manitobapork.com

Government of Canada invests to grow exports for Canada's red meat sector (May 11, 2022 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) Seizing opportunities to increase

and diversify Canadian red meat exports is key to the economic growth and profitability of Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of up to $543,271 to support efforts by the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) to grow Canada's red meat exports.

With funding under the AgriMarketing Program, the CMC will implement a global market strategy that aims to maintain existing markets and identify new opportunities to diversify trade.

In collaboration with the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) and the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA), the CMC is undertaking activities such as trade advocacy missions, engaging with inmarket intelligence specialists, and arranging inspection visits by international officials to demonstrate compliance with food safety standards for export. This work will help build and strengthen relationships with foreign industry partners and boost Canada's reputation for high-quality and safe products.

Canada's red meat sector is an important part of the Canadian economy with exports worth more than $9.4 billion in 2021. Increasing exports benefits Canadian producers and processors by stimulating economic activity and helping to grow their sales in international markets. Strong demand for Canadian red meat products supports jobs across the entire supply chain and contributes to the overall success of Canada's agriculture sector.

The Government of Canada is ensuring the red meat sector has the necessary resources to seize new export opportunities to remain

competitive and continue to be a sustainable driver of economic growth.

Quotes "Canada's red meat industry is a strong driver of our nation's economy. This investment will help the industry diversity its exports and develop markets by building new trade relationships.

Our producers and processors are at the heart of the vitality of our rural communities, and we will continue to support them."

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food "CMC along with Canadian Pork Council and Canadian Cattlemen's Association are grateful for the support given to our industry through the AgriMarketing program. This funding allows us to do valuable advocacy by reaching out to our counterparts and build allies to help influence decision-making in these markets. We are thankful that the government recognizes the importance of foreign markets for the meat industry as the demand keeps growing for our high-quality Canadian meat around the world."

- Chris White, President and CEO, Canadian Meat Council Quick facts

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The Canadian red meat sector represents the largest source of farm cash receipts totaling over $16 billion in 2021.

The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) represents Canada's federally registered meat packers, meat processors and suppliers of good and services to the meat industry. The CMC advocates for its members to secure and improve Canada's global meat competitiveness.

The AgriMarketing Program, a federally-funded program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aims to increase and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic market opportunities through industry-led promotional activities that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage Canada's reputation for highquality and safe food.

Manitoba Agriculture Farm Management Resources Manitoba Agriculture has a variety of online interactive farm software and worksheets.

These resources can act as a starting point for farm budgets and can be adapted to your operation using your farm records. This will help you make informed decisions for your farm and family. They cover off topics such as livestock, forage, land and buildings, crops, machinery and financial planning. See examples below: Livestock

Guidelines For Estimating Beef Grassing Costs” https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/farmmanagement/production-economics/pubs/copbeef-grassing.xls

Manitoba Agriculture Pasture Rental Rate Calculator Spreadsheet https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/farmmanagement/productioneconomics/pubs/calculator-pasturelease.xls

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Cow Share Lease Calculator (XLSX 50 KB)

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FeedPlan Feed Ingredient Cost Calculator (HTML, XLSM 96 KB)

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FencePlan Cost Calculator (HTML, XLSX 66 KB)

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Livestock Price Slide Calculator (XLSX 41 KB or Online Calculator)

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LPI Calf Decision Calculator (HTML, XLSX 403 KB)

Guidelines for Estimating Improved & Unimproved Pasture Production Costs:

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LPI Feeders Decision Calculator (HTML, XLSX 434 KB)

https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/farmmanagement/production-economics/pubs/copforage-pasture.xls

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Beef 150 Cow-Calf Production Cost (XLSM 348 KB or PDF 1.4 MB)

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Beef 300 Cow-Calf Production Costs (XLSM 348 KB or PDF 1.6 MB)

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Beef Backgrounding Costs (XLSM 245 KB or PDF 2.4 MB)

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Beef Feedlot Finishing Costs (XLSM 223 KB or PDF 1.2 MB)

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Beef Grassing Costs (XLSX 92 KB or PDF 817 KB)

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Beef Replacement Heifer Costs (XLSM 93 KB or PDF 1.3 MB)

Pasture Rental Rate Calculator (With Variables such as Pasture Scenarios, Carrying Capacity and AUM Analysis and Fence Cost Input): https://calculators.masc.mb.ca/calculators/past ure-rental-rate

For other types of resources go to: https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/farmmanagement/production-economics/farmsoftware-and-worksheets.html

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadlines:

May 13, 2022 for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

E-Ne w sletter dsfsfa An update from MBP May 6, 2022

mbbeef.ca

MBP Seeks Program for Losses Sustained in Recent Adverse Weather Events Manitoba Beef Producers has asked the Manitoba government to consider enacting a program as soon as possible to assist producers who have faced livestock losses due to repeated adverse weather events from midApril forward.

This type of program was provided in 2011 in relation to a severe spring blizzard. Losses in that event occurred “due to a combination of freezing rain, blizzard and previous moisture conditions.” Similar types of adverse weather have occurred in Manitoba in recent weeks, leading to challenging production conditions at a time when spring calving was well underway across the province.

In its submission to Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson MBP explained that a number of the existing business risk management tools are not necessarily sufficiently responsive to address these types of weather-related losses. For example, purchasing private insurance to cover potential livestock mortalities is cost prohibitive for many producers unless they are insuring high dollar purebred animals and such programs come with their own limitations. AgriInsurance does not provide production insurance for livestock, which is a considerable program

gap compared to the production loss insurance that is available to the crops sector.

Despite these types of limitations, MBP encourages producers to explore all business risk management (BRM) tools available to them to help mitigate various types of risk, including AgriStability and Livestock Price Insurance.

MBP, along with other provincial cattle associations and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, are engaging with governments to help ensure that the various BRM tools are responsive to the unique needs of the beef sector.

MBP also noted in its submission to the Minister that the repeated storms, coupled with a cold, protracted winter and a late spring has left producers in a difficult position when it comes to sourcing feed and straw supplies as the availability of these kinds of resources had already been adversely affected by recent droughts.

Manitoba Beef Producers thanks producers who have already provided feedback to us on the storms’ impact. If you are a producer who would still like to provide this information, please contact our office at 204-772-4542 or email info@mbbeef.ca .

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Flood Bulletin #15: Update on Conditions, Local States of Emergency (May 5, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre continues to monitor flood activity as water levels in most of Manitoba begin to stabilize. A precipitation system forecast to arrive on Saturday may bring five to 10 millimetres (mm) of rain but is not expected to impact conditions.

In the Red River Valley, the province remains at a high state of readiness as water levels continue to increase. Peak water levels are forecast to be similar to 2009 on the Red River between Emerson and Letellier with slightly lower water levels and between 2011 and 2009 spring flood levels from St. Jean Baptiste to the Red River Floodway inlet. Water levels are expected to remain high for an extended duration in many areas in southern and central Manitoba.

Flooding continues in the Interlake, Red River Valley and many other portions of central and southern Manitoba but is becoming more concentrated around drains and streams that are above capacity as water moves through the system. The broader overland flood warning is lifted as there is no significant precipitation forecast that would cause overland flooding in new areas. Residents in these areas are advised to monitor local conditions and take any necessary flood mitigation actions.

The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support for response and recovery activities.

Several communities throughout the province continue to be impacted by high water levels.

Reported impacts to date include loss of road access, flooded properties and damage to

infrastructure. As a result of these impacts, nine municipal emergency operations centres have been activated and states of local emergency have been declared in 25 communities.

The following warnings and high water advisories are in effect: •

A flood warning remains in place for the Red River from Emerson to the Red River Floodway inlet and from the Red River Floodway channel outlet to Lake Winnipeg.

•

A flood warning remains in place for La Salle, Pembina and Boyne rivers and the Deadhorse, Shannon and Netley creeks.

All other Red River tributaries are downgraded to a flood watch.

•

A flood warning continues for the Fisher and Icelandic rivers.

•

A flood warning continues for the Assiniboine River from the Shellmouth Dam to Brandon.

•

A flood warning continues for the Whiteshell lakes area.

•

A flood watch remains for the Whitemouth and Birch rivers. A flood watch remains in place for the Roseau River.

•

A flood watch continues for the Whitemud River.

•

A high water advisory is in place for Sturgeon Creek.

Manitoba EMO continues to work with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) in supporting ISC-led response measures with First Nation communities.

Flood Bulletin #15: Update on Conditions, Local States of Emergency Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 75 is now closed north and south of Morris and detours are in place. Detour information is available at www.manitoba511.ca or by calling 511.

The Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion continue to operate to lower water levels in Winnipeg. Flow in the floodway channel was 40,100 cubic feet per second (cfs) this morning. Flows upstream of the floodway inlet this morning are approximately 78, 200 cfs.

Many drains, creeks and tributaries in the Red River Valley and the Interlake are above or at capacity.

Manitobans are reminded spring is still underway throughout the province and conditions including increased run-off are still ongoing, so to stay off waterways including creeks, streams, rivers and the floodway. High flows, debris and cold water temperatures present a significant safety risk. Members of the public are also asked to keep away from flooded areas, water control structures including dams and diversions, and areas where flood response crews are working.

Provincial crews are deployed to a number of communities in southern Manitoba running pumping operations as well as preparing for, monitoring and implementing dike closures as required. Rising waters may necessitate dike or highway closures at some locations and motorists are reminded to stay off closed roads and not attempt to travel across inundated roads. Up-to-date information on highway conditions, including detours and road closures,

is available at www.manitoba511.ca or by calling 511.

Flood forecasters will continue to monitor precipitation amounts and assess impacts on flows and levels. The most recent river forecast information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html.

Flood mitigation assistance can be directed to the municipal authority. In case of an emergency, residents are advised to contact 911.

For questions about forecasts, water levels, provincial waterways or provincial water control infrastructure, call 204-945-1165 or email floodinfo@gov.mb.ca.

For more information about flooding in Manitoba, visit: www.manitoba.ca/flooding.

Background: States of local emergency have been declared in the following 25 communities: Town of Arborg; Rural Municipality (RM) of Armstrong; Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton; RM of Cartier; RM of Coldwell; RM of Dufferin; Municipality of Emerson-Franklin; RM of Fisher; RM of Grahamdale; RM of Grey; RM of Headingley; RM of Macdonald; RM of Montcalm; City of Morden; RM of Morris; Municipality of Norfolk Treherne; Municipality of Pembina; RM of Rhineland; RM of Ritchot; RM of St. Laurent; RM of Thompson; RM of West Interlake; RM of Whitemouth; Town of Winnipeg Beach; and RM of Woodlands.

Getting Prepared for Possible Spring Flooding Are you prepared for possible spring flooding?

The following is some information from the provincial government to help you get organized in the event of an emergency such as a flood.

A reminder about individual responsibilities during an emergency: Step 1: – Producers/Individuals are the first point of responsibility to deal with their own emergency situation.

Step 2: - If individuals cannot provide appropriate response to their emergency situation, their local municipality is the first point of contact for emergency-related information and assistance.

•

Disaster Financial Assistance Fact Sheet

•

Disaster Financial Assistance Application and Information

If you do experience flooding and are incurring damages and expenses related to that which may be eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance it is important that you: •

Take pictures of all damaged property and items before you dispose of anything.

•

Keep track of all your disaster-related repairs and activities including:

Step 3: - If the local municipality cannot handle the situation, that municipality will contact Emergencies Measures Organization (EMO) for assistance. If EMO requires Manitoba Agriculture’s assistance, they will assign an issue to our emergency coordinator.

Below are some useful provincial links related to flooding (forecasts, river and lake levels, etc.), tips for evacuation, Disaster Financial Assistance, etc.

•

Flood Forecasting

•

Flood Information

•

Evacuation Information Sheets

•

Caring for Livestock During an Evacuation

•

Animal Emergency Supply Kit

•

•

Labour and equipment hours.

•

Materials used, including quantities.

•

Specific types of equipment used, including make, model, year, horsepower and attachments.

•

Receipts, invoices and other documents you need to support your DFA claim.

Keep all receipts, invoices and any other documents for disaster related expenses as they are required in order to support your DFA claim. Invoices submitted to Manitoba EMO must be accompanied by the corresponding proof of payment (e.g. credit/debit slip, cancelled cheque) in order to be considered for eligibility.

Government of Canada supports the resiliency of the agriculture sector by increasing its capacity to face emergencies (May 5, 2022 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) Every year, Emergency

Preparedness Week serves as an opportunity to remind Canadians of the importance of being prepared for any emergency situation that can occur. Over the past few years, Canada's agriculture sector has faced many challenges, including devastating floods, a historic drought and a global pandemic. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of over $3 million for two projects to enhance emergency management, develop risk assessments and strategies to mitigate disease outbreaks.

Extreme weather events and natural disasters are a growing threat to the safety and economic stability of Canadian communities. To support the resiliency of country's agriculture and agrifood sector throughout these difficult times, it is imperative that producers and processors have access to the resources they need in the face of emergencies.

Funding for the two recipient organizations will help the sector increase its capacity to face emergencies. The recipient organizations include: •

Animal Health Canada (formally known as National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council) in Elora, Ontario will receive up to $2,572,888, for a three year project under the AgriAssurance Program to enhance Animal Health Emergency Management in provincial/national associations. This project will help enhance the emergency management capabilities of Canada's livestock and poultry

industries, to remain ready in the face of adverse events and a continually evolving disease landscape. Outcomes include addressing lessons learned from previous animal health emergencies, improving protocols, and developing training and resources.

•

Swine Innovation Porc will receive up to $446,135 under the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program, to develop strategies to mitigate the impact of an African swine fever outbreak on the pork sector. This will help the industry prepare for a potential disease incursion and help manage surplus animals in the event of an outbreak.

Producers also have access to a comprehensive suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs to help them manage risks that threaten the viability of their farms.

AgriStability, one of the BRM programs, protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income for reasons such as production loss, disease outbreak, increased costs and changing market conditions. To allow farmers more time to sign up and take advantage of the support available under the program, governments recently agreed to extend the deadline to enroll to June 30, 2022.

This year's theme is Emergency Preparedness Week: Be Ready for Anything, which highlights the importance of being prepared before disasters strike. The Government recognizes the challenges our agriculture sector has endured and will continue to work with industry partners to invest in tools and resources that help prepare for emergencies in the future.

Government of Canada supports the resiliency of the agriculture sector by increasing its capacity to face emergencies Quotes "Emergency Preparedness Week is an opportunity to review our emergency preparedness plans in the agricultural sector.

The weather events of the past year and the avian flu we are currently experiencing are some examples of the many kinds of challenges agricultural producers must be ready to face.

Our government continues to improve its practices, invest in prevention and support those who ensure our food security."

everything we can to support animal health and welfare."

- Melanie Barham, Executive Director Animal Health Canada Quick facts •

Emergency Preparedness Week is in its 27th year and happens annually the first week of May.

•

This week-long public education effort is led by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with partners at various orders of federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as Indigenous, non-governmental and private organizations.

•

The Business Risk Management (BRM) suite of programs includes AgriInsurance, AgriStability and AgriInvest. These programs are 60:40 cost-shared between the federal government and the provinces/territories.

•

The Government of Canada is committed to the long-term sustainability of the agriculture sector, and building its resilience to extreme weather events. With the recently announced 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada's Next Steps to Clean Air and a Strong Economy, the Government of Canada committed over $1 billion in new funding to continue to help farmers develop and adopt agricultural management practices to reduce emissions, store carbon in healthy soil and enhance climate resiliency.

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

"This dedicated funding for emergency management and risk assessment in the agriculture sector is a step forward that will benefit the industry, while helping our hardworking farmers and producers who feed Canadians stay prepared for future emergencies. As we mark Emergency Preparedness Week, a dedicated focus on being prepared across sectors will make Canada more resilient to the threats that exist, both globally and domestically."

- The Honourable Bill Blair, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

"As we enter into the last year of this project, we're excited to continue working with producer groups in Canada to deliver capacity building resources and training to prepare for and minimize the impact of emergencies. Now more than ever, we need to ensure we are doing

News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2022 TRUSTBIX INC. ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH JBS FOOD CANADA ULC Edmonton, Alberta, Canada TrustBIX Inc. (“TrustBIX” or the “Company”) (TSXV: TBIX) (OTCQB: TBIXF) is pleased to announce the signing of a master services agreement with JBS Food Canada ULC (“JBS Canada”) on April 28, 2022. The companies will work as trusted partners to grow sustainable beef production in Canada. These services support the evolution of the JBS Angus beef brand with full chain of custody data tracking and analysis by the Company’s proprietary platform, BIX, which supports the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) certified sustainable beef framework.

Both companies believe in three pillars of sustainability and food integrity: economic viability, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

“Food integrity is at the core of the JBS Canada Advantage, therefore working with the TrustBIX team will enhance the JBS journey to provide unmatched quality and service, along with accountability and transparency. JBS looks forward to developing a sustainable Angus beef program for our retail customers. We believe in this partnership with TrustBIX and their commitment to our sustainable beef program,” said David Colwell, President of JBS Canada.

“We are very proud to be selected by JBS Canada, part of the largest protein processing company in the world, to provide technological expertise utilizing our BIX platform to grow their sustainable beef program,” said Hubert Lau, CEO of TrustBIX. About JBS JBS is one of the world’s largest food companies, providing protein and food solutions to customers and consumers across the globe. Through an ongoing focus on quality, innovation, operational excellence and safety, JBS is committed to responsibly producing good food.

A leading global provider of diversified, high-quality food products, including a portfolio of recognized brands and innovative premium products, JBS processes, prepares, packages and delivers fresh, further-processed and value-added premium protein products for sale to customers in approximately 100 countries on six continents.

With operations in 15 countries and more than 150,000 team members, JBS ensures the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members. For more information, visit www.jbsfoodgroup.com.

About TrustBIX (TSXV: TBIX) (OTCQB: TBIXF) As an innovative leader, TrustBIX provides agri-food traceability and chain of custody value solutions. The Company’s goal is to create a world where we trust more, waste less and reward sustainable behaviour by addressing consumer and agri-food business demands. The proprietary platform, BIX (Business InfoXchange system), is designed to create trust without compromising privacy through innovative, blockchain-derived use of technology and data. By leveraging BIX and its unique use of incentive solutions, TrustBIX delivers independent validation of food provenance and sustainable production practices within the supply chain - Gate to Plate®.

ViewTrak Technologies Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, provides a suite of hardware and software solutions to the livestock industry in Canada, United States, Mexico and China, such as Auction Master Pro, Market Master, Feedlot Solutions and pork grading probes.

The Company's Insight technology offers an edge-to-enterprise supply chain solution that brings asset situational awareness to dealers, equipment fleets, and civil construction managers. The platform allows for the tracking, protection, and identification of movement of assets using self-powered and self-reporting cellular tags and cloudbased suite of tools.

For more information, visit www.trustbix.com or follow TrustBIX on Twitter @BIXSCdn, LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/bixsco-inc-/ and Facebook at www.facebook.com/BIXSco.

Forward-Looking Information This press release contains certain forward-looking information and reflects the Company's present assumptions regarding future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, levels of activity, performance, and/or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "propose", "anticipate", "believe", "forecast", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions used by any of the Company's management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's internal projections, expectations, future growth, performance and business prospects and opportunities and are based on information currently available to the Company. Since they relate to the Company's current views with respect to future events, they are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments except as required by applicable securities legislation, regulations or policies.

Address 2nd Floor, 10607 82 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6A 3N2 www.trustbix.com

Toll-Free 866.456.2207 Website

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hubert Lau President and CEO Telephone: (780) 456-2207 Email: info@trustbix.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Address 2nd Floor, 10607 82 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6A 3N2 www.trustbix.com

Toll-Free 866.456.2207 Website

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadlines:

May 13, 2022 for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP April 29, 2022

mbbeef.ca

MBP Had Virtual Meeting with Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton Manitoba Beef Producers representatives had the opportunity to meet virtually with provincial Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton and some of his staff on April 25 to discuss matters of importance to the beef industry.

Key topics that MBP raised during the meeting included: • The beef sector and the array of ecosystem services it provides in managing both private lands and leased agricultural Crown lands such as carbon sequestration, maintaining wetlands, and protecting biodiversity for an array of animal and plant species; • The threats posed to the beef sector by factors such as climate change and land conversion, and possible ways to address this. These could include government recognition of ecosystem services provided by producers, investments in natural infrastructure on agricultural lands, continued support to implement beneficial management practices, and other actions;

• The importance of resiliency planning for Manitoba, both across government departments and with sectors such as agriculture, particularly in the context of climate change and threats such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather events which can hinder beef and forage production.

• The value of government and cross-sectoral partnerships on projects related to the environment and climate change, including research initiatives.

MBP thanks Minister Wharton and his staff for this meeting and looks forward to continued engagement on these and other environment and climate-related matters under his department’s purview which affect the beef sector. MBP President Tyler Fulton, Secretary Mike Duguid, General Manager Carson Callum and Policy Analyst Maureen Cousins took part in the meeting.

Flood Bulletin #12: Province Provides Information on Potential Impact of Upcoming Precipitation System, Flood Watch Issued for Portions of Southern Manitoba (April 29, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is monitoring a precipitation system forecast for this weekend that is expected to bring 30 to 80 millimetres of rain to southern and central Manitoba basins including the United States portions of the Red and Souris river basins. This is a dynamic system and the amounts and location of precipitation could shift as the system moves into Manitoba.

The Hydrologic Forecast Centre is closely monitoring this system and its impacts on flows and levels in Manitoba rivers. Depending on the amount of precipitation received, levels along the Red River between Emerson and the floodway inlet could be similar to those observed in the spring flooding in 2009. Forecasters will continue monitoring the system and issue updates as more information is known.

Flood watches have been issued for portions of southern and central Manitoba due to the risk of overland flooding in these areas as the result of the forecast rain. Most ditches and waterways are either full or near their capacity. Heavy rain occurring in a short period in saturated soils could create overland flooding.

Water levels on the Red, Assiniboine and many other rivers are increasing. The rate of increase in the Red River basin and streams in south central Manitoba has slowed when compared to the rapid water level rise seen at many locations earlier in the week. Rivers and tributaries in areas that still have snow accumulations should expect rapid increases in water levels as runoff from snowmelt picks up. This weekend’s precipitation will cause further water level increases.

The Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion continue to operate to lower water levels in Winnipeg.

Provincial crews are deployed to a number of communities in the Red River Valley running pumping operations, as well as preparing for and implementing dike closures, as required. Crews are closely monitoring river levels at the town of Morris and have been working to keep Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 75 open as long as possible.

However, rising water levels mean that PTH 75 north of Morris is expected to be closed later this this evening. PTH 75 traffic will be detoured onto Provincial Road (PR) 205 at Aubigny, along PR 246 to PTH 23 at Morris and back onto PTH 75.

Rising waters may necessitate dike or highway closures at some locations, and Manitobans are reminded to stay off closed roads and to not attempt to travel across inundated roads. Up-todate information on highway conditions, including detours and road closures, is available at www.manitoba511.ca or by calling 511.

Manitobans should also stay off waterways including creeks, streams, rivers and the floodway.

High flows, debris and cold temperatures present a significant safety risk.

Warnings and high water advisories: • A flood warning remains for the Red River from Emerson to the Red River Floodway Inlet, and the La Salle River. A flood watch is issued for the Roseau River and a flood watch remains for all Red River tributaries.

• A flood warning remains for the Pembina River in Manitoba. Forecasters continue to monitor the weather and basin conditions and will update river forecasts to reflect conditions.

• A flood warning has been issued for the Fisher River.

• Water levels on the Assiniboine River are rising due to local runoff and tributary inflows. A flood warning for the Assiniboine

Flood Bulletin #12: Province Provides Information on Potential Impact of Upcoming Precipitation System, Flood Watch Issued for Portions of Southern Manitoba

• •

River from St. Lazare to Brandon remains in place. The Shellmouth Dam is being operated to reduce the risk of flooding downstream on the Assiniboine River, while at the same time providing sufficient storage for water supply.

A flood watch has been issued for the Whitemud River.

A high water advisory remains for the Whiteshell lakes area, as levels on most lakes continue to rise due to the recent rain and snowmelt.

Moderate flooding is expected for the Souris River between the U.S.-Canada border to Wawanesa.

There is a risk of moderate flooding in the eastern region including the Roseau and Rat rivers and the Whiteshell lakes area. Water levels are generally stable or rising on streams and tributaries. There is a risk of moderate flooding within the Interlake region depending on how the precipitation system impacts the area and how fast the snow melts.

There is a low risk of spring flooding in northern Manitoba basins including the Saskatchewan and Carrot river basins. Most major Manitoba lakes are expected to remain within their desirable levels after the spring runoff.

Flood forecasters will continue to monitor precipitation amounts and assess impacts on flows and levels. The most recent river forecast information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html.

The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support for both preparatory and response activities.

Private well owners are reminded to test their wells to determine if they need to take steps to improve water quality and address potentially harmful bacteria. Testing is recommended at least once a year, particularly after the spring run-off or in the event of overland flooding.

For further details on well water testing, visit www.gov.mb.ca/sd/pubs/water/drinking_wat er/factsheet2_test_wellwater.pdf.

For more information about flooding in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/flood.

Overland Flood Warning For April 29 to May 2, 2022

Manitoba.ca/flooding

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Applications for Consideration for The Environmental Stewardship Award Due to MBP by December 9 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 the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). The national TESA recipient is announced during the CCA’s semi-annual meeting at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference.

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 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 conservation practices and set positive examples for other cattle producers and the general public. As stewards of a vast portion of the Canadian landscape, Canada’s beef cattle producers play a significant role in protecting and enhancing the environment. They continuously strive to improve existing stewardship conservation practices to create a sustainable future – always farming for tomorrow.

At the local level, a producer receives provincial recognition for their outstanding environmental

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 in this edition of the MBP Enewsletter or by going to: https://www.cattle.ca/sustainability/tesa 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 at 204772-4542.

Tesa application

Name(s):

Phone:

Farm Name:

Email:

Address:

PLEASE ATTACH A WORD DOCUMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: 1. Provide a description of your farm including the environment it operates in.

2. What have you done/what are you doing to improve environmental management on your farm?

3. What are your challenges and successes? Please include high-resolution images and data which help show measurable results.

4. What factors have enabled you to make management changes? (e.g. Working with conservation organizations, programs such as the Environmental Farm Plan, funding support, education, etc.)

5. What are your environmental goals for the future and how do you plan to carry them out?

6. Include two letters of reference that speak to your leadership in conservation.

Please limit your application to 10 pages (not including letters of reference and photos). Electronic applications are preferred and a single, complete PDF document is requested. A sample application from previous years can be found online at https://www.cattle.ca/sustainability/theenvironmental-stewardship-award/how-to-nominate/

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN THE APPLICATION: A selection of no less than ten high-resolution images suitable for reproduction on social media, print etc.

Video presentation link if available, media stories/ broadcasts showcasing your stewardship efforts.

TESA SPONSORS

TESA sponsorship program is available to appropriate organizations that wish to affiliate themselves with the CCA’s TESA program. In addition to showing support for environmental stewardship and Canada’s beef cattle producers, the program also provides the opportunity to join industry leaders, government representatives and nearly 60,000 Canadian beef farms in the national discussion on environmental issues affecting the industry. For more information, visit www.cattle.ca/what-is-tesa

TESA PLATINUM SPONSOR

For more than 65 years, MNP has been helping beef producers get the most from their operations. Whether you are looking to pass the farm on to the next generation, improve your profitability, be more competitive or expand MNP’s beef industry specialists will help you get the results you’re looking for. To find out what MNP can do for you, contact Marvin Slingerland, Partner, MNP Lethbridge, at Director of Livestock Services at 1.800.661.8097 or Marvin.Slingerland@mnp.ca

Contact your provincial organization listed on the previous page to determine when your association requires you to submit your application for the provincial award.

HE L P ING YO U GE T E VE N M O RE O UT O F YO UR L IVE ST O C K O P E RATIO N.

Governments Extend AgriStability 2022 Enrollment Deadline to June 30, 2022 (April 28, 2022 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) The AgriStability enrollment

deadline for the 2022 program year has been extended from April 30 to June 30, 2022. This extension allows farmers more time to sign up and take advantage of the support available under the program.

This step, agreed to by federal, provincial, and territorial governments, will enable the program to help more farmers manage the impact of challenges facing many farm operations, such as production loss, disease outbreak, increased costs and changing market conditions. Farmers experiencing losses are encouraged to apply for interim payments under AgriStability for more rapid support.

In these uncertain times, this extension gives producers additional time to consider their risk management needs. Producers have access to a comprehensive suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs, including AgriStability, to help manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farms and are beyond their capacity to manage. BRM programs are often the first line of support for producers facing disasters. Farmers are encouraged to make use of these programs to protect their farming operation and contribute to a more resilient Canadian agriculture sector.

AgriStability is a margin based program designed to help producers manage large income declines. For more information, please visit the AgriStability website.

Background Information AgriStability is delivered by the federal government in Manitoba. It is one of the business risk management programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. It protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income for reasons such as production loss, increased costs and market conditions.

AgriStability is a margin based program designed to help producers manage large income declines.

Each year, you must enrol in the program, pay your fee and submit a form by the applicable deadlines.

You may receive a payment if your production margin in the current year falls below your historical reference margin by more than 30%.

Use the AgriStability Benefit Estimator to help you understand how the program works and to calculate an estimated benefit.

For more information on participating, visit Who is eligible? and How to apply.

Or call: Toll-free number: 1-866-367-8506 Fax: 1-877-949-4885 TDD/TTY: 613-773-2600 Hours of operation 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday to Friday

Driving economic growth by advancing Canada's global reputation for top-quality beef (April 25, 2022 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) Canada's livestock producers and

processors have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, safe and delicious beef.

Today, the Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of up to $3.6 million to ensure the beef industry has the necessary resources to seize new export opportunities to remain competitive and continue to be a sustainable driver of economic growth.

Under the AgriMarketing Program, this funding will be used to support Canada Beef's efforts to boost beef and veal exports globally through initiatives that aim to increase trust in Canada's beef sector. Project activities will help to bolster Canada's global beef brand and build stronger relationships with global trading partners. This will help producers become more competitive and grow beef sales in important international markets, while supporting the continued growth and success of the Canadian beef industry, which contributes billions to Canada's GDP. In addition, this project will support training and e-learning activities at the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence (CBCE), a state-of-the-art training facility. These activities will help industry increase knowledge around the advantages of Canadian beef, enable it to promote the excellence of Canadian beef and help to increase public trust in beef products.

Despite many challenges, Canada's beef industry has shown great resiliency and continues to look for opportunities to grow in new and existing global markets. The Government of Canada remains committed to investing in growth for Canadian beef producers and this vital industry.

Quotes "Canadian cattle producers deliver high-quality, internationally recognized products. Building on this reputation, our government's investment will help the industry capture opportunities for growth and ensure that Canada's beef sector remains a driver of our economy."

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food "The government-industry development funding that Canada's beef producers are able to leverage with their own national check-off investment is essential for positioning the industry for growth and success in international markets. The ability to partner with the Government of Canada to fund and deliver important programs is appreciated especially as the pandemic and world events contribute to an ever-evolving marketplace."

- Michael Young, President, Canada Beef Quick facts •

Beef production contributes approximately $21.8 billion to Canada's GDP (2018-2020 Statistics Canada/Canfax averages).

•

In 2021, Canada exported 508 million kilograms of beef to international markets, valued at $4.47 billion.

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Canada Beef provides market development and promotion services to the Canadian beef and veal industry. It is a division of the Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency.

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The funding announced today builds on a previous AgriMarketing investment for Canada Beef of up to $4.9 million to

Driving economic growth by advancing Canada's global reputation for top-quality beef build consumer loyalty to the Canadian brand, address market access issues and strengthen trading relationships.

•

•

In May 2021, Canada was officially recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) World Assembly of Delegates as a country with negligible risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), which provides opportunities for Canada in new and existing markets.

The AgriMarketing Program, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aims to increase and diversify exports to

international markets and seize domestic market opportunities through industry-led promotional activities that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage Canada's reputation for high-quality and safe food.

•

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal-provincial and territorial governments, which will strengthen the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector, ensuring continued innovation, growth and prosperity.

NEWS RELEASE Canadian Agricultural Partnership program funding to support global marketing of Canadian Beef and Veal 04/25/2022 Calgary, AB – Canada Beef will utilize $3.6 million in eligible funds from the AgriMarketing Program, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), to promote Canadian beef and veal exports globally and to enhance awareness of the value proposition created by farmers and other participants within the beef and cattle supply chain.

The two-year, non-refundable CAP contribution will fund the development and deployment of global resources and activities to support market development programs for Canadian beef in international markets.

The Canadian Beef Global Market Development and Promotion project contains strategies and tactics to support growth and competitive position in 19 new and existing export markets identified in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 fiscal periods.

Canada Beef President Michael Young said the ability to partner with the Government of Canada to deliver important programs is crucial to Canada’s beef industry, especially at a time when the pandemic and world events contribute to an ever-evolving marketplace.

“Government-industry development funding that Canada’s cattle producers are able to leverage with their own producer check-off investment is important to position the industry for growth and success in international markets,” Young said.

“Canadian cattle producers deliver high-quality, internationally recognized products. Building on this reputation, our government’s investment will help the industry capture opportunities for growth and ensure that Canada’s beef sector remains a driver of our economy,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Canada is a dominant supplier of beef domestically and exports over 45% of Canadian beef and cattle production to international markets each year. International trade adds more than $600 per head of additional value, which helps the beef industry to be a significant driver for economic growth.

The financial support provided by CAP will support globally focused initiatives such as sales promotions, incoming and outgoing missions in addition to digital and print resources dedicated to marketing and merchandising of Canadian beef. The Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence (CBCE) continues to play a key role in communicating the Canadian Beef Advantage through CBCE Studio productions and significant enhancements to the CBCE e-learn digital platform for meat professionals.

Exports of Canadian beef (January to December 2021) were up 20% in volume and up 37% in value from last year. Most of these sales came from export markets identified and targeted in Canada Beef’s project.

Suite 146, 6715 – 8th Street NE, Calgary, AB Canada T2E 7H7 canadabeef.ca

Successful market development programs and services in the export marketplace will affirm Canada’s position as a global leader in the sustainable production of safe, high quality Canadian beef for the worlds table.

For more information, please contact: Ron Glaser Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Canada Beef T 403-275-5890 ext 206 C 403-826-1222 Gina Teel Manager, Stakeholder Communications, Canada Beef T 403-275-5890 ext 210 C 403-875-3616

About Canada Beef As the marketing division of the Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency, Canada Beef is the cattle producer-funded and run organization responsible for domestic and international beef and veal market development. It has staff in Canada, Japan, China, Taiwan and Mexico.

In addition to National Check-Off and import levy funding, Canada Beef leverages cattle producer dollars with private market partner investments and government industry development funding to maximize the benefits of producer check-off investment.

Suite 146, 6715 – 8th Street NE, Calgary, AB Canada T2E 7H7 canadabeef.ca

Province Commits $1.5 Billion To Highway Network Projects network, with 6,000 km of the grid already completed. The three-year plan will also include projects on Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 5, 21, 59 and 83.

(April 28, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

The Manitoba government is committing $2.4 billion in infrastructure funding as part of Budget 2022, with more than $1.5 billion going toward a three-year plan focused on Manitoba’s highway network, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced.

“Our government recognizes targeted investments in roadways and bridges are foundational to our economic growth and the quality of life for all Manitobans,” said Piwniuk.

“Advancing our highway network will enable market access for international, interprovincial and regional movement of goods, and will position our province to become a national transportation hub.”

The three-year plan to invest $1.5 billion is an approved budget and has an annual commitment of at least $500 million focused on highway capital. The minister noted the province plans to invest nearly $233 million in projects identified in the trade and commerce strategy, and had outlined a number of Perimeter Highway projects totalling over $346 million over the next three years.

Key initiatives include: •

The Manitoba Trade and Commerce Grid to upgrade provincial highway networks to allow heavier loads on provincial highways to support the shipments of goods and services across markets. Once completed, the grid of strategic routes would represent 36.5 per cent (7,112 kilometres) of Manitoba’s all-weather provincial road

•

The Winnipeg One Million Perimeter Highway Freeway Initiative to allow for a full access-controlled freeway standard to create a safe and more efficient Perimeter Highway for residential, commercial and industrial growth in Winnipeg and surrounding communities. Projects part of the freeway initiative also include the construction of a new interchange at the Perimeter Highway and St. Mary’s Road, and the design and initial phases of a second new interchange at the perimeter and McGillivray Boulevard to support safe, efficient and free-flowing traffic access.

“We are very happy to see the three-year capital program for highways, bridges and water-control structures,” said Chris Lorenc, president, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. “When industry can plan ahead, the province gets the best value for its annual budgets. The multi-year budgets and increasing investment levels are a strong sign the provincial government and Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure recognize the critical role transportation infrastructure plays in economic growth.”

Investments in long-term infrastructure goals and strategies have been initiated to not only increase safety and sustainability across the province but to build the foundation of Manitoba’s economic growth, noted the minister.

The Manitoba Multi-Year Highways Investment Strategy can be found at: www.gov.mb.ca/mit/myhis/index.html.

Time to Complete the April Session of the Agroclimate Impact Reporter for 2022 Growing Season Help Inform Government of Weather Conditions Affecting Your Farm/Ranch (Information From Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) The Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR)

is a tool to help connect Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) with people in Canada's agricultural community. AAFC relies on its network of AIR volunteers to provide information regarding agroclimate impacts on farm operations across the country.

The AIR survey is open during the last week of the month over the growing season (April to October) and is intended to collect weather and climate impacts on farm operations across Canada. Survey results are made into maps and published on the Drought Watch website.

Submit Impacts

The AIR network provides valuable and reliable data that are mapped and used in the assessment and development of policies and programs including AgriRecovery and the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision, which can provide assistance to the industry during extreme weather and climate conditions and events.

Survey responses inform scientists about conditions in a particular area, but once responses are compiled into a map, scientists have a better picture of conditions across Canada. The information provided by these monthly surveys can then be used to identify developing agroclimate trends as well as visualize the extent of agroclimate impacts to the sector.

The AIR network is an ever-growing database of agroclimate impacts, which enables better data analysis to help identify trends and anomalies.

Submit Survey

The AIR survey is open during the last week of the month over the growing season (April to October) and is intended to collect weather and climate impacts on farm operations across Canada. Survey results are made into maps and published on the Drought Watch website the first week of every month during the growing season. AIR offers the public, media, and decision-makers a useful tool with which to support the agricultural industry.

Join the Network To subscribe to the AIR email list, please send a blank email to aafc.droughtwatchguetterlasecheresse.aac@agr.gc.ca.

Other ways to complete the AIR survey: By phone Email aafc.droughtwatchguetterlasecheresse.aac@agr.gc.ca with your contact information and NAIS will call you to complete the report survey over the phone.

By email Download an accessible PDF version of the AIR survey of the survey and email your response to aafc.droughtwatchguetterlasecheresse.aac@agr.gc.ca using the email button at the bottom of the form.

Time to Complete the April Session of the Agroclimate Impact Reporter for 2022 Growing Season Help Inform Government of Weather Conditions Affecting Your Farm/Ranch Why participate in the Agroclimate Impact Reporter •

AIR helps science understand weather impacts on agricultural production o

•

observation satellites, or computer models.

AIR is a unique Canadian initiative that relies on volunteers across Canada to submit reports about the impacts of severe weather on agricultural production including field access, seeding and harvest delays, crop stage, and plant and livestock health.

AIR is citizen science o

Weather impacts occurring onthe-ground cannot always be measured by hydrometeorological stations, earth

o

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AIR volunteer reporting can help clarify the relationship between hydro-climatic instrument weather data and the human-experienced impacts of weather events on Canadian producers.

AIR is engaging and educational o

Learn more about agroclimate conditions across Canada by examining AIR maps;

o

Receive regular updates about AIR.

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultureand-environment/drought-watch-andagroclimate/agroclimate-impact-reporter

Getting Prepared for Possible Spring Flooding Are you prepared for possible spring flooding?

The following is some information from the provincial government to help you get organized in the event of an emergency such as a flood.

A reminder about individual responsibilities during an emergency: Step 1: – Producers/Individuals are the first point of responsibility to deal with their own emergency situation.

Step 2: - If individuals cannot provide appropriate response to their emergency situation, their local municipality is the first point of contact for emergency-related information and assistance.

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Disaster Financial Assistance Fact Sheet

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Disaster Financial Assistance Application and Information

If you do experience flooding and are incurring damages and expenses related to that which may be eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance it is important that you: •

Take pictures of all damaged property and items before you dispose of anything.

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Keep track of all your disaster-related repairs and activities including:

Step 3: - If the local municipality cannot handle the situation, that municipality will contact Emergencies Measures Organization (EMO) for assistance. If EMO requires Manitoba Agriculture’s assistance, they will assign an issue to our emergency coordinator.

Below are some useful provincial links related to flooding (forecasts, river and lake levels, etc.), tips for evacuation, Disaster Financial Assistance, etc.

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Flood Forecasting

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Flood Information

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Evacuation Information Sheets

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Caring for Livestock During an Evacuation

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Animal Emergency Supply Kit

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Labour and equipment hours.

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Materials used, including quantities.

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Specific types of equipment used, including make, model, year, horsepower and attachments.

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Receipts, invoices and other documents you need to support your DFA claim.

Keep all receipts, invoices and any other documents for disaster related expenses as they are required in order to support your DFA claim. Invoices submitted to Manitoba EMO must be accompanied by the corresponding proof of payment (e.g. credit/debit slip, cancelled cheque) in order to be considered for eligibility.

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadlines:

May 13, 2022 for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP April 22, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Dozens of Manitoba Projects to Receive Funding for Forage Productivity Enhancement on Agricultural Crown Lands (April 22, 2022 Federal/Provincial News Release) More than

40 projects will receive a total of $704,000 in targeted financial assistance through the Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.

“Manitoba’s producers are stewards of this land and are helping to ensure it continues to thrive,” said Bibeau.

“With this investment to the pilot program, the Government of Canada is helping to provide Manitoba producers with the resources they need to adopt climatefriendly practices that improve pasture productivity and further protect the environment.”

In all, 42 projects have been approved for the one-year pilot project, the ministers noted. These projects will receive up to $30,000 with a cost share ratio of 75 per cent government and 25 per cent applicant, and must be completed by December 2022.

“The funds committed through this project will enable Manitoba agricultural Crown lands forage lease holders to increase productivity and sustainability by adopting beneficial practices that support comprehensive forage management,” said Johnson. “Pilot programs such as this help make much-needed improvements that have longterm benefits for producers and industry.”

Forage lease holders in good standing with the agricultural Crown lands program were eligible to apply for funding for planning, infrastructure or rejuvenation activities related

to forage management techniques that would improve productivity and sustainability. Recipients were required to complete an environmental farm plan.

Eligible projects include the development of grazing management plans, the targeted placement of key infrastructure components such as cross-fencing, wells or dugouts, and the rejuvenation of forage lands through measures such as seeding and brush management.

“Manitoba Beef Producers thanks the federal and provincial governments for supporting this pilot project,” said Tyler Fulton, President, Manitoba Beef Producers.

“Beef producers recognize the value of beneficial management practices when it comes to managing their pastures and forage production. Investments made through this program will help producers realize greater productivity and resilience on Crown land leases, which are a key component of a sustainable beef industry in Manitoba.”

The 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 costshared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

For more information on the Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program, visit www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/canadian-agriculturalpartnership/ag-action-manitoba-program/forfarmers.html.

For reliable information and resources please visit:

MANITOBA BEEF PRODUCERS

SCHOLARSHIP Manitoba Beef Producers is pleased to make available six $1,000 scholarships annually for MBP members or their children attending a university, college, other post-secondary institution or pursuing trades training. 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.

This application intake process is for students who will be undertaking post-secondary studies or trades training in the 2022-23 academic year.

The scholarship criteria are as follows: Eligibility: • Must be at least 17 years of age as of January 1, 2022.

• Must be an active Manitoba beef producer or the child of an active Manitoba beef producer. Note: This can also include active beef producers returning to school after a period of time in the workforce.

• Post-secondary programs or trades training must be a minimum of one year in duration.

Items You Are Required to Submit: • The completed application form; • Either a typed 600-word (maximum) essay OR a 5-7 minute maximum video submission (NEW) discussing the topic “What the beef industry means to my family, my community and Manitoba.” Also, you need to identify in the essay or video the reasons you enjoy being involved in agriculture*; • A copy of your transcript (either high school, or a recognized college, university or trade school); • Proof of enrolment in a recognized institution (current transcript, or your acceptance letter, or a letter of intent indicating your intended institution and field of study for 2022-23); • A list of your community involvement (e.g. 4-H, community clubs, volunteer work, etc.); and, • The names of two references, including their addresses and telephone numbers. *Note: Scholarship winners’ essays or video submissions will be published in Manitoba Beef Producers’ newspaper Cattle Country in February 2023 or posted to MBP’s social media channels and website.

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 to the attention of: Manitoba Beef Producers Scholarship Committee 220 – 530 Century Street Winnipeg MB R3H 0Y4 E-mail: info@mbbeef.ca Fax: (204) 774-3264 For more information, including steps on how to submit your video, please contact Manitoba Beef Producers at 1-800-772-0458 or email info@mbbeef.ca. A selection committee will review the submissions. Winners will be notified by December 9, 2022.

1

MBP 2022 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE PRINT Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing address: _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________________

Email: ____________________________________________

Date of birth: _____________________________ Parents’ names if you are under 18: _______________________________________________________ Are you a beef producer? _____________________________ Are you the child of a beef producer? ________ If yes, what is their name(s)? __________________________ Current institute of enrolment: ________________________________________________________________ Institute and your intended program of post-secondary study or skilled trades training in 2022-23: __________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Duration of post-secondary program or skilled trades training: _________ year (s)

Essay or Short Video Submission Requirement: Please submit either a typed 600-word (maximum) essay* or a 5-7 minute video (NEW) on the topic “What the beef industry means to my family, my community, and Manitoba.” Also include the reasons you enjoy being involved in agriculture. No preference will be given to either option. *Note: Scholarship winners’ essays or video submissions will be published in Manitoba Beef Producers’ newspaper Cattle Country in February 2023 or posted to MBP’s social media channels and website.

Please return the following: completed application form; typed essay or video submission; a copy of your transcript; proof of enrolment in a recognized institution or an apprenticeship program (current transcript, letter of acceptance, or a letter of intent to pursue further studies); a list of your community involvement; and, your references no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, November 4, 2022 to the attention of: Manitoba Beef Producers Scholarship Committee 220 – 530 Century Street Winnipeg, MB R3H 0Y4 Email: info@mbbeef.ca Fax (204) 774-3264 2

Flood Bulletin #8: Province Issues Overland Flood Warning for Areas in Southern Manitoba (April 21, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has issued an overland flood warning for southern Manitoba from the Saskatchewan border eastward to Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 12 and from the United States border northwards to PTH 1. The warning could extend north of PTH 1 between PTH 5 and PTH 16, and north of PTH 1 between Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg.

These areas could receive more than 50 millimetres (mm) precipitation of a mix of rain and snow, with some localized areas receiving up to 80 mm by midday April 25.

Some ditches and waterways are still ice covered or contain snow limiting water flows. As high amounts of rainfall occurring in a short period may cause overland flooding, citizens are advised of the potential for the sudden rise of water levels in these areas. Overland flooding occurs when water on the ground surface does not have sufficient time to flow into rivers and streams, potentially causing flooding of low-lying areas, roads and properties. In most cases, once the water enters the rivers and streams, they have sufficient capacity to handle the flows.

Weather models do not fully agree on the exact location, amount and timing of the precipitation system. However, confidence is high that most central and southern Manitoba basins, including the United States’ portions of the Red, Souris, Pembina and Roseau river basins, could receive 40 to 50 mm of precipitation with localized areas receiving up to 80 mm by April 25. This system is expected to be accompanied by strong winds gusting up to 70 kilometres per hour.

Daily average temperatures are forecast to remain above zero until early next week for most parts of southern and central Manitoba. These forecast temperatures along with forecast precipitations will create runoff in the coming days and levels will

start rising on most southern and central basins.

Peak flows on the Red and Assiniboine rivers and tributaries are not expected to arrive until late April to early May. Flood forecasters will continue to monitor precipitation and collect data about snowfall amounts. The most recent river forecast information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html.

The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support for both preparatory and response activities.

MTI continues to monitor highway conditions and heavy equipment may be deployed in the event of snow accumulation. Motorists are reminded to adjust driving habits for winter road conditions and remain alert when following or approaching oncoming highway snowplows. All equipment has flashing blue warning lights and drivers should stay well back of all equipment. Do not attempt to pass snowplows from behind when they are in operation and remember to slow down when passing approaching snowplows.

Heavy winds and snow accumulation could limit visibility and create challenging driving conditions.

Manitobans in the affected areas are advised to travel only when necessary or wait until road conditions are safe to do so.

Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.

For current highway conditions and road closures, call 511 or visit www.manitoba511.ca/en/.

For more information about flooding in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/flood.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON NEXT PAGE

Overland Flooding Warning Warning Ends Midday Monday, April 25

Government of Canada announces additional easing of border measures effective April 25 (April 22, 2022 Public Health Agency of Canada News Release) The Government of Canada

continues to take a risk-based and measured approach to adjusting and easing Canada's border measures. Today, the Government of Canada announced further changes to Canada's border measures for certain eligible travellers.

Effective April 25, 2022, at 00:01:00 EDT, the following easing of border measures will come into effect: Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children aged 5-11 who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor will no longer be required to complete a pre-entry COVID-19 test for entry to Canada.

Pre-entry tests will still be required for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers 12 and older who are currently eligible to travel to Canada. Children under 5 years of age are not required to provide a COVID-19 test result.

Additionally, all fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to provide a quarantine plan upon entry. This requirement will also be removed for children aged 5-11 who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent, stepparent, guardian, or tutor and travellers with a medical contraindication to a COVID-19 vaccine.

Furthermore, fully vaccinated travellers arriving to Canada on or after April 25, 2022, will no longer be federally required to do the following for 14 days after arriving: •

mask while in public spaces;

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monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms;

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quarantine if another traveller in the same travel group exhibits signs or symptoms or tests positive; and

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maintain a list of close contacts and locations visited.

As a reminder, all travellers are still required to use ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) to provide mandatory travel information within 72 hours of their arrival to Canada and/or before boarding a plane or cruise ship destined for Canada, including: •

contact and travel information, and

•

vaccination information and proof of vaccination (if applicable).

Fully vaccinated travellers who do not submit their information into ArriveCAN: •

won't be eligible for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption (i.e., they may have to submit a pre-entry test result and suitable quarantine plan, quarantine and undergo testing in Canada);

•

may face additional delays at the border for public health questioning; and

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may be subject to fines or other enforcement action.

All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, must also continue to wear a mask throughout their entire travel journey.

While some federal requirements are being lifted for certain eligible travellers, all travellers entering Canada by air, land or water must adhere to the federal requirements along with those outlined by their province or territory. continued on page 9

Government of Canada announces additional easing of border measures effective April 25 Quick Facts •

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Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry requirements before heading to the border.

In addition, some provinces and territories may have their own entry restrictions in place. Check and follow both the federal and any provincial or territorial restrictions and requirements before travelling to Canada.

All travellers entering Canada, including returning residents, continue to be required to input their mandatory information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada and/or before boarding a cruise ship or airplane destined for Canada.

Travellers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may have to test on arrival and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status.

Unless otherwise exempt, all travellers eligible to enter Canada who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will continue to be tested with COVID-19 molecular tests on arrival and on Day 8, while they quarantine for 14 days. This includes unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers.

Travellers may experience delays at ports of entry due to the public health measures.

Travellers should have their ArriveCAN receipt ready to present to the border services officer. Before heading to the land border, travellers should check Canada Border Service Agency's website for estimated border wait times at select land ports of entry.

Travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, may need to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival if selected for mandatory random testing. Travellers selected for

mandatory random testing are not required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.

•

Mandatory random testing for fully vaccinated travellers provides critical data on COVID-19 prevalence among fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada and is an essential part of Canada's surveillance program for new COVID-19 variants of concern that could pose a risk to the health and safety of Canadians and Canada's ongoing economic recovery from the pandemic.

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Travellers who have already recovered from COVID-19 and can provide proof of a positive molecular test result (taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada), are encouraged to bring that proof with them when travelling to Canada. Providing proof of a previous positive molecular test will prevent eligible travellers from being selected for mandatory randomized testing (MRT).

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Fully vaccinated travellers arriving to Canada on or after April 25, 2022, will no longer be federally required to mask while in public spaces however, this new measure only applies after travelers have completed their travel journey. Travellers must continue to wear a mask during their entire travel journey (onboard a flight or ship), and will be informed by government officials at the border when the mask may be removed.

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COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders

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COVID-19: Vaccinated travellers entering Canada

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ArriveCAN

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COVID-19: Boarding flights and trains in Canada

Avian Influenza Confirmed in Wild Bird Samples in Manitoba (April 20, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development advises the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) has confirmed the presence of avian influenza in two different wild bird samples in Manitoba.

Samples from several snow geese were collected in southwestern Manitoba near Waskada and a single sample from a bald eagle was collected in the Dauphin area. A sample from each location has tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N1.

To date, no cases of avian influenza have been detected in poultry flocks in Manitoba.

Cases of HPAI H5N1 have been confirmed in a number of Canadian provinces and the United States including jurisdictions immediately south of Manitoba in North Dakota and Minnesota along the route for spring migratory birds returning to Manitoba.

The risk of avian influenza to human health is low. There are no known cases of transmission of this strain of the virus from birds to humans in North America.

This strain of avian influenza does not pose a food safety risk. Manitoba poultry and eggs are safe to eat when proper handling and cooking take place. Regular food safety and hygiene precautions should be followed when preparing wild game. Hunters should avoid eating birds that are visibly ill.

Although the risk of transmission of avian influenza to humans is low, people should not touch dead birds or other wildlife with their bare hands. Protective eyewear and masks are recommended as an additional precaution.

Hands should be thoroughly washed before and after with soap and water or alcohol-based

hand sanitizer. If a dead bird has to be handled, gloves should be worn and the dead bird placed in a plastic bag.

Manitobans are asked to contact the TIP Line (toll-free) at 1-800-782-0076 if they find any of the following: •

clusters of six or more dead wild waterfowl (e.g., ducks, geese) or other water birds;

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any number of dead raptors or avian scavengers (e.g., ravens, crows, gulls); or

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large groups of dead birds, such as more than 20 of any species.

The public’s co-operation is appreciated to help monitor this developing situation.

Manitoba Agriculture advises small flock owners to take precautions. Small flocks are considered at high risk for HPAI infection as they often have access to outdoor pens or free range. This means there is a high probability of contact with wild birds that may be contaminated with the HPAI virus. Small flock owners are encouraged to confine their birds indoors, if at all possible, during this high-risk period of wild bird migration.

For more information or help with animal health-related concerns, producers can contact the Office of the Chief Veterinarian or call 204945-7663 in Winnipeg.

Additional information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/animal-health-andwelfare/animal-health/update-avian-influenzain-north-america.html.

Updates on wild bird surveillance testing and results are posted on the CHWC website at www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/avian_influenza.php.

Getting Prepared for Possible Spring Flooding Are you prepared for possible spring flooding?

The following is some information from the provincial government to help you get organized in the event of an emergency such as a flood.

A reminder about individual responsibilities during an emergency: Step 1: – Producers/Individuals are the first point of responsibility to deal with their own emergency situation.

Step 2: - If individuals cannot provide appropriate response to their emergency situation, their local municipality is the first point of contact for emergency-related information and assistance.

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Disaster Financial Assistance Fact Sheet

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Disaster Financial Assistance Application and Information

If you do experience flooding and are incurring damages and expenses related to that which may be eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance it is important that you: •

Take pictures of all damaged property and items before you dispose of anything.

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Keep track of all your disaster-related repairs and activities including:

Step 3: - If the local municipality cannot handle the situation, that municipality will contact Emergencies Measures Organization (EMO) for assistance. If EMO requires Manitoba Agriculture’s assistance, they will assign an issue to our emergency coordinator.

Below are some useful provincial links related to flooding (forecasts, river and lake levels, etc.), tips for evacuation, Disaster Financial Assistance, etc.

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Flood Forecasting

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Flood Information

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Evacuation Information Sheets

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Caring for Livestock During an Evacuation

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Animal Emergency Supply Kit

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Labour and equipment hours.

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Materials used, including quantities.

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Specific types of equipment used, including make, model, year, horsepower and attachments.

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Receipts, invoices and other documents you need to support your DFA claim.

Keep all receipts, invoices and any other documents for disaster related expenses as they are required in order to support your DFA claim. Invoices submitted to Manitoba EMO must be accompanied by the corresponding proof of payment (e.g. credit/debit slip, cancelled cheque) in order to be considered for eligibility.

COMING APRIL 2022

TOO Close to home Managing wildfire risk where it matters most

WWW.TOOCLOSETOHOME.CA

April 13, 2022

What fuels wildfires also fuels cattle New short documentary, Too Close to Home, sheds light on targeted grazing as one tool to reduce wildfire risk Kamloops, BC– Recent record wildfire seasons in British Columbia have seen up to three times more carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere than from all the province’s fossil fuel burning sources combined. Frequent, catastrophic fire events have transformed BC forests – once a carbon sink – into a carbon source, turning the climate change flywheel even faster.

As the occurrence and magnitude of wildfires has grown, so too has the human and economic toll. Mitigation tools have become especially important to protect lives and homes in high-risk areas like Kelowna and Cranbrook.

After witnessing firsthand how grazing can impact fire behavior, municipalities, researchers, and ranchers came together to collaborate on a series of pilot projects in British Columbia. Too Close to Home, a new documentary out now, introduces these projects and explores the role cattle can play in reducing wildfire risk.

“Dried grass is a volatile fuel type and can have a dramatic effect on wildfire spread and severity. Grazing is a safe, economical way to potentially reduce the intensity of wildfires by decreasing the fuel load and keeping what’s left in a vegetative state, making it less likely to burn,” explains Shawna LaRade, professional agrologist and range officer with the Government of British Columbia.

Other common mitigation techniques like controlled burns are logistically difficult to carry out close to urban areas. The practice also leads to smoke, which is unpopular with nearby residents, and always carries the inherent risk of unintended fire spread.

With targeted grazing, cattle are moved into wildland areas adjacent to at-risk communities for two to three weeks in the spring or summer when grass is growing. This type of intense, shortterm grazing mimics the natural disturbance of traditional grazers with which the land evolved.

The grazed area provides the landscape level fuel break needed to keep communities and their members safe.

“We’re not saying targeted grazing is going to prevent a forest fire; what we’re saying is that it will reduce the risk of a fire starting, and if one does start, it will give us the opportunity to manage the fire and bring it under control,” Kevin Boon, Manager of the British Columbia Cattle Association (BCCA).

For the farmers and ranchers involved, keeping cattle in wildland areas requires extra management, but also provides the chance to demonstrate the contribution they can make to

their communities, above and beyond local food production. Several other areas in BC are exploring adding targeted grazing to their suite of wildfire mitigation tools.

Kevin Boon (General Manager, British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association), Amanda Miller (Palouse Rangeland Consulting), Keith Manders (Owner, Garnet Valley Ranch), Mike Pritchard (Targeted Grazing Project Coordinator, British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association), Ben Wilson and Sarah Wray (Videographers, Story Brokers Media House) are available for media. Please use the media contact information below to set up an interview.

Media Contact Amie Peck Public and Stakeholder Engagement Manager Phone +1 403-451-0935 pecka@cattle.ca About Too Close to Home Too Close to Home is a short documentary brought to you by a group of dedicated ranchers, researchers, and Canadian filmmakers. The film highlights the stories of three communities currently utilizing targeted grazing for wildfire risk reduction. For more information about the film, visit www.tooclosetohome.ca About the Public and Stakeholder Engagement Program Public and Stakeholder Engagement (PSE), a division of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, works to fulfill the public trust objectives in the National Beef Strategy through highlighting how beef cattle are raised in Canada.

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Source: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/data/industrialfacility-ghg

AgriRecovery: Herd Management Drought Assistance WHO QUALIFIES PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Herd Management Drought Assistance program is the third program developed with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions. The other two programs include the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program and Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program.

This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females

Primary producers who owned eligible animals located in Manitoba, and were responsible for their feeding expenses as of March 16, 2021, are eligible. Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

An applicant must: • be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application; a partnership, a corporation, a cooperative, a commune or a First Nation • be liable to pay income tax in Manitoba under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or is specifically exempted from filing income tax but is a permanent resident of Canada; and must file farm and expense tax forms

Eligible animals • Breeding females of beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and elk owned by the applicant • Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

The producer must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

• retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Available Assistance Assistance is provided to replace breeding females culled due to drought and support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Eligible Sales of Breeding Females Culled Due to Drought The breeding females must be sold during the March 16, 2021 to March 15, 2022 time period and contribute to a decline in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on March 16, 2022.

March 16, 2021 inventory (pre-drought)

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March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Decrease in inventory due to drought culling

Eligible Replacement Breeding females culled due to drought can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement females from the applicant’s existing herd or flock. The replacement must contribute to an increase in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on Jan. 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: • Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does • Purchases of females that will be bred by Jan. 31, 2023 • Retaining females from the applicant’s existing herd to be bred for the first time by Jan. 31, 2023 The replacement animals must be maintained in the herd or flock until Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

Breeding Herd Inventory The following dates will be used for assessing the impact of drought and subsequent recovery on the applicant’s inventory of breeding females: • March 16, 2021 • March 16, 2022 • Jan. 31, 2023 The difference between the recovery and drought impacted inventory indicates the effect of purchasing and retaining replacement females on recovering from the drought.

Jan. 31, 2023 inventory (recovery inventory)

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March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

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Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

HOW TO DETERMINE HERD MANAGEMENT PAYMENT Payment Rates Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below for the replacement of eligible breeding animals culled due to drought. The payments are made for breeding females purchased or retained.

Animal Type(s)

Payment ($) per head

Beef Cattle, Bison, Elk

$250

Sheep and Goats

$50

Producers are paid the rates shown in the table above, based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between March 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023.

The payments are calculated as follows,

Per Head Payment Rate Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250 Sheep/Goats $50

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

X

=

Herd Management Program Payment

Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory

Note: Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payments are made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level.

Other Criteria for Declaration of Inventory of Breeding Females: The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females: • animals sold prior to being exposed to breeding for the first time • market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding • animals sold after March 15, 2022

• animals leased by the applicant • animals not located in Manitoba as of March 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete) For the March 16, 2022 inventory declaration, breeding females that both gave birth and were sold in the Jan. 1, 2022 to March 15, 2022 time period should be included in the number of head declared.

Producers should maintain records of breeding animals sold or purchased in case they are requested by the program administrator.

HOW TO APPLY

Program Timelines

The application package will be available on Jan. 10, 2022: online at www.manitoba.ca/ agriculture, in-person at AG-MASC Service Centre,, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail.

• April 15, 2022 11:59 PM – Deadline for application declaring March 16, 2021 and March 16, 2022 inventory. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim.

Application is a two-step process requiring applicants to fully complete and submit: 1) Application form, declaring their: a. March 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. March 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) Claim form, declaring their a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females

Contact Us • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Email us at agriculture@gov.mb.ca • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg • Visit your nearest AG-MASC Service Centre

Available in alternate formats upon request.

• Dec. 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available • Feb. 17, 2023 11:59 PM – Deadline for claim forms declaring Jan. 31, 2023 inventory

Further Resources • Herd Management Drought Assistance – Frequently Asked Questions • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Determining Payments • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Two-Step Application Process

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadlines:

May 13, 2022 for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP April 14, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Key Highlights from the Provincial Budget as They Pertain to the Agriculture Sector •

The provincial government tabled its proposed 2022-23 budget on April 12. The budget’s title was “Recover Together. Strengthen. Invest. Build.” It includes investments in five priority areas: strengthening health care, making life more affordable, building the economy, investing in communities and protecting the environment.

The following is a rundown of key items from the budget speech and budget document as they pertain to the agriculture sector, either directly or indirectly.

All Budget 2022 documents are available at https://www.manitoba.ca/budget2022/

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Specific budgetary commitments related to the agriculture sector include: o $70,000 to create the Livestock and Crop Communication Initiative to support best for sustainable crop and livestock production, wildlife conflicts and addressing the concerns of producers, the public and communities around the management of land, water and habitats. o A 14 per cent increase ($16,000) for the VetSTEP Program to increase grant assistance to veterinary clinics to attract more third year veterinary students to gain experience in Manitoba and strengthen the connection to practice here after graduation. o Nearly $99 million in Manitoba’s share for business risk management programming.

This is up from $85 million in 2021/2022 and includes provincial costs to support AgriInsurance, AgriStability, AgriInvest and Wildlife Damage Compensation. o An added $220,000 to support animal disease diagnostics, disease risk assessment and response. o $150,000 in continued support for initiatives to implement Project Aspire (Accelerating Sustainable Protein Impact Results), the Manitoba Protein Advantage’s sustainable protein action plan.

The budget document notes “Livestock receipts will likely moderate in 2022 due to a projected decline in hog prices from the record highs of 2021. Cattle prices, on the other hand, should increase as the North American herd experiences contraction.”

The government is increasing the Education Property Tax Rebate to 37.5 per cent in 2022 and 50 per cent in 2023, saving the average homeowner $1,355 over two years. continued on page 3

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Provincial budget – cont.

•

•

The province is committing $101 million for the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels development this year. The budget document notes, “It is more important than ever that Manitoba constructs the Manitoba Outlet Channels. Indigenous consultation and engagement is continuing as the federal environmental process proceeds toward its final stages.”

The province will be investing $578.5 million in capital projects for highways including projects funded under the Manitoba Restart Capital Program, e.g. rehabilitating Highway 23 in southwestern Manitoba.

•

A new water management strategy to conserve wetlands, enhance resiliency, improve surface water quality, manage nutrients, protect biodiversity and sustain economic development is being developed.

•

The province is investing over $6 million for 12 initiatives to advance the Madein-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan, including $1.5 million for expanding the Conservation and Climate Fund to support a cleaner environment, climate adaptation, and low-carbon economic growth.

•

The province is expanding eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy Program to

support an average of $10 a day per child for regulated child-care spaces.

The budget allocates $82.7 million to expand the subsidy, reducing fees by 50% this year for low-income and middle class. The province is also creating 716 spaces in new child-care centres and supporting 50 new homebased spaces this year.

•

Vehicle registration fees for most noncommercial vehicles will be reduced by a further $10 starting with renewals after June 30, 2022.

•

To address issues such as labour challenges, the province states the Immigration Advisory Council is working to enhance the Provincial Nominee Program while recommending improvements to all immigration policies and programs. Manitoba is providing $5 million to strengthen immigration programming to help attract newcomers. There is $2 million in the Newcomer Integration Support Program to find newcomers good jobs.

•

As well, the province is implementing the Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy to create greater alignment between Manitoba’s postsecondary institutions and the labour market to ensure Manitobans the right skills to meet the evolving needs of the labour market.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: April 15 Deadline for Herd Management Program Application Process The Herd Management Drought Assistance program under AgriRecovery is the third program developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions.

This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: •

purchase replacement breeding females

•

retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock

The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

b) Inventory of eligible breeding females owned and maintained until March 16, 2022 Applicants must declare that they meet all the program terms and conditions and that the information provided is complete and accurate.

They must declare that their breeding female inventories are accurate and the inventory declared for March 16, 2022 will be maintained to that date. They must accept all declarations for the application to be complete.

An application form can be submitted from Jan. 10, 2022 to April 15, 2022. Only one application can be submitted.

Note: You can also pick up an application package at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or by calling us at 1-844-769-6224 to have an application package mailed to you.

Step 2 - Claim

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

The claim forms will be available on Dec. 1, 2022.

A two-step application and claim process is required for Herd Management Drought Assistance. Producers must submit applications

by April 15, 2022. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim. Claims will be accepted from Dec. 1, 2022 to Feb. 17, 2023.

a) Inventory of eligible breeding females owned and maintained until Jan. 31, 2023

Step 1 - Application Applicants are required to complete in full and submit the Application Form with a declaration of their: a) Inventory of eligible breeding females owned on March 16, 2021

Applicants are required to complete in full and submit the Claim Form with a declaration of their:

Applicants must declare that they meet all the program terms and conditions and that the information provided is complete and accurate.

They must declare that the inventory of breeding females is accurate and will be maintained until Jan. 31, 2023. They must accept all declarations for the application to be complete.

continued on page 5

IMPORTANT REMINDER: April 15 Deadline for Herd Management Program Application Process A claim form can be submitted from Dec. 1, 2022 to Feb. 17, 2023. Only one claim can be submitted.

•

Video: Herd Management Drought Assistance - Determining Payments

•

Video: Herd Management Drought Assistance - Two-Step Application Process

•

Factsheet - Herd Management Drought Assistance

More information re: Herd Management Drought Assistance Web Page: Herd Management Drought Assistance

From the makers of Guardians of the Grasslands comes a new short documentary. ‘Too Close to Home’ showcases the role cattle can play in wildfire risk mitigation.

Catch the live screening on April 20th, register today!

Province Investing $2.4 Billion in MultiYear Infrastructure Renewal Strategy (April 13, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

As part of Budget 2022, the Manitoba government is investing $2.4 billion in a multiyear infrastructure capital investment strategy, including an annual minimum commitment of $500 million in highway capital projects, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced.

“Budget 2022 is a historic budget for Manitoba.

For the first time in our province’s history, a three-year capital plan is introduced to address key priorities to strengthen, invest and build on the province’s infrastructure,” said Piwniuk.

“This three-year horizon for capital investment brings Manitoba in line with all provincial and large municipal governments in Canada and commits over $2.4 billion in strategic infrastructure investments between 2022 and 2024.”

The infrastructure plan focuses on a number of key initiatives including a minimum investment of $1.5 billion in Manitoba’s highway network to support Manitoba’s Trade and Commerce Grid and the Winnipeg One Million Perimeter Highway Freeway Initiative. Investments include the construction of a new interchange at the Perimeter Highway and St. Mary’s Road, and the design and initial phases of a second new interchange at the Perimeter and PTH 3 (McGillivray Boulevard), as well as improvements to ensure the efficient movement of goods along key trade corridors.

The three-year plan also reflects climate resiliency projects, including the first three years of construction of the Lake Manitoba Outlet Channels project along with other major projects like the rehabilitation of the Rivers Dam. The plan reflects last year’s public engagement that the province launched to receive feedback from the public and industry stakeholders on strategic investment categories. More than 3,400 respondents provided feedback on key categories of infrastructure investments of renewal, economic development, climate resiliency, connectivity and innovation.

These strategic investments focus on strengthening Manitoba’s highways as important trade corridors, safety improvements on our roads, investing in climate resiliency projects to protect Manitobans from future weather related events and investments that will further strengthen our government’s commitment to building safe and reliable infrastructure across the province, the minister noted.

The What We Heard report can be found at: https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/proa ctive/20212022/what-we-heard-sic.pdf.

To view a map of Manitoba’s infrastructure projects, visit www.gov.mb.ca/mit/mipmap/index.html.

Federal Investments To Strengthen Supply Chain Announced (April 14, 2022 Transport Canada News Release)

Through Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable, the Government of Canada is making targeted and responsible investments to create good jobs, grow our economy, and build a Canada where nobody gets left behind.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced investments for good jobs, a reliable supply chain, and a strong economy.

Continued investments in transportation infrastructure will help ensure Canada’s supply chains can meet the needs of our economy and withstand disruptions caused by climate change and global events. Well-functioning supply chains support good jobs and keep goods moving.

To help build more resilient and efficient supply chains, Budget 2022 proposes to provide $603.2 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, to Transport Canada, including: •

•

$450 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, to support supply chain projects through the National Trade Corridors Fund, which will help ease the movement of goods across Canada’s transportation networks. This is in addition to the $4.2 billion that has been allocated to the fund since 2017.

The Minister of Transport will rename the fund to reflect the government’s focus on supply chains; $136.3 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, to develop industry- driven solutions to use data to make our supply chains more efficient, building on the success of initiatives like the West Coast Supply Chain Visibility

Program. Of this amount, $19 million will be sourced from existing resources; and •

$16.9 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, to continue making Canada’s supply chains more competitive by cutting needless red tape, including working to ensure that regulations across various modes of cargo transportation (e.g., ship, rail) work effectively together.

These investments will help lower prices for Canadians; make our supply chains stronger; improve the ability of Canadian businesses to export their goods abroad; and deliver essential goods to our communities.

These investments will complement work the government is doing through the newly established National Supply Chain Task Force, which will work with industry, associations and experts to examine key pressures and make recommendations regarding short- and longterm actions to strengthen the efficiency, fluidity, and resiliency of transportation infrastructure and the reliability of Canada’s supply chains.

Budget 2022 invests in economic growth and innovation—the key to Canada’s long-term prosperity. This includes launching a new worldleading Canada Growth Fund that will attract tens of billions of dollars in private investment in Canadian industries and Canadian jobs, and a new innovation and investment agency that will help drive productivity and growth across our economy. The budget also proposes to implement Canada’s first Critical Minerals Strategy—one that will create thousands of good jobs and capitalize on a growing need for the minerals used in everything from phones to electric cars. Measures also include steps to continued on page 8

Federal Investments To Strengthen Supply Chain Announced build more resilient supply chains, and to cut taxes for Canada’s growing small businesses.

Quotes “The investments we are proposing in Budget 2022 will help us take decisive action now to make the supply chain more resilient,

create good jobs, and continue to build a strong economy. Our new National Supply Chain Task Force will also work with stakeholders to identify the best recommendations to make this supply chain smoother and more efficient.”

The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport

Flood Bulletin #6: Province Advises Portage Diversion to be Closing Today (April 14, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre advises that as water levels continue to recede, the use of the Portage Diversion will be discontinued at this time. The Red River Floodway continues to operate to lower water levels in Winnipeg and operation is expected to end tomorrow as flows on the Red River continue to decrease.

Preliminary results from this week’s winter storm indicate 15 to 35 centimetres (cm) of snow has fallen in much of southern Manitoba, and the Interlake and Parklands regions, with some localized areas receiving up to 40 to 50 cm. A further five to 15 cm of snow is expected in southern and central Manitoba before noon tomorrow. Temperatures are forecast to remain

near freezing until April 21 in most locations, which will delay melting and runoff until that time.

Flood forecasters will continue to monitor precipitation and collect data about snowfall amounts and will release an updated river forecast next week.

The province will continue to issue regular updates, as information is available.

The most recent river forecast information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html .

No additional road closures are expected due to high waters. For current highway conditions and road closures, call 511 or visit www.manitoba511.ca/en/ .

Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up Press Release April 10th 2022

After 2 summers without a live event Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up and its entire committee is pleased and excited to announce that we will once again be returning to the Beautiful Plains Ag Society, Neepawa Manitoba. This years show dates are Saturday July 30, Sunday July 31 and Monday August 1.

For 15 years Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up has prioritized educational events and clinics, team bonding, and friendly competition.

We are excited to get back into the popular competitive events that our 3 day event has offered in the past, such as the Cook-off, Team Judging and Individual Judging, Ag Challenge, Scholarships, Cattle Handling and Cattle Reproduction Clinics and the Agribition Judging Team. We are also pleased to be working on some new fresh and exciting events that we have never offered before! We offer an all breeds cattle show with classes for heifer calves, bull calves, yearling heifers, 2 year old cow calf pairs and mature cow calf pairs as well as a market steer show. Round Up is pleased to offer a free entry to any 4-H champion female as well as a parade of champions to acknowledge these juniors for their well deserved success!

Juniors, 4-H members and commercial and purebred producers under the age of 25 are welcome to attend. Events and competitions are friendly for all age groups! Watch for our facebook page “Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up” for further announcements or how to enter! Entry deadlines are July 1st 2022.

Its time to get back to the BEEF!

Ranchers & Landowners Needed for Ouick Grasslands Survey The loss of grasslands across the Canadian Prairies is an i1nportant issue. A team of researchers from Pattison Resource Consulting is collecting information from ranchers, landowners, and cattle producers to inform a joint initiative between Canada, the United States, and Mexico on grassland conservation, called the Central Grasslands Roadmap. They need information to ensure programs, incentives, and policies better support ranchers to leading and producers. Your voice is crncial this effort, and they encourage ranchers and landowners to take the 10 minutes to complete a short survey. IYou will also be eligible to win � $100 gift c:ud.µf you require more information, please contact jk.pattisonwilliams@ginail.com .

To access the survey, visit: Canadian Survey

Photo courtesy of Lorne. Fitch.

Getting Prepared for Possible Spring Flooding Are you prepared for possible spring flooding?

The following is some information from the provincial government to help you get organized in the event of an emergency such as a flood.

A reminder about individual responsibilities during an emergency: Step 1: – Producers/Individuals are the first point of responsibility to deal with their own emergency situation.

Step 2: - If individuals cannot provide appropriate response to their emergency situation, their local municipality is the first point of contact for emergency-related information and assistance.

•

Disaster Financial Assistance Fact Sheet

•

Disaster Financial Assistance Application and Information

If you do experience flooding and are incurring damages and expenses related to that which may be eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance it is important that you: •

Take pictures of all damaged property and items before you dispose of anything.

•

Keep track of all your disaster-related repairs and activities including:

Step 3: - If the local municipality cannot handle the situation, that municipality will contact Emergencies Measures Organization (EMO) for assistance. If EMO requires Manitoba Agriculture’s assistance, they will assign an issue to our emergency coordinator.

Below are some useful provincial links related to flooding (forecasts, river and lake levels, etc.), tips for evacuation, Disaster Financial Assistance, etc.

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Flood Forecasting

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Flood Information

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Evacuation Information Sheets

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Caring for Livestock During an Evacuation

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Animal Emergency Supply Kit

•

•

Labour and equipment hours.

•

Materials used, including quantities.

•

Specific types of equipment used, including make, model, year, horsepower and attachments.

•

Receipts, invoices and other documents you need to support your DFA claim.

Keep all receipts, invoices and any other documents for disaster related expenses as they are required in order to support your DFA claim. Invoices submitted to Manitoba EMO must be accompanied by the corresponding proof of payment (e.g. credit/debit slip, cancelled cheque) in order to be considered for eligibility.

AgriRecovery: Herd Management Drought Assistance WHO QUALIFIES PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Herd Management Drought Assistance program is the third program developed with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions. The other two programs include the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program and Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program.

This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females

Primary producers who owned eligible animals located in Manitoba, and were responsible for their feeding expenses as of March 16, 2021, are eligible. Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

An applicant must: • be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application; a partnership, a corporation, a cooperative, a commune or a First Nation • be liable to pay income tax in Manitoba under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or is specifically exempted from filing income tax but is a permanent resident of Canada; and must file farm and expense tax forms

Eligible animals • Breeding females of beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and elk owned by the applicant • Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

The producer must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

• retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Available Assistance Assistance is provided to replace breeding females culled due to drought and support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Eligible Sales of Breeding Females Culled Due to Drought The breeding females must be sold during the March 16, 2021 to March 15, 2022 time period and contribute to a decline in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on March 16, 2022.

March 16, 2021 inventory (pre-drought)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Decrease in inventory due to drought culling

Eligible Replacement Breeding females culled due to drought can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement females from the applicant’s existing herd or flock. The replacement must contribute to an increase in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on Jan. 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: • Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does • Purchases of females that will be bred by Jan. 31, 2023 • Retaining females from the applicant’s existing herd to be bred for the first time by Jan. 31, 2023 The replacement animals must be maintained in the herd or flock until Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

Breeding Herd Inventory The following dates will be used for assessing the impact of drought and subsequent recovery on the applicant’s inventory of breeding females: • March 16, 2021 • March 16, 2022 • Jan. 31, 2023 The difference between the recovery and drought impacted inventory indicates the effect of purchasing and retaining replacement females on recovering from the drought.

Jan. 31, 2023 inventory (recovery inventory)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

HOW TO DETERMINE HERD MANAGEMENT PAYMENT Payment Rates Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below for the replacement of eligible breeding animals culled due to drought. The payments are made for breeding females purchased or retained.

Animal Type(s)

Payment ($) per head

Beef Cattle, Bison, Elk

$250

Sheep and Goats

$50

Producers are paid the rates shown in the table above, based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between March 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023.

The payments are calculated as follows,

Per Head Payment Rate Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250 Sheep/Goats $50

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

X

=

Herd Management Program Payment

Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory

Note: Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payments are made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level.

Other Criteria for Declaration of Inventory of Breeding Females: The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females: • animals sold prior to being exposed to breeding for the first time • market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding • animals sold after March 15, 2022

• animals leased by the applicant • animals not located in Manitoba as of March 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete) For the March 16, 2022 inventory declaration, breeding females that both gave birth and were sold in the Jan. 1, 2022 to March 15, 2022 time period should be included in the number of head declared.

Producers should maintain records of breeding animals sold or purchased in case they are requested by the program administrator.

HOW TO APPLY

Program Timelines

The application package will be available on Jan. 10, 2022: online at www.manitoba.ca/ agriculture, in-person at AG-MASC Service Centre,, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail.

• April 15, 2022 11:59 PM – Deadline for application declaring March 16, 2021 and March 16, 2022 inventory. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim.

Application is a two-step process requiring applicants to fully complete and submit: 1) Application form, declaring their: a. March 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. March 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) Claim form, declaring their a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females

Contact Us • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Email us at agriculture@gov.mb.ca • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg • Visit your nearest AG-MASC Service Centre

Available in alternate formats upon request.

• Dec. 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available • Feb. 17, 2023 11:59 PM – Deadline for claim forms declaring Jan. 31, 2023 inventory

Further Resources • Herd Management Drought Assistance – Frequently Asked Questions • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Determining Payments • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Two-Step Application Process

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadlines:

May 13, 2022 for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

Province Investigating Suspected Avian Influenza in Wild Bird Samples (April 14, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development and Manitoba Agriculture are investigating a suspected case of avian influenza in wild birds in Manitoba.

Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 have been confirmed in a number of Canadian provinces and the United States, including jurisdictions immediately south of Manitoba in North Dakota and Minnesota, along the route for spring migratory birds returning to Manitoba.

Samples from several suspect birds in southwestern Manitoba near Waskada and a single sample collected in the Dauphin area are being tested. Further updates are anticipated in the coming days as confirmatory diagnostic testing is being completed.

The risk of avian influenza to human health is low.

There are no known cases of transmission of this strain of the virus from birds to humans in North America.

This strain of avian influenza does not pose a food safety risk. Manitoba poultry and eggs are safe to eat when proper handling and cooking take place.

Regular food safety and hygiene precautions should be followed when preparing wild game.

Hunters should avoid eating birds that are visibly ill.

Although the risk of transmission of avian influenza to humans is low, people should not touch dead birds or other wildlife with their bare hands.

Protective eyewear and masks are recommended as an additional precaution. Hands should be thoroughly washed before and after with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If a dead

bird has to be handled, gloves should be worn and the dead bird placed in a plastic bag.

Manitobans are asked to contact the TIP Line (tollfree) at 1-800-782-0076, if they find any of the following: • clusters of six or more dead waterfowl (e.g., ducks, geese) or other water birds; • any number of dead raptors or avian scavengers (e.g., ravens, crows, gulls); and • large groups of dead birds, such as more than 20 of any species.

The public’s co-operation is appreciated to help monitor this developing situation.

Manitoba Agriculture advises small poultry-flock owners to take precautions. Small flocks are considered at high risk for HPAI infection as they often have access to outdoor pens or free range.

This means there is a high probability of contact with wild birds that may be contaminated with the HPAI virus. Small flock owners are encouraged to confine their birds indoors, if at all possible, during this high-risk period of wild bird migration.

Manitoba’s commercial poultry farmers are advised to continue to monitoring information provided through their sector organizations and the Office of the Chief Veterinarian.

For more information or help with animal healthrelated concerns, producers can contact the Office of the Chief Veterinarian or call 204-945-7663 in Winnipeg.

Additional information is available at: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/animal-health-andwelfare/animal-health/update-avian-influenza-innorth-america.html.

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP April 8, 2022

mbbeef.ca

IMPORTANT REMINDER

April 15 Deadline Nearing re: Herd Management Program Application Process The Herd Management Drought Assistance program under AgriRecovery is the third program developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions.

and accurate. They must declare that their breeding female inventories are accurate and the inventory declared for March 16, 2022 will be maintained to that date. They must accept all declarations for the application to be complete.

This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females • retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock

An application form can be submitted from Jan. 10, 2022 to April 15, 2022. Only one application can be submitted.

Note: You can also pick up an application package at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or by calling us at 1-844-7696224 to have an application package mailed to you.

Step 2 - Claim

The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

The claim forms will be available on Dec. 1, 2022.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Applicants are required to complete in full and submit the Claim Form with a declaration of their: a) Inventory of eligible breeding females owned and maintained until Jan. 31, 2023

A two-step application and claim process is required for Herd Management Drought Assistance. Producers must submit applications by April 15, 2022. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim. Claims will be accepted from Dec. 1, 2022 to Feb. 17, 2023.

Applicants must declare that they meet all the program terms and conditions and that the information provided is complete and accurate. They must declare that the inventory of breeding females is accurate and will be maintained until Jan. 31, 2023. They must accept all declarations for the application to be complete.

Step 1 - Application

A claim form can be submitted from Dec. 1, 2022 to Feb. 17, 2023. Only one claim can be submitted.

Applicants are required to complete in full and submit the Application Form with a declaration of their: a) Inventory of eligible breeding females owned on March 16, 2021 b) Inventory of eligible breeding females owned and maintained until March 16, 2022 Applicants must declare that they meet all the program terms and conditions and that the information provided is complete

More information re: Herd Management Drought Assistance Web Page: Herd Management Drought Assistance • Video: Herd Management Drought Assistance Determining Payments • Video: Herd Management Drought Assistance - TwoStep Application Process • Factsheet - Herd Management Drought Assistance

For reliable information and resources please visit:

COVID-19 Bulletin #577: Second Booster Shot Being Made Available to Some Manitobans (April 6, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Based on recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Manitoba will be offering a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine to: •

residents of personal care homes and elderly persons housing congregate living sites (such as supportive housing and assisted living) with no age limit;

•

individuals aged 70 or older who live in the community; and

•

First Nations, Inuit and Metis people aged 50 or older, regardless of where they live.

The second booster should be Pfizer or Moderna and given at least six months after their last booster dose. Based on the timing of previous vaccine campaigns for these groups, the second booster will be offered as early as mid-April and remain available over the coming months.

For most people, the second booster dose will be their fourth dose of vaccine. However, for immunocompromised people who received an

initial series of three vaccine doses to offer stronger protection against COVID-19, the second booster would be their fifth dose. This dose should also be given six months after their first booster.

Manitoba continues to post weekly COVID-19 epidemiology reports, including vaccination coverage, at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveillan ce/covid-19/index.html .

More Resources •

COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19

•

Vaccine campaign: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https:/ /protectmb.ca.

•

Testing information: www.manitoba.ca/covid19/testing/inde x.html.

•

Outbreaks: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/prs/index.htm l.

Your cow-calf operation is unique and your Livestock Price Insurance-Calf policy should reflect that.

Coverage options are available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Visit lpi.ca to learn more.

Changes Made to AgriRecovery Drought Programming to Provide More Support to Producers Effective March 30th the governments of Canada and Manitoba made changes to the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance Program to make it easier for producers to receive funding and to enhance financial compensation.

Changes include: •

eliminating the “producer share” for applicants to increase payments to each applicant. The “producer share” was set at $50 per head for cattle, bison, elk and horses or $10 per head for sheep and goats;

•

reducing the compensation rate and the extraordinary expenses for feed receipts to 70 per cent from 75 per cent, which, when combined with eliminating the “producer share”, will increase funding to all applicants;

•

increasing the maximum payment to $270 per head for cattle, bison, elk and horses from $250 per head and from $50 per head for sheep and goats to $54 per head, which will allow producers who have already received the maximum amount to receive an additional payment; and

•

adjusting previous claims automatically, so clients do not need to reapply.

As well, an extension has been put in place for the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program. The program, which covers feed, feed transportation and related extraordinary expenses, will now cover eligible expenses up to April 15. The application deadline has been updated to May 13. The

deadline has been extended due to extreme weather conditions in January and February that have required producers to increase the amount of feed used to maintain the health and welfare of their animals.

Under the drought assistance program, eligible expenditures between June 1, 2021 and April 15, 2022 include feed purchases, rentals of additional crop or pasture acres, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, hauling water, harvesting extra acres and hauling selfproduced feed from distant locations. Eligible animals under the 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.

For detailed program information, producers can contact an AG-MASC Service Centre or call toll-free 1-84-GROW-MB-AG (1-844-769-6224).

They can also visit www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/canadianagricultural-partnership/business-riskmanagement-programs/index.html.

Program Description – Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing drought conditions.

The program helps livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to maintain their breeding herds.

HOW TO APPLY Review the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance Farmers Guidebook for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs, as well as other program requirements.

For your application to be considered complete, you must submit all necessary program documents.

continued on pages 6-7

AgriRecovery program – cont.

Required Documents

•

These changes are retroactive to June 1, 2021 and apply to all applications received.

•

For previously submitted claims, the Program Administrator will automatically issue payments triggered by eliminating the producer share and increasing the caps. A cheque and payment letter will be automatically issued without producers needing to submit extra documentation or request that their payments be recalculated.

Application Form Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals - if first time applying Declaration of Extraordinary Expenses - if have extraordinary expenses - only submit once Self-Haul Declaration - if you hauled the feed Invoices - for each feed and/or transportation purchase Proof of Payment - for each invoice (e.g. cleared cheque, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

WHAT IS NEW? Feed Purchases and Extraordinary Expenses – Deductible Removed and Maximum Payments Increased •

The producer share or deductible has been eliminated from the payment calculation.

•

The maximum per head payments have been increased to $270 per breeding head for beef and dairy cattle, bison, elk and horses (for PMU); and $54 per breeding head for sheep and goats.

•

The payment rate is now 70% of eligible expenses with payments capped at the new maximums.

•

Producers will see increased payments due to these changes. No producers will see a reduction.

Extension of Invoice Dates - Invoices dated on or before April 15, 2022 are eligible if the purchase or transportation was to continue maintaining the eligible breeding animals owned on March 15, 2022. This extension will assist producers facing issues with taking delivery of feed ordered before the original March 15th deadline.

Extension of Application Deadline - The application deadline has been extended to May 13, 2022 due to the extension of the eligible dates for invoices. This extension will allow time to obtain proof of payment for the purchases made by April 15, 2022.

PREVIOUS EXPANSION OF ELIGIBLE EXPENSES Expansion of Eligible Feeds: the list of eligible feeds now includes feed additives and premixes, molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021. Previous applicants of the program have been sent an email or letter in the mail informing them how they can apply for these expenses.

Extraordinary Expenses incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 including hauling water, renting extra pasture and cropland, harvesting extra acres for livestock feed,

AgriRecovery program – cont. temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, and transporting feed from distant locations. A one time declaration of extraordinary expenses can be submitted over the life of the program.

Guidebook: AgriRecovery Drought Assistance Farmers Guidebook

View: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

Web Page: Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance

Updated Video: How are Payments Calculated for Feed Purchases and Extraordinary Expenses?

For Full Program information on AgriRecovery Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance refer to:

Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance

Video: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

Video: How are Payments Calculated for Feed Purchases and Extraordinary Expenses?

Quick Reference: How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance

https://www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/livestoc k/agrirecovery-feed-purchase-transportassistance.html

Quick Reference: What Qualifies for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TOOLS FOR ALL AGRIRECOVERY DROUGHT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

Web Page: Livestock Transportation Assistance

AgriRecovery Drought Assistance (All Three Programs)

Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Quick Reference: How to Apply for Livestock Transportation Assistance Quick Reference: What Qualifies for Livestock Transportation Assistance

FCC supports cattle producers in western Canada Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is reminding ranchers across western Canada that its customer support program is available for those facing financial challenges due in part to rising feed prices.

Customer support was originally announced in July 2021 as FCC anticipated the impact of the drought.

After experiencing some of the driest conditions on record in 2021, ranchers headed into a winter that saw production challenges amplify.

“We’ve had a long, tough winter after a hot and dry summer,” said Wilco Van Meijl, District Director for the prairie region. “We recognize the compounding difficulties, including the escalation in both grain and hay feed costs are putting producers in a tough spot. We want them to know this customer support program continues to be available."

FCC will work with customers to come up with solutions for their operations on a case-by-case basis which may include consideration of additional short term credit options, deferral of principal payments and/or other loan payment schedule amendments to reduce financial pressures on those impacted by the current challenges.

“We continue to be in close contact with our beef customers and we see them doing the best they can in the current environment,” said Van Meijl.

“If your operation is facing financial pressures please come in and talk to us about what options may be available for you.”

Customers in Western Canada are encouraged to contact their FCC relationship manager sooner rather than later to allow for the most flexibility in discussing options available to them.

Customers can do this by contacting their local office or the FCC Customer Service Centre at 1-888-332-3301

News Release CCA comments on the Government of Canada’s 2022 Budget, recognizes investments in supply chain resiliency, climate smart agriculture, labour, and rural infrastructure April 7, 2022 Ottawa, ON – Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the Hon. Chrystia Freeland, released the 2022 Federal Budget. Agriculture themes included supply chain resiliency, climate smart agriculture, labour, and key investments in rural infrastructure. As expected, a commitment to continue investing in the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, which is to be renewed in 2023, is included.

Budget 2022 recognizes Canada’s unique ability to be a global agriculture leader and when paired with smart investment will help make Canada a leader in green agriculture, while creating significant jobs within Canada. CCA is pleased to see the increased investment in resilient supply chains, as they are critical to our ability to maintain functioning essential businesses and access to world trade. Further, the Budget emphasizes that investments which enable the flow of goods and services will make Canada more resilient in the face of future interruptions. AgriRecovery funding is also included for farmers and ranchers following the flood in British Columbia (BC), which significantly impacted these essential businesses and supply chains.

“Budget 2022 includes strategic investments that can support and enhance our industry’s role in Canada’s green economy,” said Reg Schellenberg, CCA President. “The impact of the devastating flooding in BC is just one example of many highlighting the need for investment in critical infrastructure to ensure supply chain resiliency.”

As indicated in the recently announced 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, there is a significant investment in the intersection of agriculture and the environment. Canada’s beef industry has set out ambitious 2030 goals related to sustainable beef production and we are pleased to see government investment in research, innovation and programming in support of our work towards these goals. CCA looks forward to working further with the government to ensure these funds are optimized and aligned with our strategy.

CCA is also pleased to see investment to address the significant labour challenges within the agriculture sectors, including $48.2 million for a new foreign labour program for agriculture and fish processing.

“One of the largest factors limiting our ability to grow Canada’s beef industry and our contributions to Canada’s economy is access to labour,” notes Schellenberg. “We have long been advocates to create agriculture specific solutions to address challenges related to labour and we are pleased to see this continue to advance.”

While many pieces of what CCA advocated for were included in the budget, others will require further engagement, including the investment in a Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank and the creation of additional trade technical support in the Indo-Pacific region.

CCA notes new investments in rural infrastructure are central to rural community viability. A highlight of this rural infrastructure investment is the $2.75 billion earmarked for the Universal Broadband Fund to improve high-speed Internet access in rural and remote areas.

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

Visit www.cattle.ca

CCA staff will continue to analyze and engage on other aspects of the Budget including the proposed National School Food Policy, establishment of the Canada Water Agency, the return of the fuel charge proceeds and various proposed tax changes. These proposed tax changes include a consultation process identified in the Budget for Bill C-208, a Private Member Bill related to inter-generational farm transfer, that received royal ascent in 2021.

CCA will continue to reach out to the Government of Canada to discuss and receive clarity on the various programs and funding investments announced, to ensure the beef industry is part of these upcoming consultative processes and policy developments.

The full Budget 2022 document can be found here: https://budget.gc.ca/2022/home-accueil-en.html.

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

Flood Bulletin #4: Province Advises Red River Floodway has been Activated, Portage Diversion to be Operated over the Weekend (April 8, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) advises ice has largely cleared out from the Red River Floodway inlet and the floodway has been activated to manage water levels in the city of Winnipeg, after two weather systems this week brought precipitation to much of the Red River basin.

A small amount of flow is being used to flush ice from the Portage Diversion channel in preparation for normal operation expected to begin this weekend.

Flows downstream on the Assiniboine River will be limited to 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to prevent ice jamming on the lower Assiniboine River east of Portage la Prairie.

The Red River has peaked at Emerson, St. Jean Baptiste, and Letellier and is near peak at Morris. A flood warning remains for the Red River from St. Jean Baptiste to Morris, at St. Adolphe and in the vicinity of Selkirk due to ice jamming. A flood watch remains for the Red River from Emerson to the floodway inlet except areas under flood warning. There is a risk of moderate flooding in these areas.

There are no significant precipitation events in the forecast for the next three days. Officials are monitoring a precipitation system that is forecast to affect southern Manitoba and the Red River basin in the United States mid- to late-next week. The timing, location and amount of this forecast precipitation system are not yet known. Flood forecasters at Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre will continue to monitor the system and its impact on flows and levels as the system develops into next week.

As the snowmelt and runoff continue, localized flooding is occurring in some areas, often due to ice jams on streams and blockages in drains. MTI is responding to issues relating to provincial infrastructure and local authorities are managing other instances.

Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 75 is expected to remain open based on the current forecast. A number of provincial roads are being affected by high water levels, often due to ice jams or blockages in drains.

The forecast peak flow of the Red River at the floodway inlet is estimated to be between 42,000 and 46,000 cfs. Standard operating procedures for the Red River Floodway gates require river ice to be broken up and cleared upstream of the floodway inlet.

Manitoba has extensive flood control measures in place, including the Red River Floodway, Portage Diversion, Fairford River Water Control Structure and the Shellmouth Dam and Reservoir. These flood control measures together with individual and community flood protection dikes across the province continue to prevent property damage and reduce the potential impact of flooding on families and communities.

Recent significant investments in critical flood mitigation projects across the province include: • raising the northbound lanes of PTH 75 by up to 1.2 metres to protect this major trade route from a 2009-level flood event; • upgrading Provincial Road (PR) 246 to Manitoba’s highest loading standard to provide an efficient detour for PTH 75 as needed; • ongoing repairs to dikes and pump stations at key locations throughout Manitoba’s major basins; and • ongoing investment in the Portage Diversion including repairs to the outlet structure and upgrades to the control structure.

Manitoba continues to invest on new flood protection works, upgrade existing flood protection works and advance flood-prediction technologies so that residents are protected from increased flood threat due to climate change.

Updated forecast information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html.

For current highway conditions and road closures, call 511 or visit www.manitoba511.ca/en/.

Changes Announced to Advance Payments Program to Support Farmers Ahead of Planting Season (April 6, 2022 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) Exceptional circumstances such as feed shortages due to drought and delays stemming from the global pandemic and the war in Ukraine have disrupted supply chains and increased input costs for Canadian farmers, including for fuel and fertilizer. In these challenging times, it is important that farmers have the support they need to ensure a successful 2022 planting season.

The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced a change to the Advance Payments Program that will increase cash flow to producers this spring to help with these high input costs. There will be a temporary waiving of the requirement for pre-production advances to be issued in two installments, 60 per cent upfront and 40 per cent after seeding is confirmed. This change will allow producers to receive 100 per cent of their 2022 advance immediately when they apply.

Under the Advance Payments Program, producers are provided with easy access to affordable credit through cash advances of up to $1 million based on the expected value of their agricultural product, of which the first $100,000 in each crop year is interest free.

Access to additional cash flow at the start of the production cycle will ensure farmers can purchase important inputs such as fuel, fertilizer and seed, in order to maintain full production this growing season. Pressure on world food supplies continues to increase due to the conflict in Ukraine. Canada is prepared to help fill the gap in world production.

crop input financing to customers that met specific pre-approval criteria, ensuring they have access to the capital they need for the upcoming growing season.

The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting Canada’s agriculture sector to ensure farmers and businesses have the tools they need to ensure a continuous supply of safe and nutritious food for Canada and the world.

Quotes "Canada's agricultural producers are facing an increase in the cost of raw materials, including fuel and fertilizer, a situation exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever that our farmers are able to maximize their production to feed Canadians and the world. This temporary change to the Advance Payments Program comes in time for the planting season and will help farmers purchase the inputs needed for sustainable food production.”

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

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Cash advances are calculated based on up to 50% of the anticipated market value of the eligible agricultural products that will be produced or are in storage.

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The APP is delivered through 30 industry led associations.

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In 2021, the APP provided $2.39 billion in advances to 17,430 producers across Canada.

Associated links

Given the significant increase to input costs, in December 2021 Farm Credit Canada proactively offered credit limit increases of 30 per cent for

•

Advance Payments Program

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Farm Credit Canada

Canada and Manitoba Invest More Than $2 Million to Strengthen Animal Disease Preparedness (April 6, 2022 Joint Federal/Provincial Government News Release) The governments of Canada and

Manitoba are investing $2.2 million to modernize the provincial Animal Health Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced.

“Manitoba’s agricultural producers are committed to the health and well-being of their animals,” said Bibeau. “Investing in this innovative data analysis tool will help the sector quickly contain the spread of disease. It will help farmers protect the health of their animals and ensure a consistent, high-quality supply of Canadian food. Our government will continue to support initiatives that strengthen public confidence in Canadian agriculture.”

“This information technology modernization project will strengthen Animal Health’s ability to provide valuable and timely diagnostic and surveillance data to stakeholders and clients, which will help to improve decision making and to mitigate financial losses associated with animal disease outbreaks in the agriculture sector,” said Johnson. “It will also assist veterinarians, producers and the government of Manitoba to prevent the spread of disease and protect the health of humans, animals and the safety of the food supply.”

LIMS is computer-based information technology infrastructure that manages all laboratory animal disease diagnostic information and results generated by Veterinary Diagnostic Services (VDS), Manitoba’s animal heath laboratory whose existing diagnostic testing technology is at the end of its life cycle.

LIMS allows for the collection, analysis and reporting of test results for users and clients including producers, private and provincial veterinarians, livestock sector companies, commodity groups and government partners, as well as surveillance networks and researchers across Canada. The LIMS modernization will: •

strengthen the provincial animal disease surveillance program and improve overall diagnostic service delivery in the agriculture sector, and

•

enhance Manitoba’s ability to prepare for new and emerging animal diseases by increasing efficiency and capacity to diagnose.

The ministers noted this initiative highlights a commitment by both governments to improve resilience and preparedness for animal disease outbreaks.

“Veterinary Diagnostic Services, and the people who work there, are critical components of disease preparedness and management in Manitoba,” said Rick Préjet, chair, Manitoba Pork Council. “Enhancing the diagnostic and surveillance data management capacity of the laboratory is welcomed by Manitoba pork producers, particularly given that effective disease response is measured in hours and not days. This is a significant investment that will pay dividends for many years to come.”

Testing by VDS supports industry-wide herd and flock disease diagnostics and surveillance programs for new and emerging diseases. Each year on average, VDS receives 17,000 submissions from veterinarians and the agriculture sector in Manitoba and reports more than 135,000 test results to clients and

Canada and Manitoba Invest More Than $2 Million to Strengthen Animal Disease Preparedness animal health surveillance networks across Canada.

A vendor will be selected through a public tendering process, the ministers noted. Up to $2.2 million has been set aside for the purchase, installation and commissioning of software and equipment.

This initiative is supported by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, 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.

Getting Prepared for Possible Spring Flooding Are you prepared for possible spring flooding?

The following is some information from the provincial government to help you get organized in the event of an emergency such as a flood.

A reminder about individual responsibilities during an emergency: Step 1: – Producers/Individuals are the first point of responsibility to deal with their own emergency situation.

Step 2: - If individuals cannot provide appropriate response to their emergency situation, their local municipality is the first point of contact for emergency-related information and assistance.

•

Disaster Financial Assistance Fact Sheet

•

Disaster Financial Assistance Application and Information

If you do experience flooding and are incurring damages and expenses related to that which may be eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance it is important that you: •

Take pictures of all damaged property and items before you dispose of anything.

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Keep track of all your disaster-related repairs and activities including:

Step 3: - If the local municipality cannot handle the situation, that municipality will contact Emergencies Measures Organization (EMO) for assistance. If EMO requires Manitoba Agriculture’s assistance, they will assign an issue to our emergency coordinator.

Below are some useful provincial links related to flooding (forecasts, river and lake levels, etc.), tips for evacuation, Disaster Financial Assistance, etc.

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Flood Forecasting

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Flood Information

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Evacuation Information Sheets

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Caring for Livestock During an Evacuation

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Animal Emergency Supply Kit

•

•

Labour and equipment hours.

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Materials used, including quantities.

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Specific types of equipment used, including make, model, year, horsepower and attachments.

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Receipts, invoices and other documents you need to support your DFA claim.

Keep all receipts, invoices and any other documents for disaster related expenses as they are required in order to support your DFA claim. Invoices submitted to Manitoba EMO must be accompanied by the corresponding proof of payment (e.g. credit/debit slip, cancelled cheque) in order to be considered for eligibility.

Government of Canada Announces Workforce Solutions Road Map – Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program to Address Labour Shortages Across Canada (April 4, 2022 Employment and Social Development Canada News Release) Canada’s economic

recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is well underway. In February 2022, Canada added 337,000 jobs, bringing our unemployment rate to 5.5% - the lowest since the start of the pandemic. In fact, Canada’s economic recovery is outpacing the ability of many employers to find workers. To support Canada’s continued economic growth, the Government of Canada is focused on building a strong, resilient workforce in all sectors.

That is why the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program Workforce Solutions Road Map. This initiative marks the next step in an ongoing effort to adjust and improve the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to ensure it continues to meet the labour market needs of today. Central to this is addressing labour shortages, enhancing worker protections and building a stronger workforce for today and tomorrow, including through pathways to permanent residency. Five key policy changes will be implemented in the coming weeks as part of the TFW Program Workforce Solutions Road Map to respond to current labour and skills shortages.

•

To address seasonal peaks, there will no longer be a limit to the number of lowwage positions that employers in seasonal industries, such as fish and seafood processing, can fill through the TFW Program. This makes permanent the Seasonal Cap Exemption that has been in place since 2015. Also, the maximum duration of these positions will be increased from 180 days to 270 days per year.

•

The maximum duration of employment for High-Wage and Global Talent Streams workers will be extended from two years to three years. This extension will help workers access pathways to qualify for permanent residency, enabling them to contribute to our workforce for the long-term.

Effective April 30: •

For seven sectors with demonstrated labour shortages, such as Accommodation and Food Services, employers will be allowed to hire up to 30% of their workforce through the TFW Program for low-wage positions for one year. All other employers will be allowed to hire up to 20% of their workforce through the TFW Program for low-wage positions until further notice, an increase from the former 10% cap for many employers.

•

The Government will end the current policy that automatically refuses LMIA applications for low-wage occupations in the Accommodation and Food

Effective immediately: •

Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA’s) will be valid for 18 months, an increase from 9 months. (Prior to COVID-19, LMIA’s were valid for 6 months).

Government of Canada Announces Workforce Solutions Road Map – Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program to Address Labour Shortages Across Canada Services and Retail Trade sectors in regions with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.

In 2020, Temporary Foreign Workers made up less than 0.4% of the Canadian workforce and will continue to make up a small percentage of our workforce with these changes. The Government will carefully monitor implementation and continually review the policies to ensure they are addressing real labour shortages without displacing Canadian workers. The Government continues to support broader efforts to build a strong Canadian workforce for today and tomorrow. This includes historic investments in jobs and skills training, improving working conditions, and strengthening worker protections. The Temporary Foreign Workers Program will continue to have strong protections in place, including serious penalties if employers abuse the Program.

In order to ensure that employers across the country can hire TFWs in a timely manner, Service Canada recently implemented a series of measures to increase capacity and expedite the processing of LMIA applications. This includes increasing staffing resources in all regions, including Quebec. Employers are also encouraged to submit their application online to reduce processing time. These changes will not affect the stringent checks undertaken through the process to keep workers safe and protect labour market conditions.

All of these changes are occurring alongside the

Government’s ongoing work to strengthen worker protections. Minister Qualtrough also announced that she will convene the inaugural TFW Program Ministerial Consultative Roundtable in June 2022 to hear directly from worker representatives and other stakeholders on how to make the program stronger and more effective for workers, employers and their communities. The focus of the first Roundtable will be on housing accommodations, as the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for safe and adequate employer-provided housing for TFWs. This Roundtable builds on working group discussions already underway between federal, provincial and territorial officials on this topic. As part of a ‘What We Heard Report’ released in December 2021, the Government of Canada committed to changes in this area to address immediate health and safety concerns.

ESDC is also working to rebuild the TFW compliance regime to better protect TFWs. Ongoing activities to strengthen ESDC’s riskbased approach to target higher-risk employers include: •

furthering strengthening TFW inspection tools and mandatory training;

•

leveraging its tip line service, allowing workers to flag any situation of abuse or misuse of the program; and

•

expanding its work with consulates to identify concerns that need immediate attention.

Government of Canada Announces Workforce Solutions Road Map – Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program to Address Labour Shortages Across Canada Through Budget 2021, the Government also announced 49.5 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to support communitybased organizations in the provision of migrant worker-centric programs and services, such as on-arrival orientation services and assistance in emergency and at-risk situations, through the new Migrant Worker Support Program.

In July 2021, the Government pre-published

new proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette Part I to help prevent the mistreatment or abuse of temporary foreign workers during their stay in Canada and strengthen program integrity. Work is underway to finalize the 14 regulatory amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Temporary Foreign Workers) and final publication in the Canada Gazette Part II is anticipated later this summer.

Reminder of April 14, 2022 Claim Deadline re: Lake Manitoba Flood Class Action Lawsuit Settlement 2021 Exchange Solutions Inc. is the Claims Administrator for the 2011 Lake Manitoba Flood Class Action Settlement Agreement that received the Court-Approval Order by the Honourable Justice Joan McKelvey of the Court of Queen's Bench on January 13, 2022.

A class action lawsuit was initiated against the Province of Manitoba in 2013 on behalf of those affected by the 2011 Lake Manitoba flood waters.

In 2021, the Province of Manitoba and the class legal counsel DD West LLP reached a settlement of $85.5m that was approved by the Court of Queens Bench on January 13, 2022.

compensation based on the Claims Administration Procedure criteria in the Lake Manitoba 2011 Flood Settlement.

It is important for you to know that your Claim Registration Form must be received by the Claims Administrator no later than April 14, 2022.

www.exg.ca

If you were affected by the 2011 Lake Manitoba Flood, you may be eligible for compensation even if you did or did not receive compensation from the original Government of Manitoba Financial Assistance Program as the Class Action Settlement includes different eligibility and compensation criteria.

CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE 1 - 554 St. Mary's Road Winnipeg, MB R2M 3L5

If you believe you are eligible for compensation from the class action settlement, the first step is for you to obtain and submit a Claim Registration Form to the Claims Administrator.

Telephone: 1-204-947-7120 or 1-833-947-7120

A Claim Registration Form provides information for the Claims Administrator to assess if you are eligible to potentially receive

Questions@LakeManitobaFloodSettlement2021 .com

Fax: 1-204-957-5195 See also: https://www.lakemanitobafloodsettlement202 1.com/

Grazing Workshop Series Start Your Grazing Plan (Workshop 1) Choice of 3 locations MBFI Brookdale Farm Learning Centre - Tuesday, April 12, 2022 (12:00-6:00 PM) North of Brandon, Corner of PR 353 and HWY #10 Eriksdale Community Centre - Wednesday, April 13 2022 (9:30-3:00PM) 22 Railway Ave - Eriksdale Grandview Kinsmen Community Centre - Thursday, April 14, 2022 (9:30-3:00PM) 435 Burrows Ave - Grandview

Agenda

Building Pasture Productivity using Pasture Planning Steve Kenyon - Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd • Using Agri-Maps as a tool to develop grazing system plan Shawn Cabak - Ag Adaptation Specialist - Livestock, MB Ag • Developing applications for grazing project funding - Laura Grzenda, Andrea Bertholet, & Jewel Mazur Agri-Ecosystems Spec. - Livestock Stewardship, MB Ag - Local cost sharing programming • Hands–on supplementary training (optional) please bring your laptop •

SAVE THE DATES! - MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW Fence and Water Solutions (Workshop 2) - MBFI Brookdale Farm Site - June 1, 2022 Electric Fencing Theory & Hand-on Demonstration, Solar Power for Remote Water Systems, Pasture Pipeline Installation Health Check Your Pasture and Soil (Workshop 3) - MBFI First Street Pasture - July 6, 2022 Hands-on Demonstration of Pasture and Soil Health Assessments Diversify Your Grazing (Workshop 4 ) - MBFI Brookdale Farm Site - August 3, 2022 Extended Grazing and Annual Forages for Feed and Livestock/Crop Integration Workshop 1 Fee - $30.00 per person (Lunch included and discounts available) Pre-registration is required (spaces may be limited) - April 8 registration deadline for Workshop 1 Register at MBFI website @ https://www.mbfi.ca/registration or call 204-761-3300

AgriRecovery: Herd Management Drought Assistance WHO QUALIFIES PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Herd Management Drought Assistance program is the third program developed with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions. The other two programs include the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program and Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program.

This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females

Primary producers who owned eligible animals located in Manitoba, and were responsible for their feeding expenses as of March 16, 2021, are eligible. Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

An applicant must: • be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application; a partnership, a corporation, a cooperative, a commune or a First Nation • be liable to pay income tax in Manitoba under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or is specifically exempted from filing income tax but is a permanent resident of Canada; and must file farm and expense tax forms

Eligible animals • Breeding females of beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and elk owned by the applicant • Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

The producer must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

• retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Available Assistance Assistance is provided to replace breeding females culled due to drought and support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Eligible Sales of Breeding Females Culled Due to Drought The breeding females must be sold during the March 16, 2021 to March 15, 2022 time period and contribute to a decline in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on March 16, 2022.

March 16, 2021 inventory (pre-drought)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Decrease in inventory due to drought culling

Eligible Replacement Breeding females culled due to drought can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement females from the applicant’s existing herd or flock. The replacement must contribute to an increase in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on Jan. 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: • Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does • Purchases of females that will be bred by Jan. 31, 2023 • Retaining females from the applicant’s existing herd to be bred for the first time by Jan. 31, 2023 The replacement animals must be maintained in the herd or flock until Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

Breeding Herd Inventory The following dates will be used for assessing the impact of drought and subsequent recovery on the applicant’s inventory of breeding females: • March 16, 2021 • March 16, 2022 • Jan. 31, 2023 The difference between the recovery and drought impacted inventory indicates the effect of purchasing and retaining replacement females on recovering from the drought.

Jan. 31, 2023 inventory (recovery inventory)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

HOW TO DETERMINE HERD MANAGEMENT PAYMENT Payment Rates Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below for the replacement of eligible breeding animals culled due to drought. The payments are made for breeding females purchased or retained.

Animal Type(s)

Payment ($) per head

Beef Cattle, Bison, Elk

$250

Sheep and Goats

$50

Producers are paid the rates shown in the table above, based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between March 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023.

The payments are calculated as follows,

Per Head Payment Rate Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250 Sheep/Goats $50

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

X

=

Herd Management Program Payment

Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory

Note: Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payments are made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level.

Other Criteria for Declaration of Inventory of Breeding Females: The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females: • animals sold prior to being exposed to breeding for the first time • market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding • animals sold after March 15, 2022

• animals leased by the applicant • animals not located in Manitoba as of March 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete) For the March 16, 2022 inventory declaration, breeding females that both gave birth and were sold in the Jan. 1, 2022 to March 15, 2022 time period should be included in the number of head declared.

Producers should maintain records of breeding animals sold or purchased in case they are requested by the program administrator.

HOW TO APPLY

Program Timelines

The application package will be available on Jan. 10, 2022: online at www.manitoba.ca/ agriculture, in-person at AG-MASC Service Centre,, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail.

• April 15, 2022 11:59 PM – Deadline for application declaring March 16, 2021 and March 16, 2022 inventory. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim.

Application is a two-step process requiring applicants to fully complete and submit: 1) Application form, declaring their: a. March 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. March 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) Claim form, declaring their a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females

Contact Us • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Email us at agriculture@gov.mb.ca • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg • Visit your nearest AG-MASC Service Centre

Available in alternate formats upon request.

• Dec. 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available • Feb. 17, 2023 11:59 PM – Deadline for claim forms declaring Jan. 31, 2023 inventory

Further Resources • Herd Management Drought Assistance – Frequently Asked Questions • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Determining Payments • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Two-Step Application Process

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadlines:

May 13, 2022 for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP March 25, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Province Provides Further Update on Spring Flooding (March 25, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) The

Manitoba government continues to take action to protect Manitobans from potential spring flooding, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced today.

•

• •

“The province receives regular updates from our skilled hydrological forecast professionals, and updated predictions based on weather conditions and current flows now show a downgrade of last week’s forecast tracking towards 2017 levels,” said Piwniuk. “Preparation activities are still underway should the province need it and our government is working to ensure Manitobans remain protected in the event of a flood.”

The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) is currently working with local authorities and all emergency management partners to provide guidance and support for preparatory activities to reduce potential impacts to communities should flooding occur.

The minister noted that significant investments have been made in critical flood mitigation projects across the province as part of our government’s climate resiliency plan. Projects include: •

northbound lanes of Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 75 have been raised by up to 1.2 metres to protect this major trade route from a 2009-level flood event;

Provincial Road (PR) 246 has been upgraded to Manitoba’s highest loading standard to provide an efficient detour for PTH 75 as needed; ongoing repairs to dikes and pump stations at key locations throughout Manitoba’s major basins; and ongoing investment in the Portage Diversion including repairs to the outlet structure and upgrades to the control structure.

The province has also installed nine new real-time gauges to monitor water levels in reservoirs across southern Manitoba and will install four additional gauges in 2022. In addition, the project for the repair of the Rapid City dam is well underway and construction work for the permanent repair of the Rapid City dam embankment is scheduled to begin this summer.

While the updated report forecasts more positive outcomes, the province is still expecting to operate the Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion with continuous efforts monitoring levels in the possibility of a spring weather event, noted the minister.

The March Outlook Report can be found at: www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/pdf/2022/march_2022_flo od_outlook_report.pdf.

More information about flooding and how to prepare for an emergency situation is available at: www.manitoba.ca/flooding.

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Updates re: COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations in Manitoba Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba is updated on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. at: •

•

•

Case data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps /manitoba-covid-19/ COVID-19 vaccination coverage: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/ apps/manitoba-covid-19-vaccinationsdashboard-1/ Outbreaks: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/pr s/index.html

NOTE: Vaccine-related dashboards will be no longer be updated after March 31, as COVID-19 immunization data is also included in the weekly epidemiology reports.

Key Updates Information about COVID-19 will continue to be updated in weekly epidemiology reports found at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveill ance/covid-19/index.html and online COVID-19 dashboards will no longer be available. Vaccine dashboards will continue to be updated.

Public health officials are highlighting the following trends. As of March 23, Manitoba saw: •

128 new hospitalizations, a 4.9 per cent increase from the previous week; and

•

11 new ICU cases, a 57.1 per cent increase from the previous week.

As compared to people with two or more doses of vaccine, those who are not fully vaccinated are:

•

five times as likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19,

•

seven times as likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit, and

•

10 times as likely to die with COVID-19.

The provincial vaccine site in Selkirk closes on March 26, followed by the Steinbach site in midApril. For additional updates on vaccine locations and hours, or to use the vaccine finder, visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/index .html.

COVID testing sites continue to operate throughout the province. For a list of locations and hours of operation, eligibility for PCR testing, and information on rapid antigen tests, visit: www.manitoba.ca/covid19/testing/.

More Resources •

COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19

•

Vaccine campaign: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine a nd https://protectmb.ca.

•

Testing information: www.manitoba.ca/covid19 /testing/index.html.

•

Enforcement statistics: https://manitoba.ca/openmb /infomb/departments/index.html#cdr.

Minister Ng launches negotiations toward a bilateral free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (March 24, 2022 Global Affairs Canada News Release) The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of

International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, and the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for International Trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, announced they will proceed with negotiations toward a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). The first round of negotiations will begin on March 28, 2022.

Minister Ng and Secretary of State Trevelyan agreed to pursue an ambitious agreement, one that is inclusive and sustainable, and that will advance our climate goals, strengthen supply chains and help our businesses thrive by benefitting from digital trade.

Quotes “I am thrilled to launch negotiations for a new benchmark agreement with the United Kingdom that will raise the bar for women, racialized people, and small businesses.”

- Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development Quick facts •

The United Kingdom was Canada’s third-largest individual country trading partner in 2021 for both goods and services, which were valued together at $42.2 billion.

•

Canada exported $24.1 billion in goods and services to and imported $18.1 billion in goods and services from United Kingdom in 2021.

•

During public consultations in the spring of 2021, Canadians expressed strong support for a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

3,700 Canadian companies on average export goods to the United Kingdom annually. More than 92% are SMEs.

•

Additionally, during their meeting in Ottawa, the ministers unequivocally condemned in the strongest terms President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, which is a direct challenge to the rules-based international order. They reaffirmed that Canada and the United Kingdom stands resolute against authoritarianism and with a free and democratic Ukraine.

The United Kingdom is Canada’s second-largest individual partner, after the United States, in bilateral services trade, direct investment and science, technology and innovation partnerships. In 2019, Canada-U.K. trade in clean technology and environmental products reached $677.6 million.

•

The Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) will continue to provide certainty for Canadian and U.K. businesses and remain in place over the course of the negotiations.

Minister Ng highlighted that the negotiations are an opportunity to make sure everyone benefits from trade, including women, racialized communities, Indigenous peoples and other traditionally underrepresented groups.

continued on page 5

Minister Ng launches negotiations toward a bilateral free trade agreement with the United Kingdom •

•

Both the bilateral negotiations and the United Kingdom’s possible accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) present opportunities for Canada to further enhance its relationship with the United Kingdom.

Canada and the United Kingdom cooperate closely in multilateral

forums, including the G7, G20, WTO and Ottawa Group on WTO reform, to advance common interests and promote rules-based international trade.

Related products •

Canada-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement

Hay West receives $50,000 Donation from Government of PEI; CN Matches Donation (March 25, 2022 Canadian Federation of Agriculture News) CFA is very happy to announce that the

Government of PEI has generously donated $50,000 towards the Hay West program. CN will match that contribution as part of their existing $250,000 commitment to Hay West, effectively doubling the value of the PEI Government’s contribution.

The CFA would like to sincerely thank Ron Maynard, President of the PEI Federation of Agriculture, for his efforts in working with the PEI Government for their Hay West donation! And, of course, to the PEI government for making this generous donation.

“The climate events that have occurred in Western Canada have left the agriculture industry with incredible challenges, and our Province is proud to be partnering with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and CN to help those in need in any capacity we can. This initiative is all about farmers wanting to help farmers, and whether you live in Western, Eastern, Central, or Northern Canada, farmers are one big community that are always willing to help their neighbours.” - Bloyce Thompson, Minister of Agriculture & Land for PEI Following the match of PEI’s $50,000 donation, there remains $60,000 available under the CN commitment to support other Hay West donors.

We are very grateful to CN for their continued support and dedication to the CFA and this important program.

Please note the total contributions to the Hay West program to-date: •

$50,000 from OFA

•

$50,000 from FCC

•

$62,000 from the PEI government (this includes original 12K donation plus current $50K donation)

•

$15,000 from Princess Auto

•

$4 million from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

•

$190,000 from CN (including the initial $125,000 donation and matching donations for Princess Auto and the PEI Government)

•

$2700 from private donations

Total Funding to date – approx.: $4,394,000 CFA will have a member's update on the status of the Hay West program next week.

For more information about Hay West go to: https://www.haywest2021.net/

Fighting fires while feeding cows How can cattle reduce wildfire risk?

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) Public and Stakeholder Engagement program is excited to announce the launch of their next short documentary and you are invited to join in the exclusive screening event.

With the rise of devastating and intense fire events across Canada, it is clear that wildfire mitigation strategies are urgently needed. After witnessing firsthand how grazing can impact fire behavior, ranchers, researchers and municipalities have come together to collaborate on a series of pilot projects in British Columbia utilizing cattle to reduce fire risk adjacent to urban communities.

Grass feeds fires, but it can also feed cattle.

This online event will feature a screening of Too Close to Home followed by a panel discussion with representatives from the BC Cattlemen’s Association, the Government of BC and a local rancher involved in the project and end with questions from the audience.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Watch the Trailer Now!

Government announces Climate Action Incentive Payments for 2022-23 First quarterly payments to Canadians will be delivered in July (March 23, 2022 Department of Finance Canada News Release) The Deputy Prime Minister and

Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, announced the 2022-23 Climate Action Incentive (CAI) payment amounts. To ensure that carbon pollution pricing remains affordable for Canadians, the federal government returns all proceeds to the jurisdictions where they were collected, with the majority of proceeds from the federal pollution pricing system returned directly to Canadians through CAI payments.

Under the federal pollution pricing system, the government applies a price on pollution in jurisdictions that do not have a system of their own that meets the federal stringency requirements — specifically Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. In those jurisdictions, approximately 90 per cent of direct proceeds from carbon pollution pricing are returned to residents of those provinces through CAI payments. The other 10 per cent is used to support farmers, small businesses, Indigenous groups, schools, universities, and municipalities. No funds collected are retained by the federal government.

In 2022-23, the increased CAI payments announced today mean a family of four will receive $745 in Ontario, $832 in Manitoba, $1,101 in Saskatchewan, and $1,079 in Alberta.

Families in rural and small communities are eligible to receive an extra 10 per cent. Full details on payment amounts for individuals and families in 2022-23 are specified in the backgrounder.

In Budget 2021, the government proposed to change CAI payments from a refundable credit claimed annually on personal income tax returns to quarterly payments made through

the benefit system. Starting this July with a “double-up” payment for the first two quarters of the 2022-23 fuel charge year (April-June and July-September), followed by single quarterly payments in October and January, CAI payments will be delivered on this more regular basis.

Quick facts •

To protect Canadians from the dangers and costs presented by climate change, and to ensure that Canada continues to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the government introduced a price on carbon pollution across Canada in 2019.

•

The Government of Canada does not keep any direct proceeds from carbon pollution pricing.

•

CAI payments mean some 8 out of 10 families receive more money back than they pay in direct costs under this system, with families that earn less benefitting the most, on average.

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The 2022-23 CAI payment amounts represent an increase relative to the 202122 CAI payment amounts specified last year and claimed through 2020 personal income tax returns.

•

Since 2016, the Government has committed more than $100 billion to climate action and environmental protection.

Related products •

Backgrounder: Climate Action Incentive payment amounts for 2022-23

Associated links •

Canada Revenue Agency: Climate action incentive payment

Important Reminders/Updates re: AgriRecovery Programs Related to the 2021 Drought Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance

been sent an email or letter in the mail informing them how they can apply for these expenses.

Program Description AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

Extraordinary Expenses incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 including hauling water, renting extra pasture and cropland, harvesting extra acres for livestock feed, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, and transporting feed from distant locations. A one time declaration of extraordinary expenses can be submitted over the life of the program.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing drought conditions. The program helps livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to maintain their breeding herds.

Application Deadline Applications will be received on an ongoing basis until May 13, 2022 (11:59 p.m. CST).

WHAT IS NEW? (March 2022) Extension of Invoice Dates - Invoices dated on or before April 15, 2022 are eligible if the purchase or transportation was to continue maintaining the eligible breeding animals owned on March 15, 2022. This extension will assist producers facing issues with taking delivery of feed ordered before the original March 15th deadline.

Extension of Application Deadline - The application deadline has been extended to May 13, 2022 due to the extension of the eligible dates for invoices.

This extension will allow time to obtain proof of payment for the purchases made by April 15, 2022.

Expansion of Eligible Feeds - The list of eligible feeds now includes feed additives and premixes, molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021. Previous applicants of the program have

View: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

View: How do Extraordinary Expenses Increase Payments?

AgriRecovery: Herd Management Drought Assistance Program Description The Herd Management Drought Assistance program is the third program developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions. The other two programs include the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program and Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females • retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to predrought levels.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for continued on pages 10-17

Important Reminders/Updates re: AgriRecovery Programs Related to the 2021 Drought assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Who Qualifies Primary producers who owned eligible animals located in Manitoba, and were responsible for their feeding expenses as of March 16, 2021 are eligible.

Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

An applicant must: • be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application; a partnership, a corporation, a cooperative, a commune or a First Nation.

• be liable to pay income tax in Manitoba under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or is specifically exempted from filing income tax but is a permanent resident of Canada; and must file farm and expense tax forms.

Eligible animals • Breeding females of beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and elk owned by the applicant.

• Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

The producer must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

Available Assistance Assistance is provided to replace breeding females culled due to drought and support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to predrought levels.

For complete program details and forms go to: https://www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/livestock/agr irecovery-herd-management-assistance.html Key Program Timelines • April 15, 2022 11:59 PM - Deadline for application declaring March 16, 2021 and March 16, 2022 inventory. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim.

• Dec. 1, 2022 - Claim forms will be available.

• Feb. 17, 2023 11:59 PM - Deadline for claim forms declaring January 31, 2023 inventory.

Further Resources • Herd Management Drought Assistance - Frequently Asked Questions • Video - Herd Management Drought Assistance - Determining Payments • Video - Herd Management Drought Assistance - Two-Step Application Process • Factsheet - Herd Management Drought Assistance Note: You can also pick up an application package at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to have an application package mailed to you.

AgriRecovery: Herd Management Drought Assistance WHO QUALIFIES PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Herd Management Drought Assistance program is the third program developed with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions. The other two programs include the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program and Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program.

This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females

Primary producers who owned eligible animals located in Manitoba, and were responsible for their feeding expenses as of March 16, 2021, are eligible. Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

An applicant must: • be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application; a partnership, a corporation, a cooperative, a commune or a First Nation • be liable to pay income tax in Manitoba under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or is specifically exempted from filing income tax but is a permanent resident of Canada; and must file farm and expense tax forms

Eligible animals • Breeding females of beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and elk owned by the applicant • Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

The producer must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

• retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Available Assistance Assistance is provided to replace breeding females culled due to drought and support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Eligible Sales of Breeding Females Culled Due to Drought The breeding females must be sold during the March 16, 2021 to March 15, 2022 time period and contribute to a decline in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on March 16, 2022.

March 16, 2021 inventory (pre-drought)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Decrease in inventory due to drought culling

Eligible Replacement Breeding females culled due to drought can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement females from the applicant’s existing herd or flock. The replacement must contribute to an increase in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on Jan. 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: • Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does • Purchases of females that will be bred by Jan. 31, 2023 • Retaining females from the applicant’s existing herd to be bred for the first time by Jan. 31, 2023 The replacement animals must be maintained in the herd or flock until Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

Breeding Herd Inventory The following dates will be used for assessing the impact of drought and subsequent recovery on the applicant’s inventory of breeding females: • March 16, 2021 • March 16, 2022 • Jan. 31, 2023 The difference between the recovery and drought impacted inventory indicates the effect of purchasing and retaining replacement females on recovering from the drought.

Jan. 31, 2023 inventory (recovery inventory)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

HOW TO DETERMINE HERD MANAGEMENT PAYMENT Payment Rates Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below for the replacement of eligible breeding animals culled due to drought. The payments are made for breeding females purchased or retained.

Animal Type(s)

Payment ($) per head

Beef Cattle, Bison, Elk

$250

Sheep and Goats

$50

Producers are paid the rates shown in the table above, based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between March 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023.

The payments are calculated as follows,

Per Head Payment Rate Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250 Sheep/Goats $50

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

X

=

Herd Management Program Payment

Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory

Note: Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payments are made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level.

Other Criteria for Declaration of Inventory of Breeding Females: The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females: • animals sold prior to being exposed to breeding for the first time • market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding • animals sold after March 15, 2022

• animals leased by the applicant • animals not located in Manitoba as of March 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete) For the March 16, 2022 inventory declaration, breeding females that both gave birth and were sold in the Jan. 1, 2022 to March 15, 2022 time period should be included in the number of head declared.

Producers should maintain records of breeding animals sold or purchased in case they are requested by the program administrator.

HOW TO APPLY

Program Timelines

The application package will be available on Jan. 10, 2022: online at www.manitoba.ca/ agriculture, in-person at AG-MASC Service Centre,, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail.

• April 15, 2022 11:59 PM – Deadline for application declaring March 16, 2021 and March 16, 2022 inventory. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim.

Application is a two-step process requiring applicants to fully complete and submit: 1) Application form, declaring their: a. March 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. March 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) Claim form, declaring their a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females

Contact Us • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Email us at agriculture@gov.mb.ca • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg • Visit your nearest AG-MASC Service Centre

Available in alternate formats upon request.

• Dec. 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available • Feb. 17, 2023 11:59 PM – Deadline for claim forms declaring Jan. 31, 2023 inventory

Further Resources • Herd Management Drought Assistance – Frequently Asked Questions • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Determining Payments • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Two-Step Application Process

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadlines:

May 13, 2022 for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP March 18, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Province Releases March Flood Outlook (March 17, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has released its second 2022 spring flood outlook. The risk of major flooding on the Red River and tributaries remains high flood preparation activities are underway. Though significant high water activity is expected in southern Manitoba, flood water levels are expected to remain below community flood protection levels with water levels to be influenced by the rate of snowmelt and future snow and rain accumulation.

There is also a risk of moderate flooding on the Assiniboine and Souris rivers and tributaries.

The risk of flooding in the Interlake region and northern Manitoba is low, with the risk of lakes flooding due to spring run-off remaining low, except for the Whiteshell Lakes area, which has a potential for moderate flooding.

With normal weather, water levels similar to 2020 are expected on the Red River. With the use of the Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion, water levels at James Avenue in Winnipeg could reach 19.5 feet with unfavourable weather.

The Portage Diversion may be operated to prevent ice jamming on the Assiniboine River east of Portage la Prairie to control river levels in the city of Winnipeg and areas along the Assiniboine River downstream of Portage la Prairie.

Updated flood information will be shared next week.

Executive Summary From the Outlook

The March Outlook Report prepared by the Hydrologic Forecast Centre (HFC) of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure reports the risk of moderate to major spring flooding in most southern Manitoba basins remains high. Water levels are expected to remain below dikes and community flood protection levels at all locations. The risk of flooding could change depending on weather conditions between now and the spring melt.

Due to above normal to extremely above normal winter precipitation to mid-March, the Red River and its tributaries, including the Roseau, Rat and Pembina Rivers are at a high risk of moderate to major flooding.

Due to below normal soil moisture at freeze-up and normal to well above normal winter precipitation, there is high risk of moderate flooding in the Assiniboine River and its tributaries including Souris River basin, and in the eastern region, including the Whiteshell Lakes area. The risk of spring flooding is low for Interlake and northern Manitoba regions.

Most of the major lakes are below normal levels for this time of the year and within or very close to their operating ranges heading into the spring runoff. The risk of flooding for most lakes is low. Most lakes are expected to be within their desirable ranges after the spring runoff.

The March Outlook Report in its entirety can be found at: www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/pdf/2022/march_2022 _flood_outlook_report.pdf.

More information about flooding and how to prepare for an emergency situation is available at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding.

Statement Canadian beef producers call for resolution prior to work stoppage at CP Rail to avoid feed shortage emergency March 18, 2022 Ottawa, ON – The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and the National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) remains hopeful that the progression of the collective bargaining negotiations between the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP Rail) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference will avoid a work stoppage and subsequent significant impacts to Canada’s beef sector.

On March 16, 2022, CP Rail gave notice of their intention to lock out employees as of March 20. The union also gave their notice of intention to strike on the same day.

“We have communicated with both negotiating parties and Government representatives the absolute need to have trains continue moving otherwise we will have an animal care emergency on our hands,” said Bob Lowe, CCA President. “We remain hopeful that they will reach a resolution and are pleased to see them remain at the negotiating table.”

“Any stoppage of trains coming into Canada would be devastating to the Canadian cattle industry. We have been dealing with feed shortages over the last few months and are completely reliant on feed coming from the United States (U.S.),” states James Bekkering, NCFA Chair. “If a stoppage occurs, feed supplies will run out in one to two weeks causing a serious concern for the welfare of our animals.”

Western Canadian cattle producers are dependent on feed shipments from the U.S. because of the hardhitting drought producers faced last year from British Columbia through to Ontario. A disruption in shipments of feed grain from the U.S. will significantly impact the ability of beef producers to feed their cattle. Prior issues with rail and transportation have already reduced feed availability and feeders have been managing their needs on a train-by-train basis. There is no buffer in the system.

CCA and NCFA have been strongly encouraging both sides to reach a solution prior to strike or lock outs. In the event a solution cannot be reached, the parties should move directly to binding arbitration to avoid a work stoppage and the resulting necessity of implementing back-to-work legislation. It is imperative to prevent the serious consequences that would arise from a shortage of critical feed supplies on Canadian beef operations.

According to Statistics Canada, Alberta and Saskatchewan corn imports in 2021 were up 400 per cent.

Key considerations: • • • •

Drought 2021 caused a small crop and what was available was of moderate to good quality.

Estimated current available feed supply is one to two weeks.

On February 1, 2022, there were 1.1. million head of cattle on feed in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

One rail car is estimated to feed approximately 8,000 head for one day, therefore we need nine to ten trains per week.

• •

According to Statistics Canada, Alberta and Saskatchewan corn imports in 2021 were up 400 per cent.

It is estimated that over 1,000 super-B trucks would be needed weekly to replace the volume of feed grain currently be transported by Canadian Pacific Railway trains and trucking capacity is not available leaving no alternative solutions.

For further information, contact: Michelle McMullen Communications Manager Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 403-451-0931| mcmullenm@cattle.ca Megan Madden Communications Manager National Cattle Feeders’ Association 780-686-8807 | mmadden@cattlefeeders.ca

For reliable information and resources please visit:

COVID-19 Updates Final Public Health Orders in Manitoba Lifted March 15, 2022 – information re: Isolation, Travel to Northern Manitoba (March 14, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) More than two years after the start of

the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the province will be lifting its remaining public health orders and restrictions effective March 15, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced.

“Thanks to the commitment, compassion and hard work of all Manitobans, particularly our health-care heroes, we are finally in a position to lift restrictions,” said Gordon. “This path forward will be different for all of us, whether we choose to wear masks or not, or how and when we connect with family and friends. Let’s be patient, thoughtful and kind to each other as we navigate this new normal together.”

Manitoba Health reminds Manitobans that public health orders requiring mask wearing in public places end at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15. However, masks will continue to be required for all individuals attending a healthcare facility, including visitors. Throughout the province, individuals may continue to choose to wear masks in various settings based on their preference, personal risk or other reasons.

Schools and child-care facilities continue to follow public health guidance on mask use, meaning they will no longer be required for staff or students. Physical distancing requirements and cohorts are also no longer required in these settings.

but now Manitobans are empowered to make their own decisions about what is right for themselves and their families,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer.

“We know these restrictions have taken a toll on many people’s health and well-being, but we also know that this shift may cause different stress and anxiety for some. This is a process for everyone to take at their own pace and we need to remember to support each other as it happens.”

Manitoba, including schools, will move to Limited Risk (Green) under the Pandemic Response System.

Additionally on March 15: •

public health orders restricting travel to northern Manitoba will end;

•

individual case investigations related to COVID-19 will no longer occur and Manitoba will no longer generate key codes for the federal COVID Alert app; and

•

public health will no longer require people who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate.

Public health continues to recommend people isolate in the following situations: •

people with symptoms should stay home and isolate for five days after symptoms start until they have no fever and other symptoms have improved over the past 24 hours;

•

individuals who have tested positive but do not develop symptoms should

Though orders have been lifted, public health will continue to monitor positive cases and severe outcomes related to COVID-19 and will provide updated information to Manitobans.

“We will continue to provide public health recommendations and guidance on COVID-19,

continued on pages 6-7

COVID-19 Updates isolate for five days from the date of the test;

decisions about using masks, physical distancing and other actions based on those risks.

•

individuals should wear a well-fitting, well-made mask if they must have contact with other people while ill or when their isolation is finished for 10 days after the onset of symptoms or test date if asymptomatic; and

•

people who have symptoms or test positive should avoid non-essential visits with higher-risk people or at higher-risk settings for 10 days after the onset of their symptoms or test date if asymptomatic.

Manitobans are encouraged to learn if they are eligible for COVID-19 treatment. Treatment can help protect against severe illness or hospitalization but must be given within days of having symptoms, so it is important to get tested quickly to access this care. Vaccinated and unvaccinated people, including those with chronic health conditions, who are pregnant or have other risk factors, may be eligible for treatment. More information about COVID-19 treatment is available at www.manitoba.ca/covid19/treatment/.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is recommended Manitobans get vaccinated, stay home when sick, assess their risk and make

For more information about COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/.

Updates re: COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations in Manitoba The following is a compilation of information from provincial government websites and news releases from the week of March 14.

Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba is updated on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. at: •

Case data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps /manitoba-covid-19/

•

COVID-19 vaccination coverage: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/ apps/manitoba-covid-19-vaccinationsdashboard-1/

•

Outbreaks: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/pr s/index.html

Key Updates re: Vaccine Sites, Testing Sites Starting March 24, information about COVID-19 will be updated in weekly epidemiology reports found at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveill ance/covid-19/index.html. Vaccine dashboards will continue to be updated.

Provincial vaccine sites in Brandon and Morden are now closed to the public. The Selkirk location will close on March 26, followed by the Steinbach site in mid-April. The vaccine site at RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg will remain open to offer vaccines. Vaccines also continue to be available at medical clinics and pharmacies throughout the province. For additional updates on vaccine locations and hours or to use the vaccine finder, visit www.manitoba.ca/vaccine.

COVID-19 Updates On Sunday, March 20, 18 provincial COVID-19 testing sites will close and services will be consolidated at other locations. These sites remain open: •

•

•

•

•

Prairie Mountain Health: Dauphin Testing Centre (301 Main St. N) and Brandon Drive-Thru Testing Site (Van Horne Ave. E.); Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority: Selkirk Testing Site (100 Easton Dr.); Southern Health-Santé Sud: Winkler Testing Centre (Southland Mall, R10777 Norquay Dr.); Steinbach Community Testing Site (365 Reimer Ave.); and Portage la Prairie Testing Site (159-Fifth St. SE); Winnipeg Regional Health Authority: Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Testing Site (445 King St.); Walk in Clinic Garrick Centre (330 Garry St.); Testing Centre (604 St. Mary’s Rd.); Dakota Medical Centre (17-845 Dakota St.); and Minor Illness and Injury Clinic Drive-Thru Testing Site (2055 Notre Dame Ave.) Northern Regional Health Authority: Flin Flon General Hospital (Main Entrance); The Pas Testing Centre (328 Fischer Ave.); and Thompson Clinic Testing Centre (Plaza Mall).

PCR tests will continue to be available at these sites to eligible people, which includes preoperative patients and those at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 who may be eligible for treatment. For up-to-date information about hours and locations, as well as information on rapid antigen tests, visit: www.manitoba.ca/covid19/testing.

Do I need to make an appointment for a COVID19 test?

Starting March 14, 2022, COVID-19 testing sites will be available on a walk-in basis only, with the exception of pre-operative patients. This includes all sites that are currently appointment-only. Pre-operative patients can continue to make appointments by calling 1855-268-4318.

Walk-ins are available at the following testing centres and drive-up sites: •

301 Main Street North, Dauphin;

•

Swan Valley Primary Care Centre Parking Lot, 1000 Main Street, Swan River;

•

Keystone Centre (1175-18th Street), Brandon;

•

Southland Mall, R10-777 Norquay Drive, Winkler;

•

365 Reimer Ave, Steinbach;

•

Portage Ave. and 5th St. SE, Portage la Prairie;

•

Flin Flon General Hospital (Main Entrance), Flin Flon

•

100 Easton Drive, Selkirk;

•

328 Fischer Avenue, The Pas; and

•

Plaza Mall, 50 Selkirk Ave., Thompson.

•

820 Taylor Ave., Winnipeg;

•

604 St. Mary’s Rd., Winnipeg;

•

1 Research Road. (U of M), Winnipeg

More Resources • •

•

•

COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

Vaccine campaign: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://prot ectmb.ca.

Testing information: www.manitoba.ca/covid19/testing/index. html.

Enforcement statistics: https://manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/depart ments/index.html#cdr.

Government of Canada will remove preentry test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers on April 1 (March 17, 2022 Public Health Agency of Canada News Release) The Government of Canada

announced that effective April 1, 2022 at 12:01 AM EDT, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land or water.

Fully vaccinated travellers seeking to arrive in Canada before April 1, 2022, must still have a valid pre-entry test.

As a reminder, travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, may need to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival if selected for mandatory random testing. Travellers selected for mandatory random testing are not required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.

For partially or unvaccinated travelers who are currently allowed to travel to Canada, pre-entry testing requirements are not changing. Unless otherwise exempt, all travellers 5 years of age or older who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must continue to provide proof of an accepted type of pre-entry COVID-19 test result: •

•

a valid, negative antigen test, administered or observed by an accredited lab or testing provider, taken outside of Canada no more than one day before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or a valid negative molecular test taken no more than 72 hours before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or

•

a previous positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry. It is important to note that positive antigen test results will not be accepted.

All travellers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) before their arrival in Canada. Travellers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may have to test on arrival and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status.

Travellers taking a cruise or a plane must submit their information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before boarding.

Quick Facts •

Canadians can continue do their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and boosted, using masks where appropriate, self-isolating if they have symptoms and self-testing if they can.

•

Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry requirements before heading to the border. In addition, some provinces and territories may have their own entry restrictions in place. Check and follow both the federal and any provincial or territorial restrictions and requirements before travelling to Canada.

•

All travellers entering Canada, including returning residents, continue to be continued on page 10

Government of Canada will remove preentry test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers on April 1 required to input their mandatory information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada.

•

•

Unless otherwise exempt, all travellers eligible to enter Canada who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will continue to be tested with COVID-19 molecular tests on arrival and on Day 8, while they quarantine for 14 days.

Travellers may experience delays at ports of entry due to the public health measures. Travellers should have their ArriveCAN receipt ready to present to the border services officer.

Before heading to the land border, travellers should check Canada Border Service Agency's website for estimated border wait times at select land ports of entry.

Associated Links •

COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders

•

COVID-19: Vaccinated travellers entering Canada

•

ArriveCAN

•

COVID-19: Boarding flights and trains in Canada

Latest FCC Farmland Values Report Released for 2021 followed a 3.6% increase in 2020 and a 4% increase in 2019.

FCC has issued the 2021 Farmland Values Report for Canada. It is FCC’s annual review of regional land value trends across Canada in price per acre. Among the highlights: •

•

Despite all the economic upheaval, supply-chain problems, extreme weather conditions, the real estate market – and particularly the agriculture land market – is doing well.

Sustained demand, historically low interest rates, favourable commodity prices and tight supply of farmland available for sale have all been key factors that resulted in a national average farmland increase of 8.3% in 2021, compared to 5.4% in 2020, and similar moderate increases for the previous five years.

Manitoba saw an average increases of 9.9%, with growth being widely dispersed around the province. This

•

Growing conditions throughout the province were variable, with overall excessive heat and severe drought conditions. This led to some very poor crops, both in terms of quality and yield. However, good commodity prices and crop insurance coverage helped mitigate some of the impact of belowaverage yields.

•

Stable to increasing demand and limited supply are factors that positively influenced farmland values in many areas of the province. Insect infestation was an issue, as many fields required spraying more than once and all crops were affected.

•

Demand came mainly from farmers looking to expand their operation, such as large intensive, supply-managed farm operations, cash crop producers and some part-time farmers.

•

The largest overall increase was 17.6% in the Parkland region, which was well above the provincial average. The strongest increases were seen in the central and west side areas of the region. Yields in some areas of the region were average to above average.

Land capable of growing cereals and oilseeds was in high demand due to strong commodity prices.

•

Westman region farmland values increased by 12.2% in 2021, following a below average increase of 2.9% in 2020.

Producers continue to expand their land and well-established farms account for many of the cultivated land sales in the continued on page 12

Latest FCC Farmland Values Report Released for 2021 area. The change in land values varied considerably in the area, with the largest increases observed in the southern part of the region.

•

•

Overall, values increased by 9.4% in the Interlake region, with the northwest corner of this area experiencing well above average increases, somewhat catching up to the northeast area.

Eastman and Central Plains-Pembina Valley saw similar increases in value compared to last year, of 5.4% and 4.2% respectively. Marketability of farmland in both areas is similar and both have various buyers.

•

The value of irrigated land, mostly located in the Central Plains-Pembina Valley region and to some extent in the Westman region, increased by 7% in 2021. Demand for this type of land remains strong, accentuated by challenges created by the drought.

To see the full report go to: https://www.fccfac.ca/fcc/resources/2021-farmland-valuesreport-e.pdf For historic FCC farmland values from 1985 to 1991 go to: https://www.fccfac.ca/fcc/resources/2021-historic-farmlandvalues-report-e.pdf

Pending short-term closure of bridge at St. Andrews Lock and Dam

March 14, 2022 Public Services and Procurement Canada Media Advisory) Public Services and

Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise motorists that the bridge at the St. Andrews Lock and Dam will be closed to vehicular traffic for deck replacement work during the following period: from Monday, March 21, at 10 pm to Tuesday, March 22, at 6 am.

During this period, all lanes will be closed to vehicular traffic in both directions. The bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists, who will cross the bridge using a walkway constructed along the south side of the bridge.

Cyclists are asked to dismount their bikes when using the walkway.

PSPC encourages users to exercise caution when travelling on the bridge and thanks them for their patience.

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://bit.ly/3h11VT7).

This resource can be used alongside other AHEM producer tools and handbooks found at www.animalhealth.ca/resources to proactively plan, prepare and 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.

Click here to register. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern). Dates include: •

March 22, 2022 (French)

•

April 5, 2022

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.

Click here to register. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern). Dates include: •

April 14, 2022

•

April 28, 2022 (French)

Webinar 3: Testing, Testing, 1-2-3 – Scenarios for producer Handbook application While we cannot anticipate every circumstance that may take place during an emergency event, we can create scenarios to test our ability to respond. Understanding how to work together using the AHEM producer Handbook will improve emergency readiness by allowing participants to identify and address existing gaps.

In the final part of this three-part series participants will be introduced to AHEM’s producer-oriented simulation workshops, which give a practical understanding of how AHEM

Emergency Management Workshops and Other Planning Resources for Livestock Producers resources are used as guidance before, during and/or after a serious animal disease outbreak.

Participants will benefit from an opportunity to actively work through and fine tune their response as they explore numerous scenariobased exercises.

•

May 12, 2022

•

June 21, 2022

•

July 12, 2022

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

Important Reminders/Updates re: AgriRecovery Programs Related to the 2021 Drought Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance

been sent an email or letter in the mail informing them how they can apply for these expenses.

Program Description AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

Extraordinary Expenses incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 including hauling water, renting extra pasture and cropland, harvesting extra acres for livestock feed, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, and transporting feed from distant locations. A one time declaration of extraordinary expenses can be submitted over the life of the program.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing drought conditions. The program helps livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to maintain their breeding herds.

Application Deadline Applications will be received on an ongoing basis until May 13, 2022 (11:59 p.m. CST).

WHAT IS NEW? (March 2022) Extension of Invoice Dates - Invoices dated on or before April 15, 2022 are eligible if the purchase or transportation was to continue maintaining the eligible breeding animals owned on March 15, 2022. This extension will assist producers facing issues with taking delivery of feed ordered before the original March 15th deadline.

Extension of Application Deadline - The application deadline has been extended to May 13, 2022 due to the extension of the eligible dates for invoices.

This extension will allow time to obtain proof of payment for the purchases made by April 15, 2022.

Expansion of Eligible Feeds - The list of eligible feeds now includes feed additives and premixes, molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021. Previous applicants of the program have

View: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

View: How do Extraordinary Expenses Increase Payments?

AgriRecovery: Herd Management Drought Assistance Program Description The Herd Management Drought Assistance program is the third program developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions. The other two programs include the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program and Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females • retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to predrought levels.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for

Important Reminders/Updates re: AgriRecovery Programs Related to the 2021 Drought assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Who Qualifies Primary producers who owned eligible animals located in Manitoba, and were responsible for their feeding expenses as of March 16, 2021 are eligible.

Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

An applicant must: • be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application; a partnership, a corporation, a cooperative, a commune or a First Nation.

• be liable to pay income tax in Manitoba under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or is specifically exempted from filing income tax but is a permanent resident of Canada; and must file farm and expense tax forms.

Eligible animals • Breeding females of beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and elk owned by the applicant.

• Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

The producer must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

Available Assistance Assistance is provided to replace breeding females culled due to drought and support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to predrought levels.

For complete program details and forms go to: https://www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/livestock/agr irecovery-herd-management-assistance.html Key Program Timelines • April 15, 2022 11:59 PM - Deadline for application declaring March 16, 2021 and March 16, 2022 inventory. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim.

• Dec. 1, 2022 - Claim forms will be available.

• Feb. 17, 2023 11:59 PM - Deadline for claim forms declaring January 31, 2023 inventory.

Further Resources • Herd Management Drought Assistance - Frequently Asked Questions • Video - Herd Management Drought Assistance - Determining Payments • Video - Herd Management Drought Assistance - Two-Step Application Process • Factsheet - Herd Management Drought Assistance Note: You can also pick up an application package at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to have an application package mailed to you.

AgriRecovery: Herd Management Drought Assistance WHO QUALIFIES PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Herd Management Drought Assistance program is the third program developed with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions. The other two programs include the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program and Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program.

This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females

Primary producers who owned eligible animals located in Manitoba, and were responsible for their feeding expenses as of March 16, 2021, are eligible. Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

An applicant must: • be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application; a partnership, a corporation, a cooperative, a commune or a First Nation • be liable to pay income tax in Manitoba under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or is specifically exempted from filing income tax but is a permanent resident of Canada; and must file farm and expense tax forms

Eligible animals • Breeding females of beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and elk owned by the applicant • Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

The producer must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

• retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Available Assistance Assistance is provided to replace breeding females culled due to drought and support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Eligible Sales of Breeding Females Culled Due to Drought The breeding females must be sold during the March 16, 2021 to March 15, 2022 time period and contribute to a decline in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on March 16, 2022.

March 16, 2021 inventory (pre-drought)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Decrease in inventory due to drought culling

Eligible Replacement Breeding females culled due to drought can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement females from the applicant’s existing herd or flock. The replacement must contribute to an increase in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on Jan. 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: • Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does • Purchases of females that will be bred by Jan. 31, 2023 • Retaining females from the applicant’s existing herd to be bred for the first time by Jan. 31, 2023 The replacement animals must be maintained in the herd or flock until Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

Breeding Herd Inventory The following dates will be used for assessing the impact of drought and subsequent recovery on the applicant’s inventory of breeding females: • March 16, 2021 • March 16, 2022 • Jan. 31, 2023 The difference between the recovery and drought impacted inventory indicates the effect of purchasing and retaining replacement females on recovering from the drought.

Jan. 31, 2023 inventory (recovery inventory)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

HOW TO DETERMINE HERD MANAGEMENT PAYMENT Payment Rates Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below for the replacement of eligible breeding animals culled due to drought. The payments are made for breeding females purchased or retained.

Animal Type(s)

Payment ($) per head

Beef Cattle, Bison, Elk

$250

Sheep and Goats

$50

Producers are paid the rates shown in the table above, based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between March 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023.

The payments are calculated as follows,

Per Head Payment Rate Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250 Sheep/Goats $50

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

X

=

Herd Management Program Payment

Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory

Note: Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payments are made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level.

Other Criteria for Declaration of Inventory of Breeding Females: The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females: • animals sold prior to being exposed to breeding for the first time • market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding • animals sold after March 15, 2022

• animals leased by the applicant • animals not located in Manitoba as of March 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete) For the March 16, 2022 inventory declaration, breeding females that both gave birth and were sold in the Jan. 1, 2022 to March 15, 2022 time period should be included in the number of head declared.

Producers should maintain records of breeding animals sold or purchased in case they are requested by the program administrator.

HOW TO APPLY

Program Timelines

The application package will be available on Jan. 10, 2022: online at www.manitoba.ca/ agriculture, in-person at AG-MASC Service Centre,, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail.

• April 15, 2022 11:59 PM – Deadline for application declaring March 16, 2021 and March 16, 2022 inventory. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim.

Application is a two-step process requiring applicants to fully complete and submit: 1) Application form, declaring their: a. March 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. March 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) Claim form, declaring their a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females

Contact Us • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Email us at agriculture@gov.mb.ca • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg • Visit your nearest AG-MASC Service Centre

Available in alternate formats upon request.

• Dec. 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available • Feb. 17, 2023 11:59 PM – Deadline for claim forms declaring Jan. 31, 2023 inventory

Further Resources • Herd Management Drought Assistance – Frequently Asked Questions • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Determining Payments • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Two-Step Application Process

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadlines:

May 13, 2022 for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network seeks solutions to meat processing challenges - Canadian Cattlemen MORE

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Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network seeks solutions to meat processing challenges

By CAAIN Reading Time: 2 minutes

Published: March 17, 2022 News

Photo: Lisovskaya/iStock/Getty Images

The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) has launched its Beef and Pork Primary Processing Automation and Robotics Program, a $5M initiative designed to foster the development and adoption of innovative technology-based solutions to challenges facing red meat processors.

“Our team is pleased to unveil this opportunity to support the country’s red meat processing sector,” said CAAIN CEO Kerry Wright. “The pandemic has exacerbated ongoing difficulties associated with labour shortages, worker safety and productivity, and supply chain disruptions. Plant closures further impact producers whose hogs and cattle must be processed in a timely manner. We have diligently engaged beef and pork industry stakeholders in broad-based consultations and one-on-one discussions to better determine key priorities. The results were

unequivocal. We must act now to help advance processors who want to implement emerging technology that will enhance their competitiveness and pro tability.”

CAAIN’s mandate from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is to focus its funding on three types of technological advancements of importance to the agri-food sector. One of these pillars is the burgeoning eld of automation and robotics. Through the program announced today, CAAIN is providing further support to innovators in this eld. But CAAIN cannot take all the credit.

“We wish to acknowledge and thank the industry professionals who helped our program managers develop this competition, providing perspective and de ning priorities. Their collaboration is particularly important because, of the $49.5M the government of Canada has invested in this network, $9.5M is earmarked to fund livestock innovation,” explained Ms. Wright. “While we already have several projects on the go in this sub-sector, we have been encouraged to seek ways to alleviate labour challenges experienced recently by Canadian meat processors.

The issues in question gained public prominence when COVID outbreaks shut down facilities, temporarily disrupting the supply chain, and resulting in major shortages and price increases. Encouraging modernization is a big piece of the puzzle and, while there is likely no silver bullet solution, we can certainly move the goalposts by supporting innovative approaches to automation across the sector.”

When added to the total of approximately $17M CAAIN expects to provide to the 16 successful applicants of its rst two competitions, the $5M that will be used to support this beef and pork processing initiative pushes CAAIN’S funding commitments to nearly $22M. Details are available online at caain.ca.

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP March 11, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Canada, United States agree on protocol to guide the cross-border transit of animals in emergency situations (March 10, 2022 Canadian Food Inspection Agency Statement) The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of Canada, Dr. Mary Jane Ireland and the United States CVO, Dr. Rosemary Sifford, issued the following statement: "We are pleased to announce that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), have officially agreed to implement an Emergency Transit Policy for Regulated Animals.

The policy makes it easier and faster to evacuate regulated animals, such as livestock, birds, pets and companion animals, across the border during emergencies such as flooding, forest fires, extreme weather conditions or disasters, or when routine transportation routes are impaired without feasible alternatives. Animals transiting through the other country during an emergency will be

instructed when and where they will have to reenter their country of origin.

Under the joint policy, the country declaring an emergency will inspect animals, apply official seals to transport conveyances, and issue a simplified export health certificate either at the port(s) of exit by an official veterinarian or at the premises of origin by an accredited veterinarian or official veterinarian.

This joint policy is another example of Canada and United States' commitment to protect their animal population and it also shows the continued cooperation in supporting producers in both countries. This policy was developed by the CFIA and USDA under the umbrella of the Canada-US Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) which is intended, amongst others, to maintain and enhance the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment."

TRANSPORTING UNFIT OR COMPROMISED ANIMALS The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates the humane treatment of all animals being transported into, within, and out of Canada by enforcing the Health of Animals Regulations (Part XII) Transport of Animals.

All persons involved in the transport of animals must ensure that every animal being transported is assessed as being fit for the trip and that all provisions of the regulations are met.

If an animal becomes unfit or compromised before, during or after being transported, reasonable measures must be taken to prevent unnecessary suffering. As soon as possible, the animal must be transported to receive care or be humanely killed or have the animal humanely killed while on the conveyance.

Unfit animals (as described in the Regulations) are not to be transported unless it is to receive care recommended by a veterinarian. If transported, they must be loaded, confined, transported and unloaded in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations (refer to section 139(2)) to prevent suffering, injury or death. Compromised animals (as described in the Regulations) are not to be transported to assembly centres, including auction markets.

They may be transported if they are isolated from other animals, are loaded and unloaded individually without having to negotiate any ramps within the conveyance, and transported to the nearest place where they can receive care or be humanely killed. They must also be provided with feed, water and rest at a maximum, every 12 hours (fewer if needed to meet required outcomes). They must be loaded, confined, transported and unloaded in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations (refer to section 140(1)) to prevent suffering, injury and death.

• is non-ambulatory; • has a fracture that impedes mobility or causes signs of pain; • is lame and exhibits pain in one or more limbs or cannot walk on all of its legs; • is in shock or is dying; • has a prolapsed uterus; • has a severe rectal or severe vaginal prolapse; • has nervous system disorder; • is a porcine that is trembling, discolored and has difficulty breathing; • has laboured breathing; • has severe open wound or severe laceration; • is hobbled to aid in treatment; • is extremely thin; • exhibits signs of dehydration; • is hypothermic or hyperthermic; • exhibits signs of a fever; • has a significant hernia that impedes movement, causes signs of pain, touches the ground when standing, or that has an open wound or infection; • is in the last 10% of its gestation period or has given birth during the preceding 48 hours; • has an unhealed infected navel; • has a gangrenous udder; • has severe cancer eye; • is bloated with signs of discomfort or weakness; • is exhausted; • exhibits any other signs of infirmity, illness, injury or a condition that indicates that it cannot be transported without suffering.

Signs of a compromised animal • is bloated but does not demonstrate signs of discomfort or weakness; • has acute frostbite; • is blind in both eyes; • has not healed after any procedure, including dehorning, castration, and detusking; • lameness other than what is described in the regulation as unfit; • has a deformity or a fully healed amputation that does not cause pain; • is in a period of peak lactation and will not be milked to prevent mammary engorgement; • has an unhealed or acutely injured penis; • has a minor rectal or minor vaginal prolapse; • has its mobility limited by a device applied for treatment (for example, hobbles); • is a wet bird; or • exhibits any other signs of infirmity, illness, injury or of a condition that indicates that it has a reduced capacity to withstand transport.

NOTE: • Calves 8 days and under are prohibited from being transported to assembly centres, including auction markets.

• Lactating animals that cannot be milked to prevent engorgement must reach a destination where they can be milked or slaughtered before becoming engorged.

• Animals with mammary engorgement will be considered compromised or unfit.

All regulated parties are required to be aware of all applicable provisions in Part XII of the regulations.

For more information about humane transport and animal welfare, visit inspection.gc.ca/humane.

CFIA P1037E-20 Catalogue No.: A104-192/2020E-PDF ISBN: 978-0-660-33792-0 Aussi disponible en français

Signs of an unfit animal

Manitoba Beef Producers joined up with 4-H Manitoba on March 10 to cook Cowboy Cupcakes and learn about the beef sector.

Special thanks to MBP Vice-President and District 8 Director Matthew Atkinson for being a part of the Q&A session & Andrea VilMnef PG -JNF and -FNPO .Fdia for representing Canada Beef!

Important Reminders/Updates re: AgriRecovery Programs Related to the 2021 Drought Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance

been sent an email or letter in the mail informing them how they can apply for these expenses.

Program Description AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

Extraordinary Expenses incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 including hauling water, renting extra pasture and cropland, harvesting extra acres for livestock feed, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, and transporting feed from distant locations. A one time declaration of extraordinary expenses can be submitted over the life of the program.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing drought conditions. The program helps livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to maintain their breeding herds.

Application Deadline Applications will be received on an ongoing basis until May 13, 2022 (11:59 p.m. CST).

WHAT IS NEW? (March 2022) Extension of Invoice Dates - Invoices dated on or before April 15, 2022 are eligible if the purchase or transportation was to continue maintaining the eligible breeding animals owned on March 15, 2022. This extension will assist producers facing issues with taking delivery of feed ordered before the original March 15th deadline.

Extension of Application Deadline - The application deadline has been extended to May 13, 2022 due to the extension of the eligible dates for invoices.

This extension will allow time to obtain proof of payment for the purchases made by April 15, 2022.

Expansion of Eligible Feeds - The list of eligible feeds now includes feed additives and premixes, molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021. Previous applicants of the program have

View: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

View: How do Extraordinary Expenses Increase Payments?

AgriRecovery: Herd Management Drought Assistance Program Description The Herd Management Drought Assistance program is the third program developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions. The other two programs include the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program and Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females • retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to predrought levels.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for continued on page 6

Important Reminders/Updates re: AgriRecovery Programs Related to the 2021 Drought assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Who Qualifies Primary producers who owned eligible animals located in Manitoba, and were responsible for their feeding expenses as of March 16, 2021 are eligible.

Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

An applicant must: • be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application; a partnership, a corporation, a cooperative, a commune or a First Nation.

• be liable to pay income tax in Manitoba under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or is specifically exempted from filing income tax but is a permanent resident of Canada; and must file farm and expense tax forms.

Eligible animals • Breeding females of beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and elk owned by the applicant.

• Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

The producer must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

Available Assistance Assistance is provided to replace breeding females culled due to drought and support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to predrought levels.

For complete program details and forms go to: https://www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/livestock/agr irecovery-herd-management-assistance.html Key Program Timelines • April 15, 2022 11:59 PM - Deadline for application declaring March 16, 2021 and March 16, 2022 inventory. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim.

• Dec. 1, 2022 - Claim forms will be available.

• Feb. 17, 2023 11:59 PM - Deadline for claim forms declaring January 31, 2023 inventory.

Further Resources • Herd Management Drought Assistance - Frequently Asked Questions • Video - Herd Management Drought Assistance - Determining Payments • Video - Herd Management Drought Assistance - Two-Step Application Process • Factsheet - Herd Management Drought Assistance Note: You can also pick up an application package at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to have an application package mailed to you.

For reliable information and resources please visit:

COVID-19 Update The following information is from a March 10, 2022 provincial government news release:

•

individuals should wear a well-fitting, well-made mask if they must have contact with other people while ill or when their isolation is finished for 10 days after the onset of symptoms or test date if asymptomatic; and

•

people who have symptoms or test positive should avoid non-essential visits with higher-risk people or at higher-risk settings for 10 days after the onset of their symptoms or test date if asymptomatic.

Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba is updated on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. on these dashboards: •

Case data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19/

•

COVID-19 vaccination coverage: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19-vaccinations-dashboard1/

•

Outbreaks: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/prs/index.htm l

Public Health Orders Public health orders requiring masks in public places ends on March 15. However, masks will continue to be required for all individuals attending a health-care facility, including visitors.

Also effective March 15, the public health orders for isolation of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 are being removed. The orders are being transitioned to public health guidelines, similar to how other communicable diseases are managed.

Isolation for COVID-19 is still advised in the following situations: •

•

people with symptoms should stay home and isolate for five days after symptoms start until they have no fever and other symptoms have improved over the past 24 hours; individuals who have tested positive but do not develop symptoms should isolate for five days from the date of the test;

People can continue to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, staying home when sick, assessing their risk and making decisions about using masks, physical distancing and other actions based on those risks.

Schools and child-care facilities continue to follow public health guidance on mask use. As of March 15, they will no longer be required for staff or students. Physical distancing requirements and cohorts will also no longer be required in these settings at that time.

Testing Starting March 14, COVID-19 testing sites will be available on a walk-in basis only, with the exception of pre-operative patients. Preoperative patients can continue to make appointments by calling 1-855-268-4318.

Testing locations can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/testing/locations. html.

Key Updates The province is currently reviewing the level of direct COVID-19 services it delivers as it transitions to a time without the same level of public health orders in place. As more and more Manitobans get vaccinated, the demand for super sites is reducing and the availability of vaccine at pharmacies and doctors’ offices has continued on page 9

COVID-19 Update increased. More information on changes to these sites will be announced in the near future.

Individuals who have been tested for COVID-19 are now able to access all past COVID-19 test results at the Shared Health portal at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/testresults/. Previously, only the most current test results were available. Self-administered rapid antigen test results are not available through the portal.

Individuals who experience an issue accessing their records can request support at https://forms.gov.mb.ca/covid-immunizationrecord-request/index.html.

More Resources •

COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

•

Vaccine campaign: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca.

•

Testing information: www.manitoba.ca/covid19/testing/inde x.html.

•

Enforcement statistics: https://manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/d epartments/index.html#cdr.

News Release: for immediate release March 9, 2022

$2.86 million for New Conservation Projects From the Conservation Trust The Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation Board of Directors recently approved $2.86 million in new grants to 20 projects delivered by 14 Manitoba-based conservation groups.

“These funds provide new opportunities to improve wildlife, water and soil conservation across the province,” said Stephen Carlyle, chief executive officer of the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC).

The revenue source for these projects is $204 million in contributions made to The Winnipeg Foundation between 2018 and 2020 to establish three trusts dedicated to land, water and wildlife conservation.

MHHC manages granting programs for the trusts.

Establishment of the Conservation Trust, the GROW Trust, and the Wetlands GROW Trusts in Manitoba resulted in permanent revenue sources for new conservation activities. The Trusts focus on restoring natural areas in the rural landscape to help address floods and droughts, water quality, wildlife habitat and biological diversity, carbon sequestration and connecting people to nature.

“The conservation investments will help make our landscape more resilient to the impacts of climate change in the future,” said Carlyle.

Projects supported include: • •

• •

$400,000 to Manitoba Beef Producers to support projects that help cattle producers conserve grasslands and enhance habitat for threatened and endangered birds $200,000 to Holistic Management Canada to support its Regenerative Agriculture Accelerator Project, which helps Manitoba agriculture producers incorporate soil, water and wildlife conservation into their farming operations $400,000 to Ducks Unlimited Canada to conserve and restore wetland and grassland habitats in the province $25,000 to the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Manitoba Chapter to work with the Fisher River Cree Nation to develop a conservation areas plan for the Fisher River watershed

The $2.86 million in Trust funds is being matched by $6.6 million in funds and services by the groups, which will result in $9.5 million of conservation activity in Manitoba.

“An additional $7.5 million will be awarded in April for watershed-based conservation projects under the GROW Program delivered by provincial Watershed Districts , bringing total grant funding from the trusts to $10.3 million in 2022,” said Carlyle.

Since the first projects received trust funding in 2019, a total of $20.86 million has been committed to 139 conservation projects delivered by 47 Manitoba-based groups.

Serving its mandate to conserve fish and wildlife habitat in the Manitoba for the past 36 years, MHHC became a private, not-for-profit charitable organization in 2021. In addition to direct conservation program delivery, MHHC manages granting programs programs from the Trusts.

Visit www.mhhc.mb.ca.

-301) Summary of projects For more details regarding funded projects see https://www.mhhc.mb.ca/funded-projects/ For more information, contact TIM SOPUCK, Trust Grants Manager tsopuck@mhhc.mb.ca 204.793.4107

BSE class action lawsuit dismissed by Ontario Superior Court of Justice The judge ruled that Canada was in compliance with OIE guidelines (The Cattle Site, March 10, 2022 https://www.thecattlesite.com/news/58193/bseclass-action-lawsuit-dismissed-by-ontario-superiorcourt-of-justice/)

In 2005, a class action lawsuit was launched against the Government of Canada alleging that the Canadian government was negligent in keeping BSE out of Canada. According to a report by the Beef Farmers of Ontario, the lawsuit also alleged that Canada was negligent by failing to implement a ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban in 1990 when it brought in the import ban, or in 1994 when Canada ordered the destruction of the remaining UK imports, and finally, for failing to adequately monitor and prevent UK imports from entering the feed chain between 1990 and 1994.

The plaintiff sought damages in the amount of $8 billion in arising from losses suffered by Canadian cattle producers between 2003 and 2007.

After multiple delays, the lawsuit was finally heard by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in 2021, with Judge Paul B. Schabas using a decision on 28 January 2022.

In dismissing the lawsuit, the judge noted that Canada was not negligent, that it followed available science at the time, that it was aligned with US rules, and that it was in compliance with, or exceeded OIE guidelines around BSE. The judge further noted that irrespective of his decision on negligence and the Canadian government's alleged liability to Canadian cattle producers, the complex expert evidence provided at the trial indicated that losses to cattle producers was $1.163 billion after BSE support payments to producers were factored in. Total losses were determined to be $5.419 billion. However, the Canadian government provided financial assistance payments during this period in the amount of $4.256.

Finally, the judge noted that "there should be no award for general or aggravated damages".

Feedback sought on the draft 2022-2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Ninety-nine organizations from across the federal government contribute to the FSDS, in part by preparing their own strategies that comply with and contribute to achieving environmental outcomes related to their programs. These organizations work together to promote a clean environment and tackle the crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, while growing the economy.

(March 11, 2022 Environment and Climate Change Canada News Release) The draft 2022-2026

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) sets out the Government of Canada’s sustainable development priorities from an environmental perspective. The FSDS explains how the Government is working towards a sustainable future while advancing the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015. The SDGs highlight the intersection of environmental, social, and economic issues such as food security in Indigenous and northern communities, sustainable food production, and the promotion of gender equality in the clean technology sector.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, launched the consultations on the draft 20222026 FSDS to get feedback from Canadians on the goals, targets, and actions that will shape the Government’s sustainable development plans over the next four years.

An extensive consultation process was enshrined in legislation in December 2020— the Federal Sustainable Development Act—to keep the federal government accountable for years to come. Each new strategy is released for a public consultation period of at least 120 days before it is tabled in Parliament. It provides an opportunity for Canadians to help define Canada’s goals, targets, and milestones.

Comments on the draft 2022-2026 FSDS will be accepted from March 11 to July 9, 2022.

Canadians can share their views by: •

submitting comments through the online version of the draft strategyusing the comment boxes;

•

providing feedback through the interactive consultation website, PlaceSpeak;

•

replying to Facebook (Environment and Climate Change), Twitter (@environmentca) and LinkedIn (Environment and Climate Change Canada) posts or tweeting with the hashtag #FSDS;

•

sending written comments or videos by email to SDO-BDD@ec.gc.ca;

continued on page 14

Feedback sought on the draft 2022-2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy •

•

writing to the Sustainable Development Office, 200 Sacré-Coeur Boulevard, 7th floor, Gatineau, Québec, K1A 0H3; and

Quick facts •

The Federal Sustainable Development Act defines sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

•

The Federal Sustainable Development Act provides the legal framework for the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). The Act requires the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to table the FSDS in Parliament at least once every three-year period.

•

The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Advisory Council, the appropriate committee of each house of Parliament, and the public will review and provide feedback to shape the final strategy.

actively participating in webinars, which will be shared through the interactive consultation website.

After the consultation period, a report summarizing public comments will be published with the final strategy.

Quotes “Canadians believe strongly in protecting the environment and fighting climate change. As we work toward net-zero emissions by 2050, the federal government must lead by example and the 2022 to 2026 draft Federal Sustainable Development Strategy helps us do just that. I look forward to your feedback on the draft strategy, and building Canada’s sustainable future together.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

UPDATED: 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://bit.ly/3h11VT7) or look for the tool in this edition of the e-newsletter.

This resource can be used alongside other AHEM producer tools and handbooks found at www.animalhealth.ca/resources to proactively plan, prepare and 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.

Click here to register. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern). Dates include: •

March 22, 2022 (French)

•

April 5, 2022

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.

Click here to register. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern). Dates include: •

March 17, 2022

•

April 14, 2022

•

April 28, 2022 (French)

Webinar 3: Testing, Testing, 1-2-3 – Scenarios for producer Handbook application While we cannot anticipate every circumstance that may take place during an emergency event, we can create scenarios to test our ability to respond. Understanding how to work together using the AHEM producer Handbook will improve emergency readiness by allowing participants to identify and address existing gaps.

In the final part of this three-part series participants will be introduced to AHEM’s continued on page 16

UPDATED: Emergency Management Workshops and Other Planning Resources for Livestock Producers 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.

Participants will benefit from an opportunity to actively work through and fine tune their response as they explore numerous scenariobased exercises.

Click link below to register.

•

May 12, 2022

•

June 21, 2022

•

July 12, 2022

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

CLICK HERE

AgriRecovery: Herd Management Drought Assistance WHO QUALIFIES PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Herd Management Drought Assistance program is the third program developed with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions. The other two programs include the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program and Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program.

This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females

Primary producers who owned eligible animals located in Manitoba, and were responsible for their feeding expenses as of March 16, 2021, are eligible. Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

An applicant must: • be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application; a partnership, a corporation, a cooperative, a commune or a First Nation • be liable to pay income tax in Manitoba under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or is specifically exempted from filing income tax but is a permanent resident of Canada; and must file farm and expense tax forms

Eligible animals • Breeding females of beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and elk owned by the applicant • Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

The producer must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

• retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Available Assistance Assistance is provided to replace breeding females culled due to drought and support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Eligible Sales of Breeding Females Culled Due to Drought The breeding females must be sold during the March 16, 2021 to March 15, 2022 time period and contribute to a decline in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on March 16, 2022.

March 16, 2021 inventory (pre-drought)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Decrease in inventory due to drought culling

Eligible Replacement Breeding females culled due to drought can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement females from the applicant’s existing herd or flock. The replacement must contribute to an increase in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on Jan. 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: • Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does • Purchases of females that will be bred by Jan. 31, 2023 • Retaining females from the applicant’s existing herd to be bred for the first time by Jan. 31, 2023 The replacement animals must be maintained in the herd or flock until Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

Breeding Herd Inventory The following dates will be used for assessing the impact of drought and subsequent recovery on the applicant’s inventory of breeding females: • March 16, 2021 • March 16, 2022 • Jan. 31, 2023 The difference between the recovery and drought impacted inventory indicates the effect of purchasing and retaining replacement females on recovering from the drought.

Jan. 31, 2023 inventory (recovery inventory)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

HOW TO DETERMINE HERD MANAGEMENT PAYMENT Payment Rates Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below for the replacement of eligible breeding animals culled due to drought. The payments are made for breeding females purchased or retained.

Animal Type(s)

Payment ($) per head

Beef Cattle, Bison, Elk

$250

Sheep and Goats

$50

Producers are paid the rates shown in the table above, based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between March 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023.

The payments are calculated as follows,

Per Head Payment Rate Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250 Sheep/Goats $50

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

X

=

Herd Management Program Payment

Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory

Note: Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payments are made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level.

Other Criteria for Declaration of Inventory of Breeding Females: The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females: • animals sold prior to being exposed to breeding for the first time • market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding • animals sold after March 15, 2022

• animals leased by the applicant • animals not located in Manitoba as of March 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete) For the March 16, 2022 inventory declaration, breeding females that both gave birth and were sold in the Jan. 1, 2022 to March 15, 2022 time period should be included in the number of head declared.

Producers should maintain records of breeding animals sold or purchased in case they are requested by the program administrator.

HOW TO APPLY

Program Timelines

The application package will be available on Jan. 10, 2022: online at www.manitoba.ca/ agriculture, in-person at AG-MASC Service Centre,, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail.

• April 15, 2022 11:59 PM – Deadline for application declaring March 16, 2021 and March 16, 2022 inventory. Only producers who have submitted an application by this deadline will be able to submit a claim.

Application is a two-step process requiring applicants to fully complete and submit: 1) Application form, declaring their: a. March 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. March 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) Claim form, declaring their a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females

Contact Us • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Email us at agriculture@gov.mb.ca • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg • Visit your nearest AG-MASC Service Centre

Available in alternate formats upon request.

• Dec. 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available • Feb. 17, 2023 11:59 PM – Deadline for claim forms declaring Jan. 31, 2023 inventory

Further Resources • Herd Management Drought Assistance – Frequently Asked Questions • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Determining Payments • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Two-Step Application Process

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Helps livestock producers offset freight expenses associated with moving their eligible breeding herd to alternate feeding locations due to shortages of feed.

Primary Producers

Breeding Animals

• Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 or later

• Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

• Males used previously for breeding

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef cattle • Sheep • Goats

• Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Alternate Feeding Locations • Farms, custom feeders and other livestock operations where breeding animals must be relocated to address a shortfall in winter feed capacity

• Movement to a normal wintering site is not eligible

• Locations are not owned, leased or rented by the eligible producers

• Animals cannot be sold or marketed prior to returning to the location of origin when temporary feeding is complete

• Must be capable of housing and providing adequate feed, water and care

• Animals must remain in the new location for at least 30 days

Eligible Distance • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 1,000 kilometres

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Six Steps for Application

STEP 1

Application deadlines:

May 13, 2022 for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Service Centre (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 3

Self-haul declaration

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

Extraordinary Expense Declaration

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

If you have extraordinary expenses for renting pasture or cropland, temporary fencing, hauling or pumping water, harvesting feed, or transporting self-produced feed, complete the one-time declaration as outlined in the guidebook.

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

STEP 5

Prepare your application After completing the necessary documents, check the boxes for all declarations on the forms. Ensure that you have included everything needed in your submission:

STEP 6

 application form  invoices for each feed and/or transportation purchase  proof of payment for each invoice (e.g., cleared cheques, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt)

 eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  declaration of extraordinary expenses (only one submission allowed)

Submit your application Email documents in step 5 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

Service Centre Contact Information Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

Crop Advisors, Earn Free CEUs

One Week Left to Register!

Registration closes March 15 at 6:30 pm CST

SUSTAINABILITY OF CANADIAN AGRICULTURE 2022 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

Farming for Sustainable Food Systems

Photo: E. McGeough

MARCH 16-18, 2022 Wednesday March 16

3.0 CEUs

Keynote Speaker - Dr. David Kanter, New York University Morning panel discussion: Food Systems Redesign

Thursday March 17

Workshop: Holos Model v4 2.5 CEUs Afternoon panel discussion: Road to Carbon Neutrality 2.0 CEUs Q and A with Researchers

Friday March 18

2.0 CEUs

Afternoon panel discussion: Managing From a Landscape Perspective

Registration for this event is free!

Come visit us at:

www.umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/sustainability-canadian-agriculture-2022

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP March 4, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Statistics Canada Releases Livestock Estimates as of January 1, 2022, Other Industry Statistics •

On February 28th Statistics Canada released its livestock estimates as of January 1, 2022, which covers off cattle, sheep and hog inventories as of that day. The following are highlights from that report related to the cattle sector.

From the National Perspective •

To read the report in its entirety and to see more detailed statistics, go to: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/dailyquotidien/220228/dq220228d-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan From the Manitoba perspective •

• •

The number of head of cattle on beef operations in Manitoba as of January 1, 2022 was 843,900 compared to 982,300 on January 1, 2018, a decline of 138,400 head.

The number of head on cow-calf operations as of January 1, 2022 was 641,100 compared to 792,600 on January 1, 2018, a decline of 151,500 head.

The number of head on feeder and stocker operations as of January 1, 2022 was 132,800 compared to 134,700 on January 1, 2018, a decline of 1,900 head, but down 17,100 from the five-year high set on January 1, 2020.

The number of head on feeding operations as of January 1, 2022 was 70,000 compared to 55,000 on January 1, 2018, an increase of 15,000 head.

• •

•

The Canadian livestock sector continued to navigate challenges in the latter half of 2021. In Western Canada, extreme weather events—ranging from record heat and drought conditions to severe flooding events—limited forage, increased feed costs and disrupted transportation routes. Throughout the country, ongoing labour issues, as well as enhanced public health measures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, slowed supply chains and the processing sector.

On January 1, 2022, Canadian hog and sheep inventories were up, while cattle inventories were down, compared with the same date a year earlier.

The Canadian cattle herd fell to the lowest level recorded since January 1, 1989, as high feed costs and export demand for beef supported an increase in slaughter. Canadian cattle inventories have generally declined year over year since 2005.

Canadian farmers held 11.1 million cattle and calves on their farms on January 1, 2022, down 0.5% from the previous year, as the Canadian cattle herd continued to contract. Inventories were one-quarter (-25.7%) below the January 1 peak reached in 2005. continued on page 8

Now available!

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Provincial Government Making Free COVID Rapid Tests Available in More Places, Update on Isolation Requirements (March 3, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba is updated on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. on these DataMB dashboards: • Case data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/m anitoba-covid-19/explore • COVID-19 vaccination coverage: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/ap ps/manitoba-covid-19-vaccinationsdashboard-1/explore • Outbreaks: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/prs/index.html Key Updates The province is distributing over four million rapid tests to retail partners across Manitoba. To date, eight retail chains have signed on to the program, including Co-op (42 locations), Loblaw/Shoppers Drug Mart (59 locations), London Drugs (one location), Rexall (18 locations), Save-On-Foods (5 locations), Safeway, Sobeys and IGA (40 locations), Walmart (16 locations) and North West Company (29 locations). Supplies are expected to be in place at all participating locations by early next week.

An additional 18,000 tests are being distributed to 18 public library locations in Winnipeg. Kits contain five tests per bag and people can receive up to two bags per family. Asymptomatic people can pick these up to use in the future when they or a household member develop symptoms.

For a full list of participating partners, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/testing/rat.html.

As of March 15, public health will no longer require people who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate.

Further guidance will be provided, however it will continue to be recommended that people with symptoms should stay home when they are sick.

Also, as of March 15, public health will no longer conduct case investigations of people who have tested positive for COVID-19. Individuals will continue to be notified of their test results.

Individuals who have been tested for COVID-19 are now able to access all past COVID-19 test results through the Shared Health portal at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/test-results/.

Previously, only the most current test results were available. Self-administered rapid antigen test results are not available through the portal.

Individuals who experience an issue accessing their records can request support at https://forms.gov.mb.ca/covid-immunizationrecord-request/index.html.

Vaccine Manitoba now has a sufficient supply of Pfizer vaccine. Individuals who previously received Pfizer or Moderna can choose either vaccine for their next dose, as both are safe, effective and available.

The vaccine clinic at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg remains open with appointments and walk-ins available. The provincial call centre and online booking system is still taking appointments for many locations.

More Resources • COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

• Vaccine campaign: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca.

• Testing information: www.manitoba.ca/covid19/testing/index.h tml.

• Enforcement statistics: https://manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/depa rtments/index.html#cdr

Latest Updates on AgriRecovery Program Re: Invoice Dates and Application Deadline ***See areas highlighted in yellow below.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing drought conditions.

The program helps livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to maintain their breeding herds.

APPLICATION DEADLINE Applications will be received on an on-going basis until May 13, 2022 (11:59 p.m. CST) HOW TO APPLY Review the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance - Farmers Guidebook for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs, as well as other program requirements.

For your application to be considered complete, you must submit all necessary program documents.

Required Documents Application Form Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals - if first time applying Declaration of Extraordinary Expenses - if have extraordinary expenses - only submit once Self-Haul Declaration - if you hauled the feed Invoices - for each feed and/or transportation purchase Proof of Payment - for each invoice (e.g. cleared cheque, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt) VIEW: Drought 2021 industry webinar presentation to learn more about AgriRecovery: Drought Assistance program eligibility and details.

WHAT IS NEW? (March 2022) • Extension of Invoice Dates: Invoices dated on or before April 15, 2022 are eligible if the purchase or transportation was to continue maintaining the eligible breeding animals owned on March 15, 2022.

This extension will assist producers facing issues with taking delivery of feed ordered before the original March 15th deadline.

• Extension of Application Deadline: The application deadline has been extended to May 13, 2022 due to the extension of the eligible dates for invoices. This extension will allow time to obtain proof of payment for the purchases made by April 15, 2022. continued on page 5

Latest Updates on AgriRecovery Program Re: Invoice Dates and Application Deadline •

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Expansion of Eligible Feeds: the list of eligible feeds now includes feed additives and premixes, molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021. Previous applicants of the program will receive an email or letter in the mail informing them how they can apply for these expenses.

Extraordinary Expenses incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 including hauling water, renting extra pasture and cropland, harvesting extra acres for livestock feed, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, and transporting feed from distant locations. A one time declaration of extraordinary expenses can be submitted over the life of the program.

View: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

View: How do Extraordinary Expenses Increase Payments?

For Full Program information on AgriRecovery Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance refer to: https://www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/livestock/agrirecovery-feed-purchase-transport-assistance.html

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TOOLS FOR ALL AGRIRECOVERY DROUGHT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Web Page: Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance Video: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

Video: How do Extraordinary Expenses Increase Payments?

Quick Reference: How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance Quick Reference: How to Calculate Payment per Head on Feed Purchases Quick Reference: What Qualifies for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance Web Page: Livestock Transportation Assistance Quick Reference: How to Apply for Livestock Transportation Assistance Quick Reference: What Qualifies for Livestock Transportation Assistance Herd Management Drought Assistance Web Page: Herd Management Drought Assistance • Video - Herd Management Drought Assistance - Determining Payments • Video - Herd Management Drought Assistance - Two-Step Application Process • Factsheet - Herd Management Drought Assistance

New livestock transport rules now enforced industry said some weren’t necessarily in the animals’ best interests. They said unloading animals for feed, water and rest could be more stressful than a long haul, and there aren’t enough places to unload cattle to do this.

The regulations allow no more than 12 hours on a truck for unweaned animals, and a maximum of 36 hours for weaned animals, with a required eight-hour rest stop.

The regulations allow no more than 12 hours on a truck for unweaned animals and a maximum of 36 hours for weaned animals, witha required eight-hour rest stop. The industry has criticized the new rules, saying some weren’t necessarily in the animals’ best interests. | File photo

By: Karen Briere (Western Producer, March 4, 2022 https://www.producer.com/news/new-livestocktransport-rules-now-enforced/) The CFIA says

enforcement will be flexible while research continues into some feed, water and rest-stop requirements Following a two-year education period to help livestock carriers adjust, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will now enforce transport regulations enacted Feb. 20, 2020.

However, the agency noted that research into feed, water and rest-stop requirements for older beef calves and unweaned dairy calves is ongoing.

“As such, the CFIA does not plan to prioritize enforcement efforts where the maximum intervals (of 36 hours) without FWR (feed, water, rest) for ruminants of nine days of age and older are exceeded by less than four hours and where all animal welfare outcomes are being met (not exceeding 40 hours),” the agency replied in response to a request for more information.

Amendments to the Health of Animals regulations were first published in 2019 but

Dr. Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein, a researcher at the federal research centre in Lethbridge, found the difference between calves transported for 36 hours or 12 hours, with and without rest stops, was only some fatigue.

When she presented her work two years ago at the Saskatchewan Beef Industry conference, she noted that cattle management before transport seemed to have the greatest effect on how cattle travel. Calves in good condition can cope with transport stress regardless of how much rest they got, she said then.

Subsequent research comparing preconditioned and freshly weaned calves found similar results. Rest stops provided no benefits, the research found, and in fact the calves that did have a rest were not as alert.

The calves that were not pre-conditioned had less energy and ate less during the rest stop.

The study suggested conditioning can improve the welfare of transported calves.

Further research is still underway.

Still, the two-year period has ended and CFIA “is moving to the full application of the standard regulatory responses process, taking into account harm, history and intent for all humane transport requirements,” the agency said late last month.

CFIA said the regulations also include feed, water and rest outcome-based requirements to continued on page 7

New livestock transport rules now enforced make sure animals won’t suffer, be injured or die during transport.

Pat Hayes, co-chair of the animal health and care committee at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, said a bigger regulatory issue producers may not be aware of is that they require a transfer of care document when leaving an animal at an auction mart, assembly yard or slaughter plant.

“It’s going to be in effect and it’s going to be a surprise to a lot of people,” he said. “That document is going to be required by the transporter. Now, the transporter can be a commercial company or it can be the producer.”

CFIA said it has taken a “compliance enforcement approach” to the document even though it has technically been in place.

The transfer of care document must contain the date and time the animals arrived at the assembly point, their condition upon arrival, and when they were last fed, watered and rested.

Verified Beef Plus has developed a template available to all producers on the organization’s website. Some provinces and companies are also developing forms.

Hayes said 99.95 percent of beef cattle transported arrive at their destinations in perfect shape and the regulations were made for all sectors rather than those that might have had problems.

If cattle are going to be unloaded for feed, water and rest there is a rest station in Kapuskasing, Ont., at a former demonstration farm and another at a former goat dairy in Hallebourg, Ont. However, Hayes said there still isn’t enough capacity to follow the regulations and he worries there could be more cattle from the United States moving north into Ontario feedlots rather than from Western Canada.

“It isn’t only the west to east,” he added. “The Maritimes are in no better position getting into Quebec and Ontario. They face these same limits on these time restraints.”

Statistics Canada – cont. from page 1

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•

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Cattle and calf slaughter for the period from July to December 2021 was up 0.7% from the same period in 2020, and reached the highest level recorded since the second half of 2009. Strong export demand for Canadian beef— particularly from the United States— helped support domestic slaughter, as total exports of beef and veal rose 19.6% in 2021, compared with 2020.

Inventories were up 1.2% to 2.9 million head in Eastern Canada, but declined by 1.2% to 8.2 million head in Western Canada, as drought conditions maintained pressure on the livestock sector. Alberta held the largest cattle inventories among the provinces on January 1, contributing 39.4% to the national total, followed by Saskatchewan (19.9%) and Ontario (14.6%).

Canadian cattle producers retained less breeding stock on January 1, 2022, as year-over-year decreases in the number of beef cows (-0.9% to 3.5 million head), dairy cows (0.2% to 979,200 head) and beef heifers for breeding (-4.0% to 517,300 head) more than offset increases in the number of dairy heifers for breeding (+0.8% to 429,700 head) and bulls (+1.7% to 213,600 head).

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Producers also held fewer feeder heifers (-2.3%) and steers (-3.9%) than on January 1, 2021. Compared with 2020, slaughter of feeder heifers and slaughter of steers were both up at the national level over the course of 2021, contributing to this decline.

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Canadian farmers held 1.4 million dairy cows and heifers on their farms on January 1, 2022, up 0.1% from the same date a year earlier. The inventory of calves grew 1.2% to 3.8 million head, as international imports of live calves increased by 36.3% over the second half of 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, to meet demand from feedlots in Western Canada.

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International exports of cattle and calves for the latter half of 2021 were up 22.8% year over year to 331,100 head, particularly in Western Canada, where drought conditions and high feed costs spurred sales of both feeder and slaughter animals to the United States.

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Average prices for Canadian feeder and slaughter cattle generally remained higher in the second half of 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, even as prices were pressured by herd reductions in the Prairie provinces.

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As of January 1, 2022, inventories of cattle and calves were reported by 72,275 farms, down 0.9% from January 1, 2021. The number of cattle farms in Canada has generally decreased since 2004, largely because of business consolidations.

continued on page 9

Statistics Canada – cont. from page 1 Also on February 28th Statistics Canada released farm cash receipts for the period January to December 2021. Of note: •

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Livestock receipts increased $3.5 billion to $29.9 billion in 2021. Hog receipts rose 32.5% to $6.2 billion while cattle and calves receipts were up 11.0% to $10.2 billion.

The increase in cattle and calves receipts was driven by a rise in slaughter receipts (+14.4%) to $7.2 billion as both prices and marketings increased, 9.6% and 4.4%, respectively.

On March 3rd Statistics Canada released the Farm Product Price Index for December 2021.

Of note in relation to the livestock sector: •

The livestock and animal products index increased 9.4% in December 2021, as a

result of higher prices for cattle and calves, hogs and some supply-managed commodities, which grew based on increasing production costs and high demand. This was the 11th consecutive year-over-year increase in the livestock and animal products index.

•

The cattle and calves index was the main driver of the 13.7% increase in the livestock and animal products index in December 2021. Higher export demand for beef and veal offered strong support to the cattle and calves prices. By the end of 2021, total exports of beef and veal were 19.6% higher, and the total slaughter number for cattle and calves was 5.0% more than the same period in 2020.

Grazing Workshop Series Start Your Grazing Plan (Workshop 1) Choice of 3 locations MBFI Brookdale Farm Learning Centre - Tuesday, April 12, 2022 (1:00-6:00 PM) North of Brandon, corner of PR 353 and HWY #10 Eriksdale Community Centre - Wednesday, April 13 2022 (9:30-3:00PM) 22 Railway Ave - Eriksdale Grandview Kinsmen Community Centre - Thursday, April 14, 2022 (9:30-3:00PM) 435 Burrows Ave - Grandview

Agenda • Building Pasture Productivity using Pasture Planning

Steve Kenyon - Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd • Using Agri-Maps as a tool to develop grazing system plan Shawn Cabak - Ag Adaptation Specialist - Livestock, MB Ag • Developing applications for grazing project funding - Laura Grzenda - Agri-Ecosystems Specialist, MB Ag - Andrea Bertholet & Jewel Mazur - Extension Specialist, MB Ag - Local Conservation Group Programming • Hands–on supplementary training (optional, bring your laptop) SAVE THE DATES! - MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW Fence and Water Solutions (Workshop 2) - MBFI Brookdale Farm Site - June 1, 2022 Electric Fencing Theory and Hand-on Demonstration, Solar Power for Remote Water Systems, Pasture Pipeline Installation Health Check Your Pasture and Soil (Workshop 3) - MBFI First Street Pasture - July 6, 2022 Hands-on Demonstration of Pasture and Soil Health Assessments Diversify Your Grazing (Workshop 4 ) - MBFI Brookdale Farm Site - August 4, 2022 Extended Grazing and Annual Forages for Feed and Livestock/Crop Integration

Workshop Fee - $30.00 per event (Discount available through attending multiple workshops) Pre-Registration is required and spaces may be limited.

Register at MBFI website @ https://www.mbfi.ca/event-registration or call 204-761-3300 (April 8 registration deadline for Workshop 1) Funded in part by the Manitoba Government

Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month Marked With Support For Canada’s Next Generation of Farmers (March 2, 2022 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) Youth and young farmers are the

future of Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. By connecting youth directly with farmers to learn how our food is produced and showcase the vital role that farmers play in our food system, the Government of Canada is helping to inspire and build the next generation of young farmers to ensure a strong, sustainable Canadian agriculture sector.

To kick off Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), the Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced up to $415,000 in support for Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C).

CALM, celebrated annually in March, encourages students to learn about and celebrate Canada's incredible agriculture and food story.

In celebration of CALM, AITC-C is hosting the Great Canadian Farm Tour, an engaging learning experience which gives students an opportunity to learn about Canada’s agriculture industry by interacting virtually with real farmers. The Great Canadian Farm Tour includes a virtual field trip with 11 live farm tours focusing on the diversity of commodities across Canada throughout the month of March.

AITC-C will receive up to $55,000 through the new federal AgriCommunication Program to support activities related to the virtual farm tours. In addition, AITC-C will also receive nearly $360,000 under the AgriDiversity program to expand its thinkAG initiative, which is designed to help Canadian students learn about, and inspire interest in, the many diverse and exciting career opportunities in agriculture.

The Government of Canada is committed to raising awareness, understanding and appreciation of agriculture among young Canadians. Initiatives such as AITC-C are connecting classrooms with farmers and people with a passion for agriculture and food so students and teachers can learn firsthand about the sector through information sessions, learning events and program materials for Canadian educators. These initiatives provide students with valuable education about how their food gets to their table and creates opportunities to inspire young future leaders in the sector.

Quotes “To build the next generation of agricultural producers, we must inform and inspire Canadian youth. The objective of Agriculture in the Classroom is to spark their interest early by teaching youth about the origins of the food they eat and the role of our farm families, while raising awareness of the many possible careers in our sector. Supporting these efforts is an investment in a stronger, more sustainable agriculture sector.”

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

“As always, we are thrilled to continue our collaborations with AAFC through this most recent announcement of funding. The support will be leveraged alongside other AITC-C donors to ensure initiatives such as CALM and thinkAG continue to grow and thrive with useful tools for educators and experiences for students.

Reaching the young people of this nation, our future leaders and decision makers, is key to continued on page 12

Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month Marked With Support For Canada’s Next Generation of Farmers ensuring continued public trust and growth in Canada’s agriculture and food sector.”

Indigenous Peoples, and persons with disabilities, to fully participate in the sector by helping these groups address the key issues and barriers they often face for sector participation.

- Johanne Ross, Executive Director, AITC-C Quick facts • Launched in December 2021, the new AgriCommunication Program will provide up to $8 million over 3 years to support projects that promote consumer awareness of the strengths of Canada’s agriculture sector. Projects will also help enhance Canadians’ trust in sustainability, animal care, and efforts to reduce food waste. Projects and final funding are subject to negotiation of a contribution agreement.

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The AgriDiversity Program is a five year, $5 million program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership which helps under-represented groups in Canadian agriculture, including youth, women,

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AITC-C, a national not-for-profit organization, is the voice for agriculture education in Canada. Together with its ten provincial members as well as industry partners, the organization delivers accurate, balanced, and current curriculum-linked agri-food resources, programs, and initiatives that are based on science.

Associated links •

AgriCommunication Program

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AgriDiversity Program

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Agriculture in the Classroom Canada

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Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month – the Great Canadian Farm Tour

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://bit.ly/3h11VT7) This resource can be used alongside other AHEM producer tools and handbooks found at www.animalhealth.ca/resources to proactively plan, prepare and respond to an animal disease emergency event.

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 1, March 22 (English & French) and April 5. Click here to register. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern).

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) Click here to register. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern).

Webinar 3: Testing, Testing, 1-2-3 – Scenarios for producer Handbook application

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.

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.

Webinar 1: Navigating the Unexpected – Emergency Management 101

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

A general overview of emergency management along with producer roles and responsibilities.

Upcoming webinar date: July TBD, 2022.

Registration for this webinar is coming soon.

Manitoba Public Insurance suspends Third Party Pandemic Policy, effective March 1 (February 28, 2022 Manitoba Public insurance News Release) Based on updated guidance from public

health, Manitoba Public Insurance is announcing the suspension of its Third Party Pandemic policy, effective March 1. As a result, individuals who are not fully vaccinated or prefer not to share will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result for services/appointments where physical distancing or barriers are not possible, which previously included road tests and driver assessments.

The policy previously applied to all third-party individuals, including consultants, volunteers, board members and contractors, including students and instructors in the Driver Z program.

“Our primary concern continues to be the safety, health and well-being of our staff, customers and business partners,” said Satvir Jatana, Chief Customer Officer, MPI. “We will continue to keep key protocols in place to ensure the ongoing protection of everyone in our locations against the spread of COVID-19.”

Customers attending any MPI location must continue to adhere to the following requirements, until further notice:

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Wear a mask at all times, preferably a medical grade mask.

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While customers will again be permitted to wait for their service/appointment in our Service Centre waiting rooms, they will need to maintain social/physical distancing requirements of 6 feet from staff and other customers.

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Answer pre-screening questions when receiving services or attending appointments. We also encourage customers to continue to also selfscreen prior to attending our locations and if they have COVID-19 symptoms, please do not visit until they have subsided.

MPI’s plexi-glass barriers will remain in place and employees that complete road tests and incar assessments will be required to wear half mask respirators with P95/P100 filters until further notice.

MPI will also resume booking oral knowledge test appointments as of March 1.

Applications now being accepted for Youth Employment and Skills Program (February 28, 2022 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) Engaging youth in

agriculture with meaningful work opportunities is critical to the development of Canada’s next generation of farmers.

The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of up to $3.7 million to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) and support approximately 300 jobs for youth in the agriculture sector. The YESP aims to support agri-food employers and provide young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 with job experience in agriculture that could lead to a career working in the sector.

The YESP will support agriculture employers with the cost of hiring Canadian youth with an additional focus on those who face employment barriers. Eligible applicants include producers, agri-businesses, industry associations, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous organizations and research facilities.

What the YESP offers: •

Employers that hire youth facing specific employment barriers will be eligible for 80 per cent of the cost of salaries and benefits, up to $14,000.

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Applicants will be eligible for an additional $5,000 in funding to address the barriers, including relocation.

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Depending on demand, the program will support 50 per cent of salaries and benefits for youth who do not face these barriers, up to $14,000.

Applications are now open for a limited time.

Employers can apply between February 28, 2022 and March 21, 2022 for their project to be

considered. Applications forms for the YESP are available through the webpage.

Additional information, can be found by contacting aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@canada.ca, or calling: 1-866-452-5558.

The agriculture sector continues to face difficulty accessing labour. The YESP seeks to pair farmers with Canadian youth who may be in need of employment. By promoting youth employment in the agriculture sector, the Government of Canada is ensuring a resilient food supply chain and keeping the sector strong and well-positioned for the future.

Quotes “Canadian youth are the future of our sector.

We need to provide them with tools and opportunities to gain experience to help them reach their full potential. The Youth Employment and Skills Program helps eliminate barriers to employment for those wishing to pursue a career in agriculture. Our Government continues to support agri-food employers to ensure the prosperity of the industry.”

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

“Young Canadians deserve opportunities to build their skills and work toward a career that they are truly passionate about. The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, with its focus on helping young people facing barriers, creates a path to meaningful employment in many indemand sectors, including the ever-growing agriculture sector. We all succeed when we open doors for young people to build their careers and dreams.”

- The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth continued on page 17

Applications now being accepted for Youth Employment and Skills Program Quick facts •

Youth facing barriers includes: Indigenous youth, youth living with a physical disability, youth living with a diagnosed mental health disability, visible minorities, recent immigrants (within five years), those residing in a remote location, youth living in a low income household, or a single parent and early school leaver.

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First launched in June 2019, the YESP has supported the creation of nearly 1,000 agricultural jobs across Canada (2020-2021).

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The YESP is part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), an Employment and Social

Development Canada-led initiative involving 12 federal departments and agencies. YESS is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to help young people, particularly those facing barriers to employment, get the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market.

Associated links •

AAFC Youth Employment and Skills Program

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Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) – Employment and Social Development Canada

*Manitoba producers welcome to attend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alberta Farm Animal Care to host virtual Livestock Care Conference 2022 Prep for Livestock Emergencies February 14, 2022 (Calgary, AB) - Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) is hosting the annual Livestock Care Conference virtually from March 15 to March 17, 2022. The conference centers around emergency preparedness following the PREP theme (Plan, Respond, Evaluate, Progress). The conference will focus on livestock emergencies and will include presentations, workshops and panels with experts, producers and industry leaders about crisis planning and management. Registration will also include two Lunch n’ Learn sessions prior to the conference on March 8 and March 10, 2022.

“While we had hoped to introduce our new format in-person, we felt we needed to return to virtual for one more year. As well as Zoom, we have added a few new platforms that allow us to provide a more engaging and interactive experience,” said Annemarie Pedersen, AFAC executive director. “We are excited to welcome attendees from across Canada and provide an opportunity to learn and engage with people from all sectors of the livestock industry.”

The Livestock Care Conference (LCC) includes three days of interactive learning sessions covering a range of topics such as: -

Biosecurity Disease preparedness Emergency response Trespass

The agenda will run through the different aspects of PREP, starting with a high-level look at livestock emergency planning, prep and management from keynote speaker, and president of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue, Rebecca Gimenez Husted.

“We started planning this conference last summer and had no idea what the year would hold,” said Pedersen. “If the extreme weather events we experienced last year taught us anything, it’s the importance of emergency planning and preparedness.”

Post-secondary students will again have the chance to join the LCC student mentorship program and take part in the unique ‘Meet the Experts’ session on March 15, 2022. This exclusive event helps students network, gain an understanding of the industry and join the rest of the conference.

“We’re happy that we can provide agriculture students the opportunity to meet and learn from industry experts,” said Pedersen.

All sessions will be recorded and made available after the event for attendees who cannot watch live. To register for the 2022 Livestock Care Conference please visit https://web.cvent.com/event/1bc052f6-8f3d4ac9-a0f1-dacb41d5d751/summary . For more information about the conference and sponsorship opportunities, email kaylee@afac.ab.ca -30About AFAC Alberta Farm Animal Care Association (AFAC) was founded in 1993 by Alberta livestock producers to provide a voice for the industry on matters of livestock welfare. AFAC provides a coordinated approach for all areas of livestock production and works together to advance and promote responsible livestock care. For more information go to www.afac.ab.ca Contact: Annemarie Pedersen, (403) 652-5111 or annemarie@afac.ab.ca

Industry Update Teamsters Union votes in favour of strike action against CP Rail March 3, 2022

Calgary, AB Situation Snapshot: Teamsters Union members, who work as engineers, conductors, trainpersons, and yardpersons for Canadian Pacific Railway (CP Rail) voted 96.7 per cent in favour of a strike mandate. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) served a notice of dispute to the federal Labour Minister in early February, highlighting issue related to wages, benefits, and pensions. The Union has stated it will continue in the ongoing mediation process overseen by a federally-appointed mediator. Meetings are planned for March 11 – 16, 2022 with March 16 being the date of potential strike.

With the devasting impacts of the droughts in 2021 hitting western Canada, the prairies and parts of Ontario, cattle producers are reliant on feed shipments from the United States (U.S.). On February 1, 2022, there were 1.1. million head of cattle on feed in Alberta and Saskatchewan. According to Statistics Canada, Alberta and Saskatchewan corn imports in 2021 were up 400 per cent.

It is estimated that over 1,000 super-B trucks would be needed weekly to replace the volume of feed grain currently transported by CP trains. Given the severe shortages in trucking, this is not a viable solution.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and National Cattle Feeders Association (NCFA) are highly concerned about the potential impacts of a rail strike on the ability of beef producers to feed their cattle with essentially no feed buffer within Canada at this time due to the significant drought this last summer and recent rail challenges that limited deliveries in January 2022. CP Rail consistently delivered an average 10 to 11 trains per week from January 24 to the current date, but this has not provided enough reserve of feed supplies to be re-built. Current estimates are that there is a 1 – 2 week supply of feed available within Western Canada. It is imperative that essential services are not interrupted, including the movement of agricultural products by rail.

CCA and NCFA are strongly encouraging both sides to reach a solution prior to the strike action deadline. In the event a solution cannot be reached, the parties should move directly to binding arbitration to avoid a strike and the resulting necessity of implementing back-to-work legislation. It is imperative to prevent the serious consequences that would arise from a shortage of critical feed supplies on Canadian beef operations.

Potential Paths Forward: Straight to Binding Arbitration CP rail has indicated that they would be willing to go directly to binding arbitration which would avoid an interruption in service. Usually, binding arbitration is implemented post enactment of back to work legislation. Under arbitration, the union and the employer submit what they are willing to accept a government-appointed arbitrator and the arbitrator reaches a compromise position that both parties must legally accept.

“Back to work” and “essential service” legislative initiatives Back-to-work legislation is generally used to end a strike — or lockout — in an industry that the government decides is

essential to the operating of the economy. The legislation contains an enforcement section which typically includes fines. It is a unique piece of legislation - a specific law - that addresses a particular issue. The Back-to-work legislation is sponsored by the Minister of Labour, who is currently Seamus O’Regan. The act must be passed in House and in the Senate. It has been utilized a total of 39 times.

Once passed, this legislation imposes a binding arbitration process.

If needed, another avenue that will be pursued, is the Government of Canada can ban strikes by passing essential service legislation. Typically to be deemed an essential service, the service must prevent danger to life, health or safety as well as disruptions of the courts. However, the definition has broadened in response to economic concerns.

As an example, the Government of Canada named a number of industries, including agriculture, as an essential service during the pandemic.

Overview • • • • • •

• •

The Union representing workers at CP Rail have voted in favour of strike action.

The Union has stated it will continue in the ongoing mediation process that is overseen by a federally-appointed mediator. Meetings are planned for March 11 – 16, 2022.

With the devasting impacts of the droughts in 2021 hitting western Canada, the prairies and parts of Ontario, cattle producers are reliant on feed shipments from the U.S. According to Statistics Canada, Alberta and Saskatchewan corn imports in 2021 were up 400 per cent.

It is estimated that over 1,000 super-B trucks would be needed weekly to replace the volume of feed grain currently be transported by CP trains and trucking capacity is not available leaving no alternative solutions.

Complications throughout the winter depleted the amount of feed grain storage o Covid-related sickness within rail and grain companies reduced available labour for movement and unloading of grain at elevators o Cold weather from the end of December into early January slowed train movement. The cold weather also brought increased feed consumption.

CP Rail consistently delivered an average 10 to 11 trains per week from January 24 to the current date, but this has not provided enough reserve of feed supplies to be re-built.

Current estimates are that there is a 1 – 2 week supply of feed available.

For further information, contact: Michelle McMullen Communications Manager 403-275-8558 | mcmullenm@cattle.ca Megan Madden Communications Manager National Cattle Feeders’ Association 780-686-8807 | mmadden@cattlefeeders.ca

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP February 25, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Important Information re: When FederallyRequired Transfer of Care Documents are Needed for Shipping Livestock

The following information is from the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) website: On February 20, 2020, amendments were made to the Health of Animals Regulations: Part XII: Transport of Animals. While the name of this legislation may not ring a bell, most producers caught word of the reduction in maximum allowed intervals without feed, water, and rest for animals in transport. However, this is far from the whole story.

Since the amendments came into effect on February 20, 2020, any animal left at a slaughter facility or assembly centre (i.e. auction market, assembly yard, or independent holding facility associated with a slaughter establishment) had to be accompanied by a written

transfer of care document. This document ensures that the individual responsible for the care of the animal(s) in question is clearly identified at all times, which in turn defines who is accountable for welfare decisions.

For some producers, the point at which this regulation came into effect is a source of confusion. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) implemented a two year compliance promotion period for the enforcement of the new maximum feed, water, and rest intervals. This meant that until February 20, 2022, CFIA was focusing on education and awareness rather than strict enforcement of the new regulations. However, contrary to what many producers have been told, this does not apply to transfer of care documents. That is, producers are currently required by law to implement this documentation. continued on page 4

Update on Recent MBP Advocacy Activities Topics such as flood and drought management and transportation needs were on the agenda as MBP representatives met virtually this week with Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk and Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson.

This included a discussion of the status of the approvals processes and construction work required to complete the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels project. MBP cited the valuable role this project will play in helping to reduce the risk of future flooding for beef producers and others around Lake Manitoba. The importance of continued investments in other built flood-related infrastructure in the province was raised, such as the Shellmouth Dam. The value of natural infrastructure on farms and ranches like small dams, potholes and wetlands was identified by MBP, including the role these can play in terms of adding resiliency during drought or flood events. MBP believes there is a role for governments to play in terms of making investments in natural infrastructure as it can help to lessen the impacts of extreme weather, such as drought or flooding, while providing multiple economic, environmental and social benefits.

MBP commented on the importance of preserving grassland systems used by beef producers as they provide an array of ecological goods and services from water management, to carbon sequestration, to providing habitat for many plant, animal and bird species. MBP has long advocated for financial recognition from governments of these ecosystem services.

MBP raised the importance of continued government investments in the construction and maintenance of the provincial highways and bridges network in the context of beef production. For example, having access to RTAC roads is valuable for hauling heavy loads as

there are no seasonal weight restrictions on these roads.

MBP thanks Ministers Piwniuk and Johnson for the engagement opportunity and looks forward to future discussions with them related to the beef sector’s infrastructure and transportation needs.

MBP representatives also met virtually this week for the annual meeting with both the board of directors and key staff at Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

Among the matters discussed included: the timeline for providing feed sample quality verification for potential use by producers for rational formulation; the quality adjustment provided under AgriInsurance during the 2021 drought to help make alternate sources of feed more readily available to livestock producers; the status of implementing various recommendations made in the Forage Insurance Review (e.g. reducing participant burden, starting coverage levels, the potential around creating index-based insurance products, etc.); the value of improved insurance offerings for modern production practices, including the new Polycrop Establishment Insurance; ways to potentially improve Pasture Days insurance; and, the training of MASC staff and overall service delivery.

As well, there was a discussion of Livestock Price Insurance. MBP noted that both the Canadian cattle industry would like to see the program become national in scope, made permanent and for it to have cost-shared premiums between producers and government.

MBP thanks the MASC board of directors and staff for this annual meeting, and for the ongoing engagement it has with the organization throughout the year on key matters such as drought, predation challenges, insurance offerings and more.

Transfer of care documents – cont.

The guidelines for these written documents are quite general. There is no prescriptive format for the document, but instead, CFIA provides a list of required information to be included. The necessary information includes: 1. The names of the transporting company and driver; 2. The receiving company and representative; 3. The condition of the animal(s) on arrival; 4. The date, time, and place of the last feed, water, and rest; 5. The date, time, and place of arrival; 6. Notes regarding animal welfare concerns, dead animals found, and resulting actions; 7. Acknowledgement from the receiver indicating receipt of the animal(s) and acceptance of the responsibility for care.

Producers do not have to provide transfer of care documents to commercial carriers, because responsibility for animal care is already transferred to the transporter upon release of the animals by the producer under the Health of Animals Regulations. As a result, a driver can

refuse to drop off a load due to animal welfare concerns, since they are responsible for the care of the animals at that time. Similarly, receivers should document any welfare concerns on arrival to avoid being held accountable for issues that occurred before they were responsible for the care of the animal(s). Notably, CFIA states that this is an important step, because it helps receivers avoid declining a load and prolonging non-compliant animal transport to avert blame for the welfare issues.

Transfer of care documents should be kept on file for two years. This rule is important to tracking accountability for care in case of a welfare investigation. Read the amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations here.

Luckily, VBP+ provides a template for a transfer of care document that is available to all producers, whether or not they are trained and/or certified in the VBP+ program. This helps producers save time and get their cattle passed on quickly and responsibly! Sample document: http://www.verifiedbeef.ca/files/producerresources/Sample_Records_2021/VBP__Transfer_of_Care_Record_Sept_2021.pdf For additional information on the federal government’s Health of Animals Regulations, visit www.inspection.canada.ca/humane

VERIFIED BEEF

TRANSFER OF CARE

SIMPLE. PRACTICAL. TRUSTED.

www.verifiedbeef.ca

TRANSFER OF CARE DOCUMENT A R R IVA L DAT E : A R R IVA L T I ME : A R R IVA L LO CAT I O N : C O ND ITION O N AR R I VAL :

Transfer of Care: Animals in transit must be under the care of a designated person responsible for their well-being and welfare. No animal(s) can be left at an auction mart, packing plant or other assembly centre without written documentation of transfer of care. It is critical that animals are not left without confirming onsite that someone will be providing and responsible for care.

If livestock manifests are used in your province, these documents often have existing information that can be used to prove transfer of care. If livestock manifests are not used in your province, a simple form with the following information can be used.

To ensure continuity of care, no animal is to be left at any slaughter facility, or assembly centre without written notice that care has been transferred between the transporter and the receiver. This is done to ensure that the individual responsible for caring for the animals can be clearly identified at all times.

L AST FE D DAT E :

T I ME :

LO CAT I O N :

L AST WAT E R E D DAT E :

T I ME :

LO CAT I O N :

L AST R E ST E D DAT E :

T I ME :

LO CAT I O N :

COMMENTS (Number of Animals, Type of Animal, and if there are any Animal Welfare concerns.)

OWNE R / T R AN S PO RT E R : R E C E IVE R :

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Manitoba Provides Health System and COVID-19 Response Update resumption of many services that we know Manitobans have been waiting for.”

(February 24, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) COVID-19 related demands on

Manitoba’s health system continue to decrease following the pandemic’s fourth wave, enabling Manitoba to prepare for a return to more normal activities and operations including the resumption of many health services that have experienced delays or been postponed over the past two years, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced.

“Now is the time to prepare for a return to normal,” said Gordon. “This pandemic has taken a significant toll on all Manitobans and together, we can look forward to a co-ordinated and cautious plan to recover from the intense demands that it has had on our health system.”

The plan will see a gradual return of health-care workers who have been redeployed to support the pandemic response, the minister added.

Manitoba’s provincial COVID-19 health incident command developed a phased approach to resuming services, including surgical slates, diagnostic procedures and outpatient or community services that were reduced when health-care workers were redeployed to support care of COVID patients.

“There are currently more than 500 health-care workers across the province who are supporting COVID-related care in an area where they would not usually work,” said David Matear, health system co-lead, Unified Health Sector Incident Command. “As COVID admissions to hospital, including critical care, continue to decrease we will be able to return many of these staff to their usual duties, allowing for the quick

The plan, which will include provincial prioritization by clinical leaders to ensure the most urgent services resume first, will see services resume over the coming months as staff is able to be returned from redeployment to their home facility or unit.

A number of indicators will continue to be monitored closely, including hospitalization rates, COVID-19 ICU admissions and overall capacity, to ensure the system is able to quickly shift resources to support care for any significant increase in COVID-19 demands.

Key COVID-19 indicators in Manitoba show the province’s fourth wave activity has peaked and is on the decline with stable ICU and hospital admissions, noted the minister. Effective March 1, the province is removing proof of vaccination and testing requirements for designated public sector employees, including education, childcare and health-care workers.

“Our province continues to move in the right direction when it comes to COVID-19, which means we can continue to reduce the public health restrictions,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer. “Manitobans have stepped up to get vaccinated and taken steps to keep themselves and their communities healthy, and advances in COVID19 treatment options are giving us yet another tool to combat the most serious effects of the virus for many Manitobans. Public health will continue to closely monitor these key indicators to guide how we deal with COVID in the weeks and months ahead.”

Manitobans are reminded COVID-19 treatment options are available that can help protect against severe illness or hospitalization. continued on page 8

Manitoba Provides Health System and COVID-19 Response Update Treatment must begin within days of having symptoms, so it is important to get tested quickly to access this care. Vaccinated and unvaccinated people, including those with chronic health conditions, who are pregnant or have other risk factors, may be eligible for treatment. A new self-assessment tool and more information about COVID-19 treatment is available at www.manitoba.ca/covid19/treatment/.

•

Key Updates •

Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are now available for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals at provincial testing sites. This provides members of the public with a self-testing option for use at a future point in time when they may become symptomatic. Individuals can receive up to two test kits per visit and test results do not need to be reported, but individuals are required to self-isolate and follow public health orders if they test positive.

•

Rapid antigen tests will continue to be used for the majority of people visiting a provincial testing site. Those who are at higher risk of severe illness as well as some groups who have tested positive on a rapid antigen test will still be eligible for PCR testing. Detailed information on updated COVID-19 testing eligibility can be found at: https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/inde x.html.

As previously announced by the province, proof of vaccination will no longer be required in public places as of March 1. However, the Manitoba immunization card and verifier app will continue to be available for businesses and venues that may choose require proof of vaccination after that date. Manitoba’s mask requirements will be removed on March 15.

Essential care partners of patients transferred through the inter-regional transfer protocol are eligible for reimbursement of costs incurred when visiting. For information on eligible costs and to apply for reimbursement, visit https://sharedhealthmb.ca/files/patienttransfer-essential-care-partnerreimbursement.pdf. Verification may require receipts for some costs to be submitted.

For more information about COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/.

COVID-19: Information re: Testing and Vaccination Processes Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba is updated weekdays at 12:30 p.m. on these DataMB dashboards: •

Case data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19/

COVID-19 vaccination coverage: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19-vaccinations-dashboard1/

Vaccine Manitobans who have been infected with COVID-19 are now recommended to wait two to three months after the infection before getting a booster dose. This recommendation follows the latest guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. Manitobans are advised not to assume that recovery from an infection is sufficient for immunity. Those who prefer to get their booster dose sooner, or if their primary care provider recommends a continued on page 9

Manitoba Provides Health System and COVID-19 Response Update booster sooner, can go ahead and schedule a booster dose appointment.

Eligible individuals can book their appointments online, by calling (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1844-MAN-VACC) or by contacting their local pharmacy or medical clinic directly. Visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.html for some of the available options.

More Resources •

Vaccine campaign in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca.

•

Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

•

Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

Manitoba Association of Watersheds Leads Partnership on AAFC’s On-Farm Climate Action Fund Producer-led groups form coalition; land AAFC’S on- farm climate action projects for Manitoba &Saskatchewan producers February 22, 2022 (Winnipeg, MB) - 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.

“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 long-term 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.

Seeking New Members for the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council opportunity for the next generation of leaders to share their personal experiences, perspectives, and innovative ideas on how to tackle issues from across the agriculture and agri-food sector.

During this unique career building opportunity, Youth Council members will learn about how policy and programming is developed at AAFC and expand their professional skillset and network.

Who can apply?

Apply by March 22!

The Canadian Agricultural Youth Council, hosted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), is recruiting creative and outspoken people who have a passion for food and farming and enjoy working in a team to find solutions and have impact.

The Youth Council meets regularly with Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food as well as department officials to discuss the issues that matter the most to young people in food and farming. Together, Youth Council members look for ways to overcome challenges facing youth and build a vibrant future for food and farming in Canada that reflects the values and aspirations of young people from all walks of life.

First established in 2020, the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council provides an

We welcome youth, ages 18 to 30, from across Canada to apply to the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council by March 22 if they have experience and knowledge of food and/or farming as a result of their upbringing, academic studies, volunteer work, current employment, or other life experiences.

The next cohort of Youth Council members will be made up of 25 diverse youth from across Canada including farmers, students, researchers, teachers, food processors, business owners, scientists, and advocates. Agriculture doesn’t just mean on-farm activities — it also includes food processing, distribution, marketing, retail, restaurants and all the other activities along the value chain.

If you want to learn more about government, expand your professional network, and work together to create positive change in the food and farming sector, please apply by March 22, 2022.

Province Announces New Approaches to Surveying Priority Big Game Populations for 2022

(February 22, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) As the 2022 Big Game Survey Program

begins, the Manitoba government is taking a modern approach to wildlife population assessments Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Scott Fielding announced.

“Our government recognizes the importance of scientific data in effective wildlife management,” said Fielding. “Over the next month we will be conducting aerial surveys of selected game hunting areas using modern survey methods to collect more and better wildlife data.”

The Fish and Wildlife Branch collects a variety of information to help manage big game populations in the province. Aerial population surveys is one method, which traditionally has used staff, a helicopter and a stratified random block method to focus on a single big game species in a hunting area.

Owyhee Air Research, experts in technology-led wildlife surveillance, will conduct the first survey project using infrared technology and fixed-wing aircraft to assess populations for a variety of species for Game Hunting Areas (GHA) 30 and portions of GHA 22. Sex and age classification and other wildlife occurrences of interest will also be recorded and georeferenced. This project is funded in part by the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund.

The second survey project is a collaboration with Superwake Ltd. and Ryerson University to survey a portion of GHA 6A. This pilot project will test the use of a fixed-wing drone equipped with infrared and Red-Green-Blue (RGB) sensor cameras, a first for North American wildlife management. Several big game species will be recorded including sex and age classification. A portion of GHA 6A will be surveyed to test the effectiveness of this new technique.

The minister noted traditional survey methods are costly, time-consuming and require a team of staff to execute. With modern technology, we can collect better data in a more efficient manner to support the critical work of wildlife management.

Inaugural Agriculture-focused National Business Case Competition Launches Post-secondary Students Will Explore Careers in Ag sector as They Solve Real-world Business Problems (February 23, 2022 CAHRC News Release) – The

Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council (CAHRC), in partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Growing Our People: National Business Case Competition. This partnership is made possible through the support of the Government of Canada.

Open to post-secondary students from across Canada, this exciting opportunity will introduce participants to the diverse career opportunities available in Canadian agriculture. Of particular interest to students from business, STEM, and agriculture programs, the real-world business problems they address will bring them into direct contact with key agriculture employers.

“We are thrilled to present this experiential learning program to engage post-secondary students in our ever-changing industry,” said Jennifer Wright, Acting Executive Director at CAHRC. “These students, often coming from outside agriculture, are the future of Canada and their new skills and fresh ideas are a tremendous opportunity for agriculture as a whole.”

While the primary agriculture industry is already facing significant labour gaps, CAHRC research indicates that in 2017, 16,500 jobs went unfilled in Canada’s agriculture sector, costing the sector $2.9 billion in lost revenues, or 4.7 per cent of product sales. This same research forecasts the sector’s labour gap will nearly double over the next 10 years, reaching 123,000 people by 2029.

Under-represented groups, such as women, newcomers, Indigenous people, and people with disabilities can play an important role in filling gaps and are encouraged to join the business case competition and bring diversity and innovation to solving agriculture’s unique challenges. Participation in the program will benefit students, educators, and employers alike as they share ideas and expand networks for future career opportunities.

“There really aren’t any skills not presently in demand and this competition will show students how they can contribute in a meaningful way,” added Ms. Wright. “We know that graduates are eager to make their mark on an industry, and what better place than in food – something that binds us all.”

Open for registration until March 4th, students can sign up as teams or as individuals to be placed on a team. The Competition is codesigned with BHER, students, educators, and employer advisory groups with campus-based competitions having already taken place at Fanshawe College (London, ON) and Lakeland College (Vermilion, AB). Winning teams will be announced on March 28th during a virtual event for all students and partners.

For more information and to register visit: https://growing.agriskills.ca/nationalcompetition-home/ About CAHRC: The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) works with industry leaders, governments and educational stakeholders to research, develop and communicate solutions to the challenges in employment and skills development in primary agriculture. For more information visit www.cahrc-ccrha.ca.

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://bit.ly/3h11VT7) This resource can be used alongside other AHEM producer tools and handbooks found at www.animalhealth.ca/resources to proactively plan, prepare and respond to an animal disease emergency event.

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 1, March 22 (English & French) and April 5. Click here to register. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern).

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) Click here to register. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern).

Webinar 3: Testing, Testing, 1-2-3 – Scenarios for producer Handbook application

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.

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.

Webinar 1: Navigating the Unexpected – Emergency Management 101

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

A general overview of emergency management along with producer roles and responsibilities.

Upcoming webinar date: July TBD, 2022.

Registration for this webinar is coming soon.

Manitoba's Plan to Become World Leader in Sustainable Protein Gains Momentum

(February 18, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba’s quest to become a global

leader in the development and production of sustainable protein has gained further momentum through Project Accelerating Sustainable Protein Impact and Results (ASPIRE), an industry-led, concerted and coordinated team effort toward advancing the Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy , Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced.

“This plan represents tremendous opportunity for our province’s industry and economic future,” said Johnson. “Our government appreciates the shared expertise that has led to this pivotal development.”

The release of Project ASPIRE promises to be a key highlight of the third annual Manitoba Protein Summit, a virtual conference slated for Feb. 22 to 23. This major industry conference has attracted more than 650 attendees from around the world, with “Sustainable Protein Food Systems” as this year’s theme.

“The Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy was released in 2019 to sustainably grow Manitoba’s plant and animal protein industry through innovation and value chain collaboration,” said Johnson. “To date, Manitoba’s protein industry has attracted new investments valued at $753 million, creating 840 jobs and surpassing 50 per cent of the strategy’s $1.5-billion target in new investments through 2025.”

The Manitoba Protein Consortium, an industry committee appointed by cabinet, has transitioned the strategy from a government-

led initiative to an industry-led strategy through the establishment of a strategic advisory body of 18 industry leaders to lead the implementation of Project ASPIRE. “Project ASPIRE is a comprehensive plan focused on realizing the province’s potential to produce protein that is diverse, high-quality, healthy and increasingly sustainable,” said Dickson Gould, chair of the Manitoba Consortium and president of The Progressive Group. “We are very pleased to appoint David Wiens, the chair of Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and Chris Anderson, the chief technology officer at Protein Industries Canada to co-chair the strategic advisory body. Together, we want to accelerate sector leadership to make Manitoba a globally sustainable protein hub for plant, animal and alternative protein development, as well as increase the economic opportunities for our producers and protein manufacturers.”

“We have established roundtables to bring action to key pillars in the strategy, such as workforce, water and wastewater infrastructure and sustainable protein research. Other priority areas will be determined within the next few months,” said David Wiens, chair, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and co-chair of the strategic advisory body.

“Our Workforce Roundtable will ensure that we have the right skills in Manitoba to sustainably grow our protein industry,” said Ron Koslowsky, chair, Workforce Roundtable and head of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Manitoba.

For more information about Manitoba’s work in protein innovation, visit: www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/protein.

Information for Manitobans As Tax Season Approaches (February 21, 2022 Canada Revenue Agency News Release) The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is

committed to making sure residents of Manitoba get the benefits and credits they are entitled to. Due to the continued challenges of COVID-19, this will be another unique taxfiling season. We are continuously working to improve and adapt our services to meet your tax-filing needs and to provide options for a seamless experience when interacting with us.

This tax-filing season, why not join the 90% of Manitoba residents who filed their 2020 taxes online? When combining online filing with direct deposit, you can receive your tax refund in as little as eight business days. Last year, over 14 million refunds were issued by direct deposit to Canadian taxpayers.

What is the advantage of filing an income tax and benefit return? Last year, Canadians received an average tax refund of $1,895 per income tax and benefit return and an average of $6,690 in Canada child benefit (CCB) payments. In order to receive the benefits and credits you may be entitled to, such as the CCB, GST/HST credit, child disability benefit, Climate action incentive or guaranteed income supplement, you need to file an income tax and benefit return – even if you have no income to report for 2021 or if your income is tax exempt.

We know that everyone has a unique tax-filing situation. As such, we’d like to share tailored information that can help you file your income tax and benefit return.

Let us help you get started Mark your calendar – The deadline for most Canadians to file their income tax and benefit return for their 2021 taxes is April 30, 2022. Because this date is a Saturday, your return will be considered filed on time if the

CRA receives it or it is postmarked on or before May 2, 2022. Similarly, your payment will be considered made on time if it is received by the CRA or processed at a Canadian financial institution on or before May 2, 2022.

Get ready – Visit our Get ready to do your taxes webpage for the latest tax and COVID19 benefit information that you need to file your income tax and benefit return. Last year, it was visited by over one million taxpayers and was our most viewed webpage.

Register for My Account – Over 460,000 Manitoba residents are already registered with My Account. This secure portal lets you update your personal information, such as home address, direct deposit information, marital status, and more. If you are registered for My Account, you can also use digital services such as Auto-fill my return and Express NOA (Notice of Assessment) in certified tax-filing software.

Business owners can also sign up for My Business Account.

As of February 7, 2022, you are required to provide an email address to use My Account.

You will receive an email notification if important information, such as your address or direct deposit information, has been changed on CRA records. These notifications can act as an early warning about potential fraudulent activity.

Learn about your taxes – Questions about the filing of your return? Don’t worry! We have launched a new online tool to help you learn about taxes so you can do them on your own.

Go to Learn about your taxes for more information. continued on page 17

Information for Manitobans As Tax Season Approaches Need help filing your taxes? – If you have a modest income, a simple tax situation, and require assistance, a Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) volunteer may be able to complete and file your tax return for free. Services are currently being offered both in-person and through virtual means such as video-conferencing. To find a clinic, please visit our Free tax clinics web page. CVITP helped over 23,000 Manitoba residents file last year.

COVID-19 benefits T4A information slips – If you received taxable COVID-19 benefits in 2021, such as the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), you will need to enter the total amount you received on your return. A T4A information slip will be mailed to you by the end of February 2022. T4A information slips from the Government of Canada for COVID-19-related benefits will also be provided online if you’re registered for My Account and have full access.

T4A information slips, including information for COVID-19-related benefits, are also available through the Auto-fill my return service in certified tax filing software.

Targeted interest relief – If you received COVID-related income support benefits in 2020 and owed money to the CRA after filing your 2020 income tax and benefit return, you were not required to pay interest on any outstanding income tax debt for the 2020 tax year until April 30, 2022. This was intended to give you more time and flexibility to pay if you had an amount owing.

To qualify for targeted interest relief, individuals must have had a total taxable income of $75,000 or less in 2020 and received income

support in 2020 through one or more COVID19 measures.

Therefore, if you filed your 2020 return and qualified for interest relief, you have until April 30, 2022, to pay any outstanding income tax debt for the 2020 tax year and avoid future interest charges. This applies to the tax owing for the 2020 tax year only, and not for any previous tax year.

If you cannot pay your balance owing, we can work with you on a payment arrangement.

Updates to benefits and credits from the CRA Support for farmers – Beginning in the 2021 year, the Government of Canada proposes a new refundable tax credit, the Return of Fuel Charge Proceeds to Farmers Tax Credit, as a means to return a portion of the fuel charge proceeds from the federal carbon pollution pricing system directly to farming businesses in provinces that do not currently have a system that meets the federal requirements. These designated provinces are Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan. The credit amount is proportional to the amount of eligible farming expenses attributable to the designated provinces. For 2021, if you’re a farmer in a designated province with eligible farming expenses of $25,000 or more, you can expect to receive a credit of $1.47 per $1,000 in eligible farming expenses increasing to $1.73 in 2022.

Form T2043, Return of Fuel Charge Proceeds to Farmers Tax Credit, would need to be completed in order to calculate the amount of the credit.

Climate action incentive payment – The Government of Canada announced its intention to deliver the Climate action incentive (CAI) as quarterly benefit payments. If you are a resident of Manitoba and you are eligible, you continued on page 18

Information for Manitobans As Tax Season Approaches will automatically receive your CAI payments four times a year, starting in July 2022. To receive your payments, you have to file a tax return even if you have not received income in the year. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, only one of you can get the credit for the family. The credit will be paid to the spouse or common-law partner whose tax return is assessed first. If you currently reside outside of a census metropolitan area (CMA) and expect to continue to reside outside of a CMA on April 1, 2022, fill out Schedule 14, Climate action incentive, as part of your tax return, to get the supplement for residents of small and rural communities as part of your benefit payment.

Northern residents deductions – As a resident of Manitoba, you may live in a prescribed zone and be eligible to claim a residency deduction and a travel deduction. To find out if you live in a prescribed zone, visit Line 25500 - Places located in prescribed zones. The northern residents deductions are available to those who permanently live in one or more prescribed zones for a continuous period of at least six consecutive months, beginning or ending in the tax year. Eligible individuals living in a prescribed northern zone can claim the full amount of these deductions, and those living in a prescribed intermediate zone can claim 50% of these deductions. The residency deduction is based on how many days you lived in a prescribed zone during the tax year. The government has proposed changes to the travel deduction. Under proposed changes, the travel deduction will be expanded and be available to eligible northern residents, including eligible family members, who take a personal trip even if no taxable travel benefit was received for that

trip. For more information, visit Northern Residents Deductions for 2021.

Have additional tax-filing questions?

We are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality service in the most efficient ways possible. Please keep in mind that taxfiling season is our busiest time of the year.

You can find most of the information you need online. We encourage you to find answers to your tax-filing questions through our digital services. For example, you can check out these resources: •

Benefit payment dates – Find out when you will receive your benefit payments.

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COVID-19 benefits and your taxes View detailed information on how COVID-19 benefits affect your taxes and how to report the amounts on your tax return.

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Ways to do your taxes – View several ways to do your taxes, including options that are free!

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Questions and answers about filing your taxes – Find answers to common questions Canadians ask us at tax time.

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Tax tips and videos – Find information that could help you with your particular tax situation.

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Charlie the Chatbot – This service can be found on the CRA homepage and many other of our pages on Canada.ca to provide you with quick answers to your tax-filing questions.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing drought conditions.

The program helps livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to maintain their breeding herds.

HOW TO APPLY Review the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance-Farmers Guidebook for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs, as well as other program requirements.

For your application to be considered complete, you must submit all necessary program documents: Required Documents Application Form Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals - if first time applying Declaration of Extraordinary Expenses - if have extraordinary expenses - only submit once Self-Haul Declaration - if you hauled the feed Invoices - for each feed and/or transportation purchase Proof of Payment - for each invoice (e.g. cleared cheque, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt) View: Drought 2021 industry webinar presentation to learn more about AgriRecovery: Drought Assistance program eligibility and details.

WHAT IS NEW? (February 2022) Expansion of Eligible Feeds - The list of eligible feeds now includes feed additives and premixes, molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021. Previous applicants of the program will receive an email or letter in the mail informing them how they can apply for these expenses.

Extraordinary Expenses incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 including hauling water, renting extra pasture and cropland, harvesting extra acres for livestock feed, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, and transporting feed from distant locations. A one time declaration of extraordinary expenses can be submitted over the life of the program.

View: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance View: How do Extraordinary Expenses Increase Payments?

WHO QUALIFIES • Primary producers who owned or leased the eligible animals, located in Manitoba, as of June 1, 2021 and continued to own or lease them to March 15, 2022 or later are eligible.

• Eligible animals include breeding head of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU), sheep, goats, bison and elk.

• Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

• Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE Assistance is provided for eligible costs incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 for: • winter-feed costs of eligible breeding animals. Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

• feed testing to determine the nutritional value of eligible feeds.

• extraordinary expenses associated with above-normal costs for accessing additional crop or pasture acres, hauling water, harvesting extra acres, or hauling self-produced feed from distant locations.

LIVESTOCK FEED AND EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES Livestock Feed Eligible Feeds Grazed corn and greenfeed.

Mechanically harvested hay, silage, greenfeed, stover, straw, including those purchased as standing crops or grazed in a swath.

Grain and concentrates (pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, screenings, dried distillers grain, and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator).

Feed additives and premixes are eligible as concentrates including molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, oils and fats.

Ineligible Feeds High moisture feeds with low nutrient density.

Feeds that based on their name, label, registration, or contents are primarily intended for young stock.

Purchased feed and feed testing are eligible expenses. The feed must be consumed within the overwintering period. Invoices and proof of payment must be submitted for all feed purchases and feed testing claimed.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Extraordinary Expenses Extraordinary expenses required to sustain eligible livestock affected by drought are eligible and can include costs not related to feed purchases or transportation of purchased feed.

Eligible Extraordinary Expenses Rental of pasture, forage and/or crop land that is not normally rented for the applicants production of feed for eligible livestock.

Purchase or rental of temporary fencing supplies to provide supplemental grazing for eligible livestock.

Providing drinking water to livestock including water purchases, custom water hauling, water hauling equipment rental, and fuel and hired labour to haul water with the applicant's own equipment.

Harvesting of feed including mowing, raking, baling, collecting bales and silage harvesting, on land that is not typically used by the applicant, including land seeded to annual crops in 2021. The eligible costs include custom-harvesting and fuel and hired labour costs for harvesting with the applicant's own equipment. This activity must only be for producing feed for eligible livestock and cannot exceed the applicant's normal annual feed production.

Transportation of feed produced by the applicant, including custom-hauling and the fuel and hired labour costs for hauling with the applicant's own equipment for trips 40 kilometres or greater one-way. The extraordinary costs are limited to the first 600 kilometres one-way for each trip. Expenses claimed cannot exceed the tonne-km payment rates described in the Transportation of Purchased Feed section of this web page.

How to Calculate Payment for Livestock Feed and Extraordinary Expenses The Program Administrator will make payments to the applicant for purchases and testing of eligible feed and extraordinary expenses made between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022.

A producer share will be applied and deducted from the total value of feed purchases, feed testing and extraordinary expenses claimed. Payments are based on the total value of expenses exceeding the producer share up to the maximum per head payment.

Per Head Producer Shares are: $50 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $10 per head for sheep and goats Maximum eligible extraordinary expenses that can be claimed are capped on a per head basis.

Maximum Eligible Extraordinary Expenses that can be claimed are: $133.33 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $26.66 per head for sheep and goats

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Total Payments will be equal to 75 percent of the total value of expenses that exceeds the producer share to a maximum per head payment.

Maximum Per Head Payments are: $250 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $50 per head for sheep and goats

Total Program Payments are calculated using these three steps: STEP 1: Calculate total eligible expenses

STEP 2: Calculate total eligible expenses net of the producer share

STEP 3: Total program payment is 75% of the Total Eligible Expenses Net of Producer Share

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance TRANSPORTATION OF PURCHASED FEED Feed transportation assistance is provided for the movement of purchased eligible feeds for eligible breeding animals to address feed shortages due to drought conditions.

Payments for feed transportation: Transportation costs for eligible feed purchased and transported between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, for a minimum distance of 40 kilometres up to a maximum loaded distance of 600 kilometres.

Payments for hay, straw, greenfeed, stover and silage are based on the following rates: $0.16 per tonne kilometre for the first 100 kilometres of a haul $0.10 per tonne kilometre for the remainder of a haul for up to an additional 500 kilometres

Payments for grain and concentrates, and high moisture feeds approved by the Program Administrator are based on the following rate: $0.05 per tonne kilometre up to 600 kilometres Payments for each receipt provided by the applicant will be the payment rate multiplied by the distance transported multiplied by the number of tonnes transported, or the amount of the receipt, whichever is less.

Transportation assistance is additional to assistance that may be received for feed assistance.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION The application and declaration forms are available in the "How to Apply" section at the top of the webpage. You can also pick up an application package at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or by calling us at 1-844-769-6224 to have an application package mailed to you.

Application and Declarations For feed purchase, feed testing, feed transportation and livestock transportation claims, multiple applications can be accepted. For extraordinary expenses, only one declaration is accepted over the life of the program.

Invoices and Proof of Payment Feed purchase, feed testing, and feed transportation claims must be supported by invoices and proof of payment submitted at time of application. For custom-hauling feed, proof of purchase is required for both the hauling charges and purchase of the feed transported. For self-hauled feed, proof of purchase for the feed and a self-haul declaration are required.

Applicants are not required to submit invoices or proof of purchase with their one-time declaration of extraordinary expenses, but must maintain these records in the event that they are requested by the Program Administrator as part of the review, verification or audit process.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance EMAIL, MAIL OR DROP OFF COMPLETED APPLICATION Your completed application form and supporting documents must be sent to an Authorized Manitoba Agriculture Representative by: Email Mail: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Note: If you do not receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application you should contact us immediately by email.

If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

An audit inspection of final work may occur before or after payment is issued.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Support documents and tools to assist you in completing your application.

• Application Check List • Factsheet - AgriRecovery Feed Assistance Payment Calculation • Factsheet - AgriRecovery Feed Transportation Assistance Payment Calculation • Frequently Asked Questions • Quick Reference - How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance • Quick Reference - How to Calculate Payment per Head on Feed Purchases • Quick Reference - What Qualifies for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance APPLICATION DEADLINE Applications will be received on an ongoing basis until April 15, 2022 (11:59 p.m. CST).

WHO TO CONTACT Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Toll Free: 1-844-769-6224 Email: agriculture@gov.mb.ca

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

SUSTAINABILITY OF CANADIAN AGRICULTURE 2022 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

Farming for Sustainable Food Systems

Photo: E. McGeough

MARCH 16-18, 2022 Wednesday March 16

Keynote Speaker - Dr. David Kanter, New York University Morning panel discussion: Food Systems Redesign

Thursday March 17

Workshop: Holos Model v4 Afternoon panel discussion: Road to Carbon Neutrality Q and A with Researchers

Friday March 18

Afternoon panel discussion: Managing From a Landscape Perspective

Registration for this free event is open!

Come visit us at:

www.umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/sustainability-canadian-agriculture-2022

New & Noteworthy Polycrop Establishment Insurance Polycrop Establishment Insurance is now available for mixtures of two or more annual crops, other than greenfeed, grown together on the same acreage. Mixes of warm and cool-season grasses, legumes, and brassicas are eligible for coverage. Producers are eligible to claim if the polycrop acreage fails to achieve 75 per cent ground cover. Coverage level selections available in 2022 are $40 or $80 per acre.

Greenfeed Changes Producers now have more flexibility to insure crops intended for greenfeed. Eligibility has been expanded to allow for up to 20 per cent of the seed blend to be made up of crops not listed as eligible for greenfeed insurance. That is, up to 20 per cent of the seed blend can be something other than: oats, barley, mixed grain, wheat, rye, triticale, field peas, sorghum, sudan grass, and millet and the crop can still be insured as greenfeed. Greenfeed is grown for the purpose of being cut, baled, or silaged for livestock feed.

Improved Calling Features MASC clients will benefit from improved communication through a new detailed, informative call system that will provide more options, such as: Quicker access to MASC team members at their assigned service centre.

Ability to leave a voicemail message with their assigned service centre.

Improved phone recordings with options and information on how long they may be on hold.

Outgoing calls from our main lines will now have caller ID indicating the calls are from MASC.

Chat with Us We’ve launched a new client chat feature that allows myMASC users to chat with MASC team members in real time. It’s fast and convenient.

Have questions? Sign in to your myMASC account during regular business hours to connect with your service centre team members.

Higher Potato Coverage for Pre-Harvest (Stage 2UH) Claims Starting in 2022, potatoes appraised and destroyed after June 20 and prior to harvest will be subject to a 10 per cent coverage deductible (down from 15 per cent). The reduced deductible is a better reflection of current potato harvesting costs and offers more effective coverage for potato producers.

Potato varieties that are eligible for coverage are updated yearly, check bit.ly/MASC_Varieties for the latest list.

Higher Hail Coverage The Hail Insurance program has increased coverage levels for 2022. Maximum hail dollar coverage is increasing from $300 per acre to $400 per acre to reflect increases in expected gross revenue for most crops. The 2022 premium rates are the same for most risk areas.

Vegetable Acreage Loss Insurance Update The minimum acreage required to be eligible for Vegetable Acreage Loss Insurance has been reduced to 0.5 acres (down from three acres in 2021).

Fee Changes MASC has increased the late fee for Seeded Acreage and Harvested Production Reports from $100 to $500.

Calendar Photo Contest Here’s your chance to showcase life on the farm! Starting March 1, we’ll be accepting your photo submissions for the 2023 MASC Calendar. Keep your camera (or phone) handy to snap those incredible pictures of life in rural Manitoba. We’re looking for images from all seasons and of all things ag (or rural living) related. Send your images to: info@masc.mb.ca. Get all the contest details and information on submitting your photos at www.masc.mb.ca/calendarphotos. #LivingTheDream February 2022

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Upcoming Deadlines Final Date to Apply for, Change, or Cancel an AgriInsurance Contract The deadline to apply for an AgriInsurance contract and to make changes to or cancel an existing AgriInsurance contract is March 31, 2022. If we do not hear from you by this date, your existing selections (i.e. insured crops, coverage levels, and options) will remain in effect.

Excess Moisture Insurance (EMI) Coverage Rented land must be added to your AgriInsurance contract by March 31 to be eligible for EMI coverage this year. Rented land added after March 31 will be eligible for AgriInsurance coverage for seeded crops and for Hail Insurance, but not for EMI. Land that is purchased on or before June 30 is eligible for EMI, based on proof of purchase provided to MASC. Contact MASC for more details.

Farmland School Tax Rebate (FSTR) Deadline The final day to apply for FSTR for the 2021 tax year is March 31, 2022.

Insure your Crops at Contracted Prices MASC’s Contract Price Option (CPO) gives you higher coverage for locked-in production to reflect market prices. For 2022, MASC continues to offer the CPO on canola, including specialty oil canola, and field peas.

Producers can blend the price from their contracted production with the base AgriInsurance dollar value (weighted by production) to better reflect expected market prices. Production contracts must be submitted to MASC by June 30 to be included in the CPO.

Forage Yield Cushioning A new technique to stabilize yield coverages for forages (to combat declining coverage after disaster years) was introduced in 2021. Yield cushioning stabilizes coverage by reducing the impact of extremely low yields on future coverage.

Silage Corn Individual productivity indexing (IPI) for silage corn was introduced in 2021. IPI calculates probable yields using a producer’s own individual yield history, based on a 10-year moving average with a two-year lag.

AgriInsurance Coverage Total insurance coverage for 2022 is expected to exceed $4.66 billion. This means the average coverage is estimated at $463 per acre, compared to $321 per acre in 2021.

Premiums With dollar values increasing significantly (on average 40 per cent), coverage for most crops is at an all-time high, which means premiums are adjusted as well to reflect these positive changes.

Premium increases will vary depending on the crop, coverage level, and risk area. For example, on average, producers can expect to pay $14.49 an acre compared to $9.16 last year. The cost of premiums is shared by producers (40 per cent), Canada (36 per cent) and Manitoba (24 per cent).

Probable Yield Most crops will experience an increase in probable yield for 2022, as yields are based on a 10-year average. For 2022, data from 2011 to 2020 is used in the calculation. The year dropped (2010) was cool and wet and produced generally below average yields; the year added (2020), produced average to above average yields for most crops.

MASC Contracts Review the AgriInsurance and Hail Insurance contracts at www.masc.mb.ca/contracts.

If you want a printed copy, contact MASC.

Follow us on Twitter @MASC_MB

Visit www.masc.mb.ca for additional updates, program information, and contact information.

February 2022

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E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP February 18, 2022

NEWS RELEASE

mbbeef.ca

Innovative Agricultural Insurance Product to Strengthen Manitoba Forage and Livestock Sectors (February 16, 2022 Federal/Provincial 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 (industryled) federal flow-through funding. The project will be led

by DFM in partnership with Manitoba Beef Producers and four additional producer organizations.

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“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 18month 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, $3billion 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/keydepartmental-initiatives/canadian-agricultural-partnership or www.manitoba.ca/agriculture.

For reliable information and resources please visit:

COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests Now Available for Both Symptomatic and Asymptomatic People The following is compiled from provincial government news releases for the week of February 14, 2022.

a provincial testing site. Those who are at higher risk of severe illness as well as some groups who have tested positive on a rapid antigen test will still be eligible for PCR testing. Detailed information on updated COVID-19 testing eligibility can be found at: https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/inde x.html.

Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba is updated weekdays at 12:30 p.m. on these DataMB dashboards: •

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Case data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19/ COVID-19 vaccination coverage: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19-vaccinations-dashboard1/

Key Updates •

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Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are now available for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals at provincial testing sites. This provides members of the public with a self-testing option for use at a future point in time when they may become symptomatic. Individuals can receive up to two test kits per visit and test results do not need to be reported, but individuals are required to self-isolate and follow public health orders if they test positive.

The Manitoba Government is no longer distributing KN95 masks through liquor marts and casinos. The program, launched on Dec. 23, 2021, and closed on Jan. 2, 2022. Some locations may have remaining inventory that they are distributing, but are no longer receiving shipments for public distribution.

Rapid antigen tests will continue to be used for the majority of people visiting

Vaccine Manitobans who have been infected with COVID-19 are now recommended to wait two to three months after the infection before getting a booster dose. This recommendation follows the latest guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. Manitobans are advised not to assume that recovery from an infection is sufficient for immunity. Those who prefer to get their booster dose sooner, or if their primary care provider recommends a booster sooner, can go ahead and schedule a booster dose appointment.

Eligible individuals can book their appointments online, by calling (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1844-MAN-VACC) or by contacting their local pharmacy or medical clinic directly.

Visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.ht ml for some of the available options.

More Resources •

Vaccine campaign in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https: //protectmb.ca.

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Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

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Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

Government of Canada lightens border measures as part of transition of the pandemic response (February 15, 2022 Public Health Agency of Canada News Release) Recent data indicates that the

exempt from quarantine, without any prescribed conditions limiting their activities. This means, for example, they no longer need to wait 14 days before attending school, camp or daycare.

latest wave of COVID-19 driven by the Omicron variant has passed its peak in Canada. As provinces and territories adjust their public health measures, and as we transition away from the crisis phase, it is now time to move towards a more sustainable approach to longterm management of COVID-19. o

This transition is possible because of a number of factors, including Canada’s high vaccination rates, the increasing availability and use of rapid tests to detect infection, decreasing hospitalization rates and growing domestic availability of therapeutics and treatments.

The Government of Canada announced a series of adjustments to the current border measures, representing the beginning of a phased easing of travel restrictions. The ability of the country to transition to a new phase at the border is a result of the actions of tens of millions of Canadians across the country who followed public health measures, including getting themselves and their families vaccinated.

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Travellers will now have the option of using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result (taken the day prior to their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) or a molecular test result (taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) to meet pre-entry requirements. Taking a rapid antigen test at home is not sufficient to meet the pre-entry requirement – it must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased and must be administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service.

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The Government of Canada will adjust its Travel Health Notice from a Level 3 to a Level 2. This means that the Government will no longer recommend that Canadians avoid travel for nonessential purposes.

As of February 28, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. EST: •

We will be easing the on-arrival testing for fully-vaccinated travellers. This means that travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, will be randomly selected for arrival testing. Travellers selected will also no longer be required to quarantine while awaiting their test result. o

Children under 12 years old, travelling with fully vaccinated adults, will continue to be

Unvaccinated travellers will continue to be required to test on arrival, on Day 8 and quarantine for 14 days.

Unvaccinated foreign nationals will not be permitted to enter Canada unless they meet one of the few exemptions.

continued on page 5

Government of Canada lightens border measures as part of transition of the pandemic response o

o

Travellers should understand the risks that are still associated with international travel given the high incidence of Omicron, and take necessary precautions.

On February 28, 2022 at 16:00 EST, Transport Canada’s Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that restricts where international passenger flights can arrive in Canada will expire. This means that international flights carrying passengers will be permitted to land at all remaining Canadian airports that are designated by the Canada Border Services Agency to receive international passenger flights.

website), including proof of vaccination in English or French and a quarantine plan prior to arriving in Canada.

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To prove a previous COVID-19 infection, the Government of Canada will continue to only accept molecular test results, taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada.

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In considering whether to travel, travellers should consider the availability of medical services in a foreign country, and plan for the potential high costs associated with medical treatment and extending their trip, should they test positive for COVID-19 while abroad. Travellers should also understand that there is a continued risk that border and travel measures in other countries, as well as in Canada, may change while they are abroad and should regularly review the entry requirements and exemptions for their travel situation.

Quick Facts •

•

Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry requirements before heading to the border. In addition, some provinces and territories may have their own entry restrictions in place. Check and follow both the federal and any provincial or territorial restrictions and requirements before travelling to Canada.

All travellers, regardless of how long they were away from Canada, continue to be required to submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN (free mobile app or

Associated Links •

COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders

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COVID-19: Vaccinated travellers entering Canada

•

ArriveCAN

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COVID-19: Summary data about travellers, testing and compliance

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COVID-19: Boarding flights and trains in Canada

Canada Beef to launch Canadia n Beef Information Gateway

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Province Releases Spring Flood Outlook Risk of Flooding in Most Southern Manitoba Basins, Spring Weather Conditions to Determine Full Scope to best prepare for potential flood mitigation operations.”

(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 today.

“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

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.

Province Advises Outflow from Shellmouth Reservoir Will Increase (February 17, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba Transportation and

Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre advises increase of flows from the Shellmouth Reservoir as part of the normal operation to drawdown the level of the reservoir in preparation for spring runoff from the upper Assiniboine River.

Outflow from Shellmouth Dam will be increased to 1,100 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the current 870 cfs as of Thursday, Feb.17.

The final release of 1,100 cfs will raise Assiniboine River water levels by one to two feet between the Shellmouth Dam and Brandon. The rise in levels will decrease in the east reaches of the river and will diminish as the river approaches to Winnipeg.

The province will continue to monitor conditions in the upper Assiniboine River as well as downstream river levels.

Manitoba's Plan to Become World Leader in Sustainable Protein Gains Momentum (February 18, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba’s quest to become a global

leader in the development and production of sustainable protein has gained further momentum through Project Accelerating Sustainable Protein Impact and Results (ASPIRE), an industry-led, concerted and co-ordinated team effort toward advancing the Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy, Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced.

“This plan represents tremendous opportunity for our province’s industry and economic future,” said Johnson. “Our government appreciates the shared expertise that has led to this pivotal development.”

The release of Project ASPIRE promises to be a key highlight of the third annual Manitoba Protein Summit, a virtual conference slated for Feb. 22 to 23. This major industry conference has attracted more than 650 attendees from around the world, with “Sustainable Protein Food Systems” as this year’s theme.

“The Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy was released in 2019 to sustainably grow Manitoba’s plant and animal protein industry through innovation and value chain collaboration,” said Johnson. “To date, Manitoba’s protein industry has attracted new investments valued at $753 million, creating 840 jobs and surpassing 50 per cent of the strategy’s $1.5-billion target in new investments through 2025.”

The Manitoba Protein Consortium, an industry committee appointed by cabinet, has transitioned the strategy from a government-led initiative to an industry-led strategy through the establishment of

a strategic advisory body of 18 industry leaders to lead the implementation of Project ASPIRE. “Project ASPIRE is a comprehensive plan focused on realizing the province’s potential to produce protein that is diverse, high-quality, healthy and increasingly sustainable,” said Dickson Gould, chair of the Manitoba Consortium and president of The Progressive Group. “We are very pleased to appoint David Wiens, the chair of Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and Chris Anderson, the chief technology officer at Protein Industries Canada to co-chair the strategic advisory body. Together, we want to accelerate sector leadership to make Manitoba a globally sustainable protein hub for plant, animal and alternative protein development, as well as increase the economic opportunities for our producers and protein manufacturers.”

“We have established roundtables to bring action to key pillars in the strategy, such as workforce, water and wastewater infrastructure and sustainable protein research. Other priority areas will be determined within the next few months,” said David Wiens, chair, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and co-chair of the strategic advisory body.

“Our Workforce Roundtable will ensure that we have the right skills in Manitoba to sustainably grow our protein industry,” said Ron Koslowsky, chair, Workforce Roundtable and head of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Manitoba.

For more information about Manitoba’s work in protein innovation, visit: www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/protein.

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://bit.ly/3h11VT7) or look for the tool in this edition of the e-newsletter.

This resource can be used alongside other AHEM producer tools and handbooks found at www.animalhealth.ca/resources to proactively plan, prepare and 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 1, March 22 (English & French) and April 5. Click here to register. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 12:00 pm noon (Eastern).

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) Click here to register. All workshops are one hour starting at 10:00 am (Mountain) / 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.

SUSPICION OF A SERIOUS ANIMAL DISEASE

THE FIRST 48 HOURS FOR PRODUCERS PURPOSE To provide a guide that producers can follow in the hours after being notified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that there is a suspicion of a federally regulated disease on your farm.

CONTEXT The CFIA cannot inform members of the public that they are conducting an investigation on your herd (Privacy Act). There are certain exceptions to this rule that can be made with your consent. For example, you can provide CFIA with consent to reach out to your veterinarian.

CFIA can and will impose movement restrictions on suspicion of disease. However, it may take time for this to be put in place. This document provides a list of actions you can take during the time period required for the CFIA to arrive and assess your premises. There is always the potential that your herd is negative, so the steps you take need to be measured, responsible and complete.

Please consider the following actions to protect yourself, your herd, and your business.

COMMUNICATE

IMMEDIATELY! • Contact your veterinarian to provide a complete description of the situation. If it is after hours, a weekend or a holiday call the emergency number and speak to the veterinarian on call.

• Inform family members, employees and all owners of animals that are on the property of the situation.

• Notify the driver of any conveyance transporting your animals if applicable.

• Inform your veterinarian that you have provided consent to CFIA for him/her to discuss the disease situation with them.

• Postpone movements of non-essential employees in order to minimize people movement onto and off the farm. For example, feed deliveries, milk trucks, employees currently on farm, employees scheduled to arrive, animals already loaded in a truck but still on the property, farm related children’s activities etc.

UNTIL CFIA INSTRUCTIONS ARE IN PLACE • Inform anyone who has had direct contact with the animals in the last few days.

• Inform anyone who has received a shipment of animals from you in the last few days.

Continued...

Continued...

ENHANCE BIOSECURITY

IMMEDIATELY! • Shut and secure farm gates.

• Isolate sick animals.

• If possible, dedicate a specific employee to the affected animal(s).

• Do not move or allow others to move animals off the property.

• Leave dead animals in place.

• Inform CFIA if there are animals that need to be euthanized.

• Plan animal care so that healthy animals are cared for first.

• Organize and use dedicated clothing, equipment, water and feed sources for sick or suspect animals.

• Wash hands frequently. Clean (or change) footwear frequently.

UNTIL CFIA INSTRUCTIONS ARE IN PLACE • Minimize people (family, employees, etc.) movements onto and off the farm.

• Do not have contact with other farms or people who work on other farms.

• If anyone must leave your farm premises, have them change clothing and footwear prior to leaving the premises and use appropriate exit protocol.

• Keep a detailed log of all movements onto or off the premises.

PREPARE FOR ON-FARM INVESTIGATION

UNTIL CFIA INSTRUCTIONS ARE IN PLACE • Gather all relevant documents, including health records and copies of production and mortality records.

• Review your visitor log and ensure that you have a list of on-farm traffic, visitors, and livestock movement to and from your premises during the previous 21 days.

SUPPORT

January 2022

This will be a very stressful situation you will need support.

Reach out to your veterinarian, producer association and / or marketing board among others to ensure that you have the support you need.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing drought conditions.

The program helps livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to maintain their breeding herds.

HOW TO APPLY Review the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance-Farmers Guidebook for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs, as well as other program requirements.

For your application to be considered complete, you must submit all necessary program documents: Required Documents Application Form Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals - if first time applying Declaration of Extraordinary Expenses - if have extraordinary expenses - only submit once Self-Haul Declaration - if you hauled the feed Invoices - for each feed and/or transportation purchase Proof of Payment - for each invoice (e.g. cleared cheque, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt) View: Drought 2021 industry webinar presentation to learn more about AgriRecovery: Drought Assistance program eligibility and details.

WHAT IS NEW? (February 2022) Expansion of Eligible Feeds - The list of eligible feeds now includes feed additives and premixes, molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021. Previous applicants of the program will receive an email or letter in the mail informing them how they can apply for these expenses.

Extraordinary Expenses incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 including hauling water, renting extra pasture and cropland, harvesting extra acres for livestock feed, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, and transporting feed from distant locations. A one time declaration of extraordinary expenses can be submitted over the life of the program.

View: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance View: How do Extraordinary Expenses Increase Payments?

WHO QUALIFIES • Primary producers who owned or leased the eligible animals, located in Manitoba, as of June 1, 2021 and continued to own or lease them to March 15, 2022 or later are eligible.

• Eligible animals include breeding head of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU), sheep, goats, bison and elk.

• Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

• Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE Assistance is provided for eligible costs incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 for: • winter-feed costs of eligible breeding animals. Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

• feed testing to determine the nutritional value of eligible feeds.

• extraordinary expenses associated with above-normal costs for accessing additional crop or pasture acres, hauling water, harvesting extra acres, or hauling self-produced feed from distant locations.

LIVESTOCK FEED AND EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES Livestock Feed Eligible Feeds Grazed corn and greenfeed.

Mechanically harvested hay, silage, greenfeed, stover, straw, including those purchased as standing crops or grazed in a swath.

Grain and concentrates (pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, screenings, dried distillers grain, and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator).

Feed additives and premixes are eligible as concentrates including molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, oils and fats.

Ineligible Feeds High moisture feeds with low nutrient density.

Feeds that based on their name, label, registration, or contents are primarily intended for young stock.

Purchased feed and feed testing are eligible expenses. The feed must be consumed within the overwintering period. Invoices and proof of payment must be submitted for all feed purchases and feed testing claimed.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Extraordinary Expenses Extraordinary expenses required to sustain eligible livestock affected by drought are eligible and can include costs not related to feed purchases or transportation of purchased feed.

Eligible Extraordinary Expenses Rental of pasture, forage and/or crop land that is not normally rented for the applicants production of feed for eligible livestock.

Purchase or rental of temporary fencing supplies to provide supplemental grazing for eligible livestock.

Providing drinking water to livestock including water purchases, custom water hauling, water hauling equipment rental, and fuel and hired labour to haul water with the applicant's own equipment.

Harvesting of feed including mowing, raking, baling, collecting bales and silage harvesting, on land that is not typically used by the applicant, including land seeded to annual crops in 2021. The eligible costs include custom-harvesting and fuel and hired labour costs for harvesting with the applicant's own equipment. This activity must only be for producing feed for eligible livestock and cannot exceed the applicant's normal annual feed production.

Transportation of feed produced by the applicant, including custom-hauling and the fuel and hired labour costs for hauling with the applicant's own equipment for trips 40 kilometres or greater one-way. The extraordinary costs are limited to the first 600 kilometres one-way for each trip. Expenses claimed cannot exceed the tonne-km payment rates described in the Transportation of Purchased Feed section of this web page.

How to Calculate Payment for Livestock Feed and Extraordinary Expenses The Program Administrator will make payments to the applicant for purchases and testing of eligible feed and extraordinary expenses made between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022.

A producer share will be applied and deducted from the total value of feed purchases, feed testing and extraordinary expenses claimed. Payments are based on the total value of expenses exceeding the producer share up to the maximum per head payment.

Per Head Producer Shares are: $50 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $10 per head for sheep and goats Maximum eligible extraordinary expenses that can be claimed are capped on a per head basis.

Maximum Eligible Extraordinary Expenses that can be claimed are: $133.33 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $26.66 per head for sheep and goats

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Total Payments will be equal to 75 percent of the total value of expenses that exceeds the producer share to a maximum per head payment.

Maximum Per Head Payments are: $250 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $50 per head for sheep and goats

Total Program Payments are calculated using these three steps: STEP 1: Calculate total eligible expenses

STEP 2: Calculate total eligible expenses net of the producer share

STEP 3: Total program payment is 75% of the Total Eligible Expenses Net of Producer Share

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance TRANSPORTATION OF PURCHASED FEED Feed transportation assistance is provided for the movement of purchased eligible feeds for eligible breeding animals to address feed shortages due to drought conditions.

Payments for feed transportation: Transportation costs for eligible feed purchased and transported between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, for a minimum distance of 40 kilometres up to a maximum loaded distance of 600 kilometres.

Payments for hay, straw, greenfeed, stover and silage are based on the following rates: $0.16 per tonne kilometre for the first 100 kilometres of a haul $0.10 per tonne kilometre for the remainder of a haul for up to an additional 500 kilometres

Payments for grain and concentrates, and high moisture feeds approved by the Program Administrator are based on the following rate: $0.05 per tonne kilometre up to 600 kilometres Payments for each receipt provided by the applicant will be the payment rate multiplied by the distance transported multiplied by the number of tonnes transported, or the amount of the receipt, whichever is less.

Transportation assistance is additional to assistance that may be received for feed assistance.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION The application and declaration forms are available in the "How to Apply" section at the top of the webpage. You can also pick up an application package at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or by calling us at 1-844-769-6224 to have an application package mailed to you.

Application and Declarations For feed purchase, feed testing, feed transportation and livestock transportation claims, multiple applications can be accepted. For extraordinary expenses, only one declaration is accepted over the life of the program.

Invoices and Proof of Payment Feed purchase, feed testing, and feed transportation claims must be supported by invoices and proof of payment submitted at time of application. For custom-hauling feed, proof of purchase is required for both the hauling charges and purchase of the feed transported. For self-hauled feed, proof of purchase for the feed and a self-haul declaration are required.

Applicants are not required to submit invoices or proof of purchase with their one-time declaration of extraordinary expenses, but must maintain these records in the event that they are requested by the Program Administrator as part of the review, verification or audit process.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance EMAIL, MAIL OR DROP OFF COMPLETED APPLICATION Your completed application form and supporting documents must be sent to an Authorized Manitoba Agriculture Representative by: Email Mail: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Note: If you do not receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application you should contact us immediately by email.

If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

An audit inspection of final work may occur before or after payment is issued.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Support documents and tools to assist you in completing your application.

• Application Check List • Factsheet - AgriRecovery Feed Assistance Payment Calculation • Factsheet - AgriRecovery Feed Transportation Assistance Payment Calculation • Frequently Asked Questions • Quick Reference - How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance • Quick Reference - How to Calculate Payment per Head on Feed Purchases • Quick Reference - What Qualifies for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance APPLICATION DEADLINE Applications will be received on an ongoing basis until April 15, 2022 (11:59 p.m. CST).

WHO TO CONTACT Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Toll Free: 1-844-769-6224 Email: agriculture@gov.mb.ca

WECAHN BEEF NETWORK PRODUCER SUMMARY OCT—DEC 2021

Beef Network Meeting

Clinical Impressions Survey: Interesting or Unusual Findings: • Coccidiosis outbreaks without bloody diarrhea.

• Liver flukes in feeder cattle.

• Nutritional diarrhea in weaned calves.

Respiratory system: Respiratory disease was reported Commonly to Very frequently by practitioners, with undifferentiated pneumonia having no accompanying post-mortem or laboratory work, the most frequently reported syndrome.

• Fibrinous pneumonia was reported Rarely to Very frequently in pre-weaned calves or feeder cattle.

• Mannheimia-associated pneumonia in cows has been reported in several provinces, with presentations from peracute to chronic, in Q4. It’s currently unclear whether this represents a true increase in the incidence rate of cases relative to other years. Evidence supporting the effectiveness of available vaccines in protecting cows from clinical disease was discussed as a current research gap for industry.

• A feedlot outbreak of pneumonia associated with Bibersteinia trehalosi and Pasteurella multocida infection, with additional damage to the heart, was reported in steers and heifers by UCVM. • The Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS) provided an update on recent feedlot surveillance of BRD pathogens (below).

Digestive system: Digestive disease was reported Rarely to Very frequently by practitioners.

• Diarrhea and dysentery (bloody diarrhea) were both reported Commonly to Very Frequently, and both syndromes were associated with coccidia by one practitioner.

• Diarrhea was also associated with BVD or Johne’s disease by one practitioner.

• Frothy bloat was reported commonly by 3 practitioners. Rectal disease (e.g. rectal prolapse) was reported Commonly by 3 practitioners.

Reproductive system: Reproductive diseases were reported Rarely to Very frequently with primary female uterine disease the most frequently reported syndrome.

• Non-infectious infertility was reported more frequently than infectious infertility, and associated Very frequently with energy/calorie deficiency, and Rarely with copper deficiency by one practitioner.

• Laboratory data pertaining to infectious infertility in cattle (Trichomonas foetus, Campylobacter venerealis, Neospora, Ureaplasma diversum) continued to be stable for Q 4 2021.

www.wecahn.ca we.cahn@pds.usask.ca

Musculo-skeletal system: Musculo-skeletal diseases were reported Rarely to Very frequently, with one practitioner reporting digital dermatitis, and footrot, both diagnosed Very frequently, and increasing relative to the same time period last year.

• Arthritis was the most frequently diagnosed non-foot condition.

Dermatologic system: External parasites, and specifically lice, reported Very frequently by 2 practitioners.

• Similarly, fungal infections were reported Very frequently by 2 practitioners.

Neurologic system: Neurological diseases Were reported Rarely to Very frequently, with two practitioners diagnosing polio-encephalomalacia Rarely to Commonly.

Scan: Promed: Brucellosis in Montana: •

The Montana Department of Livestock announced on 5 Jan 2022 an animal in a Madison County cattle herd, within Montana's brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA), has been confirmed positive for brucellosis. The ranch has been placed under quarantine and an epidemiological investigation has begun. The positive animal tested negative the prior year [2020], which allows the Department to reduce the scope of the disease investigation. For more information: https:// promedmail.org

Meeting Takeaways: 1. Mannheimia pneumonia in cows fall 2021: • Unclear whether there was an increased incidence of these cases relative to the same time period in other years.

• The current uptake of Mannheimia vaccination for use in breeding heifers and cows seems limited.

• The effectiveness of these vaccines in protecting cows (as opposed to calves) is currently unclear, and constitutes a knowledge gap for industry.

2. CIPARS feedlot surveillance from 2019 – 2020 data: • Greater recovery of P. multocida than either M. haemolytica or H. somni at both arrival and rehandling • > 50% of M. haemolytica, P. multocida and H. somni isolates from either time point were pan-susceptible • No statistically significant increases in resistance between time points or across years (2019/2020) were observed 3. Looking ahead: • With cows returning home from different feeding sites over the winter: watch for increased neonatal illnesses and abortions, especially depending on vaccination status.

• With cows that may have experienced feed deprivation in first trimester, and enhanced in second and third, watch for increased dystocias.

WeCAHN BEEF NETWORK PRODUCER SUMMARY OCT—DEC 2021

WECAHN BEEF NETWORK PRODUCER REPORT OCT—DEC 2021 INTRODUCTION:

1. Dataset Overview:

The videoconference meeting of the WeCAHN beef network was held Feb. 2, 2022.

Participants attending the meeting: dairy practitioners, laboratory diagnosticians, veterinary college faculty, veterinary epidemiologists, and producers.

• •

Report Contents: 1.Dataset Overview 2.Interesting or Unusual cases 3.Respiratory System 4.Digestive System 5.Reproductive System 6.Musculoskeletal System 7.Dermatologic System 8.Urinary System

•

Clinical Impressions Survey Laboratory Data: - UCVM Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU) - Prairie Diagnostic Services (PDS) - Manitoba Veterinary Diagnostic Services Laboratory Scan: Promed

Clinical Impressions Survey and Laboratory Data: The clinical impressions survey is to be a simple, quick overview of diagnoses by practitioners, which does not require practitioners to extract data from their information management systems to complete.

Practitioners report, for a list of selected pathogens/ syndromes, how frequently they have diagnosed these pathogens over the time period in question. Additionally, they are asked whether, compared to the previous time period, their diagnosis of these pathogens is increasing/ decreasing/ or stable.

For each category of disease, clinical impressions survey findings are followed by relevant laboratory data.

9.Multi-systemic Disease 10.Scan 11.Looking Forward

Beef

12.Meeting Take-aways

2. Interesting or Unusual Cases: i. Heart valve infection in in 10 month-old feeder, involving 3 valves.

Kidney infection: Identified at pregnancy diagnosis/BSE testing. Second calver with loss of condition; possibly given chronicity of lesion this had persisted from calving? ii. Coccidiosis outbreaks: Historically this veterinary practice has seen backgrounders having challenges with coccidia. The practice is partnering with UCVM to identify the current species of coccidia in western cattle, and their genomic makeup. iii. Liver flukes: Necropsy was performed on an animal with history of being pulled for pneumonia after being on feed for 45 days. It was unresponsive to treatment and died 24 hours after being sick. Cause of death was lung damage cause by unusual migration of liver flukes, which are seen commonly in parts of Manitoba.

• A factsheet describing the problem of liver flukes in western cattle is available here: Liver flukes in Alberta's livestock - Open Government

www.wecahn.ca we.cahn@pds.usask.ca

BEEF NETWORK MEETING — 2.2.2022 |

1

Interesting or Unusual Cases continued: iv. Nutritional diarrhea: Group of backgrounded bull calves, being fed medium quality hay in feeders and handfed barley. About half developed watery diarrhea, while being fed ~ 1 pd per hundredweight of rolled barley. Tried stopping the barley which did not alleviate the problem. On testing the hay, found: ~ 14% protein, little fibre, lots soluble protein. Diarrhea was managed by substituting a different source of hay. Basically this seemed like an un-expected level of problem given the physical appearance of the feed.

3. Respiratory System

Beef Network Meeting

Clinical Impressions Survey: Respiratory disease was reported Commonly to Very frequently by practitioners, with un-differentiated pneumonia (no post-mortem or laboratory work available) the most frequently reported syndrome.

• Fibrinous pneumonia was reported Rarely to Very frequently in pre-weaned calves or feeder cattle.

• Fibrinous pneumonia associated with M. haemolytica was also reported in cows by two practitioners.

Mannheimia pneumonia in cows: In addition to the report of Mannheimia pneumonia in the clinical impressions survey, other cases in Q4: • Pneumonia was reported in 2 cows from separate farms, associated with Mannheimia,

by UCVM DSU. • SK dairy herd. Update: vaccinated using IN vaccine last fall; problems have subsided.

• AB: dairy and beef herds in central AB. Roughly half a dozen herds experienced problems in Oct. 2021 with M. haemolytica pneumonia and blood poisoning. Samples were forwarded to PDS; no viruses or other bacteria identified, and no risk factors reported.

•

Other forms of pneumonia were also reported, including one outbreak associated with Bibersteinia trehalosi in a feedlot.

CIPARS PRESENTATION: "Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in Canadian feedlot cattle, 2019-2020 results" Background: Work initiated with goal to implement a sustainable national feedlot AMU/AMR surveillance program Objectives: • Provide representative estimates of AMU/AMR in the finishing feedlot sector • Monitor trends in AMU/AMR in the feedlot over time.

• Investigate associations between AMU and AMR on a targeted basis.

• Provide producers with individualized data to support decision-making Design: 26 feedlots from 5 clinics in 3 provinces (AB, SK, ON) provided respiratory samples for AMR surveillance Takeaways: • Greater recovery of P. multocida than either M. haemolytica or H. somni at both arrival and rehandling.

• > 50% of M. haemolytica, P. multocida and H. somni isolates from either time point were pan-susceptible.

• No statistically significant increases in resistance between time points or across years (2019/2020) were observed.

QUESTION: Is there a new strain of MH emerging?

A: This seems unlikely with variety of clinical pictures from acute/peracute pneumonia/blood poisoning, in some cases resistant to treatment, vs some more slow-moving cases and pan-susceptible isolates also reported..

QUESTION: How widespread is MH vaccination in western breeding cows?

A: Based on a published survey of western cow-calf producers (Waldner et al., 2019) , this does not seem to be widely done.

QUESTION: What is the effectiveness of MH vaccination in protecting cows from clinical pneumonia?

A: Currently this seems to be a knowledge gap which could be shared with funding and industry groups.

www.wecahn.ca we.cahn@pds.usask.ca

BEEF NETWORK MEETING — 2.2.2022 |

2

4. Digestive system

Beef Network Meeting

Clinical Impressions Survey: Digestive disease was reported Rarely to Very frequently by practitioners.

• Diarrhea and dysentery (bloody diarrhea) were both reported, and both syndromes were associated with coccidia by one practitioner.

• Diarrhea was also associated with BVD or Johne’s disease by one practitioner.

• Frothy bloat and rectal disease such as rectal prolapses were each reported Commonly by 3 practitioners.

Laboratory Data: •

However, pathologic diagnoses of Johne’s disease at PDS were reduced in Q4 from earlier time periods, and BDV detections via PCR appeared stable (below).

5. Reproductive system Clinical Impressions Survey: Reproductive diseases were reported Rarely to Very frequently with individual female disease the most frequently reported syndrome.

• Non-infectious infertility was reported more frequently than infectious infertility, and associated Very frequently with energy/calorie deficiency, and rarely with copper deficiency by one practitioner.

Laboratory Data: •

Data pertaining to infectious infertility in cattle (Trichomonas foetus, Campylobacter venerealis, Neospora, Ureaplasma diversum) continued to be stable for Q 4 2021 (data not shown).

•

Idiopathic bovine abortion cases at PDS are, not surprisingly, strongly seasonal in distribution.

Recap on ‘control charts’: For each of the following graphs, each data point reflects the number of positive samples or cases reported, over a 3 month period. The upper and lower horizontal lines, called control limits, are similar to statistical confidence intervals.

Control charts are a simple way of presenting data collected over time. Apparent trends (e.g. increasing or decreasing frequencies of detection) over time, or individual points lying outside the control limits, suggest a need for investigation to determine whether/how significant a signal they represent.

6. Musculo-skeletal system Clinical Impressions Survey: Musculo-skeletal diseases were reported Rarely to Very frequently, with one practitioner reporting digital dermatitis, and footrot, both diagnosed Very frequently, and increasing relative to the same time period last year.

• Arthritis was the most frequently diagnosed non-foot condition.

www.wecahn.ca we.cahn@pds.usask.ca

BEEF NETWORK MEETING — 2.2.2022 |

3

7. Dermatologic system Clinical Impressions Survey: • •

External parasites, and specifically lice, reported Very frequently by 2 practitioners.

Similarly, fungal infections were reported Very frequently by 2 practitioners.

8: Urinary system Clinical Impressions Survey: •

Urinary system diseases were reported never to Commonly by practitioners, with urolithiasis diagnosed Commonly by two practitioners, and pyelonephritis Rarely, also by two practitioners.

Beef Network Meeting

9. Multi-systemic disease

11. Looking Ahead: Question: What problems can we anticipate as consequences of extreme weather 2021?

A: 1. Breeding cattle being fed at feedlots will be returning home in 3-6 weeks.

• Anticipate: More neonatal disease; more repro ds in cows • Generally these cattle movements create biosecurity challenges • When home: changes in diet; transporting late in pregnancy -> stress on animals • Additional problem: some ranches were not well vaccinated when cows left home late last year. Expect to see increased abortions and neonatal disease.

2. The only time we really expect to see problems pushing cows on feed is when they were deprived in first trimester, and enhanced in second and third, which can result in dystocias.

Clinical Impressions Survey: Multi-systemic disease was reported Never to Commonly, with non of the individual syndromes in the survey (septicemia/nutritional deficiencies/toxicities/ undifferentiated neonatal loss) being reported Commonly or Very frequently, so no data regarding specific agents was reported.

10. Scan Promed: Brucellosis in Montana • The Montana Department of Livestock announced on 5 Jan 2022 an animal in a Madison County cattle herd, within Montana's brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA), has been confirmed positive for brucellosis. The ranch has been placed under quarantine and an epidemiological investigation has begun.

• For more information: https://promedmail.org

12. Meeting Take-aways: 1. Mannheimia pneumonia in cows fall 2021: • Unclear whether there was an increased incidence of these cases relative to the same time period in other years.

• Clinical evidence suggest that the currently known cases are associated with a variety of strains, as opposed to one new one • The current uptake of Mannheimia vaccination for use in breeding heifers and cows seems limited.

• The effectiveness of these vaccines in protecting cows (as opposed to calves) is currently unclear, and constitutes a knowledge gap for industry.

2. CIPARS feedlot surveillance from 2019 – 2020 data: • Greater recovery of P. multocida than either M. haemolytica or H. somni at both arrival and rehandling.

• > 50% of M. haemolytica, P. multocida and H. somni isolates from either time point were fully susceptible to antimicrobials.

• No statistically significant increases in resistance between time points or across years (2019/2020) were observed.

3. Looking ahead: • With cows returning home from different feeding sites over the winter: watch for increased neonatal illnesses and abortions, especially depending on vaccination status.

• With cows that may have experienced feed deprivation in first trimester, and increases in second and third, watch for increased dystocias.

www.wecahn.ca we.cahn@pds.usask.ca

BEEF NETWORK MEETING — 2.2.2022 |

4

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

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP February 11, 2022

NEWS RELEASE

mbbeef.ca

Manitoba Beef Producers Held Successful 43rd AGM Manitoba Beef Producers’ (MBP) virtual 43rd Annual General Meeting on February 10 featured knowledge transfer sessions, a business component, administration by-law amendments and resolutions debate.

municipal amalgamations in recent years, and the associated updating of some local government, municipality and rural municipality names listed in the 14 districts to reflect the amalgamations.

Greetings were provided by federal Agriculture and AgriFood Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Minister of Agriculture Derek Johnson. Featured speakers from MASC, MNP, Canfax and the National Cattle Feeders Association addressed topics such as business risk management programs, cattle markets and matters related to the feedlot sector. Dickson Delorme (aka Quick Dick McDick) touched upon topics such as producer mental health.

One resolution was passed by the membership calling on MBP to 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 (2023-2028).

MBP members approved amendments to the organization’s administration by-law allowing for one additional term extension for a director. A provision was added related to appointments to external committees.

There was also the realignment of some districts due to

MBP’s executive for 2022-23 is as follows: Tyler Fulton, President; Melissa Atchison, Vice-President; Matthew Atkinson, 2nd Vice-President; Mark Good, Treasurer; and, Mike Duguid, Secretary.

MBP thanks all who participated in the 43rd AGM for helping to make it a success. A summertime producerfocused knowledge transfer and networking event is also being planned. Watch for more details in the weeks ahead.

.

A recording of the meeting will be available in the days ahead please visit the MBP website.

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Manitoba Accelerating Plan To Reduce Public Health Restrictions Based On Improving COVID-19 Situation Provincewide Shift to Yellow (Caution) Level Under Pandemic Response System on Feb. 15: Premier

(February 11, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) With key COVID-19 indicators stabilizing or

improving, Manitoba is moving forward with a plan to further reduce public health restrictions next week, Premier Heather Stefanson announced, noting Manitoba will continue to make adjustments as needed in the coming weeks based on the guidance of public health officials, including requirements for proof of vaccination.

“I want to thank Manitobans who have made personal, professional and financial sacrifices over the past two years, and have done their part by getting vaccinated and following the fundamentals,” said Stefanson. “It is because of Manitobans’ collective efforts and dedication, compassion and willingness to protect one another that we are able to move forward once again to lift restrictions and allow Manitobans to get their lives back.”

New public health orders will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15 that will move all of Manitoba to the Yellow (Caution) level under the Pandemic Response System. Capacity limits will be eliminated in venues such as restaurants, licensed premises, entertainment venues, indoor and outdoor sporting events and casinos, as well as gatherings at private residences. Capacity limits will be removed for outdoor public gatherings but will be limited to 50 people indoors unless proof of vaccination is required. Young people ages 12 to 17 participating in indoor sports and recreation will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination or recent testing. There are no changes to retail and personal services.

As of Feb. 15, close contacts of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 will no longer be required to self-isolate. Public health continues to recommend self-isolation for people who live in a household with others who have symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 but it will no longer be required.

Additionally, public health will remove self-isolation requirements for individuals entering the province.

However, anyone travelling from international destinations will continue to be required to meet requirements under the federal Quarantine Act. Public health orders restricting travel to northern Manitoba remain in place.

“Based on the information and data monitored by public health, we are seeing strong signals that the Omicron wave has peaked and is now having a reduced impact here in Manitoba,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer. “As a result, it’s prudent to continue to reduce our public health restrictions. I want to remind Manitobans that this is an important time of transition and we still need to get vaccinated, wear a mask and do simple but important things like washing our hands and staying home when we are sick. We need to remain cautious about gathering sizes, even as we shift from public health rules to public health recommendations.”

Effective Feb. 15, schools will return to Yellow (Caution) under the Pandemic Response System, which requires cohorts in kindergarten to Grade 6.

Masks are required indoors for staff and students but will not be required during physical education classes. Medical masks will be recommended but no longer required for school staff.

Schools will continue to send out community notification letters if public health officials have identified increased transmission or recommended continued on page 4

Manitoba Accelerating Plan To Reduce Public Health Restrictions Based On Improving COVID-19 Situation Provincewide Shift to Yellow (Caution) Level Under Pandemic Response System on Feb. 15: Premier remote learning for a class, cohort or entire school.

The online dashboard will continue to post this information but will no longer include case numbers. Children, school staff and child-care staff will only be eligible for PCR testing if medically indicated, in line with eligibility criteria for all Manitobans.

Effective March 8, this will no longer occur. Mask requirements and other restrictions will be lifted effective March 15.

The province plans to remove proof of vaccination requirements effective March 1. In some settings, such as personal care homes, shelters, and healthcare facilities, public health officials have continued to work with facilities to notify close contacts.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED

For more information about COVID-19 and the pandemic response in Manitoba, visit manitoba.ca/covid19.

Backgrounder Backgrounder-Changes to Public Health Orders

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

UPDATED PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS IN MANITOBA’S REOPENING PATH The following COVID-19 prevention orders take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15 and will remain in place until March 1.

Sector Masks and physical distancing

Indoor gatherings in public spaces

Outdoor gatherings in public spaces

Indoor gatherings at private residences

Feb. 8 Restrictions

Feb. 15 Restrictions Continue to be required in all indoor public places.

Medical exceptions may apply to mask use.

Gatherings that include one or Gatherings that include one or more unvaccinated people (if more unvaccinated people (if they are 12 years of age or they are 12 years of age or older) are limited to 25 people older) are limited to 50 or 25 per cent of the usual people. capacity of the space, whichever is lower.

No restrictions on indoor public gatherings when all Gatherings restricted to fully who are present are fully immunized people and those immunized people or are under 12 years of age are under 12 years of age. limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Gatherings that include one or There are no capacity limits to more unvaccinated people (if outdoor gatherings regardless they are 12 years of age or of vaccination status. older) in uncontrolled outdoor public spaces are limited to 50 people.

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Private indoor gatherings are limited to 25 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

There are no capacity limits to indoor gatherings at private residences regardless of vaccination status.

Outdoor gatherings at private residences

Outdoor gatherings at a private residence are limited to 50 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

There are no capacity limits to outdoor gatherings at private residences regardless of vaccination status.

Private outdoor gatherings are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts

Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older. Individuals are required to wear masks but are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders.

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity and are limited to seated service only with a maximum of 10 people per table.

Liquor sales must end at 12 a.m. daily.

Gyms and fitness centres

Casinos, bingo halls and VLTs

Museums and galleries

Capacity limited to 50 per cent with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Proof of vaccination is required.

Capacity is limited to 50 per cent.

Museums operate under the requirement to show proof of vaccination when open to the public as a museum.

Capacity limited to 50 per cent with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older.

Individuals are required to wear masks but are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders.

There are no capacity limits to restaurants, licensed premises and food courts.

The requirements to limit table sizes and for patrons to remain seated at licensed premises are removed.

Liquor sales return to normal hours of operation.

No capacity limits.

Proof of immunization required.

No capacity limits.

Proof of immunization required.

No capacity limits.

Proof of immunization required.

Libraries

No change.

No capacity limits.

Professional sports or performing arts events

Limited to 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Permitting indoor public gathering group sizes to 25 people or 25 per cent capacity, whichever is lower, for gatherings that include unvaccinated people who are eligible to be vaccinated.

No capacity limits.

Movie theatres and concert halls

Weddings and funerals

Indoor religious services and Indigenous cultural events

Outdoor religious services and Indigenous cultural events

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 people, whichever is less.

Indoor religious services and Indigenous cultural events are limited to 25 per cent capacity or a total of 250 people, whichever is lower, when proof of vaccination is not required.

Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine are limited to 50 per cent capacity.

Outdoor cultural and religious services that include one or more unvaccinated person (if they are 12 years of age or older) are restricted to 50 per cent capacity in outdoor locations.

Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space.

Drive-in services continue unrestricted.

Proof of immunization required.

No capacity limits.

Proof of immunization required.

Permitting indoor public gathering group sizes to 50 people for gatherings that include unvaccinated people who are eligible to be vaccinated.

No restrictions on indoor gatherings when all who are present are fully immunized people or are under 12 years of age.

When proof of vaccination is not required, indoor religious services and Indigenous cultural events are limited to 50 per cent capacity or a total of 500 people, whichever is lower.

No restrictions on indoor gatherings when all who are present are fully immunized people or are under 12 years of age.

No capacity limit if the service is held outdoors.

Personal services

Indoor sports and recreation, including dance, theatre and music schools.

Open without capacity restrictions and physical distancing is required.

Spectator capacity for sporting and recreation facilities is reduced to 50 per cent and proof of vaccination is required for those 18 and over.

Tournaments are allowed.

No change.

No capacity limit for spectators.

Tournaments are allowed.

Proof of vaccination/testing is no longer required for 12 to 17-year-olds for indoor and recreational sports.

Proof of at least one dose of vaccination or a recent (within Proof of vaccination is still 72 hours) negative rapid test required for those 18 and result will be required for 12 to over.

17-year-olds for indoor and recreational sports.

Negative rapid tests need to be confirmed by a pharmacist or by staff at a nursing station on a First Nation, as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals or those who are advised to receive testing by public health.

Outdoor sports and recreation Games, practices and tournaments permitted.

Children’s camps

Retail, markets, garden centres and malls

Capacity for spectators is limited to 50 per cent.

No change.

Retail capacity at 100 per cent throughout Manitoba.

Physical distancing measures are required. Masks required indoors.

Workplaces

Indoor self-help gatherings

Open without restrictions.

No requirement to report cases to public health.

Indoor gathering limits and mask use orders apply.

No capacity limit for spectators.

Tournaments are allowed.

No capacity limits.

Overnight camps allowed.

No capacity limits.

Proof of vaccination is required at food courts.

Physical distancing measures are required. Masks required indoors.

No change.

No change.

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Updates from the Provincial Government The following information is compiled from provincial government news releases for the week of February 7, 2022.

software Manitoba used to produce PVCs that has affected approximately 12 per cent of PVCs issued after Dec. 31, 2021. The Manitoba Government is recommending that anyone who requested a PVC since Jan. 1, 2022 test their code with the Manitoba Immunization Verifier Application found here https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccin e/immunizationrecord/businesses.html #application. If the QR code is unable to be scanned, Manitobans are encouraged to request a new QR code at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccin e/immunizationrecord. Please note that this impacts the PVC only and does not impact your Manitoba Immunization card (physical or digital).

Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba is updated weekdays at 12:30 p.m. on these DataMB dashboards: •

Case data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19/

•

COVID-19 vaccination coverage: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19-vaccinations-dashboard1/

Key Updates •

•

Manitobans are reminded that COVID19 treatments options are available for eligible patients. Early testing is key as treatment must begin within 5-7 days of symptoms developing. Manitobans are encouraged to seek testing as soon as symptoms develop and to contact their health care provider, doctor or Health Links-Info Santé if they meet the minimum eligibility criteria that include but are not limited to: 18 year or older, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, have a risk factor (smoking, diabetes) or chronic condition, or are fully vaccinated Manitobans with a risk factor or chronic condition may also be eligible for treatment. For full criteria, visit: https://manitoba.ca/covid19/treatment /index.html.

People who requested a pan-Canadian proof of vaccination credential (PVC) this year may be experiencing QR code scanning issues. This is due to a technical issue with the federal

•

Only symptomatic individuals or those advised by public health should visit a COVID-19 provincial testing site. Rapid antigen tests will continue to be used for the majority of people visiting a provincial testing site. Those who are at higher risk of severe illness as well as some groups who have tested positive on a rapid antigen test will still be eligible for PCR testing. Detailed information on updated COVID-19 testing eligibility can be found at: https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/inde x.html.

Vaccine Manitoba is adopting new guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for vaccinating youth ages 12 to 17 against COVID-19 and its variants. continued on page 10

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Updates from the Provincial Government Effective February 7, 2022, youth ages 12 to 17 should receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if they are, or if they might be, at a high risk of severe outcomes due to medical and/or social risk factors. The third dose will be offered at least six months after the second dose.

Several eligibility factors define who among this age group can get this booster: •

underlying medical conditions, which put them at increased risk;

•

belonging to racialized or marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID19;

•

living in shelters, group homes and correctional facilities; and

•

immunocompromised and have received three doses (so their next dose would be a fourth dose).

Neither the province nor NACI is recommending boosters for the general population of youth ages 12 to 17. Only those who meet the criteria outlined above are eligible.

Public health will continue to use Pfizer, to minimize the small risk associated with myocarditis and/or pericarditis. This inflammation of heart tissues is extremely rare and mild when it occurs after vaccination, and it almost always fully resolves without severe reaction. Preliminary safety data from the realworld use of boosters in teens showed no additional safety concerns.

If your child does not fit into the eligibility categories, but you still feel they should be immunized, please discuss your individual

circumstances with your family doctor or pediatrician.

Delivering the second round of vaccines to children ages five to 11 is continuing in many locations, including schools. It is recommended

by Health Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and public health that the second dose be administered eight weeks following the first dose.

Manitobans are encouraged to get their second and third doses as quickly as possible. While COVID-19 vaccine appointments continue to be available at regional or provincial vaccine clinics, for many people the fastest way to be immunized is at a nearby medical clinic, pharmacy or urban Indigenous clinic. Check the online vaccine finder or a medical clinic or pharmacy near you that provides the COVID-19 vaccine to find the next available opportunity to be immunized. The timeline between second and third doses and eligibility criteria information can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibilitycriteria.html.

Eligible individuals can book their appointments online, by calling (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1844-MAN-VACC) or by contacting their local pharmacy or medical clinic directly. Visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.html for some of the available options.

More Resources •

Vaccine campaign in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca.

•

Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

•

Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

Do you work in the Canadian beef cattle industry?

We want to hear from you!

We are looking for participants to help provide insight into the beef cattle industry and help us understand the system complexities from a "boots on the ground" perspective.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: Ranchers Feedlot Operators Auction Owners Transporters Veterinarians Waste Removal Services Beef Consumers Meat Packers Wholesalers Other Related Professions

WHAT IS INVOLVED: You will be asked to participate in an online interview at a time that is convenient to you.

We will ask you to describe the technology and systems that you use in your daily work to help us identify and visualize the barriers and facilitators to decreased antimicrobial use in beef cattle.

IMPACT: Your insights will be used to develop an online tool that will be shared publicly and is intended to help inform decisions made by technology developers, researchers, consumers, producers, and/or policy makers to promote innovative solutions and technologies to help slow the transmission of antimicrobial resistance.

If you are interested in participating, or know other individuals who would be interested, please contact Courtney MacDonald to learn more: courtney.macdonald@ucalgary.ca This study has received ethics approval through the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (CHREB) Ethics ID: REB20-0156

Increases to Lending Limits Will Help Manitoba Producers Changes to Loan Limits Will Provide More Options to Invest in Operations: Johnson

(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.

Emergency Management Workshops for Livestock Producers The Animal Health Emergency Management Project (AHEM) is pleased to offer a new threepart 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.

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.

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.

Visit www.animalhealth.ca/workshops for more information including webinar dates and registration. The workshops begin February 1.

Volunteer for Canadian Agricultural Literacy Month (CALM) 2022!

The following information is from Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba.

book in addition to a personalized virtual visit from you – our volunteers!

French and English speaking volunteers are needed!

Every year, we need a team of over 150 volunteers to meet the demand for CALM. We anticipate that with a fully virtual offering, this demand from teachers will grow even more - so we are calling on you! If you feel comfortable with giving a virtual presentation, we will take as many as you are willing to offer.

CALM is a hands-on program that brings agriculture into classrooms and encourages students to learn about and celebrate Canadian agriculture. Many students don’t fully understand agriculture. By telling students why you love Canadian agriculture and giving them a glimpse of what you do, you will open their eyes to new knowledge, help them build a stronger appreciation for the food they eat, and for the role agriculture plays in their lives.

All teachers will be provided with a hands-on agriculture activity and an agriculture themed

Who: Grade 1 to 6 students Date: March 2022 Time: 30-60 min How: Pick a virtual platform (Zoom, Teams, Skype, FaceTime…) and date/time with the teacher Registration: Open until Feb. 4, 2022

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing drought conditions.

The program helps livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to maintain their breeding herds.

HOW TO APPLY Review the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance-Farmers Guidebook for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs, as well as other program requirements.

For your application to be considered complete, you must submit all necessary program documents: Required Documents Application Form Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals - if first time applying Declaration of Extraordinary Expenses - if have extraordinary expenses - only submit once Self-Haul Declaration - if you hauled the feed Invoices - for each feed and/or transportation purchase Proof of Payment - for each invoice (e.g. cleared cheque, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt) View: Drought 2021 industry webinar presentation to learn more about AgriRecovery: Drought Assistance program eligibility and details.

WHAT IS NEW? (February 2022) Expansion of Eligible Feeds - The list of eligible feeds now includes feed additives and premixes, molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021. Previous applicants of the program will receive an email or letter in the mail informing them how they can apply for these expenses.

Extraordinary Expenses incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 including hauling water, renting extra pasture and cropland, harvesting extra acres for livestock feed, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, and transporting feed from distant locations. A one time declaration of extraordinary expenses can be submitted over the life of the program.

View: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance View: How do Extraordinary Expenses Increase Payments?

WHO QUALIFIES • Primary producers who owned or leased the eligible animals, located in Manitoba, as of June 1, 2021 and continued to own or lease them to March 15, 2022 or later are eligible.

• Eligible animals include breeding head of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU), sheep, goats, bison and elk.

• Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

• Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE Assistance is provided for eligible costs incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 for: • winter-feed costs of eligible breeding animals. Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

• feed testing to determine the nutritional value of eligible feeds.

• extraordinary expenses associated with above-normal costs for accessing additional crop or pasture acres, hauling water, harvesting extra acres, or hauling self-produced feed from distant locations.

LIVESTOCK FEED AND EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES Livestock Feed Eligible Feeds Grazed corn and greenfeed.

Mechanically harvested hay, silage, greenfeed, stover, straw, including those purchased as standing crops or grazed in a swath.

Grain and concentrates (pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, screenings, dried distillers grain, and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator).

Feed additives and premixes are eligible as concentrates including molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, oils and fats.

Ineligible Feeds High moisture feeds with low nutrient density.

Feeds that based on their name, label, registration, or contents are primarily intended for young stock.

Purchased feed and feed testing are eligible expenses. The feed must be consumed within the overwintering period. Invoices and proof of payment must be submitted for all feed purchases and feed testing claimed.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Extraordinary Expenses Extraordinary expenses required to sustain eligible livestock affected by drought are eligible and can include costs not related to feed purchases or transportation of purchased feed.

Eligible Extraordinary Expenses Rental of pasture, forage and/or crop land that is not normally rented for the applicants production of feed for eligible livestock.

Purchase or rental of temporary fencing supplies to provide supplemental grazing for eligible livestock.

Providing drinking water to livestock including water purchases, custom water hauling, water hauling equipment rental, and fuel and hired labour to haul water with the applicant's own equipment.

Harvesting of feed including mowing, raking, baling, collecting bales and silage harvesting, on land that is not typically used by the applicant, including land seeded to annual crops in 2021. The eligible costs include custom-harvesting and fuel and hired labour costs for harvesting with the applicant's own equipment. This activity must only be for producing feed for eligible livestock and cannot exceed the applicant's normal annual feed production.

Transportation of feed produced by the applicant, including custom-hauling and the fuel and hired labour costs for hauling with the applicant's own equipment for trips 40 kilometres or greater one-way. The extraordinary costs are limited to the first 600 kilometres one-way for each trip. Expenses claimed cannot exceed the tonne-km payment rates described in the Transportation of Purchased Feed section of this web page.

How to Calculate Payment for Livestock Feed and Extraordinary Expenses The Program Administrator will make payments to the applicant for purchases and testing of eligible feed and extraordinary expenses made between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022.

A producer share will be applied and deducted from the total value of feed purchases, feed testing and extraordinary expenses claimed. Payments are based on the total value of expenses exceeding the producer share up to the maximum per head payment.

Per Head Producer Shares are: $50 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $10 per head for sheep and goats Maximum eligible extraordinary expenses that can be claimed are capped on a per head basis.

Maximum Eligible Extraordinary Expenses that can be claimed are: $133.33 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $26.66 per head for sheep and goats

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Total Payments will be equal to 75 percent of the total value of expenses that exceeds the producer share to a maximum per head payment.

Maximum Per Head Payments are: $250 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $50 per head for sheep and goats

Total Program Payments are calculated using these three steps: STEP 1: Calculate total eligible expenses

STEP 2: Calculate total eligible expenses net of the producer share

STEP 3: Total program payment is 75% of the Total Eligible Expenses Net of Producer Share

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance TRANSPORTATION OF PURCHASED FEED Feed transportation assistance is provided for the movement of purchased eligible feeds for eligible breeding animals to address feed shortages due to drought conditions.

Payments for feed transportation: Transportation costs for eligible feed purchased and transported between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, for a minimum distance of 40 kilometres up to a maximum loaded distance of 600 kilometres.

Payments for hay, straw, greenfeed, stover and silage are based on the following rates: $0.16 per tonne kilometre for the first 100 kilometres of a haul $0.10 per tonne kilometre for the remainder of a haul for up to an additional 500 kilometres

Payments for grain and concentrates, and high moisture feeds approved by the Program Administrator are based on the following rate: $0.05 per tonne kilometre up to 600 kilometres Payments for each receipt provided by the applicant will be the payment rate multiplied by the distance transported multiplied by the number of tonnes transported, or the amount of the receipt, whichever is less.

Transportation assistance is additional to assistance that may be received for feed assistance.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION The application and declaration forms are available in the "How to Apply" section at the top of the webpage. You can also pick up an application package at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or by calling us at 1-844-769-6224 to have an application package mailed to you.

Application and Declarations For feed purchase, feed testing, feed transportation and livestock transportation claims, multiple applications can be accepted. For extraordinary expenses, only one declaration is accepted over the life of the program.

Invoices and Proof of Payment Feed purchase, feed testing, and feed transportation claims must be supported by invoices and proof of payment submitted at time of application. For custom-hauling feed, proof of purchase is required for both the hauling charges and purchase of the feed transported. For self-hauled feed, proof of purchase for the feed and a self-haul declaration are required.

Applicants are not required to submit invoices or proof of purchase with their one-time declaration of extraordinary expenses, but must maintain these records in the event that they are requested by the Program Administrator as part of the review, verification or audit process.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance EMAIL, MAIL OR DROP OFF COMPLETED APPLICATION Your completed application form and supporting documents must be sent to an Authorized Manitoba Agriculture Representative by: Email Mail: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Note: If you do not receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application you should contact us immediately by email.

If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

An audit inspection of final work may occur before or after payment is issued.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Support documents and tools to assist you in completing your application.

• Application Check List • Factsheet - AgriRecovery Feed Assistance Payment Calculation • Factsheet - AgriRecovery Feed Transportation Assistance Payment Calculation • Frequently Asked Questions • Quick Reference - How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance • Quick Reference - How to Calculate Payment per Head on Feed Purchases • Quick Reference - What Qualifies for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance APPLICATION DEADLINE Applications will be received on an ongoing basis until April 15, 2022 (11:59 p.m. CST).

WHO TO CONTACT Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Toll Free: 1-844-769-6224 Email: agriculture@gov.mb.ca

Canfax A division of Canadian Cattlemen’s Association #180, 6815 - 8th St NE Calgary, AB T2E 7H7 Tel: (403) 275-5110 Fax: (403) 275-6943 www.canfax.ca Canfax is Canada’s go-to source for cattle market information. Canfax has provided expert analysis of markets and trends in the ever-changing North American beef industry for over 50 years. Canfax is a non-profit organization, funding itself through memberships as well as data information services it provides to industry stakeholders. Cattlemen, feedlot managers and agri-business professionals rely on accurate, relevant, and timely information as an essential tool for maximizing profit in today’s beef sector.

Position Offering – Market Analyst The Market Analyst is responsible for providing market analysis services to Canfax members, overseeing the publication of weekly and special reports, managing data, information requests, speaking engagements, and being an industry spokesperson for media inquiries. Travel in Canada and possibly the U.S. will be required. This position offers an opportunity for the candidate to focus on in market intelligence and analysis for the Canadian beef cattle industry.

Location: Calgary

Status: Full-time, permanent

Duties and Responsibilities: • • • • • • • •

Analysis and writing for the Weekly Report and other publications Present market updates and outlooks, traveling as needed Take media interviews Ensure Canfax reports are relevant and representative to industry Answering producer calls and assisting other market analysts Keeping up to date on Price Discovery research and current events Project management Other activities and tasks that may be assigned from time to time

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have: • A degree in agriculture, economics or business • A good understanding of the Canadian cattle industry and beef supply chain • Business management and marketing skills • Strong organization skills and attention to detail • Strong Analytical skills • Public Speaking Experience • Strong computer skills with Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint If you are interested in this position, submit your cover letter and resume by February 25, 2022 to: info@canfax.ca.

Canfax Research Services A Division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 180, 6815 – 8th Street NE Calgary, Alberta T2E 7H7 Tel: (403) 275-5110 Fax: (403) 275-6943 http://canfax.ca/Research.aspx

Canfax Research Services (CRS) provides the Canadian beef industry with statistical and market information on the domestic and global beef trends. Economic analysis is utilized for marketing, research, policy and investment decisions, supporting strategy and business plan development, as well as performance measurement. CRS monitors data sources from national statistics and develops new economic models to make annual outlooks and evaluate the impact of management decisions on cost of production. CRS maintains its independence as a third-party source of unbiased market information and analysis, maintaining operations through regular publications, long-term contracts and projects.

Position Offering – Research Analyst The research analyst position is responsible for database maintenance, background research, statistical and market analysis for regular publications and specialized research projects. The successful candidate will be involved in collaborating on existing contracts and specialized research projects in the areas of cost of production, sustainability, and the cost:benefit of adopting certain practices as they relate to the Canadian beef industry.

Location: Calgary Responsibilities: • Facilitate cost of production data collection individually and in focus groups • Development of producer decision making tools • Database management, statistical analysis, and model development in Excel • Solid research skills for literature reviews Qualifications: • Applicants must have a degree in agriculture, economics or business • Familiar with the agricultural production systems • Well-developed problem solving, research, and organizational skills.

• Basic understanding of agricultural economics and economic modeling • Familiar with general database maintenance techniques and challenges • Ability to work independently with a strong self-motivation work ethic • Good time management with the ability to work on multiple projects at a time Skills required: • Strong attention to detail, particularly in relation to data management • Chart development, editing and analysis • High standards for professional materials • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint If you are interested in this position, submit your cover letter and resume by February 25, 2022 to: info@canfax.ca.

Canfax A division of Canadian Cattlemen’s Association #180, 6815 - 8th St NE Calgary, AB T2E 7H7 Tel: (403) 275-5110 Fax: (403) 275-6943 www.canfax.ca Canfax is Canada’s go-to source for cattle market information. Canfax has provided expert analysis of markets and trends in the ever-changing North American beef industry for over 50 years. Canfax is a non-profit organization, funding itself through memberships as well as data information services it provides to industry stakeholders. Cattlemen, feedlot managers and agri-business professionals rely on accurate, relevant, and timely information as an essential tool for maximizing profit in today’s beef sector.

Position Offering – Member Relations and Database Coordinator The Member Relations and Database Coordinator role provides support to the Canfax team and members by provided data quality control on publications, overseeing the membership database and website. This position also assists with aggregating information, and formatting articles for a variety of reports. This position is involved in and supports a wide variety of the day-to-day tasks at Canfax. Requires comfort with learning a wide-variety of unique programs and service systems that are scheduled to be upgraded and re-vamped. We are looking for someone with problem solving skills and interest in project management.

Location: Calgary

Status: Full-time, permanent

Duties and Responsibilities: • •

• • • •

Ensure the Canfax membership database is kept current and operating efficiently o Review monthly billing and ensure accuracy o Transition and upgrade systems Data quality control on publications o Collects and format data and commentaries for weekly and daily reports o Disseminates the weekly Canadian slaughter and grading reports o Completes and disseminates the Monthly Feedlot Trends Report o Update online files Maintain and upgrade the Canfax website Update spreadsheets as needed, and coordinate with team on file management o Assists with tasks as needed, such as updating and creating charts, compiling information for data requests, Sort Mail, code invoices and maintain adequate office supplies Other activities and task that may be assigned from time to time

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have: • Strong organization skills and attention to detail • Strong computer skills with Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint • Website management skills • Strong interpersonal and communication skills for client relationships • Database management experience • Ability to work independently and self-motivated If you are interested in this position, submit your cover letter and resume by February 25, 2022 to: info@canfax.ca.

Canadian Agriculture and Food Industry Calls for Government Action to Restore Essential Transport and Trade Corridors February 11, 2022 Ottawa, ON - With the prolonged disruptions at Canada-U.S. border crossings, Canada’s agriculture and food industry is calling for an immediate conclusion of the blockades and for all levels of government to work collaboratively towards action to reinstate integral transport and trade corridors.

Transport of fruits and vegetables, meat, food packaging, feed supplies, livestock shipments, transport equipment, and integral inputs for agriculture and food processing have already been seriously impacted by the blockades. These blockades are impacting the livelihoods of Canadian farm families, the further businesses they are connected to and the timely supply and delivery of essential goods.

Canada and the U.S. have the largest two-way trade of essential goods and each day the blockades continue further strains these integral supply chains and the Canadian economy. In 2020, Canada and the U.S. traded $50 billion CDN dollars of agriculture and food for an average of $137 million per day with Coutts, Alberta, Emerson, Manitoba, and the Ambassador bridge being key trade routes for these goods.

The signatories below are requesting immediate action by all parties to fully reopen Canada’s trade corridors. This is imperative to the livelihoods of Canadian agriculture businesses and key to maintaining Canada’s strong reputation as a stable trading nation.

Quotes: “We cannot let these disruptions endanger Canada's reputation as a reliable and stable trading partner. Our sector's supply chains are highly integrated across the Canada-U.S. border and these vital trade corridors support jobs across Canada. It is time to restore stability in Canada's most significant and important trading relationship.”

Dan Darling, President, Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance "Maintaining a stable supply chain is critical to Canadian beef production. The evolving situation at the U.S.-Canada border and the transportation delays are resulting in major impacts for the entire beef supply chain and it is now time for this to end.”

Bob Lowe, President, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association “Governments must recognize the negative impact these recent blockades and convoys are having on Canada’s critical trade infrastructure, which includes the agriculture and agri-food sector, and take immediate actions to restore the supply chain.”

Mary Robinson, President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture “Canada’s fruit and vegetable growers have been faced with considerable supply chain disruptions throughout the past two years, and the recent border blockades have only exacerbated them. Now is the time for government to put an end to the blockades at our trading ports and ensure the uninterrupted movement of fruits and vegetables across the Canada-U.S. border.”

Jan VanderHout, President, Canadian Horticultural Council “Pork industry’s supply chain operates on a structured, just in time delivery system for animal feed, movement of live animals across Canada and the U.S. and many more critical materials that keep our industry providing food for Canadians. Supply chain delays impact producers’ mental health and the potentially the health and welfare of the animals we are entrusted to care for. Our industry cannot sustain any more delays.”

Rick Bergmann, Chair, Canadian Pork Council “These blockades are affecting the whole supply chain, from farm to fork. We need swift action to put an end to this.

Throughout this period of disruption, our members have appreciated the agility and flexibility of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to assist them in getting their products across the border and to market.”

Chris White, President, Canadian Meat Council “Companies throughout the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain continue to navigate the challenges and hardships of the pandemic. The recent blockades have compounded the strain on a fragile system that is working to address food inflation and availability. As trade between Canada and the United States relies heavily on open and fluid transportation corridors, it is essential all levels of government work together to address these issues and allow for the uninterrupted flow of perishable goods with our largest trading partner (the United States).”

Ron Lemaire, Canadian Produce Marketing Association “The closures and delays caused by the protest blockades have affects all the way back to the farm gate. The beef supply chain has already been disrupted by drought, floods, transportation issues, and more; we need to get both products and animals moving freely across the border for the sake of animal welfare and economics alike.”

James Bekkering, Chair, National Cattle Feeders’ Association

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP February 4, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Drought Relief Program Expanded For Manitoba Livestock Producers Under AgriRecovery Framework Additional Extraordinary Expenses Now Deemed Eligible for Coverage 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 Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced the addition of extraordinary expenses producers incurred in 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 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. continued on page 3

Everyone who registers by 4pm on Monday, February 7 will be entered into a draw for a QDM prize package!

Agenda + proposed by-law amendments available here.

AgriRecovery enhancements – cont. from page 1 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 (1-844-7696224). They can also visit: www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/canadianagricultural-partnership/business-riskmanagement-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. Note: Additional program details, including backgrounders, application forms and application deadlines are found beginning on page 20 in this edition of the e-newsletter.

For reliable information and resources please visit:

New Public Health Orders Set Out First Phase In Manitoba's Plan To Relax Restrictions

(February 2, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) Based on current COVID-19 projections,

the Manitoba government is taking a cautious path towards reducing public health restrictions over the next several weeks, Premier Heather Stefanson announced today, noting the province will also make $16.3 million available to businesses and the arts and culture sector that have been affected by public health orders.

“Last week, we chose to extend public health orders to ensure the COVID-19 situation in Manitoba was stabilizing or improving, and we can see that continues to be the case,” said Stefanson. “This means we can be confident in moving forward with the next phase in our pandemic response, which is a gradual and cautious reopening. New public health orders will reduce restrictions over the next two weeks for private gatherings and begin a shift in how we address capacity limits and how and when we gather in public spaces.”

Private gatherings where everyone is fully vaccinated will be expanded to allow the household plus 25 others in indoor spaces and 50 people in outdoor spaces. More stringent restrictions are in place for private gatherings with individuals who are not vaccinated.

However, these are also expanded from previous public health orders. The changes to public health orders will also allow sports and recreation tournaments to resume, extend liquor sales to 12 a.m. at licensed premises and adjust capacity restrictions in many public spaces.

“To be effective, public health orders should only be as restrictive as we need at the time,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer. “Manitobans have largely stepped up and followed these rules when it was critical in our pandemic response and also chose to get vaccinated, which has helped us to protect ourselves, each other and the capacity of our health-care system. The data and modelling show that we are stabilizing and may have in fact passed the peak we expected from omicron. The next few weeks will be critical as we monitor these trends and determine if it is appropriate to reduce additional restrictions over the longer term.”

The premier noted the province will continue to consult with public health to determine the timing and extent of the next phase of relaxing public health orders based on health-care system capacity, modelling and other data. The intent is to implement a gradual loosening of capacity restrictions and other measures by spring, while learning to live with COVID-19.

The new public health orders will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8 and will remain in place until Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Manitoba remains at the Orange (Restricted) level under the Pandemic Response System.

The Manitoba government is also providing further support to business by expanding program eligibility under the Sector Support Program and providing second payments to those affected by the COVID-19 public health orders that were in place before Jan. 31.

“Many businesses and organizations across the province have faced significant financial losses under the latest public health orders,” said Stefanson. “We are following through on the continued on page 6

New Public Health Orders Set Out First Phase In Manitoba's Plan To Relax Restrictions commitment we made when we established the Sector Support Program. This will help sustain businesses in the coming weeks as we begin to reopen our economy. The arts and cultural sector will also be eligible for another $6 million to help address the challenges they have faced over the last several months. Together, this will help rebuild a vibrant economy and cultural scene in our province as we look forward with our reopening path.”

The expansion to the Sector Support Program is expected to flow up to $10.3 million of the $22 million allocated under this program and includes: •

extending the program intake period until Feb. 28, 2022;

•

expanding eligibility under the program to include event rentals, catering and photographers; and

•

providing a second payment to businesses that have been previously approved and are affected by public health orders in place into February.

Businesses can apply for grants based on the number of employees. With the addition of a second payment, the maximum support available increases to: •

$6,000 for one to nine employees;

•

$12,000 for 10 to 19 employees;

•

$18,000 for 20 to 49 employees; and

•

$24,000 for 50 or more employees.

The Sector Support Program is available to businesses such as restaurants, hotels and bars that provide dine-in food services, fitness and recreation facilities, movie theatres, performance venues and museums. The premier noted that all these applicants will receive two payments if they apply before the Feb. 28 deadline. Event rentals, catering and photographers who apply will be recognized as being impacted by the December public health order and qualify for the new maximum supports. Other eligible businesses who apply for the first time in February will be eligible for the original amounts in recognition of the impact of the current public health orders.

More information on the Sector Support Program is available at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/programs/issp. html.

The premier noted $6 million in new funding has been allocated to the Arts and Culture Sustainability Program to support organizations in this sector negatively affected by COVID-19 and public health order restrictions. For more information, visit https://artscouncil.mb.ca/grants/supportarts-and-culture-sustainability-fund/.

For more information about COVID-19 and the pandemic response in Manitoba, visit: manitoba.ca/covid19 .

See the detailed changes in the following backgrounder: BACKGROUNDER

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

NEW PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS IN MANITOBA’S REOPENING PATH The following COVID-19 prevention orders will take effect 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8 and will remain in place until Feb. 22.

Sector Indoor gatherings in public spaces

Outdoor gatherings in public spaces

Indoor gatherings on private property

Jan. 28 Restrictions Gatherings that include one or more unvaccinated people (if they are 12 years of age or older) are limited to 25 people or 25 per cent of the usual capacity of the space, whichever is lower.

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Gatherings that include one or more unvaccinated people (if they are 12 years of age or older) in uncontrolled outdoor public spaces are limited to 50 people.

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if all are

Feb. 8 Restrictions No change.

No change.

Private indoor gatherings are limited to 25 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth

Outdoor gatherings on private property

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts

fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

under the age of 12 are exempt).

Private indoor gatherings are limited to five additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Outdoor gatherings at a private residence are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Outdoor gatherings at a private residence are limited to 50 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Private outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Private outdoor gatherings are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older. Individuals are required to wear masks but are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders.

Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older. Individuals are required to wear masks but are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders.

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity and are limited to seated service only with a maximum of 10 people per table.

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity and are limited to seated service only with a

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 persons, whichever is lesser.

Gyms and fitness centres

Casinos, bingo halls and VLTs

Museums and galleries

Libraries Professional sports or performing arts events

Movie theatres and concert halls

Liquor sales must end at 10 p.m. daily.

Capacity limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Proof of vaccination is required.

maximum of 10 people per table.

Liquor sales must end at 12 a.m. daily.

Capacity limited to 50 per cent with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Proof of vaccination is required.

Capacity is limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less.

Museums operate under the requirement to show proof of vaccination when open to the public as a museum.

Capacity is limited to 50 per cent.

Capacity limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Capacity limited to 50 per cent with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Museums operate under the requirement to show proof of vaccination when open to the public as a museum.

No change.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Weddings and funerals

Indoor religious services and Indigenous cultural events

Permitting indoor public gathering group sizes to 25 people or 25 per cent capacity, whichever is lower, for gatherings that include unvaccinated people who are eligible to be vaccinated.

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 people, whichever is less.

Indoor cultural and religious services are limited to 25 per cent capacity or a total of 25 people, whichever is lower, when proof of vaccination is not required. Cohorts may be implemented where groups can be physically divided up to a maximum of 10 cohorts or 250 people.

Cohorts must not mingle, masks must be worn and physical distancing rules apply.

Outdoor religious services and indigenous cultural events

Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less.

Outdoor cultural and religious services that include one or more unvaccinated person (if they are 12 years of age or

No change.

Indoor community, cultural and religious services are limited to 25 per cent capacity or a total of 250 people, whichever is lower, when proof of vaccination is not required.

Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine are limited to 50 per cent capacity.

Outdoor cultural and religious services that include one or more unvaccinated person (if they are 12 years of age or older)

Personal services

Indoor sports and recreation, including dance, theatre and music schools.

older) are restricted to 50 people in outdoor locations.

are restricted to 50 per cent capacity in outdoor locations.

Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space.

Drive-in services continue unrestricted.

Open without capacity restrictions and physical distancing is required.

Spectator capacity for indoor sporting and recreation facilities is reduced to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less and proof of vaccination is required for those 18 and over.

Drive-in services continue unrestricted.

No change.

Spectator capacity for sporting and recreation facilities is reduced to 50 per cent and proof of vaccination is required for those 18 and over.

Tournaments are allowed.

While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted.

Proof of at least one dose of vaccination or a recent (within 72 hours) negative rapid test result will be required for 1217 year olds for indoor and recreational sports.

Negative rapid tests need to come from a participating pharmacy as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals or those who are

Proof of at least one dose of vaccination or a recent (within 72 hours) negative rapid test result will be required for 12 to 17-yearolds for indoor and recreational sports.

Negative rapid tests need to be confirmed by a pharmacist or by staff at a nursing station on a First Nation as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals or those who are

Outdoor sports and recreation

Children’s camps

Retail, markets, garden centres and malls

required to take a PCR test by public health.

While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted.

Capacity for spectators is limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less.

Day camps are limited to no more than 25 campers and camper groups must be cohorted.

Overnight camps are prohibited under these orders.

Permitting retail capacity at 50 per cent in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region. This restriction does not apply to the municipalities of Cartier, Headingley, Macdonald, Ritchot (Niverville/Ritchot), St. François Xavier and Taché.

Permitting retail capacity at 100 per cent in the InterlakeEastern, Northern, Prairie Mountain Health and Winnipeg capital region, including the municipalities of Cartier, Headingley, Macdonald, Ritchot (Niverville/Ritchot), St. François Xavier and Taché.

Physical distancing measures are required. Masks required indoors.

advised to receive testing by public health.

Games, practices and tournaments permitted.

Capacity for spectators is limited to 50 per cent.

No change.

Retail capacity at 100 per cent throughout Manitoba.

Physical distancing measures are required.

Masks required indoors.

Workplaces

Indoor self-help gatherings

Open without restrictions.

Businesses are required to report two or more positive cases to public health.

Indoor gathering limits and mask use orders apply.

Open without restrictions. No requirement to report cases to public health.

No change.

Click here to register

Industry Update The Philippines lifts import suspension on Canadian beef January 31, 2022 Ottawa, ON As of January 28, 2022, the Philippines has lifted its temporary import suspension on Canadian beef.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) has worked closely in collaboration with the Government of Canada to regain market access, following the Philippines’ temporary suspension of imports of Canadian beef on January 5, 2022. The suspension came following the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about a confirmed case of atypical Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada. Atypical BSE is a distinct form from classical that arises rarely and spontaneously in all cattle populations around the world. The case was detected as part of routine surveillance initiatives and did not enter the food system. From January to November 2021, Canadian beef exports to the Philippines were 4,681 tonnes valued at $14 million. This is up 409 per cent in volume and 223 per cent in value from the same period in 2020.

The detection of an atypical case does not impact Canada’s BSE negligible risk status, nor should it further interrupt trade flows. CCA continues to work with the Government of Canada to regain market access to China.

The Philippines is one of ten members of the Association of Southern Asian Nations (ASEAN), Canada’s sixthlargest trading partner. CCA will continue to focus on removing remaining BSE-era market access restrictions and supports the trade negotiations between Canada and ASEAN. For further information, contact: Michelle McMullen Communications Manager mcmullenm@cattle.ca

The CCA is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 55,000 beef farms and feedlots.

Visit www.cattle.ca

Statement ABP, ACFA, CCA Statement on Canada-U.S. Border Disruption February 3, 2022 Calgary, AB – With the prolonged disruptions at the Canada-U.S. border crossing, Canada’s beef industry has serious concerns with supply chain challenges, including the lack of access to feed coming from the U.S. and impacts on cross border movement of cattle and meat products.

Alberta Beef Producers (ABP), Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association (ACFA), and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) are calling for a timely resolution and the restoration of our essential supply chain.

ABP, ACFA, and CCA want to see the blockade resolved safely and effectively for truckers, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, producers, and all involved. In 2020, food and agriculture were deemed an essential service to continue moving supply chains during the pandemic, and it is critical agriculture continues to be able to operate without disruption.

The Canadian and American beef industries are highly integrated. Every day the industry is unable to move cattle, beef, or access feed puts the entire supply chain at risk. Canadian beef producers are already facing challenging supply issues from access to feed, following the devastating drought conditions in 2021, limited rail access, and trucking shortages.

Blocking the transport of beef to cross border consumers is slowing down processing in Canada and creating a backlog at processing facilities, feedlots and farms and ranches. The obstruction is also blocking the growing critical supplies of feed that are needed across western Canada.

ABP, ACFA, and CCA continue to monitor developments and work with the federal and provincial governments, and other stakeholders to keep all components of the beef supply chain functioning.

Quotes: “The beef industry is aware of the situation evolving at the Canada-U.S. border crossing. Our focus remains on the people who are affected by immediate delays to the beef supply chain and ensuring the welfare of animals. Further impacts to cattle prices must be avoided."

Dr. Melanie Wowk, ABP Chair “The unintended consequences of these closures and delays further affect already existing shortages on products like animal feed that have been caused by drought, trade disruptions, and transport issues.

Transportation delays can severely impact the beef supply chain from cattle feed to grocery shelves.”

Greg Schmidt, ACFA "Maintaining a stable supply chain is critical to Canadian beef production. The evolving situation at the U.S.-Canada border and the transportation delays are resulting in major impacts for the entire beef supply chain.”

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

NEWS RELEASE Canada Beef congratulates Sage Watson for 4-H Canada recognition February 03, 2022 Calgary, AB - Canada Beef extends sincere congratulations to Canadian Olympian Sage Watson for being named as the recipient of the 2021 4-H Canada Distinguished Alumni Award.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes the outstanding leadership and contributions of 4-H alumni to “our communities, country, and world.” Watson, from Medicine Hat, Alberta, grew up on a beef farm, an experience she credits with helping shape a strong work ethic. She made her Olympic debut in 2016.

Canada Beef has worked with the Olympic track and field athlete to promote the health and nutritional benefits of Canadian beef as well as the stewardship of farmers and ranchers for the land and cattle under their care. Supporting the farming community is a topic Watson is passionate about.

“Canada Beef has been extremely pleased to be able to foster our relationship with Sage to serve as a Canadian beef ambassador and influencer for consumers in Canada and around the world. Clearly, Sage is a tremendous example of the 4-H ethic in application to all aspects of life and we congratulate her on this latest achievement,” said Canada Beef Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Ron Glaser.

Under the My Canadian Beef campaign, Watson shared her love for eating beef as part of a wholesome and well-rounded diet to increase performance and help with physical recovery. She engages with a large running and sports audience through her social platform, and posts videos and stories that resonate with her followers. She loves to cook with beef and her audience enjoys watching her prepare Canada Beef recipes.

Her work has been a tremendous benefit for the beef industry and Canada Beef was pleased to support her nomination to 4-H Canada.

Watson will receive the 4-H Canada Distinguished Alumni Award at the virtual 2022 4-H Canada Leadership Awards on February 23 hosted by Peter Mansbridge.

For more information, please contact: GINA TEEL, APR Manager, Stakeholder Communications Canada Beef 403-875-3616 gteel@canadabeef.ca About Canada Beef As the marketing division of the Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency, Canada Beef is the cattle producer-funded and run organization responsible for domestic and international beef and veal market development. It has staff in Canada, Japan, China, Taiwan and Mexico. In addition to National Check-Off and import levy funding, Canada Beef leverages cattle producer dollars with private market partner investments and government industry development funding to maximize the benefits of producer check-off investment.

Suite 146, 6715 – 8th Street NE, Calgary, AB Canada T2E 7H7 canadabeef.ca

Important information from the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency regarding identification tags upon us, demand is exceeding availability for some products.

Supply chain issues are affecting many products, including livestock identification devices. Shortage of raw material and staff absenteeism at manufacturing plants are now creating some noticeable delays. CDMV (CCIA’s distributor) is receiving some shipments periodically, but as the busy calving season is

It is important to remember to place your order on the CCIA Webstore even if your selected products show as ‘Back Order”. By placing your order, you secure your priority in the queue, and it will be filled as soon as there is availability. Or you may want to consider another approved tag that is in stock right now.

Consult the CCIA Tag-and-Tag-AccessoriesCatalogue.pdf catalogue for alternative options.

Also, please note to ensure fair distribution, some products are subject to a weekly purchase limitation for an undetermined period.

Attention livestock producers – the calf season for Livestock Price Insurance is now open

Protect your bottom line from market price declines by purchasing calf policies. Livestock Price Insurance offers forward price coverage

for calves you plan to market between September and February 2023. Choose from a range of coverage options every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The last day to purchase calf policies is June 9.

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

Emergency Management Workshops for Livestock Producers The Animal Health Emergency Management Project (AHEM) is pleased to offer a new threepart 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.

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.

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.

Visit www.animalhealth.ca/workshops for more information including webinar dates and registration. The workshops begin February 1.

Volunteer for Canadian Agricultural Literacy Month (CALM) 2022!

The following information is from Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba.

book in addition to a personalized virtual visit from you – our volunteers!

French and English speaking volunteers are needed!

Every year, we need a team of over 150 volunteers to meet the demand for CALM. We anticipate that with a fully virtual offering, this demand from teachers will grow even more - so we are calling on you! If you feel comfortable with giving a virtual presentation, we will take as many as you are willing to offer.

CALM is a hands-on program that brings agriculture into classrooms and encourages students to learn about and celebrate Canadian agriculture. Many students don’t fully understand agriculture. By telling students why you love Canadian agriculture and giving them a glimpse of what you do, you will open their eyes to new knowledge, help them build a stronger appreciation for the food they eat, and for the role agriculture plays in their lives.

All teachers will be provided with a hands-on agriculture activity and an agriculture themed

Who: Grade 1 to 6 students Date: March 2022 Time: 30-60 min How: Pick a virtual platform (Zoom, Teams, Skype, FaceTime…) and date/time with the teacher Registration: Open until Feb. 4, 2022

First batch of COVID-19 rebate cheques in the mail: Manitoba Public Insurance (February 1, 2022 MPI News Release) About

our way through this challenging time in our province.”

200,000 COVID-19 rebate cheques are being sent to Canada Post this week, Manitoba Public Insurance announced today. In total, 680,000 cheques will be issued in coming weeks, for a total rebate amount of $312 million. It’s expected all cheques will be mailed by midFebruary.

This is the third MPI COVID-19 rebate in less than two years. In total, MPI will have provided rebates of nearly $500 million to its policy holders ─ $110 million in May 2020 and $69 million in December 2020. This latest will result in about $328 rebated to an average private passenger policy.

“The pandemic has negatively impacted many Manitobans personal finances, but it has also reduced the collision claims to MPI allowing for a rebate,” Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Justice and Attorney General & Minister Responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) said today.

“Returning these funds to its customers benefits Manitobans and is in keeping with the mandate of Manitoba Public Insurance.

“The last two years have been a challenging time in our province. This current rebate is both positive and welcomed. Together, we’ll work

“The financial strength of MPI has allowed us to once again provide a COVID-related rebate cheque,” said Eric Herbelin, President & CEO, Manitoba Public Insurance. “Once again the public auto insurance model demonstrates its strength and financial benefits to our customers.”

The rebate is calculated on the Basic Autopac premiums paid between November 22, 2020, and December 9, 2021, and is expected to be about 27 per cent of the customer’s annual Basic Autopac premium.

Rebate amounts of $10 or less will be credited to the customer’s account.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing drought conditions.

The program helps livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to maintain their breeding herds.

HOW TO APPLY Review the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance-Farmers Guidebook for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs, as well as other program requirements.

For your application to be considered complete, you must submit all necessary program documents: Required Documents Application Form Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals - if first time applying Declaration of Extraordinary Expenses - if have extraordinary expenses - only submit once Self-Haul Declaration - if you hauled the feed Invoices - for each feed and/or transportation purchase Proof of Payment - for each invoice (e.g. cleared cheque, bank statement, credit or debit card receipt) View: Drought 2021 industry webinar presentation to learn more about AgriRecovery: Drought Assistance program eligibility and details.

WHAT IS NEW? (February 2022) Expansion of Eligible Feeds - The list of eligible feeds now includes feed additives and premixes, molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021. Previous applicants of the program will receive an email or letter in the mail informing them how they can apply for these expenses.

Extraordinary Expenses incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 including hauling water, renting extra pasture and cropland, harvesting extra acres for livestock feed, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, and transporting feed from distant locations. A one time declaration of extraordinary expenses can be submitted over the life of the program.

View: What are Extraordinary Expenses?

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance View: How do Extraordinary Expenses Increase Payments?

WHO QUALIFIES • Primary producers who owned or leased the eligible animals, located in Manitoba, as of June 1, 2021 and continued to own or lease them to March 15, 2022 or later are eligible.

• Eligible animals include breeding head of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU), sheep, goats, bison and elk.

• Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

• Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE Assistance is provided for eligible costs incurred between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022 for: • winter-feed costs of eligible breeding animals. Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

• feed testing to determine the nutritional value of eligible feeds.

• extraordinary expenses associated with above-normal costs for accessing additional crop or pasture acres, hauling water, harvesting extra acres, or hauling self-produced feed from distant locations.

LIVESTOCK FEED AND EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES Livestock Feed Eligible Feeds Grazed corn and greenfeed.

Mechanically harvested hay, silage, greenfeed, stover, straw, including those purchased as standing crops or grazed in a swath.

Grain and concentrates (pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, screenings, dried distillers grain, and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator).

Feed additives and premixes are eligible as concentrates including molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, oils and fats.

Ineligible Feeds High moisture feeds with low nutrient density.

Feeds that based on their name, label, registration, or contents are primarily intended for young stock.

Purchased feed and feed testing are eligible expenses. The feed must be consumed within the overwintering period. Invoices and proof of payment must be submitted for all feed purchases and feed testing claimed.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Extraordinary Expenses Extraordinary expenses required to sustain eligible livestock affected by drought are eligible and can include costs not related to feed purchases or transportation of purchased feed.

Eligible Extraordinary Expenses Rental of pasture, forage and/or crop land that is not normally rented for the applicants production of feed for eligible livestock.

Purchase or rental of temporary fencing supplies to provide supplemental grazing for eligible livestock.

Providing drinking water to livestock including water purchases, custom water hauling, water hauling equipment rental, and fuel and hired labour to haul water with the applicant's own equipment.

Harvesting of feed including mowing, raking, baling, collecting bales and silage harvesting, on land that is not typically used by the applicant, including land seeded to annual crops in 2021. The eligible costs include custom-harvesting and fuel and hired labour costs for harvesting with the applicant's own equipment. This activity must only be for producing feed for eligible livestock and cannot exceed the applicant's normal annual feed production.

Transportation of feed produced by the applicant, including custom-hauling and the fuel and hired labour costs for hauling with the applicant's own equipment for trips 40 kilometres or greater one-way. The extraordinary costs are limited to the first 600 kilometres one-way for each trip. Expenses claimed cannot exceed the tonne-km payment rates described in the Transportation of Purchased Feed section of this web page.

How to Calculate Payment for Livestock Feed and Extraordinary Expenses The Program Administrator will make payments to the applicant for purchases and testing of eligible feed and extraordinary expenses made between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022.

A producer share will be applied and deducted from the total value of feed purchases, feed testing and extraordinary expenses claimed. Payments are based on the total value of expenses exceeding the producer share up to the maximum per head payment.

Per Head Producer Shares are: $50 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $10 per head for sheep and goats Maximum eligible extraordinary expenses that can be claimed are capped on a per head basis.

Maximum Eligible Extraordinary Expenses that can be claimed are: $133.33 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $26.66 per head for sheep and goats

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Total Payments will be equal to 75 percent of the total value of expenses that exceeds the producer share to a maximum per head payment.

Maximum Per Head Payments are: $250 per head for beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU only), and elk $50 per head for sheep and goats

Total Program Payments are calculated using these three steps: STEP 1: Calculate total eligible expenses

STEP 2: Calculate total eligible expenses net of the producer share

STEP 3: Total program payment is 75% of the Total Eligible Expenses Net of Producer Share

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance TRANSPORTATION OF PURCHASED FEED Feed transportation assistance is provided for the movement of purchased eligible feeds for eligible breeding animals to address feed shortages due to drought conditions.

Payments for feed transportation: Transportation costs for eligible feed purchased and transported between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, for a minimum distance of 40 kilometres up to a maximum loaded distance of 600 kilometres.

Payments for hay, straw, greenfeed, stover and silage are based on the following rates: $0.16 per tonne kilometre for the first 100 kilometres of a haul $0.10 per tonne kilometre for the remainder of a haul for up to an additional 500 kilometres

Payments for grain and concentrates, and high moisture feeds approved by the Program Administrator are based on the following rate: $0.05 per tonne kilometre up to 600 kilometres Payments for each receipt provided by the applicant will be the payment rate multiplied by the distance transported multiplied by the number of tonnes transported, or the amount of the receipt, whichever is less.

Transportation assistance is additional to assistance that may be received for feed assistance.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION The application and declaration forms are available in the "How to Apply" section at the top of the webpage. You can also pick up an application package at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or by calling us at 1-844-769-6224 to have an application package mailed to you.

Application and Declarations For feed purchase, feed testing, feed transportation and livestock transportation claims, multiple applications can be accepted. For extraordinary expenses, only one declaration is accepted over the life of the program.

Invoices and Proof of Payment Feed purchase, feed testing, and feed transportation claims must be supported by invoices and proof of payment submitted at time of application. For custom-hauling feed, proof of purchase is required for both the hauling charges and purchase of the feed transported. For self-hauled feed, proof of purchase for the feed and a self-haul declaration are required.

Applicants are not required to submit invoices or proof of purchase with their one-time declaration of extraordinary expenses, but must maintain these records in the event that they are requested by the Program Administrator as part of the review, verification or audit process.

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance EMAIL, MAIL OR DROP OFF COMPLETED APPLICATION Your completed application form and supporting documents must be sent to an Authorized Manitoba Agriculture Representative by: Email Mail: Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Note: If you do not receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application you should contact us immediately by email.

If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

An audit inspection of final work may occur before or after payment is issued.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Support documents and tools to assist you in completing your application.

• Application Check List • Factsheet - AgriRecovery Feed Assistance Payment Calculation • Factsheet - AgriRecovery Feed Transportation Assistance Payment Calculation • Frequently Asked Questions • Quick Reference - How to Apply for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance • Quick Reference - How to Calculate Payment per Head on Feed Purchases • Quick Reference - What Qualifies for Livestock Feed and Transportation Assistance APPLICATION DEADLINE Applications will be received on an ongoing basis until April 15, 2022 (11:59 p.m. CST).

WHO TO CONTACT Manitoba Agriculture AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Toll Free: 1-844-769-6224 Email: agriculture@gov.mb.ca

Canfax A division of Canadian Cattlemen’s Association #180, 6815 - 8th St NE Calgary, AB T2E 7H7 Tel: (403) 275-5110 Fax: (403) 275-6943 www.canfax.ca Canfax is Canada’s go-to source for cattle market information. Canfax has provided expert analysis of markets and trends in the ever-changing North American beef industry for over 50 years. Canfax is a non-profit organization, funding itself through memberships as well as data information services it provides to industry stakeholders. Cattlemen, feedlot managers and agri-business professionals rely on accurate, relevant, and timely information as an essential tool for maximizing profit in today’s beef sector.

Position Offering – Market Analyst The Market Analyst is responsible for providing market analysis services to Canfax members, overseeing the publication of weekly and special reports, managing data, information requests, speaking engagements, and being an industry spokesperson for media inquiries. Travel in Canada and possibly the U.S. will be required. This position offers an opportunity for the candidate to focus on in market intelligence and analysis for the Canadian beef cattle industry.

Location: Calgary

Status: Full-time, permanent

Duties and Responsibilities: • • • • • • • •

Analysis and writing for the Weekly Report and other publications Present market updates and outlooks, traveling as needed Take media interviews Ensure Canfax reports are relevant and representative to industry Answering producer calls and assisting other market analysts Keeping up to date on Price Discovery research and current events Project management Other activities and tasks that may be assigned from time to time

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have: • A degree in agriculture, economics or business • A good understanding of the Canadian cattle industry and beef supply chain • Business management and marketing skills • Strong organization skills and attention to detail • Strong Analytical skills • Public Speaking Experience • Strong computer skills with Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint If you are interested in this position, submit your cover letter and resume by February 25, 2022 to: info@canfax.ca.

Canfax Research Services A Division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 180, 6815 – 8th Street NE Calgary, Alberta T2E 7H7 Tel: (403) 275-5110 Fax: (403) 275-6943 http://canfax.ca/Research.aspx

Canfax Research Services (CRS) provides the Canadian beef industry with statistical and market information on the domestic and global beef trends. Economic analysis is utilized for marketing, research, policy and investment decisions, supporting strategy and business plan development, as well as performance measurement. CRS monitors data sources from national statistics and develops new economic models to make annual outlooks and evaluate the impact of management decisions on cost of production. CRS maintains its independence as a third-party source of unbiased market information and analysis, maintaining operations through regular publications, long-term contracts and projects.

Position Offering – Research Analyst The research analyst position is responsible for database maintenance, background research, statistical and market analysis for regular publications and specialized research projects. The successful candidate will be involved in collaborating on existing contracts and specialized research projects in the areas of cost of production, sustainability, and the cost:benefit of adopting certain practices as they relate to the Canadian beef industry.

Location: Calgary Responsibilities: • Facilitate cost of production data collection individually and in focus groups • Development of producer decision making tools • Database management, statistical analysis, and model development in Excel • Solid research skills for literature reviews Qualifications: • Applicants must have a degree in agriculture, economics or business • Familiar with the agricultural production systems • Well-developed problem solving, research, and organizational skills.

• Basic understanding of agricultural economics and economic modeling • Familiar with general database maintenance techniques and challenges • Ability to work independently with a strong self-motivation work ethic • Good time management with the ability to work on multiple projects at a time Skills required: • Strong attention to detail, particularly in relation to data management • Chart development, editing and analysis • High standards for professional materials • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint If you are interested in this position, submit your cover letter and resume by February 25, 2022 to: info@canfax.ca.

Canfax A division of Canadian Cattlemen’s Association #180, 6815 - 8th St NE Calgary, AB T2E 7H7 Tel: (403) 275-5110 Fax: (403) 275-6943 www.canfax.ca Canfax is Canada’s go-to source for cattle market information. Canfax has provided expert analysis of markets and trends in the ever-changing North American beef industry for over 50 years. Canfax is a non-profit organization, funding itself through memberships as well as data information services it provides to industry stakeholders. Cattlemen, feedlot managers and agri-business professionals rely on accurate, relevant, and timely information as an essential tool for maximizing profit in today’s beef sector.

Position Offering – Member Relations and Database Coordinator The Member Relations and Database Coordinator role provides support to the Canfax team and members by provided data quality control on publications, overseeing the membership database and website. This position also assists with aggregating information, and formatting articles for a variety of reports. This position is involved in and supports a wide variety of the day-to-day tasks at Canfax. Requires comfort with learning a wide-variety of unique programs and service systems that are scheduled to be upgraded and re-vamped. We are looking for someone with problem solving skills and interest in project management.

Location: Calgary

Status: Full-time, permanent

Duties and Responsibilities: • •

• • • •

Ensure the Canfax membership database is kept current and operating efficiently o Review monthly billing and ensure accuracy o Transition and upgrade systems Data quality control on publications o Collects and format data and commentaries for weekly and daily reports o Disseminates the weekly Canadian slaughter and grading reports o Completes and disseminates the Monthly Feedlot Trends Report o Update online files Maintain and upgrade the Canfax website Update spreadsheets as needed, and coordinate with team on file management o Assists with tasks as needed, such as updating and creating charts, compiling information for data requests, Sort Mail, code invoices and maintain adequate office supplies Other activities and task that may be assigned from time to time

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have: • Strong organization skills and attention to detail • Strong computer skills with Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint • Website management skills • Strong interpersonal and communication skills for client relationships • Database management experience • Ability to work independently and self-motivated If you are interested in this position, submit your cover letter and resume by February 25, 2022 to: info@canfax.ca.

SAVE THE DATE

SUSTAINABILITY OF CANADIAN AGRICULTURE 2022 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

Farming for Sustainable Food Systems

Photo: E. McGeough

MARCH 16-18, 2022 Wednesday March 16

Keynote Speaker - Dr. David Kanter, New York University Morning panel discussion: Food Systems Redesign

Thursday March 17

Workshop: Holos Model v4 Afternoon panel discussion: Road to Carbon Neutrality Q and A with Researchers

Friday March 18

Afternoon panel discussion: Managing From a Landscape Perspective

Registration for this free event is opening soon!

Come visit us at:

www.umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/sustainability-canadian-agriculture-2022

Free Resources

Calf 911 Practical online tools for hard working beef producers.

www.beefresearch.ca

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP January 28, 2022

mbbeef.ca

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

Agenda + proposed by-law amendments available here.

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Manitoba To Extend Public Health Orders To Protect Against COVID-19 Another Week

Public health orders currently in place will continue for an additional week as Manitoba continues to assess the spread and impact of the omicron variant, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.

“Manitoba has imposed restrictions earlier and for a longer period of time compared to most other Canadian jurisdictions,” said Gordon. “As we all learn to live with the virus, it is still critical that we stay the course over the next week. There are signs of stabilization but we need more data to fully assess our next steps and implement initiatives that support our pandemic response.”

Current orders expire on Tuesday, Feb. 1. They will be extended until 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

Manitoba remains at the Orange (Restricted) level under the Pandemic Response System.

Provincial data released today indicates that severe outcomes from the spread of the omicron variant may have peaked. Admissions to hospital and intensive care units are high but either stable or slowly declining in recent weeks. However, recent data from Winnipeg wastewater suggests the viral count may once again be increasing. Test positivity rates have limitations because they only include PCR tests. They have been high and stable at around 30 per cent in most regions.

“While we are seeing some key indicators signal a peak, we need to remain cautious in our approach to the virus,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer. “COVID-19 continues to add stress to our health care system and we need all Manitobans to get vaccinated, stay home when you are sick, get tested and self-isolate according to public health orders. I know we are all tired. Working together, we have the ability to reduce the impact of the virus.”

As work continues to manage hospitalization and ICU capacity, additional patients may need to be relocated outside of their home region. There continues to be capacity within Manitoba hospitals with care teams that are trained to provide appropriate, high-quality care for a wide range of patient needs.

“Manitoba recognizes that for some patients and their designated support person this is a short-term inconvenience, but for others it is a significant hardship,” said Gordon. “We are putting a new program in place that will provide financial assistance for meals, transportation and accommodations or link to community support resources when a person is relocated to a facility outside of their region for on-going inpatient care.”

When a patient is transferred out of their community, their regional health authority or service delivery organization will work directly with them and their designated support person to coordinate this financial assistance. The program will allow for up to eight visits per month by a designated support person and: • meal vouchers so the designated support person can dine with the client when onsite meal service is available, or assistance to a maximum of $8 for breakfast, $10 for lunch and $15 for dinner when on-site meal service is unavailable; • transportation assistance of return bus fare or gas expenses; and • accommodation assistance up to a maximum of $70 per night plus taxes.

Program details are currently being finalized and are expected to be in place in early February. The program will not be retroactive.

For more information about COVID-19 and the pandemic response in Manitoba, visit manitoba.ca/covid19.

Backgrounder BG-Extension of COVID-19 General Prevention Orders

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EXTENSION OF COVID-19 GENERAL PREVENTION ORDERS Manitoba’s current COVID-19 general prevention orders have been extended, effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1 and will remain in place for an additional week until Feb. 8.

Sector

Restrictions

Indoor gatherings in public spaces

Gatherings that include one or more unvaccinated people (if they are 12 years of age or older) are limited to 25 people or 25 per cent of the usual capacity of the space, whichever is lower.

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Outdoor gatherings in public spaces

Gatherings that include one or more unvaccinated people (if they are 12 years of age or older) in uncontrolled outdoor public spaces are limited to 50 people.

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Indoor gatherings on private property

Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Outdoor gatherings on private property

Private indoor gatherings are limited to five additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Outdoor gatherings at a private residence are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts

Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older. Individuals are required to wear masks but are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders.

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity and are limited to seated service only with a maximum of 10 people per table.

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 persons, whichever is lesser.

Gyms and fitness centres

Casinos, bingo halls and VLTs

Liquor sales must end at 10 p.m. daily.

Capacity limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Proof of vaccination is required.

Museums and galleries

Libraries Professional sports or performing arts events Movie theatres and concert halls

Weddings and funerals

Indoor community, cultural and religious gatherings

Capacity is limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less.

Museums operate under the requirement to show proof of vaccination when open to the public as a museum.

Capacity limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Permitting indoor public gathering group sizes to 25 people or 25 per cent capacity, whichever is lower, for gatherings that include unvaccinated people who are eligible to be vaccinated.

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 people, whichever is less.

Indoor community, cultural and religious gatherings are limited to 25 per cent capacity or a total of 25 people, whichever is lower, when proof of vaccination is not required. Cohorts may be implemented where groups can be physically divided up to a maximum of 10 cohorts or 250 people.

Cohorts must not mingle, masks must be worn and physical distancing rules apply.

Outdoor community, cultural and religious gatherings

Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less.

Gatherings that include one or more unvaccinated person (if they are 12 years of age or older) are restricted to 50 people in uncontrolled outdoor public spaces.

Outdoor gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Personal services Indoor sports and recreation, including dance, theatre and music schools.

Drive-in services continue unrestricted.

Open without capacity restrictions and physical distancing is required.

Spectators for indoor and outdoor sporting and recreation capacity is reduced to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less.

While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted. No group activities outside of practice time or games, come ready to play and limit group time indoors (e.g. in dressing rooms).

Province-wide, proof of at least one dose of vaccination or a recent (within 72 hours) negative test result will be required for 12-17 year olds for indoor and recreational sports.

Outdoor sports and recreation

Negative tests need to come from a participating pharmacy as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals or those who are required to take a PCR test by public health.

While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted.

No group activities outside of practice time or games, come ready to play and limit group time indoors (e.g. in dressing rooms).

Children’s camps

Capacity for spectators is limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less.

Day camps are limited to no more than 25 campers and camper groups must be cohorted.

Overnight camps are prohibited under these orders.

Retail, markets, garden centres and malls

Workplaces

Permitting retail capacity at 50 per cent in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region. This restriction does not apply to the municipalities of Cartier, Headingly, Macdonald, Ritchot (Niverville/Ritchot), St Francois Xavier and Tache.

Permitting retail capacity at 100 per cent in the Interlake-Eastern, Northern, Prairie Mountain Health and Winnipeg capital region, including the municipalities of Cartier, Headingly, Macdonald, Ritchot (Niverville/Ritchot), St Francois Xavier and Tache.

Physical distancing measures are required.

Masks required indoors.

Open without restrictions.

Indoor self-help gatherings

Indoor gathering limits and mask use orders apply.

Interested in learning more about sustainable food systems, collaborative research ecosystems and digital innovation?

This event will include dynamic speakers from around the world, panel discussions and opportunities for networking. The Summit will feature Natalia Suescun Pozas from the World Economic Forum (Switzerland), Michael McCain from Maple Leaf Foods, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University, and other organizations including IMPROVE (France), Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands), The Nature Conservancy (United States), Bridge2Food (Netherlands), Farmers Edge, Regeneration Canada, and more!

Register today: https://pheedloop.com/MBProteinSummit/site/home/

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Updates from the Provincial Government The following information is compiled from provincial government news releases for the week of January 24.

screening. Children or staff exposed to COVID-19 in the child care and school settings may continue to attend child care and school if they are asymptomatic. Public health will continue to monitor the overall cases in child care centres and may contact a facility if increased COVID-19 activities is suspected. The guidance will take effect Friday, Jan. 28. To learn more, visit https://manitoba.ca/fs/pubs/covid19-elcc-practice-guide-jan-2022.pdf.

Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba is updated weekdays at 12:30 p.m. on these DataMB dashboards: •

Case data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19/

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COVID-19 vaccination coverage: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19-vaccinations-dashboard1/

•

Key Updates •

•

Oral antiviral medications are now available in Manitoba for the treatment of COVID-19. Eligibility criteria for available treatment options for COVID19 (both Paxlovid and monoclonal antibodies) have expanded to include some fully vaccinated individuals (two doses of an approved two dose vaccine or one dose of a single dose vaccine), with the second dose (or single dose for one dose vaccine) administered more than four months ago. These individuals must also meet other criteria set out related to age and co-morbidity. For more information, visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/treatment /index.html, call Health Links-Info Sante at 204-788-8200 or 1-800-315-9257, or contact your family doctor.

To more closely align schools and early learning child-care centres (ELCC) COVID-19 guidance, notification of close contacts by child care centres is no longer required. Attendance of children and staff will be based on symptom

Only symptomatic individuals or those advised by public health should visit a COVID-19 provincial testing site. Rapid antigen tests will continue to be used for the majority of people visiting a provincial testing site. Those who are at higher risk of severe illness as well as some groups who have tested positive on a rapid antigen test will still be eligible for PCR testing. Detailed information on updated COVID-19 testing eligibility can be found at: https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/inde x.html.

Vaccine The RBC provincial vaccine clinic is open for walk-in appointments.

Manitobans who are eligible for a third dose, or booster, are urged to get one. The booster dose is readily available to everyone over age 18 in Manitoba. It is most important that those who are 50 and over get immunized with a third dose right away, because this age group is experiencing - and will continue to experience more severe outcomes, including hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths.

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Updates from the Provincial Government Manitobans who live in First Nations communities, have diabetes, or are immunocompromised are urged to get a third dose. A complete listing of the medical conditions that would classify a person as immunocompromised can be found at https://protectmb.ca.

Delivering the second round of vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 is continuing in many locations, including schools. It is recommended

by Health Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and public health that the second dose be administered eight weeks following the first dose.

Manitobans are encouraged to get their second and third doses as quickly as possible. While COVID-19 vaccine appointments continue to be available at regional or provincial vaccine clinics, for many people the fastest way to be immunized is at a nearby medical clinic, pharmacy or urban Indigenous clinic. Check the online vaccine finder or a medical clinic or pharmacy near you that provides the COVID-19 vaccine to find the next available opportunity to

be immunized. The timeline between second and third doses and eligibility criteria information can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibilitycriteria.html.

Eligible individuals can book their appointments online, by calling (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1844-MAN-VACC) or by contacting their local pharmacy or medical clinic directly. Visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.html for some of the available options.

More Resources •

Vaccine campaign in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca.

•

Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

•

Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

Agricultural Crown Land Lease Auctions Being Held Online January 31 to February 4 cropping. The official listing of agricultural Crown lands available for rent can be found at: http://resd.ca/leases_and_permits/LPpropertie s.aspx#agLeasePermit.

(Province of Manitoba News Release) The

Manitoba government’s agricultural Crown land lease and permit auctions will be held online beginning Monday, Jan. 31, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler announced January 12.

“The online auction format ensures we can offer all Manitoba producers the opportunity to lease agricultural lands while remaining in accordance with current public health orders,” said Eichler. “Potential bidders are encouraged to become informed prior to the auction by researching the parcels and units of interest and becoming familiar with lease or permit obligations.”

A number of agricultural Crown land parcels will be available to rent for haying, grazing or

The online auctions will be hosted by Garton’s Auction Service from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, with further information to follow on https://gartonsauction.com/.

These leases and permits are available to farmers and ranchers to provide an additional land base to conduct agricultural activities. The Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program supports the sustainable expansion of the livestock herd in Manitoba, contributes to ecological goods and services, and supports mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

For more information about the upcoming auctions, visit www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/landmanagement/crown-land or contact your local ARD and MASC Service Centre.

The document Preparing for an Online Agricultural Crown Lands Lease Auction follows on pages 14-15.

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Preparing for an Online Agricultural Crown Lands Lease Auction Parcels for Lease Agricultural Crown Lands available for lease or renewable permit at auction can be reviewed at: resd.ca/leases_and_permits/LPproperties.aspx#agLeasePermit The lots will be available for viewing on the website of the 3rd party hosting the auction one week prior to the start of the auction.

Prior to the Auction • Potential bidders are encouraged to ensure they meet eligibility criteria. Any arrears on agricultural Crown lands lease or permit accounts must be paid in full prior to the auction in order to be eligible to bid. Eligibility may also be impacted by previous compliance history with the Agricultural Crown Lands program.

• Potential bidders are encouraged to become informed prior to the auction by researching and visiting the parcels and units of interest and becoming familiar with lease or permit obligations. Potential bidders must ensure they can legally access the parcels. º Aerial photo map viewer agrimaps.gov.mb.ca/agrimaps/ º Information on the Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program, including the standard Forage Lease Agreement and Cropping Lease Agreement can be found on the Agricultural Crown Lands website: manitoba.ca/agriculture/ land-management/crown-land/index.html

º Farm Production Extension Specialists Crown Lands can provide assistance prior to the auction dates.

• Please note that The Crown Lands Act prohibits some provincial employees from holding Crown land without further vetting. For additional information, please contact staff.

• If translation or accommodation services are required for the auction, please contact staff at least five (5) days in advance of the auction.

Online Auction Bidding

Following the Online Auction

• The registration and auction process is administered by an independent 3rd party to be identified on the ACL website and/or auction notice. For technical assistance with participation in the auction process, please contact the auctioneer.

• The auction website will display available parcels for one week prior to the scheduled auction.

• Potential bidders will complete the online registration process, including a declaration of eligibility.

• The auction website will list the auction rules, and examples will be provided. º FORAGE LEASE: The lease is for a 15 year term. The bidding will start at $200.00 per unit and the successful bidder will earn the right to lease the land. Rent is determined separately via formula. º RENEWABLE HAY PERMIT or RENEWABLE GRAZING PERMIT: The permit is for 15 one-year terms. The bidding will start at $200.00 per unit and the successful bidder will earn the right to hold a permit on the land. Rent is determined separately via formula.

• The successful bids will be listed on the auction website at the end of the auction.

Official auction results will be posted on the provincial website soon thereafter.

• The payment process, and lease document signing is administered by provincial staff.

Successful bidders will be required to sign lease documents and make payment in full within 30 days of invoicing following the auction. º FORAGE LEASE, RENEWABLE HAY PERMIT, RENEWABLE GRAZING PERMIT: The payment will include the successful bid amount, the first year’s rent and amount in lieu of municipal taxes, and GST as applicable. º CROPPING LEASE: The payment will include the successful bid amount, the first year’s amount in lieu of municipal taxes, and GST as applicable.

º CROPPING LEASE: The lease is for a five (5) year term. The bidding will start at $200.00 plus the minimum rental amount, and the successful bidder will earn the right to lease the land and set the annual rental amount via the auction bid.

Contact us • Email us at agcrownlands@gov.mb.ca • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg

PREPARING FOR AN ONLINE AGRICULTURAL CROWN LANDS LEASE AUCTION

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Emergency Management Workshops for Livestock Producers The Animal Health Emergency Management Project (AHEM) is pleased to offer a new threepart 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.

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.

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.

Visit www.animalhealth.ca/workshops for more information including webinar dates and registration. The workshops begin February 1.

Volunteer for Canadian Agricultural Literacy Month (CALM) 2022!

The following information is from Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba.

book in addition to a personalized virtual visit from you – our volunteers!

French and English speaking volunteers are needed!

Every year, we need a team of over 150 volunteers to meet the demand for CALM. We anticipate that with a fully virtual offering, this demand from teachers will grow even more - so we are calling on you! If you feel comfortable with giving a virtual presentation, we will take as many as you are willing to offer.

CALM is a hands-on program that brings agriculture into classrooms and encourages students to learn about and celebrate Canadian agriculture. Many students don’t fully understand agriculture. By telling students why you love Canadian agriculture and giving them a glimpse of what you do, you will open their eyes to new knowledge, help them build a stronger appreciation for the food they eat, and for the role agriculture plays in their lives.

All teachers will be provided with a hands-on agriculture activity and an agriculture themed

Who: Grade 1 to 6 students Date: March 2022 Time: 30-60 min How: Pick a virtual platform (Zoom, Teams, Skype, FaceTime…) and date/time with the teacher Registration: Open until Feb. 4, 2022

AgriRecovery: Herd Management Drought Assistance WHO QUALIFIES PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters affecting several producers occur.

The Herd Management Drought Assistance program is the third program developed with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba livestock producers experiencing drought conditions. The other two programs include the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program and Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program.

This program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: • purchase replacement breeding females

Primary producers who owned eligible animals located in Manitoba, and were responsible for their feeding expenses as of March 16, 2021, are eligible. Elk producers must have a Game Farm Production Licence and only elk farmed under that licence are eligible.

An applicant must: • be an individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application; a partnership, a corporation, a cooperative, a commune or a First Nation • be liable to pay income tax in Manitoba under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or is specifically exempted from filing income tax but is a permanent resident of Canada; and must file farm and expense tax forms

Eligible animals • Breeding females of beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and elk owned by the applicant • Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

The producer must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

• retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021.

Available Assistance Assistance is provided to replace breeding females culled due to drought and support returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Eligible Sales of Breeding Females Culled Due to Drought The breeding females must be sold during the March 16, 2021 to March 15, 2022 time period and contribute to a decline in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on March 16, 2022.

March 16, 2021 inventory (pre-drought)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Decrease in inventory due to drought culling

Eligible Replacement Breeding females culled due to drought can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement females from the applicant’s existing herd or flock. The replacement must contribute to an increase in the applicant’s inventory of eligible breeding females on Jan. 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: • Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does • Purchases of females that will be bred by Jan. 31, 2023 • Retaining females from the applicant’s existing herd to be bred for the first time by Jan. 31, 2023 The replacement animals must be maintained in the herd or flock until Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

Breeding Herd Inventory The following dates will be used for assessing the impact of drought and subsequent recovery on the applicant’s inventory of breeding females: • March 16, 2021 • March 16, 2022 • Jan. 31, 2023 The difference between the recovery and drought impacted inventory indicates the effect of purchasing and retaining replacement females on recovering from the drought.

Jan. 31, 2023 inventory (recovery inventory)

-

March 16, 2022 inventory (drought impacted)

=

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

HOW TO DETERMINE HERD MANAGEMENT PAYMENT Payment Rates Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below for the replacement of eligible breeding animals culled due to drought. The payments are made for breeding females purchased or retained.

Animal Type(s)

Payment ($) per head

Beef Cattle, Bison, Elk

$250

Sheep and Goats

$50

Producers are paid the rates shown in the table above, based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between March 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023.

The payments are calculated as follows,

Per Head Payment Rate Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250 Sheep/Goats $50

Increase in inventory due to purchasing and retaining replacements

X

=

Herd Management Program Payment

Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory

Note: Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payments are made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level.

Other Criteria for Declaration of Inventory of Breeding Females: The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females: • animals sold prior to being exposed to breeding for the first time • market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding • animals sold after March 15, 2022

• animals leased by the applicant • animals not located in Manitoba as of March 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete) For the March 16, 2022 inventory declaration, breeding females that both gave birth and were sold in the Jan. 1, 2022 to March 15, 2022 time period should be included in the number of head declared.

Producers should maintain records of breeding animals sold or purchased in case they are requested by the program administrator.

HOW TO APPLY The application package will be available on Jan. 10, 2022: online at www.manitoba.ca/ agriculture, in-person at ARD and MASC Service Centres, or by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail.

Application is a two-step process requiring applicants to fully complete and submit:

Program Timelines • Jan. 10, 2022 – Applications will be available • April 15, 2022 11:59 PM – Deadline for application declaring March 16, 2021 and March 16, 2022 inventory • Dec. 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available • Feb. 17, 2023 11:59 PM – Deadline for claim forms declaring Jan. 31, 2023 inventory

1) Application form, declaring their: a. March 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. March 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) Claim form, declaring their a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females

Contact Us • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Email us at ARD@gov.mb.ca • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg • Visit your nearest ARD and MASC Service Centre

Available in alternate formats upon request.

Further Resources • Herd Management Drought Assistance – Frequently Asked Questions • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Determining Payments • Video – Herd Management Drought Assistance – Two-Step Application Process

What Qualifies AgriRecovery Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Helping livestock producers purchase and test feed for livestock to maintain eligible breeding herds and transport purchased feed from distant locations.

Primary Producers • Owned or leased the eligible breeding animals between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022

• Have a minimum of 10 eligible breeding animals (per type of livestock)

Breeding Animals • Mature females exposed to breeding (natural service or artificial insemination)

• Males used previously for breeding • Immature replacement females are not eligible

Eligible Breeding Animals • Beef and dairy cattle, sheep, bison, goats and licensed elk herds • Horses raised for pregnant mare urine (PMU)

Eligible Feed • Must be purchased and consumed during the overwintering period • Mechanically harvested hay, silage, greenfeed, stover, straw including those purchased as standing crops or grazed in a swath

• Grazed corn and greenfeed • Grain and concentrates (pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, soybean meal, screenings, dried distillers grain and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator)

Eligible Distance for Feed • Minimum distance of 40 kilometres to a maximum one-way distance of 600 kilometres

Date of Eligible Expenses • Incurred from June 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022

Contact • 1-844-769-6224

• manitoba.ca/agriculture

• ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to calculate payment per head on feed purchases

AgriRecovery: Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program

1 2

Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals You must sign a declaration containing the number of eligible breeding animals to be maintained and overwintered this season that need financial support under this program.

Determining the producer share and maximum per head payment When you submit your invoices and proof of payment for eligible feed purchases as part of the application process, a producer share is applied first for each eligible animal declared when you submit your first application.

The producer share is the value of initial eligible feed invoices submitted but not cost shared.

Program payments and cost-sharing begins when the value of eligible invoices submitted exceeds the producer share. These invoices are cost-shared 75 per cent until a maximum per head payment cap is reached.

TYPE OF BREEDING LIVESTOCK

PRODUCER SHARE PER HEAD

MAXIMUM PAYMENT PER HEAD

Beef and dairy cattle, bison, horses (PMU), licensed elk herds

$50

$250

Sheep and goats

$10

$50

ELIGIBLE FEED PURCHASES AND MAXIMUM PER HEAD PAYMENT EXAMPLE: BEEF AND DAIRY CATTLE, BISON, HORSES (PMU), LICENSED ELK Total le Eligibces Invoi

.33 $383

Subtract Producer Share of $50 $383.33 - $50

=$333.33

Net Eligible Invoice Amount

Multiply by 75% $333.33 x 75%

=$250 Program Payment per Head

EXAMPLE: SHEEP AND GOATS Total le Eligibces Invoi

6 $76.6

Subtract Producer Share of $10 $76.66 - $10

=$66.66

Net Eligible Invoice Amount

Multiply by 75% $66.66 x 75%

=$50 Program Payment per Head

Example of How to Calculate Maximum Assistance for a Farm Scenario Producer declares 100 eligible beef breeding head submits 4 applications before the March 15, 2022 deadline. Each application is for $10,000 in eligible feed invoices.

Producer Share $50 x 100 eligible beef breeding head = $5,000 (value of initial invoices not cost-shared)

Maximum AgriRecovery Assistance $250 per head payment (maximum) x 100 eligible beef breeding head = $25,000

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS #1

#2

#3

#4

$10,000 Invoices

$10,000 Invoices

$10,000 Invoices

$10,000 Invoices

$5,000 Producer Share

Last application IS NOT fully cost-shared because maximum per head funding cap has been reached.

$1,666 Producer Share 100% Producer

$7,500

Government

$7,500

OVER

Government

$6,250

Government

$3,750

Government

$1,250

Cost-Share 75% Government 25% Producer

Producer

Program Payment = 75% X $5,000

$2,500 Producer

$2,500 Producer

Program Payment = 75% X $10,000

$2,083 Producer

TOTAL PAYMENTS = $25,000

Program Payment = 75% X $8,333

The maximum total payments will depend on the size of the herd. For example, maximum payments for 200 eligible beef breeding head would be $50,000.

Note: Refer to the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guide for full eligibility details.

Contact • 1-844-769-6224 • manitoba.ca/agriculture • ARD@gov.mb.ca

How to Apply for STEP 1

Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Application form and program guide Complete the form as instructed, declare that you meet all the program terms and conditions, and that the information you provide is complete and accurate. The terms and conditions are outlined in the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance for Farmers Program Guidebook. You can access the application form and the program guide by: downloading them at manitoba.ca/agriculture

In-person at your nearest Agriculture and Resource Development and MASC Service Centres (see reverse for locations)

STEP 2 STEP 3

Self-haul declaration Prepare your application

STEP 5

Declaration of eligible breeding animals

STEP 4

calling 1-844-769-6224 to have a copy mailed to you

• Complete a Declaration with your first application • Declare the number of eligible breeding animals that will be maintained and overwintered

• Contact the program administrator (email: agaction@gov.mb.ca) if the number of eligible animals changes over time.

If you self-haul feed or livestock, complete the self-haul declaration form and provide invoices for feed purchases or accessing feed as outlined in the guidebook.

After completing the necessary documents, ensure you have the following ready to submit:

 application form  eligible breeding animal declaration (first application only)  invoices for each purchase

 proof of payment for each invoice (e.g. cleared cheques; bank statement; credit or debit card receipt)  self-haul declaration (only if you self-hauled feed or livestock)  complete check boxes for all declarations on all forms

Submit your application Email documents in step 4 to: agaction@gov.mb.ca

Application deadlines:

or mail to: Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8

April 15, 2022 for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance July 30, 2022 for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance

Note: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification letter and cheque in the mail from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

Agriculture and Resource Development and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation Service Centres Arborg Box 2000, 317 River Road Arborg MB R0C 0A0 1-833-206-0451 1-833-478-1304 arborg@masc.mb.ca

Morden 536 Stephen Street Morden MB R6M 1T7 1-833-206-0479 1-833-467-1056 morden@masc.mb.ca

Brandon Unit 100 - 1525 1st Street S Brandon MB R7A 7A1 1-833-206-0455 1-833-478-1305 brandon@masc.mb.ca

Neepawa Box 1179, 41 Main Street E Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 1-833-206-0469 1-833-478-1310 neepawa@masc.mb.ca

Dauphin Room 209, 27-2nd Avenue SW Dauphin MB R7N 3E5 1-833-206-0459 1-833-478-1306 dauphin@masc.mb.ca

Portage la Prairie Unit 400, 50-24th Street NW Portage la Prairie MB R1N 3V7 1-833-206-0470 1-833-478-1312 portagelaprairie@masc.mb.ca

Headingley 1-5290 Monterey Road Headingley MB R4H 1J9 1-833-206-0465 1-833-478-1307 headingley@masc.mb.ca

Steinbach Unit C – 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach MB R5G 0R5 1-833-206-0480 1-833-467-1059 steinbach@masc.mb.ca

Killarney Box 190, 203 South Railway Street Killarney MB R0K 1G0 1-833-206-0466 1-833-478-1309 killarney@masc.mb.ca

Swan River Box 1108, 120-6th Avenue N Swan River MB R0L 1Z0 1-833-206-0476 1-833-478-1315 swanriver@masc.mb.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brand new Web Portal Designed to Connect Manitoba Grain Farmers and Livestock Producers Soil health, alternative feed sources main drivers behind Manitoba Grazing Exchange Manitou, MB – (Jan 27, 2022) - The connection between annual crop farmers and grazers just got a lot stronger today, thanks to the launch of the Manitoba Grazing Exchange (MGE) website today by the Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA) and Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA).

“As a part of our larger project, “Improving soil stewardship on Manitoba organic farms”, we have designed a grazing exchange website to make it easier for livestock producers to connect with grain producers,” said Karen Klassen, MOA Executive Director. “The goal of the MGE is to virtually connect farmers who have available grazing pasture or cover crop fields with livestock owners/ranchers who are seeking grazing land through an interactive map.”

The web portal will be launched today at the Innovative Strategies for Organic and Regenerative Livestock Production Online Mini-Conference hosted by the prairie organic associations from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The MGE came to reality in the fall of 2021 through a partnership between the Manitoba Organic Alliance and the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association. Support for this project has been provided by the Conservation Trust, a Manitoba Climate and Green Plan Initiative delivered by the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation. “Integrating livestock onto cropland and proper grassland management is key to improving soil health and is becoming increasingly adopted by climate-friendly farmers who are building their soil health and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions,” said Lawrence Knockaert, MFGA chair. “After the recent summers we have just experienced with dry conditions here in Manitoba, the connections via this website stand to become even more important as possible feed sources for livestock in times of drought.”

The Manitoba Grazing Exchange platform being demonstrated and launched at the conference is based off the South Dakota Grazing Exchange developed by the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition. Cindy Zenk, SDSH coordinator and Shawn Freeland, SDSH Vice Chair, will update the conference attendees on how the platform has worked in South Dakota. Klassen says the Manitoba website has the potential to be

engaged in agricultural lands across the Prairies and Canada.

SIDEBAR: Listed below are some important reasons why integrating livestock back onto the land is beneficial as well as a few ways to accomplish this. *Modified from The South Dakota Grazing Exchange.

How do we return livestock to the landscape?* - Fall and winter grazing of cover crops and annual crop residues.

- Summer grazing of full season cover crops, allowing adequate plant recovery, followed by a second grazing during the fall or winter.

- Winter feeding on hayland fields by rolling out bales or bale grazing.

- Seeding rotational perennials, grazing and managing them as part of the crop rotation.

What are some of the benefits of returning livestock to the landscape?* - Fall or winter stubble grazing converts high carbon crop residue, such as corn stalks, to low carbon organic material. This improves the carbon to nitrogen ratio needed to improve soil health and manages crop residue to facilitate no-till seeding in the spring.

- Spring or summer grazing of annual and/or perennial plants, with short grazing periods followed by long recovery and growth periods, allows the plants to regrow until frost and harvest additional sunlight and CO2.

- For organic farmers, spring or summer grazing reduces tillage and an additional post-plough down seeding pass. This not only improves soil fertility, but also reduces the farmer's time spent on the fields and consumption of fossil fuels.

- Grazing reduces nutrient export from our cropland and hayland fields, recycling the majority of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and carbon.

- Grazing improves soil fertility and increases organic matter. Nutrients are cycled so that they can be used to fertilize the next season’s crop, while reducing the need to apply synthetic fertilizers.

- Grazing aids in weed pressure management without the use of chemicals.

- Grazing cover crops and/or crop residues allows livestock to be taken off perennial grasslands earlier in the fall, extending the grass recovery period, and providing a more nutritious diet for livestock.

- Grazing provides a feed alternative in times of drought where feed stocks are low and provides livestock with a food source post-harvest - Properly grazed fields and pastures can increase biodiversity.

- Grazing reduces livestock waste associated with confinement; helping manage our water quality and nutrient management concerns. It allows cattle and sheep to be herbivores by securing their energy needs from plants.

-30For more info: Karen Klassen, MOA Executive Director, 204.333.9577, communications@manitobaorganicalliance.com manitobaorganicalliance.com Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director, 204.770.3548,

The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences presents Conversation Series 2021-22

CLOSING THE LOOP: RECYCLING FOOD WASTE IN INTEGRATED CROPLIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS Kim Ominski

Professor, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Tim McAllister

Principal Research Scientist, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Herman Peters

Nutrition and Agronomy Program Manager, Birkland Farms

UMANITOBA.CA/AFS

Tuesday February 1, 2022 3:30 - 4:30 pm CT Event Link: https://youtu.be/6H4N98CWG4U

Questions may be asked through the chat platform Sli.do. Event code: #food2feed The event will be livestreamed on YouTube and recorded for later viewing.

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP January 21, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Premier Stefanson Announces Changes to Provincial Cabinet Derek Johnson Appointed Minister of Agriculture

(January 18, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Premier Heather Stefanson welcomed three new members and a well-respected former member into the provincial cabinet and unveiled new and reframed portfolios to address the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19, plan for economic growth and recovery, and better focus on the priorities of all Manitobans.

“Manitobans want and expect a government that acts with integrity and compassion, and that puts their needs first. I am confident this team will focus on the priorities of Manitobans as we continue to fight back against COVID-19 and work together to build a healthier, stronger and more prosperous province for all,” said Stefanson.

“We are committed to strengthening and realigning our health-care system to manage COVID-19 and to ensure Manitobans can access the care they need now and well into the future. We also recognize the need to enhance care for seniors and those experiencing mental health and additions challenges, and as such, I am proud that our government will have three dedicated and compassionate people providing health leadership where it is most needed."

Scott Johnston (MLA for Assiniboia) comes into cabinet and will lead the new Department of Seniors and Long term Care with a focused agenda to implement all recommendations of the Stevenson Review. Audrey Gordon (MLA for Southdale) will lead the reframed health portfolio as minister of health with a mandate to strengthen resources to help manage COVID-19 while working with the Surgical and Diagnostic Task Force to clear the backlogs and improve the quality of life for all Manitobans. Sarah Guillemard (MLA for Fort Richmond) takes on the new role as minister of mental health and community wellness and is tasked with working collaboratively with community organizations to better address and treat the addictions and mental health challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

The premier also welcomed Doyle Piwniuk (MLA for Turtle Mountain) as minister of transportation and infrastructure, and Andrew Smith (MLA for Lagimodiere) as minister of sport, culture and heritage, and minister responsible for Travel Manitoba and the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation (MCCC). Eileen Clarke (MLA for Agassiz) returns to cabinet as minister of municipal relations, a position she held previously and in which she was well respected among her colleagues across all levels of government, added Stefanson. continued on page 4 Agenda now available! Click here.

For reliable information and resources please visit:

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Updates from the Provincial Government The following information is compiled from provincial government news releases for the week of January 17.

Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba is updated weekdays at 12:30 p.m. on these DataMB dashboards: •

Case data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19/

•

COVID-19 vaccination coverage: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/mani toba-covid-19-vaccinations-dashboard1/

Key Updates •

Only symptomatic individuals or those advised by public health should visit a COVID-19 provincial testing site. Rapid antigen tests will continue to be used for the majority of people visiting a provincial testing site. Those who are at higher risk of severe illness as well as some groups who have tested positive on a rapid antigen test will still be eligible for PCR testing. Detailed information on updated COVID-19 testing eligibility can be found at: https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/inde x.html.

Vaccine The RBC provincial vaccine clinic is re-opening its doors for walk-in appointments beginning Jan. 20. This is a good opportunity for the whole family to get first, second and third doses.

Manitobans who are eligible for a third dose or booster are urged to get one. The booster dose is readily available to everyone over age 18 in Manitoba. It is most important that those who

are 50 and over get immunized with a third dose right away, because this age group is experiencing - and will continue to experience more severe outcomes, including hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths.

Manitobans who live in First Nations communities, have diabetes, or are immunocompromised are urged to get a third dose. A complete listing of the medical conditions that would classify a person as immunocompromised can be found at https://protectmb.ca.

Delivering the second round of vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 gets underway this week.

It is recommended by Health Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and public health that the second dose be administered eight weeks following the first dose.

When attending a vaccine appointment, people are reminded to bring their completed consent form (available online at https://protectmb.ca ), wear a short-sleeved shirt, wear a well-fitting mask and bring their health card or other form of identification. To help support good physical distancing on site, people should arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time.

Manitobans are encouraged to get their second and third doses as quickly as possible. While COVID-19 vaccine appointments continue to be available at regional or provincial vaccine clinics, for many people the fastest way to be immunized is at a nearby medical clinic, pharmacy or urban Indigenous clinic. Check the online vaccine finder or a medical clinic or pharmacy near you that provides the COVID-19 vaccine to find the next available opportunity to be immunized. The timeline between second and third doses and eligibility criteria continued on page 4

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Updates from the Provincial Government information can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibilitycriteria.html.

Eligible individuals can book their appointments online, by calling (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1844-MAN-VACC) or by contacting their local pharmacy or medical clinic directly. Visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.html for some of the available options.

More Resources •

Vaccine campaign in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca.

•

Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

•

Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

New provincial cabinet – cont. from page 1 The premier noted the most pressing issues facing Manitoba and Manitobans will be viewed through a whole-of-government approach including the COVID-19 response and recovery, climate change and mitigation, and reconciliation. Ministers will engage Manitobans in conversation and consultation to ensure their perspectives, concerns and ideas are heard and acted on.

Other changes to the Manitoba Executive Council include: • Cliff Cullen (MLA for Spruce Woods) as deputy premier and minister of economic development, investment and trade; • Kelvin Goertzen (MLA for Steinbach) as minister of justice and attorney general, and minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) and government house leader; • Cameron Friesen (MLA for MordenWinkler) as minister of finance and minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro; • Scott Fielding (MLA for Kirkfield Park) as minister of natural resources and northern development, and minister responsible for the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation (MBLL); • Jeff Wharton (MLA for Red River North) as minister of environment, climate and parks, and minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba;

• Reg Helwer (MLA for Brandon West) as minister of labour, consumer protection and government services, minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and minister responsible for the civil service; • Wayne Ewasko (MLA for Lac du Bonnet) as minister of education and early childhood learning; • Derek Johnson (MLA for Interlake-Gimli) as minister of agriculture; and • Jon Reyes (MLA for Waverley) as minister of advanced education, skills and immigration.

The premier noted Rochelle Squires (MLA for Riel) will assume the roles of minister responsible for the status of women and minister responsible for accessibility while continuing as minister of families and minister responsible for francophone affairs.

Alan Lagimodiere (MLA for Selkirk) remains minister of Indigenous reconciliation and northern relations with a renewed focus to work collaboratively with Indigenous leadership and the federal government to pursue social and economic opportunities for Indigenous youth and families.

The premier thanked former ministers Ralph Eichler and Cathy Cox for their outstanding service and dedication to the people of Manitoba in their various cabinet positions since 2016 and their continued work for their constituents and all Manitobans as government MLAs.

Province Advises Outflow From Shellmouth Reservoir Will Increase (January 21, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre advises it will increase flows from the Shellmouth Reservoir as part of the normal operation to drawdown the level of the reservoir in preparation for spring run-off from the upper Assiniboine River.

Outflow from Shellmouth Dam will be increased to 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the current 250 cfs on Friday, Jan. 21 and to 800 cfs from 500 cfs on Saturday, Jan. 22.

The final release of 800 cfs will raise Assiniboine River water levels by three to four feet between the Shellmouth Dam and Brandon. The rise in levels will decrease in the east reaches of the river and will be near one foot in Winnipeg.

The province will continue to monitor conditions in the upper Assiniboine River as well as downstream river levels.

Industry Update South Korea lifts import suspension on Canadian beef January 19, 2022 Ottawa, ON As of January 19, 2022, South Korea has lifted its import suspension on Canadian beef.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) has worked closely in collaboration with the Government of Canada to regain market access, following South Korea’s temporary suspension of imports of Canadian beef on December 21, 2021. The suspension came following the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health about a confirmed case of atypical Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada. Atypical BSE is a distinct form from classical that arises rarely and spontaneously in all cattle populations around the world. The case was detected as part of routine surveillance initiatives and did not enter the food system.

From January to November 2021, Canadian beef exports to South Korea were 12,178 tonnes valued at $108.7 million. This is up 130 per cent in volume and 207 per cent in value from the same period in 2020, representing 2.6 per cent of total beef exports and surpassing the 5,290 tonnes exported for the calendar year 2020.

The detection of an atypical case does not impact Canada’s BSE negligible risk status, nor should it further interrupt trade flows. CCA continues to work with the Government of Canada to regain market access to both China and the Philippines.

CCA will continue to focus on removing remaining BSE-era market access restrictions and updating the Canada-Korea export certificate.

For further information, contact: Michelle McMullen Communications Manager mcmullenm@cattle.ca

The CCA is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 55,000 beef farms and feedlots.

Visit www.cattle.ca

Industry Update Transport update January 19, 2022 Calgary, AB As of January 15, 2022, a new vaccine mandate is now in effect for cross-border truckers coming into Canada.

Canadian truckers who are not fully vaccinated will have to show proof of a negative PCR test collected within 72 hours of arriving at the border and will need to quarantine after arrival, while unvaccinated American drivers will be denied entry. The United States (U.S.) Government is also expected to put forward a vaccination mandate for truckers going into the U.S. on January 22.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC), and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) have asked the federal government to delay the truck driver measures. The CTA projects 10 to 15 per cent of cross-border truckers will be affected, which would involve 12,000-22,000 of Canadian truck drivers, as well as 40 per cent, or some 16,000, of U.S. truck drivers travelling into Canada.

CCA recognizes the current and compounding challenges our supply chain is facing with transportation, resulting in immense pressure on the beef sector. In addition to the new truck driver measures, other challenges include limited railway capacity to transport grain feed and the trucking industry’s acute shortage of truck drivers.

On January 14, CCA met with the Ministers of Transport and Agriculture to advocate for safety measures that support both COVID-19 reduction efforts and our supply chain. CCA, together with other agriculture stakeholders, continues to meet with Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) to raise these current challenges and ensure the Government of Canada is aware of the direct and indirect impacts to our supply chains.

CCA will continue to work in partnership with the Government of Canada and other stakeholders to support our supply chain’s transport and efficiency.

For further information, contact: Michelle McMullen Communications Manager communications@cattle.ca

The CCA is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 55,000 beef farms and feedlots.

Visit www.cattle.ca

Volunteer for Canadian Agricultural Literacy Month (CALM) 2022!

All teachers will be provided with a handson agriculture activity and an agriculture themed book in addition to a personalized virtual visit from you – our volunteers!

The following information is from Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba.

French and English speaking volunteers are needed!

CALM is a hands-on program that brings agriculture into classrooms and encourages students to learn about and celebrate Canadian agriculture. Many students don’t fully understand agriculture. By telling students why you love Canadian agriculture and giving them a glimpse of what you do, you will open their eyes to new knowledge, help them build a stronger appreciation for the food they eat, and for the role agriculture plays in their lives.

Every year, we need a team of over 150 volunteers to meet the demand for CALM. We anticipate that with a fully virtual offering, this demand from teachers will grow even more - so we are calling on you!

If you feel comfortable with giving a virtual presentation, we will take as many as you are willing to offer.

Who: Grade 1 to 6 students Date: March 2022 Time: 30-60 min How: Pick a virtual platform (Zoom, Teams, Skype, FaceTime…) and date/time with the teacher Registration: Open until Feb. 4, 2022

Agricultural Crown Land Lease Auctions Being Held Online January 31 to February 4 cropping. The official listing of agricultural Crown lands available for rent can be found at: http://resd.ca/leases_and_permits/LPpropertie s.aspx#agLeasePermit.

(Province of Manitoba News Release) The

Manitoba government’s agricultural Crown land lease and permit auctions will be held online beginning Monday, Jan. 31, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler announced January 12.

“The online auction format ensures we can offer all Manitoba producers the opportunity to lease agricultural lands while remaining in accordance with current public health orders,” said Eichler. “Potential bidders are encouraged to become informed prior to the auction by researching the parcels and units of interest and becoming familiar with lease or permit obligations.”

A number of agricultural Crown land parcels will be available to rent for haying, grazing or

The online auctions will be hosted by Garton’s Auction Service from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, with further information to follow on https://gartonsauction.com/.

These leases and permits are available to farmers and ranchers to provide an additional land base to conduct agricultural activities. The Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program supports the sustainable expansion of the livestock herd in Manitoba, contributes to ecological goods and services, and supports mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

For more information about the upcoming auctions, visit www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/landmanagement/crown-land or contact your local ARD and MASC Service Centre.

Preparing for an Online Agricultural Crown Lands Lease Auction Parcels for Lease Agricultural Crown Lands available for lease or renewable permit at auction can be reviewed at: resd.ca/leases_and_permits/LPproperties.aspx#agLeasePermit The lots will be available for viewing on the website of the 3rd party hosting the auction one week prior to the start of the auction.

Prior to the Auction • Potential bidders are encouraged to ensure they meet eligibility criteria. Any arrears on agricultural Crown lands lease or permit accounts must be paid in full prior to the auction in order to be eligible to bid. Eligibility may also be impacted by previous compliance history with the Agricultural Crown Lands program.

• Potential bidders are encouraged to become informed prior to the auction by researching and visiting the parcels and units of interest and becoming familiar with lease or permit obligations. Potential bidders must ensure they can legally access the parcels. º Aerial photo map viewer agrimaps.gov.mb.ca/agrimaps/ º Information on the Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program, including the standard Forage Lease Agreement and Cropping Lease Agreement can be found on the Agricultural Crown Lands website: manitoba.ca/agriculture/ land-management/crown-land/index.html

º Farm Production Extension Specialists Crown Lands can provide assistance prior to the auction dates.

• Please note that The Crown Lands Act prohibits some provincial employees from holding Crown land without further vetting. For additional information, please contact staff.

• If translation or accommodation services are required for the auction, please contact staff at least five (5) days in advance of the auction.

Online Auction Bidding

Following the Online Auction

• The registration and auction process is administered by an independent 3rd party to be identified on the ACL website and/or auction notice. For technical assistance with participation in the auction process, please contact the auctioneer.

• The auction website will display available parcels for one week prior to the scheduled auction.

• Potential bidders will complete the online registration process, including a declaration of eligibility.

• The auction website will list the auction rules, and examples will be provided. º FORAGE LEASE: The lease is for a 15 year term. The bidding will start at $200.00 per unit and the successful bidder will earn the right to lease the land. Rent is determined separately via formula. º RENEWABLE HAY PERMIT or RENEWABLE GRAZING PERMIT: The permit is for 15 one-year terms. The bidding will start at $200.00 per unit and the successful bidder will earn the right to hold a permit on the land. Rent is determined separately via formula.

• The successful bids will be listed on the auction website at the end of the auction.

Official auction results will be posted on the provincial website soon thereafter.

• The payment process, and lease document signing is administered by provincial staff.

Successful bidders will be required to sign lease documents and make payment in full within 30 days of invoicing following the auction. º FORAGE LEASE, RENEWABLE HAY PERMIT, RENEWABLE GRAZING PERMIT: The payment will include the successful bid amount, the first year’s rent and amount in lieu of municipal taxes, and GST as applicable. º CROPPING LEASE: The payment will include the successful bid amount, the first year’s amount in lieu of municipal taxes, and GST as applicable.

º CROPPING LEASE: The lease is for a five (5) year term. The bidding will start at $200.00 plus the minimum rental amount, and the successful bidder will earn the right to lease the land and set the annual rental amount via the auction bid.

Contact us • Email us at agcrownlands@gov.mb.ca • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg

PREPARING FOR AN ONLINE AGRICULTURAL CROWN LANDS LEASE AUCTION

2

Producers Can Apply For Drought Assistance Via Three Programs Through AgriRecovery Manitoba beef producers affected by the drought conditions are reminded they may be able to receive assistance via two programs under the AgriRecovery framework aimed at helping with the extraordinary costs incurred for feed and transportation.

As well, there is a herd management program to assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed.

Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program helps producers purchase and test feed for livestock to maintain their breeding herds including transporting purchased feed from distant locations.

The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program offers assistance to help offset freight expenses associated with moving livestock to alternative feed supply areas.

Eligible animals under the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program are breeding animals of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for pregnant mare urine (PMU), sheep, goats and bison. Producers must be supporting a minimum of 10 animals to qualify for assistance and the program covers feed and feed transportation expenses between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022. Feed must have been delivered from a supplier at least 40 kilometres away and assistance is available for hauling feed for up to a maximum one-way distance of 600 km. Eligible feed purchases are those made between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022.

Only purchased feed and feed testing is eligible for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance. The feed must be consumed within the overwintering period.

The eligible feeds that can be purchased for eligible animals to maintain them over the winter include: •

grazed corn and greenfeed

•

mechanically harvested hay, silage, greenfeed, stover, straw, including those purchased as standing crops or grazed in a swath

•

grain and concentrates (pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, screenings, dried distillers grain, and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator).

Note: Feed additives and premixes, including molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats, are now eligible. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021.

The application deadline for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance is April 15, 2022 (11:59 pm).

The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program offers help for producers with extraordinary costs to transport breeding animals of beef cattle, sheep and goats to alternate locations to feed, up to 1,000 km. This program does not cover moving animals to market or sale.

The application deadline for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance is July 30, 2022 (11:59 pm). continued on page 13

Producers Can Apply For Drought Assistance Via Three Programs Through AgriRecovery Applications are available at https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/a grirecovery-feed-purchase-transportassistance.html and must include receipts for feed purchases and transportation.

The Herd Management Drought Assistance program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: •

purchase replacement breeding females

•

retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock

The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Of note, the breeding females culled due to drought can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement females from the applicant's existing herd or flock. The replacement must contribute to an increase in the applicant's inventory of eligible breeding females on January 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: •

Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does.

•

Purchases of females that will be bred

by Jan. 31, 2023

•

Retaining females from the applicant's existing herd to be bred for the first time by Jan. 31, 2023.

The replacement animals must be maintained in the herd or flock until Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs. Access the application package online at the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development website (www.manitoba.ca/agriculture), in-person at ARD and MASC Service Centres, or by calling 1844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail.

Applications for the Herd Management Drought Assistance program will be received from Jan. 10, 2022 up to the application deadline of April 15, 2022 (11:59 pm). Applicants who submit a complete application by this deadline are eligible to submit a claim. Claims will be received from Dec. 1, 2022 to the claim deadline of Feb. 17, 2023 (11:59 pm).

Note, for all three programs mailed applications and claims must have a postmark date no later than the application or claim deadline.

There are also a number of resources on the MB ARD site to provide more details on the three programs, such as frequently asked questions, program guides, certain application forms and, important deadline reminders.

For explanatory videos see: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD7Oi KfhYvB8p4bxsvxcT_hxQpCL1Ykea Manitobans can also stay up to date on Manitoba’s agricultural programs and services by following @MBGovAg on Twitter https://twitter.com/MBGovAg.

Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program

Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program?

The program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing low moisture levels.

The program will assist livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to purchase feed in order to maintain their breeding herds. Producers may be eligible to apply for two types of assistance: 1. Feed assistance - buy and test feed for eligible breeding animals 2. Feed transportation assistance - transport purchased feed from distant locations for eligible breeding animals Who is eligible for the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program?

Primary producers who owned or leased the eligible animals, located in Manitoba, as of June 1, 2021 and continued to own or lease them to March 15, 2022 or later are eligible.

Eligible animals include breeding head of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU), sheep, goats and bison. Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

The producer must own or lease a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

How do I apply?

Applicants can download the Application Form, Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals, and associated program documents on the website at manitoba.ca/agriculture. Application packages can also be picked up at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or mailed to you by calling us at 1-844-769-6224. The minimum value of receipts required to submit an application is $500.

Review the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance – Farmers Guidebook for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs and other program requirements.

When is the deadline to apply to the program?

April 15, 2022 is the final day to apply.

Can multiple applications be submitted?

Yes, you can submit more than one application until program maximums are reached.

1. Feed Assistance What feed assistance can I apply for?

The eligible feeds that can be purchased for eligible animals from June 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022 to maintain them over the winter include:  grazed corn and greenfeed  mechanically harvested hay, silage, greenfeed, stover, straw, including those purchased as standing crops or grazed in a swath  grain and concentrates (pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, soybean meal, screenings, dried distillers grain and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator) When can eligible feeds be purchased? Are claims retro-active to a certain date?

Eligible feed purchases can occur from June 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022.

Is there assistance for feed testing the eligible feedstuffs?

Yes, the program will pay for feed testing to determine the nutritional value of eligible feeds.

Can feed be purchased for feeders or non-breeding animals?

No, feed for feeders, growing animals or non-breeding aged animals is not eligible under this program.

How will livestock feed assistance payments be calculated?

The administrator will make payments to the applicant for purchases and testing of Eligible Feed made between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, as follows:  On a per breeding head basis, a producer share will be applied $50 per head for beef and dairy cattle, bison and horses (PMU only) and $10 per head for sheep and goats.  Payments will be equal to 75 per cent of the purchased cost of feed and feed testing that exceeds the producer share to a maximum per head payment. The maximum payment is $250 per head for beef and dairy cattle, bison and horses (PMU only) and $50 per head for sheep and goats.

How are the breeding head determined in calculating payments?  Breeding head are based on the number declared on the Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals at the time of first application. The declaration is the number of head being maintained and fed over winter, and does not include animals that have or will be sold prior to March 15, 2022. If applicants reduce their breeding animals below the number declared with their first application, they should contact the Program Administrator and submit a new declaration.

Version 4

2. Feed Transportation Assistance What feeds qualify for feed transportation assistance?

Feed transportation assistance is provided for the movement of eligible feed types (hay, straw, greenfeed, stover, silage, grain and concentrates) to eligible breeding animals. The eligible concentrates are pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, soybean meal, screenings, dried distillers grain and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator.

What are the eligible dates and distances for feed transportation?

Transportation costs for eligible feed purchased and transported between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, for a minimum distance of 40 kilometres up to a maximum one-way distance of 600 kilometres.

What are the payments for the feed transportation assistance?

Payments will be calculated on the tonnes hauled on a per loaded kilometre basis up to 600 kilometres.

For hay, straw, greenfeed, stover, and silage the payment rates are:  $0.16 per tonne kilometre for the first 100 kilometres of a haul  $0.10 per tonne kilometre for the remainder of a haul for up to an additional 500 kilometres.

For grains and concentrate, the payment rate is $0.05 per tonne kilometre up to 600 kilometres.

Payments for each receipt or invoice provided by the applicant will be the payment rate multiplied by the distance transported multiplied by the number of tonnes transported, or the amount of the receipt, whichever is less. Feed can be hauled further than 600 kilometres; however, the extra distance is not eligible for payment.

Can feed be sourced from outside of Manitoba qualify for assistance?

Feed can be sourced from outside Manitoba and the shipping will still be eligible based on the program’s rates and distances.

Does the feed transportation assistance come out of the feed assistance funding?

Feed transportation assistance is in addition to funding available to a producer for feed purchases. It is not subtracted from the $250 per head cap for beef, bison and PMU horses or $50 cap for sheep and goats.

Is feed transportation assistance available for animals moved to an alternate feeding location?

Feed transportation assistance is not available for animals for which producers have received assistance to move eligible animals to an alternate feeding location under the Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program.

Alternate feeding locations should have adequate feed locally available for the animals moved.

What feed is not eligible for feed transportation assistance?  Feed for market animals or ineligible animals.  Feed produced on your own operation.  Feed for breeding animals that are sold/culled prior to March 15, 2022.  Feed that is sold or replaces similar feed that is sold.  Feed transported less than 40 kilometres.  Feed transported to an alternate feeding location used to house eligible animals for which the applicant received payments under Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance.

Version 4

Herd Management Drought Assistance Program

Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the Herd Management Drought Assistance program?

This program assists livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals, when culling is above normal because of winter feed shortages. If you are a producer, you may be eligible to apply for assistance to:  purchase replacement breeding females  retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement animals will help you return your inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Who can apply for the Herd Management Drought Assistance program?

You are eligible if you are a primary producer, who owned eligible animals that were located in Manitoba, and you were responsible for their feeding expenses as of Mar. 16, 2021. If you are an elk producer, you must have a Game Farm Production Licence, and only elk that were farmed under that licence are eligible. You must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

What animals are eligible?

The program provides assistance to replace breeding female beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats and elk that the applicant owned and had located in Manitoba as of Mar. 16, 2021. Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

Is feed assistance provided for breeding animals that were culled?

Feed assistance is not available under this program for breeding animals that were culled. Assistance to purchase feed for breeding animals kept over the winter is available from the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program. You can receive both herd management and feed assistance for your herds or flocks. However, you cannot be paid twice (herd management and feed assistance) for the same animals.

Does it matter when breeding females were culled?

The program provides assistance to replace breeding females culled from Mar. 16, 2021 to Mar. 15, 2022. The decline in a producer’s inventory of breeding females over this period is one of the criteria being used to determine the program payments.

Which herd inventories need to be declared?

The program uses the following dates to assess the impact of drought and recovery on an applicant’s inventory of breeding females:  Mar. 16, 2021  Mar. 16, 2022  Jan. 31, 2023

The difference between the Mar. 16, 2022 (drought impacted) inventory and the Jan. 31, 2023 (recovery) inventory indicates the effect that purchasing and retaining replacement females has on drought recovery.

Jan. 31, 2023 inventory

March 16, 2022 inventory

Increase in inventory due to purchasing

(recovery inventory)

(drought impacted)

and retaining replacements

What are the payment rates for this program?

Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below. Payments are made for breeding females that are purchased or retained.

Animal Type(s) Payment ($) per head Beef Cattle, Bison and Elk $250 Sheep and Goats $50 Payments are based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between Mar. 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023.

The payments are calculated as follows: Per Head Payment Rate

Increase in inventory due to

Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250

purchasing and retaining

Sheep/Goats $50

replacements

Herd Management Program Payment

Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory

Is there a payment cap?

Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payment will be made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level.

Why are payments made after breeding females are replaced?

The program is designed to assist producers in restoring their herds after the drought. The program does not pay producers to downsize their herd. Breeding animals that have been culled must be replaced to be eligible.

What animals are not included in the breeding female inventory declared for this program?

The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females:  animals sold before being exposed to breeding for the first time  market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding  animals sold after Mar. 15, 2022  animals leased by the applicant  animals not located in Manitoba as of Mar. 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete)

When is an adjustment required for the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of breeding females?

Breeding females that gave birth between Jan. 1, 2022 and Mar. 15, 2022 and were sold in the same time period must be included in the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory declaration for the number of head. These females most likely have not been culled because of drought and are not eligible for assistance.

Does the program provide assistance for culling immature replacement females?

If immature females intended to breed are culled, a payment will be triggered if it causes the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of mature and bred females to decline. However, the decision to cull mature females can impact this payment.  For example, if heifers intended to breed in the summer of 2021 are culled, the March 2022 inventory of breeding females may decrease because the herd has fewer bred heifers than normal. However, if the number of cows normally culled is reduced, the lower number of bred heifers may be partially or totally offset.

How do I apply for the Herd Management Program?

The application package will be available as of Jan. 10, 2022  on the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development website (www.manitoba.ca/agriculture)  in-person at Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation Service Centres  by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail If you are applying, you will need to fully complete and submit your application, as part of a two-step process.

This process includes filling out: 1) application form to declare: a. Mar. 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) claim form to declare : a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females Do we need to send in receipts, invoices or other records with our applications or claims?

No, you do not have to submit invoices, receipts or proof of payment with your application or claim forms.

However, you are expected to keep these documents for all breeding animals you have sold or purchased. You may be asked to submit them as part of a review or audit of your application or claim. In a limited number of cases, an on-farm visit or pregnancy check may also be requested to verify declarations.

What is the earliest date the application and claim form can be submitted?

Applications can be submitted starting in Jan. 2022 when they are available, if you know the number of breeding females you will own as of Mar. 16, 2022. Similarly, you can submit claim forms starting in December 2022, if you know the number of breeding females you will own as of Jan. 31, 2023

What are the program timelines and deadlines? 

Jan. 10, 2022 - Applications will be available.



April 15, 2022, 11:59 p.m. – This is the deadline for applications declaring Mar. 16, 2021 and Mar. 16, 2022 inventories.



December 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available.



Feb. 17, 2023, 11:59 p.m. – This is the deadline for claim forms declaring the Jan. 31, 2023 inventory.

For more information, contact: Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Toll-free: 1-844-769-6224 Email: ARD@gov.mb.ca

Emergency Phases A disease-related sector-wide emergency will generally move through the following phases – some of which are more complicated than others. Depending on the disease and particular incident, some phases may occur quickly and go unnoticed, while others may last an extended period of time due to heightened risk of contracting a disease or difficulty managing an outbreak.

Alert

Following an unusual animal health event, industry may be asked to remain vigilant and to take precautions to minimize serious animal disease risk.

This document is part of a suite of tools that have been developed in partnership with producers and industry associations across Canada.

Preparing for Animal Disease Emergencies

For more in-depth information and specific serious animal disease resources in your province please visit:

Serious animal disease outbreaks are recognized as the industry’s greatest vulnerability because they have the potential to:

animalhealth.ca Suspicion

Confirmation

Response

Recovery

Prevention

WEAKEN our livestock sector as a whole

A formal notice of suspicion may be issued by the CFIA or the provincial government and industry may be asked to adopt voluntary movement controls.

A formal notice of confirmation from the Chief Veterinary Officer (Canada), Chief Provincial Veterinarian, or either federal or provincial Ministers will verify the presence of a serious animal disease. Mandatory containment strategies may follow.

RESTRICT Canada’s trade relationships and export capacity

Phone: (403) 870-8784 Email: design@declercq.ca

UNDERMINE public trust

Project endorsed by:

The disease landscape is ever changing. Whether known or evolving diseases, producers must stay informed and aware of the signs and symptoms of serious animal diseases.

Industry professionals, government and producers may all have a role to play in various key response components including: containment, investigation/tracing, vaccination, depopulation/disposal, valuation/compensation, cleaning/disinfection, and lifting of restrictions.

With the emergency situation now resolved, producers and industry may focus on demonstrating absence of disease and regaining market access.

Industry is unaffected by serious animal diseases but must remain aware and continue to take steps to minimize risk.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease • Rift Valley Fever • Bovine Tuberculosis

Disease Emergencies

The producer HANDBOOK helps those on the ground understand, prepare and respond to serious animal disease events.

PRODUCER SUMMARY Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy • Rinderpest • Brucellosis

UNDERSTAND

PREPARE

RESPOND

A serious animal disease outbreak will put our industry’s livelihood at risk. As a producer, you know your operation inside out. When an animal is unwell, there will be signs and it is your responsibility to take appropriate action.

By being proactive, your operation will be in a better position to respond and convey key details to emergency personnel as an emergency situation unfolds.

Whether directly affected or not, operators may have distinct roles and responsibilities during a serious animal disease emergency.

Know Your Objectives

Containment

During an emergency, government priorities will be human health safety and public infrastructure. Producers will need to focus on minimizing the risk to people directly involved and maintaining the health and safety of animals.

Be it voluntarily ceasing movement of animals, personnel, products and equipment in and around the potentially affected area, complying with mandatory movement controls, holding animals longer or implementing heightened biosecurity protocols, there are ways to protect your farm and the industry at large.

Share Concerns Producers have a duty of care as well as a legal requirement to report all suspected cases of certain diseases*. Notifying the appropriate authorities as early as possible not only helps reduce animal and human health impacts, it is integral to protecting our industry.

Have a Clearly Defined Plan A diagram setting out the unique features of the property and location of key items will help first responders be more efficient and effective.

Regular onsite activities, the flow of people and the frequency of deliveries and shipments are important considerations during an emergency.

Part of containing a disease is determining how it was introduced and how far it has spread. Effective traceability is essential for disease tracking and control. Traceability requires animal identification, premises identification and movement recording. Producers facilitate an effective response by keeping up-to-date records, registering their premises and implementing traceability options.

Assign Key Decision Makers

Vaccination

Primary and secondary contacts should be authorized and able to make quick decisions on behalf of the operation.

Mass vaccination may be ordered during a disease event to establish a buffer area around an infected place, to protect animals at risk and to safeguard the industry. The CFIA or provincial government will provide producers with a detailed protocol to follow. Compliance is a legislated requirement under the Health of Animals Act (Canada) or provincial legislation.

Work Together If a serious animal disease is suspected, an Emergency Operations Centre may be established by first response organizations. Producer organizations will be a part of broader emergency management discussions and should be the first point of contact for updates and information.

Protect Others Following Canadian Beef Cattle On-Farm Biosecurity Standard can help safeguard your operation and the industry at large. Producer commitment to good animal husbandry, hygiene practices, vehicle management and staff training is paramount.

Once a disease is confirmed, control zones may also be established to keep unaffected areas free from disease. These movement restrictions are essential to managing risk, maintaining trade relationships and ensuring continued industry viability. * For more information visit animalhealth.ca

Investigation and Tracing

Document Your Work Cycle

Keep Up-to-Date Inventory and Contacts Lists First responders and other emergency management will benefit from knowing how many livestock are onsite as well as what equipment, personnel, resources, and professional services are available.

Depopulation and Disposal Regulatory authorities may order mass depopulation and disposal of carcasses in response to a major outbreak. These are emotionally and financially challenging activities that may be necessary to stop disease spread and to protect the industry. Compliance with such orders is also a legislated requirement.

Seek credible and current information on potential risks and any actions required, from your veterinarian, industry association and from government.

Financial Considerations While depopulation orders are never welcome, producers may be compensated for some of their losses. There may also be support available through other sources such as insurance and government aid.

Compensation is paid in accordance with the Health of Animals Act or provincial legislation. This amount includes fair market value of animals ordered destroyed less any salvage value, disposal costs, and other things that require destruction such as feed or animal products.

Fair and accurate valuation of the animals is a necessary step in determining compensation. A process agreed to by industry will be overseen by CFIA. Accurate and up-to-date animal records will help producers to streamline the process and substantiate the value of their animals.

The current limit for non-registered beef cattle is up to $4,500 and up to $10,000 per head for registered animals.

Cleaning and Disinfection An operation will continue to be designated as an infected place until this step has been completed to the satisfaction of the province or CFIA. Producers will need to develop a standard operating procedure for barns, pens, equipment, service rooms, etc. on the premises. CFIA will provide advice and complete inspections throughout the process, and prior to any restocking.

Lifting of Restrictions Once the situation has stabilized and the risk has diminished, the appropriate regulatory authority will begin lifting disease response conditions. The focus will then shift to the recovery process. Producers should continue to look to their respective associations for updates and information.

RECOVERY CFIA, the federal government and industry leaders will be working diligently to gain formal recognition of Canada’s ‘disease-free’ status by our trading partners around the world and to re-establish market share. This is an involved process that can take months or even years.

DETECTING FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE IN CATTLE Many serious animal diseases are absent1 in Canadian cattle herds, however, these diseases are present in many other countries and thus constitute a continued threat to beef and dairy production in Canada.

Of the diseases which are absent from the Canadian herd, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is of particular importance because it is an infectious disease that is transmitted rapidly from one animal to another and is easily spread between premises i.e., it is a highly contagious disease.

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease would cause serious damage to the welfare of animals, industry vitality and our global trade presence.

Early detection is paramount as it can prevent spread and limit the size of an outbreak and thereby avoid devastating economic consequences for the entire cattle sector.

1 or 2 or 3 + 4

= DANGER

CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IF 1, 2 OR 3 ARE OBSERVED TOGETHER WITH 4 IN several cattle in a pen and multiple pens of animals

1

2

Excessive salivation

2

Animals with vesicles (blisters) which progress to erosions

3

• Mouth (tongue, dental pad, gums) • Muzzle, nostrils • Teats 3

4

Painful lameness and reluctance to move

Depression, fever, anorexia

Feet:

Decreased performance e.g. milk production, feed consumption

• Blanching of the coronary band • Vesicles in the interdigital space

Swift Action Prevents Spread Report immediately If, after the clinical assessment, the veterinarian suspects the presence of foot-and-mouth disease, immediately notify: • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the provincial agriculture authority NOTE: reporting is a legal obligation • Your provincial industry association for assistance

Quickly secure the farm As soon as there is a suspicion of foot-and-mouth disease, the following biosecurity measures must be implemented until the CFIA veterinarian arrives at the farm: • Block any access routes to the site (e.g., with a gate, chain, vehicle) • Contact product and service providers to cancel any scheduled visits • Do not let any live or dead animal, waste, vehicle, or farm equipment leave the farm • Ask everyone on the premises to remain on site until instructions are received from the CFIA

What to expect in the event of a Foreign Animal Disease If foot-and-mouth disease is confirmed, the CFIA will order the destruction of affected animals and things under the Health of Animals Act. Such measures are needed to prevent the spread of the disease and protect export markets.

In such a case, the producer may be compensated for: • The animals ordered destroyed • Things ordered destroyed, such as contaminated feed and animal products • The costs incurred for the disposal of animals ordered destroyed Resource developed through the Animal Health Emergency Management (AHEM) project (www.animalhealth.ca) January 2022 1. Serious animal diseases which are absent from Canada are often referred to as foreign animal diseases.

2. Image credit: Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine 3. Image credit: Rajeev Ranjan, Project Directorate on FMD, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP January 14, 2022

mbbeef.ca

Agricultural Crown Land Lease Auctions Being Held Online January 31 to February 4

official listing of agricultural Crown lands available for rent can be found at: http://resd.ca/leases_and_permits/LPproperties.aspx#agLea sePermit.

(Province of Manitoba News Release) The Manitoba

government’s agricultural Crown land lease and permit auctions will be held online beginning Monday, Jan. 31, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler announced January 12.

“The online auction format ensures we can offer all Manitoba producers the opportunity to lease agricultural lands while remaining in accordance with current public health orders,” said Eichler. “Potential bidders are encouraged to become informed prior to the auction by researching the parcels and units of interest and becoming familiar with lease or permit obligations.”

A number of agricultural Crown land parcels will be available to rent for haying, grazing or cropping. The

The online auctions will be hosted by Garton’s Auction Service from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, with further information to follow on https://gartonsauction.com/.

These leases and permits are available to farmers and ranchers to provide an additional land base to conduct agricultural activities. The Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program supports the sustainable expansion of the livestock herd in Manitoba, contributes to ecological goods and services, and supports mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

For more information about the upcoming auctions, visit www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/land-management/crown-land or contact your local ARD and MASC Service Centre.

Due to the ongoing pandemic and associated public health restrictions, our AGM is now a virtual-only meeting.

Preparing for an Online Agricultural Crown Lands Lease Auction Parcels for Lease Agricultural Crown Lands available for lease or renewable permit at auction can be reviewed at: resd.ca/leases_and_permits/LPproperties.aspx#agLeasePermit The lots will be available for viewing on the website of the 3rd party hosting the auction one week prior to the start of the auction.

Prior to the Auction • Potential bidders are encouraged to ensure they meet eligibility criteria. Any arrears on agricultural Crown lands lease or permit accounts must be paid in full prior to the auction in order to be eligible to bid. Eligibility may also be impacted by previous compliance history with the Agricultural Crown Lands program.

• Potential bidders are encouraged to become informed prior to the auction by researching and visiting the parcels and units of interest and becoming familiar with lease or permit obligations. Potential bidders must ensure they can legally access the parcels. º Aerial photo map viewer agrimaps.gov.mb.ca/agrimaps/ º Information on the Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program, including the standard Forage Lease Agreement and Cropping Lease Agreement can be found on the Agricultural Crown Lands website: manitoba.ca/agriculture/ land-management/crown-land/index.html

º Farm Production Extension Specialists Crown Lands can provide assistance prior to the auction dates.

• Please note that The Crown Lands Act prohibits some provincial employees from holding Crown land without further vetting. For additional information, please contact staff.

• If translation or accommodation services are required for the auction, please contact staff at least five (5) days in advance of the auction.

Online Auction Bidding

Following the Online Auction

• The registration and auction process is administered by an independent 3rd party to be identified on the ACL website and/or auction notice. For technical assistance with participation in the auction process, please contact the auctioneer.

• The auction website will display available parcels for one week prior to the scheduled auction.

• Potential bidders will complete the online registration process, including a declaration of eligibility.

• The auction website will list the auction rules, and examples will be provided. º FORAGE LEASE: The lease is for a 15 year term. The bidding will start at $200.00 per unit and the successful bidder will earn the right to lease the land. Rent is determined separately via formula. º RENEWABLE HAY PERMIT or RENEWABLE GRAZING PERMIT: The permit is for 15 one-year terms. The bidding will start at $200.00 per unit and the successful bidder will earn the right to hold a permit on the land. Rent is determined separately via formula.

• The successful bids will be listed on the auction website at the end of the auction.

Official auction results will be posted on the provincial website soon thereafter.

• The payment process, and lease document signing is administered by provincial staff.

Successful bidders will be required to sign lease documents and make payment in full within 30 days of invoicing following the auction. º FORAGE LEASE, RENEWABLE HAY PERMIT, RENEWABLE GRAZING PERMIT: The payment will include the successful bid amount, the first year’s rent and amount in lieu of municipal taxes, and GST as applicable. º CROPPING LEASE: The payment will include the successful bid amount, the first year’s amount in lieu of municipal taxes, and GST as applicable.

º CROPPING LEASE: The lease is for a five (5) year term. The bidding will start at $200.00 plus the minimum rental amount, and the successful bidder will earn the right to lease the land and set the annual rental amount via the auction bid.

Contact us • Email us at agcrownlands@gov.mb.ca • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg

PREPARING FOR AN ONLINE AGRICULTURAL CROWN LANDS LEASE AUCTION

2

Click here for information

Apply to the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Mentorship Program today!

Take advantage of mentorship and career building opportunities in the Canadian beef industry through the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s (CCA) Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL) Mentorship Program! Applications for the CYL Program have officially launched and are open until March 31, 2022 at 11:59 pm MT at www.cattlemensyoungleaders.com.

The CYL Program is open to young people ages 18-35 across Canada involved in all areas of the beef supply chain, including producers, students, veterinarians, financial advisors and much more! Through the CYL Program, 16 participants are selected annually to be paired with a hand-picked industry leader for a ninemonth mentorship to help advance their career in the beef industry and are awarded a $2,000 budget to put towards learning opportunities of their choice. In addition, participants are offered numerous skill-building training and networking opportunities catered uniquely to the beef industry. We strongly value diversity amongst applicants where all are welcome to

apply, as it plays a key role in young leaders gaining exposure to new ideas and creating peer learning experiences.

If you’re interested in taking the next step to fast-track your career and involvement in the Canadian beef industry, please visit our website for more information.

The opportunities for these young leaders would not be possible without the tremendous support received from our generous program sponsors. Funding for the CYL Program is made available through Foundation Partners Cargill, MNP, McDonald’s Canada and New Holland. The program also receives support from Gold Sponsors Farm Credit Canada, Alltech, RBC Future Launch and Elanco, along with program sponsorship from the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association and Kim McConnell.

Please direct any questions about the program or application process to CCA Youth Leadership Coordinator, Jessica Radau, at radauj@cattle.ca.

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Public Health Updates Contact Tracing, Case Management Guidance For Schools school operations, a seven-day period of remote learning for the class, cohort or school may be recommended by public health.

(January 13, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Public health officials are updating guidance for contact tracing and case management in Manitoba schools as the omicron variant continues to spread across the province, Education Minister Cliff Cullen announced today.

“As public health officials study the omicron variant and continue to learn more about it, they advise we need to change how we respond to COVID-19 both in the community and in schools,” said Cullen.

“The changes public health has recommended to case and contact management in schools will ensure continued monitoring of the risk in individual schools as we learn to live with the virus.”

Moving forward, schools will no longer provide close contact notification and notification letters on individual cases but will provide reports of absenteeism through their regular notification channels to their school community.

Schools will monitor staff and student absenteeism rates and self-reported COVID-19 cases. In addition, public health will continue to report confirmed cases through the online dashboard and monitor confirmed cases in schools for evidence of increased transmission above levels expected in the community. When there is increased COVID-19 activity based on absenteeism, case counts or operational concerns, public health will investigate and provide recommendations to school officials.

In situations where public health determines increased transmission may be occurring in a school, they may recommend the implementation of a period of rapid antigen testing or other preventive measures in school, such as reducing higher-risk activities. Where transmission continues to increase or where COVID-19 cases are affecting

“The omicron variant isn’t going to go away and we need to learn to live with the virus. This means adjusting our mindset from trying to contain the virus to trying to mitigate our risk,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer.

“Public health officials will also continue to monitor cases in schools and work with schools to track absenteeism rates for staff and students. This will help us target measures like rapid antigen testing programs and remote learning to specific schools as needed, rather than all having measures apply to all schools in a region.”

Students or staff who test positive on a PCR test or rapid antigen test, or suspect they have COVID-19, are required to follow public health isolation protocols and are strongly encouraged to notify the school. School staff and students should attend a test site if they have signs and symptoms of COVID19.

Students and staff who are exposed at school can continue to attend as long as they are asymptomatic. Household close contacts who are exempt from isolation but have a case in their household are encouraged to use rapid tests to monitor for asymptomatic transmission, as household contact remains the highest-risk setting for transmission.

“The benefits of in-person learning can’t be understated, from mental and physical health to socialization and supports for families,” said Cullen.

“Schools have done a tremendous amount of work and have measures in place to help reduce the spread of the virus and protect our children.

Schools will continue to work with public health to help mitigate the risk of the virus and keep children where they need to be – in the classroom.” continued on page 8

Public Health Updates Contact Tracing, Case Management Guidance For Schools The minister noted the announcement builds on a number of actions and investments to protect students and staff in schools including: • implementing a rapid testing program for asymptomatic teachers, staff and kindergarten to Grade 12 students at Manitoba schools experiencing high case numbers or high levels of absenteeism; • expanding rapid testing for symptomatic staff at schools to include vaccinated and unvaccinated staff; • moving schools to the Restricted (Orange) level on the Pandemic Response System to ensure enhanced cleaning measures are in place and schools are ensuring two metres of physical distancing to the greatest extent possible; • providing 500,000 rapid tests for students from kindergarten to Grade 6 to test for COVID-19 as they return to school; • providing $6 million for medical masks that meet Health Canada performance requirements as well as other personal protective equipment;

•

•

• •

offering COVID-19 vaccinations at schools including after-school clinics for students, teachers and community members; providing an additional $6.8 million in funding to support over 200 short-term operating improvements related to air purification, including filters, units and systems; investing in mental health supports for students and staff; and providing $45 million in the Safe Schools Fund to help address COVID-19 related expenditures in schools, of which $30 million has been allocated by school divisions to support learning impacts, mental health and well-being including hiring additional teachers, educational assistants and clinicians.

For more information on COVID-19 and measures in place to address the spread of the virus in schools, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/schools/index.html.

Changes to Manitoba’s COVID-19 Testing Approach Manitoba's COVID-19 testing approach is based on current and evolving public health evidence.

To protect testing capacity, (as of January 5, 2022) Manitoba Public Health is recommending updates to eligibility for rapid antigen testing (RAT) and PCR testing at provincial testing sites.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is eligible for testing. Only symptomatic individuals or those advised by public health should visit a COVID-19 provincial testing site. Rapid antigen tests will continue to be used for the majority of people visiting a provincial testing site. Those

who are at higher risk of severe illness, as well as some groups who have tested positive on a rapid antigen test, will still be eligible for PCR testing. Detailed information on updated COVID-19 testing eligibility is at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/inde x.html.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 testing site locations and hours and to book an appointment online at certain sites, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/locations.ht ml.

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Updates from the Provincial Government The following information is compiled from provincial government news releases for the week of January 10.

Testing Only symptomatic individuals or those advised by public health should visit a COVID-19 provincial testing site. Rapid antigen tests will continue to be used for the majority of people visiting a provincial testing site. Those who are at higher risk of severe illness, as well as some groups who have tested positive on a rapid antigen test, will still be eligible for PCR testing.

Detailed information on updated COVID-19 testing eligibility can be found at https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/index.html.

Vaccinations The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recently examined the interval between first and second doses for children ages five to 11 to determine if a shorter interval

would provide more protection against the virus, particularly with rising Omicron cases.

NACI determined that eight weeks was still the recommended interval. Manitoba’s Pediatric Vaccine Advisory Committee also re-assessed this recommendation and re-affirmed its guidance of eight weeks between first and second doses. Public health has also maintained this recommendation.

Provincial clinics, doctor’s offices, pharmacies, community clinics and public health will continue to reiterate this recommendation.

However, in some circumstances it may be possible to shorten the duration between first and second doses for this age group to a minimum of 21 days.

Parents are encouraged to discuss their concerns with a health professional before arriving for their appointment. Clinic staff will discuss individual circumstances to determine continued on page 10

Vaccine updates - cont. next steps for those who request an early second dose.

There is currently a limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine. All adults ages 30 years or older will be offered the Moderna vaccine for their first, second or third dose. This will help ensure enough Pfizer remains available for people ages 12 to 29. People under 30 receiving an mRNA vaccine may face an increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis as a rare side effect. While this is rare after Moderna, it is even more rare after Pfizer. These side effects are rare, temporary, mild and treatable. This means that if only Moderna is available to a young person, it is still safer for them to get the Moderna vaccine than to take the risk of a COVID infection. When both vaccines are available, Manitoba wants to ensure young people are offered the option that has the lowest risk of myocarditis. People over the age of 30 did not experience the same increased risk of these side effects, regardless of which vaccine they received.

When attending a vaccine appointment, people are reminded to bring their completed consent form (available online at https://protectmb.ca ), wear a short-sleeved shirt, wear a well-fitting mask and bring their health card or other form of identification. To help support good physical distancing on site, people should arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time.

Manitobans are encouraged to get their second and third doses as quickly as possible. While

COVID-19 vaccine appointments continue to be available at regional or provincial vaccine clinics, for many people the fastest way to be immunized is at a nearby medical clinic, pharmacy or urban Indigenous clinic. Check the online vaccine finder or a medical clinic or pharmacy near you that provides the COVID-19 vaccine to find the next available opportunity to be immunized. The timeline between second and third doses and eligibility criteria information can be found at: https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibilitycriteria.html.

Eligible individuals can book appointments online, by calling (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1844-MAN-VACC) or by contacting their local pharmacy or medical clinic directly. Visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.html for some of the available options.

More Resources •

Vaccine campaign in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca.

•

Possible exposure locations by region: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flight s.html#event.

•

Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

•

Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

Loan Forgiveness Repayment Deadline for Canada Emergency Business Account Extended (January 12, 2022 Department of Finance News Release) The Canada Emergency Business

Account (CEBA) program has provided interestfree, partially forgivable loans to nearly 900,000 small businesses and not-for-profit organizations to help them navigate the pandemic and remain resilient. However, the Omicron variant has delayed the recovery for businesses in many parts of the country.

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, announced that the repayment deadline for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness is being extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023, for all eligible borrowers in good standing.

This extension will support short-term economic recovery and offer greater repayment flexibility to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, many of which are facing continued challenges due to the pandemic.

Repayment on or before the new deadline of December 31, 2023, will result in loan forgiveness of up to a third of the value of the loans (meaning up to $20,000).

Outstanding loans would subsequently convert to two-year term loans with interest of 5 per cent per annum commencing on January 1,

2024, with the loans fully due by December 31, 2025.

The government is also announcing that the repayment deadline to qualify for partial forgiveness for CEBA-equivalent lending through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund is extended to December 31, 2023.

Quick facts •

The CEBA program was open for applications from April 9, 2020, to June 30, 2021. It has provided more than $49 billion in liquidity to over 898,000 Canadian businesses.

•

CEBA provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses to help cover their operating costs during a time where their revenues have been reduced. These loans are partially forgivable. With the extension announced today, repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2023, will result in loan forgiveness of up to 33 per cent (up to $20,000).

•

The $2 billion Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, operated through Regional Development Agencies, has been a key support for businesses unable to access other federal pandemic support programs.

NEWS RELEASE Canada Beef launches Canadian Beef Information Gateway Phased rollout begins with Canadian Beef branded edition for smaller retailers January 11, 2022 Calgary, Alberta - Canada Beef is pleased to announce the launch of the Canadian Beef Information Gateway (Gateway), our most ambitious initiative to date. The Gateway is dedicated to supporting the future growth of the Canadian cattle industry and an outstanding beef eating experience for our customers in Canada and around the world.

Canada Beef recognizes the importance of keeping information accessible at key time points relating to beef purchases and preparation. Consumers simply scan a Gateway QR or UPC code with a smart phone or tablet to access content that inspires them to try new beef cuts, recipes and preparation methods with confidence.

The launch of the first-phase of the Gateway showcases approximately 75 beef cuts organized into categories of Roasts, Steaks, Grounds and Other beef cuts. Each product has a digital profile that features essential information including recommended cooking methods, food safety and storage information, written recipes along with ‘hands-in-pans” instructional videos, nutritional information and shopping lists.

Canada Beef President Michael Young said the Gateway’s blend of convenience and technology will maximize the food basket for grocers, increase carcass utilization for producers and increase consumer satisfaction.

“Our goal is to enhance the customer experience and we intend to accomplish this through direct to consumer promotion and collaboration with retailers as well as other supply chain partners,” he said.

The first edition of the Gateway is designed for local retailers and those looking for quick-to-implement solutions.

Future phases of the Gateway will feature co-branded partnerships with national retail banners that incorporate customizable content. Canada Beef is actively engaged in talks with the grocery sector and continues to evolve the Gateway in response to the feedback received. A French version of the Gateway resources will be made available later in 2022.

The launch of the first-phase of the Gateway comes as consumers continue to seek out new ways to enjoy Canadian beef including information on preparation methods and recipe ideas. As food costs increase the mandate to deliver an outstanding eating experience continues to be of great importance to the sector. It also follows more than a year of innovation and collaborative effort at Canada Beef to develop a modern digital ecosystem that provides awareness of the versatility of Canadian beef with a goal to inspire a wider repertoire of beef choices more often.

Scan the code below using the camera on your smartphone to try the Gateway for yourself and watch for ads in regional and national industry and consumer publications from January to March including Canadian Living, Reader’s Digest, Chatelaine, Macleans magazine, Style at Home, House and Home, Western Living and Toronto Life.

To learn more about how the Gateway will serve the Canadian beef industry, please visit: https://canadabeef.ca/stakeholder-gateway/

For more information, please contact: Gina Teel, APR Manager, Stakeholder Communications Canada Beef e. gteel@canadabeef.ca c. 403.875.3616 www.canadabeef.ca

About Canada Beef As the marketing division of the Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency, Canada Beef is the cattle producer-funded and run organization responsible for domestic and international beef and veal market development. It has staff in Canada, Japan, China, Taiwan and Mexico.

In addition to National Check-Off and import levy funding, Canada Beef leverages cattle producer dollars with private market partner investments and government industry development funding to maximize the benefits of producer check-off investment

Producers Can Apply For Drought Assistance Via Three Programs Through AgriRecovery The following information has been updated as of January 13, 2022.

those made between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022.

Manitoba beef producers affected by the drought conditions are reminded they may be able to receive assistance via two programs under the AgriRecovery framework aimed at helping with the extraordinary costs incurred for feed and transportation.

The application deadline for Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance is April 15, 2022 (11:59 pm).

As well, there is a herd management program to assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed.

Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program helps producers purchase and test feed for livestock to maintain their breeding herds including transporting purchased feed from distant locations.

The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program offers assistance to help offset freight expenses associated with moving livestock to alternative feed supply areas.

Eligible animals under the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program are breeding animals of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for pregnant mare urine (PMU), sheep, goats and bison. Producers must be supporting a minimum of 10 animals to qualify for assistance and the program covers feed and feed transportation expenses between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022. Feed must have been delivered from a supplier at least 40 kilometres away and assistance is available for hauling feed for up to a maximum one-way distance of 600 km. Eligible feed purchases are

The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program offers help for producers with extraordinary costs to transport breeding animals of beef cattle, sheep and goats to alternate locations to feed, up to 1,000 km. This program does not cover moving animals to market or sale.

The application deadline for Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance is July 30, 2022 (11:59 pm).

Applications are available at https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/a grirecovery-feed-purchase-transportassistance.html and must include receipts for feed purchases and transportation.

The Herd Management Drought Assistance program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: •

purchase replacement breeding females

•

retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock

The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Of note, the breeding females culled due to drought can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement females from the continued on page 15

Producers Can Apply For Drought Assistance Via Three Programs Through AgriRecovery applicant's existing herd or flock. The replacement must contribute to an increase in the applicant's inventory of eligible breeding females on January 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: •

Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does.

•

Purchases of females that will be bred

by Jan. 31, 2023

•

Retaining females from the applicant's existing herd to be bred for the first time by Jan. 31, 2023.

The replacement animals must be maintained in the herd or flock until Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs. Access the application package online at the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development website (www.manitoba.ca/agriculture), in-person at

ARD and MASC Service Centres, or by calling 1844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail.

Applications for the Herd Management Drought Assistance program will be received from Jan. 10, 2022 up to the application deadline of April 15, 2022 (11:59 pm). Applicants who submit a complete application by this deadline are eligible to submit a claim. Claims will be received from Dec. 1, 2022 to the claim deadline of Feb. 17, 2023 (11:59 pm).

Note, for all three programs mailed applications and claims must have a postmark date no later than the application or claim deadline.

There are also a number of resources on the MB ARD site to provide more details on the three programs, such as frequently asked questions, program guides, certain application forms and, important deadline reminders.

For explanatory videos see: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD7Oi KfhYvB8p4bxsvxcT_hxQpCL1Ykea Manitobans can also stay up to date on Manitoba’s agricultural programs and services by following @MBGovAg on Twitter https://twitter.com/MBGovAg.

Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program

Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program?

The program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing low moisture levels.

The program will assist livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to purchase feed in order to maintain their breeding herds. Producers may be eligible to apply for two types of assistance: 1. Feed assistance - buy and test feed for eligible breeding animals 2. Feed transportation assistance - transport purchased feed from distant locations for eligible breeding animals Who is eligible for the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program?

Primary producers who owned or leased the eligible animals, located in Manitoba, as of June 1, 2021 and continued to own or lease them to March 15, 2022 or later are eligible.

Eligible animals include breeding head of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU), sheep, goats and bison. Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

The producer must own or lease a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

How do I apply?

Applicants can download the Application Form, Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals, and associated program documents on the website at manitoba.ca/agriculture. Application packages can also be picked up at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or mailed to you by calling us at 1-844-769-6224. The minimum value of receipts required to submit an application is $500.

Review the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance – Farmers Guidebook for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs and other program requirements.

When is the deadline to apply to the program?

April 15, 2022 is the final day to apply.

Can multiple applications be submitted?

Yes, you can submit more than one application until program maximums are reached.

1. Feed Assistance What feed assistance can I apply for?

The eligible feeds that can be purchased for eligible animals from June 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022 to maintain them over the winter include:  grazed corn and greenfeed  mechanically harvested hay, silage, greenfeed, stover, straw, including those purchased as standing crops or grazed in a swath  grain and concentrates (pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, soybean meal, screenings, dried distillers grain and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator) When can eligible feeds be purchased? Are claims retro-active to a certain date?

Eligible feed purchases can occur from June 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022.

Is there assistance for feed testing the eligible feedstuffs?

Yes, the program will pay for feed testing to determine the nutritional value of eligible feeds.

Can feed be purchased for feeders or non-breeding animals?

No, feed for feeders, growing animals or non-breeding aged animals is not eligible under this program.

How will livestock feed assistance payments be calculated?

The administrator will make payments to the applicant for purchases and testing of Eligible Feed made between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, as follows:  On a per breeding head basis, a producer share will be applied $50 per head for beef and dairy cattle, bison and horses (PMU only) and $10 per head for sheep and goats.  Payments will be equal to 75 per cent of the purchased cost of feed and feed testing that exceeds the producer share to a maximum per head payment. The maximum payment is $250 per head for beef and dairy cattle, bison and horses (PMU only) and $50 per head for sheep and goats.

How are the breeding head determined in calculating payments?  Breeding head are based on the number declared on the Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals at the time of first application. The declaration is the number of head being maintained and fed over winter, and does not include animals that have or will be sold prior to March 15, 2022. If applicants reduce their breeding animals below the number declared with their first application, they should contact the Program Administrator and submit a new declaration.

Version 4

2. Feed Transportation Assistance What feeds qualify for feed transportation assistance?

Feed transportation assistance is provided for the movement of eligible feed types (hay, straw, greenfeed, stover, silage, grain and concentrates) to eligible breeding animals. The eligible concentrates are pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, soybean meal, screenings, dried distillers grain and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator.

What are the eligible dates and distances for feed transportation?

Transportation costs for eligible feed purchased and transported between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, for a minimum distance of 40 kilometres up to a maximum one-way distance of 600 kilometres.

What are the payments for the feed transportation assistance?

Payments will be calculated on the tonnes hauled on a per loaded kilometre basis up to 600 kilometres.

For hay, straw, greenfeed, stover, and silage the payment rates are:  $0.16 per tonne kilometre for the first 100 kilometres of a haul  $0.10 per tonne kilometre for the remainder of a haul for up to an additional 500 kilometres.

For grains and concentrate, the payment rate is $0.05 per tonne kilometre up to 600 kilometres.

Payments for each receipt or invoice provided by the applicant will be the payment rate multiplied by the distance transported multiplied by the number of tonnes transported, or the amount of the receipt, whichever is less. Feed can be hauled further than 600 kilometres; however, the extra distance is not eligible for payment.

Can feed be sourced from outside of Manitoba qualify for assistance?

Feed can be sourced from outside Manitoba and the shipping will still be eligible based on the program’s rates and distances.

Does the feed transportation assistance come out of the feed assistance funding?

Feed transportation assistance is in addition to funding available to a producer for feed purchases. It is not subtracted from the $250 per head cap for beef, bison and PMU horses or $50 cap for sheep and goats.

Is feed transportation assistance available for animals moved to an alternate feeding location?

Feed transportation assistance is not available for animals for which producers have received assistance to move eligible animals to an alternate feeding location under the Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program.

Alternate feeding locations should have adequate feed locally available for the animals moved.

What feed is not eligible for feed transportation assistance?  Feed for market animals or ineligible animals.  Feed produced on your own operation.  Feed for breeding animals that are sold/culled prior to March 15, 2022.  Feed that is sold or replaces similar feed that is sold.  Feed transported less than 40 kilometres.  Feed transported to an alternate feeding location used to house eligible animals for which the applicant received payments under Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance.

Version 4

Herd Management Drought Assistance Program

Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the Herd Management Drought Assistance program?

This program assists livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals, when culling is above normal because of winter feed shortages. If you are a producer, you may be eligible to apply for assistance to:  purchase replacement breeding females  retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement animals will help you return your inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Who can apply for the Herd Management Drought Assistance program?

You are eligible if you are a primary producer, who owned eligible animals that were located in Manitoba, and you were responsible for their feeding expenses as of Mar. 16, 2021. If you are an elk producer, you must have a Game Farm Production Licence, and only elk that were farmed under that licence are eligible. You must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

What animals are eligible?

The program provides assistance to replace breeding female beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats and elk that the applicant owned and had located in Manitoba as of Mar. 16, 2021. Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

Is feed assistance provided for breeding animals that were culled?

Feed assistance is not available under this program for breeding animals that were culled. Assistance to purchase feed for breeding animals kept over the winter is available from the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program. You can receive both herd management and feed assistance for your herds or flocks. However, you cannot be paid twice (herd management and feed assistance) for the same animals.

Does it matter when breeding females were culled?

The program provides assistance to replace breeding females culled from Mar. 16, 2021 to Mar. 15, 2022. The decline in a producer’s inventory of breeding females over this period is one of the criteria being used to determine the program payments.

Which herd inventories need to be declared?

The program uses the following dates to assess the impact of drought and recovery on an applicant’s inventory of breeding females:  Mar. 16, 2021  Mar. 16, 2022  Jan. 31, 2023

The difference between the Mar. 16, 2022 (drought impacted) inventory and the Jan. 31, 2023 (recovery) inventory indicates the effect that purchasing and retaining replacement females has on drought recovery.

Jan. 31, 2023 inventory

March 16, 2022 inventory

Increase in inventory due to purchasing

(recovery inventory)

(drought impacted)

and retaining replacements

What are the payment rates for this program?

Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below. Payments are made for breeding females that are purchased or retained.

Animal Type(s) Payment ($) per head Beef Cattle, Bison and Elk $250 Sheep and Goats $50 Payments are based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between Mar. 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023.

The payments are calculated as follows: Per Head Payment Rate

Increase in inventory due to

Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250

purchasing and retaining

Sheep/Goats $50

replacements

Herd Management Program Payment

Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory

Is there a payment cap?

Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payment will be made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level.

Why are payments made after breeding females are replaced?

The program is designed to assist producers in restoring their herds after the drought. The program does not pay producers to downsize their herd. Breeding animals that have been culled must be replaced to be eligible.

What animals are not included in the breeding female inventory declared for this program?

The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females:  animals sold before being exposed to breeding for the first time  market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding  animals sold after Mar. 15, 2022  animals leased by the applicant  animals not located in Manitoba as of Mar. 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete)

When is an adjustment required for the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of breeding females?

Breeding females that gave birth between Jan. 1, 2022 and Mar. 15, 2022 and were sold in the same time period must be included in the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory declaration for the number of head. These females most likely have not been culled because of drought and are not eligible for assistance.

Does the program provide assistance for culling immature replacement females?

If immature females intended to breed are culled, a payment will be triggered if it causes the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of mature and bred females to decline. However, the decision to cull mature females can impact this payment.  For example, if heifers intended to breed in the summer of 2021 are culled, the March 2022 inventory of breeding females may decrease because the herd has fewer bred heifers than normal. However, if the number of cows normally culled is reduced, the lower number of bred heifers may be partially or totally offset.

How do I apply for the Herd Management Program?

The application package will be available as of Jan. 10, 2022  on the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development website (www.manitoba.ca/agriculture)  in-person at Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation Service Centres  by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail If you are applying, you will need to fully complete and submit your application, as part of a two-step process.

This process includes filling out: 1) application form to declare: a. Mar. 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) claim form to declare : a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females Do we need to send in receipts, invoices or other records with our applications or claims?

No, you do not have to submit invoices, receipts or proof of payment with your application or claim forms.

However, you are expected to keep these documents for all breeding animals you have sold or purchased. You may be asked to submit them as part of a review or audit of your application or claim. In a limited number of cases, an on-farm visit or pregnancy check may also be requested to verify declarations.

What is the earliest date the application and claim form can be submitted?

Applications can be submitted starting in Jan. 2022 when they are available, if you know the number of breeding females you will own as of Mar. 16, 2022. Similarly, you can submit claim forms starting in December 2022, if you know the number of breeding females you will own as of Jan. 31, 2023

What are the program timelines and deadlines? 

Jan. 10, 2022 - Applications will be available.



April 15, 2022, 11:59 p.m. – This is the deadline for applications declaring Mar. 16, 2021 and Mar. 16, 2022 inventories.



December 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available.



Feb. 17, 2023, 11:59 p.m. – This is the deadline for claim forms declaring the Jan. 31, 2023 inventory.

For more information, contact: Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Toll-free: 1-844-769-6224 Email: ARD@gov.mb.ca

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP January 7, 2022

mbbeef.ca

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED

Applications for Herd Management Drought Assistance Program Available January 10th

Producers Can Apply For Drought Assistance Via Three Programs Through AgriRecovery

producers purchase and test feed for livestock to maintain their breeding herds including transporting purchased feed from distant locations.

Manitoba beef producers affected by the drought conditions are reminded they may be able to receive assistance via two programs under the AgriRecovery framework aimed at helping with the extraordinary costs incurred for feed and transportation.

As well, there is a herd management program to assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed.

Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program helps

The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program offers assistance to help offset freight expenses associated with moving livestock to alternative feed supply areas.

Eligible animals under the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program are breeding animals of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for pregnant mare urine (PMU), sheep, goats and bison. Producers must be supporting a minimum of 10 animals to qualify for assistance and the program covers feed and feed transportation expenses between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022. Feed must have been delivered from a supplier at least 40 kilometres away and assistance is available for hauling feed for up to a maximum one-way distance of 600 km. Eligible feed purchases are those made between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022.

The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program offers help for producers with extraordinary costs to transport breeding animals of beef cattle, sheep and goats to alternate locations to feed, up to 1,000 km. This program does not cover moving animals to market or sale. continued on page 11

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Manitoba Extending Prevention Orders To Protect Against Covid-19 Nothing Off The Table, Will Act Swiftly If Further Action Required: Gordon

(January 7, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) All current COVID-19 prevention orders

The current public health orders were set to expire on Tuesday, Jan. 11 and will be extended until 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1. ICU numbers remain relatively stable and the province will continue to monitor omicron cases, their impact on the health system and outcomes here and in other jurisdictions.

will be extended for three weeks while the province continues to gather data and monitor the impacts of the omicron variant, Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.

Manitoba continues to have some of the strictest public health orders in place in the country to help respond to and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the minister noted.

“Ongoing restrictions are a challenge for many Manitobans, but remain necessary to help slow the spread of the virus and protect our healthcare system,” said Gordon. “While these orders remain in place, we continue to take steps to improve supply and access to testing and other important initiatives that support our pandemic response and protect our health system.

Nothing is off the table and we will act swiftly in the weeks ahead if further action is required to protect Manitobans.”

Manitoba remains at the Restricted (Orange) level on the Pandemic Response System.

For more information about COVID-19 and the pandemic response in Manitoba, visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Public Health Orders Extension Also available on pages 5-9

Changes to Manitoba’s COVID-19 Testing Approach Manitoba's COVID-19 testing approach is based on current and evolving public health evidence.

To protect testing capacity, (as of January 5, 2022) Manitoba Public Health is recommending updates to eligibility for rapid antigen testing (RAT) and PCR testing at provincial testing sites.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is eligible for testing. Only symptomatic individuals or those advised by public health should visit a COVID-19 provincial testing site. Rapid antigen tests will continue to be used for the majority of people visiting a provincial testing site. Those

who are at higher risk of severe illness, as well as some groups who have tested positive on a rapid antigen test, will still be eligible for PCR testing. Detailed information on updated COVID-19 testing eligibility is at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/inde x.html.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 testing site locations and hours and to book an appointment online at certain sites, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/locations.ht ml.

Vaccine Update from the Provincial Government

(January 5, 2022 Province of Manitoba Information)

There is currently a limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine. All adults aged 30 years or older will be offered the Moderna vaccine for their first, second or third dose. This will help ensure enough Pfizer remains available for people aged 12 to 29. People under 30 receiving an mRNA vaccine may face an increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis as a rare side effect. While this was rare after Moderna, it is even more rare after Pfizer. These side effects are rare, temporary, mild and treatable. This means that if only Moderna is available to a young person, it is still safer for them to get the Moderna vaccine than to take the risk of a COVID infection. When both vaccines are available, Manitoba wants to make sure that young people are offered the option that has the lowest risk of myocarditis. People over the age of 30 did not experience the same increased risk of these side effects, regardless of which vaccine they received.

When attending a vaccine appointment, people are reminded to bring their completed consent form (available online at https://protectmb.ca ), wear a short-sleeved shirt, wear a well-fitting mask, and bring their health card or other form of identification. To help support good physical distancing on site, people should arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time.

Manitobans are encouraged to get their second and third doses as quickly as possible. While COVID-19 vaccine appointments continue to be

available at regional or provincial vaccine clinics, for many people the fastest way to be immunized is at a nearby medical clinic, pharmacy or urban Indigenous clinic. Check the online vaccine finder or a medical clinic or pharmacy near you that provides the COVID-19 vaccine to find the next available opportunity to be immunized. The timeline between second and third doses and eligibility criteria information can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibilitycriteria.html.

Many Manitoba vaccine sites as well as pharmacies and clinics are offering walk-in and appointment-based vaccination for COVID and seasonal flu. Eligible individuals can book their appointments online, by calling (toll-free) 1844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC) or by contacting their local pharmacy or medical clinic directly. Visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.html for some of the available options.

More Resources •

Vaccine campaign in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca.

•

Possible exposure locations by region: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flight s.html#event.

•

Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/.

•

Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

EXTENSION OF COVID-19 GENERAL PREVENTION ORDERS Manitoba’s current COVID-19 general prevention orders have been extended, effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11, and will be in place for three weeks until Feb. 1.

Sector

Restrictions

Indoor gatherings in public spaces

Gatherings that include one or more unvaccinated people (if they are 12 years of age or older) are limited to 25 people or 25 per cent of the usual capacity of the space, whichever is lower.

Outdoor gatherings in public spaces

Indoor gatherings on private property

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Gatherings that include one or more unvaccinated people (if they are 12 years of age or older) in uncontrolled outdoor public spaces are limited to 50 people.

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Private indoor gatherings are limited to five additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Outdoor gatherings on private property

Outdoor gatherings at a private residence are limited to 20 additional people plus the household if all are fully vaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 additional people plus the household if any of the individuals are eligible but unvaccinated (youth under the age of 12 are exempt).

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts

Proof of vaccination is required for those 12 years of age and older. Individuals are required to wear masks but are not required to provide proof of vaccination to enter for the sole purpose of picking up takeout or delivery orders.

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity and are limited to seated service only with a maximum of 10 people per table.

Restaurants, licensed premises and food courts are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 persons, whichever is lesser.

Gyms and fitness centres

Liquor sales must end at 10 p.m. daily.

Capacity limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Casinos, bingo halls and VLTs

Proof of vaccination is required.

Museums and galleries

Capacity is limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less.

Museums operate under the requirement to show proof of vaccination (indoors only) when open to the public as a museum.

Libraries Professional sports or performing arts events Movie theatres and concert halls

Weddings and funerals

Indoor community, cultural and religious gatherings

Capacity limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with proof of immunization required everywhere.

Permitting indoor public gathering group sizes to 25 people or 25 per cent capacity, whichever is lower, for gatherings that include unvaccinated people who are eligible to be vaccinated.

Gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 people, whichever is less.

Indoor community, cultural and religious gatherings are limited to 25 per cent capacity or a total of 25 people, whichever is lower, when proof of vaccination is not required. Cohorts may be implemented where groups can be physically divided up to a maximum of 10 cohorts or 250 people.

Cohorts must not mingle, masks must be worn and physical distancing rules apply.

Services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine are limited to 50 per

Outdoor community, cultural and religious gatherings

cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less.

Gatherings that include one or more unvaccinated person (if they are 12 years of age or older) are restricted to 50 people in uncontrolled outdoor public spaces.

Outdoor gatherings restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 years of age are limited to 50 per cent of the usual capacity of the space or 250 persons, whichever is less.

Personal services Indoor sports and recreation, including dance, theatre and music schools.

Drive-in services continue unrestricted.

Open without capacity restrictions and physical distancing is required.

Spectators for indoor and outdoor sporting and recreation capacity is reduced to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less.

While games and practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted. No group activities outside of practice time or games, come ready to play and limit group time indoors (e.g. in dressing rooms).

Province-wide, proof of at least one dose of vaccination or a recent (within 48 hours) negative test result will be required for 12-17 year olds for indoor and recreational sports.

Negative tests need to come from a participating pharmacy as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals or those who are required to take a PCR test by public health.

Outdoor sports and recreation

While practices can continue, no tournaments will be permitted.

No group activities outside of practice time or games, come ready to play and limit group time indoors (e.g. in dressing rooms).

Children’s camps

Capacity for spectators is limited to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is less.

Day camps are limited to no more than 25 campers and camper groups must be cohorted.

Overnight camps are prohibited under these orders.

Retail, markets, garden centres and malls

Workplaces Indoor self-help gatherings

Permitting retail capacity at 50 per cent in the Southern Health – Santé Sud health region.

Permitting retail capacity at 100 per cent in the Interlake-Eastern, Northern, Prairie Mountain Health and Winnipeg capital region, including the municipalities of Cartier, Headingly, Macdonald, Ritchot (Niverville/Ritchot), Saint François Xavier and Taché.

Physical distancing measures are required.

Masks required indoors.

Open without restrictions.

Indoor gathering limits and mask use orders apply.

QOM set to deliver ACM l<eynote address After a 20-year career in the oil and gas industry, a Saskatchewan boy came back home to Tuffnell in the fall of 2019 and accidentally created a social media persona named Quick Dick McDick.

Quick Dick McDick (Dickson Delorme) is part of a 4000 acre/350 cattle mixed farming operation near Tuffnell, SK. Now when he is not busy on the farm, Dickson spends his time trying to show people the many things that happen here in Canada that keep us fed, watered and sheltered - all while trying to keep his audience snickering.

Drought assistance – continued from page 1 Applications are available at https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/a grirecovery-feed-purchase-transportassistance.html and must include receipts for feed purchases and transportation.

The Herd Management Drought Assistance program will assist livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals when culling is above normal due to shortages of winter feed. Producers may be eligible to apply for assistance to: •

purchase replacement breeding females

•

retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock

The replacement is to assist in returning the applicant’s inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Of note, the breeding females culled due to drought can be replaced by purchases or retaining replacement females from the applicant's existing herd or flock. The replacement must contribute to an increase in the applicant's inventory of eligible breeding females on January 31, 2023. Any increase in the inventory above pre-drought levels is not eligible.

The following replacements are eligible: •

Purchases of mature cows, mature ewes, mature does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs, and bred does.

•

Purchases of females that will be bred

by Jan. 31, 2023

•

Retaining females from the applicant's existing herd to be bred for the first time by Jan. 31, 2023.

The replacement animals must be maintained in the herd or flock until Jan. 31, 2023 or later.

Animals culled under the Herd Management Drought Assistance program are not eligible for assistance under the other two AgriRecovery programs launched on Aug. 31, 2021. The application package will be available on Jan. 10, 2022: access it online at the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development website (www.manitoba.ca/agriculture), in-person at ARD and MASC Service Centres, or by calling 1844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail.

There are also a number of resources on this site to provide more details on the three programs, such as frequently asked questions, program guides, certain application forms and, important deadline reminders.

For explanatory videos see: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD7Oi KfhYvB8p4bxsvxcT_hxQpCL1Ykea Manitobans can also stay up to date on Manitoba’s agricultural programs and services by following @MBGovAg on Twitter https://twitter.com/MBGovAg.

Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program

Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program?

The program was developed in consultation with industry to help meet the needs of Manitoba producers experiencing low moisture levels.

The program will assist livestock producers affected by low moisture conditions in 2021 to purchase feed in order to maintain their breeding herds. Producers may be eligible to apply for two types of assistance: 1. Feed assistance - buy and test feed for eligible breeding animals 2. Feed transportation assistance - transport purchased feed from distant locations for eligible breeding animals Who is eligible for the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance Program?

Primary producers who owned or leased the eligible animals, located in Manitoba, as of June 1, 2021 and continued to own or lease them to March 15, 2022 or later are eligible.

Eligible animals include breeding head of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU), sheep, goats and bison. Breeding animals are mature females exposed to breeding (male or artificial insemination) and males used previously for breeding.

The producer must own or lease a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

How do I apply?

Applicants can download the Application Form, Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals, and associated program documents on the website at manitoba.ca/agriculture. Application packages can also be picked up at any of the ARD/MASC Service Centres, or mailed to you by calling us at 1-844-769-6224. The minimum value of receipts required to submit an application is $500.

Review the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance – Farmers Guidebook for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs and other program requirements.

When is the deadline to apply to the program?

April 15, 2022 is the final day to apply.

Can multiple applications be submitted?

Yes, you can submit more than one application until program maximums are reached.

1. Feed Assistance What feed assistance can I apply for?

The eligible feeds that can be purchased for eligible animals from June 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022 to maintain them over the winter include:  grazed corn and greenfeed  mechanically harvested hay, silage, greenfeed, stover, straw, including those purchased as standing crops or grazed in a swath  grain and concentrates (pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, soybean meal, screenings, dried distillers grain and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator) When can eligible feeds be purchased? Are claims retro-active to a certain date?

Eligible feed purchases can occur from June 1, 2021 to March 15, 2022.

Is there assistance for feed testing the eligible feedstuffs?

Yes, the program will pay for feed testing to determine the nutritional value of eligible feeds.

Can feed be purchased for feeders or non-breeding animals?

No, feed for feeders, growing animals or non-breeding aged animals is not eligible under this program.

How will livestock feed assistance payments be calculated?

The administrator will make payments to the applicant for purchases and testing of Eligible Feed made between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, as follows:  On a per breeding head basis, a producer share will be applied $50 per head for beef and dairy cattle, bison and horses (PMU only) and $10 per head for sheep and goats.  Payments will be equal to 75 per cent of the purchased cost of feed and feed testing that exceeds the producer share to a maximum per head payment. The maximum payment is $250 per head for beef and dairy cattle, bison and horses (PMU only) and $50 per head for sheep and goats.

How are the breeding head determined in calculating payments?  Breeding head are based on the number declared on the Declaration of Eligible Breeding Animals at the time of first application. The declaration is the number of head being maintained and fed over winter, and does not include animals that have or will be sold prior to March 15, 2022. If applicants reduce their breeding animals below the number declared with their first application, they should contact the Program Administrator and submit a new declaration.

Version 4

2. Feed Transportation Assistance What feeds qualify for feed transportation assistance?

Feed transportation assistance is provided for the movement of eligible feed types (hay, straw, greenfeed, stover, silage, grain and concentrates) to eligible breeding animals. The eligible concentrates are pulses, oilseeds, canola meal, soybean meal, screenings, dried distillers grain and other feeds as approved by the Program Administrator.

What are the eligible dates and distances for feed transportation?

Transportation costs for eligible feed purchased and transported between June 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022, for a minimum distance of 40 kilometres up to a maximum one-way distance of 600 kilometres.

What are the payments for the feed transportation assistance?

Payments will be calculated on the tonnes hauled on a per loaded kilometre basis up to 600 kilometres.

For hay, straw, greenfeed, stover, and silage the payment rates are:  $0.16 per tonne kilometre for the first 100 kilometres of a haul  $0.10 per tonne kilometre for the remainder of a haul for up to an additional 500 kilometres.

For grains and concentrate, the payment rate is $0.05 per tonne kilometre up to 600 kilometres.

Payments for each receipt or invoice provided by the applicant will be the payment rate multiplied by the distance transported multiplied by the number of tonnes transported, or the amount of the receipt, whichever is less. Feed can be hauled further than 600 kilometres; however, the extra distance is not eligible for payment.

Can feed be sourced from outside of Manitoba qualify for assistance?

Feed can be sourced from outside Manitoba and the shipping will still be eligible based on the program’s rates and distances.

Does the feed transportation assistance come out of the feed assistance funding?

Feed transportation assistance is in addition to funding available to a producer for feed purchases. It is not subtracted from the $250 per head cap for beef, bison and PMU horses or $50 cap for sheep and goats.

Is feed transportation assistance available for animals moved to an alternate feeding location?

Feed transportation assistance is not available for animals for which producers have received assistance to move eligible animals to an alternate feeding location under the Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program.

Alternate feeding locations should have adequate feed locally available for the animals moved.

What feed is not eligible for feed transportation assistance?  Feed for market animals or ineligible animals.  Feed produced on your own operation.  Feed for breeding animals that are sold/culled prior to March 15, 2022.  Feed that is sold or replaces similar feed that is sold.  Feed transported less than 40 kilometres.  Feed transported to an alternate feeding location used to house eligible animals for which the applicant received payments under Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance.

Version 4

Herd Management Drought Assistance Program

Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the Herd Management Drought Assistance program?

This program assists livestock producers in offsetting the cost of replacing breeding animals, when culling is above normal because of winter feed shortages. If you are a producer, you may be eligible to apply for assistance to:  purchase replacement breeding females  retain replacement females from their existing herd or flock The replacement animals will help you return your inventory of breeding females to pre-drought levels.

Who can apply for the Herd Management Drought Assistance program?

You are eligible if you are a primary producer, who owned eligible animals that were located in Manitoba, and you were responsible for their feeding expenses as of Mar. 16, 2021. If you are an elk producer, you must have a Game Farm Production Licence, and only elk that were farmed under that licence are eligible. You must own a minimum of 10 animals (by animal type) to apply for the program.

What animals are eligible?

The program provides assistance to replace breeding female beef cattle, bison, sheep, goats and elk that the applicant owned and had located in Manitoba as of Mar. 16, 2021. Breeding females are mature females (cows, ewes, does, bred heifers, bred ewe lambs and bred does) that have previously calved, lambed or been exposed to breeding.

Is feed assistance provided for breeding animals that were culled?

Feed assistance is not available under this program for breeding animals that were culled. Assistance to purchase feed for breeding animals kept over the winter is available from the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program. You can receive both herd management and feed assistance for your herds or flocks. However, you cannot be paid twice (herd management and feed assistance) for the same animals.

Does it matter when breeding females were culled?

The program provides assistance to replace breeding females culled from Mar. 16, 2021 to Mar. 15, 2022. The decline in a producer’s inventory of breeding females over this period is one of the criteria being used to determine the program payments.

Which herd inventories need to be declared?

The program uses the following dates to assess the impact of drought and recovery on an applicant’s inventory of breeding females:  Mar. 16, 2021  Mar. 16, 2022  Jan. 31, 2023

The difference between the Mar. 16, 2022 (drought impacted) inventory and the Jan. 31, 2023 (recovery) inventory indicates the effect that purchasing and retaining replacement females has on drought recovery.

Jan. 31, 2023 inventory

March 16, 2022 inventory

Increase in inventory due to purchasing

(recovery inventory)

(drought impacted)

and retaining replacements

What are the payment rates for this program?

Payments per head for each animal type are listed in the table below. Payments are made for breeding females that are purchased or retained.

Animal Type(s) Payment ($) per head Beef Cattle, Bison and Elk $250 Sheep and Goats $50 Payments are based on the increase in the breeding female inventory between Mar. 16, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023.

The payments are calculated as follows: Per Head Payment Rate

Increase in inventory due to

Beef Cattle/Bison/Elk - $250

purchasing and retaining

Sheep/Goats $50

replacements

Herd Management Program Payment

Jan. 31, 2023 Inventory Subtract March 16, 2022 Inventory

Is there a payment cap?

Payments are capped once inventory is restored to pre-drought levels. No payment will be made for increases in inventory beyond the pre-drought level.

Why are payments made after breeding females are replaced?

The program is designed to assist producers in restoring their herds after the drought. The program does not pay producers to downsize their herd. Breeding animals that have been culled must be replaced to be eligible.

What animals are not included in the breeding female inventory declared for this program?

The following animals should not be included in the declared inventories of breeding females:  animals sold before being exposed to breeding for the first time  market livestock intended for slaughter or purposes other than breeding  animals sold after Mar. 15, 2022  animals leased by the applicant  animals not located in Manitoba as of Mar. 16, 2021 (pre-drought) or Jan. 31, 2023 (when recovery complete)

When is an adjustment required for the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of breeding females?

Breeding females that gave birth between Jan. 1, 2022 and Mar. 15, 2022 and were sold in the same time period must be included in the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory declaration for the number of head. These females most likely have not been culled because of drought and are not eligible for assistance.

Does the program provide assistance for culling immature replacement females?

If immature females intended to breed are culled, a payment will be triggered if it causes the Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of mature and bred females to decline. However, the decision to cull mature females can impact this payment.  For example, if heifers intended to breed in the summer of 2021 are culled, the March 2022 inventory of breeding females may decrease because the herd has fewer bred heifers than normal. However, if the number of cows normally culled is reduced, the lower number of bred heifers may be partially or totally offset.

How do I apply for the Herd Management Program?

The application package will be available as of Jan. 10, 2022  on the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development website (www.manitoba.ca/agriculture)  in-person at Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation Service Centres  by calling 1-844-769-6224 to receive a copy in the mail If you are applying, you will need to fully complete and submit your application, as part of a two-step process.

This process includes filling out: 1) application form to declare: a. Mar. 16, 2021 inventory of eligible breeding females owned b. Mar. 16, 2022 inventory of eligible breeding females owned 2) claim form to declare : a. Jan. 31, 2023 inventory of eligible breeding females Do we need to send in receipts, invoices or other records with our applications or claims?

No, you do not have to submit invoices, receipts or proof of payment with your application or claim forms.

However, you are expected to keep these documents for all breeding animals you have sold or purchased. You may be asked to submit them as part of a review or audit of your application or claim. In a limited number of cases, an on-farm visit or pregnancy check may also be requested to verify declarations.

What is the earliest date the application and claim form can be submitted?

Applications can be submitted starting in Jan. 2022 when they are available, if you know the number of breeding females you will own as of Mar. 16, 2022. Similarly, you can submit claim forms starting in December 2022, if you know the number of breeding females you will own as of Jan. 31, 2023

What are the program timelines and deadlines? 

Jan. 10, 2022 - Applications will be available.



April 15, 2022, 11:59 p.m. – This is the deadline for applications declaring Mar. 16, 2021 and Mar. 16, 2022 inventories.



December 1, 2022 – Claim forms will be available.



Feb. 17, 2023, 11:59 p.m. – This is the deadline for claim forms declaring the Jan. 31, 2023 inventory.

For more information, contact: Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development AgriRecovery Drought Assistance 903-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 Toll-free: 1-844-769-6224 Email: ARD@gov.mb.ca

Beef & Forage Days in Austin, Eriksdale and Grandview have been cancelled due to the current COVID-19 situation.

A StockTalk virtual webinar will take place on January 13 at 1:00 pm featuring several of the keynote speakers from Beef & Forage Days covering Cattle Marketing, Stress Management and Alternative Watering Systems.

Register here for the StockTalk webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ regi.../5178910191774198797

Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Auction Set for January 31 to February 4 includes results from previous allocation auctions.

Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development announces the latest Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Auction to take place January 31, 2022 through February 4, 2022 online at Garton's Auction Service.

For a complete list of lands available at auction please visit the Real Estate Services Branch online.

See: http://resd.ca/leases_and_permits/LPpropertie s.aspx#agLeasePermit for listings. This page also

These units are available for lease to farmers who meet eligibility requirements. They are not available to lease as recreational parcels.

Information on how to prepare for an Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Auction can be obtained by viewing our Fact Sheet (and is also included in this issue of the enewsletter).

Samples of the standard Forage Lease Agreement and Cropping Lease Agreement are available for review. Although the lease will apply to most parcels, there may be specific additional provisions that apply to specific parcels.

Please refer to the Preparing for an Online Agricultural Crown Lands Lease Auction on the next two pages.

Preparing for an Online Agricultural Crown Lands Lease Auction Parcels for Lease Agricultural Crown Lands available for lease or renewable permit at auction can be reviewed at: resd.ca/leases_and_permits/LPproperties.aspx#agLeasePermit The lots will be available for viewing on the website of the 3rd party hosting the auction one week prior to the start of the auction.

Prior to the Auction • Potential bidders are encouraged to ensure they meet eligibility criteria. Any arrears on agricultural Crown lands lease or permit accounts must be paid in full prior to the auction in order to be eligible to bid. Eligibility may also be impacted by previous compliance history with the Agricultural Crown Lands program.

• Potential bidders are encouraged to become informed prior to the auction by researching and visiting the parcels and units of interest and becoming familiar with lease or permit obligations. Potential bidders must ensure they can legally access the parcels. º Aerial photo map viewer agrimaps.gov.mb.ca/agrimaps/ º Information on the Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program, including the standard Forage Lease Agreement and Cropping Lease Agreement can be found on the Agricultural Crown Lands website: manitoba.ca/agriculture/ land-management/crown-land/index.html

º Farm Production Extension Specialists Crown Lands can provide assistance prior to the auction dates.

• Please note that The Crown Lands Act prohibits some provincial employees from holding Crown land without further vetting. For additional information, please contact staff.

• If translation or accommodation services are required for the auction, please contact staff at least five (5) days in advance of the auction.

Online Auction Bidding

Following the Online Auction

• The registration and auction process is administered by an independent 3rd party to be identified on the ACL website and/or auction notice. For technical assistance with participation in the auction process, please contact the auctioneer.

• The auction website will display available parcels for one week prior to the scheduled auction.

• Potential bidders will complete the online registration process, including a declaration of eligibility.

• The auction website will list the auction rules, and examples will be provided. º FORAGE LEASE: The lease is for a 15 year term. The bidding will start at $200.00 per unit and the successful bidder will earn the right to lease the land. Rent is determined separately via formula. º RENEWABLE HAY PERMIT or RENEWABLE GRAZING PERMIT: The permit is for 15 one-year terms. The bidding will start at $200.00 per unit and the successful bidder will earn the right to hold a permit on the land. Rent is determined separately via formula.

• The successful bids will be listed on the auction website at the end of the auction.

Official auction results will be posted on the provincial website soon thereafter.

• The payment process, and lease document signing is administered by provincial staff.

Successful bidders will be required to sign lease documents and make payment in full within 30 days of invoicing following the auction. º FORAGE LEASE, RENEWABLE HAY PERMIT, RENEWABLE GRAZING PERMIT: The payment will include the successful bid amount, the first year’s rent and amount in lieu of municipal taxes, and GST as applicable. º CROPPING LEASE: The payment will include the successful bid amount, the first year’s amount in lieu of municipal taxes, and GST as applicable.

º CROPPING LEASE: The lease is for a five (5) year term. The bidding will start at $200.00 plus the minimum rental amount, and the successful bidder will earn the right to lease the land and set the annual rental amount via the auction bid.

Contact us • Email us at agcrownlands@gov.mb.ca • Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture • Toll free at 1-844-769-6224 • Follow us on Twitter @MBGovAg

PREPARING FOR AN ONLINE AGRICULTURAL CROWN LANDS LEASE AUCTION

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Pandemic Policy Now In Effect ─ Many Transactions Can Be Completed By Phone: Manitoba Public Insurance The following transactions can be conducted by phone: •

New registration and policy application (including rental vehicle insurance and temporary registration)

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Renewal of a driver’s licence

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Reapplication of a lapsed driver's licence

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Reassessment of an active or lapsed driver's licence

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Driver's licence replacement

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Basic ID card replacement (no information changes)

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Vehicle insurance coverage renewal, reassessment, reactivation, reapplication

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Cancellation

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Mid-term change

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Plate and/or registration certificate replacement

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Transfer of policy

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Payments

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Mailing or permanent address changes within Manitoba

(January 5, 2022 MPI News Release) Manitoba

Public Insurance’s new pandemic policy focusing on protecting customers, employees and our community, is now in effect. Customers must provide either proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result to receive services where physical distancing or barriers are not possible, including all in-car road tests, including Class 1-5, and driver assessments. Full details on proof of vaccination or accepted negative COVID-19 tests can be found here.

The policy also aligns with requirements for all MPI employees – who must share proof of full vaccination or consent to complete regular COVID-19 testing every 48 hours prior to attending an MPI work location.

“MPI, like other businesses in Manitoba, is diligently supporting our customers and employees as we continue to navigate impacts of COVID-19. Despite the operational challenges our corporation is facing, our focus remains to best serve our customers. These are very difficult times and we ask for patience from our customers,” said Satvir Jatana, Chief Customer Officer, MPI. Transactions by phone To offer Manitobans additional options for their driver services and insurance needs during the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, MPI is reminding its customers that they are able to conduct many transactions by phone with Autopac agents.

Customers who need to complete any of these transactions are encouraged to call their Autopac agent directly.

Payments Customers in a reassessment year are typically not required to visit an Autopac agent or Service Centre unless they need to make continued on page 23

Pandemic Policy Now In Effect ─ Many Transactions Can Be Completed By Phone: Manitoba Public Insurance changes to their policy. As such, Manitobans are able to pay for their services online at mpi.mb.ca and MPI encourages them to do so at this time.

A customer with a Renewal Notice saying they are required to visit in person and/or need to have a photo taken for their driver’s licence), should call an Autopac agent to discuss their options.

Changes to in-person payments for salvage purchases Effective Tuesday, January 4, 2022, MPI’s Salvage Department will no longer accept inperson payments or transactions for auction sales due to the ongoing public health concerns with COVID-19. Customers will not be permitted to enter the Salvage Auction Hall – Building B at 1981 Plessis Road, as it will remain closed to the public.

Customers are encouraged to complete payment for their purchases through available online options, including INTERAC Online or electronic fund transfers.

As a temporary payment option, customers from Manitoba purchasing items will be able to complete credit card payments (VISA or MasterCard) by phone at 204-985-7844. The credit card must be in the buyer’s name (company or individual). Please note: Significant wait times for this option are anticipated.

More information is available on our dedicated COVID-19 information page under Salvage.

Services cancelled MPI has recently cancelled some services due to these operational issues, including road tests, at certain locations. Customers with cancelled appointments have been contacted and will have the opportunity to reschedule when services are available.

Also impacted is estimating of non-drivable collision claims. Affected customers are advised not to attend the Physical Damage Centre, but contact their adjuster regarding the status of their vehicle. Due to towing capacity issues, there may also be towing delays for drivable vehicles being towed from a residence to MPI’s compound.

Province To Implement Phased-In Approach For Return To School In January Most Students to Learn Remotely Until January 17th

(January 4, 2022 Province of Manitoba News Release) As a proactive measure, the Manitoba government is shifting to a one-week remote learning period for most Manitoba students after the holiday break to ensure schools can implement enhanced measures for in-person learning, Premier Heather Stefanson and Education Minister Cliff Cullen announced.

“Our government’s number one priority is to protect the health and well-being of all Manitobans, especially our children, youth and most vulnerable citizens,” said Stefanson. “Today we are announcing a slight adjustment for the return to classes to give schools additional time to implement enhanced protocols to ensure inperson learning for all students can continue under our pandemic plans and to give public health more time to learn about the omicron variant’s effects in Manitoba. We know our children learn best in a classroom setting and it is our goal to ensure they can return to the classroom as quickly as possible.”

Effective Jan. 10, 2022, a phased-in approach will be applied to allow students of critical service workers in kindergarten to Grade 6 and all highrisk students and students with special learning needs in kindergarten to Grade 12 to attend school if no alternate care is available. Current plans are to have all other students return to inperson learning on Jan. 17.

Manitoba Education has heard from stakeholders this phased-in approach will give school divisions more time to address expected staffing shortages

and develop plans for the implementation of enhanced measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This will also allow schools time to prepare to move to the Restricted (Orange) level on Manitoba’s Pandemic Response System.

Child-care facilities that offer twelve months of service, including centres in schools, will remain open and are strongly encouraged to prioritize children of critical service workers. School-age child-care facilities that operate based on the school calendar and do not provide service during school breaks will offer services to children of critical service workers requiring before- and after-school care.

Effective Monday, Jan. 10, licensed centres and child-care homes will be able to apply for additional funding support to offset the loss of parent fees. This will include situations where a facility must reduce capacity due to staffing shortages or if a facility is required to close by public health officials due to COVID-19. Details on how to apply will be provided directly to facilities.

“We know in-person learning is best for students but we are still learning about how the omicron variant will affect our health-care system and Manitobans in the longer term,” said Dr. Jazz Atwal, deputy chief provincial public health officer. “This change will allow us more time to study the data we have and provide any needed additional advice to the education sector and families as we go forward.”

Atwal reminded Manitobans they should reduce the number of close contacts in their household at this time. That includes staying home as much as possible, not gathering with people from outside their household and following the public health orders. In addition, he urged people to get

continued on page 25

Province To Implement Phased-In Approach For Return To School In January Most Students to Learn Remotely Until January 17th vaccinated and get their booster shots as soon as they are eligible to reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19.

The minister noted several enhanced measures have been put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 in schools and will be expanded in the coming days including: •

distributing 500,000 rapid tests to all schools for students from kindergarten to Grade 6 and planning to expand access to rapid tests for all Manitobans as the rapid testing kit supply increases in Manitoba, particularly for schools with high case counts of COVID-19; and

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requiring medical masks for all staff during this high transmission period and allowing students to wear a well-fitting mask with at least three layers and schools to provide masks for students if needed. Manitoba will be distributing at least five million more child and adult medical masks over the next eight weeks to increase supply in schools and support increased demand.

The minister noted schools across the province continue to implement enhanced ventilation projects in accordance with provincial ventilation guidelines for schools.

Vaccination also continues to be a priority with 168 school clinics and 104 after-school clinics held in the month of December, which provided 10,812 vaccine doses. Manitobans over age 18 eligible for booster shots can attend any immunization site, including physicians’ offices and pharmacies, community clinics and after-hours clinics at schools.

Cullen noted the Manitoba government is also investing up to $80 million in new funding for Manitoba schools during the 2021-22 school year to help address wage agreements for teachers and other cost pressures. The announcement increases the total operating funding for education to close to $200 million for this school year alone.

“We know school divisions are facing financial pressures at this time and this investment will enable schools to continue providing high-quality learning for all Manitoba students,” said Cullen.

“This investment today builds on other funding increases to ensure our system is supported, particularly during COVID-19 and as we move forward to implement the recommendations from Manitoba’s Commission on K to 12 Education.”

An additional $63 million was allocated earlier in this school year to support the return to school including: •

$45 million distributed directly to school divisions and schools for providing additional staffing, addressing learning impacts and enhancing health and safety;

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$6.8 million for enhanced ventilation projects;

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$6 million for masks and personal protective equipment;

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$5 million for the Kindergarten to Grade 8 Remote Learning Support Centre for students who are immunocompromised; and

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$1 million in additional funding for staff and student mental health supports to address increased needs related to the pandemic.

CALLING ALL BEEF PRODUCERS! Contribute to the update of the National Beef Sustainability Assessment The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is in the process of updating the National Beef Sustainability Assessment (NBSA), expected for release in 2023. The NBSA provides farm to fork national sustainability performance metrics for the Canadian beef sector, from environmental, social and economic perspectives.

The metrics from our first Assessment, released in 2016, are widely used to demonstrate Canada’s global sustainability leadership, and have been critically important to the beef industry’s communication efforts with respect to sustainable beef production over the past five years. The accompanying Sustainability Strategy highlighted key areas for continuous improvement, which has also helped inform the industry’s 2030 goals.

The CRSB is looking for a minimum of 500 beef producers to participate in an online survey. This survey provides critical inputs to inform many of the NBSA performance metrics.

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The first 200 producers that complete the survey will receive a $20 gift card.

ALL completed surveys will be entered for a grand prize (Tag reader, valued at $1100), as well as seven regional prize packs (e.g., gift sets, experiences, gift cards, swag, etc.), which will be awarded through a random draw following the close of the survey period in January 2022.

We would like to thank the following CRSB members who have generously contributed these grand prizes.

Please complete a 30-45 minute survey by January 7th 2022.

ENGLISH: http://survey.groupeageco.ca/s3/NBSA-ENG FRENCH: http://survey.groupeageco.ca/s3/NBSA-FR We appreciate all who participate in this process and contribute to the success of the NBSA update!

If you have any questions, please contact us at projects@crsb.ca/.