edition...
Reminder
MBP 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 rades 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.
Highlights from MBP’s 46th Annual General Meeting
Manitoba Beef Producers’ (MBP) 46th Annual General Meeting was held February 20-21 in Winnipeg, with three resolutions debated, a new board of directors ratified, a new Executive elected, and a series of presenters touched on a variety of topics ranging from trade, to advancing technology for managing cattle, research updates, a look at industry advocacy activities, a market update and more.
Tyler Fewings, District 1
Mark Schram, District 2
Andre Steppler, District 3
Byron Falk, District 4
Steven Manns, District 5
Brian English, District 6
Tyler Fulton, District 7
MBP’s new Executive is comprised of President Matthew Atkinson, Vice-President Arvid Nottveit, 2nd Vice-President Matt Falk, Treasurer Mark Good, and Secretary Tyler Fulton.
MBP’s newly-ratified board of directors for 2025-26 is as follows:
Matthew Atkinson, District 8
Trevor Sund, District 9
Mike Duguid, District 10
Arvid Nottveit, District 11
Mark Good, District 12
Matthew Goudie, District 13
Dale Cazakoff, District 14
Two directors who have completed their service to MBP’s board of directors were also honored: Alfred Epp, District 1 and Mary Paziuk, District 13. MBP sincerely thanks them for their contributions to the board and to Manitoba’s beef sector.
Shauna and Clayton Breault of Breault Ranching LTD were named the local recipients of The Environmental Stewardship Award and will go on to compete for the national award which will be announced by the Canadian Cattle Association later this year.
The following three resolutions were debated and carried at the AGM, and MBP thanks all the presenters and delegates for contributing to the discussions around them. This included presenters Jason Pollock of Livestock Services of Saskatchewan and Rick Wright of the Manitoba Livestock Marketing Association on the topic of livestock inspection.
Livestock Price Insurance Resolution
MBP Board Resolution 1: Whereas Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) is a forward-looking, market-based, insurance-style program that allows producers to manage price, currency and basis risk protection
for all classes of cattle, making it an important business risk management (BRM) tool for Manitoba cattle producers’ long-term sustainability; and
Whereas cattle producers face significant BRM program inequities compared to other agricultural commodities, such as AgriInsurance offerings which provide for cost-shared premiums for crop insurance on a basis of 40% producer/34% federal and 26% provincial government contribution; and
Whereas guaranteed returns through crop insurance may incentivize some producers to convert valuable pasture land into cropland, thereby directly impacting grassland ecosystems and the vital environmental services they provide, such as biodiversity, carbon sequestration and water management; and
Whereas in the United States, uptake in a program similar to LPI ‒ the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) program saw its producer participation rate rise substantially when premium subsidies were introduced in 2020; and
Whereas cost-shared premiums for LPI would help put Canadian livestock producers on a more even
Highlights from MBP’s 46th Annual General Meeting
playing field with crop producers as well as with American cattle farmers and ranchers, both of whom receive premium subsidies through crop insurance and LRP programs; and
Whereas providing equitable support to Canadian beef producers via cost-shared LPI premiums to help offset their enrolment costs would help increase overall program participation rates and help reduce risk in the sector.
Be it resolved to recommend that Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) continue to advocate for the federal and provincial governments to introduce cost-shared premiums for the Livestock Price Insurance program, an approach that would be equal to that provided by the two governments for the crop insurance program under AgriInsurance, which is cost shared on a basis of 40% producer/34% federal and 26% provincial government.
Mover: Tyler Fulton, District 7
Seconder: Alfred Epp, District 1
Outcome: Carried
Deferring Income From Sale of Cattle to Future Years Resolution
L1 (District 9): Whereas grain producers are able to defer income on grain sales to future years, which provides them with opportunities for better tax and business planning, along with the flexibility to take advantage of markets when most suitable for them, but a similar income deferral option does not exist for cattle producers.
Therefore be it resolved to recommend that Manitoba Beef Producers investigate matters related to potentially seeking an amendment the federal tax code to allow livestock producers to defer the income from the sale of all classes of livestock to future years, similar to deferral options available to other agricultural commodities.
Mover: Trevor Sund, District 9
Seconder: Dianne Riding, District 9
Outcome: Carried
Mandatory Livestock Inspection Resolution
MBP Board of Directors Resolution 2: Whereas cases of theft or fraud related to Manitoba’s cattle industry have proven very costly and disruptive for the affected parties, and can undermine the confidence of lenders, investors and buyers when undertaking livestock-related transactions in Manitoba; and
Whereas livestock inspection ‒ a tool used to help demonstrate ownership using various cattle identification methods ‒ can be an important means of deterring theft and fraud, thereby helping to better secure livestock-related commerce; and
Whereas inspection could potentially provide other value-added elements for Manitoba producers, such as the provision of digital manifests and helping to facilitate movement reporting and traceability requirements; and
Whereas Livestock Services of Saskatchewan (LSS) has an established history of conducting livestock inspections on Manitoba cattle on an as-needed, fee-for service basis and could be in a position to expand this service; and
Whereas the existing livestock inspection levels in Manitoba currently only cover a limited volume of total cattle-related transactions in the province, and
Whereas the legislative and regulatory environment could be improved in Manitoba to facilitate matters such as livestock inspectors being able to detain cattle or to direct the dealer to hold the sales proceeds until ownership of inspected cattle is verified; and
Whereas Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) has been investigating the various steps needed to potentially create a mandatory livestock inspection system in Manitoba, including factors such as: cost framework; required provincial legislative or regulatory changes; the service provider and
Highlights from MBP’s 46th Annual General Meeting
logistics for expanding inspection; the value-added potential from inspection; engaging with other value chain members about their expectations and/or concerns; whether there are funding opportunities to help offset costs of implementing expanded inspection; the possible creation of a Livestock Investigations Unit tasked with investigating livestock-related crimes that could help support the work of livestock inspectors; and more; and,
Whereas MBP has been working to raise awareness of the merits of expanded livestock inspection, including at its fall 2024 district meetings where the majority of those producer attendees indicated a strong level of interest in and support for expanded inspection services as a means of helping to deter theft and fraud, as well as to potentially capture other value-added opportunities; and
Whereas if the Government of Manitoba is to make the legislative and/or regulatory changes, as well as other mechanisms necessary to support the implementation of mandatory livestock inspection it will want to be confident that the majority of the province’s cattle producers are in favour of such a move.
Therefore be it resolved to recommend that Manitoba Beef Producers now ask the Government of Manitoba to work with value chain members to take the necessary steps needed to implement mandatory livestock inspection in Manitoba, including: making required legislative and/or regulatory changes; working with the prospective delivery agent on a service agreement; determining if funding can be secured to help offset the cost of an expanded inspection system; deciding whether an investment can be made to support the creation of a Livestock Investigations Unit; and, any other steps required to move this initiative forward in
the most responsive, efficient and cost-effective manner.
Mover: Matthew Atkinson, District 8
Seconder: Arvid Nottveit, District 11
Outcome: Carried
MBP thanks the array of speakers who presented at the AGM, including: Dr. Eric Behlke, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods; Dr. Kim Ominski and graduate students from the University of Manitoba who provided a lightning round of updates on their research activities; Rebecca Fraser of the Manitoba Livestock Cash Advance program; Tyler McCann of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute; Jennifer Babcock, Senior Director, Government and Public Affairs with the Canadian Cattle Association; Melissa Downing, Director, Regulatory and Sustainability with the National Cattle Feeders Association; Dr. Reynold Bergen, Science Director of the Beef Cattle Research Council; Andrea White, Director, Marketing and Stakeholder Relations with the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, and Jenna Sarich, Technical Consultant, Canadian Cattle Association Public and Stakeholder Engagement. Brenna Grant of Canfax provided a market update to cap off the meeting.
MBP thanks the Hon. Ron Kostyshyn, Minister of Agriculture and Wayne Ewasko, Leader of the Official Opposition for providing remarks to the delegates, as well as all the other Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament for attending the AGM and engaging with the delegates.
The meeting would not have been such a success without the generous support and participation of our sponsors and trade show exhibitors. Your contributions are also appreciated by MBP.
Your feedback is important – Earn $25 to complete an online survey about agricultural plastics management –
Deadline: March 2, 2025
An important ag plastics management survey is underway in Manitoba, which includes a survey of Manitoba beef farmers.
The survey is being conducted on behalf of Cleanfarms – a non-profit organization that has programs in place across Canada to recover and manage non-organic waste, most of it plastic, for recycling or environmentally responsible disposal. Farmer feedback will help Cleanfarms and other stakeholders evaluate current and future initiatives.
Manitoba Beef Producers encourages you to participate to ensure our members’ voices are represented.
The survey will take about 20 to 25 minutes to complete. To qualify for this survey, you must be one of the main decision makers regarding what to do with ag plastics, once used. For those who qualify (based on a few short questions at the start) and complete the survey, an honorarium of $25 will be provided. Please note that once the targeted
sample size has been reached, the survey will be closed and no further responses will be accepted.
Your responses will be held in complete confidence by Stratus Ag Research and used only for research purposes. Results will be grouped for analysis, and no identifying information will be attached to any responses.
Please complete the survey by March 2, 2025.
If you think that you have already participated in this survey (you may have already been contacted directly by Stratus Ag Research), please do not complete the survey a second time.
Please click on the survey link, or copy it into your browser to start the survey now.
https://survey.us.confirmit.com/wix/p90549543634 1.aspx
Thank you for your consideration.
Provincial Ice-Jam Mitigation Program Underway on Red River
(February 18, 2025 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure will begin its annual ice-cutting program this week on the Red River to reduce the potential impacts of ice-jam related flooding. The ice-cutting and breaking work will start on Feb. 18 and is expected to be completed by March 15.
The ice-jam mitigation program, which consists of cutting and breaking river ice, was launched in 2006 to reduce the risk of flooding caused by ice jams on the lower Red River and other rivers. Ice jams occur when floating ice blocks the downstream movement of water, causing water to back up and potentially overflow riverbanks.
Remote controlled ice-cutting units and three Amphibex icebreakers are used each year to cut and break approximately 28 kilometers of ice on the Red River from
Netley Marsh to Selkirk over a width of approximately 100 metres. Ice-cutting and breaking operations are frequently undertaken on the Icelandic River at Riverton and at the outlet of the Portage Diversion. Currently, icecutting operations are planned for Riverton but are not expected to be required at the Portage Diversion, so the province will continue to monitor this area.
Notices will be posted in areas where the ice-cutting machines are operating. River users are advised to stay off the ice where notices are posted or where evidence of recent ice cutting is apparent. Ice fishers are also reminded to remove huts or other materials in the areas where the ice-mitigation program is taking place. For more information and updates on Manitoba’s water conditions and forecasts, visit https://gov.mb.ca/mti/floodinfo/index.html.
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MANITOBA BEEF PRODUCERS
2025-26 SCHOLARSHIP INTAKE
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 2025-26 academic year.
The scholarship criteria are as follows:
Eligibility:
• 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.
• Must be pursuing post-secondary studies or trades training in the 2025-26 academic year.
• Post-secondary programs or trades training must be a minimum of one academic 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 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 2025-26);
• 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 fall 2025 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. on Friday, June 20, 2025 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 September 12, 2025.
CATTLE’S ROLE IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
PRESENTED BY DR. SARA PLACE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF FEEDLOT SYSTEMS, COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
219 Animal Science Building, 12 Dafoe Road, University of Manitoba
Register for livestream link - https://forms.office.com/r/ZPWq0DGFW1
This annual lecture recognizes and honours Dr. Tsang Kay (Stan) Cheung’s enduring support for the Department of Animal Science and agricultural research at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Cheung obtained his BSc, MSc, and PhD in Animal Science from UM. His graduate training was in Animal Breeding/Genetics under the supervision of the late Dr. Bob Parker. He was also awarded a Doctor of Laws from UM in 1991. Dr. Cheung returned to his family business in Hong Kong in 1975 and is currently the Executive Chairman/Director of Herald Holdings Ltd. Dr. Cheung’s many contributions include support of the TK Cheung Center for Animal Science Research, the National Center for Livestock and the Environment, the TK Cheung Reading Room and recent contributions to education and research in Animal Science. In recognition of his generosity and commitment to education and research, the Department established this annual seminar in his honour. Register
Dr. Sara Place is an associate professor and expert in livestock systems sustainability with over a decade of experience in academia, industry associations, and private industry. She joined Colorado State University’s AgNext, a research collaborative focused on sustainable animal agriculture, in August 2022. Sara’s research focuses on enteric methane emissions measurement and mitigation from cattle. Prior to CSU AgNext, she was the chief sustainability officer for Elanco Animal Health, senior director for sustainable beef production research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and an assistant professor in sustainable beef cattle systems at Oklahoma State University. She received her PhD in Animal Biology from the University of California, Davis, and a BS in Animal Science from Cornell University. Sara is a native of upstate NY where she grew up on a dairy farm. Visit her Google Scholar profile
CRSB Certified Qualifying Cattle
Requirements
To qualify for a CRSB Claim:
Cattle must move through CRSB Certified Operations (that are in scope for a certification audit) from birth up to and including the primary processor.
Beef must be from animals with documented records, which must include:
• animal identification (RFID tag);
• birth date (age verification) evidence from a CRSB approved live-cattle chain of custody verifier, and
• cattle movements showing that they moved through only applicable CRSB Certified Operations.
As of October 2023, the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) is the only approved live-cattle chain of custody verifier for beef cattle in Canada, excluding Quebec.
Make the most of your certification by giving your cattle a chance to qualify through a CRSB Certified supply chain by completing these essential steps.
1
Get and maintain CRSB Certification
2
Agree to share information
Consent to sharing information with CCIA for CRSB Certified Chain of Custody purposes. Written consent is part of the Certification Body’s audit process.
Upon consent, the Certification Body will share the following with CCIA:
• Name
• Mailing address
• CLTS account ID
•Certificate number
•Certification date
•Certification status change / de-certification date
•Audit type
If you have consented, your contact info will appear under the “CRSB Client Information” section of your CCIA Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) account.
You can give consent at any time by contacting your Certification Body.
3
Submit birth dates
Input birth dates into the CLTS for the cattle born and tagged on your operation since becoming CRSB Certified.
Animals born-on your operation within six months of your CRSB certification date are eligible.
4
Submitmove-inevents
Move-in events must be submitted to the CLTS each time eligible cattle move to a new operation.
Qualifying animals moved-in from another CRSB Certified Operation within six months of your CRSB certification date are eligible.
Livestock Predation Prevention Program
Program Description
The Livestock Predation Prevention Program supports adoption of non-lethal, on-farm measures that reduce the risk of livestock predation by wolves, coyotes, bears and other predators. Reducing livestock predation promotes the co-existence of wildlife and livestock in agricultural regions of Manitoba.
Who Qualifies
Livestock producers who have both:
• A paid livestock predation claim under the Manitoba Wildlife Damage Compensation Program in 2021 or later.
• A Manitoba Premises Identification Number.
What Qualifies
Eligible expenses include constructing predator resistant fencing to deter attacks on livestock by coyotes, wolves, and other predators. The objective of a project must be to deter predation of livestock located on Manitoba farms. More details of eligible expenses can be found in the program guide.
Caps Applied to Funding For Fence Projects
Project Type
Predator Resistant Fence
Deadstock Compost Pen
FUNDING AVAILABLE
Predator Resistant Fence Construction
Eligible producers can apply for funding to support construction of fencing that deters predators from entering calving and lambing areas, pastures, extended grazing areas, and deadstock compost sites. Producers will receive a funding decision letter indicating the approved budget for eligible projects.
Important Dates
February 27, 2025: Deadline for fence construction applications.
October 31, 2025: Complete fence construction.
November 28, 2025: Complete fence inspection.
December 19, 2025: Deadline for submitting claims for completed fence projects.
Cost-Share and Funding Cap
Eligible applicants can be reimbursed for up to 75 per cent of total approved eligible expenses, to a maximum of $10,000.
Maximums also apply based on the size, type and purpose of the fence constructed.
Type Project Cap (base + additional cost
Wire-net fence (e.g. page, welded, fixedknot, or hinge-joint fencing)
· 152 cm (60”) high
· 178 cm (70”) high
Electrified, high tensile, no apron
· 7-wire
· 9-wire
· 11-wire
If an apron is added to prevent burrowing under a fence.
· $1,000 + $6/linear foot
· $1,000 + $7/linear foot
· $1,000 + $3 per linear foot
· $1,000 + $4 per linear foot
· $1,000 + $5 per linear foot
· $1/linear foot is added
For each of the above fence types, the base funding is $2,000 (instead of $1,000). The per linear foot rates are the same as for Predator Resistance Fence.
Note: Based on 75% government cost share, the $10,000 total funding cap is reached with eligible expenses of $13,333.33 or more. Depending on fence size and type, the approved funding may be less than the $10,000 fence category cap.
Eligible Expenses
· Incremental Personal Labour at $30/hour and Incremental Personal Equipment Use at fixed, program rates. For these two incremental expenses combined, applicants can claim up to a total of $3.00/linear foot for deadstock compost areas, $1.00/linear foot for predator resistant fences or $1.50/linear foot if the predator resistant fence has an apron.
· Subcontracted Services related to custom labour and custom equipment use Equipment Rental for completion of the project
· Materials and Supplies such as gates, lumber, wire, and energizer (0.7 joules or more.)
· Provincial Sales Tax (PST).
Further conditions for a fence project:
Fences are inspected to verify work completed and that they will deter predators.
· Specific ineligible items include barbed wire fences, hard-wired power sourcing, temporary or mobile fences, infrastructure and land preparation inside the fence, and fences around feedlots, feed storage areas, and non-grazed crops.
· Eligible expenses must have occurred on or after April 1, 2025, and be supported by an invoice and proof of payment. All invoices for eligible expenses must be issued in the applicant’s name, and payment must be made by the approved applicant.
Fence Inspection
Fences constructed to contain cattle, sheep and other livestock are often ineffective barriers to predators. To be effective, fences must be constructed to deter predators from climbing over, passing through, or burrowing under them. All fence projects are inspected to verify that the work has been completed and the fence will deter predators. See the Program Guide and the Sustainable CAP website for fence standards as well as guidelines and examples for fence construction.
HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDING
An inspection of the finished fence can be arranged by calling the Program Information Line at 1-800-811-4411 or emailing agriculture@gov.mb.ca
The applicant will then be contacted by an inspector from their local MASC Service Centre. The completed inspection report will be submitted by MASC on the applicant’s behalf.
The documents needed to apply can be found on the Manitoba Agriculture website:
· Applicant Information Form.
Application Worksheet for fence construction
Go to manitoba.ca/scap/resiliency/livestock/fencing.html to find these forms as well as the Program Guide.
Claim statements will be forwarded to applicants with approved fence projects. Once all fence construction is completed, submit all invoices and proof of payment, along with the Claim Worksheet for processing.
An applicant can submit one Fence Claim Worksheet over the 2025 program year. The documents can be emailed to: agriculture@gov.mb.ca
