Ontario Beef - May 2021 by Ontario Beef Magazine

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BEEF FARMERS OF ONTARIO

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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BEEF FARMERS OF ONTARIO

BEEF ONTARIO

May 2021

Volume 62, Number 2

COMPLIMENTARY MEMBER-SUPPORTED PUBLICATION

CONTENTS 4 Ahead of the Heard 5 Pemdale Farms Receives Award in Recognition of Environmental Stewardship 6 The Beef Beat 8 BFO Hosts First-Ever Virtual Annual General Meeting 10 Connecting with Consumers 12 Ontario Beef Market Development Update 14 Research Update 16 Reference Margin Limit Removed from AgriStability 18 Candid Camera: Using Visual Data as a New Way to Weigh Cattle 20 Finance Program Marks 30-Year Milestone with Continued Success 22 AgSights Update 24 Canada Beef Update 25 Durham Region Beef Farm Wins 2021 Ontario Mapleseed Pasture Award 26 Conservation of Nesting Bobolinks on Farms 27 Focus on Herd Health 28 Ontario Licensed Dealers Listing 30 CCA Update 31 Market Information 37 Calendar of Events 38 Wellness on the Farm

12 ON THE COVER Spring is in full swing across the province as crops are going into the ground and cattle move to pasture. This issue of Ontario Beef is packed with information on a number of topics such as a feature story highlighting 30 years of success of the Ontario Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee program, known by many as the Feeder Finance program, and a timely Focus on Herd Health column focused on strawberry foot rot lameness in feedlot cattle. Don’t miss out on submitting your photos for our August issue. Please send your summer-inspired photos by July 15 to be considered for the cover. Digital photos that are at least 300dpi are preferred and can be emailed to info@ontariobeef.com.

ONTARIO BEEF • Beef Farmers of Ontario 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON N1K 1B1 • Phone: 519-824-0334 • Toll Free (for Ontario callers only) 1-866-370-BEEF (2333) Fax: 519-824-9101 • info@ontariobeef.com EDITOR LeaAnne Wurmli CIRCULATION COORDINATOR Bethany Storey ADVERTISING MANAGER Cathy Lasby, Preferred Agri-Marketing Services Guelph, ON Phone: 519-763-8833 • Fax: 519-763-8833 pams@sentex.net DESIGN and LAYOUT Prism Studios Advertising and Design Inc. Guelph, ON PRODUCTION and PRINTING Beck’s Printing Services, Brantford, ON

PROVIDING A FORUM FOR THE ONTARIO BEEF INDUSTRY Ontario Beef is the official publication of the Beef Farmers of Ontario. Contents of this publication may be reproduced only by permission of the Editor and with credit acknowledged. Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and/or editor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Beef Farmers of Ontario. Publication of advertisements does not constitute endorsement or approval by Ontario Beef or the Beef Farmers of Ontario of products or services advertised. Advertising deadlines are January 10, April 15, July 15, September 15 and November 15. The publisher reserves the right to refuse or cancel any advertising, including advertising that is inconsistent with BFO’s Sponsorship Policy, available at www.ontariobeef.com. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published, however no responsibility can be assumed for advertising not received in clear, type-written form. C an adi an P u b l i c a t i o n s M a i l P r o d u c t S a l es A g r eem en t Nu m b er 0 0 4 0 0 0 7 0 2 9 POSTMASTER: Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Beef Farmers of Ontario, 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON N1K 1B1

AHEAD OF THE HEARD By Rob Lipsett, BFO President info@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

Signs of Spring I

n a farmer’s world, signs of spring like calves on the ground, dust in the fields and green pastures always bring feelings of promise and hope for new beginnings. If at any point in my lifetime we needed a sign for a fresh start, now would be it. With the entire province back in lockdown and the fatigue of the pandemic weighing on everyone, signs of spring and warmer weather are, if nothing else, helping to lift our spirits. While on the front lines calves are being born, fences are checked, manure is spread and crops are planted, behind the scenes, the BFO Board continues to actively lobby for improvements to business risk management programming (BRM) for our farmers and their families. We continue to advocate for additional funding for Ontario’s Risk Management Program with the pork, sheep, veal, grains, and fruit and vegetable sectors under the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition to make up for the shortcomings of the national suite of BRM programs. We hope to meet with the Premier’s Office and Minister Hardeman’s office soon to further promote our request and do everything we can to deliver a win for our industry. With regards to the AgriStability program, we have sent a letter to Minister Hardeman acknowledging the recently announced removal of the reference margin limit, retroactive to 2020, is an important change. But we also shared that in the absence of an increase to the program’s trigger level, AgriStability will continue to provide less than sufficient protection for Ontario’s beef sector. Aside from our activity on BRM programming, we were thankful for the funding support announced in the 2021 Provincial Budget to

BFO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2021 Rob Lipsett (Background Director) - President Phone: 519-375-2080 • Email: lipsettrob@yahoo.ca Jack Chaffe (Feedlot Director) - Vice-President Phone: 519-301-3034 • Email: jdchaffe@quadro.net Don Badour (Cow-Calf Director) Email: don.badour@ripnet.com Don Hargrave (Cow-Calf Director) Email: dchargrave@gmail.com Jason Leblond (Cow-Calf Director) Email: jsacres5@gmail.com Joe Dickenson (Feedlot Director) Email: joe@dickensonfarms.com David Millsap (Feedlot Director) Email: davidwmillsap@gmail.com Jordan Miller (Northern Director) Email: b.jordan.miller@gmail.com Craig McLaughlin (Eastern Director) Email: cmblackhorse@gmail.com Ron Stevenson (Southern Director) Email: ron@metzgervet.com Jason Reid (Director-At-Large) Email: reidridgefarm@tbaytel.net Kim Jo Bliss (Director-At-Large) Email: kimjobliss@gmail.com

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

ensure the beef cattle set-aside program will be available this year, if needed. Like in 2020, the program would be triggered as a result of a COVID-19 slow down or shut down in the processing sector. Moving to another important and timely topic, with BFO’s statement of values on diversity, equity and inclusion now public, our commitment to improvement as an organization must shift to action. With this in mind, the board determined training would be a logical first step to building a foundational knowledge needed to create impactful change. To do this, we have partnered with a company called Bloom, which provides learning experiences designed to build a baseline understanding and knowledge of the foundations of diversity, equity and inclusion. The program is comprehensive and requires an investment of time on the part of all participants, but the board and staff are excited to embark on the experience. Our hope is that through comprehensive training we will be better equipped to make informed decisions when it comes to improving diversity, equity and inclusion within BFO, the beef industry and beyond. Lastly, I would like to thank the BFO Board of Directors for their support and confidence as I embark on another year as your president. I’ve had an unconventional tenure at the helm, but my time spent as president thus far has reminded me of how truly resilient our members, staff and industry are. Take care and enjoy the warmer weather. OB

BFO STAFF Executive Director Richard Horne • richard@ontariobeef.com Policy Advisor Darby Wheeler • darby@ontariobeef.com Policy Advisor Evan Chaffe • evan@ontariobeef.com Director of Communications LeaAnne Wurmli • leaanne@ontariobeef.com Manager of Public Engagement and Digital Strategy Jennifer Kyle • jennifer@ontariobeef.com Communications Specialist Bethany Storey • bethany@ontariobeef.com Market Information Coordinator Jamie Gamble • markets@ontariobeef.com

Accountant Amber McIntyre • amber@ontariobeef.com Office Manager Tammy Purdham • tammy@ontariobeef.com Manager of Producer Relations Dan Ferguson • dan@ontariobeef.com Producer Relations Specialist Jaclyn Horenberg • jaclyn@ontariobeef.com Check-Off Inspector Chris Millar • chrism@ontariobeef.com Provincial Supervisor, Ontario Feeder Cattle and Beef Breeder Co-op Programs Cheryl Russwurm • crfeederfin@wightman.ca Water Quality Specialist Chris Attema • chris@ontariobeef.com

Pemdale Farms Receives Award in Recognition of Environmental Stewardship B

FO was pleased to announce Jackie and Steven Pemberton of Pemdale Farms located in Inkerman, Ontario, as the 2021 recipient of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA). The award is sponsored by the RBC Royal Bank and was announced at BFO’s 59th annual general meeting. Located in Dundas County, the Pembertons have developed their farming strategies successfully by incorporating research and innovation to further the sustainability of their operation, as well as actively engaging with the community around them. Jackie and Steven have demonstrated their commitment to the environment by focusing on development of research, effective nutrient management, and caring for waterways. Making decisions based on science has always been integral in the environmental management of the Pembertons’ farm. While incorporating simple, routine practices such as planting cover crops, fencing waterways, and participating in the Environmental Farm Plan, Pemdale Farms has also taken an active role in many research projects to further sustainability and innovation within the industry. Some examples of this research include: projects with Carleton University

focusing on agriculture adaptation to climate change; an international research project analyzing the genetics of various crops and their effects on biodiversity; a manure storage design research project conducted with the Canadian government, agriculture and university groups – to name a few. “Jacqueline and Steven are exemplary members of the community, and their dedication to environmental stewardship is having an impact throughout Eastern Ontario and beyond,” says Brendan Jacobs, Program Coordinator, ALUS Ontario East. “It is through fostering these relationships that new perspectives can emerge, leading to effective and lasting stewardship activities.” As leaders in the agricultural community, the Pembertons are heavily involved with agricultural and stewardship programs and education, promoting clean-water strategies and nutrient management. In addition, they continue to be active in their local associations and committees, including the Dundas Federation of Agriculture and Dundas Cattlemen’s Association. Jackie is also a current director on the Ontario Federation of Agriculture Board of Directors and holds the position of liaison with BFO. BFO is currently accepting and welcoming nominations for the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award. Deadline to submit is July 1 each year, and the application/nominations form can be found on the BFO website under Services/Awards. OB

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ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

THE BEEF BEAT By Darby Wheeler, BFO Policy Advisor darby@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

Animal Care and Environmental Policy Update S

ince starting my role at BFO last August, I have been busy learning and working on a variety of issues affecting the beef industry, while also setting a personal record for attending more virtual meetings than I ever thought I would. I am probably not alone in that. With my background in public policy and public administration, and with my upbringing on a cow-calf operation in Stormont County, working for BFO has perfectly combined two aspects of my life. During my short tenure at BFO so far, I have had the opportunity to dive into many interesting files and, for my introductory Ontario Beef article, I wanted to discuss some of them with you.

Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act As I am sure many of you are aware of, the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, previously referred to as Bill 156, fully came into force on December 5, 2020. The Act was initially introduced into the provincial legislature in December 2019 and received Royal Assent in June 2020. The Act was in response to growing concerns about unwanted trespassers on farms and at processing facilities, and growing safety and biosecurity concerns by farmers and others. The Act aims to balance the protection of the farming and food industry while respecting a citizen’s right to lawful protest. Broadly speaking, the Act establishes “Animal Protection Zones”, which is a farm, facility or premises where farm animals are kept, and establishes three categories of Animal Protection Zones. For beef farmers, your barns and buildings where animals are kept, pastures, and areas where animals are being transported constitute Animal Protection Zones. These areas do not require any type of signage to designate them as such. Within an Animal Protection Zone, the Act prohibits people from entering and interacting with farm animals without consent and establishes increased fines for those in contravention of the Act. BFO and other livestock and agriculture organizations were engaged and worked closely during the consultation process as part the development of the Act. BFO has submitted comments on both the Act and its regulations to the provincial government, which can be found on BFO’s website. The Act and associated regulations have far more detail and provisions that my above summary does not cover. If you’re interested in learning more or have questions about the Act, visit BFO’s website or aboutbill156.com, or feel free to reach out to me.

Access to Veterinarian Care For many farmers in Ontario, particularly in northern Ontario, access to a veterinarian is a major concern. With past resolutions put forward by members, this is a longstanding issue and, arguably, a very 6

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

complex issue that requires a variety of short-term and long-term solutions, including a collaboration of groups to effectively address the gap in access to veterinary care. Last August, a working group was established to further investigate the issue of accessing veterinarian care in the beef sector. The group consists of BFO representatives, beef farmers, veterinarians, and representatives from the College of Veterinarians, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and OMAFRA. The group has discussed many possible solutions such as recruitment and retention of veterinarians in rural and remote areas, possible increased role of veterinarian technicians, and government programs in other areas of Canada and internationally, to name a few. BFO also provided a letter of support last spring for an OMAFRAfunded project conducted by ACER Consulting that will examine the need, capacity and barriers to accessing food animal veterinary services in various parts of the province. The project is currently underway and will aim to examine policies to address the issue, map and identify underserviced areas, and, ultimately, prepare a final report with their findings and recommendations.

Environment I have had the opportunity to work on some very interesting environment-related files over the past few months. This includes taking part in various groups and initiatives related to soil health and nutrient management; outlining the role of beef farming in preserving agricultural grasslands and habitat for various species at risk in BFO’s submission on proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act; researching and preparing BFO’s submission for the province’s recent Greenbelt consultation, in which BFO continued to emphasize the importance of sustaining and protecting Ontario’s agricultural lands. BFO is also closely monitoring the federal carbon tax and other federal greenhouse gas (GHG) initiatives, including the ongoing development of the federal GHG offset system. On the topic of carbon and preserving grasslands: we know when grasslands are converted to other purposes, they release significant amounts of carbon. BFO has been following some exciting projects taking place in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada that involve initiatives to preserve grasslands and better understand the role of grasslands in carbon markets. With the resolution that passed at BFO’s AGM in February this year regarding incentive programs for protecting hay and pastureland, we’ll continue to research different mechanisms to preserve Ontario’s grasslands. With that, I will conclude by saying I am thrilled to be a part of the BFO team. I look forward to chatting with more of our members on these topics and new and emerging issues. OB

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ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

BFO Hosts First-Ever Virtual Annual General Meeting T

he BFO Board of Directors and staff welcomed over 300 attendees during the organization’s first-ever virtual two-day annual general meeting held on the afternoons of February 17-18. Delegates and guests heard from a number of speakers, including keynote speaker Dr. David Hughes from Wales who spoke about evolving consumer trends and purchasing habits postCOVID-19. BFO was also pleased to welcome the Honourable Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, on Wednesday afternoon to address the delegates. Thursday afternoon, delegates debated and voted on a number of important resolutions that have set the course for the organization in the year ahead. One new director, Kim Jo Bliss from the district of Rainy River, was elected to the BFO Board of Directors. Kim Jo fills a vacant seat as director at-large on the board for a one-year term. Kim Jo resides near Emo, Ontario, where she has a 50-head cowcalf operation and a small sheep flock. In addition to juggling life on the farm and her job with the Ontario Crops Research Centre in Emo that is operated by the University of

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

Guelph, Kim Jo is also involved in many community organizations including the local hospital foundation and the Rainy River sales barn and abattoir. BFO continues to attract strong leaders to its board, which is a tremendous asset as the organization presses on with navigating the impact of the global BFO President, Rob Lipsett, chaired the virtual AGM safely from an office at BFO. pandemic and finding workable Ontario will represent the cow-calf sector, solutions for the ongoing processing capacity Jordan Miller of Kagawong, Ontario will challenges plaguing the beef sector. represent northern Ontario and Jason Reid Four BFO directors were re-elected by from Thunder Bay will hold the position of voting delegates for three-year terms. Jack director at-large. Chaffe of Mitchell, Ontario will represent the Rob Lipsett from Annan, Ontario, who feedlot sector, Jason Leblond of Powassan, represents the background sector on the BFO Board of Directors, will continue to lead the organization in the year ahead as president, with Jack Chaffe serving as vice president. The BFO Board of Directors consists of 12 elected officials: three from the cow-calf sector, three from the feedlot sector, one from the backgrounder sector, one each representing the southern, northern and eastern regions of Ontario, and two at-large. Directors are elected for three-year terms on a rotating basis. The 2021 BFO Annual Report can be viewed on the BFO website or you can access a hard copy by contacting the office. OB

Mission control at the BFO office helped to ensure the event ran smoothly for all delegates and speakers.

2021 CARRIED RESOLUTIONS 21-01 – INCREASED COSTS OF CARBON TAX 21-02 – INCREASED FUNDING FOR RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 21-03 – BUSINESS RISK MANAGEMENT 21-04 – DAIRY PRODUCER RELATIONS AND CULL COWS 21-05 – INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR PROTECTING HAY AND PASTURELAND 21-06 – FRAMEWORK FOR ESCAPED LIVESTOCK EMERGENCIES 21-07 – COUNTY/DISTRICT ORGANIZATION INSURANCE COVERAGE 21-08 – NATIONAL AGRICULTURE POLICY 21-09 – PROCURING ROADSIDE SAFETY SIGNAGE 21-10 – PROPER USE OF SLOWMOVING VEHICLE SIGNAGE 21-11 – ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET 21-12 – ABATTOIR CAPACITY AND MOBILE ABATTOIRS 21-13 – FUNDING SUPPORT FOR LOCAL ABATTOIRS 21-14 – BOXED BEEF PRICES 21-15 – CROP INSURANCE - FORAGE Thank you to the many loyal and valuable sponsors who continue to support Ontario’s beef industry and farmers.

21-16 – PROVINCIAL ABATTOIR CAPACITY AND FUNDING ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

CONNECTING WITH CONSUMERS Simmering and Boiling Our Way to Success By Jennifer Kyle, Manager of Public Engagement and Digital Strategy jennifer@ontariobeef.com • www.ontbeef.com

ast year left a bitter taste for people across the country and around the globe. For BFO, however, there was a bright spot in the mess that was the year 2020: our Ontario Beef consumer engagement strategy. 2020 was planned to be the first full year implementing our new Ontario Beef consumer engagement strategy. When COVID hit in March 2020, we were fortunate we had planned the majority of our strategy to take place on social media. With a few small tweaks to our plans and messaging, and some funds redirected from in-person events toward boosting our social media activity, we were able to hit the ground running while other brands and organizations spent time reworking their plans. We took a “simmer and boil” approach. All year we maintained a constant presence on our social channels with both paid and organic content, which kept our efforts “simmering.” Then, twice throughout the year, we cranked things up to a boil with two largescale promotional campaigns. This simmer and boil approach paid off with impressive 2020 results. We ran an efficient and cost-effective strategy resulting in significant impressions, reach, engagement and visits to the ontbeef.ca website. Let’s take a look at the overall numbers from 2020.

What do these numbers mean? They mean our content showed up in social feeds and in front of people 43.7 million times and reached 7.5 million individuals. They mean people took the time to interact with our content in some way (like, share, comment, link click, etc.) 1.1 million times, and 65,000 people visited our new website as a result of seeing our content. These numbers are fantastic. If you factor in our modest budget, we were able to make significant impact for a moderately low investment overall in 2020.

How did the “boiling points” influence the results? As mentioned, we ran two large-scale campaigns throughout the year where we ramped up our activity and investment to focus our messaging and provide our audience with a specific call to action within a set timeframe. The first of these campaigns was our “Ontario Beef Burger Battle” that ran in the summer. It was designed to celebrate local recipes in the height of grilling season and generate awareness of Ontario beef. Our four burger battle competitors duked it out on social media 10

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

to see whose Ontario beef burger creation would reign supreme. The campaign generated a lot of great buzz and engagement from our community, which resulted in a lot of fantastic “user-generated content” (content shared by our followers) that we were able to use to bolster our own efforts. What did the numbers look like?

The number of visits to our site shows this campaign really focused on getting people to our website for the competing burger recipes. This campaign alone generated 65 per cent of the website visits for 2020! Our second boiling point was our “Ask Your Local Butcher” campaign that ran through the end of the year. This campaign was designed to position local butchers as a knowledgeable source that can guide consumers’ culinary adventures and introduce them to the endless possibilities of Ontario beef. Our goal was to emphasize the benefits of visiting with a butcher to demystify the meat counter. Ultimately, we wanted shoppers to ask for Ontario beef, and when they weren’t sure where to find it, to visit the store locator on our website. How did we do?

Most interesting here are the inverted numbers compared to the burger battle. In this campaign, we used transit shelter (bus stop) ads in Toronto, Ottawa and Kitchener-Waterloo in addition to the same social media tactics we used in the first campaign. Each ad was paired with a butcher shop located within a five-kilometre radius of the bus stop, and the ad directed viewers to visit that shop to ask for Ontario beef. These shops were outfitted with corresponding promotional materials to tie it all together. The transit ads significantly bumped the impressions and reach, but because we were reaching people out of their home and, theoretically, away from their device, we didn’t see the increases in engagement and web traffic the way we did with the burger battle. This campaign was certainly more about awareness and encouraging in-store behaviour. Both campaigns were successful with their individual strengths, which is great to see.

which podcast will air the ads, we will let you know so you can tune in! Itching to get your hands on some fun swag to show or wear your love for Ontario Beef? Watch for a couple of pop-up swag shops to open up! Are your freezer beef sales still booming, and would you like some promo items to outfit your farm store, market stand, or even yourself? Contact Jenn at the BFO office for a list of what’s available for use at retail. And, finally, we will be creating new videos, photography and recipes to keep our offerings fresh, partnering with AgScape to develop three curriculum-linked resources for use in classrooms, and participating either virtually or in-person at any events we can! OB

To see the great content from these campaigns as well as our other “simmering” activity, be sure to follow us on social media.

What’s coming up in 2021? As we work to build on the momentum generated in 2020, we have some great plans for 2021. Watch for us to continue the “simmer and boil” approach on our social channels, where we will engage the talents of several food influencers throughout the year. We will have two largescale campaign windows again this year, the first of which will kick off in July, so stay tuned for details coming soon. Are you a podcast listener? We will also try our hand at podcast advertising later this year. When we know

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ONTARIO BEEF MARKET DEVELOPMENT By John Baker, Director of the Ontario Beef Market Development Program john@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

Ontario Beef Sees Strong Growth in Important Japanese Market I

n 2015, the Ontario Corn Fed Beef program began Ontario’s first marketing efforts to brand Ontario beef outside of our provincial borders. The primary market identified was Japan. Since that time, we have seen tremendous growth in the volume of Ontario beef exported to Japan, and more importantly the value received for branded Ontario beef in the Japanese market. Japanese consumers love the taste of beef. They have tremendous respect for on-farm processes and protocols that ensure consistency

and quality, and they demand the highest levels of food safety in the products they import from many nations around the world. Canada has a tremendous reputation with Japanese consumers; the image of Canada as a country of integrity and natural resources resonates very well with consumers. The province of Alberta, through their office in Japan, has always been an active supporter of Alberta beef in the market, allowing them to create a unique identity for regional beef production. This approach provided an opportunity to focus on how the province of Ontario could also provide the market with a unique value proposition for highquality beef produced in Ontario. Our value proposition is cattle raised on registered family farms under a documented quality assurance program, using a consistent nutritionally balanced corn-based feed ration and animal welfare standards to produce consistently highquality beef. Back in 2015, we began our marketing efforts with Kinsho stores, a 43-store retail chain based in Osaka, Japan. In January 2019, we were

very honoured to have two senior management leaders from Kinsho stores travel to Ontario to attend the Ontario Beef Industry Convention in London. Mr. Hirohi Ueda, Vice President of Kinsho stores, spoke about the relationship developed between Ontario Corn Fed Beef and Kinsho stores. They both spoke about how Ontario Corn Fed Beef has 12

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

provided them with a unique high-quality brand of Canadian beef that their consumers have grown to love. “Ontario Corn Fed Beef, grown using high-quality corn, produces beef with an excellent aroma and flavour, and it can be sold to consumers with confidence,” shared Mr. Ueda during his address. “We promise to deliver the consistent commitment to quality to consumers on your behalf.” The success of this relationship has led to tremendous growth in the market. Today, there are 17 retail chains from all across Japan representing over 590 stores marketing Ontario Corn Fed Beef, making it the most recognized brand of Canadian beef in Japan. As of May 2021, we will have three more retail chains marketing a new brand of Ontario beef in Japan, as Ontario Heritage Angus Beef makes its way into the market. Canfax Research Services reports that export markets generate over $900 to a fed carcass’ value. Developing such strong relationships in an important export market like Japan takes time and effort. However, the return is long lasting and beneficial to the entire Ontario beef industry. For the period between 2016 and 2020, Ontario beef exports increased by 183 per cent in volume and 212 per cent in value to over $74 million. According to a report by the Japan Supermarket Association, the average growth rate of beef demand over 2020 was 6.9 per cent at all 8,024 member stores. A survey of Ontario Corn Fed Beef retail partners reported increases of 15 to 20 per cent over the same period. COVID-19 concerns caused a slowdown last fall in production, and ultimately the shutdown of the Cargill Guelph facility in late 2020

resulted in reduced volumes available for the last quarter of 2020 and early 2021. However, with strong brand partnerships and a return to full production, we expect to see volumes return to year-over-year increases. OB

“

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ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

RESEARCH UPDATE Collaborating to Tackle the Big Issues Facing Livestock Farmers By Lilian Schaer, Livestock Research Innovation Corporation

any issues facing livestock farmers are complex and multifaceted - and sometimes, solutions require a broad spectrum of expertise that extends beyond the individual species. That’s where the concept of a cross-sectoral approach to research comes into play and why Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC), commodity organizations like Beef Farmers of Ontario, and the research community are increasingly turning to broader research partnerships. “It’s great when something very specific can be dealt with, but more typically problems are complicated and can’t be solved simply,” says Dr. Rene Van Acker, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph. “That means you need a team to work on different aspects of the issue - and that’s where the value is in that type of work: you start to be able to bring solutions to more complicated problems.” Cross-sectoral collaboration can mean including processors and retailers alongside farmers and researchers or creating collaborations within or across multiple research disciplines to work on issues like antimicrobial resistance or gut health. Not only does this reduce research duplication, but it also encourages new thinking about possible solutions. While more challenging to bring together, these partnerships have proven to be very effective, says Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel, Dean of the Ontario Veterinary College. A leading example is the University of Guelph’s new One Health Institute, where Wichtel chairs the advisory board. The institute works across disciplines to address health

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challenges like antimicrobial resistance that impact human, animal and environmental life. “Antimicrobial resistance is an excellent example because of the urgency of the issue and the potential long-term public health concern. No sector can do that on its own, and you have to collaborate with human health and public health,” Wichtel says. Several successful initiatives already in place at the University of Guelph like the Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, the Campbell Centre for Animal Welfare, and the Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, demonstrate the value of working together, but more can be done to harness the true benefit of cross-sectoral research. Academic research projects and programs are traditionally set up along departmental lines within colleges, which doesn’t encourage broader collaborations. “It’s important to be talking about how we can change those structures, incentives, and processes to encourage more collaboration,” says Wichtel. “Where things work well is where there are incentives for people to work together.” That’s where Van Acker believes LRIC and livestock organizations can harness their government relationships to seek support for agricultural research and innovation needs. That includes continued funding for research programs and infrastructure, like the new beef research facility in Elora, but also encouraging change in how those research programs are structured and including incentives for collaboration, which will result in society-wide benefits. “I don’t think we see ourselves enough in the reality of what our sector is really all about,” says Van Acker. “Research and innovation that helps Canadian farmers results in the protection and improvement of the health of Canadians and of our shared environment, and economic growth - and that’s what we all want.” Soil health could benefit from a collaborative approach because of its crucial role in sustaining farm productivity and direct links to the carbon cycle, greenhouse gases and climate change. And as society’s view of animals continues to change, there is tremendous benefit from a collaborative, cross-sectoral approach to welfare. Van Acker and Wichtel are both members of the Deans’ Council Agriculture, Food & Veterinary Medicine, which has started working more closely with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Food and Beverage Canada, and other national organizations to encourage cross-sectoral solutions. LRIC leads the development of an annual list of cross-sectoral research priorities for the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance (previously the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural AffairsUniversity of Guelph Partnership) Research Program. The organization has also introduced a mentorship program for new University of Guelph faculty to connect with and learn about the livestock sector, and recently launched a Horizon Series of white papers and webinars on leading issues. “Every livestock sector, large or small, values research and innovation. I hear from them, academia and government that we want more cross-sector research initiatives,” says LRIC CEO Mike McMorris. “Our Horizon Series highlights the top areas with potential for crosssectoral research and will hopefully stimulate some follow-up action.” Beef Farmers of Ontario is already taking steps in this direction, with the organization currently jointly supporting two projects with Dairy Farmers of Ontario. Prof. Erica Pensini of the Department of Engineering is developing bale and silage wrap from inexpensive yet robust biomaterials, and Prof. Ron Johnson from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Ontario Veterinary College is examining withdrawal times for dexamethasone in dairy and beef cattle. OB

THINK PINK, THINK LIMOUSIN THINK LIMOUSIN PINK TAG FALL SALES

Be sure to purchase your pink CCIA tags for your consignments to the Fall Limousin Pink Tag Stocker Sales.

Make Plans to Buy and Sell at the

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December 4th 2021 at Maple Hill Auction, Hanover Contact Emily Gibson for any information on the sale 519-440-9907 or emilygibson0707@gmail.com

Please contact the Breeders listed for your Limousin Bulls and Females. 3 RIDGE FARMS Jon Bell 217294 Conc. 3 Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N5 519-378-4006 roundbale14@hotmail.com

CROWN HILL ACRES Craig and Michelle Kennedy 258 Sturgeon Rd. Omemee, ON K0L 2W0 705-741-6700 crownhillacres@gmail.com

ARCON CATTLE CO Art Thompson, Jim & Connor Wiley 5174 Concession Road 4 Everett, ON L0M 1J0 Art 705-434-8582 Jim 705-734-7379 arconcattleco@gmail.com

DARLING FARMS 4172 County Rd 25 Castleton, ON K0K 1M0 905-375-4019 dmdarling13@gmail.com

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RAIL LINE FARMS Paul and Brad MacIntyre 221 Bruce County Rd. 1 RR #3, Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0 519-528-2423 pcmacintyre@hurontel.on.ca NEW LIFE LIMOUSIN Justin and Melissa Burgess 261269 Conc. 18 Hanover, ON N4N 3B8 519-270-5415 New.life.limousin@gmail.com SMART LIMOUSIN Garry and Sheila Smart 137606 Grey Road 12 RR#2, Meaford, ON N4L 1W6 519-538-4877 www.smartlimousin.com WINDY GABLES LIMOUSIN Bryce & Nathan Allen RR #4, Warkworth, ON K0K 3K0 705-924-2583

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ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

Reference Margin Limit Removed from AgriStability I

n March this year, after lengthy negotiations among the provinces, the federal and provincial governments agreed to remove the reference margin limit (RML) for producers enrolled in the AgriStability program. BFO has been actively lobbying both levels of government, advocating for a number of changes to the program. We remain steadfast in our position that the program, as currently designed, does not meet the needs of beef farmers due to 1) an inequitable limiting of reference margins; 2) an outdated payment cap that penalizes larger operations; 3) the current trigger threshold. These are amongst other concerns. However, aside from the Ontario Risk Management Program (RMP), AgriStability remains the only farm insurance program of any significance that is available to the beef sector. The recently announced removal of the RML, retroactive to 2020 through to 2023, is an important change and we appreciate the improvement achieved this year. However, in the absence of an increase to the program’s trigger level, we acknowledge that AgriStability will continue to provide less-than-sufficient protection for our sector. The application deadline for the 2021 year has been extended from April 30, 2021, to June 30, 2021, to provide producers with more

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O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

time to consider enrolling in the program. To assist our members in evaluating the impact of the RML removal, we have conducted some initial analysis to help producers understand the change and how it may impact individual operations. Based on 2019 numbers from OMAFRA, the removal of the RML would have increased the number of producers triggering a program payment by 33.6 per cent for cow-calf operations and 1.9 per cent for feeder operations. On average, over the 2013-2019 period, the removal of the RML would have seen 36 per cent of cow-calf operations and 34 per cent of feeder operations trigger payment benefits from AgriStability, up from 28 per cent and 33 per cent prior to the change. Average annual payments to the beef sector between 2013 and 2019 would have been 9 per cent (feedlot) and 34 per cent (cow-calf) higher had the RML not been applied in those years. However, total payments across that period are likely a better measure of impact than average annual payments. The cow-calf sector would have seen total payments increase from approximately $17 million to $23 million (34 per cent increase), for the 2013 to 2019 program years, whereas the feedlot sector would have seen total payments increase from approximately $59 million to $65 million (1 per cent increase). Producer premiums to enroll in the AgriStability program are based on a producer’s reference margin. The formula is as follows: Fee = (Reference Margin x 0.45% x 70%) + $55 (covers administrative costs) Example: = (100,000 x 0.45% x 70%) + $55 = $370 On behalf of our members, BFO will continue to aggressively advocate that farmers need access to meaningful and reliable risk management programs or ad-hoc funding to support the sustainability and viability of Ontario’s beef sector. We continue to advocate for additional funding for the RMP program to make up for the shortcomings of the national suite of business risk management programs. OB

UNDERSTANDING AGRISTABILITY

Triggering payments If your production margin is less than 70 per cent of your reference margin, you trigger a payment.

AgriStability protects you when your net farming income falls below 70 per cent of your recent average. To determine if you have a decline in your net farming income, two margins are calculated.

How your payment is calculated

Calculating your production margin Production margin = Allowable income – allowable expenses + inventory adjustments Allowable income and expenses are directly related to the production of a commodity. The income and expenses reported on your tax form are used to calculate your production margin. To reflect any changes in the value of your inventory, inventory adjustments are calculated and added to your production margins. Fair market values are used to value your inventory adjustments.

Calculating your reference margin

Your payment trigger is 70 per cent of your reference margin. If your production margin falls below your payment trigger, AgriStability will pay you 70 per cent of the difference. The example below assumes a reference margin of $100,000, a corresponding payment trigger of $70,000 and a production margin of $60,000. Payment = (Payment trigger – Production margin) x 70% Payment = ($70,000 - $60,000) x 70% Payment = $7,000 The maximum payment you may receive under AgriStability in a program year is $3 million. For more information, call Agricorp (1-888-247-4999) to speak with an AgriStability specialist.

Your reference margin is an Olympic average of your last five production margins (dropping the highest and lowest values) or an average of your adjusted expenses from the same three years – whichever is less. The minimum reference margin is 70 per cent of your average production margins. Your reference margin is now guaranteed to be at least the 70 per cent minimum – no matter how low your expenses are.

New to farming? Years of farming

Calculating your reference margin.

Three to five years

Your reference margin is based on your previous three production margins.

Less than three years

Industry average margins (per unit) are used to construct up to three production margins for your operation. Your reference margin is the average of these three production margins.

Changes in your operation?

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If you significantly change commodities, expand or downsize your operation, you can expect your production margin to be different. In that case, your historical production margins are also adjusted, and then your reference margin is calculated using these adjusted figures. This ensures an accurate comparison between your farm’s current year and previous years. If you expand your farm, your reference margin is increased. If you downsize, your reference margin is decreased.

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ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

Candid Camera: Using Visual Data as a New Way to Weigh Cattle By Vanessa Rotondo and Dr. Katie Wood, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph

here is an old saying in Hollywood: “the camera adds 10 pounds.” Although that may not be literally true, camera systems can in fact be used to predict body weight. A new research project at the University of Guelph has been developing the use of visual spectrum data from camera systems to automatically and accurately estimate body weight and growth in calves. Having accurate body weights on animals can be an important management tool for producers. Beyond benchmarking animal performance, animal weight can give insight into estimating nutrient requirements, be used as a health indicator, serve as a tool for genetic selection, and more. However, many farms either do not have access to scales and weighing infrastructure or do not have the time nor labour to regularly weigh their cattle. According to the 2016 Ontario Cow-Calf Survey, only 44 per cent of survey respondents owned a scale. This is where the base of this research starts. Is there another way to capture animal weights without the need for weighing infrastructure and labour associated with weighing cattle? The project brought together Dr. Medhat Moussa and research staff David Weales from the School of Engineering, Dr. Katie Wood and graduate student Vanessa Rotondo from the Department of

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Animal Biosciences, and OMAFRA industry experts to develop a system that passively collects calf images to see if the images can be used to automatically identify key body points, which could be used to predict body weight. Although heart girth circumference has long been correlated with body weight and is the basis behind animal weigh tapes that many producers still use, Measuring over 19 body dimensions traits on young calves at the Ontario Beef Research there may be other Centre Measurements measurements that improve the accuracy of body weight prediction. To investigate the relevance of these other measurements, over 100 calves from the Ontario Beef Research Centre were weighed and 19 different body traits were measured weekly from two to eight weeks of age. Once measurements were collected, algorithms were generated to predict calf body weight. Measurements including heart girth, width over the pin bones, and width across the eyes, combined with other traits, were found to be able to predict calf weight with high accuracy.

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O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

Calf standing under the prototype camera system used to passively capture visual data which can be used to estimate body weight

Now that we can conclude that the body measurements studied can accurately assess body weight, the question still remains, “how can we weigh calves and collect all this ‘big data’ in a timely manner?” This is where the engineering begins. After the calves were measured, they were led with a halter to a prototype image capture system. The cameras were mounted on either side of a wooden frame and images from both sides of the calf were captured as the calf stood under the frame. From the images, thousands of data points were generated to develop a digital model of the calf. From here, computer algorithms were applied to isolate the calf from the background environment and to automatically identify these key body features important in predicting body weight. This project uses concepts from the “digital agriculture” revolution, where large amounts of data is collected and analysed in order to provide producers with decision-making tools to improve efficiency and production. Although perhaps more abundant in other agricultural sectors, “big data” can have applications in the beef industry too. Applications like the visualized body weights can passively generate data, which will enable producers to make informed management decisions and allow for early intervention based on actual information gathered. This may allow for early detection of health concerns, prediction of growth curves and more accurate information on individual animals. These camera-based systems have some advantages over traditional scales, as the infrastructure costs are much lower and systems can be installed within the pen. This eliminates the need to move animals, allowing for data to be captured from each individual animal on a daily basis, yet minimizing labour costs for producers.

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So what’s next? The research team hopes to adapt this technology to run completely autonomously by installing the system in a creep pen or mounting it over a water bowl or feeder while incorporating a RFID tag reader to automatically identify animals. In the future, the research team also hopes to validate this technology for older cattle of both beef and dairy breeds. Although the camera may not actually add 10 pounds, using visual data to make better informed animal management decisions may help producers get their cattle to gain those ten pounds faster. OB

Spectral data generated by the camera system used to identify key traits to calculate body weight

ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

Finance Program Marks 30-Year Milestone with Continued Success By Jeanine Moyer

t’s been 30 years since the first loans were granted through the Ontario Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program. Since then, more than $1.78 billion worth of loans has been advanced, enabling members to purchase over 2.2 million head of cattle across the province. The financial impact of this memberled, grassroots approach to financing cattle in Ontario adds up. But the real impact is hard to measure in numbers. The program has enabled young farmers, who may not have otherwise had access to capital loans, to get a start in farming and the beef industry. It has allowed many beef farmers to remain independent by feeding and owning Steve Eby operates a feedlot in Bruce County and is the current chair of the Feeder Finance Executive Committee their own cattle, and it has expanded purchasing power among producers, review where the provincial executive has proposed several changes providing a healthy level of competition at the sales barns. and clarifications to OMAFRA. “Most importantly, the co-op loan program has helped Ontario “The co-op loan program provides producers with a simplified beef farmers weather the storms,” says Cheryl Russwurm, program approach to financing,” explains Russwurm. “It was originally intended supervisor since 2006. “Despite the challenges the cattle industry has to support young producers, and it still does. But the program works faced over the years, including weak cattle prices, BSE, drought-like so well that some members have been with us for 25 years, utilizing conditions, or even recent packing plant closures due to COVID-19, the program as their main source to finance cattle.” the program has enabled members to stay in business, remain Designed to provide a stable, local source of funding, each co-op is competitive and maintain a consistent supply of quality beef for made up of a board of directors who evaluate each member and loan Ontario consumers.” application. “Honesty, integrity, communications, animal husbandry

Flexible Funding The first Order in Council for the Ontario Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program was signed in November 1990. During its first year, the program operated with a $10 million loan limit between six co-ops with a loan limit of $100,000 per member. Today, the same six original co-ops still account for nearly half of the program activity with more than one-third of all members under the age of 40.

and management are the basis of our membership requirements,” says Russwurm. Each co-op is also responsible for electing their directors, approving loans, loan negotiations, and hiring supervisors for reporting, member accountability and inspections. A provincial executive communicates with the 16 current co-ops is responsible for the progress of the program and negotiating changes with Beef Farmers of Ontario and the provincial government. The program has always been supported by a provincial supervisor who is responsible for the leadership, guidance and reporting of the program.

Today, the same six original co-ops still account for nearly half of the program activity with more than one-third of all members under the age of 40. The government-backed guarantee loan program was first modeled from similar initiatives in western Canada. The original agreement, or Order in Council, was negotiated with the Banker’s Association, Beef Farmers of Ontario (then known as Ontario Cattlemen’s Association) and the Ontario government. Since then, the program has grown, accounting for the financing of approximately 10 to 15 per cent of Ontario’s cattle on feed. The program is currently up for a five-year 20

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

Member Feedback

Steve Eby recalls his introduction to the local West Bruce Feeder Finance Co-op. “I was excited about the program because I knew it would help me get into the cattle business.” Like so many other young producers, Eby became a co-op member in his early 20s. He credits the program for giving him a start in the industry and continues to give back as a member and director for the co-op and, more recently, a member of the provincial executive committee. Eby notes he has seen changes to the program over the years, mostly increases to the loan program that have enabled more producers to benefit and grow the provincial industry. “As a grassroots

Spencer is a long-time member and director of his local cooperative and former provincial representative. He says he’s been proud to have watched members of all ages, experiences and backgrounds leverage the program to get a start in beef farming, grow their operations, or continue to trust and rely on their local group for ongoing support. “The feeder cattle loan program is a business opportunity for your peers that is run by your peers. It extends well beyond finances and negotiating interest rates, it’s great way for young people to find mentors, and it provides an opportunity for everyone to learn from each other.”

group, we have been able to prove the program’s value and continue to increase the loan guarantee,” he says. The most notable increase occurred in 2016 when the provincial government doubled the guarantee from $32.5 million to $65 million, providing producers access to an additional $130 million in affordable financing. “The co-op loan program really proved its worth after BSE,” says Carl Spencer, founding director and current member of the Twin County Feeder Finance Co-op. He notes the co-ops reached their highest membership numbers just before the BSE crisis in 2003, and while the co-ops lost members as a result of producers exiting the industry at that time, many of the members were able to stay in business thanks to the flexibility of the feeder cattle loan program. “And within a year or two after BSE, we had regained a solid membership again that demonstrated the resilience of our industry.”

“The feeder cattle loan program is a business opportunity for your peers that is run by your peers. It extends well beyond finances and negotiating interest rates, it’s great way for young people to find mentors, and it provides an opportunity for everyone to learn from each other.”

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CO-OP MEMBER? The Ontario Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program supports the operation of 16 feeder cattle co-operatives across the province. Each feeder cattle co-op is operated by a board of directors who negotiates a credit limit with a lender in order to assist members with the purchase of cattle for further feeding. A SIMPLE FIVE-STEP PROCESS: 1. A beef farmer living in Ontario applies to the co-op’s board of directors for membership. 2. After becoming a member, farmer applies for a purchase order for the amount of anticipated feeder cattle purchase, maximum of up to $500,000. A member can split a purchase order to cover up to four groups of cattle. 3. Once member receives purchase order, feeder cattle may be purchased in the name of the co-op. 4. Cattle are tagged and notched by the member and inspected by the co-op supervisor. 5. The co-op facilitates the payment for the cattle. When cattle are sold, they are sold in the name of the co-op and the member’s name and proceeds are applied to the loan.

“The best part about the program is that it is designed for everyone and anyone, no matter the size of the operation or producer experience,” says Eby, noting the economic spin-offs mean the program benefits aren’t limited to members. “Any on-farm investment like the financing of cattle creates opportunities within our rural communities, like jobs, veterinary and trucking services and supplies.” OB

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Membership Benefits • Attractive interest rate

Friday Evening May 21 at 7:00pm Viewing on sale day after 5:00pm

• No payments until cattle are sold (maximum one year) • Financing up to 100% • Loans may be obtained for home-produced calves, or for purchased feeder cattle • Limited financial information required for application • Lending is based on producer’s integrity and ability to feed cattle • Co-op supplies ID ear tags (not RFID), handles all paperwork for loan, administers all correspondence with the lender, and insures the cattle Costs to Members Each co-op charges an annual membership fee, administration cost, insurance, tag cost and costs associated with the cattle purchase can also be included in loan. A 5% security deposit is required based on the amount of loan and may be refundable 90 days after the loan is paid. Feeder Co-ops Offer the Advanced Payments Program The Advance Payments Program (APP) is a federal loan program administered by BFO on behalf of the 16 feeder cattle co-ops. The local co-op can offer you the interest free advances of APP on up to $100,000 of your eligible feeder loan during a production period. A simple application form is completed at the same time as the cattle are purchased and accompanying paperwork are processed for the feeder loan. The current application fee is $125 and the interest free advance is calculated as 50 per cent of the expected market value, as determined by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. For a complete listing of co-ops and contact information, visit www.ontariobeef.com and search under the Programs tab.

Approx 80 Charolais, whites/tans & reds X-Bred first or second calf Heifers Bred to large frame Charolais Bulls Majority with calves at foot remainder due anytime. Double Vaccinated Bovi-Sheild Gold 5, Scour Guard, Ultrabac 7/Somubac, Noromectin, and are vet checked. Due to the Ontario Government regulations masks and social distancing will be followed. If you are not feeling well, please stay at home. Viewing anytime, please call ahead. For more info call: Auctioneer - Preston Cull: 613-649-2378 Check prestoncull.com for more pictures. ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

AGSIGHTS UPDATE Canadian Beef Improvement Network By Betty-Jo Almond, AgSights General Manager balmond@agsisghts.com • www.agsights.com

trong collaboration in the beef industry is key to moving the industry forward. The Canadian Beef Improvement Network (CBIN) is a great example and AgSights is proud to be a part of the team that is helping move genetics ahead for the Canadian herd. Recently, Livestock Gentec wrote about this collaboration and we are happy to share their message in this month’s column. The idea behind CBIN has been percolating for decades. In November 2020, it progressed from an initiative to a concrete entity under the leadership of David Sibbald (Interim Chair) and Sandy Russell, (Director of Business Development). Today, CBIN has a well-defined purpose: to improve the genetics of Canada’s national beef herd by collaborating across the beef production system to unlock the value of genetic data, with a growing number of partners across the entire beef value chain to get the job done. For Russell, who grew up on a cow-calf operation in Saskatchewan and has 20 years of experience in agriculture, CBIN is a no-brainer. “As an agricultural economist, I realized that the lack of coordinated information and our inability to capitalize on what we had was leaving dollars on the table. We have a strong industry but we’re continually under pressure to generate value. Genetics addresses that pressure from the monetary side and the environmental side.” But it’s been a long haul due partly to the hesitancy around whether genetics really does create value. Farmers are busy people, and sometimes skeptical about innovation without seeing the proof. And they don’t want to spend their days poring over paperwork either. Standard opinion says that, if there truly were value to be had, a CBIN lookalike would have been done years ago. Russell’s answer: it wasn’t done because it’s a huge, difficult undertaking and requires collaboration across the industry. No single organization can deliver CBIN. In the last year, with backing from the Canadian Beef Breeds Council, Russell and Sibbald started knocking on doors, and found significant industry engagement. Seeing the value in the innovation

that lies ahead, the Charolais, Hereford, Angus and Simmental breed associations committed to collaborate and share resources to making CBIN happen. “The assumption was that they were in competition and not willing to collaborate,” explains Russell. “We should all be proud that everybody came together for the best interest of the Canadian beef industry to achieve a lofty goal. To see that daily, especially at the seedstock level, is wonderful.” As sometimes happens, once momentum starts to build, it develops its own multiplying energy. Russell was hired full-time in November. Since then, she and Sibbald have been going flat out to keep up and move into the operational stage. That means bringing the leadership together, agreeing on a governance structure, unifying existing genetics data and figuring out how to collect it in uniform ways, and most of all, improving genetic literacy to help inform decisions at the producer level. Staying focused on the vision and what CBIN can achieve is helping to overcome the natural hesitancy, as is the determination of the breed associations and the leadership to deliver value from genetics to the industry—plus the extension work that Gentec has been doing these last 10 years. “The science that Gentec does and the resources it brings will be critical to advance CBIN’s initiatives,” says Russell. “When CBIN thrives, so does Gentec—and vice versa. Gentec does the innovative thinking. CBIN is the link for those innovative research and technologies to reach the cow-calf level and across the entire beef production chain.” In April, CBIN announced the executive committee members who will lead the charge on the governance structure, followed by announcements about key partnerships. “We’re a long way from the finish line; there is still a lot of work to do,” says Russell. “Keep your eye on CBIN’s accomplishments because big things are coming soon that will get the industry’s attention!” If you would like more information, reach out to AgSights and we can connect you with the CBIN team. OB

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O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

CANADA BEEF UPDATE Investing for the Future

By Michele McAdoo, Executive Director, Brand & Communications, Canada Beef

o say the last year has been challenging would be an understatement. The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted “business as usual” for supply partners, end-user clients, and consumers worldwide. Industry is reimagining sales strategies, positioning, and communications with clients, customers and consumers. This volatile business environment presents opportunities for Canada Beef to be a trusted trade partner bringing marketing solutions to the table. Canada Beef has developed an aggressive $13.9 million investment plan to deliver results in an ever-evolving marketplace. This represents an increased investment of $1.7 million over the previous year’s plan. Canada Beef has built the 2021/22 Investment Plan to address six key strategic priorities: • Increase beef and veal demand • Promote Canadian beef in all channels • Improve competitiveness (marketing grade qualities) • Expand listings and product offerings • Promote sustainability, environmentally sound practices and social responsibility through end-user client partnerships • Create and offer connectivity solutions in the marketplace to achieve goals and objectives With this direction, the Investment Plan was developed to deliver measurable results and return on investment in priority markets with key customers. The plan is organized into 14 separate business units designed to increase the clarity and transparency of the plan for industry stakeholders. Following is a brief overview of those plans. Domestic – Generic Marketing The import levy (collected on beef imports at the equivalent rate of $1 per head) continues to provide funding for positive, generic, non-branded beef messaging across Canada. Canada Beef will develop targeted initiatives to positively influence consumer preference for beef over other proteins and positively influence health professionals. Domestic – Channel Marketing Programs focus on retail and foodservice sale promotions, retail and foodservice demand-building programs, marketing programs that drive sales and awareness of the Canadian Beef Advantage in Canada to build loyalty and commitment to Canadian beef among trade partners and consumers to generate sustained demand and increased value for producers. Domestic – Consumer Marketing With consumers’ diminishing food skills, concerns over healthy diets, and public trust issues, Canada Beef will deliver targeted initiatives to positively influence consumer preference for Canadian beef over other proteins. Canada Beef will utilize various media to extend the reach and awareness of Canadian Beef messaging to support consumption, nutritional benefits, sustainability and convenience of Canadian beef in the consumer marketing space. Public and Stakeholder Engagement Canada Beef continues to partner with the CCA and other beef industry groups to address public and consumer concerns about beef production (primarily environment and animal welfare), while also building/reinforcing the Canadian beef brand. Communications Canada Beef will connect with industry, stakeholders, end-user customers and consumers through media, digital platforms and print to create and deliver seamless, timely and cost-effective communication of the Canadian Beef story, Canada Beef team activities back to funding partners, stakeholders and social media streams.

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

Global Marketing This area focuses on the development and production of science-based technical marketing resources to promote the Canadian beef advantage, differentiation against competitors, collect market intelligence, food safety and quality assurance systems, and benchmarking and proof points to improve Canadian beef’s competitive position. You can find some of the resources and market intelligence information at cdnbeefperforms.ca. Export Markets The Export Market Development program assists in finding funding support for Canadian beef representative companies to expand their Canadian beef business in the export marketplace through a variety of essential marketing initiatives. In export markets, Canada Beef International Institute teams focus on creating and delivering cost-effective retail and foodservice sales promotions that drive sales, increase brand awareness and expand product assortments in their respective markets. This is done with activities focused on the specific needs of each market. Japan Market Development In this market, the focus is on carcass utilization, value optimization, expanded distribution, retail sector growth, promotion of the grades versus U.S. and Australia. Mexico/Latin America Market Development The focus here is recapturing the retail channel, and value and sales growth through sales promotions. China/Hong Kong Market Development The focus in this market is on developing business relationships with Chinese retail and foodservice operators best suited for Canadian supply partner execution capabilities. Taiwan/Southeast Asia Market Development Here the team will focus on promoting Canadian beef quality grades and developing new retail and foodservice clients. South Korea Market Development The team will focus on retail and foodservice channel promotions, export partner programs, and volume and value growth. Emerging Market Development This area supports emerging market development opportunities by supporting export market development program users, and volume and value-building sales promotions in markets of interest to Canadian beef supply partners and end-user clients. Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence The Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence (CBCE) will continue to provide education, training, an e-learning digital platform, and development and distribution of virtual resources and video productions to support the goals of stakeholders, Canadian beef supply partners, enduser clients and international offices. The CBCE will become the premier Canadian Beef learning and merchandising solution centre in Canada. To stay connected and current on the work Canada Beef is doing, subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter “Canada Beef Performs” at https://canadabeef.ca/stakeholder/ OB

Durham Region Beef Farm Wins 2021 Ontario Mapleseed Pasture Award B

FO, Mapleseed and the Ontario Forage Council (OFC) were pleased to announce Denise and Jeff Byers and family of MurrayHill Farm as the recipient of the 2021 Mapleseed Pasture Award. The award is sponsored by BFO, Mapleseed and OFC, and was announced at BFO’s 59th annual general meeting. Located in Durham Region, MurrayHill Farm consists of 100 acres, as well as 38 acres of rented hay ground laid out in multiple temporary paddocks around a central waterline, which forms the foundation of their daily pasture rotation. They continuously graze another 14 acres of unimproved land, while the remainder of the fields are planted to forage. The Byers’ pastures consist of five-year-old alfalfa/grass hay land that is fertilized annually and is frost seeded in the spring. Newly developed hay ground is harvested for three to four years, then transitioned into pasture as part of a long-term rotation. Efficiency, sustainability and optimum value capture are the basis of their management decisions. The Byers run 30 cow-calf pairs and 20 yearlings. As their land is highly productive, they see this as an opportunity to grow the herd by increasing stocking density through rotational grazing. In addition to the seed stock, the Byers market their own beef, which is sold at their on-farm market as cuts or in bulk, along with garden-picked vegetables and farm-fresh eggs.

“Jeff and Denise have built this enterprise from the ground up in a short time and have made tremendous inroads quickly,” says Scott Fisher, Mapleseed Sales Manager for western Ontario. “The Byers family is a worthy recipient of the 2021 Ontario Mapleseed Pasture Award,” said Ray Robertson, Manager of OFC. “They operate a very productive farm and have joined a growing number of producers who have established a transparent and thriving roadside market.” The deadline for applications for the 2022 Ontario Mapleseed Pasture Award is November 30, 2021. OB

Canadian Angus Bulls The Genetic Advantage Canadian Angus cattle present a balanced genetic profile in terms of calving ease, growth, and quality carcass merit. They are versatile animals that work well in both purebred and crossbreeding programs. Angus steers earn top prices and achieve consistent, high performance in the feedlot. Angus bulls can be used in crossbreeding programs to contribute low birth weights, valuable maternal traits and moderate frame size to replacement heifers. Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed and RFID Indicator programs offer quality assurances and endorsements for Canadian Angus genetics. Contact the Ontario Angus Association, your source for local Angus bulls bulls and information on Canadian Angus programs: www.ontarioangus.com

ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

Conservation of Nesting Bobolinks on Farms By Zoé Lebrun-Southcott, Bird Ecology and Conservation Ontario zoe@beco-birds.org • www.beco-birds.org

occasion until mid-July provides an even t’s early April as I write this. Songbirds THREE CONSERVATION ACTIONS greater chance of successful nesting. are beginning to arrive in southern to support nesting bobolinks on farms Ontario after epic migrations and we’re beginning discussions with a small group of farmers to learn more about their We studied bobolinks on two farms to operations and how they may be able to quantify nest success in hayfields where LATE MAY– EARLY JUNE–EARLY JULY AFTER improve grassland bird nest success on EARLY JUNE UNGRAZED MID-JULY the harvest was delayed until birds had GRAZED GRAZED their farms. Walking through the fields, finished nesting. We monitored 60 nests red-winged blackbirds, song sparrows, in 38 bobolink territories across 35 and eastern meadowlarks occasionally Delayed hay harvest hectares of hayfield. Though many nests break the relative quiet of early spring. were predated, as is common for groundIt will be several more weeks before all nesting birds, the majority fledged young. of the migrants have arrived and we can We observed a drastic difference in the MID-JULY hear the full chorus of grassland birds. bobolink nest HARVEST latest fledge date on the two farms—on Bobolinks, one of the star players that the Cottrell farm the last nest fledged will soon animate Ontario’s grasslands young on June 27, compared to July 17 with their jumbling, robotic song and on Glen Osprey farm. Young bobolinks helicopter-like flight displays, will arrive can’t fly when they first leave the nest in early May. Hundreds of thousands and need about a week to develop will fill Ontario’s hayfields and pastures, proficient flight skills. At the Cottrell making these grasslands home for the MID-JULY MAY to JULY farm, mowing could have occurred next few months as they attempt to as early as July 4 without impacting raise young. But there used to be more bobolink nests or young. The timing of – many more. Bobolink numbers in bobolink nesting varies annually based Ontario declined by 80 per cent between 1970 and 20171, due in part on weather and nest predation. Delaying the hay harvest until midto the disappearance of hayfields and pastures, changes in agricultural July will avoid negative impacts on the vast majority of bobolink nests practices, and habitat loss in South America, where the birds in a hayfield. If delaying the hay harvest until mid-July is not possible overwinter. The list of threats is long and varied and, unfortunately, in a field targeted for conservation, delaying for as long as possible it’s a similar story for many other species. Grassland birds are facing will help to provide some young birds with the chance to fledge. incredibly steep declines across North America. Conservation actions in Ontario and across their breeding range are crucial to stemming population declines, and farmers who create and manage hayfields and pastures are key to bobolink conservation. In rotationally grazed pasture, a nesting refuge can provide Bird Ecology and Conservation Ontario has been working with significant conservation benefit. At Green Being Farm, a 2.5-hectare farmers since 2016 to find ways to make space for bobolinks and bobolink nesting refuge was established in a 10-hectare pasture. The other grassland birds on farms. We recently developed three case area was left ungrazed until late July, protecting five bobolink nests; studies, summarized below, to demonstrate a few of our recent four of which fledged a total of 15 young. If this area had been grazed collaborations and the conservation actions that were implemented to in June, few if any of these nests would have fledged young. Though support bobolinks. relatively small, the nesting refuge at Green Being Farm had a big Light spring grazing

Delayed Haying

Paddocks selected for conservation are grazed lightly.

Selected paddocks are left ungrazed from early June to early July to enable birds to nest and raise young.

Most young bobolinks can fly by mid-July and paddocks can be grazed with little risk to nesting bobolinks.

Nesting refuge

Delaying the hay harvest until mid-July allows most bobolinks to finish nesting

Part of a pasture is fenced off for nesting birds. Cattle can graze around this area.

Cattle are let into the refuge to graze, as most bobolinks are finished nesting.

Refuge Paddocks

Light Spring Grazing We worked with a small group of cattle farmers practicing rotational grazing in the Ottawa Valley to evaluate the impacts of light spring grazing on nesting bobolinks. At Quarry Hill Farm, a small number of Charolais cow-calf pairs grazed a 2.8-hectare paddock in late May. The paddock was then rested until early July. By the end of June, young had fledged from all five bobolink nests in the paddock. This practice worked for bobolinks on the other farms as well; although some nests failed due to grazing (e.g., by being trampled), the majority were successful. Critical to the success of this project was the timing and intensity of the spring grazing, which occurred soon after bobolinks established territories and was light enough to leave sufficient vegetative cover for nests. Delaying the second grazing 26

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

impact because it was strategically placed in an area where multiple bobolink pairs were nesting. Typically, bobolinks will be more abundant in more open areas of pasture that are farther from forest edges and buildings. Other grassland bird species that nest on the ground, such as eastern meadowlarks, grasshopper sparrows, and Savannah sparrows, also benefit from these conservation practices. However, all three species have longer nesting seasons than bobolinks and some birds may nest into August. Find out more about grassland birds that nest in hayfields and pastures and how to identify them at: grasslandbirds.ca. OB 1. Smith, A. C., M-A. R. Hudson, V. Aponte, and C. M. Francis. 2019. North American Breeding Bird Survey - Canadian Trends Website, Data-version 2017. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, Quebec.

FOCUS ON HERD HEALTH Strawberry Foot Rot Lameness in Feedlot Cattle By Daniel Pecoskie, DVM, Metzger Veterinary Services

trawberry foot rot, also known as digital dermatitis or hairy heel wart, is a disease of growing concern in finisher feedlot cattle in Canada and the United States. It is a bacterial foot infection caused by a Treponema bacteria species. Treponema is very commonly found in strawberry foot rot wounds; however, the disease does seem to have multiple bacterial species involved. It has been prevalent in the dairy industry for many years, and can be managed with preventive treatments and early intervention. Strawberry foot rot causes clinical signs ranging from scabs or erosions on the heel, to mild or even clinical lameness. Strawberry foot rot appears as small red, raised lesions that may appear bloody. They are often one to four centimeters in size. The abrasions are usually found on the heel bulb of the hoof, and are commonly seen on the feet of the hind limbs, though they can affect the front hooves as well. They may also cause similar lesions near the front of the hoof, where the hoof and skin meet. The foot typically does not swell as with regular foot rot lesions, but the foot can be very painful and the animal may be nonweightbearing. The bacterial species involved in strawberry foot rot survive well in wet, muddy conditions or in deep manure. They can be passed from animal to animal through contaminated pens. As the disease takes time to progress, it is thought that it may be carried into the feedlot on a few animals with minor lesions that can then contaminate the pen and affect an entire group over time. It can be very difficult to control, especially in feedlots that are continually filled with cattle. Due to the gradual progression of the foot lesions, it is often finisher animals that present with significant lameness. Lame finisher cattle are a major economic concern in the feedlot, as they tend not to eat as well and do not grow as fast as healthy cattle. Strawberry foot rot can cause progressive lameness in finisher animals, which may require that affected animals be shipped before the lameness progresses to a non-weightbearing stage. Affected animals may need to be shipped as lightweight cattle. Lame cattle can be treated with moderate success, as the heel lesions are usually responsive to topical antibiotics placed directly on the wounds. Some methods of control can be difficult to implement in a feedlot setting. Antibiotic or copper sulfate footbaths have

shown to prevent or control minor lesions on the foot, but coordinating safe and efficient movement of feedlot cattle through a footbath takes some planning. Frequent cleaning of pens, and application of lime to empty pens between groups of cattle can help to decrease the bacterial load in the pen. The most common treatment is topical application of tetracycline to the wound, either as a paste or spray, or as a powder held on to heel by bandage. The other main concern with treating finisher cattle is the meat withdrawal. Topical treatment with antibiotics will not typically increase the slaughter withdrawal, but contact your vet before treating large numbers of animals. Injectable antibiotics do not typically have very much success in improving strawberry foot rot lesions, unless the affected foot or leg has also begun to swell. The bacteria are responsive to antibiotics, but injectable antibiotics in circulation do not reach high enough levels in the skin to resolve the issue. Direct contact of the antibiotic to the wound is the most effective treatment method. In the case of group outbreaks of strawberry foot rot lameness in the finisher pen, feedlot owners may choose to implement any of the control measures discussed above. If isolated to a single pen, care should be made to prevent mixing of affected and non-affected cattle. This will help reduce the spread of the bacteria to younger, growing animals that will not start to show signs of disease for several months. Other than contaminated home pens, care should be made to reduce contamination of hospital pens and use of dirty hoof trimming equipment. Any exposure to contaminated bedding and manure can lead to spread to non-affected cattle. If you suspect you may be dealing with lameness associated with strawberry foot rot, contact your vet for more information and the implement a farm-specific approach for disease control. OB 1. Sullivan, L. E., Carter, S. D., Blowey, R., Duncan, J. S., Grove-White, D., & Evans, N. J. (2013). Digital dermatitis in beef cattle. Veterinary Record 2. Plummer, P. J., & Krull, A. (2017). Clinical Perspectives of Digital Dermatitis in Dairy and Beef Cattle. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 3. Döpfer, D., Holzhauer, M., & Boven, M. van. (2012). The dynamics of digital dermatitis in populations of dairy cattle: Model-based estimates of transition rates and implications for control. The Veterinary Journal

ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program Licensed Dealers Listing Reported as of May 10, 2021 DEALER TYPE Country Dealer Abattoir Association Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Meat Packer Country Dealer Auction Market Country Dealer Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Meat Packer Auction Market Country Dealer Country Dealer Auction Market Meat Packer Meat Packer Meat Packer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Auction Market Auction Market Country Dealer Auction Market Country Dealer Country Dealer Meat Packer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Auction Market Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir

NAME 33 Mile Cattle Corp. Abattoir Levaivre Al Madina Halal Meat Packers Algoma Co-Operative Livestock Sales Alwalaa Halal Meat Alzahraa Halal Meat Inc. Anderson, Stephen ANS Livestock Artisan Farms Direct Ltd. Aylmer Livestock Aylmer Stockyards Inc. Bateman, Harold Bentinck Packers Limited Besner, Donald Bill Wight Livestock Bruno’s Meat Distribution Ltd. Brussels Livestock Butch Clare Livestock C.R.P. Theoret Farm and Livestock Services Ltd. Cargill Auction Market Inc. Cargill Ltd. Cargill Meat Solution Corporation Champlain Beef Co. Inc. Chris Rots Enterprises Claessens Livestock Inc. Clarence Poortinga Livestock Inc. Clark Bros. Canadian Livestock Inc. Cochrane, Ernest Couperus, Bram D.H. Hickson Limited David Carson Farms & Auction Services Ltd. Deklein Livestock Denfield Livestock Exchange Inc. Dewetering, Frank Dickson, Steve Dominion Meat Packers Limited Don Sholdice Livestock Donald Thompson Farm Dufferin County Meats Inc. Embrun Livestock Exchange Ltd. Field Gate Organic Processing Ltd. Gingerich Veal Transport Glavin, Donald Glenview Livestock Ltd. Gord’s Abattoir Inc.

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

CITY Brussels Lefaivre

PHONE 519 357-7007 613 679-4698

Brinston

416 400-6814

Iron Bridge

705 842-5534

Scarborough Scarborough Chesley Kingston Mississauga Springfield Aylmer Tweed Hanover Vankleek Hill Nanticoke

416 285-0778 416 701-1590 519 375-5692 613 544-3038 905 670-3450 519 808-0904 519 765-2672 613 478-6443 519 364-3538 613 678-6421 289 439-2200

Puslinch

647 228-0902

Brussels Burford

519 887-6461 519 458-4318

Moose Creek

613 538-6455

Cargill

519 366-2214

Guelph

519 823-5200

Auction Market

Witchita, KS

316 291-2575

Whitehall, NY Odessa St-Simon, PQ

518 499-1895 613 561-5065 450 501-7986

Country Dealer Country Dealer

Brussels

519 887-9747

Dutton

519 282-0632

Bethany Toledo Campbellford

905 434-9285 613 275-1412 705 653-3660

Listowel

519 291-2049

Mossley

519 269-3548

Denfield

519 666-1140

Sebringville Joyceville

519 393-6822 613 484-1342

Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Auction Market Abattoir Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Auction Market

Toronto

416 762-7281

Country Dealer

Brussels Trout Creek

519 357-5135 705 494-0973

Amaranth

519 939-8068

Greely

613 821-2634

Zurich

519 228-7717

Harriston Lucan Wallenstein Leamington

519 590-1367 519 878-0083 519 698-2248 519 326-2503

DEALER TYPE Association Country Dealer Auction Market Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Country Dealer Abattoir Meat Packer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Auction Market

Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir

Country Dealer Country Dealer Meat Packer Country Dealer Meat Packer Country Dealer Meat Packer Abattoir

NAME Grey Bruce Livestock Co-Operative Ltd. Grof Livestock Hagersville Auction Centre Hamilton, Allan F. Hamilton Livestock Inc. Hank Dekoning Limited Henry Poortinga Livestock Ltd. Hensall Cattle Co. Hewitt’s Livestock Highland Packers Limited Holstock Farm Ltd. J & J Meat Distributing Inc. JBS USA L.L.C. Jador Beef Jeff McSherry Livestock Farms Joe Savage & Fils Abattoir Inc. Kawartha Lakes Community Sale Barn Inc. Keady Livestock Market Limited Keating, Glenn Keunen Cattle Ltd. Kevin Barker Auctions Ltd. Kevin Dickson Livestock Kevin Mcarthur Livestock L & M Meat Distributing Inc. Lalonde, Jonathan Langeraap, Simon Laverty Trucking Listowel Livestock Ltd L’orignal Packing Ltd. Louro Bros. Meats Ltd. M & M Livestock Mangan Team Farms Maple Hill Auctions Ltd. Mar-Dale Transport (1985) Ltd. Mario Maciocia Et Fils Ltee Martin, Eldon M. Matar Meats McCall Livestock Meatees LLC Menard & Fils Livestock Inc. Meyer Natural Foods Miedema’s Country Meats

CITY

PHONE

Owen Sound

519 375-2938

Lindsay

705 878-3171

Hagersville

905 768-5601

Almonte Almonte Port Dover

613 257-4594 613 256-1244 519 583-0115

Hensall

519 671-2549

Hensall Jasper

519 263-2619 613 283-4637

Stoney Creek

905 662-8396

Harriston

519 503-1323

Toronto

905 859-1540

Greeley, CO Chesley

970 506-8349 519-363-5090

Teulon, MB

204 886-2614

St-Albert

613 987-2070

Woodville

705 439-4444

Tara

519 934-2339

Norwood Palmerston

705 772-8500 519 638-3769

Woodville

705 328-1478

Joyceville

613 532-5527

Mono

519 942-0264

Gilford

905 775-6775

Val-Des-Monts, QC Dunnville Mono Listowel L’orignal Ayr Goodwood Seeley’s Bay Walkerton

613 677-2481 905 732-8925 519 942-5356 519 291-2200 613 675-4612 519 632-7364 647 236-7997 613 561-2912 519 506-1400

Floradale

519 669-3392

La Presentation, PQ

450 796-3354

Wallenstein Osgoode Brussels Tenafly, NJ

519 588-2653 613 295-0152 519 887-9571 646 373-7113

Embrun

613 443-5073

Loveland, CO

970 292-5546

Exeter

519 235-4978

DEALER TYPE Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Association Country Dealer Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Country Dealer Abattoir Auction Market Auction Market Auction Market Country Dealer Abattoir Auction Market Meat Packer Country Dealer Abattoir Association Abattoir Abattoir Auction Market Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer

NAME Miedema’s Meat Market Ltd. Millgrove Packers Limited Mister Greek Meat Market Moore Agricultural Society Nature Calves Ltd. Newmarket Meat Packers Limited Northern Meat Packers & Abattoir Ltd. Norwich Packers Ltd. Omer Poirier Livestock Inc. Ontario Halal Meat Packers Ontario Livestock Exchange Inc. Ontario Stockyards Inc. Ottawa Livestock Exchange P.D. Dale Enterprises Ltd. Paradise Farms Parks Livestock of Canada, L.P. Pine Ridge Meat Packers Pratten, Kevin Quinn’s Meats Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association Ralph Bos Meats Ltd. Reiche Meat Products Limited Renfrew-Pontiac Livestock Ltd. Robert Rubino Trucking Ltd. Sauder Transport L.T.D. Schaus Land and Cattle Co. Limited Sedore Farms

CITY

PHONE

Embro

519 475-4010

DEALER TYPE Country Dealer Country Dealer Meat Packer

Waterdown

905 689-6184

Toronto

416 469-0733

Brigden

519 864-1197

Norwich

519 424-2500

Newmarket

905 836-7001

Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer

Trout Creek

705 477-3800

Auction Market

Meat Packer Abattoir

Norwich

519 468-3617

Country Dealer

Alexandria

613 525-3020

Milton

905 875-0270

Meat Packer Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Abattoir Meat Packer Abattoir Abattoir Country Dealer

Waterloo

519 884-2082

Cookstown

705 458-4000

Greely

613 821-2634

Hanover Toronto

519 364-6205 416 449-5994

Milverton

519 595-8555

Ajax London Yarker

647 339-8977 519 643-8564 613 377-6430

Emo

807 275-9706

Strathroy

519 245-1574

Pembroke

613 732-3773

Cobden

613 646-7335

Meat Packer

Porcupine

705 266-4076

Country Dealer

Arthur

519 848-5771

Elmwood

519 363-3516

Phelpston

705 322-8159

Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer

Auction Market Country Dealer Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir

NAME Snyder Livestock South East Livestock Ltd. St. Ann’s Foods Inc. St. Helen’s Meat Packers Limited Stayner Meat Packers Ltd. Stirling, Allan Sunny Miroca Farms Tebo Livestock Temiskaming Livestock Exchange 1992 Thames Sales Yard Limited The Beef Boutique Ltd. The Beef Way (1997) Titan Livestock Inc. Todd Dickson Livestock Toll Gate Farm Townsend Butchers Inc. Tremblay, Lucien Tru Harvest Meats Inc. University of Guelph V.G. Meats Vanbenthem, John Vankleek Hill Livestock Exchange Ltd. Vernla Livestock Inc. W.D. Livestock Walkerton Meat Market Wallace Beef Inc. Weiland Meats Ltd. Weltin Meat Packing Inc. White Veal Meat Packers Ltd. William Haalstra Livestock Wm. D. McComb Inc. Wood, Bill Woodrow, Neil Wright Livestock

CITY Beachburg Steinbach Etobicoke

PHONE 613 582-3584 204 694-7857 416 744-0660

Toronto

416 769-1788

Stayner

705 428-3006

Little Britain Gananoque Tweed

705 786-2993 613 382-7324 613 849-8968

New Liskeard

705 647-5415

Thamesville

519 692-3804

Etobicoke Kincardine Edmonton, Alberta Kingston Mountain Simcoe St. Chrysostome Toronto Guelph Simcoe Hagersville

416 565-8469 519 396-2257 780 487-8769 613 449-9750 613 989-3139 519 426-6750 450 826-0448 416 742-4272 519 824-4120 519 426-2000 905 920-9339

Vankleek Hill

450 826-0448

Wallenstein Roblin Walkerton Glenburnie Petrolia Minden City

519 699-5921 204 937-2106 519 881-0781 613 536-6379 519 882-1215 989 864-8328

Cookstown

416 745-7448

Dunnville

905 774-1739

Cambridge Lyndhurst Courtice Jasper

519 658-3129 613 540-4074 905 404-4526 613 275-2771

The OBCFPP list is updated regularly and can be found on the OMAFRA website. OB

Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program O

ntario’s Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program provides financial protection to beef cattle sellers when a licensed dealer defaults on payment. Administration of the program is funded by the Government of Ontario. The ministry licenses all beef cattle dealers (including country dealers, abattoirs, auction markets, associations and meat packers). To be eligible for protection, beef farmers must sell their animals to a licensed dealer and pay a check-off fee on each sale. The fees are deposited into a fund. While many businesses are facing disruptions in 2021, the rules and regulations regarding the licensing of cattle dealers and the purchase of beef cattle under the Livestock and Livestock Products Act are still in force. Two types of claims can be made against the fund: • Cattle sellers may make a claim if a licensed dealer defaults on payment. Compensation is 95 per cent on approved claims. Sellers

making a claim must apply to the Livestock Financial Protection Board (LFBP) within 30 days of the day of sale. Sellers may also make a claim if a dealer has ceased operation or if a dealer’s assets were placed under a trustee or receiver. • Licensed dealers may make a claim if a producer defaults on payment. Compensation is 85 per cent, up to a maximum of $125,000. There is no compensation for claims less than $5,000. The LFPB manages the fund and determines if a claim should be paid. Agricorp supports the ministry in licensing dealers, collects the check-off fees and supports the LFPB, and OMAFRA manages program policy, licensing decisions, investigations and enforcement. For information on how to obtain a dealer license or to make a claim, contact Agricorp at 1-888-247-4999. OB

ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

CCA UPDATE National News Submitted by CCA Staff www.cattle.ca

CCA Confirms Leadership, Sets Path Forward for Year Ahead at AGM At the 2021 annual general meeting (AGM), held virtually, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) board members re-elected Bob Lowe (AB) and Reg Schellenberg (SK) as President and Vice President, respectively, and set CCA’s path forward for the upcoming year. During a productive AGM, CCA discussed the beef industry’s priorities for the year ahead, including focusing on maintaining full business continuity through COVID-19, making changes to business risk management programs, ensuring beef is seen as a nutritious, sustainable and safe protein choice, changing the conversation about cattle from an environmental perspective, and enhancing international trade market access. “CCA is pleased that coinciding with our AGM, federal-provincialterritorial (FPT) ministers agreed to the removal of the reference margin limit (RML) within AgriStability. This has long been a recommendation of CCA and a key ask we had of governments over the last years,” said Bob Lowe, CCA President.

Removing the RML will go a long way in making AgriStability more predictable and equitable for our industry. CCA encourages all FPT Ministers to continue productive discussions on further changes to agriculture risk management programs in Canada – making the Livestock Price Insurance Program national and permanent is a key recommendation of CCA that has yet to be implemented. Environment is a continued focus for CCA this coming year. This builds on the 2030 beef industry goals that were recently announced, including carbon sequestration, grassland conservation, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. “We know that the positive environmental contributions of cattle production and the Canadian beef industry aren’t as well understood as they should be,” Lowe said. “We are focused on continuing to raise the profile of Canada’s beef sector within the Government of Canada and at the Cabinet table to make sure our industry is understood as an economic engine for our country while also being an environmentally positive industry.” On the international front, CCA is continuing engagement with U.S. policy makers and our allies in Washington to head off efforts to bring back mandatory country-of-origin labeling (mCOOL). Further abroad, CCA is working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to increase Canada’s ability to export more beef to the European Union, a market that has seen steady but non-optimized export growth since the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. As CCA awaits the Organisation for Animal Health ruling in May for the anticipated approval of Canada’s BSE Negligible Risk Status, CCA continues to seek changes to eliminate remaining BSE impediments to trade. Increasing Canadian beef exports is another area of focus as CCA continues to support the expansion of membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. CCA welcomed newly elected members to the CCA Board of Directors including Linda Allison (BC), George L’Heureux (AB), Kelly Smith-Fraser (AB) and Matthew Atkinson (MB). The board thanks the following retiring directors and members for their time and contributions to the organization and Canada’s beef industry: Grant Huffman (BC), Jodi Flaig (AB), Stuart Somerville (AB) and Gord Adams (MB). OB

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

MARKET INFORMATION UPDATE By Jamie Gamble, BFO Market Information Coordinator markets@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

tatistics Canada released the January 1, 2021 cattle stats report

of time to ramp up to full capacity, it has been some very positive

early this March. By category, fed steers and heifers on Ontario

news for an industry that has been struggling for quite some time.

farms totaled 385,600 head which is an increase of 3.7% over

At time of reporting in mid-April, prices have improved by $8.00 cwt

January 1, 2020. Of that total, heifer volumes were up 12.3% from

in the last two weeks with steers now sitting at $248.00 dressed.

2020 which is the largest January 1st volume since 2012. January

Although prices are above year ago values, they are sitting around

1 steer volumes were down by 7% from January 1, 2020 and is the

$10.00 easier than 2019 at this time and the five-year average. Prices

lowest January volume reported since the same time in 2014. Fed

are expected to seasonally improve over the next couple of months.

cattle volumes on Ontario farms have only been above 400,000 head

Ontario federal processing volumes as of April 16 total 168,562

once (in 2018) since January 1, 2012, with the 2021 volume being

head, up 4.2% over the same time in 2020 which is the second

the fourth lowest January numbers in the last ten years.

largest year-to-date volume in this data set starting in 2011. Steer

The beef cow volumes on Ontario farms as of January 1, 2021

volumes are up by just 163 head, heifer volumes up by 3,181 head

were 240,800 head which is the lowest January 1st inventory since

and cow processing volumes are up by 3,508 head, however all

January 1, 1952 according to the Statistics Canada report. This

categories are below 2019 at the same time period. Exports of live

current January was down 3.25% from January 1, 2020, however

fed cattle and cull cows to the U.S. through Ontario ports as of April

volumes for the last five years have been fluctuating between

3, 2021 are at 36,152 head, up 3.3% from the same time last year

240,800 to 249,400 head. Replacement heifer volumes were also

and 23% higher than April 3, 2019. 2021 export volumes are also up

at lower levels on January 1, 2021 at 40,400 head, down 6.3% from

14% from the five-year average. Volumes have been on a decline

January 1, 2020 and the lowest January volume since January 2014.

very recently as the Canadian dollar increased and the number of

Replacement cattle volumes on Ontario farms as of January 1,

cull cows coming to market has been lighter, with the April 3, 2021

2021 were reported at 436,000 head, up 5.5% from last January and

weekly volume below both the last two years and the five-year

the largest January volume since 2016. The January 1, 2020 volume

average.

was the lowest January 1 replacement cattle volume since data

Ontario federal and provincially inspected carcass weights have

collection began in 1932.

been collected since 1997. January 2021 was the highest monthly

The Ontario fed cattle market has been under pressure the first

average in this data set at 990 lbs for steers and February 2021 was

quarter of 2021 with little price movement. January to the first week

reported at 983 lbs. The closest monthly average weight for steers

in February, prices were steady at $236.00 dressed. In early February,

was set in January 2016 at 987 lbs with February 2016 at 983 lbs.

prices increased to $240.00 cwt dressed and traded between

Weights are currently on the decline but are still averaging 10 to 20

$240.00-$241.00 on average until the second week in April. The

lbs heavier than last year at this time and in 2019 respectively, and

shutdown of Cargill Meat Solutions in Guelph at the end of 2020 due

10 lbs heavier than the five-year average. Weights should moderate

to COVID-19 related issues saw cattle starting to back up in feedlots,

as cattle feeders become more current. Rising grain prices will also

but thankfully the shutdown was short lived. However, it still added

contribute to lower carcass weights moving forward.

to the backlog of cattle and saw carcass weights increasing. Some

Cull/fed cows in Ontario saw larger volumes trade at auction

cattle were able to get onto the set-aside program which provided

markets to start 2021, but since mid-March numbers have declined

some financial support but many did not get registered. Packers have

and are lower than the same time in 2020 and 2019 on a week-

been working tirelessly to get through the volumes of larger animals

to-week basis. Overall volumes as of April 15, 2021 are 41,486

and it appears at this time that things have improved. In March of

head, down 1.2% from the same time in 2020, but 16% more than

this year, TruHarvest Meats (the previous Ryding-Regency facility)

the same time in 2019. The prices this year have increased as the

opened their doors for the first time which is adding some much-

volumes declined, with April 2021 prices stronger than the last two

needed capacity for Ontario beef farmers. Although it will take a bit

years and the five-year average.

Continued on page 32.

ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

Continued from page 31. – Market

Info

Most classes of stocker and feeder cattle started out 2021 on a

Predicting the market continues to be a challenge as factors

much lower tone. The Cargill two-week closure due to COVID-19 in

constantly change. Keeping up to date on the market conditions

Ontario left feedlots with limited pen space and little demand. Since

and events are important. BFO has a COVID-19 resource section on

the beginning of 2021, all classes have rebounded and are currently

our website which is updated very frequently with information that

trading on a fairly good demand with all classes stronger than last

can help keep you informed. The market information section of our

year and 2019 at this time, along with the five-year average. Prices

website can also help you keep an eye on current market prices. For

for April 2021 are calculated up until April 15 due to print deadlines.

those without technology, BFO provides a tapeline which is updated

Volumes of stockers sold through auction markets were slow to

twice a day with the day’s auction market sale reports, railgrade

start the year for the same reasons as the pressure on the pricing.

prices, cattle futures and the Alberta and U.S. markets. This can be

However, 2021 volumes have picked up and are calculated at 58,768

accessed toll free by calling 1-866-370-2333 or locally at 519-

head as of April 15, 2021, up 7% from the same time in 2020 and

824-0334. Just dial extension 301 for the noon report and 300 for

1.5% more than in 2019. The April 15, 2021 volume is the largest

the evening report (or the rail report). Daily and weekly reports are

volume since 2015 and the third largest year-to-date volume in this

available on the BFO website under Market Info or via email and

data set.

fax. The weekly report is available by regular mail for those without access to the internet. Stay well and stay safe! OB

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

Continued on page 34.

ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

Continued from page 33. – Market

Info

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

BEEF EXPORTS - CANADA

United States

Mexico

Jan. 1 - Feb. 28, ‘21 % Change

Total

48,482 tonnes

Jan. 1 - Feb. 28, ‘21 % Change

+7%

4,158 tonnes

Japan

China

Jan. 1 - Feb. 28, ‘21

Total

8,166 tonnes

+39%

Jan. 1 - Feb. 28, ‘21

+14%

2,451 tonnes

+84%

BEEF PRODUCTION - CANADA

Jan. 1 - Apr. 10 ‘21

Last Year Same Time

Fed

295,498 tonnes

271,691 tonnes

% Change +9%

Non-fed

44,143 tonnes

50,810 tonnes

-13%

BEEF IMPORTS - CANADA

Jan. 1 - Apr. 10, ‘21

Last Year Same Time % Change

27,544 tonnes

31,759 tonnes

Non-NAFTA

-13%

13,655 tonnes

13,327 tonnes

+2%

EU-28 (beef/veal total) 2,962 tonnes

3,769 tonnes

-21%

51,229 tonnes

-9%

Total

46,482 tonnes

LIVE CATTLE - CANADA IMPORTS

EXPORTS

Jan. 1 - Feb. 28, ‘21

Jan. 1 - Apr. 3, ‘21

Purebred

159

Non-Purebred

Slaughter steers & heifers 126,029

57,243 Feeder steers & heifers

EXPORTS

Cows & bulls

% Change -7%

18,264

-49%

7,065

-12%

LIVE CATTLE EXPORTS - ONTARIO

Week ending Apr. 3, ‘21 Week ending Mar. 27, ‘21 Year to Date

Total to US.

2,436

2,829

40,511

Steers, Heifers, Cows 2,329

2,734

38,661

1,850

Bulls

107

ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

CHECK-OFF DEDUCTION REMITTANCE FORM Every cattle seller (including sales by private treaty) is required under Regulation 54 of the Beef Cattle Marketing Act (BCMA) to pay a $4.50 per head Ontario license fee and a $1.00 per head national levy, for a total of a $5.50 per head check-off. Breeding stock, cull dairy cows, and beef calves are included. Exemptions exist only for cattle sold for the production of milk and veal. Fees are payable by the 15th of the month following deduction. Please note: Licenced Livestock Dealers who sell cattle within seven business days of having purchased them may apply for a rebate with proper documentation. Firm or Individual Producer Reporting

Forward cheque payable to the Beef Farmers of Ontario with this report. Please retain one copy for your files.

HST Registration No: Period Covered by this Report: a) Number of Head Sold:

Finished:

Stocker:

Breeding Stock Females:

Culls:

Breeding Stock Bulls:

Calves:

I declare that this information represents a true and accurate statement of check-off deductions required to be made under Regulation 54 of the BCMA and the Canadian Beef Cattle Research Market Development and Promotion Agency.

b) Total BFO Check-off ($5.50xa)

Date:

c) HST on BFO Check-off (bx13%)

Signature:

d) Total Amount Owing (b+c)

Print Name: Address:

Mail to: Beef Farmers of Ontario 130 Malcolm Road Guelph, Ontario N1K 1B1

HST# R107797128

BEEF BUSINESS LEADERS HAMMER MILLS FOR RENT Call today for all your feed processing needs.

Since 1973

BLUE MOUNTAINS FARM

BAR 5 STOCK FARMS

AgRig • Moorefield, Ontario • Ed Koster Jr. • 519-501-3624

Ron Sr. & Carla Nolan (905) 330-5299

Greg Nolan (416) 616-8834

NOLAN ANGUS FARMS

WHITTON-BROOK FARMS

Ron Jr. & Mike Nolan (416) 993-3218 / (519) 803-0555 WWW.BAR5.COM OFFICE: (519) 986-1330

Mitch & Brooke Whitton (647) 297-1517 WWW.ARTISANFARMS.CA

OFFICE: (905) 670-3450

636077 EUPHRASIA-HOLLAND TOWNLINE RR #3 MARKDALE, ON, N0C 1H0

Seeking Ontario Beef! Fats & stockers for premium beef programs throughout Ontario!

Bar 5 Stock Farms

Brad Curran

Ron Sr. & Carla Nolan Mobile: (905) 330-5299 Office: (519) 986-1330

bradc@artisanfarms.ca

519 357 7600

CALL BRAD TODAY! P 905.670.3450 |

ArtisanFarms.ca | Info@ArtisanFarms.ca

Advertise in

BEEF BUSINESS LEADERS Very reasonable rates! Deadline for August 2021 issue is July 15.

Call 519-763-8833 for information

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

www.bar5.com

BOOMER

CREEK LIVESTOCK

636077 Euphrasia-Holland Townline RR #3 Markdale, ON, N0C 1H0

Owen Martin 4550 Ament Line Wallenstein Ont. N0B 2S0 C. 519-501-2207 E. owenmartin4550@gmail.com

Purebred Red & Black Simmentals

GENETICS

Quality Proven Fleckvieh Simmental Breeding Stock

Bulls and Heifers FOR SALE. DNA verified for carcass and feed efficiency. Ross & Betty Small & Family R.R.#3 Harriston ON N0G 1Z0

Tel: 519-338-2077 • 1-800-461-3504 • Email: doraleegenetics1@sonicwaves.ca See our new website: www.doraleegenetics.com

R.R #5 HOARDS STATION Campbellford, Ontario SALE BARN Dave DeNure 705-653-3660 • Auction Sale Since 1949 • Sale Every Tuesday 12 p.m. • Three Rings – Beef, Dairy, Pigs • Quinte Cattlemen’s Stocker Sales • Spring and Fall Member of O.L.A.M.A

M i ller La n d & Li vesto c k

Charolais Bulls, Hay, Straw, Feedlot George & Dianne, Dwayne, Ashley and Cowal Miller RR 1, Jarvis, ON N0A 1J0

Ph (519) 587-2755

Cell (519) 429-5902

CALENDAR

Ontario Beef Industry Events May 21 - Annual Bred Heifer Sale for Preston and Terry Cull, Douglas June 13 - Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame Virtual Induction Ceremony, 1:00p.m. Visit www.oahf.on.ca to register.

October 23 - 21st Annual Cream of the Crop Blonde d’Aquitaine Sale, Hoard’s Station December 4 - Eastern Showcase Limousin Sale, Hanover

August 31 – September 2 Canadian Beef Industry Virtual Conference. Registration opens in June. Visit www.canadian beefindustryconference.com

BEEF FARMERS OF ONTARIO PRIVACY STATEMENT

The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of producers’ personal information in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Subscribers to Ontario Beef magazine, the official publication of the Beef Farmers of Ontario, do so on a voluntary basis. By subscribing, subscribers are consenting to have their contact information used for the purposes of receiving the magazine and developing an BFO mailing list. This mailing list will be used for the distribution of the BFO magazine. The BFO will not sell, trade or otherwise share its Ontario Beef mailing list under any circumstances. A service may be provided whereby items are submitted to the BFO and mailed internally with the magazine but all materials must be approved by and acceptable to the BFO. In rare instances where external, non-commercial organizations, like the provincial or federal government, wish to use the Ontario Beef mailing list to distribute information, the government must provide their mailing materials in a finished format to BFO and/or its mailing house. BFO will then coordinate the mailing, at the requesting organization’s cost, thus maintaining confidentiality of the list. In cases where the BFO may commission a mailing, the company providing the service is required to sign a mandatory confidentiality agreement. Subscribers to the Ontario Beef mailing list who wish to have their names removed, should call 519-824-0334 or email bethany@ontariobeef.com. Please allow 15 business days to allow us to update our records accordingly. BFO’s complete privacy statement, covering areas of information including the electronic update system, Website, membership list and market information can be viewed on its Website at http://www.ontariobeef.com/privacy.asp

Garry & Sheila Smart

“Industry Accepted since 1978”

137606 Grey Rd. 12, RR # 2, Meaford, Ontario N4L 1W6 Phone: 519-538-4877 Cell: 519-372-7459 smartlimo@bmts.com www.smartlimousin.com

Breeding Stock Available at All Times.

Advertise in

BEEF BUSINESS LEADERS Very reasonable rates! Deadline for August 2021 issue is July 15. Call 519-763-8833 for information

ONTARIO MAINE-ANJOU ASSOCIATION Q: Where’s the Beef?

A: It’s in MAINE-ANJOU Offspring

We have both Red and Black Breeding Stock AVAILABLE to help improve your Weaning Weights and Carcass Quality. Contact: OMAA Secretary: Jenna Perry 613-449-1719 or Facebook

jennalperry07@gmail.com

Commercial Angus Purebred Red Angus Purebred Black Angus Purebred Hereford

The Seed Family • Greg: 705-648-4274 seesonranch@outlook.com

Sunny Meadows Charolais

CHAROLAIS BULLS FOR SALE • Double Polled • Low Birth weights • Quiet Disposition • Well grown and ready to go to work

Andy Millar

845040 Morrow Rd, New Liskeard Ontario, P0J 1P0

109 Bulmer’s Rd. • R.R.#2 Fenelon Falls • ON K0M 1N0 • Tel: 705-887-5142

Silver Springs Farms

SUNRISE ANGUS

James & Joan McKinlay R.R. 1, Ravenna, Ontario N0H 2E0 Tel: 519-599-6236 jmckinlay@bmts.com

Breeders of Quality Cattle Simmental • Red Angus • F1 Crosses

SILVERTIP

Bulls and females sold private treaty Consigning to Bluewater Angus Sale in October

Joel & Irene Thomas • 477285 3rd Line Melancthon ON L9V 1T5

Phone: 519 925 5661• Cell: 519 940 1258 Email: sunriseangus@xplornet.ca

SPECKLE PARK

HUGH MACNEIL

519-861-2722 hugh.macneil@outlook.com

322 Burt Road St. George, Ontario N0E 1N0

Embryos and Live Cattle for sale.

Advertise in

BEEF BUSINESS LEADERS Very reasonable rates! Deadline for August 2021 issue is July 15.

Call 519-763-8833 for information

(since 1995)

Purebred Black Angus Cattle

P: 519-760-0892 E: uspecs@roievents.ca FB: UNDERHILL SPECS

Performance live/frozen genetics available!

Wright’s R.R#1, #402144 Hanover, ON N4N 3B8 Tel: 519-369-3658

Carl Wright Cell: 519-369-7489 Ben Wright Cell: 519-374-3335 Laurie Wright Ofc: 519-369-3658

ON TAR IO BEEF • MAY 20 21

WELLNESS ON THE FARM By Bethany Storey, BFO Communications Specialist and Darby Wheeler, BFO Policy Advisor

Safety First This Spring S

pring is officially here, which is encouraging

farmers to hit the fields. This is an exciting time when producers are happy to finally be outside, getting crops in the ground, fencing pastures, and planning for the summer ahead. During this time, onfarm safety needs to be a top priority on our minds. On-farm accidents can happen, and this risk only increases when workplace health and safety is not made a priority on your farm. Environmental and market volatility, longer work days for spring planting, as well as time and focus on general production are all factors that can often take precedence over developing and establishing farm safety plans. Regardless, Ontario farms qualify as both a workplace and a home, meaning health and safety must be of paramount importance to everyday production. Having up-to-date farm safety plans and protocols in place on your farm and understood by all family members and employees ensures the safety of everyone. A farm safety plan should be developed with the full cooperation of everyone on the farm. This will ensure all your farm employees, including family members, are aware of the expectations from the get-go. Possible sections for a written plan could include: • General On-Farm Policy Statement – This can be a brief statement on your farm’s commitment to health and safety, responsibilities, and the involvement of everyone on the farm in taking responsibility for health and safety. • Identify Hazards – Identify existing and potential hazards in all aspects of your operation.

O N T A R I O B E E F • M AY 2 0 2 1

• Prepare – Establish a plan for incidents and emergencies that may occur on your farm. • Control Strategies – Establish a number of basic practices to control the health and safety hazards and risks on your farming operation. • Communicate Responsibilities – Ensure everyone working and visiting your farm is aware of their responsibilities and establish a communications process for sharing health and safety information with everyone on the farm. • Review – Review and revise your plan frequently to make sure it is current and up-to-date, and that all those working and living on your farm are aware of any changes. (Source – Canada Farm Safe Plan)

By taking the time to step back and implement the suggestions above, you are on your way to creating a safer farm environment for yourself, your family and your employees.

WHY

SHORTHORNS?

Ben Stevenson and his wife Jamie along with Ben’s father Bruce farm 180 acres plus rented land in Wakefield QC, a half-hour from Ottawa. Ben has 48 cows in a cow-calf operation, calving in February, and selling stockers in the fall. The majority of his land is in hay or pasture with success using annual Japanese millet as a forage crop before re-seeding hay fields. Ben’s cow base is mostly Charolais & Simmental, but Ben decided to add seven Shorthorn females to the mix in 2018 from a purebred breeder in Carp, ON (pictures). Ben has been impressed with their amazing temperament, they are great mothers, lots of milk, “great to work with, so gentle with smart calves”. Asked he’d buy more Shorthorn mothers, “I’d absolutely buy more Shorthorn females, can’t ask for a better cow”.

David Banbury, President - 519-513-3962 email: drbanbury@gmail.com

www.ontarioshorthorns.com

New Dates! VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

August 31 –September 2, 2021

WHOLE NEW WORLD Globally, Nationally, Locally

Registration Opens June 8th! Fee: $80 + GST Visit canadianbeefindustryconference.com to register

PRESENTING PARTNERS

Ontario Beef - May 2021

Articles inside

Wellness on the Farm

Calendar of Events

Market Information

CCA Update

Focus on Herd Health

Durham Region Beef Farm Wins 2021 Ontario Mapleseed Pasture Award

Canada Beef Update

Candid Camera: Using Visual Data as a New Way to Weigh Cattle

BFO Hosts First-Ever Virtual Annual General Meeting

The Beef Beat

Ontario Beef Market Development Update

Ahead of the Heard

Connecting with Consumers

Pemdale Farms Receives Award in Recognition of Environmental Stewardship