mbbeef.ca
March 20, 2017
E-Newsletter
An update from Manitoba Beef Producers
MBP releases carbon pricing policy
Ensuring that the province’s beef producers
are recognized for their
work in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the key
recommendations in
Manitoba Beef Producers’ (MBP) new carbon
pricing policy.
Released March 16, the
policy includes six recommendations as MBP
works to see that beef
production remains
profitable and sustainable as the provincial
government continues
to develop its Manitoba Climate and Green
Plan.
MBP General Manager Brian Lemon speaks with Josh
Crabb of CTV Manitoba about the release of MBP's Carbon Pricing Policy.
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“Manitoba’s beef producers are key stewards
the province’s natural
capital, long seen as
protectors of the environment, including
grasslands, wetlands,
and species at risk and
their habitats,” said
MBP President Ben E.
Fox. “Every effort needs
to be made to protect
the sustainability of
Manitoba’s beef production, both economically and environmentally if the province is
to realize the objectives
of reducing our carbon
Continued to Page 2
Reminder to
Producers
March 31, 2017 is the deadline to apply for the
Farmland School Tax Rebate for the 2016 tax
year. Your application must be received by the
Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation and
the taxes must be paid in full by that date. For
more information, visit masc.mb.ca/fstr.
Manitoba Beef Producers E-Newsletter
In the News
A look at the news
and articles of interest
to Manitoba’s Beef
industry
• Provide your
comments on the
government of
Manitoba's Climate
and Green Plan
• Lots of great
information in the
latest issue of the CCA
Action News
• Have a plan before
sending your cattle
out this spring
• Manitoba Beef
Producers working to
protect species
at risk
MBP releases carbon
pricing policy
output.”
“In Manitoba cattle are raised largely on forages, pastures and
grasslands. It is these pastures and grasslands that hold the key to
the carbon sequestration needed as part of the solution, as well
as helping to preserve valuable ecosystems and manage our water
resources. A profitable beef industry in Manitoba is essential to
protecting grasslands and pastures from encroachment as well as
to achieving other environmental and conservation objectives.”
MBP’s 6-point policy on the implementation of any carbon pricing
regime is as follows:
1. Exempt on-farm agricultural emissions;
2. Recognize agriculture for the GHG reduction benefits it provides;
3. Investments in research to further reduce GHG emissions
through improved forage varieties and grazing strategies;
4. Invest in initiatives and tools to enhance producer resilience
related to climate change and severe weather events;
5. Ensure trade competitiveness is maintained by aligning implementation of any additional costs and credits with those of our
major trading partners; and
6. Enact policies to encourage that agricultural lands remain in (or
are returned to) pasture and forage production and grasslands,
thereby supporting Manitoba’s cattle industry.
“A profitable beef industry in Manitoba is essential to protecting
grasslands and pastures from encroaching pressures as well as to
achieving other environmental and conservation objectives,” Fox
said.
To see the complete Manitoba Beef Producers carbon pricing policy
please click here.
Looking for someone to talk
to in times of stress?
www.ruralsupport.ca
Call the toll free Telephone HelpLine or visit
them online (Crisis Chat )
1-866-367-3276 (Monday to Friday 10 AM to 9 PM)
204-571-4180
After hours: 1-888-322-3019
Celebrating agriculture at
Discover Agriculture in the City
Discover Agriculture in the City 2017 was held Friday and Saturday at The
Forks Market in Winnipeg. Manitoba Beef Producers was one of 15 exhibitors at the event which proved to be an excellent opportunity to promote
agriculture to a largely urban audience. Clockwise from above photo: MBP
tradeshow spokesperson Terra Bergen speaks with an event attendee about
the provincial beef industry; Lloyd the Intern of Virgin Radio Winnipeg tries
out MBP's virtual cattle ranch, which was a huge hit at the event; the Made
in Manitoba Breakfast was held for the students who attended Ag in the
City. The breakfast is organized by Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba;
Another highlight of the two days was the University of Manitoba Food
Fight where students pitch their products to a panel of judges.
Calving Season just
got a whole lot easier.
All it takes is a 3-5 ml, oral dose
• Stimulates calves to get up and suck
• Builds gut health & immunity
• Prevents dehydration
• Fights organisms that cause scours
The all-natural solution
that actually works!
Available at: Horizon, Gladstone Vet Clinic,
Fehrway Feeds, Genex, Roblin Vet Services
For more info or to find a
retailer near you:
HAROLD UNRAU
(204) 871-0250
www.hulivestock.com
Contract opportunity with
Manitoba Beef Producers
On-Farm Assessor for the project “Innovation in disease management,
disease control and wildlife/livestock interaction in the Riding Mountain
Eradication Area for Manitoba.”
Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is looking for a highly motivated individual
to work on a contract basis to conduct voluntary On-Farm Risk Assessments
(OFRAs) with livestock producers in the Riding Mountain Eradication Area
(RMEA). These assessments support ongoing collaborative efforts towards the
eradication of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Manitoba.
Responsibilities include:
a) Contacting producers within the RMEA and conducting individual On-Farm
Risk Assessments using an evaluation form;
b) Distributing information materials such as brochures and reports; and
c) Supporting bTB eradication activities by attending forums such as producer
meetings or bTB Task Force meetings, if requested by the MBP General Manager.
Qualifications:
• A good understanding of livestock production.
• Strong communications and data management skills.
• Highly-motivated self-starter who is able to work independently.
• Access to a personal vehicle for travel to on-site farm assessments.
• Experience in conducting assessments or surveys an asset.
Please send a cover letter and resumé to the attention of MBP General Manager Brian Lemon via [email protected] by April 14th 2017.
MBP recognizes the ongoing efforts by Manitoba’s livestock producers toward
achieving the goal of eradicating bovine tuberculosis.
Managing native forages:
Webinar April 6
By the Beef Cattle Research Council
Join this webinar to learn about
strategies to help establish and
maintain native forages for high
yields and animal performance.
When: 8 p.m. in Manitoba
Interested but aren’t available
that evening?
Register anyway! This webinar
will be recorded and posted
online at a later date. All registrants will receive a link to
the recording and additional
learning resources. By attending
the live event, you’ll have the
opportunity to interact and ask
questions too.
Watching on a tablet or mobile
device?
If you plan to join the webinar
using your tablet or mobile device, you will need to download
the appropriate receiver. We
recommend that you join the
webinar 15 minutes early as you
will be prompted to download
the receiver once you log in,
which may take several minutes
to complete. To download the
receiver ahead of time, visit:
http://www.citrix.com/go/receiver.html
Duration
Approximately 1 hour.
Cost
BCRC webinars are available and
free of charge thanks to guest
speakers who volunteer their
time and expertise to support
try Science at the University of
Saskatchewan.
What is a webinar?
Webinars are just like attending a workshop or conference,
but from the comfort of your
own home or office. We bring
the presentation right to you.
They’re easy to join and participate in. A reliable, high-speed
internet connection is required.
All you need to do is register
beforehand, and about 5-10
Alan Iwaasa
minutes before the webinar is
scheduled to begin, click the link
advancements in the Canadian
you were provided when you
beef industry, and through the
registered. Then turn up your
Knowledge Dissemination and
computer speakers or call the
Technology Transfer project
phone number provided. That’s
funded by the Canadian Beef
it! Sit back and enjoy. As a parCattle Check-off and Canada’s
ticipant, you can anonymously
Beef Science Cluster.
answer polls and surveys, and
Speaker
will have the opportunity to ask
Alan Iwaasa PhD,
questions near the end of the
Dr. Iwaasa is a Grazing Manwebinar.
agement/Ruminant Nutrition
Research Scientist at Agricultlure You can find more beef research-related webinars hosted
& Agri-Food Canada in Swift
by other organizations on our
Current, SK (SPARC). Dr. Iwaasa
events calendar.
obtained his Ph.D. in Ruminant
Don’t have high-speed internet?
Nutrition from the University
Consider calling a neighbor that
of Guelph, with Undergraduate
does and watch the webinar
and Masters degrees from the
University of Saskatchewan. Dr. together, or call your regional ag
Iwaasa started his career in 2000 office to ask whether arranging a
group viewing is possible.
at Agriculture and Agri-Food
Visit our Webinars page to find
Canada – SPARC (Swift Current)
– and has been there ever since. other upcoming BCRC webinars
and the recordings of our past
He is also an Adjunct Professor
with the Dept. of Animal & Poul- sessions.
VBP Transitions to
VBP Plus
How do I become VBP+ registered?
New producers to VBP+
What is VBP Plus (VBP+)?
For those not registered in the VBP program now it’s still an easy
entry process:
Beef producers like yourself care greatly about your animals, the
product you produce and the environment in which you farm. It’s just
common sense.
1. Learn about the program – through various educational
media (e.g. self-assessment tool, online materials, webinars,
teleconferences or by attending a regional workshop where
offered).
In today’s world the majority of people consuming your product are far
removed from the farm, and often don’t understand what it is you do.
Combine that with negative stories, misplaced myths and uncertainty
about what to buy, only increases the need to trust. This is true of
all commodities: from vegetables and fish production to raising beef.
To bring transparency and reassurance back to their buying choices,
the industry and marketplace has increasingly adopted verification
programs to reassure all levels of buyers that what we say we do – we
are doing!
Buyers concerns cover a wide range of topics from food safety, animal
health and welfare, the environment and even your well-being and
survivability. Being “sustainable” is a popular term in the marketplace
to describe all this with consumers wanting to make sustainable
choices when purchasing goods and services.
Why VBP Plus (VBP+)?
The Verified Beef Production (VBP) program,
known in Canada for on-farm food safety,
has been helping producers meet
industry standards for food safety for
over a decade. VBP coordinators and
auditors are available to help you meet
those standards in every province and
are field proven, and trusted suppliers
of information and audit services.
It makes sense to add animal care,
biosecurity and environmental stewardship
components
to enhance the program
and
provide the entire sustainability package. The resulting program is cost
effective and utilizes existing tools and programs wherever possible (e.g.
programs such as animal care codes and environmental farm plans).
This successful formula is aligned with other industry efforts, such as
the Canadian Roundtable for
Sustainable Beef.
Verified Beef Production Plus
(VBP+) is building on the strong
base of VBP by making it into
a valuable program that will
be a global leader in providing
education and verification of ALL
the good things you do.
Funds to build VBP+ come
from Agriculture and AgriFood Canada’s AgriMarketing
Program - Assurance Systems
Stream of Growing Forward 2
2. Implement the program – review your practices, update your
records where necessary and complete the self-assessment
checklists making changes where and if necessary.
3. Complete the voluntary verification audit – this takes
approximately 3.5 hours, and involves a trained auditor who is
knowledgeable in the beef industry. To be ready for the audit,
a cow/calf producer must have the applicable records for at
least 6 months, while a feedlot operator needs 3 months. The
program is easily adaptable to any size of cow-calf or feedlot
operation.
VBP Registered Producers
For those producers registered in the VBP program now, they
can transition into VBP+ on their next renewal
1. Continue to maintain the food safety records and practices
as before.
2. Complete the VBP+ Supplemental Self-Assessment for the
new components (biosecurity, animal care and environment),
review your practices, update your records making changes
where and if necessary.
3. The VBP+ program will be seamlessly integrated into your
current audit cycle. Depending upon where you are at in your
audit cycle, you will be required to submit:
a.
a VBP+ self declaration or records assessment and,
b.
averificationintervieworVBP+on-farmaudit.
4. Feedlots will be required to complete a feedlot cattle chute
side handling and pen condition assessment.
Producers who successfully complete the above steps will receive
a VBP+ certificate, and can market themselves as VBP+ registered.
In some provinces VBP+ farm gate signs are also provided.
For more information on VBP+
To learn more about VBP+ workshop schedules, module information,
self-assessment checklists and program costs please contact your
provincial coordinator or visit our websites:
Verified Beef Production Plus is an initiative of the
Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the Beef
Cattle Research Council
Verified Beef Production
Plus
Workshops are being delivered by webinar
during the evening using two formats
• One for existing registered producers who have been through the VBP program before.
• One for producers completely new to the program.
• Webinars take place in the evenings so producers aren’t taken away from their
daily chores.
• The interactive webinars are delivered using web based video conferencing software.
Participants can interact during the presentations, hear the presenters, and ask
questions or make comments in real time.
• Also available via app for smartphone and android
Webinars FOR EXISTING REGISTERED PRODUCERS
– Monday, March 13 & 27 at 7 p.m.
& Wednesday, March 15 at 1 p.m.
• VBP registered producers or those who have attended a VBP workshop in the past
can sign up for the VBP+ added module webinar.
• VBP+ enhanced module webinars will be held on a bi-weekly basis
Webinars FOR NEW PRODUCERS
– Tuesday, March 21 & 28 at 7 p.m.
& Wednesday, March 8 at 1 p.m.
• Producers who have not attended a VBP workshop in the past can sign up for the
VBP+ full program
How to register for webinars or LIVE workshop
• To sign up to attend a webinar or the LIVE workshop, please contact
Melissa Atchison or email at [email protected]
• Alternate times and days can be arranged based on producer demand
• Producers with poor internet service can participate on March 8 & 15 from a
Manitoba Agriculture Office.
Funded by the Canada & Manitoba governments through Growing Forward 2, a
federal-provincial-territorial initiative.