CATTLE COUNTRY February 2014
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Government Activities Round-Up maureen cousins
KEY POINTS
The calling of two provincial byelections for January 28 meant the Manitoba government could not make program announcements until the byelections were completed. At publication time, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) was still awaiting answers from the province on several outstanding matters, most notably the future of the Community Pasture Program. In fall 2013, Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn publicly stated his commitment to seeing the community pastures remain available for grazing. MBP strongly believes preserving the pasture program would provide substantial economic and environmental benefits. MBP continues to work on this issue with governments, and is assisting the steering committee formed by the local pastures’ Producer Advisory
• Two provincial byelections called in January mean MBP was still waiting for answers on several matters at press time.
Committees (PAC). The latter recommended the creation of the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures (AMCP) to help oversee pasture management. The goal is to ensure the transfer of all Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) pastures to the AMCP. The proposed business model would ensure the pasture program functions essentially as it had been operating. Questions remained at the end of 2013 around transition funding, taxation, inventory and equipment needs, and staffing. MBP wants these questions addressed swiftly so the new management plan can roll out in time for the 2014 pasture season. Details are also needed about the roll out of the livestock price insurance program promised in the Manitoba government’s fall Throne Speech. MBP
• The Agriculture Minister has given his commitment to seeing community pastures remain available. • Producers have until February 14 to apply for funding under Growing Forward 2. • March 31 is the deadline to sign up for the new suite of forage programs under AgriInsurance. • March 31 is also the deadline to apply for the 2013 Farmland School Tax Rebate. believes a livestock price insurance program—coupled with the revamped forage insurance programs—will
February March
2014 Spring Sale Schedule
DLMS INTERNET SALES EVERY THURSDAY AT www.dlms.ca Call our office to list your cattle! Monday, Feb 3
Butcher Sale
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb 5
Presort Feeder Sale
10:00 a.m.
Monday, Feb 10
Butcher Sale
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb 12
Presort Feeder Sale
10:00 a.m.
Sunday, Feb 16
Bonchuck Simmental Bull Sale
Monday, Feb 17
Closed – Louis Riel Day
Wednesday, Feb 19
Regular Feeder Sale
9:00 a.m.
Friday, Feb 21
Bred Cow Sale
11:00 a.m.
Monday, Feb 24
Butcher Sale
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb 26
Presort Feeder Sale
10:00 a.m.
Monday, March 3
Butcher Sale
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 5
Regular Feeder Sale
9:00 a.m.
Friday, March 7
Bred Cow Sale & C/C Sale
11:00 a.m.
Sunday, March 9
Rebels of the West Bull Sale
Monday, March 10
Butcher Sale
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 12
Presort Feeder Sale
10:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 15
Pleasant Dawn Charolais Bull Sale
Monday, March 17
Butcher Sale
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 19
Regular Feeder Sale
9:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 20
Sheep Sale
12 Noon
Monday, March 24
Butcher Sale
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 26
Presort Feeder Sale
10:00 a.m.
Friday, March 28
Bred Cow Sale & C/C Sale
11:00 a.m.
Heartland Livestock Services
provide our beef producers with access to an improved suite of business risk management programs that will be very beneficial to our industry.
New intake under GF2 environment programs
Producers have until February 14, 2014 to apply for funding under the Growing Forward 2 Growing Assurance – Environment program. This program provides financial assistance to producers for adoption of targeted beneficial management practices (BMPs). Examples include farmyard runoff control, relocation of livestock confinement and extensive wintering of livestock, among others. Applicants must own, rent, lease, manage or otherwise control agricultural land used to produce agricultural products. They must also have a valid Statement of Completion certificate for an Environmental Farm Plan. For details visit www. gov.mb.ca/agriculture.
Intake under GF2 EG&S program
February 14, 2014 is also the deadline for Conservation Districts (CDs) seeking funding under the GF2 Growing Assurance – Ecological Goods and Services (EG&S) Program. This program provides financial assistance to local CDs to work with producers to implement BMPs on farms to conserve and enhance EG&S on the agricultural landscape. This program is focused on water quality, particularly within the Lake Winnipeg Watershed. Eligible BMPs include: water retention structures; natural area maintenance and enhancement; wetland restoration and constructed wetlands; riparian area enhancement; buffer and grassed waterway establishment; perennial cover for sensitive land; and shelterbelt/tree establishment. For details visit www. gov.mb.ca/agriculture. Under this program, funding flows to the CDs who will work with producers to implement the BMPs. Participating producers do not have to cost share on eligible projects but need to obtain a valid Environmental Farm Program Statement of Completion.
www.mbbeef.ca
Forage program deadline reminder
Forage Establishment Insurance and Pasture InProducers are remind- surance also remain availed that March 31 is the able. deadline to sign up for the new suite of forage pro- Farmland School grams under AgriInsur- Tax Rebate ance. Producers who wish March 31 is also the to participate must enrol deadline to apply for the with the Manitoba Agri- 2013 Farmland School cultural Services Corpo- Tax Rebate and to have ration (MASC) by that the paperwork submitted date. to the Manitoba AgriculFor several years, MBP tural Services Corporasought reforms to the tion. Applications and suite of forage insurance documentation for the programs to make them 2011 and 2012 rebates more workable and bank- must also be submitted by able risk mitigation tools. that time. Some program enhanceThere have been changments include: increased es to the 2013 program, flexibility in the level of including a $5,000 cap on coverage; individual cov- the rebate payment per erage rather than a region- taxpayer and any related al approach; differentiated persons of that taxpayer coverage for different for- (spouses, common-law ages and mixes; and a di- partners and controlled saster component. corporations). There are two key proFurther, to receive the grams. Select Hay Insur- 2013 rebate you must be ance provides quality and a Manitoba resident, that production guarantees for is, have filed your 2012 indifferent forage types on come tax return as a Manian individual basis. Ba- toba resident. This resisic Hay Insurance insures dency requirement does against production losses not apply to prior years, so all landowners still qualon a whole-farm basis. There are also optional ify for the 2010, 2011 and programs, including a 2012 rebates. If you lease farmland Harvest Flood Option for coarse hay if a producer from the Crown Lands and cannot harvest it due to Property Agency (CLPA), excess moisture. Alfalfa for 2010, 2011 and 2012, hay producers can buy the CLPA will make the farmEnhanced Quality Option land school tax rebate apbased on an individualized plication on your behalf. For 2013, you must apply relative feed value. Those enrolled in the for the rebate on the same Select Hay Insurance application form used or Basic Hay Insurance for your other properties program automatically by providing your CLPA receive the Forage Res- client number and 2013 toration Benefit and Hay CLPA Statement of AcDisaster Benefit at no ex- count. The applicable rebate for this farmland will tra cost. MASC’s website features be included automatically a forage insurance calculator in the calculation of your where producers can enter rebate payment, subject to information about their op- the $5,000 maximum. eration to estimate premiFor complete eligibiliums and coverage levels. ty requirements and 2013 For details visit www. application forms visit www.masc.mb.ca. gov.mb.ca/agriculture.