E-Newsletter - March 5, 2021

March 5, 2021

mbbeef.ca

E-Newsletter An update from Manitoba Beef Producers

continued on page 3

For reliable information and resources please visit: For the latest Manitoba industry news visit our new website: https://mbbeef.ca/our-news/covid/

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association is collaborating with industry stakeholders and the Government of Canada to ensure both stable beef production and trade during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.cattle.ca/ccaresources/covid-19/

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New Public Health Orders, Effective March 5 at 12:01 A.M. (continued from page 1) dance, theatre and music facilities to open for a total capacity of 25 per cent; - indoor recreational facilities such as arcades, go-kart tracks and children's facilities to open at 25 per cent capacity with physical distancing measures in place.

"Manitoba's COVID-19 cases continue to trend in the right direction, thanks to the dedication and hard work of Manitobans to follow the public health orders," said Roussin. "With variants of concern identified here in Manitoba and in neighbouring jurisdictions, we must keep our guard up, and continue to follow the fundamentals that have allowed us to carefully and cautiously restart our services and activities. It is crucial that Manitobans continue to avoid the activities that are known to cause the greatest risk - close-contact setting, closed spaces, and crowded places."

Since Feb. 25, nearly 27,000 responses were provided on the proposed changes to the orders. Feedback indicated: • 95 per cent of Manitobans feel somewhat or very comfortable shopping at a stand-alone store; • 81 per cent of Manitobans feel somewhat or very comfortable shopping at a mall; and • 74 per cent of Manitobans feel somewhat or very comfortable going to restaurants.

Feedback on specific changes showed: • households and gatherings: - 56 per cent of Manitobans thought increasing outdoor gathering limits to 10 people was an appropriate next step; and - 40 per cent of Manitobans thought allowing households the

choice of continuing to designate two visitors to their home, or to designate a second household to visit each other was an appropriate next step.

• business, retail and restaurants: enabling any type of business to operate with the exception of indoor theatres, indoor concert halls, casino and bingo halls was ranked as the highest priority, with a 50 per cent capacity limit for restaurants and licensed premises ranked second and 50 per cent capacity for retail stores, malls and personal services ranked third.

• recreation and fitness: allowing indoor recreation and sporting facilities such as gyms, fitness centres, rinks, courts, etc. to open at 25 per cent capacity for group instruction was ranked as the highest priority, with day camps for children at 25 per cent capacity ranked second and group instructions or classes in gyms and fitness centres at 25 per cent capacity ranked third.

• mask use: 35 per cent of the public agreed allowing users of gyms, fitness centres and pools to not wear a mask while taking part in a physical activity was an appropriate next step, while 39 per cent of Manitobans felt it was too fast.

Results of public feedback gathered will be posted on the EngageMB website once completed.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

We've also included a backgrounder on the next two pages

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UPDATED PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS EFFECTIVE MARCH 5 AT 12:01 AM SECTOR Households

Outdoor gatherings in public or private place Places of worship

Businesses

Retail stores and malls Personal services

Restaurants

Licensed premises

Video lottery terminals Professional theatre groups, dance companies, symphonies and operas

REVISED RESTRICTIONS Households either can choose to continue designating two visitors to their home, or can designate a second household so the two households can visit each other, as long as everyone in the house has authorized those designated individuals to visit.

Increase to 10 people including for outdoor non-organized sport or recreation activities.

Increase capacity size to 25 per cent or 100 people, whichever is lower, with physical distancing measures in place and mask requirements.

Enable any type of business to be able to operate with the exception of indoor theatres, indoor concert halls, casinos and bingo halls.

Increase capacity limits of up to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is lower, with other public health measures still in effect.

Increase capacity limits to up to 50 per cent or 250 people, whichever is lower, with other public health measures still in effect.

Increase capacity limits to up to 50 per cent, with the requirement for tables to sit with only household members, and other public health measures still in effect.

Increase capacity limits to up to 50 per cent, with the requirement for tables to sit with only household members, and other public health measures still in effect.

Businesses other than casinos may resume operating video lottery terminals, with physical distancing measures and barriers in place.

Resume rehearsals that are not accessible to members of the public.

Day camps for children Indoor recreation and sporting facilities

Operate at 25 per cent capacity, with other public health measures in place.

Open at 25 per cent total capacity, with public health measures in place including for spectators, common areas and locker rooms.

The requirement for gyms and fitness centres to provide oneon-one instruction only is removed.

Gym, fitness centre and pool users must continue to wear a mask while working out and in all other areas of the facility, with the exception of while in a swimming pool.

Indoor recreational facilities

Dance, theatre and music facilities can open for individual instruction and group classes for a total capacity of 25 per cent.

Open at 25 per cent capacity with physical distancing measures in place.

Statistics Canada Livestock Estimates as of January 1, 2021 On March 1, Statistics Canada released its Canadian livestock estimates as of January 1, 2021.

Year over year, the total cattle inventory in Manitoba fell from 995,000 head on January 1, 2020 to 945,000 on January 1, 2021.

while the number of bulls (+4.9% to 210,000 head) also rose from the previous year. This more than offset year-over-year decreases in the number of beef cows (-0.4% to 3.5 million head), dairy cows (-0.3% to 977,800 head) and dairy heifers for breeding (-2.4% to 427,700 head) on Canadian farms.

On Manitoba beef operations alone, the inventory is 872,600 head as of January 1 this year compared to 922,200 head on January 1, 2020, and down from a five-year high of 982,300 head on January 1, 2018.

The inventory of calves on January 1, 2021, edged down 1.1% to 3.7 million head, in part because of a 3.5% year-over-year drop in births over the July-to-December period.

From the larger Canadian perspective, Statistics Canada reported as follows:

Canadian farmers held 1.4 million dairy cows and heifers on their farms. This total has remained fairly stable since January 1, 2018.

Supply and disposition: Cattle and calves Canadian farmers held 11.2 million cattle on their farms on January 1, 2021, down 1.0% from the previous year, as the Canadian cattle herd continued to contract. Inventories were onequarter (-25.3%) below the January 1 peak reached in 2005.

Inventories increased 0.9% to 2.9 million head in Eastern Canada, but decreased by 1.7% in Western Canada to 8.2 million head. Alberta had the largest cattle inventories among the provinces on January 1, contributing 39.5% to the Canadian total, followed by Saskatchewan (20.4%) and Ontario (14.2%).

As of January 1, 2021, 71,330 farms reported inventories of cattle and calves, down 1.8% from January 1, 2020. The number of cattle farms in Canada has been decreasing since 2004, largely attributable to business consolidations.

Cattle producers retained more breeding stock in the latter half of 2020 relative to the same period in 2019, as the number of beef heifers for breeding increased 4.1% to 545,400 head,

Producers held fewer feeder heifers (-4.5%) and steers (-4.2%) compared with January 1, 2020.

Total slaughter of cattle and calves in the Julyto-December period was up 0.6% year over year, as Canada's largest slaughter facilities restored their processing capacity to prepandemic levels, particularly throughout the summer months, which typically experience seasonal slowdowns.

International exports of cattle and calves for the July-to-December period decreased 2.0% year over year to 303,300 head. Export demand for Canadian cattle continued to be affected by COVID-19, as processing plants in the United States also faced backlogs of cattle for slaughter.

The July-to-December average price of Canadian feeder and slaughter cattle recovered slightly after sharp declines in the spring.

However, prices generally remained lower in the second half of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019, as processors worked to clear backlogs resulting from temporary closures and slowdowns caused by COVID-19.

To read the Statistics Canada report in its entirety, go to: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/210301/dq210301c-eng.htm

Province Reminds Manitobans of Farmland School Tax Rebate Deadline (March 3, 2021 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba Agricultural and Resource Development is

advising Manitoba landowners the deadline to apply for the Farmland School Tax Rebate (FSTR) is March 31. Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) administers the program on behalf of the department.

Residents of Manitoba who own farmland, to which school taxes apply, are eligible to apply for a rebate of up to 80 per cent on paid 2020 farmland school taxes (excluding farm residences and buildings) with a $5,000 limit per taxpayer (including all related people).

Property taxes and any penalties or interest charges for 2020 must be paid in full on or before March 31 to be eligible for the rebate.

The FSTR application must also be received by MASC on or before March 31.

Landowners who applied for a rebate in 2019 would have received an application package from MASC regarding the Farmland School Tax Rebate in the mail last October. MASC is encouraging applicants to submit their applications online through the myMASC portal. For instructions on how to apply for the rebate or to set up a myMASC account, visit www.masc.mb.ca/fstr.

Application inquiries can be directed to fstr@masc.mb.ca or 204-726-7068.

New & Noteworthy AgriInsurance Coverage Total insurance coverage will increase to $3.128 billion in 2021 with producers paying premiums similar to 2020.

Fall Seeding Date Changes The seeding dates for full coverage and reduced coverage have been expanded for winter wheat and fall rye (open pollinated and hybrid). For full coverage, seed from August 15 - September 25; for reduced coverage, the seeding window is now open from September 26-30.

Silage Corn Individual productivity indexing (IPI) for silage corn will be introduced in 2021. IPI calculates probable yields using a producer’s own individual yield history, based on a 10-year moving average with a two-year lag.

Contract Price Option For 2021, MASC continues to offer the Contract Price Option (CPO) on canola, including specialty oil canola, and field peas.

This option allows producers to blend the price from their contracted production with the base AgriInsurance dollar value (weighted by production) to better reflect expected market prices. Production contracts must be submitted to MASC by June 30 to be included in the CPO.

Forage Dollar Value Changes Transportation allowance within the Forage Insurance dollar values and Hay Disaster Benefit for the Forage Insurance program has been updated to account for increases in transportation costs resulting in higher forage insurance and hay disaster benefit dollar values.

Forage Yield Cushioning A new technique to stabilize yield coverages for forages will be introduced this year.

Yield cushioning stabilizes coverage by reducing the impact of extremely low yields on future coverage.

Higher Hail Coverage The Hail Insurance program will also see increased coverage levels for 2021.

Maximum hail dollar coverage is increasing from $250 per acre to $300 per acre to reflect increases in expected gross revenue for most crops. The 2021 premium rates are the same as or lower than 2020 rates for most risk areas and expected coverage will increase from $985 million to $1.1 billion.

Probable Yield and Yield Trending

Most crops will experience an increase in probable yield for 2021, as the yields are based on a 10-year average. For 2021, data from 2010 to 2019 is used in the calculation. The year dropped (2009) was an average year for most crops; the year added (2019), produced above average yields for most crops.

The probable yield for eight crops including red spring wheat, canola, soybeans, grain corn, oats, white pea beans, irrigated processing potatoes, and hemp grain include a yield trending factor to recognize improvements in technology and agronomic advances.

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Upcoming Deadlines Final Date to Apply for, Change or Cancel an AgriInsurance Contract The deadline to apply for an AgriInsurance contract and to make changes to or cancel an existing AgriInsurance contract is March 31, 2021. If we do not hear from you by this date, your existing selections (i.e. insured crops, coverage levels, and options) will remain in effect.

Adding Land for Excess Moisture Insurance (EMI) Coverage

Rented land must be added to your AgriInsurance contract by March 31 for EMI coverage this year. Rented land added after March 31 will be eligible for AgriInsurance coverage for seeded crops and for Hail Insurance, but not for EMI. Land that is purchased on or before June 30 is eligible for EMI, based on proof of purchase provided to MASC. Contact your Insurance Agent for more details.

Farmland School Tax Rebate (FSTR) Deadline The final day to apply for FSTR for the 2020 tax year is March 31, 2021.

MASC Contracts MASC is no longer sending printed copies of the AgriInsurance contract, the Hail Insurance contract, or your crop management history. Review the contracts online at www.masc.mb.ca/contracts and view your crop management history online via the myMASC portal. Producers can request printed copies by contacting their local MASC office.

COVID-19 As a result of COVID-19, our offices remain closed to walk-in traffic.

Although we enjoy seeing our customers in-person, we still recommend choosing non-contact options whenever possible. There are many ways that our staff are available to assist you: Telephone, email, or fax.

Schedule an appointment or videoconference.

Set up your myMASC account.

Mail, courier, or drop off required documentation.

myMASC - Online Services

MASC’s customer access portal for online services, myMASC, allows you to sign up to receive your insurance payment by direct deposit, apply for or register a claim for Hail Insurance, and complete your Seeded Acreage Report, Carryover Production Report and Harvested Production Report, all from the convenience of your home.

You can also check the status of a claim through myMASC, as well as obtain copies of your Confirmation of Insurance, Statement of Insurance and Statement of Account, and review your crop management history. If you have a MASC loan, you can also check your loan information via the myMASC portal. Call or visit your MASC office to set up your myMASC account.

New Service Delivery Model As recently announced by Manitoba’s Agricultural and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen, MASC will be implementing a new service delivery model. As of April 1, ten Agricultural Service Centres will provide farmers with enhanced service options. More details on the changes will be shared in the coming months.

Follow us on Twitter @MASC_MB

Visit www.masc.mb.ca for additional updates, program information, and contact information.

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Protection.

Peace of Mind.

See what's new in 2021 for Agrilnsurance.

Reminder: March 31 deadline!

CLICK HERE

Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation

On February 25, Manitoba Beef Producers participated in the 4-H Manitoba Virtual Food Series.Over 30 participants ranging from 12-17 years of age cooked Tikka Masala Beef Skewers along with Andrea Villneff, a food skills educator, nutritionist, chef & professional home economist from Canada Beef.

They were also joined by Vice-President and District 6 Director Melissa Atchison, who spoke about the local industry and answered many interesting questions. MBP thanks 4-H Manitoba for inviting us to meet up over Zoom!

Government of Canada invests $7.8 million to help keep workers safe at Prairie meat plants (March 2, 2021 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian food producers and processors have stepped up to deliver quality food for Canadians. From the outset, the Government of Canada has supported their investments in safety measures and in capacity to keep up with demand.

upgrades to help strengthen Canada's food supply.

•

Across the Prairies, the meat processing industry accounts for 19,000 jobs and $12 billion in sales, nearly half of total food processing jobs and sales on the Prairies.

•

Today’s announcement builds on other measures introduced to keep Canada's agri-workforce strong, including:

On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, the Special Representative for the Prairies, the Honourable Jim Carr, announced support of up to $7.8 million through the Emergency Processing Fund for 24 meat processing companies across the Prairies. This funding helps these businesses keep employees safe and the regional food supply chain running strong.

Recipients are using this funding to make adjustments to enable social distancing, purchase reuseable personal protective equipment (PPE), install protective barriers, improve sanitation and develop training for employees. These changes are also helping the food plants avoid production bottlenecks and safely keep up with Canadian consumer demand.

The Government of Canada will continue working with food processors to protect the health and well-being of workers in food processing plants across Canada and strengthen our food supply chain.

Quick facts •

The $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund is helping food processors implement measures to protect the health and safety of workers and their families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on supporting meat processing facilities in Canada. The Fund also supports facility

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almost $85 million in funding for the Mandatory Isolation Support Program for Temporary Foreign Workers to assist Canadian employers with some of the incremental costs associated with the mandatory 14-day isolation period imposed under the Quarantine Act on temporary foreign workers upon entering Canada; and,

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a $35-million Emergency OnFarm Support Fund to boost protections for domestic and temporary foreign workers and address COVID-19 outbreaks on farms.

Backgrounder To date, 24 meat processing companies across the Prairies are receiving up to $7.8 million in funding through the Emergency Processing Fund (EPF) to help improve worker safety. In Manitoba, these projects include:

•

6381023 Manitoba Ltd. - $320,000

•

East 40 Packers Ltd. - $99,999

•

HyLife Ltd. - $3,670,334

•

Timothy's Country Butcher Shop - $32,174

•

Winkler Meats Ltd. - $1,447,693

Some News from Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development NEW Premises Identification e-Form Did you know that applying for the Premises Identification Program can now be done using an online form compatible with tablets and mobile devices?

The Premises Identification Program is an essential part of our traceability system in Manitoba, linking livestock and poultry to geographic locations for better management of emergencies and to build public trust in the food system.

Weekly Manitoba Markets Livestock Report - New Look and Content!

Check out the revamped Manitoba Markets livestock reports. The newly launched Manitoba Markets Cattle, Sheep and Goats Prices report, and the new Manitoba Markets Hog Prices report are available on the department's Livestock Mark et Prices page. These new reports replace the previous Manitoba Markets Livestock report.

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The Western Livestock Price Insurance Program is now known as Livestock Price Insurance. We have a new name and a new look, but the same great program still exists.

• A risk management tool for cattle producers to use when prices unexpectedly drop.

• Coverage options available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Lock in prices for peace of mind.

Enroll today in Livestock Price Insurance.

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CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL PARTNERSHIP

Visit www.lpi.ca or call 1-844-782-5747

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Province Issues Third Round Of Manitoba Bridge Grant Payments (March 2, 2021 Province of Manitoba News Release) The Manitoba government is increasing

its budget for the Manitoba Bridge Grant and making a third round of payments to help protect businesses in the province from the impacts of COVID-19, Premier Brian Pallister announced March 2.

“As the pandemic and public health orders continue to impact businesses, we are increasing our budget by $15 million for the Manitoba Bridge Grant to help create a bridge for businesses through this challenging time,” said Pallister. “We are focused on creating an environment for a sustained reopening of our economy so that businesses can reopen safely and stay open. We continue to work side-byside with all businesses to help them get back to doing what they do best – create jobs for Manitobans and offer the services Manitobans rely on.”

Through a third round of payments, the province will provide up to $67 million in immediate support to eligible small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profits and charities impacted by the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. This brings the total program investment to $215 million, which is $15 million above the province’s original commitment of $200 million. The province has also extended the Manitoba Bridge Grant application deadline until March 31.

Eligible businesses that received a first and second bridge grant payment, each worth up to $5,000, will automatically receive a third equal payment beginning as early as Friday, March 5 and will be notified of the deposit via email.

New program applicants will be eligible for a one-time immediate payment to a maximum of $15,000.

“This additional payment will help cover the impact of public health orders on operating costs pending the careful reopening of our province, as well as help businesses with reopening costs as we safely loosen public health orders,” said Pallister. “We recognize and appreciate the sacrifices our business community has made to keep all Manitobans safe and the crucial role it plays in our safe reopening plans.”

The province created the Manitoba Bridge Grant in November 2020 to provide $5,000 upfront to businesses, not-for-profits and charities directly affected by public health restrictions and temporarily ordered to close their storefronts to the public. It expanded the program Dec. 8, 2020, to support home-based businesses indirectly impacted by public health orders, offering up to $5,000 based on 10 per cent of their most recent calendar year revenues. The province expanded program eligibility Jan. 8 to include hotels, resorts, lodges and outfitters, travel agencies, janitorial services companies and owner/operators of licensed passenger transportation businesses that saw demand for their services impacted by public health orders.

To date, the Manitoba Bridge Grant program has paid approximately $134 million to 14,775 eligible applicants. This includes approximately $117 million to more than 11,700 storefront businesses and organizations, and $17 million to more than 2,400 home-based businesses.

More information about the Manitoba Bridge Grant is available at: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/programs/bridge-grant.html .

Businesses that require assistance in completing the online form can contact Manitoba Government Inquiry at 204945-3744 or 1-866-MANITOBA (1-866-626-4862).

Stock Talk Webinars Reminder Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development produces free Livestock webinars- live and on demand. Manitoba Agriculture specialists and invited guests will speak to a variety of topics related to livestock feed and nutrition, marketing and production management.

Register Now https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5726092041423487502 Please do not share your hyperlink to the webinar only one person can enter the webinar on each link. By registering, you will receive an email with the link to the recorded webinar for viewing at a time that is more convenient to you.

StockTalk webinars are also available on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/ManitobaAgriculture.