E-Newsletter - May 14, 2021

E-Ne w sletter dsfsfa An update from MBP May 14, 2021

mbbeef.ca

MBP Provided Feedback on Proposed Federal Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) recently provided comments on the federal government’s proposed Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations which aims to create a mechanism to reduce carbon emissions.

According to the federal government, “the Federal Greenhouse Gas Offset System is a market-based approach… (that) will support a domestic carbon trading market under Canada's carbon price for industry – the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) – under which regulated facilities who exceed their emission limits can provide compensation by purchasing federal offset credits generated from activities not already incentivized by carbon pollution pricing… the System will stimulate demand for projects across Canada that reduce greenhouse gases and generate federal offset credits. The ability to generate and sell federal offset credits creates opportunities for farmers, foresters, Indigenous communities, municipalities, and other project developers to earn revenues from greenhouse-gas reductions and removals.”

In its submission, MBP noted that Manitoba’s beef producers are responsible for managing tens of thousands of acres of privately-owned and leased agricultural Crown lands. On these lands an array of valuable ecosystem services is provided, including: carbon sequestration; providing habitat for an array of plant, animal and insect species; contributing to flood ad drought resilience; among others.

The creation of carbon offset systems creates potential opportunities for the agriculture sector, including beef producers. MBP has long advocated for the use of incentive-based programming to recognize ecosystem services provided by the agriculture sector. MBP stated that it is essential for farmers and ranchers to be recognized and rewarded for the ecosystem services they provide which benefit larger society, including reductions in GHG emissions.

MBP raised some questions about the regulations, such as the question of additionality. Raising cattle involves a multi-year production cycle. As such, producers develop multi-year management plans aimed at protecting and improving the health of their soils, forages and pastures, and crop production lands. They use a variety of beneficial management practices and risk mitigation practices, some of which receive cost-shard funding from government and others via non-government sources. Each management decision has the potential to lead to further GHG reductions on the operation. As proposed, the Section 4 of the regulations regarding project eligibility includes restrictions for projects that were implemented prior to 2017. MBP is concerned this approach is punitive to producers whose early efforts have contributed to reductions in GHG emissions. MBP asked the federal government consider amending the proposed regulation to recognize carbon offset projects implemented prior to 2017. continued on page 3

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Livestock help reduce food waste - The Western Producer Bullish for beef - Winnipeg Free Press

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MBP comments on proposed regulations As noted, producers sometimes receive costshared funding from government toward the implementation of beneficial management practices through mechanisms such as the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which is delivered in Manitoba as the Ag Action Program. The Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement for the proposed offset credit system specifically states that “a project would only be eligible for registration in the federal offset system if the project proponent is able to demonstrate exclusive entitlement to, or ownership of, all GHG reductions resulting from the project.” MBP asked for clarification as to producers’ offset system eligibility for projects they undertook with funding through programs such the Canadian Agricultural Partnership or other federal or provincial programs.

MBP cited the need for a clear understanding as to ownership of offset entitlements. This is important in the context of projects producers may undertake on lands they rent from a private party or lands they lease through programs such as Manitoba’s Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program. MBP asked that the federal government provide clear guidance with respect to the ownership of GHG reductions under these types of scenarios.

MBP identified a number of other matters in its submission. For example, it is important that government policies do not inadvertently put

further pressure on the grassland ecosystem and lead to the possibility of additional land conversion away from beef production, e.g. the Clean Fuels Standard and irrigation systems development, among others. This could be detrimental to the beef sector as it competes with other users for land required for haying and grazing purposes.

Ease of beef producer participation in carbon markets is also key. This includes having streamlined monitoring and reporting systems without an onerous administrative burden. A strong awareness component will also be needed to help inform producers of potential opportunities. And, having smooth transitions between existing voluntary carbon markets/protocols and the federal offset system is essential.

Looking forward, MBP believes it is very important there be continued dialogue between federal and provincial governments when it comes to the development of cohesive policies, programs and legislative and regulatory regime aimed at addressing matters such as greenhouse gas emissions. Further, it is key that governments continue to engage with the beef sector given its important role with respect to environmental sustainability and protecting grassland ecosystems and the wide range of ecological goods and services they provide.

Manitoba expands Pfizer vaccine eligibility to young people aged 12 to 17 Young People Can Begin Booking Appointments Today to Protect Themselves Against COVID-19: Ministers (May 14, 2021 Province of Manitoba news release)

Manitoba is becoming one of the first jurisdictions in the country to allow young people aged 12 to 17 to book their Pfizer vaccine appointment, with the goal of protecting even more people, families and communities from the third wave of COVID-19, Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson and Education Minister Cliff Cullen announced today.

“Young people have seen the serious effects that COVID-19 has had on their lives, their friendships, families and communities,” said Stefanson. “They have shown resiliency, kindness and patience throughout the pandemic, and now it is their turn to be part of the COVID-19 response and help protect themselves, their friends and their families.

Now that a vaccine has been approved for youth, this is something we can do together – to protect each other and to help take a stand against this virus.”

Beginning today, all young people aged 12 and up are eligible to book their first-dose appointment. The Pfizer vaccine is generally available at super sites and urban Indigenous clinics located throughout the province.

“Manitoba students have persevered through this pandemic, with the support of their families, teachers, friends and community,” said Cullen. “For eligible young people, this vaccine promises a return to a new normal and to take part in what we hope will be the largest immunization campaign in their lifetimes. I encourage eligible students and their parents to learn more about the vaccine, how to make an

appointment and make the right decision for themselves.”

“The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been tested and reviewed, and found to be safe for older children,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead, Vaccine Implementation Task Force. “If you’re eligible today and you have questions about the vaccine, that’s completely normal and understandable. We have good information to answer your questions, you can ask a trusted adult or your health-care provider, or you can look for reliable sources online. If there is one message I want to share, it is this: when we are immunized, we slow the spread of COVID-19.

We protect ourselves and the people around us, so we can get back to the activities and the people we love.”

All eligible young people aged 12 and older or their parent, guardian or caregiver can book an appointment by calling (toll-free) 1-844-6268222 or online at https://protectmb.ca. It is ideal if young people aged 12 to 15 can either attend the appointment with a parent, guardian or caregiver or have their parent sign their consent form ahead of time to bring along to make the visit as easy as possible. However, if the youth attends without a guardian and without a signed consent form, they can go through an informed consent process with a clinical lead to assess their ability to consent on their own and proceed with the vaccine.

There are about 111,000 young people aged 12 to 17 in Manitoba.

Health Canada approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 12-15 on May 5 and it continued on next page

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Manitoba expands Pfizer vaccine eligibility to young people aged 12 to 17 has been approved for use in people aged 16 and older since Dec. 9, 2020.

Reimer noted the urban Indigenous clinics are designed to increase accessibility and provide culturally safe spaces for First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and Inuit peoples. When non-Indigenous people make appointments or use the walk-in spaces at those sites, it limits access for First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. At this time, officials ask that only

people who self-identity as First Nations (status or non-status), Métis or Inuit or people who share a household with someone who identifies as Indigenous attend these clinics. NonIndigenous people are asked to make their appointments at super sites, community pop-up clinics, medical clinics and pharmacies. For more information, visit https://protectmb.ca.

An interactive map of immunization sites is available at https://protectmb.ca/currentimmunization-sites/.

Additional information regarding dates and times of upcoming pop-up vaccination clinics can be found on pages 13-15.

Information for Producers Being Affected by Extreme Dryness/Drought Conditions Last updated May 13, 2021 Manitoba Beef Producers has compiled the following information which may be useful to producers facing extreme dryness/drought conditions on their farms and ranches. MBP has also identified with the Manitoba government the seriousness of the situation and requested that certain actions be taken as soon as possible to assist producers in dealing with these challenges.

Resources for Sourcing Feed or Pastures Farmers and producers have several options when it comes to listing available hay and straw, and for buying hay, straw and alternative feeds. By no means is this list exhaustive and we encourage you to share other avenues for listing and buying with Manitoba Beef Producers, so that we can share them with our members.

Manitoba Government Hay Listing Service The Manitoba Hay Listing Service provides an inventory of hay and alternative feed for sale and pasture for rent. If you have hay, alternative feed, or pasture land for sale or rent contact an ARD and MASC Service Centre to have your listing added.

Social Media/Buy and Sell Sites There are a number of social media and buy/sell sites that provide hay, straw and alternative feed sourcing options: Kijiji Manitoba eBrandon Classifieds Manitoba Hay & Feed for Buy/Sell Hay / Feed For Sale in Saskatchewan, Alberta & Manitoba Internet Hay Exchange Other social media avenues including Twitter also feature hay for sale across the province, however that exchange needs to occur on a user to user basis.

MFGA Hay Relief Website The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association has a hay relief page on its website. See https://www.mfga.net/hay-relief

Manitoba Agriculture Resources for Producers Affected by Dry Conditions Manitoba Agriculture’s Livestock page also has several tools and resources for dry conditions. It covers topics such as: early weaning of calves during periods of drought; the economics of creep feeding beef calves on pasture; stretching feed when supplies are tight; alternative feeds for beef cattle; straw as an alternative roughage source for wintering beef cows; and feed testing, among others.

See: https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/index.html Dry Conditions and Livestock  Rotational Grazing  Improving Forage Establishment continued on pages 7-10

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Managing Spring Grazing Dugout Management and Water Quality Pasture Watering Systems Providing Water on Pasture Annual Crops an Excellent Way to Increase Feeding Flexibility Spring Grazing Planned Grazing - Video Planned Grazing - (Stocktalk, March 18, 2021) Managing your Pastures and Rangeland during Dry Conditions Summer Seeding For Forages (OMAFRA) Beware of toxic plants in pastures (Canadian Cattlemen. The Beef Magazine Dec 5, 2018)

Beef Cattle Research Council Resources Related to Drought Management http://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/resources-for-drought-management/ Recurring drought is a natural part of the climate in many areas of Canada and creates a challenge when managing grazing and forage resources. Although droughts are often unpredictable, they are inevitable, meaning they are often at the back of every producer’s mind. Long-term farm and ranch management must include planning for and consideration of how drought will affect the entire system – including plants, livestock and water sources.

Eight tips for drought management  When managing through a drought, consider combining groups of animals to encourage grazing of less desirable plants and grazing pastures with species that are more tolerant of increased grazing pressure. It is important to monitor for toxic or poisonous plants, which are more likely to be grazed during dry years.  Sources of water for grazing animals can quickly become limited or unavailable during drought periods. It is recommended that any pastures that could possibly run out of water be grazed first. In some cases, it may become necessary to use a portable stock water supply in order to continue grazing a forage source where water has become limited.  Producers should consider pumping water from the source to a trough to help extend water supplies, maintain water quality and prevent cattle from getting stuck in watering sites that are drying up.  Stock water quality can deteriorate rapidly. Even if water quantity appears adequate, poor water quality can quickly cause health and production problems and even death. Test stock water sources frequently when animals are grazing.  Extended rest periods and increased recovery times are necessary to protect plants during dry periods.  Consider planting annual crops, supplementing pastures with alternate feeds, or creep feeding, to help extend grazing resources. Feed testing is an important consideration during dry conditions.  Drought management strategies should be a permanent part of every grazing plan. The benefits of rotational grazing and managing pastures to retain litter (plant residue) are especially evident during drought.  Drought plans should identify the order of groups or classes of livestock to be de-stocked, if necessary, and at what point each group will be moved if the drought persists.

The following are some current drought management resources available for beef producers.  Drought Management Strategies (Beef Cattle Research Council web page)

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Drought Management Strategies (Beef Cattle Research Council blog post) Dealing with Drought: Key Facts for Beef Producers (Beef Cattle Research Council factsheet) Canadian Drought Monitor (Government of Canada web page) Conserving Pasture Production During Dry Conditions (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs web page) Fall Pasture Fertility Management After A Dry Summer (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs article) What’s In Your Water? Water Quality and the Economics of Pump Systems (Beef Cattle Research Council webinar recording) Alternative Feeds (Beef Cattle Research Council web page) Managing Forage in a Dry Year (Canadian Cattlemen Magazine article) Feed Testing & Analysis for Beef Cattle (Beef Cattle Research Council web page) How to Manage for Drought with Grazing (Foothills Forage and Grazing Association video) Stretching Feed Supplies (Beef Cattle Research Council blog post) Is Creep Feeding an Answer to Your Pasture Woes? (Beef Cattle Research Council blog post)

Miscellaneous Resources Manitoba Agriculture Crop Reports The Crop Report provides information on progress of seeding and crop establishment, crop development, any pest activity including weeds, insects and disease, harvest progress, crop yields and grades, fall field work progress, and status of winter cereal crop seeding and establishment. In addition, it provides information on haying progress and estimated yields, as well as pasture conditions. Go to: https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/seasonal-reports/crop-report-archive/index.html Manitoba Drought Monitor The Manitoba Drought Monitor highlights the various drought management efforts currently underway in Manitoba. This includes monthly Water Availability and Drought Conditions Reports that use drought indicators to classify the level of dryness and to summarize any drought impacts that are occurring.

Canadian Drought Monitor The Canadian Drought Monitor (CDM) is Canada's official source for the monitoring and reporting of drought in Canada. From this page you can access a variety of products and information about current drought conditions across the country. See: https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/agriculture-and-the-environment/droughtwatch/canadian-drought-monitor/?id=1463575104513 Agroclimate Impact Reporter Program The Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR) helps to connect Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) with people in Canada's agricultural community. AAFC relies on its network of AIR volunteers to provide information regarding agroclimate impacts across the country, such as the effects of dry conditions/droughts on production. Beef producer input to this network is important.

The AIR network provides valuable and reliable data that are mapped and used in the assessment and development of policies and programs including AgriRecovery and the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision, which can provide assistance to the industry during extreme weather and climate conditions and events.

The AIR survey is open during the last week of the month over the growing season (April to October) and is intended to collect weather and climate impacts on farm operations across Canada over the previous month.

Survey results are made into maps and published on the Drought Watch website the first week of every month during the growing season.

To participate, visit: https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/agriculture-and-the-environment/drought-watch/agroclimateimpact-reporter/?id=1463575416544

Manitoba’s Wildfire Service Manitoba Conservation and Climate Wildfire Service is responsible for the prevention, detection and suppression of wildfires.

To report a Wildfire call 1-800-782-0076 (toll-free).

The Wildfire Service’s website includes valuable information such as:  Fire & Travel Restrictions  Daily Situation Report  Current Fire Update Report  Interactive Map of Current Wildfires  Fire Danger Map For more information go to: https://www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/index.html

Coping with Stress For information about the Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services line go to: https://supportline.ca/ or call 1-866-367-3276 (line operates 24/7).

Klinic Community Health also has resources available. See: https://klinic.mb.ca/

Fire Bulletin #8: Variety of Restrictions in Effect to Reduce Risk (May 13, 2021 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Manitoba Conservation and Climate advises that with the fire risk being high to extreme across much of the province, additional fire and travel restrictions and an immediate ban on campfires are being implemented to ensure the safety of Manitobans and the prevention of new fire starts. There are drought conditions across much of southern Manitoba, which can allow wildfires to spread out of control quickly and challenge the ability to fight multiple fires at the same time. Human-caused fires are preventable and put people and communities unnecessarily at risk.

Level 2 Fire and Travel Restrictions are now in place for Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 as well as the Mars Hill and Lauder Sandhills Wildlife Management Areas and includes all provincial parks south of the 53rd parallel, which includes all provincial parks south of Grand Rapids and Easterville.

Eastern (Areas 1 to 4) PR 302 at the U.S. border north to PTH 12 and along the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg to Poplar River and all the way east to the Ontario border. This also includes the Mars Hills Wildlife Management Area Interlake (Area 5) West Boundary – PTH 6, Lake St. Martin/Dogskin River North Boundary – Dauphin River to Berens River East Boundary – Lake Winnipeg (east shore) South Boundary – PR 325 to PR 234 to PTH 8 (including Hecla and Black Islands) Southwest (Areas 6 and 7) Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, Provincial Forest and Periphery area Spruce woods Provincial Park, Provincial Forest and periphery area Lauderhills Wildlife Management Area

Western (Area 8 and 9) West Boundary – PTH 10 and PR 268 North Boundary – Lake Winnipegosis (north shore) to PR 327 to Cedar Lake (south shore) to Lake Winnipeg (north shore) East Boundary – Lake Winnipeg (east shore) South Boundary – PR 271 to Lake Winnipegosis (south Shore) to Lake Manitoba (north shore) to Lake St. Martin/Dauphin River and Dauphin River Duck Mountains Provincial Forest and Provincial Park.

Manitobans can refer to the Province’s Fire and Travel Restrictions map and confirm area restrictions before heading outdoors at www.gov.mb.ca/sd/fire/Restrictions/index.html Level 2 travel restrictions include the following: • motorized backcountry travel, including ATVs and other off road vehicles, is prohibited unless under the authority of a travel permit; • camping is restricted to developed campgrounds; • campfires are prohibited; • wayside parks remain open; • landing and launching is restricted to developed shorelines only; and • industry and outfitters should contact local Conservation and Climate offices for more information.

In addition, effective immediately in all provincial parks south of the 53rd parallel all backcountry trails and water routes are closed to public access until further notice including hiking, equestrian, mountain biking and motorized vehicles. Limited trails within developed front-country campgrounds and town sites remain open for pedestrian access.

The Toniata seasonal campground in the Whiteshell Provincial Park along with the Equestrian and Canoe Landing campgrounds in

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Fire Bulletin #8: Variety of Restrictions in Effect to Reduce Risk Spruce Woods Provincial Park are also closed.

See www.manitobaparks.com for a full list of trail closures.

The province has also cancelled and restricted issuing provincial burning permits for Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Many municipalities have already proactively implemented burning restrictions this spring, so also check with local municipal offices for more information or view the interactive Current Municipal Burning Restrictions map at www.manitoba.ca/wildfire/burn_conditions.ht ml.

Manitoba will not issue any provincial burning permits within or areas bordering any municipality where the burning restrictions are already in place.

For further information on Manitoba Wildfire Service, situation updates, restrictions, and other important wildfire links go to www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/ or follow the Twitter account at https://twitter.com/mbgovnews.

To report a wildfire, call 911 or the T.I.P. line (toll-free) at 1-800-782-0076.

Become an Agroclimate Impact Reporter Help Inform Government of Weather Conditions Affecting Your Farm/Ranch Have you ever considered how charting the weather conditions on your farm or ranch might have an impact on actions by governments?

Data is a key tool used by governments to examine the effects of factors such as droughts and floods on agriculture, and also to decide whether assistance such as compensation will be offered. Producers can help provide information about such impacts to the federal government via the Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR).

AIR helps to connect Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) with people in agriculture. AAFC relies on its network of AIR producer volunteers to provide information regarding agroclimate impacts across the country.

The AIR network provides valuable and reliable data that are mapped and used in the assessment and development of policies and programs including AgriRecovery and the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision, which can provide assistance to the industry during extreme weather and climate conditions and events.

The AIR network is an ever-growing database of agroclimate impacts, which enables better data analysis to help identify trends and anomalies.

The AIR survey is open during the last week of the month over the growing season (April to October) and is intended to collect weather and climate impacts on farm operations across Canada over the previous month. Survey results are made into maps and published on the Drought Watch website the first week of every month during the growing season. Impact maps are also available and cover topics such as: moisture and erosion, crop, hay and pasture quality and staging, feed production and availability, water supply and quality and much more. See: https://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/mapselectorselecteurdecartes.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true When the survey is not open, a report is available for reporting on late-breaking, one-time or interim impacts.

For more information about AIR and how to enrol to complete the surveys go to www.agr.gc.ca/air . All information collected through the surveys is confidential.

Province to Partner with Xplornet to Improve Connectivity to Rural, Remote and Indigenous Communities “Xplornet looks forward to collaborating with the government of Manitoba and accelerating our facilities-based network investment plans to deliver improved speeds and unlimited data plans at affordable prices to rural Manitoban homes and businesses,” said Allison Lenehan, president and CEO, Xplornet.

(May 13, 2021 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Following a competitive tendering process, the Manitoba government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Xplornet Communications Inc. to connect more than 125,000 unserved or underserved Manitobans to reliable, high-speed internet services, Premier Brian Pallister and Central Services Minister Reg Helwer announced.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of broadband connectivity and the need to ensure Manitobans have access to critical and timely information and services no matter where they live, work or travel in Manitoba,” said Pallister. “We recognize the social and economic benefit of a connected Manitoba, and we are pleased to partner with Xplornet, one of Canada’s leading broadband service providers, to provide reliable, highspeed internet and cell services to Manitobans who have gone without these services for far too long.”

The agreement between the province and Xplornet Communications Inc. will provide broadband services to nearly 30 First Nations, and approximately 270 rural and northern communities. Additionally, this agreement will also serve 350 communities with cellphone access, the premier noted.

Through Manitoba Hydro, the province owns thousands of kilometres of fibre-optic cable across Manitoba, however much of the network is surplus, unused capacity. The network was created to communicate with northern hydroelectric facilities and transmit data. The province led a multi-stage, open competitive process and an independent third-party fairness monitor oversaw it. Through this agreement, the government will make this surplus capacity available to Xplornet to expand its broadband and cellphone services to Manitobans, as early as this fall.

“This innovative agreement makes use of an existing resource already in place that will help protect Manitobans and advance the connectivity between Manitobans and communities throughout the province,” Helwer.

“Access to Manitoba Hydro’s fibre-optic network and tower infrastructure will also greatly reduce the capital investments Xplornet needs to expand into rural and remote communities, allowing for a positive return on investment and the quick delivery of service to Manitobans.”

The Manitoba government, Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Hydro Telecom are collaborating to finalize the contract in the coming weeks.

Note: To see the complete list of communities (cellular and broadband) involved see the backgrounders at the following link: https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=51277&posted=2 021-05-13

COVID-19 Vaccination Update: 18 and Up Now Eligible Information re: Use of AstraZeneca/Covishield Vaccine Going Forward Steinbach, Winnipeg (RBC Convention Centre and Leila locations), Brandon, Thompson, Selkirk and Morden. Eligible individuals can book their appointment online at https://protectmb.ca with an email address and health card number, or by calling (toll-free) 1844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC).

(May 12, 2021 Province of Manitoba News Release)

Manitoba is adjusting its approach to the AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine in response to ongoing evidence and supply. First doses can continue to be administered, but only to people who might not otherwise be immunized at other sites. Most doses of this vaccine will now be held for second-dose immunizations only, so people who have received their first dose of this vaccine will be able to receive their second dose within the recommended time frames, following national clinical guidance.

Manitoba is also monitoring decisions on whether different types of vaccines can be used to administer second doses. This decision does not affect Manitoba’s overall timeframe for ensuring all Manitobans 18 and over who wish to be vaccinated to be able to receive a first dose of other vaccines by June 8.

Eligibility Eligibility to be immunized with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines has expanded to include all people in Manitoba aged 18 and older.

Pop-up clinics are taking place in communities throughout the province next week.

Appointments can be made by calling (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC).

Indigenous people can also choose to receive their vaccine at urban Indigenous pop-up clinics led by community organizations in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson and Portage la Prairie.

People will be able to begin booking seconddose appointments on May 22. Individuals who are immunocompromised or have other prioritized health conditions will be able to book their appointments first. More details on this process will provided soon.

To book a second-dose appointment, people will need to provide the date of their first dose and the type of vaccine received. This information can be accessed at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/immuniza tion-record.html with your health card number and email address. Otherwise, people can contact their local public health office to request this information. A printed copy or proof of immunization is not required to book or attend your second-dose appointment.

Appointments Eligible people can now book appointments at all vaccination super sites: Gimli, Dauphin,

Medical clinics and pharmacies will contact people who received their AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine at these

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COVID-19 Vaccination Update: 18 and Up Now Eligible Information re: Use of AstraZeneca/Covishield Vaccine Going Forward locations to book second doses, which are likely to begin in June.

Whenever possible, parents and caregivers are encouraged to make child-care arrangements prior to attending their vaccination appointment. However, parents are able to bring their children with them to their appointment as long as they also wear masks and follow good physical distancing.

Additional Information On May 11, the province introduced changes to the Employment Standards Code that would allow Manitoba workers to take up to three hours of paid leave to receive COVID-19 vaccinations during work hours. The proposed amendments would make it mandatory for employers to allow employees up to three hours of paid leave each time the employee requires a dose of vaccine. Employees who need more time to travel to vaccination appointments or who suffer from vaccine side effects would be allowed to take a longer unpaid leave. The new paid leave requirements for vaccination appointments complement the recently announced voluntary Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave program, which will reimburse employers up to $600 per employee for a maximum of five full days of COVID-19 related sick leave, which can include vaccinations.

Anyone who has been in Manitoba for one month or more can receive the vaccine at no cost if they meet provincial eligibility requirements.

People in Manitoba can now access interpreter services in over 100 languages when they are booking their COVID-19 vaccine appointment by phone. Callers can also request spoken language or American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services at one of the province’s supersite locations.

When atteding a vaccine appointment, people are reminded to bring their completed consent form (available online at https://protectmb.ca), wear a short-sleeved shirt, wear a mask, and bring their health card or other form of identification. To help support good physical distancing on site, people should arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time.

More information about the vaccine campaign in Manitoba is available at www.manitoba.ca/vaccine and https://protectmb.ca. For regular updates, visit https://protectmb.ca and sign up for the weekly e-newsletter.

All data in this bulletin is current as of May 11, unless noted otherwise.

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COVID-19 VACCINATION POP-UP CLINICS During the week of May 25, pop-up clinics have been scheduled to provide access to vaccine in additional locations throughout the province. All clinics run from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

To book an appointment at a pop-up clinic, call (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1-844-MANVACC).

Northern Regional Health Authority The Pas – Roy H. Johnston Arena, 523 Smith St., May 25 to 26 Flin Flon – Flin Flon Community Hall, 2 North Ave., May 28 Prairie Mountain Health Russell – George P. Buleziuk Centre, 106 Shell River Ave. S, May 25 Swan River – Swan River Veterans Hall, 119 Sixth Ave. N, May 25 Neepawa – Yellowhead Centre Hall, 175 Mountain Ave., May 26 Killarney – Shamrock Centre, 725 Broadway Ave., May 28 Interlake–Eastern Regional Health Authority Beausejour – Brokenhead River Community Hall, 320 Veterans, May 25 Teulon – Teulon Anglican Parish Hall, 60 Second St. SE., May 26 Riverton – Riverton Community Hall, May 27 Ashern – Ashern Centennial Hall #1, May 27 Whitemouth – Whitemouth Community Hall, First Street, May 28 Southern Health–Santé Sud Portage la Prairie – Herman Prior Senior Services Centre, 40 Royal Road Rd. North, May 27 to 28 h

Federal Government Seeking People to Sit on National Program Advisory Committee The Government of Canada is currently seeking to fill up to 11 member positions for its National Program Advisory Committee (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada). The government notes that “The ideal candidates will have experience owning and/or operating a farming enterprise and participate directly or indirectly in both the AgriStability and AgriInvest programs.”

Interested candidates are asked to apply at the following website by June 7, 2021 at the latest.

Management (BRM) programs, and the potential for insurance and other private sector tools in managing risk.

Duties Committee members must make a reasonable effort to attend NPAC meetings and conference calls as convened by the Co-chairs. Key duties include •

Where provided, review discussion materials in advance of meetings;

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Where nominated, participate on subcommittees struck by NPAC;

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Protect the confidentiality of the information obtained in the course of their duties, where this information is not generally available to the public;

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Abide by the decision of the majority;

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Declare any conflict of interest that may arise in the course of their participation; and

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Represent own views and not act as a representative of a geographical area or commodity group.

Background Information The Government of Canada is seeking experienced, engaged and enthusiastic members of the public to serve as committee members on the National Program Advisory Committee (NPAC). Eleven positions will be filled using this process.

The Government of Canada uses an appointment process that is transparent, meritbased, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous Canadians and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. Together, we are building a government as diverse as Canada.

The overarching goal of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is to support the agricultural sector in a way that allows it to be a leader in job creation and innovation and to help Canada’s agriculture sector be more innovative, safer, and stronger.

NPAC was established to provide advice with respect to the administration of the programs that fall under the Business Risk Management suite, namely AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, AgriRecovery and AgriRisk. NPAC provides advice and guidance on the appropriate roles and responsibilities of producers and governments in managing risks, the operations of the suite of Business Risk

Eligibility criteria and qualifications To be eligible for appointment to the NPAC, candidates must be Canadian citizens, 18 years of age or older and must directly or indirectly participate in both the AgriStability and AgriInvest programs as an individual, or through a corporation, cooperative or trust that is a participant, for the duration of the appointment. Candidates are also subject to the Government of Canada’s general routine security screening process.

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Federal Government Seeking People to Sit on National Program Advisory Committee Education A secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education and experience is required.

Knowledge •

An understanding of the mechanics of the Business Risk Management Programs; and

•

An understanding of the role innovation plays in advancing the agriculture industry and the capacity of producers to manage risks.

Experience and skills •

Experience owning and/or operating a farming enterprise;

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Experience with the use of private sector risk management tools (example, commodity exchanges and futures markets) would be considered an asset;

•

Ability to reconcile varying interests and values;

•

Ability to develop effective working relationships;

•

Ability to communicate (orally and in writing).

Competencies

must be willing and able to travel to a central location to attend a maximum of two face to face meetings per year as well as conference calls as necessary. The face to face meetings are two days in length.

Language requirements Various language requirements (English, French and bilingual).

Term of office Appointment terms are for a period of a maximum of three years.

Remuneration Members will receive an hourly pay rate of $42.40 for attendance on conference calls and attendance and travel time for face to face meetings.

How to apply Please send your letter of interest and curriculum vitae to AAFC.AppointmentsNominations.AAC@Canada.ca and include “Member, National Program Advisory Committee Application” in the subject line.

Please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the above-noted requirements and whether you meet all of the eligibility criteria listed above. Candidates must also provide three references.

•

Sound judgement

•

Integrity and accountability

A roster of qualified candidates may be established and used to staff future vacancies on the NPAC.

•

Leadership

Questions

Working conditions and time commitment This work is a part-time and occasional commitment that would normally not exceed 7 days per calendar year. Committee members

Please send any questions to AAFC.AppointmentsNominations.AAC@Canada.ca and include “Member, National Program Advisory Committee Questions” in the subject line. An AAFC official will contact you within one or two business days.

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Untold Stories About Canadian Beef

Why Beef Belongs on Your Plate Janice Tober

A

s Canadians, we all know that we need to eat well for good health. For most of us, that means switching over to more of our foundational foods in minimally-processed forms. According to a health report published by Statistics Canada in November 2020, consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in Canada, approximately 50 percent of our daily diet is made up of UPFs — high-calorie, high-sugar, high-salt, and nutrient-poor foods.

Alarming? Very, because many of the foods we find on this list are items we might not think of as poor in nutrition.

For instance, a frozen pizza falls under the UPFs definition, as do many baked goods.

B ut b efor e you throw in the towel and never eat again, there are some foods, like beef, that are so nutritiona lly packed that they may just help save the day, or at least dinner.

Protein-rich, calorie-light Most of us can remember learning in biology class that protein is the building block of life. Every cell in our bodies contains it so, yes, it’s important. As a foundational food, beef delivers a quality protein – in a compact package — a portion size. Beef gives you a lot of protein in a little amount.

Carol Harrison, a registered dietitian,

says, “Many foods contain protein but the amounts can really vary. For example, to get 35 grams of protein, you would need 100 grams of cooked beef (which is 250 calories), or over 9 tablespoons of peanut butter at 860 calories. Both are nutritious choices, but this really highlights how much more protein we typically get from animal-based foods.”

But here’s the thing: red meats, specifically beef, contain many other key nutrients. "So many people are familiar with beef as one of nature's most protein-rich foods, but what they might not realize is the fantastic nutrient package that comes with beef,” says Harrison.

Beef provides heme iron, a vital nutrient needed by our bodies to store and shuttle oxygen.

“Beef is one of nature’s best sources of this type of iron — and heme iron is more easily absorbed by our bodies than non-heme iron, (the type found in plant food sources)” adds Harrison. “Infants, teenage girls, women, and athletes are all at risk for low iron and can benefit from the type of iron that beef provides. It's important to point out that low iron is the stage before anemia. With even a low iron level, you can already start to feel very weak, run down and may even have difficulty concentrating.”

Some of the other key nutrients beef provides are zinc, important for a healthy immune system, and vitamin B12, for brain health.

ories from fresh red meat — that includes beef, pork, and lamb. Further to this, if we eat 21 meals a week, on average only three of those meals are red meat meals and beef makes up two of those three meals.

“The data makes it clear with five percent of our calories coming from nutrient-rich fresh red meat and almost 50 percent from calorie-rich, nutrient-poor UPFs our priority should be to cut back on UPFs. The nutrition contribution of wholesome foundational foods like beef shouldn't be dismissed.

Beef provides a rich source of protein for a modest number of calories along with zinc for healthy growth, vitamin B12 for brain health, and one of nature’s best sources of easy-to-absorb iron,” says Harrison.

“Replacing whole animal-based foods with whole plant-based foods, for example an egg for walnuts, is like replacing one healthy choice for another. Both are good for you, but for different reasons,” says Harrison. “Beef is rich in protein, zinc and vitamin B12 and is one of nature’s best sources of easy-toabsorb iron, while foods like beans provide the value of fibre, folate, and potassium. I suggest eating them together to get the benefits of both — like in a beef and bean burrito or nourishing beef and bean combo bowl.”

When it comes down to good nutrition, beef is a single-ingredient foundational food.

“There's nothing added, and nothing taken away," says Harrison. "There are no fillers, no binders, and no colours — just one ingredient: beef.”

The big beef myth: are we eating too much beef?

To learn more about why Canadian beef belong on your plate, visit thinkbeef.ca/nutrition. #beefbelongs.

According to Statistics Canada’s Canadian Community Health Surveys (Nutrition) 2015, Canadians get about five percent of our cal-

This article was sponsored

by Canada Beef.

Consider nutrition facts when it comes to beef

Carol Harrison Registered Dietitian

Over 1 cup

960 CALORIES

Strategic Account Manager: Anna Sibiga Strategic Account Director: Jessica Golyatov Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content and Production Manager: Raymond Fan All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

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A Fresh Understanding of the Benefits of Raising Cattle in Canada Did you know that Canadian farmers and ranchers protect native grasslands through raising cattle? Conservationists help to shine light on the immense benefits of raising beef cattle in Canada.

Tania Amardeil

I Tom LynchStaunton Regional Vice President of the Alberta Region, Nature Conservancy of Canada

Karli Reimer Communications & Marketing Lead, Agriculture, Ducks Unlimited Canada

t may come as a surprise to many Canadians that some of the country’s key conservation organizations and advocates are proponents of cattle farming.

However, sometimes what you thought was the problem is really the solution. Canada’s beef community plays an important role in nature conservation and ecological health.

Protecting a threatened ecosystem and precious natural resources There's a symbiotic relationship between conservation and cattle, and it's rooted in the landscapes on which Canadian cattle are raised.

“The Northern Great Plains are one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America,” says Tom Lynch-Staunton, Regional Vice President of the Alberta Region at the Nature Conservancy of Canada, a non-profit land trust that aims to conserve land with high ecological value. “We’ve lost nearly 75 percent of our grasslands to farming and development, and so we try to preserve the remaining native grasslands.

Ranchers also want to preserve that landscape.”

In Canada, what little remains intact of our endangered grasslands is largely under the care of families that raise beef cattle.

“In Canada, the beef industry benefits our environment because it’s protecting important natural landscapes,” says Karli Reimer, Communications and Marketing Lead, Agriculture at Ducks Unlimited Canada, a wetland conservation organization. “Without a beef industry, we’re at great risk of losing those areas.”

How grazing cattle are critical to a healthy ecosystem The grasslands are rich ecosystems with many environmental benefits. “The wetlands and grasslands that are important to the beef community also provide many environmental benefits to society,” says Reimer. “They store carbon, conserve our soil, provide clean water,

protect us from flooding and drought, and are full of biodiversity, including pollinators and at-risk species.”

Not only does raising cattle prevent grasslands from being converted to cropland or developed, but grazing is also critical to a healthy ecosystem. “These grasslands evolved on grazing and fire as disturbances,” says Lynch-Staunton. “It used to be large bison herds, and now it’s primarily cattle. When you manage the grasslands with cattle, you can still have a compatible use with wildlife and biodiversity and other ecosystem functions, which is so important.”

By building and fertilizing soil, sequestering immense amounts of carbon, preserving our endangered native grasslands, and providing the majority of wildlife habitat on food-producing lands, cattle contribute to nature-positive food production.

“Nature-positive food production is raising or growing food in a way that works with the environment and not against it,” says Reimer. “It’s a commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability for our food systems.”

“Ranchers are environmentalists and we sometimes forget that they truly believe in sustainability, in stewardship of the land, taking care of it the best they can, and ensuring that it’s going to last for the next generation,” says Lynch-Staunton.

This article was sponsored by the Canadian Cattlemen's Association.

Anne Papmehl

Tell us how cattle raising can be good for the environment As a nurse, I’ve always believed that good health comes from good food, and good food comes from good soil. The cattle on my farm do amazing things for the soil and help create many different types of forages that attract birds, bees, and butterflies. Without the grazing cattle, those habitats wouldn't exist.

What type of sustainable practices do you use on your farm and how does animal impact play a role?

I practise something called rotational grazing.

By moving my cows every day, I’m not only giving the grass a chance to grow back, but I’m also spreading around the manure and urine, which are organic fertilizers. The bugs in the ground pull the manure down into the soil, creating organic matter, which is critical to healthy soil biology, as well as to holding the rain and sequestering carbon. I think that sort of animal impact is essential to restoring some of the grasslands we've lost.

As a farmer and a nurse, how do you see nature and nutrition working together?

Biodiversity is good for the land but it’s also

Grazing is critical to a healthy grassland ecosystem and supports plant and animal biodiversity

Cattle preserve and share the grasslands with over 60 species at-risk

The Value of Nature-Positive Food Production Builds and improves soil while reducing erosion

Grasslands and pastures under the care of beef farmers and ranchers store approximately 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon

To learn more about the vital role of cattle in preserving our endangered native grasslands, visit guardiansofthegrasslands.ca.

Sandra Vos, a nurse and sole female operator of an Ontario beef farm, explains how nature and nutrition can work together.

An opportunity came up to buy an 80-acre farm in Brant County almost 20 years ago. I said yes without having any farming background, except for helping at my uncle’s farm.

I knew nothing about planting, making hay, or how to drive a tractor, and was afraid of cows. The land needed some restoring, so thinking through what I could do to make it safe and efficient for me as a sole female operator, I decided to make it a grass farm, and that led me to raising cattle.

35 million acres of native temperate grasslands are cared for by beef farmers and ranchers

Nature-positive food production that Canadians can be proud of

How This Ontario Beef Farmer Is Improving Biodiversity

How did you get into beef farming?

The Benefits of Beef Cattle

good for nutrition. I think working with nature — rather than against nature — translates into an amazing end product. If the land is healthy and producing lots of good, biodiverse forage for your cattle to eat, then it’s producing good nutrition in the meat. The cows also work to keep the land healthy. Aside from improving the soil biology, they help keep invasive plant species at bay. Cows are great at eating things like grape leaves, for example, and preventing them from strangling the trees in the bush pastures.

What are the common misconceptions around beef production and consumption in Canada?

One thing I hear is that we're eating too much red meat, but every chart shows that red meat consumption has been declining for 30 years. In terms of the environment, Canada is uniquely suited to raising cattle with our cold climate and large tracts of natural grasslands and pastures.

Another misconception is that all beef comes from factory farms. In fact, about 98 percent of our beef farms are small, family-run farms, and the bulk of a cow’s or calf’s life is spent eating hay and grass in the pasture.

How can beef be a healthy, sustainable, and local option?

Beef is nutritionally dense and rich in minerals like zinc, magnesium, and iron. By supporting local beef farmers who use sustainable practices, you’re also helping to make a difference in the environment.

To learn more about beef farming in Ontario, visit ontbeef.ca.

This article was sponsored

by Beef Farmers of Ontario.

Raising beef cattle uses just 33% of agricultural land in Canada but provides 68% of wildlife habitat capacity

Sign Up for a Future of Labour in Protein Webinar Are you interested to learn more about the type of skills that will be in demand in the upcoming years? Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development has partnered with Food & Bio Cluster Denmark, International Food Recruitment Alliance (Netherlands), Food Processor of Canada, Food Processing Skills Canada, and Enterprise Machine Intelligence & Learning Initiative (Manitoba) to deliver a webinar on the Future of Labour in Protein. Join us on Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 at 10 a.m. CST. Hear insights from the panelists on strategies to attract and retain a skilled workforce. Click here to register.

Please note that census collection is still ongoing, and that it's not too late to complete your questionnaire. Count yourself into Canada's statistical portrait!

(Statistics Canada) With the pandemic continuing to influence how we shop and prepare meals for our families, national agriculture and sustainable local food supplies are top of mind for many of us. That's why it is important for our farmers to have access to critical information required to make informed decisions about their operations to help feed Canadians and to continue to be competitive and strong trading partners.

Statistics Canada's Census of Agriculture is an important tool that helps farmers see emerging trends in agricultural technologies and practices. Its results allow the industry and the public to get a snapshot of the state of agriculture in Canada, and the importance of this sector.

Important Changes to AgriStability for 2020 and 2021 On March 25, 2021, federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture agreed to the following changes to the AgriStability program:

AgriStability is a margin based program designed to help producers manage large income declines.

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the reference margin limit has been removed retroactive to the 2020 program year

Each year, you must enrol in the program, pay your fee and submit a form by the applicable deadlines.

•

the deadline to enrol for the 2021 program year has been extended from April 30 to June 30, 2021

You may receive a payment if your production margin in the current year falls below your historical reference margin by more than 30%.

AgriStability is one of the business risk management programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. It protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income for reasons such as production loss, increased costs and market conditions.

Use the AgriStability Benefit Estimator to help you understand how the program works and to calculate an estimated benefit.

For more information on participating, visit Who is eligible? and How to apply.

Environmental Farm Plan Workshops (Source: Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development) Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) are an essential part of every farm operation.

These workshops will guide producers through the EFP workbook to help assess and identify the environmental assets and risks on their farm operations, and develop an action plan to address the identified risks. Workbooks and support material will be provided to those who attend.

EFPs must be renewed every five years to remain valid. If you are unsure if your EFP is

valid, please contact KAP to inquire (204) 6971140.

No workshops are planned for the 2021 Field Season (May to November) as we transition to the new electronic platform. If you require an EFP workshop, please send an email to ManitobaEFP@gov.mb.ca to be placed on a waiting list. If your needs are immediate, please send the email with "URGENT" in the subject line and you will be contacted personally.

A digital version of the paper is available here!