MBP E-Newsletter Aug 5/2022

E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP August 5, 2022

mbbeef.ca

CRTC Broadband Fund to allocate $20.5 million for mobile wireless and Internet access services in Manitoba, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador (August 4, 2022 Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) News Release) The

CRTC announced that ten projects will receive up to $20.5 million in funding from the Broadband Fund.

The projects will support the rollout of fourth-generation (also known as LTE or LTE-A) mobile wireless access along 425 kilometres of roads and highways in Manitoba, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. They will also support improved Internet and mobile wireless access that will benefit 2,250 households in 35 communities, including five Indigenous communities and one official language minority community, in the three provinces.

The Broadband Fund will allocate funds to the following service providers in Manitoba: • •

Bell Canada (Manitoba) Bell Mobility Inc. (Manitoba and Quebec)

With the announcement, the Broadband Fund has committed up to $226.5 million to improve broadband services for 205 communities, representing approximately 32,655 households.

The funding recipients will provide mobile wireless services or fixed broadband Internet access services that either meet the universal service objective or move communities closer to attaining it.

Prior to receiving funding, recipients must complete a statement of work setting out the details of each project, including schedules and costs, which must be approved by the CRTC. Construction for most projects announced today will start in late 2022 to early 2023.

Quotes “Since the first funding announcement from the Broadband Fund in 2020, more communities, households, and roads have access to better and faster Internet and voice services. These services are an important part of Canada’s public safety infrastructure. We are proud that our Broadband Fund is assisting in connecting more people and making them feel safer on the road. The new projects announced today will benefit communities and areas where there is a great need for mobile wireless and broadband Internet access services.”

Ian Scott, Chairperson and CEO, CRTC continued on page 4

For reliable information and resources please visit:

Disaster Financial Assistance Program and Livestock Losses Application Deadline Extended to Sept. 23, 2022 On May 9, 2022 the Manitoba government announced Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) related to damages to infrastructure, private residences, farms or small businesses due to spring flooding. DFA will also assist with verified livestock losses. The following information has been provided by the provincial government and Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) to help producers as they consider making a claim under the DFA program.

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DFA will provide assistance to farms that have experienced livestock losses as a result of spring flooding in 2022. To qualify for DFA, your farm must have yearly gross revenues of between $10,000 and $2 million and employ no more than 20 full time workers. It must be an owner-operated business and the owner-operator must be the day-to-day manager. The farm cannot be a hobby farm.

In the DFA application form, producers should note the number and types of cattle lost, e.g. calves, fed steers, fed heifers, bulls, etc. Under the DFA program criteria, a veterinary certificate is required to verify that the losses were a direct result of the event. This is non-negotiable. o Note: The cost to obtain the veterinary certificate can be submitted as a DFA eligible cost o For losses that happened some time ago, the producer should contact their veterinarian, explain the situation, and obtain the needed certificate.

Manitoba Beef Producers has helped develop a template that vets can use to support the producer’s DFA application and this information is being circulated to them. In the veterinary certificate the cause of loss needs to be attributed to the ‘2022 spring flood’ and the date of loss should be stated. This form is also available on the “DFA for Farm” page on the EMO website under “Step 2: Apply and mandatory documents.” See: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/dfa/farm.html Assistance for livestock losses will be calculated as follows: o Is based on the Wildlife Damage Compensation program for predation losses (MASC). See: https://www.masc.mb.ca/masc.nsf/fact_sheet_679_wildlife_damage_livestock.html o Will provide a price per pound for livestock losses. The price is based on the Canfax value on the date of loss (www.canfax.ca) o Different types of cattle are priced differently on Canfax, so therefore the farm will need to provide details on the type of livestock that were lost as well as the animal’s weight. o For calf losses, the compensation will provide assistance based on a 500 lb. cow.

Producers should also examine the DFA eligibility criteria related to infrastructure damage to determine if there are any other losses for which they may be eligible to seek compensation.

The application deadline for the spring 2022 DFA program has been extended to September 23, 2022.

For complete program details and to download the DFA application form, go to: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/dfa/farm.html Frequently asked questions about DFA: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/dfa/faq.html To view a video on how to apply for DFA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0S_STwXlP0 Program webinars presentations: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/pdfs/2022_dfa_webinars_pr.pdf For other inquiries contact Manitoba’s Emergency Measures organization as follows: o Toll Free: 1-888-267-8298 Fax: (204) 945-4929 Email: dfa@gov.mb.ca

Wireless and Internet services – cont.

Quick facts •

The universal service objective for mobile wireless service is the use of the latest generally deployed mobile wireless technology (currently longterm evolution [LTE]) in Canadian homes and businesses and on major transportation roads. The target for fixed Internet access service is that all Canadians households have access to download speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps, with an unlimited data option.

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In 2020, 99.5% of Canadians and 88.5% of major roads and highways had access to mobile wireless services using the latest generally deployed technology (currently LTE service).

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In 2020, 50/10 Mbps service with unlimited data options, which corresponds to the level of the CRTC’s universal service objective regarding fixed broadband Internet access service, was available to 89.7% of Canadian households (compared to 87.4% in 2019), while 54.4% of rural Canadians had access to the same service.

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In November 2019, the CRTC issued its second call for applications for projects to improve broadband Internet access services and mobile wireless services across Canada. The second call generated 586 valid applications requesting more than $1.5 billion in total funding.

Applications were assessed based on many factors, including their technical

merit, financial viability, level of community consultation, and the amount of funding committed from other sources – both public and private.

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The CRTC Broadband Fund will provide up to $750 million over the first five years to support projects that improve broadband Internet access services and mobile wireless services in underserved areas in Canada. It is designed to complement private-sector investments and public-sector initiatives.

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Given the current state of telecommunications infrastructure in Canada, the CRTC expects fixed broadband Internet access service at the universal service objective level to be available in 100% of Canadian homes and businesses by 2030 or sooner.

Backgrounder on the Manitoba Projects Bell Mobility Inc.; Manitoba Mobile: LTE-A, with up to unlimited data 20 km of roads near Camperville (roads only) and an approximate contribution of $487K

Bell Canada; Manitoba Access: Download/upload speeds from 10/10 Mbps to 1,500/940 Mbps with unlimited data Cranberry Portage and Snow Lake (600 households) and an approximate contribution of $863K

Branching out: Involving all Canadians in Tree Check Month Check local parks, gardens and even backyards and vehicles for any unwelcome pests. Contact the CFIA if you suspect you have found an invasive plant, insect, disease, snail or other plant pest foreign to the area. This summer, remember to prevent the spread of pests, don't move firewood: buy and burn local or heattreated (kiln-dried) firewood.

(August 2, 2022 Canadian Food Inspection Agency News Release) Throughout August, the CFIA is

asking Canadians to check for invasive pests in their own backyard in honour of Tree Check Month. Trees and plants are essential to maintaining Canada's clean air, natural spaces, parks, gardens, and a healthy economy.

However, certain invasive insects, diseases, and other organisms threaten the health of Canadian trees and plant life.

Invasive species are most often introduced and spread throughout Canada via human activity, such as trade and the movement of firewood or outdoor equipment. For example, pests can hitch a ride unseen in firewood, dirt and outdoor equipment (vehicles, trailers, camping gear, etc.). Climate change can also contribute to the spread of invasive species by changing environments so pests can survive where they couldn't before.

We can all take action to be aware of threats and do our part to protect the trees that give us food, shade, clean air and water, wellbeing and so much more.

The CFIA's invasive pest cards and pest fact sheets make it easy and simple to know where to look and what look for – and most importantly, how to report pests of concern.

Apps like iNaturalist are also excellent for helping to identify potential pests.

Citizen reporting is not only critical to help the CFIA identify pests before they spread, but checking trees is an important task that happens to also be a fun activity! The Plant Health Hero challenge is open to anyone in Canada and features activities for youth.

Challenge your friends, family and neighbours to get outside, enjoy a walk and check their trees. Share your photos of kids checking trees on social media using #SeedlingScientist.

Together we can protect Canada's green spaces.

Quotes "The health of trees and other plants is essential to the quality of our environment. Throughout the month of August, I invite Canadians of all ages to pay close attention to the green spaces around us and to the life they support. Being on the lookout for pests protects our forests, our agriculture and our food security."

– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Examining the local trees and environment has a considerable impact on tree and plant health.

The power of everyday citizen scientists should not be underestimated. The finding and reporting from even one person could be a big help to Canadian tree and plant health."

– David Bailey, Chief Plant Health Officer for Canada and Executive Director, Plant Health and Biosecurity, CFIA continued on page 6

Branching out: Involving all Canadians in Tree Check Month Quick facts •

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency dubbed August as Tree Check Month to mobilize community scientists and help keep Canada's trees healthy and free from invasive species and pests.

This tree check form from the Invasive Species Centre will help you know what to look for when checking trees.

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checking trees, campers, equipment and items stored outside to remove insects and egg masses

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removing soil from footwear, gear and equipment before packing up so as not to move pests

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encouraging kids to be plant health heroes through fun and interactive youth activity booklets

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making sure that seeds, plants, plant products (whether decorative or for consumption) or organisms (for example, insects or snails) you bring into Canada or send to other countries meet the import requirements of the destination country – the CFIA can help, check with the CFIA first.

Small actions can make a big difference.

Help protect trees by: o

learning about and reporting unusual insects, invasive plants or plant diseases to the CFIA through inspection.canada.ca/pests or social media or via apps like iNaturalist

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monitoring trees for sudden or unusual changes: assess the entire tree, then focus on smaller areas like the roots, trunk, branches and leaves, noting any insect holds, bark cracks and tunnels under bark that has come off

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buying and burning only local or heat-treated firewood to reduce the spread of the emerald ash borer and other pests that hide in firewood

Associated links •

Video: Get involved in Tree Check Month

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Plant health podcasts, videos and articles – Inspect and Protect

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Regulated insects

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Blog: What's in my firewood, and why should it matter?

HEALTHY FARMERS

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Klinic Community Health Program

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SUPPORTLINE.CA

Toll-free 1-866-367-3276

Manitoba Association of Watersheds Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (On-Farm Climate Action Fund)

PRAIRIE WATERSHEDS CLIMATE PROGRAM (On-Farm Climate Action Fund)

BMP: COVER CROPS FACT SHEET: JUNE 2022 AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA’S AGRICULTURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ON-FARM CLIMATE ACTION FUND (OFCAF): PRAIRIE WATERSHEDS CLIMATE PROGRAM (PWCP) Support for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). OFCAF is an initiative designed to assist producers address climate change. Read the media release here.

The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program: Manitoba and Saskatchewan The Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) is the lead organization managing the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) - an up-to $40 million AAFC OFCAF project in Manitoba and Saskatchewan from February 7, 2022 – March 31, 2024.

• PWCP is delivered by Manitoba’s Watershed Districts and the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW).

• The project is overseen by an advisory committee of stakeholders led by MAW. The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) works with producers to increase the implementation of select Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) on farms in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The BMPs eligible under the PWCP focus on three categories: 1. Rotational Grazing 2. Nitrogen Management 3. Cover Cropping The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program Approach • • •

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PWCP takes a grassroots, regional approach to addressing issues related to climate change in agriculture and supporting producers to implement BMPs that have a positive impact on Canadian agriculture.

85 per cent of funding goes towards adoption of BMPs and BMP education/awareness activities for agricultural producers, who are the Ultimate Recipients of the program.

Ultimate recipients (farmers) can seek registration and offset credits under voluntary offset credit programs for GHG emissions reductions generated with the support of the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program. The ability of ultimate recipients to participate in these markets will be subject to eligibility requirements set up by voluntary offset programs.

Ultimate recipients (farmers) cannot apply to any regulatory carbon offset program for the GHG emissions reductions generated between the Project Eligibility Date (“February 7, 2022 “) and the Project Completion Date (“March 31, 2024“) including those dates. o GHG Emission Reduction Credits restrictions for Ultimate Recipients only apply to the fiscal year(s) in which the Ultimate Recipient receives funding.

BMP: COVER CROPS FACT SHEET

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All payments made to Ultimate Recipients for BMP adoption in the areas of nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing are to be considered “farm support payments” as per subsection 234(2) of the Income Tax Act R.S.C 1985. As such all payments to farmers are to be considered income for the farm business and are subject to Income Tax. MAW will be preparing and submitting annually to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) AGR-1 forms for each PWCP payment to Ultimate Recipients.

Important Program Points to Note • • • •

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An activity can only be funded once on the same parcel of land through OFCAF funding.

An Ultimate Recipient who participates in any of the eligible BMP activities in the 2022-2023 program year can apply for the same eligible activities on the same land for the 2023-2024 program year.

Landlords and tenants both cannot apply for funding on the same piece of land.

Producers are eligible for a maximum of $75,000 of OFCAF funding, including all eligible activities across all BMPs for the project period to accelerate their adoption and implementation of on-farm beneficial management practices (BMPs) to reduce GHG emissions, support production efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency on their farm operations.

To assist producers with their adoption of all three BMPs, PWCP will offer producers resources to support BMP implementation.

PWCP BMP: COVER CROPS: INCREASING ADOPTION OF COVER CROPPING

How Does Cover Cropping Improve Soil Health and Reduce GHG Emissions A cover crop is grown for the protection and enhancement of the soil and provides a number of ecological services. These may include: (i) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, (ii) to reduce leaching, (iii) to provide nitrogen to the next crop, (iv) to reduce erosion, (v) to improve soil structure and soil hydric properties (vi) to reduce parasite pressure on crops, (vii) to prevent weed growth, (viii) to increase the biodiversity of the farming landscape and environment.

How PWCP Can Help The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program is helping producers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to deploy real, measurable, and practical climate solutions for agriculture in the Canadian Prairies by assisting them to implement cover crop practices.

The PWCP will distribute part of Canada’s contribution to producers for the adoption and on-farm implementation of cover cropping BMPs that are recommended by a professional agrologist, agronomist or certified crop advisor. Funding will support BMPs that focus on the use of regionally appropriate cover crops in field crops and horticultural operations to protect soil from erosion, enhance soil organic matter and provide undisturbed cover over winter, which may only include: • •

Fall planted cover crops as well as spring-planted cover crops underseeded with the main crop (intercropping) and full-season annual and/or perennial cover crops in rotation; Planning and Technical assessments when needed (e.g., agronomic services).

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BMP: COVER CROPS FACT SHEET

Seed and Seeding Costs to Plant Regionally Approved Cover Crops • •

$35/acre to a maximum of $75,000.

Agronomic planning, with support of an agrologist, agronomist or Certified Crop Advisor, that includes the seeding of regionally approved cover crops as a new or expanded practice of the farm operation.

Eligibility Requirements •

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Funded projects must: o Be new practices for an operation, or o Be expanded from what has been practiced in prior years on new land or new acres than prior years, o Be recommended by an agronomist, agrologist, Certified Crop Advisor.

All activities must have commenced on or after February 7, 2022 and be completed on or before March 31, 2024.

All invoices must be dated after February 7, 2022, and before March 31, 2024 (including those dates).

Invoices and Proof of Purchase must accompany program rebate applications.

Producers must contribute at least 15% of the total project cost as an in-kind contribution to the project.

Before and after pictures of projects implemented are required for verification and payment.

Producers may use seed from their own inventory provided that the seed meets the requirements of the program. This seed is not eligible for payments but can be part of the inkind contribution of the producer to the project.

Cover crops need to be sustained over the winter and the minimum height is 6 inches (15 cm).

Ineligible Activities: Cover Crop BMP • • • • • • • • •

Crops that will be harvested or grazed leaving less than 6 inches (15cm) of cover crop growth over winter.

Crops that can be harvested in the next growing season intended for market (e.g., winter cereals) are not eligible under this program.

Intercrops, where all crops are intended for market, are not eligible Cover crops planted that will take land permanently out of production are not eligible.

Continuing implementation of an existing practice at the same degree as prior years.

An activity can only be funded once on the same parcel of land through OFCAF funding.

Landlords and tenants both cannot apply for funding on the same piece of land.

Mechanical or chemical termination costs are not eligible.

Cover crops seeded into forages, hay land or pasture for the purpose of their rejuvenation and continued use as before the cover crops were seeded are not eligible.

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BMP: COVER CROPS FACT SHEET

For more information: o Visit https://manitobawatersheds.org/prairie-watershed-climate-program o Contact your local Manitoba Watershed District or pwcp@manitobawatersheds.org o Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds o 1-306-541-9902 o pwcp@saskwatersheds.ca Media Contact: Lynda Nicol, Executive Director, Manitoba Association of Watersheds

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PRAIRIE WATERSHEDS CLIMATE PROGRAM (On-Farm Climate Action Fund)

BMP: IMPROVING NITROGEN MANAGEMENT FACT SHEET: JULY 2022 AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA’S AGRICULTURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ON-FARM CLIMATE ACTION FUND (OFCAF): PRAIRIE WATERSHEDS CLIMATE PROGRAM (PWCP) Support for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). OFCAF is an initiative designed to assist producers address climate change. Read the media release here.

The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program: Manitoba and Saskatchewan The Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) is the lead organization managing the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) - an up-to $40 million AAFC OFCAF project in Manitoba and Saskatchewan from February 7, 2022 – March 31, 2024.

• PWCP is delivered by Manitoba’s Watershed Districts and the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW).

• The project is overseen by an advisory committee of stakeholders led by MAW. The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) works with producers to increase the implementation of select Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) on farms in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The BMPs eligible under the PWCP focus on three categories: 1. Rotational Grazing 2. Nitrogen Management 3. Cover Cropping The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program Approach • • •

•

PWCP takes a grassroots, regional approach to addressing issues related to climate change in agriculture and supporting producers to implement BMPs that have a positive impact on Canadian agriculture.

85 per cent of funding goes towards adoption of BMPs and BMP education/awareness activities for producers, who are the Ultimate Recipients of the program.

Ultimate recipients (farmers) can seek registration and offset credits under voluntary offset credit programs for GHG emissions reductions generated with the support of the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program. The ability of ultimate recipients to participate in these markets will be subject to eligibility requirements set up by voluntary offset programs.

Ultimate recipients (farmers) cannot apply to any regulatory carbon offset program for the GHG emissions reductions generated between the Project Eligibility Date (“February 7, 2022 “) and the Project Completion Date (“March 31, 2024“) including those dates. o GHG Emission Reduction Credits restrictions for Ultimate Recipients only apply to the fiscal year(s) in which the Ultimate Recipient receives funding.

BMP: NITROGEN MANAGEMENT FACT SHEET

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•

All payments made to Ultimate Recipients for BMP adoption in the areas of nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing are to be considered “farm support payments” as per subsection 234(2) of the Income Tax Act R.S.C 1985. As such all payments to farmers are to be considered income for the farm business and are subject to Income Tax. MAW will be preparing and submitting annually to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) AGR-1 forms for each PWCP payment to Ultimate Recipients.

Important Program Points to Note • • • •

•

An activity can only be funded once on the same parcel of land through OFCAF funding.

An Ultimate Recipient who participates in any of the eligible BMP activities in the 2022-2023 program year can apply for the same eligible activities on the same land for the 2023-2024 program year.

Landlords and tenants both cannot apply for funding on the same piece of land.

Producers are eligible for a maximum of $75,000 of OFCAF funding, including all eligible activities across all BMPs for the project period to accelerate their adoption and implementation of on-farm beneficial management practices (BMPs) to reduce GHG emissions, support production efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency on their farm operations.

To assist producers with their adoption of all three BMPs, PWCP will offer producers resources to support BMP implementation.

PWCP BMP: NITROGEN MANAGEMENT: INCREASING ADOPTION OF NITROGEN MANAGEMENT How Does Improving Nitrogen Management Benefit Farmers and Climate Change?

Nitrogen management strategies ensure optimum productivity, reduce nitrogen losses, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance economic profitability and environmental quality. Farmers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan make key decisions on formulation, rate, timing, and placement of fertilizer nitrogen that are suitable for soils, climate change, and farming operations within which they operate.

How PCWP Can Help The PWCP is helping producers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to deploy real, measurable, and practical climate solutions for agriculture in the Canadian Prairies through the management of nitrogen fertilizer use. For example, the use of slow-release fertilizer, nitrification and urease inhibitors have been effective in lowering the release of Greenhouse Gasses into the atmosphere.

Eligible activities under this BMP are: Use of Slow-Release Fertilizer • 85% of the increased cost of slow-release fertilizer compared to regular nitrogen fertilizer, up to a maximum of $75,000 Use of Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors • 85% of the cost of the inhibitors, up to a maximum of $75,000 Agronomic Support for Nitrogen Management Plans • 50% of total cost, up to a maximum of $10,000

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BMP: NITROGEN MANAGEMENT FACT SHEET

Soil Testing • 85% of total cost, up to a maximum of $2,500 Soil Mapping • 50% of total cost, up to a maximum of $10,000 Adding Legumes to crop rotation • $35/acre for establishment, when approved under a 1-year contract • $70/acre when approved under a two-year contract, with the payment split into a $35/acre payment in year 1 and a $35/acre payment in year 2, upon approval and annual verification Upgrading seeder equipment to allow for banding, side dressing and injection of fertilizer • $200 per foot of seeding equipment, up to a maximum of $30,000 Split Application of Fertilizer to improve Nitrogen use • To be determined by PWCP Delivery Agent Upgrading manure injection and incorporation equipment • To be determined by PWCP Delivery Agent Offsetting higher cost of synthetic fertilizer substitutes (manure, compost, digestates) • To be determined by PWCP Delivery Agent Eligibility Requirements •

• • • • •

Funded projects must: o Be new practices for an operation, or o Be expanded from what has been practiced in prior years on new land or new acres than prior years, o Be recommended by an agronomist, agrologist, Certified Crop Advisor.

All activities must have commenced on or after February 7, 2022, and be completed on or before March 31, 2024.

All invoices must be dated after February 7, 2022, and before March 31, 2024 (including those dates).

Invoices and Proof of Purchase must accompany program rebate applications.

Producers must contribute at least 15% of the total project cost as an in-kind contribution to the project.

Before and after pictures of projects implemented are required for verification and payment.

Ineligible Activities: Nitrogen Management • • • • • • •

Continuing implementation of an existing practice at the same degree as prior years.

Costs related to the management of nutrients other than nitrogen are ineligible.

An activity can only be funded once on the same parcel of land through OFCAF funding.

Landlords and tenants cannot apply for funding on the same piece of land.

Biological and microbial fertilizer options are ineligible.

Polymer-coated urea is ineligible.

For manure injection and incorporation, activities mandated by an Intensive Livestock Operation permit or activities required by a regulatory body for compliance purposes are ineligible.

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BMP: NITROGEN MANAGEMENT FACT SHEET

Recommendations AAFC recommends that producers applying nitrification inhibitors also apply urease inhibitors to avoid increasing ammonia losses. Similarly, producers applying urease inhibitors may apply nitrification inhibitors to prevent the increase in nitrous oxide emissions.

For more information: o Visit https://manitobawatersheds.org/prairie-watershed-climate-program o Contact your local Manitoba Watershed District or pwcp@manitobawatersheds.org o Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds o 1-306-541-9902 o pwcp@saskwatersheds.ca Media Contact: Lynda Nicol, Executive Director, Manitoba Association of Watersheds

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Manitoba Association of Watersheds

PRAIRIE WATERSHEDS CLIMATE PROGRAM (On-Farm Climate Action Fund)

BMP: MANITOBA ROTATIONAL GRAZING FACT SHEET JUNE 2022 AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA’S AGRICULTURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ON-FARM CLIMATE ACTION FUND (OFCAF): PRAIRIE WATERSHEDS CLIMATE PROGRAM (PWCP) Support for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). OFCAF is an initiative designed to assist agricultural producers address climate change. Read the media release here.

The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program: Manitoba and Saskatchewan The Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) is the lead organization managing the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) - an up-to $40 million AAFC OFCAF project in Manitoba and Saskatchewan from February 7, 2022 – March 31, 2024.

• PWCP is delivered by Manitoba’s Watershed Districts and the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW).

• The project is overseen by an advisory committee of stakeholders led by MAW. The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) works with producers to increase the implementation of select Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) on farms in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The BMPs eligible under the PWCP focus on three categories: 1. Rotational Grazing 2. Nitrogen Management 3. Cover Cropping The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program Approach • • •

•

PWCP takes a grassroots, regional approach to addressing issues related to climate change in agriculture and supporting producers to implement BMPs that have a positive impact on Canadian agriculture.

85 per cent of funding goes towards adoption of BMPs and BMP education/awareness activities for agricultural producers, who are the Ultimate Recipients of the program.

Ultimate recipients (farmers) can seek registration and offset credits under voluntary offset credit programs for GHG emissions reductions generated with the support of the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program. The ability of ultimate recipients to participate in these markets will be subject to eligibility requirements set up by voluntary offset programs.

Ultimate recipients (farmers) cannot apply to any regulatory carbon offset program for the GHG emissions reductions generated between the Project Eligibility Date (“February 7, 2022 “) and the Project Completion Date (“March 31, 2024“) including those dates.

BMP: ROTATIONAL GRAZING FACT SHEET - MANITOBA

GHG Emission Reduction Credits restrictions for Ultimate Recipients only apply to the fiscal year(s) in which the Ultimate Recipient receives funding.

All payments made to Ultimate Recipients for BMP adoption in the areas of nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing are to be considered “farm support payments” as per subsection 234(2) of the Income Tax Act R.S.C 1985. As such all payments to farmers are to be considered income for the farm business and are subject to Income Tax. MAW will be preparing and submitting annually to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) AGR-1 forms for each PWCP payment to Ultimate Recipients. o

•

•

Important Program Points to Note • • • •

•

An activity can only be funded once on the same parcel of land through OFCAF funding.

An Ultimate Recipient who participates in any of the eligible BMP activities in the 2022-2023 program year can apply for the same eligible activities on the same land for the2023-2024 program year.

Landlords and tenants both cannot apply for funding on the same piece of land.

Producers are eligible for a maximum of $75,000 of OFCAF funding, including all eligible activities across all BMPs for the project period to accelerate their adoption and implementation of on-farm beneficial management practices (BMPs) to reduce GHG emissions, support production efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency on their farm operations.

To assist producers with their adoption of all three BMPs, PWCP will offer producers resources to support BMP implementation.

PWCP BMP: ROTATIONAL GRAZING: INCREASING THE ADOPTION OF ROTATIONAL GRAZING Why Implement Rotational Grazing?

Rotational grazing is the practice of containing and moving livestock through pastures to allow forage plants time to recover, deepen their root systems and improve soil health between periods of grazing.

Rangelands managed under rotational grazing practices have also been found to have higher soil carbon sequestration rates than continuous grazing and may, therefore, serve as an effective carbon mitigation option. Importantly, ranchers see rotational grazing as an effective way to improve the profitability of their cattle operations while benefiting overall ecosystem health.

How PWCP Can Help The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program is helping producers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to deploy real, measurable, and practical climate solutions for agriculture in the Canadian Prairies by assisting them to create and implement rotational grazing plans.

Rotational grazing allows producers to manage their forage resources to allow the forage crops to sequester carbon longer during the growing season. Managing the way forages are grazed and allowed to grow throughout the year can store carbon in the soil and release less GHGs into the atmosphere.

Sound management of grazing rotations can help to extend the growing season, reducing the need for producers to harvest and transport feed to confinement feeding locations. Managed rotational grazing Page 2

BMP: ROTATIONAL GRAZING FACT SHEET - MANITOBA

can also spread manure over a wider area and provide nutrients to forage crops to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizer use.

These include: Fencing to support the Rotational Grazing Plan • $13,0000/quarter to a maximum of $50,000.

Watering Systems to support the Rotational Grazing Plan • Up to $2,000/quarter for stationary water system development and $7,000/project for mobile water systems. Maximum allowed = $50,000.

Improving Pasture compositions by seeding legumes such as alfalfa/sainfoin • $35/acre, up to a maximum of $75,000.

Creation of Grazing Management Plan • 50% of cost of the plan, up to a maximum of $400.

Eligibility Requirements •

• • • • • • • • • •

Funded Practices must: o Be new practices for an operation, or o Be expanded from what has been practiced in prior years on new land or new acres than prior years. o A rotational grazing plan must be provided that supports the new practice and o The rotational grazing plan must be endorsed by an agronomist, agrologist, Certified Crop Advisor.

All activities must have commenced on or after February 7, 2022, and be completed on or before March 31, 2024.

All invoices must be dated after February 7, 2022, and before March 31, 2024 (including those dates).

Invoices and Proof of Purchase must accompany program rebate applications.

Producers must contribute at least 15% of the total project cost as an in-kind contribution to the project.

Before and after pictures of projects implemented are required for verification and payment.

Remote watering system must be incorporated into grazing plan and be powered by a renewable source such as solar or wind.

Fencing to support the rotational grazing plan such as permanent cross fencing, wildlife friendly fencing, temporary electric fencing are all eligible.

All Projects on Agricultural Crown Lease lands in Saskatchewan must have approval from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Land Agrologist to proceed.

Projects on rented land may need landlord approval to proceed.

Some projects may impact conservation easements and agreements, Species at Risk, or other special circumstances may apply. Producers will be required to ensure all approvals and permissions are in place prior to the project occurring.

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BMP: ROTATIONAL GRAZING FACT SHEET - MANITOBA

Ineligible Activities • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Continuing implementation of an existing practice at the same degree as prior years.

An activity can only be funded once on the same parcel of land through OFCAF funding.

Landlords and tenants both cannot apply for funding on the same piece of land.

Perimeter fencing is not eligible unless it is part of the Rotational Grazing Plan.

Removal and replacement of old and/or existing fence.

Used fencing materials.

Used remote watering systems.

Water development projects and watering systems that are funded by the Saskatchewan Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP).

Generators to power remote watering systems.

Texas gates.

Portable panels.

Maintenance.

Grazing co-operatives, grazing associations, and non-profit organizations are not eligible for funding in this program.

For more information: o Visit https://manitobawatersheds.org/prairie-watershed-climate-program o Contact your local Manitoba Watershed District or pwcp@manitobawatersheds.org o Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds o 1-306-541-9902 o pwcp@saskwatersheds.ca

Media Contact: Lynda Nicol, Executive Director, Manitoba Association of Watersheds

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Managing Tuberculosis and Brucellosis in Wood Buffalo National Park By: Kyle Plotsky, David Hall (University of Calgary) Although bovine tuberculosis (bTB) has been eliminated from Riding Mountain National Park, the disease is found in other areas of the country at the interface between wildlife and livestock.

One of these areas is Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP). It is the largest national park in Canada at 44,807 km2 and straddles the border between Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Nearly half of the remaining Canadian wood bison population live in herds in the WBNP area known to be infected with bTB and bovine brucellosis with prevalence estimated at around 40% in these herds. These diseases entered WBNP when 6600 plains bison were transported into the park around 1925 from another park near Wainwright, Alberta without being disease tested.

Limited wood bison disease management has been conducted in the last century. The corralling and testing of wood bison and the creation of a bison meat industry were attempted in the mid20th century. A 1990 proposal to depopulate the park of all wood bison and reintroduce disease free animals from Elk Island National Park near Edmonton, AB faced major criticism and was not implemented. Criticism was especially strong from Indigenous groups who have a historical and cultural connection with the animals. The Alberta and Northwest Territories governments have been operating control zones along the western and northern borders of the park to minimize the spread of the diseases.

In a first for Canada, the World Heritage Status of WBNP was recently classified as under threat with the bison issue being an important concern. A number of actions have been taken to help address the bison issue, including changes to the provincial status of wood bison, work in genetics and vaccines, and a focus on working with Indigenous groups around the park.

socioeconomics of managing bTB and brucellosis in the WBNP wood bison. We aim to understand how rightsholders and stakeholders prefer the bison disease issue be managed. This includes understanding how important wood bison are to people and how knowledge and experience can influence management attitudes. Our findings will be summarized in a freely available report that can be used to inform future policy.

The impact of bTB and brucellosis transmitting to animals outside of WBNP goes beyond the borders of a single park or province. This is especially true for livestock where transmission from bison to cattle could lead to billions in losses and the closing of international markets to Canadian cattle. This potentially devastating impact on the cattle industry highlights how important it is for our final report to include the views of people from across Canada. We are reaching out to various stakeholders for their assistance in completing a questionnaire on the bison disease issue regardless of their location or background. Responses will be anonymously incorporated into our final report along with responses from other rightsholders and stakeholders.

You can participate by scanning the QR code below or by clicking the following link for the cattle producer version of our questionnaire: https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_3Oek2YY9 CXyutsq. If you wish to learn more about our work or the bison disease issue, please visit our project website at ucvm-bison-project.com. Please contact Dr. Kyle Plotsky (kyle.plotsky@ucalgary.ca) or Dr. David Hall (dchall@ucalgary.ca) with any comments or questions.

We are a non-governmental component of this process; our research investigates the

1

Tesa application

Name(s):

Phone:

Farm Name:

Email:

Address:

PLEASE ATTACH A WORD DOCUMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: 1. Provide a description of your farm including the environment it operates in.

2. What have you done/what are you doing to improve environmental management on your farm?

3. What are your challenges and successes? Please include high-resolution images and data which help show measurable results.

4. What factors have enabled you to make management changes? (e.g. Working with conservation organizations, programs such as the Environmental Farm Plan, funding support, education, etc.)

5. What are your environmental goals for the future and how do you plan to carry them out?

6. Include two letters of reference that speak to your leadership in conservation.

Please limit your application to 10 pages (not including letters of reference and photos). Electronic applications are preferred and a single, complete PDF document is requested. A sample application from previous years can be found online at https://www.cattle.ca/sustainability/theenvironmental-stewardship-award/how-to-nominate/

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN THE APPLICATION: A selection of no less than ten high-resolution images suitable for reproduction on social media, print etc.

Video presentation link if available, media stories/ broadcasts showcasing your stewardship efforts.

TESA SPONSORS

TESA sponsorship program is available to appropriate organizations that wish to affiliate themselves with the CCA’s TESA program. In addition to showing support for environmental stewardship and Canada’s beef cattle producers, the program also provides the opportunity to join industry leaders, government representatives and nearly 60,000 Canadian beef farms in the national discussion on environmental issues affecting the industry. For more information, visit www.cattle.ca/what-is-tesa

TESA PLATINUM SPONSOR

For more than 65 years, MNP has been helping beef producers get the most from their operations. Whether you are looking to pass the farm on to the next generation, improve your profitability, be more competitive or expand MNP’s beef industry specialists will help you get the results you’re looking for. To find out what MNP can do for you, contact Marvin Slingerland, Partner, MNP Lethbridge, at Director of Livestock Services at 1.800.661.8097 or Marvin.Slingerland@mnp.ca

Contact your provincial organization listed on the previous page to determine when your association requires you to submit your application for the provincial award.

HE L P ING YO U GE T E VE N M O RE O UT O F YO UR L IVE ST O C K O P E RATIO N.