MBP E-Newsletter: February 10/2023

Beef Producers Invited to Participate in Surveys re: Swath Grazing and Feed Testing

The second survey is related to feed testing. It aims to understand how western Canadian commercial beef cowcalf producers assess feed quality and develop rations with a special focus on the use of feed testing. The knowledge gained will be used for research and extension on feed testing and ration balancing.

Manitoba producers are invited to participate in two separate online research surveys related to their participation in the practices of swath grazing and feed testing.

The purpose of the swath grazing research is to understand the use of swath grazing and spring residue cleanup by western Canadian cow-calf operations. Producer responses will help promote strategies that will advance the Canadian beef industry. This study is for research purposes only.

Respondents can be both adopters, non-adopters and disadopters of swath grazing as they wish to hear how adopters swath graze, why non-adopters choose not to swath graze and why dis-adopters stopped swath grazing. The survey will close when 600 respondents are reached (likely March 31, 2023).

The swath grazing survey research is funded by Alberta’s Results Driven Agriculture Research and is being conducted by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (Kathy Larson) and Lakeland College (Dr. Obi Durunna). Dr. Durunna is a Livestock Research Scientist at Lakeland College and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan and Larson is a Professional Research Associate at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

The survey link is: https://ca1se.voxco.com/SE/90/Swathgrazing/

This survey is being undertaken by Larson, as well as Dr. Emma Stephens, a bioeconomist at Agriculture and AgriFood Canada’s Lethbridge Research Station and 500 participants are being sought from Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. This survey is funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council and the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund.

Sample survey questions include:

• Have you done any lab tests for quality of any of your feed in the last three years?

• On your operation, who is typically responsible for collecting feed samples?

• Do you use a forage probe to collect samples when you test bales for quality?

The link to this survey is: wo8372 (insightrix.com) This survey will close once 500 producers have completed it.

Anyone with questions about the 2023 survey can contact Larson at kathy.larson@usask.ca or at (306) 966-4025 Stephens can be reached emma.stephens@agr.gc.ca or at (403)915-8409.

Manitoba Beef Producers Board of Directors for 2023-24

Back row from left to right: Dale Cazakoff (District 14), Mary Paziuk (District 13), Mike Duguid (District 10), Steven Manns (District 5), Alfred Epp (District 1), Trevor Sund (District 9), Andre Steppler (District 3).

Front row from left to right: Nancy Howatt (District 2), Arvid Nottveit (District 11), Tyler Fulton (District 7), Matthew Atkinson (District 8), Mark Good (District 12).

(There are currently vacancies in districts 4 and 6.)

There are several changes on the Executive: Matthew Atkinson assumes the role of President, Mike Duguid takes over as Vice-President while Nancy Howatt moves into his former role as Secretary. Mark Good remains as Treasurer and Tyler Fulton transitions to Past President.

Congratulations to MBP's Environmental Stewardship Award recipients, Glen and Pam Lowry, who operate a commercial cow calf operation north of Darlingford. Watch for the upcoming edition of Cattle Country (available after February 24) for more details about this well deserved recognition.

Photo credits: Duncan McNairnay

Government of Canada to invest over $2.1 million in wildlife disease surveillance across the country

(February 9, 2023 Environment and Climate Change Canada News Release) Canada’s wildlife species contribute to the well-being of Canadians and the maintenance of healthy ecosystems. Wildlife diseases can affect the balance of national animal populations and have implications for human health, food security, and the country’s agricultural and economic prosperity. The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the health of wildlife to ensure that healthy interactions between wild and domestic animals, and the Canadian public, are maintained.

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing $2.1 million over three years to support projects to improve our knowledge and management of issues related to wildlife diseases. The projects are being led by the national office of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, based at the University of Saskatchewan.

These projects include the development of new tools to track wildlife health and the risks of emerging infectious diseases. Work is also planned for identifying and predicting the impacts of climate change on wildlife health and will include avenues for action. In addition, education and outreach programs will be provided to non-governmental organizations, Indigenous groups, the provinces and territories, and Canadians, to encourage their participation in wildlife health surveillance.

A contribution was also made to address urgent coordination and data management needs related to highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada. The objective is to consolidate

communications and management of the cooperative, which includes many partners.

A project dedicated to bat health is also being funded. More specifically, this includes the effective coordination of surveillance programs for white-nose syndrome and emerging zoonotic diseases, and the identification of the potential critical habitat for three endangered species: the Little Brown Bat, the Northern Bat, and the Tri-colored Bat.

Quotes

“Climate change and the deterioration of our ecosystems are having an impact on the emergence and spread of wildlife diseases. Recent years have shown us that these diseases can have serious implications for our health and economy. We need to continue to expand our wildlife disease surveillance and management activities. Our government has committed to protecting 30 percent of land and oceans by 2030, and will continue to work with its many partners to ensure a healthy and sustainable environment for both wildlife and Canadians.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“The Government of Canada's investment in wildlife disease surveillance is vital for protecting the health of our country's wildlife, and the health of Canadians and our domestic animals, as the two are closely linked. We are grateful for this support for our collaborative work on wildlife health, which is increasingly important in the face of changing climate, habitat loss, and our increasingly interconnected world."

– Damien Joly, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative

continued on page 4

Government of Canada to invest over $2.1 million in wildlife disease surveillance across the country

“Monitoring emerging diseases to gain a better understanding of their distribution among wildlife populations and develop strategies to manage them, are critical activities that the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative provides for Canadians in collaboration with university and government partners. The University of Saskatchewan and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine are excited to work with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative on these challenges. We welcome this significant investment in wildlife disease surveillance that fits in with our university’s commitment to developing solutions for One Health issues affecting animal, human, and ecosystem health.”

– Dr. Gillian Muir, Dean, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

Quick facts

• The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative provides a pan-Canadian perspective on wildlife health, while helping to identify and assess emerging issues at the local level.

• The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative brings together internationally recognized wildlife

health researchers and diagnosticians, population health experts, and experienced educators. It works with partners to ensure that this knowledge is applied in a timely manner.

• Founded over 30 years ago, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative is a collaborative effort from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Montreal Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Ontario Veterinary College, the Atlantic Veterinary College, and the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

• The viruses that cause COVID-19, avian influenza, and chronic wasting disease are examples of zoonotic infectious diseases.

• Globalization, climate change, and habitat loss are factors increasing the emergence of wildlife diseases.

Related products

• Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Annual Report 2021–2022 (PDF)

Canadian beef producers ensured a financial return for sustainably raising cattle thanks to pilot credit launched by Cargill and the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB)

February 10, 2023, Calgary, AB The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) has partnered with Cargill to provide up to $400 CAD for operations maintaining their CRSB Certification. The pilot of this Cargill-funded credit will be provided to “fill the gap” for Canadian producers who have made the upfront investment of becoming CRSB Certified but did not receive at least $400 CAD in financial return for qualifying cattle processed in 2022.

“With this funding, we want to recognize the commitment of Canadian producers in ensuring the viability of this program and making Canadian beef even more sustainable,” said Jeffrey Fitzpatrick, Sustainability Program Lead, Cargill. “Only in supporting programs like the CRSB Certified Sustainable Beef Framework will we be able to more accurately create and sustain the highest standard of sustainability practices across the Canadian beef supply chain.”

The new Certification Recognition Credit will be issued over and above the existing Qualifying Cattle Credits paid for qualifying cattle processed in 2022. This incremental payment will ensure all CRSB Certified Operations who maintained their CRSB Certified status through 2022 and into 2023 will receive a minimum $400 CAD in total annual credit payments relative to Cargill’s 2022 implementation of the CRSB Certified Sustainable Beef Framework. The credit will only apply to those operations who have not already received at least $400 CAD in return for the Qualifying Cattle Credits. The credit will be paid to CRSB Certified Operations regardless of whether their qualifying cattle were ultimately sold into Cargill

“We are excited that the supply chain recognizes the ongoing efforts of producers to maintain CRSB Certification. Realizing this credit is a pilot, the CRSB is working with Cargill and other industry supply chain partners and stakeholders to identify long-term resolutions to ensure qualification provides financial value and enduring benefit to producer participation,” said Ryan Beierbach, Chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and beef producer from Whitewood, Saskatchewan

Qualifying operations do not need to apply separately for this credit and can expect their payment in March 2023. As long as the operation maintains an active certification status at the start of 2023, the operation is eligible for receiving the full Recognition Credit value net of any Cargill Qualifying Cattle Credits received in 2022.

You can find additional information on this new Certification Recognition Credit, as well as the existing Qualifying Cattle Credits, on the Cargill website. Additional questions can be directed to either CRSB or CRSB certification body.

For more information, contact:

Dayna Cameron

CRSB Communications and Member Engagement Manager

Email: camerond@cattle.ca

Phone: 403.998.0133

About CRSB

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) advances, measures and communicates sustainability in the Canadian beef value chain in collaboration with its multi-stakeholder membership. It drives continuous improvement through sustainability performance measurement and goals, a voluntary 3rd party sustainability certification program, and projects and initiatives aligned with strategic goals. Learn more at crsb.ca.

The Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, known as CRSB Certified, recognizes sustainable practices in beef production and processing, enables sustainable sourcing, and delivers 3rd party certified sciencebased assurances about sustainable beef production in Canada. Learn more at crsbcertified.ca.

About Cargill

Cargill helps the world’s food system work for you. We connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients and families with daily essentials—from the foods they eat to the floors they walk on. Our 160,000 team members around the world innovate with purpose, empowering our partners and communities as we work to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, sustainable way.

From feed that reduces methane emissions to waste-based renewable fuels, the possibilities are boundless. But our values remain the same. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing. It’s how we’ve met the needs of the people we call neighbors and the planet we call home for 157 years and how we’ll do so for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center

Cargill Media Contact: media@cargill.com

Perspectives on carbon opportunities and ecological goods and services across the Canadian Prairies

We want to hear from you

Please take this survey to help us understand how much landowners know about available programs and the factors that would influence your choice to participate. Responses will be anonymous and grouped to your larger region for protection of privacy. You will receive $50 as a thank-you for your participation.

Who can participate:

Private landowners who own 500 acres or more of grazing land within the Canadian Prairies.

What you value about

Details about your farmland and management practices.

Your information will remain confidential and only aggregated answers will be

www.fuseconsulting.ca/take-the-survey

Shelagh Pyper (shelagh@fuseconsulting.ca) for more information or to complete the survey by phone.

Photos by: Leta Pezderic

Artwork by: Nakita at Fuse Consulting

CFIA Holding Consultations re: Animal Feed –Policy and Procedures Updates

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched two 30-day public consultations:

• Proposed changes to the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels

• Use of foreign decisions for livestock feed approvals in Canada

We invite those in the animal feed industry, including feed manufacturers and livestock producers to share their comments on the proposed requirements by March 9, 2023.

Once an analysis of the feedback has been completed, a ‘What we heard report’ will be published on the CFIA website.

For more information, please refer to our current consultations

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release February 7, 2023

DUC in Manitoba Recognizes Women in Science on February 11

Leaders in Brandon and Winnipeg provide “astounding” depth to conservation efforts

Charlotte Crawley is proud to raise cattle near Rapid City, Manitoba, a short drive from the land her family first farmed in 1897. She’s also proud to be a woman breaking down barriers in two occupations: farming and conservation.

“There’s a quote I recently heard that I fell in love with: ‘Act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog’," says Crawley, a conservation specialist with DUC since 2015 working in the Brandon office. "If your heart is in it and you’re willing to work for it, women can do anything.”

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is recognizing Crawley and two of her Manitoba colleagues for their contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11.

Lisette Ross joined DUC in 1990 as a research biologist. Today, she is Head of Wetland Services for Native Plant Solutions, an arm of DUC that provides environmental solutions to corporate clients and governments. She was instrumental in a first-in-Canada project in Niverville to transition a former sewage lagoon into community space using natural processes

“The more diversity we can incorporate into our work and office environments, the better products and approaches we will possess for attaining our wetland and waterfowl conservation goals,” says Ross. “We often want to promote or work alongside people who think like us. It may be easier but there is a danger in that.”

Originally from Nigeria, Abosede Adeoye is the head of finance for DUC’s $15 million Manitoba budget. She holds an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from University Canada West, Vancouver, BC.

“Women and girls often play a critical role in everyday management of natural resources in the family and community,” she notes. “I am a firm believer in the old African proverb, ‘If you educate a man, you educate an individual but if you educate a woman, you educate a family (nation)’.”

DUC employs 17 women among 34 staff at its provincial office in Brandon, plus nine of 11 staff at Oak Hammock Marsh Wetland Discovery Centre and eight of 14 at Native Plant Solutions in Winnipeg.

“Beyond the numbers, the experience and abilities provided by our female colleagues is simply astounding,” explains Mark Francis, Manager Provincial Operations – Manitoba, “and the collective office mix makes for a great team We salute Charlotte, Lisette and Abosede for their roles in applying science-based solutions to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.”

See the attached Backgrounder for more about the staff members recognized for Women in Science.

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release February 7, 2023

DUC is Manitoba’s oldest and largest conservation group and has protected 711,744 acres in the province since launching in 1938. For more about career opportunities, please visit: https://www.ducks.ca/about/careers

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For more information, contact:

Glen Kirby

Communications Specialist – Manitoba

Ducks Unlimited Canada

204-402-0369

g_kirby@ducks.ca

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC’s innovative environmental solutions and services, visit www.ducks.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Lisette Ross

Head, Wetlands Services – Native Plant Solutions

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide environmental services to clients based on science and natural processes, including:

o treatment wetland lagoons that help communities meet wastewater regulatory targets

o incorporating wetland and native grass elements into urban storm water designs

• Liaise with project partners and staff to design and deliver infrastructure projects

Education:

• Fort Richmond Collegiate, Winnipeg MB

• University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB

o Bachelor of Science (Zoology)

o Master of Science (Wetland soils and hydrological modeling)

o Diploma, Non-profit Management

Quotes:

Being mentored and given opportunities by others to learn early in my career was what supported me in pursuing wetland ecology as a career.

The more diversity we can incorporate into our work and office environments, the better products and approaches we will possess for attaining our wetland and waterfowl conservation goals. We often want to promote or work alongside people who think like us. It may be easier but there is a danger in that. At NPS each of our projects requires a team of specialists and strategists to get our projects successfully built on the ground. Our team of varied skillsets, backgrounds, cultures and genders has been the key to our success.

Charlotte Crawley

Conservation Programs Specialist 4

Job Responsibilities:

• Establish and manage grass for nesting waterfowl

• Develop and implement landowner-based conservation programs

• Coordinate with industry partners on programs and funding initiatives

• Mentor colleagues

Education:

• University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB

o Bachelor of Science (Animal Sciences)

Quotes:

Like farming, conservation – historically - has been a male-dominated industry. Women and girls are now at the forefront of many conservation efforts here in Manitoba and bringing diversity to the conservation field. There’s a quote I recently heard that I fell in love with: ‘Act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog’. If your heart is in it and you’re willing to work for it, women can do anything.

Abosede

Adeoye Head Finance, Conservation

Job Responsibilities:

• Preparation, implementation and monitoring of the Manitoba operations budget

• Quarterly projections and reports on variance, including conservation acre goals by program

• Manage the administrative team and ensure support for all programs

Education:

• Bachelor of Science (Accounting)

• Associate Chartered Accountant, Nigeria

• Master of Business Administration, University Canada West, Vancouver BC

Quotes:

I am a firm believer in the old African proverb, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual but if you educate a woman, you educate a family (nation).”

I acknowledge that women and girls often play a critical role in everyday management of natural resources in the family and community, hence when we are empowered or involved, it is easier to educate and influence other members of the family and community at large on the importance of conservation.

EAT BEEF BURGERS THIS FEBRUARY. SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD Banks.

FIGHT HUNGER IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Beef farmers and ranchers across the country are helping to 'beef up' food banks:

As part of the national campaign, for every campaign featured burger purchased, Canada Beef will donate the equivalent of 1 meal to Food Banks Canada*

*up to a maximum of 20,000 meals (based on Food Bank's Canada meal metric: $1 = 2 meals)

Manitoba beef farmers are helping 'beef up' regional food banks by donating $2,000 to Harvest Manitoba

GIVING BACK IN THE ‘BEEFIEST’ WAY!

Registration is Open!

SUSTAINABILITY OF CANADIAN AGRICULTURE

2023 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

MARCH 7- 9, 2023

Tuesday March 7

Achieving net zero emissions

Wednesday March 8

Role of Indigenous agriculture in our food systems

HOLOS model workshop

Thursday March 9

Is biodiversity the new carbon? Canada’s Living Lab Update

VISIT US AT:

Sustainable food production systems: Exploring new and traditional knowledge https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/sustainability-canadian-agriculture-2023

Photo: DUC