MBP E-Newsletter: May 17/2024

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May 17, 2024

Association of Manitoba Community Pastures

E-Newsletter dsfsfa

Recognized in Manitoba Legislature for Receiving The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA)

On May 13, Jodie Byram, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Agassiz recognized the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures for receiving The Environmental Stewardship Association at MBP’s 45th Annual General Meeting earlier this year. The following is the legislative record of her remarks, as published in Hansard:

Community Pastures Environmental Stewardship Award

Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): Honourable Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures for receiving The Environmental Stewardship Award at the Manitoba Beef Producers' annual general meeting in February.

TESA is a Canadian Cattle Association initiative recognizing the beef industry's outstanding stewardship efforts.

Provincial cattle associations announce a local winner each year that goes on to compete for the national award in August.

The AMCP is a non-profit organization managing 19 community pastures around Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Its mandate is to sustainably manage productive and biodiverse rangelands enhanced by livestock production.

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MBP was cooking in the classroom on May 17 with grade 11 students from Winnipeg's Westwood Collegiate. Thank you to teacher Andrea Overby for the invitation and to Chef Anna Borys for leading the demo that featured a beef taco casserole. (Photo credit: David Hultin/MBP)

mbbeef.ca

Association of Manitoba Community Pastures –

cont. from page 1

All AMCP pastures have certified Environmental Farm Plans. Various practices and infrastructure types are used to manage the lands, including rotational grazing supported by sustainable stocking rates, prescribed burns as required, solar watering systems, livestock cross­ings, brush management controls and more.

This pasture system supports more than 350 pasture patrons bringing more than 40,000 head of livestock each year, including the Langford pasture in my constituency and close to my family farm. At more than 350,000 acres, these pastures represent some of the largest intact areas of remaining prairie lands in Manitoba.

When more and more pasture and forage land is being converted to other uses, these pastures provide many valuable ecosystem services, like carbon sequestration, water retention and filtration, and important habitat for an array of plant, animal and bird species.

Beef producers and groups like the AMCP who manage cattle pride themselves on their rangeland stewardship practices and conservation efforts. Please join me in congratulating the AMCP for receiving The Environmental Stewardship Award from Manitoba Beef Producers, and best wishes as you compete for the national award. Thank you.

Canadian, American, Mexican Cattle Producers Sign Joint Statement Regarding a Safe, Strong Integrated North American Market

May 15, 2024

HERMOSILLO,Mexico – Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) representatives were in Mexico this week to attend the Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas’ (CNOG) annual meeting, as well as a trilateral meeting. Representatives discussed united efforts to continue advocating for an integrated North American market, with a focus on protecting herds from animal diseases and advocating for greater oversight and regulations of emerging lab-grown proteins.

Leaders of the CCA, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and CNOG signed a joint statement today that was made public and will be sent to their respective governments.

“Canadian beef producers are leaders in raising highquality, sustainable beef both for consumers in Canada and around the world. Weare committed toworking with our partners around the world in addressing challenges our industryfaces and continuing toproudly provide sustainably-produced beef,” said CCA President, Nathan Phinney who is attending trilateral meetings in Mexico this week.

Leadership also discussed the importance of our market integration in relation tovoluntary Product of USA labelling and the upcoming review of Canadian-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

The joint statement was signed at the CNOG 2024 convention in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico by NCBA President Mark Eisele, CNOG President Sr. HomeroGarcía de la Llata, and CCA President Nathan Phinney.

For further information, contact: Carol Reynolds Communications Manager

Canadian Cattle Association 403-451-0931| reynoldsc@cattle.ca

The Canadian Cattle Association is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 60,000 beef farms and feedlots. www.cattle.ca

News
Release

May 15, 2024

Joint Statement of Priorities from U.S., Australian, Mexican, and Canadian Cattle Producers

As global leaders in cattle and beef production, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Cattle Australia, Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas, and Canadian Cattle Association encourage our governments to continue working together to combat devastating foreign animal diseases, to promote sustainable global trade that encourages efficient production practices, and to ensure science-based food safety and marketing regulations of emerging food technologies like lab-grown proteins.

On behalf of cattle producers in the United States, Australia, Mexico, and Canada we greatly appreciate the commitment to address the growing transnational threat of foreign animal diseases such as Foot-andMouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD). Combating these devastating animal diseases is an effort that requires both national preparedness planning and international cooperation. FMD is the most economically devastating transboundary disease threat facing North American and Australian cattle producers, and the global threat level for FMD is higher than ever before with FMD present in areas of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Any incursion of FMD into our countries would result in the immediate cessation of trade in animals and animal products, and the potential restriction of movement of people and goods in affected areas. Likewise, LSD would also have a devastating economic impact on cattle producers. We call for the urgent and continued investment in critical infrastructure and preparedness activities in each of our countries to protect against and ultimately respond to outbreaks of foreign animal disease.

As cattle producers, we have a personal stake in protecting the environment, and we work hard to improve the quality of the air, water, and land while caring for the health of our animals, our families, and our local communities. Australian cattle producers care for roughly 50% of Australia’s land mass, and U.S. cattle producers manage over 800 million acres of wildlife habitat, unique landmarks, and crucial ecosystems. Land used for beef cattle production in Canada represents 40% of total agricultural land, and provides 74% of the wildlife habitat capacity, including 35 million acres of native grassland. We prioritize proper grazing of cattle because it improves soil health, leads to greater water retention, increases carbon sequestration, and reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Without a doubt, healthy land and healthy water produce healthy cattle. We are working hard to meet sustainability goals, and we encourage you to continue promoting our efficient, science-based technologies and production practices that enable us to produce more beef with less resources. While the anti-meat agenda equates less beef consumption with a healthier environment, managed cattle grazing is essential for healthy land management, and our science-based production practices result in healthier cattle, improved land and water quality, and happy consumers. It is critically important that our governments promote livestock production as an effective tool in land and resource management and a necessity for achieving climate improvement initiatives.

As global beef demand continues to grow, new technologies such as lab-grown protein are emerging to mimic or replicate the qualities of beef and capitalize on the positive eating experience of beef absent the conventional production of cattle. Most of these technologies are still in the developmental phase and are not commercially viable, but it is critically important that these technologies are properly vetted by

regulatory authorities, so they do not pose a potential risk to consumer health and food safety. It is also important that regulatory authorities understand the long-term effects on human health, nutrition, and the environment that result from these emerging technologies.

If approved, we must ensure that marketing of lab-grown proteins is transparent and does not compromise the consumer trust that we have built as cattle producers. While some lab-grown protein companies may rely on disparaging advertising to differentiate their products, others may choose to bring little attention to the fact that their product is not from conventional livestock production. Regulatory authorities should ensure that lab-grown proteins are clearly identified on packaging to limit consumer confusion. The growing global consumer base wants access to safe, nutritious beef, produced from cattle that are sustainably and efficiently raised in a natural environment – not in a bioreactor.

On behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Cattle Australia, Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas, and Canadian Cattle Association, we are committed to addressing these issues and will work together to provide global consumers with our sustainably-produced beef.

Sincerely,

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Australia

Sr. Homero García de la Llata

Mr. Nathan Phinney Presidente President

Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas Canadian Cattle Association

Manitoba Agriculture Summer Pasture Tour

Manitoba Agriculture invites you to join us for a pasture tour in northwest Manitoba featuring multiple aspects of summer pasturing systems, including grazing planning, using annuals, livestock predation prevention and more!

Date: Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Place: Dauphin Recreation Complex –200 1st St SE Dauphin, MB

Registration: $40 (includes bus transport, lunch, and supper) payable to Inter-Mountain Watershed District PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED by Friday, June 28, 2024

Agenda

8:00 a.m. Sign in at the Dauphin Recreation Complex Parking Lot – East Side of Building

9:00 a.m. Buses depart at 9:00 a.m. sharp

9:30 a.m. Myhre Land and Cattle – Extended Grazing with Corn

Hans and Mary Myhre – Dauphin

Brett Graham – Corn Agronomy – Syngenta Canada

11:00 a.m. Grazing Planning and Managing Livestock Access to Riparian Areas

Martin and Corrine, Billy and Haley DeVos – Fork River

Jessa McNabb – Intermountain Watershed District – PWCP Programming

Mary-Jane Orr – MBFI Grazing Mentorship Program, and Ron Moss – Grazing Consultant

12:30 p.m. Lunch on Bus

1:00 p.m. Benefits of Increasing Plant Diversity through Cover Crops

Robin and Carol Sime – Fork River

Dakota Odgers - Covers and Co.

2:30 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

Moose Mountain Bison Ranch Focusing on Sustainable Production

Tom Olson – Owner and Operator – Pine River

Tyson Gillis, Manitoba Crown Lands - Manitoba Agriculture

Manitoba Beef Producers Livestock Predation Prevention Project – Deadstock Composting Pen

Eugene and Doreen Burdeny – Ethelbert

Elizabeth Nernberg, Manitoba Agriculture

5:00 p.m. Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation - Forage and Livestock Insurance Programming

Rachel Jensen MASC Insurance Agent - Dauphin

6:00 p.m. Supper at Smitty’s Restaurant – 1601 Main St South Dauphin

For more information and to register contact: Pam Iwanchysko, Livestock and Forage Extension Specialist, Manitoba Agriculture at pamela.iwanchysko@gov.mb.ca or call (204) 648-3965

MFGA Board of Directors 2024-25 Finalized

(May 15, 2024 MFGA News Release) It was moving day at the MFGA Board of Directors table recently as one board member moved onto the MFGA executive team, and two other board members joined the organization. Concurrently, existing members of the executive team moved along the leadership succession path at the helm of the farmer-based organization.

The April 2024 meeting of the MFGA Board of Directors confirmed the following appointments and terms:

MFGA Board Executive 2024-25

CHAIR: Michael Duguid, Arnes, Manitoba (twoyear term): A mixed farmer from Manitoba’s Interlake region near Arnes where he farms with his son Scott and their families, Mike is the Manitoba Beef Producers rep on the MFGA Board. Mike is super keen on regenerative agriculture practices around soil – especially learning more around soil health and annual crops - and grazing cattle. Mike also serves proudly as the environment co-chair of the Canadian Cattle Association’s environment committee with Saskatchewan’s Lynn Grant.

VICE CHAIR: Zack Koscielny, Strathclair, Manitoba (two-year term): Zack and his family live near Strathclair, Manitoba, where they own and manage Green Beach Farm and Food. The Koscielny’s are well-known for grazing livestock regeneratively including cattle and pigs and they have also recently diversified their activities and have started growing organic grain and raising pasture-raised poultry. The Koscielny’s were the recipients of the 2023 Assiniboine West Watershed District Watershed Award.

FINANCE CHAIR: Sean Smith, Clanwilliam, Manitoba (one-year term): The newest addition to the MFGA executive and one of Manitoba’s most determined and advanced dairy farmers around regenerative agriculture practices, Sean is in the process of taking over Clanman Jerseys

- the Smith family dairy- from his parents. Sean credits his grandparents and parents for the natural areas and rich biodiversity found among the habitats of their Clanwilliam-area dairy farm.

PAST CHAIR: Lawrence Knockaert, Bruxelles Manitoba (one-year term): Lawrence moves into the very important role as past chair after guiding MFGA the past two very successful years as MFGA Chair and as the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba rep on the MFGA Board. Lawrence and wife Kim are in the process of handing off the farm to their son and look forward to many happy years with their grandchildren ahead.

NEW MFGA BOARD MEMBERS (three-year terms with option to renew for three years)

Zach Grossart, Brandon, Manitoba: As an engineering grad from the University of Manitoba, with a background in organic grain and cattle farming with his family, Zach will help provide an excellent viewpoint on the MFGA board. Zach brings experience in event planning, and passion for grasslands and grazing in Manitoba.

Paul Gregory, Fisher Branch, Manitoba: Paul brings 30 years of forage seed production and leafcutter bee management, 40 years of commercial beekeeping and pollination to MFGA with a strong want to improve soil Health on Manitoba farms; improve profitability in livestock operations with more productive hay and pasture fields; improve sustainability of the livestock sector by lowering enteric emissions and increasing feed efficiency. Paul has served on a multitude of boards, most recently being added to Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation Board earlier this year.

MFGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROSTER 2024-25

Michael Duguid, Chair, Arnes, MB (Manitoba Beef Producers)

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MFGA Board of Directors 2024-25 Finalized

Zack Koscielny, Vice Chair, Strathclair, MB

Sean Smith, Finance Chair, Clanwilliam, MB

Lawrence Knockaert, Past Chair, Bruxelles, MB (Dairy Farmers of Manitoba)

Amber McNish, Pierson, MB

Arron Nerbas, Shellmouth, MB

Chelsi Beernaert, Hartney, MB

Guy Bouchard, Vita, MB

Harold Bosma, Grunthal, MB (Manitoba Sheep Association)

Jacques Saquet, Laurier, MB (Manitoba Bison Association)

Paul Gregory, Fisher Branch, MB

Peter Tokar, Swan River MB

Zach Grossart, Brandon, MB

For More Information: Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director, Duncan@mfga.net

Reminder re: Wildfire Risks, Burn Permit Requirements in Manitoba

Provincial burning permits are required for outdoor fires set within the burn permit area from April 1 to Nov. 15 annually. To check for municipal burning restrictions, visit https://gov.mb.ca/wildfire/burn_conditions.htm l

Burn permit holders are reminded to check weather conditions, have adequate suppression equipment and ensure proper fuel breaks are in place before burning. Never leave an outdoor fire unattended and always extinguish it before leaving and exercise caution when in or near forested areas.

For ongoing updates on wildfires and burn permits in Manitoba, follow the Manitoba government’s X (formerly known as Twitter) account at https://twitter.com/MBGovNews. Further details, updates, restrictions and other important wildfire information is available at https://gov.mb.ca/wildfire/. To report a wildfire, call 911 or the TIP line (toll-free) at 1-800-7820076.

Governments of Canada and Manitoba Strengthen Ability to Prepare for and Respond to Wildfires

(May 16, 2024 Canada/Manitoba news release)

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and in severity across Canada because of climate change, and can have devastating effects on our health, economies, communities and wildlife. As another difficult wildfire season is underway in many provinces and territories, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are committed to continuing to support Canadians and Manitobans, while strengthening our ability to adapt to a changing climate.

Today, federal Emergency Preparedness

Minister Harjit Sajjan, president of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, was joined by federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, on behalf of the federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, to make an announcement with Manitoba Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses, to jointly invest $38.4 million over four years under the Government of Canada’s Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program –Equipment Fund (FMWCC) to support Manitoba’s efforts to purchase wildland firefighting equipment to enhance provincial readiness and capacity to prepare for and respond to wildland fires.

Funding announced today will help Manitoba purchase and upgrade firefighting equipment to increase wildland fire preparedness and response efforts, improve safety for communities and firefighters alike, and strengthen capacities and capabilities for resource exchange across Canada. In addition, the funding will support the purchase of additional training equipment and materials to

improve training and increase the number of skilled wildland firefighters and other staff.

Keeping Canadians safe and healthy is a top priority for the Government of Canada. By working together with provinces, territories and Indigenous communities and our international allies, the federal government continues to address and support the fight against wildfires and combating the effects of climate change, while ensuring public safety and protecting homes, livelihoods and lives.

Quotes

“After experiencing the most destructive forest fire season in our nation’s history in 2023, Canadians across the country are witnessing another spring of intense, early wildfires. The federal government is urgently working to respond to these fires by providing provinces, territories and partners with the support they need to meet the needs of Canadians where and when wildfires occur. Today’s announcement with the Government of Manitoba underscores our commitment to continue working with provinces and territories to bolster the procurement of life-saving equipment and personnel through the FMWCC. Through tangible and fast-flowing funding, the Government of Canada is helping firefighters respond to the current wildfire season and prepare for a future where the impact of climate change on the severity of wildfires is increasingly obvious.” federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson

“As we face another intense wildfire season, it's crucial that firefighters have the equipment and training they need to respond safely, quickly and effectively. This funding will help purchase critical equipment, upgrade existing resources and enhance training for firefighters, ensuring

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Governments of Canada and Manitoba Strengthen Ability to Prepare for and Respond to Wildfires

we're better equipped to protect communities and respond to the increasing threat of wildfires.” federal Emergency Preparedness

Harjit Sajjan, president of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada

“As we continue to see an increase in the severity of wildfires across the Prairies and North, protecting the health and safety of impacted communities is our government’s top priority. Today’s announcement with Manitoba will deliver necessary resources to mitigate the impacts of wildfires across the province while strengthening partnerships with provinces, territories and Indigenous communities to deliver solutions that will help keep communities safe.” federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal

“Ensuring the proper resources are available to our wildfire service is critical, as we can see right now in Manitoba. This investment will strengthen our ability to respond to these natural disasters that are increasingly more common. Our government will always prioritize the safety of Manitobans and we are pleased to see this timely support from the federal government that will bolster our ability to fight these wildfires.” — Manitoba Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses

Quick Facts

• Both the governments of Canada and Manitoba are proving $19.2 million through a contribution agreement under the FMWCC Program – Equipment Fund.

• The FMWCC program was launched in 2022 to support provinces and territories in

strengthening fire management capacities and capabilities across the country by facilitating the purchase of wildland firefighting equipment such as fire crew trucks and personal protective equipment, to increase capacity to respond to wildland fires.

• The Government of Canada is working with communities and organizations affected by wildfires to better understand the unique role the federal government plays in serving these communities, to offer nationally recognized equipment to support all firefighters to be better equipped to respond to wildland fires and to support a more sustainable approach to training, employment and all hazards management in Indigenous communities and beyond.

• Under NRCan’s Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program’s Equipment Fund, provinces and territories can cost-share investments with the Government of Canada for equipment, such as vehicles, mobile units, avionics upgrades (parts), hoses, pumps, enhanced communications equipment, the repair of aging equipment and training.

Related products

• Canadian Wildland Fire Information System: Monthly and Seasonal Forecasts

• Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy

• Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program

• WildFireSat: Enhancing Canada's ability to manage wildfires

• Wildfires - Canada.ca

• Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy

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