Cattle Country - June 2022

PUBLISHED BY MANITOBA BEEF PRODUCERS

JUNE 2022

Manitoba Conservation Trust program funding has granted over one million dollars to the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures (AMCP) to help maintain prairie grasslands and biodiversity in Manitoba’s Community Pastures. Please see story on page 5 of this edition. (Photo credit: Megan Desjardins)

Manitoba Government Announces Disaster Financial Assistance Program for Spring Flooding, Also Includes Assistance Related to Verified Livestock Losses Related to Storms producers as a series of storms swept through the province in April, making for very difficult spring calving conditions and causing damages.

DFA programs provide provincial assistance for certain disaster-related losses when a widespread natural disaster strikes and creates an unreasonable financial burden. DFA helps Manitobans recover by providing financial assistance for uninsurable losses to basic and essential property.

The following information has been provided by the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) and MBP to assist producers as they consider making a claim under the DFA program.

DFA will provide assistance to farms that have experienced livestock losses as a result of 2022 spring flooding and storms. 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.

As part of the DFA program criteria, a veterinary certificate is required to verify that the losses were a direct result of the event. Note: The cost to obtain the veterinary certificate can be submitted as a DFA eligible cost. For losses that happened some time ago, the producer should contact their veterinarian, explain the situation, and obtain the needed certificate.

Page 2 

President’s Column

Live or Online

Mental Health in the Beef Industry

Page 2

Page 6

Page 9

www.mbbeef.ca

POSTMASTER : PLEASE R ETURN UNDELIVERABLE C OPIES TO: MBP, UNIT 220, 530 CENTURY STREET, WINNIPE G, MB R3H 0Y4 CANADIAN PUBLIC ATIONS MAIL PRODUCT SALES AGREEMEN T NUMBER 40005187 POSTAGE PAID IN WINNIPE G.

On May 9, 2022 the Manitoba government announced a Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program for individuals and municipalities in relation to damages to infrastructure, private residences, farms or small businesses due to spring flooding.

This DFA program will also assist with verified livestock losses related to the spring storms.

In announcing the DFA program Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk stated, “Our government is committed to supporting Manitobans in addressing the cost of damages related to spring flooding. We continue to work with local authorities on response efforts and a program will be available to assess damages and provide assistance for those who need it.”

Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) thanks the provincial government for announcing the DFA program and recognizing the extraordinary challenges faced by

2

CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022

Proud to Be a Manitoba Beef Producer If the weather conditions this spring taught us anything, it reinforced that cattle ranching is a tough business. The storms on three consecutive weekends back in April led to an endless workload over that timeframe, where caring for the animals became our exclusive focus.

Conditions across southern Manitoba varied between terrible and catastrophic with gale force winds, snow drifting 7-8 feet high and several inches of rain that led to exceptional overland flooding. While some producers had long finished calving and struggled to find enough shelter or freshly-bedded pen space, others were hit in the peak of their calving season dealing with the severe and rarely seen conditions for mid-April.

Warming newborn calves in tubs and under heat lamps or pulling animals into the barn for a reprieve from the

own conditions and operation, I believe that we all had a shared experience that bonds us to each other in a way that other sectors of agriculture can’t fully understand.

The uncontrolled environment in which we work, combined with our universal dedication to the well-being of our animals result in a common, unspoken connection among cattle farmers and ranchers.

What is most remarkable to me, is how the majority of producers still count themselves as fortunate, despite the hardships they endured. It is this attitude when faced with these challenges that results in our industry having the hardworking, self-reliant, and gritty character that defines us.

For this reason, I am proud to be a Manitoba beef producer.

TYLER FULTON President’s Column

weather became a full-time job. In the days that followed, hours were spent bottle feeding and attempting to reconnect calves with their mothers.

Consistent among the experiences that I have heard was the complete mental and physical exhaustion that resulted from the storm events. Producers were working long hours in terrible conditions and some still lost calves despite our best efforts.

While everyone’s experience was unique to their

Disaster Financial Assistance Program for Spring Flooding  Page 1 MBP 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.

Assistance for livestock losses will be calculated as follows: • Is based on the Wildlife Damage Compensation program for predation losses (MASC) • 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) • 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.

• For calf losses, the compensation will provide assistance based on a 500 lb. cow.

UPCOMING EVENTS! MAA SUMMER GOLD SHOW H ardi ng F ai r- H ar din g , MB J ul y 2 2 , 2 022

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

The deadline to submit an application to Manitoba EMO for the spring 2022 DFA program is August 8, 2022.

For more information about eligibility or to apply for the program, visit www.manitoba.ca/emo/dfa, call 1-888-267-8298 (toll free) or email dfa@gov. mb.ca. If you are unable to access the online form, call EMO to request that a hard copy be mailed to you.

Manitoba EMO will be offering webinars for the public to provide an overview of DFA and answer questions. More information about dates, times and how to register will be available online in the coming weeks.

SHOWDOWN Ke y sto ne Ce ntre - Br an do n , MB J ul y 2 7-2 9, 2 022

JACK HART MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FEMALE AWARD $ 25 0 0 vo uc h er to pu rc h as e an A n g u s fe m a l e a t t he K e y s t o ne K l a s s i c S a l e. Vi sit th e w ebs ite or s en d an ema i l fo r i nfo r m a t i o n t o a p p l y !

D eadlin e to apply S ep t e m b e r 1 , 2 0 2 2

For information and events check out the MAA website! www.cdnangus.ca/manitoba-angus-association/

Note: Manitobans are encouraged to check with their insurance providers to review their policy coverage before applying for DFA, noted Minister Piwniuk. Insurable costs, such as sewer backup, are not covered by DFA. Some Manitobans may have also purchased overland flood insurance.

Manitoba Angus Association P: 1-888-622-6487

E: mandi.mbangus@gmail.com

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DISTRICT 1

ALFRED EPP

DISTRICT 5

STEVEN MANNS

Boissevain-Morton, Brenda-Waskada, Grassland, Cornwallis, Elton, Norfolk-Treherne, Deloraine-Winchester, and Two Borders North Norfolk, Oakland-Wawanesa, Glenboro-South Cypress, and Victoria

DISTRICT 2

NANCY HOWATT

Argyle, Cartwright-Roblin, KillarneyTurtle Mountain, Lorne, Louise, Pembina, and Prairie Lakes

DISTRICT 6

MELISSA ATCHISON

Pipestone, Riverdale, Sifton, Souris-Glenwood, Wallace-Woodworth, and Whitehead

DISTRICT 3

DISTRICT 7

Cartier, Dufferin, Grey, MacDonald, Portage la Prairie, Rhineland, Roland, Stanley, Thompson, Montcalm, Morris, and Ritchot

Ellice-Archie, Hamiota, Prairie-View, Riding Mountain West, Rossburn, Russell-Binscarth, and Yellowhead

DISTRICT 4

MATTHEW ATKINSON 2ND

ANDRE STEPPLER

VACANT

TYLER FULTON PRESIDENT

DISTRICT 8

Clanwilliam-Erickson, Glenella-Lansdowne, De Salaberry, Emerson-Franklin, Hanover, Harrison-Park, Minto-Odanah, Oakview, La Broquerie, Piney and Stuartburn, Montcalm, North Cypress-Langford, Rosedale, Morris, Ritchot, Springfield, Ste. Anne, Taché, and West Lake-Gladstone R.M. of Piney and Reynolds

Half-page and full-page advertising opportunities also available.

Contact David for more information.

mbbeef.ca/news/

204-558-4502 DISTRICT 9

TREVOR SUND

Alexander, Brokenhead, East St. Paul, Lac Du Bonnet, Rockwood, Rosser, St. Andrews, St. Clements, St. Francois Xavier, West St. Paul, Whitemouth, Woodlands, LGD of Pinawa, Reynolds, Springfield, Ste. Anne, and Taché

DISTRICT 13

DISTRICT 14

MARY PAZIUK

Dauphin, Ethelbert, Gilbert Plains, Grandview, Roblin and Mossey River

VACANT

Minitonas-Bowsman, Mountain, and Swan Valley West

MANITOBA BEEF PRODUCERS

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING LEAD

Armstrong, Bifrost-Riverton, Fisher, and Gimli

Ph: 1-800-772-0458

Deb Walger

DISTRICT 11

PH - (204) 772-4542 FX - (204) 774-3264 info@mbbeef.ca www.mbbeef.ca

DISTRICT 10

MIKE DUGUID SECRETARY

ARVID NOTTVEIT

Coldwell, Grahamdale, St. Laurent, and West Interlake

DISTRICT 12

MARK GOOD TREASURER

Alonsa, Lakeshore, McCreary, and Ste. Rose

Unit 220, 530 Century Street Winnipeg, MB R3H 0Y4

GENERAL MANAGER Carson Callum

POLICY ANALYST Maureen Cousins

www.mbbeef.ca

David Hultin

FINANCE

OFFICE ASSISTANT Jennifer Patryluk

LIVESTOCK PREDATION PREVENTION PROJECT COORDINATOR Ray Bittner

CATTLE COUNTRY EDITOR David Hultin

DESIGNED BY

Print Studio One

CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022

3

MBP Busy with Advocacy Work, Return of Events Like RMWF What a year we have had. This time last year our directors were informing us of the severe drought-related challenges across Manitoba. Now we are seeing the opposite. Producers have been dealing with a lot, and we fully understand the toll it is taking mentally and physically on producers. The plus side of the winter we have had along with the wild April storms is the added moisture to help crops and grass grow and to help recharge water supplies. However, the April storms really had a severe impact on producers across the province.

Following the first Colorado low and other severe weather that followed, MBP asked producers to start sending their cattle loss data to us, so we could accurately portray the impacts to the provincial government. I greatly appreciate all those who took the time to report to us, even though I know how hard it was to share. You all care for your animals so much, and this was truly heartbreaking. These efforts however helped us advocate for a program that will financially help cover part of the losses.

On May 9 the Manitoba government announced a Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program for individuals and municipalities experiencing damages to infrastructure, private residences, farms or small businesses due to spring flooding and weather events. Under this program, livestock losses are included. I strongly encourage you to start the steps required in the application.

MBP is working with Manitoba’s Emergency Measures Organization and the Manitoba Veterinary Medical

CARSON CALLUM

General Manager’s Column Association to ensure the reporting and verification requirements for producers’ claims work smoothly. MBP thanks the provincial government for recognizing the challenges caused by the successive storm systems and flooding and for making DFA available.

Looking ahead in the calendar, we have a couple of initiatives planned for producers that I hope many folks can take part in. The first are three workshops under the Livestock Predation Prevention Pilot Project set for the latter part of June. The intent of these workshops is to give producers tips related to trapping predators, to provide insights from specialists on predators and predation, and to explain how the predation claims process administered by MASC works. There will also be an overview of the types of Risk Management Practices that have been tested in the pilot project so far. Check out our website for further details on these events.

The second event is a summer BBQ for producers and industry stakeholders at the Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives farm near Brookdale. This event is intended to be a very informal afternoon to allow our board and staff to connect with producers and industry

Cattle Country Reader Survey Cattle Country, a free publication of Manitoba Beef Producers, is the only newspaper in Manitoba written by beef producers, for beef producers. The newspaper has been in print since 1998 and is also available in a digital format.

The newspaper offers the latest industry news, interesting features, producer profiles, and updates on the activities of MBP eight times per year.

Cattle Country is the paper for anyone involved in beef production, industry stakeholders, and partners, as well as rural communities. It is also read by government staff and elected officials.

Manitoba Beef Producers has launched a survey to ensure the newspaper is meeting the needs of the sector and the readership. All responses will be kept confidential and used by MBP staff to guide decision making with the newspaper.

stakeholders. We will also have farm tours, some information sharing, and some speeches, such as recognizing past MBP directors. We have been missing this great type of engagement that normally happens during the President’s Banquet at our Annual General Meeting, which unfortunately hasn’t been held for a couple of years due to COVID-19 health measures. Stayed tuned for more information on this event, but I’ll ask you to save the date for Wednesday, July 13th!

One item I would like to call out in my column this month is our Cattle Country survey we launched a few months ago. We are seeking further feedback about the newspaper to ensure we are serving our members as best as possible from a communications standpoint. Please take the time to fill out the survey, as it will help us chart a path forward. More details are below.

Before I close, I want to remind folks of MBP’s six scholarships for those who come from a cattle farm to support their continued education. We have increased the value per scholarship to $1,000. I look for to seeing the essays and videos that applicants send in. Check out our website for complete details about how to apply.

With that, I hope this summer consists of much better growing conditions. It’s already off to a better start from a moisture standpoint, even with the challenges associated with how it came. Be sure to soak up some sunshine after that long winter, and focus on your own mental health as best you can.

To access the survey, please input the following URL into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J3W99VM or follow these steps: Hold your smartphone or tablet over the QR Code so that it’s clearly visible within your smartphone’s screen. Two things can happen when you correctly hold your smartphone over a QR Code.

1.

The phone automatically scans the code.

2.

On some readers, you have to press a button to snap a picture, not unlike the button on your smartphone camera. If necessary, press the button.

Presto! Your smartphone reads the code and navigates to the intended destination, which doesn’t happen instantly. It may take a few seconds on most devices.

Predation Management Field Days Sponsored by

Manitoba Beef Producers Livestock Predation Prevention Pilot project Thank you to everyone who showed interest & supported our breeding program at our 2022 sale!

Our 2022 Bull sale was a great success!

We were honoured to see repeat and new customers who purchased our bulls to improve profitability in their cow herd. We have bulls heading to new homes as far away as Ontario, B.C. and South Dakota.

EDIE CREEK TITAN 53H 2022 HIGH SELLER PURCHASED BY KODY AESOPH MILLER, SOUTH DAKOTA

mbbeef.ca | 204-772-4542

All livestock producers and trappers are welcome. All field days are 10:00 AM to Noon Ethelbert AMCP (Ukraina Corral) Community Pasture Pansy AMCP (Pansy Corral) Community Pasture Mulvihill AMCP (Corral) Community Pasture

| | |

Tuesday, June 21st 2022 Thursday, June 23rd 2022 Tuesday, June 28th 2022

(Note: Events are outdoors in field, so bring all-weather clothes.)

When predators take a bite out of your livestock what do you do? Topics being covered include: • • • • •

How to get compensated for predator losses (MASC) Know your legal rights to defend your property from predators (Manitoba Conservation) Gain insights into predator behavior (Manitoba Conservation wildlife biologist) Problem Predator Removal Program (Manitoba program) Trapper advice on how to make predator removal more successful (Manitoba Trappers Association)

For more directions or questions

MBP Organizer: Ray Bittner 204-768-0010

MBP Office: 204-772-4542

No pre-registration required.

ARE YOU STILL LOOKING FOR A BULL? We kept a few extra 2 year old bulls to sell via private treaty out of the yard. Heifer bulls available.

Please call or email for more information.

JONATHAN

(204) 471-4696

STEFAN

(204) 232-1620

info@ediecreekangus.com

ediecreekangus.com

Livestock producers attending will be registered to win a $300 vet consultation and assessment!

www.mbbeef.ca

4

CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022

StockTalk Q&A Feature Brought to you by Manitoba Agriculture Pam Iwanchysko Livestock Specialist Manitoba Agriculture

pamela.iwanchysko@gov.mb.ca Question: Grazing livestock on pasture is certainly the most economical method of reducing feed costs in any livestock operation, and being able to graze cattle on pasture longer during the summer grazing period is key. One of the best ways to improve productivity is to implement a planned rotational grazing system on that pasture. It is very important to provide adequate rest and recovery for the plants specific to the growing conditions and to start planning well in advance of the start of the grazing season.

An applied research trial at the Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Brookdale Farm north of Brandon for the past six consecutive years showcased how management can play a key role in extending the grazing system. Fifty cow-calf pairs were randomly divided each year for summer grazing on either a continuous or planned grazing system. Each grazing system was approximately 90 acres and subdivided into seven-paired replicates to evaluate the impact of improved grazing management.

In the planned grazing system, the cows were moved on a daily basis targeting one acre paddocks using a single strand, portable electric fence. The continuously grazed pasture consistently recorded reduced grazing days by approximately one month compared to that of the planned rotationally grazed paddocks. The planned grazing system not only created more grazing days with increased productivity, but also reduced the need for winter feed supply, increased the amount of calf gain on pasture and increased forage stand health and sustainability of the pastures.

Average Animal Unit Months per acre on the Planned and Continuous Grazing Paddocks at the MBFI Brookdale farm.

AUM/Acre

AUM/Acre

AUM/Acre

Paddock

2019

2020

2021

AVERAGE AUM/Acre over the 3 years

A

1.31

2.87

1.28

1.82

B

2.57

2.24

1.48

2.09

C

1.04

1.21

1.22

1.16

D

1.07

1.01

1.11

1.06

E

2.95

2.25

3.33

2.84

F

1.01

1.05

2.12

1.39

G

2.54

1.18

2.32

2.01

Continuous Pasture

1.28

1.42

1.08

1.26

voluntarily consume 2.5 per cent of body weight or 25 lbs. per day. The 25 lbs. is based on 100 per cent dry matter. A 1,400 lb. cow, for example, will eat about 160 lbs. of fresh grass per day. It is imperative to determine how much the cows weigh and how much feed is available to the animals, which depends on grass and forage species, precipitation, soil type and other environmental factors.

3. Balance shortfall by looking for additional pasture, selling off animals, and later spring turnout. Identify a “sacrifice” pasture and only graze it or supplemental feed on that portion until summer pastures are ready for grazing. It is recommended that grass plants are at the full three-leaf stage before they are ready to graze.

The next steps: 4. Sub-divide the pasture into multiple paddocks to allow rest and recovery. This can be done with a single-strand, non-permanent electric fence in many cases.

5. Seed annuals for grazing or greenfeed for extended feeding into the fall or plan on grazing hayland stockpile forage, for example.

Seeding of annuals, such as oats or millet, in Manitoba can be done into the first part of July, pending moisture conditions, for this purpose.

If you are interested in setting up a rotational grazing system and need assistance in doing so, Manitoba Agriculture and the Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives research farm have developed a series of grazing workshops to be held this spring and summer. These workshops are designed to complement resources that will be available through a new grazing mentorship training program starting this summer as well. Along with Manitoba Agriculture livestock staff, grazing mentors will be able to assist in the development of grazing plans that will be an asset in determining the best approach for your farm to apply for capital funding purchases through the many funding programs in the province. The grazing workshops were developed with all factors that need to be considered when developing a rotational grazing system, including electric fencing and off-site watering, pasture and soil health and even using diverse annual forages for extended grazing. For more information, call Manitoba Agriculture at 1-844-769-6224 or please check out the MBFI website for more information about the upcoming in-field demonstration workshops at www. mbfi.ca/registration.

We want to hear from you For the next issue of Cattle Country, a Manitoba Agriculture forage or livestock specialist will answer a selected question. Email your questions to Elizabeth.Nernberg@gov.mb.ca.

When developing a rotational grazing system some key points to consider are as follows: 1. Estimate the length of the grazing season by using past records and estimate the percentage shortfall in dry areas. Be very conservative and reasonable. Try to aim to leave 50 per cent residue on the pastures after each graze. Moving the cattle after they’ve eaten about 50 per cent of available forage will leave the paddock in good condition for regrowth.

2. Do an inventory on paper of previous pasture yields and hay land condition and estimate projected yields. Balance this to animal numbers and desired length of the grazing season. Cows will

StockTalk Q&A for Cattle Country is brought to you by Manitoba Agriculture. We encourage you to email your questions to our department’s forage and livestock team, who have a combined 175 years of agronomy experience. We are here to help make your cattle operation successful. Contact us today.

Shawn Cabak

Portage

204-239-3403

Shawn.Cabak@gov.mb.ca

Pam Iwanchysko

Dauphin

204-648-3965 Pamela.Iwanchysko@gov.mb.ca

Elizabeth Nernberg

Roblin

204-247-0087

Elizabeth.Nernberg@gov.mb.ca

Juanita Kopp

Beausejour

204-825-4302

Juanita.Kopp@gov.mb.ca

YEAR ROUND

Forage and Grazing

CANADA’S GRAZEFORAGE YEAR INNOVATORS ROUND

PERENNIAL FORAGES • ANNUAL COVER CROP FORAGES • DROUGHT GRAZING FORAGES

Perennial Forages | Annual Forages High Performance Alfalfa | Hybri d Fall Rye Graeme Finn, Union Forage .........................................................

403-312-2240

Amber McNish, Union Forage ...................................................... 204-264-0609 Jonathan Bouw, Edie Creek Angus ............................................. 204-471-4696 Jason Bednarek, 2B Land & Cattle .............................................. 204-768-0184 Ben Fox, Fox Technologies................................. 204/638/4181 / 204-647-5060

Toll Free: 1-877-COW-CHOW

Ken Van Driesten, Nutrisource/Dairytech/Bullseye ................... 587-727-0433 Michael Mott, Michael Mott Livestock ........................................ 204-861-0319 Joey Bootsman, Bootsman Ag Enterprises ................................ 204-720-8386 Darren Keown, 3K Holdings.......................................................... 204-937-7333 Scott & Darryl Perkin, Perkin Seed & Soil Company .................. 204-534-8137

WWW.UNIONFORAGE.COM

www.mbbeef.ca

CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022

5

Conservation Trust Funding Helps Sustainability of Prairie Ecosystems in Manitoba’s Community Pastures BY: WAYNE HILDEBRAND Manitoba Conservation Trust program funding has granted over one million dollars to the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures (AMCP) to help maintain prairie grasslands and biodiversity in Manitoba’s Community Pastures.

“The Manitoba Conservation Trust was pleased to partner with AMCP,” said Stephen Carlyle, Chief Executive Officer for Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC). “The Trust funding supports range management projects to provide healthy grazing land for local beef producers, as well as to protect and sustain natural prairie ecosystems.”

AMCP operates 19 community pastures, totalling over 300,000 acres of rangelands across four ecoregions in Manitoba. “Conservation Trust funding helped immensely to support grassland habitat diversity and rangeland sustainability in the community pastures,” said AMCP Board Chair Greg Genik. “The community pastures provide essential species-at-risk habitat across the province. The recent Trust announcement of $400,000 for 2022 builds on three years of successful project work and is integral to promoting strong habitat stewardship.”

Trust-funded activities in community pastures are geared to projects that improve rotational grazing systems and livestock distribution. Projects include new water sources, cattle crossings, brush management controls, and new cross-fencing.

“Well managed grazing lands deliver a number of benefits including good forage production, resiliency during drought, improved habitat for species at risk, improved biodiversity, healthy soils, and good water quality,” said Genik. “ “The Association of Manitoba Community Pastures provides grazing services to over 43,000 head of livestock annually,” said Barry Ross, AMCP General Manager. “The grazing lands also support some of the largest tracts of remaining mixed and tall grass prairie

Pasture riders in corral. (Photo credit: Megan Desjardins)

ecosystems in the province.”

Prairie is one of the most endangered habitats in Canada.

“There is less than one per cent of the original tallgrass prairie left in Manitoba and less than eighteen per cent of the original mixed grass prairie,” said Rachel Whidden, Project Manager, AMCP. “As a result of habitat loss, research shows grassland dependent wildlife species have experienced overall population declines by 44 per cent.”

“Last year 14,000 acres of community pasture rangelands were enhanced through the support of Conservation Trust funding,” Whidden said. “In 2022, the AMCP has projected another 20,000 acres Preference will be given to those students pursuing a field of study related to agriculture or to those acquiring a skilled trade or pursuing a career that would be beneficial to the rural economy.

The completed application, supporting documents, references, required essay or video, etc. must be submitted to MBP by 4:30 p.m.

Friday, November 4, 2022.

of pasture rangelands will benefit from Trust-program investments.”

AMCP’s community pastures are located throughout Manitoba: Alonsa, Bield, Birch River, Cote-San Clara, Ellice-Archie, Ethelbert, Gardenton, Pansy, Langford, Lenswood, Libau, McCreary, Mulvihill, Narcisse, Spy Hill-Ellice, Sylvan Dale, Turtle Mountain and Wallace.

The Conservation Trust Fund is held by The Winnipeg Foundation and revenues are managed by MHHC. For information contact Meghan Thomson, Trust Manager, Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation at email: mthomson@mhhc.mb.ca

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Congratulations to lations congratu our 2022 Scholarship Recipients

Do Do not not miss miss aa fun fun filled filled weekend weekend featuring featuring N Na a tt ii o on na a ll Y YC C SS A A ssh ho ow w C a n a d i a n S i m m e n t a l A C a n a d i a n S i m m e n t a l AG GM M R o u n d T a b l e S e s s i o n s Round Table Sessions

CINDY JACK & RAYANNE DEQUIER

to the the Manitoba Manitoba Simmental Simmental Association to Association both recipients received $1000.00 to help 2021 Scholarship Scholarship Recipients 2021 Recipients with their post secondary education costs.

CINDY JACK CINDY JACK PORTAGE LA LA PRAIRIE, PORTAGE PRAIRIE, MB MB RAYANNE DEQUIER RAYANNE DEQUIER HAYWOOD, MB HAYWOOD, MB Each deserving deserving recipient recipient will Each will receive receive aa scholarship in in the the amount amount of scholarship of $1000.00 $1000.00 to to help with with their their secondary secondary education costs. help education costs. 204-573-9903 President: Melissa McRae

Secretary: Laurelly Beswitherick 204-637-2046

a aK K ee y yn no o tt ee SS pp ee a ak keer r FF r i e n d s o f t h e C a n a d i a n S i r i e n d s o f t h e C a n a d i a n S im mm meen ntta all FF o ou un n dd a a tt ii o on nA Au uc cttiio on n M Ma a tt a ao o tt h h ee H Hy y pp n no ottiisstt A As ss so ii a oc t c i o a i on and n La and tours tours around around the thetPortage Portage La Prairie Prairie area! area!

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6

CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022

Live or Online? The Positives and BY: ANGELA LOVELL A lot has changed since Amy Bonchuk first got into marketing the Simmental bulls from her family farm back in the mid-90s, when she’d have to drive to Brandon with rolls of film to be developed and hope she had a good image she could submit for the sale flyers.

In today’s digital era, taking images of the cattle is the fast, easy part of the process; it’s the preparation of the animals that now takes way more time.

“Back then, we just tried to get a decent picture,” Bonchuk says. “Photography today is much more about getting the animals to show their best selves. We spend hours getting them physically presented in the picture pen, with lots of prep before pictures with hair grooming that includes products, labour, and tools like clippers and combs. There is a lot of development on the feed side of things as well to make sure they look their absolute best at that moment in time. It’s definitely a 180 from when we started in the ‘90s as far as what that animal needs to look like in pictures.”

Bonchuk, who owns AJB Livestock at Rossburn, has decided to go completely virtual with her sales. She says there are pros and cons.

“Online sales allow smaller producers an opportunity to market their cattle in their own sale, under their own expectations,” she says. “They can manage the narrative and are in charge of their own success or failure.”

It’s also safer because it eliminates having to haul cattle to an auction mart. “Nobody gets hurt, and you’ve eliminated any risk of disease, or injury, and it’s cost effective because there’s fuel costs to haul them,” Bonchuk says.

She also knows that cattle always look their best in their own environment.

The flip side of that, though, as has become evident throughout the COVID era, when virtual sales were the only alternative, is that there are now huge numbers of online sales flooding the market and creating more competition.

“Two years ago, there were only a few, so it was easy to find, but now there must be easily a hundred sales on the Farmgate platform I use,” Bonchuk says. “So, it’s really expanded.”

Videos becoming an industry standard Images are all important because the perfect photo is what first draws people in, but it’s increasingly videos that actually sell the cattle, Bonchuk adds.

“In the last 10 years, videos have become integral, so you really don’t see a sale without videos anymore,” she says. “It is part of the marketing package that if you’re going to sell cattle there’s probably going to have to be videos. The same way I speak to the evolution of photographs, somewhere about that midpoint as we went digital, is kind of when Photoshop came along and the same way a glossy magazine cover has evolved with hu-

Amy Bonchuk, along with her husband, operate AJB Livestock, a Simmental and Gelbvieh purebred operation with 130 breeding females near Rossburn. (Photo credit: Amy Bonchuk)

man magazines, so has cattle magazines. So, Photoshop has allowed some pretty exciting design changes as far as how we can market and present cattle as well.”

Rendezvous Farms near Ste. Rose, Manitoba is a fourth-generation family farm that has been producing seed stock since 1944. David Maguet and his brother were born into this established business that was already well known throughout Canada, and are following in the family tradition of producing high quality Simmental stock.

The farm had always held highly successful live auctions at the Ste. Rose Auction Mart a few miles away, with often more than 350 people attending. Those days may be a thing of the past, but despite that the Maguets still continue to host sales and so moved to a sort of hybrid live/video model of sales that are now held at their farm site.

“A few years ago, we had built a large farm shop and so we decided, as we are still believers in having a live sale, that although we had to offer internet bidding, we would still try to have a live sale in some form,” Maguet says.

It’s a lot less stress on the cattle and the people as well because it’s a more relaxed atmosphere for the sale.

When you run them through the ring, you need a fairly large crew to make sure that they come in and out and are not rushed and don’t get worked up, so it saves a lot of manpower as well doing it that way.”

The process doesn’t change much The role of buyers and traditional advertising and marketing practices hasn’t really changed that much, says By. Buyers still like to flip through the physical, printed catalogues as a starting point, but because they also now have the option to view the same catalogue, and watch videos of the animals online, they have more opportunities to analyze the animal. But often they still want the expertise and experience that comes with boots on the ground and eyes on the actual animal before they purchase.

“If they’re not going to make it to the sale that’s where we get the calls saying can you check out the feet, can you look at this animal for me in a sale, so that

““In the last 10 years, videos have becom without videos anymore,” she says. “It if you’re going to sell cattle there’s p In 2021, they had their first video/live sale at the farm and were surprised at how offering this hybrid model increased their audience.

“We had around 75 to 90 people that were present, but online we had over 1,000 viewers watching the sale,” Maguet says. “It was a resounding success and we did the same thing again this year and had a larger crowd.

I think a lot of farmers have more on their plate, and have become comfortable with online buying whether it’s tractors or bulls or anything.”

More and more breeders are interested in hosting a video sale at their own farm, says Helge By, of By Livestock, that offers a full professional sales management service, including production of the Charolais Banner magazine since 1981, as well as order buying of purebred and commercial animals.

“We have gone to more video sales where the cattle are just outside the door, but you don’t run them through the ring, we just use the videos,” By says. “They are becoming popular for a few reasons: you don’t need a big facility, they can use their heated shops and we just need to set up a couple of TVs, an auction block and chairs.

hasn’t changed from 40 years ago, it’s just they’ve done a lot more research before they call us,” By says. “We still go through the cattle that we’re helping market and look at them all. We still have guys that phone and say, ‘Here’s what I’m looking for, give me a call when you find them.’ We always have lists of people that are looking for certain things, so we’re scouring the bullpens trying to find what people are looking for and trying to match the seller to the buyer.”

So, although sales are becoming more virtual, and visual, the written data about bloodlines and performance in the catalogues, whether online or printed, are still important to buyers, and the descriptions can range from the flowery to the bare bones, but it’s still all a part of the sale package.

“I think each producer has kind of their sweet spot.

Just like anything else, there are a million different ways to do it, some descriptions are in basic, point form, some guys have no write-ups, just the pedigree, and I find myself somewhere in the middle,” Bonchuk says. “Some producers just list the weights or performance data, and it’s concise and minimalistic.”

David Maguet (red hat on the block), Auctioneer Chris Poley in the middle, to his left Jay Good (Transcon, block man) Ring Men: Shane Michelson (white shirt) Ben Wright, both of T Bar C. (Photo credit: David Maguet)

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CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022

7

d Negatives of Today’s Bull Sales Adding words also adds cost to the pages, so increasingly producers are looking at where their money is best spent, and for many that’s in ensuring good visuals, both pictures and videos.

Lack of communication a downside Bonchuk is sometimes surprised by how little buyers seem to want to know about the animals they are buying.

“I still get baffled by how much money someone will spend on something they haven’t even asked the owner about,” she says. “It terrifies me as a producer because I don’t want to send something that is short of their expectations. Expectations can be a very sharp knife. If you come in under expectation then there’s this discussion about value. And if you come in over, they’re like why was he so cheap? Speaking to my own experience, I want to find that middle ground where producers are happy with the product, and they feel they have gotten fair value.”

“A bull in the wrong yard is a nightmare,” Bonchuk says. “A bull in the right environment is the best-case

industry that makes people comfortable buying animals sight unseen or with little contact with the breeder, and he hopes that doesn’t change.

“Over the years in both the magazine and sales management, the amount of bad debt or not collected money that we’ve had is minuscule, and we’re dealing with people that we’ve never met or maybe talked to but it’s still kind of the code of the cowboy that you stand for what you do,” By says. “It’s a small business and word gets around pretty quickly if someone is dishonest or might not be someone you want to extend credit to.”

What do buyers expect from today’s auctions?

So, as much as the technology has changed a lot, have buyers expectations changed along with it? What are buyers looking for today compared to 20 or 30 years ago? And how do marketers anticipate their needs?

“Predicting what buyers are looking for is tricky,” Bonchuk admits. “I think a lot of breeders focus on what they do best or what they’ve developed their cow herd for. Specifically, for us, we have committed to handsfree calving, and a big push of mine has been to create a

me integral, so you really don’t see a sale is part of the marketing package that probably going to have to be videos.” scenario anyone could ever ask for and as a person who takes a lot of pride in the care of my animals, I always want to make sure the cattle are going into the best situation for that specific animal.”

With more competition as a result of many more online sales, buyers can also participate from much further distances than in the past, which means animals are also being shipped farther away, which concerns Maguet in some cases.

“Animals are going further which is fine but it’s always nicer if they could stay closer to home because typically, they’re bred for that environment, but that said, everything trades a lot further than in the past.”

While By is also concerned about the number of animals purchased online from ever further away, he believes it’s the integrity and trust that exists in the

cow herd that thrives in our environment. We feed wild hay; that’s our management system and we’ve made it work for us. When we make our breeding choices, it’s always based on that hands-free calving system, so we want cows that are good moms and have good udders.

We don’t neglect our weaning weights but my first concern is always hands-free calving, getting babies out and eliminating stress at calving. Your own experience dictates where you go as a breeder.”

There are a limitless number of variables that go into selecting the animals for the herd, as any cattle producer knows, and as someone who sells breeding stock, Bonchuk says she always strives to create an animal that she is proud of and wouldn’t hesitate to use on her own farm.

“Then the marketing falls into place more natural-

ly,” she says. “If you create an honest product that works for you, it’s easier to market.”

Buyer beware?

With the increase in the number of people hosting online sales, there is also an element of buyer beware because, as we have come to know in the virtual world things are not always what they seem.

“I think buyer beware remains, and that integrity and authenticity, for the most part, you’ll see in their marketing,” Bonchuk says. “We get those catalogues where every detail is gorgeous, the bulls look stunning and there are pages of females that are all so perfect.

Watching the videos, it will become evident if they have taken some liberties with how they chose to edit the images digitally. The great part about a video is that’s where the honesty lies. I think as breeders evolve, they find their sweet spot where they are most comfortable presenting their cattle and how they choose to market them.”

Currently there are no best practices or standards when it comes to presenting digital images of animals for sale, and it would likely be hard to enforce any.

Live auctions are not going away Not everyone wants to buy or sell online; there both sellers and buyers who prefer the atmosphere of a traditional live sale.

“With the more traditional sales, there’s an electricity when it goes right. When that animal is in the ring, there’s a magnetism to a great animal that draws the crowd forward in unison with your auction staff, and whoever’s in the ring, all these variables in play that kind of pull people up off their seats and they take notice,” Bonchuk says. “With an online sale, you’ve got hours to decide, whether to bid, rather than 30 seconds with a live sale. It’s a completely different presentation.”

Maguet doesn’t believe that timed online auctions work as well for cattle as they do for equipment sales, because buying cows and bulls is often a more impulsive, and personal experience.

“When it comes to equipment like a tractor, as a rule farmers have a pretty good feel for what that piece of machinery should be worth. But with an animal, especially a purebred animal, it all depends on who falls in love with that animal that day,’ Maguet says. “I think that seeing them visually is an asset and if there are too many animals in a timed sale, people may check out or lose interest. The captivation isn’t there like it is with a live auction when you’ve got an auctioneer, and your heart starts beating a little faster when you want to buy something.”

Applications for Consideration for The Environmental Stewardship Award Due to MBP by December 9

eridge

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Photo credit: Jenna Loveridge

Photo credit: Jenna Loveridge

Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is accepting applications until Friday, December 9, 2022 for consideration for the local awarding of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA).

Since 1996, TESA has recognized producers who go above and beyond standard industry conserCommittment to the land, water, air, and wildlife is a vation practices and set positive examples for other cattle producers and the general public. As stewards of a vast portion of the Canadian landscape, Canada’s beef cattle producers play a significant role in prerequisite to raising healthy cattle. Sustainability is not a buzzword... it's a way of life. protecting and enhancing the environment. They continuously strive to improve existing stewardship conservation practices to create a sustainable future – always farming for tomorrow.

At the local level, a producer receives provincial recognition for their outstanding environmental contributions. In the case of Manitoba, this occurs in conjunction with MBP’s annual general meeting in February. All provincial award recipients then move forward to compete for national recognition from Committment to the land, water, air, and wildlife is a the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). The national TESA recipient is announced during the prerequisite to raising healthy cattle. Sustainability is not CCA’s semi-annual meeting at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference. a buzzword... it's a way of life.

Each nominee exemplifies significant innovation and attention to a wide range of environmental stewardship aspects in their farm operation. Such innovations extend beneficially to areas far beyond their land, including water, wildlife and air.

How to Nominate All beef cattle operations in Canada are eligible to apply for TESA. Beef producers interested in TESA can apply by filling out the application form found on the MBP website ‒ www.mbbeef.ca.

Producers can either nominate themselves, or be nominated by another individual or an organization. All methods are equally encouraged.

The completed application form, along with all supporting documentation (such as letters of support, photos and/or videos), is to be submitted to Manitoba Beef Producers by email to info@mbbeef.ca no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2022. If you have questions, please contact the MBP office TESA NOMINATION & APPLICATION PACKAGE at 204-772-4542.

raise the bar on raising beef

8

CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022

Farm Resilience Mentorship Program BY: DR. MARY-JANE ORR, MBFI GENERAL MANAGER Communities of Inquiry, Farmer Mentors to guide Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives (MBFI) is excited to be partnering with Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) in their Farm Resilience Mentorship Program (FaRM) to inspire change from fence post to fence post in Manitoba.

Launched in 2020, FCS is a national coalition of farmer-led and farmer-supporting organizations advancing policies and programing that will support farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. From 2021 to 2025, FCS is receiving funding to develop and implement peer-to-peer farmer training programs in Advanced Grazing Systems, Cover Cropping, and Advanced Nitrogen Management across Canada that will scale adoption of on-farm climate-friendly practices across two million acres of farmland in Canada.

The overall FaRM program aims to increase the number of farmers adopting on-farm climate-friendly practices by providing free resources and peer-to-peer learning both online and in person. The program will be starting on a small scale this summer, with the Farmer Training Curriculum and mentor training being finalized in June 2022. The Advanced Grazing Systems curriculum has been developed by Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association with Steve Kenyon of Greener Pastures Ranching. Canadian Organic Growers developed the Cover Cropping curriculum and Climate-Smart Soils developed the Advanced Nitrogen Management resources.

At MBFI, we will be supporting the implementation of the Advanced Grazing Systems program with three mentors representing Westman, Parkland, and Interlake regions. The Cover Cropping and Advanced Nitrogen Management mentorship programs will be implemented through the Manitoba Organic Alliance.

Registering as a participant in one or in all three of the program areas will give each farm access to

your learning and provide helpful input, a management plan to support your on-farm implementation, useful resources and fact sheets, and a network of regional and national contacts. A Community of Inquiry is an online meeting space that fosters learning, knowledge sharing, and support among peers.

The Advanced Grazing Systems program is designed to build understanding of the wide variety of grazing management approaches that support carbon sequestration. The goal of the online learning framework and in-person mentorship is to support successful adoption of practices that improve forage production, profitability, extreme weather resilience (drought and flood), biodiversity, and soil health. The curriculum is comprised of six modules, including Grazing Goals, Grazing Concepts, Grazing Plans, Extended Grazing, Record Keeping, and Margins (Economics of Grazing).

The mentors are farmers already well versed in rotational grazing and interested in working with regional farmers to develop their own plans to improve grazing practices.

MBFI will be working with regional mentors Cameron Hodgins (Westman), Ron Moss (Parkland), and Jonathan Bouw (Eastern Manitoba & Interlake) to deliver farmer training sessions covering FaRM curriculum and to tailor mentorship experiences to each mentor’s background and interests.

The mentorship program will complement broader MBFI extension activities (Grazing Workshop Series: see Save the Dates below) with independent study and additional meetings. As a participant, farmers can expect a time commitment of five hours of class time that may be in person or online, two to four hours of independent review of resources, optional follow-up support with Farmer Mentors, and unlimited access to online learning platform including community clubs for the year.

The FaRM program is a separate program from announcements for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund

MBFI General Manager Dr. Mary-Jane Orr (Photo credit: Mary-Jane Orr)

(OFCAF). FaRM is solely focused on training to support successful adoption of practices, whereas OFCAF, administered by the Manitoba Association of Watersheds in Manitoba, will provide cost sharing programs in the same areas of rotational grazing, cover crops, and nutrient management.

For more information or to start a conversation please email MBFI at information@mbfi.ca or call 204-761-3300.

UPCOMING FIELD DAYS

SAVE THE DATES June 1, 2022; MBFI Brookdale Farm Electric fencing, solar power, and pasture water pipelines July 6, 2022; MBFI First Street Pasture & Brookdale Farm – Pasture and soil health assessments Aug 3, 2022; MBFI Brookdale Farm Annual forages and alternative feed rations

INSURE your CALVES BEFORE JUNE 9.

Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) is an insurance program that provides price risk management to beef producers when market prices are volatile.

• Get forward price coverage for calves you plan to market between September and February 2023 with the LPI – Calf program.

• Coverage options are available to choose from every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3 p.m. - 12 a.m. (CT).

• The last day to purchase LPI – Calf policies is June 9.

Visit LPI.ca or phone 1-844-782-5747 for program details.

www.mbbeef.ca Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) Summer 2022 ad Size: 9.63”wide x 7.75”deep

CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022

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Manitoba Beef Producers Sought for Study on Farmer Mental Health in the Canadian Beef Industry

Photo credit: Emma McGeough

BY PETER FROHLICH, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIVESTOCK AND THE ENVIRONMENT (NCLE), UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA Weather conditions creating stress for cattle producers There is no mystery that the past few years have been exceptionally challenging for producers in an already demanding farming environment. During the summer of 2021, parts of southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan were under extreme drought conditions while moderate to severe drought caused havoc in all other areas of the prairies. In winter and spring of this year, the drought conditions seemed to ease due to mass amounts of snow, however the unusual spring brought additional challenges for producers. When it was time for calving season, cattle producers found themselves dealing with previous year’s drought issues in terms of feed availability, plus a challenging calving made difficult by multiple cold and snow events that were followed by excess rainthat saw a drastic increase in calfmortality rates.

Weather is not the only factor creating stress and uncertainty on farms. According to Farm Credit Canada, farmers’ stress can also be a function of finances, volatility in markets, long work hours, uncertain yields, and the well-being of the herd.

Please read on to find out how you can help and be a part of the solution.

Mental health: what do the statistics say?

National data indicates that more than one in five Canadians experience a mental health concern at some point in their lives. Recent Statistics Canada’s Canadian Community Health Survey found that 7% of respondents perceive their mental health as fair or poor. Stress and how we deal with it is a big factor that influences our overall mental health. In addition, a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Guelph found that Canadian farmers experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than the average citizen.

Research shows that farming is one of the most physically dangerous and mentally stressful occupations worldwide and can result in increased anxiety, stress, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and others.

There is also evidence that livestock producers experience greater rates of stress-related symptoms when compared to crop producers. These studies are important and timely because they generate data that collectively increase awareness of the often-neglected topic of farmer mental health and can help to ensure that the necessary supports are in place.

Government is getting the message In May 2019, the Canadian Government tabled a Report by the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, entitled “Mental Health: A Priority for Our Farmers” where it highlights that farmer mental health is a key component of agriculture and an emerging area of concern. The

report assesses the challenges and stressors on mental health that farmers face and it evaluates available mental supports for farmers and the limitations of these supports. The report provides potential solutions in the form of 10 recommendations that include efforts such as coordinating of nationwide initiatives, through to the introduction of new resources to help farmers.

University of Manitoba researchers are on board The research community at the University of Manitoba is keeping the ball rolling. Research needs to dig deeper to identify and learn more about farmer mental health in order to address the issue promptly and effectively and to ensure appropriate resources are in place for farmers to continue to thrive in their work.

In early 2021, the University of Manitoba increased research capacity in the area of animal well-being and farmer mental health by adding a key resource to the NCLE group of scientists that will work closely on this topic.

Dr. Meagan King is an Assistant Professor in Animal Physiology and Welfare who has an overall goal to improve the lives of people and animals in agriculture through her research which explores producer well-being, animal health, behaviour, and welfare.

Recently, King and her graduate student were awarded funding through Mitacs, a government and industry funded organization that supports Canadian research and innovation. She will further investigate and address questions focused on farmer mental health in the Canadian beef industry. The project is designed to collect information that will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of farmer mental health, related farm management practices and to explore the relationship of farmer health and animal health.

The project will begin in May 2022 and is expected to conclude in August 2022. Through this collaborative project with beef researchers at U of M, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and University of Calgary, King’s work will encompass beef operations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. She also has an upcoming project in 2023 working with dairy farmers in those same five provinces.

How can you help?

King is looking for study participants. As a volunteer, a cattle producer is asked to fill out a 20-minute survey that will aim to quantitatively assess beef farmer mental health including perceived stress, anxiety, depression, resilience, and additional related factors. The survey, developed in collaboration with Heather Watson from Farm Management Canada will also contain questions on demographics, farm management practices, work environment, and responsibilities on the farm. The survey will be open early May and will stay open as late

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as August based on the number of responses received.

All data collected will remain anonymous.

The survey can be accessed through Kings website at https://meagantmking.wixsite.com/research The latest research on dairy farms indicates that there is a connection between animal health and the well-being of farmers. King’s research will also explore this relationship but on beef cattle operations with an aim to explore any unknown needs of the industry that could be addressed with resources for farmers or with future research.

To facilitate King’s research, volunteers will be asked to share various herd health records as King’s research will attempt to examine the relationships between cattle health and farmer mental health. Aside from addressing many questions on stressors affecting mental health, King plans to determine if there are barriers to the adoption of best management practices related to farm stress and mental health.

Overall, the goal of the research is to improve our understanding and ability to reduce farmer stress, enhancing the well-being of farmers and animals, their productivity, efficiency, and ultimately profitability.

Discussing these challenges and our shared values on animal welfare and sustainability will also enhance public trust and compassion towards farmers. According to King and the research community, to ensure the success and sustainability of animal agriculture we must support the health and well-being of both farmers and cattle.

If you or your family are experiencing stress and require assistance, please see resources below: • Manitoba Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services (24/7) Toll free: 1-866-367-3276 https://klinic.mb. ca/2018/01/mental-health-farm/ • Farm Credit Canada: https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/ community/wellness.html • Rural Health Info Hub: https://www.ruralhealthinfo. org/topics/farmer-mental-health • Farm Management Canada https://fmc-gac.com/ A new program started March 1 and provides six free sessions per individual!!! https://manitobafarmerwellness.ca/ • Self-help workbooks: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov. au/resources/looking-after-yourself • Professional services near you: https://cmha.ca/findyour-cmha • Or you can always talk to your family doctor.

For more information of this project and the opportunity to be part of the research please contact Meagan.

King@umanitoba.ca

10 CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022

Updated Livestock Transport Regulations And What You Need To Know Changes to the Transport of Animals Regulations Categorizing Animals Fit for Transport (Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations) came It is a legal responsibility of anyone hauling liveinto effect in February of 2020 and are being actively stock to be able to recognize and place the animals in enforced. their care into the three categories before loading them There are four major changes in the new regulations on the trailer for transport: focusing on: • fit for the intended transport, • categorizing animals fit for transport, • unfit for transport or • record keeping for transporters, • compromised.

• required feed, water and rest times and Record Keeping for Transporters • contingency planning.

It is important to not only categorize animals, but document them as well, as animals will need to be reassessed along the journey.

Two new documents are required for transport.

These documents focus on recording the status of animals before they are loaded, in transport and upon transfer of care. However, one document may be used to serve both purposes as long as all required information is included.

Animal Transport Record – This record must include: • the shipper’s name and address, • driver’s name, license and registration, • trailer floor area and when/where the trailer was last disinfected, • animal description including number, weight, time of loading, if animals are fit for transport and any special provisions for any compromised animals and • the last time the animals received feed, water and rest.

This document is to be written and retained by anyone transporting animals in the course of business for a period of two years.

Transfer of Care Record – This document is only needed for auction marts, slaughter facilities or assembly centres and must include the following information: • date and time of arrival, • condition of animals and • date and time of the last feed/water and rest.

This document is to be retained by the receiver for a period of two years. The transfer of care from the transporter to the receiver occurs immediately upon acknowledgement of the shipment and the accompanying Transfer of Care Record.

Required Feed, Water and Rest Times Changes around maximum feed, water and rest (FWR) intervals are also part of the regulations. The FWR interval requirements depend on the species and class of animals being hauled. Fit and mature (weaned) cattle may be transported for 36 hours between rest periods, with an additional four hours allowed if the destination has been reached. Whereas a load with any young (too young to be fed exclusively hay or grain) or compromised calves must stop every 12 hours. (See definition of fit and compromised animals in the Decision Tree graphic from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at the beginning of the article.) Additionally, any animal under nine days of age may only have one direct trip of 12 hours and may not go through an auction mart.

The definition of travel time also changed. In the past, travel time started at loading and ended at unloading. The updated regulations now start the clock at the last time a period of rest including feed and water was initiated and does not end until feed, water and rest are provided at the rest stop or final destination.

Contingency Planning When transporting an animal in the course of business, contingency planning will need to be considered for every trip. This can be a verbal or written plan and must cover all predictable natural or manmade scenarios that may halt or delay a trip. Planning needs to consider how to provide rest, protection from the elements, feed, water and safety in the event of any unplanned circumstances.

Before heading out on the highway, it is important to know the rules. Demonstrating compliance requires documenting the steps taken to ensure the welfare of the animals in your care and keeping records of any issues.

If in doubt, write it down. A smooth trip with no delays is worth the time and effort.

This blog post originally appeared May 19, 2022 on the Beef Cattle Research Council website: https:// www.beefresearch.ca/blog/updated-livestock-transportregulations/

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MHHC pa ys la ndowners to conserve, restore, or enhance wildlife ha bita t.

For more informa tion ca ll Wes Pa nkra tz (204) 867-0337 or visit www.mhhc.mb.ca www.mbbeef.ca

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CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022 11

We Still Have a Wall of Fed Cattle Ahead of Us Cattle producers in Manitoba have turned their pairs and grass cattle out to pasture, and the wet spring has given them hope of lush pastures and good hay crops. On the other hand, grain producers are feeling the stress of a late spring and possible changes in their seeding plans. It’s mid-May and the grain prices for new crop grain for fall delivery have not dropped, making it look like the cost of feeding cattle this fall will be comparable to the spring rates of 2022.

The backlog of market ready cattle was supposed to be cleaned up in early June, but all indications are that we still have a wall of fed cattle ahead of us with large numbers predicted for August. The cow price has strengthened with seasonal demand, despite larger than normal deliveries of cows for this time of year. Packers are killing a larger percentage of cows in Canada, driven by healthy profit margins and their ability to control the deliveries of fed cattle to the plant. Fed cattle cash prices in May topped at $2.90 dressed, delivered to Alberta, an improvement over April pricing.

Dry weather conditions and feed shortages in Alberta are seeing larger volumes of cow/calf pairs being offered for sale. Young pairs from reputation ranches are selling between $2,000 and $2,600 per pair. Older pairs are being split if the cows have some weight. The cows are going to the packers, while the young calves are going to the cowboys for roping. If the weather conditions continue, we may see some Alberta pairs coming to Manitoba. It has happened before, and there is a good possibility it could happen again as Manitoba producers try to rebuild their herds.

Contract prices for fall delivery yearlings have backed off slightly, however demand is still active as feeders sense a shortage of grass yearlings. The wet pen conditions in the Manitoba backgrounding lots have

RICK WRIGHT The Bottom Line

slowed the rate of gain, which will push back projected delivery times on the confinement cattle. The wet weather and poor gains have the potential to delay the sale of these cattle by 30 to 45 days. This in turn could mean more volume of cattle for sale in July and August.

With the high cost of feed we could see some unusual slides this fall on the feeder cattle. When I started in the cattle marketing business over 40 years ago, the

larger than average cow marketings. Feedlot and packer reports indicate a larger percentage of heifers placed on feed in finishing feedlots and larger percentages of fed heifers being harvested. This points to a shortage of feeder cattle going forward, and the rebuild will probably take three to five years to get back to beef cow numbers comparable to 2020. Drought still plagues many parts of the USA as well as western Canada where the big cow numbers are, and that will delay the rebuild of the beef cow operations.

I personally feel that the feeder calf markets for the fall will be stronger than 2021, despite the high feed costs. As long as we can get a silage crop to background the feeders at the cheaper weight, feeders will buy inventory hoping for a drop in the finishing rations, along with buying time, hoping for a better fed cattle market.

It is a long time until fall, and Mother Nature will surely have more challenges in store for us before then, but I still think the cattle market will strengthen in the future.

We all know that the cattle industry needs some help to remain sustainable.

Congratulations to Tyler Slawinski from the Gladstone Auction Market on a solid 3rd place finish at the Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Championship in Lloydminster. Manitoba had a strong showing at the competition with Allan Munroe, Kyle Howarth, Brad Kehler, Blaine Huston, Robin Hill, Jesse Campbell, Scott Campbell and Brock Taylor representing the province.

The winner was Bradley Martens from JVJ in Westlock, Alberta. Jesse Campbell captured the LMAC rookie of the year award.

The MLMA Cattlemen’s Golf Tournament will be held on August 4 at the Killarney Lakeside Golf Course.

Contact Rick Wright for information.

Have a great summer, Rick

With the high cost of feed we could see some unusual slides this fall on the feeder cattle. majority of the feeder cattle sold for fewer cents per pound than the finished cattle. The lighter cattle under 600 pounds were sometimes higher, but the rule of thumb was, “You don’t pay more than the ‘fats’”. Some of the buyers think that this fall we may move to lower “slides” on the lighter cattle moving forward. The reason is the higher cost and longer time on feed. I could see that prediction coming true on the feeder cattle between 800 and 1,000 pounds. Those cattle are typically on a finishing ration, which under today’s pricing is a higher costing ration than the backgrounding ration.

My feeling is that when it comes to the calf market in the fall, the supply and demand formula will kick in and calves will be higher than early predictions, and the slides will be comparable to last fall. Both Canada and USA have reported declining beef cow numbers, and

CALF PROCESSING

Thank You

To all the bidders and buyers who supported this years bull and female sale. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Bulls & heifers sold across the country, from Alberta to New Brunswick.

High Selling Bull Lot 20Prime Entice 2J Consigned by Prime Angus Ranch, Arcola, SK purchased by Tobacco Creek Cattle Co.

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Lot 931Herbourne DGB Roxie 15J Consigned by Herbourne Shorthorns, Somerset, MB purchased by Charlie Peckover

REMINDER- AGM Saturday, June 18th a at the test station. Please RSVP to Cody.

SAVE THE DATE- Ladies of the Station, Select Bred Heifer Sale- December 2022, watch our Facebook page & website for details.

www.mbbeef.ca

Cody Nolan, Manager www.manitobabulltest.com Visit our Facebook page- Manitoba Bull Test Station

204-763-4696 Cell 204-573-4006

12 CATTLE COUNTRY June 2022

Ukrainian Peroshki: The Unsung Hero BY: ANNA BORYS, MBP FOOD EXPERT Growing up, I’ve always just thought it was a fun and novel idea to get together with my aunties, cousins, siblings and other family members for our bi-annual “Perogy Bee” days in which we pinch hundreds of perogies, all while the chins are wagging and the Diet Cokes are flowing. Or every Easter, our tradition of doing Pysanky, a traditional Ukrainian Easter Egg in which you inscribe or create traditional folk patterns through the process of applying beeswax and passing through a variety of coloured dyes. Although I’ve never been to Ukraine nor do I have any remaining family there, like many Manitobans, I have Ukrainian blood in my veins and have never felt as fiercely proud of or close to my

Ukrainian heritage than I have over the last few months.

Although perogies and holopchi are maybe more familiar to most dinner tables, I was excited to expand my Ukrainian cuisine repertoire by making this recipe for “peroshki”, or savoury-stuffed buns. As a kid, one of my least favourite foods was sauerkraut, (my mother can likely attest to this after having made me sit at the dinner table for what seemed like hours until I took a few small mouthfuls before I could leave and go play with my brothers) and seeing as the peroshki that were made for our family gatherings were stuffed with that funky ferment-y stringy slaw, I’d avoid them like the plague.

Now that I’m the one at the culinary helm, I’ve decided to go with the meat-filled route. These soft, buttery balls of comfort work great for any occasion: an appetizer, a

meal-on-the-go, or even an afternoon snack.

As a Ukrainian with a deep love for all things dill, I’ve added some freshly chopped dill in with the filling to brighten a normally one-dimensional blend of ground beef and onions. To compliment the bright fresh green flavour, I brought a dark rye note to the bun by adding some toasted caraway seed. Together, they create this wonderful balance to make you take a second, third, or eighth bun. But who’s counting?

I would also like to add, I no longer have quite the aversion to sauerkraut but when given the option, I’ll be reaching for one of these savoury meat buns any day of the week! Смачного!

Ukrainian Meat Buns (Perishky) Soft Bread Rolls: • • • • • • • •

¼ cups all purpose flour 1 tsp instant yeast 1 tsp caraway seed, toasted ¼ cup sugar 1 tsp kosher salt 1 cup milk, warm 1/3 cup butter 3 egg yolks

Meat Filling: • • • • • • • • •

1 lb ground chuck 1½ tsp kosher salt ½ cup onion, finely diced 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp dill, finely chopped ¼ tsp black pepper, ground ¼ cup beef stock, unsalted 2 tbsp all purpose flour 1 tbsp butter

3. Add milk mixture to bowl of a mixer, fitted with dough hook attachment. Add yeast and stir to dissolve.

4. Whisk in egg yolks.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and caraway seeds. Add to wet mixture.

6. With mixer on medium speed, knead dough for approximately 7-8 minutes until a smooth ball forms.

7. Remove from bowl and transfer to a large, greased mixing bowl. Cover and allow dough to rise for about 1-1½ hours until doubled in size.

8. Once dough has risen, punch down and divide into ~30g balls (about 30 portions). Be sure to cover with a towel to prevent drying out while portioning.

9. Grease a 9x13 pan with butter along bottom and sides.

1. In a large nonstick pan over medium high heat, brown ground chuck, onions, and garlic together until the meat is no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes.

10. With a rolling pin, roll each portion out to form a round of about 4”-4½” in diameter. With the round in the palm of your hand, spoon about 1 tablespoon of meat filling into centre and gather edges. Pinch firmly to create a seam.

3. Turn heat down to medium, then add butter.

Stir until melted, then add flour. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

4. Slowly add beef stock and stir until mixture has thickened slightly and heated through.

5. Stir in fresh dill and transfer to a container.

Place in fridge to chill fully until required.

11. Place pinched buns, seam side down, in prepared 9x13 pan. Once the pan is filled, cover with a towel, and allow to rise for another 30-60 minutes until they’re about 50% larger.

12. Make an egg wash: Whisk together 1 egg and 1 Tablespoon of water until smooth and there are no streaks of egg white. Brush buns with egg wash and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

BUN METHOD

13. Remove from oven and immediately generously brush with melted butter.

1. In a dry pan, toast the caraway seeds over medium high heat until fragrant, careful not to burn, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool.

14. Allow to rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.

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2. Melt butter and milk together until it reaches about 120°F. Stir to cool down if too hot.

MEAT FILLING

2. Season with salt and pepper.

Photo credit: Anna Borys

Appetizer, Yields 30 Buns

Mike – 204.807.0747 www.mbbeef.ca