10 CATTLE COUNTRY May 2025
Tyler Fulton, producer, District 7 Director with Manitoba Beef Producers, President of the Canadian Cattle Association and Cam Dahl, General Manager at Manitoba Pork and former General Manager of Manitoba Beef Producers were among several presenters discussing topics in sustainable agriculture at the SCAC 2025. (Photos courtesy of University of Manitoba)
Canadian Conference on Agriculture Has Been Expanding Knowledge About Sustainable Food Production for a Decade BY PETER FROHLICH, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIVESTOCK AND THE ENVIRONMENT, UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA More than 600 researchers, government representatives, farmers and industry members logged on to view the 10th Annual Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Virtual Conference, co-hosted by the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE) at the University of Manitoba and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). From March 4-6th, speakers explored Indigenous perspectives for a secure food system, the factors leading to producer decisions when adopting best management practices (BMPs) and on the potential to expand the boundaries of agricultural production systems in Canada. The event featured panel discussions, a GHG farm emissions modelling workshop and student presentations highlighting the latest in food systems research. What does it mean to be a carbon neutral company? Micheal McCain, Executive Chair of the Board at Maple Leaf Foods (MLF) kicked off the event with a keynote presentation that provided insight on how the company evolved and changed to become carbon neutral. To drive change, it is impossible to be a thriving sustainable enterprise while ignoring the degradation of the environment, animal welfare, human health, food insecurity and diet related diseases. He shared his perspectives about the importance to creating business value by providing solutions to some of the world’s critical issues while protecting the companies’ brands and reputation since “trust is everything over time”. As a result of these goals, the company has become a North American leader in raising animals without antibiotics, invested in systems for open sow housing, eliminated ingredients from products that people can’t find in their pantry, is on the path to 100% sustainable packaging and has established the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security. McCain believes that the company is integrally tied to the health and wellness of the ecosystem and to the societies within and wants to ensure that the natural environment is recognized as a vital stakeholder.
Maple Leaf Foods continues to invest in practices that benefit their competitive advantage and the natural environment like regenerative agriculture and anaerobic digestion. McCain’s message to the industry highlighted the need for the Canadian agri-food sector to lead and to continue to make significant strides in building a sustainable industry, focusing on long term goals and not on the alure of short termism. His message to students who are launching their careers was to use their energy and passion to work towards meaningful change that will lead sustainable food production into the future. It’s about the people and building resilient food systems Derrick Hastings is a farm manager at the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in farm and market garden. Located on Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in territory, southeast of Dawson City, the farm has some of the best soils in the Yukon and produces a diverse line of products that include vegetables, grains, livestock and honey. The produce from the farm serves as a local supply of organic food that provides fresh, healthy meals benefiting the people and the land. As the only First Nations working farm north of the 60th parallel, the farm is an example of the revival of northern farming and its products contribute to food security in the region. Hastings emphasized the role of the farm to function in harmony with the environment, the surrounding wildlife and to meet stewardship values and philosophy of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people. The farm also plays an important role in training as it specializes in education and youth mentorship by creating a healthy environment for learning while providing a sense of community for the people in the area. Hannah Keenes is a River Métis Citizen. She is the Agriculture Portfolio Lead with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) – National Government of the Red River Métis. Keenes defined what Red River agriculture looked like in the past and what it looks like today. She described the MMF government structure and how
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MMF programming engages Métis Citizens across all levels of the food system with a focus on environmental sustainability, economic resiliency and establishing infrastructure to address food insecurity across the Métis Homeland. Programs administered by MMF include an onfarm climate action program, a food security initiative, Riel House Graden, a small scale Three Sisters planting research project and the care of a small bison herd. Initiatives also engage youth and community through field days, crop tours and other training events. This session was moderated by Kyle Bobiwash, Assistant professor and Indigenous Scholar, Department of Entomology at the University of Manitoba. Making decisions and adopting best management practices Shawn Catherwood is a 5th generation farmer in Ceylon, SK. Continuing the family legacy of farming is a powerful motivator that drives him to find ways to ensure his farm will have future success. He addressed the questions “Who do I farm for? And why do I farm for them?” and described his transition from farming in a conventional framework to a more regenerative one. Catherwood made reference to the need for shifting mindsets, setting goals that lead to positive changes to the farm business and to soil health. His philosophy is to observe and cooperate with nature and don’t compete with it. Tyler Fulton is a producer who owns and operates a 600 head cow/calf/backgrounding operation south of Birtle, MB. He serves as a director with Manitoba Beef Producers, is the President of the Canadian Cattle Association and is passionate about improving the tools and programs available for cattle producers to manage risk. Fulton shared several factors that influence successful adoption of BMPs including producer’s time management, use of technology and innovation, social norms and values and cost/benefit tradeoffs. Further, Fulton drew on the practical experiences gained on his