E-Newsletter
LIVESTOCK MARKETS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
Pictured: MBP General Manager, Carson Callum, on May 9 in Brandon for the LMAC event. The June edition of our newspaper, Cattle Country, will have a full recap of the proceedings.
Reminder
MBP is pleased to make available six $1,000 scholarships annually for MBP members or their children attending a university, college, other post-secondary institution or pursuing trades training. 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 deadline to apply is Friday, June 20, 2025. Please see page 11.
Manitoba Producers: Important changes to AgriStability start with the 2024 program year
(Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) If you farm in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon or Northwest Territories, the following changes will start with the 2024 program year:
• the final deadline to submit your AgriStability program forms will change
• new optional program features will be made available to participants
o tax-aligned reference margins
o coverage notices
Advancing deadlines
Starting with the 2024 program year, the final deadline to submit your AgriStability program forms will be:
• June 30, 2025 - initial deadline to submit your 2024 forms without penalty
• September 30, 2025 - final deadline to submit your 2024 forms with penalty
Tax-aligned reference margins
You can now choose to have your reference margins calculated based on the same method of accounting you file to tax (cash or accrual) going forward. For cash filers, this means you’ll no longer need to submit up to 5 years of historical accrual information, significantly reducing the information requirement. Learn more on how to choose a tax-aligned reference margin. The deadline to choose a tax-aligned reference margin for 2024 is March 31, 2025.
Coverage notices
To increase the predictability of the program, you can receive a coverage notice that provides an estimate of your reference margin and coverage level for the current program year.
These coverages notices will be available to you if you have:
• enrolled in the program for the current program year
• elected to have a tax-aligned reference margin
• submitted your current year’s intended productive units
The coverage notices will be available online in the My AAFC Account portal during the program year and will help you better determine if you’ll be in a payment position and decide whether you need to provide the necessary program year supplementary information. If you believe you would not qualify for a payment, you don’t need to submit a final application. Learn more on how to apply for a coverage notice. The deadline to apply for a 2024 coverage notice is March 31, 2025.
My AAFC Account
Sign up for My AAFC Account for secure, convenient and paperless access to your AgriStability and AgriInvest program information. With My AAFC Account you can:
• quickly and securely send your 2024 AgriStability Coverage Notice Intended Productive Capacity Information and 2024 AgriStability Tax Aligned Reference Margin Consent form as attachments using the Messages feature in the online My AAFC Account portal
• receive a coverage notice detailing your estimated reference margin and coverage level for the current program year
As well, with a My AAFC Account you can:
Provincial Fire Bulletin #3: Travel Restrictions
Expanding May 9 Due to Risk Level
(May 8, 2025 Province of Manitoba News Release)
The Manitoba Wildfire Service advises that Level 1 fire and travel restrictions will increase to a complete ban of all motorized backcountry travel at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 9. Due to the lack of significant precipitation and rising temperatures, high fire danger continues to persist in the southeast and Interlake regions. Manitobans and visitors are urged to exercise caution and comply with all posted restrictions to prevent wildfire.
Areas 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 are affected.
These restrictions include the following provincial parks: Whiteshell, Spruce Woods, Beaudry, St. Ambroise Beach, Stephenfield, Birds Hill, Lake St. Andrews and Lake St. George. The boundary of the restricted area is from Provincial Road (PR) 302 to Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 12 to PR 317 to PTH 59 and PR 319 east to the Ontario border and from the U.S. border north to Lake Winnipeg and the Winnipeg River including the Mars Hill Wildlife Management Area. Refer to the areas of the fire and travel restriction map found at: www.gov.mb.ca/conservation_fire/Restrictions/i ndex.html.
Level 1 fire and travel restrictions include:
• total ban of all motorized backcountry travel including ATVs and other off-road vehicles during all hours;
• all fires prohibited between the hours 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Fires outside of these hours must be in an approved campfire pit;
• all motorized backcountry travel to access a remote cottage via forestry road, private road or trail will require a travel permit issued by Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures; and
• industry and outfitters should contact local Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures offices for more information.
As a further wildfire prevention measure, provincial burn permits issued under the Wildfires Act in the eastern and Interlake regions are cancelled and will not be issued until fire danger conditions improve. Burn permits for essential agricultural, municipal or industrial operations may be considered with the approval of an officer and will include a site inspection with strict conditions. Contact a Department of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures office for more information. Further restrictions may be implemented if the fire danger levels increase or conditions change significantly. Failure to comply with the listed restrictions may result in prosecution under the Manitoba Wildfires Act with fines of up to $100,000 depending on the severity of the offence.
Many municipalities have proactively implemented burning restrictions this spring, so check with the local municipal office or view the interactive burning restrictions map at: www.manitoba.ca/wildfire/burn_conditions.ht ml for more information. No burning permits will be issued for areas within or bordering any municipality where burning restrictions are already in place, and permits are required for fireworks and sky lanterns from April 1 to Nov. 15.
For further information on the Manitoba Wildfire Service, situation updates, restrictions and other important wildfire links, go to www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/ or follow the Manitoba government on X (formerly Twitter) at https://twitter.com/mbgov.
To report a wildfire, call 911 or the TIP line tollfree at 1-800-782-0076.
Manitoba Government Providing Financial Support for Manitobans to Test Well Water
(May 5, 2025 Province of Manitoba News Release) May 4 to 10 is Drinking Water Week in Manitoba and Manitoba Environment and Climate Change is encouraging Manitobans to test their well water.
All Manitobans with a private well or cistern supplying their drinking water should test their water at least once per year. The ideal time for homeowners to test water is in spring after snowmelt, flooding, heavy rainstorms or any time homeowners notice a difference in the colour, clarity, odor or taste of well or cistern water.
The Private Well Testing Subsidy Program partners with an accredited laboratory to provide private well and cistern owners a once-peryear partially subsidized test price to detect total coliforms and E. coli in their water supply.
The program is available through Duracan Laboratory, located at 862 Dufferin Ave. in
Winnipeg, at a subsidized cost to homeowners. This year, the Manitoba government is making it more affordable for Manitobans to test at a subsidized cost of $17.67 (tax included). This represents a saving of over $7 per test compared to last year.
If the test is positive, the homeowner is notified as soon as possible, given instructions on how to disinfect the water source and issued a resample coupon to retest their water after treating the well or cistern, free of charge.
Questions about the Private Well Testing Subsidy Program or Duracan Ltd. should be directed to Duracan Laboratory at 204-960-9995 or www.duracan.ca/contact
To learn more about drinking water safety in Manitoba, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/drinkingwater/index.html
If you missed our webinar on Livestock Price Insurance, we've got you covered. The recording is available here.
Farm product prices, March 2025
(May 9, 2025 Statistics Canada’s The Daily) Monthly provincial prices received by farmers in March for grains, oilseeds, specialty crops, cattle, hogs, poultry, eggs and dairy products are now available.
In March, slaughter cattle price movements varied across the provinces compared with the previous month. Saskatchewan (+2.0%), Manitoba (+1.7%), British Columbia (+1.1%) and Alberta (+0.4%) reported price increases. The remaining provinces posted price decreases, which ranged from 1.1% in Prince Edward Island to 4.5% in Ontario. Year over year, slaughter cattle price was at least 13.5% higher in all provinces in March 2025. The tight supplies of cattle supported prices.
Monthly feeder cattle prices fell in every province in March except Alberta (+6.7%), Saskatchewan (+0.8%) and British Columbia (+0.7%). The declines ranged from 0.2% in Manitoba to 8.4% in the Atlantic provinces. On a year-over-year basis, feed cattle prices increased in all provinces by at least 13.5% in March.
Compared with February, slaughter hog prices grew in most provinces in March, led by Nova Scotia (+6.4%). Prince Edward Island (-0.5%) and Quebec (-0.5%) were the only two provinces to post a price decrease.
Following a monthly price increase across the Prairie provinces in February, canola prices continued to rise in Alberta (+1.0%) in March, but they decreased in Saskatchewan (-0.2%) and were essentially unchanged in Manitoba. While tightening domestic supply supported canola prices, the 100% tariff imposed by China on Canadian canola oil and meal and trade policy uncertainty in the United States put downward pressure on canola prices.
Similarly, a 100% import tariff by China on dry peas put downward pressure on Canadian dry pea prices. China is Canada's top importer of dry peas. Prices for dry peas decreased across all western provinces in March compared with February, led by Alberta (-5.8%).
Calling all Graduate Students! Applications for CRSB's Student Sponsorship are now OPEN!
The CRSB is looking to invite two students studying sustainability in the Canadian beef industry to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Toronto, Ontario, September 23 & 24, 2025. During the meeting successful students will have the opportunity to present, then showcase their research with a poster while networking with members representing all areas of the Canadian beef sector.
Two successful students will be selected for participation.
Details and the portal for submission of abstracts here. Abstract submission closes June 30th, 2025 at 11:59 PM MT.
Students are invited to register for the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Communicators' Summit being held September 25th. Details to come.
MBP 2025-26 Academic Year SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
PLEASE PRINT
Name:
Mailing address: _______________________________________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________________
Date of birth: _____________________________
Email:
Parents’ names if you are under 18: _______________________________________________________
Are you a beef producer? _____________________________
Are you the child of a beef producer? ________ If yes, what is their name(s)? __
Current institute of enrolment: ________________________________________________________
Institute and your intended program of post-secondary study or skilled trades training in 2025-26:
Duration of post-secondary program or skilled trades training: _________ year (s)
Essay or Short Video Submission Requirement: Please submit either a typed 600-word (maximum) essay* OR a 5-7 minute video on the topic “What the beef industry means to my family, my community, and Manitoba.” Also include the reasons you enjoy being involved in agriculture. No preference will be given to either option.
*Note: Scholarship winners’ essays or video submissions and photos will be published in Manitoba Beef Producers’ newspaper Cattle Country in fall 2025 or posted to MBP’s social media channels and website.
Please return the following no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 20, 2025:
• completed application form;
• typed essay or video submission;
• a copy of your transcript;
• proof of enrolment in a recognized institution or an apprenticeship program (current transcript, letter of acceptance, or a letter of intent to pursue further studies);
• a list of your community involvement; and,
• your references
To: Manitoba Beef Producers Scholarship Committee
220 – 530 Century Street Winnipeg, MB R3H 0Y4
Email: info@mbbeef.ca Fax (204) 774-3264
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2025 CANADIAN BEEF CHECK-OFF AGENCY AWARD
It is no surprise that Canada’s beef industry continues to focus on the engagement of young entrants into the beef industry, whether that be grassroots producers, future leaders of our national and provincial organizations, or industry partners along the value chain.
The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency (the Agency) continues to diversify its youth strategy with the renewal of the annual scholarship, aimed at students who intend to make an impact in Canada’s beef industry.
The scholarship is open not only to beef producers and those directly involved with their families, but it is open to students who can see unique ways to make an impact through marketing, research, public engagement, and other areas where check-off dollars are invested to generate value for the beef industry in Canada.
“We are working hard to ensure that we are engaging the next generation of industry leaders,” said Trevor Welch, Agency Chair. “This scholarship allows us to reach pockets of young producers that we often find it challenging to connect with.”
Adeleen Bolduc, the Agency’s Youth Member and member of the scholarship committee, sees value in the extensive range of career paths that can help shape Canada’s beef industry.
“Our scholarship outreach is one of the most successful communications programs to date at the Agency ”, said Bolduc. “We have been focusing on different platforms to get the word out to young beef industry stakeholders and it has been extremely positive.”
While preference may be given to applicants who are beef producers or have a background in agriculture, it is not a requirement for the scholarship.
Applicants are asked to submit a 1-2 minute video, showcasing their desire to improve and grow Canada’s beef industry in a unique way. The investment of the beef check-off in Canada delivers value to the beef industry, and the scholarship seeks to support those who want to make an impact in the same way.
The deadline for scholarship applications is June 30, 2025 and the selected applicant will be announced during the Agency’s AGM in August 19, which will be held virtually.
Apply by June 30 at cdnbeefcheckoff.ca/scholarship
Trevor Welch, Agency Chair
Adeleen Bolduc, Agency Youth Member
CANADIAN BEEF CHECK-OFF AGENCY
SCHOLARSHIP
The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency has established a scholarship to encourage and support students pursuing post-secondary studies in the field of agriculture, agricultural research, or with an agriculture background pursuing studies in marketing or other areas of impact to the beef industry.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for the $2000 scholarship, applicants must:
• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• be accepted to or attending a designated post secondary institution
• be accepted to or attending a full-time program relating to:
• agriculture or agriculture business
• marketing, communications or public relations
• science and research including veterinary medicine
• human health and nutrition
• policy and economics
Note: Preference will be given to applicants who are active beef producers or have a background in agriculture, but it is not a requirement.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must submit to the Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency:
• an application form
• a link to a creative video no longer than two minutes, showcasing how their background in agriculture, paired with their education, can help grow the future of the beef industry in Canada
• an official acceptance letter or current enrollment document to a designated post-secondary institution
Videos must be posted to YouTube, marked as public, and the link shared in the application form.
The recipient will be selected by committee on the basis of video content, and desire to improve and grow Canada’s beef industry in a unique way. Knowledge and understanding of Canada’s national beef strategy, checkoff system and national beef organizations is preferred.
