E-Newsletter E-Newsletter
This Thanksgiving, Great Tastes asked their hosts to swap the comfort meals they're most thankful for. Chef Gordon brought minced beef and mash, a simple ground beef classic that his mom used to make. Watch for the reactions, the laughs and the special memories behind each dish.
NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS FCC: Canadian farmland values rose 3.8 per cent in first half of 2026 Canadian cultivated farmland values rose by an average of 3.8 per cent in the first half of 2026, according to the mid-year farmland values review by Farm Credit Canada (FCC)...
Statistic Canada’s Farm product prices, August 2026 Slaughter cattle prices decreased across all provinces in August compared with July. This was the first month-over-month price decline after at least six consecutive months of price increases in all provinces, except Alberta and Quebec....
Registration for winter term of MPI’s Driver Z program begins in October Registration for the winter term of MPI’s high school driver education program, Driver Z, begins later this month. With course start dates in December, January and February, winter course offerings will ...
CRTC takes action to improve information about cellphone coverage The CRTC is helping Canadians better understand where cellphone coverage is available and where there may be gaps. Following a public consultation, the CRTC is ...
October 9, 2026
Manitoba Government Funds Livestock Investigation Unit New `Cattle Cop' is the Result of Listening to the Needs of Beef Producers: Ministers (Province of Manitoba News Release, October 8, 2026)
The Manitoba government is providing funding to allow the RCMP General Investigative Section (GIS) to hire a designated officer who will investigate livestock-related crimes and enhance the protection of cattle and other livestock in Manitoba, while also supporting a Manitoba-based livestock inspection initiative, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe and Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced. “Rural Manitobans have told us that livestock theft and related crimes have a significant impact on producers, their families and their livelihoods,” said Wiebe. “By funding a dedicated livestock investigations position within the RCMP, our government is strengthening enforcement, improving coordination with producers and law enforcement partners, and helping ensure those who commit crimes against Manitoba’s agriculture sector are held accountable.” Beef producers in Manitoba have been advocating for a dedicated RCMP officer to support a livestock inspection initiative. The initiative is modelled after similar programs in Saskatchewan and Alberta. “Manitoba's beef producers are a key component of Manitoba’s agricultural-based economy,” said Kostyshyn. “They have identified the need for stronger investigative capacity, and our government listened. This investment will support a made-in-Manitoba livestock inspection initiative that will provide producers with greater confidence that their herds and operations are protected.” “Cattle-related theft and fraud incidents are very detrimental and can adversely affect beef sector
confidence at a time when there are efforts to grow Manitoba’s cattle herd,” said Arvid Nottveit, president, Manitoba Beef Producers. “Having a dedicated RCMP resource will not only support investigative activities but should also serve as a needed deterrent. The commitment to this valuable resource is something that MBP and the members of the Manitoba Livestock Inspection Working Group have been advocating for, and we thank the provincial government for its commitment to this very important piece of the livestock inspection initiative.” RCMP investigators will work directly with producers and other law enforcement agencies to enforce provincial livestockrelated laws and the Criminal Code. Enforcement of these laws will help deter cattle theft and fraud. “Manitoba’s livestock industry is integral to the lives of producers and the success of rural communities throughout the province,” said Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, commanding officer, Manitoba RCMP. “This new position will ensure livestock thefts and other industry-related crimes are thoroughly investigated, bringing greater protection to this important economic sector and the many Manitobans who rely upon it.” Cases of theft and fraud related to Manitoba’s cattle industry are costly and disruptive for affected producers and others. RCMP statistics show 57 reported cases between 2021 and 2025. Industry representatives say such cases also undermine the confidence of lenders, investors and buyers when conducting livestock transactions in Manitoba, the ministers noted.
Manitoba Agriculture Information re: Protecting Livestock Sellers Against Payment Defaults Manitoba Agriculture has information on its website aimed at helping to protect livestock sellers against payment defaults. This information includes the following:
These timelines ensure fairness and allow Manitoba Agriculture to administer the regulation effectively.
For example, under provincial requirements, any person purchasing livestock must hold a valid Livestock Dealer or Agent Licence, unless the animals will be kept for at least 30 days. Licensed entities include: • Individual order buyers • Auction marts • Abattoirs that are not exclusively custom-slaughtering
New Livestock Dealers and Agents in 2026 New Livestock Dealers and Agents
Licensing Information
Licensed Dealers, Suspensions and Cancellations Licensed Livestock Dealers and Agents List Licence Suspensions and Cancellations For complete details, go to: https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/other /dealer-and-agent-license/index.html
All licensed dealers and agents must be able to present a valid pocket licence upon request. Sellers should request to see this licence before proceeding with a sale. In addition, all advertisements to buy livestock must clearly indicate that the dealer is licensed and must include the licence number. Further, the Livestock Dealers and Agents Licensing Regulation is designed to protect livestock sellers against payment defaults. All licensed dealers are required to maintain a bond, with coverage amounts based on their annual sales volume. In the event of a default, sellers may submit a claim against the dealer’s bond to recover full or partial value of the livestock. Payment Requirements • Payment must be made no later than one day after price determination. • Allowing additional time constitutes credit extension, which may void bond protection. • If payment is made by cheque, the seller must deposit or cash the cheque within eight business days of price determination. • Failure to do so is considered an extension of credit. • If a cheque is returned NSF, the seller has seven business days to notify Manitoba Agriculture and initiate a bond claim.
Celebrate October being Chili Month with the taste of Canadian beef!
As the temperatures drop, there’s nothing better than a big, hearty bowl of chili to warm you up. Our friends at Canada Beef have several chili recipes to choose from and some creative uses for leftovers. Try out this Classic Beef Chili recipe for your next meal! For the full recipe visit: https://canadabeef.ca/recipes/classicbeef-chili/
The CBSA is adjusting hours of service at 13 land ports of entry in Manitoba (October 9, 2026 CBSA media release) The
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will adjust its opening and closing times at 13 land ports of entry in Manitoba to maintain alignment with hours at the neighbouring U.S. ports of entry. This change follows Manitoba’s decision to adopt permanent year-round daylight saving time. Since the United States will continue to change its clocks seasonally, adjusting the operating hours at the Manitoba ports of entry in the fall and spring means alignment of service hours between Canada and the U.S. will be maintained year-round at these 13 sites.
Cartwright Travellers and commercial: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 7 days a week Coulter Travellers and commercial: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 7 days a week Crystal City Travellers and commercial: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days a week Goodlands Travellers and commercial: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days a week
The new hours will take effect at 2:00 a.m. (Central Time) November 1, 2026, and will remain in place until 2:00 a.m. (Central Time) March 14, 2027.
Gretna
These adjustments in hours of operation will allow for better coordination between Canada and the U.S., including in cases where a traveller is inadmissible and is directed to return immediately to the country they came from. It will also mean greater clarity for all travellers as to when the ports of entry are operating.
Lena
If a port of entry is not available at the time a traveller needs to cross, travellers can use an alternate port of entry. The CBSA works with emergency services on both sides of the border to ensure that they can cross the border during an emergency situation. Land ports of entry: updated hours of operation from November 1, 2026 to March 13, 2027 Times reflect Central Time zones:
Travellers and commercial: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week
Travellers and commercial: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 7 days a week Lyleton Travellers and commercial: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., 7 days a week Piney Travellers and commercial: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days a week Snowflake Travellers and commercial: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days a week South Junction Travellers and commercial: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 7 days a week
The CBSA is adjusting hours of service at 13 land ports of entry in Manitoba Tolstoi
Windygates
Travellers and commercial: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week
Travellers and commercial: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days a week Winkler Travellers and commercial: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 7 days a week
CANADIAN BEEF CHECK-OFF AGENCY 146, 6715 8th Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 7H7 p. 403.736.2157 www.cdnbeefcheckoff.ca
Check-Off Reminders Ahead of the Fall Run Fall run is one of the busiest times of year for Canadian cattle producers. Before you sell your calf crop, here's a quick refresher on how the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off applies to your sale. The Basics Every time you sell cattle in Canada, a mandatory levy or check-off is deducted which is a combination of the national Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off and your provincial check-off. These funds support beef cattle research, market development, promotion, and provincial advocacy on your behalf.
How Does the Check-Off Get Paid? In almost every case, whoever buys your cattle is responsible for deducting the check-off from what they pay you and sending ("remitting") that money in on your behalf. Who that "buyer" is depends on how you sold: •
Sold through an auction mart? The auction mart deducts the check-off and remits it.
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Sold to a packer? The packer deducts the check-off and remits it.
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Sold directly to another producer? That buyer deducts the check-off and remits it. o
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One exception: in a private treaty sale (a direct, one-on-one deal between buyer and seller, with no auction mart or dealer involved), the seller may choose to remit the check-off themselves instead of the buyer.
Sold through a dealer? The dealer deducts the check-off and remits it.
The one rule that always applies: if the purchaser fails to deduct the check-off for any reason, responsibility to remit falls back on the seller, so it's always worth confirming the check-off was deducted on your sale.
The check-off is owed on every sale of cattle, regardless of the sales channel, including auction markets, order buyers, or direct-to-feedlot sales.
Selling in a Different Province Than You Live In? A common question during fall run: "I live in [Province A] but I'm selling at an auction market in [Province B]. Which levy applies?" As of August 1, 2025, the answer is straightforward: the levy is based on where you, the seller, reside, not where the sale takes place. So, whether you sell at home or haul your calves across provincial lines, you'll pay the levy rate of your home province. Questions? If you have questions about how the levy applies to your sale or how to remit, reach out to your provincial cattle association or the Agency directly: cdnbeefcheckoff.ca/contact
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CANADIAN BEEF CHECKOFF AGENCY
Age verification IN THE CLTS What is age verification? Age verification is the process of validating an animal’s age. Recording a birth date is one component of that process. If an animal's age is in question, dentition is considered the most accurate method of age determination. Producers can voluntarily record the birth date of an animal that was born on their farm and identified with an approved CCIA indicator (tag) in the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) to support age verification.
FLAG: Enter birth date information before 12 months. The CLTS flags birth date information entered or modified after twelve months. It was introduced in 2022 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for the BSE Program and updated in 2026 from 9 months to 12 months. Birth dates can only be entered by the herd of origin. Birth dates may be used at slaughter to determine whether an animal is under 30 months of age. Being under or over 30 months may affect the animal’s value. Late entry or modification after twelve months trigger a pop-up window notification in the CLTS and is noted when a report is generated.
Age Verification is not mandatory. Age verification is not mandatory to report as it is not regulated data in Canada. Some specialty beef cattle programs require that animals are age verified to qualify. Producers can voluntarily record birth date information in the CLTS database.
How do I enter a birth date? To enter a birth date, you must have a CLTS database account. To set up and activate a CLTS account, contact CCIA: Phone: 1‑877‑909‑2333 Email: info@canadaid.ca If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, you may authorize a third party to submit information on your behalf. Third-party options may include a neighbour, relative, or local veterinary office. Contact CCIA by phone or email to receive a list of approved webservice providers from our Client Support Team.
How can I confirm that an animal I have purchased is age verified? How do I create a birth date certificate? After an animal’s birth date is recorded in the CLTS database, a birth date certificate can be created. The certificate is generated using the CCIA tag/indicator number.
There are two options: Search for a birth date using the animal’s identification number(s). Generate a birth date certificate. The CLTS database allows users to generate a birth date certificate for any livestock with a recorded birth date. To provide confidence in the birth dates recorded in the system, if a birth date is entered or modified after the animal is twelve months of age, a flag will appear on the tag history and the birth date certificate. Once an animal has left the farm of origin and ownership has changed, a new owner cannot enter or modify the animal's birth date in the CLTS database. Only the herd of origin (where the animal was born) can submit a birth date in the CLTS database.
CLTS Birth Date Flag Changing from 9 to 12 Months to Better Reflect On-Farm Realities Effective October 1, 2026, the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) birth date flag will change from 9 months to 12 months (365 days), providing producers with additional time to enter or update birth date information before a flag is applied. Existing records flagged under the previous nine-month threshold will have the flag removed if the birth date was entered within 12 months. This is a one-time update to align existing records with the new 12-month threshold. Going forward, once a record is flagged, the flag cannot be removed. The flag was introduced in 2022 at the request of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) BSE Program. Following industry feedback, the threshold is being updated to better reflect on-farm production and record-keeping realities. Producers can voluntarily record the birth date of animals born on their farm and identified with an approved CCIA indicator to support age verification. Age verification is not mandatory, and birth date information is not mandatory regulated reporting in Canada. What does the birth date flag actually mean? Beginning October 1, if a birth date is entered or modified more than 12 months after the animal’s reported date of birth, the CLTS will flag the record. This flag will appear in the animal’s tag history and on its birth certificate. Importantly, the flag does not mean the producer has done something wrong, is non-compliant, or that the birth date is considered inaccurate. It is a transparency and data-integrity indicator showing that the birth date was entered or changed after the established 12-month threshold. A flag does not require any additional verification steps from the producer. CCIA or CFIA will not automatically contact a producer to verify the birth date simply because a flag appears on the record. For example, if an older cow loses a tag and the producer re-tags the animal and enters an accurate birth date, the record may be flagged because the information was entered after 12 months. The flag itself does not indicate that the birth date is incorrect. Why does the timing of birth date information matter? Birth date information may be used at slaughter to help determine whether an animal is under 30 months of age, which may affect the animal's value. If an animal's age is in question, dentition is considered the most accurate method of age determination. If you choose to record birth date information in the CLTS, enter it before the animal reaches 12 months of age to avoid the birth date flag. See the accompanying infographic ‘Age Verification in the CLTS’ for more information on birth date reporting, birth certificates and age verification. If you have further questions, please contact CCIA at 1-877-909-2333 or info@canadaid.ca.
MBP Accepting Applications for The Environmental Stewardship Award Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is accepting applications until Friday, December 18, 2026 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 conservation 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 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 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 the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA). The national TESA recipient is announced during the CCA’s semi-annual meeting held in mid-summer or early fall. Each nominee exemplifies significant innovation and attention to a wide range of environmental stewardship aspects in their farm or ranch 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 consideration for TESA. Interested producers can either nominate themselves, or be nominated by another individual or an organization. All methods are equally encouraged. More details and the application form can be found at: TESA Information Note: If you are a producer who is considering self-nomination, MBP can provide you with guidance and suggestions on completing the application process. 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 Friday, December 18, 2026. If you have questions, please contact the MBP office at 204-772-4542.