Optimism among province's beef producers

Details

Published on Monday, February 16, 2015

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

The Neepawa Banner

While there was optimism thanks to high prices, continued concerns over flooding and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) dominated discussion at the Manitoba Beef Producers annual meeting, held Feb. 5 and 6 in Brandon. Cattle producers from the Neepawa area were well represented, both in terms of attendees and resolutions put forward for debate, and the event drew producers of all ages.

Despite the optimism, cattle numbers in Manitoba remain low, while herd rebuilding has started in many parts of Canada. Two factors seem to be contributing to this: uncertainty and losses related to flooding as well as older producers taking advantage of high prices and retiring.   

In his report, president Heinz Reimer noted that it had been both a challenging and rewarding year.  Highlights included the beginning of the three year pilot project that will see the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures take over the administration of the former PFRA community pastures, access to an expanded forage insurance program as well as the Western Livestock Price Insurance program.  Flooding due to heavy rains in June and July hit many producers hard, including those around Lake Manitoba who were still recovering from flooding in 2011.

General manager Melinda German echoed Reimer’s comments, noting that flood 2014 had a significant impact over a wide area.  She noted that the organization worked to ensure that there was a comprehensive compensation program to ensure that the industry remains viable.  She noted that while the programs weren’t as comprehensive as hoped, transportation assistance, tax deferral and forage assistance programs from some producers came about due to MBP’s lobbying.

German also pointed to the agricultural labour crisis as one of the significant challenges facing the industry, with an impact at the farm level and up the value chain. 

Looking to the future, German said that they need to continue to promote their profession as food producers.  “We need to communicate with the consumer what we do,” she said, noting that consumers are increasingly interested in knowing where their food comes from. 

District 10 director and treasurer Theresa Zuk presented the organization’s financial report.  While initially projecting a deficit of $116,179, MBP was able to finish the 2014 year with a deficit of only $33,808.  Zuk said the reduction was possible through reducing management expenses, an increased number of cattle going to market and fewer refunds.  Additionally, part way through the year, members voted to increase the $2 per head check-off fee to $3. To help reduce meeting costs, the organization has begun alternating between face-to-face meetings and conference calls. 

The largest increase in the organization’s expenses is fees to CCA for legal costs to fight the USA’s country of origin labelling. 

Dr. Allan Preston, the province’s Bovine TB coordinator spoke about the progress being made to eradicate TB from the province. Preston noted that not only is Bovine TB a trade barrier, Manitoba is the only province with restrictions on the exportation of breeding stock, but it also a public health concern. 

Since 2008, the province has been free of disease in the domestic livestock herd and work continues to eradicate the disease from the elk and white tail deer populations, as well as to rebuild those herds. Due to the program’s success, there will be no testing of cattle herds in the core area in 2015 .

It’s hoped that this will be the last year of testing in the buffer zone. The goal will be to move towards slaughter testing only.

Preston noted that the program cost $2.35 million to operate in the 2013-2014 year, 40 per cent of which is covered by Parks Canada while CFIA covered just over 27 per cent.  The goal is the complete eradication of the disease by 2024.

The program will continue with the capture of mature cow elk in the core area.  They will be tested and fitted with radio collars. Should the test come back positive for TB, the animal will be recaptured. They will be continuing with hunter killed surveillance, however, Preston noted that they are nowhere near their targets, due it part to low densities.