The AgriPost
December 27, 2024
Precision Pork Hits the Mark at Prairie Livestock Expo Soybean Yields Hit Historic Highs
Jason Care, Manitoba Hog Grader for Manitoba Pork has graded in the Pork Quality Competition since 2006. “This year’s competition set a record for being the tightest I’ve ever graded,” said Care. Photo by Harry Siements
By Harry Siemens The popular Pork Quality Competition returned to this year’s Prairie Livestock Expo in mid-December in Winnipeg, MB, with record participation—46 carcasses from 23 entrants across Manitoba. The event combines friendly competition with meaningful support for causes like Siloam Mission, Harvest Manitoba, and other charities backed by the winners. Event sponsors raised $34,500 for charity this year, bringing the total to $415,000 since 1996. Siloam Mission received the meat from the
Top 10 finishers, while Harvest Manitoba received the rest, helping families and clients across the province during the holiday season. This year’s contest alone generated over 35,000 meals. The top ten winners of this year’s contest are: Starlite Colony in first place, Ridgeland Colony in second, New Haven Colony North in third, Shady Lane Colony in fourth, Norquay Colony in fifth, Clearwater Colony in sixth, Woodlands Colony in seventh, Rosedale Colony in eighth, Greenwald Colony in ninth, and James Valley Colony in tenth.
For Starlite Colony near Starbucks, MB, it’s the second year in a row that it has been the grand champion for the carcass show in Winnipeg. James Hofer is the hog boss at Starlite. When asked about participating in the event, James shared, “It starts with your heart. This event is all about giving. We’re in the food production business, and raising and growing food for people is an honour. It’s even more an honour to do it for the needy.” James’ youngest son, Trevor, selected the pigs for this
competition, and he’s now a two-time winner, and he’s only 22 years young. “For him to take on this responsibility and pour his heart, mind, and soul into it is incredibly gratifying,” said James. It’s also an opportunity to showcase the consistent quality of pork we produce and share it with the world expressed James. “We’re proud of what we do, and Trevor exemplifies that pride,” said James. Winning the Winnipeg show two years in a row, including Continued on Page 2...
Canadian soybean farmers grew a record-breaking crop in 2024, with record yields across the country. Nationally, yields grew a remarkable seven per cent over 2023 with Western Canada leading the way. “It’s fantastic to see our yields smash records across the country,” says Soy Canada executive director Brian Innes. “The results we’re seeing are encouraging for everyone across the value chain as they demonstrate what is possible with investment and innovation.” On December 5, Statistics Canada released its 2024 survey-based production estimates. The release showed that western Canadian yields increased substantially with a 21 per cent increase over 2023 hitting 43.5 bushels per acre. The yields beat the previous record set in 2022 of 42.6 bushels per acre by over three per cent. In the last five years, western Canadian soy yields have averaged 37 bushels per acre with two of the last three years representing historic highs. Eastern Canada also set new records with a record yield of 51.3 bushels per acre – beating the previous record set only last year of 50.3 bushels per acre. While there were local pockets where weather reduced yields, each province had impressive results. For example, Quebec produced more soy than at any time in its history, with 1.39 million tonnes – a 9 per cent increase from the 2023 crop that was the previous record. “These historic yield increases show the momentum behind our industry,” says Innes. “The exciting part is that the conversations around our table show us that there’s even more potential left to go as we add more value to our production and soybeans become a more prominent and consistent crop in the rotation of western Canadian farmers.” These yields drove a production increase of eight per cent nationally to 7.6 million tonnes in 2024 compared to 2023. This is the second highest amount of production in the history of the industry. Higher yields and higher production numbers will drive further growth throughout the value chain as the soy industry continues to serve food and feed needs in Canada and around the world. Soybeans are among the top three most valuable crops in Canada, with 70 per cent of production exported each year.
December 27, 2024
The AgriPost
Precision Pork Hits the Mark at Prairie Livestock Expo
Continued from Page 1...
When asked about participating in the event, James Hofer with the Starlite Colony near Starbucks, MB shared, “It starts with your heart. This event is all about giving. We’re in the food production business, and raising and growing food for people is an honour. It’s even more an honour to do it for the needy.”
in 2022, showcases Trevor’s dedication and passion. Reflecting on his achievements. Trevor said, “I like the pig business, especially on days like this!” he said with a smile, his enthusiasm shining. Jason Care, Manitoba Hog Grader for Manitoba Pork has graded for the Pork Quality Competition since 2006. “This year’s competition set a record for being the tightest I’ve ever graded,” said Care. Care said the difference between first, second, and third place was just one point, with a tie for third. The seventh place also saw a tie, and the ninth place ended in a threeway tie. The total difference between first and tenth place was only 11 points. His observations emphasize this year’s event’s fierce competition and exceptional quality. Care noted that going from 24 participants back in 2022 to 46 this year benefited all. “What’s even more impressive is how skilled these producers have become at hitting their targets. They’re dialling it into millimetres and centimetres, consistently achieving precise weights. It’s a testament to their expertise
and dedication,” said Care. When asked about the changes in the competition, the response points directly to the producers. “We go back to the two producers who essentially design the judging criteria and decide what they want to see,” he explained. About four years ago, they revised some rules to better target the highest quality, most marketable hogs. “Now, that’s exactly what we’re evaluating in the cooler—pork that meets top market standards,” said Care. The adjustments reflect a focus on precision and market relevance. Care explained tight competition and the detailed criteria used to evaluate entries. “We look at a full variety of factors,” he said. Colour is one aspect, though it mostly comes down to processing, not genetics. Next, the focus is on marbling, whether in loins, bellies, or back fat. Loin size and weight are critical too, with weight being one of the biggest contributors in hogs. Reflecting on changes over time, Care added, “Back in 2006, hogs averaged 97.6 kg. Now, they average 101 to
102 kg at the point of finishing. Yet some carcasses have back fat as low as nine millimetres, even though the ideal target for the competition is 18 millimetres.” Care’s observations highlighted the high standards and precision producers achieve in the competition. Care reflected on the evolution of pork production and market demands. “If you think back to the 80s, pork got too lean, and that’s not what the market wants. Consumers prefer more marbling and back fat because, as it cooks, it renders down and keeps the pork juicy,” he explains. The competition aligns closely with these consumer preferences. “The show is designed around what the market wants. We even host a barbecue with producers where they voice their concerns, and we adjust the scoring criteria to match this hard target,” Care adds. This year’s entries demonstrate remarkable precision. “They’re hitting these targets within millimetres and just one point apart. It’s imposing what these producers can achieve,” he says.
While the carcass competition is a highlight of the Prairie Livestock Expo, the Expo part had people buzzing all day. Photos by Harry Siements
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Farmers Call for Action to Fix Infrastructure, Rebuild Trade Ties, and Refocus Priorities By Harry Siemens Six major national agricultural organizations representing hundreds of thousands of farmers have severed ties with the federal government’s Sustainable Agriculture Strategy (SAS). John Barlow, MP for Foothills and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, shared the news on X (Twitter), emphasizing farmers’ frustration with the strategy. The organizations, including the Canadian Canola Growers Association, the Grain Growers of Canada, and Cereals Canada, cited concerns over the strategy’s lack of industry alignment and threat to producers’ economic viability. Their withdrawal reflects mounting discontent over policies viewed as impractical, nonscience-based, and damaging the sector’s growth and competitiveness. Jeff English of Pulse Canada in Winnipeg, MB stated on behalf of the Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada, Grain Growers of Canada, Pulse Canada, and Soy Canada that, “Canadian agriculture is the most sustainable in the world, and our organizations believe that any sustainability measures must be practical, science-based, marketdriven and beneficial for growers, the value chain, and the environment.” “Our organizations have concerns about the government’s current Sustainable Agriculture Strategy (SAS), he further stated. “Together, we have consistently voiced a need for more industry alignment regarding the targets and actions proposed in the SAS. As a result, we have collectively decided to step back from the Advisory Committee, as the strategy’s direction must fully represent our members’ interests. We remain committed to working with the government on
crucial areas such as market access, research investment, innovation, and supply chain resiliency to advance the sector’s growth and sustainability.” The Wheat Growers Association had voiced concerns when Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, formulated this new strategy in 2022. Gunter Jochum, president of the Wheat Growers, shared insights about the development of the SAS and the challenge of having a meaningful voice in discussions. “This wasn’t something farmers specifically asked for,” said Jochum. “From what I understand, it was government-directed. They had their climate ideology in mind and a clear mandate for how they wanted things to unfold.” Jochum said that while the government included farmers in the discussions, the initiative felt more like a top-down approach than one driven by farmer input. Jochum said inviting everyone, even those with minimal influence, to develop the SAS has led to challenges in reaching a meaningful consensus. With so many voices under one umbrella, the process becomes nearly impossible or results in a watereddown strategy that achieves little. The six groups that left the SAS are key players in Canadian agriculture. “They represent the farmers responsible for growing crops significantly contributing to Canada’s GDP and economic well-being. Their departure highlights the importance of their role in shaping the future of agriculture in the country,” said Jochum. Jochum said farmers know about being sustainable by looking after the environ-
ment. However, some groups had a totally different idea of what that means. “Some of these ideas are not workable on our farms,” said Jochum. Jochum noted that former Minister Bibeau initiated the SAS table, but it took a lot of work to make productive progress. Despite efforts, it ultimately led to frustration, and participants eventually realized its limitations. “There wasn’t even a consensus as to what sustainability means to everyone around the table,” he said. The Wheat Growers lobbied the Grain Growers of Canada to step back, arguing it was futile. Farmers also urged their representatives in the other five organizations to withdraw, citing the Ag minister’s lack of understanding and unwillingness to address western sustainability concerns. Eventually, these organizations pulled out. Jochum said that a recent survey revealed that climate change is not a top priority for many Canadian farmers, particularly in the west. Farmers believe the government ignores critical issues like infrastructure and trade, which are fundamental to Canada as an exporting nation. “The focus should shift back to improving infrastructure, strengthening trade ties, and rebuilding relationships with key partners like China, India, the US, and Europe, which have been neglected or strained under the current government. These areas are essential for the country’s agricultural and economic success,” said Jochum. Jochum tweeted, “We are one of the most environmentally sustainable farmers in the world. There was no need for a strategy. Farmer ingenuity took care of it long before government thought of it.”
December 27, 2024
Canadian Grain Farmers Invited to Exclusive 2025 “Combine to Customer” Workshops Canadian grain farmers are being offered a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the grain industry through the 2025 Combine to Customer workshops. This three-day, hands-on course, held at Cereals Canada facilities in Winnipeg, promises to provide invaluable insights into the journey of Canadian grain from farm to global market. Combine to Customer is designed exclusively for Canadian cereal farmers, combining interactive technical activities with expert-led presentations. Attendees will explore all aspects of the grain industry, including: - Key qualities of top Canadian wheat classes. - Global customer requirements and consumer quality expectations. - Wheat breeding, varietal registration systems, and grading factors. - Updates on market advocacy initiatives and access strategies. - Market outlooks and opportunities for Canadian grain. Participants will engage in practical learning within Cereals Canada’s analytical lab, pilot mill, pilot bakery, pasta plant, and noodle lab.
This workshop offers more than just technical knowledge. Attendees will gain critical insights into: - How their farming practices affect grain quality. - What global customers seek when purchasing Canadian cereals. - New opportunities for improving product value and marketability. The program also fosters a collaborative environment for farmers to discuss industry issues and network with peers and grain industry representatives. 2025 Winnipeg Workshop Schedule Combine to Customer workshops will be held over three sessions: - February 3–5 - February 19–21 - March 10–12 Each session will host a maximum of 20 farmers, ensuring a focused and interactive learning experience. With only 60 spots available, the program is highly competitive. Farmers are encouraged to visit combinetocustomer. ca to learn more and submit their nominations before registration deadlines. Don’t miss this chance to gain unparalleled insights into the grain industry and the future of Canadian cereals.
The AgriPost
December 27, 2024
Thanks, and Keep Focused for 2025
Read the AgriPost online at agripost.ca Past issues in archive
As the year drew to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the immense contributions of those who work tirelessly to feed, clothe, and sustain us. It’s a blessing as a farm journalist to witness the dedication, resilience, and innovation of individuals across the agricultural industry. Each one of you— farmers, suppliers, processors, government workers, and consumers—play a vital role in shaping our food systems and communities. For this, I am deeply thankful. To the farmers: Your commitment to the land and livestock is truly inspiring. Whether you’re tending crops or caring for animals,
your work embodies the heart and soul of agriculture. Through early mornings, long days, and unpredictable weather, you persevere. Your resilience ensures grocers and others can keep shelves, tables full, and communities thrive. Agriculture is not just a profession; it’s a calling, and your dedication does not go unnoticed. To the suppliers: You keep the wheels of agriculture turning. From seed and equipment providers to technology innovators, your work ensures farmers have the tools they need to succeed. In a world where efficiency and sustainability are paramount, your contributions enable farmers to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. You are partners in every sense, supporting the backbone of agriculture. To the processors: You transform raw products into the goods that nourish us all.
Your precision, creativity, and commitment to quality add value to everything agriculture produces. It’s not just about feeding people; it’s about creating experiences, sustaining traditions, and supporting health and wellness. You bridge the gap between the farm and the table, and your work is a testament to the importance of every link in the supply chain. To the government workers: Behind the scenes, you support the policies and programs that make agriculture viable. Your efforts shape the agricultural sector’s framework from research and development to trade negotiations and food safety regulations. Your dedication ensures Canadian agriculture remains competitive and sustainable in a rapidly changing global market. Thank you for your service and commitment.
To the consumers: You are the reason agriculture exists. Your choices shape the direction of the industry, and your support fuels its growth. Whether buying locally sourced produce, supporting sustainable practices, or simply sharing appreciation for the farmers and workers who make it all possible, you play an essential role in this intricate system. Your connection to the food you consume strengthens the bond between farm and fork. As we celebrate Christmas and the New Year, remember the spirit of gratitude and community that binds us all. Agriculture is a collective effort, and each role is essential. In this season of giving, may we extend our appreciation to those who work tirelessly to ensure that we have enough—not just at the holidays but throughout the year.
Looking ahead to 2025, let’s remain hopeful and committed to fostering a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive agricultural industry. May we support one another, embrace challenges with courage, and celebrate the big and small victories that make this journey worthwhile. I leave you with this thought from Galatians 6:9: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t give up.” May this verse encourage us to keep moving forward with faith, hope, and perseverance. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each of you. May your hearts be full, your tables abundant, and your year ahead filled with blessings. Thank you for all you do to make agriculture the vital, vibrant industry it is today.
Trump’s Tariff Gambit a Threat to Canada’s Agri-food Sector By Sylvain Charlebois Few political figures have shaken global markets like US President-Elect Donald Trump. His recent threats to impose sweeping tariffs – 25 per cent on Canadian and Mexican agricultural products and 10 per cent on Chinese goods – sent shockwaves through currency markets, sinking the Canadian dollar by a cent within seconds. These tariffs, framed as leverage to tighten borders and curb immigration and drug trafficking, signal a calculated shift in US economic policy with potentially devastating consequences for Canada’s agri-food sector. In 2023, Canada exported over $40 billion in agrifood products to the United States, accounting for nearly 60 per cent of its total agrifood exports. These goods include grains like wheat and barley, livestock such as beef and pork, and iconic products like maple syrup
and whisky. Canada’s role as a supplier of high-quality agricultural goods to its largest trading partner is critical to the sector’s survival. A 25 per cent tariff on these exports would devastate the already-slim profit margins underpinning food production and trade. Even a five per cent tariff could destabilize supply chains, discourage US importers, and upend decades of economic integration. With Canadian producers more dependent on the US market than at any time since the early 2000s, the stakes are higher than ever. This is not empty posturing. Trump is unlikely to enact policies that harm American consumers, as tariffs on Canadian imports would raise grocery prices in the US – a political risk he is keen to avoid. Instead, he is counting on Canada to yield, given its reliance on the US market and strained diplomatic ties with other major economies like China and India.
For Canada, this is a wakeup call. Ottawa must move beyond short-term fixes like rebate cheques or GST holidays and address the structural vulnerabilities in its agri-food economy. Trump is leveraging America’s economic dominance to gain concessions, and Canada must be prepared to adapt. Adding to the pressure is Canada’s carbon tax, which has further weakened the competitiveness of its agrifood sector. A peer-reviewed study from Dalhousie University highlights how this policy has placed Canadian producers at a disadvantage compared to their US counterparts. With the US likely to step away from the Paris Agreement, American producers face fewer regulatory costs, allowing them to compete more effectively. Combined with a weaker Canadian dollar, this creates strong incentives for US importers and retailers to favour domestic products over Cana-
dian ones, further squeezing Canadian producers. If Canada continues prioritizing retail politics over meaningful economic strategy, the fallout will be felt by every household at the grocery store. Trump’s tariff threats are not mere theatrics – they expose the fragility of North American trade dynamics and demand a strategic response from Ottawa. A cohesive plan to safeguard Canada’s agri-food sector is urgently needed. This means reducing barriers to innovation, revising policies like the carbon tax that hinder competitiveness, and expanding export markets to reduce dependence on the US Strengthening diplomatic relationships with emerging markets, particularly in Asia, must also be a priority. Trump’s approach may seem brash, but it reflects a deliberate strategy to assert US dominance. Canada must rise to the challenge by rethinking its economic poli-
cies and securing its place as a leader in global agriculture. Without bold action, the consequences will reverberate far beyond the farm gate, affecting every Canadian at the checkout line.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, a Canadian professor and researcher specializing in food distribution and policy, is a senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and co-host of The Food Professor Podcast. He is frequently cited in the media for his insights on food prices, agricultural trends, and the global food supply chain. © Troy Media.
The AgriPost
December 27, 2024
Canadian Meat and New Investments Pork Councils Will Result in Celebrate Landmark Agricultural Trade Agreement Expansion with Indonesia By Dan Guetre The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) and Canadian Pork Council (CPC) have lauded the conclusion of negotiations for the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), heralding it as a transformative opportunity for Canada’s meat industry. The agreement, finalized after extensive deliberations, paves the way for enhanced market access to Indonesia, one of the largest and fastest-growing economies in the Indo-Pacific region. With a population of 279 million and a GDP nearing $1.9 trillion, Indonesia represents a significant opportunity for Canadian meat exporters. “This landmark agreement will enhance our industry’s competitiveness and open new avenues for growth,” the CMC said in a joint statement. The CEPA comes at a critical time for Canada’s meat industry, which has been working to diversify its export markets following restricted access to China. Since 2022, CMC’s leadership has actively engaged with Indonesian officials and stakeholders to establish a stronger foothold in the region. A key highlight of the agreement is the inclusion of a robust Sanitary and Phy-
tosanitary (SPS) Chapter. The chapter’s enforcement through a dispute settlement mechanism and the establishment of an ongoing SPS Dialogue aim to enhance transparency and prevent SPS requirements from becoming non-tariff barriers. The agreement also addresses the unique requirements of the Indonesian market, including halal certifications and food safety audits. The Canadian Pork Council expressed its commitment to serving the Indonesian market while respecting cultural traditions and ensuring compliance with these standards. The CEPA includes provisions aligned with the industry’s focus on sustainable and inclusive growth, fostering resilient supply chains in today’s volatile global market. By promoting “more trade and better trade,” the agreement aims to deliver long-term benefits for businesses, workers, and communities across Canada. Both the CMC and CPC emphasized the importance of swift implementation to ensure the agreement delivers tangible benefits. “We look forward to working alongside like-minded partners to drive the success of this ambitious partnership,” the statement concluded.
Manitoba to Open Trade Office in USA By Elmer Heinrichs Manitoba will be getting its own trade office in the U.S. capitol in 2025. During his state of the province address December 3, Premier Wab Kinew said that the trade office in Washington D.C. would go online in the New Year and would offer Manitoba a permanent foothold through which to enhance trade relations. “Manitoba has what America needs and a trade office in the heart of the capital will strengthen trade ties and protect Manitoba jobs as we work with the incoming Trump administration,” said Kinew.
US-Canada trade is key for the agriculture sector, both locally and nationwide. Last year, 48.2 per cent of Manitoba’s agriculture and agri-food exports went to the US, making it by far as the province’s largest trade destination. China, in contrast, was the province’s second-largest customer for agricultural products at only 16.89 per cent. US-Manitoba agri-food trade has also grown. According to a fact sheet published by Manitoba Agriculture, provincial agri-food exports to the US jumped about 6.5 per cent a year during the decade from 2013-2023.
The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing in several major capital infrastructure and investment projects under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP) that will increase food processing capacity in Manitoba, allowing producers to sell more of their product locally and create more agricultural jobs. “We’re supporting Manitoba companies to process more of our homegrown agricultural products right here, so we can grow our agriculture sector and our economy,” said Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn. “Helping food processors scale up production will mean more good Manitoba jobs, an increased value and volume of Manitoba-grown commodities, and a more competitive economy that benefits all Manitobans.” Through Sustainable CAP the governments are investing up to $15.4 million over four years to 70 projects through four streams of the Capital Infrastructure and Investments program. These projects support growth and expansion through capital investments in modernization activities that enhance efficiency, productivity and environmental sustainability. “Burnbrae is proud to have been providing quality eggs and egg products to food service operators, processors and Canadian families for over 80 years,” said Margaret Hudson, president and CEO of Burnbrae Farms. “We are grateful to the federal and provincial governments for recognizing the hard work of our staff and management that made this success possible. The funding from this program will allow us to expand the capacity of our Winnipeg operation and continue to provide a variety of eggs from responsibly raised hens for all Canadians to enjoy.” Some of the companies and their funded projects include: - Burnbrae Farms Limited specializes in egg production and egg based products. This funding is to modernize and improve efficiency at their Winnipeg plant and allow greater capacity. - Kimberly Packing Corporation, under Kroeker Farms Limited is a producer and processor of potatoes in southern Manitoba. This funding will allow them to package their product in Manitoba, a process currently done outside the province. - Roquette Canada Limited is investing in new equipment at its Portage la Prairie pea protein plant, the largest pea protein processing plant in the world. This will double their production and allow local producers to sell more of their product in Manitoba. - Spenst Bros Premium Meats is a farm family owned pizza production facility, retail store and meat processing plant located in Winkler. The project involves expanding the market for their popular frozen pizza products across Canada. Funding will allow organizations to purchase equipment that will bring new and innovative technologies into the production process, improving productivity and leading to increased employment and scaled up production. “Roquette searched far and wide when looking for the perfect place to build our stateof-the-art pea protein plant,” said Chris Chinery, manager, Roquette Portage Pea Protein Plant. “We settled on Manitoba and more precisely, Portage la Prairie, because of the potential we saw for partnering with government to foster innovation and help create a hub for sustainable, plant-based ingredients that will help feed North America and the world. Over the years, we have been delighted to see that potential become reality and remain grateful for that partnership.”
December 27, 2024
The AgriPost
Greenbelt Will Improve Water Quality in Manitoba’s River Systems
By Elmer Heinrichs
Parks Canada is establishing an ecological corridor in Manitoba to conserve biodiversity and protect natural habitat. The Little Saskatchewan River corridor project will create a belt of green space along the Little Saskatchewan River from Riding Mountain National Park to the Assiniboine River, Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid said at a news conference at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg on Friday. “Like many Manitobans, I grew up with fond memories of the river, the park and everywhere in between. These landscapes hold a special place in our heart, not just because of their beauty, but for their role in sustaining our communities and our ecosystems,” Duguid said. Parks Canada will provide nearly $1 million in funding for the project, which is aimed at improving water quality in local river systems and helping maintain species at risk. “Protecting our shared natural heritage is one of the most important responsibilities of any government,” Duguid said. Parks Canada announced recently that it would provide nearly $6 million in funding for nine ecological corridor projects, including the Little Saskatchewan corridor. “We’re proud that Manitoba’s been chosen to be one of the provinces in which an ecological corridor is funded,” said Jon Gerrard, a former Manitoba Liberal MLA and MP. Canada has set a target of protecting biodiversity and water quality by 2030. “It’s an ambitious goal, but one we must achieve to safeguard our natural heritage for generations to come,” said Duguid, parliamentary secretary to the prime minister and special advisor for water. To be most effective, these protected areas must be properly connected to ensure species can move freely, interact and find food and suitable habitat, he said. The corridor will be developed in collaboration with municipal governments, willing landowners and Indigenous groups, and will be managed to ensure sustainable development and livelihoods exist along it for decades to come, Duguid said. “Imagine this - a safe passage for endangered species like the short-eared owl and the red-headed woodpecker, a thriving habitat for moose, deer and black bears,” Duguid said. “We are making a commitment to conservation that honours the land’s history and secures its future,” he added.
Biosecurity Efforts at Work - Manitoba Sees One PED Case This Year
By Harry Siemens Cam Dahl, General Manager of Manitoba Pork, confirmed a case of PED (Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea) in a finishing barn in southeastern Manitoba. He highlighted the effectiveness of on-farm biosecurity efforts, noting that this case reported in December 2024 was the first one in 2024. “In previous cycles, we would have seen a significant number of cases earlier, such as during the past spring,” Dahl said. He said this delayed appearance demonstrates the success of preventative measures implemented across the province. Manitoba Pork remains vigilant in its efforts to control and mitigate the spread of PED. Jenelle Hamblin, Director of Swine Health at Manitoba Pork, said, “What we’re seeing on the ground here with our first case of PED this season is certainly not unexpected. When drafting our PED elimination plan, we anticipated cases emerging in 2024.” Hamblin said it’s a testament to the industry that producers have kept the case numbers down until now. The appearance of a case does not mean the plan is a failure. The focus remains on effective cleanup and maintaining active measures to control and eliminate the disease. In the past, farm journalists could enter hog barns with relative ease. However, with tightened biosecurity protocols, gaining access has become a carefully orchestrated process. This fall, Harry Siemens with the Agripost had the rare opportunity to visit a hog barn, an experience that highlighted the industry’s unwavering commitment to protecting swine health. The process began at the farmhouse—not the barn—
where Siemens was picked up and driven to the facility. Upon arrival, they familiarized themselves with the layout, noting that the office was on one side and the barn on the other, separated by a half wall. They carefully crossed the barrier one foot at a time to transition to the barn. Before proceeding further, there were strict protocols to adhere to inside the barn, including showering and changing into provided clothing. Even the cell phones underwent thorough disinfection to ensure safe use for photography. Every step underscored the seriousness with which the industry approaches biosecurity, emphasizing the importance of animal health. Jenelle Hamblin responded, “Exactly, Harry. Everything you described is about creating those transition zones to leave the dirty stuff behind. It’s about ensuring cleanliness at every step—changing into clean clothes and using their designated items. You’ve experienced it firsthand, and that’s exactly the goal, maintaining strict biosecurity to protect the animals.” She noted what happens on the ground when a PED case is suspected. Hamblin outlined the immediate actions taken when clinical signs suggest a potential Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) case. “Whenever we receive a report of clinical signs, the farm is immediately placed under biocontainment,” Hamblin explained stressing that this protocol goes into action as soon as any signs emerge that could indicate PED. Diagnostic samples are then collected and sent for testing to confirm the presence of the virus. “Once PED is confirmed, the farm remains under strict biocontainment measures,” she added.
Todd Bergen-Henengouwen, a farmer, consultant, and researcher at Serecon Consulting near Picture Butte, Alberta, moderated the panel at the Manitoba Pork meetings preparing for African Swine Fever. Photos by Harry Siemens
Cam Dahl, General Manager of Manitoba Pork, confirmed a case of PED (Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea) in a finishing barn in southeastern Manitoba. He highlighted the effectiveness of on-farm biosecurity efforts, noting that this case reported in December 2024 was the first one in 2024.
Producers work closely with their veterinarians to implement a detailed PED elimination plan to ensure the virus’s eradication while minimizing further risks. This rapid response and collaboration highlight the importance of biocontainment and strategic planning in protecting Manitoba\ u2019s swine industry from the spread of PED. Manitoba Pork’s response to a PED case involves a coordinated sector-wide effort. Barn managers work closely with veterinarians to implement biocontainment and elimination protocols tailored to the specific production type, such as sow, nursery, or finisher operations. Manitoba Pork and Manitoba Agriculture support these efforts by enacting a notification protocol, informing producers within a five-kilometre radius of the infected farm to enhance biosecurity and mitigate risks. This collaborative approach ensures swift containment and effective management of PED outbreaks, protecting Manitoba’s swine industry. Producers must stay vigilant for clinical signs of PED and report them to their veterinarians immediately to ensure swift action and necessary precautions. Extra attention is critical in southeastern regions, where the potential for virus spread is higher. Doubling down on biosecurity measures is essential to containing the virus and preventing further outbreaks. Prompt reporting and strict biosecurity are key to protecting Manitoba’s swine industry.
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Securing Trust: The Future of Canadian Dairy Amid Global Challenges By Harry Siemens David Wiens, president of the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), said at the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba AGM that a cornerstone of DFC’s efforts is the Canadian dairy branding program featuring the iconic Blue Cow logo. “The Blue Cow logo has a very high recognition rate, with up to 90% of Canadians recognizing it,” Wiens said. “It reminds Canadians they can easily identify Canadian dairy products.” He highlighted the program’s success as more processors adopt the logo, acknowledging its value. This initiative proves crucial as increased imports from trade agreements challenge the market. The branding program strengthens consumer trust in Canadian dairy. Wiens said that in the face of these international trade challenges, the Blue Cow logo plays a vital role in safeguarding the visibility and trust of Canadian dairy products. “It becomes even more critical that consumers can easily identify a Canadian dairy product,” he said. He pointed to the high trust rating that Canadian dairy farmers continue to enjoy among consumers, a reputation that the industry works hard to maintain. Over the past year, efforts have focused on strengthening these initiatives, addressing shifting trade dynamics from the recent US elections and the upcoming 2026 CUSMA review. Wiens recognized the potential for CUSMA renegotiations based on US campaign rhetoric and stressed the need to monitor developments closely. He emphasized strategically positioning the Canadian dairy sector through government collaboration to prevent adverse outcomes. He highlighted stalled Canada-UK trade talks but sees the UK’s participation in the CPTPP as a potential path for access without immediate bilateral agreements.
“The urgency around this issue may have eased somewhat,” he explained. Ultimately, Wiens underscored the need to maintain a strong branding program and collaborative efforts to navigate these challenges effectively; ensuring Canadian dairy thrives in an increasingly competitive global market. He said that the Blue Cow branding program extends beyond product identification to showcase the values and practices of Canadian dairy farmers. “Our branding program highlights how Canadian farmers produce milk, focusing on animal care and striving for greater sustainability.” A key component of this commitment is the industry’s carbon-neutral goal for 2050. Wiens acknowledged that while not all the answers are available today, the dairy industry has made significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint over the past two decades. These advancements stem largely from improved farm efficiencies, demonstrating the industry’s proactive approach to sustainability. “Why not continue?” he asked, emphasizing that environmental and economic sustainability must go handin-hand. Wiens noted that consumers value these efforts and appreciate that Canadian dairy farmers prioritize the environment and their animals’ well-being. As the industry navigates evolving challenges in trade and climate commitments, Wiens reaffirmed that maintaining a balance between these priorities is essential for Canadian dairy’s longterm success and trust. The Blue Cow branding program remains a cornerstone in communicating these values to consumers, ensuring they feel confident in choosing Canadian dairy products. Wiens emphasized that the sustainability of Canadian dairy rests on three interconnected pillars: social, envi-
ronmental, and economic sustainability. “Social sustainability ensures that consumers feel aligned with the values behind their food production. This connection is vital,” he said. Economic sustainability supports environmental goals by enabling farmers to invest in practices that reduce their ecological impact. The DFC works closely with farmers nationwide, providing tools to measure on-farm performance and promoting programs to help implement sustainable practices. He noted the encouraging uptake of these initiatives, reflecting farmers’ commitment to continuous improvement. Wiens also pointed to DFC’s ongoing research efforts in collaboration with provincial organizations. This research spans dairy production and human health, offering untapped potential for positive narratives. “There are many good stories in this research not being told,” he said. The insights gained from these studies drive progress in environmental and economic sustainability, further strengthening the industry’s foundation. By focusing on these three pillars, DFC ensures that Canadian dairy remains a trusted, innovative, and sustainable choice for consumers while supporting farmers in adapting to changing demands and challenges. “It’s all interconnected,” Wiens said, underscoring the importance of balancing values, science, and economics for the future of Canadian dairy. In collaboration with provincial boards, Dairy Farmers of Canada has made significant strides in advancing key initiatives, including sustainability, branding, and research. By working together efficiently and avoiding duplication of efforts, DFC continues to focus on social, environmental, and economic sustainability to ensure the long-term success of Canadian dairy.
David Wiens, president of the Dairy Farmers of Canada said at the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba AGM that a cornerstone is the Canadian dairy branding program featuring the iconic Blue Cow logo. Photo by Harry Siemens
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December 27, 2024
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Do More Agriculture Foundation Names New Executive Director The Do More Agriculture Foundation (DMAF), Canada’s leading voice and champion for mental health in agriculture, is thrilled to announce Merle Massie as the organization’s new Executive Director. Drawing from her experience at the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, Massie is truly committed to improving mental health outcomes for agricultural producers throughout Canada. “I’ve been an avid supporter of Do More Ag and its mission since its inception, because I know firsthand the difficulty in meeting mental health needs in rural spaces,” said Massie. “I am beyond energized to be asked by the board to take the reins at Do More Ag, and guide it on the continued journey of good disruption for better mental health right across the Canadian agriculture industry.” A distinguished researcher and author, Massie combines academic rigour with
community engagement to bring substantial and sustainable change. Her vision as Executive Director is to ensure DMAF continues to foster and grow an agriculture industry where mental health is supported, prioritized, and normalized. “With her professional acumen and passion for the cause, she will lead the organization in a new chapter of impact in furthering the mental health of the agricultural community,” remarked Lauren Martin, Chair of the Board of DMAF. The transition follows the successful tenure of former Executive Director Megz Reynolds, during which DMAF made significant progress in forging partnerships and advancing mental health awareness. With Massie at the helm, DMAF looks forward to continuing its growth and impact, empowering every individual in agriculture to prioritize their personal mental health, and to feel confident supporting others on that journey.
The Do More Agriculture Foundation (DMAF), Canada’s leading voice and champion for mental health in agriculture, announced Merle Massie as the organization’s new Executive Director. Photos Facebook / DMAF
Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance Urges Strengthening of Trade and Infrastructure in Wake of Protectionist Trends By Dan Guetre The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) has submitted a detailed letter to Global Affairs Canada, emphasizing the critical role of the agri-food sector in bolstering Canada’s economic security and urging the government to prioritize trade and infrastructure investments. In response to public consultations on potential measures to enhance economic security, Michael Harvey, Executive Director of CAFTA, highlighted the significant contribution of agri-food exports to Canada’s economy. The sector, responsible for 1 in 9 Canadian jobs, exported $92.8 billion in agricultural and food products in 2022 alone. CAFTA stressed the importance of maintaining and strengthening the international rules-based trading system, which underpins 9095% of Canada’s agri-food trade. The letter warned against adopting measures that could weaken this system, even in the face of global economic challenges and harmful practices by other nations. “Canada’s economic success relies on the ability to
export agri-food products under a fair and predictable system,” Harvey stated. “Undermining this system risks jeopardizing our economic security in the name of protecting it.” The letter called for continued multilateral engagement, urging Canada to work with like-minded nations to uphold global trade rules and revitalize the World Trade Organization (WTO). CAFTA also recommended leveraging partnerships with allies like the US, EU, and Japan in forums such as the G7 and G20. To mitigate political risks, CAFTA advocated for diversifying Canada’s export markets by concluding trade negotiations with Indonesia and ASEAN. It also called for optimizing existing agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) to address non-tariff barriers. The alliance praised the establishment of the IndoPacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila, describing it as a strategic investment to strengthen Canada’s trade diploma-
cy and reduce regulatory misunderstandings in key emerging markets. CAFTA identified Canada’s aging supply chain infrastructure as a significant obstacle to trade efficiency. It urged the government to invest in redundancy, modernization, and expansion to meet the growing demands of the agri-food sector. Specific recommendations included building an additional bridge at Vancouver’s Second Narrows to ease port congestion, expanding berth capacity, and advancing projects like the Roberts Bank Terminal 2. “Canada’s supply chain delays are tarnishing our reputation as a reliable trading partner,” Harvey warned. “Visionary investments are essential to protect our economic security and ensure the smooth flow of goods.” CAFTA’s letter concluded with a plea for the government to prioritize agri-food trade and infrastructure as cornerstones of Canada’s economic security strategy. “With the right measures, Canada can reinforce its position as a global leader in agri-food exports, providing economic stability at home while feeding the world,” Harvey wrote.
Canadian Red Meat Industry to Open Canadian Meat Advocacy Office in Beijing In collaboration with the Canadian Meat Council (CMC), the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), and the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), the Canadian red meat industry has announced the launch of the Canadian Meat Advocacy Office based in Beijing, China. The Canadian pork and beef industries have a longstanding partnership with and commitment to the Chinese market. The creation of this office is a dynamic step in ensuring that the two countries’ collaboration continues to grow. For decades, Canada has
earned the trust of Chinese consumers by providing reliable, sustainable, and wholesome products. The launch of this office is a tangible demonstration that the Canadian pork and beef industries are eager and ready to have a stronger presence in China’s impressive and competitive market. Preparation has been ongoing for several years in collaboration with the Canadian government, Canada China Business Council (CCBC), and leaders across the sector to develop and execute a business model that is attentive and responsive
to the needs of Canadian producers and processors. “The chance to demonstrate our commitment to such an important market is an opportunity that we are very excited about,” said David Typer, Chair of the Canadian Meat Advocacy Board. “We will soon begin our search for a China representative. Once the hiring process is complete, operations will be launched.” As the first of its kind, this office will begin the process of further strengthening relationships with the red meat industry in China, government agencies, and most importantly, consumers.
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December 27, 2024
New Leadership at Assiniboine College’s Russ Edwards School of Agriculture and Environment By Harry Siemens Assiniboine College recently welcomed Dr. Nicole Gaudette as the new Dean of the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment. Dr. Gaudette brings extensive expertise in post-secondary research, innovation, and policy development, recently serving as the Director of Post-Secondary Research and Innovation Strategy in the Ministry of Advanced Education for the Province of Alberta. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing the School’s mission of promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental practices and driving the next phase of the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture project. “With Dr. Gaudette’s leadership, the Edwards School will continue to build strong connections across Canada’s agricultural technology ecosystem and participate in high-impact research that addresses the needs of local, national, and global communities,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine College. “Nicole’s appointment reinforces Assiniboine College’s dedication to applied research with practical, real-world applications and to developing talent ready to drive change in the agriculture, environment, and related technology sectors.” Born in Regina, Dr. Gaudette has deep agricultural
Assiniboine College recently welcomed Dr. Nicole Gaudette as the new Dean of the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment. Submitted photo
roots, with her father farming land southeast of the city. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Regina, a BSc in human nutrition from the University of Manitoba, and a PhD in sensory science from Brock University, where she studied at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute. After completing her PhD, she joined the Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc, Alberta, as a Senior Sensory Scientist with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. She was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. She also held various roles with the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) and the Government of Alberta. Continuing her passion for learning, she is currently pursuing a parttime MBA at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Gaudette expressed her excitement about joining Assiniboine College. “I am honoured to join a strong team with passion and dedication to the student experience, the industry, and our community. The opportunity to work with the team to tackle challenges and opportunities that impact our School, college, partners, and stakeholders excites me,” she said. “After spending over a decade in Alberta, I’m eager to meet new people and develop strong relationships in the community and across Manitoba. I’m looking forward to listening and learning from those in the Edwards School, the college, and the community, including the agriculture and agrifood industries—to hear and understand their perspectives about the challenges and opportunities.” Dr. Gaudette’s appointment marks a significant step forward for the Russ
Edwards School. It strengthens its commitment to innovation and collaboration and prepares graduates to address critical agriculture and environmental sustainability challenges. Her diverse background and dedication to fostering excellence ensure an exciting future for the School and its community. “We look forward to the future of the Edwards School and know Dr. Gaudette will be a tremendous complement and leader to our strong, passionate team at Assiniboine,” said Dr. Deanna Rexe, Vice President Academic at Assiniboine College. “Her deep knowledge and extensive experience in research, innovation, and policy development will align well with our commitment to foster students that embrace educational excellence, promote sustainability, and serve to bolster the growing agriculture and agri-food sector.” As Dean of the Edwards School, Dr. Nicole Gaudette will spearhead strategies to boost research revenue through federal programs, expand research opportunities, and foster industry-postsecondary collaborations. Her primary focus will be working closely with faculty and staff to ensure graduates get equipped with the skills and competencies needed to meet the evolving demands of today’s agriculture and environmental sectors.
Manitoba Expands Resilient Landscape Program By Elmer Heinrichs The Manitoba government is expanding its resilient agricultural landscape program (RALP). The changes are in the area of carbon sequestration and grassland resilience practices. Manitoba agriculture minister Ron Kostyshyn said with increased climate variability making it even more difficult for producers; programs must align with the needs of Manitoba producers to encourage sustainable farming. The change opens the program for all primary producers, community pastures, agricultural Crown land forage leaseholders, Indigenous primary producers, and communities to access funding. Selected applicants will receive 75 per cent of the total approved eligible costs up to a maximum of $15,000 per project. Applications are being accepted until January 22. Projects must be completed in 18 months.
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Farms Earn Top Watershed District Awards By Elmer Heinrichs Three southern Manitoba farms have earned watershed district awards. Handed out annually by the Manitoba Association of Watersheds and Manitoba’s 14 watershed districts, the awards recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals directly associated with the growth and success of watershed districts in the province. One of the awards recognized The Dogs Run Farm, located in Clearwater in the Pembina Valley Watershed District, is operated Colin & Katie McInnes. Also in the Pembina valley watershed district is Fresh Roots Farm in Cartwright, operated by Troy Stozek and Michelle Schram who were recognized with the prestigious award. Finally, Ale Riedstra of Riedbow Dairy in the Redboine watershed district came away with one of the top watershed awards for 2024. And Randy Dow of the Pembina Valley Watershed District was presented with the watershed staff builder award. Dow joined the Pembina valley watershed district in 1997 and still holds the position of resource technician 26 years later. Apart from delivering the district’s “on the ground” program, Dow has trained many summer students, has ongoing communication with other districts, and has organized technician meetings and workshops over the years.
Canadian Pork Sector’s Priorities Highlighted The plan for African Swine Fever (ASF), improved trade access, and ongoing access to labour and immigration programs for the pork industry were some of the key points the Canadian Pork Council and the Canadian Meat Council representatives raised with Parliamentarians, government officials and partners during the industry’s fall meetings in Ottawa. The CPC and the CMC highlighted the need for an ASF trade recovery program to ensure Canada’s pork producers can swiftly regain market access and stabilize the industry in the event of an outbreak. Both councils stressed the importance of a reliable agricultural workforce, urging the government to prioritize solutions that support the sector’s year-round labour needs, which are essential to maintaining production and meeting the demands of the domestic and international markets. “These are important days for our industry,” said René Roy, Chair of the CPC. “By joining forces with the Canadian Meat Council, we presented a united front to advocate for the priorities of the Canadian pork sector. Our conversations emphasized the urgent need to address challenges like ASF, expand trade opportunities, and agriculture’s unique labour needs, priorities which are crucial for sustaining and growing our industry. We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers to advance these priorities.” This year’s joint effort underscored the CPC’s and the CMC’s commitment to building strong relationships with policymakers and amplifying the voice of Canada’s pork industry. “Our joint lobby day showcased the power of collaboration,” said Chris White, President and CEO, CMC, Canada Pork. Together, we were able to effectively spotlight issues affecting both producers and processors in a way that demonstrates our industry’s cohesive vision for the future. We are grateful to all the parliamentarians and officials who joined us and look forward to building on these discussions.”
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Passing the Torch: Young Rancher’s Cattle Journey Begins By Harry Siemens Ten-year-old Castleton Scott of Oakview showed a calf at the annual Manitoba Ag Ex cattle show in Brandon this past fall. In August, this young rancher bought the calf himself from Ian Smith of Argyle for $2,200. With his father Shawn’s guidance and support, Castleton has a real interest in cattle and a keen eye for quality. I stopped by his family’s pen in Barn 4 at the Keystone Centre to see their Shorthorn cattle. There he stood proudly in front of his latest purchase, which he had already shown twice at Ag Ex and may take to the big cattle show in Regina this November. When Castleton purchased the calf from Smith, he gifted the young cattle producer a pocket knife and tape measure, both engraved with ‘Armac Shorthorn’—a small gesture that brought the boy much joy. It’s heartening to see young people like Castleton take such an active interest in the cattle industry. The Shorthorn breed, known for being docile and manageable, has become an excellent fit for 4-H kids, especially since handled from birth in Smith’s barn. “Over time, I’ve provided calves to more young 4-H members who find these calves easy to work with, train, and lead,” said Smith. “It’s a pleasure to support the next generation of cattle producers and watch their enthusiasm for the industry grow.” Castleton, the young cattle enthusiast, stood proudly at the Manitoba Ag Ex cattle
show and was eager to talk about his journey. “I paid for it myself,” a proud Castleton remarked. And he added that he was there “to show cattle.” With his dad by his side, Castleton beamed as he talked about his love for cattle. “Yeah, I’ve shown a couple of times,” he noted. When asked about his results, he smiled and mentioned his achievements. “Today, I won a third and a second.” A promising young rancher, Castleton’s enthusiasm and accomplishments are a testament to his dedication and passion for the industry. Shawn, Castleton’s dad, shared more about his son’s interest in cattle. “…with this heifer, he’ll own, when she’s bred, he’ll own eight females,” explained Shawn. When asked about his own cattle, Shawn explained with a chuckle, “I don’t own anything. I manage a feedlot, so I look after a pile of cattle. I just don’t own them all.” He described the operation. “We feed a couple thousand, and we put about 1,500 on grass.” It’s clear that while Castleton is building his own herd, his dad plays a major role in the industry, working with large numbers of cattle every day. When asked if he’d always liked cattle, Castleton replied confidently, “Yeah.” And when pressed for why, he simply said, “I don’t know. I just like cattle.” With a smile, it was clear this was reason enough.
Ten-year-old Castleton Scott of Oakview showed a calf at the annual Manitoba Ag Ex cattle show in Brandon. Photos by Harry Siemens
Sometimes, the best passions don’t need a reason; they come naturally. “That steer over there is from his heifer from last year’s 4H,” Shawn proudly shared. “We won Lundar Fair with the cow-calf pair and took home the win in 4H too. I guess he wants to be in it.” Hearing the pride in Shawn’s voice and seeing Castleton’s dedication, it’s clear the passion for cattle is becoming a family legacy. Shawn chuckled and probed hi son. “Who finances you, Castleton? Tell them.” With a grin, Castleton answered, “My grandma is the bank.” Shawn laughed, adding, “If he needs money, she helps him out, and then he sells cattle and pays her back. It works better than my bank— no interest charges!” Castleton has a solid support system in his family for
With his father Shawn’s guidance and support, Castleton has a real interest in cattle and a keen eye for quality.
his budding cattle business. “I know I could have gotten more; other Shorthorn breeders told me I sold it too cheap,” reflected Smith. “But that’s not me. I was a kid once, just like this little guy.” Smith’s approach highlights his commitment to supporting the next generation in agriculture. He values the opportunity to help young cattle enthusiasts like Castleton over a higher price.
“Fall on the Farm” Alway Popular at Mennonite Heritage Village By Elmer Heinrichs Members of the Froese family from the Grunthal area have been demonstrating the pioneer skill of hog butchering at the annual Fall on the Farm Day at the Mennonite Heritage Village for much more than a decade. They cheerfully spend a long day of slicing and cutting, while preparing a whole hog for everything from head cheese, and crackles, to
smoked bacon and spare ribs. All the while, members of the family answer questions and show visitors how each part of the pig was used and how things used to be done by pioneers on a farm back then. They very much needed to be self-sufficient. For many older museum visitors, who dropped by the demonstration table, this was the way they remembered it as it used to be, but for the
Bill and Sheila Froese family this is very much the way it still is. Museum interim executive director Robert Goertzen says this year’s Fall on the Farm program was an effort to make everyone feel welcome at the museum. Mennonite Heritage Village is not just about Mennonites and provides an opportunity to share that culture and history with so many people of other
backgrounds, he said. A popular social event for the early pioneers was the farm auction and the Mennonite Heritage Village took the opportunity to include a small sample again this year. In the past, a fund-raising auction of donated items was an annual event at the museum, but recently it has been a way to cap off the summer for the museum’s pork producers.
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December 27, 2024
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Blending Farm Tradition and Innovation in Beef and Dairy By Harry Siemens
plays volleyball,” they said. When they’re not farming, attending board meetings, or selling corn seed, they’re in a rink or gymnasium, fully immersed in their kids’ sports activities. Rich Lane Farms is run as a true partnership, building their operation together from the ground up. Richard shared the backstory. “When Kristin and I met, I worked as a herdsman on a local dairy farm. Kristin, originally from Portage la Prairie, came from a beef and grain farming family. She brought her 30 beef cows—4H calves she and her siblings raised,” he recalled. That was the beginning of Rich Lane Farms. “We bought a quarter of land and started with those 30 beef cows,” Richard explained. Both worked full-time off the farm and over time, they expanded the beef herd to 200 cows and operated 1,000 acres of hay and pastureland. However, Richard’s lifelong passion for dairy farming led them to take a bold step. “Six years ago, we decided to pursue dairy farming. I grew up on a dairy farm and had always worked in the industry, so it was something we always wanted to do,” he says. The two sold most of their beef herd and pastureland, reinvested the profits, and applied to the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba’s New Entrant Program. On August 1, 2018, they milked their first cows, officially launching the dairy side of their farm. Today, Rich Lane Farms continues to thrive as a testament to their hard work, shared vision, and dedication to their agricultural roots. When asked about the secret to their successful partnership, Richard shared the balance they’ve struck in their roles. Richard thrives on the production side, managing the day-to-day work on the farm.
“My drive has always been to get up early in the morning and be outside,” said Richard. Kristy-Layne complements this with her knack for the business side involved in the day-to-day work as well— feeding the cows every morning and helping out—but the key is being sharp on the numbers side nowadays. This division of responsibilities, with Richard focusing on production and Kristy-Layne on finances, creates a balance that keeps their farm running smoothly. “We both meet in the middle to balance and manage it all,” he said, reflecting on the strength of their partnership. Succession planning is a priority that can’t be delayed, so Rich Lane Farms started early. Richard and Kristy-Layne’s oldest son is 16, the daughter is 13, and twins are 11. “While we haven’t formalized a strategy yet, the children must genuinely want to farm. I don’t want to push them into roles they might resent, but I want to provide opportunities for them, knowing how difficult it was for us to enter the farming business,” said Richard. Their son already owns part of the beef herd, taking on some ownership, and all the children are involved in the day-to-day work. “With our busy schedule, the rule in our house is the work comes first, because it provides the opportunities, like going to the rink. A succession plan will continue to evolve as we move forward,” said Richard. “We’re in a good spot with our farm right now, having gained experience in the beef business and expanding into dairy,” said Kristy-Layne. “We’re optimistic about the future and hopeful for growth in the marketplace. Our focus remains on improving cash flow, building equity, and continuing to strengthen our operation.”
When asked about their spare time, Richard and Kristy-Layne Carr laugh, “In all of our spare time, we sit in hockey rinks all across Manitoba.” With four children, their schedules are packed.
Rich Lane Farms, near La Broquerie is a dynamic operation blending beef and dairy farming.
Rich Lane Farms, located just southeast of La Broquerie, MB, is a dynamic operation blending beef and dairy farming. “We milk 55 Holstein cows twice a day in a double-eight parlour and manage 80 commercial Angus beef cows that calve in the spring,” said Richard. The farm also crops about 250 acres and is dedicated entirely to forage production to feed beef and dairy herds. Dairy producers Richard and Kristy-Layne Carr of Rich Lane Farms, based in Marchand, MB, were named Manitoba’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2022 at the Manitoba regional event in Brandon. Rich Lane Farms began in 2006 when Kristy-Layne moved her 4-H beef herd from Portage la Prairie to La Broquerie. Initially a hobby farm, the operation gradually expanded to include 250 head of cattle and over 1,000 acres. In 2018, the couple entered the dairy industry after being selected for the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba New Entrant Program. Today, the farm milks 55 Holstein cows in a doubleeight parlour, with milk cows housed in a straw pack barn and young stock raised outdoors. In addition, they manage 60 Black Angus beef cows, with most of the feed for both herds grown on the farm. Their crops include silage corn, alfalfa, millet, forage oats, and ryegrass. They use minimal equipment and rely on custom operators for fieldwork and harvest. When asked about their spare time, Richard and Kristy-Layne Carr laugh, “In all of our spare time, we sit in hockey rinks all across Manitoba.” With four children, their schedules are packed. “Two of our kids play hockey, one of our daughter’s plays ringette, and another
Dairy producers Richard and Kristy-Layne Carr of Rich Lane Farms, based in Marchand, MB, were named Manitoba’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2022 at the Manitoba regional event in Brandon. Today, the farm milks 55 Holstein cows in a double-eight parlour, with milk cows housed in a straw pack barn and young stock raised outdoors. In addition, they manage 60 Black Angus beef cows, with most of the feed for both herds grown on the farm. Their crops include silage corn, alfalfa, millet, forage oats, and ryegrass. They use minimal equipment and rely on custom operators for fieldwork and harvest.
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Cash Advances Begin Issuing on Winter Cereals Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has received approval to start issuing cash advances on winter wheat and fall rye planted in fall 2024 through Agriculture and AgriFood Canada’s Advance Payments Program (APP). The APP is a federal loan program administered by MCA. It offers Canadian farmers marketing flexibility through interest-free and low-interest cash advances. Under the program, eligible farmers are eligible to receive up to $1,000,000, with the Government of Canada paying the interest on the first $100,000 of the advance for the 2025 program year. Funds can be issued in three to five business days once the application process is complete. MCA’s interest rate on interest-bearing cash advances is competitive with major banks and credit unions. “Our friendly and knowledgeable APP staff understand the complex financial needs of farmers,” says MCA chair Robert Misko. “The friendly and personalized service they provide to clients keeps them coming back to us year after year for their cash advance needs.” To apply for an advance under the 2025 program year on winter wheat and fall rye planted in fall 2024, farmers can phone MCA’s office at 1-204-745-6661 or toll-free at 1-877-598-5685 to request an application form. MCA also continues to process applications for the 2024 program year on more than 35 crop kinds and honey. If farmers would like to be notified regarding APP-specific information, please email hello@mbcropalliance. ca to be added to the subscriber list. More information on the APP can be found at mbcropalliance.ca.
Community Grow Project Volunteers Feted at Banquets By Elmer Heinrichs Community growing projects across Manitoba have been busy with post-harvest gatherings to wrap up project activities and most also participated in appreciation suppers for all Foodgrain Bank supporters. Foodgrains representative Gordon Janzen, who hosted two suppers, said he felt it an honour to meet many of them and to thank them for the impactful support that your gifts of time, energy, and funds offer to people experiencing hunger around the world. Music is often part of these end of season events, and recently the lively music of Ainsley and Travis Rintoul performed for the FOCUS growing project supper. And the Greenwald Colony women’s choir brought some lovely choral music to the Foodgrains Bank appreciation supper in Winnipeg. Two hundred people gathered in Thunder Bay for a gala meal and an auction hosted by the Thunder Bay community growing project. Auction items ranged from beef packages to a meal for six prepared by a volunteer and catered at the winner’s home. Trudy Reid, one of the volunteers, helped to distribute packages of beef to auction winners. Janzen also shares that for the seventh consecutive year, the Foodgrains Bank has been named a Top 10 Canadian charity by Charity Intelligence Canada for its demonstrated impact per dollar donated. “This honour reflects our commitment to stewarding the donations of our supporters responsibly while transparently reporting on how those funds are used to help people experiencing hunger around the world,“ said Janzen. Janzen also noted that recently the Manitoba Legislature paused during the day’s Question Period to recognize the CHOICE growing project (Carman & Elm Creek area) for their support of Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
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Little Things Done Right Add Up By Harry Siemens Ken Engele, the Prairie Swine Centre’s manager of knowledge transfer, said that when it comes to management, little things done right add up. Speaking at the recent Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2024 in Saskatoon, Engele said two surveys of pork producers conducted by Prairie Swine Centre and CDQP in partnership with Swine Innovation Porc looked at all production phases. Engele said the research was a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving on-farm practices across Canadian pork production facilities. “We combined research results from various organizations over the past several years to identify the best management practices for producers,” he says. Supported by Swine Innovation Pork, the project also included a comprehensive survey of pork producers to gather valuable insights directly from the industry. He said the first phase included a detailed questionnaire and on-farm visits, while the second phase followed up with a more straightforward survey. These surveys, which relied on self-reported data from pork producers, examined all main production phases - from breeding to marketing and delved into critical areas like feeder management, water management, personal protection, and biosecurity. “We aimed to cover basic
production parameters in each area,” said Engele. Engele focused on critical topics such as biosecurity, personal protection, enrichment throughout the production phases, water use and management, and feeder design and management. The comprehensive approach ensured valuable insights into the best practices for pork production across Canada. He shared the key findings from the comprehensive surveys, which examined 15 sectors of pork production. “It was an all-encompassing project,” he noted. “And one of the main outcomes emphasized the importance of adjusting nipple drinkers and managing water use—critical driving factors in efficient production.” The surveys revealed a wide range of performance levels among producers, highlighting areas where producers could improve. Engele underscores that feed costs remain the single largest expense in production, making feeder design, management, and adjustment a consistent priority for optimizing efficiency. “Feed will always be the highest cost, so ensuring proper feeder practices is crucial,” he explains. The insights offer valuable guidance for improving operations across the pork industry. He emphasized the significant benefits of enrichment in pork production. “Enrichment has lots
of added benefits,” he explains. “Other presentations at the symposium have demonstrated that it not only improves animal welfare but also provides a positive economic return.” This dual advantage makes enrichment valuable for producers, enhancing the animals’ well-being and operations’ financial sustainability. Engele highlighted the project’s long-term nature, which will continue with additional industry input over the next four years. “We’ve followed this project for the past five or six years, allowing us to track original producers throughout the process and observe improvements in their operations,” said Engele. The project’s knowledge transfer program also addresses specific areas where results fall short of expectations. “We create targeted communications to address these areas and drive that information to the industry, aiming to enhance adoption of best practices,” he said. He emphasized the importance of focusing on best management practices, noting their cumulative impact. “The day-to-day tasks on the farm might not seem exciting or important individually,” he said. “But, as I shared in my example, it’s like hitting lots of singles instead of home runs. When you consistently do everything right, the combined effect is far greater
Ken Engele, the Prairie Swine Centre’s manager spoke at a Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium in Saskatoon focused on critical topics such as biosecurity, personal protection, enrichment throughout the production phases, water use and management, and feeder design and managePhoto source LinkedIn ment.
than expected, driving meaningful improvements in operations.” He said the cumulative benefits of best management practices are like one plus one. Doing all the little things right consistently creates a much greater effect than any individual effort alone. Currently, in phase three of the project, supported by Swine Innovation Pork, the focus is on continuing to measure and encourage adopting these practices. Over the next two to four years, the team will gather industry input and revisit the original farms that participated in the project five years ago to assess their progress in implementing these practices. “Producers know best management practices, but with the day-to-day demands of farming, they easily get lost. There’s always a thousand things competing for a producer’s time,” said Engle.
Keep FHB in Mind at Seeding Decision Time A reminder from Keep it Clean, as growers prepare for the upcoming seeding season, it is essential to consider strategies for managing Fusarium head blight (FHB), a disease that can significantly impact cereal and corn yields and quality. The cereal grains most affected by FHB are durum wheat, spring wheat, barley and corn. By implementing effective management practices starting at seeding for the 2025 growing season, growers can reduce the risk of FHB infection and protect their cereal crop from production and market access issues.
FHB affects kernel development, reducing yield and grade. It can also contaminate grain with fungal toxins (mycotoxins) produced in infected kernels. FHB and mycotoxins in harvested grain can negatively impact livestock feed, baking and milling quality of wheat, biofuel (ethanol) production and malting and brewing qualities of malt barley. To help keep marketing options open for your harvested grain and maximize your return on investment, Keep it Clean recommends the following best practices to manage FHB during seed selection:
Plan crop rotations to manage fusarium: - Fusarium can overwinter in crop stubble. It is crucial that you plan crop rotations that allow adequate time for residues to decompose before returning to cereal crops. Rotate away from cereal crops for at least one - and preferably two or more - years on fields recently infected by FHB. - Corn is also susceptible to FHB infection, so your crop rotation plan should take this into account if you grow corn. Grow varieties with the highest FHB-resistance available: - Growing resistant variet-
ies is one of the most important decisions in managing the disease. The use of resistant varieties is especially important in areas at risk for FHB. Cereals also vary in their susceptibility: Durum is the most susceptible to FHB, barley is less susceptible than wheat, and oats are the least susceptible cereal crop. Establish a strong stand by using high quality, vigorous seed and appropriate seeding rates: - If possible, time seeding so that the crop will not be at a susceptible stage (flowering, early kernel development) during warm, humid weather.
The AgriPost
December 27, 2024
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AI Empowers Canadian Dairy for a Smarter Future By Harry Siemens Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide, and Canadian dairy is no exception. Dr. Shari van de Pol, Founder and CEO of CATTLEytics Inc., explored this transformative technology’s potential during her presentation at the recent Dairy Farmers of Manitoba AGM in Winnipeg, MB. Dr. van de Pol’s talk, titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Impact on Canadian Dairy: What it is, What it Can Do, and What We Want from It,” highlighted how AI can revolutionize farm management, improve efficiency, and empower farmers to make data-driven decisions in an increasingly competitive industry. CATTLEytics, an Ontariobased company, empowers Canadian dairy farmers by delivering innovative solutions prioritizing their most valuable resource: time. The company streamlines farm operations with advanced technologies, optimizing staffing resources, integrating digital twinning for real-time system monitoring, and offering powerful data modelling and forecasting
tools. These tools enhance efficiency and productivity, allowing farmers to focus on critical aspects of their operations. By driving innovation, CATTLEytics ensures that Canadian dairy farmers stay at the forefront of modern agricultural practices. In an interview following her presentation, Dr. Shari van de Pol explained artificial intelligence (AI) in simple terms to help the audience understand its relevance to Canadian dairy farming. “Artificial intelligence is when computer science enables computers to think the way people think,” Dr. van de Pol explained. “For example, it could involve recognizing an image and making decisions based on it, much like how humans process visual information. Computers are now capable of doing that. It could also extend to understanding concepts and making decisions in ways similar to human cognition.” She clarified that while AI mimics human thought processes, not all technology qualifies as AI. “Using straightforward numbers, computations, or
sensors isn’t artificial intelligence,” she added. “Those can be great technologies but don’t involve the decisionmaking or problem-solving that defines AI.” She emphasized how AI offers practical applications for dairy farming, enabling smarter decision-making, optimizing operations, and saving farmers time. Her insights highlighted AI’s growing role in shaping the future of agriculture. Dr. van de Pol emphasized the importance of engaging dairy farmers with artificial intelligence (AI), noting that many are already using forms of it, like GPS systems, but they need to realize it. “Not every tool will fit every farm,” she acknowledged. “But understanding the concepts and possibilities is a great start.” She highlighted the enthusiasm among Manitoba producers and farmers across Canada to adopt innovative technologies and stay at the forefront of the industry. “Farmers are hungry for this knowledge,” she said. “Even discussing AI today sparks curiosity and opens the door for greater involvement.”
Dr. van de Pol stressed that raising awareness and exploring AI’s potential empowers farmers to integrate these tools in ways that optimize their operations and drive efficiency. She encouraged Canada to move beyond simply adopting AI to becoming a leader in its development, leveraging the expertise of worldrenowned AI pioneers based in the country. Highlighting opportunities in the dairy industry, she pointed to natural language processing tools like ChatGPT as an immediate and exciting application. These tools allow farmers to streamline tasks such as creating protocols and managing paperwork, providing accessible ways to integrate AI into their operations and saving valuable time. She also emphasized the importance of using artificial intelligence responsibly, cautioning farmers to recognize that AI-generated content is not private and can produce inaccurate information. “You need to proofread and understand it,” she advised. “Use it as a tool, not the final solution.” She clarified that CAT-
TLEytics focuses on augmented intelligence, which enhances human decisionmaking rather than replacing it. “We want AI to be an additional opinion, not a replacement for your intelligence,” noted Dr. van de Pol. Comparing it to smartphone maps, she warned against over-reliance, noting that just as people can become lost without their phones, overdependence on AI can lead to poor decisions if the technology fails or provides incorrect information. Dr. van de Pol called on Canada’s agricultural in-
dustry to unite to shape the future of AI in farming. She urged stakeholders to determine how to use AI effectively, protect valuable data, and develop systems tailored to the country’s needs. “Canada has always been at the forefront of technical innovation, and we can lead here too if we get on board,” she said. Dr. van de Pol emphasized AI’s potential advantage, particularly in offsetting higher labour and other input costs. “If we work smarter, we can stay ahead, and that’s where our focus needs to be,” she concluded.
Dr. Shari van de Pol’s talk, “Artificial Intelligence and the Impact on Canadian Dairy: What it is, What it Can Do, and What We Want from It,” highlighted how AI can revolutionize farm management, improve efficiency, and empower farmers to make data-driven decisions in an increasingly competitive industry. Photo by Harry Siemens
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December 27, 2024
RBC Foundation Donates to Support Prairie Innovation Centre Greenhouse A $700,000 donation from the RBC Foundation will support Assiniboine College in expanding its greenhouse facilities and further advance its Greenhouse in a Box research project. This donation is a contribution towards the Prairie Innovation Centre initiative which allows the college to develop infrastructure, launch new programs to support advancements and growth in the agriculture industry. The Greenhouse in a Box prototype is a free-standing, transportable structure. It’s a type of greenhouse that allows fruit and vegetable production to adapt to almost any location or climate, extending the crop growth season. “With RBC’s ambition to support the transition to a net zero economy, we know that the pursuit of sustainable agriculture is collaborative, and we’re pleased to support Assiniboine College in this space,” said Tracey Schofield, RBC Regional Vice President.
The Greenhouse in a Box prototype is a free-standing, transportable structure. Photo source assiniboine.net
Scotiabank Donation Boosts Net-positive Grain Research at Assiniboine College Assiniboine College has received a donation of $125,000 from Scotiabank to support advancing agriculture research. The funding will support active research that focuses on evaluating multi-species cash/ cover crops and regenerative agriculture principles to advance net-positive grain farming. Scotiabank’s investment will support research led by adjunct faculty researcher, David Rourke, who is also the founder of Ag-Quest, an Agriculture and Environmental Field Research firm based in Minto, Manitoba. Rourke’s research is focused on exploring the development of farming practices that are profitable; sequester large amounts of carbon, increase crop yields and lead to the elimination of the use of fossil fuels.
The Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture is a one-of-a-kind Canadian college project that will bring together collaborative learning space, applied research labs and multipurpose spaces that will serve both the college community and agriculture industry. Photo source assiniboine.net
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Potatoes Set Harvest Record By Elmer Heinrichs It was a fantastic year for potato growers as Canada set another record for potato production. Farmers harvested nearly 127 million hundred weight of spuds in 2024, breaking last year’s record of 126.593 million cwt., says a Stats Canada report released December 5. A warm and relatively dry fall in potato growing regions helped producers get the potato crop out of the ground. “Favourable weather con-
ditions throughout most parts of Canada during the 2024 harvest season allowed Canadian producers to harvest the vast majority (98 per cent) of the total seeded area,” Statistics Canada said. Increases in yields and total potato production over the last 15 years have been an untold success story in Canada’s agriculture industry. In the early 2010s, average potato yields in Canada were around 280 cwt. per acre. From 2021-24, it has been closer to 325 cwt. per
acre, a 16 per cent jump in a decade. Potato production has also boomed, thanks to the expansion of french fry plants in western Canada. Cavendish Farms, McCain Foods and Simplot built new frying plants or expanded existing plants in Manitoba and Alberta in recent years. In 2023, McCain’s announced a $600 million investment to double the size of its french fry plant near Coaldale, AB. A large portion of the additional production has occurred in Alberta, which has
become the potato capital of Canada. “Alberta produced 23.7 percent of Canadian potatoes in 2024, maintaining its position as the largest potato producer,” Statistics Canada said. “[That’s] followed by Manitoba at 21.6 percent and Prince Edward Island at 20.4 per cent. Farmers harvested nearly 127,000,000 hundred weight of spuds in 2024, breaking last year’s record of 126,593,000 cwt, says Statistics Canada in a recent report.
Pembina Valley Shelterbelt Program Continues to Grow By Elmer Heinrichs Growing outcomes, a program of the Pembina Valley Watershed District is making quite an impact in promoting shelterbelts. Through GROW, the watershed district has planted more than 55,000 trees since its inception in 2020. The fifth application of the program covering 2024 and into 2025 involved over $1.3 million in support, and the district will now be looking a sixth application of the program to cover 2025-26. “It’s actually been really
well received here,” said Dean Richards, program coordinator for the east region of the PVWD. GROW promotes conservation of natural areas and land uses that provide ecological goods and services by helping farmers develop projects that maintain or improve local watershed health and work for their operations. Shelterbelts are especially important because planting shelterbelts in fields, around livestock facilities, near dugouts and along vulnerable riparian areas offer many
benefits, said Richards. These include conserving fertile soil on our agro landscape, promoting water quality, increased aquifer recharge, reduction of energy bills while increasing carbon sequestration, creating habitat for birds and wildlife providing shelter for farmyards and livestock, and aiding in the stabilization of vulnerable stream banks. “It really fives us the ability to offer solutions to growers, agricultural producers in the Pembina Valley Watershed District, said Richards.
And it is a region with such varied terrain that there are a variety of different challenges faced by growers, he added. The Pembina Valley Watershed District stretches all the way from Boissevain to Letellier to the Red River so we have a pretty wide district. “It’s fairly narrow, but we cover quite a large area,” said Richards. The programs offered by the district can really fit the needs of many producers, both large and small, concludes Richards.
McCain Foundation Doubles Down on Commitment to Ag at Assiniboine The McCain Foundation has donated $200,000 to Assiniboine College to support the expansion of its greenhouse facilities. This generous contribution follows a commitment of $100,000 to the college’s Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture earlier this year. “The McCain Foundation is proud to support initiatives that recognize the environment, and promote sustainable practices,” said Ann Evans, Chairperson of The McCain Foundation. “With this $200,000 donation, we are investing in hands-on learning experiences and supporting agriculture programming at As-
siniboine, helping to build a strong, sustainable future for agriculture in Manitoba and beyond.” The greenhouse expansion, located at the college’s North Hill campus, will connect existing spaces such as the grow plots, orchard, and weed identification garden to provide students with a comprehensive environment for hands-on learning. Through the expansion of the greenhouse, students will gain access to state-ofthe-art facilities, spaces and equipment that will allow faculty and students to expand their work in addressing industry demands and tackling challenges at both local and global levels.
“As part of the college’s Applied Research Strategy, the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment works to address sector challenges and respond to industry needs,” said Dr. Nicole Gaudette, Dean of the Edwards School at Assiniboine. “Collaboration with industry partners, like The McCain Foundation, is vital for our students’ success. This support will not only support the expansion of our greenhouse facilities, but also enable students to be a part of industry-driven projects that equip them with the skills needed for greencollar jobs to contribute to a low-emissions economy. We extend
our thanks once again to The McCain Foundation for their recognition and support.” Assiniboine continues to advance the future of agriculture through initiatives like the greenhouse expansion, an integral complement to the future Prairie Innovation Centre that will expand infrastructure further, and introduce new programs that drive growth, innovation, and sustainability within the agriculture sector. The Prairie Innovation Centre will serve as the central hub for agricultural education, applied research and innovation at Assiniboine, enabling enhanced opportunities to strengthen industry partnerships.
The AgriPost
December 27, 2024
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Manitoba Association of Watersheds Announces Two New Projects under Living Lab – Manitoba Program Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) has chosen two new projects to be funded under Living Lab – Manitoba (LL-MB), located in the Redboine Watershed District and the Central Assiniboine Watershed District. LL-MB is part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Climate Solutions – Living Labs program, which is a collab-
orative approach to agricultural innovation dedicated to combating climate change. It brings together farmers, scientists, and other sector partners to co-develop, test, and monitor new practices and technologies in a reallife context, accelerating adoption on the farm. LLMB aims to increase carbon sequestration and decrease greenhouse gas emissions through enhanced land man-
agement and economically effective farming practices. “Through the watershed districts, this project is pairing local producers with researchers to develop innovative solutions on -farm. The announced projects will support the development of practical outcomes that farmers across the province can consider implementing,” said Garry Wasylowski, MAW Board
Forward Focused: FCC 4-H Club Fund Supports Future Manitoba Leaders The 2024 recipients of the FCC 4-H Club Fund have been announced, with 19 Manitoba-based clubs receiving grants of up to $500 to support their efforts in fostering leadership and skill development among youth. The fund, created by Farm Credit Canada (FCC) in partnership with 4-H Canada, has been a cornerstone of youth development since its inception in 2013. To date, the program has distributed over $1 million, benefiting more than 2,100 clubs nationwide. “FCC has been an outstanding supporter and partner of the 4-H program for many years,” said Hugh Maynard, Interim CEO of 4-H Canada. “The FCC 4-H Club Fund supports volunteers across the country as they continue to build the next generation of leaders in a fun, safe, and inclusive environment. We are grateful to FCC for its continued support.” This year’s Manitoba recipients include clubs from communities such as Brandon, Souris, and The Pas, reflecting the program’s extensive reach across the province. FCC President and CEO, Justine Hendricks, highlighted the importance of investing in young people who represent the future of agriculture. “FCC is proud to support 4-H Canada and its programs, including through the FCC 4-H Club Fund,” Hendricks said. “4-H Canada exemplifies the character, hard work, and innovation that drives the success of Canada’s agriculture industry. We are grateful for the work 4-H does in providing exceptional programming to support the next generation of producers.”
The following clubs in Manitoba have been awarded grants:
Chair. “We’re very excited and grateful for the continued opportunity to fund this type of work through AAFC.” Lowry Farm Project Located near Darlingford, Manitoba in the Redboine Watershed District is the Lowry Farm Project hosted by Glen and Pam Lowry on their commercial beef farm. Led by Agriculture and Agri-Food research sci-
entist Dr. Aaron Glenn the project measures carbon sequestration and methane and carbon dioxide emissions from cattle via micrometeorological sensors, with the goal of demonstrating the effectiveness of regenerative grazing practices for Manitoba conditions. Rourke Farms Project In partnership with Assiniboine College, the Rourke Farms Project is located in
southwest Manitoba in the Central Assiniboine Watershed District and hosted by David Rourke on his grain farm. Led by Agriculture and Agri-Food research scientist Dr. Aaron Glen the project is evaluating the application of multi species cash/cover cropping and the application of regenerative agricultural principles for net-positive carbon grain farming.
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December 27, 2024
AAFC Yield Report By Elmer Heinrichs Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), in its December outlook, released its final production estimates. It noted that production of all principal field crops is now estimated to have increased 2.7 per cent year-over-year, which would be 3.3 per cent above the previous fiveyear average. The increase was largely due to improved yields in western Canada, as overall production in this region increased 3.3 per cent and was 2.5 per cent higher than the five-year average. By major crop commodity groups, wheat production increased by 6.1 per cent, largely due to a 43.6 per cent increase in durum output. Production of oilseeds declined 2.9 per cent, driven lower by a 7 per cent decline in canola due to a reduction in yields as area was relatively stable. This more than offsets an 8.4 per cent increase in soybean production. Coarse grains production decreased marginally by 0.2 per cent, as declines in corn and barley production managed to just offset increases in oats and rye production. Pulse and special crops production is up significantly by 24.3 per cent as higher production for all pulse and special crops (other than sunflower seeds) is expected on improved yields and an increase in areas. Exports of all principal field crops are expected to rise 5 per cent from last year, with notable increases projected for durum, canola, and lentils. Carry-out stocks (ending-year inventories) for all principal field crops are forecast to decline by 3 per cent as lower carry-out stocks for grains and oilseeds more than offset a rise in pulse and special crops carry-out. Prices for all principal field crops are significantly lower year-over-year, with the exception of sunflower seed.
Heritage Harvest Grow Project Raises $27,100 By Elmer Heinrichs The Heritage Harvest Grow project looks back throughout 2024 as wonderfully successful year, notes secretary Elliot Sims of the local fundraising committee of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. They engage in a joint fundraising effort with the Manitoba Agricultural Museum and the Canadian Food Grants Bank. “We grow a crop every year on 65 acres of museum land and split the proceeds between the two great organizations. In 2024, we had a tremendous year,” said Sims. “We were able to provide $27,100 back to our parent organization, so it’s $13,350 each. This amounts to 100 per cent of the crop sale proceeds from this year.” He notes they’re able to provide tremendous support to Canadian Foodgrains Bank and the Ag Museum which wouldn’t be possible without their great support from the community. “So family farms, Agri-businesses, and individuals from across the province provide financial donations as well as in-kind supplies and services to help us grow the crop,” he said. “Without those individuals and farmers, this would not be possible.” Sims adds the 2024 results build on their strong track record of providing support to both the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and the Manitoba Agricultural Museum. He says the last eight years have seen them provide over $200,000 in direct support to those organizations. “That means over $100,000 each. What’s even more appreciated is that these dollars are all matched by provincial and federal government programs; meaning that these dollars that we’ve provided through the generous support of individuals and businesses grows that much more to help the causes that are so important that these organizations work on,” said Sims.
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Manure is the Window to Good Dairy Nutrition I have no idea of the times that I’ve stepped in cow manure. The dairy barn is the only place that I watch lactating dairy cows do their business with great interest. That cowpie tells me a good story, once it is plopped in the alley. If it is anything other than brown, round and porridge-like, something might be wrong with their lactation dairy diet. As a dairy nutritionist, this is where I go to work to take corrective action when necessary. One of my first rules of manure evaluation during a barn-walk is that given a group of dairy cows, which are eating the same lactation dairy diet; most of them should produce manure of similar color, consistency and content. We should also know that a small fraction of cows (less than 10%), which for various reasons will have significantly different looking manure compared to the general cowherd. Consistency of their fresh cowpies gives me a good illustration of the way the current dairy diet is being consumed, then fermented in the rumen, and then digested in the lower gut. It is dependent upon feed type, nutrient and fibre density, water intake (and quality) and the rate of overall feed passage. Again, good manure is porridge-like and when the animal defecates produces a slightly domeshaped pile. Otherwise, loose manure ranges from peanut butter-like to serious diarrhoea. When manure is abnormally thick, it tends to
come out, slowly in firm and dry-looking clumps. Content of the fresh cowpies is another good picture that shows me whether the lactation dairy diet is doing its job by promoting good digestion. Subsequently, all well-balanced lactation diets should contain adequate effective-forage fibber to produce a good “forage fibber mat” in the rumen, which sets the optimum rate of feed passage through the cow (re: controls efficient digestion and absorption of essential nutrients). Note – when I am looking at standing cows producing fresh manure piles; I am also watching cows resting in the stalls and chewing their cud - both reflections of adequate dietary foragefibber levels. If anything is found to be “wrong” with a cowherds’ manure; I have seen more cases of loose manure or manure littered with lots of unprocessed grain. In my predominant recollection of loose manure in lactating dairy cows, it happened at a 150-cow dairy. I started to question as to whether there was an underlying SARA (subclinical acidosis) problem at hand when milk production stalled at 29 litres per cow (140-days in milk), milkfat was limited to 3.71% and DMI never exceeded 24 kg per cow. The producer told me - most of the time, the lactating cows’ manure was loose like flowing peanut butter, often pasty and shiny, on rare occasion brick-like, but never consistent.
Consequently, I took closer look at the TMR diet and that’s where SARA was hiding. Despite a lot of alfalfa-grass haylage mixed with some 2nd cut alfalfa hay to achieve a dietary level of 28% NDF (75% coming from forage fibber) in the entire dairy diet, yet much of this fibber was indigestible lignin fibber. As much as 22% of NDF was recorded on an analysis sheet and that told me, good consistent rumen function was limited. Furthermore, a 15 lb. per head inclusion of fine-ground barley was also added to the mixer wagon, in which I thought added an unnecessary source of highly digestible starch that contributed to SARA. I took the following corrective actions: 1. Replace 25% of this alfalfa-grass silage with some higher fibber timothy-oat hay, 2. Lower the amount of added grain to 10 lbs., 3. Add 3 lbs. of ground beet pulp – source of highly digestible pectinfiber and 4. Replace 50% of
the barley with 50% steamflaked corn. In the end, it took about six-weeks to implement all these changes. As a result, dry matter intake increased to 23.5 kg with no milk response, yet milkfat increased to 4.01%, and the most of the cows’ manure piles became porridge-like. Years ago, our university class did similar changes to the daily diet of a rumen-cannulated Jersey-cow named, Bruce. When Bruce was loose – you cut back on his grain-intake and gave him more hay. If Bruce was constipated, you decreased the hay and fed more grain. The interesting thing, we could open up his cannula and watch actual digestion changes taking place in Bruce’s rumen mat, which also predicted his manure outcome. A perfect window to good nutrition.
Consistency of fresh cowpies gives me a good illustration of the way the current dairy diet is being consumed, then fermented in the rumen, and then digested in the lower gut. It is dependent upon feed type, nutrient and fibre density, water intake (and quality) and the rate of overall feed passage. Submitted photo Peter Vitti
Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program Achieves Charitable Status The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP) has been granted charitable status by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This milestone will help the organization expand its vision of mental wellness for Manitoba farm families and farm employees. “Achieving charitable status is an exciting step forward,” says Marcel Hacault, MFWP’s chair. “It not only strengthens our accountabil-
ity but also expands our ability to raise funds and better serve Manitoba’s farming community. We are excited about the new opportunities this brings and deeply grateful for the continued support of our community.” With this new status, MFWP can now issue tax receipts for eligible donations, offering sponsors a meaningful way to contribute to the well-being of Manitoba farmers while benefiting
from tax deductions. This also positions MFWP to access grants and funding opportunities that require a registered charity designation. The MFWP offers up to nine confidential counselling sessions per year to farm families and employees, delivered by counsellors with backgrounds in agriculture. The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program was established in 2021, and is led by a working board of
directors. The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program exists to provide one on one counselling sessions by professional counsellors with backgrounds in agriculture to farmers and their families and employees seeking mental health services. For more information about the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program, to book an appointment, or to make a donation, please visit manitobafarmerwellness.ca.
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StatsCan Adjusts 2024 Crop Outlook for Wheat, Barley, Corn, Flax, and Sunflower By Harry Siemens The Manitoba Crop Alliance, in collaboration with LeftField Commodity Research, provides monthly Grain Marketing Insights, delivering valuable intelligence, analysis, and commentary. In the latest wheat update, StatsCan raised its 2024 Canadian non-durum wheat production estimate to 29.1 million tonnes, including 22.0 million tonnes of hard red spring wheat and 3.0 million tonnes of winter wheat. Winter wheat plantings reached 1.7 million acres, the highest since 2020, with most acreage in Ontario and a smaller increase in western Canada to 389,700 acres. The USDA forecasts US wheat exports at 850 million bushels, the highest in four years, reducing the 2024/25 carryout estimate to 795 million bushels. Meanwhile, Australia and Argentina expect larger wheat harvests, boosting exportable supplies from the Southern Hemisphere. In Russia, reports suggest many winter crops are in poor condition, though spring weather will ultimately determine yields. In the US, winter wheat conditions improved before dormancy. Globally, wheat markets remain pressured by aggressive Russian exports, although expectations of slowing volumes in the coming months have provided some recent firming. Strong export movement supports western Canadian basis levels and cash bids, a trend likely to persist
StatsCan estimates the 2024 Canadian corn crop at 15.4 million tonnes, slightly below last year’s record, with Manitoba contributing 1.8 million tonnes, just shy of its 2023 peak.
through the winter. StatsCan has increased its 2024 barley production estimate to 8.14 million tonnes, up from 7.6 million in September, although still 9% smaller than last year. Canadian barley exports surged to 379,000 tonnes in October, significantly higher than the previous two months, with China as the primary destination, followed by Japan. Australia’s 2024/25 barley crop is estimated at 11.7 million tonnes, down slightly from earlier projections but still 8% larger than last year. However, rains during harvest may have caused quality losses in the southeast, while other regions experienced positive harvest conditions. Barley supplies are tightening among key export competitors, including Ukraine, the EU, and Australia. Even if Chinese demand declines, Canadian barley could maintain steady market share. In China, domestic corn prices have fallen below barley, likely discouraging feed barley imports, though malting barley imports should continue. In western Canada, feed barley prices are supported by gains in corn futures and a weak Canadian dollar, which makes corn imports more expensive. This trend provides additional stability for Canadian barley producers. StatsCan estimates the 2024 Canadian corn crop at 15.4 million tonnes, slightly below last year’s record, with Manitoba contributing 1.8 million tonnes, just shy of its 2023 peak. The USDA has increased its forecast for ethanol and export demand, projecting record total usage of 15.2 billion bushels. This heightened demand reduces the 2024/25 carryout estimate to 1.74 billion bushels, slightly below 2023/24 levels but still higher than the prior three years. Globally, favourable South American growing conditions and reduced Chinese import demand are keeping the export market highly competitive. Futures prices remain in a steady range, with strong demand helping the market recover from lower levels seen earlier in the fall. In Manitoba, local corn prices benefit from a higher futures market and a weaker Canadian
dollar. However, the large Manitoba harvest and strong end-user coverage are limiting upward price potential for now. StatsCan reports the 2024 flax crop at 258,000 tonnes with a yield of 20.4 bu/acre, slightly lower than its September estimate and 5% less than last year. With a smaller crop and reduced old-crop carryover, 2024/25 supplies total 434,000 tonnes, down from 502,000 tonnes in 2023/24. Canadian flax exports reached 9,700 tonnes in October, primarily to the US, bringing firstquarter exports for 2024/25 to 41,400 tonnes, ahead of last year’s 34,500 tonnes. CGC data also recorded a 14,300-tonne shipment through Thunder Bay in late November, marking the first bulk shipment to the EU in fall since 2021/22. Reports indicate quality concerns with Russian and Kazakh flax, particularly low oil content. In western Canada, average bids for both brown and yellow flax are trending higher, reflecting tighter supplies and robust demand. StatsCan estimates the 2024 Canadian sunflower crop at 50,700 tonnes, down 45% from last year and the lowest production since 2011/12. However, questions remain about the accuracy of the estimate, as StatsCan may have overestimated acreage while underreporting yield. Canadian sunflower exports remained strong in October at 3,750 tonnes, significantly higher than last year. This continues a robust pace that began in June, driven by increased demand for confection sunflowers. However, low Canadian supplies will limit export volumes for the rest of 2024/25, despite strong demand from the US. In the US, sunflower crush activity has slowed in recent months, prompting more imports of sunflower oil to meet demand. Rising costs of imports, due to reduced crops and higher prices from key producers, are adding pressure. Meanwhile, US sunflower bids continue to rally, particularly for black birdseed, with some buyers now offering over US$20 per cwt. This upward trend reflects strong demand amid tight supplies.
December 27, 2024
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Soup for Chilly Days and a Simple Dessert By Joan Airey Yesterday, I had leftover broccoli so I decided to make Cheesy Vegetable Soup. I decided I would change the following recipe a little to make a tasty quick soup to use up some leftovers. Instead of a cup of corn and half a cup of broccoli I used two cups of precooked broccoli. I’m printing the original recipe as I normally make it. Cheesy Vegetable Soup 2 Tbsp. chopped onion 1 Tbsp. margarine or butter 1 cup frozen loose-pack kernel corn 1/2 cup broccoli 1/4 cup shredded carrot 1/4 cup water 1-10 oz can condensed cream of potato soup 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 oz provolone cheese, cut up or grated Swiss Cheese Dash of pepper 1 cup milk Directions: In medium saucepan, cook onion in hot margarine or butter until tender but not brown. Add corn, broccoli, carrot and water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or till vegetables are tender. Stir in soup, milk, cheeses and pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat till the cheese is melted and mixture is heated through. Makes 4 side dish servings. Serving 197 calories. Classic Cherry Delight Ingredients: For the Crust: 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 9 whole crackers) 3 tablespoons granulated sugar For the Filling: 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 container cool whip, 8 ounces 1 can cherry pie filling, 21 ounces Directions: Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, melt the butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Add the graham cracker crumbs and sugar, mixing well to combine. Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of an 8 x 8-inch baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick spray. Set aside. Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and lump-free. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Gently fold in the cool whip until just incorporated—be careful not to over mix. Assemble the Dessert: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the graham cracker crust. Spoon the cherry pie filling over the top, spreading it carefully to cover the filling. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, or ideally overnight. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator. Prep Time: 15 minutes. Chill Time: 2 hours. Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes. Kcal: 320 kcal per serving. Servings: 9 squares I make my own cherry pie filling for desserts. Homemade Evans Cherry Pie Filling 4 cups of cherries fresh or frozen 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 Tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 cup water (no water if using frozen cherries) Directions: Cook Cherries for a few minutes in water. Mix sugar and cornstarch together and add to cherries. Stir well when adding it and stir until thick and clear. It will thicken more when cool. This recipe for cherry pie filling came from Mini Lovers Recipes cookbook put out by the Saskatchewan Miniature Horse Club. Next time I make it I’m going to cut the sugar back by a quarter cup to see if it is still sweet enough. I froze an abundance of cherries last summer so I will be experimenting with cherry recipes this winter.
StatsCan estimates the 2024 Canadian sunflower crop at 50,700 tonnes, down 45% from last year and the lowest production since 2011/12.
StatsCan reports the 2024 flax crop at 258,000 tonnes with a yield of 20.4 bu/acre, slightly lower than its September estimate and 5% less than last year. With a smaller crop and reduced old-crop carryover, 2024/25 supplies total 434,000 tonnes, down File Photos from 502,000 tonnes in 2023/24.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and Best Wishes to everyone for 2025.
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December 27, 2024
EMILI and FCC Renew Innovation Farms Partnership The Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI) has renewed and enhanced its partnership with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) at Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert. The partnership between EMILI and FCC was first established in 2022 to support strategic projects at Innovation Farms, a smart farm near Winnipeg that creates space for industry innovators and researchers to test, validate, and demonstrate agtech solutions to help producers maximize efficiency, profitability and sustainability in their on-farm practices. “EMILI is grateful to FCC AgExpert for their visionary support,” said EMILI Managing Director Jacqueline Keena. “Since launching, we have partnered on close to 50 projects on Innovation Farms, welcomed hundreds of visitors, and opened an 8,500 square foot Innovation Farms Centre. FCC’s multi-year commitment allows us to collaborate on more projects to increase the development and adoption of on-farm technologies to effectively solve prairie issues at a prairie scale.” Innovation Farms launched in 2022 to enable farmercentric innovation, advance sustainable technologies and techniques, and increase digital agriculture skills and knowledge. With access to over 5,500 acres and more than a decade of historical farm data, EMILI is able to share a wealth of resources and information with collaborators to increase adoption of digital tools and bring innovative solutions from pre-commercial into the market. “EMILI’s commitment to Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert is a testament to what can be accomplished when the agriculture industry comes together,” says Darren Baccus, FCC executive vice-president, agri-food, alliances, and FCC capital. “We can meet the challenges facing the agriculture industry by putting our energy and resources into projects that deliver results, like EMILI’s Innovation Farms. We are driving the future of agriculture and food by connecting the people, ideas and opportunities that harness the true potential of this industry.” Canadian organizations and entrepreneurs, many of them located in the prairies, are recognized as world leaders in digital agriculture and are poised to play a major role in increasing the productivity and sustainability of our agricultural food systems. The continued success of Canadian agriculture relies on its ability to focus on adopting technology, attracting a skilled and diverse labour force, and embracing sustainability, all of which supports profitability on the farm. With a limited number of harvests in their careers, producers need assurance that new technologies will optimize resources and increase productivity and sustainability on their farms. Innovation Farms provides that assurance. “The technologies we are testing and validating at Innovation Farms allow us to support entrepreneurs and agtech innovators as they develop real-world digital agriculture solutions to give Canadian producers the edge in a quickly changing industry,” said Keena. Through Innovation Farms, EMILI is able to provide the acres needed to advance innovation and research, getting new digital tools confidently into the hands of producers. “We are thankful to FCC AgExpert for their ongoing commitment to this work,” said Keena. “Their support ensures we can continue to build a sustainable and economically resilient digital agriculture sector for generations to come.”
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Pork Symposium Highlights Government and Industry ASF Preparedness By Harry Siemens Mara Rozitis of Tache, MB, owner of Signature Swine Solutions, who attended the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium in November in Saskatoon, said it was chock full of engaging speakers, enlightening vendor booths, and delicious meals. All of this provided an ideal backdrop for learning and networking. Rozitis said Dr. Temple Grandin was the most highly anticipated speaker. World-renowned for her research and advocacy in animal welfare, Dr. Grandin shared practical insights gained throughout her career. She shared lessons learned about breeding for prolificacy while disregarding other parameters such as conformation and survivability. Her passion was evident throughout, and she frequently called on nearby graduate students to interact with her. “At the end of her presentation, Dr. Grandin called on us to reflect, even if we know we can do something, that doesn’t necessarily mean we should do it,” said Rozitis. Dr. Bobbie Lundquist, acting Director of Emergency Preparedness for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, updated attendees on the actions that the CFIA is taking to protect the Canadian pork sector from African Swine Fever (ASF) and outlined the response plans in case of an ASF break. Key management strategies include zoning and movement restrictions to isolate the disease and preserve export markets.
“At the end of her presentation, Dr. Temple Grandin called on us to reflect, even if we know we can do something, that doesn’t necessarily mean we should do it,” said Mara Rozitis owner of Signature Swine Solutions. Photo courtesy Mara Rozitis
“It is a comfort knowing the extent of the plans that the Canadian government is undertaking to protect the swine industry,” Rozitis said. The 2024 Symposium featured approximately 20 vendor booths and over 300 attendees. The engagement was overwhelming at the Signature Swine booth, where Rozitis introduced Ignites Incinerators. She said farms are looking for alternatives to manage their dead stock disposal. Issues range from biosecurity concerns with hauling companies to odour control and even preventing carcass scavenger access. Farmers were eager to share their stories and challenges and curious to learn if incineration might be viable. With a wide range of
products scalable to any size of farm and flexible fuel options, it’s a safe bet that incineration can be the answer for farms struggling with dead stock management,” said Rozitis , noting she wasn’t able to catch as many presentations as expected because there were so many visitors to her booth! “It was well worth the trip and much better than expected,” said Rozitis. “Saskatchewan allows the burial of carcasses, so I thought there might not be much interest, but I was wrong. I had lots of visitors, questions, and stories.” Since returning home, she’s received even more inquiries about the trip. Rozitis said, “It was truly fantastic!” Rozitis privately asked Dr. Lundquist of CFIA if there
The engagement at the Signature Swine booth, where Mara Rozitis of Tache, MB, owner of Signature Swine Solutions introduced Ignites Incinerators, was overwhelming. Photo credit Debra Marshall
were any concrete plans for dealing with mass mortalities in case of an African Swine Fever [ASF] outbreak in Canada. She told Dr. Lundquist that while selling incinerators, it concerns her that Manitoba seems to have little of a plan. “I have approached the big companies and Manitoba Pork, but nobody is willing to share whether there is any plan,” she said. Dr. Lundquist said the farms would be responsible for disposal but that CFIA would pay for the disposal. “I don’t care how they dispose of carcasses, as long as there is a viable plan that will not spread disease,” she noted. She hopes for more clarification from Manitoba Pork and Dr. Glen Duizer, Manitoba’s chief veterinarian officer. Dr. Temple Grandin highlighted the remarkable advancements in livestock handling and animal behaviour understanding since the 1990s. Dr. Grandin emphasized growing awareness of superior stockmanship’s benefits to animal welfare and production efficiency. “The handling of livestock and the understanding of animal behaviour have improved dramatically,” she noted, underscoring how these advancements have enhanced ethical practices and industry productivity. The symposium allowed producers to engage with innovative animal care and management approaches.
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Share Good Nutrition Amongst Late-Gestation Beef Cows
December 27, 2024
Takeaways from Record 2024 Soybean Yields By Elmer Heinrichs
I recently took this photo of this lonely black Angus (maybe Simmental cross) beef cow. She was miles away from any farmyard, and munching on some native prairie grass. None of her pasture-mates were around at all. If she was a cow in late-gestation; she was in good body condition.
By Peter Vitti I recently took this photo of this lonely black Angus (maybe Simmental cross) beef cow. She was miles away from any farmyard, and munching on some native prairie grass. None of her pasture-mates were around at all. If she was a cow in late-gestation; she was in good body condition. And, I would assume that she would have no serious problems when calving season arrives. That is only if she was provided with a nutritious feeding program to take care of a higher plane of nutrient requirements, when she rejoins the rest of her herd. Much of calving success is a matter of supplying enough dietary energy and protein to late-gestation cows to maintain or achieve a BCS of 5 - 6 (thin = 1, and 9 = obese) by calving time, while replacement heifers should calve out at a slightly better BCS. Some of the benefits of calving cows out in prime condition are: - Easier calving.
- Less post-calving metabolic problems. - More high-quality colostrum for newborn calf - More milk for newborn calf. - Better health. - Quicker return to active estrus and rebreeding. Beef cows in prime shape also produce vigorous newborn calves. That’s because 75% of their growth as a fetus occurs during late-gestation, and their vitality is drawn from the nutritional status of the cows at this time. Furthermore, “fetal programming” as proven by many university field studies demonstrates; 1st calf replacement heifers’ life-time growth and reproductive performance is significantly affected by their dam’s nutritional status, particularly during the same three months leading up to calving. Consequently, the nutritional requirements for lategestation cows with optimum body condition of near 3.0 are 55 – 58% TDN, 9 – 11% protein, 0.25% calcium and
0.20% phosphorus and complimented with salt, essential trace mineral and vitamins. Dry matter intake estimates are about 35 – 40 lbs; mature cows, and 30 – 35 lbs; replacement heifers. We must also realize by January, the weather is much colder than compared to the start of winter and significantly elevates the late-gestation cows’ maintenance energy requirements; namely to keep warm (nee maintain their core body temperature). University environmental studies on beef cattle has come up with an easy cold weather rule of thumb as follows - for every 1 C drop in temperature below 0 C, the beef cows’ TDN energy maintenance requirements are increased by about 2%. This means that if an early morning temperature is 25C, there is an increase of about 50% in the cows’ basic dietary energy needs. Years ago, cow-calf operators fed their cowherds - diets of predominantly lower nutri-
tious forages such as straw, grassy hay and sometimes slough-grasses after weaning calves in the fall. But these early winter diets worked out, because they helped meet the early- and mid-gestation beef cows’ modest nutrient requirements. Then about a few months from calving most people simply switched to better quality saved hays, and sometimes they added a few pounds of grain in order to take care of the onset of cold weather. This fall, I talked to many “modern” producers and they now incorporate a variety of energy- and protein-enriched feeds to achieve the same past goals. Here are examples of a few common TMR diets (see Table 1). While feeding these wellbalanced TMR diets that cover off large energy and protein needs of late-gestation cows, we don’t want to overlook even the smallest essential trace mineral. That is why, beef producers switch to a more “fortified” breedertype mineral – it gives the assurance that good mineral and vitamin status in lategestation cows is achieved, which contributes to a good calving season, getting newborn calves off to a good start and allowing mothers to be successfully rebred. In hindsight, I hope that the lonely cow in the photograph is going to be fed one of these diets or maybe a similar one, plus be put on a good mineral-vitamin program. Her optimum body condition gives me the confidence, that I have nothing to worry. Again, if she could share this good nutrition with her herdmates.
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Final yield numbers from crop insurance — usually the best overall estimate — are not yet public, but Statistics Canada says Manitoba farmers set a new provincial yield record in 2024, averaging 44.0 bushels per acre. In eastern Canada, Quebec also saw its highest yield on record, while Ontario had its second highest, according to the StatsCan report of December 5. Soybeans in Manitoba yielded well despite a very cool start to the growing season that saw some acres flipped to canola due to adverse conditions and delays at planting. “It was a different season than what we’re used to, with slow CHU or heat build-up early in the season and a lot of heat later in the season to finish up those crops, and quite a bit of moisture throughout,” explains Steph Chabbert, territory manager with Maizex in Manitoba. In summarizing the ’24 growing season, he said “I think most growers were pleased with their soybean crop. We had a great yields and great quality as well.” The abnormally warm fall, with some areas accumulating more heat units in September than in June, not only threw farmers and agronomists, but also some soybean varieties for a loop. “We had some late varieties mature early. We had some early maturity varieties come in late. The industry was all over,” notes Chabbert. Soybeans in Manitoba yielded well despite a very cool start to the growing season that saw some acres flipped to canola due to adverse weather conditions, says Kelvin Heppner, field editor for Real Agriculture.
2025 Soil Fertility Workshop Farmers looking to deepen their knowledge of soil fertility can now register for the 2025 Soil Fertility Workshop. This two-day, farmer-focused event will take place on January 27-28 in Dauphin and promises a wealth of expertise from leading Manitoba specialists, said the Manitoba Crop Alliance. Tickets are priced at $75 per person, but farmers who are members of the Manitoba Crop Alliance, Manitoba Canola Growers, and/or Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers can benefit from rebates of $25 per association membership (Members of all three associations can attend the event free of charge). Attendees will gain practical insights on critical soil fertility topics, including: - Concepts of Soil Fertility and Productivity - Soil Reaction, Liming, and Salinity - Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Secondary Nutrients - Micronutrients and Fertilizing for Profit - Soil and Tissue Test Interpretation - Case Studies from Commission Agronomists Designed specifically for farmers, the workshop’s interactive format will provide actionable strategies to optimize soil health and maximize productivity. Spaces are capped at 25 participants, so early registration is encouraged. This intimate setting ensures personalized learning and robust discussions among attendees and experts. While this event is tailored for farmers, agronomists interested in participating can join a waitlist by contacting Ashley Ammeter at ashley@mbcropalliance.ca. Additionally, a Soil Fertility Refresher course for agronomists and industry professionals is scheduled for February 6-7 in Portage la Prairie. Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your soil fertility practices and connect with Manitoba’s agricultural community. Reserve your spot today! For more information or to register, visit the Manitoba Crop Alliance website.
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