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NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Minister MacDonald launches consultations for the Next Agricultural Policy Framework
On January 20, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, hosted a roundtable with sector stakeholders to mark the launch ...
Update
on
Provincial Budget Consultations: In-Person and Telephone Town Hall Meetings
The provincial government is inviting all Manitobans to participate in a short online survey and share their priorities for next yearās ...
Governments of Canada and Manitoba Invest in Mental Health and Wellness for Agriculture Producers
The governments of Canada and Manitoba are renewing their ļ¬nancial support for the mental health and wellness of Manitobaās agricultural community with a two-year, $300,000 extension ...
Manitoba Government Strengthens Farm Technology for Producers
The Manitoba government is making additional investments to improve and promote greater communication between ...
The MBP space was a popular spot during Ag Days! Thank you to the many visitors who stopped by to chat during the event. (Photo credit:
Brian English)
Head Office
#180, 6815 ā 8th Street NE
Calgary, Alberta
T2E 7H7
Phone: (403) 275-8558
Email: contact@cattle.ca
Ottawa Office
#1101, 350 Sparks St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1R 7S8
Phone: (613) 233-9375
Beef Producers Welcome Renewed Market Access into China
January 19, 2026
The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) welcomes the news that Canadian beef access to China has been restored after being wrongfully shut out in 2021. We will continue to work with government officials and industry stakeholders to learn more details, including potential safeguard measures.
In addition, CCA was encouraged to see Prime Minister Carney placing a high priority on Canadian export-driven agriculture as an economic driver for Canada and our trade diversification goals.
āWe are pleased to see renewed access into China, one of the largest export markets for beef. Every market matters to Canadian beef farmers and ranchers; it supports our industryās resilience and growth,ā said CCA President Tyler Fulton. āCanadian beef continues to be sought after because it is among the highest quality beef in the world and we appreciate the advocacy of both Prime Minister Carney and our Minister of Agriculture, Heath MacDonald.ā
As Canada continues to discuss trade diversification strategies, CCA will continue to stand up for Canadian beef producers, advocating to remove non-tariff barriers in existing markets and working with the government on new free trade agreements to ensure they present significant market opportunities for our sector. This welcomed news reinforces CCAās trade advocacy at home and abroad.
CCAās top priority remains strengthening existing trading relationships with trusted trading partners who follow international rules-based trade. āWe remain committed to expanding market access for Canadian beef and securing the best trade deals for Canadian beef farmers and ranchers. We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada in pursuing new markets and removing non-tariff and tariff barriers to Canadian beef,ā said Fulton.
For close to five years, Canadian beef has not been exported to China. In December 2021, China halted all exports of Canadian beef due to Canadaās atypical case of BSE. Prior to the halt in trade, Canadian beef saw continued growth into the Chinese market.
For further information, contact: Tina Zakowsky, Communications Manager Canadian Cattle Association 403-451-0931 | zakowskyt@cattle.ca
Understanding the Proposed New Traceability Rules
Health of Animals Act.
There is significant misinformation being shared on social media regarding the proposed changes to traceability regulations under the The Canadian Cattle Association worked with provincial associations and other industry associations to provide input to ensure the regulations follow the Cattle Implementation Plan which was developed and endorsed by the cattle industry.
CCA will continue to work with provincial members, other beef industry associations and governments to ensure any proposed changes work for producers. We called for and achieved a pause to address the concerns that we are hearing.
The proposed regulatory changes honour the intent of the Cattle Implementation Plan, which was developed by the beef industry and was updated in 2016.
Traceability data is protected by privacy legislation. A premises identification (PID) number allows anonymized reporting: no producer name, business name or location is provided with each transaction. Associated information is only visible to select individuals in certain circumstances.
There is no proposed requirement to report cattle movement within a cattle operation.
Proposed NEW Requirements for Producers
A premises identification (PID) number obtained from your provincial government (currently mandatory in some but not all provinces)
Must include your PID number when: Purchasing approved indicators (tags) Reporting information related to identification of cattle and their movement
Report the arrival of cattle (i.e., move-in reporting) within 7 days If moving cattle to graze at community pasture or comingled grazing, producers will be required to report group movement for departure and return
No Proposed Changes to Current Regulations
Cattle must be tagged before leaving the site of origin
Report tag retirement when animals are slaughtered, exported or die
Understanding the Proposed Traceability Regulations
IDENTIFYING CATTLE
Identifying cattleāgeneral
Premises where cattle are located
Animals must be identified before leaving site of origin. No change
Identifying cattleā receiving cattle without indicators (tags)
Identifying cattle when cattle lose an indicator
Tagging site
Receiver (arriving) but not a tagging site
Premises where cattle are located
PREMISES IDENTIFICATION
Identifying premises
MOVEMENT REPORTING
Movement within a cattle operation
Movement off and on to grazing without comingling
Movement off and on to comingled grazing or community pasture
Movement to another cattle operation
Movement to assembly or auction
Movement to slaughter
Cattle must be tagged with indicator linked to the originating site.
Cattle must be tagged with indicator linked to the originating PID and reported.
Re-identified cattle must be recorded. Re-identified cattle must be reported.
Cattle with lost indicators must have indicator replaced and be recorded.
Premises owner No requirements
Cattle with a lost indicator must have indicator replaced and be reported.
A PID must be reported when purchasing tags or reporting information to CLTS.
Premises owner No requirements No requirements
Premises owner No requirements No requirements
Premises owner (returning and departing) No requirements
Shipper (departing) No requirements
Receiver (arriving) No requirements
Shipper (departing) No requirements
Assembly or auction No requirements
Shipper (departing) No requirements
Abattoir
No requirements
Departing premises owner reports group movement for departure, and returning premises owner reports group movement for return.
No requirement to report. Provide PID to transporter.
Report move-in event, including animal indicators, within 7 days.
No requirements to report. Provide PID to transporter.
Report group movement or arrival āsightingā within 7 days.
No requirements
Report arrival (move-in event), death or slaughter within 7 days.
COVER CROP SURVEY
All perspectives welcome!
Share your experience and help shape the future of cover cropping in Ontario and the Canadian Prairies.
Who can participate?
This yearās survey is open to all farms across Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
This survey is for:
ā¢ All farm types and sizes that did or did not grow cover crops during the 2025 growing season.
ā¢ Farms that previously used cover crops but have since stopped.
How will your participation help?
By gathering insights directly from farms, the survey builds a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics of cover crop use in Ontario and Prairie agriculture.
Participation is anonymous, and data is reported at the provincial level, with the option to receive the final report.
SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK TODAY! The survey is open until March 31, 2026. Thank you for taking the time to share your insights.
Contract Part-Time Project Manager
Livestock Inspection Services
Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is the exclusive voice of the beef industry in Manitoba. It represents roughly 6,000 beef producers across the province. Based in Winnipeg, MBP is a non-profit organization with four staff and a producer-elected board consisting of 14 district directors, each representing cattle producers in a specific region of Manitoba.
MBPās mission is to represent all Manitoba beef producers through communication, advocacy, research, and education within the industry to governments, consumers and others; to improve prosperity; and to ensure a sustainable future. Funded by producers through the collection of a cattle check-off, MBP is committed to ensuring a sustainable future for the provinceās beef industry for the benefit of our beef producer members and all Manitobans.
THE ROLE:
Manitoba Beef Producersā membership has given direction to see an expanded livestock inspection service implemented in the province. The contract Project Manager will lead the coordination of this effort with direction provided by the multi-stakeholder Manitoba Livestock Inspection Services Working Group (MLISWG). The development and implementation of a mandatory identification inspection system for cattle in Manitoba will help facilitate livestock tracking and help mitigate potential financial losses to producers and other stakeholders related to theft and fraud.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES:
ā¢ Lead in the development and coordination of the Strategic Plan for implementation.
ā¢ Responsible for the planning, implementation, and tracking of specific short-term and long-term goals for the project, which have a beginning, an end and specified deliverables.
ā¢ Working with the proponents, provide input into the development of modernized legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks to support expanded inspection services.
ā¢ Assist in the creation and provision of tools needed to support expanded inspection, such as information management systems like digital manifests, communications strategies to inform producers and other stakeholders about the implementation of expanded inspection (including its value to the beef industry), etc.
ā¢ Liaise with other stakeholders on matters such as the creation of a Manitoba-based RCMP Livestock Investigation Unit, the modernization of the provincial brand registry system, etc
ā¢ Coordinate meetings for the MLISWG to ensure the project remains on track.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION:
ā¢ Postsecondary education in agriculture, preferably animal science, or a suitable combination of education and experience;
ā¢ Strong understanding of the agriculture/agri-food sector, including beef production;
ā¢ Understanding of beef industry supply chain;
ā¢ Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes, including the ability to review and analyze legislation and regulations is a definite asset;
ā¢ Experience in writing documents for government and industry an asset;
ā¢ Strong oral and written communication skills and attention to detail are essential;
ā¢ Skilled in writing and editing research or project reports, including financial reporting;
ā¢ High comfort level for public speaking and giving presentations;
ā¢ Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment;
ā¢ Experience with organizing and participating in trade shows, extension events, etc.;
ā¢ Experience in dealing with producers and the general public;
ā¢ Strong technical abilities, i.e. experience with Microsoft Office suite, virtual meeting platforms, etc.;
ā¢ Able to build solid relationships with teammates, project partners and other specialists by fostering teamwork, partnership and collaboration in virtual or face-to-face settings.
ā¢ A highly motivated self-starter able to work both in a self-directed manner, and as part of a small team.
ā¢ Valid driverās license.
Note: Some occasional travel is required, mostly within Manitoba. Occasional evening work may be required.
COMPENSATION:
This position will be a contracted, part-time term position for 24 months. Compensation will be determined in the interview process.
REPORTING STRUCTURE:
The term position of Project Manager-Livestock Inspection reports to MBPās General Manager.
2025-2026 StockTalk Webinar Series
Manitoba Agriculture is offering a series of interesting livestock and forage presentations, packed with information and featuring innovative leading specialists, aimed at helping Manitoba beef producers best manage their cattle operations. Find out the latest news on research and production for beef and forage management by participating in these virtual sessions.
Date(s): Time:
Place: Feb.5, March 12 & April 9 12:30 ā 1:30 p.m.
Your computer, smartphone or tablet
Register for StockTalk webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HlmPWqFSJelloMpy5H5zg
Please add the webinar series to your calendar once you are registered.
Presentations and topics will cover Cattle Nutrition & Rations, Beef Cost of Production, Agri-Stability, Cattle Marketing, Beef and Forage Days Highlights, Ask the Vet, Forage Production & Management, Pasture Forage & Water Survey Results & a chance to ask questions to the speakers and Livestock & Forage Specialists.
For more information, call Manitoba Agriculture 1-844-769-6224
Or visit our website at manitoba.ca/agriculture/online-resources/stock-talk.html
