E-Newsletter
Canadian Cattle Association Announces Andrea Brocklebank as CEO - see page 4
NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS MB Highway Traffic Amendment Act Came into Force January 1
Statistics Canada staffing 32,000 census jobs across Canada
The MB government is increasing road safety for highway workers and travelers by bringing the Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures) into force on January 1st...
Statistics Canada will conduct the next census in May 2026 and is hiring for approximately 32,000 census jobs. Census workers play a vital role in helping to collect high-quality demographic, social and economic data ...
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Budget 2026 - online survey and in-person town hall meetings
Hello 2026! A new year means new opportunities - applications for the 2026-2027 #CdnCYL program year are now open! Apply by March 31, 2026 to take the next step in your leadership journey...
The Manitoba government is inviting all Manitobans to participate in a short online survey and share their priorities for next year’s budget. The survey is open until Feb. 21, 2026...
January 9, 2026
News Release Canadian Cattle Association Announces Andrea Brocklebank as CEO January 6, 2026
Calgary, AB — Andrea Brocklebank will become the Canadian Cattle Association’s (CCA) Chief Executive Officer in early March. Brocklebank currently serves as Executive Director for Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), a division of the CCA. CCA President Tyler Fulton made the announcement today, citing Brocklebank’s proven track record of strategic decisions and collaboration as critical skills that will ease the senior leadership transition and help ensure CCA is well positioned for the future. An executive recruitment firm conducted an extensive recruitment process and CCA’s directors enthusiastically accepted their recommendation. “On behalf of the directors, we are excited to welcome Andrea as our CEO,” says Fulton. “We are confident that with Andrea leading us, the Canadian Cattle Association is well positioned to navigate continued global market uncertainty as we work towards renewing the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and other priorities.” The CEO role is a new designation for the Canadian Cattle Association. “As we planned for Executive Vice President Dennis Laycraft’s retirement and a senior leadership transition, we determined that the description of CEO more accurately reflects the role of our senior staff member,” explains Fulton. “With some small but key changes to the role and the selection of Andrea, we are confident that we have found the right person with the right leadership qualities to lead the Canadian Cattle Association now and in the years ahead.” Tracy Herbert has been appointed Interim Executive Director, effective March 1. Herbert has led the BCRC's knowledge mobilization program since joining the BCRC in 2011. Laycraft will maintain business as usual at CCA until the leadership transition takes place in March.
About Andrea Brocklebank Andrea Brocklebank joined CCA in 2004 and held various roles with Canfax Research Services and BCRC before becoming Executive Director of BCRC in 2009. In her current position, she manages the delivery of research through the BCRC and Beef Science Cluster to fund research in areas of importance to the industry. She oversees the administration of funding received through the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and other sources to deliver research programming, knowledge mobilization activities, and the Verified Beef Production Plus program. Brocklebank is also responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Canadian Beef Research and Knowledge Mobilization Strategy and advancing collaborative funding partnerships aligned with the strategy. Brocklebank completed a Bachelor of Arts in agricultural studies at the University of Lethbridge and Masters of Science in agricultural economics at the University of Saskatchewan. She was raised on a farm in southern Alberta that she and her husband now manage. Prior to working with the CCA, she worked within the Canadian cattle feeding sector and in agriculture finance and lending.
The Canadian Cattle Association is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 60,000 beef farms and feedlots. www.cattle.ca
Manitoba Beef & Forage Days ERIKSDALE, AUSTIN, & ROBLIN Eriksdale (in person or via webinar)
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Time: 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., supper to follow Place: Eriksdale Community Centre, 2-1st Railway Ave., Eriksdale, MB
Austin (in person only)
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Time: 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Place: Austin & District Community Hall, 40 – 2nd Ave., Austin, MB
Roblin (in person only)
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Place: Roblin Community Centre, 55-6th Avenue N.E., Roblin, MB
Agenda Pasture Forage and Water Quality Results from 2024 & 2025 Livestock and Forage Specialist, Manitoba Agriculture Cattle Market Update and Outlook for 2026 Rick Wright Cattle Consulting From Grass to Graze: Getting the Most from Every Mouthful Christine O’Reilly, Forage & Grazing Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness Digging Deeper: Assessing Soil Health in Manitoba Megan Westphal, Soil Management Specialist, Manitoba Agriculture Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Programs & Activities (Austin and Roblin) Dr. Mary-Jane Orr, Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives Manager Beyond the Breeding Soundness Exam: Understanding Bull Subfertility in the Herd (Eriksdale) Dr. Colin Palmer, DVM, Western College of Veterinary Medicine For further details and to pre-register, call 1-844-769-6224 or email agriculture@gov.mb.ca Eriksdale Please register by Jan. 9, 2026 for in person. Webinar Registration or scan above to attend virtually. Austin Registration not required Roblin Please register by Jan. 12, 2026
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 year’s survey is open to all farms across Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. This survey is for: • All farm types and sizes that did or did not grow cover crops during the 2025 growing season. • 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. MBP’s 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 province’s beef industry for the benefit of our beef producer members and all Manitobans. THE ROLE: Manitoba Beef Producers’ 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: • Lead in the development and coordination of the Strategic Plan for implementation. • 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. • Working with the proponents, provide input into the development of modernized legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks to support expanded inspection services. • 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. • 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. • Coordinate meetings for the MLISWG to ensure the project remains on track. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION: • Postsecondary education in agriculture, preferably animal science, or a suitable combination of education and experience; • Strong understanding of the agriculture/agri-food sector, including beef production; • Understanding of beef industry supply chain;
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Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes, including the ability to review and analyze legislation and regulations is a definite asset; Experience in writing documents for government and industry an asset; Strong oral and written communication skills and attention to detail are essential; Skilled in writing and editing research or project reports, including financial reporting; High comfort level for public speaking and giving presentations; Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment; Experience with organizing and participating in trade shows, extension events, etc.; Experience in dealing with producers and the general public; Strong technical abilities, i.e. experience with Microsoft Office suite, virtual meeting platforms, etc.; 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. A highly motivated self-starter able to work both in a self-directed manner, and as part of a small team. Valid driver’s 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 MBP’s 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 – 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