E-Newsletter
MBP food expert and Red Seal Chef Anna Hymers was in Birtle this week for a farm tour with District 7 Director Tyler Fulton. Be sure to stream Great Tastes of Manitoba on YouTube November 7 to see the story. (Photo credit: David Hultin/MBP)
In this edition...
October 3, 2025
Reminder
Please note that the date for the District 10 meeting – which was advertised in the September edition of Cattle Country as taking place on October 16 – was changed due to a scheduling conflict after the newspaper went to print. It is now taking place on October 14 instead.
4:30 pm start time
DISTRICT MEETING SCHEDULE
October 14 - District 10 Director: Mike Duguid Arborg-Bifrost Community Centre (Arborg)
October 15 - District 4 Director: Byron Falk New Horizon Senior Centre (Grunthal)
October 21 - District 2 Director: Mark Schram Floyd & Ethel Cudmore Hall (Crystal City)
October 23 - District 8 Director: Matthew Atkinson Neepawa Legion
Register here!
Please note that the date for the District 10 meeting – which was advertised in the September CattleCountryas taking place on October 16 – was changed due to a scheduling conflict after the newspaper went to print. It is now taking place on October 14 instead.
October 27 - District 12 Director: Mark Good Ste. Rose du Lac Community Hall
October 28 - District 14 Director: Dale Cazakoff Swan River Elks Hall
November 3 - District 6 Director: Brian English Oak Lake Community Hall
November 4 - All Districts VIRTUAL MEETING - 7:00 pm
MBP Had Opportunity to Meet with Senators, MPs and Government Staff in Ottawa
Manitoba Beef Producers directors and staff, along with staff from the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) had the opportunity to meet with several Members of Parliament, Senators and government officials during an advocacy trip this week in Ottawa.
Participating in the meetings were District 3 Director Andre Steppler, District 10 Director Mike Duguid, General Manager Carson Callum and Policy Analyst Maureen Cousins, along with CCA staff.
Meetings were held with Manitoba Senators Charles Adler and Marilou McPhedran, as well as James Bezan, MP for Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman; Ben Carr, MP for Winnipeg South Centre; Grant Jackson, MP for Brandon-Souris; Kevin Lamoureux, MP for Winnipeg North; Branden Leslie, MP for Portage-Lisgar; and Ted Falk, MP for Provencher. There was also a meeting with John Barlow, MP for Foothills. There was engagement with staff who work with Ministers on files such as trade and finance.
sector; ways to improve business risk management tools such Livestock Price Insurance, AgriStability and the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision; efforts to amend SRM requirements to bring them on par with the US requirements; and the ecosystem services provided by Manitoba’s beef producers.
There was also a meeting with officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency where topics such as bovine tuberculosis investigation and compensation processes were discussed, as well as pending changes to traceability requirements and ensuring that this process works smoothly for beef producers, among others.
MBP sincerely thanks the MPs, Senators and government officials who took the time to meet with our representatives, as well as CCA staff Jennifer Babcock, Gabriela Guigou, Sarah Creach and Jarred Cohen for helping to organize and participate in these valuable meetings.
Key topics discussed during these meetings included: the importance of trade to the beef
Additional photos are available on the MBP X, Facebook, and Instagram channels.
Pictured: Andre Steppler, District 3 Director, MBP; Marilou McPhedran, Senator from Manitoba; Carson Callum, General Manager, MBP. (Photo credit: CCA)
Canada Post Strike – Impacts to Manitoba Public Insurance
(September 29, 2025 MPI Notice) The ongoing Canada Post strike is impacting delivery of Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) documents, including annual statements, cheques and driver’s licences. The following documents are affected:
Annual statements
Customers will not receive their annual statements for their driver’s licence, vehicle registration and insurance until the strike is resolved. These include upcoming annual statements of account (reassessment notices) and renewal statements. However, customers are still responsible for making their payments on or before their due date. MPI offers many convenient ways to make a payment including online, by phone and inperson at an Autopac broker or an MPI Service Centre location.
Reminder: With MPI’s five-year driver’s licences and policies, customers only need to visit an MPI Service Centre or broker once every five years, unless they want to change or cancel their policy between renewals, or they change their name, address or other personal information on their driver’s licence. However, customers are still required to pay for their driver’s licence and vehicle insurance every year. Years between renewals are considered reassessment years.
Customers who don’t receive a statement should keep track of the due date of their insurance and driver’s licence/ID card. Due dates are four months after a customer’s birthday. For example: If your birthday is on June 20, your due date is October 20.
To determine if they are in a renewal year and need to have a new driver’s licence or identity card photo taken, customers should check the
expiry date on their current document. If it expires in 2025, they must visit an MPI Service Centre or broker on or before the due date.
For more information about renewal status, please visit a broker or MPI Service Centre. Customers can also call MPI’s Contact Centre at 204-985-7000 or toll-free at 1-800-665-2410.
Cheques
Cheques expected the week of September 22
If a customer has not received a cheque they were expecting from MPI during the week of September 22 and require it urgently, they should follow these directions:
• Injury claims, including income replacement
Customers should contact their case owner directly
• Physical damage claims, including total loss payments
Customers should contact their adjuster directly
• Refunds
Customers should call MPI’s Contact Centre at 204-985-7000 or toll free at 1800-665-2410
• International Registration Plan (IRP)
Customers should call the IRP Prorate Office at 204-985-7775 or toll-free at 1866-798-1185
• Manitoba Electric Vehicle Rebate Program
Customers should emailevrebate@mpi.mb.ca
Canada Post Strike – Impacts to Manitoba Public Insurance
Future cheques
Beginning October 3, MPI expects the following types of cheques issued by the Corporation will be available for pick up at the MPI Service or Claim Centre location closest to the address on the customer’s file:
• Injury claims (including income replacement)
• Physical damage claims
• Refunds
• International Registration Plan (IRP)
• Manitoba Electric Vehicle Rebate Program
One-time payments and IRP cheques should be available four business days from the date a payment is confirmed with MPI and all associated documents are signed. Outside of Winnipeg, cheques should be available after six business days.
Ongoing payments from MPI should be available four business days after they are typically received in Winnipeg, and six business days outside of Winnipeg.
Identification is required to claim a cheque. Customers will need to provide one piece of government-issued photo identification or two pieces of government-issued non-photo identification.
Customers can find the closest MPI Service Centre to their mailing address by using the Service Centre Locator Tool
Customers with questions about the status of their payments can call MPI’s Contact Centre at 204-985-7000 or toll free at 1-800-665-2410.
Driver’s licences and identification cards
New and renewed Manitoba driver’s licences and identification cards will not be mailed until the strike is resolved.
If a customer has been issued a temporary driver’s licence, including any condition documents, they should not dispose of them until they receive their permanent card. If they haven’t received their permanent driver’s licence and their temporary documents are set to expire, customers should visit their broker or an MPI Service Centre to receive a new version to ensure they have an active licence during this period.
Customers with an urgent need for updated photo identification, speak with their broker or visit an MPI Service Centre to discuss their options.
Personalized licence plates
Approved personalized licence plates, replacement specialty plates, and any new member-based specialty plates will not be mailed until the strike is resolved.
More information will be shared at mpi.mb.ca as it is available.
Province of Manitoba Responds to Postal Disruption
(October 1, 2025 Province of Manitoba News Release) The Manitoba government is taking steps to ensure availability of cheques and other critical mail during the disruption of postal services. As of Oct. 3, critical mail will be directed to distribution centres to serve Manitoba residents.
Critical mail includes cheques, court orders, educational materials, medical supplies and
Reminder:
resources required to maintain health-care services, and other prioritized items.
Further information on locations, hours of operation and the types of mail that can be picked up, will be made available at: https://manitoba.ca/postaldisruption/inde x.html
Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR)
Producer Survey Now Open for Month of September
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is collecting AIR reports or the month of September. To learn more about AIR, follow this link.
To let the Science and Technology Branch of AAFC know what the conditions are like this month in your area, please respond to one of the links below:
English
French
Your response will help accurately represent the impacts of weather in your region. The data collected from this survey will help inform recommendations for Livestock Tax Deferral, and the Canadian Drought Monitor
To view previous Agroclimate Impact maps, follow this link. Or see some of the other resources we produce on the AAFC Weather and Drought home page. Thank you for your participation and have a great weekend!
Adjustments Made to Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba Program re: BMP 4700: 2025 Special Intake – Livestock Water Supply
Beef producers: Please be aware that adjustments have been made to the SCAP Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba program related to the special intake for livestock water supply projects. The following information is from Manitoba Agriculture. Manitoba Beef Producers had been advocating for program changes and continues to engage with the provincial government about drought-related matters.
The 2025 Special Intake: Livestock Water Supply intake supports livestock producers in accessing new or expanding existing water supplies during prolonged periods of dry conditions.
Updates to the Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba (SAM) BMP 4700: 2025 Special Intake - Livestock Water Supply were made to expand eligible areas as well as include additional eligible expenses, notably aeration systems for dugouts.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, firstserved basis until available funding is allocated. Program guidelines are new for this intake. Please review carefully to ensure eligibility before applying.
Intake Information
The intake for this program is currently open; funding requests will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis from August 21, 2025, until available funding has been allocated.
Eligible Applicants
This intake is exclusively for livestock producers in specific areas impacted by dry conditions. To be eligible, livestock producers must:
• Manage agricultural land used to produce agricultural products. Hobby farms are not eligible.
• Own land where the project will be executed or have permission from the landowner to execute the project.
• Have a Manitoba Premises Identification number.
• Have a valid Statement of Completion for an Environmental Farm Plan at time of project claim.
The land location(s) for the project must be within a Municipality, Northern Affairs Community or First Nation:
• Map and List of Eligible Areas See the updated map in this edition of the MBP enewsletter as well.
If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact us at agriculture@gov.mb.ca or 1-800-811-4411.
Beneficial Management Practice (BMP) Summary Establish new or expand existing water supply for agricultural use by installing infrastructure.
• Wells: drilling new or deepening/extending existing, plus test hole drilling, screening, casing, well caps, etc.
• Dugouts: constructing new or rehabilitating existing dugouts, aeration systems
• Associated components and actions to bring water to the surface: purchase and installation of pipe, plumbing, electrical, solar and wind power, trenching, earthworks, pump and pressure systems, etc.
• Permanent pipeline development: pipelines below the frost line OR shallow/above ground pipelines (pipelines above the frost line) that can be winterized, pipe, plumbing materials, trenching, earthworks, etc.
Eligible Expenses
The following type of expenses are eligible for funding:
Adjustments Made to Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba Program
re: BMP 4700: 2025 Special
Intake – Livestock Water Supply
• Incremental Personal Labour
• Incremental Personal Equipment Use
• Subcontracted Services
• Professional Fees
• Capital Assets and Equipment
• Equipment Rental
• Materials and Supplies
Review the Program Guide for complete details on eligible and ineligible expenses.
Project Timeline
• All projects shall start April 1, 2025, or later.
• Project activities and all reports must be completed by December 12, 2025.
Cost Share Funding
• BMP 4700 has a cost share ratio of 50 per cent government, 50 per cent applicant, and a BMP funding cap of $15,000 per applicant.
• Producers that were previously approved for Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba - BMP 4700 are eligible for up to an additional $15,000 under the 2025 Special IntakeLivestock Water Supply for new project
For application forms, the program guide, frequently asked questions, etc. go to: https://www.gov.mb.ca/scap/climatechange/sustai nableagr/livestock-water-supply.html
Note: The updated frequently asked questions document is also in this edition of the e-newsletter.
SustainableAgriculture Manitoba Program BMP
4700: 2025 Special Intake – Livestock Water Supply
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is eligible?
A. This intake is for livestock producers experiencing water supply shortages caused by dry conditions in specific eligible areas across agri-Manitoba.
The land location(s) for the project must be within an eligible Municipality, Northern Affairs Community or First Nation. A map and list of eligible regions can be found on the program webpage
If you are unsure of your eligibility, contact us at agriculture@gov.mb.ca or 1-800-811-4411.
Q. Has eligibility been updated since this special intake was announced?
A: Yes, there have been two updates to the program:
- The eligible regions have been expanded; and - Aeration systems are now an eligible expense.
Please refer to the program webpage and guide for further details.
Q. How do I apply?
A: Application forms and program details can be found on the Special Intake webpage at BMP 4700: 2025 Special Intake. Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis, reviewed weekly and subject to the eligibility of submitted expenses and available funding. For eligibility criteria, refer to the BMP 4700: 2025 Special Intake – Livestock Water Supply Program Guide.
Q. What is the cost share and cap?
BMP 4700: 2025 Special Intake – Livestock Water Supply has a cost share ratio of 50 per cent government, 50 per cent applicant, and a BMP funding cap of $15,000 per applicant.
Q. Can I apply more than once?
Eligible applicants may submit one (1) application for this intake, which may include multiple locations or projects within the same application. Regardless of the number of locations included in an application, the total funding cap will remain at $15,000.
Q. If I have already completed a water supply project, am I eligible?
A: Any projects for water supply occurring after April 1, 2025, are eligible. Producers that were previously approved for Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba BMP 4700 Water Supply are eligible for up to an additional $15,000 under the 2025 Special Intake – Livestock Water Supply for new projects
Q. When do I have to complete my project by?
A: Projects must be completed and claims submitted by December 12, 2025.
Q. Do I need a valid Environmental Farm Plan Statement of Completion?
A: You may submit an application without a valid Statement of Completion; however, you will be required to have one when you submit the claim to be reimbursed. To complete your Environmental Farm Plan, please visit https://online.manitobaefp.ca/.
Q. Are confined livestock operations eligible?
A: Yes All livestock operations in need of water are eligible to apply provided they are located within the eligible areas.
Q. Do I have to dig a dugout to a specific size?
A: All dugout work, including new construction or rehabilitation of an existing location, should follow the Dugout Construction Guidelines. See Appendix A below.
Q. Can I drill a new well in my yard?
A: Drilling a well in a farmyard is eligible if it will be used for watering livestock and is the most cost-efficient means of doing so.
Q. Do I need any permits?
A: Applicants must meet all regulatory requirements. This may include:
- a water rights license from Environment and Climate Change, which is required for all livestock operations extracting more than 25,000 litres (25m3 or 5,499 Imperial gallons) per day. If developing a new water source, a permit must be obtained in advance of work beginning.
- approvals from the rural municipality or Crown.
- any other standards or approvals as required by law.
- For details on regulatory requirements, please visit: Licensing, Regulation and Policy, Manitoba government Groundwater and Wells, Manitoba government Drainage & Water Control, Manitoba government
Q. Can I pipe water from an existing water source into a dugout that has run dry?
A: No. Piping or hauling from a water source (well, dugout or wetland) into a dugout that has run dry is not eligible. However, piping from a water source to an alternate watering system is eligible.
Q. How deep does the pipeline need to be?
A: Shallow or above-ground pipelines (including those above the frost line) that cannot be winterized are ineligible. Projects must be for permanent solutions only. Summer pasture pipelines permanently installed underground and those which are able to be winterized before freezing, are eligible.
Q. Can I apply for a project on a pasture that I rent?
A: Yes. Either the landowner or renter can apply. If the renter applies, they must identify the landowner and provide contact information as part of the project description. This includes pasture on Crown Land.
Q. If I have more questions, who can I contact?
A: Livestock producers can call the toll-free line 1-800-811-4411 or send an email to Sustainable CAP - Program Administration at agriculture@gov.mb.ca
Other related information
- Dugout Construction Guideline – see Appendix A below
- Program Guide
- Program Webpage
- Map and list of eligible regions
- Licensing, Regulation and Policy, Manitoba government
- Groundwater and Wells, Manitoba government
- Drainage & Water Control, Manitoba government
Appendix A
Livestock Dugout Construction Guidelines
- Exclusion fencing is recommended but not required:
• Exclusion fencing ensures that livestock are restricted from direct access to the dugout, protecting against manure contaminated runoff and drowning.
• Exclusion fencing should be a minimum of 15m (50’) from the edge of the dugout.
- Dugout location:
• The dugout should be far enough away from any stream, river or creek as to not compromise bank stability or impact the riparian area.
- Dugout construction:
• End slopes and side slopes should be no steeper than 1.5:1.
• Dugout edge should be stabilized (by excavator) during construction.
- Dugout sizing:
• In order to build resilience into your farm, dugouts should be sized for drought proof standards by accounting for more than one season’s worth of water.
• Dimensions can be calculated using this Dugout Volume Calculator
- Alternate water system components:
• Troughs / tanks should supply a minimum of one day’s water usage based on 15 imp gal/ head/day