Thoughts on this year's District Meetings

District 2 - Greg Johnson
“Our meeting went well. I am wondering if we can post the MCPA presentation on the website so that it can be looked at online?
Also, I had one producer say that we need to get the government to instead of just changing the program names, leave the program names the same, and change the programs.”

District 7 - Ray Armbruster
“I was pleased with our meeting. We had a good turnout. A young producer who I have a lot of respect for said that he likes what we are doing, how we are taking on the issues. I took that as a real compliment.

We had four resolutions which was good, and also an action item. General feelings in my area is that producers are getting tired of intrusion into industry by government; how we are always being imposed upon; and all the regulations with no respect for the producer and how we run cattle.”

District 11 - Art Jonasson
“Well, my meeting was the first district meeting held this fall so it was a bit of a marathon. But it was nice to have John Masswohl there. I appreciate the CCA offering that. Comments I heard afterwards are that the producers who were there, were very impressed by what he had to say.

As usual, we had quite a few resolutions. One in particular was really good, shows guys are thinking outside the box - it is to expand the freight assistance on straw to make it a permanent program which will benefit both cattle and grain producers. And we are thinking it should be paid for out of a different department other than agriculture - maybe environment.”

District 4 - Don Winnicky
“My meeting was good. One thing though, when we talk about TB, it would be good if we had a customized presentation for my meeting that also talks about the problem in Minnesota. Also, I’d like to have the CCA come again.”

District 10 - Joe Bouchard
“We had a good turnout at my meeting. The biggest concern was the flooding and the state of the rural area and towns. There is a lot of frustration in my area but overall they seemed satisfied with what we’re doing as an Association.

We had a similar straw resolution as in Art’s district. And there is some concern about the transfer of Crown Lands, and conservation groups and contracts with producers.”

District 13 - Kim Crandall
“We had a good meeting. There was the usual concern about TB, wolves and beavers and we had a few resolutions come forward.”

District 3 - Marcel Gousseau
“There was a lot of board support at my meeting and I can’t say enough good things about John Masswohl, he is so knowledgeable.

There was some concern that we didn’t do enough about Bill 17, so I made it clear we did what we could - the government jut didn’t listen.”

District 9 - Mac McRae
“My meeting was pretty quiet except one producer thought that the MCEC should be allowed to speak at the meeting. But our meetings are long enough already. They could hold their own meetings—Also there was a resolution brought forward that the MCPA should rejoin KAP, but it was defeated.”

District 6 - Trevor Atchison
“My meeting was pretty calm. Producers were concerned that they weren’t getting enough value for age verifying their calves. Also, some want to see the auction marts putting in readers and announcing when the cows come through that they are age verified.

I personally don’t mind if other groups tag onto my meeting, but they should not be included in our allotted time. After the meeting is done if anyone else wants to speak, then they can.”

District 12 - Major Jay Fox
“We had a great meeting. I had a few guys come up to say they can see we are doing a lot on their behalf. We had an MLA there so hopefully he’ll be bringing up the informed access issue to his caucus.”

District 14 - Dane Guignion
“We didn’t have a great turnout. There were no big issues, everything was pretty low key. In talking to people their attitudes are pretty depressed, most have hunkered down to try and get through all this. Many are discouraged, at least in the area where I live.

We need to talk to the Minister and see what her vision of the industry is in 10 years, because with the direction it’s going right now, things aren’t going to be good. If the NDP want this to be their legacy, then fine.”

District 5 - Martin Unrau
“My meeting was pretty quiet. There are guys in my area selling part of herd and getting a job.

We had an action item to contact the Prime Minister’s office, but after we reviewed it later, we determined it would be inappropriate and maybe even counterproductive.
Other than that, nobody challenged me for my position so I guess I’m here for another two years.”

District 1 - Brian Sterling
“We had a pretty good meeting. Most of same concerns and issues as last year.
We had a few comments about the water situation in our municipality and the Oak Lake aquifer and people sourcing it for their towns. I got about 20 calls over the next few days - there was more concern than I first realized. We need to discuss this further with the environment committee. This is a huge issue for producers in my area.

We needed a bit more time for local issues, so next year we may want to shorten up our presentation a bit to give more time to that.”

District 8 - Glen Campbell
“We had fairly good attendance. Two members from MCEC were there and I chatted with them for awhile. We had no resolutions.

There were some questions about COOL. And we were asked how our relationship is with KAP. I said it was amicable. Overall it was a pretty quiet meeting and I heard a few positive comments about the work the MCPA is doing.” Read more!

2008 District Meeting Resolutions

District 11
1 - Permanent Crop Residue Freight Assistance Program
Whereas crop residue burning causes pollution and damages both the environment and human health,
Be It Resolved that MCPA advise the provincial government to mandate a yearly freight assistance program for crop residue and encourage crop producers not to burn their stubble.

2 - Deferred Livestock
Payments
Be It Resolved that MCPA lobby the federal and provincial governments to legalize deferred livestock payments.

3 - Use of Cyanide Guns for Problem Predator Control
Whereas problem predator incidents are increasing and resulting damage and loss to livestock is on the increase,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the federal and provincial governments to reintroduce the use of cyanide guns for problem predator control in Manitoba.

4 - Reaffirm MCPA Policy Number 2007.04 (Improving Problem Predator Removal Program)
Be It Resolved that the MCPA reaffirm policy number 2007.04 (Resolution 9 from the 2007 AGM) regarding improvements to the provincial problem predator removal program.
MCPA Policy Number 2007.04: Improving Problem Predator Removal Program
Whereas the current Problem Predator Removal Program has some serious flaws that need to be addressed,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the Provincial Government to establish the following:
1. A fee be established for $300.00 per wolf and $50.00 per coyote,
2. Eliminate the 24hr. limit on the trapping permit,
3. That a long term commitment be made for funding this program.
5 - Improve Provincial Problem Beaver Program
Be It Resolved that MCPA lobby the provincial government to improve the existing Problem Beaver Control Program by adequately compensating producers for damages caused by beavers.

District 10
6 - Retain Manitoba Forage Assistance Program for Future use
Whereas the burning of straw is not a suitable use of straw as a resource, and
Whereas the Elie Isoboard plant is no longer in operation to make use of this resource,
Be It Resolved that MCPA request that the province retain the Manitoba Forage Assistance Program for the foreseeable future to encourage the removal of straw out of stubble burning areas of the province to be used as feed instead.

7 - Transfer Departmental Responsibility for Crown Lands to MAFRI
Whereas provincial responsibility for Crown lands has been allotted to three different departments in the provincial government,
Be It Resolved that MCPA request that provincial responsibility for Crown lands revert to Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives.

District 3
No Resolutions

District 9
8 - Changes required to AgriStability Program
Whereas both the old CAIS and new AgriStability programs do not work for cattle and other livestock producers,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA and CCA formally request that the federal and provincial governments move immediately on making the necessary changes to CAIS/AgriStability to enable these programs to work for cattle producers.

District 4
9 - TB Related Deer and Elk Depopulation in Southeast Manitoba
Whereas bovine TB has been detected in cattle herds in Northern Minnesota, and
Whereas the State of Minnesota has responded to the outbreak of bovine TB with targeted wildlife depopulation measures as part of its overall bovine TB Management Strategy,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the Province of Manitoba to conduct a depopulation of the deer in southeast corner of the province as well as establish a hunting season for elk in southeast Manitoba.

10 - Provincial Reporting System for Cattle Market Prices
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to establish a better and more accurate reporting system for the market prices of cattle sold in Manitoba.

District 2
11 - End the Exclusion of Grazing Practices from MASC Wildlife Compensation
Whereas there is a clear need for the provincial government to promote better management practices in Manitoba such as bale grazing, standing corn grazing and swath grazing,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to end the exclusion of bale grazing, standing corn grazing, swath grazing and other management practices from the MASC wildlife insurance program.

12 - Reaffirm MCPA Policy Number 2007.05 (Remote Electronic Review of CCIA Data)
Be It Resolved that the MCPA reaffirm policy number 2007.05 (Resolution 10 from the 2007 AGM) regarding the remote electronic review of CCIA data.
Whereas CCIA has a database system for identifying cattle in Canada,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby CCIA in order for individual producers who have purchased CCIA tags to have the ability, by entering individual PIN numbers, to review the data for the calves they have produced (e.g., carcass data which would assist producers to evaluate genetics of their herd).

District 5
13 - Reaffirm MCPA Policy Number 2007.4 (Improving Problem Predator Removal Program)
Be It Resolved that the MCPA reaffirm policy number 2007.04 (Resolution 9 from the 2007 AGM) regarding improvements to the provincial problem predator removal program.
MCPA Policy Number 2007.04: Improving Problem Predator Removal Program
Whereas the current Problem Predator Removal Program has some serious flaws that need to be addressed,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the Provincial Government to establish the following:
1. A fee be established for $300.00 per wolf and $50.00 per coyote,
2. Eliminate the 24hr. limit on the trapping permit,
3. That a long term commitment be made for funding this program.

District 13
14 - Beaver Dam Removal on Crown Lands
Whereas current beaver removal programs in Manitoba are unable to target the problems with beaver dams on Crown land properties,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the relevant provincial government departments (MAFRI, Manitoba Conservation, and MIT) for the removal of beaver dams on the Garland Point River Watershed and other problem watersheds.

15 - Expansion of Kill Permits for Dangerous Problem Wildlife
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government for the establishment of a kill permit for problem wildlife not presently included within current problem wildlife management programs but nonetheless pose a threat to property, food safety and livelihood.

16 - Ban on use of All Animal Byproducts in Ruminant Feed
Be It Resolved that MCPA lobby the federal government to ban the feeding of animal byproducts such as porcine meal, feather meal, poultry meal, and animal fat to ruminants, and
Be It Further Resolved that in the absence of such a ban, that the federal government be asked to require that the sale of all feeds include a list of ingredients as well as a statement as to the types of animal products used in the feed mill, and
Be It Further Resolved that the federal government require all trucks transporting animal byproducts be washed out in between loads to prevent cross contamination.

17 - Feed and Livestock Production Insurance Programs
Whereas existing production insurance programs for cattle producers’ feed sources such as hay are not effective or sufficient, and
Whereas the livestock production insurance program promised by both provincial and federal governments in 2003 as part of the Agricultural Policy Framework still does not exist under Growing Forward, and
Whereas feed and livestock production insurance program is an essential building block under the APF/Growing Forward for the AgriStability program to work effectively for cattle producers,
Be It Resolved that MCPA continue to lobby both levels of government for workable and effective production insurance programs for cattle producers that will insure both feed sources and livestock.

District 14
No Resolutions

District 12
18 - Beaver Dam Removal Program Compensation
Whereas the current Beaver Removal Program compensation fee of $15 is inadequate to properly deal with the beaver problem,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to increase the Beaver Removal Program compensation amount from $15 to $50 per beaver in order to cover actual costs, and
Be It Further Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to have Beaver Removal Program compensation be solely administered by the Department of Conservation.

District 7
19 - Increase Elk Hunting Areas
Whereas elk that pose a risk of disease and property damage are traveling in larger numbers outside of the current hunting zones in Manitoba,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to increase elk hunting areas beyond the current hunting zones in order to mitigate the risk of disease and property damage from elk.

20 - Government Funding for CCIA Tags
Whereas BSE and other diseases are a food safety issue, and
Whereas the cost of ID tags are a financial burden to the producer,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial and federal governments to cover the cost of CCIA tags for producers.

21 - Municipal Expropriations
Whereas municipalities have set a precedent by expropriating land beyond what has traditionally been understood as a public need (i.e., roads and sewage lagoons),
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to change the Municipal Act to prevent municipalities from expropriating land and improvements for the purpose of economic development, including but not limited to, engaging in a business-related or industry-related undertakings.

22 - Trade Challenge Against COOL
Whereas Canada, the U.S., and Mexico each signed a NAFTA trade agreement, and
Whereas U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) legislation and regulations are a contravention of this trade agreement,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA request CCA to press the federal government immediately on launching a trade challenge to COOL under either NAFTA or WTO rules.

District 6
23 - Gopher Control Program
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government for a gopher control program whereby producers can purchase bait and are eligible for reimbursement of 50% of bait costs.

District 1
No Resolutions

District 8
No Resolutions
Read more!

COLUMN - Ruminating

by MCPA President, Martin Unrau

This summer has been filled with both good news and bad news stories. It seems everything I wanted to talk about this month has both a positive and a negative aspect.
From the MCPA’s perspective, sometimes we just don’t now how a scenario will play out given all the variables until all is said and done. Because our industry is so intertwined from the packing plants all the way down to the cow-calf producer, a change in one sector can dramatically affect the profitability of another.

Today I’d like to talk about the good, the bad and the optimistic aspects of the following issues:

Country of origin labelling

Good news: The Canadian Cattlemen’s association lobbied hard since COOL was proposed in the U.S. and believe we were successful by working with USDA and the American bureaucrats to get the rules in the original document relaxed to the point that the new legislation would not be devastating to our industry.
The bad news: We’ve heard there are a few U.S. plants that won’t accept Canadian cattle and we won’t know for awhile exactly how our cattle are going to be viewed by U.S. feedlots, processors, retailers and consumers.
The optimistic view: Discounts on Canadian cattle probably won’t be as high as we originally thought.

MCEC investment in plant

Good news: It looks as if Manitoba will soon have a packing plant to process and market cattle.
The bad news: Producers in the province have always been divided over whether a plant here will be a viable investment or not.
An optimistic view: This is the chance for those producers who support the idea to see it become a reality and it is a very good opportunity for producer dollars to be put towards something positive. The naysayers will lose nothing with the options available.

WTO talks

The good news: Manitoba Agriculture Minister, Rosann Wowchuk attended the WTO meetings in Geneva. Staff from the CCA told me how impressed they were by her tenacity, that she and her colleagues pushed hard for the trade dependent west, in favour of opening new global markets for beef.
The bad news: Eastern Canada is not as interested in new markets because they heavily represent supply managed industries like milk, poultry and eggs. Talks broke down when India and China could not come to an agreement with the U.S. on import tariffs.
The optimistic view: WTO isn’t dead yet. There are people working behind the scenes trying to revive it and although we may not see much happen until early in 2009, the hope still exists that Canada may be able to negotiate a trade deal that is more favourable to the beef industry in the future.

Hay crop

Good news: Many producers have had decent crops in the province and have put up enough hay this summer.
The bad news: High levels of rain in isolated parts of the province are making it near impossible for producers in those areas to get up enough hay for this winter.
And in a corner in the southwest, dry conditions have persisted since spring drying up the pastures and making it impossible to harvest hay. Some producers have been forced to start selling cows.
The optimistic view: The provincial government has offered a positive freight assistance package. I hope that producers who normally just feed hay, explore all options. Good oat straw and six pounds of barley a day will get your cows through the winter just fine. Don’t be shy to ask for professional help about balancing rations.

We’ve had discussions with a few MPs and they are working hard to see if something can be done through AgriRecovery.

Cattle prices

Good news: There are a number of positive signals in the market that cattle will be selling for a decent price this fall. Cull cattle are bringing pretty good money, the dollar is down a bit and because of erratic weather throughout the country, there may be quite more feed grain available than originally thought.
The bad news: To recoup the losses producers have seen over the last five years, we need more per pound than what most of us can reasonably expect. Recovery on each of our farms is going to take awhile.
The optimistic view: I think good, 550 wt calves will bring $1.25 - $1.30 per pound this fall. Cull cows are also a decent price and it looks like we’re climbing out of the bottom of a hole.

Cattle movement

The good news: Cow-calf producers in Manitoba should benefit with the feedlot industries in both the east and west wanting our calves.
The bad news: Cash injections into the industry that are not balanced across the country put those who do not receive cash at a disadvantage. Feedlot operators here in Manitoba may have a difficult time competing for calves against Alberta, hurting our feedlot industry. The possibility of trade action from the U.S. still exists because of the Alberta payment.
The optimistic view: Out-of-province feedlot operators are already booking pen space in Manitoba feedlots so there is opportunity for our feeders to do some backgrounding and custom work.

Cattle Sales

Over the past few weeks I’ve become concerned about a trend that is developing that may not be in the best interest of the Manitoba industry as a whole.

In an effort to save paying commission sales at the auction marts, some producers are selling direct off the farm. This is a practise that has always been around, but hearing some of the prices guys have been paid in the past has me concerned.

There is room for both the independent buyer and auction mart in Manitoba. Years ago, all we had were the drovers who went from yard to yard.

The establishment of auction barns across the province made selling and buying cattle both fair and competitive for everyone. Auction markets are the price setters and provide a vital service to our industry. It is your choice how you sell, but keep in mind that the auction marts need us as much as we need them.

And on a final note, fall District Meetings are right around the corner. This is your chance to come out and voice your opinions, both positive, negative and optimistic. The schedule is listed on the back page of this paper. We look forward to seeing you there.

Read more!