VOICE OF MANITOBA’S CATTLE INDUSTRY Vol. 11 No. 3 November 2008
Cattle Country
Published by the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association
Industry in crisis
Photo: Jeannette Greaves
Quotes
from inside
“They move back and
forth across the border all
the time,” he said of the
U.S./Canada cattle indus-
try. “Any time there’s a
wrench in that, we jeopard-
ize the livelihood of the cat- “Stubborn will” at the grassroots is holding the Canadian cattle industry together
right now. But how much longer can cash-strapped ranchers hold on?
tle industry on both sides.
They need us and we need
them.”
-Cody Easterday, page 6
by Karen Emilson “We thought things were getting uglier every day. We’re not sending the prop- our government on that?
“. . . I would hate to bad last year, but the real- I don’t have many an- er people. If they send their Martin: “The CCA has
go through this and six These are tough times in ity is, calf prices are low- swers because there isn’t too President we should send had meetings at the high-
months down the road the cattle industry and right er this year than last,” he much any of us can do about our Prime Minister. In some est level in the federal de-
have it be a profitable busi- now producers don’t know said. “With the exception of rules set in other countries, cultures its insulting to not partments saying they want
ness after guys got out of the uncertainty surround- except inform our MPs and send in your big guns and a Trade Director - a cabinet
which way to turn.
it too soon. This still is a vi- ing COOL, earlier this year get after our MLAs so that they think we’re not serious. level MP who will be dedi-
able business,” he said. Herd dispersals and cows
going to slaughter are at an everything was pointing to- they understand how ser- When they send their cated to beef trade.”
-Guy Johnson, page 8
all-time high and calves ward a more positive fall. ious this is. This has gone far President and we send Trevor: Has there been
“We need to talk to the moving through the auc- And I really thought it was beyond extreme when you somebody from Winnipeg, any movement on trade ac-
Minister and see what her tion marts are at unusually going to happen, but be- know the guys with 400-500 it’s like sending in a kid to tion over COOL?
vision of the industry is in low numbers for this time of cause of the credit crisis in cows are in trouble and have negotiate your operating Martin: “It’s my impres-
10 years, because with the year. the U.S. that hit in late Sep- to go out and get jobs to pay loan at the bank.” sion that once a trade suit
direction it’s going right That’s because many tember, the big feedlots and the bills.” Martin: “You’re right, is filed, the rules are that ev-
now, things aren’t going to ranchers can’t afford an- cattle investors can’t get Joe: I think what you’re Joe. And there is a demand erything stops. It will take
be good. If the NDP want other money losing year. money to buy our calves or saying is what everyone is for the meat. The opportun- years of litigation and in the
this to be their legacy, then They are holding onto their have lost confidence in the thinking right now, we’re ities are there. Predictions meantime, nothing in the
fine.” marketplace.” going to have to push our are that in 10 years there will rule can change until the le-
- Dane Guignion, page 10
calves as long as they can,
hoping prices will improve Joe Bouchard: Slaughter MPs and put their feet to the be 800 million more people gal action is settled. And we
“Another bit of advice is: before the snow flies and plants in the U.S. are run- fire. We have to make some in the world to feed. That see “crisis” page 3
Age Verify your calves and they are forced to bring the ning at about 75 percent of headway on trade. The cattle puts in perspective how im-
any of your home raised cows in off pasture. Once normal capacity at this time. producers, well, we’re doing portant food production is.
cows. Regardless of what that happens and the calves Feedlots down south are our part and holding up our To have people suggest we
you have heard it does not are weaned, many will be under pressure because they end of the bargain. Right should be lowering our cat-
Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement
MCPA, 222-530 Century St., Winnipeg MB R3H 0Y4
Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to
cost you anything and if we forced to sell - particular- don’t have enough calves now it’s the cattle producer tle numbers is insane. The
Number 1280511 Postage paid in Winnipeg.
want to develop more mar- ly in the drought-stricken to fill their pens, and they who is holding this indus- frustration at the CCA level
kets for our cattle in the fu- Southwest and the flood- don’t know if they fill them try together, but the attitude over government inaction
ture . . . “ with Canadian cattle, which from our government, quite right now is extreme.
ed Interlake where feed
- Rick Wright, page 16
supplies are short. Hold- plants will be killing them frankly, stinks. Joe: That’s why the prov-
ing calves over and feeding as fats.” When the Americans or incial organizations and
“Harold Unrau’s article
hit the nail on the head. For them until spring is not an Martin: “The rules with Australians go in to trade, the CCA need to push even
years we have been told option for many this year. COOL are changing con- they send their President harder. We need political
that producers could do At the MCPA’s November stantly because the Senators or Ag Minister and don’t will to get this done. Some-
better if they paid atten- Board Meeting, the crisis fa- in the U.S. are trying to do take no for an answer and thing has to be done to get
tion to what feedlots need.” cing the industry was dis- something to look after their they get the deal done. How our industry going again.
- BS or Bang On, page 16 cussed at length. producers, who are also serious are we and how do Trevor Atchison: “The
Martin Unrau began the struggling because of high we look compared to our CCA’s push to establish a
discussion: feed and input costs, so it’s competition trading beef? trade directorate - where is
“ The MCPA - Proudly representing Manitoba’s cattle producers for 30 years”
2 CATTLE COUNTRY • November 2008
The views expressed in Cattle Country do
Quot e
not necessarily reflect the position of the
“When everybody’s running, you walk. When everybody’s walking, you run.” Manitoba Cattle Producers Association.
We believe in free speech and encourage
all writers and contributors to
- Laurie Byers, Alberta cattleman voice their opinions.
Ruminating - Martin Unrau Let’s be thankful for the positive, adjust
for the negative and enjoy every day
I
t is the first week in some people in this country adjust accordingly. And you clear on our individual re- etics and know-
November and most of to check their priority list. have to do it right away be- sponsibilities. The cow-calf ledge base, no other
the cows on the cattle Population wise, Canada fore it’s too late. Right now, producer and feedlot oper- country can touch
ranches are still out on is a very small country and two of our competitors are ator needs to produce a us when it comes to
grass and we still haven’t almost every person in this Australia and Brazil and product that both the do- producing top qual-
had much snow. The country who has the abil- they have a two goal lead mestic and global consum- ity grain and grass-
weather this fall has been ity to work, either produces, after the second period . . . er wants. Then it’s up to the fed beef.
great. manufactures or grows a processor to find the mar- In fact, Mani-
The federal elections in product that will be export- Within the cattle indus- kets. Up to this point, we toba and Saskatch-
Canada and the U.S. are ed. From logging to drill- try, we all need to be very have been doing our jobs, ewan are the top
finally over. Agriculture ing for oil; mining, growing but without the political two provinces in
wasn’t mentioned very often grain or livestock; building clout of the Canadian gov- the country where
in our election and this was cars and equipment - the ernment, we will continue we can pasture cows in this country. Producers
extremely disappointing. list of goods produced here to fall short. When dealing in an economical, sustain- have been forced to think
In fact, western Canada al- or raw products exported is with other countries, the able fashion because of our differently and we need our
most seemed to be part of huge. government and politics favourable, comparative- government to do the same.
another country during the If Canada is going to plays a vital role in estab- ly inexpensive land base. I It is easy to be a leader
election campaign. Polit- prosper it has to focus on lishing, maintaining and see a real future here for the when things are going good
icians in Ottawa seemed three things - trade, Trade enhancing healthy trade re- producers who can stick it and you are winning the
to have forgotten about the and TRADE with countries lationships. out and get through these battle. But no war was ever
importance of the livestock around the world and there Successful trading is tough years. won by leaders who throw
industry, and I’m referring should be no exceptions. not about just selling; it is In defense of both our up their hands when the go-
to cattle and the struggling We need to learn from about bargaining and that provincial and federal gov- ing gets tough.
beef sector in particular. our competitors and copy responsibility falls squarely ernments, prior to the bor- Now, with huge global
Politicians have a very what they’ve done. It is on the shoulders of our gov- der closing in 2003, the beef economic challenges facing
difficult job trying to bal- much like playing hock- ernment. industry was functioning the world, cattle producers
ance their responsibilities ey. When you’re out there I can think of no better well as part of a North can not be expected to do
and I have a great deal of re- getting your butt kicked, District 13 Director, Kim Crandall suited place in the world to grow American industry. But this alone. We need some
spect for many of them and what’s the first thing you up to watch TB testing procedures on Elk
that reacted positive to initial tests around
beef. With our wide open BSE changed all that. forward thinking leader-
the efforts they put forward. do? You take a look at what the Riding Mountain National Park. See spaces, clean air, abun- We have entered into a ship from the capable men
But I think it is time for the other team is doing and Sheila Mowat’s report on pg 4. dance of water, sound gen- new era of beef production and women we elected to
run this country.
MCPA’s “McSterling” flips burgers for farmers
In order for that to hap-
pen, I believe new priorities
need to be established. In
some cases, attitudes need
adjusting to get the job
plays on health and well-
ness. A variety of informa- done.
tion about the stress line’s
services were distributed.
MCPA Director, Brian
Sterling heard about the event
and decided to volunteer.
His efforts even caught
the attention of a Brandon
Sun photographer and the
shot made the front page of
An RCMP officer stops
the next day’s paper.
at a ranch in Alberta, and
“This was a really suc-
talks with an old rancher.
cessful event,” Brian said.
He tells the rancher,
“I started flipping burgers,
“I need to inspect your
by Karen Emilson tion Day” in conjunction I kid you not, at 8:15 in the ranch for illegal grown
with Fraser Auction’s fall morning and went until Drugs.”
Feeling unappreciated? sale at Brandon in late Octo- about 3:00 in the afternoon. The old rancher says,
Staff and volunteers at ber. More than 2,500 farm- Who eats a burger at 8:30 “Okay, but don’t go in that
the Manitoba Farm and ers came out to enjoy a free a.m.?” field over there.”
Rural Stress Line think that outdoor barbeque during Farmers, that’s who. And The RCMP officer
you are and that’s why they the auction. we’re all really glad that they verbally explodes saying,
held a “Farmer Apprecia- The event featured dis- do. “Mister, I have the author-
ity of the Federal Govern-
ment with me.” Reaching
DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 5 DISTRICT 9 DISTRICT 12 into his rear pant pocket
BRIAN STERLING MARTIN UNRAU - President MAC MCRAE MAJOR JAY FOX and removing his badge.
Box 76, Tilston, MB R0M 2B0 Box 554, MacGregor, MB R0H 0R0 Box 723, Stonewall, MB R0C 2Z0 Gen. Del. Eddystone MB R0L 0S0 The officer proudly dis-
686-2324 ph 685-2517 ph, 685-2258 fx 467-9816 ph, 482-4845 fx 448-2162 ph, 448-2327 fx plays it to the farmer.
R.M. of Albert, Cameron, Whitewater, R.M. of Elton, North Cypress, North Nor- R.M. of Woodlands, Rockwood, R.M. of Lawrence, ‘See This badge? This
Edward, Arthur, Brenda, Winchester, folk, Cornwall, Oakland, South Cypress, St. Andrews, Rosser, St. Francis Ochre River, Ste Rose, badge means I am al-
Morton. Victoria, South Norfolk. Xavier, Springfield, Tache, McCreary, Alonsa. lowed to go wherever
Whitemouth, Lac du Bonnet,
DISTRICT 2 DISTRICT 6 I wish, on any land, no
Brokenhead, St. Clements,
GREG JOHNSON - Secretary TREVOR ATCHISON questions asked. Have I
LGD of Alexander, Pinawa. DISTRICT 13
Box 86, Baldur, MB R0K 0B0 Box 4, R.R. #1 Pipestone, MB R0M 1J0 made myself clear? Do
KIM CRANDALL
535-2521 ph 854-2947 ph, 522-5542 cell DISTRICT 10 You understand?”
R.M. of Wallace, Woodworth, Daly, Box 614, Winnipegosis, MB R0L 2G0
R.M. of Riverside, Strathcona, Argyle, JOE BOUCHARD - 1st VICE PRESIDENT The old rancher nods
Lorne, Turtle Mountain, Roblin, Pipestone, Sifton, Whitehead, Glenwood. 657-2267 ph, 657-2361 fx
Box 44 Fisher Branch, MB R0C 0Z0 politely and goes about
Louise, Pembina. R.M. of Shell River, Shellmouth,
372-6397 ph
DISTRICT 7 Hillsburg, Boulton, Grandview, his chores.
R.M. of Bifrost, Gimli, Fisher,
RAY ARMBRUSTER - 2nd Vice President Gilbert Plains, Ethelbert, Later, the old rancher
Armstrong.
DISTRICT 3 Box 428, Rossburn, MB R0J 1V0 Mossey River, Dauphin, hears loud screams and
MARCEL GOUSSEAU 859-2088 ph/fx LGD Park. spies the RCMP officer
DISTRICT 11
Box 123, Oak Bluff, MB R0G 1N0 R.M. of Russell, Silver Creek, Rossburn, running for his life and
ART JONASSON - Treasurer
895-1357 ph, 831-5917 fx Ellice, Birtle, Shoal Lake, Strathclair, close behind is the ranch-
Box 41, Vogar, MB R0C 3C0 DISTRICT 14
R.M. of Portage la Prairie, Cartier, Archie, Miniota, Hamiota, Blanshard.
ph/fx 768-3229 DANE GUIGNION er’s bull. With every step
Grey, MacDonald, Dufferin,
DISTRICT 8 R.M. of Siglunes, Grahamdale, Box 220, Pine River MB R0L 1M0 the bull is gaining ground
Thompson, Roland, Morris, Stanley,
GLEN CAMPBELL Eriksdale, Coldwell, St.Laurent. 648-6528 ph/fx on the officer. The officer
Rhineland, Montcalm.
Box 47, Onanole MB R0J 1W0 R.M. of Minitonas, Swan River, is clearly terrified.
DISTRICT 4 848-2681 ph, 848-0035 cell Mountain, The Pas. The old rancher im-
DONALD WINNICKY R.M. of Harrison, Clanwilliam, mediately throws down
Box 11, Piney MB R0A 1K0 Rosedale, Glenella, Saskatchewan,
423-2211 ph 423-2192 fx Odanah, Minto, Langford, Lansdowne,
MISSION: “TO REPRESENT ALL CATTLE PRODUCERS THROUGH his tools, runs to the fence
R.M. of Richot, St.Anne, Hanover, Westbourne, Lakeview, COMMUNICATION, ADVOCACY, RESEARCH AND and yells at the top of his
De Salaberry, La Broquerie, LGD Park. EDUCATION WITHIN INDUSTRY AND TO GOVERNMENT, lungs: “Your badge! Show
Franklin,Stuartburn, Piney, CONSUMERS AND OTHERS, TO IMPROVE him your badge!”
LGD Reynolds. PROSPERITY AND ENSURE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.”
November 2008 • CATTLE COUNTRY 3
Cattlemen can speak for themselves Cattle Country
the voice of Manitoba’s
Cattle Industry
H Opinion
Published eight times per year:
istorically, one doesn’t Association assures that Manitoba February, March, May, June,
even have to look outside cattle producers concerns are being September, October,
the boundaries of Mani- By Matthew Wright heard on Parliament Hill. November, December
toba to see that many organizations That is not to mean there is no Read by 12,700 cattle
attempting to represent a variety of room for a common approach. producers and beef industry
differing interests ultimately ren- that what’s good for Tom is good for you begin to wonder about the time There are often times when mu- supporters in our province.
der themselves ineffective. The fail- Harry. and money invested in being a team tual issues arise and a common
ures of the Manitoba Farm Bureau General organizations have often player. front be adapted as long as respect Cattle Country is published by the
and the Manitoba Federation of tried to strike a balance in an ef- The same goes for the Mani- between the various stakeholders
fort appeal to the overall member- toba Cattle Producers Associa- Manitoba Cattle
Agriculture are but two examples exists. Respect for an individual’s Producers Association
of this. ship. Unfortunately, sometimes this tion. Coincidentally celebrating its needs and concerns. What’s good 222-530 Century Street,
The rise of individual commod- middle of the road approach means 30th year, the association has final- for Tom may not always be good Winnipeg, MB R3H 0Y4
ity associations over the years now backing away from issues that al- ly placed itself in a position that it for Harry but as long as they under-
means that farmer’s concerns are though are important to some, are can represent the interests of the ap- stand the basic adage of putting Ph: 1-800-772-0458
once again given priority in a pre- not important to all. This stance not proximately 10,000 cattle producers oneself into another’s shoes, that (204) 772-4542 ph
viously watered down system of so- only renders the umbrella group in Manitoba more effectively in re- respect can exist and cooperation (204) 774-3264 fx
called across the board representation. unproductive, but meaningless. lations with the government, indus- in areas of mutual concern can be www.mcpa.net
Given the shape of today’s global You’ve heard the saying “You can’t try and media on a provincial level fruitful.
economy and the very nature of please everyone all of the time”, but than it has ever found itself. General Manager
our business system, as specializa- when you are on the short end of Nationally, the MCPA’s member- - Matthew Wright is the MCPA’s
tion grows, it is illogical to think the stick the majority of the time, ship in the Canadian Cattlemen’s Communications Coordinator Sheila Mowat
Staff
take?’ Our government has COOL. What COOL is do- culture in this country - es- ly refusing to quit and that’s Val Bell - Office Manager
‘crisis’ from front page a wimpy ass attitude and ing is taking away live cattle pecially in Western Canada what holding the industry Deb Walger - Accounting
they are walking away with sales to the U.S., more for us where agriculture drives the together right now, both in Shane Sadorski - Policy
don’t have that much time. nothing.” here in Manitoba than other economy. the cow-calf and feedlot sec- Matt Wright - Communications
I’m not convinced that the Trevor: “Didn’t we hear parts of Western Canada. Martin: “You are all tors. But when those guys
timing is right.” earlier this year that China Right now it’s a race to the right. There is a whole host start getting forced out, Editor
Dane Guignion: So they was interested in setting up a bottom and the trade neu- of problems that need to be we’re all done. Karen Emilson
are allowed to break the tral program that is suppos- fixed. With some vision on cattlecountry@mts.net
packing plant here in Mani-
ed to help in situations like the part of our government So what is the message we (204) 768-3312
WTO and NAFTA rules toba? What happened to
and we’re just expected to sit that? I don’t know if a pack- this (AgriStability), doesn’t we can get this thing turned are taking to government?
For advertising rates
back?” ing plant owned by the Chi- work for cattle producers. around. • Fix AgriStability so it
The government is still tell- Honestly, I don’t think will work for cattle produ- and deadlines
Martin: “I know, it’s frus- nese is a good thing or not, cattlecountry@mts.net
trating. There is a lot of con- but you’d think there would ing us it will work but the they realize what is at stake. cers. Listen to the recom- (204) 768-3312
troversy in the U.S. over be no problem exporting the Interim Advance payments Cattle producers occupy 35 mendations that have al-
COOL. It’s protectionist meat back to China.” sent in from the office came million acres of land in the ready been made by the
legislation that makes do- Martin: There were a few back that those producers country and most of that is provincial organizations NEXT ISSUE:
ing business difficult for factors involved in why that would not receive payments in rural, Western Canada. I and the CCA.
their own packers and feed-
lots. Maybe now that their
didn’t happen.
Shane Sadorski - MCPA
even though they all have to
buy feed this year.
think the government wants
to see some of us gone so
• Streamline the regula-
tions for processors and ex-
December
election is over, we’ll see a
push from that end to get
Policy Analyst: Bill 17 (hog
moratorium) isn’t going to
I had a neighbour say
jokingly that we’re going to
they don’t have to make the
effort.
porters and/or have the gov-
ernment absorb the costs
2008
this thing changed. Let’s help. Other countries don’t have to legalize polygamy in Over the last five years, because right now those
face it, pressure from their like to do business with Canada. It now takes more every glimmer of hope or costs are being passed down Deadline
own businesses is going to
be taken more seriously
a province that has been
known to change the rules
than one wife working off
the farm to keep things go-
bright spot we’ve seen has
been squashed and the dis-
to the grassroots producer.
• Work with interested Nov. 19th
than a lawsuit from us. At mid-stream. ing . . .” appointment is really start- parties in the U.S. to temper
In Mail: December 5th
least that’s my opinion, but Jay: I think Minister Brian Sterling: “If I’ve ing to get to some guys. the COOL legislation.
I could be wrong. Wowchuk is listening to us, learned anything from the But I am also seeing a • Expand trade so that Check our blog:
The packing industry is but her government isn’t ne- meetings I’ve attended it’s stubborn will rising up. our industry is not so de-
www.cattlecountry.blogspot.com
huge in Iowa and Nebraska. cessarily listening to her. that it is impossible for one Some guys are just absolute- pendent on one market.
Three of the largest plants Art Jonasson: “I agree province to do it alone. We
are within an 18 mile radi- have to have the federal gov-
Heartland Livestock Services VIRDEN
that we need processing
us of one another and em- here, but right now because ernment on side, working
ploy approximately 18,000 of government regulations, with the provinces. When
people. If those plants start the Canadian packing in- does the CCA stand up and
laying off people because of
COOL . . .”
Jay Fox: What we need is
dustry can’t compete any-
way and are losing over $100
per animal, so they are pass-
say, “Minister Ritz, you’re
not doing your job. At some
point we have to stand up
Bred Cow Sales • Dispersals • Production Sales
some investment into Can- ing those losses down to the and speak the truth as we Monday, Nov. 17 120 Red & black cows, bred black
ada and to do that we need line and they are being ab- see it.” Friday, Nov. 21 100 Black cows, bred black
the government to back us. sorbed by the cow-calf guy. Joe: The Premier and 40 Black heifers, bred black
We need government to The most pressing issues Prime Minister have to
show some leadership, and
300 Black cows, bred black
go to these meetings when right now are: we are not
trade talks go on, to sit getting enough for our they have really dropped the Monday, Nov. 24 70 Char./Sim. X cows, bred red Simmental
down and say, ‘we’re trading calves, the lack of a bankable ball. They have to support 70 Char. X cows, bred Charolais
with you guys what will it business risk program and their ag ministers and agri- 30 Hereford X cows, bred Hereford
Friday, Nov. 28 120 Black cows, bred black
20 Black heifers, bred black
Letter to the Editor Monday, Dec. 1
30 Char. X cows, bred Charolais
100 Black/red cows, bred black/red
Dear Karen: much and I’d be letting the isn’t. We will see good pric-
I have resigned myself boys down. es again. Everyone just has 40 Black cows, bred black
that if prices keep going I look at it this way. to hold on maybe another 200 Char. X cows, bred Charolais
down, I might lose our Things will either improve year or so.
third generation farm. or they’ll get worse. If they You can run this in your Friday, Dec. 5 130 Black cows, bred black
We expanded so our son get worse, then it’s the paper if you don’t use my 120 Red X cows, bred Charolais
could farm with us right same for everyone. The name or wife’s email. I can 150 Char. X cows, bred Charolais
before BSE and we all banks don’t want our cows make all my loan payments
Saturday, Dec. 6 250 Bred heifers - Maple Lake Stock Farm
know the story with that. and there’s nobody to sell this year, but my banker is
But I’m not going down the land and equipment to a miserable SOB so I like to Monday, Dec. 8 60 Char. X/Red X cows, bred Charolais/Red Angus
without a fight. Me and anyway. I’m not a econo- keep quiet. 65 Red X cows, bred red Simmental
my wife aren’t going to sell mist, but it doesn’t make Hope things dry up soon
out like so many others sense to me to force us off there in the Interlake. Friday, Dec. 12 Spring Creek & Guest Female Sale - 200 Simmental
are doing, we enjoy our when there is nobody else Monday, Dec. 15 120 Sim./Char. X cows, bred Charolais/Simmental
cattle too much and up there to buy. Not so long - Signed, “Too Damn Old
80 Red X cows, bred Charolais
until now it has provided as we are crazy enough to & Stubborn To Quit”
50 Black cows
us a good living. Besides keep going. We always pay
that our two boys want to our bills as soon as we can. P.S. Tell Martin Unrau Friday, Dec. 19 Mountain View Farms Annual Production Sale
calve cows for a living (our That’s the cattleman way. he is doing a good job as
girl has more sense, she’s President. BUTCHER CATTLE SALES - Every Monday @ 9:00 a.m.
going to university) but if I
let it go now, when prices
And don’t let the gov-
ernment tell you the cattle
Thank You
REGULAR FEEDER SALES - Every Wednesday @ 9:00 a.m.
*Please call the office for sale times & calving dates on bred cow sales*
are bad, we will lose too cycle is dead because it
Ph: 748-2809 • Toll Free: 1-888-784-9882 • virden.lmc@hls.ca
4 CATTLE COUNTRY • November 2008
Agricultural Crown Land
Sale Program Announced
Observing TB testing firsthand
by Sheila Mowat ada and CFIA staff. Ray has
Press Release so much knowledge about
T E
in the second, a six per cent
he Government of discount in the third year arlier this year, the the TB issue, the disease and
Saskatchewan un- of the program, a four per MCPA was invited by the park that I now know
veiled a new five- cent discount in the fourth Parks Canada to ob- that whenever I go to meet-
year program recently year and a two per cent dis- serve the TB testing process ings with him, we’ll be the
that will help put agricul- count in the fifth. on elk in the lab at Riding last ones to leave.
tural Crown land back in The provincial gov- Mountain National Park. It turns out that morning
the hands of producers. ernment currently owns Directors Ray Armbrust- they were testing elk that
The Agricultural approximately 7.2 mil- er, Kim Crandall and my- had been removed from the
Crown Land Sale Pro- lion acres of agricultur- self attended. Kim Jones, the east side of the park. The elk
gram will offer Crown al Crown land. Under this communication officer with we observed had no visible
land lessees an incentive program, 1.6 million acres Parks Canada, met us at the lesions either on their bodies
to purchase their leased will be eligible for sale, gate and showed us to the or in the tissues samples. But
agricultural Crown land. which is nearly the size of lab and gave us a quick tour as we were leaving, a couple
“Many agricultural Prince Edward Island. of the building. Photo by: Sheila Mowat of elk were brought in from
Crown land lessees have “The Province will re- Here is the process for the Bob Keffen slicing samples taken from elk the west side of the park.
been asking for this type tain several million acres removal and testing of elk: Ray commented that those
of program for a very of agricultural Crown 1. The elk are netted from elk testing. for testing from the elk’s elk were in much rough-
long time,” Agriculture land,” Bjornerud said. a helicopter and a blood Parks Canada gave Ray, head while Doug Bergeson er shape and we speculated
Minister Bob Bjornerud “This includes land with sample is taken. The elk are Kim and I the VIP treat- took samples from the re- they were probably infected
said. “While agricultur- conservation attributes, then collared and released. ment, allowing us to go mainder of the elk carcass with TB.
al Crown land has been important subsurface min- 2. The blood samples are right into the lab area, but and inspected it for lesions. There were 22 elk and
sold to producers since erals, located in proximity sent to a lab for testing. before we could go in, we Todd Shury and two vet stu- three white tailed deer re-
1947, this type of incentive to major water bodies or 3. If the test results in a had to suit up. We had to dents from the University of moved during the late April
program has never before having other public or eco- reactor, the elk are tracked wear masks, coveralls, rub- Saskatoon helped with the testing period due to reac-
been offered in Saskatch- nomic values beyond agri- through the electronic chip ber boots and gloves before process. tion on one or more of the
ewan.” culture.” in the collars. A helicopter we could enter the lab area. After watching for awhile, blood tests.
This voluntary pro- The Agricultural Crown equipped with a shooter will Kim commented this was I went to observe Bob Keffen The results were that five
gram fulfils a commit- Land Sale Program begins find and shoot the elk that the first time he had worn from the CFIA, take indi- bull elk and one White-
ment made in the 2007 November 15, 2008. De- have reacted positive to the rubber boots since he was a vidual samples from the tailed deer tested positive
Throne Speech. tails of the program will test. little kid. Unfortunately, the plate. He made very fine, de- for TB. All six animals were
“We are keeping our be sent to all agricultural 4. The elk are either taken photo I took of him in the tailed cuts, as if slicing a loaf from the western area of the
promise to create a plan Crown land lessees, and by helicopter to the lab or “Captain Morgan” pose did of bread in an effort to see park and the R.M. of Grand-
for lasting and permanent are also available on the are transferred to a truck not turn out. if there were any lesions in view - areas that previous
economic growth,” Bjor- Ministry’s website at www. and driven to the lab, de- the tissue samples. Watch- wildlife TB positives origin-
nerud said. “We will re- agriculture.gov.sk.ca. pending on where they are The first elk was brought ing him work in such a pre- ated.
turn the direction of the Lessees interested in located in the park. in and the head was re- cise way, I couldn’t help but Parks Canada is planning
economy to the hands of purchasing their leased 5. Once the elk arrive at moved. They took approxi- chuckle to myself and won- to continue to blood test 75
the people.” Crown land should con- the lab, the elk are hung and mately fifteen lymph node der how he would carve a elk and 30 deer in the central
The new program of- tact Saskatchewan Agri- the lab work begins. samples, divided evenly be- thanksgiving turkey. portion of the Park. This
fers lessees a sliding scale culture’s Regional Offices The day we went to ob- tween the head, the thoracic After Bob finished slicing area has not had enough
incentive for purchase, be- in Swift Current, North serve, Parks Canada also in- cavity/lungs and the rest of the samples, he placed them wildlife surveillance to date
ginning with a 10 per cent Battleford and Tisdale, to vited their own staff to see the body. They are careful to in bottles to send off for cul- and while we expect that the
discount on the sale price determine if their leased the process since many of keep the samples separate. turing. If any appeared sus- level of disease is low (based
of the land in the first year, land is eligible for this sale their general staff did not Tammy Kelly from CFIA picious, they were placed in on hunter kills), the testing
an eight per cent discount program. understand the process of was removing the samples marked containers so that will confirm/determine the
the staff at the Nepean, On- apparent prevalence of the
tario lab would know to pro- problem in this area.
cess those samples first. Currently, discussions are
See what
Simmentals
We observed all morning proceeding to reduce the elk
and then during lunch, used and deer populations in the
the opportunity to discuss western region of the park.
The extent of the reduc-
produce! the programs and testing at
the park, winding the dis- tion, timing, and affect on
cussion around to the test- the First Nations commun-
ing of the cattle herds and ities as well as the stakehold-
the challenges producers face. ers are all being reviewed.
I had a good discussion A final plan will not be an-
with Paul Tarleton who is nounced until this fall, fol-
the Manager of Resource lowing consultations with
Conservation for the Park. everyone involved.
We talked about the park in At this time the MCPA
general and he showed me would like to thank Parks
on a detailed map the vari- Canada for inviting us to
ous areas where the elk were participate in their testing
taken from, as well as gen- and also to CFIA staff for
eral discussion about other answering our many ques-
wildlife concerns. tions.
Once we were confident We are anxious to solve
we understood the process, the problem of TB in the
Kim and I left the lab. Ray wildlife in and around the
stayed behind to continue park and believe open and
Find them this fall at: Focus Photos
discussing producer con-
cerns with the Parks Can-
honest communication will
help us get that done.
Pembina Triangle Sale - Nov. 15, 2008 Keystone Konnection Sale - Dec. 9, 2008
Bonchuk Farms Sale - Dec. 1, 2008
Simmtastic Sale - Dec. 3, 2008
Rendezvous Farms Sale - Dec. 11, 2008
Shades of the Prairies Sale - Dec. 15, 2008
Voice Your Concerns
To contact your local MP, go to:
Workman Farms Sale - Dec. 6, 2008 Harvest Hoedown Sale - Dec. 16, 2008 http://canada.gc.ca/depts/major/depind-eng.html
Maple Lake Stock Farm Sale - Dec. 6, 2008 M & J Farms Sale - Dec. 29, 2008 Click on the link: finding your MP using your postal code
Email, telephone and fax information available for each member
or call: Information Service for Parliament - 1-866-599-4999
Don’t miss the
ANNUAL MEETING Thank You To contact the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Gerry Ritz, go to:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/index_e.php?s1=help-aide&s2=contact
to Preston Stock Farms
January 3, 2009 Telephone: 613-759-1000
for donating the Fax: 613-759-7977
Royal Oak Inn, Brandon
2008 Scholarship Heifer
Manitoba
To contact your local MLA, go to:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/aboutmb/index.html
Click on the link: contact your MLA
Simmental
Be sure to check the website for MSA meeting
Email, telephone and fax information available for each member
highlights and updates as the MSA will no longer or Government inquiry: 1-866-626-4862
be sending out letters with this information.
Association
To contact Manitoba’s Agriculture Minister, Rosann Wowchuk
Room 165-405 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V8
http://www.provincial.simmental.com/manitoba Telephone: (204) 945-3722
Fax: 945-3470
President: Neil Carson (204) 859-2816 • Secretary-Treasurer: Donalee Jones (204) 529-2444 email: minagr@leg.gov.mb.ca
Room 165-405 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V8
November 2008 • CATTLE COUNTRY 5
Even the diehards can change how they vote
I
grew up in Southern Ontario, the firstborn daughter of
a Hamilton city bus driver. Dad was a Union man and
because of that he always voted NDP. If it hadn’t been
for his unionized job, I would have grown up poor.
After I got married and told everyone that Mark and I
Reflection By Karen Emilson
and felt so ignored. And never in my lifetime has the situa-
tion on the farm been so serious and prolonged. Ranchers
are both business owners and “working” men and women.
That the Federal Conservatives and Provincial NDP can’t
work together towards a solution is difficult for me (and my
would be moving out to the family ranch 35 miles from the dad) to understand.
nearest small town, they all thought I’d lost my mind. I have voted Conservative all these years because I be-
Everyone except dad. lieved the Tories were the party in favour of ambition and
“This may be the most perfect place on earth,” he said self-sufficiency in agriculture. But as farmers and ranch-
one afternoon as we enjoyed a cool drink one hot evening ers continue to subsidize the inexpensive food policy here
in mid-July after a day of raking and baling hay. My dad is a in Canada, while being hampered by circumstances be-
wackier version of me. He’s cheerful, optimistic and believes yond their control, our self-sufficiency is becoming harder
that hard work and a love for what you do will get a person to maintain. The philosophies of the federal government we
through the rough spots. It’s no wonder he fits in so well at helped elect may now be working against us. There is a “sur-
the ranch. vival of the fittest” attitude coming from government right
Now that he’s retired, he visits often. Sometimes in the now, but we at the grassroots all know that the best cow-calf
dead of winter, I’ll see him through the living room window producers and cattle feeders in this country don’t necessar-
standing perfectly still in the yard, listening to the sound ily have the deepest pockets.
that nothing makes. And I can’t help but wonder if farmers in the west started
flipping their vote like city folks in the east, if our vote would
Soon after I started working for the Manitoba Cattle Pro- still be taken for granted. Maybe there is a lesson to be learn-
ducers Association, I added Dad to the Cattle Country mail- ed from a bus driver who loves cattle.
ing list and gave him a shirt with the MCPA logo on it. He
wears that shirt whenever he is going to be in a crowd of I don’t have the heart to tell Dad how serious the situa-
people or on a plane where he can corner an unexpected tion has become for everyone. He’d only worry. And besides,
stranger and tell them all about our cows. He passes around it could send him off on a one-man crusade to save the cat-
pictures of calves like they are his grandchildren. tle industry, that quite frankly, would be more embarrass-
After the border closed five years ago, dad called every ing than the time he began jigging and singing along to a
weekend for updates. When the election was called in the again. I’ve voted Conservative for more than 20 years, but Stompin’ Tom Connors’ song (in front of my friends) when
spring of 2004, we had many long discussions about which he wanted to check again to see how I wanted him to vote. I was fourteen.
government I thought would do the most to help the cattle After I hung up the phone, I was struck by the realization But I suppose he’ll find out soon enough, when his copy
industry. that voters in Ontario don’t think the same way as we do in of Cattle Country arrives in the mail.
“How do you want me to vote?” he asked, offering to de- the West. Photo: Dad bottle feeding a set of twins
part from his usual NDP leanings if it would help us out. In Ontario, they don’t elect governments in, they throw
That was a tough question. The Liberals were in power governments out. That may be one reason why each party
and Dad’s MP, Bob Speller in Haldimand-Norfolk was Fed- has to work so hard to get their vote. On-Farm Equipment Purchase
eral Agriculture Minister. You could see in Speller’s eyes So what Dad really wanted to know is if I thought the Assistance Deadline Extended
that he cared about the future of the cattle industry and the Conservatives have done enough for the cattle industry. I am Producers participating in a Verified Beef Produc-
families affected by BSE. In fact, he lost his seat to Conserv- both disappointed and ashamed to say that no, they have not. tion (VBP) workshop, now have until December 31, 2008
ative Diane Finley because he was so busy in the West visit- We have a Prime Minister from Alberta and Agriculture to apply for equipment purchase assistance. Agriculture
ing cattle regions, that he didn’t do enough campaigning at Minister from Saskatchewan - the two top beef producing and Agri-Food Canada extended the deadline to enable
home. The Conservatives might argue that wasn’t the rea- provinces in Canada, and yet, Western agriculture was bare- more producers to take advantage of the funding available
ly mentioned during this election. We sat by watching as the through the Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program.
son, but I got the scoop from the bus driver who after 40
Conservatives courted the Ontario vote. To ensure equipment qualifies for funding under the
years of taking people back and forth to work, has a thor- program, eligibility should be assessed ahead of the time of
ough understanding of how the working man thinks. Provincially, I live in an NDP constituency that is almost
purchase. In addition, producers are required to participate
No doubt Dad was wearing his MCPA shirt the day he wholly dependent on the cattle industry. Some of the largest in a Verified Beef Production program workshop.
went in to introduce himself to Diane Finley, his new MP. ranches in the province are right here and many are suffering Copies of equipment purchase invoices must be submit-
He insisted I send a signed copy of my book about the cattle because of unprecedented flooding this past summer. Never ted to the producer’s provincial coordinator no later than
industry to give to her. before have I lived so onside with the governments of the day December 31, 2008. For producers purchasing equipment
As we geared up for this last election, Dad called me in December, and experiencing time constraints this fall,
they may participate in a workshop in January 2009. How-
Problems are like thistles. ever to take advantage of this option, arrangements must
If you brush your hand against one, be made, in advance.
PUREBRED BREEDERS the nettles bite into your skin.
Register with the affordable In Manitoba, call Betty Green (204) 372-6492
online advertisement that But if you grab a thistle in your palm you can
will help sell your bulls. crush it easily, and surprisingly,
Call (204) 825-4361
or visit: BULL TRADER
it doesn’t hurt at all.
Treat your problems like thistles. Canada’s Beef
www.bull-trader.com Grab onto them and squeeze hard. on-Farm
Food Safety Program
GRUNTHAL
LIVESTOCK
BRED COW & HEIFER SALES
Saturday, Nov. 15th. & 29th, Saturday, Dec. 13th
10:00 a.m.
Goals
To promote the implementation of Good Production
Practices on-farm that minimize beef safety risks.
AUCTION MART Lic. 11-11
Note: All livestock should be in the yards Friday by 4:00 p.m. for testing To provide ongoing assurance to consumers and other
Tune in to CFRY 920 AM every Thursday at 12:09 p.m.
for the Grunthal Auction Mart Report Last cattle sale of 2008 - Wednesday, Dec. 17th markets that Canadian beef is produced to the highest
Regular sales will resume Wednesday, Jan. 8th/09 safety standards.
Henry Penner - cell 355-7518 Ph.: 204-434-6519
Agents for Team Marketing (Internet Auction Sale) Regular Cattle Sales - WEDNESDAYS AT 9:00 a.m. ATTEND A WORKSHOP IN YOUR AREA!
Nov. 12 Municipal Office Ste. Rose du Lac
20th
AnniversAry Keystone Klassic Angus Sale Nov. 13
Nov. 18
Legion Hall
Community Centre
Oak Lake
Dugald
Nov. 20 MAFRI Office - 7 p.m. Fisher Branch
Sat., December 6, 2008 Keystone Centre, Canada Room •Brandon 1:00 p.m.
Nov. 25 Gainsborough Hall - 7 p.m.
4 mi. south of Hwy. #1 on Hwy. #240
Join the Consignors 62 lots of Purebred BLACK and Nov. 26 Legion Hall - 7 p.m. Treherne
For more information, contact
RED Angus Cattle
Fri. Dec. 5 - 7:00 p.m.
Sale Cattle Parade & Hospitality
Betty (204) 372-6492
• 36 Bred females • 25 Heifer calves •
Let’s celebrate 20 years
of Great
ANGUS Cattle
at the • Bull calf & Embryos • Enhancing Confidence in Manitoba Beef!
Keystone!
Fundraising heifer generously donated by: Receive up to
Botany Angus/Leaning Spruce Stock Farm $750 Rebate
Add Quality Genetics to your herd by adding the maternal Enhancing Confidence on Headgate
and marbling traits of the ANGUS breed
View catalogue online: www.canadianangushalloffame.com
in with
Manitoba Beef!
or call Manitoba Angus - 1-888-622-6487 Neck Extender
Sale managed by: Canadian Angus Hall of Fame * Hugh Ross * (403) 318-2196
6 CATTLE COUNTRY • November 2008
INDUSTRY PROFILE: Meat industry will face slate of
issues when Obama takes office
Ryder Lee
A
s the world watch- has become increasingly de- based on industry-by-indus-
es to see how pendent on exports for its fi- try calculations.
by Matthew Wright goes both ways. President-elect Bar- nancial viability. Obama has Obama has promised to
I
Lee said it’s instrumen- ack Obama and a demo- said he is keen to build into bring stakeholders to the
n mid-October, Ryder tal that while the govern- cratically reinforced Con- trade agreements enforce- table when environmental
Lee attended a few of ment hears the concerns gress in January face a able labor and environment- regulation impacts agricul-
the MCPA District coming from the grass- global economic crisis and al standards to protect U.S. ture and to base decisions
Meetings. roots, producers must also ongoing wars in Iraq and farmers and laborers from “on the best available, scien-
Lee is the Manager of be made aware of the go- Afghanistan, the meat in- any unfair trading-partner tifically valid evidence and
Federal and Provincial Re- ings on in their govern- dustry is also watching to advantages. The meat indus- not on the ideological pre-
lations with the Canadian ment and the CCA. He and see how industry-specific try concern is ensuring that dispositions of agency of-
Cattlemen’s Association colleague John Masswohl, issues will be addressed. any new standards don’t dis- ficials or political appoin-
(CCA). strive to make that happen. Meat industry insid- rupt current meat trade or tees.”
He says the sway of Can- Lee is a firm believer in ers told Meatingplace.com limit future opportunities.
adian cattlemen lies in cattle industry and offers the notion that change is af- Food safety
there are plenty of concerns Immigration
their ability to direct sound possible solutions. fected from the ground up. With a Democratic
about a long list of issues,
policy through their prov- The fact that agriculture Without the provincial as- Obama has said he will White House and Congress,
including: renewable fuel
incial associations, and it’s encompasses a broad spec- sociations doing their part support additional person- there also is concern that
subsidies, trade, immigra-
that direction that guides trum of commodities, in- across the country, the nel, infrastructure, and proposals by Rep. Rosa De-
tion, animal rights, environ-
the national association it dustry groups and related CCA would lose a lot of technology on the border Lauro (D-Conn.) to com-
mental regulation and food
its dealings on Parliament associations, makes Lee’s ground in Ottawa. and at ports of entry. On im- bine the Food and Drug Ad-
safety regulation.
Hill. job that much more difficult. “Policy really depends migration reform, he sup- ministration and USDA’s
While in Manitoba, Lee Throw in the personal or on the success of the prov- Renewable fuels ports a system that requires Food Safety and Inspection
gave a presentation on the business agendas involved inces bringing their agen- Obama has been vocal undocumented immigrants Service into a single agency
state of Canada’s cattle in- and the arena gets that much das to the CCA table,” he about his support for re- who are in good standing to could gain ground.
dustry that included the more complicated. said. “The directors decid- newable fuels and biofuel pay a fine, learn English and Animal welfare
latest COOL information “We meet with policy ing on policy is what drives tax incentives. In response go to the back of the line for
While good animal hus-
and its effects and the ef- makers, MP’s, their staff, my job.” to a pre-election question- the opportunity to become
bandry is universally sup-
forts being undertaken to staff from Ag Canada, the Manitoba is home to naire from the National citizens.
ported in the livestock and
expand into foreign mar- Canadian Food Inspection Canada’s third largest cat- Corn Growers Association, Environmental regulation meat industry, there is con-
kets. Agency, Environment Can- tle herd and according to the president-elect said he
Obama has promised to cern that animal rights
For the past three years ada and Health Canada as Lee, is emerging as a re- would invest $150 billion
reverse what he called the groups with agendas that
at the CCA, Lee has worked well as other industry play- spected and industry lead- over the next ten years in
Bush administration’s at- go beyond animal welfare
with policy makers, Mem- ers involved in the hog or ing association. The MCPA the green energy sector with
tempts to chip away at clean might find a more sympa-
bers of Parliament, Minis- dairy industry (as we have has been moving in the a goal of 60 billion gallons of
air and water standards. thetic audience in a Demo-
ters and their staff ensuring somewhat of a common right direction and the fuel coming from biofuels
One Washington insider crat-dominated Washing-
that they are kept informed cause),” he said, adding that work they are doing is be- by 2022.
said that has the meat in- ton in the coming years.
about the issues facing the the need for communication ing noticed nationally. Trade dustry worried about talk - www.meatingplace.com
“Manitoba has taken the Trade issues are critical on Capitol Hill of capping
lead on a couple of issues
RED and BLACK ANGUS such as TB testing and
to a U.S. meat industry that allowable carbon footprints
BULLS & BRED HEIFERS FOR SALE some other issues that play
a bigger part in the whole
U.S. feedlot owners say COOL too costly
Purebred Angus bulls - BUY YOUR BULL NOW picture,” he said.
AND take him home at 2008 price of $1,800 Lee is passionate about
his work and it shows. He Cody Easterday estimates before the USDA will begin Cattlemen in the South-
Choose from 25 long-yearling Red and Black Angus
was raised in southern Sas- that some 25 percent of the enforcement. west might buy cattle from
Bulls - Excellent genetics, easy-handling,
katchewan on a cow/calf cattle at his 30,000-head Meat packers and retail- Mexico, but the issue of
ready for fall breeding.
operation, where today he feedlot come from Can- ers have long opposed the cross-border cattle ship-
Purebred/Cross-bred Angus Heifers - Select from a still owns a few head of ada, with maybe a few cattle rules, saying they would be ments doesn’t strike home
group of 60 bred heifers and 75 heifer calves cattle and some land. His from Mexico in the pens. expensive and burdensome. in the Midwest or North-
Volume discounts negotiable brother and father continue But weeks after the gov- In the lawsuit filed last east, Easterday said.
Detailed Information is Available on Request – to raise cattle in the town of ernment began requiring month in U.S. District “They move back and
Call us for a Sale List Fir Mountain. producers to label beef with Court, Easterday Ranches forth across the border all
the time,” he said of the
Inquiries and Visitors are Welcome “The thing I enjoy about the country the animals
came from, Easterday esti-
Inc. contends that labeling
will increase record keep- U.S.-Canada cattle industry.
my job the most is who I
We’re located 3 miles north of Eddystone on Hwy #481 (1st
work for. I work for my dad mates he’s already getting low- ing and operating costs and “Any time there’s a wrench
house on left/west side) just off Hwy #68 between Hwy #5
and my brother and other er prices for that foreign beef deter meat packers from in that, we jeopardize the
(Ste Rose) and Hwy #6 (Eriksdale).
— as much as $30 per head. buying Canadian-born cat- livelihood of the cattle in-
Contact Allen & Merilyn Staheli people like them in the in-
It’s just one reason he’s tle from Easterday’s feedlot. dustry on both sides. They
dustry, so I can relate what
need us and we need them.”
F BAR & ASSOCIATES I do back to home everyday
and that’s pretty satisfy-
suing the U.S. Department
of Agriculture to rewrite the
The Agriculture Depart-
ment declined to comment, Easterday also said the
204-448-2124 • fax 204-448-2126 ing,” he said. beef labeling provision in citing the pending litigation. program offers no addition-
or email: mstaheli@mts.net what could be one of sever- Beef industry insiders al safeguards that beef prod-
al attempts to overturn a law have said the law could be ucts are any safer, though
long sought by consumer troublesome in the North- consumers may believe it
Keystone Agricultural Producers and farm groups.
“It’s a flawed law that’s
west, where so many Can-
adian cattle are shipped
does. Rather, it just allows
retailers to discount non-
Biosecurity Workshop going to cost the industry
hundreds of millions of dol-
lars,” Easterday said.
across the border to U.S. feed-
lots and slaughterhouses.
There are just two com-
U.S. products, which are just
as high in quality, he said.
“Every single one of them
November 26, 2008 The new law, required mercial beef packers in the is subject to the same food
by the 2008 Farm Bill, went Northwest, both in Wash- safety laws and the same
into effect Sept. 30. It re- ington — AB Foods in Top- USDA inspection,” Easter-
Learn how to protect your farm, animals and quires grocery stores to penish and Tyson Foods Inc. day said. “It’s not a safety
identify the “country of ori- in Wallula — and as much program. This is a market-
crops from the spread of disease. gin” for meat, produce and as 30 percent to 40 percent ing program only.”
certain nuts. Retailers have of their cattle come from - www.thebeefblog.com
six months to fully comply Canada.
Canad Inns, Portage la Prairie, MB.
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Manitoba Beef & Forage Week Seminars 2009
Register by November 19, 2008 Location Date Contact local MAFRI office
Complimentary lunch
Eriksdale Monday, January 26 762-5649 (Lundar)
Ste. Rose Tuesday, January 27 447-4030 (Ste. Rose)
This initiative has been made possible by the following partners: Manitoba Water Holland Wednesday, January 28 723-3232 (Treherne)
Stewardship, Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives, and Manitoba Conservation.
Rosa Thursday, January 29 425-5050 (Vita)
Teulon Friday, January 30 886-2696 (Teulon)
Presentation topics include:
• Lessons learned from 25 Years of Finishing Cattle Research: Tri County Steer Carcass
For more information and to Futurity - Darrell Busby, Field Specialist Livestock/Beef, Iowa State University
• Beef Marketing Update and Outlook, Canfax
register, call (204) 697-1140 • Beef Herd Health
or go to www.kap.mb.ca. • Extending Grazing Trials
• Manitoba Forage Council Update
• Manitoba Cattle Producers Association Update
November 2008 • CATTLE COUNTRY 7
For further information contact any of the consignors or:
You are invited to these four Manitoba
Simmental sales where there will be
over 320 head on offer. www.transconlivestock.com
View the catalogs online at:
BONCHUK FARMS Introd
uci ng
Bull & Female Sale
Monday, DECEMBER 1, 7:00 p.m.
Solsgirth Community Hall, Solsgirth, MB
Simmtastic, ‘08
Wednesday,December 3 1:00 p.m.
Offering 150 head
52 Herdsire prospects featuring Polled genetics Keystone Centre, Brandon, MB
- Fullbloods - Full Flecks - Reds - Blacks
The first crop of MF Evan progeny sells! Offering 47 head
7 bulls, 24 bred heifers, 16 open heifers
All the “P” cows sell - bred early to exclusive A.I. sires. & 4 embryo & semen lots
A young group of hard working cows that will sell in their entirety!
Never selected from, these 48 are a stellar group of females. Mini-production sales for:
Kopp Farms, Edmund & Pauline Kopp, 204/843-2769 204/856-3064 cell
50 thick, sound heifers sired by leading A.I. sires and our Northern Light Simmentals, Neil & Denise Carson 204/859-2816 204/773-6927 cell
own great walking herdsires!
Bred to calve in April to easy calving Red Angus genetics. Consignors:
Afri-Can Simmentals, Dr. Meyer Nell 204/534-7164
Bar J Simmentals, Jacob, Dan & Doug Buhler 204/685-2407
Big Sky Simmentals 204/723-2293 or 204/328-7458
Broken Oak Black Simmentals, Robert Sharpe 204/826-2519
Cactus Valley Ranch, Mark & Cheri Magarrell, 304/786-2897
Centennial Ventures Inc., Gilles Chappellaz 204/745-8627
Double Bar S Simmentals, Shawn & Shirley Zeghers 204/526-2366
J R Simmentals, Jim Ranson 204/834-2401
MFI Simmentals, Dale Murray 204/764-2361 204/764-0361 cell
Dave
BONCHUK FARMS Wayne Amy
Nor-West Farms, David Kendall & Barry Buhler 204/385-2007
Pure Country Simmentals, Richard Bramley 204/867-2120
Mel Blair Workman & Sons, Calvin Workman 204/842-3785 204/764-0260
204/773-0467 204/842-3838 204/796-0004 204/773-6140
RENDEZVOUS HARVEST HOEDOWN You are invited to the 14th Annual
FARMS
5th Annual “Fleckvieh-Influence” Bull & Female Sale
Thursday, DECEMBER 11, 1:00 p.m.
on the farm, 5 miles south of Ste. Rose du Lac, MB on #5 Hwy, then 1 mile west
Offering 43 top beef bulls & 28 quality bred heifers. Tuesday, 1:00 p.m.
OFFERING 56 LOTS
DECEMBER 16 52 Bred heifers
Beautiful Plains Ag Complex, 3 Open heifers
Neepawa, MB 1 Herdsire prospect
Big Sky Simmentals Schweitzer Simmentals
Mathew & Marguerite Smith Cameron, Myrna & Ashley Schweitzer
Buy your next herdbull at Rendezvous Farms because: 204/723-2293 204/526-7423 Brodie & Stacey McColl
- You can shop early, before calving season - Semen tested & guaranteed breeders Brad Smith 204/723-0254 204/764-2604 Cell: 204/365-6092
- Option to pay half cash sale day and - Bulls are quiet and halter broken Trevor & Amy Peters 204/328-7458
balance on April 1/09 at 0% interest - very reasonable wintering program Pizzey Simmentals/
- Bulls wintered on high roughage ration - Get your pick -- no bulls sell prior Twin Brae Simmentals
on five acre pasture - Simmental program for over 25 years Barry, Glenda & Joey Chescu Foxy Lady Cattle Co.
204/564-2509 cell: 204/937-7180 Calvin & Donna Pizzey
RENDEZVOUS FARMS
The Maguets, Box 361, Ste. Rose de Lac, MB R0L 1S0
Preston Stock Farms
Allan, Sharon, Scott & Julie Preston
204/847-2055 204/773-6517
Tracy & Marcia Pizzey
David’s cell: 204/447-7573 Richard/David: 204/447-2054 Laurent: 204/447-2308 Curtis & Shelley Rowan Northern Light Simmentals
204/764-2571 cell: 204/291-8713 Neil & Denise Carson 204/859-2816
Web site: www.rendezvousfarms.com Email: rendezvousfarms@hotmail.com
8 CATTLE COUNTRY • November 2008
S Culling hard and
ome producers in the
30th Annual north Interlake and
Westlake areas have not
Keystone Konnection made a single bale of hay all
summer. Others are culling
Simmental Sale harder this fall than they ever
have before because they are
leery of the fact they may not have enough feed for their
herds come spring. If producers were lucky enough to get
some hay put up, the quality is terrible. And when produ-
cers are saying this year is more devastating than when
BSE hit, there is no doubt frustration out there. This is all a
direct result of the unprecedented amount of rainfall pro-
ducers faced this year.
Right now Albert Omer farms north of Fisher Branch, but
not for long. Omer, who downsized his herd after BSE, plans
to sell his entire herd within the next month. “There’s no
bloody way I am sinking anymore money into those cows,”
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 he said. “It’s a business, but it’s not a prosperous business
Keystone Centre, Brandon anymore.” Omer has been farming his whole life.
Canada Room 1:00 p.m. Omer doesn’t have enough feed to winter his cattle after
rains destroyed any chance of having a productive hay crop
Largest selection of NE
EW Full Fleckvieh Bulls and Females W
and with the price of hay, he doesn’t have the cash to buy so
N instead he will liquidate his herd. “I don’t know how anyone
can afford to do this when they aren’t breaking even when
at a Consignment Sale in Manitoba they sell their calves,” he said.
ing f o r • Polled Fullbloods Ken Hoff of Tribar Ranch at Peonan Point only got 25
S ome t h o ne : percent of his hay crop up this year and had to source hay
e ve ry • Red & Black Females & Bulls
from three different places. Thankfully, he had a pretty good
NEW in 2008 - 11:00 a.m. carryover from last year to help feed his 750 cows. “We are
Sim-Acta for just $25 or 3 chances for $50 looking at $50,000 to $70,000 in hay purchases. We’re going
You will win the opportunity to get a sale credit on one of the to cull down about double what we usually do,” he said, add-
heifer calves in the sale ing he usually sells off 50 to 60 cull cows per year, but this
ATTENTION: JUNIORS! year is will be over 100.
Be sure to attend the Keystone Connection sale in the Much of Hoff’s land is lowland, which normally produces
morning and get a FREE ticket for the Sim-Acta for a chance to a lot of pasture, but with the downpours he had hundreds of
win a credit on a heifer calf - OUR ANNIVERSARY FEATURE acres that were just water and cattails. Pastures were lost and Flooded fields were a common sight this past summer across the Interlake and W
calf weights are down. Since June, Hoff said his ranch had
CATALOGUE AT: www.marmacfarms.net over 30 inches of rain. “With cow numbers going down in the U.S. and here in Can-
For more To make sure he has enough feed, he checked out the cost ada, in two years when our economy turns around and people
information contact of grain, pellets and feed mixes to find the best bang for his start wanting to eat beef again, we should see astronomical prices
Keystone Sale buck. What he decided is that buying good quality hay and like never before because there is going to be a shortage of beef. So
mixing it with the poor quality hay he put up, is the best if anybody can hang on for two years, and I know I have been say-
Management thing for his operation. “It costs just as much in transporta- ing that to the boys up here since ‘03 and it’s been five years now,
Blair & Lois McRae tion charges to haul in poor quality hay as it does good be- but I think now more than ever if you can just hang in there, our
Ph.: 204-728-3058 Fax: 204-727-7744 cause most of it comes from a long ways away. We may as ship should come in,” he said.
email: marmac@inetlink.ca R.R.#1, Box 57, Brandon, MB well bring in good (quality hay),” he said, adding he never But there are a lot who can’t hold on and like Omer, they will get
got any hay up without rain affecting its quality. out of cattle all together.
Hoff is hoping for a long fall and a mild winter so it will be eas-
ier on his feed supply because he doesn’t
want to buy any more than he has al- “We’re really disapp
ready committed to. “We’re not doing ernment right now. Th
anything radically different, just trying
to operate more efficiently right from and you still have to pa
the start and there’s very little we can to get it to you. You
trim to make us more efficient. Some- or good quality feed
times you can make a mistake when
Simmentals - Angus you try radical things and it backfires
a bale for dust. The A
on you. (Feeding hay) for us is proven doesn’t work in our fa
and it’s just a matter of getting through told we aren’t getting a
this,” he said. One reason he said he will
be able to survive perhaps better than
others is because on his 10,000 acre
ranch, he has a very low overhead with the native pasture. Not
buying fertilizer and not having the costs associated with break-
ing up the land and seeding helps.
Like Hoff, Guy Johnson also has an optimistic attitude and he
doesn’t want producers to give up. His farm in Eddystone was
slammed with 42 inches of rain since the beginning of July and
he said he has neighbours who were affected even more. “We were
quite dry this spring. I was thinking of buying hay because it was
so dry then it started to rain. It affected everything,” he said. “Our
hay production is way down and our quality is terrible. Our weights
& FaremtaleseS,aMB
coming off pasture were way down. It’s just not been a good year.”
F m a Rus ll le Johnson got about half of what he usually gets from his hay
Year end Bull e
lands, but it was all tame hay because none of his native pastures
survived. He has since bought hay and baled and bought straw.
008 - On th
December 29, 2
He looked at hay as far away as Swan River, but found some closer
to home, which was still more than 80 miles away. He will be feed-
ing grain to make up the nutritional difference for his 450 cows.
Offering Long Yearling Red & Black Simmental & Angus bulls plus mature cows bred Red He will also have his replacement heifers custom fed and plans to
cull heavily this year.
Angus or Red Simmental. Also a commercial cowherd dispersal for long time M & J bull
“Let’s not get too far down. Things can change so quickly. I tell
customers Richard & Terry Heeney. guys not to get so far in the dumps that they dump their cattle. Be
a good marketer because I would hate to go through this and six
Great year end opportunity to get your herd bull needs covered and add some high months down the road have it be a profitable business after guys
quality bred females to your program. M & J will offer a wintering program for your herd got out of it too soon. This still is a viable business,” he said.
bull purchases. Although he doesn’t have a rain gauge, Robert Mankewich, said
he had more than 20 inches pour down on his farm north of Fish-
er Branch. He said he was very fortunate this year because he was
able to make about 50 percent of the hay he normally puts up for
his 180 cows. “I know guys that only put up 15 to 20 percent—some
even less then that,” he said. Mankewich bought hay as the sum-
mer went on, while scrounging everything he could get. He also
had some carryover from last year. Early in July, he sourced hay
from a local broker. The hay was reasonably weathered, but it was
Miles, Bonnie,
Jared & Matthew Glasman close and the price was decent. Although it’s three or four-year-
Ph: 204-773-3279
old hay, he is going to run it through a shredder and if he feels his
Box 1179 Cell: 204-773-6275 cattle aren’t getting the proper nutrients, he is going to supplement
Russell, MB Canada R0J 1W0 204-773-0094 it with barley or grain. “I am going to cull here as soon as it freez-
email: mjfarms@inetlink.ca Fax: 204-773-3980
es because it is so freakin’ wet. We can’t even move cattle around.
Toll Free: 1-866-711-5495 www.mjsimmentalangus.com They are on the pasture and will stay there until it freezes,” he
November 2008 • CATTLE COUNTRY 9
d sourcing feed
their calves and keep their cows
out on pasture as long as pos-
sible, especially since this is
Media coverage affects how people
the time when their nutrient perceive threat of disease: study
requirements are lower. There
have been many lessons learn- PRESS RELEASE
ed on how to feed cows cheaper, he said, adding there have Hamilton, Ontario - Popular media coverage of infectious
said, adding he will be culling diseases greatly influences how people perceive those dis-
been some wrecks in the past by feeding straw due to nutri-
higher than normal this fall. eases, making them seem more dangerous, according to a
ent deficiencies, but it’s all a learning curve.
“There are a lot of guys new study from McMaster University.
really frustrated, including Make believe program The research, published online in the Public Library of Sci-
myself,” he said. “There were Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAF- ence: ONE, suggests diseases that show up frequently in the
a lot of producers out there RI) with assistance from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada print media –like bird flu –are considered more serious than
similar diseases that do not receive the same kind of cover-
hanging on by a thread and released the Manitoba Forage Assistance Program (MFAP) age, such as yellow fever.
this year’s going to kill them.” to respond to the feed shortage across the province. Omer “The media tend to focus on rare and dramatic events,”
Mankewich considers him- calls the MFAP a “make believe program” and says it’s just says Meredith Young, one of the study’s lead authors and a
self lucky. He made it work “more rope to hang ourselves with.” The MFAP is supposed graduate student in the Department of Psychology, Neuro-
this time and he is going to to provide producers financial help to access feed by cover- science & Behaviour. “When a certain disease receives re-
ride it out for one more year, ing transportation costs, mirroring the program established peated coverage in the press, people tend to focus on it and
but doesn’t know if he will be during the 2003 drought. Being in the freight business him- perceive it as a real threat. This raises concerns regarding
able to do so for much longer if self, Omer knows what the costs are and said the program is how people view their own health, how they truly under-
these conditions continue. using old freight prices and doesn’t reflect the current con- stand disease and how they treat themselves.”
Arne Lindell also consid- ditions. He said farmers have to pay for transportation costs Researchers chose 10 infectious diseases drawn from
the Centre for Disease Control database. Five were medic-
ers himself and his 220 head anyway even with the help from the government. al disorders that have been highly prevalent in the recent
of cattle lucky. Not all the hay Hoff gives the government credit that they’re trying to print media –anthrax, SARS, West Nile virus, Lyme disease
he made was poor quality. But help, but so far, what the provincial and federal governments and avian flu –and five were medical disorders that have
even though he put up some are kicking in isn’t enough to pick up the slack of the loss- not often been present in current media: Tularemia, human
hay, he now can’t get it off his es that producers have already suffered. “We thought in ‘03 babesiosis, yellow fever, Lassa fever and hantavirus.
fields. “It’s wetter now than it when BSE hit, that it was devastating, but compared to this Two groups of students, undergraduate and medical stu-
was before. You might get on year, for us, it was a walk in the park,” he said, adding calf dents, were asked to rate how serious, how prevalent, and
the field once, but you aren’t prices were lower this year than they were in 2003. how “disease-like” various conditions were.
going there a second time,” Guy Johnson said the program will not do much to keep “We see that a single incident reported in the media, can
he said about the 30 inch- up the provincial cow herd numbers. “(The package) is very, cause great public concern if it is interpreted to mean that
the potential risk is difficult to control, as with the possibility
es of rain his land received at very bad. I know the government can’t do anything about of a pandemic like in the case of Avian flu, and bioterrorism,
his Eriksdale farm. Lindell market forces, but at some point we have to decide that keep- as in the case of anthrax infection,” says Young.
is waiting until it freezes be- ing the cow herds up is a really good idea.” Conversely, when participants were presented with the
Westlake regions. fore he can get the rest of his Mankewich asked, “What assistance?” He bought straw descriptions of the disease, without the name, they actually
hay off. “There is water where from Argyle and by the time the bills are paid, it is still go- thought that the diseases which received infrequent media
there has never been water before. There’s more water here now ing to cost him money for freight even with the package coverage –the control group –were actually worse.
than there is in a normal spring.” The hay crop he couldn’t salvage from the Manitoba Government. “As far as I am concerned, “Another interesting aspect of the study is when we
is drowned out and it will have to be reseeded. “No one can afford I don’t think they did anything,” he said referring to both presented factual information about the diseases along
it, we’ve lost money every year since BSE and we can’t afford to provincial and federal government assistance. with the names of them, the media effect wasn’t nearly as
lose any more, we’re done losing,” Lindell said. He’s still deciding Susie Wilkinson would love to sit down with Manitoba strong,” says Karin Humphreys, one of the study’s authors
and assistant professor in the Department of Psychology,
whether he will sell some cattle this fall. He’s gained two weeks al- Agriculture Minister Rosann Wowchuk and ask her if she Neuroscience & Behaviour. “This suggests that people can
ready where he’d normally be feeding because of the weather, so really understands what conditions ranchers are current- overcome the influence of the media when you give them
he’ll gain some hay there. “I’m not planning on selling any more ly facing. She also is thinking of writing her MLA and en- the facts, and so objective reporting is really critical.”
than I normally would cull.” Lindell is close to having enough feed. courages other producers to do the same. “We’re really
If the conditions are ideal, he should be okay, and that’s what he’s disappointed with our government right now. The hay is ex- - The study was funded by the National Science and Engineering
hoping for. But if he has to sell some of his cows to make it, he will. pensive and you still have to pay for half your freight to get Research Council (NSERC).
Susie Wilkinson’s son, Tyler, desper- it to you. You can’t find cheap feed or good quality feed and
pointed with our gov- ately wants to continue the family trad- people want $50 a bale for dust. The AgriStability payment
The hay is expensive ition as a fifth generation rancher but doesn’t work in our favour either. We were told we aren’t
his parents are worried. “How is he ever getting anything.”
Kelllan WINTER WATERING SYSTEMS
So r •that won’t freeze or rust!
ay for half your freight going to ranch and how are we ever go- Arne Lindell summed up what most producers think by
can’t find cheap feed ing to stay here with him, I’m worried saying, “We don’t need any more government loans, we just controlled by motion detector
and people want $50 it’s just not going to happen,” she said, need to be paid fairly for what we are doing.” • water drains back to the source below the frost
AgriStability payment adding she is trying to stay positive, but
is finding that difficult.
Test your feed line when no motion is detected to prevent freezing
avour either. We were Wilkinson and husband Vince, Rodger Sheldon, Farm Production Extension Specialist - Other Solar products available:
Pasture and Rangeland with MAFRI, said when it comes to DUG-OUT AREATORS • PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
anything.” ranch at Eddystone and this year they
winter-feeding programs, producers need to put a solid plan
- Susie Wilkinson, Eddystone didn’t get alfalfa off many of their fields FLOAT PUMPS - for dugouts that lift up to 40 ft
because it was too wet. “I felt so bad for together. Lining up the proper feed is a big part of the plan,
some of our cows because we had nine but this year, with the costs being sky high and not a lot WELL PUMPS - that lift 1-600 ft
hoof rot heifers who had nowhere to go but up on these mounds of extra, good quality feed around, it is difficult. “Having a TRANSFER SYSTEMS - that transfer water over 1 mile
of pushed up brush because it was the only way to get out of the plan also helps when working with your bank because now Call us today for more information:
you have something solid to show them.” Carl / Laureen Driedger Rheal Bernard
water for weeks on end,” she said. “There are people in really bad
Sheldon wants producers to know that their local GO ble
Box 822, Virden MB R0C 2C0 Reasona St. Claude / Portage la Prairie
situations around here and I feel just sick for them. I don’t know
Centres provide a service and are completely confidential. email: knottynuff@mb.sympatico.ca Prices rbernard@hotmail.com
how they are going to get through this.” The Wilkinson’s cattle are Ph./Fax: 204-556-2346 Ph./Fax: 204-379-2763 (leave message)
still on pasture because they rotationally graze and moved the cat- “There’s not a lot of money out there and feed is 50 to 60 per
cent of your overall costs,” he said, adding that putting a Cell: 204-851-0145 Cell: 204-872-1247
tle into their last paddocks later than usual, which will push their
feeding window back. She said they only had half the amount of feed test together is crucial
hay required to feed their 500 head over the winter and had to in the plan to know wheth-
source a lot of straw and second cut alfalfa from Dauphin and Ste. er your cows will be in good
Rose. shape by spring, given what
Campbell Forsyth is waiting for it to freeze so he can do some- you have to work with. Shel-
thing with the 200 acres of corn he planted in the spring. “We’ll get don cautions to watch for
at it one way or another even if we have to graze the cattle on it,” mold because some produ-
he said. Forsyth said he invested $280/acre with plans of turning cers pushed the envelope
this year by putting hay up
Apply for a Cash
it into silage, and because of all the inputs, needs to make use of
it. “You have to feed your cows, you can’t let them starve,” he said. tough. Fusarium in wheat Advance Today!
“There is not enough hay. There is no wild hay and only a little bit and barley also needs to
be monitored. “Make sure
of alfalfa,” the Eriksdale farmer said. Forsyth’s farm had almost
30 inches of rainfall this summer and if all else fails, he said at least feeds are mixed properly
because the chance of mix-
AAFC PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
he has crop insurance.
Brad Thorlacius, general manager of the Ashern Auction Mart ing feeds that contain both • $100,000 Interest Free
says he is seeing some producers culling really hard, even up to 50 mold and fusarium could • Over $100,000 to a maximum of $400,000*
per cent of their herds because they don’t have the money to buy cause a lot of problems at
a time when we don’t need Prime minus 0.90%, subject to change
feed for them. “The worst part of a heavy cull is that you sell half
any more.”
your cows to buy feed for the other half and then will only have
half the calves to sell the following year,” he said, adding that many
NEW CASH ADVANCE FORMS NOW AVAILABLE
- Karli Flinta-Murphy No CAIS margin required, but still must be enrolled in
producers are getting some late hay off their fields and that may
help get them through. writes from her home in the Agri-Stability to qualify • Calf inventory can be used as security
Thorlacius said some producers just want to get out of the busi- Interlake
Please contact our office for an application form or download
ness all together because they are tired of the industry, but that fi- from our website: http://manitobalivestock.com
nancially, can’t give cattle away. Many producers are hiring cus- Send this story link
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out.
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really wet. Up in the Gypsumville area, even the pastures were af- www.cattlecountry.
fected. “Quite a few guys are short or just have enough feed if they blogspot.com Call: 1-866-869-4008 to start your application**
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doing it this year,” he said. Producers short on feed hope to wean button - it’s that easy! agreement with Agriculture & Agrifood Canada for delivery of the program for 2008-2009.
10 CATTLE COUNTRY • November 2008
Thoughts on this year’s District Meetings
District 2 - Greg Johnson District 4 - Don Winnicky MCPA should rejoin KAP, turnout. There were no
“Our meeting went well. “My meeting was good. but it was defeated.” big issues, everything was
I am wondering if we can One thing though, when we District 6 - Trevor Atchison pretty low key. In talking
post the MCPA presentation talk about TB, it would be to people their attitudes are
“My meeting was pretty
on the website so that it can good if we had a customized pretty depressed, most have
calm. Producers were con-
be looked at online? presentation for my meet- hunkered down to try and
cerned that they weren’t get-
Also, I had one producer ing that also talks about get through all this. Many
ting enough value for age
say that we need to get the the problem in Minnesota. are discouraged, at least in
verifying their calves. Also,
government to instead of Also, I’d like to have the the area where I live.
some want to see the auction
just changing the program CCA come again.” We need to talk to the
marts putting in readers and
names, leave the pronames Minister and see what her
District 10 - Joe Bouchard announcing when the cows Photo by Matthew Wright
the same, and change the vision of the industry is in
“We had a good turn- come through that they are
programs.” 10 years, because with the ition so I guess I’m here for time for local issues, so next
out at my meeting. The big- age verified.
direction it’s going right another two years.” year we may want to shorten
District 7 - Ray Armbruster gest concern was the flood- I personally don’t mind
now, things aren’t going to up our presentation a bit to
“I was pleased with our ing and the state of the rural if other groups tag onto my District 1 - Brian Sterling
be good. If the NDP want give more time to that.”
meeting. We had a good area and towns. There is a lot meeting, but they should “We had a pretty good
this to be their legacy, then
turnout. A young producer of frustration in my area but not be included in our allot- meeting. Most of same con- District 8 - Glen Campbell
fine.”
who I have a lot of respect overall they seemed satisfied ted time. After the meeting cerns and issues as last year. “We had fairly good at-
for said that he likes what we with what we’re doing as an is done if anyone else wants District 5 - Martin Unrau We had a few comments tendance. Two members
are doing, how we are taking Association. to speak, then they can.” “My meeting was pretty about the water situation in from MCEC were there
on the issues. I took that as a We had a similar straw District 12 - Major Jay Fox quiet. There are guys in my our municipality and the and I chatted with them for
real compliment. resolution as in Art’s dis- area selling part of herd and Oak Lake aquifer and people awhile. We had no resolu-
“We had a great meeting.
We had four resolutions trict. And there is some con- getting a job. sourcing it for their towns. I tions.
I had a few guys come up to
which was good, and also cern about the transfer of We had an action item to got about 20 calls over the There were some ques-
say they can see we are do-
an action item. General feel- Crown Lands, and conserv- contact the Prime Minister’s next few days - there was tions about COOL. And we
ing a lot on their behalf. We
ings in my area is that pro- ation groups and contracts office, but after we reviewed more concern than I first were asked how our rela-
had an MLA there so hope-
ducers are getting tired of with producers.” it later, we determined it realized. We need to discuss tionship is with KAP. I said
fully he’ll be bringing up the
intrusion into industry by would be inappropriate this further with the en- it was amicable. Overall it
District 13 - Kim Crandall informed access issue to his
government; how we are al- and maybe even counter- vironment committee. This was a pretty quiet meeting
“We had a good meeting. caucus.”
ways being imposed upon; productive. is a huge issue for producers and I heard a few positive
There was the usual concern District 14 - Dane Guignion Other than that, nobody
and all the regulations with in my area. comments about the work
about TB, wolves and bea- “We didn’t have a great challenged me for my pos-
no respect for the producer We needed a bit more the MCPA is doing.”
Commentary
vers and we had a few reso-
and how we run cattle.”
lutions come forward.”
H
District 11 - Art Jonasson ere we are with not enough in the south. creasingly becoming the Take the Ontario ex-
District 3 - Marcel
“Well, my meeting was Gousseau another round Let’s talk about the south, aquifer systems within our ample where regulations
the first district meeting of District meet- specifically District 1 which provinces and countries. limit or eliminate the use
“There was a lot of board
held this fall so it was a bit ings over and again. These encompasses much of the It is true that our valuable of the land surrounding
support at my meeting and
of a marathon. But it was meetings highlight one of Oak Lake Aquifer system. water resources are owned the point source. This area
I can’t say enough good
nice to have John Masswohl the strengths of the MCPA Have you heard this said: by the public in general. That is expanding yearly and is
things about John Mass-
there. I appreciate the CCA - they provide a forum for “The water level in the is the way it should be. How- rendered nearly worthless.
wohl, he is so knowledge-
offering that. Comments I producers to express their Oak Lake Aquifer hasn’t ever, when cities and towns And who is responsible
able.
heard afterwards are that views and an opportun- changed in 100 years.” exercise the right to source for maintaining the water-
There was some concern
the producers who were ity to vote for someone to A statement like this is clean water, most people are shed area that recharges
that we didn’t do enough
there, were very impressed represent the producers of routinely made by so-called either unaware or could care the aquifer? Again, the ag
about Bill 17, so I made it
by what he had to say. each area. experts in the area of water less about the sacrifices that sector - especially the live-
clear we did what we could
As usual, we had quite Most times, these meet- management. The history are made by rural commun- stock industry is called
- the government jut didn’t
a few resolutions. One in ings reveal some local con- of other aquifers around ity that inhabits the area. upon to provide knowledge
listen.”
particular was really good, cerns and this year was no the world reveals this to be Livestock producers are rel- and labour to maintain the
shows guys are thinking District 9 - Mac McRae exception. Some concerns a hugely irresponsible state- egated to the bottom of the watershed area so that the
outside the box - it is to “My meeting was pretty span many districts. Over- ment. Watersheds change as list of priorities and the first urban areas can suck from
expand the freight assist- quiet except one produ- all concerns include low the cities grow and expand. to be cut off if the water table the aquifer to water lawns,
ance on straw to make it a cer thought that the MCEC prices and lacklustre gov- Towns worldwide continue drops. fill their pools, clean the
permanent program which should be allowed to speak ernment support toward to pollute our river systems Provincial rules and streets, flush toilets - all of
will benefit both cattle and at the meeting. But our the industry, the TB issue with their waste and there regulations applied to the this water ends up back in
grain producers. And we are meetings are long enough and environmental policies is a significant increase in point source area supply- the river system keeping the
thinking it should be paid already. They could hold and regulations. One con- interest by these same cit- ing water for the public are pollution cycle going.
for out of a different depart- their own meetings— cern that spanned all dis- ies and towns to search for more stringent than point Delayed and rotational
ment other than agriculture Also there was a resolution tricts this year was water - cleaner water sources. This sources supplying the farm- grazing, maintaining and
- maybe environment.” brought forward that the too much in the north and cleaner water source is in- ing community. cont’d next page
E Beyond the Range of Reason
verything I needed to know I learn- rickety and old, I got to see a lot of George.
ed from Norwegian bachelor farm- When I was a teenager we had a wind-
ers. rower that was so ancient it was just hours
Take our neighbor Martin as a for in- away from being officially declared a fos-
stance. We owned some machinery with sil. One day, in the midst of small grain
Martin, so I got to see a lot of him and by Jerry Nelson harvest, its engine refused to start. George
learned much from him as I grew up. not, want not; and no one ever died from eating a little was duly summoned.
Back when I was a kid, farmers did much more hard axle grease. I watched and fidgeted impatiently as George
physical labor than nowadays. Federal law thus mandat- My dad’s uncle Stanley was another Norwegian tinkered with the fuel system, working at his
ed that farmers be served both a mid-morning and a mid- bachelor farmer who had a big influence on my life. usual leisurely pace.
afternoon lunch. Stanley was the kind of guy who never seemed to get Things weren’t moving fast enough! Especial-
Whenever we were working at our place, Mom would dirty. His striped gray bib overalls were always spotless, as ly George!
see to it that the fed farmer law was obeyed by providing was his farmstead and well-cared-for pickup truck. “Is there anything I can do?” I asked testily. I want-
us with the requisite lunches. These lunches consisted of I was once told to report to Stanley’s farm to help rake ear ed to get back to windrowing RIGHT NOW!
sandwiches and perhaps a sweet roll, all washed down by corn from the crib and into the corn sheller. Stanley’s job, “Take off the gas cap,” suggested George. This I did with
gallons of boiling-hot coffee that was strong enough to it seemed, was to superintend. He stood upwind of the dust much alacrity.
strip the rust off a plowshare. and watched as I raked ear corn into the insatiable maw of “Now put your mouth on the tank,” said George. I
We would commonly stand on the headland and gobble the sheller. quickly and unquestioningly complied.
our lunches. Out there in the field, there was no way for us A neighbor stopped by to jaw a bit with Stanley. My hear- “Now blow,” he commanded.
to wash our hands. ing was much better back then, so I was able to eavesdrop on I blew into the gas tank as hard as I could. Gas fumes
Martin took pride in his mechanical abilities, so he their conversation. burped back out through my nose; my eyes watered and
was usually the main fixer-upper guy. This meant that his Stanley was asked who was the oldest of his many sib- I suddenly developed a thunderous headache. I broke my
hands were usually extremely grimy. lings. “I am,” Stanley replied. kiss with the tank and was about to ask what we could try
Prior to picking up his sandwich, Martin would take a “Oh?” said the neighbour. “I thought you were about the next when I noticed that George was shaking.
perfunctory stab at cleaning his hands by wiping them on youngest.” It slowly dawned that he was shaking in a manner that
his bib overalls. The trouble is, he seldom (if ever) washed “That may be so,” Stanley deadpanned, “But I’ve lived so is most commonly associated with stifled laughter. I’d
his overalls, which meant they were just as grimy as his much faster than the rest!” been had. Totally and thoroughly had!
hands. And so Stanley taught me two important lessons: don’t And so, a self-educated Norwegian bachelor farmer
But there was a way to deal with this dilemma. A guy go breaking your back if you can get someone younger and handed me a couple of very important lessons. For one,
simply had to grab his sandwich by one corner, then eat dumber to do the work for you; and concocting a colorful lie testy teenagers probably deserve to get taken down a notch
everything but that corner. A farm dog usually stood by, can be a lot more entertaining than telling the truth. or two. For another, it’s pretty funny to watch a guy kiss
eagerly watching for sandwich corners. George Pander was a self-educated Norwegian bachelor a gas tank—especially if you’re the one who tricked him
That must have struck Martin as wasteful. I watched farmer mechanic who lived in our neighborhood. He was into doing it.
numerous times as Martin bolted down his entire sand- an excellent mechanic, but more importantly, he worked for - Jerry Nelson is a recovering dairy farmer at
wich, grimy corner and all. His lesson was twofold: waste cheap. Because of this and because our farm machinery was Volga, South Dakota.
November 2008 • CATTLE COUNTRY 11
A View of the Industry - Debbie McMillin
A Fall Run Underway
s the fall calf run this has been supportive to inces together accounted for
got underway price the feeder price increas- 9,774 head. Heifer slaugh-
pressure was def- ing again. The average 550 ter is down 3% to a total of
initely evident. Concerns lb feeder steer price had the new president elect has tic slaughter statistics. The 810,804 head to the end of
about COOL, high feed climbed to 105.51/cwt at spoke about re-evaluating number of fed steers in Can- October. Last year the same
costs in comparison to the end of October. While free trade agreements. In ada that have been slaugh- weeks saw domestic heifer
other years and economic fundamentally speaking addition continued eco- tered is down 1% when look- slaughter at 833,434 head.
uncertainty seemed some there are many factors that nomic trouble particularly ing at the combined weeks Again the bulk of the slaugh- in smaller carcass weights
of factors leading feeder would suggest a continua- south of the border may be of kill up to and includ- ter is in the west with a total as feedlots managers are
prices in the wrong direc- tion of steady or stronger a limiting factor on cattle ing the week ending Octo- of 651,465 head, 631,168 in quick to move cattle off the
tion. From the end of Au- prices in the weeks to prices as we wait to see how ber 25th. The total number Alberta and 20,297 head in feed bill. It would appear
gust to Mid- October the come, there are also many much consumer spending of steers slaughtered in that Saskatchewan, Manitoba this has not been the case
Western Canadian 550 lb other factors at play this cutbacks affect overall beef time frame is 1,237,264 head and British Columbia com- with the higher feed costs in
feeder steer price went from year. Varying regulations demand. compared to 1,249,946 head bined. There were 153,722 2008. To date the steer car-
106.00/cwt to 97.65/cwt. In churning around about the Fed Slaughter Update in 2007. Broken down more head of fed heifers killed cass weight is 845 lbs., the
the past few weeks the auc- implementation of COOL regionally Alberta’s’ total in Ontario and 5,617 head same weeks last year saw
tion market volumes have in the US will play a major Front-end supply of mar- was 895,343 head while Sas- in Quebec and the Atlantic an average carcass weight
started to pick up to more role in both feeder cattle ket ready cattle in Canada katchewan, Manitoba and provinces. on fed steers at 839 lbs and
seasonally normal levels. exports as well as the men- has been tighter since the British Columbia combined In general higher cost of in 2006 the average was 840
In addition the Canadian tality of the placements in start of the year as indicat- totaled 43,261 head. Eastern gain and grain prices result lbs.
dollar has been under pres- the domestic market. In ed by inventories and on Canada consisted of Ontario
sure in recent weeks and addition changing gov- feed totals. This has shown with the bulk of the slaugh-
feed grain prices have eased ernment leaders in the US up in the fed export num- ter at 288,886 head, Que- www.cattlecountry.blogspot.com
from previous levels. All of may have an impact as bers but also in the domes- bec and the Atlantic prov-
Manitoba scientist studying cows and methane
he was able to develop math-
by Matthew Wright
ematical models which can
A
scientist at the Uni- predict methane emissions
versity of Manitoba in feedlot cattle. The models
is being recognized that he has developed have
for a significant accom- been used by the Environ-
plishment involving the mental Protection Agency
measuring of belches bil- in the United States as they
lowing from bovines. are recognized as superior
Dr. Ermias Kebreab, an to those models used inter-
Associate Professor and nationally by the United
Canada Research Chair at Nation’s Intergovernment-
the University of Manitoba’s al Panel on Climate Change
Department of Animal Sci- (IPCC).
ence, has been collecting “The IPCC models do not
and analyzing gases emit- take into account the kind of
ting from cows by placing feed,” Kebreab says, “If you
them, one at a time, into a follow the IPCC’s rules, the
Plexiglas feeding compart- only way to reduce meth-
ment. ane emissions from cattle is
Once the front end of the to reduce animal numbers.
It Makes
animal is secured, a hooded We’re saying take a look at
collar is wrapped around its different feeding systems in-
No C to Risk the $
neck which traps the gases. stead.” Photo: Matthew Wright
An attached hose guides the The other unique fea- Dr. Kebreab demonstrates how the compartment collects and analyzes the
air from the compartment ture of the work being con- air coming from cows at the Glenlea Research Station.
ducted at the University of
to a machine where the oxy-
gen, carbon dioxide and Manitoba is its ability to including the ability of for- Dr. Kim Ominski, an as- Call for pricing on our:
age land to “soak up” or “se- sociate professor in the Ani-
methane levels are analyzed. examine greenhouse gases
quester” carbon, serving as a mal Science at the Univer- 6’, 7’ & 8’ Posts
Methane is produced as using a whole-farm ap- PLUS -
a by-product during the di- proach. Although Kebre- sink rather than a source of
greenhouse gases.
sity of Manitoba, is excited
about the findings that Ke-
10’ - 25’ Poles Bark Mu
lch
ab and others have dem-
gestion of feed by micro-
organisms. Contrary to onstrated that grasses are In fact, it is the develop- breab brings to the table. 16’ Rough Rails Firewoo
d
popular misconceptions, harder for the microbes in
the animal’s rumen to di-
ment of models which will
allow them to look at all
“We look at all the factors
involved in a whole farm
20’ Rough Rails
98 per cent of gases emitted (limited supply)
from a cow escape from its gest, causing more con- aspects of greenhouse gas approach,” she said adding
sumed energy to be lost to production and determine that Kebreab’s work will en-
front, rather than back end.
This enteric fermentation the atmosphere as methane, which on-farm management able us to look at the many ROBLIN Forest Products Ltd.
accounts for up to 30 per it does not provide informa- strategies have greater eco- essential parts of the whole
Ph: 1-877-937-2103 • Fx: 1-(204) 937-8029
cent of all agriculture GHG tion about other greenhouse nomic and environmental picture.
sustainability. email - rfp@mts.net www.roblinforestproducts.com
emissions in Canada. gas in a whole farm system,
Kebreab has used this
equipment to measure
methane emissions from
CORRECTION Tuesday, Nov. 4
Thursday, Nov. 6
Angus Influence Pre-sort Feeder Calf Sale
Regular Sale
9:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
cattle and what makes his This is a correction to the Reminder about manure and nu-
research really novel is that trient management plans published in the last issue of Cattle
Friday, Nov. 7 Bred Cow Sale 12:00 p.m.
Country. Tuesday, Nov. 11 Presort Sale 9:30 a.m.
NOVEMBER
2008 Fall Sale Schedule
cont’d from page 11 Manitoba cattle producers that are 300 AU or greater in size are re- Thursday, Nov. 13 Regular Sale 9:00 a.m.
improving native and quired to submit annual manure management plans with Manitoba Friday, Nov. 14 Bred Cow Sale 12:00 p.m.
tame pastures and grow- Conservation. The deadline for fall applied manure is the preceding July Tuesday, Nov. 18 Presort Sale 9:30 a.m.
10 and the deadline for spring applied manure is the preceding February
ing forages on sensitive
10. A plan submitted after the deadline is subject to a $100 late fee. For
Thursday, Nov. 20 Presort Sale 9:30 a.m.
lands are all practises that Friday, Nov. 21 Bred Cow Sale 12:00 p.m.
ensure that the watershed more information on manure management plans contact Bryce Wood
is capable of recharging with Manitoba Conservation at 945-3078. Tuesday, Nov. 25 Presort Sale 9:30 a.m.
the aquifer. In March 2008 the Province of Manitoba passed the Nutrient Man- Thursday, Nov. 27 Regular Sale 9:00 a.m.
This is an essential ser- agement Regulation. The Nutrient Management Regulation applies to
all sources of nutrients – manure, commercial fertilizer and municipal Friday, Nov. 28 Bred Cow Sale 12:00 p.m.
vice, but difficult to meas-
ure in terms of dollar biosolids. For cattle operations, submission of Nutrient Management
value for the service pro- Plans to Manitoba Water Stewardship is only required: Tuesday, Dec. 2 Regular Sale 9:00 a.m.
DECEMBER
vided by the livestock in- • for operations wanting to apply nutrients mechanically to Nutrient Thursday, Dec. 4 Regular Sale 9:00 a.m.
Management Zone N4 (Agriculture Capability Class 6, 7 and unimproved
dustry to the public. At
organic soils) beginning in 2009; or Friday, Dec. 5 Bred Cow Sale - FULL 12:00 p.m.
the very least, this service
should be recognized and • for operations less than 300 AU if they cannot voluntarily comply
Presorts MUST be booked in advance. Bred cow sales must be pre-booked and in by
the MCPA is working on with the soil nitrate limits or phosphorus thresholds in the Regulation
NOON on Thursday prior. Age verification papers must be dropped off with cattle.
seeing to it that happens. beginning in 2011.
- Brian Sterling is
Chairman of the MCPA
Environment committee.
For information on animal unit calculations, manure nutrient values
and calculating manure application rates, contact your local GO Office or
GO Centre with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Heartland
Livestock Services
Brandon
204-727-1431 Lic.# 1109
12 CATTLE COUNTRY • November 2008
“Hello, Minister Ritz?”
If you could speak to the Federal Agriculture Minister about the
state of Manitoba’s cattle industry, what exactly would you say?
“I am deeply concerned cattle business?” farms in this country in the
for the future of the cat- - Beverley Abey, Brandon, future. Where are we go-
tle industry, Mr. Ritz, and Manitoba. ing to get food to feed Can-
for the future of our young adians?
people in agriculture. “As an industry we are Our cost of produc-
We are nearing retire- losing our young people. tion has gone up drastically
ment and our children want Guys in their 40s are getting over the last few years and
to be fifth generation farm- out and if things don’t im- the price we receive for our
ers. We want to see our chil- prove in agriculture, there product is dropping every
dren remain in the cattle isn’t going to be anybody to time we turn around.
business but it is very diffi- take our place. If you look I think that family farms
cult for parents to encour- at the age of producers now, are very important to the
age this and transfer the many are in their 50s & 60s. rural communities and they
farm over to them when All will be gone in next 10 are suffering because the
there is a feeling of no hope years. So I’m wondering, livestock industry in Mani-
for the future right now. what is the vision for agri- toba is suffering so bad. Manitoba Livestock Expo 2008 Photo by: Karen Emilson
We don’t want a handout. culture in the next 20 years? Also, the government has
We want the government to Right now the question is, to get behind our youth by “Take a long hard look to farm in Canada. I bought high the media reports that
help us fix the industry. how do we survive until the supporting junior events at the cattle industry, it’s my first farm in Sundown, farmers are making lots of
This has gone for five next year. How do you make and shows that bring young brutal right now. There are Manitoba in 1996. I have money but then when prices
years now and has become plans when Canola is $16 in people together and teach too many people going out since expanded and moved go down, not much is said.
progressively worse. The the summer and $10 now?” them new skills. of business. And grain isn’t to the Neepawa area and There is no effort put for-
programs that are supposed - Cow calf & grain produ- Our son bought some much better. None of the then in 2003, BSE hit and ward by the government to
to help us are absolutely use- cer, Ian Grossart, Brandon land and wants to farm programs seem to work for put a halt to the industry. educate city people about
less. We were given a CAIS but he’s working in the oil us. There are so many cows In 2004, I received a the importance of farming
payment and then it was “Cattle producers are in fields in Saskatchewan. Even being sold right now it’s ter- cheque from CAIS for to this country. The general
taken back. desperate need of support in with family support, young rible.” $4,800 and then in 2006 public doesn’t even realize
Our children love to show order to have a future. people can’t farm today.” - Cattle and grain farmer, the government told us they there is a problem with agri-
cattle, especially our son. He And if there isn’t some - Purebred Angus breed- Calvin Pizzey, Foxwarren. wanted the money back. culture.
wants to continue on but as help for these young kids er, Lois McRae, Brandon Why has the government It would be nice for you
a parent, I need to know. Is who want to raise cattle, “My name is Anthony designed a program that to meet with the cattlemen’s
there a future for him in the then there won’t be family Lewis. I came from Wales gives farmers money and association and get this
then takes it back? sorted out. I’m sure if you
This White Face
I am also concerned agreed to come to an open
about the cost of inputs, es- meeting here in Manitoba
pecially fertilizer. We can- to meet with farmers, there
not afford to properly man- would be a lot of us there.”
age our land at the current - Cow-calf producer,
price. Anthony Lewis, Arden
will put you And when the prices are Manitoba.
in the Planning for an emergency
black by Matthew Wright
The Manitoba Cattle Pro-
ducers Association is in the
tion,” Dean said.
According to Dean, the
MCPA has been one of the
more active groups in the co-
Black is good. Black baldie is better. final stages of becoming one
of the dozens of links in a
alition; a true testament to
the importance the associa-
Here is why Hereford/Angus cattle demand a premium. nationwide communication tion has for having an emer-
strategy that will be in place gency preparedness plan in
Proven genetics: It’s a fact. Hereford influence cat- to address a situation that place.
tle are the best choice for your feedlot. It’s why buyers in the arises on an animal health MCPA general manager
know say, “baldies are best”. issue. Sheila Mowat is but one of
For the last three years, those who has been a partici-
Mary Dean, coordinator pant in the forming of the co-
Higher Feed Efficiency: Hereford cross cattle like at the Canadian Animal alition. From the outset, she
black baldies are able to beef up with less feed. When feed prices Health Coalition (CAHC), saw the potential benefit hav-
are high, feed efficiency is up to 10 times more economically important than has been at the helm of form- ing such a system in place
ADG. In fact, feed conversion can mean profit differences of up to $100/head on ing a working network of could be in the interest of all.
feedlot cattle. groups that can cohesive- “We’ve seen what can hap-
ly and mutually work with pen and we strongly feel that
Hybrid Vigor: A Hereford/Angus cross brings together the strengths of both each other to minimize the the best way to deal with
impact of an emergency out- some situations is to be pre-
breeds, creating superior heterosis performance. US Meat Animal Research Center
break. You don’t have fur- pared,” Mowat said, ”We
(MARC) research shows that hybrid vigor is greater in whiteface cross cattle, due to gen- ther to look than the 2001 have a responsibility to do
etic purity in the Hereford breed. foot and mouth outbreak in the best we can and working
the United Kingdom to know together gives us the best op-
HEREFORD black balDiEs HEREFORD RED balDiEs that it’s better to be prepared portunity to do so.”
for when, rather than if. Although the CAHC has
THE HEREFORD INFluENCE “We’ve seen in other
countries what occurs when
things happen, like a weath-
its own emergency manage-
ment plan, it does not ob-
lige any member to enact
Improved carcass traits. Better Temperament. See for yourself why Hereford has been Canada’s efficiency breed er related crises or foot and that plan, rather it acts as a
since 1860. Get in touch with the Manitoba Hereford Association today, or come by an up-coming event. mouth disease. It’s just good conduit and encourages the
management to have a plan different stakeholders, who
For more information, visit www.hereford.ca in place and practice it. We’re know their strengths and
trying to be proactive and weaknesses, to form their
it’s hard to do for people be- own plan.
GOOD AS GOlD SAlE Don’t miss this year’s
Manitoba Hereford Association
cause they don’t really want
to think about the possibility
Having the partnerships
in place beforehand is cru-
friday, december 12th, 2008 ANNUAL MEETING of that stuff happening but it cial and stakeholders need
1:00 p.m. Keystone Centre, Brandon January 3, 2009 does happens,” Dean said. to know the capacity of each
Royal Oak Inn, Brandon The coalition is made up other to have their own plan
of livestock groups, provin- in place.
Manitoba Hereford association cial associations, federal as- “Communication is key,”
aLbert reMKe - Pres. 855-2534 sociations, industry and gov- Dean said. Nowhere could
ernment partners and even this be more true for such a
stePHanie KoPeecHuK - sec. 763-4459 producers. large and diverse group of
Visit our Website: mbhereford.ca. “I have about 120 contacts partners, for as George Ber-
in my email distribution list. nard Shaw once wrote,” The
CANADIAN HEREFORD ASSOCIATION We’ve put together people single biggest problem in
that emergency management communication is the illu-
5160 Skyline Way N.E., Calgary, AB t2E 6V1 | 1.888.836.7242 | Herefords@hereford.ca is part of their job descrip- sion that it has taken place.”
November 2008 • CATTLE COUNTRY 13
The Importance of Beef Exports
by Lotte Elsgaard 1.3 million in 2007, leaving compared to the domestic producers (including repre-
I
Canadian processors oper- market. That’s a value dif- sentatives from the Mani-
n the five long years of ating at less than 65 percent ference of $100 when we’re toba Cattlemen’s Associa-
recovery efforts since capacity. This is not sustain- selling in Asia plus Mexico tion, Saskatchewan Cattle
world markets closed able for Canada’s packers, and as compared to the US. It Marketing Deductions
to Canadian beef, the Can- this is not the road to recov- is this value difference that Fund, Ontario Cattlemen’s
adian industry today is fa- ery for Canada’s producers. explains the significant in- Association, Alberta Beef
cing some of its toughest While these economic creases in export volume Producers and B.C. Cattle-
challenges. realities have impacted our and value in Asia and Mex- men’s Association), six beef
From record-high cat- competitiveness, it is the ico in the years leading up processors and one feedlot
tle numbers and a self-suf- lack of commercially viable to 2002 (from 7,000 tonnes operator.
ficiency processing cap- access to our major markets and $24 million in 1990 to A members’ Strategy Manitoba Fitness Leaders play a key your check-off
acity in 2006, we have gone in Asia plus Mexico that 133,000 tonnes and $500 Conference, held September role in educating health conscious DOLLAR$
to where today we are ship- stands solidly in the way of million in 2002). It also 19th in conjunction with Manitobans about how to make
ping a million-plus head of our industry’s recovery. underscores the priority the AGM, gave members the healthy exercise and food choices.
live cattle annually to the Canada’s cow herd is es- that industry and govern- opportunity to provide dir- At this year’s fitness leadership
US, our processors are oper- timated at 5.9 million head ment must place on estab- ection to the Federation’s weekend conference in Winnipeg,
ating at under capacity, and and beef production for lishing commercially viable export market develop- the MCPA purchased booth space
our dependence on the US 2008 estimated to be 1.3 access in Asia. ment strategies and activ- and distributed information to
at Work
market has increased to 80 The extent to which we’re these educators about the health
million tonnes. The Can- ities. Direction coming out
benefits of eating beef.
percent – five percent higher adian market is an excel- successful in creating com- of that conference was that
than that of 2002. lent one, but it is simply not mercially viable access not CBEF should maintain its Karen Emilson, a former fitness
We are processing less, a large enough market. Our only to Asia and Mexico but presence in Japan, South leader, was on hand to pass around the information provided by the
we are exporting less and domestic market can ab- to Europe, Russia, the Mid- Korea, China, Taiwan and Beef Information Centre and make contact with some of her former
we are more dependent on colleagues.
sorb the production from dle East and South America Mexico and that it should
the US market. By all meas- less than three million cows, will determine the eventual allocate more efforts at tar-
urements, these are not the meaning that we must ex- size of our industry. What geting the Russian, EU and to Asia and Mexico up 17 stantially. The Federation’s
signs of a healthy industry, port all of our production lies in the balance is the dif- Middle East markets. Clear- percent. The value of these international representa-
but of an industry in distress. over about 800,000 tonnes. ference between an indus- ly our membership remains 2008 exports has also in- tives have worked hard to
How did this situation Looking solely to the Can- try maintaining six million export-focussed. creased – up 38 percent over maintain relationships with
come about? Economics adian market is not an op- cows – and one maintaining In its last fiscal year, the the same period last year. importers, distributors and
have certainly been a fac- tion. We have to remain fo- three million cows. Federation completed 404 There is great enthusiasm end users. These, our cus-
tor. In the last two years, a cused on deriving full value individual market develop- for Canadian beef in our key tomers, have experienced
strong Canadian dollar and for these beef products we Focus on Export Development ment projects, all designed export markets, and we are great success in the past
higher production and pro- produce over and above The Canada Beef Ex- to build recognition and de- confident that as market ac- with Canadian beef – and
cessing costs led to a signifi- those absorbed by our do- port Federation (CBEF) is a mand for Canadian beef in cess is regained, expanded are eager for the opportun-
cant decline in beef exports mestic market. cooperative partnership of key and potential export and normalized, export ity to do so again.
– and a greatly increased Commercially viable ac- all of the national and prov- markets for Canadian beef. volumes will increase sub-
level of live cattle exports cess to our international incial cattle producer organ- We believe these programs
to the US. When our in-
dustry is in good health, ap-
markets has the ability to
add $85 per head in added
izations, all the major beef
processors and both feder-
are seeing results.
Exports to Asia and Dean’s AgriStability Tip #1
proximately 60 percent of value for beef derived from al and provincial ministries Mexico increased 18 per-
our production is exported; under-30-months (UTM) of agriculture. This part- cent in 2007 – an incredible Taking the AgriStability Bull
however in the current en- cattle over what can be gen- nership was demonstrated achievement when total ex-
vironment, we are export-
by the Horns
erated in Canada. This yet again at the Federation’s ports to all markets declined
ing only about 48 percent. stands in comparison to the Annual General Meeting by 1.6 percent. We are run- To review your AgriStability information, the
Live cattle shipments to the reality that those same prod- held this September 18th in ning ahead of the curve best place to start is the 2007 Calculation of
US, on the hand, topped one ucts sold in the US are sold Calgary. The newly-elected again this year, with Janu- Benefits (COB). If you haven’t received this yet,
million head in 2006 and at a $15 per head discount as board is made up of seven ary to August beef exports you can refer to your 2006 COB. My advice
would be to take the time to learn about the
“Make it Beef” program moves beef COB, and understand what calculations are
used to process your file.
In doing so, you will become aware of how
consumer messaging,” says can measure how many con- AgriStability is designed and what it is meant
by Janet Kanters Parslow. “Nutrition and sumers get the MIB materi- to accomplish. This will allow you to discover
als and can assess feedback. errors or discrepancies in how your farm’s situa-
A
health-focused articles and
Beef Information information around Can- MIB motivates a purchase, tion was reported in previous years.
Centre (BIC) con- adian beef, and beef buying influences consumer per- It is because of this that many farms have not
sumer promotion and preparation are support ception of beef and offers in- received deserved assistance. Take the time to
initiative launched in the pieces to the recipes. At the sight into consumer opin- learn, the onus is on you to scrutinize your file.
summer of 2007 has resulted same time, the program de- ion.
You have resources. Discuss your COB with
in some excellent feedback. livers strategic consumer Between July 2007 and
your accountant, banker, MAFRI representative,
The Make it Beef program marketing messages about June 2008, the MIB program
aims at motivating people to Canadian beef.” leveraged $200,000 in gro- or the AgriStability assistance phone line.
purchase fresh beef for mak- Between July 2007 and “MIB booklets are high- cery product partner funds
ing meals at home. The pro- June 2008, four issues of the ly appealing and influential for program development
gram consists of a quarterly
recipe book-
MIB recipe booklets were
distributed
when they get into the hands
of consumers, and are thus
and execution, allowing for
expansion of BIC marketing Twin Creek
let included
in subscribers’
Reader’s Di-
to 1.2 mil-
lion consum-
ers nationally
achieving the original goals
of the program,” she notes.
With the MIB consum-
efforts and reach, including
the seasonal in-store mer-
chandising program.
red Angus
gest magazine, a merchan-
dising program with a key
every three months through
Reader’s Digest insertions.
er promotion program, BIC
HERD DISPERSAL
food retailer and a month- On top of that, MIB book- www.cattlecountry.blogspot.com November 22, 2008 - 1:00 p.m.
ly consumer e-newsletter. lets were part of a seasonal,
Both the booklet and the e- in-store merchandising pro- Heartland Livestock, Virden
newsletter consist of recipes, gram with two key retail-
nutrition information, and ers, and was offered at vari- Ask us about the
cooking and safe food hand- ous trade shows and other
COW W
Visit us at 759-G First St., Brandon
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14 CATTLE COUNTRY • November 2008
2008 District Meeting Resolutions
District 11 5 - Improve Provincial been detected in cattle which would assist produc-
1 - Permanent Crop Problem Beaver Program herds in Northern Minne- ers to evaluate genetics of
Residue Freight Be It Resolved that MCPA sota, and their herd).
Assistance Program lobby the provincial gov- Whereas the State of
Whereas crop residue ernment to improve the ex- Minnesota has responded District 5
burning causes pollution isting Problem Beaver Con- to the outbreak of bovine 13 - Reaffirm MCPA Policy
and damages both the trol Program by adequately TB with targeted wildlife Number 2007.4 (Improving
environment and human compensating producers depopulation measures as Problem Predator Removal
health, for damages caused by bea- part of its overall bovine TB Program)
Be It Resolved that MCPA vers. Management Strategy, Be It Resolved that the
advise the provincial gov- Be It Resolved that the MCPA reaffirm policy num-
ernment to mandate a year- District 10 MCPA lobby the Province ber 2007.04 (Resolution 9
ly freight assistance pro- 6 - Retain Manitoba of Manitoba to conduct a from the 2007 AGM) regard-
gram for crop residue and Forage Assistance depopulation of the deer ing improvements to the District 6 Director, Trevor Atchison represented the MCPA at this
encourage crop producers Program for Future use in southeast corner of the provincial problem preda- year’s 22nd Annual Manitoba
not to burn their stubble. Whereas the burning of province as well as establish tor removal program. Farm Women’s Conference in
straw is not a suitable use of a hunting season for elk in MCPA Policy Number
2 - Deferred Livestock straw as a resource, and southeast Manitoba. 2007.04: Improving Prob-
Brandon. your check-off
Payments Whereas the Elie Isoboard lem Predator Removal Pro- Held Nov. 3-4 during “Manitoba DOLLAR$
Be It Resolved that MCPA plant is no longer in opera- gram Farm and Rural Women’s Week”
10 - Provincial Reporting
lobby the federal and pro- tion to make use of this re- Whereas the current the event was deemed a success
System for Cattle Market
vincial governments to source, Problem Predator Removal by this year’s organizers.
Prices
legalize deferred livestock Be It Resolved that MCPA Be It Resolved that the Program has some serious Each year the MCPA helps
payments. request that the province MCPA lobby the provincial flaws that need to be ad- sponsor the event and a
retain the Manitoba For- government to establish a dressed, Director is there to answer
3 - Use of Cyanide Guns age Assistance Program for Be It Resolved that the
for Problem Predator better and more accurate questions and provide
the foreseeable future to reporting system for the MCPA lobby the Provincial information about current
Control
Whereas problem preda-
encourage the removal of
straw out of stubble burn-
market prices of cattle sold Government to establish
the following:
issues in the cattle industry. at
tor incidents are increasing ing areas of the province to
in Manitoba.
1. A fee be established for And this year, while Trevor WORK
and resulting damage and be used as feed instead. District 2 $300.00 per wolf and $50.00 didn’t actively take part in the
loss to livestock is on the 11 - End the Exclusion per coyote, workshops, he did have the dubious distinction of being one of the
increase, 7 - Transfer of Grazing Practices 2. Eliminate the 24hr. lim- few men in the room.
Be It Resolved that the Departmental from MASC Wildlife it on the trapping permit,
MCPA lobby the federal and Responsibility for Crown Compensation 3. That a long term com-
provincial governments Lands to MAFRI Whereas there is a clear mitment be made for fund- production insurance pro- 20 - Government Funding
to reintroduce the use of Whereas provincial re- need for the provincial gov- ing this program. gram promised by both for CCIA Tags
cyanide guns for problem sponsibility for Crown lands ernment to promote better provincial and federal gov- Whereas BSE and other
predator control in Mani- has been allotted to three management practices in
District 13 ernments in 2003 as part diseases are a food safety
toba. different departments in Manitoba such as bale graz- 14 - Beaver Dam Removal of the Agricultural Policy issue, and
the provincial government, ing, standing corn grazing on Crown Lands Framework still does not ex- Whereas the cost of ID tags
4 - Reaffirm MCPA Whereas current beaver ist under Growing Forward, are a financial burden to the
Policy Number 2007.04 Be It Resolved that MCPA and swath grazing,
request that provincial re- Be It Resolved that the removal programs in Mani- and producer,
(Improving Problem toba are unable to target Whereas feed and live- Be It Resolved that the
Predator Removal sponsibility for Crown lands MCPA lobby the provin-
revert to Manitoba Agricul- cial government to end the problems with beaver stock production insurance MCPA lobby the provincial
Program) dams on Crown land prop- program is an essential and federal governments to
Be It Resolved that the ture, Food and Rural Initia- the exclusion of bale graz-
tives. ing, standing corn grazing, erties, building block under the cover the cost of CCIA tags
MCPA reaffirm policy num- Be It Resolved that the APF/Growing Forward for for producers.
ber 2007.04 (Resolution 9 District 3 swath grazing and other
the AgriStability program
No Resolutions management practices MCPA lobby the relevant
from the 2007 AGM) regard- provincial government de- to work effectively for cattle 21 - Municipal
ing improvements to the from the MASC wildlife in- Expropriations
surance program. partments (MAFRI, Manito- producers,
provincial problem preda- District 9 ba Conservation, and MIT) Be It Resolved that MCPA Whereas municipalities
tor removal program. 8 - Changes required to 12 - Reaffirm MCPA Policy for the removal of beaver continue to lobby both lev- have set a precedent by
MCPA Policy Number AgriStability Program Number 2007.05 (Remote dams on the Garland Point els of government for work- expropriating land beyond
2007.04: Improving Prob- Whereas both the old Electronic Review of CCIA River Watershed and other able and effective produc- what has traditionally been
lem Predator Removal Pro- CAIS and new AgriStability Data) problem watersheds. tion insurance programs for understood as a public
gram programs do not work for Be It Resolved that the cattle producers that will in- need (i.e., roads and sewage
Whereas the current cattle and other livestock MCPA reaffirm policy num- 15 - Expansion of Kill sure both feed sources and lagoons),
Problem Predator Removal producers, ber 2007.05 (Resolution 10 Permits for Dangerous livestock. Be It Resolved that the
Program has some serious Be It Resolved that the from the 2007 AGM) regard- Problem Wildlife MCPA lobby the provincial
flaws that need to be ad- MCPA and CCA formally re- ing the remote electronic Be It Resolved that the District 14 government to change the
dressed, quest that the federal and MCPA lobby the provincial Municipal Act to prevent
review of CCIA data. No Resolutions
Be It Resolved that the provincial governments Whereas CCIA has a data- government for the estab- municipalities from expro-
MCPA lobby the Provincial move immediately on mak- base system for identifying lishment of a kill permit District 12 priating land and improve-
Government to establish ing the necessary changes cattle in Canada, for problem wildlife not ments for the purpose of
the following: to CAIS/AgriStability to 18 - Beaver Dam Removal economic development,
Be It Resolved that the presently included within Program Compensation
1. A fee be established for enable these programs to MCPA lobby CCIA in order current problem wildlife including but not limited
$300.00 per wolf and $50.00 work for cattle producers. management programs but Whereas the current to, engaging in a business-
for individual producers
per coyote, nonetheless pose a threat Beaver Removal Program related or industry-related
District 4 who have purchased CCIA
2. Eliminate the 24hr. lim- to property, food safety and compensation fee of $15 is undertakings.
tags to have the ability,
it on the trapping permit, 9 - TB Related Deer and Elk by entering individual PIN livelihood. inadequate to properly deal
3. That a long term com- Depopulation in Southeast
numbers, to review the data
with the beaver problem, 22 - Trade Challenge
mitment be made for fund- Manitoba Be It Resolved that the Against COOL
ing this program. Whereas bovine TB has
for the calves they have 16 - Ban on use of All MCPA lobby the provincial Whereas Canada, the U.S.,
produced (e.g., carcass data Animal Byproducts in government to increase the and Mexico each signed a
Ruminant Feed Beaver Removal Program NAFTA trade agreement,
Be It Resolved that MCPA compensation amount and
lobby the federal govern- from $15 to $50 per bea- Whereas U.S. Country of
ment to ban the feeding of ver in order to cover actual Origin Labeling (COOL) leg-
CATTLEX Ltd.
animal byproducts such as costs, and islation and regulations are
porcine meal, feather meal, Be It Further Resolved a contravention of this trade
poultry meal, and animal fat that the MCPA lobby the agreement,
to ruminants, and provincial government to Be It Resolved that the
Cattlex Ltd., is looking for people to back- Be It Further Resolved have Beaver Removal Pro- MCPA request CCA to press
that in the absence of such
ground or background and graze cattle for the a ban, that the federal gov-
gram compensation be the federal government
solely administered by the immediately on launching
2008-2009 season. Cost per pound of gain con- ernment be asked to require Department of Conserva- a trade challenge to COOL
that the sale of all feeds in-
tracts are available now for long and short-term clude a list of ingredients as
tion. under either NAFTA or WTO
District 7 rules.
placements. Call Andy Drake or Rick Wright at (204) 764-2471 well as a statement as to the
19 - Increase Elk Hunting District 6
types of animal products
for more information. used in the feed mill, and Areas 23 - Gopher Control
Be It Further Resolved Whereas elk that pose a Program
risk of disease and prop- Be It Resolved that the
• Cattlex offers a complete Order-Buying service and covers all that the federal govern-
erty damage are traveling in MCPA lobby the provincial
Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan Auction Marts. ment require all trucks
transporting animal by- larger numbers outside of government for a gopher
the current hunting zones control program whereby
• Cattlex buys ALL classes of cattle direct from producers. products be washed out in
between loads to prevent in Manitoba, producers can purchase
Be It Resolved that the bait and are eligible for re-
• Cattlex is interested in purchasing large or small consignments cross contamination.
MCPA lobby the provincial imbursement of 50% of bait
of Feeder Cattle, Finished Cattle, Cows and Bulls. 17 - Feed and Livestock government to increase elk costs.
Production Insurance hunting areas beyond the
For more information and pricing, contact any of the Cattlex buyers: current hunting zones in District 1
Programs
Andy Drake (204) 764-2471 Clive Bond (204) 483-0229 Whereas existing produc- order to mitigate the risk of No Resolutions
tion insurance programs for disease and property dam-
Rick Wright (204) 748-7676 Ken Drake (204) 724-0091 age from elk. District 8
Jay Jackson (204) 223-4006 cattle producers’ feed sourc-
Bonded & Licensed in Manitoba & Saskatchewan es such as hay are not effec- No Resolutions
tive or sufficient, and
Whereas the livestock
November 2008 • CATTLE COUNTRY 15
Manitoba Cattle
Producers Association
invites all producers and industry supporters to attend their 30th
ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE
Wednesday & Thursday H ope t
December 10 & 11, 2008 yo u t h o s e e
at the Royal Oak Inn, 3130 Victoria Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba
e re !
The MCPA Annual Conference is the perfect time to Draft Agenda
get together with other cattle producers, have a good WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10TH, 2008
visit, find out what’s happening in the industry and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Trade show set-up
take part in the resolutions debate that helps shape 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m. Trade show open
the direction of the Association for the upcoming year. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration
If you’ve never been to the MCPA Annual 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Opening Remarks– MCPA President
Conference, this is as good a year as any to come out. Approval of Agenda
President’s Report
We promise not to bore you to death and you’ll even AGM Minutes
Audited Report
have the chance to win some pretty good prizes. Introduction of MCPA Board of Directors
What have you got to lose? Appointments/Ratification of Directors - Districts 1, 3, 5, 7,
9, 11 & 13
Brad Wildeman, President of CCA
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Coffee break in trade show area
Snapshots from our Annual Meeting in 2007 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Trade Panel Discussion - panelists include:
• Christa Mountjoy - Ag Canada
• Gib Drury - CBEF
• Brad Wildeman - CCA
• Rob Meijer - Cargill
• Moderator - TBA
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Meeting room will be prepared for banquet
6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Cash bar in trade show area
6:30 p.m. President’s reception and banquet
Greetings from Manitoba Ag Minister, Rosann Wowchuk
8:00 p.m. Bursary winners announced
Evening entertainment: Big Daddy Taz, Comedian
THURSDAY DECEMBER 11TH, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Registration open
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Trade show open
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Coffee and pastries in the trade show area
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Ag Canada Presentation
AgriStability Presentation - How to make it work
9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Gib Drury - CBEF Presentation
10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Coffee break in the trade show area
Manitoba Cattle
10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Kim Ominski - E G & S Research
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Rob Leslie from Canfax with the market update
Producers Association 11:30 a.m. - Noon
Noon - 1:15 pm.
Glen Brand from Beef Information Centre
Lunch in the trade show area
222-530 Century Street 1:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Bob Sopuck - “Concerned about the Environment?
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0Y4 Eat more beef!”
Phone: 1-800-772-0458 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Coffee break in the trade show area
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Resolutions
email: mcpa.office@mts.net
4:00 p.m. President’s closing remarks & Door prizes
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING REGISTRATION
Check one of the following for pre-registration: Information (Please print)
To register for the
Wednesday Free to all members Name: ________________________________________________________
30th MCPA Annual
Noon - 6:00 p.m.
General Meeting Address: ______________________________________________________
on December 10th Wednesday Evening Banquet - $30 per person
City/Town: ______________________________________ Prov. ________
and 11th, 2008 at
the Royal Oak Inn Postal Code _________________
in Brandon, please Thursday Free to all members
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Phone: ____________________________ Fax: _______________________
complete this
registration form to Banquet is non-refundable. Payment by cheque payable to:
give us an idea how DEADLINE: Please register by November 30th if you plan to
attend the banquet. Manitoba Cattle Producers Association
many people will be
222 – 530 Century Street, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0Y4
attending. AGM costs do not include hotel rooms. We have a block of
rooms held at the Royal Oak Inn under booking #115520. To Phone: (204) 772-4542 Fax: (204) 774-3264
Thank you very much!
reserve your room, please call 1-800-852-2709. Please contact Val Bell at the above number if you have any questions about registration.
16 CATTLE COUNTRY • November 2008
The Bottom Line - Rick Wright
W
hat a roller cattle that will be slaugh- ican packers and Canada’s ducing 1,500-pound cows Another bit of advice is:
coaster ride the tered prior to April 1, 2009. trade department sat down will eat more feed this win- Age Verify your calves and
fall calf run has That is why the prices for together to develop a plan to ter than their calf is worth any of your home raised
been! Lots of ups and downs, yearlings off the grass re- present to the new President this fall when you consid- cows. Regardless of what you
twists and turns. Prices have mained strong while the wet for consideration. er hay prices at 4 to 5 cents have heard it does not cost
been very unpredictable and nosed calves were a tough- per pound delivered (most you anything and if we want
demand has been very se- er sale. Originally the ma- Despite the fear of the of the cows will eat $1.60 to to develop more markets for
lective. Order-Buyers are jority of the major packers unknown, Alberta feed- $2.00 with off hay per day), our cattle in the future, age With Alberta going to man-
sticking tight to orders and indicated that they would lots finally started to pur- plus straw for bedding, in- verification and traceabil- datory age verification on
there has been no specula- label all beef fed in the chase from Manitoba mar- terest on your investment, ity will be very a import- their calves in January 2009
tion buying at all this year. USA, category 2 (Product of kets in mid October. Prices corral cleaning costs, and ant part of the formula to and Quebec already there, it
Usually the last week in USA/Canada). Immediate- in Alberta finally increased depreciation on your equip- moving beef into new mar- will just a matter of time be-
October and the first week ly there was pressure from enough to have some of the ment and facilities. kets. Today on cull cows, fore we will have do ours as
in November are the largest the American side that this bigger lots looking outside This is a good year to pay the premium is between well to market our calves to
marketing volumes of the plan would undermine the the province for inventory. the preg checking bill and $75 and $140 per cow if they those feedlots.
fall in Manitoba. This year, purpose of Country of Ori- Quebec feeders got good cull those free loaders. can be exported to the U.S. Until next time, Rick
deliveries are slow com- news the last week of Oc-
BS or Bang On?
gin legislation. Packers were
pared with other years as told if they did not have beef tober. It looks like Smith-
producers hold on to their in category 1 (Product of field’s plant (now JBS Swifts) This is what readers had
cattle hoping for better USA) there could be chan- in Pennsylvania is going to
pricing. Most of the large ges to the rules on how cat- start purchasing cattle on to say about last month’s
auctions market report a egory two and three prod- the cash market and is look- “Don’t Shoot
decrease in the numbers ucts were handled in the ing at possible contracts in the Messenger”
sold from August 1 to now. food chain. These changes the future. Despite the high “I stopped vaccinating brought that to the forefront
Gladstone’s numbers are up would be very burdensome cost of transportation this because I’ve been selling my and called a spade a spade.
slightly and the Killarney and costly for the packers, year, feedlots there have a cattle through the auction Producers can and often data to the feedlots and the
market has really increased wholesales and retailers. As renewed interest in purchas- marts and not seeing the re- do add value to their calves cow calf operators so that
its weekly numbers. Direct I write this, we await word ing Manitoba calves. turn. If the market reports by following strong vaccin- everyone has more informa-
sales from the farm to buy- from the packing industry I certainly do not see any from Manitoba Agriculture ation programs and by pre- tion to make production de-
ers have also increased as in the south as to what kind major price increases in the start getting more accurate conditioning/ pre-weaning cisions with.”
producers try and cut mar- of discount, if any, there will calf prices for the remainder and there is a premium paid their calves. Unfortunate-
keting costs while looking be on non-American born of 2008. The world economy for all of this extra work ly buyers don’t know and “I have no problem with
for price guarantees on an cattle. is far from being stabilized we’ve been doing, then I’ll can’t always trust what they pre-vaccinating my calves
unstable market. Cattle finished in Can- and until that happens, the start doing it again.” are told so everyone is dis- but I want to know some-
The Prices improved on ada will face a bigger chal- fundamentals that influence counted. As well feedlot where in the market place
some classes and weights lenge. By the time you read the cattle and meat markets “I’m tired of being a price operators are in the same guarantee a few cents more.
of cattle late in October. this, JBS Swifts is expected will be very unpredictable. taker. Can I get Unrau’s boat and have to treat all cat- If my auction mart advertis-
The drop in the value of the to announce that they will The best advice that I can number? I want him to come tle to reduce the risks. This ing pre-conditioning, like to
Canadian dollars helped no longer kill finished cattle give today is cull your cow- take a look at my calves. I’m just adds costs and puts un- see the buyers step up and
offset the losses on the cat- from Canada at their plant herd hard. Now is the time doing everything right and I necessary vaccines into some acknowledge the fact try-
tle futures markets, keep- in Greeley, Colorado. This to get rid of the free loaders also want him to take a look cattle. ing to run a good operation.
ing the Americans interest- means all finished cattle and poor producers. The cow at my cow herd to see where I believe that our industry I know a few years ago the
ed in purchasing Canadian from Western Canada des- market is decent and you it needs improving.” is on the verge of significant auction mart around here
feeder cattle. The drop in tined to the United States cannot afford to feed those change. Tough times have tried to hold a age verified
the dollar also helped make will have to be killed at Pas- extra cows. Heifer prices “We do all this and then made cattlemen less tolerant sale but didn’t getany pens
the cost of backgrounding co, Washington (Tyson) are under pressure and in we never hear back from the of the bad eggs in our indus- of cattle - not a single pro-
feeders for American in- or Hyrum, Utah (Swifts). most cases you can get more buyers, whether the calves try. They are looking to in- ducer with a birth certifi-
vestors at Manitoba feed- The plant in Utah is ap- money for your cull cow get sick. Did it work or was it crease profitability for their cate. Has to be frustrating fo
lots more competitive. The prox. 1100 miles from Bran- than your best heifer calf. If not worth a dime? I want to operation and if that means rhtem - they are trying Pro-
only reason the Americans don, Manitoba. Rumours you are going to keep some- know how my calves do after adding value they will, but ducers have to help them-
are not jumping in the Can- from the south are that the thing back, the heifers look they leave my place.” only if the returns are there. selves, too.”
adian market with both feet packing companies feel the like they are worth the feed. - Stephen Reykdal All sectors need to work
is “COOL.” There are still Canadian government has There will be lots of seection together to benefit all. “We don’t vaccinate our
too many unknowns as to not done enough to influ- at the bred cow sales and the “Harold Unrau’s arti- The next step to Harold’s cattle to get a premium, we
how the packers will treat ence the USDA and Amer- majority of the breds sold cle hit the nail on the head. story is that slaughter plants do it for herd health rea-
the Canadian origin cattle ican government to protect so far this fall have gone for For years we have been told need to provide the carcass sons.”
fed in the United States. It the Canadian cattle pro- slaughter at market price. that producers could do bet-
looks like there will be lit- ducers on the COOL issue. If you do the math, ter if they paid attention to
tle to no discount on the Maybe it is time the Amer- most of those poor pro- what feedlots need. Harold
Photo by: Karen Emilson
Of all the ghosts and goblins that showed up at our door on
Halloween night, this little cattle buyer was the scariest of them all.
Carrying a suitcase stuffed with money, he drove a hard bargain on
his trick-or-treat demands. We managed to get him out the door but
heard later he smooth talked his way into all the neighbour’s homes,
too. So next year, be on the lookout for Brynn Jonasson. Now that
we’re on to him here in Vogar, I expect he’ll turn up somewhere else.