Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is busy planning for its key advocacy activities in 2020, as well as upcoming member and public engagement efforts.
“As an organization, MBP was active on a number of files in 2019, such as the changes to the Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program, the effects of the drought and challenging production conditions, changes to animal transportation rules, the livestock predation file, and the province’s protein strategy, to name a few,” explained MBP President Tom Teichroeb. “There will be continued efforts on these matters in 2020, as well as other existing and emerging issues and opportunities.”
Regarding the agricultural Crown lands (ACL) file, MBP will continue to focus its advocacy efforts on matters such as: securing the first right of renewal for existing lease holders who meet the program terms and conditions; affordability, including a longer transition to the new rental rate increase; predictability as it applies to lease lengths and family and unit transfers; addressing concerns about the new system for valuing improvements; informed access; recognition of ecosystem services provided by lessees; and opportunities for lessees to purchase ACL in a more timely fashion. MBP will also engage with officials about the recent ACL lease auctions and whether changes to that process are required.
Advocacy efforts will be ongoing with both the provincial and federal governments and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation about the need to make business risk management programs more responsive to the needs of the beef industry, including forage insurance and AgriStability. The negative effects of the 2018 and 2019 droughts will be felt by the sector for some time and more effective tools and strategies are needed to reduce future risk from disasters like these.
MBP will continue to press both the federal and provincial governments to work together to achieve the timely completion of the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels project. Delivery of this important project is urgently needed to reduce the risk of the kind of flooding that has devastated beef producers and others around Lake Manitoba in years past.
On the outreach front, MBP is holding its first ever youth retreat for young producers ages 18-39. Set for January 13-14, 2020, the retreat at the Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiative farm north of Brandon will have a focus on succession planning, tax and financial issues, land acquisition, as well as managing the business and human resources side of the operation. MBP’s 41st Annual General Meeting is being held February 6-7 at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Conference Centre in Brandon with the theme “Where Beef Fits in an Evolving Marketplace.” Visit www.mbbeef.ca for more details and registration information for both events.
“And don’t forget to look for MBP directors and staff at events such as Beef and Forage Week, Ag Days, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and the Red River Ex, just to name a few,” added Teichroeb. “We look forward to talking to fellow producers at these events, as well as telling the good story of beef production to the general public.”
