New workshops will be held this fall to help livestock producers, trappers and hunters work together to better protect livestock from wildlife. This announcement was made by Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh and Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Ron Kostyshyn.
“Compensation paid to Manitoba livestock producers for damages due to predator attacks reached more than one million dollars last year,” said Mackintosh. “These new workshops will build capacity at the community level to help prevent wildlife from attacking livestock.”
This spring, a livestock predation protection working group was formed, bringing together representatives from the Manitoba Beef Producers, Manitoba Sheep Producers, Manitoba Trappers Association, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
The group developed the workshops to respond to requests for information from producers, hunters and trappers. Workshop agenda items include presentations from government agencies, experts demonstrating predator trapping and snaring techniques, and predator calling and hunting techniques.
“These workshops will help producers learn what they can do to better protect their livestock, as well as give hunters and trappers information on the role they can play,” said Kostyshyn. “We encourage Manitoba’s producers, hunters and trappers to come out and participate in a workshop near them.”
“Predation is a top concern for producers and we value the co-operation between industry groups and government to address this issue,” said Trevor Atchison, president, Manitoba Beef Producers. “We thank the livestock predation protection working group for providing these workshops and we encourage all livestock producers and interested stakeholders to attend.”
While there is no charge to attend a workshop, pre-registration is required by phoning the local Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship district office. Workshops will be held in September and October at 6 p.m. at the following locations:
- Sept. 18 in Boissevain at the Beckoning Hills Activity Club. To pre-register, call the Boissevain district office at 204-534-2028.
- Sept. 19 in La Broquerie at the La Broquerie Hotel. To pre-register, call the Steinbach district office at 204-346-6110.
- Sept. 25 in Fisher Branch at the Ukrainian National Home. To pre-register, call the Hodgson district office at 204-372-6296.
- Sept. 26 in Rossburn at the town hall. To pre-register, call the Shoal Lake district office at
- 204-759-4080.
- Oct. 2 in Swan River at the Super 8 Motel. To pre-register, call the Swan River district office at 204-734-3429.
- Oct. 3 in Ste. Rose de Lac at the Ste. Rose Jolly Club. To pre-register, call the Dauphin district office at 204-622-2106.
