The group representing Manitoba’s beef sector said it’s happy about changes at the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).
The provincial and federal governments gave their traditional AgriInsurance update at Manitoba Ag Days Jan. 22. Program changes for 2025 include a new maximum value for calculating livestock predation claims. The new maximum is more than double the old figure. Claim calculations will now have a top value of $7,000, up from $3,000.
“That’s really good news. That’s something we’ve asked for,” said Manitoba Beef Producers president Matthew Atkinson.
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Why it matters: Predation losses have been a long-time thorn in the sides of Manitoba’s beef and sheep industries.
Atkinson added that the change was implemented fairly quickly once suggested by industry.
“Our valuation on livestock is still based off of market data (and) we started to bump up against the maximum cap, because of the value of the livestock,” he noted.
Beef prices in Manitoba, as in the rest of Western Canada, have enjoyed a maintained surge, making every animal lost to predation a larger financial hit for the producer.
Return of service
Atkinson also praised news of more MASC in-person service coming for western Manitoba.
The day before rolling out the 2025 AgriInsurance program, the province had announced two new MASC offices, one in Shoal Lake and one in Virden.
Atkinson, who farms near Neepawa, said the increased MASC presence and predation insurance changes were “both things that we did have policies on our books asking for, and we’re really glad that the minister, the department and MASC listened and made some changes.”
Cover and birdsfoot trefoil bloom at the edge of a hay field in central Manitoba. PHOTO: ALEXIS STOCKFORD
Forage gains
Livestock producers and forage growers will also have better eligibility for forage establishment insurance, a Jan. 22 federal-provincial press release noted.
MASC has added birdsfoot trefoil to their list of eligible species. Alfalfa, clover, sainfoin, perennial ryegrass and other perennial grasses, except for native grasses, are also on MASC’s list.
The program covers growers by either $40 or $80 per acre if a forage stand fails to establish.
—With files from Miranda Leybourne
