The provincial election was called on Sept. 5, and Manitoba Beef Producers general manager Carson Callum wants the Progressive Conservative, New Democratic and Liberal parties to consider the needs of the Manitoba beef industry.
Among them are measures to mitigate the effects of drought and flood, as well as the need for good roads and infrastructure to move livestock. Programs to support beef producers, which Callum said provide less than what grain farmers receive through crop insurance, are also on the wish list.
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“We just don’t have an equitable program in the beef space that would really help address some of the concerns and challenges over the last number of years.”
Callum said there are worries in the beef industry about land conversion.
“The differences in commodity prices between grains and live cattle have been quite drastic and, until this year, we haven’t seen such an improvement in cattle prices. Because of that difference in commodities, we’ve seen conversion of marginal land…[to growing] cash crop commodities,” he said, noting MBP wants cattle to remain on those marginal lands.
With the fall run ready to begin, Callum said the shortage of livestock haulers remains an issue.
“We’ve seen a decrease in available livestock haulers in Manitoba and even across the country over the last number of years. We need to ensure that government regulation, be it federal or provincial, doesn’t impede that commerce and doesn’t slow things down from a trucking perspective.”
Producer profitability has improved in the last few months as prices sharply increased.
“Until recently, the cattle industry hasn’t been as profitable because of inflationary costs,” he said, noting that “we are in a way more favourable position than two years ago.”
Because of the Labour Day long weekend, only half of the province’s eight cattle auctions had sales during the week ending Sept. 7. Of those that were closed, Winnipeg was set to resume its auctions Sept. 8, with Killarney underway Sept. 11, Gladstone on Sept. 12 and Ashern on Sept. 13.
Among those that were open, Grunthal is slated to continue with its weekly sales on Sept. 12, while Heartland goes ahead with its Virden auction on Sept. 13. Brandon will be closed on Sept. 12. Ste Rose is set for its next sale on Sept. 14.
