Lobby intensifies for cattle tax deferral

“I’d just as soon see this happen sooner rather than later.” – James Bezan, MP James Bezan says he is having an uphill battle persuading the federal Finance Department that losing hay to a flood is the same as losing it to a drought. “It’s a matter of convincing people within the department that the

New MCPA head wants more emphasis on agriculture

“If you’re not willing to do something, you can’t complain.” – JOE BOUCHARD, MCPA If Joe Bouchard had his way, agriculture would qualify for a federal bailout package ahead of the auto industry. Like many of his fellow producers, Bouchard believes the federal Conservative government gives agriculture, especially the cattle sector, mere lip service at


Cattle producers pan AgriStability

“If you don’t have a margin, how do you access funds?” – Robert McLean, KAP Dianne Smith was expecting a rough ride from Manitoba cattle producers over her presentation on business risk management programs. But the audience sat mostly in stony silence, offering only a few perfunctory questions. Smith, an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada client

Trade touted as cattle industry’s salvation

“We’ve always made our living in the marketplace.” – brad wildeman, cca Increased trade is the solution to the Canadian cattle industry’s economic woes, Manitoba cattle producers were told last week. The Manitoba Cattle Producers Association annual meet ing heard a rous ing endorsement of global trade and free enterprise as an answer to the


Cattle producers let loose at wildlife problems

Manitoba cattle producers took dead aim and blasted away at varmints last week. The need to control predators and other problem wildlife was the subject of nine out of 23 resolutions debated at the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association annual meeting Dec. 10-11. Members passed resolutions calling for: Increased funding to hunt and trap wolves and

Winnipeg beef plant gets new corporate structure

“If they can make it work, great. We’re in favour of it.” – Martin Unrau, MCPA Manitoba’s newest beef processing project has a new name and a new corporate structure. Natural Prairie Beef Inc. and the Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council are joining hands to form Keystone Processors Ltd., which will kill cattle and process beef


What’s up – for Dec. 11, 2008

Please forward your agricultural events to [email protected] call 204-944-5762 Dec. 10-11 – Manitoba Cattle Producers Association annual general meeting, Royal Oak Inn, 3130 Victoria Ave., Brandon. For more info call toll-free 1-800-772-0458 or visit www.mcpa.net 2009 Jan. 7-9 – Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association 39th annual convention, Fairmont Hotel, 2 Lombard Ave., Winnipeg. For more

MCPA proposes its own environmental program

“ALUS is a great idea but it does not help us as cattle producers.” – MARTIN UNRAU, MCPA Manitoba cattle producers are proposing a new program to reward them financially for environmentally friendly farming practices. The program, called Envi ronmental and Rural Stewardship Program (ERSP), would pay producers up to nearly $127 million annually for


What’s up – for Dec. 4, 2008

Please forward your agricultural events to [email protected] call 204-944-5762 Dec. 3-4 – Hog and Poultry Days, Winnipeg Convention Centre, 375 York Ave. For more info e-mail info@hogandpoul trydays.caor visit www.hogandpoultrydays.com. Dec. 3-5 – Western Canada Grazing Conference, Mayfield Inn and Suites, Edmonton. For more info visit http://areca.ab.ca/site/areca_events. Dec. 4-5 – Canadian Value Chain Network workshops,

Wolves attacking cattle in south-central Manitoba

“You can’t just run out and kill every wolf you see.” – Martin Unrau, MCPA Bill Guenther is missing a quarter of his calves and he’s pretty sure he knows why. About six weeks ago, Guenther surprised a large wolf – “a big grey bugger” – eating on a freshly killed 600-pound heifer calf on