We are two weeks away from the 46th annual general meeting (AGM) for Manitoba Beef Producers. The two-day event takes place February 20th and 21st at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Winnipeg.
General Manager Carson Callum says the AGM features a lot of great speakers. He notes it starts with an Industry Knowledge Session on Day 1, led by Dr. Eric Behlke of TELUS Agriculture and Consumer Goods.
"He's going to focus on kind of feedlot and cow/calf technology that is kind of up and coming," says Callum. "And talk about using those technologies to improve your operation and your bottom line and then we'll have some updates from the University of Manitoba."
Callum says during the afternoon of Day 1 is when they get into the business component of the AGM. He notes they have a panel presentation on livestock inspection.
"This livestock inspection discussion is a long-debated issue in our industry in our province and we're looking as a board to get some good direction from our membership," he says.
Then, Thursday night is the President's Banquet.
"This is a great banquet that folks can come and attend and reconnect with folks they haven't seen in a while," shares Callum. "And we've got comedian Big Daddy Tazz on the lineup as well. Very looking forward to it."
Callum says Day 2 starts with a continuation of their Industry Knowledge Session as well as updates from some of their national partners.
According to Callum, their AGM usually attracts about 250 attendees, including producers and others from the industry. He notes they are hoping for a good turnout, especially considering the important topic of livestock inspection that will be discussed. Manitoba Beef Producers will be bringing up the following resolution for debate:
Whereas cases of theft or fraud related to Manitoba's cattle industry have proven very costly and disruptive for the affected parties and can undermine the confidence of lenders, investors and buyers when undertaking livestock-related transactions in Manitoba; and
Whereas livestock inspection - a tool used to help demonstrate ownership using various cattle identification methods - can be an important means of deterring theft and fraud, thereby helping to better secure livestock-related commerce; and
Whereas inspection could potentially provide other value-added elements for Manitoba producers, such as the provision of digital manifests and helping to facilitate movement reporting and traceability requirements; and
Whereas Livestock Services of Saskatchewan (LSS) has an established history of conducting livestock inspections on Manitoba cattle on an as-needed, fee-for-service basis and could be in a position to expand this service; and
Whereas the existing livestock inspection levels in Manitoba currently only cover a limited volume of total cattle-related transactions in the province, and
Whereas the legislative and regulatory environment could be improved in Manitoba to facilitate matters such as livestock inspectors being able to detain cattle or to direct the dealer to hold the sales proceeds until ownership of inspected cattle is verified; and
Whereas Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) has been investigating the various steps needed to potentially create a mandatory livestock inspection system in Manitoba, including factors such as: cost framework; required provincial legislative or regulatory changes; the service provider and logistics for expanding inspection; the value-added potential from inspection; engaging with other value chain members about their expectations and/or concerns; whether there are funding opportunities to help offset costs of implementing expanded inspection; the possible creation of a Livestock Investigations Unit tasked with investigating livestock-related crimes that could help support the work of livestock inspectors; and more; and,
Whereas MBP has been working to raise awareness of the merits of expanded livestock inspection, including at its fall 2024 district meetings where the majority of those producer attendees indicated a strong level of interest in and support for expanded inspection services as a means of helping to deter theft and fraud, as well as to potentially capture other value-added opportunities; and
Whereas if the Government of Manitoba is to make the legislative and/or regulatory changes, as well as other mechanisms necessary to support the implementation of mandatory livestock inspection it will want to be confident that the majority of the province's cattle producers are in favour of such a move.
Therefore be it resolved to recommend that Manitoba Beef Producers now ask the Government of Manitoba to work with value chain members to take the necessary steps needed to implement mandatory livestock inspection in Manitoba, including: making required legislative and/or regulatory changes; working with the prospective delivery agent on a service agreement; determining if funding can be secured to help offset the cost of an expanded inspection system; deciding whether an investment can be made to support the creation of a Livestock Investigations Unit; and, any other steps required to move this initiative forward in the most responsive, efficient and cost-effective manner.
Callum says he is hopeful that the resolution debate will help lift attendance numbers, noting they want people to come out, say their piece, and give the board good feedback on whether mandatory livestock inspection is needed in Manitoba.
Callum says what he looks most forward to on February 20th and 21st is connecting with individuals in the industry who he does not see on a day-to-day basis and talking about all the opportunities and challenges within the industry.
"The AGM is a really great opportunity for a lot of producers that I love to chat with and reconnect with," he adds. "That's when they come out and they take time away from their operation."
Callum encourages those interested in attending to pre-register. He notes the business component, as well as listening to the speakers is free of charge. The President's Banquet is $60 per ticket.