The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) 2018 semi-annual meeting was held last week in London, ON in conjunction with the Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC). In addition to the required policy committee meetings, the CCA held a provincial manager meeting and a trilateral meeting with leadership from U.S. and Mexican producer organizations, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas (CNOG).

With conference attendees invited to attend CCA committees, these sessions began with a general information sessions to provide an overview of the work that each committee undertakes on behalf of Canada’s 60,000 beef farms and feedlots.

The Foreign Trade Committee provided a status update on its top priorities, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations, ensuring access to Japan through the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), creating genuine access to Europe under the Canada-EU Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), resolving ongoing access issues with China, preparing for new negotiation with the UK and dealing with the new barriers as, and preferably before, they arise. The trade discussion continued on a tri-lateral basis with our US and Mexican counterparts.

The Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations committee held a panel discussion on the Business Risk Management Review. Many questions regarding BRM program design,

awareness and changes under Canadian Agricultural Partnership were asked by the audience. The committee emphasized the need for a timely roll-out of the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision in regions where feed supplies are running short. Ongoing efforts to expand a price insurance program beyond western Canada and the Government of Canada’s regulatory review of the agri-food sector was also discussed.

The Animal Health and Care committee held a panel discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges with the proposed traceability regulations. The committee also focused on the proposed Transportation of Animals regulations and ensuring that CCA take a leadership role in lobbying both USDA and CFIA to either revise or remove policies, processes, procedures, and legislation that restrict the free-flow of feeder, replacement and breeding cattle across the US / Canadian border.

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CCA semi-annual meeting round-up

In This Issue...• CCA semi-annual meeting round-up

• TESA recipient – Manitoba’s Circle H Farms

• Farm tour: Ontario agriculture

• Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency AGM update

• Recipient of 2018 Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation

• Soil health series – regenerative movement

• Register now for CRSB AGM

Trilateral meeting with Marty Smith, Vice President, NCBA, Jennifer Houston, president-elect NCBA, David Haywood-Farmer, CCA President Andres Piedra, Economist, CNOG. Photo credit: David Moss.

Volume 20 Issue 08 • August 20, 2018

CCA IS THE NATIONAL VOICE OF CANADA’S 68,500 BEEF FARMS

Manitoba’s Circle H Farms is the recipient of the CCAs 2018 The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA). Circle H Farms is a purebred cow-calf operation owned and operated by Brian and Sonja Harper and family. The award was announced by Duane Thompson, chair of the CCA Environment Committee, and Scott Dickson, Director of Livestock Services with TESA sponsor MNP, during a special awards banquet at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in London, ON.

Thompson said the TESA judges recognize all the nominees as exceptional stewards of the lands they manage. Soil health and enhancing carbon sequestration was a strong theme across the board this year and the judges found that very positive, he said. Care of riparian habitat, surface water quality and overall biodiversity were also key focal points of nominees.

What set the Harpers apart in their focus on soil health and soil biology is the use of technologies, innovative management practices and keen observations to gain an intimate understanding of enhancements that most benefit their specific environment, he said.

Their commitment to regenerating soils to improve livestock and ecosystem health demonstrates the commitment to sustainability that the TESA embodies, he added.

Brian, on behalf of his wife Sonja and children Thomas and Kristelle, expressed sincere gratitude as he accepted the award, a sterling silver TESA belt buckle and certificate.

Located near Brandon in the black soil zone of the Canadian Prairies on predominately sandy or sandy/clay loam lands, the 500-acre operation has undergone successive transformation of animal and land management practices since the Harpers purchased the conventional mixed farm in 1990. Managing depleted soils under pressure from wind and water erosion set the Harpers on a lifelong path of continual improvement of production practices to benefit their 80 head of cattle and rejuvenate the organic matter in the soils and improve the water and nutrient cycles.

Click here to see the TESA 2018 news release in full.

TESA recipient – Manitoba’s Circle H Farms

Brian and Sonja Harper (centre) accept the 2018 TESA from CCA Environment Committee Chair Duane Thompson (R) and MNPs Scott Dickson. Photo credit: Gina Teel.

The Environment committee had guest speaker Tim Hardman, beef director, sustainable food, World Wildlife Fund U.S., speak on how cattle can contribute to biodiversity. Hardman’s presentation explained the importance of balance in an ecosystem and how some ecosystems, and the species within them, depend on grazers to properly manage the land for that balanced target. When this is done well, it can lead to great results, for the producer, the wildlife and the entire system.

The Value Creation and Competitiveness committee presented a panel discussion on a number of topics including connecting the beef value

chain through data, Canadian food guide update, pending changes to beef grading in Canada, blockchain technology and its application in technology.

The Provincial Managers meeting also provides an opportunity for information sharing on top policy items for the beef sector within each province. This meeting helps build awareness and allows for collaboration where possible. A number of general themes were discussed including the provincial roll-out of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership programming, livestock predation program design and upcoming changes to antibiotic purchasing rules.

CCA semi-annual meeting round-up (continued)

Volume 20 Issue 08 • August 20, 2018

The Canadian Beef Industry Conference pre-tour of southwestern Ontario provided producers and interested parties from across Canada and the U.S. an up close and personal view of a number of cow-calf and feedlot operations of various sizes and business models. The sold-out tour visited Conlin Farms, in Lucan, Van Osch Farms, at Ailsa Craig, Bluewater Beef, Mooretown, and River Point Cattle Company and Bee Zee Acres in Glencoe. The tour at Bee Zee acres concluded with an Ontario Corn Fed Beef supper courtesy of the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association. For more information about the farms visited, click here.

Farm tour: Ontario agriculture

Photo 1 - Tour participants learned about rotational grazing methods used in this region of Ontario. Photo 2 - CCA President David Haywood-Farmer is from B.C. and enjoyed learning how cattle production is carried out in Ontario. Photo 3 Cutline: Tour participants, including CCA General Manager David Moss (background) learn about feeding methods in Ontario, where covered barns like this one protect the cattle from heat and humidity of summer and other extreme weather. Photo 4 - Thank you to Ontario Corn Fed Beef wagon for providing supper to tour participants. Photo 5 - Beef Farmers of Ontario President Joe Hill, also a CCA director, was an excellent host for the tour of Ontario beef farms. Photos credit: Gina Teel

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Volume 20 Issue 08 • August 20, 2018

Recipient of 2018 Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation

Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency AGM updateThe Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency (the Agency) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held in conjunction with the Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC) in London, ON last week.

Heinz Reimer of Manitoba was elected Chair. Joining Reimer on the Agency’s Executive Committee are Chad Ross of Saskatchewan as Vice-Chair, Larry Weatherby of Nova Scotia as Governance Chair and Lonnie Lake representing retail and foodservice as Finance Chair. The Agency also announced its Board of Directors for 2018/19.

The Agency manages and administers the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off and import levy. Reimer is confident that the new Agency Members are ready to work together to build on the solid foundation set by the last board, and ensure that the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off continues to bring a strong return to Canadian producers.

“The Agency has worked hard to move forward and better ourselves on behalf of Canadian beef producers,” said Reimer. “Now we need to focus on our vision: a unified and sustainable national funding strategy for Canadian beef cattle research, market development and promotion.”

Melinda German, General Manager of the Agency, is also positive about the Agency’s future.

“By focusing on our four main objectives of ensuring transparent administration, delivering measurable value, engaging and educating stakeholders, and growing connections with industry, we will be able to deliver on the expectations set by Canadian beef producers for us as an Agency,” said German.

“Producers deserve to see a strong return in research and marketing for their investment, and we want the administration of the Agency to provide strong value as well.”

New this year was the opportunity for the Agency’s voting delegates to elect up to four members-at-large to the Marketing Committee, as well as two primary producers from those elected as Agency Members. They will join the members appointed to the committee by the Agency.

The Marketing Committee is responsible for planning and establishing Canada Beef’s strategic, business and operational goals and objectives and for the overall management and operation of the business and affairs.

Click here to see the full list of board members and the complete Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency news release.

The Agency’s 2017/18 Annual Report is available online at www.canadabeef.ca/national-check-off.

Dr. Eugene Janzen, a leader in beef cattle production and medicine, is the recipient of the 2018 Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation. Dr. Janzen is currently a professor and researcher at the University of Calgary College of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM).

As a veterinarian and scientist, Dr. Janzen has made substantial contributions to the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry. His passion and dedication to cattle health and close collaborations with producers is a treasure. He continually aligns his interests with those of the industry and works diligently to understand producers’ difficulties then meshes academic knowledge with the realities of the farm. He is a well-respected professional and a mentor to countless students and colleagues.

Click here to read the full BCRC news release in full.

Volume 20 Issue 08 • August 20, 2018

Soil health and its many related benefits including enhancing carbon sequestration are topics of interest to many Canadian beef producers. The role of cattle production in this regenerative approach to soil health was a strong theme across the five nominees vying for the 2018 The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) this year, with the very real benefits demonstrated on their respective operations. This commitment to regenerating soil is attracting the interest of more and more producers. With that in mind, the CCA is pleased to present a three-part series exploring the movement toward regenerating soil from the beef producer perspective:

In Part 2 of the soil health series, we will discuss pasture management and the importance of taking care of the soil long term.

Soil health series – regenerative movement Healthy soil: the root of all that is good by Janet Kanters

Heed these words from Allan Savory: “Ultimately, the only wealth that can sustain any community, economy or nation is derived from the photosynthetic process – green plants growing on regenerating soil.”

If soil is the root of all that is good, then it only stands to reason that caring for and sustaining – and improving and regenerating – our soils is paramount.

According to Duane Thompson, with Tee Two Land and Cattle Co. near Kelliher, Sask., and a board member with the CCA, “in agriculture we are very aware of the importance of soil, and how livestock plays a part in soil health.”

“Cattle producers are becoming more cognizant of soil health,” he said. “Indeed, our really deep appreciation for the land and livestock has been one of our most outstanding features.”

Thompson credits Savory as the pioneer of the holistic management in agriculture movement, the interaction between animals and soil health and plant health. Savory, an ecologist, livestock farmer, environmentalist, and president and co-founder of the Savory Institute, advocates using bunched and moving livestock to mimic nature as a means to heal the environment.

“Holistic management has many facets to it: the human side, the financial side, the animal health side, the soil health side, etc.,” notes Thompson.

“Allan Savory is the pioneer of this basic interaction between plants, animals and soil; it’s the very basics of how soil was built in the first place.”

No one knows this better than Nora Paulovich, manager of the North Peace Applied Research Association, and Jolene Noble. Both women are part of the family-owned and operated Jackknife Creek Land and Cattle, a mixed farm in the North Peace. According to Noble, the importance of managing soil in a cattle grazing operation is key to success.

“We’re a family operation, and soil health has become one of the driving principles on our farm in maximizing productivity,” said Noble. “By maintaining a healthy soil, we increase the productivity of our land. If your soils are not healthy, then your plants will not be healthy, production will decline and your profit per acre will decrease.”

There are five principles of soil health that apply to all agricultural producers. The first is to armour the soil by keeping it covered. “If you have armour on your soil, it’s going to regulate temperatures and it’s also going to provide a bit of a barrier between the soil and the elements,” said Noble. “So, when you have a hard rain event or things like that, you don’t end up with soil splashing up, running off or crusting, which is all going to hurt productivity. Also, if the soil isn’t covered and it’s hot, it’s detrimental to both the microorganisms in the soil and the plant roots.”

The second principle is to conduct minimum or no tillage. “Every time you disturb that soil, you destroy aggregates in the soil, meaning soil structure,” said Paulovich who has been providing leading edge extension material on soil health since 2013.

Thirdly, plant diversity. The more diverse plants growing above ground, the more diverse root systems below ground. “With diversity, all different leaf shapes capture the sun’s energy which, in turn, is transformed into energy going down into the roots to feed the microorganisms,” said Noble. “With that variance in your root structures, from creeping roots to fibrous roots to tap roots, etc., you’re actually pulling moisture in, pulling nutrients in from different areas of the soil profile.”

Four, keep living roots as late into the year as possible – this is the food sources for microorganisms.

And five, livestock integration. “Livestock brings another component into the entire soil health conversation,” said Noble. “Trampling of plant material into the ground is a good resource for all living things in the soil. Also, just the way plant material goes through an animal and comes out the back end is beneficial to soil health.”

“The beef industry has a large role to play in the soil health world,” said Paulovich. “Implementing these principles will result in more profitability per acre. We want to treat the soil as more than just the medium to hold plants – it is a living organism.”

Volume 20 Issue 08 • August 20, 2018

CCA Action News

Staff Contributors: Brady Stadnicki, John Masswohl, Beef Cattle Research Council, CanfaxEdited, compiled and/or written by: Gina Teel

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 60,000 beef farms and feedlots.

To sign up for CCA’s “Action News:” For more information, contact:

Visit www.cattle.ca and click on “Sign-up for Action News” CCA Communications at feedback@cattle.ca or visit our website at www.cattle.ca

Head office:Ste. 180, 6815 8th Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7H7Phone: 403.275.8558 Fax: 403.274.5686

Ottawa office:1101, 350 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8Phone: 613.233.9375 Fax: 613.233.2860

REGISTER NOW FOR CRSB AGMThe Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) Annual General Meeting will be held:

SEPTEMBER 19 & 20, 2018 AT THE SHERATON SUITES CALGARY EAU CLAIRE HOTEL IN CALGARY AB.

CRSB’s AGM is being held in collaboration with the CCA, who is hosting a western Canadian tour of the International Beef Alliance. CRSB will be sharing some activities throughout the

event to provide an opportunity to network and connect with beef producers from Canada, U.S., Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.

The early–bird rate is available until August 31. To register, and for more information:https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/crsb-annual-general-meeting-tickets-48289889359

Volume 20 Issue 08 • August 20, 2018