Investment to focus on sustainable beef production in Manitoba

Brandon, Man. –  The provincial and federal governments are both contributing funds to help support sustainable beef production in Manitoba.

The province will receive $3.1 million to go toward applied research and develop information and resources focused on sustainable beef production.

Ron Kostyshyn, the Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development minister, explains that focusing on farm-level research “will create valuable information for producers and result in the greatest benefits for the long-term future of the beef sector” in the province.

Over the next three years, government and industry partners will:

• launch a research program focused on beef and grassland management;
• re-establish demonstration farms to share knowledge with farmers and other stakeholders about grassland management, animal feed efficiency and herd health; and
• create an industry-led committee to coordinate innovative research and extension activities.

The Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP), a non-profit organization representing more than 8,000 farmers and ranchers, will lead the project and contribute nearly $100,000 per year in funding and in-kind support.

Manitoba has the third-largest cow herd in Canada, with cattle and calf sales generating between $400 million and $600 million in farm income annually.

Other industry partners include the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association, and Ducks Unlimited Canada, which will be donating the use of one of the demonstration farms located near Brandon.