Volume 20 Issue 06 • July 23, 2018

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

CCA renews call for swift CPTPP ratification as In This Issue... Singapore becomes third country to ratify • CCA renews call for swift CPTPP On July 19, Singapore became the third country to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive ratification as Singapore becomes Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), following in the footsteps of Mexico and Japan. With third country to ratify just three additional member countries required to ratify the CPTPP to trigger the process to bring it into force, time is of the essence for Canada. Canada must be to be among the first six countries to ratify • CCA at FPT Agriculture Ministers to the landmark CPTPP if Canada’s beef and red meat and agricultural sectors are to have a leg up on meeting competitors. • CCA meets with federal agriculture The Government has given the right signals that it understands the importance of Canada being one minister during Calgary Stampede of the first six to ratify. On June 5, former International Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne • ICYMI - Canadian cabinet shuffle advised the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade that the government intends for Canada to be amongst the first six countries to ratify the CPTPP. • Celebrating Environmental Then on July 19, in response to the Singapore ratification news, newly appointed Minister of Stewardship International Trade Diversification, Jim Carr stated via Twitter that, “We are absolutely on track to be • Sustainable Beef and Forage Science among the crucial first six! 100% #CPTPP and soon!” Cluster launches How is it possible for Canada to be on track to be in the first six, when three countries have already moved so quickly yet Canada’s implementation bill C-79 has had only first reading in the House of Commons, no action in the Senate and Parliament is in summer recess until September 17?

Official Opposition Leader is asking that same question in a letter written to Prime Minister Trudeau on July 19 requesting an emergency summer session of Parliament to pass Bill C-79.

To answer the question, we need to assess where the other CPTPP countries are in their respective domestic ratification processes. It appears at this time that Australia, Brunei, Chile and New Zealand are all on a similar timeline as Canada to complete their processes toward the end of 2018. Malaysia and Vietnam are on track for some time in 2019, while Peru is a question mark. Regardless of whether Peru is fast or slow, the key will be how close Canada is to Australia, Brunei, Chile and New Zealand near the end of 2018.

So, it does remain very plausible that Canada could be in the first six, but also likely that the number of countries that ratify could jump from three or four (depending on whether Peru is fast or slow) to eight or nine within a very compressed period toward the end of the year.

Of course, Bill C-79 does need to go through the normal Parliamentary process of being reviewed and passed by the House and Senate when sitting resumes in the fall. We are grateful for Mr. Scheer’s suggestion to expedite the process and we hope the NDP will also work constructively with Minister Carr to bring this agreement into effect so that job-creating exporters can benefit in a timely manner. It will be a top priority of CCA to work with both the government and official opposition members and senators to ensure that the process moves as expeditiously as possible. Volume 20 Issue 06 • July 23, 2018

FPT ministers meeting

CCA President David Haywood-Farmer and Executive Vice President An expert panel made up of producers, academics and global experts was Dennis Laycraft were in Vancouver last week for the 2018 Federal- established in late 2017 to evaluate BRM programming in Canada and made Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Agriculture recommendations to ministers in Vancouver. The CCA thanks ministers for annual meeting. the continuation of this comprehensive review of national BRM programs and looks forward to meaningful industry engagement as partners in the Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Agriculture Ministers review process. from B.C. (Lana Popham), Alberta (Oneil Carlier), (Ralph Eichler), Ontario (Ernie Hardeman), Quebec Laurent Lessard), and Nova Scotia Ministers also discussed the chronic labour shortages in Canadian (Keith Colwell) attended the gathering alongside their deputy ministers. agriculture and agri-food. While the details are not yet known, ministers Representatives were on hand for the governments of Saskatchewan, approved a work plan to address these labour challenges. The acute labour Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. shortage in Canadian agriculture continues to be an issue that threatens the viability of food production and the competitiveness of beef cattle The meeting, held July 18-20, provided CCA with the opportunity to focus farmers in Canada. The CCA hopes this work will support industry efforts on key issues that need to be addressed to ensure industry can meet to strategically address national labour shortages and ensure a strong the aggressive growth targets for the agri-food sector. Enabling such domestic labour supply into the future by facilitating the implementation of growth means addressing sector-specific bottlenecks and for the beef the long-term elements of the Canadian Agriculture & Agri-Food Workforce cattle industry those include market access, innovation, business risk Action Plan. management programming and chronic labour woes. You can read the full FPT Agriculture Ministers’ Communique here: One key development from the ministers’ meeting was agreement on https://gallery.mailchimp.com/77960ebbac4f7a733b0b3d14d/files/ continuing the business risk management (BRM) review. Since being e8c801e8-0fc6-4edc-9c9f-949348e153d2/FPT_Communiqu%C3%A9_E.pdf agreed upon last July, FPT governments have initiated a BRM review to assess programs effectiveness and influence on growth and innovation. Volume 20 Issue 06 • July 23, 2018

CCA meets with federal agriculture minister during Calgary Stampede

On July 11, CCA leadership met with Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay in Calgary, AB during his Growing Canadian Agriculture Tour. The tour enabled the minister to meet with farmers and agri- businesses and hear their ideas on how to capture growth opportunities for the sector. CCA had the opportunity to outline the beef industry’s role in growing Canada’s agri-food exports and discuss key industry issues and priorities with the minister directly.

One of the key topics discussed was livestock traceability. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has indicated their expectation is to publish proposed traceability regulations in Canada Gazette Part I in the fall of 2018. As this date approaches, CCA will continue to work with CFIA to clarify definitions that may appear in the regulatory text and ensure that movement reporting upholds industry traceability principles and reflects the Cattle Implementation Plan (CIP). The CCA will also be seeking commitment from the federal government to work with industry on a CCA President David Haywood-Farmer, Vice President Bob Lowe financial map that sees uniform coverage of the costs across the country and other CCA representatives discuss important issues with to ensure we remain competitive and viable. Minister MacAulay. Photo credit: submitted. The meeting also focused on crucial trade files for the Canadian beef cattle sector including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) The CCA was also on hand for the Minister’s announcement of an investment renegotiations, along with countermeasures and retaliatory tariffs imposed by of up to $14 million to the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), under Canada to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs. CCA’s advocacy work with Canadian the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriScience Clusters. The BCRC, officials and U.S allies to seek a positive path forward on NAFTA and avoid a division of the CCA, will contribute up to an additional $7.6 million, for a having further counter-retaliations escalate will be a top priority this summer at total investment of up to $21 million. The CCA thanks Minister MacAulay for events such as Midwestern Legislative Conference and the upcoming Pacific his announcement, as the Sustainable Beef and Forage Science Cluster is North-West Economic Region Summit and the National Cattlemen’s Beef an excellent partnership between cattle producers and government that will Association Summer Business meeting. Additionally, the group reinforced the foster increased innovation and grow Canada’s beef sector. need for the federal government to work swiftly to ratify and ensure Canada is in the first tranche of countries bringing into force the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP.

ICYMI - Canadian cabinet shuffle

Last week Prime Minister portfolios for seniors, intergovernmental affairs The CCA looks forward to working with these added five new ministers to his cabinet, and border security. Here, in another move of ministers on issues of importance to Canada’s announced three newly created portfolios and note to CCA, is the shuffle is Dominic LeBlanc beef cattle industry. CCA will be reaching out shuffledsome ministers to different portfolios. to Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern to the ministers with new portfolios shortly to Of note to the CCA is the move of Minister Affairs and Internal Trade. He will be leading the ensure they understand the issues and needs of Jim Carr to the International Trade portfolio, Atlantic Growth Strategy along with being tasked Canada’s beef cattle industry. now called International Trade Diversification. in improving interprovincial trade. The full cabinet can be viewed here: Carr, previously Minister of Natural Resources, is Minister of Small Business and Export https://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2018/07/18/prime- replaces Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Promotion. Minister Ng is a new MP who won minister-announces-changes-ministry who has been shuffled to Infrastructure and a by-election in 2017. According to the Prime Communities. Lawrence MacAulay remains with Minister’s news release, her mandate is to “help the Agriculture and Agri-Food portfolio. entrepreneurs and businesses grow, compete The cabinet now sits at 35 ministers and has new and succeed here in Canada and abroad.” Volume 20 Issue 06 • July 23, 2018

Celebrating Environmental Stewardship Big moves bring big rewards for beef farmers CELEBRATING ENVIRONMENTAL By Geoff Geddes STEWARDSHIP profiles provincial stewardship award recipients in the running for CCA’s national The Changing your career, home Environmental Stewardship Award or way of life can be a major (TESA) in 2018, to be announced adjustment, so imagine at the Canadian Beef Industry changing all three at once. Larry Conference in August. A common and Pat Ward did more than theme among recipients is a imagine it and, in the process, went from Calgary-based profound sense of obligation to teachers to award-winning care for land and animals. Through beef farmers in Nova Scotia. sharing their stories, insights, Nominated by Nova Scotia beliefs and values, readers Cattle Producers, on behalf of can gain perspective about the the Maritimes Beef Council, the relationship between stewardship Wards were the 2017 recipient and cattle production and the of Nova Scotia Federation of benefits of conservation to society. Agriculture’s Environmental Stewardship Award, and are nominees for CCA’s The Pat and Larry Ward. Photo credit: submitted. In this issue, we feature Larry and Environmental Stewardship Pat Ward of Willow Pond Farm, Award (TESA) 2018. who were nominated by Nova Scotia Cattle Producers, on behalf “My husband and I left our teaching positions in 1973 to deal with a family illness back home in the Maritimes,” said Pat Ward. “We secured jobs at a school in Middle Musquodoboit in Halifax County and of the Maritimes Beef Council. thought we were going to an ocean-side community. It turned out we were inland with farms all around us, Willow Pond Farm is the 2017 so Larry said we might as well buy some land of our own. The next day he came home with two cows and recipient of Nova Scotia Federation we were on our way.” of Agriculture’s Environmental Stewardship Award. This is the fifth That humble beginning turned into Willow Pond Farm, a cattle operation with approximately 33 Hereford and final installment in the series cows with calves, 10 yearlings and two mature bulls. Cows are pastured from May until December and which began in the April 16 edition are housed in a free stall barn and a pack barn during the winter months. The farm comprises 25 acres of Action News with Alberta Beef of pastures, 100 acres of hayfields, 100 acres woodlot and three wetland areas that include a man-made Producer’s 2018 Environmental pond in front of the house, a small pond in the pasture and a large marsh wetland at the rear. Stewardship Award recipient, UNLIMITED POTENTIAL Shoestring Ranch. In the May 14 edition we profiled Circle H Farms, From the outset, the Wards have focused on caring for the environment and raising their cattle in a Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) healthy, natural manner. As part of an Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation Plan they had prepared, they 2018 environmental stewardship have collaborated with Ducks Unlimited for the past 35 years on a project which the organization deems award recipient. In the June 11 one of their most successful low-cost initiatives. edition, we featured Beef Farmers “A dam was placed at the back of our property to convert the marsh into a large wetland area, creating a unique of Ontario 2018 environmental habitat for aquatic and semi-aquatic species,” said Pat. “This area provides excellent resources for a wide range stewardship award recipient, of species including shorebirds, Canada Geese and many waterfowl species like mallards and black ducks.” followed by Hjertaas Farm, the The Wards also transformed the man-made pond, which had been dug out by the previous owner in 1972 Saskatchewan Stock Growers but saw little use. Association’s 2018 environmental stewardship recipient, in the “When we purchased our property, there were only a few trees around the pond. Over 43 years we July 9 edition. have planted over 100 shrubs, trees and plants, which attract a variety of birds, frogs, salamanders, dragonflies, ducks and Canada Geese.” (continued next page) Volume 20 Issue 06 • July 23, 2018

Big moves bring big rewards for beef farmers (continued)

IMPROVING WATER QUALITY

As water becomes increasingly important from an environmental standpoint, the Wards have made many improvements in their on-farm water use.

“We had a dug pool for the cattle to water, but over time we made changes to improve the quality of the water they drank. In 1994 we dug an underground pipe that would gravity flow from the pond in front to a tub about 1/8 of a mile from the house. We divided the larger pasture into three smaller pastures, so we could rotate the cattle through them and use one tub for all three pastures.”

They had another pipe pumping from the pond to the house, and then to the barn for the winter months. This reduced the amount of water being drawn from the well and gave them a second source of water for the cattle.

“The underground line was a major accomplishment. These lines became popular a few years later, but it was two city slickers blazing a new trail at the time and it produced clean water, green grass and healthy cattle.”

As part of their environmental commitment, the Wards have a Nutrient Management Plan which includes soil and manure testing every three years. The plan provides manure, fertilizer and lime application rates to improve soil fertility and crop production while not contributing to nutrient buildup or losses to the environment. The farm uses a no-till seeder to renovate pastures, improving the health and productivity of the fields while preventing soil erosion.

DIGESTING THE WIN

While they weren’t looking for accolades, the 2017 award and their TESA nomination was a pleasant surprise.

“Larry thought I was crazy and wasting time in getting my hopes up, but now he’s eating his words. This farm is our baby, something we made and grew to align with our vision, so we’re really pleased that someone noticed.”

Despite the excitement, though, their motivation goes far beyond awards. “We want to leave the earth as healthy as we found it. I think we owe that to future generations.”

They might not seek notoriety, but for that kind of commitment, these former teachers should go to the head of the class.

Sustainable Beef and Forage Science Cluster launches

The recently announced $21 million Sustainable The portfolio of research is focused on three core develop effective antimicrobial alternatives, Beef and Forage Science Cluster is a partnership objectives: ensure animal care, demonstrate the safety and between the Canadian beef industry and efficacy of new production technologies, improve To enhance industry sustainability and improve the to enhance the environmental sustainability and measure the beef production efficiencies, priority outcomes are to competitiveness and sustainability of Canadian industry’s environmental benefits. enhance feed and forage production, increase feed beef through research and innovation. This Science efficiency and decrease the impact of animal health Results from this third Science Cluster are Cluster builds on the success of two previous issues and production limiting diseases. expected to have several benefits to beef clusters (2009-13 and 2013-18) and took years to producers, packers, retailers, as well as the prepare including consultations with experts, and To improve consumer confidence and beef general Canadian population. It will enhance the stakeholders as well as thorough economic and demand, priority outcomes are to reduce food responsible production of quality beef and cattle, practical analyses. safety incidences, define quality and yield protect sensitive agricultural lands and support benchmarks supporting the Canadian Beef Funding will go to 26 projects, to be completed by the Canadian economy by supplied the growing Advantage, and improve beef quality through primary March 31, 2023, under five main themes: international demand for high-quality protein. production improvements and the development and • beef quality and food safety; application of technologies to optimize cutout values A detailed summary of all 26 projects funded under • animal health, welfare, and antimicrobial use; and beef demand. the Sustainable Beef and Forage Science Cluster • feed production and efficiency; can be found here: http://www.beefresearch.ca/ • forage productivity and environmental To improve public confidence in Canadian beef, files/pdf/beef_science_cluster_3_research_project_ sustainability; and outcomes are to improve food safety, strengthen details.pdf • knowledge and technology transfer. the surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance, Volume 20 Issue 06 • July 23, 2018

CCA Action News

Staff Contributors: John Masswohl, Brady Stadnicki, Beef Cattle Research Council, Canfax Edited, 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 [email protected] or visit our website at www.cattle.ca

Head office: Ottawa office: Ste. 180, 6815 8th Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7H7 1101, 350 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8 Phone: 403.275.8558 Fax: 403.274.5686 Phone: 613.233.9375 Fax: 613.233.2860