Predators, theft top agenda for beef producers

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/02/2024 (666 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Wolves and coyotes that are killing and feeding on Manitoba cattle and theft of livestock are hot topics this year at the Manitoba Beef Producers annual general meeting in Brandon.

The AGM, which continues today at the Victoria Inn, is an opportunity for members to network, sit in on sessions from national beef organizations and vote on resolutions brought forward by different areas — or districts — of Manitoba.

One of the resolutions up for discussion, said Matthew Atkinson, outgoing president of MBP, is working with the federal and provincial governments to improve management in the parks and the managed wildlife areas in Manitoba.

The goal is to make sure the habitat supports elk and deer populations, as well as the species that prey on them like wolves and coyotes, which will keep them all away from agricultural lands.

“We get wolves that like beef, and I like beef, too. But I don’t really want them eating my beef,” said Atkinson.

“And if wolves don’t bother my cattle, I’m not going to bother them. But when they are repeat offenders that make a habit of this really easy on-their-doorstep food source, then there’s a requirement for removal at times, to fix the problem.”

There has been an increase in the number of claims or livestock losses attributed to wolves in western Manitoba through Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation’s wildlife damage compensation program.

In 2022, there were 513 claims. In 2023, that number was 579, though the fiscal year hasn’t ended yet.

Melissa Atchison and her husband have a commercial cow-calf operation just east of Pipestone, which is about an hour and 15 minutes southwest of Brandon. Their children are the fifth generation on the farm.

Atchison isn’t calling for a cull, which is a way of reducing numbers of predators by hunting. But what she would like to see, she said, is a government department like conservation stepping in to work with producers on solutions.

“It’s not about an elimination, absolutely not, it’s about targeted removal. Livestock producers are happy to live on that interface and be with wildlife. It’s part of sharing the land,” Atchison said.

“And we don’t want to do a full removal, because that messes with population ecology with prey animals as well. We just want to do some targeted removal for problem animals that are being a problem.”

Another resolution that MBP members will discuss and vote on concerns cattle theft and fraud, which is an “ever-growing issue in the industry,” said Carson Callum, the general manager of MBP.

Manitoba does not have a provincial cattle inspection service. The organization would like to work with the provincial government to create a livestock investigations unit with the RCMP, with the goal of “reducing local livestock-related crime.”

According to statistics provided by Manitoba RCMP, 13 investigations into cattle theft cases were opened in 2022. Seven cases involved theft over $5,000, while six involved theft under $5,000. The total number of investigations for 2021 was six, and in 2020 there were 10.

For Callum, it’s about providing safeguards for the livestock producers to help them avoid being victims of theft or fraud.

“It could be paper cattle, fake cattle being recorded and not inspected, or actual physical theft, which happens, unfortunately.

“They might take (cattle) and if they take it to a sale barn or auction mart that doesn’t have inspection services, it doesn’t matter about the brand, or it doesn’t matter about any identification, because whoever brought it is selling him, right? And then they’ll get the dollars for it, and that’s what makes it a challenge and an issue in the sector,” Callum said.

Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn, who attended day one of the AGM, told the Sun he was expecting to hear from producers about the predator problem.

“We are working with Manitoba beef producers, because obviously, the numbers are pretty startling,” Kostyshyn said.

“We’ll be researching other provinces, and other states, to see if they’ve had this kind of struggle, and what method they did to somewhat address the problem.”

Kostyshyn added that he was a rancher for 40 years, and more Manitobans need to be aware of the challenges producers face.

“We definitely do, as well as the importance of the beef industry in Manitoba,” he said. “But we definitely see the opportunity of the beef industry and hopefully the young generational producers’ opportunity to reinvestigate taking over the family farm. And family farm is key.

“Investment in real estate is costly, so, in a perfect world, taking over the family farm and opportunities with the Crown land leases are being in somewhat discussion right now. But we want to open up that opportunity for young producers to have an expansion eventually in the province of Manitoba,” Kostyshyn said.

Also in attendance at the AGM was Progressive Conservative MLA for Brandon West, Wayne Balcaen.

With his previous career as Brandon Police Service chief, Balcaen said he wanted to be present to speak with producers about rural crime.

“Theft of cattle is something to be very concerned about, and as the shadow minister for justice, I’m quite concerned about the rural stuff and how it impacts our communities,” Balcaen said.

“The PC party of Manitoba is incredibly engaged with the farming community, and we want to keep our representation there. And this is my constituency, so, I’m happy to be here to represent Brandon West,” he said.

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

» X: @enviromichele