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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports and News: January 31, 2022

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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports and News: January 31, 2022

Policy Update

Agriculture Updates since December 18, 2021

Funding Updates:

  1.  AgriRecovery Phase two application deadline coming up at 11:59 pm January 31, 2022. Livestock producers and beekeepers can apply for phase two of the 2021 Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance AgriRecovery initiative. Learn more

  2. Ungulate damage prevention and compensation: Agricultural producers who have taken steps to minimize ungulate damage but still suffer losses on stacked hay, stored silage or unharvested crops, can qualify for assistance and compensation. Find out more.

  3. Cash advance program from the Canadian Canola Growers Association can help producers manager the farm's cash flow throughout the year. Producers can still apply on stored grain and cattle under the 2021-22 program.
    Find out more

  4. The Advance Payments Program (APP) is a federal loan guarantee program that offers low-interest cash advances to give you the flexibility to sell your crops and livestock when prices are most favourable for you. Applicants can receive advances of up to $1 million, with the Government of Canada paying the interest on the first $100,000. APP offers flexible repayment terms, including from 18 to 24 months to fully repay your advances as you sell your products.

  5. The On-Farm Climate Action Fund is a $200 million initiative that will support producers in adopting beneficial management practices that reduce GHGs and store carbon. The Fund aims to reduce the barriers farmers face in adopting these practices, such as up-front implementation costs, associated risk management costs, minimal or delayed returns on investment and limited availability of information and agronomic services. Find out more.

  6. ICYMI: The Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs has a series of programs in effect for the remainder of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which expires on March 31, 2023. Programs currently accepting applications can be found online.

Advocacy in Action: 

Have your Say: Made in Alberta Voluntary Label

On January 24, our Chamber, along with other stakeholders, had the opportunity to particiate in a virtual roundtable with Minister Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development to discuss the Made in Alberta Voluntary Label. Included were discussions options for development of a voluntary label program , label use, adminitration critieria and next steps. It was an opportunity to hear perspectives of local businesses and organizations on the program. We took the opportunity to provide feedback and to also follow up with Minister Horner from our letter in December 2021. Our hope is that we will be able to have a meeting with the Minister in our region to discuss our agricultural opportunities and challenges. If you would like to share your thoughts on the Made in Alberta Label, please complete the digital survey that is available on https://www.alberta.ca/made-in-alberta-engagement.aspx. The survey is open until February 19, 2022.

Video Ante-Mortem Inspection program launched

The Video Ante-Mortem Inspection (VAMI) program allows for an ante-mortem inspection by video for animals that cannot be transported to an abattoir so that they may be humanely slaughtered on site. Species that can be slaughtered under the VAMI program are limited to domestic livestock including beef and dairy cattle, bison, cervids, hogs, sheep, lamb and goats. Learn more

Alberta Meat Inspection Regulation Amendment

Effective December 8, 2021 the Alberta Meat Inspection Regulation has been amended. The 2 key changes are as follows:

  • the co-ownership of an animal for slaughter by up to 4 co-owners is permitted for large species slaughtered under an On-Farm Slaughter Operation Licence. Meat from a co-owned large animal can be shared amongst the households of the co-owners.
  • uninspected slaughter waste from an On-Farm Slaughter Operation may be sold or gifted, for use as bait in hunting or trapping

This is something that the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has advocated for since 2018 and our policy can be viewed in our policy wins (page 89 of the linked PDF).

Additional Government & Industry News and Information

  1. The Farm Management Survey is coming January 31. This survey happens every five years, and collects data on current farming practices and the environmental impacts of agricultureThe results of this survey will be used by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to inform decisions on current programs and policies, as well as the development of new agricultural programs. If you’re selected, you’ll be provided with your own unique number to access the survey, and directed to an electronic questionnaire. If you haven’t completed the survey within two weeks, you’ll receive reminder calls from Statistics Canada and will have the option to complete the survey over the phone. The survey will run from January 31 to March 21, 2022. If you’re contacted by Statistics Canada and asked to complete the Farm Management Survey, know that your participation is important.

  2. Trends to Watch in 2022: Farm Credit Canada’s chief economist, suggests industry producers and processors keep an eye on five key trends: Canada’s inflation and interest rates, ongoing supply chain challenges, labour shortages, supply-demand imbalances and strength in meat demand.Understanding these trends will help business owners and operators mitigate risks and take advantage of opportunities throughout 2022 and beyond. Read more.

  3.  Pre-order your 2022 Blue Book: The Blue Book publication is collaboratively produced by four of Alberta’s crop commissions – Alberta Barley, Alberta Canola, Alberta Pulse Growers and the Alberta Wheat Commission, which you can Now Order for 2022.

  4.  Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) is pleased to share their 2022-2027 Strategic Framework. This 5-year Strategic Framework will guide RDAR through 2027. The Framework outlines what RDAR will do to anticipate and respond to macro trends which are shaping a new reality for agriculture, food, and agribusinesses. In other news, RDAR is also investing in research projects to combat the growing risk of chronic wasting disease.

  5. Calling wheat and barley farmers! Apply now to participate in Plot2Farm, an on-farm research program that provides the framework and support for growers to trial agronomic management practices with the help of an agronomist. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2022. Learn more

  6. Record crop insurance payouts predicted for 2021: Given the challenging growing conditions province-wide during 2021, AFSC’s insurance indemnity payouts are predicted to be one of the highest in its 80-year history. Read more

  7.  Environment and Parks is providing $381,000 over two years to support CWD vaccine and management research at the University of Calgary and University of Alberta. The Alberta Conservation Association is providing $500,000 over five years through their research fund and Saskatchewan is committing $400,000 over five years through their Fish and Wildlife Development Fund.

  8. Investment in canola exports, growth and diversification: Canada’s canola industry relies on international markets, with about 90% of the canola grown in Canada being exported. Agriculture Canada recently announced an investment of more than $1.8 million to the Canola Council of Canada under the AgriMarketing Program to boost exports and ensure the sector can take full advantage of market access opportunities around the world. Read more

  9. Helping sheep and goat farmers improve productivity: Agriculture Canada has announced an investment of $495,000 for the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement (CCSI) to enable stakeholders to work together to increase innovation and resiliency in Canada’s sheep and goat industries.
    Through this investment, CCSI is collaborating with project partners on developing a Canada-wide integrated genetic services system to help sheep and goat farmers improve productivity and increase supply. Read more

  10.  Animal health resources: The Animal Health Emergency Management project has developed two new resources to share with beef and dairy cattle producers to help plan, prepare and respond to potential serious animal disease events to minimize their impact:
  11.     Amalgamation resolution passed at Alberta Wheat Commission AGM. In addition, the Alberta Barley and Alberta Wheat Commissions want to hear from producers about the impacts of the drought on their ability to deliver on contracted grain commitments, as a means to record the financial impact of the drought.Learn more and participate in the survey

  12. AFSC has announced its Women in Ag award. Each year the award recognizes 7 phenomenal individuals--4 from anywhere in the province and 3 from within AFSC--who are improving the industry. The nomination deadline is February 22, 2022.Nominate someone today

Labour and Training Resources:

  • Are you an aspiring farmer looking to gain skills and knowledge that match the ecological and regenerative values you hold? Are you feeling the farming bug, but not quite ready to take the plunge and launch your own business? Young Agrarians and its network of exceptional mentor farmers is offering advanced, hands-on farm apprenticeships in regenerative agriculture. Participants with a serious interest, curiosity and commitment to full-time farming are invited to apply. The application deadline is January 31, 2022. Learn more and apply
  • New Foundations in Agricultural Management program: The University of Guelph, in collaboration with RBC and FCC, has just launched Foundations in Agricultural Management, a free self-paced online course to empower farmers with the knowledge and confidence to take their agri-business to the next level. The course will guide farmers in implementing effective business planning processes, leveraging financial tools, motivating teams, managing farm transition and more. Find out more and enroll in the program
  • Young Leaders Mentorship Program: Take advantage of mentorship and career building opportunities in the Canadian beef industry through the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s (CCA) Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL) Mentorship Program.
    Applications for the CYL Program have officially launched and are open until March 31, 2022.  Find out more and apply

  • Agriculture Job Connector: https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-job-connector.aspx

  • Chamber Agriculture Labour survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019AgribusinessLabour

  • Riipen has announced Rural Roots, a collaborative program in partnership with Alberta-based Rural Development Network, Portage College, Mount Royal University, Medicine Hat College and MacEwan University. The focus of this new program is to connect rural businesses and non-profits across Canada with post-secondary learners to advance their labour market and workforce skills through short-term virtual WIL projects. Read more

Events

Other Resources:

If you know of someone who may be interested in the work we are doing and might be interested in investing in this work through membership, please feel free to refer them to us. You can also encourage others to subscribe to our agriculture updates through this page. We look forward to continuing our work with you and pushing for our collective priorities on your behalf. 


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