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Dr. Reynold Bergen spoke about some of the positive research being done for the beef sector at the Manitoba Beef Producers’ AGM last week in Brandon.
Dr. Bergen is the Science Director for the Beef Cattle Research Council. The BCRC uses federal check-off dollars to conduct research on efficiency on the farm as well as beef quality.
Bergen’s speech focused on the research being done about the environmental impact of cattle farming.
“We funded research to look at how Canada’s environmental footprint has changed over the last 30 years,” said Bergen. “What we found was that methane produced per pound of beef has dropped by 15 percent, and water use has dropped by 17 percent, and ammonia per pound of beef has dropped by 20 percent.”
Bergen says these are all positive environmental stories that need to be shared with the public.
Last August, the United Nations put out an article saying that people should eat less beef because of the industry's impact on Climate Change. The research done by Bergen and the BCRC suggests that the UN article isn’t all that correct. The research that the BCRC has conducted has recently gained national attention through McDonalds Canada, who based an entire campaign on environmental research.
“The good news about the environmental impact of Canadian beef, and how it has improved, reached an awful lot of people,” said Bergen. “That was all work that happened because beef producers were willing to support some research.”
While public trust in the beef sector has improved recently, Bergen says there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.
Some projects being funded by the BCRC are focusing on not only how the beef sector cuts down the negatives around climate change, but around the positives that the sector brings to the table. Those positives include carbon sequestration –the practice of capturing carbon in the soil, how grazing preserves the grassland ecosystems, which in turn maintains habitat for wildlife.
Bergen urges people to look at the correct information about the beef sector, instead of believing everything shared on social media. Some of the websites you can look at including the BCRC’s website, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef’s website, or just go to an open farm day.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
It’s been just over a year since the opening of the MRI at the Dauphin Hospital.
About 230 patients have used the MRI monthly since December 2018 when it was opened. That adds up to around 3220 MRI uses in Dauphin.
Leanne Treloar, Director of Diagnostic Imaging with Shared Health for the Prairie Mountain region, says the MRI reduced wait times everywhere.
“It allowed us to build up the capacity within Prairie Mountain Health, as well as across the province, to meet the demand for MRIs. We initially, when we started with the Dauphin MRI we moved some patients that were scheduled in Brandon that were from the Parkland area, and we got those patients scanned in Dauphin so they didn’t have to travel.
Treloar says the Dauphin MRI has been tremendous.
“Everyone is just so pleased that they don’t have to travel to Brandon or elsewhere to have their MRI scans done. I think it’s been tremendous, the positive feedback from the patients themselves, it’s been great. The staff there think it’s, just, such a benefit that they don’t have to travel.”
There are some scans the Dauphin MRI doesn’t do, such as specialty exams, which includes breast MRIs. Patients that require those exams still have to travel.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
15 Manitobans have died from the flu since September.
The latest numbers released by Manitoba Health show that 138 people tested positive for the flu during the week of January 26th to February 1st.
Manitoba Health says flu activity has been high compared to last flu season, with over 181 people visiting hospitals last week for respiratory issues.
Provincial labs have confirmed 552 cases of influenza A, and 590 cases of influenza B since last September. With most of those cases hitting young people the hardest.
The province the best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get the flu shot.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
It’s been 6 and a half months since the move into the new emergency department at the Dauphin Hospital. In that time the staff and community have been able to adjust to the changes.
One of the new changes was the addition of the ambulance bay.
Curt Gullett, director of acute care at the Dauphin Hospital, says the enclosed ambulance bay improved delivery methods.
“For EMS and for the clients, having them not be exposed to the extreme cold environments during their offload, so certainly been a benefit to the clients with a climate controlled EMS bay going right into the new emerge department.”
The transition into the new emergency department was successful. Originally, there were some challenges including clients learning which doors to enter through. The cul de sac at the back of the hospital also took some getting used to with people needing to learn how to maneuver through the area and make the drop offs.
Gullet says the support from the public is appreciated and it’s made the transition very smooth.
“We’ve had nothing but good comments from our public, now that they’re in the new emerge department. Of course waiting room space is much larger, it’s a very open concept and a very lightened concept with the glass window front. So they’re very happy with that. Again, all in one service, they’re coming in, being able to be triaged right there at the desk by nursing staff, and then appropriate waiting space to move in to the new ER space.”
From a staff perspective, Gullett says the space is a lot larger than before, and there are dedicated rooms with supplies available in each room for different situations. In that sense, the upgrades have made the staff’s jobs easier.
Another upgrade that has assisted them is the EDIS system, which is a computer program which allows for triage to happen and then gets displayed in the ER room. Gullet says it’s a better communication system within the department that keeps track of patients and their updates.
Overall, Gullett says the upgrades have lived up to expectations.
“We certainly appreciate the space, the new modern look, it’s been appreciated by both staff, and clients. It makes the facility, it’s made a huge improvement to not only the architectural structure of the design, but it also adds to meeting some of the guidelines as far as our Sinclair Inquest, and those type of things for improvements.”
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The 41st Manitoba Beef Producers Annual General Meeting focused on the challenges of 2019 while focusing on the positives ahead.
The meeting started off with presentations on what national beef councils are doing to help improve public trust in the beef sector.
Over 40 resolutions were brought forward for debate.
Most of the resolutions focused on the changes to Crown Land leases in the province, as well costs borne on producers from the carbon tax.
The theme of the meeting was ‘Where Beef Fits In An Evolving Marketplace’ and many of the presentations focused on how beef can compete with things like Beyond Meat, also on how the outbreak of African Swine Fever in China will leave a gap in the protein market that beef may be able to fill.
After lengthy debates on the resolutions, it was time for producers to sit back and relax at the banquet.
At the President’s Banquet, Provincial Ag Minister Blaine Pedersen brought greetings to the group and also announced some exciting things for beef producers. Pedersen announced that the government will be looking at allowing producers to buy their Crown Land leases and that they have partnered with MBP to launch a project to help curb wildlife predation.
Tune into the Noon Ag Show next week for more coverage on the MBP AGM.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The Manitoba government is launching a three-year applied research project to identify and test ways to reduce economic loss from livestock being killed by predators.
The Manitoba government is providing a $300,000 grant over three years for the Livestock Predation Prevention Project
The project will be monitored by the Livestock Predation Protection Working Group.
Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen said that this issue has been causing substantial economic losses.
“Wildlife predation of commercial livestock is a significant problem for Manitoba producers, with more than 2,000 commercial animals lost each year,” said Pedersen. “This results in significant economic losses to producers, as well as higher costs to Manitobans through their share of compensation under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program funded by the federal and provincial governments.”
The research project will target the highest-known predation areas and currently the highest incidence of predation is in the northern Interlake and Parkland regions.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
As part of its “Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan”, the Government of Manitoba is hoping to develop an appliance stewardship program to increase household appliance recycling including ‘whitegoods’.
Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard said that recycling is critical to the protection of the environment, and this plan will help that cause.
“Encouraging Manitobans to make small changes in their homes can have a lasting impact on our environment,” said Guillemard. “As identified in our ‘Made-in Manitoba Climate and Green Plan’, whitegoods management is an important step in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.”
The program would include the recycling of whitegoods products that contain Freon, such as fridges, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers.
Manitoba plans to modernize the regulatory framework for the whitegoods recycling program by the end of 2021.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
After being left out of the province’s planning for Manitoba 150 celebrations, the Manitoba Métis Federation is saying they will host their own events.
Planning for the celebration of Manitoba’s entry into Confederation -which many attribute to negotiations undertaken by Métis Leader Louis Riel in 1870- has been underway for over a year.
MMF President David Chartrand says that the organization not invited to partake in the planning process. Chartrand blames the omission on Premier Brian Pallister.
“The Premier has a very negative view towards the Métis people in the sense of the Métis nation,” said Chartrand. “I want to apologize to Manitoba because this shouldn’t be affecting 150.”
The relationship between the province and the MMF has been strained as of late due to the government’s cancelling of two deals between the province, Manitoba Hydro, and the MMF totalling over $87 million. The deals were scrapped after the province called one of the payments “persuasion money.”
The MMF has sued the province over the decision. A court decision has yet to be reached.
The Manitoba 150 Committee, which operates separately from the government, says that they invited Chartrand to attend the launch of the committee last March. Chartrand says the invitation never came.
Another reason Chartrand is upset is due to the lack of mention of Louis Riel, who is essentially absent in Manitoba 150’s promotions of the year-long event.
“There is no real shining light given to the Métis people or the Métis government,” said Chartrand.
He added that the MMF plans to compensate for the province’s omission of Riel by hosting its own celebration, which will include a production of the play “The Life of Louis Riel”.
Chartrand is hoping to receive federal funding for the celebration.
Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault said in a mandate letter last year, that funding and support for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Métis nation entering Confederation is a top priority.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Today Fusion Credit Union announced their new plan to celebrate Manitoba 150.
They created a new initiative to give back to the community in 150 different ways.
Chief operations manager Leanne DeVliegere says the plan is aimed at volunteering in the community and improving the quality of people’s lives.
“We actually asked staff how do you want to celebrate and commemorate Manitoba 150 and they said we want to give back 150 ways to be here for good. So we see those types of activities as being volunteering at non-profit organizations, charities that matter to people. All of those ways that we can really help Fusion just be here for good, be here for long term and improve the quality of everyone’s life.’”
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The Russell hospital is well on its way to getting some key upgrades thanks to the Major Pratt Trojans hockey team.
For the past seven years, they've been hosting a "Cancer Game" with the goal of raising money to purchase new beds and upgrade their chemotherapy department. To date, roughly $114,000 has been raised.
"It's become such a huge event," said Sarah Reichmuth, one of the organizers. "The support is absolutely incredible. We also get our pre-novice kids and they purchase pink jerseys and they skate with the team before the game so that's pretty special as well."
This year's event took place earlier this week when the team took on the Roblin Raiders. In the 9-0 win, the team raised roughly $20,000, all of which will go towards the chemotherapy department at the Russell hospital.
The event hits especially close to home for Sarah, who lost her father-in-law to cancer just prior to the game five years ago.
"It's just amazing how everyone comes together to support one another in such a great event," concluded Reichmuth.
They plan on running the event moving forward for as long as they can.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Government of Manitoba is warning Manitobans about a possible phone scam seeking a person’s health card information.
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living issued a warning, saying that one person has made a complaint to the department about the scam.
The complainant said that they received a call from an automated service claiming there was an issue with the person’s health card and requested personal information.
A spokesperson for the province said the government has only received the one complaint but is urging Manitobans to be cautious.
Manitoba Health does not use automated calls to contact people about their health cards.
Anyone who receives one of these calls is asked to report it to the police.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
