Manitoba Beef Producers Holds 42nd AGM

Feb 16, 2021

Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) held its 42nd Annual General Meeting on February 11, delivered via a virtual format due to the pandemic-related restrictions.

MBP’s Executive for 2021-22 was announced as follows: President Tyler Fulton, Vice-President Melissa Atchison, 2nd Vice-President Matthew Atkinson, Treasurer Mark Good, and Secretary Mike Duguid.

The membership ratified the incoming 2021-22 board of directors, which includes: Alfred Epp, District 1; Nancy Howatt, District 2, Andre Steppler, District 3; Kevin Duddridge, District 4; Steven Manns, District 5; Melissa Atchison, District 6; Tyler Fulton, District 7; Matthew Atkinson, District 8; Trevor Sund, District 9; Mike Duguid, District 10; Arvid Nottveit, District 11; Mark Good, District 12; Mary Paziuk, District 13; and, Jim Buchanan, District 14.

The contributions of four retiring directors – Gord Adams, District 1; Peter Penner, District 3; Dianne Riding, District 9 and Robert Metner, District 11 – were recognized.

Two resolutions were debated and carried, one related to the livestock price insurance program and another related to the process for valuing improvements made to agricultural Crown lands.

There were three guest speakers.

Ray Bittner, project lead for the Livestock Predation Prevention Pilot Project gave an update on this three-year initiative which is designed to improve prevention and mitigation strategies in order to reduce livestock losses caused by wild predators. Laura Plett of Stead discussed her participation in the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Program, including her work with Martin Unrau, her program mentor.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Frank Mitloehner of the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis in California. He touched on efforts to help the global community understand the environmental and human health impacts of livestock, so people can make informed decisions about the foods they eat and while reducing environmental impacts. This includes his work with CLEAR (Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research at UC Davis).

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Video: Sow Welfare and Group Housing Systems - Dr. Laya Alves

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Laya Alves from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, discusses how animal welfare regulations are evolving globally and their impact on pig production systems. She explains challenges in group housing, pain management, and euthanasia decisions, while highlighting the role of training and management in improving outcomes and economic sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Translating welfare requirements into daily farm routines without compromising economic sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges faced by producers globally today."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laya Alves / laya-kannan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on animal welfare in pig production, including pain management, euthanasia, and economic decision making. Her work integrates welfare science with practical farm management and sustainability. She collaborates globally to develop applied tools for producers.