Advocating for Agriculture; Opportunities and Challenges in the Beef Sector with Carson Callum

In this episode, you will meet Carson Callum, General Manager with Manitoba Beef Producers.

Carson joined MBP in 2019, and comes with an extension background in agriculture.  He has a Master’s of Science in Agriculture, specifically related to beef cattle. Carson has worked in many areas of the ag sector, and the beef industry is near and dear to him. He grew up on a small beef farm south of Miami Manitoba. He now lives in Winnipeg with his family, which includes his wife Britni, and sons Cohen and Sullivan. Carson admits his favourite role in life is fatherhood, but sure enjoys working on behalf of the beef industry as well.

In this episode, Carson and I talk about the advocacy efforts Manitoba Beef Producers has been undertaking over the past couple of years. These efforts have resulted in financial aid for farmers who experienced feed and water shortages last year, as well as those impacted by the storms and flooding this spring.  

Advocacy efforts by MBP include:

- Water availability BMP 503 Provincial cost share funding program for water infrastructure development (currently closed)

- Provincial & Federal Agri-Recovery program for feed shortages due to 2021 drought (currently closed)

- Disaster Financial Assistance (open) for 2022 spring storms  

Link to application: https://forms.gov.mb.ca/dfa-application/

We also touch on mental health resources that are available, as well as the power of connection with your neighbors and peers through the challenging times in the ag industry.  

Mental Health Resources

For information about the Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services line go to:  https://supportline.ca/ or call 1-866-367-3276 (line operates 24/7).

Klinic Community Health has resources available. See: https://klinic.mb.ca/

FCC also provides resources at the following site: https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/community/wellness.html

Our chat includes a discussion about public trust and what producers can do to share the positive stories that exist everyday in the ag industry, as well as the upcoming BBQ event Manitoba Beef Producers is hosting at MBFI on July 13th. We encourage producers to attend on this day for lots of laughs, good food and a chance to get together after what has been a tough year. 

We wrap up today’s conversation by discussing the Livestock Predation Pilot Project that Manitoba Beef Producers has been working on, which includes a quick discussion of mitigating the risk of predation and deadstock composting.  We hope to further discuss this project on an upcoming episode. 

To contact Carson for more information, please email ccallum@mbbeef.ca or call 204-772-4542. 

Manitoba Beef Producers Website: https://mbbeef.ca or visit @ManitobaBeef

Guardians of the Grasslands:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CG4ROvCu0Y 

We encourage you to follow MBFI on social media, or check out the website for more information on project findings and results, upcoming events and more!

Instagram: @MBBeefandForage

Facebook: @MBBeefandForage

Twitter: @MBBeefandForage

Website: www.mbfi.ca 

Email address: information@mbfi.ca 

Don’t Forget to Register for the Upcoming Grazing Workshops:

• July 6th - Health Check your pastures and soils
• August 3rd - Diversify your grazing 
• Register at www.mbfi.ca/registration 

The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada and Canadian Agricultural Partnership, as well as the partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA).