The group representing Manitoba’s beef sector said it’s happy about changes at the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp.
The provincial and federal governments gave their traditional AgriInsurance update at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon last month.
Program changes for 2025 include a new maximum value for calculating livestock predation claims. The new maximum is more than double the old figure. Claim calculations will now have a top value of $7,000, up from $3,000.
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“That’s really good news. That’s something we’ve asked for,” said Manitoba Beef Producers president Matthew Atkinson.
Atkinson said the change was implemented fairly quickly once suggested by industry.
“Our valuation on livestock is still based off of market data, (and) we started to bump up against the maximum cap because of the value of the livestock,” he said.
Beef prices in Manitoba, as in the rest of Western Canada, have enjoyed a maintained surge, making every animal lost to predation a larger financial hit for the producer.
“We’re really glad that the minister, the department and MASC listened and made some changes,” Atkinson said.
Livestock producers and forage growers will also have better eligibility for forage establishment insurance, a January federal-provincial news release noted.
MASC has added birdsfoot trefoil to its list of eligible species. Alfalfa, clover, sainfoin, perennial ryegrass and other perennial grasses, except for native grasses, are also on MASC’s list.
The program covers growers by either $40 or $80 per acre if a forage stand fails to establish.
— With files from Miranda Leybourne
