Consumption on the Rise

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Manitoba
Province funds Brandon research centre
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister
Stan Struthers recently announced a new five-year funding
agreement worth $545,000 to support research activities at
Brandon University's Rural Development Institute (RDI).
“RDI is nationally recognized as a centre of knowledge
and applied research in the area of rural community
development unparalleled in Western Canada,” Struthers
stated in a release. “Research undertaken at RDI on
immigration, youth migration and community foundations
among many other areas helps inform decision-making
on rural policy and initiatives.”
“This five-year commitment to RDI’s funding from the
provincial government provides necessary resources for
the institute to continue in its important work,” added Dr.
Deborah C. Poff, president and vice-chancellor of Brandon
University. “RDI leads and informs rural and community
knowledge creation and application in Manitoba and with
these new resources, it will bring its significant expertise
to the ongoing needs of rural Manitobans.”
In addition to providing learning and employment
opportunities for students, Struthers noted RDI’s
programs and projects have far-reaching impact in the
areas of academic development, community-based rural
research, growth opportunities for rural communities
and relationships with other provincial, national and
international jurisdictions.
“Research is key to the future of rural Manitoba,” said
Brandon East MLA Drew Caldwell. “Our government is
committed to continuing to support tomorrow’s rural
leaders to ensure a strong future for Manitoba's rural
communities.”
Province announces $194M AgriRecovery
program
The Province of Manitoba recently announced details of
its $194 million 2011 Manitoba AgriRecovery Program.
The program will provide Manitoba livestock and crop
farmers with support to help them recover from the
devastating effects of the unprecedented and significant
flood of 2011.
“These are challenging times for our farmers and with
the commitment we are making today, we are signaling
they are not alone. Our government will not turn its back
on farmers; we are here to support them and help them
recover from the damage the water has left behind,”
Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan
Struthers said in a release. “Farmers can’t wait any longer
for help and that’s why we are coming through for them
when they need it.”
The program includes:
• $30 per acre for unseeded and flooded-out acres;
• assistance for forage shortfall for flooding on pasture
and hay land, for immediate and over-winter needs;
• transportation assistance based on costs associated with
moving feed to animals and animals to feed;
• $15 per acre to plant green feed by July 22, 2011;
• $50 per acre for forage restoration assistance to restore
and reseed tame hay and forage seed acres damaged by
flood water;
• infrastructure rehabilitation and flood-mitigation
assistance for feedlots, dairy farmers, and potato and
horticultural operations that suffered damage from the
flood; and
• assistance for nurseries, vegetable and fruit producers,
and leafcutter bee producers for lost perishable
inventory.
The minister noted that, due to the scope of the flooding
on farmland, no deductibles will be applied on eligible
assistance under the 2011 Manitoba AgriRecovery
Program, adding this program is above and beyond crop
insurance or excess moisture insurance already available
to Manitoba farmers and complements core programs
such as AgriStability and AgriInvest.
Struthers said the province is actively pursuing
negotiations with the federal government to cost share
this program at the standard 60-40 level.
Quebec
Pork group elects youngest-ever
president
The Fédération des producteurs de porcs du Québec
(FPPQ) recently announced David Boissonneault as its
12th president. Boissonneault, 35, was elected at the
group’s annual general meeting in Quebec City on June
10. He is the youngest producer ever to take the helm
26 Canadian Meat Business July/August 2011 meatbusiness.ca