Sara Place from Colorado State University was the featured speaker at the Annual T.K. Lecture hosted by the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences where she shared her expertise in livestock systems sustainability. The T.K. Cheung lecture is held annually at the University of Manitoba (UM) in honor of Dr. Tsang Kay Cheung, an alumnus who has made numerous contributions to education and research at UM.

Place grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York and received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Cornell University and a PhD in Animal Biology from the University of California. She is a part of AgNext, a research collaborative at Colorado State University that is focused on exploring sustainable animal agriculture including feedlot and dairy production, with an emphasis on the environmental and economic benefits.

According to Place, all economic, social and environmental domains within the value chain need to be considered to create a sustainable food system; one that provides food security and meets present needs without sacrificing needs of future generations. The food system must consider producers, consumers and the entire food production value chain.

How do cattle fit into sustainable food systems?

Place highlighted the role of cattle production as an integral component of sustainable food systems. Cattle have the unique ability to utilize human inedible ingredients including perennial forages and by-products while producing high quality protein, as well as producing many non-edible products that we use in our everyday lives. Their research team is working to build and strengthen the connections cattle have in a circular bioeconomy, including manure management and its impact on soil health as well as crop yield and quality.

Mitigating inefficiencies in our food system

According to Place, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions including methane from cattle production are considered “leakage” or an inefficiency of the food system. To mitigate this inefficiency, Place and the AgNext team are studying methane emissions from enteric fermentation, the single largest source of emissions from cattle resulting from microbial fermentation of feed in the rumen. The AgNext team uses innovative feeding technology to capture individual feed intake data and to measure methane, hydrogen and oxygen emissions from cattle in order to understand factors that effect enteric methane production. These factors can include type of feed, feed additives, cattle genetics and production-enhancing technologies like implants. By collecting large amounts of data, the team is establishing emission baselines for use in modeling software. Exploring the rumen microbiome to improve efficiency and sustainability

Future research at AgNext will explore the effect of rumen microbiome manipulation on enteric methane production. The research aligns well with a new project at the UM led by Hooman Derakhshani, a researcher at the Department of Animal Science and a team of scientists from universities of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Guelph, and from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). This research team has launched a groundbreaking project that will address enteric methane emissions from cattle by developing a database to characterize microbes in the rumen that are linked to low methane emissions and by exploring novel microbial feed additives that reduce methane emissions. The team will also use genomic research technology to identify heritable traits in cattle linked to methane emissions and feed efficiency. The outcomes of this research will assist in the development of Precision Management Strategies focused on the “3R” approach – Right genetics, Right feed, and Right production systems. More information on this project can be found in the February 2025 issue of Cattle Country.

Unique role of cattle in utilizing by-products from feed and food processing

As described by Place, the microbial community in the rumen give cattle a distinct advantage to utilize human-inedible ingredients, as well as those that may not meet consumer standards or are discarded after processing. Researchers at the UM are continuing to strengthen the connection of cattle to a circular bioeconomy by studying the use of food processing by-products and food waste. Although livestock operations may already use these by-products to meet nutrient requirements and reduce waste, there has been limited work conducted to explore the environmental sustainability of this practice. Janine Hansen, a graduate student at the Department of Animal Science has completed a research project that further demonstrates benefits of using these by-products in backgrounding and finishing cattle diets. Hansen, along with a team including UM researchers Kim Ominski and Marcos Cordeiro and researchers from AAFC and the University of Lethbridge (UL) have used data from a study in which a by-product from the bakery industry was substituted for corn in feedlot diets to examine the environmental footprint of cattle. Using modeling software, Hansen examined the environmental benefits of adding bread waste to cattle feed. Using these by-products reduced land, water and fertilizer resources needed to grow feed crops. When bread waste was included in backgrounding diets, land use was reduced by 45%, water use was reduced by 37% and GHG and ammonia emissions were both reduced by 14% and 4%, respectively. In finishing diets land use was reduced by 63%, water use was reduced by 61% and GHG emissions were reduced by 19%. Since the bread waste was diverted away from the landfill, GHG emissions into the environment were also reduced by 24% when the bread waste was used in the backgrounding diet and by 53% when used in the finishing diet further improving the sustainability of the food system and reducing the environmental footprint of cattle.

Imperfect potatoes are perfect for cattle feed

Researchers including Ominski, Cordeiro, Genet Mengistu and their partners at AAFC and UL have also examined the environmental benefits of using cull potatoes in feedlot diets. Cull potatoes may be discarded during storage or processing and if diverted to a landfill they provide no additional value and decompose, resulting in GHG emissions. Previous research has shown that cull potatoes are palatable, of high nutritive value and can partially replace cereal grains in cattle feed. Results from this project have shown that the use of cull potatoes also reduced land requirements (to grow feed crops) and GHG emissions into the environment by diverting the potatoes away from the landfill, by up to 30% and 22%, respectively. In addition to nutritive, environmental and economic benefits of adding these materials to feed, bread waste and cull potatoes can also serve as alternative feedstuffs during feed shortages resulting from flood or drought.

The T.K. Cheung Lecture featuring Sara Place together with podcasts and infographics highlighting research at the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences can be found on the Manitoba Agriculture Knowledge Exchange website, an information sharing initiative between University of Manitoba and Manitoba Agriculture.

Over 600 researchers, government representatives, farmers and industry members logged on to view the 10th Annual Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Virtual Conference, co-hosted by the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE) at the University of Manitoba and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). From March 4-6th, speakers explored Indigenous perspectives for a secure food system, the factors leading to producer decisions when adopting best management practices (BMPs) and on the potential to expand the boundaries of agricultural production systems in Canada. The event featured panel discussions, a GHG farm emissions modelling workshop and student presentations highlighting the latest in food systems research.

What does it mean to be a carbon neutral company?

Micheal McCain, Executive Chair of the Board at Maple Leaf Foods (MLF) kicked off the event with a keynote presentation that provided insight on how the company evolved and changed to become carbon neutral. To drive change, it is impossible to be a thriving sustainable enterprise while ignoring the degradation of the environment, animal welfare, human health, food insecurity and diet related diseases. He shared his perspectives about the importance to creating business value by providing solutions to some of the world’s critical issues while protecting the companies’ brands and reputation since “trust is everything over time”. As a result of these goals, the company has become a North American leader in raising animals without antibiotics, invested in systems for open sow housing, eliminated ingredients from products that people can’t find in their pantry, is on the path to 100% sustainable packaging and has established the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security. McCain believes that the company is integrally tied to the health and wellness of the ecosystem and to the societies within and wants to ensure that the natural environment is recognized as a vital stakeholder. Maple Leaf Foods continues to invest in practices that benefit their competitive advantage and the natural environment like regenerative agriculture and anaerobic digestion. McCain’s message to the industry highlighted the need for the Canadian agri-food sector to lead and to continue to make significant strides in building a sustainable industry, focusing on long term goals and not on the alure of short termism. His message to students who are launching their careers was to use their energy and passion to work towards meaningful change that will lead sustainable food production into the future.

It’s about the people and building resilient food systems

Derrick Hastings is a farm manager at the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in farm and market garden. Located on Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in territory, southeast of Dawson City, the farm has some of the best soils in the Yukon and produces a diverse line of products that include vegetables, grains, livestock and honey. The produce from the farm serves as a local supply of organic food that provides fresh, healthy meals benefiting the people and the land. As the only First Nations working farm north of the 60th parallel, the farm is an example of the revival of northern farming and its products contribute to food security in the region. Hastings emphasized the role of the farm to function in harmony with the environment, the surrounding wildlife and to meet stewardship values and philosophy of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people. The farm also plays an important role in training as it specializes in education and youth mentorship by creating a healthy environment for learning while providing a sense of community for the people in the area.

Hannah Keenes is a River Métis Citizen. She is the Agriculture Portfolio Lead with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) – National Government of the Red River Métis. Keenes defined what Red River agriculture looked like in the past and what it looks like today. She described the MMF government structure and how MMF programming engages Métis Citizens across all levels of the food system with a focus on environmental sustainability, economic resiliency and establishing infrastructure to address food insecurity across the Métis Homeland. Programs administered by MMF include an on-farm climate action program, a food security initiative, Riel House Graden, a small scale Three Sisters planting research project and the care of a small bison herd. Initiatives also engage youth and community through field days, crop tours and other training events.

This session was moderated by Kyle Bobiwash, Assistant professor and Indigenous Scholar, Department of Entomology at the University of Manitoba.

Making decisions and adopting best management practices

Shawn Catherwood is a 5th generation farmer in Ceylon SK. Continuing the family legacy of farming is a powerful motivator that drives him to find ways to ensure his farm will have future success. He addressed the questions “Who do I farm for? And why do I farm for them?” and described his transition from farming in a conventional framework to a more regenerative one. Catherwood made reference to the need for shifting mindsets, setting goals that lead to positive changes to the farm business and to soil health. His philosophy is to observe and cooperate with nature and don’t compete with it.

Tyler Fulton is a producer who owns and operates a 600 head cow/calf/backgrounding operation south of Birtle, MB. He serves as a Director with Manitoba Beef Producers, the President of the Canadian Cattle Association and is passionate about improving the tools and programs available for cattle producers to manage risk. Fulton shared several factors that influence successful adoption of BMPs including producer’s time management, use of technology and innovation, social norms and values and cost/benefit tradeoffs. Further, Fulton drew on the practical experiences gained on his ranch and shared these perspectives regarding factors that led to sustained, effective practices, as well as those that were less successful. He suggested developing a scoring system that combines all the factors and assesses the likelihood of successful outcomes from BMP adoption.

Cam Dahl is the General Manager at Manitoba Pork. He has broad experience throughout the agriculture sector in grain and livestock production. Dahl described the importance of an inclusive collaborative process throughout the value chain during BMP development; one that includes producers, processors, retailers with consideration of fiscal and capital realities. He used the Canadian Round Table for Sustainable Beef and the Verified Beef Program as an example of a successful collaborative program that has delivered benefits to producers. Dahl believes that the process of consultation with producers is integral to the successful rollout of sustainability programming and must occur throughout the development of BMPs. Finally, he suggested that incentives through market forces or government intervention are effective to mitigate BMP adoption risks.

Marla Riekman is a Soil Management Specialist at Manitoba Agriculture and provides extension to promote sustainable practices, improve soli health and maintain long-term productivity of farms across

the province. Riekman discussed three key audiences for Manitoba Agriculture’s extension programs including farmers, agronomists and the public. According to Riekman, extension can be a challenge because the benefits from adopting certain practices are not realized immediately. The solution lies in actively demonstrating research results, providing visual, innovative, engaging, repetitive and fun methods of extension, and where possible, building one-on one relationships with farmers.

This session was moderated by Susie Miller, Executive Director with the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops.

Expanding the Boundaries of Ag Production Systems

Shabtai Bittman, a Senior Researcher with AAFC Agassiz Research and Development Centre works to improve soil nutrient management in the Lower Fraser Valley which he described as a peri-urban region. A peri-urban region is a non-urban landscape that is adjacent to or surrounding metropolitan areas that can include agriculture. The Lower Fraser Valley region is subject to substantial agriculture activity and a large population base, and these activities result in increased nutrient flow and nutrient overloading in the ecosystem, specifically nitrogen from both humans and animals. Bittman and his team are exploring strategies to mitigate increased nutrient flows from agriculture practices in this valley, which is vulnerable due to vital watersheds and airsheds, wildlife and endangered soils. He provided examples of mitigation strategies that include internal improvement to farm nutrient management, like testing a high efficiency manure applicator, intercropping over winter using cover crops as well as integrating manure across farms, and co-processing human waste from cities.

Karen Landman is a Professor Emerita from the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph. She has expertise in horticulture, landscape architecture, cultural geography and has worked with students on design and research for green infrastructure, including urban agriculture. Urban agriculture involves growing food for local consumption on a scale larger than a backyard garden. With increasing consumer interest in food, a more ethnically diverse population, and a growing urban population, Karen suggested that there is an opportunity to help connect people to their food system via urban agriculture. Landman discussed opportunities, benefits and challenges for designing food production back into the city. Several successful urban farming initiatives discussed included the McQuesten Urban Farm, roof top food production, including urban agriculture into the city of Guelph official plan and repurposing arable city lands for food production.

Laird Crow is the Farm Manager at the Yukon Grain Farm in Whitehorse and passionate about the role the farm plays in the food security of the local community. Located north of Whitehorse along the banks of the Yukon River, the farm produces grains and vegetables. Grains are processed on the farm into livestock feed available to local producers. Crow believes that the long days and cool nights of the Yukon’s short growing season contribute to the great taste of the veggies grown on the farm. The farm receives support from the communities in the area because it strives to be a consistent, reliable and affordable source for locally grown food for residents in the region. Crow discussed the challenges and the opportunities of farming in Yukon. He believes that the secrets of success of farming in a Northern community include knowing your market, diversifying, scaling up, investing and value adding. For Crow it is important to advance sustainability wherever possible, to farm for the next generations while ensuring profitability.

This session was moderated by Emma Stephens, Research Scientist with AAFC.

Student Videos and Holos Workshop

Twenty-one graduate students featured their research to improve the sustainability of agriculture in 3-minute videos. The short videos covered topics ranging from livestock production, agronomy and soil health to grain and oil crop processing. The top videos were submitted by Laura Carruthers from the University of Saskatchewan, and Zainab Husain and Amanda Desrochers from the University of Manitoba. Fatemeh Mohammadian, also from the University of Manitoba received the People’s Choice Award.

More than 100 conference participants joined the Holos model training workshop and received hands-on training using the model, designed to estimate and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions based on information entered for individual farms.

The 2025 Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Conference organizing committee would like to thank all speakers, session moderators and student video session chairs and conference participants for making this annual conference a success. For questions and comments about the conference please contact Peter.Frohlich@umantoba.ca See you all next year!

Visit the SCAC 2025 conference website to view recorded presentations, information about speakers, student research videos and more. https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/sustainability-canadian-agriculture-2025

Horse flies and deer flies, commonly known as bulldogs, belong to a family of biting flies named Tabanidae. There are thousands of species worldwide, with about 150 in Canada, and approximately 25 different species found in Manitoba. Many Manitobans have fallen victim to a bite from these persistent flies, especially after a swim during the summer months. Typically, horse flies emerge during early June, with the level of activity for different species changing over the summer. Numbers decline into mid to late August. Horse flies have large compound eyes, and paired with their strong flight muscles, they are able to spot and pursue potential host animals from great distances. Their fine-tuned skills as hunters, however, are to the chagrin of many a-farmer when their cattle become the targets. Their painful bites cause distress to the animals, resulting in negative effects including reduced weight gain and milk production in addition to blood loss. Horse fly bites can also transmit some blood-borne pathogens such as bovine anaplasmosis. In Manitoba, there have been outbreaks of bovine anaplasmosis since 2013, especially in the southeastern areas of the province.

Effects of anaplasmosis on cow health

Bovine anaplasmosis is a production-limiting disease caused by Anaplasma marginale, a bacteria that attacks red blood cells. Symptoms in infected cows vary from showing no signs of disease to anemia, fatigue, and reduced feed intake, leading to poor overall cow health and significant losses to farmers. Depending on the herd, up to 25% of infected animals can die. Currently, no cure is available for the infected animals and, perhaps more importantly, animals that do recover remain infected for life, serving as a source of bacteria that can be transmitted to healthy animals in the herd. Therefore, the presence of this pathogen in Manitoba is concerning.

Transmission of anaplasmosis between cattle

Bovine anaplasmosis is a blood-borne disease spread by contaminated tools, ticks, and biting flies. Ticks are ‘biological’ vectors, meaning that when they feed on an infected cow, the bacteria will multiply and remain within the tick for a long time. The tick can then transmit the bacteria to any animal it feeds on. Horse flies, on the other hand, are referred to as ‘mechanical’ vectors. The anaplasmosis bacteria does not grow and persist within their body, but instead lingers on their mouthparts after a blood meal, much like it would on a contaminated needle or sharp tool. When a horse fly feeds on an infected animal, contaminated blood remains on its mouthparts for a short time. Because the bite of horse flies is painful, cows react strongly to the bites and those defensive behaviours can dislodge the flies that have started to feed. But the flies are persistent, so they will go land on another animal to continue to feed. If the fly then bites an uninfected animal, the residual blood remaining on its mouth can transfer the disease.

Horse flies: the feeding mechanism.

There are common misconceptions about how horse flies feed. Despite popular belief, they do not ‘take a chunk’ of flesh, but rather cut into the skin like we cut into a steak. Unlike mosquitoes, which feed directly from blood vessels in the skin, horse flies slash the skin and blood vessels with serrated mouthparts, and then feed from the blood pooling to the surface using a large sponge-like structure similar to that of a house fly. Only the female horse flies feed on blood as it serves as a source of protein to make eggs. Horse flies get their energy from sugars from flower nectar, which is the only thing males feed on.

UM research explores horse flies and bovine anaplasmosis transmission

During the summer of 2024, Mabel Currie and a team led by Kateryn Rochon from the Department of Entomology at the University of Manitoba set up fly traps at two locations in southeastern Manitoba where they collected over 1300 flies! The traps were inverted vinyl cones with collection containers on top, and a black yoga ball suspended in the middle. The ball acted as a bait for female horse flies, as the colour and gleam tricks them into thinking they are animals. After the flies were collected, they were taken back to the lab to be frozen, until they were ready to be identified. Using a microscope to look at each individual’s features, the species were were identified, which allowed the researchers to determine their presence at different farms. After identification, each fly was dissected so their gut could be tested for the bacteria that causes bovine anaplasmosis. By examining the flies’ ovaries, the researchers also determined how many batches of eggs each female fly has laid. As each batch of eggs requires a blood meal, the researchers can see which species bite more and are more likely to spread diseases among cattle, and at what point in the season.

Understanding the role of ticks and horse flies play in the emergence of bovine anaplasmosis is part of a larger project funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council involving researchers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. One objective is to determine the prevalence of bovine anaplasmosis in cattle operations by testing the blood of cattle in Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. This is where the Manitoba team comes in, collecting ticks and flies on the farms and looking for relationships between tick and fly abundance, potentially infected vectors, as well as detecting anaplasmosis. The other exciting objective of this research is to develop a new rapid test for bovine anaplasmosis, and validate it with the blood collected from cows in the study.

We are looking for more farms to join the program, especially in Manitoba’s central and western regions. For more information about how you can get involved, please contact Dr. Kateryn Rochon (project researcher, kateryn.rochon@umanitoba.ca) or Dr. Shaun Dergousoff (project lead, shaun.dergousoff@agr.gc.ca).

Researchers from the University of Manitoba led by Dr. Hooman Derakhshani, in collaboration with universities of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Guelph, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) have launched a groundbreaking research initiative to address methane emissions from Canada’s cattle industry. Supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and private sector partners like Semex and Lactanet, the consortium aims to develop innovative technologies and practices that will reduce the environmental footprint of beef and dairy production while delivering tangible economic and environmental benefits.

Methane: A dual challenge for efficiency and emissions

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas (GHG), is produced during the breakdown of feed in the rumen. This is a natural process that enables cattle to convert plant material into energy for meat and milk production. However, it results in the production of methane and may lead to a 2–12% loss in feed energy. This loss in feed energy reduces production efficiency while contributing to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Methane is produced in the rumen of cattle across all production systems, but emissions are highest when cattle consume diets high in fiber. Consequently, there is an opportunity to identify strategies to improve feed efficiency, particularly in the cow-calf sector. The beef sector has set a target to reduce its GHG emission intensity by 33%, while the dairy industry is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To help the cattle industry meet these goals, innovative and cost-effective solutions are needed. Tackling methane emissions not only supports these goals but also aligns with increasing consumer demand for sustainable food production and global climate objectives. Methane’s short atmospheric lifespan of 10–12 years makes it a key target for quick climate action.

A holistic research approach

This research initiative uses a comprehensive strategy to address methane emissions – integrating advanced science with practical applications for farmers and industry stakeholders.

1. Building Data Resources: The research team will develop a database to characterize the microbes in the rumen linked to methane emissions and feed efficiency. This database will be made available to researchers and industry stakeholders worldwide, enabling them to identify microbes and dietary factors that are associated with low methane emissions. Use of advance computation strategies including machine learning models will play a pivotal role in analyzing these datasets, to provide insights for methane reduction strategies.
2. Developing Microbial Feed Solutions: By leveraging the natural diversity and untapped metabolic potential of microbes in the rumen, researchers are exploring novel microbial feed additives—such as probiotics and phages (viruses capable of infecting and killing rumen bacteria)—to directly reduce methane emissions without compromising animal health or productivity. Using microbiome-derived additives can also help minimize regulatory challenges, facilitating faster commercialization and adoption by producers. The Interdisciplinary Livestock Microbiome Research lab at the University of Manitoba, led by Dr. Derakhshani, along with key collaborators Drs. Leluo Guan (University of British Columbia) and Tim McAllister (AAFC Lethbridge Research Centre) aim to develop new microbial solutions to reprogram the rumen microbiome and reduce methane production.
3. Enhancing Cattle Genetics: The project will also use cutting-edge genomic research to identify heritable traits in cattle linked to methane emissions and feed efficiency. The knowledge gained will be used in genetic selection and breeding programs to produce cattle that are more productive and environmentally efficient, contributing to long-term sustainability of cattle production in Canada and globally.

The outcomes of this research will inform development of Precision Management Strategies focused on the “3R” approach – Right genetics, Right feed, and Right production systems. The results will contribute to improved feeding and management practices on farms, and introduce new microbial solutions and genetic selection strategies for reducing methane emissions while optimizing productivity. These strategies will focus on practicality and broad applicability across Canada’s beef and dairy sectors.

Training the next generation of agricultural innovators

A key aspect of this project is training the next generation of agricultural scientists and innovators. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research technicians are actively involved, gaining hands-on experience in genomic research, microbiology, and precision agriculture. They are learning advanced techniques to improve livestock performance and drive future progress in sustainable agriculture. These skilled professionals will apply this knowledge in academia, government, and industry.

Broader benefits beyond methane reduction

While methane mitigation is a key focus, the benefits of this initiative extends far beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project also aims to improve cattle productivity, enhance feed efficiency, and support better animal health and welfare. These outcomes not only reduce production costs for farmers but also address consumer concerns about the environmental impact of meat and dairy production. Moreover, the project contributes to food security by ensuring that Canada’s beef and dairy sectors remain resilient in the face of climate extremes. Maintaining and strengthening food security is important given that the global population continues to rise, and therefore so does the demand for food and resources. The combination of environmental, economic, and social benefits strengthens the industry’s long-term sustainability and competitiveness, both domestically and globally.

University of Manitoba’s (UM) Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) staff, graduate students and industry partners are working together to promote agriculture production in Manitoba through a series of public events. The goal of these events is to engage the general public, including school age children about Manitoba’s sustainable agriculture practices, to promote Manitoba’s agriculture and to celebrate where our food comes from. Informational displays and presentations emphasizing the Manitoba beef industry are a highlight of the fun, educational and interactive events.

Discover Agriculture on the Farm

The annual Discover Agriculture on the Farm event is hosted at the University of Manitoba’s Glenlea Research Station (GRS) and the Bruce D. Cambell Farm and Food Discovery Centre (FFDC), located 15 minutes south of Winnipeg. This free event offers interactive family fun and opportunities to talk with Manitoba farmers, see live animals and explore prairie crops. Every year the one-day event draws between 800 and 1600 visitors in a 4-hr period. This past September the event featured ten informational displays sponsored by several Manitoba commodity groups and agriculture organizations. The displays are interactive and include hands-on activities, games, food and recipe giveaways that are all focussed on fun learning about food production in Manitoba. At this year’s event, visitors to the Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) informational display learned about the Manitoba beef industry, tried tasty food products made with Manitoba beef and had a chance to chat with Trevor Sund and Alfred Epp, beef producers who provided firsthand information about beef farming. Those that visited the MBP display were also able to play the Guardians of the Grassands interactive game that teaches the public about carbon sequestration and the benefits of grazing and beef cattle in the ecosystem. Kate Cummings, Manager of the FFDC says the event is important as it connects the public with primary producers in agriculture.

Updated and interactive MBP display attracts visitors of all ages

The recently updated MBP eye-catching display features information about the history of Manitoba beef farms and the type of commercial beef production operations found in the province, cow calf, backgrounders or feedlots. Visitors can also learn about on farm food safety, the Verified Beef Production Plus Program and the economic impact of the beef industry in Manitoba, as well as the nutritional benefits of beef. Visitors can try hands on activities that include comparing their height to that of a calf or a cow and a magnetic board revealing environmental benefits of pastures and the role of cattle in maintaining these grasslands. Cummings adds that the interactive upgrades which focus more on sustainability are of great interest to teachers, students and the general public alike.

Discover Agriculture in the City

Discover Agriculture in the City is a “twin” event to Discover Agriculture on the Farm. This free event is focused on urban consumers that may not be able to get outside of the city to visit a Manitoba farm. It is held in the springtime at locations with lots of foot traffic like the Forks or a city mall. This past March the evet was held at the Outlet Collection Mall in Southwest Winnipeg. Similar to its twin event, Discover Agriculture in the City provides an opportunity to the public to explore the vibrant and innovative world of agriculture. The event highlights the contributions agriculture makes to the economy and includes interactive displays with hands-on activities, games, take home giveaways and prizes. Visitors can also attend a UM Food Fight (a food product development competition organized by FAFS) and much more.

School age student learn where their food come from

The Amazing Agriculture Adventure is an annual weeklong event organized by Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba and hosted by the GRS and FFDC. Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to developing curriculum-linked programs, resources and activities for educators and students to learn more about the importance of agriculture in Manitoba. During this event, students of all ages visit the UM facilities at the GRS to learn about food production in Manitoba. This past September approximately 700 students visited 8 fun and interactive informational displays and learned about topics like beef, forage, chickens, eggs, bees and more. One of the highlights at this year’s event was a short horn cow calf pair that was brought in by Sigga Vigfusson, a 4H Manitoba member. The students were excited to be able to see and touch the two animals. Students also interacted with Clover, a cow model with a calf inside to learn about the calving process. During the last day of the event, the commodity groups had a chance to chat with the high school students about the many careers available in agriculture.

Manitoba beef production gets international exposure

In October, students from England, Australia, US and from several Manitoba high schools learned about climate smart agriculture (CSA) including beef production at the Nutrients for Life Canada Global Student Summit. The event was held at Kelburn Farm this past October. Kelburn farm is Richardson Internationals research and demonstration farm located south of Winnipeg. CSA refers to agriculture that sustainably increases productivity, enhances resilience and reduces GHGs. The focus of the annual 3-day event was to teach students about how CSA approaches can enhance global food security. Janine Hansen, a graduate student from the Department of Animal Science was one of several speakers from FAFS. Hansen met with 60 students from local and international high schools and shared information about sustainable beef production systems in Manitoba. Her presentation included the basics of beef production, addressing questions like what is a ruminant and what are common cattle feeds. She spoke to the students about the role of pastures in carbon sequestration and the importance of maintaining and preserving prairie grasslands, as well as the benefits of grazing management like rotational grazing on soil health and biodiversity. Other presentations by FAFS students and researchers focused on beneficial insects and pollinators, soil health and perennial cropping systems. The overall goal of the summit is for students to gain an appreciation of the components needed to create a sustainable farm system and this includes grazing cattle. The students demonstrate what they have learned by designing mock climate smart farms systems where beef production is an asset.

Curriculum-linked programming for Manitoba students

Throughout the year, the GRS and FFDC are hosts to numerous curriculum-linked programs to early, middle and senior year students. Curriculum-linked programs include presentations and tours given by FFDC staff that tie in with the school curriculum. Annually, approximately 260 classes visit the FFDC to learn more about Manitoba agriculture and sustainable food production systems. During these day-long programs, the students visit all the interactive displays and the barns at the GRS and FFDC. They learn about Manitoba agriculture, talk about beef cattle as natural grazers and watch the Guardians of the Grasslands video that demonstrates the benefits of beef production on the prairies. For example, a popular program is Garde 5 Day where more than 250 students from the Pembina Trails School Division visit the GRS and the FFDC to learn about the importance of agriculture and where their food comes from. Students that were a part of Grade 5 Day this past May learned about pork, beef, swine, dairy and egg production as well as prairie fruit farming from commodity group representatives, FFDC and GRS staff, and FAFS graduate students.

Be a part of learning

Producers are welcome to join the programs! Be a part of the interactive displays, chat with visitors and share your knowledge on sustainable agriculture in Manitoba with the public. If you are interested, please contact David Hultin, Communication and Marketing Lead with the Manitoba Beef Producers at info@mbbeef.ca or 1-800-772-0458 and inquire about opportunities to be a part of the many public agriculture educational programs.

Read the whole article at Beef Cattle Research Council.

Researchers from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) at the University of Manitoba, University of Saskatchewan and several partner organizations from across the prairies have received new funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to explore increasing the use of perennial cropping practices. The new project is called LEAP (Leveraging Ecosystems to transform Agriculture on the Prairies) and Manitoba Beef Producers are among several industry partners supporting the initiative. The goal of the project is to generate information, tools and management practices required to create sustainable, resilient and profitable net-zero emissions farming systems using perennial cropping strategies – and systems that mimic some of the features of perennial systems – including those that integrate livestock production.

Perennial cropping systems

Perennial agriculture is the cultivation of crops that live longer than two years without the need for replanting each year. It includes the use of perennial forages, as well as new perennial grain crops. Perennial crops have numerous benefits as they maintain soil health, reduce erosion, and provide habitats for beneficial insects, wildlife and more. Typically, perennial crops (e.g. alfalfa) are used to support livestock production. However, this project is much broader as it also looks at perennial systems that are not exclusively dependent on animal production.

Perennialization can refer to the process of replacing annual crops (e.g. wheat) with perennial crops (e.g, alfalfa). But it also includes adding perennial “function” to the landscape in other ways. The term “function” is meant to add a certain quality (for example, year-round soil cover) that serves a beneficial purpose in a cropping system. In addition to environmental benefits from perennial crops, perennial function can be added to annual cropping systems by planting cover crops, perennial pollinator strips, and maintaining or enhancing natural perennial features like wetlands, hedgerows or riparian zones on the landscape. Perennialization is perhaps the most powerful ecological tool in the quest for net zero.

A LEAP forward

During the four-year LEAP project, five multidisciplinary research teams will explore perennialized cropping systems from social and biophysical perspectives. The research will include an assessment of current and new cropping practices on a ‘perennial spectrum’ and investigate the potential for farms to adopt new approaches in the future. Alongside consultations with partners, who would help inform research objectives, the teams will explore farmers’ experiences with perennialized cropping strategies and their willingness to adopt these strategies. Additionally, researchers will document the social barriers to adoption and how policy may be developed to address adoption challenges. A special focus will be placed on Indigenous perspectives and what specific research and policy considerations need to be made within an Indigenous context as landowners and managers. At the end of the project, the goal is to create realistic, attainable, and economically viable management and policy recommendations to elevate farming to a sustainable, region-specific system for the future.

Landscape analysis

During the planning process of the project, a consistent challenge that the team heard from farmers, producer groups, and agricultural policy advocates was lack of robust data about how well different farming systems help to meet environmental goals. Innovative management approaches are already being used by farmers and land managers across the prairies. The landscape team’s objective is to generate data from real farms and quantify the impact of including different degrees of perennialization. This team of 12 researchers is led by Dr. Joanne Thiessen Martens, with researchers from the University of Saskatchewan, and four departments within the University of Manitoba. The team will monitor and quantify greenhouse gas emissions, crop productivity, biodiversity, soil health and how perennialization strategies that are already being implemented by producers support agronomic and environmental goals. The activity will compare commercial fields with low, medium, and high levels of perennialization practices on different soil types, with the goal of generating a large real-world dataset that will help to assess the roles of site conditions and management in meeting those goals. This data will be used to predict future scenarios using computer models and to generate tools to guide site-specific adoption of perennialization strategies.

Field experiments to assess net-zero farming systems

Replicated research trials that run in tandem with on-farm sampling provides a unique opportunity to ‘dig deeper’ into the “why’s” and “how’s” of different dynamics in cropping systems. Led by Dr. Yvonne Lawley in collaboration with other departments at FAFS and the University of Saskatchewan, this team will investigate methods for implementing “functional benefits” of perennialized systems, such as cover crops, perennial grains, pollinator strips on marginal lands, and intercropping strategies. These strategies bring the potential to perennialize annual crop rotations by maintaining living plant cover into the spring and fall of the short prairie growing season. They also reduce fall tillage and create new opportunities for integrating crop and livestock production. The findings from these studies will be particularly useful for producers who want to transition to more perennialized systems. A bonus opportunity in the study will be to compare the energy use and carbon emissions of both a diesel and an electric tractor that will be used throughout the project.

Future farm scenarios

Farmer and partner input and data generated by the landscape and field research teams will direct and drive the modelling activities undertaken by the Future Farm Scenarios Team. The modelling team will be led by Dr. Marcos Cunha Cordeiro and supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) data scientists. They will use the Canadian-tailored modelling program Holos, developed by AAFC. The Holos model is a whole-farm modelling software that estimates GHG emissions based on production and weather data. This work will generate Canadian data that will allow farmers, researchers, and partners to explore transformative agricultural “what if“ scenarios. Modelling scenarios will provide answers to questions about how different perennialization strategies could be used to achieve agronomic and environmental goals consistent with net-zero agriculture. These scenarios and outputs can then guide policy initiatives to support farmers making changes in their production practices.

First Nations farming systems

The First Nations Self-Determined Farming Systems Team, led by Dr. Melissa Arcand at the University of Saskatchewan and Dr. Kyle Bobiwash at the University of Manitoba, will engage First Nations communities. First Nations communities are keepers of traditional ecological knowledge and wisdom who play an important role in maintaining and implementing reduced emission practices in agriculture. First Nations groups are reconsidering their role in managing their agricultural lands. They are re-thinking what sustainable agriculture will look like and how agriculture can be practiced to fulfill the goals of food security, livelihood, and reclamation of cultural traditions. The team will work with First Nations communities to understand the processes of diversity, integration and perenniality from a First Nations perspective. Together they will co-design beneficial management practices that achieve First Nations-defined goals and co-develop a research and adoption framework that First Nations can adapt and apply for designing self-determined farming systems.

Farmers are a key part of the research process

The Farmer Engagement Team, led by Dr. Meagan King and Dr. Kyle Bobiwash (UManitoba) in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing at the University of Guelph, will capture and explore the invaluable lived experience of settler and First Nations farmers and land managers to ensure that they are all a key part of the project.

The team will identify connections between farm management, farmer well-being (physical and mental), biodiversity, policy, and sustainability. Farmer well-being is important to investigate because it may be related to on-farm decision making, the acceptability and adoption of various practices and preferred ways of sharing knowledge. The information gathered by the Farmer Engagement Team will assist in the design of the project’s methodology and it will help to identify producer perspectives regarding changes to current farm management practices that can be successfully implemented at the farm level.

How producers can be involved in the project

Farmers and land managers can be a part of the LEAP project by becoming one of the sampling sites in the landscape activity, or participate in our farmer wellbeing study. Researchers will collect information and samples from fields with different types of management history, ranging from annual crops to perennial crops. They are particularly interested in the “in-between” fields – those that have some diversification or “perennialization” with cover crops, perennials in rotation or other approaches. The research team is especially interested in fields that support grazing livestock.

As a farmer participating in this study, you will be part of a research network across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, linking farmers, researchers, and partner organizations who want to advance sustainable agriculture. Participants will receive data on soil, crop, and biodiversity measurements from their fields and a summary of data from the farm network. You will also be invited to attend field tours and participate in other project events and activities.

For more information on how to be a part of the project and the other researchers and partners involved in this project, please visit: https://www.umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/leap

Project Partners include the Manitoba Beef Producers, Keystone Agricultural Producers, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association, Nature United, Manitoba Agriculture, National Farmers Union, and Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Cover crops are important elements in regenerative agriculture, and therefore play an important role in achieving sustainable food production systems. Farm management surveys have reported an increase in their use nationally. Yet in Manitoba and Saskatchewan the practice of growing cover crops has increased at a slower pace when compared to Eastern Canada and the United States. According to the 2020 Prairie Cover Crop Survey Report, environmental factors like a shorter growing season and limited fall soil moisture on the prairies limit opportunities to plant cover crops prior to seeding or post-harvest. To address the challenges, researchers from the University of Manitoba and the South East Research Farm (Redvers, SK) have partnered on a project funded by The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, AgMission, and PepsiCo. The goal of this project is to develop and accelerate the adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices like the use of shoulder season cover crops (crops grown between a cash crop harvest and the planting of the next cash crop) in Canada’s eastern Prairies.

Cover crops, soli health and cattle production

Cover crops are annual or perennial plant species or a mixture of species. They are seeded with the intent to “cover” the ground and improve the soil. They may include a blend of warm-season and cool-season plants, grasses or cereals, legumes, and Brassica plant species (cruciferous vegetables). Planting cover crops contributes to climate resilient agriculture systems and mitigates climate change. They protect the soil from erosion and contribute to soil organic matter. Cover crops improve soil biological, chemical, and physical properties which enhances soil health. They have the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) through reduced use of tillage, reduced soil nitrogen losses, and increased carbon sequestration. They can also supress weeds, increase biodiversity and create new opportunities for integrating crop and livestock systems.

Cover crops also contribute to cattle production systems thanks to their potential value as a high-quality forage source. They can be grazed, baled or used for silage. Cattle consume forages including those from cover crops, converting them to high quality protein. In addition, soil health is improved as nutrients in manure reduce the need for commercial fertilizers and increase plant growth including grassland crops, creating feed for livestock while completing the circular bioeconomic cycle. Grazing these crops in grain cropping systems can extend the grazing season, contribute to an increased economic return and diversify agricultural production systems. In related research, Emma McGeough and Yvonne Lawley with the University of Manitoba found that intercropping Italian ryegrass and hairy vetch with corn can meet the dietary requirements for heifers.

Developing strategies for growing cover crops on the prairies

During the three-year project that started in the fall of 2023, researchers are exploring planting shoulder season cover crops at the time of annual cash crop seeding or in-crop. The method is called companion-seeding. It involves seeding lower-statured cover crop species along with the primary field crop during spring seeding or broadcast interseeding during the growing season. The strategy can be successful and attractive to farmers on the prairies because it eliminates the need for a separate cover crop seeding pass during the harvest season, allows field crops to grow with minimal competition from the cover crop, and maximizes the window for cover crop growth giving prairie farmers an additional option to incorporate cover crops into their rotation.

Researchers are working with farmers in Manitoba’s Red River Valley and southeastern Saskatchewan to validate and scale up the CSA practices. They are quantifying their impact on crop yield, grain quality, soil health and fertility, on environmental services and on GHG emissions. Cattle grazing is also incorporated into the system. This fall, farmers participating in on-farm trials who are comparing Italian ryegrass and fall rye as intercropped cover crops with canola are planning to let the cover crop grow for late fall grazing.

Goal of the project is to accelerate adoption of CSA practices

The project is designed to combine research and on-farm implementation in an innovative way to help accelerate adoption of CSA practices. The research team is co-developing new practices with farmers through workshops, interviews, and on-farm trials to better understand farmer perspectives and challenges they encounter when implementing new practices. Farmer perspectives will be incorporated into the scientific research process. Co-developed research findings will be made available through a range of knowledge sharing techniques, such as web-based platforms and field day events.

The research team includes:

Co-Principle Investigators:

• Lana Shaw, Executive Director and Research Manager, South East Research Farm
• Yvonne Lawley, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba
• Luke Struckman, Principal Consultant, Resilient Agriculture Solutions

Other University of Manitoba Researchers:

• Francis Zvomuya, Professor, Department of Soil Science
• Afua Mante, Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science
• Alejandro Costamagna, Acting Department Head and Professor, Department of Entomology

Manitoba has 25 provincially and five federally inspected meat abattoirs. Meat inspectors usually require a bachelor’s degree or college diploma in agriculture, animal science, biology, chemistry, food science or a related discipline. Following graduation, meat inspector candidates must undergo a 2–3-year on-site training process to become an independent inspector.

To help students gain additional background in this area and address the growing need for meat inspectors in Manitoba, especially in rural areas, the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences has developed a new course: Meat Inspection: Understanding and Enhancing Animal Harvesting Practices. According to Dr. Navjot Virdi, Food Safety Veterinarian and Manager – Meat Inspection with Manitoba Agriculture (MB AGR), this course will increase the pool of candidates for vacant meat inspection positions in these abattoirs in the future.

What is Meat Inspection?

Meat inspection is a regulatory requirement to harvest an animal in a provincially or federally regulated abattoir if the intent is to sell the meat for human consumption. Therefore, all provincial and federal regulated abattoirs in Manitoba must have a trained meat inspector on-site during the harvest operation.
Meat inspectors make professional judgment when food animals arrive at provincial and federal abattoirs to determine if the animal is healthy and suitable to be harvested. Assessing the health of animals prior to harvest is important because there are some diseases that can be transmitted to humans through contact with the infected animals (e.g., bovine tuberculosis) or by ingestion of infected meat or meat products (e.g., trichinosis, salmonellosis).

After the harvesting process, the inspector carries out a post-mortem inspection to ensure the meat is safe for human consumption. The inspector decides if the meat is approved, is held for additional inspection, is directed to animal feed, or is condemned (e.g., must be incinerated or sent to landfill).

Additional roles of a meat inspector include ensuring that the animals are treated humanely, and abattoirs are maintained and run in a sanitary manner. Inspectors possess the scientific-based knowledge to identify and prevent food safety risks and ensure the abattoirs operate as per provincial food safety and animal welfare regulations.

What will students learn in this course?

As part of the course, students will receive in-class and hands-on training. A team of instructors, including Dr. Argenis Rodas-Gonzalez, Associate Professor with the Department of Animal Science, Dr. Navjot Virdi (MB AGR) and Dr. Claudia Narvaez-Bravo, Professor at the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, will lead the classes.

Students who register in the course will have the opportunity to learn about a range of topics specific to beef, pig, lamb and poultry processing. In addition, topics including animal behavior and handling, pre- and post-mortem inspection, the harvest process, facility design, storage and preservation of meat, food safety regulations and more, will also be covered.

Career opportunities in meat inspection

There are several career opportunities in meat inspection. These include work as an inspector in provincially or federally regulated abattoirs or meat processing plants or serving in a quality assurance role.

What’s on the horizon for meat inspection?

Argenis Rodas-Gonzalez is taking meat inspection one step further. He has support from both provincial (MB AGR) and federal government groups (Canadian Food Inspection Agency, CFIA) and is seeking additional partners to explore and test the use of smart glasses and augmented reality technology to conduct meat inspection remotely as further solutions to the meat inspector shortages in the province. Augmented reality is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated 3D content.

According to Rodas-Gonzalez, the technology will enable an offsite inspector to partner with an onsite trained technician to inspect the carcass and by-products for defects remotely and in real time. The technician in the processing plant will wear special glasses with hands-free commands to enable two-way live video communication with an offsite inspector. The team will then test if the augmented reality software is as effective as an on-site inspector. According to Rodas-Gonzalez the information generated from the project will result in the development of a procedure for remote inspection and will aim to prove the effectiveness of this technology.

There are several additional benefits of the project that include opening the door to access new, better, and more diverse marketing opportunities for smaller processors (e.g., buy-local programs, more product availability, selling directly to retailers) and increased beef production processing capacity (e.g., more work shifts per week).

Meat inspection agencies could also make more efficient use of the inspector’s time, reduce downtime and address the meat inspector shortage. The project will also increase the competitiveness (e.g., increase market share by volume) and sustainability (e.g., increased meat supply) of the Canadian meat industry in the domestic market.

For more information on the course and novel meat inspection AI technology, contact Argenis Rodas Gonzalez at Argenis.RodasGonzalez@umanitoba.ca.

Insect populations across the globe are facing steep declines. Habitat loss by conversion of perennial pasture land to annual crop land, pesticides, and climate change have been identified as major drivers of these declines. This is problematic because insects provide many important roles to the environment, many of which often go unnoticed. Ecological functions such as pollination, decomposition, and pest regulation in particular help to support agricultural production as they directly increase crop yield and quality. Many insects pollinate crops, and bees are one of the most efficient pollinators because they must collect pollen to feed their young. Many common flowering crops are visited by bees, such as clovers, alfalfa, canola, flax, soybeans, and more. Although honey bees often are credited with pollination, other pollinators such as native bees are equal contributors and often superior to honey bees. Manitoba has a rich diversity of native bees. Recent research led by Dr. Jason Gibbs at the University of Manitoba has documented nearly 400 different bee species in the province and over 20,000 species have been identified worldwide. These native species face different threats than the non-native honey bee, which are primarily affected by the parasitic varroa mite. There is no doubt that bee populations in Manitoba need our attention, but how can we support them? Can livestock grazing practices be a part of the solution?

What do bees need?

Food, water, and shelter are among the basic requirements for animal survival, and bees are much the same. Pollen, nectar, and a suitable nest are the main requirements for bees. In addition, safety from predators and parasites is important. Land conversion has been the most damaging threat to pollinators, although any action that removes flowers (e.g. herbicides or mowing) can limit bees access to food. Destruction of nests often occurs by tilling or removing trees and shrubs. Most species of bees nest in the ground, but some nest in stems or logs.

Pasture land can support bee populations

Although large scale field crops are not very hospitable to bees, pastures can provide great habitat for bees. Research from Alberta has shown that canola fields with more pastures nearby contained four times more bumble bees and other bees than fields with fewer pastures in the surrounding landscape. Pastures often contain flowers that bloom from spring until fall and bees can use these as a food source. Additionally, pastures often contain a variety of shelter resources that bees can use to build their nests. Forested areas within pastures provide bees with nests both inside small holes in trees and places of undisturbed soil where ground-nesting bees can reside.

Research has shown that increasing the proportion of native, warm-season grasses can increase native bee abundance in pastures. Supplementing pastures with wildflowers may also benefit bees. Bees may be sensitive to the amount and type of grazing. Cows, sheep, and bison will all graze differently, and the extent of their grazing will affect how bees respond. Moderate levels of grazing are likely to be neutral or even beneficial for bees, particularly if flowers are not being removed.

Bee research at the University of Manitoba

PhD candidate Michael Killewald, working with Drs. Jason Gibbs and Alejandro Costamagna (University of Manitoba), conducted a multi-year sampling effort in pastures in southwestern Manitoba. The researchers found that many of the flowers identified from pastures are native prairie plants, such as: goldenrods, gumweed, purple prairie clover, blazing star, wild bergamot, and various sunflowers. These plants are attractive to a wide variety of species, including many specialist native bees, which restrict their diet to one or more of these plants. When Killewald collected bees on these pastures, he found that goldenrod, alfalfa, and sunflowers, all edible to cattle, were the most attractive to bees. Plants such as gumweed and bee balm were also highly attractive to bees, but are generally not consumed by cattle. According to this research, these are all plants that should be supported to conserve bee populations. Gumweed was the single most attractive plant to bees on grazed pastures—likely due to its abundance, as this was one of the most common blooming flowers encountered in the study. Other plants that could be included in pastures that are attractive to bees and are edible as forage include sunflowers and clovers.

Provide a home for bees

Bees are a diverse group of insects, and as such, different species require different nesting locations. Most species of bees tend to nest in the ground, so providing a small patch of sandy soil along a fence line gives a perfect location for bees to call home! A single scoop of sandy soil from a front-end loader placed along a fence line, or another location where it will not be disturbed, could be home to thousands of individual bees within a few years. Bees also find woodpecker holes or small stems to call home, but we can easily create “bee hotels” to recreate these conditions in managed ecosystems. Although pollinator-friendly nesting tubes are available for purchase, you likely have all the tools to create your own already! Simply take scrap pieces of wood, old pieces of firewood, or any piece of lumber, and drill holes of a variety of sizes and depths (3/16–½” wide and 2–6” long or 4–10mm wide 5–15 cm long). A variety of sizes is best so do not worry about making them perfect, the bees don’t mind. Place these in a location that is not flooded, and the bees will do the rest. Ideally, they are placed on a pole above the ground. Bees that nest inside these holes include the alfalfa leafcutter bee, a wild pollinator that has been commercially managed for alfalfa production using similar methods described above. Any effort, regardless of how small, will have a positive impact on increasing bee populations and ensuring the sustainability of both wild Canadian bee species and their associated pollination services.

For more information on bee research at the University of Manitoba and how you can help to enhance bee populations on your farm please contact Dr. Jason Gibbs or Michael Killewald.