The Need for Self-Sufficiency
The Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council has one major goal – to create made-in-Manitoba market opportunities for the province’s cattle producers.
The most pressing part of its mandate is to encourage additional slaughter capacity to avoid the devastating effects Manitoba cattle producers faced when they were effectively shut out of Ontario and Alberta slaughter plants in the aftermath of the 2003 U.S BSE embargo on Canadian cattle. Its mission is more far-reaching – to encourage a broad range of long term innovative ideas to strengthen and expand opportunities for Manitoba’s cattle producers.
The council is currently building an investment fund from levies collected on all cattle sold within Manitoba and matched by the provincial Government. Based on sales records over the past five years, the council estimates it will generate $1.1 million each year, money that can be invested in qualifying projects that offer marketing benefits to Manitoba cattle producers.
An Invitation to Innovators
The council invites Manitobans – individuals, partnerships, corporations and co-operatives – seeking financing for viable cattle industry enterprises to submit funding proposals. Each proposal will be considered on the basis of the council’s mandate and mission and for its potential to provide direct benefits to the province’s cattle producers.
The council’s investment committee, comprised of agricultural and financial industry specialists, is particularly interested in proposals that will provide producers access to new slaughter facilities that meet Federal Government standards. At the same time, it recognizes the need to support other value-adding industry initiatives including processing, transportation, distribution and domestic and export market development.
For more information on how MCEC can help you help Manitoba’s cattle producers, contact the council to talk over your idea.
Applying for Funding
MCEC will consider a wide variety of proposals for funding from many different kinds of organizations. The council’s mandate is to increase development of value-added livestock products and to support research into beef marketing issues.
We are looking to invest in companies and initiatives that can bring value to Manitoba cattle producers, for example:
- New production facilities, including new slaughter and beef processing operations
- Initiatives to increase the operational efficiencies of cattle operations
- Better ways to deal with specified risk materials (SRMs)
- Programs to achieve traceability and guarantee quality of Manitoba beef products for export markets
- New wholesale and retail marketing opportunities for premium Manitoba beef
Click here to download the Project Application.