Calgary (Rural Roots Canada) – The governments of Alberta and Canada are supporting Alberta Beef Producers with a $1.9 million funding boost for its VBP+ program. This funding, provided through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will allow the ABP to expand its food safety and certification program.
The money will allow for several key enhancements to the program including expanded VBP+ extension programming. Alberta 4-H beef members will benefit from targeted resources, along with focused outreach to Indigenous-operated beef operations. There will also be an increase in community events with producers to share knowledge and best practices, something Kaley Segboer-Edge, Stewardship Lead and VBP+ Coordinator for the ABP, says has been missing from the program. She says re-engaging with producers in person and within their communities will be integral to the VBP+ program expansion.
“COVID prevented us from having face-to-face opportunities to engage with producers,” she says. “We realized that’s our greatest learning opportunity with producers; that cross-sharing and cross-learning from producers. With that, we’re looking to work with community organizations such as our ag societies and research associations to come out and attend your field days, cattle shows, and full congresses, as well as hosting events with our veterinarian clinics as an opportunity to engage.”
VBP+ is a science-based initiative focused on various aspects of beef production, including on-farm beef safety, biosecurity, animal care, environmental stewardship, and community involvement. It enhances the industry’s resiliency by providing producers with the necessary training and resources to understand and address critical biosecurity issues.
The funding also allows for new financial incentives to encourage producers to adopt best practices. Certified operations will have access to up to $5,000 for approved expenses such as audit fees, livestock handling equipment, and herd management software. For operations that complete VBP+ training but haven’t achieved certification, there’s the possibility of receiving up to $2,500 for similar approved expenses.
Approximately one in five beef animals in Alberta are raised on a VBP+ Certified operation, and over one million acres of native grassland are managed by certified farms, allowing the province to maintain its reputation for high-quality beef. At a news conference, RJ Sigurdson, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, emphasized the importance of supporting the beef industry’s high standards.
“Alberta Beef Producers is a valuable partner that is helping our producers maintain a culture of safe and sustainable beef production,” said Sigurdson. “By supporting the refresh of Verified Beef Production Plus, we’re recognizing our producers for the great work they are already doing and giving them the support they need to improve their operations.”
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Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, echoed that sentiment, stating this funding will help Alberta’s beef producers build on their already high standards, and ensure they continue to provide top-quality, nutritious food locally and globally.
The funding for VBP+ comes from the Sustainable CAP, a five-year, $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to help strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of Canada’s agriculture sector.
The VBP+ certification aligns with the standards set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle, the Canadian Beef Cattle On-Farm Biosecurity Standard, and the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef’s sustainability indicators.
