Raymond Bittner is the Predation Lead with the Manitoba Beef Producers. Ray has spent his career troubleshooting on farms all over Manitoba over the last 30 years, with a career spanning from livestock genetics, nutrition, environment, and economics.  Ray continues to operate the family farm with beef and cash cropping with his wife and family.  Ray has always enjoyed the creative side of agriculture, with boundless new ideas, inventions, and then building and using them to make life easier or more efficient.

During this episode, Ray and I dig into the topic of predation in Manitoba. According to MASC's 2020 Report, the annual reported loss from predation in Manitoba impacted over 750 farms and triggered over 2 million dollars in compensation.  Many losses are not reported or unable to be paid out due to the challenges of producing sufficient evidence of the predator attack, so the actual economic impact in the province is likely much higher.

The Livestock Predator Prevention Pilot Program began in 2020, but the discussion on the need for a project began many years prior to this, as predation has been an ongoing issue.  It is a 3 year project that aims to assist producers in mitigating the risk of predation through field trialing the use of Risk Management Practices, which include fox lights, electric netting, game cameras, deadstock composting, and several other practices.  While the pre-purchased supplies for this project are nearly sold out, Ray encourages producers to contact him for support and resources for their own farms. 

Data is being  collected and will be summarized following the project to determine which practices were most successful in reducing predation on Manitoba farms.  

We discuss what “deadstock composting” is, the benefits of this practice and why the scavenging of dead animals is an open invitation for predators to visit the farm time and time again, which can lead to the predation of live animals.  

Deadstock composting is being trialed at MBFI.  Listeners who are interested in viewing the deadstock composting set up are welcome to stop at MBFI to take a tour.  

As mentioned in the show, the Manitoba Beef Producers Annual Meeting will include a report on this project.  The AGM is held in February each year. The MBP also host district meetings every Fall across the province, please visit the MBP website for updates on dates and locations as these decisions are finalized. 

There are many partners who are collaborating on this project with Manitoba Beef Producers.  For a complete list of these partners and to find out more information about the project itself, please visit:

https://mbbeef.ca/producers/

To contact Ray directly to discuss predation in your area, or the risk management practices, please contact him at:

[email protected]

Phone/Text: 204-768-0010

We encourage you to follow MBFI on social media, or visit the website for more information on project findings and results, upcoming events and more!

Instagram: @MBBeefandForage

Facebook: @MBBeefandForage

Twitter: @MBBeefandForage

Website: www.mbfi.ca 

Email address: [email protected] 

The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, as well as the partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA).