An update from VBP+ Alberta

With the cows home and a bit of a lull before calving starts, there’s no better time to catch up on some opportunities with the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program.

Applications are still open for the Alberta VBP+ Incentive. Thanks to $1.9 million in funding for VBP+ through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), this initiative allows eligible cattle producers to apply for rebates to help fund adoption of best management practices on the farm. Approved projects are funded at a rate of 50 per cent, up to a maximum of $2,500 for the training stream and $5,000 for the audited stream.

Producers can receive funding for more than one project provided they do not exceed the maximum amount for their stream during the program term (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028). If an operation receives the maximum $2,500 for the training stream and then completes the VBP+ on-farm assessment process, they would then become eligible for another $2,500 in funding.

At this time, the incentive is not available to secondary operations if the primary operation they are certified under has applied. For example, if an operation runs two herds under the separate ownership of parents and children, but all management is the same, they may choose to pursue a primary certification in the parents’ name, and an additional certification linked to it under the child’s name. If the parent has applied for the Alberta VBP+ Incentive, the linked child’s operation is not currently eligible to apply.

If you are not yet trained in the VBP+ program or it has been a while since you took the VBP+ training, now is an excellent time of year to brush up on best management practices.

VBP+ 2.0 training is available online through the Canadian Cattle Learning Centre. An enrolment key is available to waive the cost of the training. If you are interested, reach out to Alberta VBP+ Technician Cale Place at calep@albertabeef.org.

There are changes coming to the Health of Animals Act which will impact beef producers in the year ahead. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will require producers to report any movement of cattle within a period of seven days, instead of the current 30. In addition, movements of livestock between premises will now need to be reported. This requirement will include movements to livestock shows, community pastures, and assembly points like auction marts. Cattle moved onto pastures owned or leased by the same producer with no other commingled cattle will not need to be reported.

Producers are encouraged to read about the coming changes to the Act in the Canada Gazette. To help support producers in adjusting to increased administrative requirements, the VBP+ Incentive program funds RFID tag readers and data management software programs. In addition to advancing their animal movement record-keeping, producers are encouraged to review the biosecurity best management practices in the VBP+ training and producer manual to help do their part in preventing the introduction of a pathogen like foot-and-mouth disease to Canada.

This was first published in Volume 5 Issue 4 of ABP Magazine (Winter 2025). Watch for more digital content from the magazine on ABP Daily.