By Alice McFarlane

Two Manitoba Agricultural Services offices to reopen

Jan 24, 2025 | 11:21 AM

The Manitoba government is responding to requests from the agricultural sector and opening two service centres in the western part of the province.

The Manitoba Agricultural Services Centres will be located in Shoal Lake and Virden, providing access to Agrinsurance, hail insurance, wildlife damage compensation, agricultural loans, and pathfinding services for programs offered by Manitoba Agriculture and other programs administered by MASC. Each new location will be staffed with four full-time employees and one casual employee.

A number of agricultural organizations had been asking the province to open new MASC Service Centres after 21 Manitoba Agriculture and MASC offices were closed across the province.

Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said where the previous government ended services, they’re bringing them back.

“We heard from producers loud and clear that they wanted the in-person service they used to enjoy,” he said. “These new service centres will also help MASC staff to further build relationships with producers, allowing them to better anticipate and respond to their individual needs.”

On your toes

Melfort Fire Department kept busy on Friday

20h ago

Road conditions sketchy

Travel not recommended in Melfort area as highway conditions worsen

Jan 24, 2025

Overdose statement

SHA, Ministry of Health issue statements after overdoses in Kelvington

Jan 24, 2025

To determine where new service centres would have the greatest impact, MASC undertook a service delivery review that analyzed client satisfaction survey results and distance to access in-person services as well as existing service centre client volumes and staff-to-client ratios.

Approximately 1,600 MASC clients will benefit from the addition of two new service centres and roughly 94 per cent of MASC clients will be within a 60-minute drive to a MASC Service Centre, an increase from 83 per cent.

Keystone Agricultural Producers President Jill Verwey said they were pleased to see the government listened to farmers.

“Manitoba farmers have been clear in their desire to have access to more in-person services through MASC,” Verwey said

Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) President Matthew Atkinson said cattle producers see value in the work being done by MASC and many like to have the option to sit down across the table from their staff to have in-depth discussions about programs and services.

“MBP had been advocating for there to be more service centres so that our members can access MASC services closer to home and we thank the provincial government for fulfilling its commitment to open two new offices,” Atkinson said.

It’s anticipated the additional service centres will be open by the end of summer. Precise opening dates and accompanying details will be shared with clients in the coming months.

–

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW