The Manitoba Beef Producers are encouraging farmers to take the time and fill out a survey on the future of Manitoba's Crown Lands.

The province is looking to modernize the system and is looking for feedback on the proposed renewal process for legacy forage leases and renewable permits on agricultural Crown lands. 

General Manager Carson Callum explains the province has sought to make changes since 2019.

"There was definite concern by the Manitoba Beef Producers, and many of our members that hold a lot of these Crown Land leases for grazing or cropping purposes. So, following that announcement, the government announced they would be making some amendments to it, and that's really what this consultation is related to."

Manitoba Beef Producers will provide a formal submission as well, and pledge to keep advocating for changes that beef producers would like to see made.

One of the proposed amendments that Callum takes issue with is a hike in the rental fee after a period of frozen prices for Crown Lands.

"We feel if they're going to enact this rental rate increase, It should have a transitionary period, at least where folks can get used to it, or budget for it. A lot of these producers that utilize a great deal of Crown Land, it's a good percentage of their operation. So, they need to be able to budget for that rent increase, and we feel that a longer transition is needed."

He adds the increase doesn't sit right with them, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where farmers have already struggled.

Carson says the more people who take the time to fill out the survey, the merrier.

"The provincial government needs to see feedback to be able to make any changes to a given to any regulation. So, the more voices we can get attached to it and ensure that we have those numbers is important to ensure the regulation is going to be workable and equitable for producers."

You can find the survey here.