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MFGA eBulletin - October 2019
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From the Desk of MFGA Executive Director
MFGA is full of respect for all Manitoba producers - including many within our own MFGA Board ranks and producer networks - as they wrap-up, endure, finalize, or collectively curse as they wait to conclude Harvest 2019. Most certainly, the 2019 harvest will be remembered with frustration around the extreme weather challenges from dry growing conditions to concern over shortages of livestock feed to the incredible amount of fall season precipitation to the widespread loss of power from the hydro blackouts. But yet, with challenge always comes the determination and resilience that producers are well-known for as producers and rural communities continuously bond together in the face of tough times. One great example of that bond is the ongoing conversations and interactions between grain producers and livestock producers around the feed shortage that many livestock producers are dealing with and grain producers are helping alleviate in some areas.
From the well-being of our rural community perspective, MFGA would like to acknowledge and thank Manitoba Hydro for their all-out and prolonged effort dealing with the catastrophic snow event, toppled trees and towers, and resulting power outages across the province over Thanksgiving weekend and onward. Thank you, crews and leaders!
And finally, it will be great to see you all at the MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Forum, response has been amazing. Check out the November 19 details below. It's going to be a blast!
Muchos grasses,
Duncan Morrison,
MFGA Executive Director
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Register for the MFGA Regen Ag Forum's November 19 Panel Night!
The November 20 Workshop is sold-out with a waiting list, however we are offering an expanded registration for the
November 19 Panel Night, held at the Victoria Inn, Brandon, MB. Admission for November 19 only is $50 per person and includes your 2020 MFGA membership. Come early and catch the MFGA AGM
PANEL NIGHT SCHEDULE:
5:00 PM MFGA AGM
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Delegates Welcome:
Duncan Morrison, MFGA: outcomes, fun, learning
Panel Night Master of Ceremonies:
Ryan Boyd, MFGA
*draft agenda as of October 29, 2019. Subject to change/additions.
Format: Moderator will introduce topic and questions to the panel. MC will have input throughout event. There will be time set aside for questions from crowd plus time for networking later in the evening.
Panel Topics:
Panel 1: Regenerative Agriculture:
Some of the top Regen Ag producers and experts in Manitoba will talk about experiences, trends and operations. Confirmed: Kristelle Harper (Moderator, MFGA), Brooks White, Matt Van Steelandt, Arron Nerbas, Michael Thiele (General Mills/Ducks Unlimited Canada Grazing Clubs), Scott Wolfe (Fresh Hemp Foods Ltd)
Panel 2: Carbon and Manitoba Grasslands: Producers and experts including some from the CFGA's Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Program underway in Manitoba talk about the importance of grasslands, why they farm the way they do, producer preparations for times ahead (offsets, Resiliency) and what we learned from Manitoba fields in 2019. Confirmed: Dr. Mary-Jane Orr
(Moderator, MBFI), Producers: Ryan Canart,
Dr. Allan Preston, Jonathan Bouw, Larry Wegner, Carson Callum (MBP)
Panel 3: Research:
Focus on Regen Ag and resiliency. Quantifying the results and the processes from the researcher lens, the role of research to producers, land managers and producer groups, gaps and needs. Confirmed: Pam Iwanchysko (Moderator: Mb AG), Dr. Emma McGeough (U of MB), Dr. Steven Frey (Aquanty), Dr. Aaron Glenn (AFFC)
What we heard: Ryan Boyd, MFGA: 5-10 minute summary
Remainder of evening: FUN AND NETWORKING....cash bar, Manitoba social-style snacks!
TO REGISTER for the Regen Ag Forum Nov 19 Panel Night, email denice@mfga.net
ASAP.
MFGA Regen Ag Forum & DUC Grazing Club Event team up for producers
For the second year in a row, MFGA has teamed up with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) Grazing Clubs to showcase our MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Forum speakers to as many Manitoba producers as possible, giving southwest Manitoba a collaborative and spirited Regenerative Ag week vibe. "An Afternoon with Jay Fuhrer & Dr. Dwayne Beck"- two of the keynote speakers at the sold-out MFGA Regen Ag Workshop on Nov 20 - will be headlining a DUC Grazing Club event held at the
Victoria Inn, November 19, 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Along with General Mills, DUC Grazing Clubs has stepped up as a Regenerative Agriculture Champion level sponsorship for the 2019 MFGA event.
TO REGISTER for this afternoon event and to provide your questions for Jay and Dwayne, contact: Michael Thiele, 204-365-6334 (cell), mthiele567@gmail.com.
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MFGA members: MFGA Bylaw changes/updates for 2019
MFGA continues to pursue organizational efficiency and sustainability via a constant look at how we are doing business and where we can improve our business. In accordance with the corporate structure and bylaws requirements, MFGA is pleased to provide MFGA members with notice of
changes/updates to our bylaws before they are voted on at the MFGA AGM 2019, November 19, 2019.
p. 6 - 7.02 b
p. 6 - 7.02 d(v) addition of the words respective organizations,
p. 7 - 7.04 c
p. 9 Removal of old Article XI - Duties of Officers
p. 9 Article XI - previously XII - updated on Standing Committees - listing and removal of Standing Committees Duties and Responsibilities.
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Thanks Former Ministers, Welcome New Ministers
MFGA would like to extend a sincere thank-you to Hon. Ralph Eichler and Hon. Rochelle Squires for their dedicated and hard work as the former Minister of Agriculture and the former Minister of Sustainable Development respectively and wish both best in their newly assigned portfolios. MFGA would like to welcome Hon. Blaine Pederson, MLA for Midland, as Minister of the Department of Agriculture and Resource Development, an expanded department focused on agriculture and natural resources, including watershed districts, GROW programming, forestry, mining, fish and wildlife management. MFGA also welcomes Hon. Sarah Guillemard, MLA for Fort Richmond, Minister for the new Department of Conservation and Climate, a single department charged with environmental and climate stewardship. The department is responsible for ensuring responsible growth including delivery of the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan and Efficiency Manitoba. MFGA looks forward to many positive conversations with you both and your department's staff as your new roles accelerate and our paths increasingly cross.
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Joint Forage Association media release during federal election promotes Northern Great Plains and CFGA's Grassland Protocol
Canada's national election 2019 recently focused on campaign plane usage and carbon offsets. However, say leaders from Canada's forage and grassland associations, the candidates should be focusing more on Canada's northern great plains, home of some of the most periled and threatened ecosystems in the world.
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MFGA Hay Relief Report #5
The MFGA Hay Relief Report is a service for producers provided by MFGA to help producers keep tabs on feed shortages caused by 2018 & 2019 weather challenges across the province. Our fifth report is now available. The bulk of the content in these reports is compiled by John McGregor, MFGA's extension specialist with special thanks to Manitoba Agriculture's Pam Iwanchysko, and Tim Clarke and to Curt Bossuyt, Nutreco for their assistance compiling this information. MFGA has also been working with Manitoba Beef Producers, Manitoba Agriculture and Keystone Agricultural Producers as part of the Alternative Feed Strategy Working Group to help producers during these challenging times.
View MFGA Hay Relief Report - Hay Situation & Price Update #5.
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Managing Late Harvested Corn Silage
Manitoba continues to deal with and experience above-average moisture conditions making corn and hay harvest extremely difficult. With about 50 per cent of the corn silage crop off, producers who have yet to complete their corn silage could experience problems. For every day that corn goes uncut, the crop continues to mature and corn plants are drying out. Waiting for conditions to improve may be the only option and it's important to know what may happen to the quality of your corn silage and how it may be managed.
Read on...
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Managing Hay Fields
Many hay producers were hoping for a final cut of forage this fall. However, hay producers must make sure their hayfields are dry enough to support their equipment before they try to get out on them. The loss of quality in one cutting, even the complete loss of the value of one cutting, is less than ruining a forage stand for the remainder of its productive life by running equipment on ground that is still too soft, especially if it's a younger stand. So what to do is really easy to say, but super hard to practice right now - just be patient. Take the long look and wait until the field is dry enough to support the equipment without damaging the forage stand.
Read on...
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The Manitoba Protein Advantage
Manitoba Agriculture launched a new protein section on its website to inform stakeholders about the progress and opportunities surrounding the Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy. This new section communicates Manitoba's advantages related to investment attraction, access to quality protein sources (including commodity specific profiles) and the expertise in protein innovation offered by research agencies and academic institutions.
Check it out!
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Mental health and support services
Given the challenging harvest season, we want to encourage all farmers and producers to reach out and take care of their mental health. Manitoba Farm, Rural and Northern Support Services is available Monday to Friday, 10am to 9pm at 1-866-367-3276 or online at supportline.ca/farm. After hours support is available at 1-888-322-3019. Staff on the line have professional training in mental health support and have farm experience. Services are confidential and designed to provide immediate assistance for those in crisis or those looking for someone to talk to.
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Farm Safety Tip
In extremely wet conditions, there is a high risk of getting stuck. Remember that when pulling out equipment it is best to use a recovery strap or rope. Visit the
Manitoba Farm Safety Program website for other tips to help stay safe when extracting stuck equipment.
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Producer Events & News
The Manitoba Farm Safety Program is hosting this workshop, geared towards anyone who works with cattle (farm owner, farm workers, and farm families). Participants will learn how low stress cattle handling benefits animal welfare and worker safety, how to assess and improve the safety of cattle handling facilities, and how to improve communication within your team to increase efficiency and lower stress. Bring CSA approved safety footwear (if you want the opportunity to interact with cattle). Cost: $35 (includes a beef-on-a-bun lunch and coffee break).
Join the celebration to recognize Open Farm Day Host Sites at the Canad Inns Portage la Prairie. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.
Are you ready to take your forage & grassland production to the next level? Attend the "Canadian Forage Production School, Eastern Edition", offering farmers tools, information, advice, tips and tricks to make the most of their forage and grassland management and production. Held at the Four Points by Sheraton Moncton.
Theme: Getting the most out of every acre through Cover Cropping. Check out the latest science and learn how other producers are making cover crops work for them.
Location: Keystone Centre.
Nov 15 Workshop: Learn how to formulate rations for your entire flock; Nov 16 - Symposium & AGM: Join us for another great day of presentations on Nutrition and other sheep production topics and be a part of the MSA AGM.
Arrive early for the MFGA Regen Ag Forum and spend an afternoon with keynote speakers Jay Fuhrer & Dr. Dwayne Beck. Held from 1-4 at the Victoria Inn, producers should bring questions for Jay and Dwayne. For details and to register, go here.
Join in on
MFGA's Annual Fall Celebration at this 1.5 day event:
Tuesday, Nov 19 (evening): MFGA 2019 AGM & MFGA PRODUCER PANEL, Victoria Inn
Wednesday, Nov 20 (all day) SOLD OUT: REGEN AG WORKSHOP & TRADE SHOW, Mb Ag Extension Centre.
Registration open for Nov 19 Panel Night only: $50, includes MFGA Membership. Contact denice@mfga.net.
The Manitoba Conservation Districts Association will be holding their watersheds conference December 2-4 at Canad Inns Polo Park around the theme of "Change & Opportunity". To buy tickets, click here.
Held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, the annual three-day event showcases agriculture production expertise, technology and equipment and attracts exhibitors and visitors from across North America.
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Muchos Grasses to our 2019/20 MFGA Supporters!
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MFGA GOLD SUPPORTERS
MFGA SILVER SUPPORTERS
MFGA BRONZE SUPPORTERS
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