News from the Canadian Forage & Grassland Association
CFGA Welcomes AAFC Funding to Support Export of Canadian Forages
For Immediate Release
 
FREDERICTON, NB. (June 29, 2018) - The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is pleased with the federal funding announcement of $98,950 for the association for a project funded through the AgriMarketing program under the Growing Forward 2 agreement. Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced the investment yesterday in Fredericton alongside representatives of the forage sector.
 
The investment will help the forage sector increase export capacity and strengthen awareness of Canadian forage products to new and emerging markets. In addition to participating in international trade expos in the United States, the CFGA developed export readiness training for their members and developed strategies for emerging markets.
 
A further investment of $16,000 was provided to CFGA to hire a student intern under the Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative to help farmers integrate environmentally beneficial management practices into their crop planning.
 
"Our Government has a strong agenda for growth in agriculture and agri-food and is committed to supporting our farmers, young and old, with strategic investments and opportunities that expand growth, deliver prosperity and create well-paying middle class jobs," said MacAulay, who is conducting a 'Growing Canadian Agriculture' tour where he is meeting with farmers, processors and industry leaders, as well as participating in rural agricultural events across the country, to hear ideas on how to capture new growth opportunities for the agriculture sector.
 
"Canada's forage sector is the largest land-use type in Canadian agriculture and is exceptionally diverse, covering over 72-million acres coast to coast," said CFGA's executive director, Cedric MacLeod. "The forage sector generates an annual value of $5.09-billion as the backbone of the ruminant livestock sector, and serves an increasingly important role in feeding livestock around the world.
 
"Forage exporters from across the country are ramping up production to service growing markets in China, the Middle East, United States and Central America," he added. "AgriMarketing program funding provides an important cost-share for our industry partners to leverage their market growth activities around the world."

About Canadian Forage and Grassland Association
The CFGA provides a national voice for all Canadians who produce hay and forage products and for those whose production is dependent upon forage and grassland production. Their main role is to uphold the robust forage industry and realize the potential of the domestic and export forage market.
About Canadian Agricultural Partnership
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion investment by federal-provincial and territorial governments (FPT), which will strengthen the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector, ensuring continued innovation, growth and prosperity. The Partnership replaced Growing Forward 2 (2013-2018) in April 2018.
About Agricultural Youth Green Jobs
The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative was announced as a one year program in April of 2016 and then extended for 2 years for 2017-18 and 2018-19 for a total investment of $5.2 million. The initiative follows through on a Government of Canada commitment to help create good, well-paying jobs and to support young Canadians as they transition into the workforce.
Media Contact:
Trudy Kelly Forsythe
CFGA Communications
Phone: 506-832-0338
Email address: info@canadianfga.ca

  Canadian Forage & Grassland Association
STAY CONNECTED: