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MFGA eBulletin - June 2020
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From the Desk of MFGA Executive Director
It's June and that means it's graduation time. And while the strangeness of the pandemic has rippled through plans for well-deserved grad celebrations, there is still the achievement of the student and the pride of the parents and family that will never buckle under these strange times. Congratulations to all graduates and their proud families. Well done!
As we eclipse halfway mark of June, once again, our MFGA Green Gold Program has come and gone as longtime MFGA program leader John McGregor helmed another successful year of first-cut-alfalfa timing. This marks Year 25 for John with the program and our hearty thanks and congratulations to John for another season of good work for MFGA and on the producer's behalf. Watch for a final MFGA Green Gold report in near future.
Further on the MFGA front, something that really struck me recently was the rapidly escalating level of collaboration among Manitoba agriculture groups and organizations. Earlier this month, Kristen Phillips of Manitoba Ag Days facilitated an online gathering for a group of agriculture and government interests to talk about how we are all rolling out or hosting our 2020 events and how we might help each other. It was extremely valuable, including the generosity of some groups to share producer insights around how they feel about attending events. Anyway you dice it, it is exemplary community spirit among the groups in these strange times. Of course our primary interest is in what our 2020 Regenerative Agriculture Conference will look like and walking up this new steep event-planning learning curve with other groups is reassuring and informative.
Meanwhile, this week, MFGA hosted a first-ever-toe-in-the-water-gathering of a group of our like-minded producer network, organizations, marketers, funders, research and conservation interests around how we all might further the Made-in-Manitoba Regenerative Agriculture brand we are establishing via the work we are all doing and to discuss the potential design of a value chain where we all can work together and simultaneously build our province's profile and drumbeat. It was a first meeting and it was online with all the tech glitches and pauses that come with that. But, we started as individuals and we finished as a group and that's a valuable first step on any path.
Muchos grasses,
Duncan Morrison,
MFGA Executive Director
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN - HOLD YOUR SPOT!
On paper, MFGA's 3rd Annual Regenerative Ag Conference looks AWESOME for 2020. Still five months away, and unsure what our conference will look like we salute these organizations who are helping to make it happen with their recent support of MFGA and the MFGA Regen Ag Conference: Dairy Farmers of Manitoba, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation. These groups join others that have previously stepped forward by providing support and their commitment is incredibly appreciated. We offer that opportunity to support MFGA to you as well. You can guarantee your seat for the conference with a non-refundable $50 MFGA 2021 Membership Fee. No matter what format of conference we hold, our 2021 MFGA members are vital to our organization.
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MFGA Registers Natural Hat Trick of Manitoba Conservation Trust Projects 2020
Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association (MFGA) received fantastic news from Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen and the Province of Manitoba's Conservation Trust recent announcement with official notice that three MFGA-led projects had received approval. "We are ecstatic with this news becoming official and we want to thank the Province of Manitoba, Premier Brian Pallister and Manitoba Agriculture Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen for giving the opportunity for groups like MFGA to deliver on agriculture-conservation-based projects that are designed to benefit wildlife and producers via the environmental and economic pillars of each Conservation Trust project," said Larry Wegner, MFGA Chair.
Listen to the full Golden West Radio interview
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When to Make First Spring Cut of Alfalfa, Grass and Mixed Alfalfa/Grass Hay
High quality hay differs for each farmer.
MFGA's Green Gold Program has 25 years of helping to guide interested producers to determine their best first cut date based on the relative feed value of the clipped alfalfa plants. While pure alfalfa makes desirable dairy hay, beef cattle require a less rich feed and can do just as well with quality grass or grass/legume hay. When you decide to cut really depends on yield and nutritional requirements.
Read on...
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IISD wants Producer Feedback around Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs)
The
International Institute of Sustainable Development is looking for Manitoba producer feedback around beneficial management practices (BMPs) on farms. This survey is a key component of the Eastern Prairie Living Laboratories Initiative led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Manitoba Association of Watersheds. In return for the time spent submitting this survey, producers can enter into a prize draw to win a $200 Walmart Gift Certificate. We really appreciate your input.
The survey will be open until July 31.
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Canadian Regenerative Farm Map - Survey
Regeneration Canada is developing an interactive map of regenerative farms across Canada. Still in the research and development phase, they are seeking input to design the map and ensure it is as useful as possible for communities and that it achieves their goal of helping advance regenerative land management in Canada.
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Forage U-Pick: A New Interactive Forage Species Selection Tool For Western Canada
Forage U-Pick is a tool designed to provide users with information for forage selection, forage seeding rates, and weed management. Forage U-Pick can help you find the forage species that are best-suited to your field, and your end use. Forages Suited to My Field allows you to choose your province, your soil zone or a regional zone and then starts with a list of forage species that are suited to your selected zone.
Read more.
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Manitoba Women in Agriculture and Food job postings (BMPs)
Manitoba Women in Agriculture and Food has developed a career page with over 60 opportunities open to those looking for careers in the industry. The service is free for anyone seeking employees for the duration of the pandemic.
Access the page here.
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WLPIP - Calf Extension to June 18
The Western Livestock Price Insurance program provides Manitoba cattle and hog producers with insurance policies that reflect market volatility. Producers can sign up for free with no obligation to purchase a policy. There are a range of coverage options available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to best suit individual livestock operations. The deadline to purchase calf price insurance has been
extended to June 18, 2020. Be enrolled, be ready. Visit
www.wlpip.ca.
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Prevention of Pasture Bloat in Cattle Grazing Alfalfa Introduction
Alfalfa is recognized as one of the most nutritious forages available and is widely used as conserved forage (ex, hay, silage) in the diets of beef and dairy cattle. However, the utilization of alfalfa by grazing beef cattle has been limited due to its propensity to cause pasture bloat.
Continue reading the Manitoba Ag & Resource Development article here.
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TESA Applications Due to MBP December 4
Manitoba Beef Producers is accepting applications for Manitoba's Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) until Friday, December 4, 2020. Each TESA nominee exemplifies significant innovation and attention to a wide range of environmental stewardship aspects of their farm operation.
Details found on MBP's website.
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Manitoba Farm Safety Program Tip
If the chemicals you usually use, such as pesticides or disinfectants, require the use of specific masks or gloves that you cannot obtain at this time, talk to your supplier about alternative products that do the same job but have less risk and require less PPE.
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Producer Events & News
The Crop Diagnostics School -
July 2020 - virtual
The Crop Diagnostics School is going virtual in 2020 and is designed to refine the diagnostic skills of agronomists and producers involved in field scouting and assessing crop health. This event is organized by Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development and the University of Manitoba. Dates & fees to be determined. CCA and CCS Consultant credits available!
Watch the CFGA website for details.
Plan to participate in this 3rd annual event! Held at the Victoria Inn Convention Centre, Brandon MB. Watch
MFGA.NET for more details and follow MFGA social media for updated conference details: t:
@mbforages, f:
@manitobaforage, i:
mbforage.
Date, venue and hotel details being confirmed, check the website for updates!
Saskatchewan Forage Council co-hosts this event, with speakers including regenerative agriculture pioneer Gabe Brown and Dr. Abbey Wick, one of North America's leading soil scientists. Save the dates and watch for updates over the next few months! Details to follow.
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We are proud to showcase our 2020/21 Annual Supporters!
MFGA PLATINUM SUPPORTERS
MFGA GOLD SUPPORTERS
MFGA SILVER SUPPORTERS
MFGA BRONZE SUPPORTERS
MFGA PROJECT PARTNERS
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