It’s still dry out there and we remain concerned around MFGA. MFGA chair Larry Wegner said the rains from last week seem a distant memory in his Virden area. Larry keeps close tabs on the conditions and the markets and he’s not too comfortable these days on activity on either front. MFGA is meeting regularly with the Manitoba Minister of Agriculture Resource Development Blaine Pedersen, Deputy Minister Dori Gingera-Beauchemin, senior provincial government officials and the executive from Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) around the ongoing dry conditions and how we can accelerate updates, information and promote programs to producers. We are very grateful to be at the table and to be part of such important discussions. More information is listed below.

As well, many people had a very important role in the Growing Forward–funded MFGA Phase 1 project that wrapped up in 2018 and was needed to successfully build this super exciting Phase 2. The MFGA Aquanty Model Phase 1 is fully operational and is being used to regularly run scenarios in key agricultural settings and places like Oak River and Whitewater Lake. The combination of the two projects gives MFGA and our partners a very powerful tool to look at numerous levels of water movement across some of the world’s most productive agricultural lands and the role and benefits of forages, grasslands and wetlands in water and land management.

In recent years, extreme weather events continue to create challenges for Manitoba farmers. The Government of Canada is working with the agricultural sector to equip farmers with tools they need to proactively manage and mitigate risks associated with these events, including a recent announcement to provide 1.1M in funding to Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association's (MFGA's) Aquanty Project.

Read the full Government of Canada Media Release.

Lock down your calendar right now for our 2021 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference, Water for Generations, held in Brandon, MB, November 15-17, 2021. Details continue to unfold - but what we do know is you won’t want to miss our fourth annual event!!!! We have announced our six top-notch keynote speakers including Walter Jehne, Pablo Etcheberry, Blake Vince, Kim Cornish and others! Producer panels local experts will hash over all the great insights of the keynotes including a super exciting panel comprised of Manitoba-based regenerative agriculture dairy producers. Watch for registration details early into July 2021.

Read the final 2021 MFGA Green Gold Report.

The first two weeks of June saw significant rainfall amounts across most of the province. This much needed moisture helped improve hay and pasture fields however fields continue to show the effects of lack of moisture with forage yields reported in the 50 to 70 per cent normal range and pastures requiring additional moisture to continue supporting summer grazing. Read on...

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association’s Green Gold Program looks at the optimum time to harvest alfalfa for first cut – an important process because the difference between good quality and lower quality alfalfa is timing. Stage of growth at harvest is crucial when you are targeting various groups of cattle for that first cut. When feeding dairy cows in early lactation you may be targeting the early bud stage, but if you are feeding mature beef cows then mid to late flowering may better suit your needs. Read on...

As a result of challenging weather and growing seasons that producers have faced over recent years, MFGA launched a Hay Relief page that includes information on hay listings, drought related resources, and available assistance including these recent announcements from the governments of Canada and Manitoba.

• Province advises Crown Lands Available for Haying by Livestock Producers

• Governments Provide Livestock Producers with Funding Options to Address Dry Conditions on Pasture

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are advising that livestock producers who have been affected by dry conditions on pasture in Manitoba can apply for funding to support water source development under Ag Action Manitoba. Funding is provided through the Managing Livestock Access to Riparian Areas beneficial management practice (BMP) under Ag Action Manitoba – Assurance. Application deadline is September 1. Eligible items include: water source development – constructing new or rehabilitating existing wells or dugouts; solar, wind or grid-powered alternative watering systems; permanent fencing to restrict livestock access to surface water and dugouts; and permanent pipeline development.

• Access a comprehensive list of MARD's services and program available to producers affected by dry conditions here.

Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) increased the maximum coverage level for their 2021 Hail Insurance program to $300 per acre on most crops. MASC AgriInsurance contract holders can sign up by phone, email, mail, fax, or online through myMASC. For more information about hail insurance, go here. MASC would also like to remind producers that the deadline to submit Seeded Acreage Reports is June 30.

May 29, 2021 - Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) are conducting a survey to better understand the use of technology in Canada's agri-food sector and the labour market implications of new tech.

As part of a 2019 Canadian Nuffield Agricultural Scholarship, MFGA board member Ryan Boyd has completed his international study and compiled his learnings in a report titled 'Grazing Ruminants: A Long-Term Solution to Agriculture Profitability, Productivity and Climate Change'.

Read the full news release here.

The University of Manitoba in collaboration with the National Farmers Union is looking for farmers who are willing to photo-document their farming practices over the course of the season. Contact Evan, evan.bowness@umanitoba.ca, (204) 990-3364, 

Since 1996, The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) has been awarded annually at the provincial and national level to recognize cattle producers’ leadership in conservation. Nominees and applicants are selected based on their stewardship practices, accomplishments and goals.Deadline to receive nominations: December 3, 2021. Application package here.

The provincial government announced that Cleanfarms Inc. will operate Manitoba's provincially regulated agricultural plastics stewardship program. Producers will be able to drop off permitted materials, such as grain bags and plastic baler twine, at designated collection sites throughout the province Read the full provincial News Release here.

Introduction to Holistic Management - Oct 4-Nov 8, 2021, Mondays

Live online classes, recorded for later viewing, from 6:00-7:30pm MST. Discover how to manage your farm or ranch for the triple bottom line (social, environmental, and financial sustainability). Learn how to improve your ability to observe, understand, and make decisions through our Holistic Goal Setting and Decision Testing Framework. Scholarships available. Register by Oct 4 here.

Lock down your calendar right now for our 2021 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference, held November 15-17, 2021. The theme is Water for Generations and we have secured a number of top-notch keynote speakers and producer panels including international, national and local experts, all of them focusing on regenerative agriculture and the great potential of working with the land to help improve your farm operations and the health of your farm lands.

AgEx is the only event in Canada dedicated exclusively to bringing farm management enthusiasts together to build their business acumen. This year's theme, The Challenge of Change, is about acknowledging that change can be difficult and also provide immense opportunity - learning how to confront change with confidence is the key. Conference-goers will come away from AgEx equipped with the information, tools and practical skills to prosper change. Register here.

A two-day conference, tradeshow and organic ingredients event that strives to help farmers increase their understanding of the science of organic agriculture while providing practical farmer-tested solutions to improve the economic and environmental health of the farm ecosystem. More here.

We are proud to showcase our 2021/22 Annual Supporters! 

Join these leaders who are some of the best of the best in the agriculture and conservation communities - sign up here!