From the Desk of the Executive Director |
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In my mind, the uncontested biggest walk away win of our 2020 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference was bringing top-notch and well-respected keynote speakers: Diana Rodgers, Nicole Masters, Mark Shepard and Ryan Boyd to speak to and engage with our MFGA producer, sponsor and partner network. Through their words and supported by excellent moderators and knowledgeable panels, we shone a bright light on regenerative agriculture practices, the importance of cattle in diet, water management, grazing systems and more for an entire month. And there were more highlights as well:
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- At the end of the four nights of our 2020 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference we had webcast 9.15 hours to 996 attendees via attendances of 217, 262, 252 and 265 on each Thursday night in November.
- We launched our sparkling-new MFGA Regen Ag Video and by the end of the conference, it had been viewed on our newly-minted MFGA Youtube channel more than 250 times, by this morning, approaching 300 views.
- On the last two nights of our events, chat dialogues had exceeded 100 inputs each night - often from delegates watching outside our provincial borders.
- By the start of our last night webcast, 789 people had signed up.
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We had fun. We had frustrations. We had glitches and we had home runs. We received kudos and complaints, positive and negative feedback. We had media hits at the start and at the end and hopefully more are being written and looked into. Our social media and website were current and popping. We benefited greatly from the expertise of Howling Pro audio/visual.
As a team, We planned like crazy, thinking out things like waiving registration fees as far back as July and what that might look like. Then we worked as board members and staff to deliver our most important event for the most important people in our network: our producer members and network, our corporate supporters, our project partners, and our government leaders and colleagues.
At the end of the day, Covid-19 put us online. I'd like to think MFGA answered that challenge and at the end of the day, we did our best. People like to say everything happens for a reason. And maybe rallying together for a month in these strange times, learning and interacting with each other, respecting each other, encouraging each other and networking with each other on an interest we all share via regenerative agriculture practices and all the people around it was a welcome break from the awful beast on our collective doorsteps. Thank you all for that.
We look forward to our 2021 Regenerative Agriculture Conference, held November 15,16, 17, 2021 in whatever format that may be. Stay well all.
Muchos Grasses,
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director
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Boyd closes out 2020 MFGA Regenerative Ag Conference |
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On Nov 26, Ryan Boyd, MFGA board member and 2019 Nuffield Scholar, used the backdrop of his Nuffield Scholarship research tour to bring ideas around grazing ruminants on prairie farms. Boyd’s talk was fortified by a Made-in-Manitoba producer panel of Brett McRae, Nick Cowan and Brian Harper and moderated by MFGA’s Arron Nerbas. This was the final session of the 2020 MFGA Regen Ag Conference, as part of MFGA's month-long celebration of Regenerative Agriculture in Manitoba. You can find the full videos on our Regen Ag Resource page. If you would like to show support for what we do here at MFGA, please become a MFGA member and/or donate in any amount.
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Western Manitoba Producers Boost Soil Health via Conservation Trust Cover Crop Project
Shaun Cory knows that when it comes to farming, Mother Nature bats last. That’s why the Wawanesa-area farmer was quick to sign up for a Manitoba Conservation Trust-funded project led by Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) on cover crops across three Watershed Districts in western Manitoba. Read the full MFGA Media Release here.
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Cover Crop Success
Without question, the interest in cover crops for soil health benefits is growing across Manitoba. Back in 1996 when Manitoba had a thriving sugar beet industry, the sole purpose of a cover crop for the most part was to protect the bare, erosion-prone land from the wind. Read on...
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Hay Situation & Price Update
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MFGA video celebrates Regenerative Agriculture
MFGA producers explain what regenerative agriculture means to them, their families, the environment and the organization in this beautifully-filmed video.
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TESA applications accepted until Dec 4
Since 1996, The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) has recognized producers who go above and beyond standard industry conservation practices and set positive examples for other cattle producers and the general public. Applications are being accepted until December 4. Further details here.
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BMP applications deadline: December 4
The provincial government is reopening applications for beneficial management practices (BMP) funding under Ag Action Manitoba. Approved projects must be completed between April 1, 2021 and November 2021. BMP descriptions and application forms on available funding found here.
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Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve documentary
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Landowner & Cattle Producer Values Towards Grasslands and Avian Species at Risk in Southwestern Manitoba Research Paper
This project was undertaken to better understand the perspectives and values of the landowners and beef producers who steward grasslands in southwestern Manitoba. Read the full research paper here.
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CALA loan program available for farmers and ag cooperatives
The Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program ( CALA) is designed to help farmers innovate and expand their operations. CALA can assist wit: land purchase; building construction or improvements; farm equipment purchases; livestock breeding; and more. Incentives offered for beginning and start-up farmers. Find out more details by calling 1-866-367-8506.
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World Soil Day is coming up on Sat 5 December!
World Soil Day has been celebrated annually since 2014 as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources. The Food and Agriculture Organization has created a thematic website full of information, initiatives and material to spread the message.
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Industry Events
Forage Focus Conference - Dec 1-3, 2020 Virtually
Ontario Forage Council's Forage Focus Conference is offering one webinar per day for three days during the first week of December. Presentations are CEU accredited. Further details here.
Agricultural Excellence Conference - December 8-10, 2020 Virtually
AgEx is dedicated to bringing farm management enthusiasts together to build their business acumen. This year's theme, Prosperity with Purpose, is about taking a proactive approach to farm business management - to build the confidence and underlying capacity to weather any storm and seize opportunities, positioning the farm for continued success. The conference runs daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm ET every day. Registration is free - go here.
25th Annual Fields on Wheels Conference - December 11, 2020
The theme is “Celebrating Achievement and Building Resilience in Agricultural Food Systems” and will take the form of a FREE webinar from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Details and registration here.
Manitoba Beef Producer's 42nd Annual General Meeting - Feb 11, 2021
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We are proud to showcase our 2020/21 Annual Supporters!
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