MFGA eBulletin - June 2022 |
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From the Desk of the Executive Director |
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Like so many in our Prairie-based agriculture community and networks, MFGA is bewildered by Health Canada’s proposed regulations that would require ground beef sold in stores to carry a “high in” saturated fat warning label. Please do go to dontlabelmybeef.ca and find out more.
Hard to believe it's mid-June already and sure enough….BOOM! Up went the sun and the heat started rising and so too did the alfalfa plants! MFGA’s Green Gold Program started later than usual due to the incredibly wet spring. But once things normalized a bit with warmer, sunnier weather, the alfalfa responded big time. Terra Bergen, MFGA Green Gold Coordinator, sent an announcement on June 16 of best days to cut for all three regions. Terra also advised this year’s alfalfa testing is complete and that results from the last day of testing - June 15 - will be sent yet this week. More details at https://mfga.net/green-gold-reports. Thank you to all involved, the farmers who provided their fields and clips and to all for monitoring our reports.
I have to circle around a couple more items with sincere MFGA thanks. First of all, thank you and MFGA best wishes to Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation’s Tim Sopuck who will be feted properly at a retirement dew later this month. While he will deflect our praise here, for many of the farmer-led groups such as MFGA, Tim has been the driving force behind the Conservation and Grow Trusts in Manitoba, which together represent an extremely valuable “Only-in-Manitoba” showcase of how agriculture and conservation can work hand in hand on win-win projects. Bravo, Tim!
And secondly, our robust thanks to the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Board of Directors and staff. MFGA came to you with probably the most creative, non-traditional and exciting MOU pitch for funding and project support than we have ever done before with any other group. And you listened to each pitch, suggested tweaks and adjustments that made it work even better, and now here we are. Overriding all, is the fact that the dairy farmers in Manitoba are farming in ways that better their lands and better their soils already.
And finally, our MFGA Aquanty Forecasting Tool continues to accelerate and we are moving rapidly into our Summer 2022 focus groups and farmer audiences stage of product development. MFGA is very pleased with the progress and ability of this tool, and we are very confident you will be too when we show it to you! Let us know if we can schedule a presentation or tutorial to your group, especially those within the Assiniboine River Basin.
Muchos Grasses,
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director
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2022 MFGA Regen Ag Conference registration opens soon!
Lock down your calendar right now for the 2022 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference, to be held November 14-15, 2022, Victoria Inn, Brandon, Mb. This 1.5 day event will feature North American keynote speakers, including Kara Kroeger and Fred Provenza, along with local producer panels, all focusing on regenerative agriculture and the great potential of profitable farm operations via your farm's soil, herds and learning more about the potential for human health benefits from soil-benefitting agriculture practices. Registration to open soon!
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Major USA Magazine features MFGA regenerative agriculture farmers: The Koscielny family’s Green Beach Farm and Food, Strathclair, MB
Zack Koscielny has only been in charge of livestock and crops for four years, but the freckled farmer has already become accustomed to successive dry spells, including one last year that put large swaths of the Canadian prairies in exceptional drought.
Then, this season, Manitoba was hit by a major spring blizzard and several Colorado lows that have caused flooding in the Red River Valley and brought unseasonably cold, damp weather that has delayed planting across the province.
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MFGA receives huge commitment from DFM for project and corporate support around soils, grasslands, farmers
A new funding arrangement will see Dairy Farmers of Manitoba (DFM) commit up to $100,000 for MFGA over the next two years via corporate and project support.
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Managing First Cut
Manitoba normally averages 3.5 inches of rain over 13 days in June. The challenge of getting 2-5 days of good drying weather in a row has made for a lot of changes in how producers put up their hay. Rainfall at any time following the cut can result in significant losses of dry matter and nutrients and when rain comes quicker than you have time to make hay, having a plan to minimize your hay exposure to rain may require a number of approaches so that your hay will be the best it can be.
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New Manitoba Grazing Exchange connects Grain Farmers and Livestock Producers
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DUC Properties up for Tender
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has a list of properties up for tender this year. View the list and all pertinent info here.
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New Forage Insurance Solution is Coming! - Sign Up Today and Have Your Say
With today's uncertainty, forage producers need better coverage than ever. Winnipeg-based AIRM Consulting Ltd is excited to join Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and other organizations such as MFGA to create a Usage-Based insurance solution that will provide the best protection possible to our Manitoba producers. We aim to strengthen the forage and livestock sectors through increased participation, facilitating to credit, reducing the negative impacts of climate change and investing in improved agricultural technology. Together we can work to improve the food and agricultural sector and make a lasting impact. Join us today to be part of the solution. Learn more.
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Manitoba Agriculture Creates Farm Management Tools and Resources
Manitoba Agriculture has created tools and resources for forage and livestock producers to help calculate farm management decisions. From calculating pasture rental rates to analyzing Agri-Insurance programs these tools assist in making farm management decisions. These tools can be found here:
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The final spring seeding deadline for many major crops is June 20. AgriInsurance contract holders who are unable to seed by June 20 due to wet conditions are eligible for Excess Moisture Insurance (EMI).
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Manitoba Government unveils new protein research strategy
Hon. Derek Johnson, Manitoba Agriculture Minister, recently announced a major step toward becoming a global leader in sustainable protein production by releasing the Manitoba Protein Research Strategy (MPRS).
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Annual Forages for Greenfeed, Silage and Grazing
To help manage the wet conditions and delayed seeding, livestock producers can grow annual forage crops that can be cut for silage, greenfeed or used for grazing.
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Nuffield Scholarship application deadline: June 30
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2021 Census of Agriculture: Ag Sector Driving Force in Economy
Data from the 2021 Census of Agriculture revealed that the agricultural sector continues to be a driving force in the Canadian economy and society with 189,874 farms, 262,455 farm operators and 242,052 paid employees. Articles and mapping tools found here.
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Industry Events
Saskatchewan Forage Council AGM - June 21, 2022, Clavet, Sk
To be held in conjunction with Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence Field Day. More info here.
Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference - June 21-22, 2022, Calgary, Ab
Canada's Farm Show - June 21-23, 2022. Regina, Sk
14th Advancing Women Conference West - June 21 - 22, 2022, Calgary, Ab
Registration is now open here.
MWAF: Money Matters for Your Ag and Food Business - Monday, June 27, Online
Join this discussion panel and learn all about the financial side of a business. Details here.
Souris River Watershed District AGM - July 6, 2022, Hartney, Mb
To attend the SRWD annual 2022 banquet, please contact either the Deloraine or Reston Watershed District office to purchase tickets. Details here.
International Bison Convention - July 12-15, 2022, Saskatoon, Sk
Ag in Motion - July 19-21, 2022, Langham, Sk
ARBI Summer Tour and Meeting: Aug 4-5, Esterhazy, Sak
Watch the Assiniboine River Basin Initiative (ARBI) website for more details.
Saskatchewan Pasture Tour - Aug 4, St Brieux Area, Mb
Have conversations with fellow producers on their management practices and discussions with industry specialists to help guide your forage decisions. Visit SFC's website. Mb Sheep Association Show & Sale - Aug 18-20, 2022, Minnedosa, Mb
Connect with fellow producers, shop for a new ram(s) or ewe(s). The show portion is on Aug 19, the sale on Aug 20. Entries due by July 15, 2022. Details and forms here.
MFGA 2022 Regen Ag Conference - Nov 14-15, 2022, Brandon, Mb
Our 1.5 day event will feature North American keynote speakers and local producer panels. We have announced our first two speakers, Kara Kroeger and Fred Provenza, with registration set to open in a few weeks. Watch for details on our site.
AgEx 2022 Conference - Nov 22-24, 2022, Canmore, AB
Western Canada Soil Health & Grazing Conference - Dec 13-15, 2022, Edmonton, Ab
The XXV International Grasslands Congress - May 14-19, 2023, Covington, KY USA
The theme is “Grasslands for Soil, Animal, and Human Health. A call for papers now through July 15, and producers should consider attending and taking part in Congress, pre-congress tours etc. Additional details here.
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We are proud to showcase our 2022/23 Annual Supporters!
Join these leaders who are some of the best of the best in the agriculture and conservation communities - sign up here!
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