I must say, after being super grateful to receive the incredible news that the On-Farm Climate Action Fund had been awarded in Manitoba and Saskatchewan by Hon. Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada department to a group led by Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW)s (MAW)– including MFGA – that I have been impressed by the organizational leadership of MAW – the project’s proponents.

1. MFGA corporate supporters: Thank you so much for your ongoing support as we head into 2022-23. We will definitely have more celebration with you all as we close off our campaign in the next few weeks.

2. Manitoba Conservation Trust:  As per the media release below, MFGA received awesome news once again from our CT Project applications. The Manitoba Conservation and Grow Trusts are amazing project generators, promoting healthy Manitoba ag lands for producers, wildlife and society. There are no other similar programs in Canada, not even remotely close. Bravo!

3. MFGA Green Gold Program: MFGA Green Gold is picking up steam again and looking for alfalfa producers in Manitoba. See more info below and contact our Green Gold coordinator Terra Bergen to participate.

4. MFGA Aquanty Forecasting Tool: Our MFGA Aquanty Forecasting Tool is right on schedule for focus groups this spring. With flood and drought forecasts arriving with a little more focus now, having this water and soil-based moisture forecasting tool in hand for next year will be an incredible asset for many producers.

5. Thanks to all sides and influencers on the resolve of the pending CP Rail dispute. Special thanks here in Manitoba to Keystone Agriculture Producers for keeping the issue front and center due to the incredible importance to our ag industry at so many intertwined levels.

MFGA is pleased to announce a three-headed consortium of 2022 MFGA Regen Ag Conference chairs to helm our annual event. Larry Wegner and Zack Koscielny have stepped up in dual roles as conference chairs representing the MFGA Board, while MFGA executive director Duncan Morrison will hold down the staff chair. The conference marks Larry’s final year on the MFGA Board while Zack accelerates his own MFGA term for super bright days on the MFGA Board ahead. The MFGA Regen Ag 2022 conference will be held November 14-15, 2022, over 1.5 days – so as to not conflict with our partners from Alberta and the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing event in December. Already, though, major steps have been taken to lock down excellent speakers and local panels the MFGA annual event has become well-regarded for. Watch for more news soon!

2022 Conservation Trust Announcement Includes Two Project Gems for MFGA

Two Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) Conservation Trust Projects were among the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation Board of Directors recent approval of $2.86 million in new grants to 20 projects delivered by 14 Manitoba-based conservation groups. The two MFGA-led projects announced were third-year project partnerships: one on a forage program targeting producers with Ducks Unlimited Canada and a cover crop program for soil health with three Manitoba Watershed Districts: Assiniboine West, Central Assiniboine and Souris River. Read the full MFGA Media Release here. Read the full MFGA Media Release here.

Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) organization is a successful recipient of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) On Farm Climate Action Fund Project. The MAW-led project, which was supported by 38 organizations throughout the region, will receive up to $40 million over the two-year project to be delivered throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan around three key farming practices that benefit climate resiliency in agriculture: rotational grazing, nitrogen management, and cover crops. Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) will be fully engaged in planning, outreach, mentorship, and producer engagement.

Read the full media release here.

Aquanty’s Steve Frey recently presented at the 2022 Southern Ontario Groundwater Open House to discuss latest work associated with the project for a fully integrated groundwater–surface-water model for southern Ontario. In his presentation, Steve highlights efforts to couple two watershed scale HydroGeoSphere models with the latest weather forecasts. Click here to watch the presentation.

Your support during the 2021/22 campaign was incredibly valuable for MFGA to promote the economic prosperity and environmental benefits of forages, grasslands, cover crops and healthy soils to benefit our forage and grassland producers, local communities and society. Consider renewing/signing up as a 2022/23 MFGA Supporter - your support allows us to do our best work! Starting at just $50, we offer five levels of support as well as bundling options (Annual + Conference Sponsorship). Details on Support Levels found here. Questions: denice@mfga.net.

Grazing season is just around the corner and with pastures recovering from extensive drought in 2021, there may be some consideration as to when and how cattle should be turned out on pasture this spring. How pastures were managed in 2021 and temperatures this spring will influence the rates grasses grow and pasture readiness. Read on...

Related Resource: MFGA Article: Deciding When to Graze

The graph in our January update forecasted Jan-March would see below normal temperatures. Unfortunately, this forecast was right on and the prolonged cold spell added considerable pressure to already tight feed supples with producers looking for additional sources to meet their livestock’s extra energy demands. Read on....

All MFGA Reports found on the MFGA Hay Relief page.

Forage U-Pick is an interactive tool for Western Canada producers intended to guide users with information for forage selection, forage seeding rates, and forage weed management. Get more details here. 

There are many tools and resources available on the Manitoba Agriculture website to help producers make management decisions for crops and livestock in response to the dry conditions. The AgriRecovery Drought Assistance Program includes:

- Herd Management Drought Assistance to offset the cost of replacing breeding animals, when culling is above normal because of winter feed shortages.

- Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance to purchase and test feed for eligible livestock, and assistance to transport purchased feed from distant locations. In addition, expenditures related to rentals of additional crop or pasture acres, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, hauling water, harvesting extra acres or hauling self-produced feed from distant locations are now eligible.

- Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance to offset freight expenses associated with moving livestock to alternate feed supply areas.

MASC YouTube – the main MASC channel where you will find all of MASC content

Attention livestock producers! The calf season for Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) is now open. Protect your bottom line from market price declines by purchasing calf policies. Livestock Price Insurance offers forward price coverage for calves you plan to market between September and February 2023. Choose from a range of coverage options every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The last day to purchase calf policies is June 9. Visit LPI.ca or call 1-844-782-5747 for program details.

Manitoba’s quest to become a global leader in the development and production of sustainable protein has gained further momentum through Project Accelerating Sustainable Protein Impact and Results (ASPIRE), an industry-led, concerted and co-ordinated team effort toward advancing the Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy, Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced. “This plan represents tremendous opportunity for our province’s industry and economic future,” said Johnson. “Our government appreciates the shared expertise that has led to this pivotal development.” For more information about Manitoba’s work in protein innovation, visit: www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/protein.

Topic: Why I am trying to do better and give back, chaired by William Greuel, Protein Industries Canada CEO. Bill will chat about crossing a professional threshold in his own career and 25 years of working in the agricultural sector. He will share stories of the people who were influential in his career and hopefully inspire others to do the same. More info here.

The big picture of Holistic Management and how to tie all your plans together for success will be the focus of this FREE webinar from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM MST. Register here.

Contact Ralph Corcoran 306-532-4778 for more info.

Souris River Watershed District (SRWD) is offering a workshop on Cover Crops, Reducing Inputs, Increasing Soil Organic Matter and Water Infiltration, Integrating Livestock on Cropland. Presenters included 3 local producers, Michael Thiele, Darren Maddess, Nick Cowan, Ted Unruh. More info here.

Save the Dates for our 5th Annual Regen Ag Conference! More details coming soon.

Mark your calendar! The topic is Soil Health & Grazing. Watch here for details.

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!