MFGA eBulletin - SEPTEMBER 2021 |
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From the Desk of the Executive Director |
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We have been receiving a lot of calls, emails and various forms of outreach around our 2021 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference November 15-17, 2021. Led by our MFGA Regenerative Ag Conference committee, MFGA board members and staff, we have tried to plan around numerous possible scenarios, each one looking at the same key questions:
1. Can we design an agenda that includes world-class speakers, Made-in Manitoba/Prairie based producer panels and host some form of an excellent tradeshow to help our conference supporters showcase their services and products?
Answer: YES. Our designed agenda is awesome with incredible keynotes. Super exciting. The panels are filling out super nicely, including a session on regenerative agriculture in the dairy sector. And our tradeshow is looking very good too.
2. Can we present the 2021 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture event to an in-person crowd?
Answer: Yes. Actually, this is our fourth year of hosting a conference and by adopting a hybrid/online format this year, we are actually delivering a different conference across each of the four years. Kind of one of those things you never saw coming. But four years later, we are not intimidated by any format challenges.
3. How can we pull this off?
Answer: Well. Actually, it is you that hold the key to that. MFGA (as the host organization) and the Victoria Inn Hotel and Conference Centre in Brandon (as the host venue) are mandated to follow provincial restrictions. At this time, the number of persons allowed within the venue will be reduced to half capacity (250 max). All delegates - including out of province visitors - will need to be double-vaccinated with proof of vaccination and wear a mask when not eating or drinking. We have hired Howling Pro Audio Visual once again to make sure that those in attendance and those online have the best experience possible via screens in-person for keynotes and the livestreaming of panels for the online viewers.
We are doing our best to keep momentum rolling for regenerative agriculture and the producers and supporters in the MFGA networks. By offering two different participation opportunities we feel we have tried to cover off everyone in these times that we are in. We really hope it works, for your best interests and of course, ours. Please register ASAP so we can keep planning the best event possible in whatever way you choose to participate. Thank you for your very valuable support.
On other timely things, MFGA would like to pass our congratulations on to the federal Members of Parliament (MPs) that retained or won their ridings in the recent election. As a non-profit group, our MFGA network includes elected officials and their staff that help us do the best work we can to benefit our MFGA farmers and producers. We do communicate with some federal elected members of parliament more than others, and on that note, we would like to pass our MFGA congratulations on to federal Liberal MPs: Marie-Claude Bibeau, Jonathan Wilkinson, Terry Duguid and Jim Carr as well as Conservative MPs: Dan Mazier, Larry Maguire, Candice Bergen and Lianne Rood.
Muchos Grasses,
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director
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MFGA Aquanty Model Research Paper published in well-respected hydrology journal: MARD-funded project confirms the importance of grasslands and wetlands buffering climatic extremes
New research by Aquanty staff (including Dr. Steve Frey) that utilizes the MFGA Aquanty Model completed in 2018 via AAFC AgriRisk and Province of Manitoba funding seeks to quantify the impact that agricultural development has had on the hydrologic system of the Oak River Watershed. This paper is the first time that the 1D channel flow formulation has been reported in the literature for watershed scale modeling with HGS, and also introduces a new numerical formulation for spatially variable rill (depressional) storage. Read the full article.
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AgriRecovery Drought Assistance Programs Webinar
Do you have questions about AgriRecovery drought assistance programs for the livestock sector? Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development, Manitoba Beef Producers, Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association and KAP recently hosted a webinar explaining programs to support livestock producers. Watch it here.
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ON FARM THOUGHTS: Planned Recovery from Drought
September Blog by Larry Wegner, MFGA Chair
For those of us that ranch and run livestock herds in the Northern Great Plains this is the 2021 drought that we have endured this year. MFGA Chair Larry Wegner shares his thoughts on the necessary recovery to get back to status quo. Read the full September Blog.
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Annual MFGA Regen Ag Conference embraces on-farm mentorships
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September Hay Situation & Price Update
August 9-10 saw our first significant rainfall event since mid June with the majority of the province receiving 20-40 mm of rain. Since then we have continued to receive significant precipitation thru to the first week of September. Read on...
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Canola as a forage crop
The rain in early August combined with warm temperature likely lead to the re-growth in canola that we are seeing now. Read on...
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When to take last cut using Growing Degree Days
Recent rains across Manitoba have pastures and hay fields greening up. With forage supplies extremely tight alfalfa fields that have started to grow and are tall enough to cut have many producers considering whethre they should take a final cut this fall. Read on...
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Need a Quick Smile? Visit the MFGA Farm Dog Days of August |
photo: Andrea Hamilton and her dog Gremlin
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HayWest 2021 now shipping hay
Canadian Federation of Agriculture's (CFA) HayWest 2021 organizers have announced that hay will now be shipped out by rail and truck trailers to recipients who will be chosen from the HayWest 2021 database. The process is as follows:
- CFA will contact those selected to receive hay and advise of date of arrival and content of load
- Recipients must be able to receive and unload a flatbed trailer
- Payment will be made to CFA at the rate of 10 cents per pound
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Important MASC Deadline on the Horizon
September 30 is MASC’s deadline to file claims for Forage Restoration, Select Hay Insurance, Basic Hay Insurance, Harvest Flood Option, Enhanced Quality Option, and Greenfeed. Contact your ARD and MASC Service Centre to ensure your claim is filed on time.
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Conservation Trust/MBFI/NCC all seeking to fill employment positions
- Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives is hiring a full time (one year term) Beef Research Technician. View the job description here. Submit cover letter and resume to: admin@mbfi.ca
- Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC) Manitoba region is offering a 19-month Conservation Planning Coordinator position, to co-lead and coordinate NCC and ECCC’s work on the Southwest Manitoba Mixed-grass Prairie Priority Places Planning initiative. Details here.
- Conservation Trust seeks to fill two positions: A new Grants Associate to support Trust granting, based out of either Brandon or Winnipeg; A new Administrative Assistant to support the Program Delivery staff, based out of Brandon. Visit their site.
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2021-22 BCRC Research Mentorship Announcement
The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) announced the participants in the 2021-22 Beef Researcher Mentorship program. Following an open application process, four researchers from across Canada have been selected. The BCRC Beef Researcher Mentorship Program provides opportunity for new researchers to be paired with two mentors that are relevant to their career as well as a travel budget to attend industry events. Go here for more details.
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DFM offering donation opportunity in lieu of annual golf tournament
Dairy Farmers of Manitoba’s (DFM) 2021 golf tournament is cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In lieu of the event, DFM will once again donate to the tournament’s benefitting charities – Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba (CHFM) and the University of Manitoba Dairy Science Bursary. Click here to donate.
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Industry Events
Environmental Farm Plan Workshops - Sept to Nov 2021, virtual
Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) are an essential part of every farm operation. These workshops will guide producers through the EFP workbook to help assess and identify the environmental assets and risks on their farm operations, and develop an action plan to address the identified risks. Workbooks and support material included. Details and registration here.
Outcomes and Practices in Regenerative Ag - Sept 28, 2021, 1pm EST
As the Regenerative Agriculture popularity grows, so does the need for shared, widely-accepted ways of measuring and validating the outcomes and practices involved. At this webinar offered by Holistic Management, learn about three different approaches currently being developed to serve the regenerative movement. Details here.
Economics of Soil Health on 100 Farms - Sept 30, 2021, 12pm EST
Wayne Honeycutt, CEO & President of the Soil Health Institute (SHI) will present this study of farmers who have successfully implemented soil health systems, reported the economic and productivity benefits they achieved through improving soil health. Registration is free, go here.
Nerbas Bros Angus Grazing Tour - Thursday, Oct 7, 2021, 1:30-3:30pm
Join in on the FALL 2021 REGEN AG GRAZING TOUR at Nerbas Bros. Angus
To register, contact Michael Thiele, DUC Grazing Club Coordinator: Call (text) 204-365-6334 or email mthiele567@gmail.com.
Talk, Ask, Listen workshop - Oct 8, 2021, 10am to 2:30pm
KAP is hosting a virtual Talk, Ask, Listen workshop and will provide participants with a base understanding of mental health and mental illness as well as practical strategies they can implement in their daily lives in terms of supporting others and their own mental wellbeing. Click here to learn more and register.
MWAF AgChats - 4th Monday, Sep to Nov, 7-8pm
Manitoba Women in Agriculture (MWAF) offers AgChats, an online networking place for men & women. Held on the 4th Monday of each month, 7-8 PM CT. More info here.
Courage, Confidence and Resilience: Facing and Embracing Change - Oct 5, 2021, 12-1 pm CT
How can we face situations realistically and adapt with confidence in the choices we make? Attend MWAF’s webinar and gain the skills to embrace change with confidence and resilience. Register here.
Introduction to Holistic Management - Oct 4-Nov 8, 2021, Mondays
Discover how to manage your farm or ranch for the triple bottom line (social, environmental, and financial sustainability). Learn our Holistic Goal Setting and Decision Testing Framework. Scholarships available. Register by Oct 4 here.
MFGA 2021 Regen Ag Conference - Nov 15-17, 2021, Brandon, Mb
Lock down your calendar right now for our 2021 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference, held November 15-17, 2021, Victoria Inn, Brandon, MB. 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 helping us all understand the great potential of working with the land to help improve your farm operations and the health of your farm lands. Registration is open - register now!!
Agricultural Excellence Conference - Nov 24-26, 2021, Virtual
This year's Ag Ex Conference 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.
2021 Mb Watersheds Annual Conference - Dec 6-8, 2021, Brandon, Mb
Registration is open for the 2021 Manitoba Watersheds Annual Conference which will be hosted in-person at the Keystone Centre in Brandon Manitoba. This year’s theme Coming Together, Celebrating Success focuses on bringing environmentally passionate people together and giving them the opportunity to share, learn and educate one another on issues that matter, and that have a direct, and positive impact in communities throughout Manitoba. Details or to register found here.
Manitoba Ag Days - Jan 18-20, 2022, Brandon, Mb
Don't miss this three-day annual event, held in-person at the Keystone Center. Details found here.
Prairie Organics: Think Whole Farm 2022 Conference - Feb 8-9, 2022, Keystone Centre, Brandon, Mb
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.
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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!
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