MFGA eBulletin - December 2022 |
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From the Desk of the Executive Director |
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Tis the season to be jolly…..at conferences!!! What a run, congrats to the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba for another great conference event this week and thank you to the Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) annual conference organizers and MAW Board for the inclusion of Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association’s Aquanty Forecasting Tool at the podium and for your excellent conference - also held this week. Having lead scientist Steven Frey from Aquanty as a co-presenter really helped showcase the incredible potential of this Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Agri-Risk Initiatives funded project, especially at the producer level. We are exactly where we need to be on this exciting project with beta-testing feedback from stakeholders really shaping the design and abilities of this tool.
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I'd really like to take this opportunity to congratulate MAW staff and the hard-working delivery agents at the individual Watershed Districts for their leadership on two major files: the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) funded by AAFC’s On Farm Climate Action Fund as well as AAFC, MAW, Manitoba Agricultue and a raft of partners and stakeholders on the Eastern Prairies Living Labs. MFGA has been very fortunate to work closely with leaders on both projects and it is indeed a privilege to be part of such major projects in Manitoba that are led, delivered and supported by Manitoba and Prairie regional groups and researchers around Manitoba farm lands.
From a water management front, and in direct relation to MFGA Aquanty Forecasting Tool, the afore-mentioned cutting edge forecasting tool that circles water, soil and the powers of natural areas such as grasslands and wetlands, on behalf of MFGA, I would also like to re-iterate MFGA’s congratulations to Premier Heather Stefanson and Hon Jeff Wharton (centre), Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks and their staff for their recent Province of Manitoba water strategy unveiling. Lawrence Knockaert (right), MFGA chair, and I had the pleasure of meeting with Minister Wharton and senior staff this week, where we enjoyed a productive chat around our synergies and mapped out future collaborations and opportunities.
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And finally, MFGA would like to acknowledge and thank two well-respected professionals who retired from their positions in 2022: Tim Sopuck (Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC)) and Dori Gingera-Beauchemin (Deputy Minister, Manitoba Agriculture). MFGA congratulates both Tim and Dori on their outstanding careers. The guidance and expertise that each brought to any and all conversations was always vital and always doubly appreciated. Enjoy your days ahead to both, well-deserved indeed.
We look forward to working with MHHC CEO Stephen Carlyle on MHHC files and with Manitoba Agriculture’s recently announced Deputy Minister Brenda DeSerrano on behalf of all producers in our MFGA network around healthy agriculture lands and sustainable and profitable farms that continue to provide incredible natural benefits to society.
Muchos Grasses ALL,
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director
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MFGA 2023 Board Executive
Fresh on the heels of a successful Annual General Meeting in November 2022, MFGA is proud to announce our executive for 2023:
Lawrence Knockaert, Bruxelles, MB, (Chair) Dairy Farmers of MB (confirmed);
Mike Duguid, Camp Morton, MB (Vice-Chair), MB Beef Producers (confirmed);
Andrea Hamilton/Zack Koscielny (co-finance chairs), Producer Representatives (*pending approval next meeting)
2023 MFGA Board
Shauna Breault, Ste Rose, MB; Sean Smith, Clanwilliam, MB; Amber McNish, Lyleton, MB; Zack Koscielny, Strathclair, MB; Arron Nerbas, Shellmouth, MB; Chelsi Malach, Hartney, MB; Peter Tokar, Swan River, MB; Guy Bouchard, Vita, MB (nominated: pending approval next meeting).
Appointed Commodity Group or Associations/Members
Designate representative to be advised, MB Sheep Association;
Jacques Saquet, Laurier, MB, Manitoba Bison Association.
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Hay you! Check out these hay-related resources
- Don't forget to contact your local Manitoba Agriculture and MASC Service Centre at 1-844-769-6224 to list or look for hay, straw or alternative feeds for sale on the hay listing service.
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Industry Events
StockTalk Webinars - Monthly, Dec 8, 2022 until April 13, 2023
Covering a variety of Beef and Forage topics such as: Beef Cattle Nutrition: Cow and Backgrounder Rations; Cow/calf and Backgrounding Cost of Production; Beef and Forage Week Highlights; Cattle Market 2022 Update; Ask the Vet: Bull Soundness; Bull Selection & Forage and Pasture Management & more. Register here.
Western Canada Soil Health & Grazing Conference - Dec 13-15, 2022, Edmonton, Ab
Two great conferences come together: Western Canada Conference on Soil Health & Western Canadian Grazing Conference, titled "Soil & Grazing: Biology Not Geology"and held at the Double Tree Hilton. Full conference details here.
2022 Sustainable Animal Protein Summit – Dec 15, 2022, Winnipeg, Mb
The first Sustainable Animal Protein Summit hosted by Manitoba Agriculture on December 15, 2022 in Winnipeg. Contact mbproteinadvantage@gov.mb.ca with any questions.
U of M's Annual Fields on Wheels Conference - Dec 15, 2022, Virtual
The pandemic has disrupted supply chains worldwide. Learn more about this disruption at this FREE webinar, bringing together experts in agricultural supply chains to address the current and pending issues affecting agricultural transportation. More info.
Grey Bruce Farmer's Week (GBFW) - Jan 4-10, 2023, Elmwood, On
GBFW is run by a small committee of producers with a mandate to provide agricultural education to our communities. More information about the conference here.
Austin Beef and Forage Day - Jan 11, 2023, Austin, Mb
For more information, call the Manitoba Agriculture office in Portage at 204-239-3353 about this event and others in Rosa (Jan 12), Eriksdale (Jan 10) and Grandview (Jan 10).
Manitoba Ag Days - Jan 17-19, 2023, Brandon, Mb
Back to in-person, this annual event is an exposition of agricultural production expertise, technology, and equipment that attracts exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and the United States of America. Held at the Keystone Centre. Details here.
Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds Annual Conference - Jan 31 to Feb 1, 2023, Saskatoon, Sk
This year's conference will be filled with diverse speakers from varying backgrounds and perspectives speaking about water and agriculture. Watch the SAW website for details.
44th MBP Annual General Meeting - Feb 2-3, 2023, Winnipeg, Mb
Held at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre in Winnipeg, the Manitoba Beef Producer's AGM will feature topical breakout sessions, panel discussions, resolutions debate, and an opportunity to interact with our fellow beef producers, other members of the value chain, and government officials. Watch for details here.
MWAF AgChats - March 27, 2023, 7-8 pm CT, Virtual
Manitoba Women in Agriculture & Food (MWAF) Topic: VC Investment & Financing Question & Answer: Controlling the Conversation.
Speaker: Dr. Ellen Farrell, professor at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University specializing in venture capital and entrepreneurship. Visit the MWAF website.
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 Presentations deadline is August 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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