MFGA eBulletin - April 2023 |
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photo credit: Nerbas Bros. Angus |
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From the Desk of the Executive Director |
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Farmers helping farmers.
That is the whole premise behind opening our MFGA Aquanty Forecasting Tool for free usage for farmers and land managers in the Assiniboine River Basin and the Pembina/Plum Watersheds of the Red River Basin during the spring thaw of 2023. With our user fee/subscription packages still being worked on going forward, the farmers that lead MFGA did not want to park our Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Canadian Agricultural Program-funded fully-functioning forecasting tool on the sidelines when it could be in use by those that could benefit during the high waters of spring thaw.
As a caveat, the tool probably won't help much in times when excess water has breached stream banks or is cascading over frozen ground across fields. However, as the system moves the water through and resumes some semblance of normalcy, the information to farmers and land managers around stream flow, soil moisture, groundwater and ponding on surface depressions will be invaluable. Another benefit of the forecasting tool is the ability to check up-to-date satellite imagery for field updates, which definitely will be of interest in stream bank breaches and with the glut of water pushing through in some areas.
We know technology can be a barrier for some farmers and we are hosting a Webinar April 27 with Pembina Valley Watershed District led by experts from Aquanty to walk all through the tool and demonstrate how it might help you and your farm. We will record the session and post it on our website as well. For those going direct to MFGA.net to access the tool, as you follow the links, you will have to sign up to use the tool. There is no credit card asked for and no charges or fees. It is free and open to all at this time.
While we are on the topic of water and bolstered with what we know about the importance of farms – including healthy soils, the retention of natural infrastructure such as grasslands and wetlands, and the progressions and increasing want of farmers to engage in regenerative ag practices and BMPs that benefit water conservation, quality and quantity – let's give a shout out to the Governments of Canada and Manitoba who recently announced $221 million for strategic agricultural initiatives in Manitoba under the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).
Add in two thumbs-up for the recent federal government announcement supported by he Manitoba government that the new Canada Water Agency will be located in Winnipeg. While the details are worked out, on the surface, this has great potential to help shift some of the narrative – supported by potential research on a farm by farm and ag-landscape basis – from some of the negatives around agriculture to the bolstering and championing of on-farm practices that have positive potential around water stewardship and other ecological goods and services that farms provide to society.
For all of us, the importance of our water resource is paramount and absolutely non-negotiable. With all stripes of farmers – grain, dairy, beef, sheep, bison, mixed farms and other – embracing regen ag/soil health and BMPs via programs such as the AAFC On Farm Climate Action Fund’s Prairie Watersheds Climate Project led by Manitoba Association of Watersheds and leading-edge tools like the MFGA Aquanty Model and Forecasting Tool and the programming of S-CAP and the potential research of the Canada Water Agency and other still-to-be-announced projects like Eastern Prairies Living Labs, these next five years may very well be the window we look back on in later times as game-changing for our water resources and the great work farmers are doing on that front.
Muchos Grasses ALL,
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director
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MFGA Forecasting Tool Free for all during spring thaw
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MFGA's Regen Ag Conference continues to put forward world-class line-up around regenerative ag in Manitoba, Prairies and Northern Great Plains
With world-class keynotes such as Brendon Rockey and Dr. Jonathan Lundgren of Blue Dasher Farms/Ecdysis Foundation at the podium, we are thrilled with the quality of keynote speakers scheduled to date for the sixth annual 2023 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference to be held November 13-15, 2023 at the Victoria Inn and Conference Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. Other speakers scheduled so far include Paul Galpern of the University of Calgary who will detail his work on pollinators and prairie landscapes; Ian Steppler, who many will be familiar with from his work with Manitoba Beekeepers Association; and Derek and Tanis Axten, who are awesome speakers and valuable additions to our conference as showcased by the way they farm in Saskatchewan.
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Farmers and communities in Pembina Valley Watershed to benefit from high tech water planning tool thanks to RBC
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Conservation Trust and GRoW Trusts announce 2023-24 projects
MFGA staunchly believes the Manitoba Conservation Trust and Growing Outcomes in Watersheds (GRoW) Trust are shining Made-in-Manitoba gems for farms, watershed districts and conservation groups alike.
For the first time since being one of four original signature projects in the very first year of the Manitoba Conservation Trust at the gorgeous Kirkella Pasture Project near Virden, Mb, MFGA did not apply to lead any new projects.
Our four-year CT project around marginal areas with Ducks Unlimited’s Brandon Manitoba office concluded successfully and DU Manitoba have decided to move onto new CT partnerships. We wish DU Manitoba best in their new CT endeavours and thank them for their project leadership and engagement over the past four years.
MFGA remains activated in the second year of a two-year cover crop/soil health project with three watershed districts: Assiniboine West, Central Assiniboine and Souris River that are progressing really well into Year Two.
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Producers: It's not too late to sign up your field for Green Gold! Get a MFGA hat or shirt when you do so!
We currently have room for more fields to participate in the 2023 MFGA Green Gold Program. The hay fields we seek should be mostly alfalfa, fairly new, and in good condition for testing through the May, June growing season until the first cut. There is no cost to you, and this year, to show our appreciation to program participants, we are also providing a MFGA hat or shirt! View the Sampling Checklist.
For those interested in the results only, sign up to receive twice-weekly Green Gold Reports during May and June at no cost to you! Contact Green Gold Program Coordinator Terra Bergen, terra@mfga.net.
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Reason to use MFGA Green Gold: First Cutting Can Make or Break a Season
In a recent Hay and Forage Grower article, it was pointed out that first cutting separates itself as a time that often defines the hay or haylage harvest season. The MFGA Green Gold Program helps producers identify that optimum first cut! One of the unique advantages of harvesting forage is that desired forage quality can largely be attained by manipulating the time of cutting. Read on...
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Starting Point for Grass Production
Air temperature is the main environmental factor that determines the rate of grass development. The temperature or heat units that a plant needs to produce a leaf can be expressed in growing degree days (GDD). Read on...
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How to Determine the Value of Pasture Rent
Pasture land is highly variable across the province and across farms. Check out these Manitoba Agriculture resources.
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2023 Guide to Field Crop Protection online
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Sustainable CAP agreement signed with Manitoba & Canada
The Governments of Canada and Manitoba recently announced $221 million for strategic agricultural initiatives in Manitoba under the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). The Manitoba government has launched a suite of programs under the Sustainable CAP framework that will help the sector reach its full potential by expanding business opportunities, investing in sustainable practices throughout the sector, and strengthening resiliency of the entire food chain. More information here.
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MFGA sponsors 2023 Western Manitoba Science Fair: Students send thanks! |
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Job Posting: E-Learning Coordinator for Young Agrarians
Young Agrarians is seeking someone who loves creating and delivering online education, is process-orientated, enjoys working on a computer, and understands farming to fill their position of E-Learning Coordinator. Info here.
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MWAF's Laura Lazo nominated for Canadian Immigrant Award
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GreenPAC is inviting applications for the next GreenPAC Parliamentary Internship for the Environment. Special spots are secured for young leaders from the prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) with an interest and background in agriculture, running from September 2023 to June 2024. No political experience or university degree required. Application deadline May 3. More info here.
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AgriStability application deadline April 30
AgriStability is a margin based program that protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income for reasons such as production loss, increased costs and market conditions. Use the AgriStability Benefit Estimator to help you understand how the program works and to calculate an estimated benefit. More info here.
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Industry Events
Covering New Ground: Prairie Cover Crops Research - Thursday May 4, 2023, virtual
The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Seminar Series 2022-23 presents a virtual conversation, 3:30 - 4:30 pm. This event will be live-streamed on the Faculty’s YouTube channel and recorded for later viewing. EVENT LINK.
The XXV International Grasslands Congress - May 14-19, 2023, Covington, KY USA
Back to the Field: Tame Pasture and Forest Health - May 30 -31, 2023, Tisdale & Nipawin, Mb area
Back by popular demand, save the date for this SRM-PPC event. Details to follow. Questions: amanda.muller@usask.ca.
Mb Sustainable Protein Research Symposium - June 20, 2023, 9am-4pm CT
This 3rd annual event will feature plenary speakers, presentations on current protein research, and numerous opportunities for networking. Registration will open soon. Contact: mbprotein@umanitoba.ca.
2023 MFGA Regen Ag Conference - Nov 13-15, 2023, Brandon, MB
Well-known regenerative agriculture experts Brandon Rockey and Dr. Jonathan Lundgren of Blue Dasher Farms lead our 2023 keynote speakers. Mark your calendar for this 2.5 day event and stay tuned here for more details!
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Our 2023/24 Annual Supporter Campaign is on now!
Join these 2022/23 leaders who are some of the best of the best in the agriculture and conservation communities - sign up here!
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