That is why we believe the Manitoba Grazing Exchange (MGE) that we are launching with Manitoba Organic Alliance and funded by the Manitoba Conservation Trust is promising as a connector. Based on a model operating in South Dakota - www.sdgrazingexchange.com/ - the project is open to all grain and livestock producers in the province regardless of the way they choose to farm. New things always take time to develop, the MGE is no exception. It will be as good as farmers and agriculture groups promoting it can make it. But the potential is huge and we know the model we are basing our platform on works in South Dakota.

There were cool things on the regional forage association front this week as well as MFGA joined our western-based forage association colleagues for a strategic planning discussion hosted by the Alberta Forage Information Network (AFIN). AFIN are in the midst of creating their own refreshed and updated strategic plan and invited MFGA, British Columbia Forage Council and Saskatchewan Forage Council to the meeting to present our respective approaches. The collaboration, enthusiasm and team spirit among the regional forage associations of Western Canada is evident and we thank AFIN for the invite and look forward to our continued dialogues.

Minister Piwinuk’s appointment is very interesting, given we know the Minister has spent time in Assiniboine River Basin Initiative (ARBI) meetings that have included natural infrastructure discussions around wetlands and grasslands. These ARBI meetings have also included presentations on MFGA Aquanty Model which has such huge potential as a planning tool around water movement, wetlands and grasslands. The ability of these natural-based systems to help buffer the intense weather events that often batter roads, culverts and man-made infrastructure is increasingly being incorporated into planning discussions and efforts around the world.

Read the MFGA Media Release.

Read the Mb Cooperator article.

Hon. Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau: Helping drought-stricken cattle producers bounce back and beyond

It’s been a tough year for many cattle producers in Western Canada who have suffered through the worst drought in 70 years. Last summer, The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau is Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food visited some of the hard-hit regions of the Prairies during the peak of the drought to see the sun-scorched fields and meet farm families forced to send the majority of their breeding herds to market, selling genetics developed over generations at a fraction of their worth. Read the full Canadian Cattlemen article.

As we begin the year, hay supplies throughout Manitoba are reported as tight. The record setting low temperatures in late December and early January are pressuring already tight inventories, despite the extended fall grazing and early arrangements to grow and/or acquire additional feed. With feed supplies tight and the 90-day outlook of below normal temperatures, acquiring additional feeds may be difficult. Read the full MFGA Report here.

More reports found on the MFGA Hay Relief page.

Manitoba has experienced drought in 2003, 2012, 2018, 2019 and 2021. So now the question becomes: Will 2022 be another year with dry conditions? Comparing moisture conditions in the fall of 2021 to the same period in 2020, there was a 20 percent increase. What we do know is that this year’s crop will be very dependent on additional moisture during the winter and spring period. The forage crop will be extremely dependent on timely rains during the summer period if we have any hope of replenishing forage inventories. Read on...

After calving, the cow is producing milk for her calf as well as preparing her reproductive system to rebreed. As a result, her energy requirements increase about 30 percent and protein needs nearly double after calving. Underfeeding reduces the amount of milk a cow provides her calf, and it can delay or even prevent rebreeding. If it gets cold or wet during this period, nutrient demands can sky-rocket. Read on...

Read Larry's full blog.

Listen to Larry's CBC interview (Jan 10).

For many beef producers across Canada, the past year was challenging because of environmental conditions. Many producers experienced and continue to withstand extreme weather, which is testing their production and profit potentials, but also their mental resolve and financial resilience. Read the full BCRC article.

“As our world continues to hurtle toward a more uncertain future thanks to climate change, farmers and consumers keep searching for more sustainable food options. One product showing some hope? A perennial grain called Kernza.

Here in Manitoba, leading-edge research is being led by University of Manitoba/MFGA board member Dr. Emma McGeough, U of M’s Dr. Doug Cattani and others evaluating the perennial grain intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) as a dual-purpose crop - to provide both a cash food grain crop and high quality forage regrowth for grazing cattle into the late fall and early winter. Learn more: https://mfga.net/perennial-grains-project.

Grazing heifers on intermediate wheatgrass regrowth following grain harvest, Glenlea Research Station, University of Manitoba, Oct 2021. In this multi institution project, 2022 will determine the impact of grazing on crop performance, soil processes and potential economic return.

Recently, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of $495,000 for the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement (CCSI) to enable stakeholders to work together to increase innovation and resiliency in Canada’s sheep and goat industries. Read the full Government of Canada Media Release.

Young Agrarians and their network of exceptional mentor farmers are offering advanced, hands-on apprenticeships in regenerative agriculture in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Apply soon, the deadline is January 31st. 

Find out more and apply here.

The Manitoba government’s agricultural Crown land lease and permit auctions will be held online beginning Monday, Jan. 31. Potential bidders are encouraged to become informed prior to the auction by researching the parcels and units of interest and becoming familiar with lease or permit obligations. A number of agricultural Crown land parcels will be available to rent for haying, grazing or cropping. Details here.

The AgriRecovery drought assistance programs, including Herd Management, Livestock Feed and Transportation, and Livestock Transportation offers many tools and resources to help producers make management decisions for crops and livestock in response to the dry conditions, including the Herd Management Drought Assistance Factsheet.

Feed additives and premixes, including molasses based products, vitamins, minerals, and oils and fats, are now eligible for feed purchase and transportation assistance. The change is retroactive to June 1, 2021. The change is identified on the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance web page.

The Young Farmer Rebate (YFR) assists young and beginning farmers to develop or expand their farming operations. As an eligible young farmer, the YFR gives you an annual rebate of up to 2% on the first $200,000 of your total loan principal, and is available in each year of a loan's first five years. For details on rates, eligibility, financing and more, go here.

Manitoba Agriculture is advising dollar values for many crops insured in Manitoba are mostly higher than the previous year and have reached record levels in many cases, Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced. Total AgriInsurance coverage for 2022 is expected to exceed $4.66 billion on 9.8 million acres. This means the average coverage is estimated at $463 per acre, compared to $321 per acre in 2021. This substantial increase in coverage reflects the expectation of continued strength in commodity prices into the 2022 crop year. Read the full Government of Manitoba News Release.

As Manitoba is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases, MASC would like to remind you that there are many non-contact options available for connecting with MASC team members. You can phone, email, schedule a virtual appointment, use your myMASC account, mail, fax, drop-off, or courier documentation. If an in-person meeting is required, scheduled appointments are preferred. This allows MASC staff to ensure a sanitized, designated meeting space is available and it gives us the opportunity to contact you should the appointment need to be re-scheduled. While we’re doing our utmost to maintain a healthy work environment for both employees and clients, with much uncertainty on the current COVID-19 transmission rates please be aware that our operations may be impacted on short notice by reduced hours or availability of staff. 

SaskOrganics, Manitoba Organic Alliance, and Organic Alberta are teaming up to offer a mini-conference full of resources and creative ideas to improve your organic, grass fed, or regenerative livestock operation. Details here.

AAFC's The First Sixteen Podcasts - ONLINE

The First Sixteen is Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s new podcast series that explores the freshest ideas in agriculture and food. Each episode explores a single topic in depth—digging deep into new practices, innovative ideas, and their impacts on the industry. New episodes every two weeks. Go here.

Topic: Meet the Soil Regen Pros. Go here for details.

Closing the Loop: Re

University of Manitoba's Faculty of Agricutural and Food Sciences will host a session on Closing the Loop: Recycling Food Waste in Integrated Livestock Production Systems. Details here.

Cost & Registration: Pay-what-you-wish. Speakers, agenda, registration found here.

This two-day interactive online conference will focus on marketing, managing water on your farm, soil health and integrating livestock.Find out more or register here.

Register now for MBP's Virtual AGM. Registration and details on the MBP website.

The Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association’s (SSCA) Conference will be held in-person at the Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre. Details here.

Join FCC on Canada’s Agriculture Day for a virtual conference that will explore the path toward a resilient, vibrant and innovative Canadian vision for the agriculture and food industry. Held 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Eastern. Register by February 21.

MWAF AgChat: Speaker Carlie Whetter, 4-H Canada Chair

Manitoba Women in Agriculture and Food (MWAF) AgChat is a monthly virtual networking event for everyone in the sector. Details here.

The Assiniboine River Basin Initiative (ARBI) 2022 Conference! The format will be offered via a virtual platform. Check for details and registration info on the ARBI website.

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!