MFGA eBulletin - April 2024

Photo Credit: Nerbas Angus Bros.

From the Desk of the Executive Director

I’ve often said that working in the Agricultural Non-Governmental Non-Profit world is working in a marketplace of favours.

Especially, it seems, for a non-checkoff group such as MFGA that is fully reliant on raising funds and developing partnerships for organizational sustainability and prosperity that also walks our organization along the brand path that our MFGA board has declared a want and need to follow. As a small group, we rely on favours from others, and in return, as many partners rely on favours from MFGA.

These actions can be as simple as retweeting an “X”, or posting or cross-promoting something they did great on the “gram”. Or, exchanging trade show booths at events or brainstorming projects to propose…..and always finding ways where the interests of each group are showcased and finding that win-win.. Partnerships 101.

Sometimes it is a favour of greater significance such as our MFGA agreement to host a really cool interactive survey on Facebook Messenger around BMPs after being asked by our partners at Food Water Wellness Foundation and Nature United.. 

There’s a win for us for helping them. And a win for them via our help. 

Please do us a huge favour and check out the FWWF/NU survey on MFGA Facebook. Get your voice heard.

In other news, it appears as though recent rains have increased flood risk in certain areas across southern Manitoba and Prairies. For those of you in the Assiniboine River Basin and Pembina Valley Watershed, our farmer led MFGA Board wanted to make sure the MFGA Aquanty Forecasting Tool is available for your free use during Spring Thaw 2024 to scope out the waters coming your way or check out water crossing or pooling in your fields via the satellite view mechanism.

Please visit MFGA.net to learn more. Our MFGA thoughts are with all of you facing any potential Spring Thaw 2024 water challenges.

Muchos Grasses ALL,

Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director

Quick Hit Survey: Producer Perspectives and Different Management Practices

Nobody knows your farm operation better than you do. Here in Canada, the federal government and multinational food companies are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to support BMPs on Canadian farms. Your feedback and experience matter. Get your voice heard now by taking our 5 to 10 minute survey on Facebook Messenger.

When To Turn The Cows Out

Recent rains have led to lawn greening, indicating pastures will also green up, causing producers to be eager to release cattle on pasture. Read more.

NEW AG CROWN LAND REGULATORY PROCESSES NOW IN EFFECT 

2023 Ag Crown Land (ACL) regulatory changes came into effect January 1, 2024. You can now take advantage of new ACL program features, including nomination of new lease holders.

ACL clients can find information, forms, and other items related to the new policies and processes at the ACL website, or can contact their local ACL Farm Production Extension Specialist.

The new program features include:

· Nominations- legacy leaseholders for a Nomination Certificate used to nominate the next leaseholder, subject to the Treaty Land Entitlement and consultation assessment;

· Five year lease extensions- lease holders that complete and implement a forage management plan can extend modern leases by five years to up to 20 years total;

· Modern lease transfers- unlimited transfers of 15-year forage lease or renewable permits;

Province of Manitoba | agriculture - Leasing Program (gov.mb.ca)

MFGA Aquanty Model and Forecasting Tool Open for Spring Thaw 2024

Farmers, Land managers, Indigenous Communities and Rural Municipalities offered free access to MFGA Aquanty, a cutting edge water forecasting tool, during spring thaw and run-off. Read more.

Nuffield Canada Scholarship Applications Underway

Nuffield Canada strives to offer four to six $20,000 scholarships annually for mid-career individuals, who are Canadian citizens approximately aged 25 – 50, with a passion for agriculture who are ready to challenge themselves in a self-directed program of international travel and study. Nuffield Canada is now accepting scholar applications from April 1 through June 30 for the 2025 scholar cohort. Applications and more information can be found at www.nuffield.ca.

CWF Grassland Awareness Survey: Key Results

In 2023, the Canadian Wildlife Federation partnered with Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Weston Family Foundation to conduct a Canada-wide poll to measure awareness of grasslands and grassland conservation issues. Check out key results.

MASC: New Funding Available for Livestock Predation Prevention

Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), funding is now available for on-farm measures for reducing livestock predation by coyotes, wolves and other predators. The new Livestock Predation Prevention Program provides two funding streams for producers: 

• Pre-approved Livestock Predation Equipment and Guardian Dogs will allow eligible applicants to purchase solar foxlights, electronet, fladry, and livestock guardian dogs.

• Predator Resistant Fence Construction will allow eligible applicants to apply for funding to support construction of fencing that deters predators from entering calving and lambing areas, pastures, extended grazing areas, and deadstock compost sites.

Learn More: click here.

Industry Events

SSGA 111th AGM & Convention - June 9 - 11, 2024 - in Swift Current, SK

Details for registration, click here.

Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence Field Day & Saskatchewan Forage Council AGM - June 18, 2024 -Clavet, SK

Save the date! More information coming soon.

Regenerative Farming & Ranching On The Prairies - June 25-27, 2024 - McCord, SK

For details or register, click here.

Canada's Farm Show - June 18-20, 2024 - Regina, Sk

Canada's Farm Show (CFS) is a major agricultural event in North America, attracting thousands of visitors from Canada and around the world to showcase the latest equipment and technology.

Ag In Motion - July 18-20, 2024 - Saskatoon, Sk

Ag in Motion is the largest outdoor farm expo in Western Canada, showcasing the latest advancements in agricultural technology and equipment.

CCA Semi-Annual Meeting – August 2024 – Saskatoon, Sk 

Details to be determined.

Agriculture Enlightened 2024 - Nov 7, 2024, in Winnipeg, MB

Details here: Agriculture Enlightened Conference

MFGA 2024 Regenerative Agriculture Conference - SAVE THE DATES: NOV 12-13, 2024 - Registration opening soon.

Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference - Nov 18, 2024 - Winnipeg, MB

Details to come.

2024 Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing - Dec 10-12, 2024, Edmonton, Alberta

www.absoilgrazing.com/ for dates and details

Thank you to our 2023/24 Annual Supporters! 

It's never too late to join these 2023/24 leaders who are some of the best of the best in the agriculture and conservation communities - sign up here!