MFGA eBulletin - January 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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I can't recall a recent winter where hoar frost – formed when the water vapour in the air comes into contact with solid surfaces such as trees, native prairie or brush that are already below freezing point – has been more evident. Or spectacular.
Indeed, the onset of hoar frost also drives conversation in some circles as hey-now-we-know-for-sure precipitation is in our future; some say hoar frost today means future rains in 90 days. The Farmer’s Almanac says fog in January brings a wet spring... Others say they even go as far as marking hoar frost on their calendar and can co-relate the precipitation three months later.
Proven or unproven, scientific or anecdotal, what the hoar frost does succeed at doing is advancing talks around the moisture and precipitation we hope for, want and need for our crops, livestock and farmers to flourish. The hard-learned fact that we all know is that at the end of the day: water is the key factor in the farming business. And, when we are looking for future water signals in the grips of winter, the January hoar frost reminds us of our hopes and plans for our times ahead.
That’s why MFGA is so enthused around our MFGA Aquanty Forecasting Tool that we will be launching this spring. Farmers in the Assiniboine River Basin of Manitoba and Saskatchewan will have access to key water resource information around what is in the system, in the soil and groundwater. Forecasts will be provided via RealTime relay of data, fortified by satellite views at field level. This is not a weather forecast; this is a water forecast that can impact both long-term and short-term plans on the farm with water resource-specific information and valuable decision-support data.
As we roll up to our final stages to launch, we are testing our final preparations and abilities with farmers and feedback from key stakeholder groups i.e. watershed districts in southwest Manitoba as well as government departments, agriculture groups, industry and conservation interests. Please do check it out and take a test run at mfga.net.
Muchos Grasses ALL,
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director
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January Hay Situation and Price Update
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Improving Soil Health Takes Time
Many producers and researchers have found that cropping system practices that greatly reduce tillage and/or no-till (NT), include crop rotations (more than two crops), incorporate cover crops, and use livestock grazing. These can be effective tools for improving soil health and enhancing overall agro ecosystem benefits. Read on...
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MFGA salutes Redfern Farms for large donation to ACC
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MFGA congratulates Brenda DeSerrano, Wanda Kurchaba on leadership postings at Manitoba Agriculture/MASC
Earlier this month, Brenda DeSerranno reported for work as the new deputy minister of agriculture in Manitoba. DeSerranno has worked for the Manitoba government since 2005 and has been assistant deputy minister of analytical services at the provincial treasury board secretariat since 2019. The appointment of DeSerranno followed the retirement of Dori Gingera-Beauchemin, who served as deputy minister since 2013 and has held many positions during her 43 years with Manitoba Agriculture. MFGA looks forward to working with Brenda and wishes Dori the very best in retirement.
MFGA was also very pleased to see Manitoba Agriculture Services Corporation (MASC) welcome Wanda Kurchaba as its new Chief Corporate Officer. As MFGA staff will attest, Wanda provides exceptional service to all through the Human Resources, Communications, and Administration departments. As Chief Corporate Officer, Wanda is also the Corporate Secretary for MASC’s Board of Directors. MFGA looks forward to Wanda taking on this role and working with all divisions within the corporation to continue to support Manitoba farmers and the agriculture industry.
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Minister Johnson hopping at Mb Ag Days; announces three major MB AG initiatives
Hon. Derek Johnson, Manitoba’s Agriculture Minister, was indeed busy at the 2023 Manitoba Ag Days with the announcements of three major initiatives:
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Perennial Forages to Manage Salinity
Soil salinity is considered a threat to long-term sustainable production in many parts of Manitoba. Manitoba Agriculture estimates approximately 0.6 million acres of agricultural land in Manitoba are effected by saline soils. Read on...
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Manitoba Ag Days return with gusto in 2023 |
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MFGA Board member Andrea Hamilton engages a group of Brandon schoolchildren as part of Ag In the Classroom’s 2023 Manitoba Ag Days Adventure. MFGA’s booth was graciously staffed by MFGA Board of Directors and much-appreciated volunteers that encountered steady booth traffic throughout the three-day show at Brandon’s Keystone Centre this week. |
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Crown land lease and permit auctions start February 6
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GreenPac’s Specialized Stream in Sustainable Agriculture
GreenPac invites young leaders from the prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) with an interest and background in agriculture to apply to this stream which advances environmental leadership in agriculture and elevates rural voices in Canada’s environmental space. For more information: GreenPAC.ca
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Industry Events
StockTalk Webinars - Monthly, 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.
MWAF AgCHAT - Jan 23, 2023, 7-8 pm CT, Virtual
Iris Meck, creator of the Advancing Women’s Conference (AWC), will speak on the importance of the AWC - a leadership training program widely recognized by governments and industry. Cost: $10, free to MWAF members. Visit the Manitoba Women in Agriculture & Food (MWAF) website.
Full Season Cover: Ideal Seeding Time - Jan 23, 2023, 8pm CST, Virtual
Season 3 of Covers & Co Farm Panel Discussion zoom webinars start next week, held every other Monday @ 8 pm CST. Farmer Panel 1 Discussion Topic: Seeding Early vs. Seeding Late. Register here.
KAP 39th Annual General Meeting - Jan 24, 25, 2023, Winnipeg, Mb
Held at the Delta Hotel, this year's meeting will include panels discussing environmental stewardship, sustainability, public trust, and more. 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.
Covers & Co Farmer Panels - Feb 6, 20, March 6, 2023, Virtual
- Evolution of Swath Grazing - Feb 6, 2023, 8pm CST, Virtual
Swath grazing perspectives from across Western Canada. Register here.
- Corn Intercropping w/ Forage Soybeans - Feb 20, 2023, 8pm CST, Virtual
Corn intercropping w/ Forage Soybeans (Herbicide Option). Register here.
- Double Cropping - March 6, 2023, 8pm CST, Virtual
Covers & Co Farmer Panel 4 Discussion Topic: What is double cropping? How can we utilize sunlight & moisture to maximize biomass? Register here.
Manitoba Crop Alliance AGM - Feb 16, 2023, Winnipeg, Mb or Virtual
Farmer members can attend the AGM in-person at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre in Winnipeg, MB, or virtually via Zoom webinar starting at 12:30pm (lunch served at 12pm). More here.
MFWBA 2023 Provincial Pre-Election Industry Panel - Feb 28, 2023, Winnipeg, Mb
Annual Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Conference - March 7-9, 2023, Virtual
Co-hosted by the University of Manitoba's National Centre for Livestock and the Environment and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, this three day conference will provide opportunities to explore novel ideas and concepts, including a session with graduate students sharing their research through short videos. 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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