MFGA eBulletin - May 2023

photo credit: Nerbas Bros. Angus

From the Desk of the Executive Director

On behalf of Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association, we’d like to express our sincere concerns and heartfelt best wishes and outcomes for all communities, farmers, farms and livestock that have been impacted by the Alberta and Saskatchewan wildfires. We are thinking of all of you and hoping for best for you all during these times.

Recently, I was speaking with a Brandon Sun reporter about a few MFGA projects we have highlighted in our recent MFGA media releases. Our conversation circled back around the times we are in and, specifically, the times for farmers to take advantage of so many programs aimed directly at the health of their farms and the benchmarking and promoting the values their farms provide to society. 

The super cool thing here, is that IF you are a farmer interested in advancing your farm’s soil health, bettering your water resources, retaining your wildlife habitats as key parts of your farm’s profitability in your plan, these are indeed, really good times.

Whether you are in a multi-generational farm family of “early adopters” that has lands flush with wetlands and grasslands and healthy soils improved by numerous soil-health boosting practices or if you are buying your very first Manitoba farm tomorrow, there are a plethora of funding opportunities for your interests.

The first step should be to contact your local Manitoba watershed district. The Manitoba watersheds are doing an amazing job administering valuable programs and projects designed to help producers carry the financial aspects of sustainable farming operations much easier while improving their overall farm health.

MFGA recently emphasized our excellent working relationship with the watershed districts, offering the experience of our MFGA Grazing Mentors to help the watershed districts provide extra assuring steps toward an applicant’s eligibility of rotational grazing BMPs through the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program, led by Manitoba Association of Watersheds and funded under AAFC’s On Farm Climate Action Fund.

Conservation and agriculture groups also have programs they offer, be sure to check them out and learn as much as you can. And importantly, if you are not in a watershed district, contact Manitoba Agriculture for more directions on their recently announced specific programs aimed at your farm (see below for more detail).

 These times are flush with farmer funding, certainly unprecedented from a proactive practice scope and as we all know, nothing is ever guaranteed to last forever. Make things work in your farm’s interests. Everything is there for you to learn and embark on what fits for your farm.

Best success to all on your planting season!

Muchos Grasses ALL,

Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director

MFGA Grazing Mentors support MB Watershed Districts rotational grazing BMPs

As part of the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP), MFGA has provided Manitoba Association of Watersheds with a list of around 15 grazing experts located across the province for Watershed Districts (WD) to connect farmers with experienced grazing mentors and experts to help bring their PWCP aspirations forward around grazing plans and get a better understanding of grazing practices and BMPs. Read the full media release.

MFGA was very pleased to take part in the recent Canada and Manitoba government's announcement on Sustainable CAP programs made by Manitoba Agriculture Minister Hon. Derek Johnson (left), seen here at the April 28, 2023 announcement at Hockridge Farms near Dauphin with MFGA chair Lawrence Knockaert. 

S-CAP Funding for Environmental BMP Programs

The federal and provincial governments have opened intakes for two new programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) that provide funding to support sustainable farming in Manitoba. Read the  full News Release.

The Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba (SAM) program provides 21 BMPs under 3 main funding streams: Cropland Management, Manure & Livestock Management and Water Management. Application Intake will close June 13, 2023. More here.

The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program: Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience (RALP) will support on-farm beneficial management practices and projects that enhance the provision of ecological goods and services, through 2 BMPs: Agroforestry and Grasslands & Grazing Management. Application Intake will close June 12, 2023.  More here.

The MFGA Aquanty Project Water Forecasting Tool: Updates and Video

Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association, Pembina Valley Watershed District and Aquanty Inc. co-hosted an instructional webinar on The MFGA's Aquanty Project Water Forecasting Tool to help Manitoba farmers better understand how to operate the decision support tool to manage their farms and farmland with real-time water-forecasting information across the Assiniboine River Basin and the Plum/Pembina River basin. Updates were recently made to the Portal.

Receive MFGA Green Gold Reports

The 2023 MFGA Green Gold Program (alfalfa scissor clipping) is officially in full swing with 22 fields signed up. Sign up today to receive twice-weekly Green Gold Reports during May and June - there is no cost to you! Contact Green Gold Program Coordinator Terra Bergen, terra@mfga.net.

MFGA's 2023 Regen Ag Conference: A world-class speaker line-up 

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 to be held November 13-15, 2023 at the Victoria Inn and Conference Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. Other speakers include Paul Galpern of the University of Calgary 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 to showcase the way they farm in Saskatchewan. Registration soon to open, stay tuned!

Manitoba Bird Study to Survey Four MFGA-network Regenerative Agriculture Farms

Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association will join forces with the Manitoba Wildlife Branch and the Manitoba Important Bird Area (IBA) Program to explore the benefits of regenerative agriculture to birds on four different regen ag-focused farms from dairy, forage/beef, grain and mixed farms that are owned by MFGA board members and located in Western Manitoba to get benchmarks around bird populations. Read the full MFGA media release.

Rain Impacts Forage Quality

The MFGA article First Cutting Can Make or Break a Season looked at how the stage of maturity at first cut is one of the most important factors influencing forage quality.

The trade-off between yield and quality as forage matures generally affect the leaf-to-stem ratio decline which leads to increased concentrations of fiber components and reduced protein and energy content. Read on...

Nuffield Canada Scholarship applications available

Nuffield Canada annually offers four to six $20,000 scholarships for Canadian citizens approximately aged 25 – 50, with a passion for agriculture and ready to challenge themselves in a self-directed program of international travel and study. Learn more.

Cow patty critters: An intro to the ecology, biology, and identification of insects in cattle dung on Canadian pastures

‘What critters are found in a cow patty?’ and ‘What do they do?’ Entomologist Dr. Kevin Floate's hope is to spark the interest of ranchers and farmers, and to stir the minds of students studying insects. In his own words, ‘This is the guide I wish I had when I started my career.’ See info on getting a free pdf download.

Manitoba Government to Release First Crop Report to Launch 2023 Growing Season

The provincial government released its first crop report for the 2023 season on May 16. Read More

Cleanfarms provides increased opportunities in 2022 for farmers to recycle more agricultural plastics

Cleanfarms highlighted the collection of agricultural materials since the inception of the programs. Cleanfarms collects ag waste materials through valued partnerships with more than 1,500 recycling collection sites across Canada. Learn more here.

ONLINE SWATHGRAZING SURVEY SEEKS WESTERN BEEF PRODUCERS

AAFC and the University of Saskatchewan are teaming up on an online survey to learn more about western Canadian cow-calf producers' use and experiences on swathgrazing and the spring cleanup of swath residues, their motivations and deterrents. We are looking for 600 respondents for the online survey. Respondents can be both adopters, non-adopters and dis-adopters of swathgrazing as we want to hear how adopters swathgraze, why non-adopters choose not to swathgraze and why dis-adopters stopped swathgrazing. Survey link here.

Manitoba Government Provides $1.2 Million for Youth to Build Skills, Enter the Workforce

The Manitoba government is providing youth in Manitoba with the opportunity to experience their first jobs in a supportive environment that gives them the confidence and skills needed for work. Learn more here.

Industry Events

Birds Canada MarshWatch Webinars - Wednesdays: May 10-June 10, 2023

Short evening virtual webinars and self-guided activities, designed to help identify wetland birds and amphibians that make their homes in Prairie wetlands by sight and sound, then put your new bird and amphibian ID skills into practice at the wetlands on your farm!  Find out more and register for MarshWatch

The XXV International Grasslands Congress - May 14-19, 2023, Covington, KY USA 

The theme is “Grasslands for Soil, Animal, and Human Health". Additional details here.

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.

Fencing and Watering Workshops - June 13, 14, 2023, Dauphin, Inwood and Beausejour

Topics will include hands-on electric fencing demonstration, designing a good watering system, funding programs, grazing management strategies as well as pasture rental costs, fencing cost calculator and more! Info here.

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!

Thank you to our 2023/24 Annual Supporters! 

Our new sponsorship year began in April - it's not 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!