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Cedric MacLeod
From the executive director's desk
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It has been a busy winter for the CFGA, and as we approach a very welcome spring, there will be no slowing down for the CFGA team.
We hosted a very successful annual conference in Guelph, Ontario, in cooperation with our provincial member, the Ontario Forage Council. It was great to see so many people from Ontario and across Canada excited about the forage and grassland sectors. We had some new events this year including a very well-attended hay exporter and marketer social and an informative Young Farmers Forum luncheon. We appreciate our annual partners and conference sponsors who help make the conference such a success. We could not do this without them.
Looking ahead, we are on the cusp of wrapping up the six-year Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool (HBAT) project, which will see province-specific online tools available in provinces across the country. Moving forward, we are excited to kick off two grassland-focused projects. You can read more about HBAT in this newsletter and watch for more information on the other projects coming soon.
The CFGA is actively working to further support the forage export industry within Canada and internationally to ensure its longevity. One method of support is the launch of the High Performance Forage Workshop taking place in Winnipeg on March 5 to 7, with more opportunities and strategies in the works to address export needs and concerns.
Finally, we are pleased with the Government of Canada’s announcement to expand the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) to help Canadian farmers continue to adopt sustainable practices and technologies. The funding includes up to $16.1 million of OFCAF funding to the CFGA to support farmers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec in planning and implementing rotational grazing practices. We look forward to helping farmers and ranchers implement these critical changes.
Stay warm and, as always, if you have questions or comments, don’t hesitate to contact me.
- Cedric MacLeod
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High Performance Forage Workshop taking place March 5 to 7
In partnership with Dr. Dan Undersander, the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is hosting a High Performance Forage Workshop from March 5 to 7, 2025. This hybrid event is tailored to help agronomists, agrologists and forage advisors better support producers and enhance forage performance across Canada.
Over three days, participants will dive into topics like:
* Seed selection
* Multi-species forage establishment
* Quality and production improvement
* Harvest/storage optimization
The High Performance Forage Workshop will take place at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. In-person and virtual options are available. Continuing education units are available for in-person attendees.
Deadline to register for in-person registration is Feb. 25. Deadline for virtual registration is March 4.
Visit the event page for more information. Register here.
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CFGA receives OFCAF funding to continue supporting farmers in planning and implementing rotational grazing practices
The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) was in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, on Jan. 28 for the Government of Canada’s announcement of over $300 million for Canadian farmers to adopt sustainable practices and technologies.
The funding includes up to $16.1 million of On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) funding to the CFGA to support farmers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec in planning and implementing rotational grazing practices. OFCAF is delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
CFGA executive director, Cedric MacLeod joined the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, at the Agriculture Industry Symposium 2025 for the announcement.
This funding continues the CFGA’s OFCAF programming which began in 2022. Since then, the organization has worked with more than 400 producers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec to develop grazing plans and implement advanced grazing systems on their farms.
“We are pleased to be chosen for the expansion of this important program for three more years to continue helping producers prioritize and deploy beneficial management practices to improve farm resilience and help stem the impacts of climate change,” says Travis Quirk, CFGA’s OFCAF project lead. “We do not anticipate major changes to the delivery of the program and will release additional details on expansion of the program in the coming weeks.
“In anticipation of high demand for OFCAF, we encourage producers to familiarize themselves with advanced grazing systems learning resources the CFGA offers and complete your grazing plan in preparation for the anticipated opening of an April intake for project submissions.”
Watch the CFGA website for details on the program as they become available.
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L’ACPF reçoit un financement du FAFC pour continuer à aider les agriculteurs à planifier et à mettre en œuvre des systèmes de pâturage tournant dynamique
L’Association canadienne pour les plantes fourragères (ACPF) était à St. John’s, Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, le 28 janvier pour assister à l’annonce du gouvernement du Canada concernant l’octroi de plus de 300 millions de dollars aux agriculteurs canadiens pour l’adoption de pratiques et de technologies durables.
Ce montant comprend un financement pouvant atteindre jusqu’à 16,1 millions de dollars alloué à l’ACPF. Provenant du Fonds d’action à la ferme pour le climat (FAFC), il permettra d'aider les agriculteurs de la Colombie-Britannique, de l’Alberta, de la Saskatchewan et du Québec à planifier et à mettre en œuvre des pratiques liées à l’utilisation d’un système de pâturage tournant dynamique. Le FAFC est administré par Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada (AAC).
Cedric MacLeod, directeur général de l’ACPF, s’est joint à madame Joanne Thompson, ministre des Aînés et députée de St. John’s-Est, au Symposium de l’industrie agricole 2025 pour faire cette annonce.
Ce financement s’inscrit dans la continuité du programme FAFC de l’ACPF qui a débuté en 2022. Depuis, l’organisation a travaillé avec plus de 400 producteurs de la Colombie-Britannique, de l’Alberta, de la Saskatchewan et du Québec pour élaborer des plans de paissance et mettre en œuvre des systèmes de pâturage tournant dynamique sur leurs fermes.
« Nous sommes heureux d’avoir été choisis pour continuer à travailler au déploiement de cet important programme pour trois années supplémentaires. Nous continuerons à aider les producteurs à prioriser des pratiques de gestion bénéfiques et à les mettre en œuvre, afin d’améliorer la résilience des entreprises agricoles et de contribuer à atténuer les impacts des changements climatiques, a déclaré Travis Quirk, responsable du FAFC à l’ACPF. Nous ne prévoyons pas de changements majeurs dans la mise en œuvre du programme et nous publierons des détails supplémentaires sur la prolongation du programme dans les semaines à venir. »
« Comme nous prévoyons une forte demande pour le FAFC, nous encourageons les producteurs à se familiariser avec les ressources d’apprentissage offertes par l’ACPF sur la gestion avant-gardiste des pâturages et à réaliser leur plan de paissance. Ils seront ainsi prêts pour la période de dépôt des projets, qui devrait avoir lieu en avril », a précisé M. Quirk.
Surveillez le site web de l'ACPF pour obtenir des détails sur le programme dès qu'ils seront disponibles.
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Purchase CFGA 2024 conference recordings now | |
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Organized with the Ontario Forage Council (OFC), the CFGA 15th annual conference took place Dec. 3 to 6 in Guelph, Ontario. The theme was Roots to Success: The Foundation of Resilient Agriculture, and the agenda provided something for everyone.
The 2024 conference recordings are now available to registrants of the conference. (Instructions to access the recordings were emailed to all registrants.) Those unable to attend can purchase access to the recordings for $150 here.
Please email info@canadianfga.ca for more information or if you have any issues purchasing or accessing the recordings.
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2024 CFGA Leadership Award winner announced
The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) was pleased to name Dr. Annie Claessens as the winner of the 2024 CFGA Leadership Award at a special award dinner on Dec. 4 during its annual conference.
Dr. Claessens joined the Quebec Research and Development Centre in Québec City as a research scientist in perennial crop breeding and genetic in 2011. Her work focuses on developing cultivars and germplasm of perennial crops for the beef and dairy industries. Her research is mainly aimed at genetically improving forage legumes and grasses to increase their nutritional value, their tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses and their productivity in order to contribute to the profitability and sustainability of the Canadian farms by increasing the proportion of forage in animal feed.
Dr. Claessens' research and contribution have been helping to grow and develop the Canadian forage sector since 2001. She has contributed to the Canadian forage industry by co-developing five forage crop cultivars adapted to the cold and humid climate of eastern Canada and numerous new germplasms with improved nutritive quality and adapted to biotic and abiotic stresses. She is author or co-author of 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She is a member of the Plant Breeder’s Committee of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association, the Québec pôle d’ expertise en plantes fourragères, the Québec forage crop expert (CRAAQ), the Quebec Bio-Industrial Crop Network and of the Multistate Research Project NE-1710 (USA-Canada). She was also a board member of the CFGA and of the CQPF for numerous years as well as the coordinator of Quebec forage trials.
The CFGA Leadership Award was established in 2012 to recognize and encourage leadership in the forage and grassland sector. It recognizes individuals, groups or organizations who exemplify or enhance the goals of the CFGA and whose leadership has impact of national and/or international significance.
Nomination forms for the 2025 CFGA Leadership Award are available on the CFGA website.
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CFGA launching Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tools across Canada
The CFGA is in the process of launching province-specific online Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tools (HBAT) in provinces across the country. This is the sixth, and final, year of the $1.2-million project, which began in 2020 with financial support from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) as part of the Canada Nature Fund.
Designed as an extension and awareness tool, the HBAT is an online tool meant to help land managers gain an understanding of important habitats and biodiversity on their land and the stewardship opportunities they could implement to sustain them. It is based on the potential for species to occur in an area and avoids releasing sensitive information about actual native species observations.
The tool will be standardized in nine provinces, providing increased consistency of messaging across Canada. Tools are now available for Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. The CFGA will launch tools for British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Québec in the winter of 2025.
To learn more about the tools, visit the CFGA HBAT website.
Stay up to date
Learn more about CFGA’s projects on the CFGA projects webpage. People can stay up to date on CFGA and partner events on the CFGA online calendar of events.
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CFGA and SaskSoil host screening of Roots so Deep documentary
By Cindy Green
With support from Farmers for Climate Solutions and the FaRM program, the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) and the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association (SaskSoil) hosted dinner and a screening of parts one and four of the four-part documentary Roots so Deep (you can see the devil down there).
The series documents director Peter Byck as he leads a team of maverick scientists and 10 farm families in a research project measuring the impact of conventional farming and adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing. Cattle are often seen as villains in the climate change crisis and through this project Byck wanted to see if adaptive grazing with cattle can be used to slow down climate change.
With beautiful cinematography and easy-to-follow graphics, Byck portrays that by using AMP grazing, producers can build soil health, rebuild wildlife, sink carbon and make operations more profitable. The true success of the documentary lies in inspiring several conventional farmers to transition to AMP grazing and remain committed to ongoing learning.
The documentary is made for everyone to enjoy, even those without a background in agriculture. It challenges the negative perceptions surrounding agriculture's role in climate change and demonstrates that proper management can mitigate, and even reverse, the effects of climate change. It is an eye-opening documentary that offers viewers a deeper understanding of agriculture. It is available to rent on the Roots so Deep website or at a local screening.
Soil Health Workshop
The dinner and film followed a successful Soil Health Workshop organized by SaskSoil in Moosomin. Arriving at the event surrounded by fields lying dormant on a typical winter day, it was hard to envision healthy, living soil. However, the instructors from Understanding Ag, Blain Hjertaas and Michael Thiele, made the soil come alive right before participants’ eyes.
Hjertaas demonstrated what tools they take to the field, how to assess soil health and how to test for water infiltration. He explained how to measure Brix levels in plants using a refractometer, providing a quick snapshot of the plant’s health. Healthy soil = healthy plants = healthy animals.
Thiele discussed soil and the science behind it as well as the importance of soil tests and understanding readily available nutrients and nutrients that are locked within the soil. This led to a group discussion on strategies to unlock these nutrients and the type of plants that will help with that.
After lunch, the workshop moved into soil principles and their significance in maintaining and nurturing healthy soil. One of the biggest takeaways from the workshop was learning how to change your mindset and overcome the mental barriers involved. Once you understand the soil and the need for a proper functioning mineral cycle then it is easier to understand problems with the soil and how to solve them.
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Photo credit: Cindy Green. | |
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Provincial Member News: B.C. Forage Council
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Join the B.C. Forage Council's Online Grazing Club
The B.C. Forage Council’s Online Grazing Club is a producer-driven series featuring real ranchers sharing real experiences. This interactive virtual gathering brings together farmers and ranchers to learn from each other's successes, challenges and innovative grazing practices!
Each session features a different producer showcasing their operation, including:
- Their unique ranch story and evolution of grazing practices
- Practical insights on what's working well
- Valuable lessons learned along the way
Sessions run Mondays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. PT on Feb. 10, 17 and March 3 and 10. Back by popular demand, this event focuses on creating an informal community of practice where producers can connect, share and learn together. Whether you're new to rotational grazing or an experienced producer, don't miss this opportunity to gain practical insights from fellow ranchers across BC!
Register here.
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Provincial Member News: New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association
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NBSCIA update
Happy New Year from the New Brunswick Soil & Crop Improvement Association (NBSCIA). Then NBSCIA has been busy planning farmer workshops and for its provincial annual general meeting.
Rotational grazing sessions
Across the province, the NBSCIA is hosting rotational grazing sessions in the month of February. The theme of these workshops is “Managing a Rotational Grazing System” and they will include presentations from the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s (CFGA) Marie-Pier Beaulieu and Jason Wells, a forage specialist with the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.
Beaulieu will speak on how to extend the grazing season by utilizing proper rotation strategies. Wells will present the benefits of legumes in a pasture and how to keep them productive in a grazing system. Each of the sessions will have a local farmer who practices rotational grazing also join in to speak on how they manage their pasture system.
Sessions have already taken place in Moncton, Bathurst and Sussex. The remaining sessions in February will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 24 in Florenceville (register), Feb 25 in Edmundston (register), Feb. 26 in Fredericton (register).
NBSCIA AGM
The NBSCIA AGM and technical workshop is happening March 13 and 14 at the Rodd Hotel in Miramichi. This year’s theme is “Farming for the Future: Using precision tools and technology to build resilience.” As always, this event will feature presentations from both local professionals as well as those outside the province on topics relevant in agriculture today.
To learn more about the event and to resister you, visit the AGM tab on the NBSCIA website or follow this link to the Event Brite page. Please note there is a block of hotel rooms reserved for March 12 and 13. The reduced rate is only available until Feb. 13.
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Provincial Member News: Ontario Forage Council
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Ontario Forage Council Update
The Ontario Forage Council (OFC) sure knows how to keep busy!
Forage Focus
This year’s popular post-conference tour joined forces with the OFC’s successful Forage Focus event. The theme was Hay as a Cash Crop and the day-long tour included stops at hay production hubs where leaders in the industry shared information about the markets available to Ontario hay producers. It was an excellent opportunity for those looking to expand their operation as well as those thinking about getting started with hay production.
Check out the details from the Forage Focus post-conference tour here. Forage Focus videos are now available at www.youtube.com/@ontarioforagecouncil.
Profitable Pastures
Profitable Pastures is a webinar series that focuses on pasture management best management practices. The 2025 webinar series is scheduled for March 4, 5 and 6. Each webinar is held at 7:30 p.m. EST. Registration is required but there is no cost. The link for the webinar is sent out a day or two before the event.
The presentations are:
- March 4. Grazing Networking Group: What It Is & How It Benefits Our Operation by Jim Whitley
- March 5. What Grass Wants by Dr. Eric Lyons With Dr. Marcus Talamani
- March 6. Special Considerations For Grazing Sheep & Dairy Cows by Christine O’Reilly
More information can be found at onforagenetwork.ca
Grazing plan workshops
In partnership with Farmers for Climate Solutions and CFGA, OFC will be hosting Grazing Plan Workshops in March and April, as part of the Advanced Grazing Mentorship Program. Attend a workshop to create your very own grazing plan. It doesn’t matter why you need a grazing plan, this is the workshop for you!
More information can be found at onforagenetwork.ca
OFC AGM
The OFC Annual General Meeting will be happening March 19 at The GrandWay in Elora. Come out to hear fantastic speakers, visit the trade show and learn more about what OFC does. Register here.
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Commanditaire Or de l'ACPF | |
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News from Dairy Farmers of Canada
Greenhouse gas emissions calculator pilot project launched
As our sector works towards its sustainability targets, the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) and the provincial dairy associations have launched a pilot project to support farmers on this path.
The pilot project will determine whether a specific calculator, called the Cool Farm Tool (CFT), will provide accurate measurements within the Canadian dairy landscape, paint an accurate picture of our sector’s sustainability, and assess its ease of use. The CFT is designed to help measure a farm’s carbon footprint, provide farmers with data, and help them customize environmental plans and lower energy costs.
Forty farms across Canada have volunteered to test this tool over the next year. These participants will benefit from the knowledge of CFT-certified advisors for ongoing technical support, assessment completion, and advice on how to turn results into an implementation plan that aligns with best management practices. Farmers will then evaluate their complete experience, including the CFT’s usefulness and ease of use.
The pilot project will determine if the CFT provides accurate insights for Canadian dairy farmers; for instance, understanding where energy and transport expenses are highest can help farmers improve efficiencies and lower costs. The data from the project will then be compared to DFC’s Life Cycle Assessment results and used to identify the most significant areas of on-farm emissions contributions. While the pilot project’s focus is on carbon footprints, farmers can also use the CFT to voluntarily explore other desired sustainability projects, including identifying hotspots and mitigating risks beyond GHGs, such as water conservation and soil health.
DFC looks forward to updating our sector on the progress of this project.
This pilot project has been made possible through Agriculture and Agri-food Canada funding via the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. For more information on DFC’s sustainability partnerships, please visit dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/sustainability.
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Nouvelles des Producteurs laitiers du Canada
Lancement d’un nouveau project pilote sur le calculator d’emissions de gaz à effet de serre
Alors que notre industrie s'efforce d'atteindre ses objectifs de durabilité, les Producteurs laitiers du Canada (PLC) et les associations provinciales de producteurs laitiers ont lancé un projet pilote visant à soutenir les producteurs dans cette démarche innovante.
Le projet pilote permettra de déterminer si ce calculateur spécifique, appelé Cool Farm Tool (CFT), pourra fournir des mesures précises dans le milieu laitier canadien, donner une image exacte de la durabilité de notre secteur et évaluer sa facilité d’utilisation. Le CFT est conçu pour aider à mesurer l’empreinte carbone d’une ferme, fournir des données aux producteurs, les aider à personnaliser leurs plans environnementaux et accroître leur efficacité.
Quarante fermes du Canada se sont portées volontaires pour tester cet outil au cours de l’année prochaine. Ces participants bénéficieront des connaissances des conseillers ayant reçu une certification au regard du CFT permettant d’offrir un soutien technique continu, de réaliser des évaluations et de prodiguer des conseils sur la façon de transformer les résultats en un plan de mise en oeuvre axé sur les pratiques de gestion bénéfiques. Les producteurs évalueront ensuite l’ensemble de leur expérience, y compris l’utilité et la facilité d’utilisation de l’outil.
Le projet pilote permettra de déterminer si l’outil CFT fournit des informations précises aux producteurs laitiers canadiens; par exemple, le fait de comprendre pour quels aspects les émissions liées à l’énergie et au transport sont les plus élevées peut aider les producteurs à améliorer leur efficacité et à réduire leurs coûts. Les données du projet seront ensuite comparées aux résultats de l’analyse du cycle de vie des PLC et utilisées pour identifier les domaines les plus importants en matière de contribution aux émissions de la ferme. Bien que le projet pilote soit axé sur l’empreinte carbone, les producteurs peuvent également utiliser le CFT pour explorer volontairement d’autres projets de durabilité, y compris l’identification des points névralgiques et l’atténuation des risques autres que les GES, tels que la conservation de l’eau et la santé des sols.
Les PLC ont hâte de pouvoir informer le secteur de l’avancement de ce projet.
Ce projet pilote a été rendu possible grâce au financement d’Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada dans le cadre du Partenariat canadien pour une agriculture durable. Pour plus d’informations sur les partenariats des PLC en matière de développement durable, veuillez consulter le site suivant : producteurslaitiersducanada.ca/fr/developpement-durable.
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Calendar of Events
At the time this newsletter was distributed, all event times and locations were accurate, but please check event websites for the most current information. Some events may have been postponed or cancelled.
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