Photo courtesy Cultivating Communications
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Cedric MacLeod
From the executive director's desk
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It has been a busy fall for the CFGA as we launched the CFGA On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) and continued to train mentors and producers through the Advanced Grazing Systems program to help producers create and implement grazing plans. We've furthered our work on several projects including the Canada Grassland Protocol, the national grassland inventory, alfalfa management tools research and expanding the Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool (HBAT) to more provinces. I, along with several of our export members, attended a very successful World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin in October and we have plans to attend additional events in he New Year to promote Canadian forages to export and domestic markets.
We've also been busy organizing the 13th Annual Conference, Cross Pollination: Co-Creating Ideas in the Forage Industry, which takes place Nov. 29 through Dec. 2. As you'll see in this newsletter, this virtual, fully bilingual, event offers a program packed with educational sessions and networking opportunities. As well as highlighting Living Lab projects across the country, Steve Kenyon from Greener Pastures Ranching will be offering several grazing management sessions from the CFGA Advanced Grazing Systems program - a great opportunity to learn more about rotational grazing and get a glimpse into this great program. We've worked collaboratively with our provincial partners to provide a truly national conference and hope you will join us to learn about exciting and cutting-edge forage happenings across the country and abroad, the issues facing the forage sector and ways to overcome these challenges as well as the opportunities ahead.
Managing a collaborative culture at the CFGA is critical for the ongoing success of the organization and the forage and grasslands sectors in Canada. We are proud of the collaborations we have nurtured with our members, our conference sponsors, annual partners and the organizations we work with to deliver projects that are making the forage sector stronger.
If you have questions or comments, don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss.
- Cedric MacLeod
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Learn how to get more out of your pasture
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Rotational grazing has many functions for both the environment and the family farm. That is
why the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is focusing on the rotational
grazing practices stream of the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) in Alberta, British
Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
The CFGA’s Advanced Grazing Systems Program is centred on increasing the total acres under a
rotational grazing system. To implement it in various growing regions across Canada, the
Advanced Grazing Systems program has a two-fold approach:
- To provide producers in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan access to funding to reduce possible financial challenges associated with trying or expanding the practice of rotational grazing in their operations
- To provide producers with information and resources they need to implement rotational grazing as it makes sense for their operations
Participating in the CFGA’s Advanced Grazing Systems Program means producers can:
- Learn the basic techniques of rotational grazing independently with the Advanced Grazing Systems online courses, which use curriculum developed with Farmers for Climate Solutions
- Create a grazing plan with the help of a grazing mentor
- Apply to OFCAF for financial assistance to put your grazing plan into action if they are a producer in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan
- Receive support throughout the entire process
Find more information, and sign up for updates, on the CFGA website under Projects/Projets.
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Living Labs key component of CFGA’s 13th Annual Conference
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The conference will also include presentations on Living Lab projects in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. The Living Laboratories Initiative is a new approach to agricultural innovation in Canada that brings together farmers, scientists and other collaborators to co-develop and test innovative practices and technologies to address agri-environmental issues. The goal of the initiative is to accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable practices and technologies by Canadian farmers.
Below are some details on the provincial Living Lab presentations that are part of the CFGA conference agenda.:
Living Lab British Columbia
On Nov. 29 at 2:45 pm EST, British Columbia Forage Council’s (BCFC) general manager, Serena Black, will present Living Lab British Columbia - Extended Grazing Season and Winter-Feeding Strategies. BCFC partnered with the BC Cattlemen’s Association to develop a component of the Living Lab British Columbia project. After substantial producer engagement, the associations identified the theme of extended grazing season and winter feeding strategies for the project and will investigate four different beneficial management practices (BMPs) throughout multiple diverse landscapes to assess suitability. Serena’s presentation will provide an overview of the project as it appears in the early stages of planning for implementation.
Living Lab-Ontario Innovations
On Nov. 30 at 11:50 am EST, the applied research coordinator with the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), Tracey Ryan, will present Living Lab-Ontario Innovations. Her presentation will focus on the Living Lab project in Ontario which is being led by the OSCIA in collaboration with farmers, agricultural organizations, Conservation Authorities and scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Among the innovative practices being implemented by the six farm collaborators are alfalfa-fueled corn, planting into perennial cover (clover) and perennial grazing in field crops.
Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab
On Nov. 30 at 3:10 pm EST, the lead, beef production and extension, at Alberta Beef Producers (ABP), Karin Schmid will present Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab-Where Research Meets Reality. Her presentation will provide a high-level overview of the Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab with a focus on the forage components.
Living Labs Eastern Prairies Experience
On Dec. 1, at 1:10 pm EST, Mae Elsinger, a range and pasture biologist with AAFC in Brandon, Manitoba; John Fitzmaurice, a soil specialist with AAFC and the site coordinator for Living Labs Eastern Prairies; and Dan Cox, project manager for the Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW), will co-present the Living Labs Eastern Prairies Experience - Forage and Pasture Activities. Their presentation will provide a description of the Living Labs Eastern Prairies, including a summary of the partnerships, project co-development, key activities and results related to pasture and forage and tech-transfer strategies.
Nova Scotia’s Living Lab approach
On Dec. 1 at 2:50 pm EST, Carolyn Marshall, the environment and climate change manager at the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, will present Increasing Carbon Sequestration by Changing Crop Type: A Living Lab Approach, the Living Lab project in N.S., which is planning an activity that will see fields in horticulture production swapped out for grazed pastures. The goal is to sequester soil carbon while also building soil health in a way that will make the stored carbon more stable when production returns back to horticulture. They will also produce a guide on how to logistically partner with other producers to increase the amount of "land swapping" that is occurring in N.S.
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Conference registration information
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There are three levels of registration available to individuals: VIP, Standard and Student. VIP registration is $300 (plus taxes and fees) and provides a full year of access to all conference proceedings. Standard registration is $150 (plus taxes and fees) and provides one month of access to the conference proceedings. Student registration is $150 (plus taxes and fees) and provides VIP access for a year.
Returning this year is a group registration discount of $1,000 when at least 10 people register as VIPs. Gather 10 of your colleagues, association members or neighbours and receive a $1,000 discount for the group. Organizations interested in registering a group of 10 can contact conference@canadianfga.ca for full details.
All registration levels provide access to the conference, the Q&A sessions, panel discussions, trade show and networking opportunities at the time of the event. It's a win-win-win opportunity!
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Ontario Forage Council Update
Ontario Forage Council (OFC) is pleased to present the Forage Focus webinar series again in 2022. This year we will be hosting one webinar per day for three consecutive days: November 22 to 24. These annual conferences have a significant focus on stored feed. While the primary focus is the dairy industry, some beef feedlot operators may also find these conferences beneficial.
Speakers
On Tuesday, Nov. 22, Dr. Debbie Cherney will present Grass in Dairy Rations. Dr, Cherney is a professor of forage utilization and quality nutritionist in the Department of Animal Science at Cornell University.
The following day, Wednesday, Nov. 23, Dr. Luiz Ferraretto will present Connecting the Dots- Fibre Digestibility, Animal Performance and Feeding Behaviour. An assistant professor and ruminant nutrition extension specialist in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ferraretto’s presentation will discuss strategies to improve fibre digestibility in corn silage and how more digestible forages modulate dairy cows' intake and feeding behaviour patterns.
Finally, on Thursday, Nov. 24, OMAFRA specialists Tracey Baute, Christine O’Reilly and Tom Wright will present Bt-Resistant Corn Rootworm.
Baute is the chair of the Canadian Corn Pest Coalition, co-chair of the Insect Surveillance Community of Practice, the administrator of the Great Lakes and Maritime Pest Monitoring Network and the co-administrator of the Corn Rootworm Trap Network. O’Reilly is the forage and grazing specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Wright has experience working for OMAFRA in the Agriculture Development Branch as a dairy cattle specialist. He has also served as an advisor to the Progressive Dairy Operators.
Their presentation will discuss the issues Bt-resistant corn rootworm raises, its impact on feed supplies and livestock production and strategies to help combat these issues.Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this event.
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Nominations Open for Mapleseed Pasture Award
The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO), Mapleseed and OFC invite you to nominate a deserving producer for the Mapleseed Pasture Award. Self-nominations are acceptable and encouraged.
This award is an excellent opportunity to recognize individuals who are doing an outstanding job of pasture management. The Mapleseed Pasture Awards also encourage producers to implement pasture management strategies that maximize production per acre.
Mapleseed contributes a cash award of $250 to the winner. The winner may also be invited to share a presentation about their operation at the BFO AGM. In addition, each winner will receive a 25 kilogram bag of their choice of a Mapleseed forage mix.
The deadline to submit applications for the beef pasture award is Nov. 30, 2022.
To submit a nomination for this award, complete and submit the application form.
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CFGA Gold Sponsor
DFC’s fall marketing initiatives reinforce dairy farmers’ environmental stewardship
As part of its efforts to ensure the relevancy of dairy, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is working to ensure that consumers have a better understanding of the everyday sustainability efforts on Canadian farms. This fall, DFC’s marketing efforts focus on amplifying the efforts and goals of farmers related to protecting our land, water, and soil, especially among young people. Here’s how we are reinforcing our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible farming practices.
Ducks Unlimited digital and influencer campaign
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is Canada’s leading wetland conservation organization and an important partner to many organizations, including Canadian dairy farmers. Conserving wetlands can enhance on-farm biodiversity, protect local wildlife, and renew environmental benefits for the surrounding landscape. Farmers partnering with DUC experience the benefits first-hand: soil can retain moisture for better crop growth, reduced runoff, and improved water management.
Last year, DFC partnered with DUC to promote on-farm wetlands protection. In September and October, we highlighted these efforts in a digital advertising and social media influencer campaign, taking an educational approach to connect with younger people. Our team highlighted the work of a dairy farm in PEI, showing consumers a real example of how DUC and farmers are working hand-in-hand to help the environment.
M2M gaming campaign
It’s no secret that gaming is a huge part of the lives of Millennials and Gen-Zs. That’s why DFC launched a unique campaign inviting millennials and gen-Zs to learn about our net-zero commitment through online gaming.
These mobile-friendly games build on our “I’m In” campaign, telling more young Canadians about dairy farmers’ everyday sustainability commitments by reaching them right where they are – both online (TikTok, YouTube) and in-person (university campuses).
Going “Full Circle:” Compost & Cleanfarms Digital Campaign
Dairy farmers are setting a new standard for recycling – both in the traditional sense and in ways unique to their line of work. Diverting plastic waste from landfills is a top concern among Canadians, and farmers across the country are partnering with Cleanfarms to recycle agricultural plastics. This innovative company provides solutions for reducing on-farm plastic use and connecting farmers with local recycling depots and manufacturers.
DFC wanted to make sure they understood what farmers were doing. In October, we teamed up with Cleanfarms for a series of videos, including one of a dairy farmer compressing agricultural plastic in a Cleanfarms press. We released the bilingual campaign videos on TikTok and Snapchat in mid-October.
Another way farmers recycle is by managing an inescapable by-product of dairy farming: manure. Luckily, this is also a useful by-product, as it enhances soil health and helps farmers raise their crops. Composting manure, plus related actions, can reduce the carbon footprint of a dairy farm by up to 36 per cent!
To help younger people understand how this is essential to producing dairy and keeping GHG emissions low, DFC has made manure management a focus of the digital campaign. They will learn how the idea of recycling goes beyond our traditional understanding of the word – and how dairy farmers are already embracing these sustainable practices.
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Last year, DFC partnered with DUC to promote on-farm wetlands protection. / L'année dernière, les PLC se sont associés à CIC pour promouvoir la protection des zones humides à la ferme.
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CFGA Commanditaire d'or
Les initiatives de marketing des PLC, cet automne, permettent de renforcer la gestion environnementale effectuée par les producteurs laitiers
Dans le cadre de leurs efforts pour assurer la valeur des produits laitiers sur le plan de la gestion environnementale, les Producteurs laitiers du Canada (PLC) travaillent à faire en sorte que les consommateurs comprennent mieux ce qu’ils font au quotidien en matière de durabilité dans les exploitations agricoles canadiennes. Cet automne, les activités de marketing des PLC sont axées sur l'intensification des efforts et les objectifs des producteurs en matière de protection des terres, de l'eau et du sol, en particulier auprès des jeunes. Voici comment nous renforçons notre engagement de longue date par rapport à la gestion de l'environnement et des pratiques agricoles responsables.
Campagne numérique et d’influence de Canards Illimités
Canards Illimités Canada (CIC) est le principal organisme de conservation des milieux humides au Canada et un partenaire important de nombreuses organisations, dont les producteurs laitiers canadiens. La conservation des milieux humides peut améliorer la biodiversité à la ferme, protéger la faune locale et favoriser les avantages environnementaux pour le paysage environnant. Les producteurs qui s'associent à CIC en font directement l'expérience : le sol peut retenir l'humidité, ce qui favorise la croissance des cultures, réduit le ruissellement et améliore la gestion de l'eau.
L'année dernière, les PLC se sont associés à CIC pour promouvoir la protection des zones humides à la ferme. En septembre et octobre, nous avons souligné ces efforts dans une publicité numérique et une campagne d'influence dans les médias sociaux, en adoptant une approche éducative pour toucher les plus jeunes. Notre équipe a mis en valeur le travail d'une ferme laitière de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard, montrant aux consommateurs un exemple concret de la façon dont CIC et les producteurs travaillent main dans la main pour soutenir l'environnement.
Campagne basée sur le jeu en ligne
Il est bien connu que les jeux occupent une place importante dans la vie des milléniaux et ceux de la génération Z. C'est pourquoi les PLC ont lancé une campagne exceptionnelle les invitant à découvrir notre engagement en matière de carboneutralité par le biais de jeux en ligne.
Ces jeux adaptés aux mobiles s'inscrivent dans le prolongement de notre campagne « Je suis partant » qui vise à faire connaître à un plus grand nombre de jeunes Canadiens les engagements quotidiens des producteurs laitiers en matière de durabilité, en les rejoignant là où ils se trouvent – que ce soit en ligne (TikTok, YouTube) ou en personne (campus universitaires).
Boucler la boucle: Compost et campagne numérique d’Agri-RÉCUP
Les producteurs laitiers établissent une nouvelle norme en matière de recyclage, tant au sens traditionnel du terme que par des moyens propres à leur activité. Détourner les déchets plastiques des sites d'enfouissement est une préoccupation majeure des Canadiens, et pour ce faire, de plus en plus de producteurs s'associent à AgriRÉCUP. Cette entreprise de recyclage novatrice offre des solutions pour réduire l'utilisation du plastique à la ferme et faire le lien entre les producteurs et les centres de récupération et les fabricants locaux.
Les PLC veulent s'assurer que les plus jeunes comprennent bien ce que font les producteurs. En octobre, nous nous sommes associés à AgriRÉCUP pour une série de vidéos, dont celle d'un producteur laitier compressant du plastique agricole dans une presse d’AgriRÉCUP. Nous avons diffusé les vidéos bilingues de la campagne sur TikTok et Snapchat à la mi-octobre.
Une autre façon pour les producteurs de recycler consiste à gérer un sous-produit incontournable de l'élevage laitier : le fumier. Heureusement, ce sous-produit est également utile, car il améliore la santé des sols et le rendement des cultures. Le compostage du fumier, ainsi que les actions connexes, peuvent réduire l'empreinte carbone de la ferme laitière jusqu'à 36 %!
Afin d'aider les jeunes à comprendre à quel point ces pratiques sont essentielles à la production laitière et au maintien de faibles émissions de GES, les PLC ont fait de la gestion du fumier un thème central de la campagne numérique. Ils apprendront comment l'idée de recyclage va au-delà de notre compréhension traditionnelle du recyclage et de quelles façons les producteurs laitiers ont déjà adopté ces pratiques durables.
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2023 Success: Broadening our hay and forage lineup
As you prepare for the winter ahead, we can’t help but reflect on the 2022 haying season across Canada. While there is still much uncertainty around input costs, weather patterns and the cost of borrowing, Kubota is confident it can help bring continued success to your operation in 2023 by constantly evaluating your needs, learning and finding ways to improve.
Looking forward comes with learning and ways to improve, not only for you, but for the Kubota team as well. That’s why we broadened our hay and forage equipment offering to better serve our hard-working customers. This includes a new narrow transport 10.5-foot and a hugely productive 15.5-foot centre pivot disc mower conditioner. We’re also offering additional mounted, strait-cut disc mowers in 10.5-foot, 12-foot and 13.1-foot heavy-duty build, loaded with features for ease of use.
When it comes to hay and forage production, we have precision equipment dedicated to helping you at every step. Looking to increase feed or betting per bale this upcoming year? Kubota’s expanded lineup of BV series variable chamber round balers create dense, heavy bales wrapped in the PowerBind net wrap system. PowerBind provides peace of mind that your net will always stay tight with no interference, making bales that are easy to load.
No matter the size of the job, Kubota has a baler to fit your needs. Available in seven different round baler configurations, BV series balers maximize your productivity in the field. Featuring an 86-inch pick-up width, they easily channel the crop to the rotor and offer a selection of hi-float tire sizes to make in-field and field-to-field transport smooth. Kubota’s Parallelogram DropFloor system also allows you to quickly and easily clear blockages without leaving the tractor cab.
Tried and true, the BV5160 4x5.5-foot variable chamber baler comes in three configurations – a SuperFeed, SuperCut-14 and SuperCut-25. The brand new BV5200 offers the same trusted performance with the added flexibility to better choose your desired bale size. New to the Canadian market in 2022, this baler will create a larger 4x6.5-foot bale and is available in both SuperCut-14 and SuperCut-25 configurations. Additionally, Kubota offers the BV4580 5x6-foot baler featuring the "Easy Feed" system and standard net-and-twine binding.
Our product range can help you maximize feed quality and be agile when working in tough weather conditions, minimizing your time spent in the field. Kubota’s hay and forage equipment is also backed by a two-year warranty and you can lock in zero per cent financing for up to 48 months.
With a brand-new head office in Pickering, Ontario and a wide dealer network, Kubota is focused on supporting your local dealership and providing an industry-leading customer experience. Also, don’t forget about our other fantastic lines of equipment. From seeding, tillage and crop care to utility vehicles, ag tractors and skid steers, we have what your operation needs to excel.
Interested in learning more or booking a demo? Visit Kubota.ca or contact a Kubota dealership near you to experience the quality, flexibility and value of Kubota hay tools.
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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.
Nov. 15: Grazing Cover Crop Benefits: The Real Story. 7-8 pm. Virtual. More info.
Nov. 15-16: 2022 Transboundary Grasslands Partnership Workshop. Medicine Hat, AB. More info.
Nov. 15, 22, and 29: Perennial Forage Webinar Series. Virtual. 7 pm MST. For more info call 780-825-7260 or email forage@laraonline.ca
Nov. 18: PCBFA Farm Transition Planning.10 am-3:30 pm. Chateau Nova, Peace River. More info.
Nov. 21: Manitoba Women in Agriculture and Food Ag Chat. 7-8pm. 145 Edstan Place, Selkirk MB. More info.
Nov. 22-24: Ontario Forage Council Forage Focus Webinar Series. Virtual. More info.
Nov. 22-24: Agricultural Excellence Conference. Canmore, AB. More info.
Nov. 23, Dec. 7: Wednesday Night Networking with Steve Kenyon from Greener Pastures Ranching. 6 - 7:30 pm. Virtual. More info.
Nov. 24: Lakeland Agricultural Research Association presents Joel Willams: What’s New in Soil Health. 7-9 pm. Virtual. More info.
Nov. 24: Saskatchewan Advisory Meeting on Forage Crops. 8:30 am- 5:00 pm. Saskatchewan Room C, Saskatoon Inn. More info or email office@saskforage.ca.
Nov. 29-Dec. 2: CFGA 2022 Conference: Cross Pollination: Co-Creating Ideas in the Forage Industry. Virtual. More info.
Nov. 30: Foothills Forage and Grazing Association Environmental Farm Plan Workshop. 9 am-3 pm. MD Willow Creek Municipal Building, Claresholm, AB. More info.
Dec. 13: Jan.10. Feb. 14. Mar. 14. FCC Your Path to Farm Transition Event Series. 2 pm EST. Virtual. More info.
Dec. 14-15: Foraging into the Future. Swift Current, SK. More info.
Jan. 10: AFIN Feet in the Field, Eyes on the Stars: An Ag Research Showcase. 2-5 pm. Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel. More info.
Jan. 10-Feb. 21: Ontario Forage Council Advanced Grazing Mentorship Program Series 3. Tuesdays 7:30-9 pm. Virtual. More info.
Jan. 26-27: Manitoba Forage Seed Association's Forage Seed Seminar. Virtual. More info.
Feb. 8: Peace Region Living Lab: Below Ground. Rycroft Ag Society Hall. More info.
More event listings:
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