This week, our 2021 Regenerative Agriculture Conference continued to take shape as we hammered out the last of our speaker line-up. More exciting news there, our speaker line-up looks amazing. Also this week, we welcomed Trevor and Cheryl Branvold and their sons Brett and Carter of GBT Angus from Wawota, Saskatchewan as MFGA Bundled Silver Sponsors (Annual and Conference). The Branvold’s have been big parts of the MFGA mix since our first conference in 2018 and we appreciate their support and friendship. Equally exciting, our colleagues at Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation are providing excellent support at the MFGA Gold Sponsor Level and Nutrien Ag Solutions, a valuable and counted-on MFGA sponsor each year, has also stepped up as a MFGA Bundled Gold Sponsor to ensure a profile with MFGA outreach and conference related items.

Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development (MARD) is reminding agricultural producers affected by dry conditions of the programs and services available to crop and livestock producers. To date, low levels of precipitation and soil moisture have impacted seeding operations and slowed the growth of pastures and forage crops in parts of Manitoba. MARD provides several tools and resources for producers to manage the impact of dry conditions including. Learn more by reading the full Provincial News Release.

The 2021-22 MFGA Board recently updated the organization’s official position on carbon, landing on seven key MFGA areas as primary recommendations for all government and industry leadership on future carbon offset systems, projects and producer engagement. Read the full MFGA media release here.

The Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC) recently announced $2.8 million in grants for 23 new conservation projects, of which MFGA received some of this funding for two wildlife habitat and soil health-related projects. Via the two 2021 one-year MFGA-led projects, MFGA will work with farmers and on-the-ground project leaders from Ducks Unlimited Canada (Manitoba); Assiniboine West, Central Assiniboine, and Souris River Watershed Districts; and an exciting partnership with the Manitoba Organic Alliance to develop a Grazing App modelled after a successful application stateside. Read the full MFGA Media Release.

Learn more about these exciting projects on MFGA's Project page.

As we make our way into mid- May, I felt this would be good timing to jot some thoughts on the forage industry in Manitoba. In our farm’s system, we declare a rain event if it produces more than 25 mm or one inch of rain in 24 hours. Looking back at our family farm’s grazing chart for 2019 and 2020... Read on.

All regions are reporting dry conditions and slow growth of hay and pasture fields according to the latest Manitoba Agriculture Resource Development (MARD) crop report. Read on...

Lack of rain and cool temperatures have slowed growth in hay and pasture fields during April to early May. The low moisture conditions during the fall and winter of 2020-21 have failed to recharge soil moisture levels and left many dugouts and slough with water levels lower than normal. Read on...

Find your Optimum First-Cut Alfalfa Date when you sign-up for MFGA's Green Gold Program! Receive tested results twice-weekly and know the best window to cut your hay. To sign-up for this free service, contact Terra, MFGA Green Gold Program Coordinator.

Learn more about the integration of dual purpose perennial grain crops in modern agriculture practices with Patrick Le Heiget, MSc student at the University of Manitoba and take a 3-minute tour of his research. Watch the video here.

AgriStability is one of the business risk management programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, protecting Canadian producers against large declines in farming income for reasons such as production loss, increased costs and market conditions. It's a margin based program designed to help producers manage large income declines. Information on eligibility and how to apply, found here.

The Manitoba government is launching an online public engagement to seek feedback to better understand Manitobans experiences with the Ag Action Manitoba program, thoughts on existing Ag Action Manitoba priority areas, and thoughts on new and emerging issues and opportunities in the sector. Take part in the engagement by May 27.

Who's Who in Manitoba - Outlines the four primary organizations involved in farm safety and their roles in educating producers to create safer farm workplaces in Manitoba.

Safety and Health Legislation in Manitoba - How that applies to farms.

In this Forage BMP Manual, find BMPs you can implement to enhance and maximize soil carbon sequestration.

KAP recently announced Brenna Mahoney as their new general manager. Mahoney has contributed to and built national coalitions and partnerships focused on advancing grain nutrition and health, farm practices, market access, public trust and sustainability. Read the full KAP News Release.

Cleanfarms highlights gains in collecting Ag-Waste for recycling

Cleanfarms recent 2020 Annual Report shows that Canadian farmers will use environmental programs that help them manage ag waste. Farmers/producers across Canada returned more than 5.5M empty pesticide and fertilizer jugs for recycling in 2020 bringing the total since the program began to 137.4M recycled.

Join Manitoba Women in Agriculture and Food’s (MWAF) online networking place for men & women, held monthly (4th Monday) 7-8 PM CT. Visit the MWAF website for topic details and registration. MWAF's mission is to advance the diversity of Ag and food industry and people of all genders.

Introduction to Holistic Management - Oct 4-Nov 8, 2021, Mondays

Live online classes, recorded for later viewing, from 6:00-7:30pm MST. Discover how to manage your farm or ranch for the triple bottom line (social, environmental, and financial sustainability). Learn how to improve your ability to observe, understand, and make decisions through our Holistic Goal Setting and Decision Testing Framework. Scholarships available. Register by Oct 4 here.

Lock down your calendar right now for our 2021 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference, held November 15-17, 2021. The theme is Water for Generations and we have secured a number of top-notch keynote speakers and producer panels including international, national and local experts, all of them focusing on regenerative agriculture and the great potential of working with the land to help improve your farm operations and the health of your farm lands.

AgEx is the only event in Canada dedicated exclusively to bringing farm management enthusiasts together to build their business acumen. This year's theme, The Challenge of Change, is about acknowledging that change can be difficult and also provide immense opportunity - learning how to confront change with confidence is the key. Conference-goers will come away from AgEx equipped with the information, tools and practical skills to prosper change. Register here.

Save the date for Canadian Forage & Grassland's annual conference, Forage Landscape Synergies. Visit their website for further details.

We are proud to showcase our 2021/22 Annual Supporters! 

Join these leaders who are some of the best of the best in the agriculture and conservation communities - sign up here!