MFGA eBulletin - February 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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February, you just have a way of sneaking past us, don’t you?
Reportedly, Canada Geese are bound for Canada - a sure sign of spring ahead - and have been passing over Bismarck, ND this week. But, as fast-arriving and fast-moving as it has been, what a great February we have had at MFGA.
- Earlier this week, we announced our partnership with Pembina Valley Watershed District for the development of a HydroGeoSphere forecasting tool by our partners at Aquanty Inc that will help farmer and land managers in the Pembina and Plum River watershed forecast their water resources. This project gives MFGA two water forecasting tools within the province’s southern river basins: the Assiniboine River and the Red River that will be hosted on the MFGA.net portal. Both will be launched by April 2023 after webinars and focus groups.
- Brandon’s Assiniboine Community College was awarded a five-year $1.7 million project “Developing a Net-Positive Network (NPN) for education and outreach to build healthier soil ecosystems in Western Canada” by the Weston Family Foundation. MFGA is one of the confirmed project partners in this project along with Rourke Farms Ltd., Farm Management Canada, Manitoba Association of Watersheds, and Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers.
- And great work coordinated by Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) continues to advance on the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) through AAFC’s On-Farm Climate Action Fund. Farmers and ranchers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan interested in funding for BMPs around rotational grazing, cover crops and nitrogen management should check out the MAW website. MFGA is a very keen project partner in the PWCP.
- The 2023 MFGA Regen Ag Conference Committee has kicked off the planning and have secured the commitment of one high-profile North American keynote with another in earnest discussion. Stay tuned for more great news on the 2023 Conference in the next few weeks.
All in all, a great February to be part of. We thank you all for your valuable support of MFGA.
Muchos Grasses ALL,
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director
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HOLD THE DATES: MFGA’S 2023 REGEN AG CONFERENCE SET FOR NOVEMBER 13-15, 2023
Lock down your calendar right now for our 2023 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference, a 2.5 day event to be held November 13-15, 2023, Victoria Inn, Brandon, Mb. Our 6th Annual event is in early stages of planning and will feature International and Canadian keynote speakers and local producer panels, all focusing on regenerative agriculture. Watch for more details!
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MFGA Board Adds/Assigns Board Members
A key signal of any healthy organization is a succession plan for board members that are terming off or stepping down. MFGA Board of Directors recently confirmed some board additions and appointments:
Harold Bosma: appointed to MFGA Board as Manitoba Sheep Association (MSA) rep
Guy Bouchard: Termed off MSA, nominated to the MFGA Board as producer rep
Amber McNish: added as a producer rep to MFGA Board
Sean Smith: added as a producer rep to MFGA Board
Andrea Hamilton, Zack Koscielny: producer reps re-appointed as MFGA Finance co-chairs.
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Soil Organic Matter and Drought
Over the past 30 to 40 years, Manitoba farmers have shifted towards continuous
cropping, direct seeding and reduced tillage. These practices have been very positive in starting the process of increasing soil organic matter (SOM) levels, which, in turn, is improving soil quality. Read on...
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An exciting, high-tech modelling project led by Pembina Valley Watershed District (PVWD) and Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) that will have the ability to forecast and detail water resources and water movement in the Pembina River Valley for farmers and land managers is nearing completion and readying for public launch. This AAFC-funded forecast tool will help inform decisions with RealTime water data. Read the full MFGA Media Release.
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Pasture 101: A New Collection of Grazing Management Resources
Pasture 101, a project initiated by the Alberta Beef, Forage and Grazing Centre and informed by producer and expert input, is an extensive online collection of grazing management resources. Pasture 101 is hosted on BeefResearch.ca.
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Regeneration Canada is hiring
Regeneration Canada is looking for people who are passionate about soil health and nature-based climate solutions, and who want to work with a small dynamic team. View the details on two positions:
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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.
Covers & Co Farmer Panels - Feb 20, March 6, 2023, Virtual
- 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.
Woodworth Grazing Club Webinar - Feb 20, 2023, Zoom
Theme: Forage Establish Funding via Zoom. Contact: Grazing Club Coordinator Michael Thiele 204-365-6334, mthiele567@gmail.com.
Master class with Steve Groff - Feb 23, 2023, Drummondville, QC
Part of a series of bilingual events co-organized by Regeneration Canada, Steve Groff - designer of the first cover crop roller-crimper in North America - will speak.
ARBI 9th Annual Conference - March 1-2, 2023, Regina, SK & Virtual
Assiniboine River Basin Initiative's conference will be offered both virtually and in-person at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Presentations will include global and basin level water management issues as well as research and program updates. More here.
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
Hosted by 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. Register here.
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.
2023 MFGA Regenerative Ag Conference - Nov 13-15, 2023, Brandon, MB
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Our 2023/24 Annual Supporter Campaign is on now!
Join these 2022/23 leaders who are some of the best of the best in the agriculture and conservation communities - sign up here!
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