MFGA eBulletin - FEB 2021 |
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From the Desk of the Executive Director |
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It’s often been said that when one door closes, another door opens.
In the case of MFGA’s Green Gold program, that is exactly what has happened for MFGA. We were reeling internally with the prospects of losing long-time Green Gold architect John McGregor who advised last spring that his alfalfa-Relative-Feed-Value-clipping days were just about done. That was a big thing for us. But with John moving on, we were able to secure his generous mentorship and program guidance in transition, and we opened a door for Terra Bergen, MFGA social media coordinator to take over the MFGA Green Gold. Some of you may know Terra as the daughter of former MFGA chair Dave Koslowsky and wife Rhonda from the Killarney area. We look forward to Terra taking the reins from John on this very important and long-running MFGA program. John has agreed to keep writing our Hay Reports and some of our eBulletin articles which is awesome. Thank you John and congrats Terra! More details below on the MFGA Green Gold Program.
On MFGA board business, MFGA has welcomed two new MFGA board members onside: Zack Koscielny (producer) and Guy Bouchard (Manitoba Sheep Association rep). Zack showed up to his first MFGA Board zoom meeting in a Calgary Flames hat so we will need to deal with that over time :) and Guy showed up with one of his children bouncing on his knee which endeared him immediately to all of us. We welcome both Zack and Guy, their positive impact was immediate. MFGA remains in good hands over each of their respective terms.
On our partnership files, MFGA wishes the Province of Manitoba best success with their Protein Summit next week. We would like to pass our heartiest congrats on to MBP general manager Carson Callum and MBP team for a successful and interesting AGM last week. Congratulations to the new executive group at Manitoba Beef Producers led by President Tyler Fulton, Vice-President Melissa Atchison, 2nd Vice-President Matthew Atkinson, Treasurer Mark Good and Secretary Mike Duguid, who assures us at MFGA that he will retain his MFGA Board seat as MBP rep. Congratulations to all at MBP!
And, a wave of the hand goodbye to former KAP General Manager Patty Rosher who starts her new position as Assistant Chief Commissioner at Canadian Grain Commission. Patty and the KAP team did some really good things for grasslands and MFGA producers – see KAP Forage Establishment Insurance Survey below as example - in Patty's time at KAP and we appreciate Patty’s valuable work and leadership and wish her well moving forward. KAP also held a successful AGM, where the membership of KAP appointed President Bill Campbell, Vice President Jill Verwey, and 2nd Vice President Jake Ayre as 2021-22 KAP Executive.
Watch for more news on our 2021 MFGA Regen Ag Conference soon!
Muchos Grasses,
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director
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Kirkella Community Pasture Watered, Scrubbed and Ready to Shine as Nature-Based Jewel
The 3,280 acre Kirkella Community Pasture is ready to shine brightly as a nature-based jewel through funding provided by The Conservation Trust, a Manitoba Climate and Green Plan Initiative delivered by the MHHC. Read the full media release.
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Calling all Alfalfa Producers: We need your fields!
The MFGA Green Gold Program (Optimum Alfalfa Harvest Date) represents MFGA's longest-running producer-based programs for Manitoba forage producers. Once again, we are seeking producers with hay fields that are mostly alfalfa, fairly new, and in good condition for testing through the May/June growing season until the first cut. Over the years, MFGA has had up to 19 fields enrolled across eastern, central and western Manitoba.
Your Benefits: You will receive results from Green Gold fields twice weekly from the beginning of sampling until first cut, providing you with insights and real time information on when might be the best first cut for your alfalfa field.
Eligibility: You must agree to sample your field twice weekly (Monday & Wednesday) and submit to Central Testing Laboratory Ltd. via courier. (Costs covered by MFGA).
If interested, contact Terra, MFGA Green Gold Program Coordinator.
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MFG 2021 Board announcements
MFGA Board unanimously approved two new MFGA Board members. Welcome Zack and Guy!
Zack Koscielny: MFGA Producer Representative
I farm just south of Strathclair with my parents. We have a mixed operation with a commercial cow-calf herd, direct marketed beef, pork, eggs, and as of 2020 a small amount of organic grains. For the past several years, we have been following the regenerative agriculture model, using diversity, cover crops and animal impact to rejuvenate our soils and agroecosystem. I graduated from the U of Manitoba in 2018 with a B.Sc. Agroecology. I look forward to working with the MFGA!
Guy Bouchard: Manitoba Sheep Association Representative
My wife Leah and I and our three boys live in southeast Manitoba near Vita. We raise two flocks of turkeys every summer, and currently have a flock of 120 ewes. Sheep are grazed rotationally in summer and we also keep a handful of steers in the rotation. We grow our own hay and some oats for feed and straw. I have been a director for Manitoba Sheep Association representing the south-east for five years. I'm glad to join the MGFA team because I find the shared education on grazing and forages is beneficial to all sheep producers.
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February Hay Situation & Price Update
John McGregor, MFGA Hay Expert, contacts provincial livestock specialists, forage producers and industry personnel to get their impression of current hay prices and the hay situation. The full report found here.
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Planning for and dealing with Drought
For the past three years, Manitoba has experienced below normal moisture conditions. Read on...
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Polar Vortex: Critical Soil Temperature Concerns
The variability of snowfall this winter and the recent “Polar Vortex” has many forage producers expressing concern with the survival of their alfalfa stands. We are starting to see soil temperatures across Manitoba drop into the critical range for alfalfa in a lot of areas. Read on...
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Manitoba keeps rolling on Sustainable Protein
The 2021 Manitoba Protein Summit will be held February 23 – 25 marking the second major event hosted by the Manitoba government, along with the Manitoba Protein Consortium. The first event held recently was an interactive virtual forum on Sustainable Protein Innovation. Read the full Govt of Mb News Release.
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MASC's Livestock Price Insurance Update
MASC's Western Livestock Price Insurance Program is now known as Livestock Price Insurance. More information about Livestock Price Insurance found here.
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KAP Survey – Forage Establishment Insurance Polycrop Coverage
Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) is considering an annuals option for forage establishment insurance that would provide coverage for polycrops and is seeking feedback. There is currently no forage establishment insurance for annuals in Manitoba, and MASC is interested to know the potential demand for an option. Complete the KAP survey.
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Canadian dairy farmers sought for silage survey
A Canadian research team led by Nancy McLean, Dalhousie University and Linda Jewell, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) – St-John’s, Newfoundland, is inviting dairy farmers to fill in a survey on silage production and management.
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ALUS and U of Alberta hosting AMP workshop
ALUS is helping the University of Alberta to conduct workshops about adaptive multi-paddock grazing include an informative presentation by Dr. Timm Döbert, followed by a facilitated discussion. All ranchers are welcome and attendees do not need to be ALUS participants. Two time slots and dates are available - March 3 and 4, 2021. More info here.
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Farm Safety Tip from the Manitoba Farm Safety Program
Has anyone on your farm completed first aid training? It can take a long time for help to reach a farm if someone is injured or has a medical emergency. It is always good practice for one or more people to have first aid training. For some farms with several employees, or farms with greater travel distances to a medical facility, it is also a legal requirement under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. Contact the Manitoba Farm Safety Program here for more information.
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Industry Events
KAP Mental Health Literacy Workshop Series - Feb, March, 2021
KAP is providing a series of "In the Know" mental health literacy workshops January to March. These workshops are four hours long, offered at various dates and times, and provided by a mental health professional with lived on farm experience. KAP’s goal is to train 500 farmers, and those who work with farmers, to create an informed and caring network within our industry. Details and registration here.
Environmental Farm Plan Workshop - Feb 3, 17, March 3, 17, 2021
Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) workshops, via "GoTo Meeting", will guide producers through a workbook to help assess and identify the environmental assets and risks on their farm operations, and develop an action plan to address the identified risks. Workbooks and support material will be provided to those who attend. EFPs must be renewed every five years to remain valid. Details and registration here.
BC Forage Council FREE Webinars - Tuesdays & Thursdays in Feb, March, 2021
Forage Management Knowledge Transfer, Tuesdays, 6-8p.m. PST
Demonstrating Innovative Pasture Rejuvenation Practices in the Central and Northern Interior of BC, Thursdays, 6-7p.m. PST
Visit the BCFC website for the full schedule and information. 2021 Manitoba Protein Summit - Feb 23-25, 2021
This second annual event will include dynamic speakers from around the world, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Join in each morning and learn about sustainable protein industry growth, market and consumer insights, protein innovation. Register today!
Virtual Holistic Management Conference - Feb 25, March 4, 11, 18, 2021
Delivered via four evening sessions in February and March, this virtual conference covers Holistic Management Goal Setting, Planned Grazing, Cover Crops, and Financial Planning. Donations gratefully accepted. Contact Ralph at rlcorcoran@sasktel.net.
MARD Stocktalk Webinar - Marketing Mania - Feb 25, 2021
The Manitoba Agriculture & Resource Development is offering Stocktalk webinar series full of interesting livestock and forage presentations aimed to help Manitoba beef producers best manage their cattle operations. Details here.
Future Webinars:
KAP Young Farmers Bearpit with Minister Pedersen – February 19, 2021
Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen will join KAP and the Manitoba Young Farmers from 12:00 to 12:30 pm for a bearpit session about the issues affecting young farmers in Manitoba (11:00 am for the prep session). Register here.
2021 Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Conference - March 1-3, 2021
Join in this virtual conference co-hosted by the University of Manitoba’s National Centre for Livestock and the Environment and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The three days will provide morning workshops and afternoon panel discussions with producers, researchers, and industry specialists representing both crop and livestock sectors and an exciting session with graduate students who will share their research through short videos. The full program located here. Cost is Free but you must register to receive a link.
2021 Manitoba Young Farmers Conference - Thursday, March 4, 2021
This year's conference will be held virtually and focus on strategies for improving profitability without increasing farm size. This will include presentations on making data-driven decisions, improving efficiency, and adding value. The conference is free for everyone, with a particular focus on farmers ages 18-40. More information, the speaker lineup, and a registration link will be available soon at kap.ca.
MFGA 2021 Regenerative Ag Conference - Nov 15-17, 2021
Mark you calendar for our 4th Annual Event! Watch here for details as they unfold.
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We are proud to showcase our 2020/21 Annual Supporters!
Our 2021/22 MFGA Annual Supporter campaign is on, details here. |
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