MFGA eBulletin - November 2022

From the Desk of the Executive Director

The buzz of up to 215 attendees during peak times at the 2022 MFGA Regen Ag Conference was impressive. The vibe was bold, happy and contagious (in a good way :) ). The networking was evident; the catching up with long-time farming friends, peers and industry connections percolated constantly. The perimeter trade show loop often was a scene of constant traffic. The keynotes were top-notch, led by the humble grace of Dr. Fred Provenza and the incredible knowledge of Kara Kroeger, David McInnis, and Randy Booker. The panels were full of Manitoba, prairie producers and national experts and were navigated and prompted by the preparations of session moderators Laura Rance, Ryan Boyd, Kimberly Cornish, Mae Elsinger and Lawrence Knockaert. All of the MFGA project presenters delivered a valuable scope into the MFGA world, our valuable role in project collaboration and some of the key projects we have popping in our loops such as the Manitoba Association of Watershed’s Prairie Watershed Climate Program (PWCP) funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s On Farm Climate Action Fund and the MFGA Aquanty Forecasting Tool. And Dean Stewart, Howling Pro Audio Visual did the usual awesome job on conference AV.

The prominence of the event was ramped up by Hon. Derek Johnson, Manitoba’s Agriculture Minister, via a heartfelt and motivating welcome video to MFGA conference delegates that was played both days to open the conference and reinforced by a personal-experience, agriculture-focused address by Diljeet Brar, MLA for Burrows and provincial NDP Agriculture critic on opening day of the event.

All in all, the fifth-ever MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference was exactly what MFGA hoped it would become five years ago:

- An event of learning and networking around the presentations of informative keynotes and backed by experiential and often-sage overviews of mostly Made-in-Manitoba producer-focused panels around regenerative agriculture themes.

- A place of peer-to-peer interactions and open dialogues around farming practices: the successes and the barriers, the ability to provide and receive uncensored, provocative views, the promotion of some tried and tested practices, perhaps some with a new spin, perhaps some as old as the hills.

- A reinforcement of the farm gate decisions each farm faces regardless of farming stripes, with the benefit of listening to how other farmers have done things, adapted things or abandoned things.

- A chance to see the latest products and services offered by nearly 20 trade show booths, all dedicated by the chance to speak with farmers and producers about their products and gather feedback and intel on what’s new and upward.

- A carefully thought-out agenda that prompted attendees to travel to/from all parts of Manitoba, in carpools from Saskatchewan and Alberta, and northward for a smattering of good folks from the Northern USA states.

And for those reasons, MFGA is deeply indebted to all that attended our 2022 MFGA Regen Ag Conference. We are humbled by all that supported us and our event, and we graciously thank all that wished us well and great success. We also need to salute the hard work put in by the MFGA Board led by Lawrence Knockaert, MFGA chair, the commitment of the 2022 conference committee led by co-chairs Larry Wegner and Zack Koscielny, and the dedication and friendliness of staff members Denice Girdner, Chris Yuzdepski, Terra Bergen and John McGregor.

Cant wait for next year!!!

Muchos Grasses ALL,

Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director

MFGA welcomes two, bids farewell to two on MFGA Board

The MFGA AGM held November 14 in Brandon saw two long-time MFGA board members term out. Larry Wegner, MFGA Past Chair, concluded a six-year term that saw Larry lead the organization for two years as chair, advancing MFGA especially on the regen ag and prairie collaboration fronts. Brandon-area producer Kristelle Harper of Circle-H Farms also concluded a six-year term that started when Kristelle and Andrea Hamilton, both still in University, shadowed the MFGA Board at meetings and con-calls for a year, learning about the org and what board members expectations are before joining the MFGA Board. The board loss of Larry and Kristelle are significant, we are confident they won't stray too far from our loops. On the other side of the board succession MFGA added two board members: Sean Smith, a regen-ag focused dairy farmer from Clanman Jerseys, Clanwilliam, MB and Amber McNish, a keen voice for forages, livestock and regen ag whose family farms near Lyleton, MB. MFGA welcomes both Sean and Amber!!

MFGA Chair Lawrence Knockaert presents Larry Wegner with a recognition plaque for Larry's contributions to the organization as a member of the MFGA Executive Board.

Second-ever group of MFGA Wall of Fame Inductees announced

A retired Manitoba agrologist and sheep farmer, an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada rangeland biologist and a farmer-turned-Grazing Club whiz represent Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association’s (MFGA) second-ever inductee class to the MFGA Wall of Fame, was announced at the 2022 MFGA Annual General Meeting as the organization’s fifth annual regenerative agriculture conference kicked off.

MFGA WALL OF FAME 2022 INDUCTEES

- Henry Nelson: Category: Producer: Organizational Leadership

- Mae Elsinger: Category: Government: Agriculture Research Leadership

- Michael Thiele: Category: Producer: Peer to Peer Leadership

Read the full MFGA media release.

Manitoba Government Launches New Water Management Strategy

MFGA joined several key agricultural stakeholders in attendance at Fort Whyte Alive as Premier Heather Stefanson and Environment Minister Jeff Wharton released a new provincial Water Management Strategy. The new strategy provides a comprehensive framework that aims to meet the diverse water needs of all Manitobans while addressing the water challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow. The strategy provides high-level direction and guidance on water, and includes a vision, mission, guiding principles, and eleven key focus areas. MFGA will be participating in the opportunity to provide our perspectives and ideas to help inform the water action plan. Learn more.

View the Water Management Strategy Document

View the Premier and Minister Statement

MFGA Conservation Trust Project Update: Uptake in DUC MAP program exceeds expectations

Despite flood conditions this spring in many areas of the province, many of the forage acres enrolled in the Conservation Trust funded program led by MFGA and in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) were seeded this spring. According to DUC’s Manitoba operations team, project leads on the producer and acres delivery outcomes of the project, grain farmers are realizing the true cost of farming marginal areas of annually cropped fields and as such, uptake in the MAP program in 2022 far exceeded expectations. “DUC delivery staff are busy signing contracts and getting payments out to producers,” said Ken Gross, DUC Manitoba. “We are on par with achieving the goals set out in the proposal and as a result, more than $285k will be put into the pockets of Manitoba forage producers for the restoration of cultivated acres to perennial forage.” The MFGA-DUC Conservation Trust partnership project concludes in March 2023 after a run of four years. Contact DUC Brandon office at (204) 285-9779 for more information on MAP and other DUC programs.

MFGA Conservation Trust Project Update: Bison Return to Regenerate Soils

Each year, Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation invites Conservation Trust (CT) grant applications for on-the-ground conservation projects across Manitoba that benefit water quantity and quality, wildlife habitat, soil health, and nature. CT received a project application in 2020 from MFGA to convert 160 acres of grainland to a grazing system. The project goals were to demonstrate regenerative agriculture to improve economic returns to the farm while providing water storage, improved soil health, and increased wildlife habitat. Brooks and Jen White were selected to implement the project, 5^th generation owner/operators of Borderland Agriculture, a grain farm and bison ranch located in the far south-west corner of Manitoba. Read more about the project here.

November Hay Situation & Price Update

Looking back at 2022, pastures and hayfields rebounded remarkably well after the severe water shortage of 2021 and produced average to above average forage volumes, keeping up with grazing pressure. Read on...

Haylage vs Hay

One of the things that we see year after year is that getting first cut hay off in a timely manner is difficult. This year again was a reminder that June rains can and do cause loss of quality to swathed hay and/or overly mature standing hay. 2022 also reminded us of the difficulty in getting dry hay up when we don’t have a four-five day window without rain. Read on...

The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program is here to help

It can be difficult to know where to turn for help when stress on the farm begins to feel overwhelming. The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program was created specifically for farmers and their families – to offer a safe and flexible way to get the help needed. MFGA will be donating to this program in lieu of keynote speaker gifts at the 2022 MFGA Regen Ag Conference. Visit their site for more details.

Harvested Production Report Deadline - November 30

November 30 is MASC’s deadline to complete your Harvested Production Report (HPR), file post-harvest claims, and select your 2023 Excess Moisture Insurance coverage. HPRs and claims can be completed online through myMASC, by mailing your completed forms, or by connecting with a team member at your nearest MASC Service Centre. File your HPR as soon as possible to avoid incurring late fees.

New website a valuable resource on livestock production research

The National Centre for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE) at the University of Manitoba has launched a new website that puts a wealth of information at the fingertips of the producers, researchers and other industry stakeholders. Visit the NCLE website here.

Industry Events

Building Practical Farm HR Policies - Nov 30, 2022 webinar, 12PM EDT

Based on information in the AgriHR Toolkit, this CAHRC webinar, for farm owners and managers, will explain why employee handbooks are crucial for EVERY business.

Bonus: Attendees receive an Employee Handbook template with over 80 pages of customizable HR policies. Register.

Manitoba Association of Watersheds Conference - Dec 5-7, 2022, Winnipeg, Mb

Held at CanadInns Polo Park, this year's theme is Building Resilient Watersheds and focuses on climate resiliency at the watershed level. MFGA Aquanty Forecasting Tool will be featured as one of the keynote presentations at this year's conference. Visit their site.

Annual Manitoba Dairy Conference (MDC), Dec 7-9, 2022, Winnipeg, Mb

Much-appreciated MFGA partners and supporters at the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba will host their 15th annual conference at the Winnipeg Victoria Inn. More details here.

Western Canada Soil Health & Grazing Conference - Dec 13-15, 2022, Edmonton, Ab

Two great conferences come together: Western Canada Conference on Soil Health & Western Canadian Grazing Conference, titled "Soil & Grazing: Biology Not Geology"and held at the Double Tree Hilton. Full conference details here.

2022 Sustainable Animal Protein Summit – Dec 15, 2022, Winnipeg, Mb

The first Sustainable Animal Protein Summit hosted by Manitoba Agriculture on December 15, 2022 in Winnipeg. Contact mbproteinadvantage@gov.mb.ca with any questions.

Grey Bruce Farmer's Week (GBFW) - Jan 4-10, 2022, Elmwood, On

GBFW is run by a small committee of producers with a mandate to provide agricultural education to our communities. More information about the conference here.

Manitoba Ag Days - Jan 17-19, 2023, Brandon, Mb

Back to in-person, this annual event is an exposition of agricultural production expertise, technology, and equipment that attracts exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and the United States of America. Held at the Keystone Centre. Details here.

Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds Annual Conference - Jan 31 to Feb 1, 2023, Saskatoon, Sk

This year's conference will be filled with diverse speakers from varying backgrounds and perspectives speaking about water and agriculture. Participate in networking opportunities with those in academia, non-profit groups, industry, and agriculture!

Watch the SAW website for details.

44th MBP Annual General Meeting - Feb 2-3, 2023, Winnipeg, Mb

Held at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre in Winnipeg, the Manitoba Beef Producer's AGM will feature topical breakout sessions, panel discussions, resolutions debate, and an opportunity to interact with our fellow beef producers, other members of the value chain, and government officials. Watch for details 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.