MFGA eBulletin - October 2023

Photo Credit: Steve Langston

From the Desk of the Executive Director

MFGA congratulates Premier Wab Kinew, Agriculture Minister Ronald Kostyshyn and the new Manitoba Government

MFGA would like to congratulate Premier Wab Kinew and the new Manitoba government, including just-announced Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ronald Kostyshyn.

MFGA salutes Minister Kostyshyn’s farming and rural-based background, including a previous posting as Manitoba’s Minister for Agriculture, Food & Rural Development. We anticipate working with the Minister on key MFGA issues around farmer profitability and on-farm sustainability practices and farmer-led delivery of programs around soil, grasslands, and water.

We look forward to working with Premier Kinew and Manitoba government leaders including Minster Kostyshyn; Minister Tracy Schmidt, Environment and Climate Change; and particularly in discussions around our MFGA Aquanty water modelling and abilities with Minister Lisa Naylor, Transportation and Infrastructure; Minister Jamie Moses, Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources and others as they begin their journey to govern our province. MFGA would also like to congratulate and thank MLA Diljeet Brar, who as opposition agriculture critic attended and addressed MFGA’s Regenerative Agriculture Conference in 2022 and always made time for MFGA meetings over the past few years.

In that spirit, we sincerely thank former Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson, as well as previous Manitoba agriculture ministers Blaine Pedersen and Ralph Eichler for their support of MFGA, including a very appreciated open-door policy for MFGA-requested meetings among all three. MFGA also enjoyed productive meetings with MLAs Rochelle Squires and Jeff Wharton during their respective leadership of the Province’s Environment Department, specific to Manitoba’s water resources around the MFGA Aquanty Model and Forecasting Tool.

MFGA also acknowledges the establishment and acceleration of the Conservation Trust and the GRoW Trust endowment funding mechanisms under the governments of former premiers Brian Pallister and Heather Stefanson that have helped groups like MFGA find imperative and much-needed funding to continue to work with and for farmers for sustainable agriculture solutions on their lands.

Muchos Grasses ALL,

Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director

25 Day Countdown - get registered!

With world-class keynotes such as Brendon Rockey and Dr. Jonathan Lundgren of Blue Dasher Farms/Ecdysis Foundation at the podium, we are thrilled with the quality of keynote speakers scheduled to date for the sixth annual 2023 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference to be held November 13-15, 2023 at the Victoria Inn and Conference Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. Other speakers include Dr. Paul Galpern of the University of Calgary on pollinators and prairie landscapes; Ian Steppler, who many will be familiar with from his work with Manitoba Beekeepers Association; Derek and Tanis Axten, who are awesome speakers and valuable additions to our conference to showcase the way they farm in Saskatchewan; Korb Whale, Owner/Operator of Mapleton Organic Dairy in Ontario; North Dakota’s Kalie Rider, Nutrition Consultant and Educator; and Dr Steven Frey, Aquanty Project’s Forecast Tool. Our conference promises to be a busy hive of networking and knowledge. It's not too late to get a booth or register! See detailed plans here.

Brandon’s Assiniboine Community College Formally Names Russ Edwards School Agriculture & Environment

ACC has been growing its agriculture and environment programming to help address skills shortages in this key economic sector. Further, agriculture and food is the largest area of applied research at Assiniboine. The college has been fundraising for a new Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, which will enable

further education, research and industry engagement.

The formal naming of the School represents another step in this journey. Russ Edwards, founder and owner of WGI Westman Group, announced a gift of $4 million dollars towards the school.

“This is an incredible gift, and we are eternally grateful to Mr. Edwards and his family for their commitment to help us build unparalleled educational opportunities in Manitoba,” said Tim Hore, Dean of Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment. “It will have a long-lasting impact as our college continues to advance its vision for leadership in agricultural education.”

Do I have Enough Hay?

As we approach the end of October, most of the forage produced this year has been put up and is ready to feed. Most producers currently take inventory of the forage they have and then decide if they have enough forage of adequate quality to meet their livestock’s needs throughout the winter feeding period. This might include putting some higher quality feed aside to feed to their cows in their late gestation period and/or after calving. It may also involve deciding how much lower quality feed is needed to mix with the better hay to help stretch feed supplies. Read on..

October Hay Situation & Price Update

The significant rainfall across most of Manitoba in the first week of October improved soil moisture conditions across all of Manitoba. With not much rain in the forecast over the next few weeks, Manitoba should still be going into winter with a fairly good moisture situation. Read on..

PhD Study Looks for Innovative Grain Farmers

Minto-area farmer, author and PhD candidate David Rourke is looking for Innovative Net Positive / Net Zero Carbon Grain Farmers, who would like to share their successes (and failures) along with enablers and barriers in their journey. “I need these innovators for my PhD research entitled, In Search of Net Positive Carbon Grain Farming in Western Canada: Innovation in Policy and Practice,” said Rourke. “The two key elements will be a desire to dramatically reduce emissions and sequester more carbon in the soil. These farmers may currently be doing this already for the environment but are more likely to improve soil health and the bottom line.” Interested grain farmers can contact David Rourke at [email protected] or 1-204-534-7531 for more details. 

Warm and Damp September Helps Covers On Manitoba Farm Fields

Manitoba’s prolonged growing season is playing out nicely for cover crops and farmers in some areas of the province this fall. With warm daytime temps and mild nights across September, cover crops that are designed to keep a living root in the ground for as long as possible while covering the soil from erosion are flourishing in some areas. In fact, high humidity and warmer than normal seasonal September temperatures along with a few significant downfalls of rain have worked well for cover crops in some areas of Manitoba. Read the full MFGA media release.

Young Agrarian Business Mentorship Network Application

If you are a young (or young at heart) animal, grain, flower, mushroom or vegetable producer living in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba and operating a new farm or taking over the family operation, the Young Agrarians Business Mentorship Network can provide valuable guidance in growing your business. Apply here by Oct 31, 2023.

Beef Cattle Research Council Interim Extension Application

The BCRC is currently seeking candidates for an Interim Extension Coordinator role to fill an upcoming parental leave. Apply Here.

Industry Events

Manitoba Beef Producers District Meetings - Oct & Nov, 2023, in Manitoba communities

Visit mbbeef.ca/ for updates.

MSA Jackpot Lamb Show - Oct 25-28, 2023, in Brandon, MB

Connect with current and new customers at this annual Manitoba Sheep Association (MSA) show and sale. 10' x 10' booths available for $125. Visit MSA for more info.

EMILI Agriculture Enlightened 2023 - Oct 26, 2023, in Winnipeg, MB

Agri-food and technology experts will be gathered to discuss potential in ag-tech and agri-food data in the age of AI. Visit Here for more information.

Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture Summit - Nov 7, 2023, in Hamilton, ON

Members and supporters of Canada's agriculture industry to celebrate and support women in agriculture. Register here.

Saskatchewan Forage Advisory Meeting, November 9, 2023, Saskatoon, SK

Register today.

2023 MFGA Regen Ag Conference - Nov 13-15, 2023, in Brandon, MB

Well-known regenerative agriculture experts Brandon Rockey and Dr. Jonathan Lundgren of Blue Dasher Farms lead our 2023 eight keynote speakers as well as our ever popular Made in Manitoba Producer Panels. REGISTER HERE.

Advancing Women in Ag Conference (AWC) - Nov 19-21, 2023, in Niagara Falls, ON

To date, over 7000 women and men have attended AWC and have been inspired by leaders in and outside of the industry. Register here.

Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference - Nov 21-23, 2023 in Winkler, MB

Workshops include a combine clinic and topics like mental health, stress management, minimalistic living, greenhouse tour, credit rating health and farm safety. Registration is open from now until November 8. More info here.

AgEx Conference - Nov 21-23, 2023, in Guelph, ON

Farm Management Canada's 2023 AgEx Conference theme is Embrace the Opportunity. Get more details and register here.

2023 Manitoba Watersheds Conference - Dec 4-6, 2023, in Brandon, MB

Theme: Supporting healthy Watersheds! Register at manitobawatersheds.org.

DFM's 16^th Annual Manitoba Dairy Conference (MDC), Dec 6-8, 2023, in Winnipeg, MB

Dairy Farmers of Manitoba (DFM) is hosting this event at the Victoria Inn, Winnipeg. Details here.

Manitoba Beef & Forage Production Conference - Dec 12-13, 2023, in Brandon, MB

Register here.

Assiniboine West Watershed District's Ranching For Profit Workshop - Dec 14-15, 2023, in Russell, MB

For information or to register: [email protected]

35th Annual Soil Health Conference - Feb 13-14, 2024, in Saskatoon, SK

Theme: Back To The Basics. Watch here for details.

Thank you to our 2023/24 Annual Supporters! 

It's never too late to join these 2023/24 leaders who are some of the best of the best in the agriculture and conservation communities - sign up here!