It’s perhaps most fitting that we send out this MFGA monthly e-bulletin for April on the first workday of the 2021 National Soil Conservation Week. Led by the good folks at the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC), the annual celebratory week kicked off yesterday to create awareness around soil health and conservation in Canada.

As MFGA continues our championing of soil, grasslands, forages and producers and by helping our growing network increase peer-to-peer information exchanges for soil-health and regenerative agriculture practices, I must pass a heartfelt and sincere thank you to our 2021-22 MFGA corporate supporters listed at the bottom of this ebulletin. We are humbled and truly honoured to have the support of these organizations and companies. Indeed, their support is incredible. Special mention to the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba who bundled up their 2021-22 support for our organization and conference to return once again at the highest Platinum bundled-support level. Thank you, DFM. We are also full of thanks to Can American Alfalfa Producers who stepped up again for MFGA at the platinum level, which is even more appreciated after their perseverance dealing with a recent fire to their operations. 

Organizers of Prairie Canada’s top conferences around soil health, grazing and regenerative agriculture are joining forces to work with, promote and celebrate each provincial group’s event and organizational activities with the launch of the Prairie Region Soil Health Network. Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing (Alberta), Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) and Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) have jointly-signed Memorandum of Understanding to work collaboratively and together to make sure the interests of Prairie Canada farmers and producers are front and center via the connectivity of the Prairie Region Soil Health Network. Read the full MFGA Media Release.

Two recent soil-focused studies done in part on the benefits of grazing systems in Manitoba are showcasing the connection between grazing and improved water infiltration into the soil, a positive impact in production which may bode well for some of the forecasted dry times ahead on Canada’s Prairies. Read the full MFGA Media Release.

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. MFGA provides this service free thanks to Central Testing Laboratory who performs real time testing of the samples.

Donate your alfalfa field: We have room for a few more fields. If interested, please contact Terra, MFGA Green Gold Program Coordinator.

Dry conditions in April and May will impact growth of cool-season grasses while dry conditions from mid-May to mid-July will have a more pronounced effect on warm season grasses. Snow and rain may help to alleviate some concerns; however continued careful management of grazing rotations may be necessary to ensure sufficient pasture supplies through the remainder of the growing season. Read on...

During a recent virtual meeting of Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture, Ministers agreed to remove the reference margin limit for AgriStability, one of the business risk management (BRM) programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The removal of the reference margin limit will be made retroactive to the 2020 program year. In addition, the deadline for producers to enroll in the 2021 program year will be extended to June 30, 2021. Read the full Gov of MB News Release.

Through this Conservation Trust project, a Manitoba Climate and Green Plan Initiative delivered by the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, eligible producers can apply to Watershed Districts for up to $25/acre to plant companion crops in the 2021 growing season. The program provides the opportunity to experiment with cover crops to improve soil health, increase soil productivity, increase revenue, lower inputs cost. Contact these Watershed District offices for more information and application forms:

The Forage Program targets field scale plantings and has two term options available: 10 year (30 acre minimum) for up to $70/ac, or 15 year (75 acre minimum) with rotation option for up $110/ac. 

The Marginal Areas Program (MAP) targets areas within annually cropped fields that producers are seeing a negative return on investment due to poor yields resulting from poor soil conditions, periodic flooding, inaccessibility, and/or salinity. 

Spaces are filling up fast. If you are planning to seed forage in 2021, follow the links above or contact Alex 204-868-0514 (Forage Program) or Charlotte, 204-868-5599 Marginal Areas Program (MAP).

Overall, KAP is pleased to see the important contribution farmers make to Manitoba’s economy recognized in the 2021 Manitoba Budget. The announcement that the provincial government will begin to phase out the education property tax this year is welcome news. To read KAP president Bill Campbell's statement, click here.

The Forage U-Pick Tool for Western Canada is an interactive tool that helps producers select forage species that suit their needs and environment and also calculates seeding rates. Find the tool here and link to a tutorial here.

Play a leadership role with Holistic Management Canada! There are two positions available on their board. If you are interested and have questions, reach out to coordinator@holisticmanagement.ca and make sure to attend their AGM. All are invited to attend and learn about our organization and programs. A Zoom Link to join at 7:00 CST will be provided.

Join Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef for their 2021 Semi-Annual Meeting, featuring updates from all of their beef sustainability workstreams, including National Beef Sustainability Assessment and Strategy, Communications and Marketing and the Certified Sustainable Beef Framework. The event will also be the launching point for the second phase of the Canadian Beef Industry's long-term 2030 Goals featuring a panel discussion. Register here.

MBP’s spring webinar is set for this Wednesday at 6:30pm. Please join @BeckAgWellbeing @Brightpasture and @AnneWasko for a conversation on many aspects of the industry. Registration is free of charge and available at this link.

MARD Stocktalk Webinar - Forages for Cows - April 15, 2021

This is the final webinar in the The Manitoba Agriculture & Resource Development Stocktalk webinar series. Submit your questions prior to or during the talk. Register here.

MWAF Lead with Confidence Webinar - April 22, 2021

The Manitoba Women in Agriculture and Food (MWAF) event will help participants gain a greater understanding of how emotional intelligence and strategies enhance your leadership skills. Learn more.

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.

Mark you calendar for our 4th Annual Event! Watch here for details as they unfold.

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!