MFGA eBulletin - September 2023

Photo Credit: Steve Langston

From the Desk of the Executive Director

From a where-the-heck did time go perspective, it’s hard to believe we are steaming toward our sixth year of hosting our annual MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference.

Cliched as it may be, it seems only yesterday that our MFGA Board of the day had an earnest discussion around regenerative agriculture and how they’d really like to learn more from experts they wanted to hear at a MFGA organized and hosted conference. Next thing we knew, we had a full-blown conference in planning stages and corporate position on regenerative agriculture on our website.

On a look-back though, the reality is, we have planned six conferences in six different formats for six different reasons in six different years. We never saw that coming. This year’s event, co-chaired by MFGA board members Amber McNish and Andrea Hamilton, actually aligns most closely with our first year’s conference for length of conference and number of keynotes.

Often, I am asked for MFGA’s secret recipe to hosting events. Besides engaging and utilizing your dedicated board as the event’s heartbeat and backbone and relying on amazing staff for their expertise and strengths, and then adding equal parts hustle, timing and adaptability from all, I don’t have much more to offer. What you see is what you get.

There are a few constant rule-of-thumbs we have developed that we do try to adhere to though:

1. Farmers know who the keynote speakers are on topics they want to most hear about: self-explanatory, right? But not to be taken for granted. Listen and pursue keynotes based on your farmer network intel. At MFGA, we have leaned on our current board and past well-connected leaders such as Larry Wegner, Ryan Boyd, and Kristelle Harper to help fill our keynote slate.

2. Make conference delegates feel welcome: This aligns with the general vibe around regenerative agriculture. All are welcome. While the event is a key element of MFGA’s core business, it really is everyone’s conference. Do your best to make delegates feel welcome and valued.

3. Embrace the trade show: The trade show isn't just something to do at breaks. It is a vital part of your event. Encourage interactions and build out break times. Applaud the trade show participants often during the conference. Some of the best mentoring, learning and networking occurs at the trade show booths. Fuel this fact.

4. Get yourself a crackerjack AV crew: I can not over-emphasize this. It is a vital and key investment in the success of your conference. Do not scrimp on the AV. Ours is Howling Pro AV, and good on Dean Stewart and crew for their great work.

Hope to see you all at our event in November! Don’t miss the October 1 early bird registration!

Muchos Grasses ALL,

Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director

Be an Early Bird and Save! Register by October 1

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. View our draft agenda here and get registered!

Photo: l to r: Diljeet Brar, NDP candidate for Burrows and current NDP critic for the ag portfolio; Derek Johnson, Progressive Conservative candidate for Interlake-Gimli and current Minister of Agriculture; Ed White, panel moderator and reporter with the Western Producer; Neil Stewart: liberal candidate for Lakeside; Janine Gibson: Green Party candidate for Wolseley and current leader of the Manitoba Green Party

MFWBA Election Forum Circles Key Agriculture Issues 

A panel debate hosted by Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association at the Canad Inn Polo Park earlier this month circled around key agriculture issues and party lines on topics such as education tax, farm labour, environment, water, trade and research. Manitobans head to the polls October 3, 2023. MFGA thanks all candidates for their time and commitment in running for office.

No Smoke on the Water: MFGA Aquanty Elevates Manitoba Water Resources

Despite billows of smoke pouring out of the nearby Windsor Hotel fire and resulting traffic snarls, MFGA hosted more than 35 leaders from agriculture, conservation, Indigenous groups, and government departments gathered last week in downtown Winnipeg for presentations from Waterloo-based software firm Aquanty around Manitoba’s water resources and the potential to establish Ecological Goods and Services incentives for farmers and land owners as a bonafide tool for sustainable land and water management.

MFGA Hops Aboard International Agriculture Podcast

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) is proud to be the first organizational supporter of the “Think Outside The Fence” Podcast, a monthly podcast co-hosted by Arron Nerbas, of Nerbas Bros Angus, a family-run operation in Shellmouth, MB, and Amy Hughes, who is from a cow and sheep farm in Yorkshire, UK and has a passion for communication and knowledge sharing in agriculture. Read More.

Regenerative Canada event at South Glanton Farms a huge success

Regeneration Canada (RC) hosted a remarkable farm-to-table tour and dinner event for 50 consumers and farmers on August 19th at South Glanton Farms in Forrest, Manitoba. Farm hosts Ryan and Sarah Boyd guided guests on an engaging journey through their family farming operation, which includes cattle, grain, and a focus on building soil health.

RC was delighted to partner with the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) on the event. Speakers Paige Kennedy, Education and Research Manager of Regeneration Canada, and Joel Williams, soil health educator, discussed regenerative agriculture and the impacts of multi-paddock grazing and livestock integration on the health of the soil. The day concluded with a delicious, family-style meal incorporating ingredients produced on the farm prepared by chef J.D. Braid of Brandon, MB. 

What is Horse Hay?

While visiting various websites in preparation for the September Hay Situation & Price Update, I noticed a lot of entries listing horse hay for sale. Whenever possible, I try to capture these prices for the report, but it got me thinking: What exactly is horse hay? Isn’t it just hay at a different price than beef or dairy hay? Read on..

September Hay Situation & Price Update

With moisture an issue across Manitoba, soil moisture conditions have continued to deteriorate. Pastures that received rain in early August are holding on, but producers are starting to move cattle to fall grazing areas, supplement pastures with stored feed, or move cattle to hay fields. Read on..

Methane emissions in Western Canada less than predicted

Prairie wetlands provide a whack of environmental benefits. They reduce the risk of flooding, help purify water, store carbon and are a critical habitat for ducks. But on the downside, they emit methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Led by Ducks Unlimited Canada, groups including the Beef Cattle Research Council, the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, and the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association (MFGA), are funding research on emissions from wetlands. Read the full Western Producer article.

Online Farm Financial Fluency Program with Manitoba Women in Agriculture and Food

Manitoba Women in Agriculture and Food (MWAF), in partnership with Farm Management Canada and MNP, is pleased to offer Canadian women working in the agriculture and food industry the opportunity to sign up for the Farm Financial Fluency training program. Register Here.

Youth Nature Keepers Network

Are you keen on environmental stewardship and between 15 to 30 years? Join the Youth Nature Keepers Network and become a better steward of our planet by dealing with destructive introduced species. Gain skill in project management, public speaking, leadership, and environmental stewardship. Meet virtually and in person between September and March of next year. Contact Mike Bagamery. Visit https://canadainvasives.ca.

MFGA welcomes Minister MacAulay; thanks Minister Bibeau

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association is pleased to extend a warm welcome to Minister Lawrence MacAulay as he returns to the role of Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food. MFGA would also like to thank Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau for her tenure as Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food, a position she has served since 2019. MFGA is particularly grateful for Minister Bibeau’s mid-summer 2021 visit to Manitoba to better understand the hardships Manitoba producers were facing with drought. This visit helped to kickstart funding for drought relief programs delivered jointly with the Province of Manitoba at a time when Manitoba producers drastically needed them.

Government of Canada taking action to support drought-stricken Western producers

The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay has announced an initial list of designated regions in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba where Livestock Tax Deferral has been authorized for 2023 due to extreme weather conditions.

The Livestock Tax Deferral provision allows livestock producers who are forced to sell all or part of their breeding herd due to drought or excess moisture to defer a portion of their income from sales until the following tax year. The income may be at least partially offset by the cost of reacquiring breeding animals, thus reducing the tax burden associated with the original sale. Read More.

Announcing the Beef Researcher Mentorship Program Participants for 2023-2024

The Beef Cattle Research Council Beef Researcher Mentorship Program provides opportunities for new researchers to be paired with two mentors who provide insights and experiences that are relevant to their careers. The program also provides a travel budget to attend industry events and actively participate in the mentorship experience. Read bios about the newly announced participants.

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.

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

The Early Bird registration deadline for our 6th annual event is October 1. Well-known regenerative agriculture experts Brandon Rockey and Dr. Jonathan Lundgren of Blue Dasher Farms lead our 2023 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.

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

Location: Victoria Inn. Register here.

Ranching For Profit - Dec 14-15, 2023, in Russell, MB

For information or to register: info@myawwd.ca

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!