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Brandon, MB (November 13, 2023) - Four individual regenerative agriculture-focused farms with four different farm operations: dairy, beef, mixed and grain across the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) network each support diverse, abundant bird population according to a small-sample 2023 bird survey conducted by a Manitoba government bird expert.
“We wanted to get a better idea of how birds are responding to different types of farming operations that are focused on soil health boosting practices,” said Lawrence Knockaert, MFGA Chair “And what we learned is that these four properties supported diverse, abundant bird populations.”
MFGA also facilitated a meet and greet workshop between farmers in the survey and
Tim Poole of the Wildlife Branch in the Manitoba Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources, that reviewed survey points, timing and dates. Poole will detail the results of the study at the MFGA’s 2023 Regenerative Agriculture Conference in Brandon November 13-15, 2023. MFGA pitched the survey to better understand how regenerative agriculture-based soil health practices in combination with existing natural areas such as grasslands and wetlands could be a boon to bird populations. Especially, Species at Risk (SAR) and other birds facing declining numbers.
“What is a clear outcome here, even based on the small survey sample, is that regenerative agricultural properties can contribute to Species at Risk recovery,” said Knockaert. “And that’s exactly what we wanted to hear. We want programs out there to be looking at working with all types of farms in the MFGA network as well as the stereotypical bird friendly properties. We believe we have done our part, at least to the point of showcasing the connection between these farms, how they farm and the bird response to their farms and habitats.”
The province will be sharing and exchanging data with Birds Canada as part of an agreement between MFGA and Birds Canada. MFGA will use survey outcomes to further support the farming practices of the four regen-ag focused farms, bolstering MFGA’s want to showcase the value of the farms to biodiversity – especially SAR - and to push forward the untapped potential of incentivized farmer programs aimed at sustainably-managed farmlands that also provide incredible benefits to society, such as water management, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
MFGA Survey Highlights include:
Beef: Nerbas Bros Angus, Shellmouth, MB – The main highlight was the relatively high abundance of a grassland specialist SAR, Sprague’s Pipit. Poole surveyed two distinct areas on this property, the drier, sandier grasslands above the Assiniboine River Valley and lusher valley bottom grasslands. Pipits were abundant at the top and Bobolink at the bottom demonstrating the juxtaposition in grassland structure between two different grassland SAR.
Grain: Nathan and Chelsi Beerneart, Hartney, MB – Exceptional abundance of Horned Lark, a grassland bird which associates with bare or patchy ground and a candidate for SAR status in Canada. Five species of shorebird, all of which breed in the area, were also detected.
Dairy: Clanman Jerseys, Clanwilliam, MB – The highest overall diversity of birds including three Species at Risk (Barn Swallow, Red-headed Woodpecker and Bobolink).
Mixed: Green Beach Farms, Strathclair, MB – Highest species richness (59 species) and highest abundance of one grassland SAR, the Bobolink (1/point count). The diversity of habitats on this property supported the highest overall diversity of wetland birds, facultative grassland birds (those birds which use grasslands but are not dependent on them at all periods during their life cycle) and aerial insectivores (birds which catch insects in flight).
More details from the survey will be posted on MFGA.net after Poole’s presentation.
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For more info:
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director, Duncan@mfga.net, 204.770.3548
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