FIRST & FORage MOST                           May 2013

 

 

Promoting Canada's forage & grassland
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Canadian Forage & Grassland Association    

Association Canadienne pour les Plantes Fourrag�res

 

In This Issue
Executive Director Report
U.S. Fact Finding Mission
BC Forage Council Project Announcement
Become a CFGA Partner
CFGA Writes Minister Ritz
Canadian Research Reports
Dr. Shabtai Bittman Report
Dr. Yousef Papadopoulos Report
Cool Forage Book coming
CFGA Environment Comm Report
Saskatchewan Forage Industry Network Update
CFGA and Advanced Payment Program
Overseas Exporter Workshop Held
Concern over Availability of Inoculants
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Wayne's Fodder   

Wayne Digby   

CFGA - A National Voice for the Forage & Grassland Sector

 

    

When the CFGA was forming a number of us expressed the need for a National Voice representing the Forage and Grassland Sector.  They say that you should be careful what you ask for because you just might get it.  So what does being a National Voice for the sector mean and how do we fulfill our mandate?  Some of the key areas that are in the forefront now include:

  • Providing leadership/advocacy in support of forage and grassland research.
  • Providing leadership and support for forage and grassland management and technology transfer.
  • Providing input and in-depth analysis on a variety of issues and opportunities facing the industry.
  • Providing direction and leadership in support of breeding and forage variety testing.
  • Helping to create awareness of the huge role that forage and grasslands play in the overall agriculture sector, in agricultural sustainability and the environment.
  • Providing leadership and input on forage exporting issues.

Operating without a direct check off places the forage and grassland sector in a unique situation and certainly challenges our creativity.  We are fortunate to have a very strong base of volunteer support that is willing to step up to the plate and provide the leadership necessary as we work on these areas.  The main source of financial support comes in the form of memberships from Provincial Forage Organizations, Canadian Cattlemen's Association, Dairy Farmers of Canada, as well as from forage exporting members. While this financial and volunteer support is critical to our success in being able to address these issues it alone will not get the job done.  To truly continue to fulfill the role as a national voice for the sector, we are going to need to be continually looking at other opportunities for support to provide the leadership and coordination necessary to accomplish this mandate.

 

CFGA and the Environment - watch for good things coming out of this Committee.  Henry Nelson, Manitoba, and Chad Anderson, Ontario, are co-chairing this Committee. They are committed to taking a close look at how forages and grasslands can contribute to sustainability in areas such as food production, environmental goods and services and reduced green house gas emissions.

 

CFGA Developing CFGA Forage and Grassland Research Strategy - following up on the resolution coming out of our AGM in December, a small committee is now in the process of pulling together a draft for a Canadian Forage and Grassland Association Strategy for the Future.  As we move through this process we will be sharing this document and seeking input.  Your thoughts will be appreciated. Contact us.

 

Wayne Digby, CFGA Executive Director 


U.S. Fact Finding Mission Explores Forage Needs US map

  

Three Canadian Forage and Grassland Association exporting members travelled through South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas meeting with representatives of companies that are purchasing hay products.  Along with tours of some facilities, the CFGA members met with feedlot managers, dairy managers, major hay procurement companies, grinders and also a company purchasing forages for the production of pellets and cubes for use in the equine market.  In addition to these meetings, the CFGA members participated in a Hay Marketing Workshop hosted by Texas A&M University at Canyon, Texas.

 

Participating members Chris Kletke, Darren Chapman and Jake Heppner indicated that the Mission was extremely worthwhile, and provided them an opportunity  to better understand the forage needs of this area of the U.S. A Mission Report has been prepared which is being shared with CFGA U.S. and Overseas Exporting members. 

 

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BC Forage Council Project Announcement

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With funding support from the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, the Nechako Kitimaat Development Fund, and the Omenica Beetle Action Coalition, the BC Forage Council has initiated a study of the BC Forage industry in Central BC.  The Nechako Valley Regional Cattlemen's Association, the Prince George Cattlemen's Association and the BC Ministry of Agriculture are also providing in-kind support.

 

The objectives of the project are:

 

�     To determine the position of the Interior B.C. forage industry to market forages domestically and internationally.

�    To identify the production, processing and marketing opportunities and challenges for interior B.C. forage producers.

�    To identify the impacts to other central interior agriculture sectors

�   To increase the management capacity of regional producers to meet the production, business management and marketing challenges identified.

�   To provide concepts, strategies and an action plan to address the challenges and opportunities identified.

 

The BCFC has contracted Allen Dobb Consulting to undertake the study, and to provide a report on the findings by the end of the year.  In the next couple months, Allen Dobb will be seeking input from forage and livestock producers, and others involved in the Central Interior forage industry through telephone and in-person interviews.  Any information provided in surveys and interviews will be treated  confidentially, and will only be used for the purposes of the research.  Producers involved in forage sales will have the opportunity to provide their contact information for a future BC Forage Council hay market webpage if they wish. For more info contact: Fran Teitge at [email protected] 


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Join our CFGA Partner Program

The CFGA Partner Program is looking for groups to work with on issues of mutual interest.

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 Cooperating with CFGA offers connection to a unique and diverse group of agricultural producers.  If you are marketing to folks growing grasses and forages that's who our CFGA members are. If your interest is demonstrating your corporate environmental responsibility, CFGA has stewardship programs that fit that need.

 

CFGA members and affiliates promote good management practices for productivity and conservation.  Supporting management practices that promote conservation of ecological services, biodiversity, agricultural productivity and strong rural communities is good for all Canadians.  Partners work together for mutual benefit!  As issues become more complex and resources less, available developing partnerships becomes more important. 

 

Sign up as a Partner now to get maximum exposure for the rest of 2013 and become a CFGA sponsor for the conference in Alberta in December.   Contact Peg Strankman, [email protected] to learn more about the benefits of a Partnership with CFGA.  


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CFGA writes to Minister Ritz

re: Forage Industry Constraints

   

     

CFGA Chair, Doug Wray and the Board are very concerned about several issues related to the forage and grassland sector.  "Firstly, budgetary cutbacks at Ag Canada over the past 15 years has resulted in only a few forage breeders being left in Science & Technology Branch. We know forage research is primarily the public domain so this is alarming, we are asking Minister Ritz to assess the need for public forage researchers and help develop a succession plan for the industry," says Wray.

 

 'The other concern we have is the budgetary constraints that precludes the opportunity for existing public researchers to attend producer or industry events and scientific conferences so they can present research findings and share information with others. This is key for the industry, interaction is important to move the industry forward.'

 

Letter written to Minister

 

 

April 4, 2014

 

125 Patterson Cres.

Brandon, MB

R7A 6T7

 

The Honourable Gerry Ritz

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

1341 Baseline Road

Ottawa, ON K1A 0C5

 

Dear Minister Ritz,

 

     The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association represents farmers and ranchers that produce, manage and utilize Canada's largest acreage crop (National Forage and Grassland Assessment, June 2012). Cultivated forages for pasture, feed, and seed production, accounts for 33.8 million acres or 39% of the land in Canada devoted to crop production. In comparison, the next largest crop, wheat accounted for 20.4 million acres or 23% of crop land. In addition, over 36 million acres of land is devoted to native or unimproved pastures and rangeland. 

     The economic value of the entire forage industry was $5.09 billion in 2011, following only wheat at $5.2 billion and canola at $7.3 billion. The forage industry is the foundation of the dairy and beef industries which together contribute $11 billion in direct value to Canadian farmers and generate over $50 billion in economic activity. This value reflects the direct measurable benefits of forages. The forage industry is a unique part of Canadian agriculture in that approximately 90% of the production is fed to livestock on farm or ranch.  In addition to direct economic value, perennial forages deliver significant environmental benefits including reducing soil erosion and increasing water infiltration, just to name a few.

      Our national association is very concerned about the future of forage breeding, agronomy and management research within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  As a result of severe cutbacks over the past 15 years there remain very few forage research scientists in the Science and Technology Branch.  We realize that federal budgets are very tight but we would encourage you and your Department to re-evaluate the need to have sufficient forage research scientists and supporting technicians/staff at different eco-region locations across Canada to meet the future research needs of not just the industry but the true beneficiaries, Canada and the world's consumers.  It is important to note that the vast majority of forage research is in the public domain requiring public support.  As an organization representing industry we see the need for and benefit from a long term strategy including a commitment to supporting forage research capacity.

      In addition, we would also encourage you and your Department to develop a succession plan for scientists that are nearing retirement so that the next generation of researchers can continue to carry out the current research programs that would otherwise be lost through retirement.  Without a succession plan where younger and older scientists can work through the transition period, a significant amount of research information and momentum will be lost.  It takes time for new scientists to become established and gain an understanding of industry needs and research direction. A succession plan will prevent a gap in knowledge and lead to ongoing advancements.  As a forage industry we have recognized this issue and have included mentoring dynamics in some of the forage research proposals submitted to the Beef Cluster.

      Our other concern is the very limited and restricted ability for research scientists to be able to attend producer and industry meetings/events at the provincial and national level as well as national and international scientific conferences. It is extremely important for the future economic growth of Canada's agriculture industry that research scientists be able to present their research findings and discuss future research needs with industry partners, stakeholders, producers and colleagues. Working in isolation hampers excellence - interacting and communicating directly with partners leads to strategic efforts and innovation. The participation of Ag Canada Scientists in major provincial and federal Producer meetings is critical to ensure the development and transfer of research results is achieved, and to ensure that the research questions under consideration by scientists are the most relevant and impactful questions, and stand the highest chance of impacting the resilience and vibrancy of the industry. 

      As a producer driven organization we would suggest that scientists be able to attend our national meeting in Olds, Alberta, Dec. 2013 at a minimum.  This would require participation and presentations by AAFC scientists from disciplines such as forages, livestock, pest management and sustainability. Our Executive Director, Wayne Digby, would be pleased to proactively work with AAFC in specifying priority meetings for attendance by research scientists.

     The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association is appreciative of the tremendous research effort that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has made in the past.  Forage management and agronomic information as well as new forage seed varieties have created economic growth and stability for Canada's forage and grassland industry.   Our organization looks forward to working with you and your Department officials to continue forage research and innovation into the future.

      We would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you to discuss the opportunities for forages in Canadian agriculture. Please consider this request for a meeting at your earliest convenience.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Doug Wray
Chair - Canadian Forage and Grassland Association

Copies:

Suzanne Vinet,  Deputy Minister, AAFC

Dr. Siddika Mithani, Assistant Deputy Minister,  Science and Technology Branch

Hon. Merv Tweed, MP and Chair, Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

Hon. Larry Miller, MP

Hon. Ted Menzies, MP

 

Canadian Research Reports:
by: Duane McCartney

Forage Research that Matters

  

We plan to highlight two forage scientists from different Agriculture Canada and University locations across Canada in future issues of CFGA Newsletters. Here is a brief summary of the  forage research from two of Canada's forage scientists.


 

Forage & Research Report - Bittman

 

Dr. Shabtai Bittman, Nutrient Management/Forage Agronomist

Agassiz Research Centre Agriculture and Agri Food Canada

Dr. Bittman
Dr. Shabtai Bittman

 

Nutrient management for  optimizing grass and corn silage production in Lower Fraser Valley

 

The Lower Fraser Valley in south eastern BC is a region with limited arable land due to ocean, mountains and political boundaries. The region has increasing human population and very intensive agri-production, the latter comprised of dairy, poultry and horticultural enterprises. The trend in this region over the past decades has been increasing food production, increasing human population in cities and towns, and  lossing agricultural land to city expansion. There are indications that much of the agricultural land is becoming saturated with nutrients .Farms import large amounts of nutrients as feed, which mostly end up on the land as animal waste, and there are large amounts of fertilizer also used.

 

Dr Bittman's team have found that dairy farms in Lower Fraser Valley import 60-70% of their feed and this is the primary path for nutrient importation into farms and into the overall Lower Fraser Valley. Farmers allocate about 50% of their land for grass and 50% for silage corn production. The current perceived best economic strategy is to maximize yield with fertilizer and to maximize digestibility with frequent grass harvests. Both grass and corn crops receive heavy doses of manure supplemented with fertilizer in order to maximize yield and nutrient content. The grass is harvest 5-6 times annually but fewer grass cuts can increase yield and fibre and lower rumen degradable protein. Higher grass yield may lead to more land for corn, with greater yield, digestible nutrients, and less degradable protein. Advanced computer feed models have shown that more crops can be grown on the limited acres and less feed brought in which is a win-win for farmers and environment.  Also, this allows for greater use of the relay crop technology developed by Dr. Bittman and colleagues that is by several farmers in BC and 70% of farmers across the border in WA State. Relay cropping in BC involves planting Italian ryegrass in between corn rows at the 6 leaf stage of corn. When the corn is harvested the ryegrass continues to grow, even through much of the winter, and a full crop can be harvest in late April before the corn is replanted. This is a true double cropping system that also reduces winter time leaching of nitrate.

 

Liquid slurry manure from dairy and swine feeding operations in the Lower Fraser Valley is an important nutrient bio-product that can be strategically used to replace chemical fertilizer.  Efficacy of slurry manure use for providing crop nutrients has improved, but many farms have excessive amounts of animal manures due to expansion, concentration and specialization of animal operations. Transportation of slurry manure, which contains 90- 98% water, away from animal housing is very costly and energy intensive, and impacts roadways and traffic thereby contributing to rural-urban conflict.   The simplest way to reduce transportation costs is to remove P-rich solids from the manure so that the dilute liquid can be spread nearby at needed N rates and the P-rich solids transported else where to crop-based farms or processing facilities. Bittman showed that removing solids from the liquid fraction by very simple settling/ decanting greatly increased the N uptake from the thin fraction by a forage crop over multiple years, although even with the low emission spreading technology the N recovery rate of the separated liquid fraction was significantly less than mineral fertilizer. More work is still needed and new projects are being initiated to develop more low cost improvements. Dr. Bittman and colleagues have shown that the sludge fraction can be precision injected to provide corn with starter and season long phosphorus so that farmers can stop buying any P fertilizer. This technique is now being tested in Europe and in northern Germany many farmers are now practicing it.

 

Dr. Bittman runs the website called farmwest.com which is linked to weather stations across Canada and the website can be used to calculate everything from emergence of coddling moth, the corn heat units to ammonia loss form manure application. A tool called TSUM on the website is being consulted by the BCMA to open the manure spreading season each year. A new tool being developed by Derek Hunt and Bittman will allow farmers to track where all the nitrogen in the soil is on any day of the year. Go to  www.nlos.ca

  Sprayer Bittman_demo

 

AERWAY SSD manure applicator, developed by Bittman and colleagues, reduces ammonia loss and increases crop yield without damaging the stand.  

 

 

 

 

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Forage & Research Report - Papadopoulos

Popadopoulos
Dr. Papadopoulos

Dr. Yousef Papadopoulos  Forage Breeding and Pasture Management Research Scientist,

Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Science and Technology Branch, Truro Nova Scotia

 

Improving the persistence of perennial legume forage species in Atlantic Canada is complex due to the effects of disease susceptibility, poor reproduction, adverse environment, and limited genetic variation in the available forage gene pool. Dr. Yousef Papadopoulos is a forage breeding and pasture management research scientist with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (co-located at the Truro Campus of the Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. of Plant and Animal Sciences, Dalhousie University). He has conducted extensive research on forage breeding and pasture management for over 30 years, focusing most of his attention on improving the role of forage species and their varieties in modern cropping systems.

 

In order to assess forage species for long term persistence, he has developed novel methods for screening germplasm, namely: 1) fall and spring flooding tolerance; 2) spring seedling vigour; 3) grazing tolerance; 4) disease resistance; and 5) tolerance to acidic soil. By the combined progress of his multiple  screening process, species and forage lines can be identified for long term persistence in sustainable forage production systems. Utilizing these screening methods, several new forage cultivars (AC Bruce, AC Tapani, and AC Pratt) have been released with improved persistence.  Five new forage cultivars were recently supported for registration in Canada, and are currently being processed for commercialization: one birdsfoot trefoil, one red clover, one white clover cultivar, one alfalfa, and one timothy.  

 

Dr. Papadopoulos is the only red clover and birdsfoot trefoil breeder in Canada and has initiated studies to develop traits to tolerate flooding and acid soils. In addition, he is developing alfalfa cultivars for: improved adaptation on marginal land, the development of forage cultivars for improved palatability, forages that facilitate the transfer of fixed nitrogen to companion grasses, and forages able to tolerate frequent defoliation and competition from companion grasses. 

 

Red clover is a widely adapted and productive forage legume species in most temperate regions of the world. In North America its main limitation is the fact that all known cultivars are short lived.  Poor persistence was attributed to two main factors: lack of winter hardiness and/or susceptibility to numerous root/crown diseases and root-feeding insects. To date, specific selection techniques for identifying genotypes with superior persistence were not successful in significantly improving the general adaptation and/or the long-term persistence of this species. Currently Dr. Papadopoulos is leading a very large long term study at several locations across Canada and the United States to evaluate the idea that selection of red clover in natural areas is an effective method for identifying and  improving the development of new red clover varieties for long-term persistence for the use  in Canada and elsewhere.   

   

Birdsfoot trefoil is a legume species well suited for long-term pasture production. Difficulty in stand establishment of recommended varieties and poor persistence has prevented its use in pasture mixtures in Atlantic Canada. Dr. Papadopoulos' research program has yielded several useful lines with superior seedling vigour, persistence and herbage yield.  Two cultivars which were commercialized, the newly released AC Bruce and AC Langille released in 1996, represent a major component of the limited number of new cultivars supported for licensing in Canada since Leo was licensed in 1966.  

   

Alfalfa and alfalfa-based mixtures are becoming more prominent in regions that have not been commonly cropped in the past because they can produce higher yields and herbage quality than other legume species.  However, varieties of alfalfa adapted to many areas in these regions such as Atlantic Canada are lacking.  The adaptability of this species to the vast majority of arable land must first be extended through identification of alfalfa varieties best suited for the unique environmental of frequent freezing and thawing cycles and the wet soil conditions.  Currently, his research is developing cultivars for: 1) two cycles of selection for tolerance to fall and spring flooding conditions; 2) and tolerance to acidic soil conditions. Cultivars with significant tolerance to the above attributes (which are common on marginal lands), have been entered in the registration trials.

 

Key factors affecting the long term productivity of seeded pastures in Atlantic Canada depend largely on the selection of species components, initial establishment, competition among species, and the conditions under which the mixture will be grown. Dr. Papadopoulos' research has shown how the suitability of particular forage species is greatly affected by their compatibility with other species in mixtures. The research team demonstrated that pastures seeded with domesticated cultivars are gradually re-colonized by native/naturalized species. The species composition of these pastures reflects the poor persistence of available cultivars and restricted adaptation to specific soil types and grazing conditions. This research also demonstrated that animal productivity could be improved by renovating the pasture to increase the legume content. Furthermore, research conducted at Nappan and Truro demonstrated that simple mixtures provide the most benefit when they are grown in uniform pastures with high fertility and are intensively-managed.While complex mixtures can be more difficult to manage due to differences in maturity of the component species, they can provide more uniform productivity throughout the grazing season, even in unpredictable climatic conditions and do not require high levels of fertility and intensive management. Complex mixtures have the added benefit of slowing the invasion of weedy species, and generally require fewer inputs to remain productive. Currently Dr. Papadopoulos is leading a national Beef Cluster study to look at the performance of forage mixtures under a beef grazing management system in the Northern Latitudes.

 

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COOL FORAGE  a new book highlighting Canadian forages

Edited by Bittman and Hunt

 

There is a new forage book currently in the works to bring leading developments in forage production from around the world to Canadian forage producers.  Dr Shabtai Bittman, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Agassiz Research Centre in BC, is the lead editor and creator of the project.  He has been working with forage scientists from different parts of the world to develop an easy reading book with lots of pictures and illustrations.  The book "Cool Forage.... sustainable management of temperate forages"   is one of the very few textbook style forage books with a special emphasis to Canadian forage production. "It summarizes in layman's terms, forage research success stories as well as the failures,"  says Shabtai Bittman.  "The articles are mostly for advanced farmers and higher, but are designed to be engaging and as easy as possible to understand. While the articles come from several countries, they are all intended to be of interest to the Canadian Forage sectorThe goal of this book is to encourage discussion on the role of forages in the future."

 

The book highlights forages in relationship to sustainability in agriculture, forage and biodiversity, the future role of GMO's in alfalfa breeding, innovative manure and nutrient management in forage systems, and the role of forage in reducing greenhouse gasses.

 

"In the past, forage production hasn't received the high profile of other crops."  Bittman goes on to say, "this book highlights the wide range of research progress in forage management and development that is occurring around the world and relates it to Canadian conditions. It's an easy reading book for anyone interested in forage, be it the farmer, forage extension  specialist, school teacher or university student. There is something in the book for everyone."

 

The new book will be available in print edition soon. Ordering information is available at www.farmwest.com.

 

Farmwest logo  

 

 

 

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CFGA and the Environment

 

Doug Wray, CFGA Chair and the board have been working on the formation of a new CFGA committee on forages and grasslands and the environment. "We know forages and grasslands have a profound and positive effect on the environment," Doug says, "the purpose of this committee will be to bring the scientific information and experience together in a format that will demonstrate to farmers, industry, consumers and the general public the economic, environmental and societal benefits of forages and grasslands and their good management to all."

 

The committee will be co-chaired by Chad Anderson from Ontario, and Henry Nelson from Manitoba giving the committee somewhat of an east - west perspective. Chad will focus on the benefits of forages and crop rotation and Henry will concentrate on the grassland and grazing contributions.

 

The committee will be working very closely with the scientific community, firstly to identify information currently available that can be communicated to the different target audiences.  The second task will be to identify gaps in the information and work on ways to have the required research and/or demonstrations take place.  Doug explains that "because forages and grasslands are so predominant and widespread over our landscapes in Canada, the committee has a big but key role to play for the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association and society in general."

 

Doug noted, "of all the land in Canada devoted to crop production, 39% is cultivated forages for pasture, feed and seed production.  As well, there is another 36 million acres of native grasslands and rangeland for a grand total of about 70 million acres. They impact our food production, the air we breathe and the water we drink."

 

Areas initially identified for the committee to focus on for forage and grassland sustainable contribution include:

  • Food namely protein from:
    • Ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats
    • dairy
    • poultry
  • Environmental Goods and Services (EGS)
    • clean air and water
    • healthy soils and improved water management and long term productivity gains
    • biodiversity
    • carbon sequestration
  • Reduced - Green House Gas (GHG) emissions
    • fossil fuel (energy) requirements improved energy balances (calories of fuel in vs calories of food out)
    • land waste and demonstrate the competitiveness of forages and grasslands in food production     
 At this point the environment committee is seeking input and feedback on the direction and scope of this work. Anyone with information, experience and/or ideas on the sustainable contribution forages and grasslands can and do make, is invited to contact the committee directly or Wayne Digby, Executive Director, CFGA. [email protected] or (204) 726-9393
 

 

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Developing a Saskatchewan Forage Network

 

The following update has been provided by Janice Bruynooghe, Saskatchewan Forage Network Saskatchewan Map Coordinator.

 

Communication, cooperation and collaboration - all fundamental undertakings guiding the development of a Saskatchewan Forage Network.

 

This venture, launched in November 2012, brought together an initial group of industry partners through a project administered by the Saskatchewan Forage Council and funded by the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) and the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Development Fund (SBIDF). The goals for the development of a Saskatchewan Forage Network include:

  • Bring together industry organizations, researchers and research organizations;
  • Develop a strategy to build forage research capacity;
  • Develop communication strategies with participating organizations to maintain a research priority list;
  • Become a clearing house for forage research, tech transfer and research funding sources;
  • Promote the benefits of partners working together to advance the forage industry; and
  • Develop a strategy for ongoing funding and maintenance of a Saskatchewan Forage Network.

 

Members of the initial Network Steering Committee include representatives from the Saskatchewan Forage Council, Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association, SaskMilk, Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Alfalfa Seed Producers Development Commission, and the Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission. In addition to the guidance and direction of the Steering Committee, participation is being sought from across the forage industry including industry/producer organizations and groups, individual producers, researchers, funding agencies, research organizations, governments and University.

 

Why a 'Saskatchewan Forage Network'?

In gathering feedback, the most frequent questions include, "Why develop a Forage Network?" and "Why not just accomplish these goals through one of the existing industry groups in the province?".  The response is multifaceted but centres upon the need to take action. In recent years, the necessity to move forward has been recognized and acknowledged however the resources have not been in place for progress to be made. Through a collective, industry-led approach, a Network model will:

  • provide expertise, knowledge and capacity where forage is the common denominator. In many cases, the issues related to forages cannot be a priority area for industry associations due to a lack of time and resources. Through a combined effort, a Network can ensure that forage topics are being monitored and acted upon when needed.
  • compliment and support the activities and accomplishments of all stakeholders rather than replacing or overriding those efforts.
  • reinforce and support the collective integrity and influence of stakeholders as they come together in a coordinated effort to work for the betterment of the industry.
  • achieve results without creating additional layers of bureaucracy. Network development is focused on creation of a simple and effective governance model. 
  • encourage partnerships and collaboration for the benefit of all participating stakeholders. A Network would work to identify areas of common interest and assist the development of collaborative relationships and productive dialogue between industry organizations, researchers, extension personnel, university, and governments where needed.
  • achieve a united voice for forages to encourage maintenance of current research positions and much-needed investment in additional capacity.
  • provide a non-political, dedicated perspective and voice for forages. A Network would have no authority or vested interest and is solely committed to forage-focused priorities, therefore is able to maintain open and clear lines of communication with government and funding agencies.
  • facilitate dialogue leading to strategic and joint investment of industry funds as a means to leverage increased research capacity and impact return on investment.

 

Progress to Date

Significant progress is being made on project activities including stakeholder engagement and input, creating a model that is practical and useful for Saskatchewan, and implementing specific actions for the ongoing functioning of a Saskatchewan Forage Network. To date, input and valuable participation in the development process has been gathered from producer/industry organizations, university, government, private/retail companies, individual researchers, interprovincial partners, and national forage and livestock organizations.

 

Work is underway to define a successful and effective model for an industry-led Saskatchewan Forage Network. Investigations are currently being conducted to explore models that have successfully been employed in other agriculture sectors as well as non-agriculture industries.

 

Defined implementation activities have been initiated, both as a means to 'test' the effectiveness, role, and need for the proposed Network but also in response to specific and current issues identified by industry partners. These undertakings include:

  • coordination of industry-wide collaboration to clearly outline and raise awareness about the need for expanded forage research efforts;
  • compilation of industry research priorities into a collective industry-wide list;
  • direct input provided to government regarding research positions;
  • participation in development of a long-term vision for the province's forage and livestock industry;
  • ongoing development of a strategy to expand forage research capacity in the province including potential opportunities to invest industry funds as a way to maximize returns and leverage additional funding; and
  • proposed evolution of existing stakeholder meetings to include review of research priorities, updates on current projects, and coordinated development of new research initiatives/projects. 

 

Most vital to this effort is the involvement of all stakeholders that are linked through the forage industry. Any and all input is appreciated - please feel free to contact us with any questions or feedback.

 

 

Janice Bruynooghe, Saskatchewan Forage Network Coordinator                                                     

Spring Creek Land & Cattle Consulting                                                                       

p 306.867.8126                                                                                                                          

e[email protected] 

 

Leanne Thompson, Executive Director

Saskatchewan Forage Council

p 306.969.2666

e [email protected]

 

                                                                                                       

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CFGA and the Advanced Payment Program 

 

Agricultural Credit Corporation ( ACC), comprised of twenty farm organizations, and an administrator of the Federal Government's Advance Payments Program ( APP), is currently undergoing discussions with the Ontario Forage Industry to add all marketed hay to the program as soon as possible.  The APP provides farmers with advances up to $ 400,000, with the first $ 100,000 interest-free and up to $ 300,000 at bank prime. At a recent meeting of the Ontario Hay Marketing Forum, ACC made a presentation of program specifics and received a strong show of support to proceed in seeking approval from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

 

ACC administers the APP program for grains and oilseeds, horticultural field crops, greenhouse vegetables & floral products, livestock, nursery shrubs & trees and Christmas trees. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has just approved an alfalfa and alfalfa/timothy APP program for the cubed alfalfa/timothy market as of May 1, 2013. Discussions with the Ontario Forage Council will be centred on adding all marketed hay, including alfalfa, timothy, trefoil, clovers , ryegrass, orchardgrass, canarygrass, and fescues. Advance payments for these products would be available for hay sold at first, second, or third cut or as bales are sold out of storage. Advances are based on approximately 50 % of market price.

 

A number of producer organizations across the country are delivering cash advances under the APP. These producer organizations are listed along with the list of agricultural products on which they are offering cash advances at the following link:  Participating Producer Organizations.

  

For further information contact:  Don LeDrew, Executive Director,  ACC,  1-888-278-8807
or e-mail [email protected]

 

 

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Aid 

CFGA Overseas Exporters Workshop

 

With funding support from the AAFC AgriMarketing Program a CFGA Forage Overseas Exporters Workshop was held in Calgary on March 12, 2013 with 18 in person and 5 via conference call attending.   The agenda included: a report on the China Fact finding Mission; a review of Timothy Protocol to date and discussion regarding next steps; and an overview of the China alfalfa protocol and identification of issues and possibly strategies for addressing these issues.  Marc Lavoie, Chair of the Export Committee, was very pleased with the Workshop and felt that it provided an opportunity to really address some of the challenges particularly with the China alfalfa protocol.

 

 

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Aid  

CFGA Concerned About Availability of Inoculants

 

Legume Inoculants for forage crops other than alfalfa are not available in the market place for the 2013 planting season.  This is a major concern to producers who rely on inoculants to get optimum performance from their legume seedlings.

 

The CFGA is attempting to address this issue and facilitate a move to having these inoculants return to the Canadian market place.  CFGA Directors Jack Kyle and Bill Letondre have been following up with CFIA and inoculants companies to better understand the situation and to assess ways of remedying this problem.

 

 

 

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