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News from the Manitoba Forage Council
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Executive Director Report
Hello Members,
I'm sure this newsletter finds you in the throws of seeding. Good luck to  you and we hope the weather holds!
The MFC has been moving forward with a number of initiatives in the past 6 months. One being the proposal to change our name to be more encompassing of our entire industry. By changing our name to the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association we will be presenting the industry as a whole. Forages and grassland comprise one third of the total agricultural land in the province, or 5.9 million acres (with nearly half in pasture and the balance in hay production). We have also recommended the name change to the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association for the same reason the recently formed Canadian Forage & Grassland Association (CFGA) chose its name - to broaden its appeal. This will also help align the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association with our federal counter part.
Secondly, we are focusing on the promotion of the environmental and community benefits of forage to prospective partners and the public. The economic value of the forage and grassland industry in Canada is estimated to be $5.9 billion per year with Manitoba nearing $1 billion (see article below on value of Manitoba's grasslands). We all know the benefit grasslands provide the soil, waterways, air quality, livestock and bio diversity, however, many don't. As well, we are in the process of developing a business plan and reviewing our constitution.
We are very pleased to announce a new project - Manitoba Rangeland (Ecosite) Classification. This well needed project will, once completed, provide a new tool for extension staff, landowners, and producers to use. It will provide an ecosite classification so one can determine what each ecosite will sustain. Knowing this is essential to re-establishment should an area experience flooding and/or drought. This is also key to helping determine if over grazing is occurring or if that is the maximum capacity of the land. It will also be a tool for determining the recommended livestock stocking rate. Thank you to funding supporters for this project, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council. The consultant hired is Jeff Thorpe, Saskatchewan Research Council, who has previously assessed the province of Saskatchewan.
It was most disappointing to hear of job losses with Ag Canada last week, particularly the Brandon Research Centre that has focused on beef and forage research over the years. We have very few 'public' forage focused researchers (approximately 5) left in Canada, and no succession plans for those that are nearing retirement. We continue to lobby the federal government, together with the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association and other provinces to develop a plan of action.
Association Work:
Our Manitoba Forage Marketers who are also members of Canadian Forage & Grassland Association (CFGA) have recently returned from a tour of 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 were Chris Kletke, Darren Chapman and Jake Heppner.
And our Manitoba Grass Fed Beef Association has recently partnered with U.S. supplier Todd Churchill to supply grass fed beef for his clients. Churchill is now supplying some Target stores and is sourcing Canadian grass fed beef to meet his demand.
Welcome to Denice Girdner, Graffiti Graphics:
We are pleased to introduce you to Denice, who has been doing a wonderful job of keeping you informed with her MFC news, MFC newsletter and website the past 4 months.
Denice has a strong background in Graphic design and is a welcome addition to our team. Please contact her if you have any suggestions for website, articles, events, etc. E-mail: denice@mbforagecouncil.mb.ca.
Corie Arbuckle
Acting Executive Director
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Early Spring Grazing of Pastures
by John McGregor, MFC Extension Support
Grass is one of the most important things you produce. It is easy to get anxious to let your cattle graze in the spring. As soon as those first green blades start to appear, both you and your cattle get impatient.
Early spring grazing adds a considerable cost to total production over the growing season. Grazing too soon, especially on rangeland, is a major factor in leading to deteriorating pasture condition. Grazing a pasture too early will result in the vegetation being removed before the plants have had a chance to replenish root reserves. The result is poor pasture performance for at least the remainder of the growing season and usually longer. A common rule of thumb: Grazing one week too early in the spring will sacrifice three weeks of grazing in the fall.
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A Producer Profile
Kim Streker, Producer and MFC Board of Director
 In 2006, Kim Streker and her husband Joe sold their farm in southern Ontario, quit their jobs as college professors, and moved to the Interlake region of Manitoba. The Strekers now operate a 1300 acre farm consisting of 500 acres of hay and 800 acres of pasture. They currently raise about 130 Merino sheep and 30 Black Angus Cows and operate an on-farm wool processing mill.
Flooding in 2010 got a lot of attention but what had greater impact on us was the previous four years of flooding caused by localized thunderstorms," says Kim. "Alfalfa has been drowned out on most of our hay fields other than the knolls." With the goal of raising forage finished beef and lamb, the Strekers now have to rehabilitate much of their land base. "Yields in 2012 were awful,"adds Kim. "We barely got enough hay off of 500 acres to feed 30 cows and the 130 sheep that we have cut down to.">
Researching how best to approach this challenge led to her interest in joining the Manitoba Forage Council. "The MFC has a wealth of information available on different ways to approach rehabilitating forage stands." Contacts made through attending various producer meetings eventually led to Kim becoming the Interlake Producer director for the Manitoba Forage Council.
Kim is also a Co-Chair for the new MFC Research and Education Committee which looks at different items that producers want researched, finds funding for the projects (mostly from private sources), runs the research studies, and then organizes and presents the information to not only producers but the general public as well. Kim feels there is a firm mindset among some livestock producers on how to raise animals. "What we need to do is find a way to convince them that there might be a better way to approach the issue," says Kim.
One of Kim's pet peeves is a phrase heard frequently in the Interlake - "It's good enough for cows" - in reference to forage feed. "It's a negative mindset that affects many producers in ways they haven't even recognized," Kim says, and one she would like to see changed.
As for the Strekers, they can see Italian Ryegrass playing a big role in their future forage rotation. But, as always, Mother Nature has a big role to play. "With the late spring our plans on planting a field of Italian Ryegrass may have to be put off for a year. We don't think that late May to beginning of June is the time to try and establish a forage crop."
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Water Storage a Possible Solution to Flooding, Lake Pollution
We are starting to learn just how vital of a role the wetlands play in flood protection, taking up and storing nutrients, and sequestering carbon. The Winnipeg Free Press published an excellent article that demonstrates the benefits of holding water on the land. Lorne Rossnagel, the rancher featured in the article, is also an MFC Board Director.
Here are some interesting facts about our wetlands posted by Ducks Unlimited (DUC).
- DUC's most recent research in Broughton's Creek, Manitoba indicates that the cumulative effects of wetland drainage since 1968 have increased annual total flows by 62 per cent and peak flows by 37 per cent.
- We have lost approximately 100,000 ha of wetlands in southwest Manitoba over the last 40 to 60 years. Some areas in the Prairies have lost more than 90 per cent of the wetlands they contained prior to European settlement. We estimate that this level of wetland loss has reduced the landscapes capacity to store water (its flood storage capacity) by approximately 700,000,000 cubic meters - roughly seven times the flood storage capacity of the Shellmouth Reservoir.
- Over the last two years, wetland drainage in southwest Manitoba has reduced surface water storage by 9.2 million cubic meters.
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Upcoming Industry Events! View our sidebar to the right to view a complete list.
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Feeding Alfalfa to Beef Cattle
by John McGregor, MFC Extension Support
For most producers the inclusion of alfalfa in their
hay and pastures is a no-brainer.
Alfalfa fixes nitrogen, providing free fertilizer for grasses, and improves feed quality by boosting the protein level. Alfalfa has also been shown to provide a good source of highly digestible protein and energy in beef diets. However, alfalfa quality will vary depending on harvest day.
Deciding when to harvest quality forage in Manitoba is often a guessing game. Traditionally, the optimum time to harvest the first cut alfalfa has been determined by the appearance of the first bloom. However, bloom development may be delayed by climatic condition and is not always the best guideline.
To address this problem, the Manitoba Green Gold Program was established to determine the ideal date to take that first cut. By knowing when alfalfa in your area is approaching the RFV that you require to produce a high quality feed you can plan your harvest accordingly. It can also help schedule your harvest so that you can produce feeds of varying quality to meet the different nutritional needs of your herd.
Read the full article to learn more about this issue and the resources available in addressing it.
Maximize your hay quality -
Sign up for the Green Gold Program, view the ad below.
Direct links related to this article:
Green Gold Program
RFV of Grass-Alfalfa Mixtures
How Stage of Maturity Affects Hay Quality
Livestock Nutrition Pricing
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Upcoming Industry Events!
August 8 in the Interlake region
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Become a "Friend of Manitoba
This fundraising endeavour enables the MFC to pursue projects benefitting the entire forage industry. By working with other Councils, we can ensure our forage research and marketing needs are voiced and addressed.
Being a Friend also provides direct benefits to your organization. Your yearly contribution of $250 will give you:
- Logo placement on the MFC home page, direct link to your site.
- Logo and link on our e-newsletter, which is distributed to over 700 people 4 times/year.
- Notifications of publication releases, upcoming events, etc.
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Maximize your hay quality
by harvesting youralfalfa stand at the optimum time!
Sign up for the
E-mail John McGregor, Green Gold Program Coordinator, to receive free tested results twice weekly
from numerous regions across the province and know the best window to cut your hay.
This year, through sponsoship, the Manitoba Forage Council (MFC) has been able to expand the regional testing to include Arborg, Beausejour, Somerset, Virden, Teulon (to be confirmed), and the South-East area of the province. Learn more about the Green Gold Program.
Thank you to our Major Green Gold Program Supporter:
Thank you to our other 2013 Green Gold Sponsors:
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New Suite of Forage Insurance
to be implemented in 2014
Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) will offer different levels of insurance programs for producers. They will be able to select the level of protection they desire depending on their specific risk exposure. Two specific features include the the disaster benefit and the pasture proxy.
More information on the program will be available this fall.
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Southwest Grazing Club Provides Opportunities to
Visit Experienced Graziers
 Grazing Clubs are an easy, casual way to gain expertise in all aspects of grazing and forage management. The Southwest Grazing Club has ensured that its members were offered many learning opportunities during the past 4 months via workshops on soil health, financial planning and holistic management.
Tours to farms of experienced graziers were also organized. This included a visit with Ken Miller, a producer from Bismarck, ND, who discussed the value of organic matter and the importance of keeping the soil surface covered, and Blain Hjertaas, Certified Holistic Management Educator and producer from Redvers, SK, who focused on low cost production, grazing management and soil health.
Upcoming tours for the summer include The Local Holistic Management Producers Tour, scheduled for June 22 on the Cocoran's Farm and will cover winter bale grazing, pasture planning, poly crops and summer pastures. For more information on this event, contact Michael Thiele, Program Coordinator, at (204) 365-6334 or mthiele@mts.net. To register, click here.
By attending meetings and visiting experienced graziers, you have the opportunity to see what works for others and choose what strategy will work for you. Join the Southwest Grazing Club.
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Growing Forward 2 Agricultural Programs
Launched in Manitoba
Growing Forward 2 is a renewed commitment by the federal, provincial & territorial governments to ensure productivity and profitability for Canada's agricultural sector.
The focus will be on three areas: competitiveness and market development, innovation, and adaptability and industry capacity. The first cost-shared initiative to be launched is directed at Growing Assurance programs and includes beneficial management practices (BMPs) that support environmental farm plans.
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Season-long Annual Grazing Systems that Supply N to Future Crops
by Dr. Martin Entz, Research Leader, Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba
The Manitoba Forage Council is actively involved in the management of many extension, research and marketing activities. Here is a brief summary of a current project being led by Dr. Martin Entz with the University of Manitoba.
Integrating legume cover crops or green manures into annual crop rotations has the potential to offer substantial benefits to Canadian prairie cropping systems including N, weed control, and improved soil structure. The price of N fertilizer is increasing and alternative N sources such as green manures may now be more practical for farmers to consider. In Manitoba, green manure systems can consistently enrich soils with at least 100 kg N/ha. However, the challenge of making green manures economically attractive is still an impediment.
To address this challenge, four different field experiments are based in Carman, MB. Each experiment evaluates green manure grazing crops for a particular niche in the growing season (early season, mid-season, summer, late-season). All treatments include legume plants so that the green manure also enriches the soil with N. The grazed green manure systems are compared with traditional green manure management (tilling the green manure into the soil) and a grain crop check treatment. In this way, the central treatment of interest here (the grazed green manure planting) are being compared to the standard farming system - a grain production only system.
Read:
April 2013 Interim Report: "Season-long Grazed Green Manure Systems Study"
Sep 2012 Interim Report: "Season-long Annual Grazing Systems that Supply N to Future Crops"
For more details on this project including a Summary and a planned summer field day, go here.
View a list of projects MFC is involved with.
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Canadian Forage & Grassland Association
pursuing project to reduce impact of Gophers/Moles in Manitoba
MFC is supporting the Canadian Forage and Grassland Application re: Richardson's Ground Squirrel and Northern Pocket Gopher Management Strategy and Action Plan.
For many Manitoba producers this is a problem and results in productivity loss on pastures and animal losses due to injuries. We will keep you apprised of the progress.
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"How to fight desertification and reverse climate change"
WATCH THIS VIDEO!  Allan Savory speaks on reclaiming our world's forage grasslands. He uses the term "Desertification" for two-thirds of the world's grasslands that is turning to desert. In this powerful talk, Allan tells us how we can protect grasslands and even reclaim degraded land that was once desert. Thousands of managers of land, livestock and wildlife on five continents today follow the methodology he calls "Holistic Management."
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Putting a Price on the Value of MB Grasslands
an excerpt from The National Centre for Livestock and the Environment
Grasslands cover approximately one third, or 2.4 million hectares, of the total farm land in Manitoba, with half in pasture and most of the remainder in hay production. In recent years, an increasing proportion of grasslands have been converted to annual crops, driven by the lure of record high commodity prices and a chance for economic gain. As a consequence, forage production may be pushed onto lower quality land, potentially leading to an overall reduction in forage quality and quantity.
When compared on a price per yield basis, grasslands cannot compete with returns on annual crops. The key to preserving pasture and hay land seems then to reside with increasing the value of grasslands. The socio-economic value of grasslands includes ecological goods and services - the many benefits grasslands provide to the environment and to society. However, even though it is widely acknowledged that grasslands are worth more than just the value of the forage produced, defining and assigning a dollar value to that worth is complicated.
Read the full article on defining the key goods and services that contribute value to the Manitoba grasslands and specific steps that should be taken to improve the accuracy of this estimated value.
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AAFC-BRC Research Projects
The Brandon Research Centre for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC-BRC) has two projects with committed funding for this summer: Residual Feed Intake, a means of measuring individual animal variation in feed efficiency, with University of Manitoba; and Swathgraze, which involves cutting stages for swathgrazing on an oat or barley crop, with University of Saskatchewan.
An additional 3 projects that have conditionally approved funding are: Pasture Mixes, Native Forage Species, and Extended Grazing.
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Alfalfa Winterkill a Problem
by Dr. Dan Undersander, Extension and Forage Agronomist, University of Wisconsin
Dr. Dan Undersander, Extension and Forage Agronomist, has issued the following report on Alfalfa Winterkill to U.S. producers.
The alfalfa winterkill situation is gradually worsening as greenup occurs and we can evaluate stands. In Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, kill on the east-west line south of Madison, Wisconsin is spotty, with only low areas in fields generally affected. North of Madison losses become greater (up to 50% in some areas) - low areas of fields are most severely affected but entire fields are lost in areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Alfalfa stand damage in the areas of northwest Wisconsin and north of the Twin Cities is still unknown. Eastern Ontario has reported some areas with up to 75% winterkill losses.
This kill appears to be the result of multiple stresses as fields that were cut more frequently or cut late generally suffered the most damage. While a good recommendation for last year (especially due to reduced yield because of drought), coupling the management stress with the drought was just too much for some fields.
We are desperately short on forage and all should be encouraged to plant more forage. Some of the western reservoirs are low on water so western hay production will be reduced in some areas. I recommend that farmers ensure adequate forage by diverting some corn acreage to forage production. With the damage to alfalfa fields suffered this past winter, alfalfa will be scarce through 2014.
As expected, supply of peas is limited and oats will likely be sold out soon for those planting oats and peas for dairy feed. I am also told that the alfalfa seed supply is running low so farmers should be encouraged to lock in seed quickly if wanting to reseed.
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