MFGA
Manitoba Forage & Grassland eBulletin
Aug 25, 2014

Hay Price Update - August  

With first cut hay now complete for the province and second cut alfalfa complete in the central, parts of the western and eastern areas of the province, John McGregor, MFGA Extension Support, did a quick survey of some of the MAFRD Forage Specialists and forage industry people to provide a brief update of hay prices and the hay situation.
Click here for a summary of their expertise.

Selling Hay thru Facebook 

Are you using Facebook just to keep in touch with friends and relatives, share receipts or words of wisdom? What about using it to help promote and or sell your hay? There are a number of groups that have found Facebook an excellent venue to get interested sellers and buyers in contact with each other. Download the full article.

Links:

Twin Cities Hay Exchange

Hay for Sale in South Dakota/ Kansas/ Nebraska/ Oklahoma/ Iowa/ Colorado/ Missouri

Manitoba Hay Listing Service

Fall Harvest Management of Alfalfa 

As we move into fall, many alfalfa growers want or need to take a final cutting from their alfalfa fields. Those same producers are also concerned that the alfalfa is still around for another year. Part of the fall management of alfalfa is observing and utilizing the Critical Harvest Period when taking that final cut. 

The Critical Harvest Period (or rest period) here in Manitoba normally starts around the 19th (13th-21st) of August and runs for 6 weeks. For alfalfa to gain hardiness for winter survival, it requires an adequate growth period in the fall to ensure that the root reserves are fully charged. These reserves are utilized for overwintering purposes, to initiate growth in the spring and for growth after each cutting.

To better understand the critical harvest period and how to manage your fall cutting, download the full article.  

Sources:

Critical Fall Harvest Period for Alfalfa

Fall Harvest Management of Alfalfa

Risk Of Alfalfa Winterkill 

Fall Cutting of Alfalfa 

Taking Late Cuts of Alfalfa During the Critical Fall Rest Period

Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Runs Successful Charity Golf Tourney

Dairy Farmers of Manitoba is a key partner of MFGA. Recently, John McGregor of MFGA joined Brad Kramer of Hi-Pro Feeds, Vince Stevens of Scotia Bank and Keith Broeksy of Pro-Ag at the 17th annual Dairy Farmers of Manitoba charity golf tournament in Quarry Oaks, Steinbach. Net proceeds were donated to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba dairy science bursary fund. Over the years, this tournament has raised approximately $306,000 for pediatric research and dairy science education.

DFL Pickseed at 2014 FIFA World Cup

Forages go far beyond our pastures and hay fields and onto the playing fields of the world. DFL Pickseed was once again chosen as the official grass supplier to the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosted at various venues across Brazil in June and July 2014. 

"We have been working on this event for three years in close cooperation with grass specialists and the contractors responsible for the fields, and we have no doubt that this World Cup will present top class grass fields," said Jan Gottlieb, Export Manager of DFL Pickseed. (quote from earlier release.)

Most of the Brazilian soccer fields are bermuda grass based, but due to the winter dormancy of bermuda grass, the fields were reinforced with PhD� perennial ryegrass to provide a perfect and uniform playing surface for all the matches during the tournament. Beginning in April, every field was repeatedly overseeded with DLF's top performing perennial ryegrass varieties including the new 4N Replicator perennial ryegrass, exclusively available from DLF Pickseed.  Pickseed

Download the full article here. 

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Industry Events 


Industry Article Links

MFGA on the Move
MFGA has been "on the move" in August working with various organizations for the benefit of our producers:
- Attended the Brian Harper Farm Tour, funded by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, hosted by Ducks Unlimited
- Participated in planning meetings for the upcoming Grazing & Livestock Symposium 
- Met with Manitoba Beef Producers 
- Interviewed by media on forage related matters: Western Producer, CKLQ Radio, Pembina Valley Online
Attended Tomorrow Now: Manitoba's Green Plan Development of Climate Change and Green Economy Action Plans 
- Met with Lake Winnipeg Foundation regarding grant application processes and synergies

Province Introduces New Grants for Biomass Research

The Manitoba government has doubled the Biomass Energy Support Program funding to $1 million. The new funding will be directed to applied research projects that address gaps or identify opportunities for business and technology development in the biomass sector, including projects that help convert heating systems from coal to biomass or expand biomass manufacturing operations. Eligible biomass fuels include switchgrass.

Applications accepted until Sept. 1.

For more information or how to apply, view this link.

Conservation & Livestock Can be a Good Mix 

While intensive livestock production can cause waste and nutrients to pile up, mixed farms are better able to recycle nutrients.

"It's a movement across the world and across the planet, and when you think about the things that really allow conservation agriculture to flourish, it's perennial plants, because they give plant diversity, they give permanent ground cover and they result in minimal soil disturbance," said Entz, who teaches and researches natural cropping systems at the University of Manitoba. 

Read the full Manitoba Co-operator article here.

Manitoba Hay Shortage Concerns Reduced 

Conditions over the last few weeks have helped improve the outlook for hay supplies in much of Manitoba. John McGregor, who looks after extension support for the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association, says fears of a cattle feed shortage that arose during the flooding earlier in summer been allayed in many areas.
Read the full Pembina Valley Online interview here. 

The MFGA eBulletin is published by the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association (MFGA).  Articles in this publication do not imply endorsement by MFGA. 
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