Dairy Farmers of Manitoba support MFGA's Green Gold Program 2015 

Lawrence Knockaert, DFM Director / MFGA Board Member (left) presents John McGregor, MFGA with a cheque from DFM, a long-time supporter of the Manitoba Forage and Grassland's Green Gold program. The Green Gold program, now in it's 20th year, helps alfalfa growers across the province identify the optimum harvest date for their forage via direct email and agricultural media releases. 

Learn more about the program. 

When to Start Grazing

One of the questions that I get almost every year is, when can I turn my cattle out on pasture?
   Why? Because as soon as those first green blades start to appear, both you and your cattle get impatient. Grass is one of the most important things you produce and over the years more and more livestock producers are starting to realize this and are paying more attention to their forages and how they manage them. 

MFGA Members receive discount for IFMA in Quebec

Farm Management Canada has informed MFGA that the Manitoba Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is offering up to 75% cost-sharing for MFGA and our members to attend the International Farm Management (IFMA) Congress taking place in Quebec, Quebec July 12-17, 2015. Enhance your farm business management skills through plenary sessions, tours and field trips. More information about IFMA and your cost sharing opportunities found here (pdf). 

Pasture Management

In days past, pasture for the most part was considered wasteland, low land, bush, etc. - land unfit to grow annual crops. Today, a lot of the pasture land has been lost to annual crop production. The land remaining and some of the annual production land now needs to be managed in such a way as to maximize production while keeping costs low. 

   There are countless books, manuals and forage meetings that promote pasture management and while all of them are different, they are also the same. The key message that comes through with all of them is Grazing Frequency.   

Read the full article.

Processed Hay and Nutritional Value

Today's hay markets value the quality of the forage being sold. Cost wise, hay has always been one of the least expensive sources of feed for livestock. And it can be as high in feeding value as many concentrates. However, hay production frequently varies in quality more than any other North American agricultural product. Protein and other nutrient losses that occur after hay is cut frequently amount to 30% or more. Research has shown that, with new production varieties and preservation methods, much of this loss can be prevented. 

   To learn more about making quality hay, check out the Haymakers Handbook, developed by university and New Holland experts in hay and forage. This book covers topics from start to finish for making hay. From growing and harvesting to packaging and feeding -this book is a useful tool for anyone in the hay business. 

   Stop by your local New Holland dealer or click here to order your book today. 

  Download a sample of the book.