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MFGA eBulletin - Feb 11 2016
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MBFI, McDonalds Partner on Exciting New Project
Manitoba beef and forage producers to benefit from McDonald's Canada sustainable beef industry focus
BRANDON - Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Inc. (MBFI) has kick-started their official first year of operations by announcing an exciting $25,000 program partnership agreement with McDonald's Restaurants of Canada to provide outreach and tours for Manitoba beef producers. MBFI is a collaboration between Manitoba Beef Producers, Manitoba Agriculture and Food Rural Development, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association and Ducks Unlimited Canada collaborating for the advancement of the beef and forage industry. Read the full media release here.
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MFGA Announces New Chairperson
Koslowsky succeeds Lintott at helm of forage producer group
Killarney-area beef and forage producer Dave Koslowsky was announced as the new Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) chairperson at the recent MFGA Annual General Meeting held in Brandon last week. Koslowsky succeeds longtime MFGA chair Jim Lintott, who will remain on the MFGA board as past chairman and producer representative. Also named to the MFGA board of directors were Forrest, Manitoba's Ryan Boyd - fresh off his family's well-deserved win of The Environmental Stewardship Award for Manitoba - and Larry Wegner of Virden. Longtime former Portage-area sheep-producer and Winnipeg resident Henry Nelson was re-elected to the vice-chair position. Read the full media release here.
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Key Grazing Club Workshops offered through MFGA & DUCs
Tuesday, February 23 in Brandon, MB
Thursday, March 3 in Brandon, MB
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Exciting Developments in Research Benefit Alfalfa
In the forage industry there are a lot of exciting developments that in the near future will see major benefits for including alfalfa into your farming operations. Work here in Canada is looking to improve the quality of alfalfa and how livestock utilize it in their ration. There is also work underway to improve alfalfa adaptation to droughty conditions as well as areas that are less than ideal for alfalfa production. These changes will not only benefit producers but may have a profound affect in reducing green house gases and land reclamation of depleted/degraded soils from prolonged use and oil, gas or mining sites.
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Snow: Good For Your Alfalfa
Nothing can increase the chance of alfalfa surviving winter better than a nice, thick blanket of snow and good fall management practices. Read more here.
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PODCAST: How Winter Weather Can Affect Your Alfalfa
John McGregor, MFGA Hay Expert, explains to CKDM News what you should do to make sure your cows stay warm and cozy. Click here to listen.
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MFGA "On the Move"...
- Presentations and booth display at Beef and Forage Week in Holland, Brandon, Ste Rose, Vita and Eriksdale
- Booth display at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon, MB
- Presentation on Improving Forage Quality at the Cattle Connect Conference in Minnedosa
- Meetings with Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Development (MAFRD), Canadian Forage & Grassland Association (CFGA), International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUCs); MBFI Steering Committee Meeting
- Attended the Disaster Planning Conference, KAP AGM, MBP AGM
- Held our MFGA Annual General Meeting in Brandon
... and "In the News"
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New Holland Tractor 'Machine of the Year' in Large Tractor Category
New Holland's new T7.315 tractor was awarded the coveted "Machine of the Year" 2016 in the large tractor category at Agritechnia, the world's largest trade fair for agricultural machinery and equipment. The T7.315 is one of two new heavy-duty models designed to meet the needs of farming operations requiring the power of a large-frame tractor with the versatility and agility of a small frame machine. It features New Holland's IntelliCruise™ tractor-baler automation technology that enables the baler to control the tractor's speed to optimize feed rate and produce a constant flake thickness. Learn more at
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Industry Announcements & Articles
DUC/CPS forage program offers farmers a break for grassland conversions -
Available to agricultural producers in the three Prairie provinces, the DUC/CPS forage program offsets the cost of Proven Seed forage varieties when producers convert cultivated land to hay or pastureland. In Manitoba, producers receive a rebate of $50 for every new forage acre seeded as part of the program. Read the media release.
BMP application deadline February 12 - Application for funding can now be made on a number of best management practices under the Growing Assurance - Environment. More info.
2016 AgriInsurance Changes Benefit Manitoba Producers - AgriInsurance, administered through the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC), has been updated for 2016 based on producer feedback and market conditions: AgriInsurance: * Higher Coverage for Less Premium * Grade Guarantee for Feed Wheat * Vegetable Acreage Loss Insurance Program Expanded * Pasture Days Insurance Program Expanded (see below) * Wildlife Damage Compensation. Complete details here.
Pasture Days Insurance Program Expanded - This previously limited program has been expanded province-wide for the next three years and is designed to help reduce the consequences of an extreme pasture shortage (those situations where pasture type and management are neutralized) by providing financial assistance when grazing shortfalls occur during the summer pasture period. More Info here.
CFA provides loan-guarantee program - The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is spreading the word about the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) program - a loan-guarantee program designed to increase the availability of loans to farmers and agricultural co-operatives through low interest rates, longer repayment periods, and lower down payments. More information here.
MB Agriculture Risk Management Review Task Force Report provides 25 recommendations to improve climate-related risk management.
Read the December 2015 report created by a working group comprised of industry stakeholders charged with ensuring that the province's risk management tools are responsive to a changing climate.
New Holland Dealership to Open in South-Central Manitoba - This new mainline machinery dealership will be located on Highway 3 near Morden featuring New Holland Products as well as sell Hyundai and Kobelco construction equipment, Toro turf management and several short lines. Read the full "Real Agriculture" article here.
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Industry Events
Western Canadian Holistic Management Conference
February 14-16 in Russell, MB
11th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference
February 16-18 in Saskatoon, SK
An excellent opportunity for ranchers, students, scientists, biologists, educators and naturalists to join 350 other colleagues and learn about the most recent developments in prairie and species at risk conservation. THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER! View full details here.
Prairie Organics: Think Whole Farm
February 18, 19 in Winnipeg, MB
Are you interested in learning how other livestock producers are improving their environmental performance AND their bottom line? This event will expose you to new ways of thinking about your livestock operation. Further details here.
Farm to Fork Considerations of Animal Protein Products in the Food System
Tuesday, March 1 in Winnipeg, MB
A special seminar hosted by the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment with speaker Dr. Robin White, USDA Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative Post-Doctoral Scholar, Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Tech. More here.
FCC Farm Forum
Tuesday, March 8 in Winnipeg, MB
Held at the Victoria Inn, this forum is an opportunity for producers to learn and re-energize from motivational speakers, and to network. This year's speakers are business icon Arlene Dickinson, Olympic gold medalist John Montgomery and former NHL player Ryan Walter. Register now.
AIC 2016: Disseminating Agricultural Research in Winnipeg, MB
April 13, 14 in Ottawa, ON
A conference that brings together stakeholders involved in, or who make use of agricultural research to discuss issues surrounding the dissemination and utilization of agricultural research.
Agricultural Bioscience International Conference
September 18-21 in Fargo, ND
Themed "Better Food. Better World. Connectiong Public and Private Research", this is billed as the premiere global meeting which promotes innovation in bioscience to ensure sustainable food, feed, fiber and fuel security. Details available at www.abic2016.com.
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