News from the Canadian Forage & Grassland Association
CFGA Quarterly Newsletter
October 2017
Greetings from the CFGA Chair
As we wrap up what I hope has been a productive summer for each of you and look ahead to preparing our fields for winter, I hope everyone is also looking forward to attending the CFGA's 8th Annual CFGA Conference in Guelph Nov. 14 to 16.

The theme, "Next Generation Cropping Systems: Profit Above, Wealth Below," recognizes the important role forage and grasslands play in providing both economic - $5.09 billion annually - and environmental - think carbon storage - benefits to Canadians from coast to coast. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about new forage practices;  network with colleagues; and discover new research on forage and grasslands and how to improve environmental practices.  For further information, please   check the conference web site .
 
As well as working hard on organizing the conference, the CFGA continues its work on a number of other projects, including the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AGGP) and forage market expansion through the AgriMarketing Program. The CFGA was also pleased with the July announcement about the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), a five-year, $3 billion investment with the goal to strengthen the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.
 
These announcements prove national support and recognition of the forage and grassland sector as an environmentally progressive practice. It is an exciting time for CFGA!
 

Ray Robertson, P.Ag.
Chair, Canadian Forage & Grassland Association

CFGA conference speakers to tackle carbon policy
Forages and carbon policy in Canada will take centre stage Wednesday, Nov. 15 during the CFGA's 8th Annual Conference in Guelph, Ont.

Karen Haugen-Kozyra with Viresco Solutions will speak on the topic first when she presents The Role of Forages in Environmental and Carbon Policy. Then Lara Ellis with ALUS Canada will present Canadian Grasslands and EG&S Programs: Valuation and Markets. Drew Black with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture will wrap up the subject with his presentation Carbon Policy and Carbon Offset Trading Systems.
 
Other speakers will focus on soil and animal health, profitable forage systems and forage export development during their presentations. All fit well with the conference's overall theme of Next Generation Forage Cropping Systems: Profit Above, Wealth Below, which recognizes the important role forage and grasslands play in providing both economic and environmental benefits to Canadians from coast to coast.
 
"With a direct economic value of $5.09 billion and over 70 million acres in production, forage is the largest land use sector in Canadian agriculture and is the backbone of Canada's ruminant industry," says CFGA executive director Cedric MacLeod. "Perennial forage crops contribute significant carbon sequestration benefits to Canadian society and the CFGA is currently involved in work to quantify the volume and value of this extensive environmental resource through the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program."

Message from New Holland
Improving bale density
Baler crop cutter systems are an exceptional way to improve bale density because cut crop packs into a bale more tightly. For bedding materials, this cutting process increases absorbency and makes bales easier to shake apart. For dry hay or bedding that is stored outside, this additional density creates bales that shed water and draw in less moisture from the ground, aiding in greatly reducing dry matter losses and spoilage.
Canadian hay exporters can ship to China
China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) has completed its audit on Canadian hay processors and the news is good: registration has been renewed for exporters to ship to China until 2023.
 
The audit found that Canada's supervision over producing and processing establishments is effective with the country conducting audits twice a year following Canada`s Canadian Hay Certification Program (CHCP) Manual and China-Canada Protocol. The CHCP Manual provides a variety of information including detailed descriptions of the program requirements, lists of pests and pest control measures.
 
Based on inspection, establishments visited have sound pest supervision procedures in place at the farm level and processing plant raw storage, equipment, production layouts and finished product storage are reasonable.
 
The audit report - titled Report on Inspection of Canadian Forage Inspection /Quarantine/Supervision System and Producing Establishments for Export to China - indicates Canada has competent forage traceability systems, container loading and shipment and safety systems in place. It also stated that the establishments are capable of meeting the Chinese requirements for conducting the verticillium wilt test on forage and providing the results to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Ontario Forage Council update
The Ontario Forage Council is hosting its annual Forage Focus Conference in Shakespeare on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the Shakespeare Optimist Hall, and in Winchester on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the Joel Steele Community Centre.
 
The program and schedule will be the same for both days beginning with registration and trade show from 9 to 10 a.m. and speakers until 3:30 p.m. Presentations are Continued Education Unit (CEU) accredited.
 
This year's keynote speaker will be Robert Berthiaume, a dairy production expert in forage systems. Berthiaume obtained his B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from Laval University and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in animal science from the University of Guelph. From 1989 to 2012, he was a member of the nutrition team at the Dairy and Swine Research Centre in Lennoxville. From 2012 to 2017, Berthiaume joined the research and development department at Valacta as a dairy production expert in forage systems. He retired in July 2012 and now does consulting work.
 
The cost of this years' conference is $40, and includes conference proceedings and a hot lunch. Books of 10 tickets are available to treat customers or staff. Registration deadline is Dec. 8. Registrations will be accepted at the door, but may not include the hot lunch. Registration is available by phone or email.
 
Tradeshow and sponsorship opportunities are still available for both days of the conference. Spaces will fill quickly, so don't hesitate. Forage Focus is an excellent opportunity to advertise your business to your target audience!
 
For more information visit the
Forage agronomist joins Nappan Experimental Farm team
Kathleen Glover completed her BSc. in Crop Science and MSc. in forage agronomy 
and quantitative genetics at the University of Guelph, going on to complete her PhD. in molecular biology and biochemistry at Dalhousie University.  She then spent a decade doing applied agronomy research for the agricultural community, government organizations and private industry. Glover says forage agronomy was a key component of the research and included a wide variety of field trials ranging from fertility management of forage grasses, to evaluations of novel forage germplasms and evaluating new methods to assess winter hardiness and frost seeding potential of various legume species.
 
Glover has a long-standing interest in the effect of forages on ruminant livestock production and, as a Molecular Nutrition Research Chair at the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College, has participated in research studying fresh versus ensiled forage on dairy cow milk yield and quality parameters and the effects of forage species on growth and nutrient/gene interactions in the grazing lamb. She also provided scientific expertise to ongoing research and technical demonstration of the benefits of utilizing management intensive rotational grazing in a community pasture for beef cattle production.
 
Glover joined Agriculture and Agri Food Canada in May and serves as the forage agronomist for the Nappan Experimental Farm. CFGA caught up with her to talk forage.

Upcoming Events
2017

Oct. 16
Creating Connections - Low Stress Cattle Handling. Brandon, Man.
Oct. 19 MBFI Women's Cattle Producer Workshop. MBFI's Brookdale Research Farm 
Oct. 27 MBFI Cattle Producer Workshop. MBFI's Brookdale Research Farm
Nov. 16 Low Cost Winter Feeding Workshop. Fort Macleod, Alta. 
Nov. 18-21
Canadian Bison Association's 34th Annual Convention. Regina, Sask.
Dec. 5-7 Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing. Edmonton, Alta. 
Dec. 7 Manitoba Beef and Forages Initiatives Extensive Winter Grazing Tour. Location in Manitoba TBD
 2018
Jan. 16-18 Manitoba Ag Days. Brandon, Man.
Jan. 22-26 Beef and Forage Week. Various locations.
Feb. 9
MFGA Annual General Meeting. Brandon Man.
Feb. 11-25
Spain and Portugal Agriculture Tour.
Feb. 22 Forage Conference. Drummondville, Que. 
March 6 Alberta Forage Industry Network. Location TBD


More event listings: 

If you have any events you'd like added to the calendar of events, email

  Canadian Forage & Grassland Association
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