Hay Situation & Price Update for December
John McGregor, MFGA Hay Expert, has surveyed Manitoba Agriculture Forage Specialists and forage industry people to provide a brief update of hay prices and the hay situation. Moving into December, it seems forage supplies are still adequate to above. All areas of the province are reporting that forage quality is below normal and that producers may need to supplement rations this winter to meet livestock needs.  Read on...
Why Consider Forage? 
The CFGA wound up its annual conference in Manitoba last month, with many of the agenda topics focused on forages and the environment. With the Paris Accord and carbon taxes prominent in the news, looking at some of the benefits forages can, and do, have on our environment may be timely. There are many benefits of having land under forage production when looking at forages for pasture or hay production...Read on.
Become a 2017-2018 MFGA Supporter!
Through our supporters, MFGA is growing in profile and stature as we continue to deliver successful programs and partnerships for the benefit of Manitoba forage producers. MFGA is proudly part of the Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiative, and  for 22 years has successfully delivered the Green Gold Program. Many important research projects are underway including the MFGA Aquanty Project, Manitoba Rangeland EcoSite and Rangeland Health Initiative and more. Help us continue the vital work we are involved in by offering your support for the 2017-2018 campaign year.

CFGA Conference 2016 a resounding success
The Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association annual conference, recently held in Winnipeg, brought more than 140 in attendance and included top notch speakers, several virtual farm tours, an exhibition, student poster competition and a pre-conference tour to SG&R Farms and the MBFI Research Farm. Also included was the CFGA Awards Banquet where the New Holland-sponsored 2016 CFGA Leadership Award was handed to Doug Wray of Alberta. A driving force in the formation of the CFGA, Wray and his wife Linda run 225-plus cows, background and grass their calves and raise their own replacements with yearlings going to a custom lot. Over the years, they developed year-round grazing strategies such as rotational grazing, early grass varieties, stockpiled grass, bale grazing, swath grazing and the right mix of livestock.
Photo: Linda/Doug Wray with Tyler Roberts of New Holland (left) and Ray Robertson, CFGA chairman (right). Credit:Cultivating Communications
Manitoba Range and Pasture Health Assessment Initiative 

Commonly asked questions about Manitoba pastures and rangelands are "How many cows can I put on this land?"; "Are current land management practices sustaining ecological function of this parcel of land?"; and "How do we acquire evidence to support our land management decisions and policies?" The key to answering these questions is to describe the plant community that currently exists on a parcel of pasture or rangeland and compare it to the potential community that could exist on that site, using a Range and Pasture Health Assessment. A workshop was held this November to allow stakeholders to learn about various ecosystem health assessments and to provide their input into what indicators could be used for a range and pasture health assessment method in Manitoba. Read on... 
Video: 100,000 Beating Hearts 
Will Harris, owner of White Oak Pastures, tells us his evolution from industrial to regenerative farmer. Watch this wonderful new film that helps move the needle on changing our approach to agriculture.
FCC supports producers impacted by bad harvest conditions  
Farm Credit Canada is offering support to producers in parts of the Prairies facing financial hardship as a result of widespread excessive moisture that has impacted the growing season, delayed harvest and reduced the quality of this year's crop. It will work with them to come up with solutions for their operations, and will consider deferral of principal payments and/or other loan payment schedule amendments to reduce the financial pressure. Producers can call their FCC relationship manager or the FCC Customer Service Centre at 1-888-332-3301.
Light the Way
New Holland LED lights
Investing in LED work lights will not only save you money on replacement parts and labor, but also the time and inconvenience that a failed light will cost you. LED (light-emitting diode) lights produce a crisp, clean bright white light and will last far longer than other types of lights. The main advantages of LED versus traditional lights are superior visibility and longer lifespan. Because LEDs use roughly one tenth as much power of an incandescent light and can last up to six times longer than an average bulb, they put less strain on the alternator and batteries, and can last longer, too.
Industry Events
41st Annual MB Conservation Conference  -  Dec 6-8 in Brandon, MB
Presenters on carbon ranching, water ponding, wetland restoration in other countries, local stories of big wins on the landscape, and much more. Held at the Keystone Centre.
Extended Grazing Workshop at MBFI Dec 8 at MBFI, near Brandon, MB
Attend this field day and learn how to cut winter feeding cots by extending the grazing season. Watch infield demonstrations and learn more about growing and grazing crops for extended grazing, energy dense forages and poly-crops, nutrient importing and field selection, 2016 yield results.
Prairie Livestock Expo - Sat, Dec 17 in Winnipeg, MB
Held at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, this will be your chance to connect with livestock producers!
Horse Production and Management Course -  Jan 9, 2017  in Winnipeg, MB
Horse Production and Management is a non-credit course offered by the Department of Animal Science at the University of Manitoba. The course runs 11 Mondays at the University of Manitoba (12 Dafoe Road). Course cost is $200 and enrolment is limited to 20 participants. Instructor is Kim Van Cauwenberghe. More info here.
Manitoba AgDays - Jan 17-19, 2017  in Brandon, MB
The Manitoba AgDays show is an exposition of agricultural production expertise, technology, and equipment that attracts exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and North Central United States.
38th Annual Manitoba Beef Producers AGM - Feb 2-3, 2017 in Brandon, MB
Held at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre in Brandon, MBP looks forward to meeting with its members at the upcoming AGM. Whether you are a beef producer or in the feedlot sector, this is an opportunity to engage with MBP directors and fellow producers, debate issues that affect your bottom line, and set policy which will impact the future of your industry. 
Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association AGM - Feb 3, 2017 in Brandon, MB
A 7am breakfast meeting, our AGM is held in conjunction with the MBP AGM. Stay tuned for further details. All MFGA Supporters are eligible to vote.
Native Prairie Restoration & Reclamation Workshop  - Feb 8-9, 2017 in Regina, SK
The Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (SK PCAP)  announced that registration is now open. Register by Dec 12 to receive the Early Bird rate of $225. The workshop will be held at the Ramada Hotel in downtown Regina, SK. The agenda includes plenary sessions, a trade show, a poster display, and many networking opportunities.
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