CFGA Conference News

Today is the last day to save with Early Bird registration for CFGA's 14th annual conference

Early bird registration ends today for the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA)’s 14th Annual Conference taking place in beautiful Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. Nov. 28 through Dec. 1. Register now to save $80 on your registration fee.

Special hotel rate ends Nov. 1

Be sure to book accommodations at Harrison Hot Springs Resort by Nov. 1 to receive special room rates.

Conference Highlights

With the theme Forage Resilience in a Changing Landscape – Manage risk. Overcome Challenges. Discover opportunities, this year’s event will celebrate the important environmental and economic role forages and grasslands play across the country while delivering the practical, grassroots-based agronomic knowledge the CFGA is known for. 

The CFGA is excited to once again have Dr. Frank Mitloehner from UC Davis open the conference. This year, he will present his keynote address on Wednesday, Nov. 29 when he provides the global picture on how methane from ruminants cycles through carbon in the soil.

Other speakers include:

• Dan Undersander from the University of Wisconsin speaking about sustainability metrics for forage systems 
• Josh Callen from the Hoyt Report providing a global forage export market update
• Bart Lardner from the University of Saskatchewan speaking on advancing pasture management to store carbon and reduce methane emissions 

Other events and activities taking place at the CFGA 14th Annual Conference are: 

• Technical workshops on grassland inventories and knowledge tech transfer extension 
• Welcome reception 
• Panel discussions
• Living Labs showcase and solutions pathway
• CFGA Leadership Award reception 
• Tradeshow
• Post-conference tour to Agriculture and Agri-Food's Agassiz Research and Development Centre and local farms
• Online learning  

Stay Connected

Visit the CFGA conference website for more information including the agenda and accommodation details. Follow the CFGA on Facebook at Canadian Forage & Grassland Association and on Twitter @CFGA_ACPF #CFGA23.

Register here today to save $80.

Grassland Inventory Workshop part of CFGA’s 14th Annual Conference

During its 14th annual conference, the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is holding a pre-conference workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 28, that will focus on grassland inventory, remote sensing and mapping. The goal of the workshop is to build consensus on collaborating effectively in mapping the Canadian Grasslands.

This invite-only workshop is a unique opportunity for grassland experts nationwide to discuss key technical topics on assessing and cataloguing Canada’s grasslands. John K Pattison-Williams will facilitate this meeting which will be technical in nature and will draw on broad areas of expertise in various sectors.

Workshop attendees will learn about different approaches and have opportunities to provide feedback on the best approach for a national model that accommodates regional variation. The national inventory has been a collaborative effort from multiple stakeholders and representation and participation from a grasslands remote-sensing specialist from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) will add technical expertise and facilitate collaboration.

If you wish to participate in the Grassland Inventory Workshop, email John at jk.pattisonwilliams@gmail.com.

Academic posters wanted!

The CFGA is hosting a scientific poster showcase in conjunction with the 2023 14th annual CFGA conference, Nov. 28 and Dec. 1, 2023, in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia.

The CFGA invites academics, graduate and undergraduate students who are studying agriculture, science or social science, with an interest or potential interest in forage and grasslands to enter a poster and attend the CFGA conference to share their research.

For additional information about submitting a poster, click here.

CFGA News

OFCAF Producer Information Sessions re Advanced Rotational Grazing Projects

The deadline to submit final claims for On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) Advanced Rotational Grazing Projects is Nov. 30, 2023.

If you need assistance with your claim, the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is holding bi-weekly information sessions about the claims process and audit process. These sessions are for producers in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Quebec and will include a question-and-answer period.

Sessions will take place on the following dates: 

Nov. 8

Nov. 22

At the following times:

2 to 3 p.m. Atlantic

1 to 2 p.m. Eastern

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mountain

10 to 11 a.m. Pacific

Register for a session here.

DFC’s sustainability partnerships reinforce dairy farmers’ environmental stewardship



Dairy farmers across Canada are working hard on sustainability. Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has made key partnerships to ensure they have access to more environmentally focused projects, including many related to grassland preservation and the forage market. Our partnerships with Ducks Unlimited Canada and Cleanfarms reinforce dairy’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible farming practices.

Ducks Unlimited Canada: on-farm conservation solutions made for Canada

Dairy farmers interested in habitat stewardship have much to gain from Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) landowner programs. They can source of conservation information relevant to specific regions across Canada to protect essential habitats on their properties, including grasslands.

DUC has sustainable agricultural programming available in every province across the country, many of which are suited towards grasslands and forage crops. These include forage programs, projects for hay and grazing tenders, growing winter wheat (all available in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), growing winter cover crops (available in B.C.), and wetland restoration opportunities for all provinces.

From financial incentives and land management advice to a down-to-earth partner who’s in it for the long haul, DUC has sustainable agricultural programming in every province across the country. They work side-by-side with farmers every day. Their conservation programs are always evolving to fit with farm operations as they change too, with all conservation program staff being experts in the field.

Cleanfarms: finding new ways to recycle silage plastics

No dairy farmer can avoid using the tools necessary for extending the shelf life of forage: plastic bale wrap, silage bags, bunker covers and tarps are all essential for keeping Canadian dairy herds fed. Once used, though, it’s apparent that these great tools also pose a challenge for proper reuse and cleanup.

Wanting to test new options for managing used silage plastics, two dairy farmers in Caron, Saskatchewan, jumped at the chance to participate in a 2021 pilot project. They used an on-farm compactor to test its usefulness for agriculture film management. They found the compactor worked well with the advantage of needing no power to operate it, but there was a heavy investment in time and sweat equity to prepare the first silage pit cover bales for recycling.

Environmental stewardship non-profit Cleanfarms, one of DFC’s key sustainability partners, received similar feedback from farmers from outside of province who were also testing these compactors. It led to the development of a new and improved compactor that uses hydraulics instead of a winch.

Finding end markets for silage plastics continues to be challenging, and this is why it is so important to work directly with farmers to find ways to keep plastics used on-farm as clean as possible.

Cleanfarms is optimistic that building up the volume and ensuring clean material streams will attract new, long-term end-market commitment for recycling agricultural plastics.

For more information on DFC’s sustainability partnerships, visit https://dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/en/sustainability#partners-partenaires.

Les partenariats des PLC au service du développement durable renforcent la gestion environnementale des producteurs laitiers

Les producteurs laitiers du Canada travaillent très fort au développement durable. Les Producteurs laitiers du Canada (PLC) ont conclu des partenariats clés pour s'assurer qu'ils ont accès à des projets davantage axés sur l'environnement, dont plusieurs sont liés à la préservation des prairies et au marché des fourrages. Nos partenariats avec Canards Illimités Canada et Agri-RÉCUP renforcent l'engagement de longue date des producteurs laitiers concernant la gestion de l'environnement et des pratiques agricoles responsables.

Canards Illimités Canada : des solutions de conservation à la ferme adaptées au Canada

Les producteurs laitiers qui s'intéressent à la bonne gestion environnementale des habitats peuvent retirer beaucoup d’avantages des programmes de Canards Illimités Canada (CIC) destinés aux propriétaires fonciers. Ils peuvent obtenir des renseignements sur la conservation dans des régions précises du Canada afin de protéger les habitats essentiels sur leurs propriétés, y compris les prairies.

CIC offre des programmes en lien avec l’agriculture durable dans toutes les provinces du pays, dont plusieurs sont adaptés aux prairies et aux cultures fourragères. Il s'agit notamment de programmes sur les fourrages, de projets pour les fournisseurs de foin et de pâturage, de la culture du blé d'hiver (tous disponibles en Alberta, en Saskatchewan et au Manitoba), de la culture de plantes de couverture d'hiver (disponible en Colombie-Britannique) et de possibilités de restauration des milieux humides dans toutes les provinces.

Qu'il s'agisse d'incitatifs financiers, de conseils en matière de gestion des terres ou d'un partenaire pragmatique qui s'investit à long terme, CIC offre des programmes en lien avec l'agriculture durable dans toutes les provinces du pays. L'organisme travaille chaque jour en collaboration avec les producteurs. Ses programmes de conservation évoluent constamment pour s'adapter aux fermes agricoles, qui changent elles aussi, et tous les membres du personnel des programmes de conservation sont des experts en la matière.

Agri-RÉCUP : trouver de nouveaux moyens de recycler les plastiques d'ensilage

Aucun producteur laitier ne peut effectuer son travail sans utiliser les matériaux nécessaires pour prolonger la durée de conservation des fourrages : les emballages en plastique pour les balles, les sacs d'ensilage, les couvertures de silos de type bunker et les bâches (ex. : enveloppe de polyéthylène pour silos meules) sont tous essentiels pour assurer l'alimentation des troupeaux laitiers canadiens. Cependant, une fois utilisés, il est évident que ces ressources très utiles posent également le problème de leur réutilisation et de leur nettoyage.

Désireux de tester de nouvelles options pour la gestion des plastiques d'ensilage usagés, deux producteurs laitiers de Caron, en Saskatchewan, ont sauté sur l'occasion en participant à un projet pilote en 2021. Ils ont utilisé un compacteur à la ferme pour tester son utilité dans la gestion des pellicules de plastique agricoles. Ils ont constaté que le compacteur fonctionnait bien et qu'il n'avait pas besoin d'énergie pour fonctionner, mais qu'il fallait investir beaucoup de temps et de sueur pour préparer les premières balles de plastiques de couverture de fosse d'ensilage en vue du recyclage.

Agri-RÉCUP, un organisme sans but lucratif voué à la protection de l'environnement et l'un des principaux partenaires des PLC en matière de développement durable, a reçu des commentaires similaires de la part de producteurs de l'extérieur de la province qui testaient également ces compacteurs. Cela a conduit à la mise au point d'un nouveau compacteur amélioré qui utilise un système hydraulique au lieu d'un treuil.

Trouver des marchés finaux pour les plastiques d'ensilage demeure un défi, et c'est pourquoi il est si important de travailler directement avec des producteurs pour trouver des moyens de garder les plastiques utilisés à la ferme aussi propres que possible. Agri-RÉCUP a bon espoir qu'en augmentant le volume et en garantissant la propreté des matières en circulation, le recyclage des plastiques agricoles suscitera de nouveaux engagements à long terme de la part des marchés finaux.

Pour plus d'informations sur les partenariats des PLC en matière de développement durable, veuillez consulter le site suivant : https://producteurslaitiersducanada.ca/fr/developpement-durable/nos-partenaires-en-matiere-de-durabilite.

Provincial Member News: B.C. Forage Council

Field day at Tatalrose Ranch

On Aug. 14, 14 producers and interested parties took a short ferry ride across Francois Lake to the lovely Tatalrose Ranch in Grassy Plains for an on-farm demonstration.  

The day was hosted by the Soleckis. Chris Solecki spoke of his experience during the 2023 growing season with the relaying of annual crops in their fields to increase their grazing opportunities. He spoke on the successes and challenges he encountered while trying out new techniques and also gave a demonstration of the LandPride No-till Seed Drill which is aimed at reducing soil disturbance in order to increase soil health.  

Chris also spoke about various electric fencing tactics and livestock watering systems that are designed to enhance grazing management systems. He even threw in an added bonus of demonstrating and talking about how the use of a drone has aided in their operation. Can’t find those sneaky cows? Maybe you need a drone with infrared capability.

Thanks again to the Soleckis for hosting and thanks to those who came out for the day.

Retour sur la journée à foin

C’est le 19 septembre dernier que s’est tenu la traditionnelle Journée à foin du CQPF (Conseil québécois des plantes fourragères) qui en était à sa 35e édition. Pour l’occasion, ce sont plus de 200 personnes qui se sont réunies au CIARC (Centre d’initiatives en agriculture de la région de Coaticook) à Coaticook pour échanger avec les différents intervenants du secteur fourrager. En avant-midi, une conférence de Marie-Noëlle Thivierge, agr. Ph. D. à Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada a captivé le groupe autour des perspectives d’adaptation des systèmes fourragers aux changements climatiques.

En après-midi, des ateliers sur divers sujets ont permis à chacun d’approfondir les discussions dans leur champ d’intérêt, que ce soit les pâturages, l’ensilage, ou encore le foin de commerce. La discussion entre 5 producteurs de foin sur la façon de se démarquer dans ce domaine a permis de constater toute la complexité et le potentiel de cette industrie.

En tant que rendez-vous annuel du secteur, l’événement est fier d’avoir pu regrouper des participants de tout le secteur, que ce soit des étudiants, des enseignants, des chercheurs, des conseillers, des fournisseurs et des producteurs.

Vous pouvez accéder aux conférences de l’événement (français seulement) en visitant le site internet du CQF: https://www.cqpf.ca/fr/evenement-a-venir/detail/35e-journee-a-foin-2023/42968

A look back at Hay Day

On Sept. 19, the traditional Hay Day of the CQPF (Quebec Forage Council) took place, marking its 35th edition. On this occasion, over 200 people gathered at the CIARC (Center for Agricultural Initiatives in the Coaticook Region) in Coaticook to engage with various stakeholders in the forage sector.

In the morning, a conference by Marie-Noëlle Thivierge, Ph.D., from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, captivated the group with discussions on forage systems adaptation to climate change. In the afternoon, workshops on various topics allowed participants to delve deeper into discussions related to their specific interests, such as pastures, silage, and commercial hay. A discussion among five hay producers on how to stand out in this field revealed the complexity and potential of this industry.

As an annual gathering for the sector, the event proudly brought together participants from all areas, including students, teachers, researchers, advisors, suppliers, and producers.

You can access the event's presentations (French only) by visiting the CQPF website: https://www.cqpf.ca/fr/evenement-a-venir/detail/35e-journee-a-foin-2023/42968

Le CQPF et le CFGA participent à l'Expo-Champs 2023

C’est sous le thème de la gestion avant-gardiste des pâturages que l’association canadienne des plantes fourragères (ACPF) a marqué sa première participation à l’Expo-Champs 2023 qui se tenait du 29 au 1 septembre dernier.

Sur une parcelle de 10000 pieds carré, nous avons profité de l’herbe abondante pour faire pâturer quelques Texas Longhorns. Les bovins cornus ont assurément piqué la curiosité de plusieurs. C’est près de 200 personnes qui sont passés visiter nos installations et échanger avec les mentors du programme du FAFC qui s’étaient joint à nous pour l’occasion.

En collaboration avec le Conseil québécois des plantes fourragères (CQPF), la culture des plantes pérennes était bien représentée. En plus de démontrer l’efficacité d’une clôture électrique permanente adéquate, les visiteurs ont eu l’occasion d’assister au déplacement des animaux grâce au système de moulinets et de piquets temporaire. Cette parcelle de démonstration se voulait aussi être un avant-goût du site de démonstration des bonnes pratiques en matière de gestion des pâturages mis en place plus tôt cette année à St-Simon-de Bagot dans le cadre du Fond d’action à la ferme pour le climat. Le défi est de taille, démontrer qu’il est possible de maximiser la rentabilité des terres tout en captant un maximum de carbone. Redorer le blason des broutards à l’ère de la mécanisation.

Le foin était aussi à l’honneur! La quantification et la caractérisation des fourrages sont des sujets que nous avons abordés avec les visiteurs interpellés par les affiches informatives présentes aux abords de la parcelles. Parmi les intervenants présents, Marie-Pier Landry du CIARC nous a fait découvrir l’utilisation de l’herbomètre et ses applications possibles lors d’un atelier pratique de collecte de données dans la parcelle de démonstration. La qualité et la disponibilité des fourrages étaient aussi au cœur des discussions. Avec les conditions météo extrêmes que nous avons connus au Québec cette année, les producteurs cherchent plus que jamais des ressources fiables et dynamiques pour les accompagner. 

Notre participation à cet événement réitère l’engagement de l’ACPF à soutenir, en collaboration avec ses partenaires, le développement du secteur fourrager à l’échelle nationale.

CQPF and CFGA take part in Expo-Champs 2023

The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) participated in Expo-Champs 2023 for the first time. Held from Sept. 29 to 1, Expo-Champs 2023 was advanced pasture management.

On a 10,000-square-foot plot, we took advantage of the abundant grass to graze a few Texas Longhorns. The horned cattle certainly piqued the curiosity of many. Nearly 200 people came to visit our facilities and chat with the mentors from the On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) program who had joined us for the occasion.

In collaboration with the Conseil québécois des plantes fourragères (CQPF), perennial plant cultivation was well represented. In addition to demonstrating the effectiveness of a permanent electric fence, visitors had the opportunity to watch the animals move around using a temporary reel and stake system. The demonstration plot was also intended as an example of the pasture management best practice demonstration site set up earlier this year at St-Simon-de Bagot as part of OFCAF. The challenge is to demonstrate that it is possible to maximize land profitability while capturing as much carbon as possible. Restoring the image of grazing cattle in the age of mechanization.

Hay was also in the spotlight! Quantifying and characterizing forages was one of the topics discussed with visitors, who were intrigued by the informative posters displayed around the plot. Among the speakers present, Marie-Pier Landry from Centre d'initiatives en agriculture de la région de Coaticook (CIARC) showed how to use a herbometer and its possible applications during a practical data collection workshop in the demonstration plot.

Forage quality and availability were also at the heart of the discussions. With the extreme weather conditions we've experienced in Quebec this year, producers are more than ever looking for reliable, dynamic resources to support them.



Our participation in this event reiterates the CFGA's commitment to supporting, in collaboration with its partners, the development of the forage sector on a national scale.

Today is the deadline for nominations for Mapleseed beef pasture award

The Beef Farmers of Ontario, the Ontario Sheep Farmers, Mapleseed and the Ontario Forage Council, invite you to nominate a deserving producer for the Mapleseed Pasture Award.

This is an excellent opportunity to recognize producers who are doing an outstanding job of pasture management, and implementing management strategies that maximize production per acre. Is this you? Your neighbour? A family member in another county? We would like to acknowledge your efforts and hear about what you’re doing!

For each category, Mapleseed contributes a cash award of $250 to the winner. The winner of each category may also be invited to share a presentation about their operation at their respective commodity AGM.

Additional to these prizes and recognition, each winner will receive a 25-kilogram bag of their choice of a Mapleseed forage mix

The deadline to submit nominations for the beef pasture award is Oct. 30, 2023. Applications are not required by the deadline, but nominations need to be in today.

Click here for applications!

Dufferin County Farmer receives Maleseed Sheep Pasture Award

Mike Swidersky and family of Riverview Ranch Meat Co. in Melancthon, Dufferin County are the recipients of the 2023 Ontario Sheep Pasture Award. The award, sponsored by MAPLESEED, the Ontario Forage Council, and the Ontario Sheep Farmers, was presented today. Mike will be awarded $250 and a bag of forage seed for his exceptional pasture management.

Mike and his wife, Amber own the farm and operate it with their two children, Warren and Grace. Mike and Amber established the farm in 2003 after completing Agricultural programs at the University of Guelph. Mike has spent the past 17 years honing the farm’s production practices and stewarding the land, raising and growing their flock of sheep supported by Amber who has experience in the animal nutrition industry. 

Warren and Grace are interested in taking over the farm and making it a second-generation operation. This means adapting the farm in years to come to make it sustainable for multiple families. Warren and Grace both invested in a ewe with their own money over 10 years ago; since that time they have been developing their own flocks within the Riverview Ranch flock.

The Swidersky’s are passionate about holistic and pasture management. Mike notes that “The core focus of the farm is sustainability, soil health and integrity. All decisions made on the farm are made with the health of the pasture, soil, and the animals in mind.”

Sharing ideas and successful best management tips are ways producers pass on experience to, not only new and novice producers, but to the entire industry. Thank you to the Swidersky family for representing these practices and sharing their story!

The deadline for applications for the 2024 MAPLESEED Sheep Pasture Award is September 30, 2024. For details, call the Ontario Forage Council at 1-877-892-8663 or visit either the Ontario Forage Council website at https://onforagenetwork.ca/category/forage-council/mapleseed-pasture-competition/ or Ontario Sheep website at www.ontariosheep.org