Cedric MacLeod
From the executive director's desk
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It’s been a busy year for the CFGA. Our team has grown quickly to meet the needs of the many projects we have on the go, including a big focus on the delivery of the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). It has been exciting to see the interest in this program. We approved over 320 projects with a total value of $8.66-million for producers in Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia and it looks like we are already fully subscribed for the 2023-2024 year. We have already paid out $1.39-million to farmers to help them implement rotational grazing systems on their farms and ranches. We recently received news from Agriculture Agri-Food Canada that we are getting an additional $900,000. We will use that to help the OFCAF provinces build out their demonstration sites and knowledge, translation and transfer strategies as well as some grazing plan development / grazing mentorships.
Throughout the winter months we were extremely busy with events for OFCAF and the other projects the CFGA manages. This included hosting 47 online events across all of the programs, not including the CFGA conference sessions held Nov. 29 to Dec. 2. The OFCAF provinces held 179 in-person workshops to train around 3,000 producers on rotational grazing systems. We’re seeing growing interest in our learning management system and access to our rotational grazing modules and conference sessions. Check out our events calendar to stay up to date on these activities.
Speaking of the conference, we are excited to be returning to an in-person event and planning is well underway for the 2023 Conference in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. The theme for this year’s conference is Forage Resilience in a Changing Landscape: Manage risk. Overcome Challenges. Discover opportunities. and it is sure to again deliver the practical, grassroots-based agronomic knowledge the CFGA is known for. Keep an eye on the CFGA newsletter, website and Facebook and Twitter accounts for more information on the conference as it becomes available.
As always, if you have questions or comments, don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss, and be safe as you head back to the field for the spring and summer seasons.
- Cedric MacLeod
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CFGA heads to Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. for 14th annual conference |
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This year’s theme is Forage Resilience in a Changing Landscape: Manage risk. Overcome challenges. Discover opportunities. The conference will explore exciting and cutting-edge forage and grassland happenings taking place across the country.
Save the dates as you won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn about issues facing the forage sector, how they overcome these challenges and take a look ahead to the opportunities.
More details coming soon!
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Update on OFCAF and CFGA Advanced Grazing Systems Program
Learn how to get more out of your pasture
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The CFGA is pleased with the high volume of interest in the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) Program for rotational grazing. The CFGA has received many funding request applications and wants producers to be aware that the OFCAF program is now fully subscribed for the 2023 growing season. As a result, the CFGA will not be reviewing or approving any additional rotational grazing implementation projects. The CFGA still has funding available for producers wanting to work with a grazing mentor to develop a rotational grazing plan. Producers wishing to develop a rotational grazing plan are welcome to work with a grazing mentor.
The CFGA encourages all producers who have approved projects to move forward with them as indicated by their applications and in regards to the timelines in their approval and agreements. If you have not received an approval from CFGA producers should follow up with other potential sources of funding they may be able to access. Mentors and/or provincial partner organizations can direct producers to other possible sources of funding.
Should more funding become available, we will continue to review the applications according to the date they were received, until all funding is allocated. Producers who start projects before receiving project approval will not be penalized for eligible expenses; however, there is no guarantee of funding until CFGA formally approves an application.
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Advanced Grazing Systems Program |
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While OFCAF funding is unavailable at this time, the CFGA continues to offer its Advanced Grazing Systems Program for extension professionals and farm operators to help them learn the basic techniques of rotational grazing with the goal of increasing Canada’s total acres under a rotational grazing system. To implement it in various growing regions across Canada, the Advanced Grazing Systems program provides producers with information and resources they need to implement rotational grazing as it makes sense for their operations.
Participating in the CFGA’s Advanced Grazing Systems Program means producers can:
Learn the basic techniques of rotational grazing independently with the Advanced Grazing Systems online courses, which use curriculum developed with Farmers for Climate Solutions
Create a grazing plan with the help of a grazing mentor
Receive support throughout the entire process
Find more information, and sign up for updates, on the CFGA website under Projects/Projets.
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CFGA welcomes new board member |
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An agronomist since 2016, Matteau completed her bachelor's and master's degrees in plant production at McGill University. It was through the latter that she joined Belisle Solution Nutrition Inc.’s team by carrying out a project on companion crops using sudangrass. She then worked in research and development, collaborating on numerous projects on animal and plant production. She has been the director of the forage seeds division since 2021. Over the past few years, she has had the opportunity to work on dairy farms and travel across Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes to advise producers on good practices in forage production.
“Through my role, I am called upon to reflect and understand forage crops and their constant connection with animal nutrition and soil health,” said Matteau. “My goal is to contribute to the success of the forage sector through the transfer of knowledge and the adoption of good practices since perennial forages are, in my opinion, the pivot towards a more resilient and self-sufficient agriculture.”
The CFGA Board thanks Claessens for her years of dedicated time on the board.
The current CFGA board of directors are:
- Eric Boot, Chair, International Exporters
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Serena Black, Vice-Chair, British Columbia Forage Council
- Chris Martin, Past-Chair, Past-Chair
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Mike O’Brien, Finance Chair, New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association
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Caroline Matteau, Conseil québécois des plantes fourragères
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Patricia Ellingwood, Ontario Forage Council
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Duane Vandenberg, Alberta Forage Industry Network
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Greg Archibald, Dairy Farmers of Canada
- Garnet Ferguson, North American Exporters
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Nominations open for 2023 Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Award |
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Pollinator Conservation Award winners support pollinators on their lands, engage in research and experimentation to increase the understanding of pollinator management techniques, work with community and government groups and serve as advocates for these little, but hard-working, species that maintain agricultural and natural landscapes.
To submit a nomination for the Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award, please visit the Pollinator Partnership website and complete the nomination form by July 14, 2023. Award winners will be notified in late August.
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The Hoyt Report Available to CFGA Members
The Hoyt Report is the authority covering forage markets and prices in the Western United States. With contacts around the world, its experts are plugged into the world forage market.
Josh Callen, market research analyst and owner of the Hoyt Report, will provide quarterly updates on the Canadian and world forage markets to CFGA for its members. This will include number and value reports of Canadian forage exports along with analysis on trends. Export totals from the other main exporting counties will be included and explained.
“International trade is a complex endeavor and I hope to provide some actionable information to the CFGA’s membership,” said Callen.
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Nominations open for 2023-2024 Mapleseed Pasture Award |
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The Ontario Forage Council (OFC), along with the Beef Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Sheep Farmers, are seeking nominations for the 2023-2024 Mapleseed Pasture Award.
This is an excellent opportunity to recognize individual producers who do an outstanding job of pasture management. The Mapleseed Pasture Awards are also a way of encouraging producers to implement pasture management strategies that maximize production per acre.
For each category, Mapleseed contributes a cash award of $250 and a 25-kilogram bag of their choice of a Mapleseed forage mix to the winner. The winner of each category may also be invited to share a presentation about their operation at their respective commodity AGM (pending COVID safety protocols).
The deadline to submit applications for the sheep pasture award is Sept. 30, 2023. The deadline to submit applications for the beef pasture award is Oct. 30, 2022.
To submit a nomination for this award, complete the appropriate application form here.
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Ravenna Area Beef Farmer Receives 2023 Mapleseed Pasture Award |
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The sponsors of the Mapleseed Pasture Award, the Ontario Forage Council, the Beef Farmers of Ontario and Mapleseed, are pleased to announce that Tom Aikins of Ravenna in the Blue Mountains area of Grey County is the recipient of the 2022 Mapleseed Pasture Award. The award was presented in February at the Beef Farmers of Ontario Annual General Meeting in Toronto.
Aikins is a relatively new farmer. Neither of his parents farmed but, as a young teenager, he developed a keen interest in agriculture that led him to rent his first farm at the age of 19. The “Co-op Programs” during high school and his enthusiasm, respect and willingness to apply himself brought him a long way.
“I am reliant on rented land while developing my beef herd and building equity,” said Aikins. “I have focused on rebuilding the soil to improve production.”
He is quick to recognize neighbouring farmers who have taught him a lot and also provided part-time employment on their farms.
Aikins has a beef herd consisting of 45 cows and five replacement heifers; he also custom feeds 30 calves. Rotational grazing is a key part of his management-plan and he feeds round bales on pasture fields during winter to improve organic matter and fertility, while reducing labour costs.
Tom lists his top five pasture management practices to best utilize his resources as rotationally
grazing small paddocks; electric cross fencing to manage paddock size; runways to move cattle
through to further pastures; winter feeding pasture and hauling manure onto pastures to increase
fertility.
“The recipient is a great example of a young farmer who has followed his dream and has demonstrated his ability to effectively manage his beef and pasture operation,” said Ray Robertson, OFC’s manager.
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AFIN presents Sustainable Forages Webinar/Podcast
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The Sustainable Forages Webinar/Podcast is a series of informative and engaging conversations about sustainable forage production and management practices. Each episode features experts and innovators in the field discussing a range of topics, including soil health, grazing management and the latest research on forage crops. Whether you're a farmer, rancher, or just interested in sustainable agriculture, this podcast is a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about the importance of forages in a sustainable food system.
Webinars take place in the evening of the second Tuesday of the month and the podcast is published shortly afterwards on all distribution networks.
Interested in being a part of the series? Become a member of AFIN and get exclusive access! Go to www.albertaforages.ca for more information.
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Commanditaire d'Or de l'AGFC |
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New Best Management Practices Guide offers stewardship ideas for Canadian dairy farms
There’s never been a better time to look at your farm’s stewardship practices with Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC)’s new Net Zero by 2050 Best Management Practices Guide to Mitigate Emissions on Dairy Farms. Developed by DFC in consultation with experts, this guide is designed to help farmers identify on-farm practices that will reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to mitigate climate change and lessen the impacts of extreme weather events that are impacting dairy farms across Canada.
A practical approach to stewardship
The new guide is designed to help you with future farm planning. The 44-page downloadable booklet provides an overview of 30 on-farm practices identified in current research that outline opportunities for reducing emissions, increasing carbon sequestration and improving overall environmental sustainability.
The BMPs are organized according to the four categories in DFC’s Life Cycle Assessment: livestock management, feed management, manure management and energy, infrastructure and transportation, along with a fifth category for land management, which includes practices aimed at carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement. Each BMP highlights the benefits associated with each practice, tips for implementation and resources for additional information.
Net zero is good for business, too
What’s good for the environment, what’s good for the herd and what’s good for business go hand-in-hand-in-hand. The economic impact of each BMP has been evaluated, with estimated return on investments listed for each BMP within the resource.
Many of the BMPs recommended in the guide can also generate cost savings or even create new revenue streams for dairy farmers, like generating green energy and selling that energy back to provincial grids or improving feed efficiencies.
Working towards net zero demonstrates that our sector will continue to be part of the solutions to tackle climate change and ensure Canadians can continue enjoying dairy products made with 100 per cent Canadian milk for generations to come. Of course, no one knows the work behind this milk – and what will work on an individual farm – better than dairy farmers themselves. The Best Management Practices Guide used feedback and focus groups made up of dairy farmers in every region across Canada and DFC took their input and the feasibility of implementation into account.
While the net-zero initiative is 100 per cent voluntary, adopting strategies to reduce emissions and increase environmental benefits makes sense for everyone. Some of these practices may already be in place on your farm!
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Nouveau Guide des pratiques de gestion bénéfiques : idées pour la saine intendance des fermes laitières
Le moment ne pourrait être mieux choisi pour réfléchir aux pratiques de saine intendance de votre ferme. Les Producteurs laitiers du Canada (PLC) viennent tout juste de publier Carboneutres d’ici 2050 : Guide des pratiques de gestion bénéfiques pour atténuer les émissions dans les fermes laitières canadiennes. Ce document, préparé de concert avec des spécialistes, aidera les producteurs laitiers à adopter des pratiques pour réduire leurs émissions de gaz à effet de serre. L’objectif à long terme est de tempérer le changement climatique et les phénomènes météorologiques extrêmes qui touchent les fermes laitières partout au pays.
Une approche claire et concrète
Le guide téléchargeable de 44 pages est un outil de planification. On y retrouve 30 pratiques exemplaires à la ferme, fondées sur les recherches les plus récentes, dans des domaines comme la réduction des émissions, la séquestration de carbone et la durabilité environnementale au sens large.
Les pratiques sont organisées selon les quatre catégories de l’analyse du cycle de vie des PLC : gestion des animaux; production des aliments pour animaux; gestion du fumier; et énergie, infrastructures et transport. Nous avons ajouté une cinquième catégorie, soit la gestion des terres, qui comprend des pratiques additionnelles visant la séquestration de carbone et l’amélioration de la biodiversité. Dans chacun des cas, on décrit les avantages de la pratique, on fournit des conseils de mise en application, et on propose des ressources complémentaires.
La carboneutralité, c’est aussi bon pour les affaires
Ce qui est bon pour l’environnement et la santé des troupeaux est aussi bon pour les affaires. Le guide présente les incidences financières de chacune des pratiques, ainsi que le retour sur l’investissement à prévoir.
Bon nombre des pratiques de gestion bénéfiques sont susceptibles de se traduire par des économies de coûts, voire des sources de revenus supplémentaires pour les producteurs. Il s’agit par exemple de produire de l’énergie verte et de la revendre au réseau électrique provincial, ou d’améliorer l’efficacité alimentaire du troupeau.
Les efforts déployés pour atteindre la carboneutralité démontrent que notre secteur continuera à faire partie des solutions pour lutter contre les changements climatiques et à faire en sorte que les Canadiens puissent continuer à déguster des produits laitiers fabriqués avec du lait 100 % canadien pour les générations à venir. Bien sûr, personne ne connaît mieux que les producteurs laitiers eux-mêmes tout le travail que représente la production du lait et ce qui conviendra à chaque ferme pour atteindre la carboneutralité. Le Guide de pratiques de gestion bénéfiques s'est appuyé sur les commentaires et les groupes de discussion composés de producteurs laitiers de toutes les régions du Canada, et les PLC ont tenu compte de leurs commentaires et de la faisabilité de la mise en œuvre.
L’adhésion à ces mesures est entièrement volontaire. Toutefois, les stratégies visant à réduire les émissions et à produire des avantages environnementaux sont appropriées pour tout le monde. D’ailleurs, certaines de ces pratiques sont peut-être déjà appliquées sur votre ferme!
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Calendar of Events
At the time this newsletter was distributed, all event times and locations were accurate, but please check event websites for the most current information. Some events may have been postponed or cancelled.
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June 14: AFIN Sustainable Forage Web Series. Sainfoin: A beneficial companion forage crop for your favourite perennials. Online. More info.
June 17: OFC in-field pasture walk. Grey County. More info.
June 19: Grazing Club. Managed Pasture with Plan with Ralph and Linda Corcoran and Zero Till Gardening with Alan and Kaylee Kneesch. Wapella, SK area. RSVP To Ralph 306-434-9772.
June 20: Grazing Club. Why Change Management? with Kevin Taylor and Pasture Planning and Wool for Weed Management with Curtis Douglas. Carievale, SK area. RSVP To Ralph 306-434-9772.
June 21: Partnerships: The Farmer and the Cattleman, free lunch and speakers. Regina , SK.
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June 22: Grazing Club. Drought Resiliency Networking with Kelly Sidoryk and some PLAN club producers. Meadow Lake, SK area. RSVP To Bluesette 306 240 8044.
June 22: Partnerships: The Farmer and the Cattleman, free lunch and speakers. Regina , SK. Register here.
June 24: OFC in-field pasture walk. Leeds County. More info.
July 13: OFC Forage Expo. Eastern Valley Region. More info.
July 18-20: Ag In Motion. Langham, SK. More info.
Aug. 12: OFC in-field pasture walk. Manotulin Island. More info.
More event listings:
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