Cedric MacLeod
From the executive director's desk
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I hope you are all keeping safe and enjoying the summer.
It’s a busy time of year for us as producers and for CFGA as an organization. Our focus in recent months has been working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to reach an agreement regarding the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). I am happy to report, we now have a signed contribution agreement that will see the CFGA help distribute millions of dollars to Canadian farmers to help them adopt and implement rotational grazing best management practices on their farms.
CFGA is pleased to be working with provincial partners in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Quebec to deliver the OFCAF funds to producers in those provinces. You can read more about OFCAF in this month’s newsletter, but it’s important to note that OFCAF is just one part of a nationally cohesive project that will see producers create and implement grazing plans on their farms. We offer much more than just financial support.
CFGA’s Advanced Grazing Systems Program is already training mentors to work with producers to help them develop rotational grazing plans. Producers can also learn independently with the Advanced Grazing Systems online courses. This knowledge transfer and mentor support makes the CFGA Advanced Grazing Systems Program unique from others providing OFCAF funding.
If you are interested in learning more about, or taking part in, CFGA’s Advanced Grazing Systems Program, I invite you to sign up for updates on the CFGA website under Projects/Projets. Or, as always, reach out to me if you have any questions.
Until next issue, I wish you all a safe harvest season.
- Cedric MacLeod
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Dr. Frank Mitloehner to kick of 13th Annual CFGA Conference
Registration will be opening soon for the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s (CFGA) 13th Annual Conference, which will take place Nov. 29 to Dec. 2. With the theme Cross Pollination: Co-Creating Ideas in the Forage Industry, this virtual, fully bilingual, event offers a program packed with educational sessions on a variety of themes including living labs, grazing management and exports.
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Headline speaker: Dr. Frank Mitloehner |
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The CFGA is excited to announce that Dr. Frank Mitloehner will open the conference on Nov. 29 with his presentation, Ruminant Livestock, Grasslands and Climate Change - Fact, Fiction and All Things In-Between.
Dr. Mitloehner is a professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). He received a Master's of Science degree in animal science and agricultural engineering from the University of Leipzig, Germany, and a doctoral degree in animal science from Texas Tech University. He was recruited by UC Davis in 2002 to fill its first-ever position focusing on the relationship between livestock and air quality.
He is also director of the CLEAR Center (Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research at UC Davis), which has two cores – research and communications – and brings clarity to the intersection of animal agriculture and the environment. As part of his position with UC Davis and Cooperative Extension, he collaborates with the animal agriculture sector to create better efficiencies and mitigate pollutants.
Dr. Mitloehner is passionate about understanding and mitigating air emissions from livestock operations, as well as studying the implications of these emissions on the health of farm workers and neighbouring communities. In addition, he is focusing on the food production challenge that will become a global issue as the world’s population grows to nearly 10 billion by 2050.
His session will look at how animal agriculture often shoulders a large part of the blame when it comes to climate change, but that’s because greenhouse gases are not looked at correctly.
“While methane is a potent climate pollutant that we can and need to reduce, it warms our atmosphere differently than other gases because of its short lifespan,” says the description of the presentation. “By rethinking methane, we can see that animal agriculture can be on the path to climate neutrality with scalable solutions and give the global community tools to fight global climate change.”
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Another highlight of the conference will be presentations on several of the Living Labs projects taking place across the country, including:
· British Columbia: Living Lab British Columbia - Extended Grazing Season and Winter-Feeding Strategies with Serena Black, British Columbia Forage Council
· Alberta: Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab - Where Research Meets Reality
· Saskatchewan: SODCAP ACS-GA-027 Agricultural Nature-based Solutions for the Prairie Ecoregions with Michel P. Schellenberg, SODCAP
· Manitoba: The Living Labs Eastern Prairie Experience - Forage and Pasture Activities with Mae Elsinger and John Fitzmaurice, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
· Ontario: Living Lab -Ontario Innovations, Tracey Ryan, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA)
· Quebec: TBC
· Atlantic Canada: Increasing Carbon Sequestration by Changing Crop Type: A Living Lab Approach with Carolyn Marshall, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture
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Sponsorship opportunities |
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The CFGA offers numerous benefits to conference sponsors and annual partners. To learn more about how you can support the conference and the work of the CFGA, visit the sponsorship webpage.
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Learn how to get more out of your pasture |
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Rotational grazing has many functions for both the environment and the family farm. That is why the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is focusing on the rotational grazing practices stream of the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
The CFGA’s Advanced Grazing Systems Program is centred on increasing the total acres under a rotational grazing system. To implement it in various growing regions across Canada, the Advanced Grazing Systems program has a two-fold approach:
· To provide producers in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan access to funding to reduce possible financial challenges associated with trying or expanding the practice of rotational grazing in their operations
· To provide 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
· Apply to OFCAF for financial assistance to put your grazing plan into action if they are a producer in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan
· 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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NBSCIA Set to Deliver the On-Farm Climate Action Fund to NB Farmers
In late June, the New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association (NBSCIA) announced the opening of registration for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) in New Brunswick. This followed the Feb. 22, Canada’s Agricultural Day, announcement by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) that NBSCIA was one of 12 agricultural recipient organizations across Canada that would be delivering OFCAF over the 2022 and 2023 cropping seasons.
Funding provided by AAFC and delivered by NBSCIA will support NB producers in their ongoing progress to adopt beneficial management practices (BMPs) that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) and store carbon, specifically for in-field nitrogen management, expanding cover cropping and implementing rotational grazing practices.
NBSCIA president Tyler Coburn is pleased with how the new program will support the already significant efforts NB’s farmers are making towards climate change mitigation.
“As an organization committed to seeking, testing and adopting optimal farm production and stewardship practices, the NBSCIA-OFCAF program is a logical extension of the current opportunities our association offers New Brunswick farmers,” he says.
To support projects in the 2022 growing season, NBSCIA announced program details and the initial registration process to cost-share implementation of a wide array of BMPs to support emission reductions. Examples include professional agronomic planning services, N fertilizer application equipment upgrades to improve N placement and cross-fencing materials to support rotational grazing.
The NBSCIA-OFCAF program will also support delivery of educational workshops and peer-to-peer learning opportunities for industry professionals and agriculture producers. These knowledge sharing events will provide participants with knowledge from the latest research, first-hand experience from their peers and access to information networks supporting co-learning opportunities long-term.
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OFC reports on Ontario Forage Expo 2022 and Advanced Grazing Systems Program
The Ontario Forage Council (OFC) has been busy, including bringing back the Ontario Forage Expo and beginning delivery of the Advanced Grazing Systems program. Here are details on the two initiatives.
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Ontario Forage Expo
OFC, in conjunction with the Waterloo County Soil and Crop Improvement Association, was pleased to see the return of Ontario Forage Expo 2022 - Forage Equipment Demonstrations and Trade Show following a two-year hiatus. This year’s event took place at the farm of Scott and Darlene Martin and family in St. Jacob’s on July 14.
This year’s demonstrations included equipment from the leaders in forage production equipment. Attendees had the chance to see what was new for 2022 and the opportunity to witness this equipment in head-to-head field trials. Equipment included various mowers, conditioners, rakes, tedders, windrow inverters, mergers, harvesters, dump wagons, large round balers, large square balers, small square bale bundlers, bale wrappers and bale grapplers. The event provides the opportunity for farmers to view the latest technology available to harvest forage quickly with minimal loss and maximum quality.
Ian McDonald with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) was in the field, working with the equipment companies to provide information to farmers and answer questions. This is important in making decisions on investments which ultimately enhance their farm operations in capacity, minimizing harvest losses, product quality and profitability.
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Advanced Grazing Systems
OFC is providing the provincial delivery of the Advanced Grazing Systems program in Ontario . The program provides training for producers to gain expertise in rotational grazing. The curriculum is designed to teach farmers key concepts and develop a rotational grazing plan for their operation.
Anyone wishing to take their grazing management to the next level should consider signing up for an Advanced Grazing Systems mentorship series. In Ontario, the program will be delivered in three separate series of seven online sessions, followed up with field days in spring/summer 2023 to demonstrate implementation of systems outlined in the program modules.
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CFGA Gold Sponsor
Fieldnotes from Dairy Farmers of Canada’s 2022 Annual General Meeting
On July 13 and 14, 2022, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) held its first hybrid Annual General Meeting (AGM) with voting delegates representing DFC’s member organizations attending in person at the Westin Ottawa and hundreds of farmers participating virtually from home.
The event featured engaging and timely sessions, including fireside chats with DFC’s executive team, as well as Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, and political journalist and commentator Althia Raj of the Toronto Star. An interactive session with dairy farmers closed out the two-day event, with top-of-mind issues raised such as milk pricing, sustainability initiatives and changing consumer demographics.
While not all sessions were open to the public, DFC is pleased to recap its informative panel discussion on DFC’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, including a review of steps taken so far and to explain next steps for farmers.
Dairy Farming Forward to Net Zero 2050
The overarching message from all four panelists is that much has been accomplished since the Net Zero 2050 announcement at DFC’s Annual Policy Conference in February, and that in order to succeed, the plan and the commitment must come from producers and encompass the three pillars of sustainability – environmental, community and economic. No plan to reach net-zero will be successful without further progress in all three.
Annie AcMoody, DFC’s vice-president of policy and trade, explained why a sustainability strategy is so important – primarily because consumers, government, supply chain partners and dairy farmers all expect the industry to be proactive.
“There is increasing support from government and research initiatives,” said AcMoody. “Impacts from climate change are felt first by producers; there is an opportunity here to be part of the solution.”
Rebecca Johnson, meanwhile, is a sustainability specialist with Viresco Solutions, a consultancy firm specializing in low carbon and sustainable agriculture that is working closely with DFC on our net zero strategy. She explained the process they have followed to-date: The committee has gone through three stages to arrive at the implementation stage, including discovery, evaluation and planning. One of the outcomes is a review to evaluate existing tools to find the one that can best be adapted to fit the needs of Canadian dairy farmers. They are also considering various strategies for implementation of the plan: a pilot program approach and a sector-wide launch. Both have merits and will serve different purposes when it is time to roll out the plan to the industry.
Korb Whale, an Ontario dairy farmer and director on both DFC and Lactanet boards, believes the key to success is that the plan must be driven by farmers.
“We have 45 dairy producers on the sustainability advisory group from across the country working to make sure this is accessible to everyone who wants to,” said Whale. Partnerships within and outside of the supply chain will also be critical to success.
DFC’s chief sustainability officer, Fawn Jackson, shared a sneak-peek into the newly developed Implementation Guide. The tool will allow farmers to quickly assess opportunities and the impact changes could have on not only sustainability, but also for the overall operation and provide more detailed information on each practice. The 38 practices are broken into eight categories which are evaluated based on criteria such as cost and ease to implement, effectiveness and average GHG reductions.
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Annie AcMoody, DFC Vice President, Policy and Trade; sustainability expert Rebecca Johnson represented Viresco Solutions; Korb Whale, Ontario dairy farmer and DFC and Lactanet board member; and, Fawn Jackson, DFC Chief Sustainability Officer
Annie AcMoody, vice-présidente, Politique et commerce des PLC; la spécialiste de la durabilité Rebecca Johnson représentait Viresco Solutions; Korb Whale, producteur laitier ontarien et membre des conseils d’administration des PLC et de Lactanet; et, Fawn Jackson, chef de durabilité des PLC
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CFGA Commanditaire d'or
Compte rendu de l’assemblée générale annuelle 2022 des
Producteurs laitiers du Canada
Annie AcMoody, vice-présidente, Politique et commerce des PLC; la spécialiste de la durabilité Rebecca Johnson représentait Viresco Solutions; Korb Whale, producteur laitier ontarien et membre des conseils d’administration des PLC et de Lactanet; et, Fawn Jackson, chef de durabilité des PLC
Les 13 et 14 juillet 2022, les Producteurs laitiers du Canada (PLC) ont tenu leur première assemblée générale annuelle (AGA) en mode hybride. Des délégués votants représentant les organisations membres des PLC étaient présents en personne à l’hôtel Westin Ottawa, tandis que des centaines de producteurs assistaient virtuellement à la rencontre.
L’assemblée a été ponctuée de discussions aussi intéressantes que pertinentes, dont des tables rondes avec des membres de l’équipe de direction, ainsi qu’avec Kirsten Hillman, l’ambassadrice du Canada aux États-Unis, et la journaliste et commentatrice politique Althia Raj du Toronto Star. L’événement de deux jours s’est terminé par une session interactive lors de laquelle les producteurs laitiers ont abordé des questions d’actualité comme le prix du lait, les initiatives de durabilité et le profil démographique changeant des consommateurs.
Les séances n'étaient pas toutes accessibles au public, mais voici un résumé de notre table ronde informative sur le plan des PLC visant la carboneutralité d'ici 2050, y compris un examen des mesures prises jusqu'à présent et une explication des prochaines étapes pour les producteurs.
L’avenir laitier : atteindre la carboneutralité d’ici 2050
Le message dominant des quatre panélistes a permis de souligner que plusieurs avancées ont été réalisées depuis l'annonce de l’objectif de carboneutralité d’ici 2050 à l’occasion de la Conférence annuelle sur la politique laitière en février 2022, et que pour réussir, le plan et l'engagement doivent avant tout provenir des producteurs et englober les trois piliers de la durabilité - environnemental, communautaire et économique. Le succès de la démarche vers la carboneutralité dépendra des progrès dans chacun de ces trois domaines.
Annie AcMoody, vice-présidente, Politique et commerce des PLC, a insisté sur l’importance d’une stratégie en matière de durabilité. En un mot, les consommateurs, le gouvernement, les partenaires de la chaîne d'approvisionnement et les producteurs laitiers attendent tous de l'industrie qu'elle soit proactive. « On constate un soutien croissant de la part des gouvernements et des initiatives de recherche », a-t-elle ajouté. « Les producteurs sont aux premières loges des changements climatiques et ils ont la possibilité de faire partie de la solution ».
La spécialiste de la durabilité Rebecca Johnson représentait Viresco Solutions, un cabinet-conseil spécialisé en réduction des émissions de carbone et en agriculture durable. Viresco Solutions appuie étroitement les PLC dans la préparation de leur stratégie de carboneutralité. Mme Johnson a résumé les trois étapes franchies par le comité pour en arriver au stade de la mise en œuvre : la découverte, l’évaluation et la planification. Le comité examine les outils existants afin de déterminer celui qui peut être le mieux adapté aux besoins des producteurs laitiers canadiens. La mise en œuvre pourrait se faire sous forme de projet pilote restreint ou de lancement à l’échelle du secteur. Les deux approches ont des avantages et serviront des objectifs différents lorsque le moment sera venu de déployer le plan au sein du secteur.
Korb Whale, producteur laitier ontarien et membre des conseils d’administration des PLC et de Lactanet, a estimé qu’il incombait aux producteurs de prendre les devants. « Quarante-cinq producteurs laitiers des quatre coins du pays siègent au groupe consultatif sur la durabilité, et travaillent à s’assurer que la démarche soit accessible à tous ceux qui souhaitent y participer », a expliqué M. Whale. Les partenariats à l’intérieur de la chaîne d’approvisionnement et à l’externe seront également déterminants.
De son côté, Fawn Jackson, chef de durabilité des PLC, a offert à l’assemblée un aperçu du nouveau guide de mise en œuvre. Cet outil permettra aux producteurs d’évaluer rapidement les améliorations possibles et leurs retombées positives en matière de durabilité et de bon fonctionnement des fermes laitières. Le guide fournit également des informations plus détaillées sur chacune des pratiques. Les 38 pratiques sont réparties en 8 catégories, évaluées en fonction de critères comme le coût, la facilité de mise en œuvre, l’efficacité et la réduction moyenne des émissions de gaz à effet de serre.
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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.
Sept. 20: Conseil québécois des plantes fourragères 34e Journée à foin. Ferme Berni Inc, Ste-Élizabeth-de-Warwick. Plus d'information.
Sept. 20: Quebec Forage Council 34th Hay Day. Ferme Berni Inc, Ste-Élizabeth-de-Warwick. More info (in French) .
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1: 2022 BC Sheep Federation AGM & Symposium. North Thompson Agriplex, Barriere B.C. More info.
Oct. 18: Saskatchewan Agriculture Beef Fall Webinar Series: Avoiding Winter Feeding Issues and Using Alternative Feeds in Your Ration. Register here.
Dec. 13-15: Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing. Soil & Grazing : Biology Not Geology. Edmonton, AB. Early bird registration ends Oct. 31. More info.
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More event listings:
Get your event added to the CFGA Calendar
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