The 2017 conference also brought together leading forage and grassland experts from across Canada and North America for a day and a half of technical workshops. Along with presentations related to high performance forages, stakeholders and leading researchers from universities and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada discussed best management practices and provided a science review on high performance forage and grassland management systems in Canada.

 

These presentations and workshops were the latest activities for the CFGA's High Performance Management Systems to Reduce Greenhouse Gases in Canada's Forage and Grasslands research and development project that falls under Canada's $27 million, five-year Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AGGP).

Message from New Holland

Grasses are difficult to condition with rolls because it is almost impossible to achieve a small enough roll clearance to crush the fine stems and leaves of most grasses. The flail tine design delivers more effective conditioning of difficult-to-crimp grass crops by stripping wax from the plant's cuticle layer. It also offers a lower cost solution that works well in high moisture and silage applications.

Established in 1921, Wilbur-Ellis is an international marketer and distributor of agricultural products, animal feed and specialty chemicals and ingredients. One of the many facets of the business is the forage export business and Wilbur-Ellis has been exporting forages in Canada since 1991.In 2014, China imported close to 884,000 metric tonnes of alfalfa. By 2016, imports had increased to more than 1.46 million metric tonnes. There are opportunities for forage producers in China.

During his presentation at the 8th Annual CFGA Conference in November, Robert Watson, general manager of Alta-Agricorp, a joint venture of the genetics company Alta Genetics in China, spoke about their experience of doing business in China.

Watson offered these five tips for pursuing opportunities in China:

1. Culture

When visiting China, be respectful. You are not expected to know all of the customs on your first visit, but make an effort. "China is a very forgiving culture," said Watson. "As long as you're doing things with respect, and you're listening to people and you ask lots of questions, they will embrace you, and they will welcome you. They are wonderful hosts."

When Chinese delegations visit Canada, be a good host. "Don't just drop them off at the hotel when the meeting is over," said Watson. "Communicate with them, find out what they're interested in and make arrangements for them to do all that kind of stuff."

2. Partner selection

Local representation is extremely important when you start looking at who to partner with. Relationships are extremely important so make sure your goals are aligned, that you move at a speed you are comfortable with and do not feel pressured, that you do your due diligence and that you look at all of the opportunities available to you.

3. Customer loyalty

Customer loyalty can be a big challenge in China. There are very large dairies in China with multiple sites that rarely source product from a single provider. "We find it can be a challenge no matter how much service you give those big customers, no matter what good a job you do with them, to get them to work exclusively with you," said Watson.

4. Negotiating

Negotiations will be tough. "Some of these big customers do tenders every year, which also gets into lower costs, and lower cost supplies," said Watson. "But then, I've also seen cases where you're asked to bid on a very large amount and in the end, you end up supplying a very small amount at the same price you would have suppled the big quantity before."

5. Access resources

The embassies can be very helpful to introduce you to potential partners and to facilitate business contacts in China. Make sure you use those resources, Watson advised.

You can view Watson's Powerpoint presentation on the CFGA website.

Antony John of Soiled Reputation in Sebringville, Ont., near Stratford, is the 2017 recipient of the Canadian Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award.

 

John has built his entire farm on the principles of fostering biodiversity. The farm includes a 200-acre meadow that is home to over 200 beehives, 30-foot buffer strips seeded with legumes that flower around a 40-acre field and huge flower gardens and plantings interspersed through crops to provide pollen and nectar. These, and other aspects of the farm, support habitats for birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators which are critical elements of agriculture and local ecosystems.

 

The Canadian Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award recognizes an individual or family in the Canadian farm and ranch community who has contributed significantly to pollinator species protection and conservation on either working or wild lands. It is awarded annually by the CFGA in conjunction with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and the international Pollinator Partnership (P2). Through this program, CFA, P2 and CFGA encourage stewardship and knowledge sharing that can inspire even more producers to initiate similar projects.

By Terry Kowalchuk, MSc., PAg.,Provincial Specialist, Forage Crops

Despite record dry conditions in southern Saskatchewan, excellent 2017 spring soil moisture reserves helped produce average hay yields with excellent quality. Unfortunately the dry conditions have persisted and most of the province needs precipitation in order to replenish water supplies and restore pastures and hay fields.  Localized feed shortages have been reported; however in many cases carryover of low quality feed from 2016 has been combined with higher quality 2017 forage to sustain herds.

 

Despite the drought threat, the forage and livestock sectors in Saskatchewan continue to be optimistic about the future. The  Livestock and Forage Center of Excellence  at the University of Saskatchewan is set to open this summer and stakeholders are excited about the possibilities that the centre will afford. The centre will integrate researchers from three separate departments under one structure.

 

Forage research continues to experience a resurgence both at the provincial and federal level with new positions at the U of S and AAFC-Swift Current. Much of the focus is on improving varieties of legumes and grasses. Improvements in forage utilization, forage agronomy, forage seed production and forage seed agronomy are also being explored.

 

In the meantime, the Saskatchewan Forage Council  continues to collaborate with various partners to promote the forage sector within the province through field days, tours, workshops and other extension events. Field demonstration projects are a key part of this effort and SFC will continue to demonstrate forage variety performance, forage agronomy and invasive species control this summer.

 

With so much going on and so many groups involved in the forage sector, communications is always a challenge. This fall, the Advisory Meeting on Forage Crops in Saskatchewan brought researchers, forage specialists and agrologists, and industry representatives together for the annual discussion about the who, what, where, why, when and how of forages in Saskatchewan.  The meeting provides an opportunity for research updates and sets the stage for development of new forage research and extension activities.  

 

With a little help from Mother Nature in the form of a timely three or four day soaking rain (is that asking too much??), we are looking forward to an exciting year ahead!

Feb. 6-8:  Western Canada Feedlot Management School,  Regina, Sask.  More info.

Feb. 7-8: Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop, Saskatoon, Sask. More info. 

 

Feb. 9:  MFGA AGM, V ictoria Inn, Brandon, Man. More info.

Feb. 9-11:  Saskatchewan Ranch Management Forum,  Moose Jaw, Sask.  More info: Agriculture Knowledge Centre, 1-866-457-2377

Feb. 20: Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiative's Vaccines and Immunology Workshop, Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives' Bookdale Research Farm. Tickets and details.

March 6: Alberta Forage Industry Network AGM, Leduc, Alta.  More info.

March 13:  Ontario Forage Council  Profitable Pastures Conference,  Mount Forest, Ont. and at remote locations. More info.

April 4-5:  Canadian Dairy XPO,  Stratford, Ont. More info.  

April 4-5:  Milk Maker Forage Competition  Winning Samples,  Hosted at the Canadian Dairy XPO.  Closed for entries, but the Ontario Forage Council encourages you to come see the winning samples.

More event listings:

Saskatchewan Forage Council

Beef Cattle Research Council webinars