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MFGA eBulletin - August 2019
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From the Desk of MFGA Executive Director
As harvest takes shape for many of you, two major happenings are unfolding before our eyes, neither of which we have much control over. However, with some preparations we can try to do the best we can.
The first and foremost top-of-mind event is the worry and concern around livestock feed, caused by the dry weather challenges producers have faced in 2018 and 2019. MFGA has determinedly launched our
MFGA Hay Relief
page on MFGA.net to help producers find a one-stop web site for Manitoba-focused lists, hay prices, conditions and suggestions that are relevant and appropriate to the times they are facing. More information is below. We hope all of you will check out our new page and utilize the information, provide feedback or suggestions as to what helped you or what you really needed to to see.
The second event is the one-two punch of this fall's provincial and federal elections. If forages, grasslands, soils, carbon and regenerative agriculture are your interests, we have primed some potential questions to hone in on your areas of interest and help spur the conversation with your candidates into areas important to you. Special thanks to
Regeneration Canada for the ideas behind some of these questions to help jumpstart your candidate conversations.
And finally, with respect, MFGA would like to pass our condolences and sympathies to all those impacted by the devastating dairy farm fire near Steinbach last week. MFGA stands respectfully, solemnly and solidly behind the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba across the province during this sad time.
Muchos grasses,
Duncan Morrison,
MFGA Executive Director
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MFGA launches Hay Relief Page on MFGA.NET
Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association (MFGA) has launched a new
Hay Relief page on
mfga.net/hayrelief to help Manitoba forage and livestock producers find information and sources to help cope with and plan for challenging times on the livestock feed front. To help keep this page as current as possible, MFGA will be providing
updated reports every two weeks. View our first report below along with other related information:
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Election Season: When they come knocking, get the Regen Ag chats on carbon, forage, grass and soil rocking
* with files from Regeneration Canada media release, Aug 8, 2019
Regenerative practices increase long term soil fertility and yields, enhance nutritional quality of foods, improve water storage and filtration capacity, and enhance biodiversity as well as climate resilience. Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association's (MFGA) interests in regenerative agriculture lie squarely in producing high-quality food while improving the natural ecosystem.This fall, candidates from provincial and federal parties may be on your doorstep or at your community centres looking for your vote and support. If you're curious as to where these politicians stand on issues close to you as it pertains to your vote, you may want to ask your candidates what their thoughts and political party's position are on:
* Compensating farmers for practices that promote soil carbon sequestration;
* Promoting research programs on best soil management practices;
* Providing abilities and capacity to farmers to successfully transition to regenerative practices;
* Facilitating citizen access and accelerating market inclusion for/to regenerative foods and products.
Read the full Regeneration Canada Media Release.
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Regenerative agriculture a viable option for farmers
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MFGA part of successful MBFI Field Tour
Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) was part of a successful MBFI Field Day early in August, one of MBFI's many informative producer events scheduled this year. Duncan Morrison, MFGA executive director, helped kick the day off with a presentation on our organization including our
six current core projects.
MBFI will also return as one of the Sep 15 Open Farm Day host sites this year! For a complete list of MBFI events and registration details visit:
www.mbfi.ca/events
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Farm Safety Tip: Read your tractor manual!
The operator's manual for your tractor contains the maximum slope to safely drive on with that particular machine. Tractor rollovers are one of the most common causes of death and injury among farmers, so it is important that you know this information to avoid a serious incident. Visit
Manitoba Farm Safety for more tips on how to stay safe.
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TESA Award applications until Dec 6
Manitoba Beef Producers is accepting applications for The Manitoba Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) until December 6. The provincial winner will be entered into the national competition where, since 1996, the Canadian Cattlemen Association's (CCA) TESA has recognized producers who exemplify significant innovation and attention to a wide range of environmental stewardship aspects of their farm operation including their land, water, wildlife and air. The 2018 national level TESA winner was Manitoba's Circle H Farms, a purebred cow-calf operation owned and operated by Brian and Sonja Harper and family. More information
found here or contact MBP at
info@mbbeef.ca.
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Producer Events & News
Covers: Soil Health - Annual Cover Crop Pasture Stands - Legume and Grass Mix Pasture Stands - Pasture Improvement Methods - Rotational Grazing Management. Runs
10am - 3pm and includes lunch. View further details at the link for meetup time & location. PLEASE RSVP: heather@unionforage.com p: 1 877 COW CHOW (269-2469).
The Conservation Trust helps Manitoba conservation organizations tackle important projects and create environmental benefits for all Manitobans.
Learn more about The Trust and if it's a fit for your project at one of the info sessions. RSVP by July 31.
- CT 101 Webinar -
CT Requirements & Tools for Success, Sep 12
10 am-11 am
- CT 201 Workshop - Budgets & Match Development, Sep 19 10 am-12 pm in Winnipeg.
Mark your calendar for this popular event - now in the 10th year. Open Farm Day promotes, enriches and increases the public's knowledge and trust of agriculture in our province by welcoming the public to visit Manitoba farms including MBFI Brookdale. Questions:
info@openfarmday.ca.
Over 500+ women from across Canada who are passionate about ag and the food industry attend this premier leadership conference, held this year at Sheraton on the Falls. F
unding available, details
here.
This year's conference titled "Canadian Forage Production School, Eastern Edition" offers farmers tools, information, advice, tips and tricks to make the most of their forage and grassland management and production.
Held at the Four Points by Sheraton Moncton.
Nov 15 Workshop: Learn how to formulate rations for your entire flock; Nov 16 - Symposium & AGM: Join us for another great day of presentations on Nutrition and other sheep production topics and be a part of the MSA AGM.
Join in on
MFGA's Annual Fall Celebration at this 1.5 day event:
Tuesday, Nov 19 (evening): MFGA 2019 AGM & MFGA PRODUCER PANEL, Victoria Inn
Wednesday, Nov 20 (all day): REGEN AG WORKSHOP & TRADE SHOW, including confirmed speaker Dr. Dwayne Beck, Mb Ag Extension Centre.
Save these dates - more details to follow! REGISTER NOW: SPACE IS LIMITED FOR EVENT AND Booth SPONSORSHIP.
Registration is open! Theme: Our Future is in the Soil. Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel West Edmonton.
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MFGA GOLD SUPPORTERS
MFGA SILVER SUPPORTERS
MFGA BRONZE SUPPORTERS
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