From the Desk of MFGA Executive Director

   Have you registered for the  MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference yet? You probably should do so pretty quickly judging by the response! It's going to be one heck of a show. In fact, if Regenerative Agriculture is what really floats your boat, MFGA and Ducks Unlimited Canada are going all in on a Regenerative Agriculture Week November 26-29, 2018. Working with MFGA, DUC Grazing Clubs have announced Grazing Club workshops each day on either side of the conference using conference speakers Dr. David Johnston and Burke Teichert. Producers and attendees that sign up for both a workshop and the conference will receive the MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference early-bird discount. Meanwhile, we remain flat out here at MFGA getting the conference ready to fire on all cylinders and with our day-to-day ongoing business. Seeing a convenient opportunity for our people, we have moved our MFGA Annual General Meeting to Monday, November 26, 2018 at 8:00 pm at the Victoria Inn, Brandon. As well as normal AGM business, MFGA Aquanty lead Dr. Steven Frey will make a presentation at our AGM. With this move, MFGA will be moving away from holding our AGM meeting at the Manitoba Beef Producer (MBP) AGM as we had done the past three years. We would like to sincerely thank MBP for their valuable support for MFGA. With such strong synergies and networks among our organizations, the ability to host our MFGA AGM in conjunction with the MBP AGM was very appreciated. 

   Muchos grasses all! 

   Duncan Morrison,  MFGA Executive Director   

It's Beef Week in Manitoba, Folks!

Congrats to Manitobans throughout the province's beef industry. Minister Eichler's tweet rang Beef Week in:
Ralph Eichler (@Min_Eichler) 2018-10-22, 11:55 AM
"Proud to declare October 22nd-28th Beef Week in Manitoba. The beef industry is a key driver of the economic, social and environmental health of our province."

Hon. Ralph Eichler, Manitoba's Agriculture  Minister and Tom Teichroeb, President,  Manitoba Beef Producers, declare Manitoba Beef Week 2018 Oct 22-28.  (photo courtesy @Min_Eichler twitter)

Province introduces new legislation that would modernize agriculture crown lands, enhance community pastures

MFGA was among a handful of agriculture groups with vested interests in community pastures and Crown Lands invited to attend the first reading of "The Crown Lands Amendment Act" (Improved Management of Community Pastures and Agricultural Crown Lands) on October 4, 2018. "We are pleased to be introducing amendments to The Crown Lands Act that will modernize the process of crown land leases," said Hon. Ralph Eichler, Manitoba Agriculture Minister. "We are also making changes that will better enable government to maintain and protect community pastures. These lands not only provide opportunities for cattle farmers, but also provide numerous environmental benefits including carbon sequestration, protecting threatened species and maintaining biodiversity." MFGA - via Dave Koslowsky, MFGA past chair - has been involved in the on-going consultations and will remain active in the dialogues. The MFGA board will be developing a positioning document to help guide the organization and provide valuable producer-based feedback to the government as this reading continues toward legislation. MFGA members that have thoughts on the amendment are encouraged to contact MFGA staff or board members to provide.

Read the full news release here...

Dave Koslowsky, MFGA past chair, interviewed by media at Crown Lands Amendment Act reading.

Whether Hay or Halloween season, don't forget your MASC!

Manitoba Agriculture leaders are reminding producers about the disaster relief components and types of insurances Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) offers. Miles Beaudin, Director, Primary Agriculture, Manitoba Agriculture feels a stronger awareness and culture of using MASC hay and forage insurance products needs to be promoted, understood and developed. "If Manitobans and especially members of Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association have any insight as to how we can improve the program I welcome those notes," said Beaudin in an email to MFGA. "I believe this year that there are significant pay outs from these products and I believe having forage/hay insurance is an important tool to increasing the beef herd." Visit MASC to learn more. Beaudin can be reached at Miles.Beaudin@gov.mb.ca for those wanting to discuss or provide feedback on the MASC programs.

MFGA AGM open to all members - join us!

Please attend our MFGA AGM, Monday Nov 26, at 8pm at the Victoria Inn, Brandon, in conjunction with our MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference. The MFGA board has recently passed motions to amend two of the organization's bylaws around term on the board (7.05) and ascension to the board executive (10.02). As per the legal constitutional requirements, MFGA is making these bylaw amendments available to members before the MFGA AGM as they will be voted on at the AGM. The MFGA bylaws are posted here.

MFGA Aquanty Project's portal open to public

To help inform key audiences about the MFGA Aquanty model's core abilities and vast potential, MFGA has worked with the Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District's AAFC AgriRisk project, as well as ISM Canada (an IBM company) and Aquanty to provide stakeholders and producers the opportunity to access MFGA Aquanty model outputs via the project's  GIS-based portal dashboard. While the greatest benefit of the model is as a decision-support tool across greater aggregate land bases, interested stakeholders, producers, governments and organizations can learn more about this extremely unique and powerful HydroGeoSphere model when it comes scenarios and decision-making around water movement, soil, climate, systems, risk mitigation and resiliency of land and communities in the Assiniboine River Basin.

MFGA presents at Regina's ESRI Canada User Conference

At the invite of ISM Canada, MFGA executive director Duncan Morrison and ISM Canada project lead Travis Juffinger jointly presented the MFGA Aquanty Project's GIS-based model outputs portal to conference delegates at the ESRI Canada User Conference Regina Session in late September. The presentation was well-received and resulted in several key discussions. ISM Canada has identified Land and Water as a priority area for their work and is using the MFGA Aquanty Project as a key example of the work they can bring to projects. Watch ISM Canada's video to learn more about the new flood prediction technology .

MFGA Green Gold Program: Knowing when it's 'hay day'

An alfalfa-monitoring program designed more than 20 years ago continues to pay dividends for Manitoba dairy producers and the domestic and export dairy hay industry. Manitoba Forage and Grasslands Association's (MFGA) "Green Gold" program just wrapped up the program's 23rd year of helping to predict "Hay Day" - the date when harvested pure alfalfa stands are at optimum quality 150 Relative Feed Value (RFV). Read the full Manitoba Co-operator article...

October Hay Situation and Price Update

John McGregor, MFGA Hay Expert, spoke with Manitoba Agriculture livestock staff, forage producers and industry personnel to get their impression of hay prices and the hay situation. Read the report here.

Nitrate Poisoning in Cattle

In Manitoba, the percentage of animals affected by acute nitrate poisoning is usually low. However, when death losses do occur, they happen suddenly and can be devastating. Nitrate poisoning is a condition where an animal perishes due to lack of oxygen and is usually associated with frost. The drought conditions this year across Manitoba could also increase nitrate levels in some forage. When animals consume forages that contain an excessive amount of nitrate, the resulting nitrite is absorbed into the bloodstream where it binds to hemoglobin. This reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood to the point where, in the most severe situations, the animal suffocates.  Read on...

Producers: Recycle bale/silage wrap, twine and grain bags until Oct 31

Clean Farms provides recycling solutions for agricultural communities by arranging collection locations and informing producers of these simple steps needed to ensure your plastics are accepted and can be recycled:
1. Shake to remove as much debris as possible.
2. Roll grain bags and tie securely with twine or use a grain bag roller (if available).
3. Bag your bale/silage wrap and twine. Bags available at RM offices or collection sites.
4. Return to your nearest collection site. Some restrictions apply. Please contact a collection site before dropping off material. Full details here or call 1-877-622-4460.  

Travel this winter on one of these amazing Agricultural Tours!

MFGA has once again partnered with Leader Tours to offer these three  agricultural-influenced tours and the opportunity to  travel with like-minded people !  

Sit back and enjoy these trips hassle-free while developing new friendships and the unique sights and experiences provided by the people, producers and agricultural industries of each region. Itineraries and pricing are found on each link. 

New Zealand: February 24 to March 16, 2019

Argentina: March 5 to 19, 2019

Environmental Farm Plan Workshops - Oct & Nov, 2018 dates in MB communities

Producers will have an opportunity to develop or renew their Environmental Farm Plans (EEP) with these upcoming half-day workshops. You will be guided through the EFP workbook to help you assess and identify the environmental assets and risks on your farm operation, and develop and action plan to address identified risks. Workbooks and support material included.

23rd Annual Fields on Wheels Conference -  Fri, Nov 2, 2018 in Winnipeg, MB

Themed "Cross-border Trade and Post-CTA Transport Policy Changes", this one-day conference will take place at the Four Points South Hotel, Winnipeg. Early bird registration ends Oct 19: $295 plus GST; After: $345 plus GST. 

The Real Dirt on Farming training event - 

Sat, Nov 3, 2018 in Portage La Prairie, MB

All farmers/producers, 4-H members, agriculture organizations and others interested in improving your conversations with various audiences on agriculture should join MAAS at this training event. Lunch will be served at 11:30 with the workshop to follow. Support of this training event is through Manitoba Ag Days. 

Risk Management Seminar - Nov 14 in Brandon, MB OR Nov 15 in Winnipeg, MB

Offered in TWO locations, Manitoba Agriculture has organized this seminar for all Directors, board members and staff of ag organizations. Topics: Your Risk Associated with Board Involvement; Foundational Documents; Parliamentary Procedures; Understanding Financial Statements; Funding Available to Organizations to Support Risk Reduction; Insurance Coverage; Protecting and Storing Documents.

Intercropping Workshop  -  Wed, Nov, 14, 2018 in Brandon, MB

Hear from producers and researchers on the practice of intercropping, a farmer-led practice gaining credibility as a way to improve yields and decrease pest and disease pressure. Learn about successful practices, approaches, equipment modifications and the financial implications for your farm business. A full day workshop held at Keystone Centre, MNP Theatre. $30/person or $50 for 2 people from the same farm. Lunch and snacks included. To register: 204-898-4122  Katherine.stanley@umanitoba.ca.

CFGA Annual Conference - Nov 14 & 15, 2018 in Calgary, AB

Theme: Foundation Forage: Built from the Ground Up, held at the Sheraton Cavalier. It's the must-attend event for anyone involved in forage production! The program includes a line-up of top speakers who will set the stage for producers to plan, seed, feed, graze, harvest and evaluate their valuable forage and grassland.

Canadian Bison Association's Annual Convention -  Nov 18 to 20, 2018 in Regina, SK

Held in conjunction with Agribition, this year's theme is: Momentum-Advancing the Bison Legacy. The convention's agenda includes keynote by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Dean, Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University, on "Red Meat -The Bison Journey". Other conference topics include bison census update, genomic tools for the bison industry, family wealth and succession plan, biosecurity and much more. 

DUC Grazing Club Workshop -  Nov 26, 2018, near Brandon, MB

Held at MBFI Learning Center, Brandon, MB, Dr David Johnson will discuss his research in soil health and soil biology. Compost making demonstrations and hands on learning. Cost: $25. Contact: Michael Thiele, 204-365-6334. Held in conjunction with the MFGA Regenerative Ag Conference. Producers that sign up for both workshop and conference receive $50 conference discount. Call Erin, Mb Ag, 204-622-2007 for conference registration.

MFGA's Annual General Meeting -  Nov 26, 2018 in Brandon, MB

MFGA's AGM Nov 26, 7pm at Victoria Inn, Brandon, held in conjunction with the Regenerative Ag Conference. All members & supporters invited!

MFGA's Regenerative Agriculture Conference -  Nov 27 & 28, 2018 in Brandon, MB

Held at the Victoria Inn, our conference will be featuring some of the most highly sought after speakers on the Regenerative Agriculture front, a trade show and an amazing banquet! Space is filling up, act fast!!!  Arrive early for our AGM on Nov 26.

DUC Grazing Club Workshop -  Nov 29, 2018, Brandon, MB

Held at Pipestone Hall, Pipestone, MB, Burke Teichert will share his knowledge of the cattle business. C ost: $25. Contact: Michael Thiele, 204-365-6334. Held in conjunction with the MFGA Regenerative Ag Conference. Producers that sign up for both workshop and conference receive $50 conference discount. Call Erin, Mb Ag, 204-622-2007 for conference registration

Manitoba Beef & Forage Week - Jan 14 to 18, 2019 in communities across Manitoba

Mark your calendar! The Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association Manitoba, Beef Producers, and Manitoba Agriculture are hosting beef and forage seminars in your local community. Details to follow.

Manitoba Ag Days - Jan 22 to 24, 2019 in Brandon, MB 

This show is an exposition of agricultural production expertise, technology, and equipment that attracts exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and the United States of America and includes the most relevant, up to date, informational speakers available. Mb Ag Days has been approved for 24.5 CEU Credits this year.

Manitoba Beef Producers AGM and Conference - Feb 7 & 8, 2019 in Brandon, MB

Held at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Brandon, this year's theme is "Proud Past, Promising Future" and will include a look back at MBP's 40 years representing beef producers and a look ahead to the sector's future.

Prairie Conservation & Endangered Species Conf -  Feb 19 to 21, 2019 in Winnipeg, MB

Whether you're a researcher, producer, or prairie professional, join your fellow experts in exploring the latest information, research, and trends in the conservation of "Working Landscapes." Registration is open, save $50 with the Early Bird rates! Details on hotel, agenda and registration here or call Kelly Forgala, (204) 257-5205.

Agriculture Tour: New Zealand -  Feb 24 to March 16, 2019 in NZ!

MFGA and Leader Tours have partnered to offer this agricultural-influenced tours and the opportunity to travel with like-minded people! Experience New Zealand's sublime forests, mountains, lakes, beaches and fiords that have made NZ one of the best destinations on Earth. 

Agriculture Tour: Argentina -  March 5 to 19, 2019 in Argentina!

MFGA and Leader Tours have partnered to offer this agricultural-influenced tours and the opportunity to travel with like-minded people! In addition to spectacular tourist stops, the trip will include ExpoAgro, the worlds greatest machinery demonstration exhibition. Features: Sit back and enjoy these trips hassle-free while developing new friendships and the unique sights and experiences provided by the people, producers and agricultural industries of each region. Itineraries and pricing are found on each of the above links. Call (403) 270-7044 or toll free 1-844-370-7044 for more information.