MFGA eBulletin - October 2026

Photo: Nerbas Bros Angus

From the Desk of the Executive Director

It remains a key focus of MFGA to lift our farms and farmers to the front of every on-farm resilience conversation, especially with an accelerating domestic focus.

Our MFGA farmers and network contribute to every commodity they farm and, via that, to Canada's GDP.

However, on top of that, with their attention to soil, water, biodiversity, natural areas and the potential of helping buffer a changing climate with more intense events, we see great resilience values in how our MFGA farmers are farming for their farms, municipality, region, province and Canada. 

And, our timing for this large lift, is now. 

One key to advancing the conversations, projects and potential of regen ag is farmers talking with farmers, networking and sharing what worked, why it worked and why it didn’t and how it was adapted or could be helped.

Our MFGA job is taking those conversations forward, complete with storylines, opportunities and potential to fit every domestic resilience dialogue on major issues such as increasing extreme climatic events, declining bird abundance and water resources, and the need for grassland retention and soil health focus.

For anyone wondering or wanting to learn more about regenerative agriculture as told by farmer keynotes and industry experts and fortified by an entire trade show of experts and networking among farmers and peers throughout the day and half event, there is no better opportunity than the 9th annual MFGA Regen Ag Conference

November 9-10, 2026 at the Victoria Inn Conference Center in Brandon.

When it comes to regen ag focused conferences, our annual event stands among a handful (looking at you SaskSoil, Western Canada Conference on Soil Health & Grazing , and Holistic Management Canada) of the nation’s leaders, right at the front of the regen ag conference parade. 

Right here in Friendly Manitoba. 

Please consider this your personal invite from MFGA to attend our event. 

It will be great to see you there! Get your motor going, Early bird has been extended to October 20, register now at mfga.net

Muchos Grasses ALL,

Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director

MFGA Bird Report 2023-25 Awarded Gold Medal at Canadian Farm Writers Federation annual awards

MFGA received the national Henry Heald award for our work on our 2023-25 MFGA Bird Report from Canadian Farm Writers Federation in the Long Communications category. 

MFGA congratulates all winners of the CFWF awards, especially Maggie Van Camp and Rebecca Hannan & Jeanine Moyer whose outstanding work made our category a real showcase of great communication efforts around agriculture and farms. A high five to David Hultin of Manitoba Beef Producers for a gold award on video production as well.

Jonathan Lundgren Study: Regenerative Agriculture: Connecting Soil Carbon Storage, Biodiversity, and Profit

A new open-access study in Environmental Research: Food Systems, led by Jonathan Lundgren and colleagues, compares regenerative and conventional field-cropping farms across North America. It found greater biodiversity on regenerative farms, closely tied to higher soil carbon storage, with reported yields and net profits per acre on par with conventional operations.

Read the full paper: here

Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba Welcomes New Executive Director

Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba has introduced Robin Young as its new Executive Director. This year’s Amazing Agriculture Adventure reached 1,000 students in 41 classrooms with the help of 120 volunteers, and the organization is now recruiting exhibitors for AgVenture at MB Ag Days (January 19–21, 2027, Brandon), where more than 1,200 Grade 7–12 students will explore ag careers. To exhibit, contact Christine Kulas at christine@aitc.mb.ca.

Learn more: here

Manitoba Government Funds Livestock Investigation Unit

The Manitoba government is funding a designated RCMP General Investigative Section officer to investigate livestock-related crimes and support a Manitoba-based livestock inspection initiative, modelled on programs in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The position responds to long-standing advocacy from beef producers, with RCMP statistics showing 57 reported cattle theft and fraud cases between 2021 and 2025.

Learn more: here

KAP Annual District Meetings

KAP is hitting the road for our 2026 Annual District Meetings, taking place across Manitoba from November 16 to December 11. District Meetings are your opportunity to connect with fellow producers, raise the issues affecting your farm and community, and have a direct say in the priorities KAP brings forward on behalf of Manitoba farmers. Visit our website to find meeting dates and the latest updates.

https://www.kap.ca/event/2026-district-meetings/

MFGA Regen Ag Conference Early Bird Extended to October 20

Good news: early bird registration for the MFGA 9th Annual Regenerative Agriculture Conference (November 9–10, VIC Inn Hotel & Conference Centre, Brandon) has been extended to October 20, 2026. See the full conference lineup and register now to lock in your early bird rate.

Register here: here

Participate in new research on Regenerative Dairy Economics

Are you a dairy farmer?

University of Ottawa researcher Anne-Sophie Pelletier is conducting a study on the economic costs and benefits of transitioning to regenerative agriculture.

Who is needed?

Regenerative farms: transitioned between 2015 and 2022

Conventional farms: currently operating conventionally (for comparison)

Must be an active quota holder, the farm operator or owner and be over 18yo.

What is involved?

A short screening survey to check eligibility. Selected participants will complete a detailed survey (about 60 minutes), share anonymized financial data (Statement of Farming Activities) and participate in one interview (60 to 90 minutes).

Why participate?

There is currently no data on the costs and financial benefits of adopting these practices in Canada. This information could help other producers make better decisions and shape the future of dairy policy. You will also receive a report of the findings to see how your farm compares to others and to provincial trends.

Start the screening survey by clicking here OR share this link with someone who fits this criteria and may be interested in participating. Eligible participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis. Individuals who fill out the screening survey but not selected to participate in the study will be informed by email.

Questions? Contact Anne-Sophie at apell095@uottawa.ca

EVENTS

Agriculture Enlightened, Canada's Agtech Conference , November 5, 2026. EMILI is offering MFGA members a $50 discount. If you are planning to attend, register here using the code EMILIFRIENDS26.

MFGA 2026 Regenerative Agriculture Conference, Victoria Inn, Brandon, MB Nov 9-10, 2026, Early Bird and Trade Show now open!! link

Rural Minds Matter Peer Support Training – Brandon University, Brandon, MB – November 14–15, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Learn more: here

The Farm Exit Strategy: How to Sell or Transition Smart to Protect Your Wealth – Carman Community Hall, Carman, MB – Monday, November 16, 10:00–11:30 a.m.

Register Here: here

Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference – Winnipeg, MB – November 16–18, 2026

Learn more: here

Organic Grain Hub Trade Show – Brandon, MB – Thursday, November 19, 2026

Learn more: here

Advancing Women in Agriculture & Food Conference — AWC EAST2026, November 22–24, 2026, 12:00–4:00 p.m, Sheraton Fallsview, Niagara Falls, ON

Register here: AWC EAST2026 Tickets

2026 Manitoba Association of Watersheds District Conference - December 7-8, 2026

Learn more and register:here

2026 Western Canada Conference on Soil Health & Grazing – December 8–10, 2026

Registration is open! Relearn, Restore, Regenerate, Renew — join 500+ producers, industry partners and researchers for a full lineup of speakers and panelists at this biennial conference, presented by applied research and forage associations across Alberta.

Learn more: here

Sask Soil Annual Conference: Regina, February 10 - 11, 2027 as we explore the Future of Soil Health! link

Thank you to our 2026/27 Annual Supporters! 

Corporate sponsors from our 2026/27 corporate campaign are included below. MFGA thanks all of these awesome groups and we proudly profile your support of MFGA and our farmer network: if your company is interested, please sign up here

MFGA PLATINUM SUPPORTERS

MFGA GOLD SUPPORTERS

MFGA SILVER SUPPORTERS

MFGA BRONZE SUPPORTERS