MFGA eBulletin - September 2026 | | Photo: September evening, Nerbas Bros Angus | | From the Desk of the Executive Director | | |
Fall season is my favorite time of year.
There’s something for everyone as we blast through each September into October: harvests and hunting; school and sports; brisk air and dewy mornings; spectacular colours via foliage and skies.
With that mindset, MFGA always kicks our game into high gear for our annual conference promotions and profile during this time period.
Now entering our ninth consecutive conference, we’ve consistently delivered a farmer-led, farmer-focused event around regen ag that has criss-crossed borders, powered through a pandemic, generated profile and partnerships and provided great times and great connectivity for all onside with our event.
A few months ago, I detailed our six keynotes and financial panel members. They are exceptional and their bios and presentation info are on mfga.net.
The fact is, though, our whole conference is designed for farmers and ranchers to come to our conference, meet up with their friends, families and peers, talk fields and shop with trade show experts and connect with groups that want to speak with them.
And we do everything we can for our farmer attendees, from keeping the early bird open as long as we can on the calendar; to expanding our family farm rate to include two children under 14 with two adults; to adding a third year of day care via our partners at Holistic Management Canada; and to NOT raising our conference fees for a third straight year of no increase when everything else around your farms and family is in spike mode.
Seriously, can you name anything else off the top of your head that has faced rising costs and still held the same price line over the last three years?
Our farmers, ranchers and families all along our MFGA network are cut from the same cloth. Our MFGA regenerative agriculture conference is for all of you.
Really looking forward to seeing you there!!
Muchos Grasses ALL,
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director
| | |
Manitoba Government Supporting Livestock Producers with Lower Costs, Stronger Protections
The Manitoba government has announced regulatory changes extending the freeze on Agricultural Crown Lands forage-lease rental rates at $3.66 per animal unit month into the 2027 growing season. The proposed changes would also re-establish a pathway to consecutive lease renewals for leases issued since 2019 and introduce a cap on how much Crown land any one producer can lease. Public consultation on the proposed changes is open now.
Learn more: here
| | |
Ross MacDonald, MFGA 2026 Conference Keynote, featured On Ranching Returns Podcast
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/gBchEsXOl18
Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NFSHMNHDE9kDVLR1sAYl2?si=vK8hyrAPT7WaILaNf3l4sg
| |
Food Water Wellness Foundation : Turning Ecosystem Services into Income
Canada has lost roughly 8 million acres of grassland since 2009 — nearly the size of Ottawa disappearing every year. Kimberly Cornish of the Food Water Wellness Foundation says maturing ecosystem service markets now let producers earn income for the carbon storage, biodiversity and water function that working grasslands already provide, through a model where most credit revenue flows into an endowment paying annual dividends for strong ecological performance.
MFGA is a partner on the FWWF project. Learn more about the FWWF Project and other Weston Family Foundation Grants: here
| | |
Ducks Unlimited Canada Announces New CEO
Pat Kehoe has been announced as Chief Executive Officer of Ducks Unlimited Canada. During his 30 years with DUC, Pat has applied his scientific expertise as a wildlife biologist to leading conservation programs, built strong partner relationships, and continues to make an enduring contribution to our mission. Most recently, Pat served as Acting CEO after previously leading our conservation efforts as Chief Conservation Officer.
MFGA congratulates Pat on his official posting, and we look forward to working alongside DUC on natural areas, partnerships and the resiliency of farms and shared interests throughout the MFGA network.
| | |
MFGA AGM: Save the date! September 29, 2026, 1:00 PM ONLINE
MFGA will be holding our AGM September 29, 2026, 1:00 pm, online. Members of MFGA are invited to attend. As a note to all readers, if you attended the 2025 MFGA conference, you are a member of MFGA. If you attended the 2024 conference and not the 2025 conference and did not renew your membership online, you are not considered a current member of MFGA. However, we'd be thrilled to welcome you back to the MFGA fold either via online registration for $50 or for next year, by attending our 2026 Regen Ag conference.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84462729569?pwd=gZjjbbCPvlaFOOXc2OWlPYmcsgdk7m.1
Updated bylaws posted, links provided:
MFGA Fall 2026 By-Laws
Special Resolution of Members Wording
Articles of Amendment
| | |
REGISTRATIONS PERCOLATING AND TRADE SHOW FILLING UP FAST FOR 2026 MFGA REGEN AG CONFERENCE
The trade show at the MFGA conference is a huge part of the vibe at our annual conference. We celebrate and promote our trade show as a vital component of the event. It is there that many great chats and dialogues happen around products and services. We are receiving a lot of calls from first time trade show booths wanting to lock down a space for the 2026 MFGA conference. We cant go bigger than we already are so if your company or organization is keen on coming back, please register asap.
| | |
Manitoba Crop Report
The Manitoba Crop Report covers seeding and crop establishment progress, crop development, pest activity (weeds, insects, disease), harvest progress, yields and grades, fall field work, and winter cereal seeding, along with haying progress and pasture conditions. 2026 harvest averages are estimated using 10-year (2015–2024) regional averages by crop from MASC data.
Learn more: here
| | |
MB AG: Watch for Waterhemp This Harvest Season
Manitoba Ag is asking producers to keep an eye out for waterhemp — a noxious weed of increasing concern in Manitoba. Mature plants often extend above crop canopies, making them easier to spot, and early identification is key to slowing its spread. The province's waterhemp information page includes ID and control tips plus a map of where it's been found in Manitoba.
Learn more: here
| | |
2nd Annual CLRA Prairie Environmental Symposium
The Saskatchewan and Manitoba Chapters of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association (CLRA) are joining forces for the 2nd Annual CLRA Prairies Environmental Symposium in Brandon, MB, on September 24, 2026. The day features speakers and panels on topsoil management, native seed availability, oil and gas site remediation, extreme weather impacts on operations, and more — plus networking and a tradeshow. A hotel room block is available at the Clarion Hotel & Suites (book by September 20 to secure the CLRA – Prairie Chapter rate).
Learn more: here
| | |
BCRC: 2025-2026 Year in Review Showcases Impacts of Beef Producer Investments
The Beef Cattle Research Council’s 2025–2026 Year in Review highlights how producer investments and input are advancing research, addressing industry priorities and delivering practical value back to Canada’s beef producers.
Download the BCRC's 2025-2026 Year in Review
| | |
EVENTS
Harvest Moon Festival, September 18 - 20, 2026 in Clearwater, Manitoba, the Harvest Moon Festival celebrates it’s 25th year! link
2nd Annual CLRA Prairie Environmental Symposium – Brandon, MB – Thursday, September 24, 2026
Learn more: here
KLR Marketing Webinar: The Principles Behind Profitable Livestock Decisions – Virtual (CDT) – Monday, October 5, 2026, 8:00 p.m.
Register: here
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
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
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 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
| | | | |
