MFGA eBulletin - May 2025

Our MFGA thoughts are with all persons, properties, lands and communities dealing with wildfires in Manitoba and across Canada this month and for those possibly dealing with wildfires ahead in coming months. Our MFGA hopes and wishes go outward for the health and safety of all firefighters, first responders and service personnel as they battle forest and grassland fires in often challenging conditions. 

From the Desk of the Executive Director

It's sure been interesting lately with tariffs and trade and the ebb and flow around those matters on an almost daily basis.

Heading into mid May, MFGA remains busy doing our MFGA things.



Our 2025-26 MFGA corporate campaign is in full swing with high retention of sponsors from last year and a few new sponsors on board. We also opened our registration for our 2025 MFGA Regen Ag Conference, including early bird rates (there will be No 2025 increase on attendance or trade show fees) and trade show booths which always get snapped up quickly.

Our first raft of 2025 keynotes are impressive, each will deliver a presentation right on path with our 2025 conference theme: "Enriching Land, Lives and Livelihoods". And, we are not done yet. Watch for exciting news on a major well-known, well-regarded marquee keynote and details around an exciting evening event that will continue to push the MFGA Regen Ag Conference as a can't-miss farmer-led, farmer-focused regen ag conference it has deeply rooted itself as among farmers and the like-minded across the Northern Prairies.

Meanwhile, MFGA recently received amazing news from the Province of Manitoba's Climate Action Fund (as featured below) on a project that will utilize our MFGA Aquanty model do a future climate risk scan of forages and grasslands from both a resiliency lens and as well as retention of profitable commodity scenario via a water resource-focused analysis.

To have the Provincial government's vision, interest and understanding of the role in forages and grasslands as potential risk mitigation tools around climatic challenges while acknowledging the importance of forages as important, profitable crops for farmers is an absolute win for MFGA. It also is a huge reinforcement of the power and ability of the MFGA Aquanty Model. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to showcase forages and grasslands in such a meaningful way with such a direct emphasis on our future water resources.

And finally, while we look to the future, we will look to the past, and pass our congrats to MFGA director emeritus Fraser Stewart of Selkirk for being recently named as one of five recipients of the 2025 Lieutenant Governor’s Historical Preservation and Promotion awards for their meritorious service in the preservation and promotion of Manitoba's history and heritage. Well done, Fraser!

Muchos Grasses ALL,

Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director

Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes (left) and Mike Duguid, MFGA Chair at Climate Action Fund Announcement at Manitoba Legislative Building on Earth Day 2025.

MFGA Project Focuses on Perennial Crops as a Climate Mitigation Tool and Valuable Commodity  

Community-led Projects Help Tackle Climate Change: Moyes

A Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association-led project “Evaluating climate change impacts on Manitoba's forage and grassland landscapes” was among projects receiving a combined $2 million funding to help fight climate change as announced by Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes on Earth Day 2025.

“Protecting the environment is a priority for our government,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Moyes. “We know that by working together with organizations and businesses in Manitoba, we can make real change in communities. On Earth Day, I was pleased to announce funding for projects across the province through the Climate Action Fund. I look forward to seeing the results of the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association’s new initiative that will help provide critical information for agricultural producers.”

View more information on our website: here

MFGA congratulates new federal cabinet members; thanks former ministers Duguid and Blois for recent terms

MFGA congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney's recently announced cabinet members with special mentions to Prince Edwards Island's Hon. Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Toronto-Danforth's Hon. Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. MFGA sincerely thanks Hon. Terry Duguid of Winnipeg South as well as Nova Scotia’s Hon. Kody Blois for their recent cabinet terms as Environment Climate Change Canada and Agriculture ministers respectively.

Forage Management for Dry Conditions

By John McGregor, MFGA Extension Support

This spring’s record heat is speeding up forage growth — but with dry conditions on the horizon, timing and management are key. In this article, John shares practical tips to get the most out of your pastures and hay fields, from cutting strategies to maximizing regrowth and keeping quality up through the season.

Read more: here

Eighth Annual MFGA’s Regenerative Ag Conference returns November 12–13, 2025, Victoria Inn Conference Center, Brandon 

Our 1.5-day event is now entering Year 8 and once again features well known and top of class keynote speakers, a vibrant tradeshow, and a silent auction. A free kids program will be offered for families attending, thanks again to a partnership with Holistic Management Canada .

Early Bird Registration (NO FEE INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR!) is now open. To check out speaker bios, sponsorship and tradeshow opportunities, or to register and book accommodations, visit: Register Here

Case Study: General Mills Regenerative Ag Northern Plains Pilot Project

The original Northern Plains program has been successful in achieving its goals, and it has created ripple effects in the broader agriculture landscape. General Mills serves as a powerful example of how a global food company is able to advance regenerative agriculture in its sourcing region by working with farmers, developing and promoting regenerative agriculture practices. Read more here

MFGA Welcomes New Board Reps from Manitoba Sheep Association and Manitoba Dairy Farmers; Says Goodbye to Great Board Members

Two mainstay organizations on the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association Board have appointed new representatives to sit on the MFGA Board of Directors.

Dairy Farmers of Manitoba: Robert Guimond

Robert's family have owned and operated Crikside Farms in Woodmore, Manitoba for three generations.

Manitoba Sheep Association: Ashley Nelson

Ashley and her family operate a cow/calf, sheep and grain operation at Austin, Manitoba.

MFGA would like to thank and wish all the very best to Harold Bosma (MSA) and Lawrence Knockaert (DFM) in their future endeavours. Your work has been exemplary on our behalf. Thank you!

MFGA congratulates Manitoba beef producers Fulton, Atkinson and Duguid as key parts of CCA Leadership for 2025–2026

Three Manitoba beef producers were elected to the Board of Directors at the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA)'s Annual General Meeting in Ottawa earlier this spring.

Former Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) president Tyler Fulton of Birtle, Manitoba moves into the CCA president position taking over from Nathan Phinney of Sackville, New Brunswick who remains on the Board in the past president position.

Arnes, Manitoba's Mike Duguid, who also serves as the current MFGA chair as the MBP rep on the MFGA board, was also re-elected to the CCA Board. MFGA also congratulates Duguid for his excellent work as CCA Environment Committee co-chair for the past year.

Current MBP president Matt Atkinson, who ranches near Neepawa, was also named to the CCA Board and will co-chair the CCA's Animal Health Committee.

Soil Health Network Seeks Farmer Feedback

The Soil Health Network is led by Assiniboine College, funded by the Weston Family Foundation and supported by an alliance of western Canadian network partners, including MFGA, to help gather feedback directly from farmers on what soil health priorities matter most to them.

Why? Because farmers should guide the future of advancing soil health.

It’s a quick, 2-minute survey. Your insights will help shape extension tools, research, and support to be rooted in actual practical farm needs

Thanks for helping us dig deeper into soil health! Fill out here

Nuffield Canada Scholarship Applications Underway

Nuffield Canada is now accepting applications for its 2026 scholar cohort, offering $20,000 scholarships for mid-career Canadians (approx. ages 25–50) passionate about agriculture. Applications are open until June 30. Learn more or apply at www.nuffield.ca

Common Ground & Kiss the Ground Now Streaming on Amazon Prime Video!

Stream and share — Common Ground and Kiss the Ground are now available to watch worldwide on Amazon Prime Video. Every view helps amplify the message of regeneration and raises awareness about real, practical climate solutions. Watch today and help spread the word!

Manitoba Government Extends Deadline for Agricultural Supports

The Manitoba government, in partnership with the federal government, has extended the enrollment deadline for the 2025 AgriStability program from April 30 to July 31, 2025, giving producers additional time to manage market disruptions and protect their farm margins. AgriStability, part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP), helps farmers manage income risk due to production loss or market decline. 

Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn encourages producers to contact their local Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) office to explore additional risk-management tools and lending programs. Earlier this month, the province announced $10 million in matching funds for potential AgriStability enhancements and allocated $140.8 million in Budget 2025 for business risk management programming. For more information, visit www.gov.mb.ca/tariffresponse/index.html#agricultural-supports

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) Manitoba Agriculture Trade Action Plan

MFGA would like to acknowledge Colin Hornby, KAP general manager, and the group at Keystone Agricultural Producers for their attention to these tariffs and trade matters via consistent and informative outreach around trends, times and tides and how those wranglings and executive orders can potentially impact agriculture in Manitoba. It's good to have a trusted source with their hands firmly on the wheels of the fast-spinning news cycle.

KAP recently submitted the Manitoba Agriculture Trade Action Plan to the provincial government.

According to Hornby, the document began in development last summer and was in the final draft stage in the fall, before the U.S. election outcome and trade tensions led to a delay of the document’s final release. Hornby advised that the delay allowed KAP to ensure content was relevant for the current environment and edits were made in recent weeks to ensure this was the case. Read more: here

EVENTS

Spring Regenerative Leadership Online Course – May 6 to June 2, 2025 – Online

Deepen your leadership skills with Dana Penrice in this regenerative leadership course. Weekly sessions on Fridays from 12:00 – 1:30 PM CST, with additional pre-recorded videos throughout.

More info: coordinator@holisticmanagement.ca

Final seminar in the 2024-25 Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Seminar Series: “Advancing Landscape Resilience Modeling with AI-Driven Predictions of Vegetation Dynamics and Biomass Distribution” - May 28, 2025 - DR. NASEM BADRELDIN, Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science, Carolyn Sifton Lecture Theatre, Rm 130 Agriculture Building, 66 Dafoe Rd. 3:30 - 4:30 pm



Soil Health Academy’s Enhancing Regeneration Through Collaboration – June 24–26, 2025 – Russell, MB

Join this unique learning experience focused on a practical and profitable approach to regenerative practices for farmers and ranchers interested in collaborating with neighboring operations. Learn how the six principles of soil health can improve productivity, reduce input costs, and build a more resilient farming system.

For more information, visit www.SoilHealthAcademy.org

2025 Manitoba Sustainable Protein Research Symposium - July 7, 2025 – Winnipeg, MB

Bridging Borders: Innovating Protein for a Global Future, RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg, MB. Email: mbprotein@umanitoba.ca or website at

www.mbprotein.ca

Manitoba Diversification Centres: Extending Ag-Innovations for Sustainable Agronomic Solutions -2025 Annual Field Days: WADO (Melita) July 17; PESAI (Arborg) July 30; PCDF (Roblin) August 5; MCDC (Carberry) August 6

Learning events featuring producers, researchers and agricultural professionals; all focused on ensuring Manitoba producers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to grow the best food and feed crops possible: mbdiversificationcentres.ca 

Soils for our Future 2025 Conference – July 20-25th, 2025 – Winnipeg, MB

“A Gathering of Global to Local Perspectives” at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Contact for info/sponsorship: soils2025@mbsoils.ca

KAP's Campbell Classic Golf Tournament -  July 24, 2025 -at Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club

Complete information on registration and the schedule for the day are available on their website at: https://www.kap.ca/events/2025-kap-golf-tournament/

Dairy Farmers of Manitoba’s (DFM) golf tournament -July 30, 2025 - Quarry Oaks in Steinbach.

Registration: (Sponsorship & golfer registration) online: https://tinyurl.com/dfmgolf2025

Manitoba 4R Day at Innovation Farms – August 6, 2025 – Grosse Isle, MB

Join EMILI for a field tour on Manitoba 4R Day to see sustainable 4R practices in action, including Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place. Celebrate the 9th anniversary of Manitoba 4R Day and the importance of nutrient stewardship for a sustainable agricultural industry. A catered lunch will follow the field tour.

Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM CDT

Location: EMILI – Innovation Farms, Road 1E, Grosse Isle, MB

Buy your tickets: here

Saskatchewan Forage Council Pasture Tour - August 6th, 2025- southwest Saskatchewan

Watch the SFC website and eNews for specific locations and more information in the coming months

2025 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference – FIRST KEYNOTES ANNOUNCED, EARLY BIRD AND TRADE SHOW BOOTHS NOW OPEN!! NOVEMBER 12-13, 2025, VICTORIA INN AND CONVENTION CENTER, BRANDON, MB. MFGA.NET

Thank you to our 2024/25 Annual Supporters! 

The Month of May represents the last logo featuring of our 2024/25 leaders who are some of the best of the best in the agriculture and conservation communities. Sponsors from our 2025/26 corporate campaign are included below and will continue to be profiled throughout the next year. 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