MFGA Major Projects & Collaborations
MFGA Aquanty Project
This project seeks to develop new risk management tools to reduce the impact of extreme flood or drought events for the agricultural industry within the Basin by identifying preventative measures, implementing risk prevention and mitigation activities, all with the intention of lessening the need for government disaster programming in response to such events.
Manitoba Rangeland and Pasture Health Initiative
People making decisions about the use of natural grasslands (ie. rangelands) in Manitoba are at a disadvantage to those in Alberta and Saskatchewan in obtaining information about grassland plant community composition, successional status, forage production potential and effects of different land management practices (eg. different types of grazing, industrial disturbance, prescribed burning).
MAW’s Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP)
The Manitoba Association of Watersheds launched the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) as part of the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). This program aims to provide knowledge, tools, skills, and financial incentives to help farmers adopt and deploy real, measurable and practical climate solutions across Manitoba and Saskatchewan through implementing Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs). MFGA is a supporting partner for this program
Manitoba Conservation Trust
Manitoba Conservation Trust has provided critical funding to Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association. Follow the link to see the latest projects MFGA is involved in.
MFGA Green Gold Program
Since 1995, the MFGA Green Gold Program (Optimum Alfalfa Harvest Date) has helped producers maximize their hay quality by harvesting their alfalfa stand at the optimum time! Bi-weekly field samples are submitted for testing with regional reports sent to subscribers during the months of May and June.
Perennial grains for fall grazing of beef cattle
The goal of this project is to Evaluate Intermediate Wheatgrass (IWG), a dual-purpose, multi-year crop, to enhance the long-term adaptability and competitiveness of beef production in western Canada.
Prairie Region Soil Health Network
Organizers of Prairie Canada’s top conferences around soil health, grazing and regenerative agriculture are joining forces to work with, promote and celebrate each provincial group’s event and organizational activities with the launch of the Prairie Region Soil Health Network. This network includes Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing (Alberta), Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) and Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) have agree to work collaboratively and together to make sure the interests of Prairie Canada farmers and producers are front and center via the creation of the Prairie Region Soil Health Network.
DUC analyzing wetlands on farms and ranches for carbon capture
Hi-tech monitoring towers in Manitoba are measuring benefits of nature-based climate solutions. New research in southwest Manitoba will help landowners, industry and government understand carbon storage and greenhouse gas release from wetlands in two important agricultural landscapes. Funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), NSERC Alliance, the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in partnership with UBC and the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association (MFGA) are measuring carbon dioxide and methane emissions from wetlands located on cattle farms and wetlands found in annual crop fields.
MFGA Grazing Mentors
Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) has provided MB Watershed Districts with a list of around 15 grazing experts located across the province for Watershed Districts (WD) to connect farmers with grazing mentors and experts to help bring their PWCP aspirations forward around grazing plans and better understanding grazing practices and Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Living Labs Eastern Prairies
MFGA has contributed to the AAFC's Living Labs Eastern Prairies in the Upper Oak River. The project completed on March 31st, 2023 and Manitoba Association of Watersheds is providing an overview of the important work that was done in Manitoba via the latest newsletter and workshops.
MFGA Grazing Mentors support MB Watershed Districts rotational grazing BMPS
MFGA has provided MAW with a list of around 15 grazing experts located across the province for Watershed Districts (WD) to connect farmers with grazing mentors and experts to help bring their PWCP aspirations forward around grazing plans and better understanding grazing practices and BMPs.
Developing a Net-Positive Network (NPN) for education and outreach to build healthier soil ecosystems in Western Canada
Brandon’s Assiniboine Community College was awarded a five-year $1.7 million project “Developing a Net-Positive Network (NPN) for education and outreach to build healthier soil ecosystems in Western Canada” by the Weston Family Foundation. MFGA is one of the confirmed project partners in this project along with Rourke Farms Ltd., Farm Management Canada, Manitoba Association of Watersheds, and Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers.
Manitoba Grazing Exchange (MGE)
A platform to connect livestock farmers and crop farmers with land they’d like grazed was launched on January 27, 2022. Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA) has teamed up with the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) to launch the online platform. Read the Mb Cooperator article.
Benefits of regenerative agriculture to birds
Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association (MFGA) will join forces with the Manitoba Wildlife Branch and the Manitoba Important Bird Area (IBA) Program to explore the benefits of regenerative agriculture to birds on four different farm operations: dairy, beef, grain and mixed farm regen ag-focused operations in Western Manitoba.
Corn Intercropping Project
As featured in Cattle Country
Project Manager:
Emma McGeough
Associate Professor
Sustainable Grasslands/Livestock Production Systems
Department of Animal Science
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB