MFGA Aquanty Project

How a High-Tech Water Model is Future-Proofing Manitoba’s Farms, Soils and Grasslands - It’s time for a whole system approach to agricultural resiliency and soil health

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association have partnered with technology firm Aquanty to put leading-edge water forecasting tech in the hands of Manitoba’s farmers. 

The prairies are the heartland of Canada’s food supply and home to so much of the nation’s biodiversity. But this is not promised. Though the native grasslands of Manitoba have served as a bountiful ecological reservoir since before humans ever walked those fields, the advent of climate change and large-scale market pressures mean today that the irreplaceable soil and the vital water resources that keep this landscape flourishing must now be carefully managed. 

As a farmer-led organization, MFGA is extremely sensitive to the needs of those who rely on the land for their livelihood. But they also recognize that the economic pressures of our current reality do not always incentivize the practices that will keep Manitoba’s prairies healthy and productive for future generations. Read on.

Watch this quick video about this federally-funded project geared for producers and to benefit society. The MFGA Aquanty Forecasting Tool is designed to reduce the impact of extreme flood or drought events for the agricultural industry.

Media Releases

April 12, 2023 - Farmers & Communities in Pembina Valley Watershed to Benefit from High Tech Water Planning Tool via RBC

February 15, 2023 - Water Forecasting Platform Soon to be Launched for the Pembina River Valley

June 15, 2021 - New forecasting tool to help Manitoba farmers better manage extreme weather events

Winnipeg, MB (May 13, 2020) - Healthy Soils, Grasslands and Wetlands Prove Extra Worth in Back to Back Flood and Drought Events: Benefits to groundwater/surface water recharge and resiliency showcased via MFGA Aquanty modelling of Oak River watershed 2009-2015

Winnipeg, MB (January 15, 2020) - Water and Soil featured in Producer-focused MFGA Projects: MFGA engaged in two producer-focused projects thru Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development & AAFC's Canadian Agriculture Partnership

Articles of Interest

Dec 5, 2023 - How a High-Tech Water Model is Future-Proofing Manitoba’s Farms, Soils and Grasslands

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association have partnered with technology firm Aquanty to put leading-edge water forecasting tech in the hands of Manitoba’s farmers. The prairies are the heartland of Canada’s food supply and home to so much of the nation’s biodiversity. But this is not promised….Read the full Innovating Canada Article here.

April 18, 2023 - Ag tool forecasts flood, drought conditions

Producers hoping to get ahead of seasonal flood and drought conditions now have the upper hand, thanks to a new forecasting tool from the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association. Farmers across the Assiniboine River Basin throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and in Manitoba’s Pembina/Plum watersheds of the Red River Basin, will have free and full access to the association’s new Aquanty forecasting tool during the 2023 spring thaw and runoff….Read the full Brandon Sun Article here.

Oct 23, 2020 - Research shows benefits of well-managed agricultural landscapes to flood resiliency

Scientists are creating tools to better measure the value of wetlands and grasslands to naturally mitigate floods Of the many benefits to human well-being provided by wetlands, flood attenuation is an ecosystem service that is receiving more attention….Read the full Canadian Cattlemen Article here.