Forages & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Forage producers had their fingers crossed for rain last week, but the promised storms missed a range of farmers still looking for moisture.

Concern raised over flagging forage

Manitoba’s dry spell needs to break soon, or it could mean bad news for forage crops in the west. For some winterkilled crops, though, it’s already too late

By Alexis Stockford May 26, 2018

Forage crops are off to a rough start. Producers and provincial experts say forages got a double hit this spring, with strained crops failing to survive the winter while those that made it through still struggle with slow growth. Ken Harms, who produces hay near Snowflake, says subpar stands in his area actually ran into

Crops, Forages, Weather

Forage supplies starting to dip on dry Prairies

By Ashley Robinson - MarketsFarm, GFM Network News May 16, 2018

CNS Canada — Forage supplies are starting to dwindle across Western Canada following a long, cold, winter and rain is needed soon to make for a good forage crop this year. “People tended to kind of blend hay this year and they managed to get through. But the prolonged cold spring really I think put

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association's Green Gold program is seeking producers with hay fields that are mostly alfalfa, fairly new, and in good condition.

Forages, Local news

WANTED: Hay fields for Green Gold testing

MFGA program is nearly set to begin

By Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association May 2, 2018

Over the past 4-5 years DFM producers have participated in MFGA’s Green Gold program by submitting samples of alfalfa during the period of May and June. If you are interested in participating in the program in 2018 please contact John McGregor by email at [email protected] or call 204-396-9217. See below for more information. We believe the MFGA

AMCP land use practices such as prescribed burns are helping to maintain native grasslands, significant plant diversity and key habitat for numerous species at risk.

Forages, Livestock

Community pasture benefits worth over $13 million a year, study says

From forages worth $5.67 million annually to $4.7 million in carbon sequestration services,  the benefits from the province’s 350,000 acres of community pastures add up fast

By Lorraine Stevenson March 22, 2018

All Manitobans gain from this province’s community pastures, according to a new study that details the broad range of social and environmental benefits derived from them, and assigns a dollar value to them too. Released last week by the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures (AMCP) the study pegs the value of ecosystem services derived from

Forages, Livestock, Weather

Saskatchewan, B.C. areas up for livestock tax deferrals

By GFM Network News, Manitoba Co-operator Staff February 6, 2018

Livestock producers in several more parched municipalities in Saskatchewan and British Columbia will be able to defer income from sales of animals on their 2017 tax returns. The federal government on Tuesday announced its final list of designated regions for 2017, including 20 more municipalities in Saskatchewan and seven in British Columbia. The initial list,

Manitoba’s new Crown land leasing system for grazing is getting a cautious endorsement from the province’s beef industry.

Forages, Livestock, Local news

Manitoba putting points system out to pasture

Producers will have to bid for forage and grazing Crown lands as of next fall rather than the current points-based system

By Alexis Stockford January 11, 2018

Manitobans will have to jump through different hoops to access Crown lands for haying or grazing this year. The province announced an end to the old points-based system in December, to be replaced by a tendering system similar to how cropped Crown lands were already leased. Changes will be in place for the next round

Crops, Forages, Livestock

Nip forage diseases at the bud

Spoiled feed can mean wasted profit and, depending on the pathogen, animal health issues

By Alexis Stockford January 10, 2018

Moisture is the enemy when it comes to forage diseases. For any farmer who has watched dark splotches appear on their low-laying alfalfa leaves or opened a bale only to find it spoiled, that will come as no surprise. Fungi are the culprits for most forage diseases, Linda Jewell, AAFC plant pathologist said during the

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro announced provincial funding Dec. 8 for what will now operate as Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station. (LakeheadU.ca)

Crops, Forages

Lakehead University to operate Thunder Bay ag station

By GFM Network News, Manitoba Co-operator Staff December 31, 2017

The not-for-profit Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station’s quest for a longer-term operating plan has ended with a new operator, and a new name. The Ontario government recently announced it will transfer the TBARS’s operating and research programming responsibilities to Thunder Bay-based Lakehead University, which will now operate the site as Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station

Beef cattle, Forages, Weather

Loans pledged for wildfire-damaged Alberta farms

By GFM Network News, Manitoba Co-operator Staff December 24, 2017

Ranchers and farmers in two southeastern Alberta municipalities hit by wildfire in mid-October may soon be able to apply for interest-free rebuilding loans. The province’s Agriculture Financial Services Corp. (AFSC) on Wednesday announced loan applications will be available Jan. 8 for eligible producers in Cypress County and the MD of Acadia. Applications under the Hilda

MacDon opened a new parts distribution centre in Winnipeg in 2016. (Macdon.com)

Crops, Forages

Harvestec owner Linamar set to buy MacDon

By GFM Network News, Manitoba Co-operator Staff December 14, 2017

Canadian harvesting equipment company MacDon is set to join the ag arm of industrial equipment and parts manufacturer Linamar. Guelph-based Linamar Corp., which markets the Harvestec brand of corn harvesting headers in North America, on Thursday announced a “definitive” agreement to buy 100 per cent of Winnipeg-based MacDon and its group of companies for $1.2

Daily Network News

CFIA looks for feedback on proposed seed potato rule changes

U.S. grains: Soybean futures rise on active Chinese buying

GMO food labelling review opens questions on gene editing

Forages