(MDS.mennonite.net)

Ontario MDS volunteers already moving hay west

Disaster response group spearheading program separate from CFA plan

It’s in the spirit of co-operation in difficult times that a group of Ontario farmers have launched a hay donation program to assist their Saskatchewan counterparts. Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Canada, a volunteer organization that provides assistance in the aftermath of disasters in Canada and the U.S., is organizing the latest iteration of Hay West

nancy howatt

Double-benefit feed auction held at Killarney

Charity feed auction garnered ‘heartwarming’ support ahead of sale

In another year, Nancy Howatt of Manitou would have been picking out a steer to donate and bring to the ring at the Killarney Auction Mart. It’s become something of an annual tradition for the producer, with the proceeds going to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. This year, however, is different. This year, there was crisis


“We’re going to see something similar to what we saw last year and other years where the asking price might be 12.5 cents, but the market will only be able to bear somewhat less than that price, and if that happens, then we’re going to continue to see a reduction in the number of cattle that are being overwintered.” – John McGregor, MFGA.

Little relief expected from second cut hay

Hay will cost producers a pretty penny, what little there is

If producers were hoping the second cut might take the sting out of Manitoba’s feed crisis, they’ll be disappointed. Conditions vary, according to Carson Callum, general manager of the Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP), but anecdotes suggest that second cut will be “very poor or non-existent,” depending on region. Why it matters: With all the stressors

This isn’t the first time eastern Canadian farmers have come to the West’s aid.

East Coast farmers pledge to send hay aid

Over the past two decades, producers both east and west have rallied to send hay to drought-hammered farmers

East Coast farmers with an abundance of hay may soon be sending it to the drought-devastated West, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture announced August 12. “CFA is currently in the initial stages of facilitating a new Hay West program,” said CFA president Mary Robinson in a news release. “We have our staff as well as


“Price and quality of alternative forages will play a key role in determining whether they can be used in a given production situation.” – Zac Carlson, NDSU.

Going non-traditional on forage

Tips and considerations for putting up atypical sources of livestock feed

Many producers are seeking alternative, possibly non-traditional, sources of forage such as cattails, flax, kochia, millet varieties and soybeans in light of continued drought. “With limited forage on the market and high prices, it may be a better option to evaluate local hay options,” North Dakota State University Extension beef cattle specialist Zac Carlson said.

Lurking nitrates and noxious weeds threaten to be yet another fly in the ointment as livestock producers continue to struggle for every scrap of annual crop or hay they can get their hands on.

Feed hazards lying in wait

Feed testing an absolute must for cattle producers sourcing greenfeed, straw: experts

Cattle producers are urged to get greenfeed and straw tested for potentially deadly nitrates this year. “Basically, we know there’s going to be nitrates in some of the feed. Especially cereal,” said Jo-Lene Gardiner, who works with the Border Agriculture Stewardship Association and is a cattle farmer in the Clearwater area. “It’s just been that



Manitoba Beef Producers president Tyler Fulton speaks in Winnipeg on July 22, 2021 at a federal/provincial announcement including planned changes to crop insurance against this summer’s drought, alongside federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Winnipeg MP Kevin Lamoureux (r). (Dave Bedard photo)

Manitoba triggers hay disaster benefit

Per-tonne rate lifted to cover feed, transport costs

Manitoba’s crop insurance agency is set to lift the per-tonne rate paid out on insured forage crops to help cover livestock producers’ bills to buy and truck in replacement feed. Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. (MASC) on Thursday announced a 2021 hay disaster benefit to provide another $44 per tonne, for every tonne below coverage, to


Cattle search for grazing on one of the Interlake’s sparse pastures in July.

On the brink: Drought pushes Interlake beef producers to the edge of viability

Will drought see an exodus from the cattle business in Manitoba's Interlake?

The pictures coming out of the pastures and hayfields between Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg are grim, and they look nothing like July. Across the field, there is little green on the ground. Brown is the predominant colour, and little stands tall enough to block out the occasional rock or cow-pie. It’s a visual image

Critically dry pasture in the RM of Fisher shows little growth in July after only three weeks of grazing.

Feed fears come into focus after poor first cut, flagging pasture

Livestock producers are facing yet another year of both poor first-cut yields and ongoing pasture concerns

Producers are seeing their fears realized with light hay cuts and pasture supplies once again running thin. With the exception of very localized patches of the southeast, which are seeing almost normal growth, most producers harvested 50 to 70 per cent of their normal forage in the first cut, according to John McGregor, hay expert