Beef producers want better insurance for new grazing techniques, among other requests.

Time to tailor insurance, says Manitoba Beef Producers

The issue is also expected to be front and centre for the upcoming annual general meeting this winter

Manitoba’s beef producers say it’s time insurance options for feed and pasture get with the times. The Manitoba Beef Producers is chewing through a wish list of insurance changes after its fall district meetings. Farmers in several districts are now looking for more support on alternative grazing strategies, something MBP general manager Brian Lemon says

Hay claims shoot past 2017 levels

Hay claims shoot past 2017 levels

The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation is processing 975 claims, up from 533 last year and 500 in 2016

Forage claims have risen abruptly in 2017, according to Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation. The agency has reported 975 forage insurance claims this year, up from 533 last year and higher than any year since at least 2015. David Koroscil, MASC manager of claim services, says the agency has paid out about $4.2 million so far,


Livestock integration will likely feature heavily when the MFGA regenerative agriculture conference comes to Brandon 
November 27-28.

Regenerative agriculture gets ready for the spotlight in Brandon

The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association is gearing up for its regenerative agriculture conference later this month

An upcoming conference in Brandon will examine how to build up land, rather than just harvesting from it. The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association is preparing for its first-ever regenerative agriculture conference Nov. 27 and 28, with the theme “Adapting to Today’s Food and Farming World.” MFGA says it’s hoping a lineup of producer testimony

Moisture-starved pastures have livestock foraging harder for feed, and provincial experts warn that toxic plants could be eaten accidentally.

Drought dangers raise the red flag on toxicity for cattle

Experts are warning livestock producers to look out for toxicity as cattle scramble for feed in the pasture, drought raises nitrate risk and water supplies dwindle

Feed shortage may not be the only threat lurking in Manitoba’s increasingly brown pastures. Manitoba Agriculture livestock specialist Jane Thornton says she would not be surprised by reports of poisoning from toxic plants or other toxicity issues as regular forage runs out. “Producers should look at what they have in their fields for poisonous plants,”


Feed shortage looms

Feed shortage looms

Livestock industry warns of short feed supplies due to dry conditions as pastures start to run out of both forage and water

Manitoba livestock producers are bracing for a double hit. They’re facing their second extended feeding season at the same time as forage yields have fallen short. Extension staff are predicting feed shortages in some regions. Herds were already late coming onto pasture this spring after conditions slowed regrowth. Now, herds in Manitoba’s driest areas may

Manitoba’s hay crop has rebounded, but not fully recovered, from a slow start to the season.

Spring forage woes linger for first cut

Producers were glad to see forage jump in June, but many first-cut reports are still coming up short

Manitoba’s first forage cut is still showing the signs of a slow start this spring. The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association observed lower alfalfa yields compared to last year in some regions. John McGregor, co-ordinator for the MFGA Green Gold program, says stands in eastern Manitoba were three inches shorter on average, coming in at


Over the weekend alfalfa has grown 2 inches in most fields and all fields are now in the early to late flowering stage.

Alfalfa in early to late-flowering stage

Forage and grassland conditions for Eastern/Interlake and Western/Central Manitoba as of June 11

This is the final report for the Green Gold program for 2018. With all fields now flowering quality has dropped very quickly. There are no samples for the Interlake for this report. Green Gold Report for Eastern/Interlake, June 11 Green Gold Report for Western/Central, June 11 This is the final release for the 2018 Optimum

Plenty of good quality hay predicted for EastMan

Plenty of good quality hay predicted for EastMan

Forage and grassland conditions for Western/Central Manitoba and Eastern/Interlake as of June 6 and June 7

Western/Central areas continue to see some very good growth. Over the past 7 days RFV’s were trending down at approx. 5 pts./day. With today’s results we see a slight upwards movement in RFV’s. Hay Day for the Eastern area is predicted to be June 10th. With a lot of cutting happening due to the crop


A mixed grass/alfalfa field gets its first cut in EastMan.

Rain relief brings good news for forage crops

The initial dour outlook for forage is looking brighter now that the dry spell has broken

Forage growers are seeing a glimmer of hope for the first time this season, with stands jumping from the recent rains. Some areas broke 10 millimetres of cumulated monthly rainfall for the first time in the last week of May. Brandon counted just over 55 millimetres through May and June as of June 3, while

Some fields in eastern Manitoba are showing signs of alfalfa weevil damage.

Fair weather sees good forage growth, alfalfa weevils on the scene

Forage and grassland conditions for Eastern Manitoba/Interlake and Western Manitoba/Central as of May 30 – 31

Fields in the Western area received some welcome rains with reports in the 2 inch range as of May 30. Central Manitoba reported only trace amounts of precipitation. Fields in Southeast Manitoba received around 7 mm while the Interlake received as much as 14 mm. Fields in the East that saw 3-4 inches of growth