Forage & Grassland Industry Strategic Plan

The Manitoba Forage Council recently received funding support from
MRAC and MAFRI to facilitate the development of a Forage Industry
Strategic Plan for Manitoba.  Kelwin Management Consulting will assist
the Manitoba Forage Council and its partners with the development of
this Strategic Plan.  A Stakeholder Working Group has been established
that will provide input and direction.

The Objectives of the Strategic Plan include to:
.    Identify the Manitoba forage industry’s issues/constraints;
.    Identify new/emerging opportunities (perhaps including, but not
limited to a broader definition of forages to include biomass grasses
and crop residues; organic forage production; use of forage species in
wetland/nutrient management, etc.);
.    Identify developments that need to be undertaken so that the
Manitoba forage industry overcomes the constraints and fully
capitalizes upon the opportunities. Some of these recommendations may
result in further funding requests to MRAC and other funders to
support new development initiatives that will be identified during
this strategic planning project ;
.    Establish prioritized and measurable objectives and strategies
for the identified Manitoba forage industry developments; and
.    Develop a prioritized action plan, including potential new
industry partnerships and strategic alliances and public sector
support needed, to achieve the identified objectives and strategies.
.    Initiate a process of on-going implementation meetings to ensure
action plan is implemented.

The results will be compiled into a Strategic Plan report which will
be agreed upon and distributed to all sectors of the industry.  This
report will be a working document that will be utilized by
stakeholders/partners in the development of specific projects and
initiatives for the forage industry.

The Strategic Planning process will include input from participants on
the Stakeholder Working Group, a number of interviews with industry
experts and a Strategic Planning Workshop.

Start Date: February 2009
Completion Date: April 30, 2009
Funding Partners: Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council
Project Results: MB Forage & Grassland Strategic Plan 2010