Benefits of membership
February 2000
There’s lots happening in forage research… review the projects on mould resistant alfalfa, using forage cubes with additives as feed supplements and more.
November 2000
Manitobans extremely successful in World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl. Ken and Alice Harms of Snowflake named “Grand Champion First Time Entrants in the Dairy Hay Competition” and others rank in top 20.
February 2001
“There’s a huge market for dairy heifers in Mexico”, says Grant Fotheringham, a producer in SW Manitoba. How can you get in on it?
November 2001
Study finds trapping gophers still produces better results than hand baiting with rodenticide zinc-Phosphide BOB®. Read all the test results…
February 2002
Tip #1: Test your current forage supplies, Tip #2: Ensure your ration is balanced to avoid compaction and Tip #3: Provide mineral supplements. Read about these tips to help develop your winter feeding strategy.
November 2002
November – Farewell to one of MFC’s founders – Executive Director George Bonnefoy retires. Welcome to Roberta Currah, our new Executive Director. Plus, learn about how to rejuvenate a tired old pasture?
February 2003
New directors elected to Council Board. Inaugural Hay Marketing Symposium a Success. What’s happening on the marketing to Mexico initiative?
June 2003
It’s World Dairy Expo and the Forage Superbowl time again. Get your hay samples ready and let MFC help you with the submission process. This year’s Grazing School will be replaced by Manitoba Forage Week – October 6 – 10 in 5 regions across Manitoba. Read about the topics to be covered.
November 2003
Members travel to the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin promoting Manitoba hay. Delichte Holsteins, B.J. Hupalo Hay Farm, and Andre Grenier place in the top 20 at the Superbowl Hay Competition hosted by World Dairy Expo. Find out the latest feeding strategies for winter.
February 2004
See all the projects the Council supports. Feeding straw to cattle in cold weather can lead to serious compaction – often leading to death. See MAFRI Provincial Specialist, Melinda German’s recommendations.
June 2004
Hay compaction business is thriving – read about how Sunridge Forage has successfully ventured into the Japanese market. New Forage and Grassland Manual available from the Council provides helpful technical fact sheets.
September 2004
Oaten hay – another cash crop option? Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Projects fund numerous project to show producers specialized techniques to reduce wind and water erosion, efficient feed usage, portable wind breaks and more.
February 2005
February – Farewell to Executive Director Roberta Currah, Grazing Clubs reach an astonishing 27 clubs throughout Manitoba, plus Forage Variety Trials underway in your area.
May 2005
New Executive Director Carolyn MacKendrick hired. Just what are the benefits of tannins in beef cattle diets? Manitobans have excellent hay – see who won the Provincial Hay Competition.
September 2005
Wow! The MFC supports over fifty different projects across Manitoba. Read all about it. Plus, see the results of the recently completed Forage Fed Beef Study (Beef for the Health Food Market) and check out the new Native Pasture Improvement Project Underway.
November 2005
Grazing Turnips in the Interlake… a new opportunity? Need some $$? There is now funding available for Beneficial Management Practices. A new tool to save you even more $$$ – use the PEAQ stick to help you determine the RFV of your alfalfa without costly lab tests.
February 2006
Long-time Forage Council supporter is appointed Acting Executive Director of the Forage Council – meet Fraser Stewart. See the latest project updates on Improving Gopher Capture and the Greencover Canada Program (a program that has enabled the council to test forage varieties, distribute the PEAQ stick, develop a Forage Reference Manual and coordinate many educational meetings).
June 2006
MFC is supporting over 20 projects for a total value of $867,000. Our new website has so many features – we don’t know where to start. Look for it – coming this July. And, read about all our project updates, Best Management Practices, Native Pasture Improvement Project and more.
September 2006
December 2006
Weed Free Certification may hay an impact on our exports to the United States, World Dairy Expo hay competition winner has a RFV of 393!, check out the agenda for Beef & Forage Days in January and the Holistic Management conference coming soon.
February 2007
The style of holistic management is capturing the interest of many producers. A huge crowd gathers to hear how it can help you, your family and your land from its founder, Allan Savory.
November 2007
A new Grass-Fed Beef Association is formed which will bring a value chain to the market in the spring of 2008. Search for new Executive Director – Fraser Stewart announces his retirement. Hay Competition Deadline now Nov 30th – view finalists and entries at Ag Days in January.
June 2007
Organic production works for Kate Storey in Grandview, MB. New organic milk products soon to be made and marketed in Manitoba. Glenn Friesen, MAFRI relays important U.S. marketing information that will have an impact on hay marketers.
December 2008
MFC Website useage up 56%, Round up Ready Alfalfa co-existence strategies, Manitoba Forage Symposium returns Feb 2009, plus lots of new projects on the horizon.
September 2008
MFC sports new design for Forage Focus, meets with Provincial Minister Rosann Wowchuk, tons of coming events and transporation assistance for forage buyers and sellers affected by drought and flooding.
June 2008
Larry Fischer, MAFRI shows the ArcView Software Program – a tool for setting up your fencing/grazing system that draws out the fences and calculates your costs, Fraser Stewart inducted into Agricultural Hall of Fame, plenty of tours/conferences coming your way including the Provincial Pasture Tour and an October Holistic Conference.
March 2008
Fraser Stewart, Executive Director retires and new Executive Director Wayne Digby announced. And stories on It’s time for Grass-fed Beef in Manitoba, ultrasound technology to determine animal marketability and China, a country in Crisis.
March 2009
Interested in helping pave the way of the forage and grassland industry? Our workshop , April 8, 2009, will set us in a new direction. Annual General Meeting also coming on April 8th. Q & A’s about Round up Ready Alfalfa, latest hay prices, Graziers of the Year and more.
June 2009
Want to market your biz on the net? Find out the most economical way to do it. When’s the best time to cut your alfalfa? Check out the Forage Bits section for info on Hay Days. Check your Client’s ability to Pay – an insight into what our Manitoba brokers are doing.
September 2009
With hay yield and quality varying across the province you may be in need of some help. Find out how you can stretch your hay to maintain your herd health. Find out about nitrates in your hay and what you can do to protect your stock. Check out upcoming conferences, Dr. Fred Provenza, Grazing School and Holistic Management.