The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing up to $2.85 million over the next 5 years for Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives (MBFI) in southwestern Manitoba through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.
MBFI is a collaboration between Manitoba Beef Producers, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Manitoba Agriculture to undertake beef and forage research and demonstration trials with extension programming to support increased profitability and environmental sustainability in the beef industry.
The funds will expand MBFI's operational capacity by creating additional positions to focus on technology and field operations, as well as supports to outreach for producers. They will also expand the Manitoba Advanced Grazing Systems Mentor Program, connecting producers to peers with real world experience in diverse grazing management systems.
Developed in 2014, MBFI operates two research and demonstration farms in western Manitoba where farm practices are evaluated at a field scale, including a research herd of more than 130 cow-calf pairs. The Brookdale farm provides the ideal landscape to study the interface between cattle and wetlands, and the Johnson farm provides replicated pastures ideal for research.
Since 2018, MBFI has worked with 28 collaborators to deliver more than 40 innovative studies to improve economic and environmental impacts of beef production. Research and demonstration projects include precision ranching, rangeland drought response, soil health assessment, pasture rejuvenation, habitat assessment, herd health and forage variety testing along with others, Minister Johnson noted.
