F I N A L P R O G R A M

8th Annual CFGA Conference

November 14-16, 2017

Delta Guelph Hotel & Conference Centre Guelph, Ontario

Nex t G eneration Forage Cropping Systems: Profit Ab ove, Wealth B elow

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CO N F E R E N C E - AT- A - G L A N C E

Monday, November 13, 20178:30 AM – 11:30 AM Provincial Forage Association Managers’ Meeting Gryphon/Ken Danby

1:00 PM – 5:30 PM High Performance Forage & Grassland Management Systems in Canada – Gryphon/Ken Danby Best Management Practices Technical Workshop

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM CFGA Board Meeting Gryphon/Ken Danby

Tuesday, November 14, 20177:00 AM – 7:30 AM Pre-conference Tour Check-in Royal City Foyer

•CreekEdgeFarms •MarhavenAgri 7:30AM–5:30PM Pre-ConferenceTour(mustbepre-registeredtoparticipate) •HorstWelding •LunchatCrossroadsRestaurant •EloraResearchFacility

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM High Performance Forage & Grassland Management Systems in Canada – Gryphon/Ken Danby Science Review & Protocol Technical Workshop

12:00PM–5:00PM ExhibitorMove-in RoyalCityBallroom

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Registration/PowerPoint Submission Desk Open Royal City Foyer

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Welcome Reception Royal City Ballroom

Wednesday, November 15, 20177:30 AM – 5:00 PM Registration/PowerPoint Submission Desk Open Royal City Foyer

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Conference Breakfast Royal City Ballroom

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Opening Plenary Session Royal City Ballroom

10:00AM–10:30AM NetworkingBreak&VisitExhibits RoyalCityBallroom

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Forages and Carbon Policy in Canada Royal City Ballroom

12:00PM–1:20PM Luncheon RoyalCityBallroom

1:20 PM – 3:00 PM Soil and Animal Health Royal City Ballroom

3:00PM–3:30PM NetworkingBreak&VisitExhibits RoyalCityBallroom

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Soil and Animal Health Royal City Ballroom

EveningFree

Thursday, November 16, 20177:00 AM – 5:00 PM Registration/PowerPoint Submission Desk Open Royal City Foyer

7:30 AM – 8:40 AM CFGA Business Meeting Breakfast Royal City Ballroom

8:40 AM – 9:50 AM Profitable Forage Systems Royal City Ballroom

9:50AM–10:25AM NetworkingBreak&VisitExhibits RoyalCityBallroom

10:25 AM – 12:00 PM Profitable Forage Systems Royal City Ballroom

12:00PM–2:00PM CFGALeadershipAwardsLuncheon RoyalCityBallroom

2:00PM–4:30PM ForageExportDevelopment RoyalCityBallroom

4:30 PM – 4:45 PM Closing Remarks Royal City Ballroom

4:45 PM Conference Adjourns

4:45PM–6:00PM ExhibitorMove-out RoyalCityBallroom

Fr iday, November 17, 20178:30AM-11:30AM CanadianExportForageIndustryEngagementForum JohnMcRaeRoom

W E L CO M E F RO M T H E C F G A

O RG A N I Z I N G CO M M I T T E E

As we come together for our 8th Annual General Meeting and Conference to celebrate another year of the Canadian Forage & Grassland Association (CFGA), we must be grateful forthemanyachievementsthathavebeencompleted.Inacountrysodiverseandcombinedwith a forage sector as equally diverse, it does present many challenges, and on the positive side - many opportunities.

OnbehalfoftheBoardofCFGA,Iwanttoexpressourappreciationtoourmembersandloyal supporters who have generously supported our efforts to strengthen the Canadian forage sector. The CFGA is proud to support Canada’s $5.09-billion forage and grassland industry and has been working diligently to promote the value of the industry to government, supportexportdevelopmentinitiativesandimproveresearchcapacityfortheforagesector.

The past year brought more significant change to the CFGA Board of Directors and the management team supporting Board activities. Despite the challenges that change can offer, the CFGA was successful in completing many key activities, that will become evident at this year’s conference.

These are dynamic times for the forage industry and as we strive for even greater success in enhancing the image of Canada’s forages, not only across Canada, but around the world, we must set aside our personal and regional biases, to build an even more viable and sustainable industry. By working together as a team, Canada will not only maintain, but further enhance the reputation for which Canada has been verbally recognized in the past.

Ambitious plans are in progress for CFGA and your positive support will certainly assist in achieving a successful outcome that will positively position the sector and the organization well into the future.

Yourattendanceandparticipationattheconferencearetrulyappreciated,andItrustitwillprove beneficial as you listen, learn, contribute and network throughout the conference.

Ray Robertson Chair, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association

Cedric MacLeod, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association

Chris Yuzdepski, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association

Allison Finnamore, CFGA Communications

Trudy Kelly-Forsythe, CFGA Communications

Ray Robertson, Ontario Forage Council

Patricia Ellingwood, Ontario Forage Council

Duncan Morrison, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association

Provincial Organizations

Patrons

Exporters

Manitoba

Associationmfga.net | info@mfga.net | 204.475.2241

Dean & Nona

STEWARTFOIN LAROCQUE

HAY

Jake

HEPPNERBLOOD TRIBEFORAGE PROCESSING

Alberta

GOLD SEAL

Via Pax

THE CFGA GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES OUR PARTNERS, SUPPORTERS, MEMBERS, PATRONS AND FORAGE EXPORTERS.

Partners and Supporters

THE CFGA THANKS THE SPONSORS OF THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE.

• Pl a t i n u m S p o n s o r •

T U E S D AY, N O V E M B E R 14 , 2 017

P R E - CO N F E R E N C E TO U R7:30 AM

Depart the Delta Guelph for Creek Edge Farms

8:00 AM-9:30 AMCreek Edge Farms

9:30 AMDepart for Marhaven Agri

9:45 AM-10:45 AMMarhaven Agri

10:45 AMDepart for Horst Welding

11:05 AM-12:20 PMHorst Welding

12:20 PMDepart Horst Welding

for Crossroads Restaurant

12:40 PM -1:40 PMLunch at Crossroads Restaurant

1:30 PMDepart for Elora Research Facility

2:00 PM-5:00 PMElora Research Facility

5:00 PMDepart Elora Research Facility

for Delta Guelph

5:25 PMArrive Delta Guelph

s Creek Edge Farms Marhaven Agri s▼ Horst Welding Elora Research Facility ▼

8:00 AM - 11:30 AMProvincial Forage Association Managers’ Meeting

1:00 PM - 5:30 PMHigh Performance Forage & Grassland Management Systems in Canada – Best Management Practices Technical Workshop

7:00 AM - 7:30 AMPre-conference Tour Check-in

8:00 AM – 5:30 PMPre-Conference Tour (depart from hotel lobby at 7:30 AM sharp)

9:00 AM - 4:00 PMHigh Performance Forage & Grassland Management Systems in Canada – Science Review & Protocol Technical Workshop

12:00 PM – 5:00 PMExhibitor Move-in

5:00 PM - 7:00 PMRegistration Desk/PowerPoint Submission Open

6:00 PM - 7:30 PMWelcome Reception

Forages and Carbon Policy in CanadaSession Chair: Ray Robertson, Ontario Forage Council

10:30 AM - 11:00 AMThe Role of Forages in Environmental and Carbon PolicyKaren Haugen-Kozyra, Viresco Solutions

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Canadian Grasslands and EG&S Programs: Valuation and Markets Lara Ellis, ALUS Canada

11:30 AM - 12:00 PMCarbon Policy and Carbon Offset Trading SystemsDrew Black, Canadian Federation of Agriculture

12:00 PM - 1:20 PMLuncheon

Soil and Animal HealthSession Chair: Chad Anderson, Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association

1:20 PM - 1:50 PMUnravelling Soil and Crop Health from the AirGeorge Lazarovits, A&L Biologicals

1:50 PM - 2:20 PMUn-Earthing Microbial Technology in Broad Acre Agriculture; An Overview of Technology, Usage, Performance, and Future DirectionsJon Treloar, Monsanto BioAg

2:20 PM - 2:40 PMThis Land and Livestock LifeArlette Seib, Dog Tale Ranch

2:40 PM - 3:00 PMVirtual Farm Tour: QuebecDavid Normandin, Norfoin Inc.

3:00 PM - 3:30 PMNetworking Break & Visit Exhibits

3:30 PM - 4:00 PMThe Value of 4R Nutrient Stewardship in Forages Cassandra Cotton, Fertilizer Canada

4:00 PM - 4:30 PMRotational Grazing Opportunities for Animal HealthJohn Duynisveld, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

4:30 PM - 5:00 PMDiverse Rotation and Cover Crop Impacts on Soil Health in OntarioAdam Hayes, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Evening Free

8:30 AM - 8:40 AMWelcome to the 8th Annual CFGA ConferenceRay Robertson, CFGA Chairman

8:40 AM - 9:10 AM150-Year Retrospective on the Benefits of Soil Care to Long-term Production of Forages and FoodDon W. Lobb, P.Ag.(Hon)

9:10 AM - 10:00 AMRestoring Soil Health and Farm LivelihoodsRichard Teague, Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Monday, November 13, 2017

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Wednesday, November 15, 20177:00 AM – 5:00 PMRegistration Desk/PowerPoint Submission Open

7:30 AM – 8:30 AMConference Breakfast

Opening Plenary SessionSession Chair: Cedric MacLeod, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association

10:00 AM - 10:30 AMNetworking Break and Visit Exhibits

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Profitable Forage SystemsSession Chair: Doug Wray, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association

8:40 AM - 9:15 AMDouble Cropping in the North: Making Money on Both EndsTom Kilcer, Advanced Ag Systems

9:15 AM - 9:50 AMNDFD, uNDF and Kd Rates of Starch and Fiber, Why are these Important?Dave Taysom, Dairyland Laboratories, Inc.

9:50 AM - 10:25 AMNetworking Break & Visit Exhibits

10:25 AM - 11:00 AMForage Quality from a Nutrition Perspective – How much will they eat and how much will they milk?Mark Bowman, Grand Valley Fortifiers

11:00 AM - 11:35 AMBeyond Grandfather’s Grasses: Next Generation Highly Digestable Forages Peter Ballerstedt, Barenbrug US

11:35 AM - 11:55 AMBackwards Thinking Tim Lehrbass, Lehrbass Farms

12:00 PM - 2:00 PMCFGA Leadership Awards Luncheon

Forage Export DevelopmentSession Chair: Chris Martin, Marhaven Agri

2:00 PM - 2:30 PMOpportunities in the Gulf Region for Canadian Forage Producers Andrew Maharaj, Regional Counsellor for Agriculture and Agrifood Canada in the Middle East

2:30 PM - 3:10 PMDirect Export Opportunities for Forage and Animal Feed Nicole Rogers, Agriprocity

3:10 PM - 3:40 PMDoing Business in ChinaRobert Watson, Alta-Agricorp China

3:40 PM - 4:10 PMAccounts Receivable Insurance ProgramBob Friesen, Farmers of North America

4:10 PM - 4:40 PMUpdate on the Canadian Agricultural Partnership ProgramsAdriana Zeleney, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

4:40 PM - 5:00 PMConference Closing Remarks

5:00 PMConference Adjourns

7:00 AM – 5:00 PMRegistration Desk/PowerPoint Submission Open

7:30 AM - 8:40 AMCFGA Business Meeting Breakfast(all conference participants welcome to attend)

Fr iday, November 17, 2017

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Exporters’ Breakfast

8:30 AM - 11:30 AMCanadian Export Forage Industry Engagement Forum

P ROV I N C I A L F O R AG E A S S O C I AT I O N R E P O RTS

B.C. Forage Council

TheBCForageCouncilwasbusyworkingfinishingupthe“DemonstratingInnovativeForageProductionPractisestoIncrease Climate Change Adaptation” Project (completed in May 2017). The final On-Farm Demonstration Research Manual, an integral tool for all producers who wish to do their own on-farm trials, has been printed and distributed, and will be available to purchase at the CFGA Annual Conference (check out our booth!). The climate report, case studies and the manual are available on our website, www.FarmWest.com. We hosted two workshops this year, one in Kamloops and one in Prince George, having researchers working one-on-one with producers on using the Research Manual to develop their own trials.

For those needing a bit of background on the project, it included four on-farm demonstration plots that were set up in 2015. The participants selected their trials based on assessing innovative farm practices for adapting to climate change and identifying newandadaptivemanagementpractices.EachsitewasdevelopedintoaCaseStudy,eachofwhichwasincorporatedinto the final Research Manual. A weather station was set up at each of the farms and linked to the climate/adaptation tab on the www.FarmWest.com website.

Our annual AGM and Seminar was held in Kamloops on November 4th, 2017. The seminar included two presentations:

1) “ManagingCattlefromAbove:UsingUnmannedAerialVehiclesforPrecisionFarming”byDr.JohnChurch,associateprofessoratThompsonRiversUniversityandBCRegionalInnovationChairinCattleIndustrySustainability;and

2) “AnnualGrazingSystemsandBuildingSoilHealthontheFarm”byGraemeFinn,ownerofSouthernCrossLivestock.

Movingintonextyear,wearefocusedoncontinuingtodevelopresearchandextensioncapacitywithintheforagesectoracrossBC. Itwasachallenginggrowingyearduetothedryweatherandextremewildfiresthatdevastatedtheprovinceandtheagriculturecommunity,includingsignificantlossesinforageproduction.Theseextremeeventsdemonstratehowimportantitistocontinueincorporating climate change adaptation and mitigation into our management practices on farm, and the need to create and share information. As such, we are planning to establish a network of small, applied research groups throughout the province, and to increase the number of field days and pasture walks. We are also currently active in BC Agriculture Climate Adaptation Research Network, and the Cariboo Agricultural Research Alliance.

We look forward to continuing to promote the growth and development of a viable forage industry in BC, and incorporating the knowledge we gain at the 8thAnnual CFGA Conference.

Serena Black BCFC Manager bcfc@bcforagecouncil.com

Note: Funding for the project was provided by Nechako-Kitimat Development Fund, Omineca Beetle Action Coalition, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture through the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC under Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The program is delivered by the BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative.

Alberta Forage Industry Network (AFIN)

OurAFINAnnualGeneralmeetingwasheldinLeduc,ABonMarch7,2017.Themeetingprovidedupdatesfrommultiplestakeholdergroups, greeting from the Minister of Agriculture & Forestry Oneil Carlier and guest speakers specifically presenting on ‘Regenerative Agriculture’,‘TheShiftfromSocialLicensetoPublicTrust’,‘AnUpdatefromtheCFGA’and‘AnOverviewofAFINWherewehavecomefrom & Where we are Going’.

TheAFINAGMcoincidedwiththeAgricultureResearch&ExtensionCouncilofAlberta(ARECA)AGM,allowingthe2groupstoexchangeideasatadinnermeetingbetweenAGM’s.

TheAFINLeadershipAwardwaspresentedtoEdShawattheAGM.HisdedicationandadvocacyfortheForageExportersprovincially,nationallyandabroadwerekeyfactorsintheselectionprocessbytheAFINBoard.

CongratulationsEdandthanksforreturningasanintegralmemberoftheAFINBoardofDirectors!

2017-2018AFINDirectorsarelistedbelowrepresentingthebreadthofsectorsintheforage&grasslandsindustryofAlberta,members are all Volunteers:

Chair: Christine Fulkerth, Olds, AB

Vice Chair:SuryaAcharya,Lethbridge,AB

Treasurer: Nora Paulovich, Manning, AB

Secretary: Brian Palichuk, Seven Persons, AB

Past Chair:LyndonMansell,Innisfree,AB

Director:EdShaw,Carstairs,AB

Director:HeinzLemmer,Dalroy,AB

Director:DougWray,Irricana,AB

Director: Mark Hagen, Wainwright, AB

Director: Cyrus Weasel Fat, Standoff, AB

CFGA Representative:JohnBland,Strathmore,AB

Board Advisor:GrantLastiwka,Olds(office),AB

Board Advisor: Holly Mayer, Calgary, AB

Administration: Kristen Hall, High River, AB

Effortsarecontinuingtowardsensuringthereisinoculantsavailableforloweracreageforagelegumes(i.e.sainfoin,cicermilkvetchetc.). Reinforcing the use of high legume pastures throughout Alberta.

AFINhasalsobeenaskedtoparticipateontheAlbertaBeef,Forage&GrazingCentreCommittee,theAlbertaWeedRegulatoryAdvisory Committee and the Recycling Council of Alberta (specifically in regard to Agricultural plastics) as industry representatives.

There has also been some grassroots work with a variety of partners looking at how forages and grasslands can offset ‘The Carbon Footprint’ of their sectors.

2017 was another challenging year weather wise in Alberta. Fall 2016 was wet and cool which presented a wet spring, delaying seedingandaccesstopastures.The‘tap’reallyturnedoffaboutmid-Juneanditwashotanddryfortherestofthesummer.Therewas a lot of concern about pasture in the latter parts of the season. Fall has been pretty decent a bit of snow in some locations in Alberta, but most of the crop is off and we are shaping up with good moisture going into the winter months.

OurnextAGMhasbeententativelysetforTuesdayMarch6,2018,inLeduc,Alberta.UntilthenwecontinuethepursuitofpromotingForages and Grasslands, supporting our stakeholders and cultivating relationships!

Respectively Submitted by:

Christine FulkerthChair, Alberta Forage Industry Network (AFIN)cfulkerth@oldscollege.ca

Saskatchewan Forage Council

The Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) works with industry stakeholders and partners to increase awareness of forages and their impact on the agriculture sector, overall economy and environment of the province. A key priority of the SFC is to continue to focus attention on the evolution of forage research capacity through involvement in the Saskatchewan Forage Network (SFN) and by providinginputintothedevelopmentoftheLivestockandForageCentreofExcellenceattheUniversityofSaskatchewan.TheSFNwas created in 2012 and is truly a collaborative initiative which includes: SK Forage Council, SK Cattlemen’s Association, SK Forage SeedDevelopmentCommission,SKBisonAssociation,SKLeafcuttersAssociation,SaskMilk,SKSheepDevelopmentBoard,NativePlant Society of SK and SK Stock Growers Association.

PROJECTS

• SFCcontinuestoworkonpracticalproducer-focuseddemonstrationprojectsthroughtheSaskatchewanMinistryofAgriculture’sADOPT program including:

• ForageVarietyDemonstrationTrials–seeded2017withdatacollection2018-2020

• IntegratedApproachestoControlLeafySpurgeinPerennialPasture

• RollingOats,BarleyandAlfalfaafterEmergenceforSilageProduction

ONGOING EXTENSION

• 2017wasthe4thyearforourReclamationWorkshopaimedtoimproveplantIDskillsandforagere-establishmentforenvironmental staff.

• TheSFCwasinvolvedintheSaskatchewanPastureTourheldintheFoamLakeareaAugust3.Topicsincluded:mob/highdensitygrazing, managing invasive weeds with grazing, remote watering, diverse cover crops, bale grazing, annual crop winter grazing, community pasture transition, plant identification and range health assessment.

• August16SFC’sAGMwasheldinpartnershipwiththeSaskatchewanMinistry’sDiverseCoverCropFieldDayinMervin.Thedayincluded presentations on winter feeding options & cow nutrition, funding opportunities for producers, research on diverse cover crops and touring diverse cover crops designed to meet different needs.

• SFC’sForageMarketReportscontinuetobethemostcomprehensivesourceofinformationonforagepricinginSaskatchewan and are made accessible on our website twice annually.

• SFCalsocontinuesprovidingsoughtafterinformationforallsectorsoftheforageindustrythrough:projectupdatesandfinalreports on our website, a monthly eNewsletter, a seasonal Hay & Pasture Report, direct mailing of SFC publications upon request, and participation at trade shows and field days.

GROWING SEASON

Soil moisture conditions were ideal across Saskatchewan at the start of the growing season. Although spring came early, plants were slowtogrow.Widespreadfrostinmid-Mayinjuredforages,settingbackyieldpotentials.Exceptfornorthwestpartoftheprovince,whichexperiencedfairlymoistgrowingconditions,therewasagenerallackofprecipitationduringmuchofthegrowingseason.Despite the dry conditions, good soil moisture reserves helped produce average hay yields overall. As we head into 2018 the southern portion of the province needs significant fall moisture to replenish supplies.

Leanna Rousell Executive Director, The Saskatchewan Forage Council Email:office@saskforage.ca Website: www.saskforage.ca

Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association

Manitoba is a forage and grassland powerhouse and because of that fact, Manitoba Forage and Grasslands Association (MFGA) works with stakeholders and partnerships at local, provincial, national and international levels for forages and grasslands in Manitoba and across Canada. And 2017 was indeed a productive year for MFGA.

Working with Building Up consultancy, MFGA completed a new strategic plan and updated board governance process in 2017. MFGA relies on our strengths as a producer-led group with the ability to deliver successful outreach, communications, technology transfer, project consultation and administration. Our MFGA profile is growing and, concurrently, Manitoba’s agricultural producers and many other interests are increasing their want to learn more about forages and grasslands as economic and environmental drivers.

We are proud of our relationship with many partners, including on the national front with the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA) who are leading important Greenhouse Gas Reduction Research with Manitoba as one of the key study areas of thatproject.TheCFGAalsofacilitatesastrongMFGA-associatedhayexportercontingentamongtheCanadacontingentattheWorldDairyExpoinWisconsineveryyeartopromoteManitobaforagesandhasincludedMFGAinterestsinrecenttradejunketsandtours.

Our highest MFGA profile project underway is the MFGA Aquanty project where MFGA is collaborating with global leaders from softwaredeveloperAquanty(Waterloo)andISM(IBM)aswellasourprojectmanagementteamandasteeringcommitteeofagricultural,governmentandconservationintereststodeliveraHydroGeoSpheremodelfortheAssiniboineRiverBasintoexaminethe role of forages and grasslands in times of flood and drought ahead.

As the project proponent, MFGA is very grateful for the support of Agri Risk Program Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) AgriRiskInitiatives(ARI)ProgramaswellasManitobaAgriculture’scommitmenttothetwo-yearprojectthatisrightonscheduleforcompletionMarch2018.MFGAandourpartnersareattheforefrontofanexcitingmodellingtool–inthiscaseanincrediblyvaluable water-management decision support tool- for the agriculturally-rich landscape of the Assiniboine River Basin. MFGA is currently designing a strategy that will allow for the greatest uptake of the model via user groups and model access as well as specifically-tailored scenarios by land managers and decision-makers.

MFGA’s recent efforts in helping Manitoba Agriculture to promote pollinator conservation to our Manitoba producers has earned well-deservedkudosfromtheprogramleadersfromtheXercesSocietyandGeneralMillsInternational.MFGAalsocontinuestohelpbuildgreatthingsasoneoffourcorepartnersoftheManitobaBeefandForagesInitiativethatthe2016CFGAconferencevisited.

So, things are hopping in Manitoba. The highlights we’ve selected for this report do not include our many partnerships and working relationships with many prairie-based agricultural, academic and conservation interest groups that we interact with every day. We are working diligently connecting all our audiences to our world of forages and grasslands.

Duncan Morrison Executive Director, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association duncan@mfga.net

Manitoba

Associationmfga.net | info@mfga.net | 204.475.2241

Ontario Forage Council

AsIpreparethisreportaboutamonthpriortoitbeingpublished,Iwilltrytobeaspositiveaspossible.FormanyproducersInOntario, 2017 has been described as the most challenging year in 50 years. Rain, rain and more rain, combined with below normal temperatures, seemed to be usual for most of the year. For many regions of the province, tropical style rains dominated much of the summer. Finally, as the first day of fall arrived, there has been quite a positive change. Although difficult to compensate for the lack ofheatandsunshinethroughoutmostoftheyear,theendofSeptemberandthemonthofOctoberhasbeenexactlywhatwehadbeenhopingfor.Justbeautifulweather.

Fromtheforageperspective,producersmadethemaximumuseoftechnologythatwasavailabletothem.Haypreservativeandsilage wrap was certainly a savior for those who could utilize it. Although the plastic wrap could not help with the producer trying to makeaconsiderablevolumeofhighqualitysaleabledryhay,itwasasaviortothelivestocksector.Itappearsthathighqualitydryhay will command above average prices in the coming months, due to the limited supply.

TheOntarioForageCouncilhasexperiencedaverybusysummer.WecelebratedourtwelfthanniversaryoftheOntarioForageExpoandheldeventsinWesternandEasternOntario.WepartneredwithOxfordCountyandOttawa/CarltonCountySoil&CropImprovementAssociationsintherespectiveareas,andagainwetrulyappreciatedthehospitalityandleadershipthatbothcountiesand host farms provided. Again, we had some weather challenges but both events were successful and planning is already in progress for 2018. As details become finalized, information will be posted on the OFC website.

The Ontario Hay Marketing Forum continues to be an important element of the forage industry. They have often been described as the “All Star Team” within the forage industry. They are a highly reputable group, and has proven to be a good marketing arm for the forage industry in Ontario and beyond.

TheOntarioHayListingssiteiscontinuallyprovidinginformationwithhay/strawwantedorforsale.Thisisafreeserviceandproducers are invited to visit and make good use of the site. (www.ontariohaylistings.ca)Wewanttoexpressappreciationtooursponsors on this site who have been very loyal supporters of the industry over many years.

Ontario Forage Council is honoured to host the Canadian Forage & Grassland Association’s 8th Annual Meeting and Conference in Guelph, Ontario on November 14 – 16, 2017. This year’s conference theme is Next Generation Cropping Systems: Profit Above, Wealth Below. Giventheextentofourindustry,thenumerousindustriesthatitservices,andtheeconomicactivitythatitgenerates, we certainly have reason to celebrate the Canadian forage industry and the role of forages in maintaining soil health and productivity. Thiswillbeanexcellentconferenceandhasareputationforbeinga,“MustAttendEvent“.Weareencouragingourproducersandforageindustry partners to participate in this important event. Further information and registration can be accessed at www.canadianfga.ca

PlansarebeingfinalizedfortheOFC’sAnnualForageFocusConferencesandTradeShows.ItwillbeheldonDecember12th inShakespeareandinWinchesteronDecember13th.ThekeynotespeakerwillbeRobertBerthiaume,DairyProductionExpert inForageSystems,Quebec.Heisanexcellentspeakerandwillprovideagreat“takehome”message.Moreinfoisavailableat www.ontarioforagecouncil.com

OFC continues to partner with the Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) for the 5th National Forage Competition in Stratford. There was an increaseinentriesearlierthisyearandthenewboothlocationprovidedexcellentvisibilityattheXPO.Plansarenowunderwayforaneven bigger competition in April 4 & 5, 2018. Attendance at the CDX in 2017 was over 15,000, so a great opportunity to showcase the Ontario and Canadian forage industry. For more information or an application please visit the OFC website www.ontarioforagecouncil.com or phone 1-877-892-8663 / 519-986-1484.

Companies with a keen interest in the many elements of the forage industry are encouraged to join the Ontario Forage Council. Please feel free to contact us if you would like a membership application form or have further questions.

Best Regards, Ray Robertson, P.Ag. Manager, Ontario Forage Council ray@ontarioforagecouncil.com

Le Conseil Québécois des Plantes Fourragères – CQPF

• TheQFChaspublishedtheEcho-fourrager newsletter four times a year and a weekly article (30 chronicles were written from April to October) was distributed through La Terre de Chez Nous journal during the growing season. The CQPF also collaborated to a weekly e-letter (20 articles were written from May to September) that was published by Le Bulletin des agriculteurs journal.

• The Quebec hay marketing forumorganizedaroundtripNovember26,2016intheLacSt-Jeanareatovisithaymarketenterprises.Theforumexecutivealsomadeinplaceanimportanttechnical-economicalprojectforgrassproductionexportmarket, to which many collaborators will participate for many years to come.

• February15,2017washeldinSherbrookeahay marketing day regarding the best practices and all the different steps to harvest a quality dry hay. 70 people attended the journey, they also brought their dry hay samples to be evaluated as well. This was a very successful day.

• TheQFC’s AGM took place February 22, 2017 at the Centre de recherche en siences animales de Deschambault (CRSAD), near Quebec City, where 50 people attended. All these people visited the animal science research centre and assisted to some presentations regarding their various researches related to animal production.

• Acommitteehasbeenchargedtoredesigntheforagecroptestingnetworkbasedontheindustryrequirements.Theyhadmeetings regarding Research and Transfer future priorities. For the 2015-2020 period, 10 research subjects and 16 transfer actions related to update practices, new technology application and innovative production methods were identify to be prioritize.

• OnJuly26,2017withtheresponsibilityoftheLAVI-EAU-CHAMPEnvironmentalClubwasheldintheafternoona field day demonstrationlinktotheyieldprojectevaluationrelatedtograssmix,purealfalfaandpuretimothy.Thefirstresultswerepresented. On September 7, four researchers from AAC (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) received all the Quebec hay marketing forum members for a technical timothy day.Presentationsweremadeinthemorning,visitsandexplicationsofthegeneticselection site were done in the afternoon. Many members of that forum will be present at the CFGA annual Conference in Guelph as well.

• Thisyear,thethemeoftheannualforagefieldday,whotookplaceSeptember13,2017intwodairyfarms(JEANDONInc.andPELLERATInc.inStRochdesAulnaieseasternofQuebecCity),was‘FORAGE CONSERVATION, A MAJOR FACTOR’.Itexploredallthe economical and physical impacts related to forage conservation. More than 250 people attended the different presentations in the morning and the four workshop session in the afternoon. This was a very successful journey.

• SomeboardmembersmetwiththeCEROM people (grain research center) to talk about adding a forage research and transfer section to their organization.

• Tohelptheforagesectora consulting firm,FBEBernardexperts,withthecollaborationofM.JacquesGrysolefromExpansionStrategiesInc,hasbeenhiredtoupdatetheQFC strategic plan. On November 22, 2017 there will be a journey that will be held regarding the elaboration of a new structure of coordination for the forage sector. Many associations confirmed to be present that day.

• Takenotethatournextforage symposiumwillbeheldFebruary22,2018attheCogecoCentrexpoinDrummondville,Quebec. Aprettyfullprogramincluding7subjectsfromgrassfertilizationtoforagemixturewillbepresented.Formoreinformationontheevent you can visit the CRAAQ web site (www.craaq.qc.ca).

Christian Duchesneau, agr. info@cqpf.ca Website: www.cqpf.ca.

New Brunswick Soil & Crop Improvement Association

The 2017 year was one of considerable on-farm research activity at both the provincial and regional levels for forage crop trials, with limited focus on grasslands/pasture investigations.

Provincially, the major research undertaking was the completion of a three year investigation involving the evaluation of several forage mixesundervariousgrowingareasandconditionsacrosstheprovinces.ThismajorinitiativewasundertakeninpartnershipwiththeNew Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Milk 2020, NB Cattle and Dalhousie Agriculture (Truro). The results of the project will be analyzed by Dalhousie University and made available to producers over the fall and winter months for their consideration and possible application to their farm operations.

A number of on farm forage research projects were launched at the regional level with particular interest in corn production as a livestock feed source. Most of these trials were undertaken in partnership with seed companies interested in testing the merits of new varieties grown under New Brunswick conditions.

NBSCIAisgraduallydevelopingafocusongrasslands/pasturedevelopmentactivities,startingwithcommunitypasturesoiltesting,nutrientmanagementandrejuvenationactivities.Inaddition,futureattentionwillbegiventoassistingindividualproducerswithagronomic services required to enhance the productivity of farm pastures.

Along with other Maritime provinces, NB Cattle has set production targets designed to substantially increase beef production. NBSCIAlookstosupportthatinitiativebyassistingproducersexpandtheircattleherdsbyprovidingsupportnecessarytoenhancepasture and grassland productivity.

Atlantic Region

2017 Newfoundland and Labrador Forage Crop ReportWayne Molloy (AAFC, acting Research Biologist) and Richard Tingskou (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Agriculturalist).

The2017growingseasoninNewfoundlandandLabradoracrossallregionswasoverallverygood;grassand/orlegumefirstharvestyields and quality were good across the province, second cut was equally as good with most regions harvesting a marginal third cut providing industry with a greater degree of forage self-sufficiency for the upcoming winter. AAFC (The Atlantic Cool Climate Crop ResearchCentreinSt.John’s,NL)andtheDepartmentofAgricultureintheprovinceareprovidingawarenessandscoutmanagement keeping everyone aware of pest and disease pressure. Silage corn production under photo-degradable plastic mulch and conventional production was reported for a very good growing season. The dairy sector continues to clear land for forage self-sufficiency with this trend continuing and self-sufficiency achieved on a number of west coast farms.

2017 Nova Scotia Forage Crop Report Jack VanRoestel (Perennia, Field Crop Specialist)

NovaScotiaforagegrowersgenerallyexperiencedaverygoodgrowingseasonin2017.Mostoftheprovincehadbetterrainfallamounts than in the previous year. Many of the dairy farmers had opportunity to take 3-4 productive silage cuts of alfalfa-grass mixtures.Thereisextensiveuseoftallormeadowfescueintheseearlycutforagemixesforthedairysector(someuseoffestuloliums also). There has been about 500-750 acres of GMO lower lignin-Roundup Ready alfalfa seeded in the past two years on aboutadozenofthelargerNSdairyfarms.NovaScotia’stwolong-termforage-fieldcropsextensionspecialists,BillThomas&Jackvan Roestel have finished their careers with Perennia (Province of NS) this year after both starting in the mid 1980’s. Sonny Murray has been hired by Perennia to be the new forage & field crops specialist at the provincial level.

2017 Prince Edward Island Report Les Halliday (PEI Department of Agriculture, Beef Development Officer)

AlthoughPEIexperiencedsignificantsnowinlateNovemberandDecember,daytimetemperatureswerewellabovefreezingresultinginbaregroundforthemajorityofforagefieldsgoinginto2017.ThiswasfollowedbyseveralfreezethawcyclesthroughoutJanuary,FebruaryandMarch,andsignificanticesheetingwasevidentacrossmuchoftheIsland.Springwascharacterizedbylowtemperatures,limitedsunshineandsporadicrainevents.Winterkilloflegumeswasexperiencedbyanumberofproducersparticularly in younger stands. Spring growth was very slow which had a negative impact on first cut yields for early cut forage. Higher temperaturesinthelatterpartofJunespurredonforagegrowthforalatefirstcutwithaboveaverageyield.Mid-summerdroughtreducedpasturegrowthsignificantlyacrosstheIslandalthoughshoweractivityhelpedmaintainproductionincertainareasbutthiswas highly localized. Second cut was limited to stands with significant legume content. A majority of beef producers were supplementingwithhayonpasturesinlateJuly,significantlyreducingconservedfeedinventory.Latesummerrainsrevivedpasturesandalsoprovidedanopportunityforsecondcutashayandsomeproducerswereabletotakeathirdcut.Initialtestingofforageshowedproteincontenttobe2-3percentagepointslowerthanexpectedwhichcouldbearesultoflowspringtemperatures,wetsoil conditions but also related to low soil sulfur.

2017 Research Update: Research participants involved or associated in the projects listed below include – Yousef Papadopoulos, AAFC,Truro;JohnDuynisveld,AAFC,Nappan;BillThomas,Perennia,Truro;JackVanRoestel,Perennia,Kentville;WayneMolloy,AAFC,St.John’s;DavidMcKenzie,AAFC,St.John’s;RichardTinsgkou,GovernmentofNewfoundlandandLabrador,CornerBrook;AlanFredeen,DalhousieFacultyofAgriculture,Truro;HushtonBlock,AAFC,Brandon,CaroleLafreniere,UQAT,Rouyn-Noranda;IraMandell,UniversityofGuelph;SherryFillmore,AAFC,Kentville;LesHalliday,PEIDA,Charlottetown;JackKyle,OMAFRA,Lindsay;P.Havard,DalhousieFacultyofAgriculture,Truro;DonViands,CornelUniversity,Ithaca,N.Y;B.Coulman,UniversityofSaskatchewan,Saskatoon;HamidNaeem,AAFC,IndianHead;SolenRocher,AAFC,Quebec;AnnieClaessens,AAFC,Quebec;AnnickBertrand,AAFC,Quebec;ShabtaiBittman,AAFC,Agassiz;DerekHunt,AAFC,Agassiz;KevinVessey,H.Fei,ZhongminDongandEmilyPeters,SaintMary’sUniversity;JamieLarsen,AAFC,Lethbridge;RajuSoolanayakanahally,AAFC,Saskatoon;ChrisStefner,AAFC,Indianhead;VernonRodd,AAFC,Charlottetown;andDanMacEachern,AAFC,Charlottetown.

Newfoundland and Labrador:AAFC’spresenton-farmresearchactivitieswithDairyFarmersofNewfoundlandandLabrador(DFNL)includeinvestigatingcomplexforagespeciesmixturesandpureforagestandsstudyingregrowthforsecondandthirdharvest,speciespersistence, nutrient quality, DM yield, agronomic practices and soil characterization. AAFC continues to investigate forage quality and soil health on newly cleared lands and evaluate new plastic mulch for plant breaking through the plastic and plastic degradation withsilagemaize.AAFCinStJohn’sNLestablishedaninvestigationassessingconventionalandimprovedforagemanagementsystemsonatileddrainedfieldwithapilotscalewoodchipbioreactor.ProvincialanduniversityresearchinitiativesinNLincludestudying and developing agronomic and management systems for high moisture winter/spring grain production in cool climate regions, investigating economic viability, suitable production and feeding practices for industry adaption, agronomic management study of soybean for maturity and forage soybean, intercropping of soybean with silage maize as a source of high quality forage, evaluating silage maize biomass under varying manure based phosphorus applications.

Nova Scotia: Agronomists and animal scientists completed a multi-location forage/beef project initiated in 2010, namely, performanceofforagemixturesunderabeefgrazingmanagementsystemintheNorthernLatitudes.Fundingforthisprojectwasprovided by Beef Cluster (Beef Cluster 1 and Beef Cluster 2), AAFC and BCRC. The final report as well as factsheet and peer reviewed scientific manuscripts from this study were published or submitted for publication in 2017. Red clover breeding studies included: 1) generaladaptationintheNorthAmericatemperatezones;2)productivityofgeneticallyselectedcoldtolerantpopulations;3)resistancetosoilborneroot-lesionnematodes;and4)geneticvariabilityamongredcloverandalfalfacultivarsfornitrogenfixationandtransfertocompaniongrasses.Alfalfabreedingstudiesincluded:1)adaptabilityunderextendedfallandspringwaterloggingconditions;and2)tolerancetoacidicsoilconditions.Birdsfoottrefoilbreedingstudiesincluded:1)productivityunderintensivegrazing;and2)improvedcondensedtanninsprofiles.Thecommercializationofseveralimprovedcultivarswasinitiatedin2017.Under the leadership of Shabtai Bittman and Derek Hunt, a new project is currently underway documenting production improvements ofdairyfarmthroughnutrientbalances.Thisprojectwasinitiatedin2016at3locations(AgassizBC,StJohn’sNfldandNappanNS). To demonstrate the critical elements of and principles of management intensive grazing the Nova Scotia provincial government continuedtofundtheCapeJohnCommunityPastureProjectforthefourthyear.In2014,2015,2016and2017anareaofthepasture was mob-grazed to measure and demonstrate the benefits of high intensity grazing as a tool for pasture renovation. The major forage concerns in the Atlantic region are: the high price of fuel and chemical fertilizers, the low number of young farmers entering farming and the labour shortage on farm. The high cost of energy is getting people interested in biomass for fuel. Test plots researching the yield potential of several C3 and C4 grasses are at several locations across the region are in their fifth production year.Theseprojectsinclude:1)foragespeciesmixture(fourgrassspeciesinpurestandandincombinationwithalfalfa);2)investigation of plant-growth promoting rhizo-organisms and a plant supplement on stimulating the growth of second-generation biomass feedstocks (switchgrass, Miscanthus, and hybrid poplar). Under the leadership of Yousef Papadopoulos a new study was initiated at 5 sites across Canada to identify improved switchgrass and miscanthus cultivars for adoption as purpose-grown crops by producersinterestedinexpandingtheutilizationoftheirforagespecies.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada- Kentville Research and Development Centre completed the staffing process for a forage agronomist and recruited Dr. Kathleen Glover, a new research scientist with specialization in forage agronomy.

Prince Edward Island:UndertheleadershipofVernonRodd(AAFC,Charlottetown,PEI)threenewprojectswereinitiatedtoinvestigate: 1)thetimingofplow-downofredcloverinapotatorotation;2)thefeedoptionsfordairyfarmerswhenfirstcutyielddonotmeettargets;and3)foragesinvolvedeitherasplow-down,covercroporharvestedmaterialforvariousrotations(includingdairy)intheorganic cropping rotations.

ATLANTIC FIELD CROP COMMITTEE (AFCC): Forage & Corn Cultivar Evaluation Task Group.

This Committee is responsible for production and cultivar registration recommendations for selected forage crops in New Brunswick, NovaScotia,PrinceEdwardIslandandNewfoundland.ThiscommitteeaccomplisheditsmandateincooperationwithAgriculture&Agri-FoodCanada,AtlanticFood&HorticultureResearchCentre,Kentville,NS;Agriculture&Agri-FoodCanadaResearchFarm,Nappan,NovaScotia;DalhousieFacultyofAgriculture,Truro,NovaScotia;P.E.I.DepartmentofAgricultureandForestry;NovaScotiaDepartmentofAgricultureandFisheries;Perennia,NovaScotiaExtensionservices;andtheNewBrunswickDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandAquaculture.TheAtlanticRegionalForageCultivarEvaluationTrials(5sites;3inNovaScotia,1inPrinceEdwardIslandand 1 in New Brunswick) are coordinated out by Bill Thomas who is the current AACC coordinator responsible for this initiative. This year (2017) was the third harvest year of three species evaluation trial containing 12 tall fescue, 4 meadow fescue and 14 alfalfa varieties seeded at five sites across the Maritimes.

N O T E S

N O T E S

N O T E S

sustainabilityDairy’s

storyMilk Quality

not allowed in Canada.

Antibiotics are only given to a cow when she is sick and her milk is discarded. All milk is tested to ensure there is no residue.

Food Safety

on the CFIA-approved HACCP-based program for on-farm food safety.

Animal CareDairy farmers took the lead to develop and enforce higher animal care standards. All farmers’ compliance to the Code of Practice for the Care & Handling of Dairy Cattle has started, and will be measured by 2019.

dairyfarmers.ca/proAction

TraceabilityAll animals are tagged and the tracking of all their movements will be regulated federally in 2018.

BiosecurityTo improve herd health, farmers manage risk and focus on keeping undesired bugs at bay. If disease is present on the farm, farmers demonstrate they are managing it.

EnvironmentDairy farmers protect the land, water and air for their families, surrounding communities and future generations.

The carbon footprint of a litre of milk in Canada has gone down by 28.4% between 1990 and 2015.

Be PreparedWhen you are the type of grower that’s pushing yield, you know that nutrient availability is key. It’s about giving your corn the best chance to perform in tough conditions.

QuickRoots® is a microbial seed inoculant. The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Trichoderma virens based treatment grows directly on your plant’s roots to help increase availability and uptake of N, P and K. QuickRoots is available for corn as well as soybean.

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ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. QuickRoots® and Monsanto BioAg and Design® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Canada, Inc. licensee. ©2017 Monsanto Canada Inc.

Visit DEKALB.CA for more details about DEKALB® Silage Ready™ hybrids.

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Our DEKALB® silage hybrids have:

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Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. These products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from these products can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for these products. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, an active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Agricultural herbicides containing glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. DEKALB and Design®, DEKALB®, Genuity®, RIB Complete®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup®, Silage Ready and Design™, Silage Ready™, VT Double PRO® and VT Triple PRO® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Canada Inc. licensee. LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are trademarks of Bayer. Used under license. Herculex® is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Used under license. ©2017 Monsanto Canada Inc.

Forages are part of our rotation too

At Glacier FarmMedia, we know the importance of forages, not just for livestock feed, but

for the long-term health of the soil on farms, ranches and rangeland across the country. We

understand the importance of forage in the rotation, and that’s why writing about forage is a

regular part of the rotation in our coverage of Canadian agriculture.

We’re proud to have Canadian Cattlemen, Country Guide and Le Bulletin des Agriculteurs

partner with the CFGA to produce the annual Forage and Grassland Guide to bring our

readers the latest in new developments in the Canadian forage industry.

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