What's New at MCA Archives - Manitoba Crop Alliance

The 4th International Wheat Congress: observations and opportunities

Coles Ag on August 10, 2026

In May, MCA research program manager for cereal crops Lauren Gislason attended the 4^th International Wheat Congress (IWC4) in Bologna, Italy, which reinforced the value of international collaboration in advancing wheat research.

While the scientific topics were diverse, common themes included climate resilience, disease management, sustainable production and application of new technologies. The conference also highlighted that many countries share Canada’s challenges, including reduced research investment, emerging production risks and the need to strengthen pathways that translate research into practical benefits for producers.

Observations and opportunities

IWC4 showcased the breadth of current global wheat research, with sessions focused on sustainable production systems, wheat breeding and genetics, genomics and genome editing, climate resilience, disease and pest management, digital agriculture and phenotyping, soil health, and reducing the environmental footprint of wheat production. Across these topics, there was a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches and international collaboration to address emerging challenges facing the wheat sector.
International partners are facing many of the same challenges as Canada, including declining public investment in agricultural research, climate variability, evolving disease and pest pressures, and the need to attract and retain the next generation of agricultural scientists.
Collaborative funding models are becoming increasingly important to support large, complex wheat research initiatives. Discussions emphasized that successful international partnerships rely on trust, co-development of research priorities and regular communication among funders and researchers.
The “last mile” of research remains a universal challenge. While scientific collaboration is often strong, ensuring research outcomes are translated into practical tools and improved varieties that are adopted by farmers requires continued investment in extension and knowledge transfer.
Supporting Canadian researchers’ participation at international conferences provides significant value through networking, exposure to emerging research and technologies, information sharing, and the development of new international collaborations that can strengthen Canadian wheat research.
There may be opportunities to strengthen engagement among research funders, both internationally and within Canada, through dedicated funder workshops and renewed national forums, such as the Canadian Wheat Symposium, to encourage collaboration, reduce duplication and improve co-ordination of research investments.

Meet Manitoba Crop Alliance’s 2025-26 high school bursary recipients

Coles Ag on July 20, 2026

MCA_2025-26 HS Bursary Recipients Graphic_X

Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is proud to support agriculture’s next generation. MCA’s bursary program is designed to assist with the financial needs of students pursuing education in a field that will benefit the agriculture sector.

Six graduating high school students from Manitoba have been awarded with bursaries valued at $1,000 each. The six bursary recipients are Austin Dubyts from Stockton, Katie Gulak from Gilbert Plains, Aiden Brunel from Ste. Rose du Lac, Keira Duguid from Gimli, Julie McMahon from Inwood, and Ella Prejet from Notre Dame de Lourdes.

“Every year, I’m impressed by the quality of our bursary applicants and this year’s recipients are no exception,” says MCA chair Jonothan Hodson. “I look forward to seeing the valuable contributions they will make to our industry. The future of Manitoba agriculture is in great hands.”

To qualify for these bursaries, applicants did not need to be continuing into an agriculture-specific program. However, they did need to clearly articulate how their continued studies would help them benefit the agriculture industry.

Congratulations to all the recipients!

Learn more about this year’s recipients

Strengthening Collaboration for Manitoba Farmers

Coles Ag on April 15, 2026

On Apr. 14, leaders from Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) and Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) came together for a joint meeting focused on collaboration and strategic alignment. The session provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships and explore how our organizations can better work together in support of our farmer members and Manitoba’s agriculture industry.

A common thread throughout the day was the importance of clear, consistent communication between organizations, with government and, most importantly, with farmers. Discussions explored shared priorities in research, innovation and extension, emphasizing the need to communicate results in ways that are practical and accessible.

Participants also reflected on how communication shapes each organization’s value proposition and impact, particularly as expectations around return on investment continue to evolve. Advocacy alignment further reinforced the power of co-ordinated messaging and engagement.

This meeting reflects a shared commitment to ongoing dialogue and collaboration among all three organizations. By strengthening communication and working together with intention, MCA, MCGA and MPSG are better positioned to deliver meaningful outcomes and support Manitoba farmers well into the future.

Introducing Year Three of MCA’s Strategic Plan

Coles Ag on April 2, 2026

The third and final year of MCA’s 2024-27 strategic plan has begun! New Step Goals have been developed and strategy execution is ongoing. MCA directors and staff worked collaboratively to make the updated strategic plan. Below is the breakdown of year three.

Big Goal Tweaks

There was one tweak to the wording of Big Goal #3. The wording change aligns better with the intent of the Big Goal and leaves space for the Big Goal to be robust and meet organizational needs.

Big Goal #3: Inspire areas for bold investment that facilitate historic initiatives.

New Step Goals

Nine new Step Goals were developed spanning all Big Goals. Many of the new Step Goals build on the outcomes from year two of the plan.
All the Step Goals were developed to complete the Big Goals and ensure MCA continues its positive impact as an organization.

Below is MCA’s strategic plan for 2026-27. Stay tuned for more information regarding MCA’s strategic plan on our website and in our publications!

MCA Strategic Plan – Year Two Wrap Up

Coles Ag on April 2, 2026

Another successful year for strategy execution is in the books for Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA)! In 2025-26, MCA completed year two of its 2024-2027 strategic plan, building on the successes of year one and setting a strong foundation for year three. MCA staff have been working hard over the last year to achieve the organizational vision laid out by MCA’s directors and delegates.

First, let’s take a step back and review the structure of MCA’s strategic plan. The three-year strategic plan was developed to deliberately steer MCA’s future and make sure Manitoba farming becomes more productive and sustainable. The strategic plan consists of three Big Goals, which will be achieved over the three-year period. Each Big Goal has three corresponding Step Goals. Step Goals are developed annually, and when executed, move us closer to completing Big Goals and fulfilling the vision of MCA. Below is a recap of the 2025-26 strategic plan, including successes, challenges and learnings.

General Wins

To ensure that MCA’s strategic plan moved off the shelf, MCA has evolved its strategy execution process to meet organizational needs. The adapted execution process deliberately creates space for strategy execution in staff members’ schedules, allowing progress on Step Goals to be made. The process was tailored to MCA staff needs, resulting in greater resource use efficiency and allocation of staff time.

Furthermore, MCA’s annual Step Goals were developed with the organization’s scope of work, capacity and expertise in mind. This made the 2025-26 Step Goals impactful and created a clear pathway forward for completion.

Step-Goal-Specific Wins

Big Goal #1: Innovate our communications program to increase awareness and engagement with our farmer members.

Step Goal #1: Identify opportunities for innovation within our communications program that will drive engagement and awareness among our farmer members.

Strong MCA staff and farmer participation resulted in important learnings about the impact of our current communication initiatives and future engagement opportunities with our farmer members. Through one-on-one interviews between MCA staff and farmer members, a clear understanding of communication needs and persisting gaps was established. Farmer members’ stories drove the learnings for Step Goal #1 and provided invaluable insights that will be carried forward across Big Goal #1.
Win: Connecting with farmer members to build two communication initiatives that build trust and engagement in MCA, while addressing communication gaps outlined by members. Stay tuned for the new initiatives!

Step Goal #2: Prioritize and implement communications innovations.

Step Goal #2 was not completed in 2025-26. Step Goal #2 depended on completion of Step Goal #1, which required more time and resources than anticipated.

Step Goal #3: Develop a framework for assessing the success of communication innovations.

Step Goal #3 was not completed in 2025-26. Step Goal #3 depended on completion of Step Goal #1, which required more time and resources than anticipated

Big Goal #2: Strengthen research capacity for the benefit of Manitoba farmers

Step Goal #4: Secure new research partnerships with Manitoba post-secondary institutions.

Securing new research partnerships is essential to ensure impactful research is conducted on behalf of Manitoba farmers. Multiple roadblocks arose when engaging in new research partnerships, leading this Step Goal to be suspended.
Win: Step Goal learnings and resources were applied to other strategic activities, enabling the successful execution of other Step Goals.

Step Goal #5: Actively engage in strategic plant breeding programs in Manitoba.

Due to changes in partners’ capacity and Step Goal requirements moving outside the scope of MCA’s circle of control, this Step Goal was suspended.
Win: Early recognition of Step Goal roadblocks led to MCA resources being allocated to fulfill other aspects of the strategic plan.

Step Goal #6: Assess current fulfillment of MCA research priorities to identify and address gaps.

MCA conducted a fulsome audit of our current fulfillment of research priorities for all crop types and the whole farm program. The assessment reviewed all research projects funded by MCA since 2016 and categorized the research priorities they fit. This assessment highlighted current gaps in priority fulfillment and areas where significant research has occurred.
Win: Findings were shared with MCA crop committees and the board of directors, providing insights into overall and crop-specific priority fulfillment trends. These findings will help guide future project funding efforts to enhance MCA’s impact and responsiveness to evolving producer needs.

Big Goal #3: Explore areas for bold investment that facilitates historic progress.

Step Goal #7: Develop and execute a targeted advocacy plan focused on research investment.

MCA succeeded in the development of a targeted advocacy plan to ensure Manitoba farmers’ research and innovation needs are met.
Win: Advocacy plan was implemented and execution has already begun!

Step Goal #8: Identify areas of investment that advance the management skills and knowledge of our farmer members.

To fulfill Step Goal #8, MCA created the Roots to Results Webinar Series, which provided a deeper understanding of farm business management skills that are valued by our farmer members. The series accomplished this by hosting webinars featuring recognized industry experts who discussed management skills that can have a real impact on the farm.
Win: The series successfully provided in-depth knowledge of topics such as grain marketing, farm finances, crop insurance and tax strategies. Wrap-up articles can be found here and webinars are available on the MCA YouTube channel.

Step Goal #9: Identify opportunities for leadership training investment in our farmer members.

To fulfill Step Goal #9, MCA hosted the LeaderShift Insight program for farmer members. This in-person program took place in mid-December and covered multiple topics, including the “human” side of agriculture, performing better under pressure, farm transitioning, business planning and improved self and social awareness.
Win: Participants built leadership skills that they took back to their farms and communities.

More Control, Less Rush: Using Cash Advances to Strengthen Marketing Decisions

Coles Ag on March 10, 2026

The following article is a recap of “Smart Financing for Manitoba Farmers,” a presentation in our Roots to Results Webinar Series. The full webinar recording can be viewed here.

Farming is one of the most capital-intensive businesses in Canada. Seed, fuel, fertilizer and land costs go out months before crop revenue comes in. And while yields and markets can fluctuate, input costs are constant and high.

That’s why cash flow strategy matters as much as production strategy. In the final presentation of our Roots to Results Webinar Series, Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) COO Darcelle Graham shared how an Advance Payments Program (APP) cash advance from MCA can serve as a practical, flexible tool to strengthen marketing power and reduce borrowing costs.

Turn Cash Flow Pressure into Marketing Power

The APP provides access to capital based on up to 50 per cent of your anticipated or stored production value. That means you don’t have to sell grain just to cover spring bills.

Implementation

Map out your 12- to 18-month cash flow needs. If input or rent payments are driving early sales, consider whether an advance could bridge the gap and let you market when prices improve.

Capture Interest Savings That Stay on Your Farm

The federal government covers the interest on the first $100,000 advanced (or up to $500,000 for canola only in 2026). That can translate into thousands of dollars in savings compared to traditional borrowing.

Implementation

Compare your operating loan rate to the APP rate (prime minus 0.5 per cent on interest-bearing portions). Run the math: what would $4,000–$20,000 in interest savings mean for your bottom line?

Match Repayment to Grain Sales

Unlike traditional loans, there are no fixed monthly payments. You repay as you sell your crop, within an 18-month window.

Implementation

Align your marketing plan with repayment timelines. As you price grain, set aside advance repayment within 30 days of receiving payment to stay compliant and avoid penalties.

Use It as a Tool for Transitional Periods

You don’t need to own land to qualify. You must own the crop, having grown and marketed it. That makes it especially helpful for young or transitioning farmers.

Implementation

If you’re farming rented land or gradually taking over the operation, explore whether separate advances (where eligible) could support working capital during transition years.

Treat the Application Like a Business Agreement

The program is flexible, but it requires accountability. Security, crop insurance (or inventory proof) and signed documentation are mandatory.

Implementation

Before applying, read the terms and conditions carefully. Confirm crop insurance coverage, review your creditor priority agreements and double-check signatures to avoid processing delays.

Cheers to five years: Anniversary food and drink collaborations help MCA give back

Coles Ag on February 27, 2026

When we started thinking about how we wanted to celebrate Manitoba Crop Alliance’s fifth anniversary, we knew we wanted to give back to our farmer members, industry partners and the broader agriculture community, who have all helped the organization become what it is today. After much consideration, we decided the best way to do that was with some special food and drink made from MCA crops grown right here in Manitoba.

The result was three unique and delicious anniversary collaborations:

Beer

Our anniversary beer was brewed in collaboration with Trans Canada Brewing Co., a mainstay in the Winnipeg craft brewing community. For the anniversary brew, we couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Trans Canada, which shares our belief in the importance of supporting local farmers, buying (and drinking) local and giving back to the community. The beer was produced using malt from Scythe Malting Co. in Springstein, MB, which is owned and operated by MCA director Jeffrey Stobbe-Wiebe and his family.

Our “Stronger Together” light lager was distributed to MCA delegates during the 2026 all delegates meeting in Brandon, handed out to attendees following the 2026 MCA AGM and also made available to all CropConnect attendees during the Farmer Saloon portion of the conference.

Bread

Our anniversary white pan bread was created by our friends and longtime collaborators at Cereals Canada. Given our strong, existing ties with Cereals Canada through our membership in the organization, and the important market development and access work they do on behalf of our farmer members, it was a natural partnership. The bread was distributed to all farmer members who attended the 2026 MCA AGM.

Coming Soon: Whisky

Our final collaboration is a special anniversary whisky produced with Winnipeg’s Patent 5 Distillery. The base spirit was made from a mixture of locally grown corn, wheat and barley for a unique, Made-in-Manitoba flavour. The anniversary whisky is currently aging in barrels, where it will remain for the next several years, with plans to bottle and release the final product in 2030 when we celebrate MCA’s 10th anniversary. We are sure it will be worth the wait!

Gallery: Behind the scenes at Trans Canada Brewing Co.

Meet Manitoba Crop Alliance’s 2025-26 post-secondary bursary recipients

Coles Ag on February 25, 2026

MCA_2025-26 PS Bursary Recipients Graphic_X

Six post-secondary students from Manitoba have been awarded with MCA 2025-26 bursaries valued at $2,000 each. The 2025-26 bursary recipients are Daniela Heinrichs from Clearwater, Marco Fanzago from Elm Creek, Evan Whetter from Alexander, Kayden Stewart from Rosser, Cohen Crammond from Austin, and Nolan Marginet from Treherne.

“Today’s students are agriculture’s future leaders, and we are proud to support the next generation as they continue their education,” says MCA chair Jonothan Hodson. “This year’s post-secondary bursary recipients all have deep roots in agriculture and a desire to broaden their knowledge. I look forward to seeing how they will advance our industry and give back to their communities.”

Bursary applicants needed to meet the following criteria:

Have completed a minimum of one year (two terms) of post-secondary education at the college or university level (diploma or degree) and are enrolled full-time for the 2025-26 school year in an agricultural program within Canada.
Have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
Have an interest in wheat (spring or winter), corn, barley, flax or sunflower crops, or agriculture in general, as demonstrated in a brief, one-page letter.
Are from a farm that is a member in good standing with MCA.
Have not previously been awarded an MCA post-secondary bursary (past high school bursary recipients remain eligible for a post-secondary bursary).

An independent selection committee was contracted to evaluate the applicants based on their connection to or interest in agriculture, explanation of why they decided to enrol in an agriculture-related post-secondary program, how they hope to benefit the agriculture industry once they have graduated and are in the workforce, and their academics and writing skills.

This year, the selection committee included Melody Caron, the owner/director of independent crop production research company TapRoot Research Ltd., and Elizabeth Karpinchick, a registered professional agrologist working as an independent consultant for Tone Ag Consulting Ltd.

Caron started TapRoot Research Ltd. in 2022 and has been supporting varietal development, pesticide efficacy and fertility research in the Red River Valley and Carman, MB. Her background in soil science, agroecology and as a field biologist have all contributed to her interest and expertise in conducting field research in Manitoba. Caron and her husband have two children and operate a grain farm near Brunkild, MB, where they grow cereals, soybeans and canola.

Karpinchick specializes in field crop agronomy, soil testing, on-farm testing and organic crop production. She serves on the Agrologist Manitoba board of directors and is president of the St. Pierre Agricultural Society, the St. Pierre CDC and the Frog Follies Committee.

Thank you to the selection committee for evaluating the bursary applications and congratulations to the 2025-26 bursary recipients!

Meet the MCA 2025-26 bursary recipients

Rethinking Crop Insurance for your Farm

Coles Ag on February 10, 2026

The following article is a recap of “Beyond Basic Coverage: Unlocking the Value of Crop Coverage Plus,” a presentation in our Roots to Results Webinar Series. The full webinar recording can be viewed here.

Risk management is, in part, about making sure one poor crop year doesn’t severely impact the overall trajectory of your farm.

During a recent webinar, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation’s (MASC) David Van Deynze and Scott Clayton asked farmers to think differently about crop insurance: not as protection for individual crops, but as protection for the farm as a whole.

Crop Coverage Plus shifts the focus from isolated losses to overall farm performance, offering higher coverage levels and, in some cases, meaningful premium savings for diversified operations. By recognizing how different crops succeed and struggle under the same conditions, whole-farm coverage aims to provide protection that matches the way Manitoba farms actually operate.

Shift from Crop-by-Crop to Whole-Farm Thinking

Crop Coverage Plus evaluates the combined value of all insured crops, allowing strong yields to offset weaker ones.

Implementation

Review your insurance decisions across your entire crop mix instead of one line item at a time.

Crop Diversity Can Unlock Better Protection

Farms with multiple crops may qualify for coverage levels up to 90 per cent, sometimes at a lower premium than standard 80 per cent coverage.

Implementation

If you’re growing three or more crops, ask your MASC insurance specialist to model your farm under Crop Coverage Plus.

Not All Crops Move Together — and That Matters

Some crops respond differently to heat, moisture or timing. Those differences reduce overall risk when measured at the farm level.

Implementation

Consider how crops like winter wheat or corn behave differently across seasons when planning rotations.

Fewer Claims, but Stronger Support When It Counts

While small, single-crop claims may be offset, farms tend to receive larger indemnities in years when most crops suffer.

Implementation

Decide whether your operation benefits more from frequent small payouts or stronger protection in difficult years.

Reseed Benefits Increase with Higher Coverage

Reseed payments are calculated as a percentage of coverage. Higher coverage means larger reseed support when conditions force a restart.

Implementation

Factor early-season weather risk into your insurance choice, especially in moisture-prone areas.

MCA-funded research at the 2025 Manitoba Agronomists’ Conference

Ashley Ammeter on February 3, 2026

On Dec. 10 and 11, 2025, Manitoba agronomists met to discuss the latest developments in pest, crop and soil management. This year, the conference theme was “From Gaps to Gains: Unlocking Crop Potential.” Much of the research shared at the Manitoba Agronomists’ Conference was funded in part by Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA). Below is a summary of the posters shared that feature MCA-funded research!

Crop Management

Growing Together: Learnings from Manitoba Spring Wheat YEN Pilot

Andrew Hector, Madison Kostal, Manitoba Crop Alliance; Anne Kirk, Mark Lysack, Manitoba Agriculture

Digging Deeper: Identifying Long-Coleoptile Wheat for Dry Seeding Success

M.K. Carkner, C.A. McCartney, M.H. Entz, University of Manitoba; S. Kumar, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Effect of Preceding Crop and Residue Management on Corn Establishment in Manitoba

Ramona Mohr, Gordon Finlay, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Diffusion-based Dataset Augmentation for Downstream Crop Segmentation

Alex Senden, Masoomeh Gomroki, Robert Gulden, Christopher Henry, University of Manitoba

SOIL MANAGEMENT

Investigating the Effects of Soil Moisture and Temperature on the Transformation of N Fertilizer in Soil

Carlie Johnston, Xiaopeng Gao, Ramona Mohr, Timi Ojo, University of Manitoba; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Influence of Nitrogen Stabilizers and Split Fertilizer Application on Agronomic Performance and Mitigation of N2O Emission from Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS) Wheat

L.H.N. Sawbhagya, B. Sparling, M. Tenuta, University of Manitoba; M. St. Luce, B. May, H. Kubota, B. Beres, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Pest Management

CWRepViT-Net: An Encoder-Decoder Deep Learning Framework with RepViT Blocks for Crop Weed Semantic Segmentation in Soybean Fields through their Life Journey

Masoomeh Gomroki, Dilshan Benaragma, Christopher Henry, Nasem Badreldin, Rob Gulden, University of Manitoba

Bacterial Leaf Streak Transmission Driven by Seed Infection and Irrigation

Vinuri Weerasinghe, Malini Jayawardana, Shaheen Bibi, W.G. Dilantha Fernando, University of Manitoba

For a full list of poster presentations and speakers from the 2025 conference, visit the Manitoba Agronomists’ Conference website.

Thank you to the conference partners, the University of Manitoba Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Manitoba Agriculture, for hosting an excellent conference!