Blog: What's New at MCA

Delegate position available on MCA flax committee – apply today!

Coles Ag on October 9, 2026

Flax growers:

  • Want to help build a strong future for the Manitoba flax industry?
  • Want to contribute your experience and passion for the agriculture industry to a worthy cause?
  • Want to meet likeminded people and have new experiences?

We need you!

Manitoba Crop Alliance is looking to fill one delegate position on its flax committee, starting immediately.

Roles & responsibilities of committee delegates

Who is eligible?

To be eligible to apply, candidates must:

  • Be 18 years or age or older
  • Have grown and marketed flax in Manitoba
  • Have paid check-off fees to the organization in the previous fiscal year (i.e., have not received a refund)

Apply now

Please note, the deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. CDT on Nov. 4, 2026.

Completed forms can be submitted electronically or by mail/fax.

Email:
pam@mbcropalliance.ca

Mail:
Manitoba Crop Alliance
Box 188
Carman, MB R0G 0J0

Fax:
204-745-6122

For questions, please contact:

Pam de Rocquigny
pam@mbcropalliance.ca
204-750-0217

Delegate position available on MCA sunflower committee – apply today!

Coles Ag on October 9, 2026

Sunflower growers:

  • Want to help build a strong future for the Manitoba sunflower industry?
  • Want to contribute your experience and passion for the agriculture industry to a worthy cause?
  • Want to meet likeminded people and have new experiences?

We need you!

Manitoba Crop Alliance is looking to fill one delegate position on its sunflower committee, starting immediately.

Roles & responsibilities of committee delegates

Who is eligible?

To be eligible to apply, candidates must:

  • Be 18 years or age or older
  • Have grown and marketed sunflower in Manitoba
  • Have paid check-off fees to the organization in the previous fiscal year (i.e., have not received a refund)

Apply now

Please note, the deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. CDT on Nov. 4, 2026.

Completed forms can be submitted electronically or by mail/fax.

Email:
pam@mbcropalliance.ca

Mail:
Manitoba Crop Alliance
Box 188
Carman, MB R0G 0J0

Fax:
204-745-6122

For questions, please contact:

Pam de Rocquigny
pam@mbcropalliance.ca
204-750-0217

Sign up now for our 2026 Corn Yield Competition

Coles Ag on October 6, 2026

Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is looking for participants for the 2026 Corn Yield Competition! All entrants must be farmer members of MCA.

This year’s competition will be the last in its current form. We would like to thank all our farmer members who have participated during the competition’s 55-year history. Your efforts to strive for bigger and better yields year after year have inspired us and we hope you continue to push those boundaries. Stay tuned, as we have something new in the works that will help farmers continue the quest for corn yield improvement in 2027 and beyond.

Prizes will be awarded as follows at MCA’s 2027 Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Feb. 11 during the CropConnect Conference:

  • 1st Prize – $1,000 and a wall plaque (sponsored by the company with the winning hybrid)
  • 2nd Prize – $500 and a wall plaque
  • 3rd Prize – $300 and a wall plaque
  • 4th and 5th Prize – Receive a wall plaque

Instructions for entering the yield competition

Please review the instructions and keep them in mind as you are scouting for the very best spot in your field. Even if you don’t have your spot(s) picked out, you can still enter early!

For more information or to enter, please contact:

Morgan Cott
Agronomy Extension Specialist – Special Crops
Manitoba Crop Alliance
204-750-2489
morgan@mbcropalliance.ca

We’re Hiring: Summer Research and Extension Assistant

Coles Ag on October 1, 2026

We are seeking a summer-term, full-time Research and Extension Assistant to join our dynamic team and serve our farmer members who grow wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax in the province of Manitoba.

The Research and Extension Assistant is responsible for supporting MCA staff and operations through field, administrative, data-management and event work for all MCA activities, under the supervision of the Whole Farm Specialist. This role requires a highly motivated individual with a passion for agriculture, strong communication skills and a positive, team-oriented attitude.

Click here to view the full job posting, including duties and responsibilities, desired qualifications and experience, and working conditions of the position.

To apply, please forward a resume and letter of interest by email to ashley@mbcropalliance.ca. The application deadline for this position is 4:30 p.m. CDT on Oct. 28, 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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 4th 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

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, Julia 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.

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