MCA News Releases Archives - Manitoba Crop Alliance

Manitoba Crop Alliance awards inaugural high school bursaries

Coles Ag on July 10, 2024

July 10, 2024 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has awarded six graduating high school students from Manitoba with bursaries valued at $1,000 each. The six bursary recipients are Alara Krahn from Mather, Laura Delichte from St. Alphonse, Riley Jorgensen from Cromer, Madisyn Robertson from Neepawa, Zenith Vanstone from Miami, and Evan Whetter from Alexander.

“I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations to our inaugural high school bursary recipients and wish them well in their continued studies,” says MCA Chair Robert Misko. “MCA is committed to supporting agriculture’s next generation and expanding our bursary program is one way we have demonstrated that commitment.”

MCA established these bursaries to assist graduating high school students within the province of Manitoba who are planning on continuing their education at a Canadian college or university in a field that will benefit the agriculture sector. MCA also awards annual bursaries valued at $2,000 each to post-secondary students enrolled in agricultural programs within the province of Manitoba

An independent selection committee was contracted to evaluate the applicants based on their connection to or interest in agriculture, how they hope to use their education to benefit the agriculture industry, and their academics and writing skills.

This year, the selection committee included Adelle Gervin, program manager with Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba; Sonia Wilson, oilseeds specialist with Manitoba Agriculture; and Santosh Kumar, research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Brandon Research and Development Centre.

For more information about the MCA bursary program and to read biographies of the recipients, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

^{About Manitoba Crop Alliance:}^{Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing more than 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.}

Manitoba Crop Alliance opens nominations for delegate positions on crop committees

Coles Ag on July 2, 2024

July 2, 2024 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is now accepting nominations from farmer members to serve as delegates on its four crop committees.

“Our unique governance structure ensures a strong voice for each crop type we represent,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny. “It also provides plenty of opportunities for a whole-farm, cross-commodity approach to decision-making, which is important because the majority of our farmer members grow several different crops.”

MCA delegates work towards strengthening the mandate of research, agronomy, market development and access, and communication and advocacy initiatives within each of the four crop committees: corn, flax, sunflower, and wheat and barley. They also receive personal growth opportunities, such as the chance to network with fellow farmers, researchers and industry stakeholders, while gaining a deeper understanding of all the crop industries MCA represents.

This nomination period, there are four open positions on each of the corn, flax and sunflower committees, as well as five open positions on the wheat and barley committee.

“We take great pride in the collaborative, farmer-driven nature of our organization,” says de Rocquigny.

“By becoming a delegate, farmer members get to help determine how their check-off dollars are invested. I encourage farmer members who are interested in guiding the direction of our industry to get involved and add their unique knowledge and perspectives to our committees.”

The nomination period will close at 4:30 p.m. CDT on Oct. 1, 2024. For more information on the nomination or election process – including eligibility requirements, responsibilities of a delegate, time requirements and how to submit a nomination form – visit our website or contact us by email at hello@mbcropalliance.ca or phone at 204-745-6661.

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For more information, please contact:

Pam de Rocquigny
Chief Executive Officer
204-745-6661
pam@mbcropalliance.ca

^{About Manitoba Crop Alliance:}

^{Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing more than 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.}

New Fusarium head blight mapping tool now available to farmers across the Prairies

Coles Ag on May 15, 2024

May 15, 2024 – New Prairie-wide Fusarium head blight (FHB) risk maps are now available to producers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The tool provides assessment of Fusarium head blight index (FHBi), Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK), and Deoxynivalenol (DON) risk levels in spring wheat, winter wheat, barley and durum based on weather conditions.

These risk maps were created as part of a three-year research project led by the University of Manitoba’s Dr. Paul Bullock, with collaborators from Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat), Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley) and Alberta Grains.

“The Faculty is very pleased to release this important risk management tool for the agriculture industry,” says Dr. Martin Scanlon, dean of the faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba.

“The project is a great example of multi-institutional collaboration, where the combined skills and talents of both federal and provincial agricultural personnel, plus university collaborators, has facilitated research outcomes that could not have been achieved otherwise.”

The weather-based risk is calculated using real-time weather data from more than 500 stations operated by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Manitoba AgWeather Program, Saskatchewan Public Safety, Alberta Climate Information System and Metos Canada. The risk algorithms are “homegrown” based on research data collected from 600 plot sites across 15 locations in Western Canada each year from 2019 through 2021 and tested in more than 300 producer fields on the Prairies during the same period. Previous FHB risk maps from each provincial agriculture ministry utilized imported FHB risk algorithms with limited accuracy testing and could not assess risk in barley or durum, nor for either FDK or DON. The risk mapping tool is publicly available and accessible using a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.

The risk for disease severity varies considerably by location and year because of variable weather during the lead-up period prior to flowering. The tool has both financial and environmental benefits, since the need to apply fungicide for disease control at a given location also varies from one extreme to the other.

“We are proud to help provide Manitoba wheat and barley farmers with a powerful tool to combat FHB in their fields,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny. “These new risk maps are an excellent example of MCA’s vision in action – an investment that will make our farmer members more productive and sustainable.”

The project was funded through the Integrated Crop Agronomy Cluster with funding from the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Western Grains Research Foundation, MCA, Sask Wheat, Alberta Grains, Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute and Prairie Oat Growers Association. The FHB risk mapping tool is available at prairiefhb.ca.

For more information on using and interpreting the maps check out our new joint extension document, here.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Dr. Paul Bullock
Senior Scholar, Department of Soil Science
University of Manitoba
Paul.Bullock@umanitoba.ca

^{About Manitoba Crop Alliance:}

Study reveals Manitoba Crop Alliance crop types are major drivers of Manitoba economy

Coles Ag on March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024 (Carman, MB) – Today, Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) released data highlighting the significant contributions of its crop types to the Manitoba economy.

MCA contracted information services company GlobalData to conduct a study assessing the impact of Manitoba-grown wheat (excluding durum), barley, grain corn, sunflower and flax on the province’s economy.

Together, these five crop types account for a large part of Manitoba’s agriculture industry. Several of these crops are also the foundations for important food industries, both within the province and beyond.

GlobalData found that the total economic impact of MCA’s five crop types averaged roughly $6.9 billion over the past three years, including more than 28,000 Manitoba jobs and $2.5 billion in wages.

“This study shows the major role our crop types play in the economic well-being of the province and the country,” says MCA chair Robert Misko, who farms east of Roblin, MB.

“As farmers, we have long known our position in the system and how we contribute to the province’s success, but it is heartening to see those contributions laid out in a measurable way that anyone can understand.”

For a full breakdown of the study, including summary data and in-depth reports for each crop type, visit mbcropalliance.ca/economic-impact.

This economic assessment was modelled after work done last year by Cereals Canada on wheat, barley, durum and oats. Visit cerealscanada.ca/economic-impact for more information.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

^{About Manitoba Crop Alliance:}

CWRC to administer new, $20-million Canadian National Wheat Cluster

Coles Ag on March 5, 2024

March 6, 2024 (Carman, MB; Saskatoon, SK; Calgary, AB) – Valuable wheat research across the country will receive crucial funding through the newly announced Canadian National Wheat Cluster, worth more than $20 million over five years.

Administered by the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC), the Wheat Cluster will fund research projects that advance wheat genetics, agronomy and sustainability for the benefit of Canadian farmers.

“Wheat is a vital crop in the rotations of grain farmers across the country,” said Jake Leguee, CWRC chair, who farms near Fillmore, SK.

“The investment in research through the Wheat Cluster will keep wheat profitable and sustainable for Canadian farmers, increasing quality and yields while finding new solutions for environmental stressors like drought and diseases like Fusarium head blight. Farmers have been practicing minimum tillage and nutrient stewardship for decades, and the activities funded under this will enhance those practices, allowing farmers to contribute further to the Government of Canada’s climate targets.”

Winnipeg North MP Kevin Lamoureux announced the new Wheat Cluster this afternoon on behalf of the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Over $11.2 million in funding for the cluster will come from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) AgriScience program, while over $9.3 million will come from producer and private organizations from across Canada, represented by:

Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA)
Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat)
Alberta Grains
Western Grains Research Foundation
Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance

“Canada’s reputation for world-class wheat depends on a strong research network, working together from coast to coast,” said Lori-Ann Kaminski, CWRC president and research program manager for cereal crops with MCA.

“In the previous Wheat Cluster, we made great strides toward innovations that will provide tangible benefits to Canadian wheat farmers for many years to come. I am confident the new cluster will be another triumph of teamwork across the wheat value chain.”

The CWRC is a collaboration between MCA, Sask Wheat and Alberta Grains aimed at improving the net relative profitability of wheat for western Canadian farmers.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Dallas Carpenter
Communications Manager
Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
306-653-7967
dallas.carpenter@saskwheat.ca

Jonathan Anderson
Director, Communications, Marketing & Events
Alberta Grains
403-371-2132
janderson@albertagrains.com

Manitoba Crop Alliance launches 2024 APP Cash Advance Program

Coles Ag on February 28, 2024

March 4, 2024 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is now accepting applications for 2024 Advance Payments Program (APP) cash advances, with funds to be issued starting April 2, 2024.

The APP is a federal loan program administered by MCA. It offers Canadian farmers marketing flexibility through interest-free and low-interest cash advances. Under the program, eligible farmers are eligible to receive up to $1,000,000, with the Government of Canada paying the interest on the first $100,000 of the advance for the 2024 program year.

Funds for the 2024 spring cash advance program will start being issued on April 2, 2024. For the 2024 program year, MCA’s interest rate on interest-bearing cash advances is prime – 0.50 per cent. This interest-bearing rate is the most competitive in Manitoba among other APP administrators, major banks and credit unions.

“The APP is a great tool that allows farmers to market their agricultural products when they want to and when it will provide the most benefit to their operation,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny. “After more than 40 years as an APP administrator, we’re proud to continue offering this valuable program to farmers across Manitoba.”

To apply for an advance under the 2024 program year, farmers can visit mbcropalliance.ca/advance-payments-program-cash-advance/ or phone the MCA office at 1-204-745-6661 or toll-free 1-877-598-5685 to request an application form.

MCA also continues to process applications for the 2023 program year on over 35 crop kinds and honey until March 15.

“Client satisfaction is our top priority with this program,” says de Rocquigny. “If our clients aren’t happy with their MCA cash advance experience, we haven’t done our job.”

If farmers would like to be notified regarding APP-specific information, please email hello@mbcropalliance.ca to be added to the subscriber list. More information about the APP can be found at mbcropalliance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Darcelle Graham
Chief Operating Officer
204-745-6661
darcelle@mbcropalliance.ca

^{About Manitoba Crop Alliance:}

Manitoba Crop Alliance introduces new board of directors

Coles Ag on February 16, 2024

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024 (Carman, MB) – Effective immediately, there are a few new faces representing wheat, barley, flax, corn and sunflower farmers across Manitoba.

Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is proud to introduce its 2024-26 board of directors, including five new members: Doug Martin (East Selkirk), Leigh Smith (Oak Lake), Sally Parsonage (Baldur), Scott Mowbray (Cartwright) and Sheila Elder (Wawanesa). Martin is a delegate on MCA’s corn committee, Smith is a delegate on the flax committee, Parsonage is a delegate on the sunflower committee, and Mowbray and Elder both sit on the wheat and barley committee.

The new directors join six returning directors on the board:

Robert Misko (Roblin) – wheat and barley committee
Jonothan Hodson (Lenore) – corn committee
Gregg Fotheringham (Reston) – sunflower committee
Nick Matheson (Stonewall) – flax committee
Boris Michaleski (Ashville) – wheat and barley committee
Carl Bangert (Beausejour) – corn committee

Each of the new directors was elected from their respective crop committee during meetings held earlier this month. Together, the new board will be tasked with guiding the organization’s direction and spearheading the creation of its new strategic plan, with the primary goal of maximizing farmer levy dollars by investing in meaningful, independent research, valuable knowledge and targeted advocacy.

“When different perspectives and areas of expertise are added to our board, we are always stronger for it,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny. “This board of directors strikes an excellent balance between governance experience and fresh ideas, which will serve our farmer members well.”

MCA is also proud to introduce its new board executive for the upcoming year. The board of directors re-elected Robert Misko as chair and Jonothan Hodson as vice-chair.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to continue serving as MCA’s chair,” Misko says. “I strongly believe in the important work MCA is doing to make our farmer members more productive and sustainable, and I’m proud to contribute to that work however I can.”

The board also elected Sally Parsonage as secretary, replacing outgoing director Warren McCutcheon.

“I initially joined MCA to contribute to the agriculture sector in Manitoba and to broaden my horizons off the farm,” Parsonage says. “I’ve really enjoyed my time as a delegate and am excited to contribute further on the executive. Helping to guide the organization’s research program has been the most interesting and rewarding part of my time with MCA.”

For more information about MCA’s board and crop committees, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing over 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

Manitoba Crop Alliance awards six post-secondary students with 2023-24 bursaries

Coles Ag on February 15, 2024

Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has awarded six post-secondary students from Manitoba with MCA 2023-24 bursaries valued at $2,000 each. The six bursary recipients are Emma Harms from Mather, Rhett Grieve from Virden, Ashlyn Whetter from Alexander, Brendan Friesen from Blumenfeld, Nathan Krahn from Rivers, and Cadence Krahn from Carman.

“Year after year, I am impressed with the curiosity and passion for agriculture displayed by our bursary recipients,” says MCA Chair Robert Misko. “These qualities will serve them well as they begin their careers, and I look forward to seeing how their generation moves our industry forward.”

MCA established these bursaries to assist with the financial needs of students who are enrolled in a post-secondary agricultural program within the province of Manitoba.

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 enroll 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 Mallorie Lewarne, grow team advisor with Federated Co-operatives Limited; Anne Kirk, cereal crop specialist with Manitoba Agriculture; and Haider Abbas, applied research specialist at Manitoba Agriculture.

For more information about the MCA 2023-24 bursary program and to read biographies of the recipients, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Manitoba Crop Alliance begins issuing cash advances on winter cereals planted fall 2023

Coles Ag on December 5, 2023

Dec. 5, 2023 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is pleased to announce it has received approval to start issuing cash advances on winter wheat and fall rye planted in fall 2023 through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advance Payments Program (APP).

The APP is a federal loan program administered by MCA. It offers Canadian farmers marketing flexibility through interest-free and low-interest cash advances. Under the program, eligible farmers are eligible to receive up to $1,000,000, with the Government of Canada paying the interest on the first $100,000 of the advance for the 2024 program year. Funds can be issued in three to five business days once the application process is complete. MCA’s interest rate on interest-bearing cash advances is competitive with major banks and credit unions.

“MCA strives to offer an unmatched level of customer service to all our cash advance clients,” says MCA chair Robert Misko. “Our friendly and knowledgeable APP staff are always happy to answer questions from farmers and walk them through the application process.”

To apply for an advance under the 2024 program year on winter wheat and fall rye planted in fall 2023, farmers can phone MCA’s office at 1-204-745-6661 or toll-free at 1-877-598-5685 to request an application form.

MCA also continues to process applications for the 2023 program year on more than 35 crop kinds and honey.

“As an organization that represents thousands of farmers across Manitoba, MCA understands how important it can be to have the financial flexibility that a cash advance can offer,” says MCA vice-chair Jonothan Hodson.

“I know other farmers like myself are busy and our financial needs can be complex, which is why we take great pride in the fast turnaround times we offer on all cash advance applications.”

If farmers would like to be notified regarding APP-specific information, please email hello@mbcropalliance.ca to be added to the subscriber list. More information on the APP can be found at mbcropalliance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Darcelle Graham
Chief Operating Officer
Manitoba Crop Alliance
204-745-6661
darcelle@mbcropalliance.ca

^{About Manitoba Crop Alliance:}

^{Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing over 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.}

CMBTC study reveals malting barley lines that pack a punch

Coles Ag on November 3, 2023

Nov. 2, 2023 (Winnipeg, MB) – According to a recent study by the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC), in collaboration with Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), new Canadian malting barley varieties can be grown successfully in Manitoba.

With comparable yields and quality to the check variety, AAC Synergy, new varieties like AAC Connect, CDC Fraser, CDC Copper, CDC Churchill and AAC Prairie are the next generation of high quality malt varieties for producers.

“The study showed that these new varieties offer good agronomics and the high end-use quality traits that are the hallmark of Canadian malting barley,” says Peter Watts, Managing Director at the CMBTC.

In the past, producers in Manitoba struggled with diseases like fusarium head blight in malting barley. Thanks to new varieties that boast improved disease packages, along with better fungicide products and improved management practices, fusarium has not been a significant issue in recent years.

Producers growing malting barley varieties have the option of both malting and feed markets. With a malt barley variety, farmers gain an additional 2.5 million tonne market that they could not access with feed varieties. As well, malt barley generally offers a premium of around $1 per bushel or more.

“Manitoba is one of the best barley producing regions in the world,” says Pam de Rocquigny, CEO of MCA. “This success can be attributed to climate and geography, and our advanced farming practices.”

Barley is a good cereals crop option, as it provides many benefits when included in crop rotations. Barley can be planted early in the growing season and is both competitive and high yielding. Furthermore, including barley in crop rotations can provide flexibility during harvest, as it matures early, allowing harvest to be spread out between crop types. “In combination, these attributes make barley a great option for farmers,” says de Rocquigny.

More details on the study can be viewed here.

A number of companies in Manitoba source malting barley to supply the domestic and international market including CMBTC members Cargill, Richardson, Viterra, Malteurop and Boortmalt, as well as other malting and grain companies in the province.

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For more information:

Peter Watts
Managing Director
CMBTC
Phone: 204-983-1981
Email: pwatts@cmbtc.com

About the CMBTC:
Founded in 2000, the CMBTC is a national, independent, member-based, non-profit association that combines technical services, market development, support for the Canadian barley value chain, customer relations and advocacy for Canada’s barley industry in a model that maximizes the opportunity to grow Canada’s markets for barley and malt and to create value.

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing over 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.