MCA News Releases Archives - Manitoba Crop Alliance

Manitoba Crop Alliance begins issuing cash advances on winter cereals planted fall 2026

Coles Ag on October 29, 2026

Oct. 29, 2026 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has received approval to start issuing cash advances on winter wheat and fall rye planted in fall 2026 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 can receive up to $1 million, with the Government of Canada paying the interest on the first $100,000 for the 2027 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.

To apply for an advance under the 2027 program year on winter wheat and fall rye planted in fall 2026, 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 2026 program year on more than 35 crop kinds and honey.

If farmers would like to be notified regarding APP-specific information, please email info@mcacashadvance.ca to be added to the subscriber list. More information about the APP cash advance program can be found at mcacashadvance.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 (MCA):
MCA represents more than 7,700 farmer members who grow wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax in Manitoba. MCA puts its farmer members first and strives to continuously improve their competitiveness and profitability by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market development and access, and communications. By investing in these key areas, MCA ensures wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax remain sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

Manitoba Crop Alliance announces results of 2026 crop committee delegate nominations

Coles Ag on October 8, 2026

Oct. 8, 2026 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is pleased to announce the results of the nomination process for delegate positions on its four crop committees. The nomination period ran from July 1 to Oct. 1, 2026.

In total, 15 farmer members were nominated for the 17 available delegate positions across the four crop committees and are thereby elected by acclamation. Among those 15 delegates, four are new to their respective committees and 11 are incumbents.

“Our crop committees provide a strong voice for each crop type we represent, while also creating opportunities for collaboration and a cross-commodity approach to the issues all farmers face,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny.

“I would like to thank all the MCA farmer members who let their names stand for nomination and I look forward to seeing how they will help guide the direction of our industry.”

Corn: Doug Martin (East Selkirk), Jonothan Hodson (Lenore), Warren McCutcheon (Carman) and Joel Doerksen (MacGregor) were nominated for the four available crop committee delegate positions.

Flax: Nick Matheson (Stonewall), Leigh Smith (Oak Lake) and Angela Brackenreed (Justice) were nominated for the four available crop committee delegate positions. One delegate position on this crop committee remains vacant.

Sunflower: Nathan Tolenaar (Stony Mountain), Darcy Watson (Rossendale) and Brad Anderson (Cypress River) were nominated for the four available crop committee delegate positions. One delegate position on this crop committee remains vacant.

Wheat and Barley: Scott Mowbray (Cartwright), Robert Misko (Roblin), Brad Myskiw (Woodlands), Ryan Hueging (Warren) and Kelvin Rothenburger (Stanley) were nominated for the five available crop committee delegate positions.

The new delegates will join their respective committees in January 2027. MCA is seeking candidates to fill the vacant delegate positions on the flax and sunflower crop committees.

MCA would like to thank outgoing delegates Richard Dureault (corn), Darcy Unger (flax), Eric Fridfinnson (flax), Gregg Fotheringham (sunflower), Mark McDonald (sunflower) and Wilfred Harder (wheat and barley) for their valuable contributions to the organization.

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For more information, please contact:

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

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
MCA represents more than 7,700 farmer members who grow wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax in Manitoba. MCA puts its farmer members first and strives to continuously improve their competitiveness and profitability by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market development and access, and communications. By investing in these key areas, MCA ensures wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax remain sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

Manitoba Crop Alliance awards 2025-26 high school bursaries

Coles Ag on July 20, 2026

July 20, 2026 (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 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.”

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. The application period for 2026-27 post-secondary bursaries will open in October.

For more information about the MCA bursary program and to learn more about 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 opens nominations for delegate positions on crop committees

Coles Ag on July 2, 2026

July 2, 2026 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is now accepting nominations from farmer members to serve as delegates on its four crop committees.

“Our delegates determine how farmer check-off dollars are invested, shaping the future of Manitoba farms and guiding the direction of the industry,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny.

“Our unique governance structure ensures a strong voice for each crop type we represent and enables a cross-commodity, whole farm approach to issues on behalf of our farmer members.”

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.

“No matter how long you’ve been farming, where in the province you farm or which of our crop types you grow, you can contribute and make a difference,” says de Rocquigny. “No previous experience is required, as our staff and existing delegates will ensure new delegates have all the tools and information they need to excel in the role.”

The nomination period will close at 4:30 p.m. CDT on Oct. 1, 2026. 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

Manitoba Crop Alliance launches 2026 APP cash advance program

Coles Ag on March 2, 2026

March 2, 2026 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is now accepting applications for 2026 Advance Payments Program (APP) cash advances, with funds to be issued starting April 1.

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 million, with the Government of Canada paying the interest on the first $100,000 (or the first $500,000 for canola advances, specifically) for the 2026 program year.

For the 2026 program year, MCA’s interest rate on interest-bearing cash advances is prime – 0.50 per cent. This interest-bearing rate is competitive with other APP administrators, major banks and credit unions. MCA is also maintaining a low, one-time application fee of $250 for the 2026 program year.

“We take great pride in the friendly, small-town service we offer to all our cash advance clients,” says MCA COO Darcelle Graham. “We understand farmers’ unique financial needs and our knowledgeable staff are always a click or call away if farmers have questions or need help navigating the application process.”

To apply for an advance under the 2026 program year, farmers can visit mcacashadvance.ca, 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 2025 program year on over 35 crop kinds and honey until March 13.

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 cash advance program can be found at mcacashadvance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

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

Manitoba Crop Alliance awards 2025-26 post-secondary bursaries

Coles Ag on February 25, 2026

Feb. 26, 2026 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has awarded six post-secondary students from Manitoba with MCA 2025-26 bursaries valued at $2,000 each. The six 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.”

These bursaries assist with the financial needs of students who are enrolled in a post-secondary agricultural program within Canada and are from a farm that is a member in good standing with MCA.

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.

For more information about the MCA 2025-26 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 introduces new board of directors

Coles Ag on February 19, 2026

Feb. 19, 2026 (Carman, MB) – Effective immediately, there are some new faces representing wheat, barley, flax, corn and sunflower farmers across Manitoba.

Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is proud to introduce its 2026 board of directors, including two new members: Jeffrey Stobbe-Wiebe (Springstein, MB) and Korey Peters (Randolph, MB). Stobbe-Wiebe is a delegate on MCA’s wheat and barley crop committee and Peters is a delegate on the sunflower crop committee.

The new directors join nine returning directors on the board:

Jonothan Hodson (Lenore, MB) – corn committee
Sally Parsonage (Baldur, MB) – sunflower committee
Doug Martin (East Selkirk, MB) – corn committee
Leigh Smith (Oak Lake, MB) – flax committee
Robert Misko (Roblin, MB) – wheat and barley committee
Scott Mowbray (Cartwright, MB) – wheat and barley committee
Nick Matheson (Stonewall, MB) – flax committee
Carl Bangert (Beausejour, MB) – corn crop committee
Carly Chatham (Killarney, MB) – wheat and barley committee

Each of the new directors was elected from their respective crop committee during meetings held in late January. Together, the new board will guide the organization’s direction, with the primary goal of maximizing farmer levy dollars by investing in meaningful, independent research, valuable knowledge and targeted advocacy.

“Jeffrey and Korey each bring unique experiences and perspectives to the table, and I’m confident they will both be major assets to our board of directors,” says MCA CEO Pam de Rocquigny. “All our directors are extremely passionate about agriculture and giving back to the industry, so I know they 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 Jonothan Hodson as chair, Sally Parsonage as vice-chair and Doug Martin as secretary.

“I’m excited to continue serving as MCA’s chair,” Hodson says. “I’m honoured my colleagues on the board of directors have once again chosen me to lead the organization and together we will keep working hard to make our farmer members across the province more productive and sustainable.”

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
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Manitoba Crop Alliance begins issuing cash advances on winter cereals planted fall 2025

Coles Ag on January 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has received approval to start issuing cash advances on winter wheat and fall rye planted in fall 2025 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 can receive up to $1,000,000, with the Government of Canada paying the interest on the first $100,000 (or the first $500,000 for canola advances, specifically) for the 2026 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.

To apply for an advance under the 2026 program year on winter wheat and fall rye planted in fall 2025, 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 2025 program year on more than 35 crop kinds and honey.

If farmers would like to be notified regarding APP-specific information, please email info@mcacashadvance.ca to be added to the subscriber list. More information about the APP cash advance program can be found at mcacashadvance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

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

First “made-in-Manitoba” confection sunflower hybrid now available to farmers

Coles Ag on December 17, 2025

Dec. 17, 2025 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is proud to announce that for the first time ever, a confection sunflower hybrid bred specifically for Manitoba growing conditions is now available to farmers.

MCA 359 is the first commercialized variety produced by MCA’s confection sunflower breeding program.

“Sunflowers are an integral part of Manitoba’s agricultural landscape and farmers need access to new genetics to ensure the crop remains a competitive option for their rotations,” says MCA chair Jonothan Hodson.

“A confection sunflower hybrid designed to thrive in our climate and our soils is a made-in-Manitoba success story and a great example of the tangible return on investment MCA is providing to farmers for their check-off dollars.”

MCA 359 is high yielding and early maturing, with excellent standability. It has resistance to downy mildew and rust and is 100 per cent tolerant to Express^®, a Group 2 herbicide for broadleaf weed control. It also has many traits that are attractive to end-users in the confection sunflower market, including large seed size, high nut meat percentage, dark colouring and great flavour.

MCA 359 was included in MCA’s Sunflower Variety Performance trials in each of the last three growing seasons (as EX 359239 in 2023 and MCA 359239 in 2024), with the results published on the MCA website and in Seed Manitoba.

“The goal of our breeding program is to develop new confection sunflower varieties that are well suited to the Canadian climate and market,” says Katherine Stanley, MCA’s research program manager for special crops.

“MCA 359 marks an important milestone for the program, but we will keep searching for the most beneficial sunflower traits, so we can create even better varieties and ensure confection sunflowers remain a profitable and sustainable option for Manitoba farmers.”

To learn more about the confection sunflower breeding program, or other research funded by Manitoba Crop Alliance, 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

Limited quantities of seed are available for 2026. Visit the CHS website to learn more.

Manitoba Crop Alliance awards 2024-25 high school bursaries

Coles Ag on July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025 (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 Rylan Wubbe from La Riviere, Peyton Tolton from Kenton, Caroline Anne McConnell from Cromer, Taylor Unrau from Douglas, Dane Bergen from Carman, and Elizabeth Woodason from Erickson.

“I’d like to congratulate this year’s high school bursary recipients and wish them all the best as they continue their education,” says MCA chair Jonothan Hodson. “MCA is proud to support agriculture’s next generation, and I can’t wait to see these promising, young individuals make their mark on our industry.”

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. The application period for 2025-26 post-secondary bursaries will open in October.

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.