News
Forage and grassland industry plan released

June 24, 2010, Brandon, MB – “The forage and grassland sector is a large and very important element in Manitoba’s overall agriculture industry. When you include improved and unimproved pasture, the total acreage is about 7.4 million acres, or approximately 39% of Manitoba’s farmland.” These were the comments of Jim Lintott, Chair of the Manitoba Forage Council in releasing the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Industry Strategic Plan. Lintott stressed the importance of the forage and grassland sector, stating, “We are very optimistic about the future of the forage and grassland industry in Manitoba and believe that this Strategic Action Plan will help move the industry forward on the many opportunities that it offers.”

Kelwin Management Consultants worked closely with a broad based group of forage and grassland stakeholders in the development of the Strategic Plan.

The Strategic Plan highlights a number of areas. Two of the key strategic areas include the continuing need for research and technology transfer in the forage and grassland area and the importance of greater coordination and producer input in prioritizing and implementing research and extension activities.

As well, the Strategic Plan emphasizes the importance of having a strong organization to provide leadership and co-ordination in the forage and grassland area. The Strategy recognizes the past and potential future role of the Manitoba Forage Council in representing the interests of the forage and grassland sector. In order to fulfill this role, the MFC must have adequate and sustainable funding and various operational and funding alternatives are explored.

“The Strategy also recognizes opportunities to build on the forage marketing potential of the Manitoba forage industry by identifying new markets that Canadian producers and exporters can feasibly supply on an ongoing basis. Key to the development of these markets will be to ensure that groups such as the Manitoba Forage Marketers are working closely with the newly formed Canadian Forage and Grassland Association to explore ways of addressing the transportation, logistics and infrastructure challenges,” said Chris Kletke, MFC Director and forage exporter.

Wayne Digby, Executive Director, Manitoba Forage Council, points out that with the formation of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association and the office being located in Manitoba, along with a strong forage and grassland industry, Manitoba is well positioned to take a lead role as a centre of excellence for forage and grasslands.

"This Manitoba Forage and Grassland Strategic Plan is perhaps unique in that it lays out a number of specific action plans for the sector to move forward on. We look forward to working with the many stakeholder groups in the further development and implementation of these Action Plans,” Digby says.

The Manitoba Forage Council would like to thank the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives for their funding support in the development of this Strategic Plan.

For further information please contact:
Wayne Digby
Executive Director, Manitoba Forage Council
125 Patterson Cres.
Brandon, MB
R7A 6T7
Phone: (204) 726-9393
Email: mfc@mbforagecouncil.mb.ca
View the complete Manitoba Forage and Grassland Industry Strategic Plan here.