(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Satellite forage insurance posed as potential risk-management solution for cattle producers

When the federal and provincial governments asked Global Ag Risk Solutions if they had any forage insurance products for cattle producers, they said no, but that they would try to develop one. From there, they started looking into satellite-based forage insurance for cattle producers. “We saw an opportunity that forage insurance is not sufficient for […] Read more

Ducks Unlimited accepting bids for hay tenders in Manitoba

Ducks Unlimited accepting bids for hay tenders in Manitoba

Brookdale farmer calls the program “critical” to his cattle operation

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is making almost 2,200 acres of hay land available to Manitoba farmers who suffered through historic dry conditions and cattle feed shortages last year. Producers have until June 29 to bid on hay opportunities in 16 municipalities in southwest Manitoba, through the DUC Hay Tender Program. “To be honest, I’d be […] Read more


More donated hay needed to help farmers in Saskatchewan

More donated hay needed to help farmers in Saskatchewan

Twenty-six loads shipped, 24 farmers still awaiting assistance

It was snowing on Greg Melchior’s farm near Battleford, Saskatchewan in early January—and he couldn’t have been happier.  For Melchior, who has 114 head of beef cattle, the snow meant there might be better times ahead.  “If we get enough snow, maybe things can return to normal,” he said. “Maybe the sloughs will fill up […] Read more

(Andreus/iStock/Getty Images)

Hay-starved Prairies fertile ground for online scammers

At least $64,000 lost in Alberta alone, RCMP says

High demand, scarce supplies and rising prices for hay and other feeds due to this summer’s drought on the Prairies have made a market for online scammers, RCMP warn. The urgency driving such transactions may cause ranchers, farmers and farm workers to make purchases “without taking time to properly verify or research production sources,” Alberta […] Read more


(MDS.mennonite.net)

Ontario MDS volunteers already moving hay west

Disaster response group spearheading program separate from CFA plan

It’s in the spirit of co-operation in difficult times that a group of Ontario farmers have launched a hay donation program to assist their Saskatchewan counterparts. Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Canada, a volunteer organization that provides assistance in the aftermath of disasters in Canada and the U.S., is organizing the latest iteration of Hay West […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Plans afoot to move hay from East to drought-hit West

CFA, BFO spearheading Hay West-style initiatives

Farm groups are spearheading new plans to get livestock feed from Eastern Canada to drought-damaged regions of the western provinces and northwestern Ontario. Details are still pending, but the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) announced Aug. 12 it has started work on a “Hay West” initiative to get surplus hay “to those struggling in the […] Read more


Manitoba Beef Producers president Tyler Fulton speaks in Winnipeg on July 22, 2021 at a federal/provincial announcement including planned changes to crop insurance against this summer’s drought, alongside federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Winnipeg MP Kevin Lamoureux (r). (Dave Bedard photo)

Manitoba triggers hay disaster benefit

Per-tonne rate lifted to cover feed, transport costs

Manitoba’s crop insurance agency is set to lift the per-tonne rate paid out on insured forage crops to help cover livestock producers’ bills to buy and truck in replacement feed. Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. (MASC) on Thursday announced a 2021 hay disaster benefit to provide another $44 per tonne, for every tonne below coverage, to […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Manitoba to open more Crown lands to haying, grazing

Province now taking requests for permits

Manitoba livestock producers up against dry conditions can now apply for temporary passes to get onto Crown land not normally designated for grazing or haying. The province announced Friday it will make such lands available this year for agricultural use “under certain circumstances.” Permits and land uses will be handled through the Agricultural Crown Lands […] Read more


Cereal crops are high in starch which allows them to ferment easily. Almost any crop can be harvested for silage, however, as long as it is harvested at 60 to 70 per cent moisture.

Silage packs a punch when harvested carefully

Protect your investment with these tips on everything from harvest timing to inoculants

For some producers, silage is a mainstay, but for others who may be new to the process, there is a learning curve. Regardless of experience, there are several variables producers must consider when ensiling a crop. Gains or losses can occur during seeding and feeding silage. However, management during harvest may be pivotal to promote […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Hay disaster benefit kicks in for Manitoba growers

Eligible Manitoba forage growers can expect to share in a $5 million hay disaster benefit (HDB) for the 2019 crop year. Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. (MASC), the provincial crop insurance agency, announced Friday that the HDB has been activated and benefit payments to eligible forage producers on about 1,500 claims will begin “shortly.” The HDB, […] Read more