By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday November 16, 2023

Nov 17, 2023 | 2:31 PM

Manitoba will be home to a new living lab.

Through the lab producers, scientists and other sector partners will develop, test, and evaluate on-farm beneficial management practices (BMPs) on multiple sites across the province.

These BMPs will help store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while providing environmental co-benefits.

In collaboration with partner organizations within the living lab, the Manitoba Association of Watersheds will also encourage the exchange of information between local producers.

There are 14 living labs across Canada and there is at least one lab in every province.

Community support

The Hunger Games return to Prince Albert

A few moments ago

Raiders win 5-3

Defensive scoring leads Raiders over Wheat Kings

7h ago

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

23h ago

–

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is partnering with Farm Credit Canada to encourage the planting of unproductive cropland with perennial forages.

The Marginal Areas Program targets areas that are unproductive due to poor drainage, soil conditions, periodic flooding, inaccessibility, or salinity.

DUC offers an incentive upfront for participating in the program through a 10-year agreement to assist producers with the cost of establishing perennials and alleviate the financial burden associated with land management.

Kristine Tapley, national lead for sustainable agriculture at DUC, said producers who are taking advantage of the DU program are already having success turning land that isn’t as productive as they would like into habitat that offers additional benefits.

“We are proud to partner with FCC to offer even more of an incentive for producers to consider what works best for their operations and allow them to maximize the full potential of their land,” Tapley said.

In addition to the DUC payment, FCC customers who are participating can now receive an incentive payment based on a percentage of their total owing with FCC capped at a maximum payment of $2,000 or $50/acre of enrolled acres.

FCC director of sustainability Curtis Grainger said Canadian grasslands are some of the most endangered ecosystems in the world and the program is an opportunity for producers to provide natural habitats for wildlife and enhance biodiversity responsibly.

–

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW