Federal investment will help Manitoba farmers predict the effects of flood and drought on farmland
News Release
June 13, 2016 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced today an investment of over $1.1 million for the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) to develop a hydrology model of the Assiniboine River Basin that will help predict the effects of flooding, excess moisture and extreme drought on agricultural lands.
Based on the new model, a web-based tool will be developed that farmers can use to gather information on their farmland to help effectively manage moistures levels and mitigate risk associated with drought and flooding.
Information collected will contribute to better risk management strategies for farmers and the agricultural sector and could potentially lead to the development of new and improved insurance products.
Quick facts
- Recent severe moisture events have impacted producers across the country. Since 2007, governments have been required to respond with AgriRecovery assistance multiple times to water-related disaster events including excess moisture, flooding and drought.
- This project has been funded under the Growing Forward 2, AgriRisk Initiative, which supports the research and development, as well as the implementation and administration of new risk management tools for use in the agriculture sector.
- The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association is a non-profit organization comprised of producers, agri-business and extension leaders who are dedicated to the development and promotion of a sustainable hay, forage and livestock industry.
Quotes
"Extreme weather events have created many challenges for Prairie farmers in recent years. We're committed to working together with the agriculture sector to equip farmers with the tools they need to proactively manage business risks such as these."
Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association has engaged in this proposal as we believe grasslands and forage crops are a critical part of the solution for future flood and drought ravaged areas of the Assiniboine River Basin," says Henry Nelson, MFGA vice chair and project manager of the hydrology model for the Assiniboine River Basin. "The hydrology model will showcase proactive solutions for many stakeholders across the Assiniboine River Basin for flood and drought mitigation."
Henry Nelson, Vice-Chair of Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association
Additional links
- Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
- AgriRisk Initiatives
- Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association
Contacts
Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
The Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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Duncan Morrison
Aquanty Project ARB, Communications
204-770-3548
Duncan@mfga.net
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