The Canada and Manitoba governments are investing $2.85 million over the next five years at the Manitoba Beef and Forage Institute (MBFI) in Brandon, supporting the sustainable growth of the livestock sector, Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today.

"The Government of Canada is proud to invest in Manitoba's forage research that helps producers adopt best practices in land and herd management and other innovations that will advance the sustainability of the industry. This support for the forage and beef industries will help these sectors grow, innovate and prosper, while creating good, well-paying jobs for the middle class."

- Lawrence MacAulay, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"The beef and forage sectors have economic and environmental benefits for our entire province. Our investment recognizes applied research, like the work being done at MBFI, is an invaluable resource for producers and the agricultural sector as a whole. MBFI is a prime example of what can be achieved through a partnership between beef and forage producers, conservation organizations, industry stakeholders and governments."

- Ralph Eichler, Minister of Manitoba Agriculture

"The MBFI learning centre will act as a hub to host and create opportunities for producers, students and the general public to gather, learn and network. We now have the ability to provide a comfortable learning environment in the MBFI Learning Centre that can be paired with hands-on learning from MBFI researchers in our fields to represent a valuable experiential experience for visitors to MBFI."

- Ramona Blyth, MBFI president.

• Funding for MBFI will support continued beef and forage research at sites throughout the Westman region and share this information with producers and other stakeholders throughout the province. Research focuses on innovation, herd management, land productivity, environmental effects and benefits of grazing and other technological advancements to support profitability, sustainability and value-added opportunities.

• Project partners and other industry stakeholders will also contribute funding and in-kind support to MBFI over the next five years, making the entire commitment to the project more than $4.9 million.

• Ministers announced the investment at the grand opening of the MBFI learning centre, located north of Brandon on a 640 acre section of land which includes pasture, hay and crops as well as 240 acres of wetlands.

• Today's commitment builds on a previous federal-provincial funding made to MBFI under Growing Forward 2 totalling $2.85 million, and $300,000 from the Manitoba government.

• MBFI is a partnership between Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association. MBFI is a centre of agricultural innovation, engaging in science-based research to benefit valuable ecosystems, improve producer profitability and build social awareness around the beef and forage industry.

• The value of this collaboration between the province and these agencies was recognized with a Manitoba Service Excellence Award in 2016.

• Information about Ag Action Manitoba is available at Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Manitoba). Agri-processors can also call 1-844-769-6224 (toll-free) or email agaction@gov.mb.ca.

• The five-year, $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership includes $2 billion for cost-shared strategic initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories and $1 billion for federal programs and services.

Associated links

• Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Manitoba)
• Growing Manitoba Ag Newsletter
• Manitoba Beef and Forage Institute (MBFI)

Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
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Joey Dearborn
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