Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association x Value Chain Partner Exploration

Transcription

1 Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association x Value Chain Partner Exploration Canadian Seed Trade Association Forage and Turf Committee Meeting November 5, 2016

2 Organizational History Created to address the need for a national voice on forage related issues and opportunities 7-years young Funded entirely through project administration and memberships Driven by Passion for Grassland Systems

3 Annual Conference Current Projects New Holland Leadership Award and Provincial Extension Project CEC Grasslands BMP Deployment Project Canadian Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Award IISD Grasslands Ecosystem Services Summary Project SARPAL Species at Risk BMP Assessment

4 CFGA Core Priorities 1. Extension Capability 2. Research and Development 3. Policy Exploration and Development 4. Forage Marketing and Export Development 5. Environmental Value Recognition

5 1. Extension Capabilities National Communications New website and social media strategy Farm Business Communications partnership Annual Conference Quarterly Newsletter Provincial Forage Associations Provide a direct linkage to producers across the country

6 2. Research and Development The Canadian forage industry is exceptionally diverse R&D needs vary within and between provinces Coordinating a Canadian voice to streamline discussion and priority assessment Getting Research on the Ground Research Development* Extension* Evaluation* * CFGA Target Areas

7 3. Policy Exploration and Development Variety testing and evaluation systems Genetic modification in plant breeding systems Forage innoculant availability Ecological Goods and Services

8 4. Forage Marketing & Export Development A major component of CFGA operations and core funding model Support the development of US and overseas market development 4-Trade Missions Delivered in Northeastern United States World Dairy Expo Northwest Hay Expo China Trade Mission

9 5. Environmental Value Recognition of Canadian Forage Systems Environmental Goods and Services Greenhouse Gas Quantification Carbon Sequestration in Canadian grasslands AGGP Funding Project submitted to develop quantification protocol CSTA Supported Special Crops Roundtable

10 National Not-For- Profit Partners CSTA / DFC Provincial Forage Association Partners National For-Profit Partners New Holland Farm Business Communications Roundtables Sustainable Beef Sustainable Crops Special Crops Provincial Not-for-Profit & For-Profit Partners The CFGA Value Chain

11 18-Months of Progress (1) 1. New Executive Director hired in June Successful 2015 Conference, 2016 Conference Launched - CSTA Supported 3. Formal communications plan in place with enhanced social media presence and support team 4. By-Laws review and update under way 5. Strategic planning process ongoing

12 18-Months of Progress (2) 6. 4-Export Forage trade missions delivered 7. SARPAL Project Launched 8. EG&S Project Developed (awaiting funding) 9. New Partnerships Secured 10. Special Crops Roundtable Engagement 11. Membership at Canadian Federation of Agriculture 12. Engagement in Next Policy Framework discussions

13 Current Action Summary Professionalize Governance Streamline Operations Get Focussed Deliver Some Wins Deploy Professional Communications Strategy Build Strategic Partnerships

14 CSTA-CGFA Synergies Promote High Performance Forage Systems Dairy & Beef sector specific programs Adopt New Varieties Seed More Often Seed Better Enhance Pasture Legume Content Cover Crops Feed Cows or Soil Corn for Silage or Grazing

15 Continued Engagement CSTA Seed Industry CFGA Forage Producers and Users Build Partnership Bridge to promote high performance forage systems New Varieties Advanced Management Address New Breeding Techniques

16 Questions, Comments, Ideas? Cedric MacLeod, MSc,