2009 MFSA Forage Seed Conference
Plans are underway for the 2010 Manitoba Forage Seed Conference. We are working on an informative program featuring interesting speakers addressing current issues in the industry. Session topics will cover a variety of areas such as 2010 research results, market update, and various areas of forage seed production. Crops highlighted will be forage, grass and turf seed crops. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. Please see attached agenda and registration form.
2009 Herbicide Trials in Alfalfa Seed Crops
Options for Chemical Weed Control in Alfalfa seed crops
Control of Canada thistle in Alfalfa is still a large concern for seed producers. MFSA is investigating control measures in the form of herbicides.
Control of Canada thistle in Alfalfa is still a large concern for seed producers. MFSA is investigating control measures in the form of herbicides.
Beneficial Insects in Alfalfa Fields
Insect fauna of alfalfa fields contains mainly two major groups, i.e. beneficial insects and destructive insects or insect pests. The Later one contains insects that can cause damage to different parts of alfalfa plants in various stages of growth. Alfalfa has many insect pests, such as Lygus bugs, alfalfa plant bugs, pea aphid, alfalfa weevils and grasshoppers. The beneficial insects can be divided into true predators and parasitoids.
Birdsfoot Trefoil Seed
Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) Birdsfoot trefoil is a rather deep-rooted perennial and can be long-lived in areas where it is adapted. Trefoil pods are very prone to shatter, therefore the long-lived reputation of this crop can often be attributed to the growth and seed production of volunteers. It thrives on poorly drained soils of moderate to high acidity, and is also fairly tolerant of salinity. The traditional production area was eastern Canada, but winterhardy varieties have resulted in a large movement of seed acres to Manitoba.
Manitoba Forage Seed
About MFSA
The association consists of nine member directors who are all forage seed producers as well as technical representatives from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives and the Seed Trade and has approximately 500 members.
MFSA goals is to build a stronger forage/turf seed production industry across Western Canada through industry cooperation and coordination of efforts through open communication.
The MFSA works hard at researching solutions to production problems in the industry and communicating that information to forage seed producers.
Efforts are also directed towards lobbying on behalf of forage seed producers in areas of concern such as Safety Net Programs, Policy Development and Current Business of the day.
What Can MFSA Offer?
- MFSA partners in a comprehensive grass seed cultivar evaluation program with Alberta. The program tests cultivars for performance under Manitoba conditions;
- A large number of progressive, highly skilled forage seed producers that have the management skills and experience to reliably multiply forage seed stocks for world markets;
- A coordinated industry that will work together to address production issues and develop new production technologies.
