Farmscape for July 9, 2007 (Episode 2533) The Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative will shift its focus to on farm demonstrations as part of its next call for research proposals. Incorporated in 1998, the Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative has been in operation for approximately nine years. The goal of the initiative is to assist Manitoba livestock industries to achieve their full economic potential through sustainable growth by fostering sustainability of the livestock industry in a way that's environmentally sound, economically viable and community friendly. MLMMI executive director Brandy Street notes that's accomplished by funding research projects which are proposed by various individuals, organizations or research groups such as the University of Manitoba. Clip-Brandy Street-Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative In the past we've funded a lot of highly scientific lab and field work which has provided the scientific community with a great deal of insight into nutrient management. However, now it's time to take that information from the lab to the field. That is make it into something that is easily implemented or farm ready for the producer so our next step is to put out a request for proposals which will be released in early August and that has a section specific to demonstration projects. Such projects take the information that we acquire from scientific research and technology development and then showcase it on a regular Manitoba farm. It's a way of commercializing the science. Street explains the types of projects the initiative is looking for would include those, for example, that demonstrate strategies for phosphorus reduction. She notes recent regulations implemented in Manitoba have imposed restrictions on the amount of phosphorus that farmers can put on their fields which means farmers have to find ways to reduce the amount of phosphorous in manure resulting in a need for technologies that can accomplish that. Detailed information on the initiative and the types of projects eligible for funding can be obtained at www.manure.mb.ca. For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane. *Farmscape is a presentation of Sask Pork and Manitoba Pork Council |