In Episode 2 of the podcast, we continue our conversation with Mary-Jane Orr. Mary-Jane is the General Manager for Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Inc. where she leads a dedicated team to advance Manitoba beef & forage industry through engaging stakeholders, evaluating on-farm innovation, and extension for sustainability of farmers, the public, and the environment. She deeply values the opportunity to collaborate with producers, researchers, education providers, extension specialists, conservation groups, and all stakeholders in field-testing management practices and growing understanding of improved production in Manitoba. Mary-Jane holds a PhD from Purdue University in soil microbial ecology in agricultural systems, is a Professional Agrologist, and Certified Crop Advisor. Her experience in ecology and field agronomy gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing agriculture today. 

As there is so much information to introduce Mary-Jane and MBFI, as well as information on upcoming events, we decided to split this interview into 2 parts.  To listen to the first half of the interview, please visit Episode 1.

In this second half of the interview, I give a quick recap of the recent MBFI extension event that occurred at the beginning of May 2022.  Mary-Jane will share information about the extension events that are upcoming this spring - and there are a lot of them!  Tune in to find out about the 4-H Beef day on May 13th, and the next 3 workshops in the Grazing Workshop Series, scheduled for June, July & August 2022. 

We will also chat about the MBFI staff, and summer students, and how young listeners can apply to be a summer student for 2023, as well as how the public can become involved with MBFI, if they are interested in doing so.

In this second episode, we share Mary-Jane’s contact information and give the spoiler that our next episode will be an interview with the one and only, Steve Kenyon from Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd. 

We encourage you to follow MBFI on social media, or check out the website for more information on project findings and results, upcoming events and more!

Instagram: @MBBeefandForage

Facebook: @MBBeefandForage

Twitter: @MBBeefandForage

Website: www.mbfi.ca 

Email address: [email protected] 

Mary-Jane’s Phone Number: 431-255-0011