Five farms in southwestern Manitoba have been recognized by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) for exemplary techniques in establishing perennial forages.
The Top Five winning fields displayed the highest plant density, height, diversity and lack of weeds in new acres seeded in 2025 through DUC’s Forage Program. The program pays farmers to grow forage crops on previously cultivated land.
“DUC has helped prairie farmers establish over 150,000 acres of forage in the past five years, making their land more profitable, resilient and biodiverse,” says Karli Reimer, DUC Head of Communications and Outreach – Prairies. “We applaud Manitoba’s Top Five producers for their achievements in converting cultivated fields to sustainable grasslands.”
Reimer says the awards are especially notable because 2026 is the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, as designated by the United Nations. Rangelands cover about half of the world’s land and contain grasses and plants that can be grazed by livestock and wildlife. Pastoralists are people including farmers and ranchers who make their living from livestock raised on pastures and rangelands.
The Top 5
In 2025, landowners in DUC’s Forage Program seeded 3,200 acres in Manitoba and received nearly $400,000 in incentive payments. Among the 35 farms participating, these five were deemed to have the best establishments:
- Bos Family Farms, Rapid City, Man.
- Jura Farms Inc., Souris, Man.
- Matt Kozak, Nesbitt, Man.
- D & J Clarke Farms, Virden, Man.
- Triple V Ranch Ltd., Medora, Man.
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