The Manitoba Native Pasture Improvement Program (NPIP) was initiated in 2005 to explore new ways for landowners to manage their brush encroachment and ultimately utilize that land for more productive cattle grazing.

The trials began in the 2005/2006 season, when approximately 30 field scale size demonstrations (40 acre lots) were established with the help of various producers and organizations. This year, (2006), an additional 20 locations have been added to the trial. In total this program will encompass an impressive 2,000 acres.

The project involves assessing three categories of land: harvested sites, (the re-growth after loggers have removed their choice of trees), aspen/poplar encroachment, and low brush areas where species such as buck brush, snowberry, hazelnut, dogwood and small pasture weeds exist,” she continued. The experiments are evaluating the use of both mechanical and chemical methods to manage the brush re-growth. All trials involve grazing as a key component.

Project Contact(s): Sarah Keen-Chanel, Project Coordinator, (204) 648-7322, E-mail:
Start Date: 2005 and April 2008
Completion Date: On-going.
Funding Partners 2005: Agricultural Policy Framework Agreement (Alternate Land Management Program) managed by the Agri-Food Research Development Initiative and the Manitoba Agriculture Societies.

Funding Partners 2008:  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Greencover Canada Program Technical Assistance Component, MAFRI MFC.
Project Results: Project is ongoing.

Participating Organizations 2005: