Natural resources more than just ‘stuff’ in our ecosystem

In scientific and conservation terminology, “ecosystem services” refer to the benefits that wetlands, diverse plant and animal life and wild spaces provide to society. For Indigenous peoples, those things are gifts, the audience was told during the Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Conference in mid-March. The virtual conference was co-hosted March 12-14 by the University of[...]

Combining alone: Farming for the future with fewer farmers

It isn’t a setup you’d see any machinery company advise. The black-and-white photo, circa 1943, shows Murray and Archie Dickson atop their family’s Nichols & Shepherd Red River Special. The pull-type combine is hitched to a small, metal-wheeled tractor. There’s a long shaft with universal joints linking the tractor’s steering wheel to the one on[...]



Electoral candidates take on ag issues

Agriculture representatives from four of Manitoba’s political parties traded promises and verbal jabs over the education property tax, rural health care and water policy when they met at a Sept. 12 election forum. The Winnipeg event was organized by the Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters. Candidates answered questions provided by Manitoba ag groups and had[...]