Brandon-area farmer, Brett McRae recently began trialling an intensive grazing plan.

Cattle producers implement new grazing options

Using forage to finish cattle takes a strong focus on everything from cattle genetics to forage quality

Ryan Boyd would rather be searching for newborn calves in waist-high grass than snowdrifts. The western Manitoba grain and cattle farmer has joined the ranks of producers changing things up on the cattle side of their operations in search of lower operating costs and better environmental stewardship. He’s found that producing forage-finished cattle requires a

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 11

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 11

Conditions as of July 13, 2015

Hot and humid weather conditions resulted in rapid crop growth across most of Manitoba. Generally, condition of most crop types is rated as good, although variability is noted across the province. Majority of acres and crop types have entered the flowering and grain fill stages of development. Although many areas did receive much needed rainfall,



Parched Prairie forages hang in under stress

Parched Prairie forages hang in under stress

CNS Canada — Sporadic rains and prolonged periods of dryness are taking their toll on forage crops in Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan. According to Terry Kowalchuk, a forage crop specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture in Regina, the eastern half of the province is managing, but the situation is worse in the province’s west. The western



canola field

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 10

Conditions as of July 6, 2015

Weekly Provincial Summary Crops are advancing quickly in Manitoba. The smoky, hazy conditions have not impacted crops, and may have helped buffer temperatures as well as benefited crops in the drier areas of the province. Over the weekend, areas of Manitoba saw thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and in some cases hail. Crop lodging


wheat midge insect

Manitoba crop insect and disease update

Conditions as of June 30, 2015

Summary Scout cereal crops for rusts, and consider whether fusarium is a risk. Insects noted in cereal crops include armyworms and cereal leaf beetle, although not at economic levels. Insect populations are currently light in canola and oilseed crops. Some higher levels of alfalfa weevil are still present in the Interlake. Read the full report on the



A severe thunderstorm the afternoon of Saturday June 27 hit near the Roseisle area west of Carman. Many fields in the area were destroyed or damaged by hail including this soybean field at the Junction of  PR 240 and 245.

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: Issue 9

Conditions as of June 29

Weekly Provincial Summary Severe weather systems containing strong winds, heavy rains and hail passed through isolated areas in several Regions of Manitoba. Damage to crops from hail and strong winds range from light to severe with assessments continuing over the next several days. However, overall good growing conditions continue to advance crops, as well as allowing