Winter wheat acres reseeded due to winterkill

Weekly Provincial Summary  Producers made good seeding progress over the past week in many areas of Manitoba. Seeding is estimated to be 75-80 per cent complete in the Southwest Region, 80 per cent complete in the Northwest Region, 70-85 per cent complete in the Central Region, 85 per cent complete in the Eastern Region and

Seeding gets off to a cool start, but soil moisture is generally good

Weekly provincial summary Seeding of spring wheat, barley, oats, canola, potatoes, and grain corn has occurred in various areas across Manitoba. There has been limited seeding completed to date. Winter wheat and fall rye crops are being assessed for winter survival and establishment; winterkill and injury is being reported in some fields. In most cases,


Cattle producer Jim Lintott has been feeding straw since February.

Hay short after long winter, dry summer

Demand for Canadian hay south of the border has Manitoba farmers 
searching farther afield in order to feed their cattle this spring

A late spring and growing demand for cattle feed has depleted hay stocks across the province, leaving many beef producers paying more and travelling farther to find what they need. “We normally buy our hay locally, just 10 or 15 miles from home. But this year we’ve had to bring it in 250 miles from

Forced to graze early? Some options for stemming the losses

For every day too early you graze in the spring, 
count on losing three days of grazing in the fall

With previous flooding, drought and now a late spring, many producers will be faced with the question of what to do with pastures weakened by flooding and overgrazing. No matter how you look at it, you may be forced to sacrifice the health of some of your pastures. Let’s take a look at the cost


Nerves on edge as spring thaw remains elusive

It’s too early to start grumbling about another “year without summer” like 2004, but the forecast for the next month is for more colder-than-normal weather. That’s the far-from-reassuring word from Peter Cherneski, manager of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s climate monitoring and forecasting service. “It is unique,” said Cherneski. “The low temperatures that we’ve seen through



Dairy farmers ask for delay of GM alfalfa registration

Registration of genetically modified alfalfa should be delayed until next year so a “coexistence” plan can be completed, says Dairy Farmers of Canada. Roundup Ready alfalfa has become a cause célèbre for anti-GM groups, which say its cultivation will make it impossible for growers of organic alfalfa to stay in business because their crops will

Export opportunities for forage producers are growing but every market is different

China’s bid to double milk production will mean a huge increase in 
forage imports, and opportunities abound in the Middle East

It’s a good time for forage producers to get into exporting — but there are pitfalls, too, says the chair of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s forage export committee. “One of the things we’re realizing is that good data is hard to find, especially when you are talking about exports to the U.S.,” said



Feed horses properly in winter

Winter is in full force, and horse owners need to make sure they feed their animals appropriately for the conditions, according to North Dakota State University Extension Service equine specialist Carrie Hammer. Feeding good-quality hay in sufficient amounts is one of the best ways to help horses keep warm. Feed digestion produces heat, with the