Cattle producers were particularly hard hit by the drought of 2021.

2021 had a recurring theme

There’s little doubt 2021 was an especially tough year for farmers

Looking back at my coverage in 2021, there are a few words that keep cropping up. “Grim” is one of them. So is “dire.” There were other contenders: “critical,” “parched,” “scrambling.” In short, this year had me spending a certain amount of time with my thesaurus. How many ways can you say that things are

Muscular activity can keep horses warm in the winter.

How does a horse stay warm in the winter?

Horse Health: The natural coping mechanisms of horses should be encouraged rather than suppressed

The horse is remarkably adapted and adept at staying warm as the winter season arises and temperatures plunge into the double digits. In order to satisfy its body’s needs for generating warmth the horse requires resources to do so. If the horse’s environment and circumstance do not meet the requirements of the horse to physiologically thermoregulate and generate


The province’s horse breeders say they’re being frozen out of drought relief programs.

Horse breeders push back against AgriRecovery exclusion

DROUGHT | The horse industry argues its ranches were equally drought stricken as its beef-producing neighbours

Horse breeders in Manitoba are questioning why PMU horses are the only equines eligible for feed and animal transportation programs through AgriRecovery. “There are a lot of horse breeders in the province of Manitoba who have foals on the ground that are just as big and contributing just as much, if not more, to Manitoba’s

Feds fund Hay West to ship another 15 million to 16 million pounds of hay

Feds fund Hay West to ship another 15 million to 16 million pounds of hay

DROUGHT With far more demand than capacity, the CFA is seeking to mitigate as much damage as possible

Federal funding will allow the Hay West relief initiative to ship another 15 million to 16 million pounds of hay through the winter, says the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). That’s based on an average cost of 15 to 20 cents per pound, a spokesperson told the Co-operator. However, that’s a fraction of the hay


“We have the money. It’s there for them when they need it..." – Ralph Eichler

Eichler not worried on AgriRecovery uptake

Jump-started fall feed may be delaying applications, ag minister says

Manitoba’s agriculture minister says he’s not overly concerned about AgriRecovery uptake numbers so far. As of Oct. 22, the province had reported 118 farmer applications approved, accounting for $1.67 million of the total $155 million approved for AgriRecovery programs this year. The province has continued processing applications since those numbers were recorded, as well as unveiling a third

Claas’ current certified pre-owned inventory includes this 2020 Jaguar 990 self-propelled forage harvester, on offer in Nebraska for US$435,000 (about C$559,500). (ClaasUsedEquipment.com)

Claas retools certified pre-owned equipment program

'Claas Used' plan set up for Canada, U.S. markets

The North American arm of German aq equipment maker Claas has revamped the warranty and financing options it offers on sales of company-inspected pre-owned tractors, combines and forage harvesters. The new program, dubbed ‘Claas Used,’ will offer warranty protection on certified late-model units in Canada and the U.S., along with lower-rate financing through Claas Financial


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes

Cow-calf producers selling sooner than normal

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $275 delivered; the Alberta fed market has rallied $10-$12 over the past couple weeks. Secondly, U.S. feeder cattle prices have also rallied US$10-US$12 during the same time frame

Patrick Darcy, a seaweed harvester, heaves a sack full of harvested Dillisk seaweed (palmaria palmata) to carry on his back in the County Clare village of Quilty, Ireland.

Ireland looks to seaweed in quest to curb methane from cows

While there’s lots of interest in the method, it’s years away from mass production

Athenry, Ireland | Reuters –– Scientists are combing Ireland’s west coast for seaweed to feed to cattle and sheep after research showed it could stop them breathing out so much climate-warming methane. The project, co-ordinated by a state agriculture body, is tapping into the country’s growing seaweed harvesting industry, which is seeking new markets as


Regenerative dairy farmers Henry Nyhof (left to right), Sean Smith and Paul Kernaleguen with conference organizer Ryan Boyd.

Dairy farmers well positioned for regenerative ag, producers say

BALANCES | Increased grazing has seen decreases in butterfat but overall increases in cows’ health, reduced input costs

Canadian dairy farmers may be among the best positioned to take up regenerative farming practices, said producers during a panel discussion at the 2021 Regenerative Ag Conference, held in Brandon Nov. 15 to 17. Supply management means a steady income which can give farmers more confidence to take risks, said Sean Smith, a dairy farmer near Minnedosa. Fairly small herds

Two-striped grasshopper.

Grasshoppers and flea beetle key pests of 2021

Conditions encouraged outbreaks, dampened effects of control strategies

If producers were hoping for a break on flea beetles and grasshoppers this year, they didn’t get it. Both made the highlight reel for the most serious pest damage in the province, according to a seasonal summary released by Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development in early November. In both cases, it’s a continuation of a