Manure Archives - Manitoba Co-operator

Droughts always teach (or remind) us of things we need to be prepared for to maintain health and production in our herds, including ways to access feed and, if need be, marketing.

Things to consider after a drought has hit

Beef 911: The drought and intensive heat wave have created plenty of issues for producers to deal with

By Roy Lewis August 17, 2021

Droughts always teach (or remind) us of things we need to be prepared for to maintain health and production in our herds, including ways to access feed and, if need be, marketing. The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) recently put on a very good question-and-answer webinar relating to drought concerns and cattle health. Here are

Lurking nitrates and noxious weeds threaten to be yet another fly in the ointment as livestock producers continue to struggle for every scrap of annual crop or hay they can get their hands on.

Forages, Livestock, News

Feed hazards lying in wait

Feed testing an absolute must for cattle producers sourcing greenfeed, straw: experts

By Geralyn Wichers August 5, 2021

Cattle producers are urged to get greenfeed and straw tested for potentially deadly nitrates this year. “Basically, we know there’s going to be nitrates in some of the feed. Especially cereal,” said Jo-Lene Gardiner, who works with the Border Agriculture Stewardship Association and is a cattle farmer in the Clearwater area. “It’s just been that

ReWild co-founder Kennedy Collins in his home garden.

Farmit Manitoba

Manitoba seed company brings regenerative ag to garden scale

ReWild Garden Seed’s Spring Fling Cover Crop blend is designed to boost soil health and water infiltration in home gardens

By Geralyn Wichers June 11, 2021

A team of Manitoba farmers and gardeners are taking their love of regenerative farming and shrinking it from field to garden. “When we started regenerative farming on my family farm, we turned to cover cropping to replace our reliance on fertilizers,” said Joseph Gardiner, co-founder of ReWild Garden Seed in a news release May 13.

A report suggests that increasing soil carbon levels is one way to limit greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate climate change.

Op/Ed, Opinion

Opinion: IEA report has consequences for agricultural producers

By D.C. Fraser June 9, 2021

The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) widely publicized report on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to achieve global targets further bolsters the case more needs to be done in agriculture to combat climate change. Producers, as the report notes, can’t be excluded from that effort. Released this month, the report lists 400 actions that will need to

Wildlife, especially rodents like raccoons and rats, can transmit leptospirosis to so-called ‘closed herds.’

Beef cattle, Livestock

Don’t be fooled into thinking a ‘closed herd’ is an excuse for inaction

Beef 911: Transmission can occur from wildlife, via spores or breeding bulls, so be proactive

By Roy Lewis June 2, 2021

In my travels, on calls or when talking to other veterinarians’ producers, I still hear some hide behind the proverbial, ‘I don’t do that because I have a closed herd.’ It is an absolute misconception that because a herd is ‘closed,’ it is protected. That is a very broad statement and may apply to a

Crop Report, Crops, News

Area rainfall provides critical moisture, potential frost conditions ahead

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report for May 25

By Manitoba Agriculture May 25, 2021

Southwest Region Most of the Southwest region received rainfall over the past week. Recorded amounts ranged between 25 to 35 mm for the most part, though showers were extremely spotty, with some areas winning the thunderstorm lottery, while weather stations a few miles away recorded only a few millimeters rain. Glenboro and Ninette received the

Crop Report, Crops, News

Seedbed conditions drying rapidly, hay, pasture growth delayed

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report for May 18

By Manitoba Agriculture May 18, 2021

Southwest Region A few scattered showers in Southwest region amounted to 5 to 7 mm around Waskada and south of Riding Mountain National Park. Overall, it has been another dry and windy week. Most districts in the region did not get any appreciable rain. Seedbed conditions are rapidly drying due to strong winds. Producers are

Animal care in modern hog production does not stop at codes of practice and regulatory enforcement. There is also verification.

Comment, Op/Ed

Comment: Agriculture, the environment, and animal care

Pork producers have stringent care standards and deserve protection from intruders

By Cam Dahl May 18, 2021

Legislation brought forward by the provincial government has sparked debate about agriculture in Manitoba. The Animal Diseases Amendment Act has drawn comments about environmental impact and animal care. In the past, farmers produced a little of everything. A few animals, a bit of grain, produced with minimal inputs. Some nostalgically view this bygone era as

Many people with livestock are searching for grazing land and a growing number of farmers are thinking about integrating livestock into their farms.

News

MOA soil health project to match livestock producers, landowners

Livestock integration, reduced tillage, perennials and cover crops to get a boost on organic farms with Conservation Trust funding

By Geralyn Wichers May 13, 2021

A website that will pair landowners with livestock producers in search of grazing land, and a cost-shared consultant agronomy program are two projects the Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA) is taking on in a project called “Improving soil stewardship on Manitoba organic farms” funded by the Conservation Trust. “Organic farms are really well positioned to be

Manure being spread at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center.

Crops, News

Troublesome weeds spread through manure

Weed seeds pass unharmed through the digestive tracts of animals such as cattle and sheep

By North Dakota State University April 14, 2021

Using some kinds of manure as fertilizer can lead to the spread of noxious and troublesome weeds. “It is a known fact that weed seeds pass unharmed through the digestive tracts of ruminant animals (cattle, sheep),” says Mary Keena, livestock environmental management specialist based at North Dakota State University’s Carrington Research Extension Center. “This means that whatever weed seeds

Canada’s small, high-protein malt barley crop poses challenges

U.S. grains: Soy down on South American weather, technical pressure

Feds tighten forecast for wheat carryout

GFM Network News