The province hopes new resources and a new approach with the Office of the Fire Commissioner will help stem criticism on grain dryer setup. The province announced changes to grain dryer approval procedure Jan. 22 after a wave of complaints from industry, equipment dealers and producers this fall. Why it matters: Grain dryer installation drew
Province promises streamlined grain dryer installations
News from Ag Days 2019: A line of rule changes may help cool frustrations with grain dryer setup
Untangling the future of hemp fibre
Hemp fibre has been overshadowed by grain, but is it time to give it another look? And what obstacles still stand in the way?
Back in 1998, when industrial hemp production was legalized, most expected the crop would be grown for its fibre. After all, it was the original market for the crop, with the strong sturdy fibres having been used for centuries to produce rope, canvas and paper. Why it matters: Manitoba’s hemp industry has been largely grain
Tallying up the CPTPP trade deal
Manitoba agriculture stands to benefit
Manitoba’s ag sector is getting ready for a new trade reality now that CPTPP has loosened trade bounds between Canada and Pacific Rim countries. The 11-nation trade deal, which was almost derailed in 2017 with the sudden withdrawal by the U.S., officially came into force Dec. 30, 2018, with Canada as one of the first
Stand and be counted: beef industry seeking vets for EU compliance inspections
The Manitoba Beef Producers is teaming up with the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association to streamline the hunt for an on-farm inspector
Technically beef producers have been able to sell their product into the EU since 2017 when the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into effect. But in practice a number of regulatory issues have stalled any progress including Europe’s insistence on hormone-free beef and the use of carcass wash not approved in the
Killarney-area producer recognized for forage sector leadership
The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association had some kind words and a national award for farmer Dave Koslowsky
Killarney’s Dave Koslowsky has been recognized with a national award for leadership in the forage sector. The nod from the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) ties off his time with the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association where he was chair. Why it matters: A Manitoba couple is helping to lead the way on forage,
Adding spring into the extended grazing equation
Some cattle producers say they’ve been getting good results extending their grazing season at the other end
Extended grazing has become shorthand for keeping cattle out longer than the neighbours — but should producers be looking to push the envelope at the other end of the season too? Some of the province’s most ardent champions of the practices say it might be easiest to grow the grazing season into the spring. Why
Hemp industry faces down ‘cannabis’ label for CBD
Hemp producers will have to bridge the line between hemp and cannabis regulations if they want to sell hemp for CBD extraction
While the concept of CBD and cannabinoids are still exciting to the hemp industry, reality has begun to settle in. The federal government’s decision to treat marijuana and hemp-derived nutraceuticals the same will mean an extra layer of red tape for any producer itching to jump on this bandwagon. Hemp growers are placing high hopes
Hemp processor preparing to jump in on CBD
What will a hemp-derived CBD market look like? One Manitoba processor says it’s looking hard at how to make it a reality
Lyall Bates has high hopes for CBD. “I think the extraction equipment is here and even with the regulations and the laws, I think it’s ready,” Bates said. “I think the farmers now just have to get a little more educated (on) how to take these crops off and how to save the strains.” Maximizing
Regenerative agriculture creates a sprawling road map
Farmers who want to move past ‘sustainability’ have lots of management advice, but they’re also drawn from a wide range of sectors and every practice may not fit every operation
Blain Hjertaas of Redvers, Sask., and David Rourke of Minto, Man., were both well-known faces before their panel at the MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference in Brandon late last November. Why it matters: Regenerative agriculture has got lots of time in the headlines, but the movement may look very different for an organic farmer with 3,000
Culling best when earliest
No one wants to cull, but could producers have saved themselves pasture, herd size and market headaches if they had started winnowing a little earlier this year?
Manitoba’s cattle auction marts were ready for a glut that didn’t come early this fall. Feed was short, pastures had dwindled and experts were warning that a heavy cow cull was on the way. By most reports, however, that wasn’t what happened. Why it matters: Producers seemed to hold on to their cattle this fall,