Everyone likes gifts, but farmers aren’t likely to welcome extra herbicide drifting in. Manitoba’s spray season has already hit its height, and sprayers have commonly been seen trundling down the provincial highways and grid roads for weeks. But while farmers are already watching for insect damage, stand counts and weed issues, this time of year
Is it spray drift?
Some in-crop conditions can mimic the same sort of damage caused by drift
Hog sector biosecurity changes paint target on PEDv
PEDv has not reached the heights this year that gripped the pork industry during Manitoba’s historic outbreak in 2017, but the sector is still on high alert. Nine new cases have been reported in 2018 as of June 18, while 78 of Manitoba’s total 91 PED-positive cases were dubbed presumptive negative as of mid-May. This
Canola dodges the worst of the damage
The canola fields may look grim, but both Manitoba Agriculture and local agronomists from the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) say most fields will recover from a June 14 storm that dropped hail over southern Manitoba. “It almost hit it at an ideal time, because it’s just a visual impact right now,” Justine Cornelsen, CCC
To seed or not to reseed?
Soybeans were among the greatest concern after a June 14 storm dropped up to softball-sized hail on southern Manitoba, but anyone looking to reseed had to look to other options as seeding windows closed
Severe storms June 14 put producers up against the clock recently as hail-damaged fields clashed with looming seeding deadlines. The storm may have forced producers into a shotgun decision on reseeding, Manitoba Agriculture pulse specialist Dennis Lange said during a June 20 Crop Talk webinar. Soybeans were among the largest concerns after the June 14
Spring forage woes linger for first cut
Producers were glad to see forage jump in June, but many first-cut reports are still coming up short
Manitoba’s first forage cut is still showing the signs of a slow start this spring. The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association observed lower alfalfa yields compared to last year in some regions. John McGregor, co-ordinator for the MFGA Green Gold program, says stands in eastern Manitoba were three inches shorter on average, coming in at
Developing the economic developers
A new certification program aims to improve and standardize skills for those working to build the rural economy
It’s back to school for community economic development officers. The Economic Developers Association of Manitoba (EDAM) has launched its newly completed, eight-module certification program, dubbed Community Edge, and the first class has graduated, following the group’s spring forum in Roblin in mid-May. “EDAM developed a strategic plan in 2013 and recognized that professional development was
Transplanting herbicide-resistance advice from Down Under
Australia has something to teach Canadian farmers about herbicide resistance, at least, according to BASF’s latest online resource
On the other side of the world, farmers have learned some valuable insights about herbicide resistance that you can share. In Australia they’ve long been fighting this battle and the land Down Under has learned some tough lessons. The International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds found Canada is third in the world in terms of
Horse owners have mixed views on EIA policy
There are fears that tightened testing requirements for equine infectious anemia could be too expensive for smaller equine events
Horse owners are up in arms over proposed plans to tighten federal policy on equine infectious anemia (EIA). The incurable disease can cause anemia, anorexia, weakness and fever, among other symptoms and can be potentially deadly. The disease has been a recurring problem for equine owners in Western Canada, one that has been federally reportable
Livestock industry sweating the details on Crown land changes
Manitoba Beef Producers says Crown land changes are a step in the right direction, but the group still has a wish list before the first bids come in this fall
Livestock and forage growers already know the next round of Crown land allocation will look different, but how different is yet to be confirmed. The province took its tender-based Crown lands program to the industry this spring, with the promise that feedback would be considered before the program got its first stress test when 2019
VIDEO: Major storm hits Southern Manitoba
Southern Manitoba is taking stock after major storms on June 14 brought a confirmed tornado touchdown near Waskada, Man., while a wide swath near the international border saw anywhere from quarter and toonie-sized hail to ice chunks the size of softballs. Total crop damage has yet to be determined.