The summer’s PEDv outbreak has been a hard teacher on biosecurity issues, but the Manitoba Pork Council says those lessons will help fight future diseases like PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome). The pork sector was rocked in the east this year, with 80 barns testing positive for PEDv, including the first cases west of
Pork sector learns biosecurity lessons from PEDv
2017 was by far the worst PEDv year on record, but it also forced a hard look at biosecurity and those lessons may lay the groundwork against future pig diseases
Pork industry watching PRRS in wake of PEDv
PEDv has been on every pork producer’s mind this summer, but the sector hasn’t forgotten about PRRS
Manitoba’s worst PEDv year on record may be drawing to a close, but the pork sector already has a wary eye on what might be the next big disease threat. In 2016, veterinarians identified a new, aggressive strain of PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome) in Manitoba. A total 15 sites have been impacted so far,
VIDEO: Precision ag workshop comes to Southport
Alexis Stockford, reporter for the Manitoba Co-operator, visited Southport on Dec. 12 for a precision agriculture workshop, an event attended by industry representatives, agricultural consultants and producers.
Who’s the father?
Initial data out of the Western Beef Development Centre and University of Saskatchewan shows siring rates in a pasture might vary more than you’d think
That bull has one job — and he might not be doing it. That’s the message from a recent study out of the Western Beef Development Centre and University of Saskatchewan and the focus of the latest Beef Cattle Research Council webinar. The research team, including the BCRC’s Stacey Domolewski, used DNA testing to track
Municipalities not convinced on rural EMS changes
The province says closing 23 low-call stations and replacing them with more regional stations will enhance service, but local governments have concerns
Municipalities have serious concerns about proposed changes to rural EMS, and western Manitoba is at the head of the pack. The western region is expected to take the greatest hit if the province moves ahead with its plan to close 23 community ambulance bays, replacing them with five larger centres and two more enhanced stations
Precision pig feeder faces market delays
The system promises to cut down on feed cost and extra manure, but there’s no word yet on when the equipment will be ready for market
The science of precision pig feeding has come along nicely, but the manufacturing industry has been slow to climb on board, according to the project’s lead researcher. Candido Pomar, of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, was set to bring his pig-specific feeder to commercial trials in 2016 at Prairie Swine Centre, the Manitoba Co-operator reported in mid-2015. Since
Tillage questions posed for Manitoba
David Lobb with the University of Manitoba is researching the cost of soil degradation
What does soil degradation cost you? Dr. David Lobb hopes the answer to that question will get producers looking more closely at what’s happening under their feet. The University of Manitoba researcher spoke Nov. 15 in Dauphin at the “Soil Health and Your Bottom Line” workshop, hosted by the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve. Lobb estimates
Manitoba sees changing erosion landscape
Manitoba may not have a lot of topography but Dr. David Lobb says it’s enough for tillage erosion, especially as soybeans expand
As soybean acreage has exploded, new questions about soil erosion are arising. This past spring a record 2.3 million acres were planted and that has soil specialists expressing some concern about increased tillage practices and the soil impact of the new crop. “When you go to crops like soybeans, the ability of the soil to
Municipalities have questions on cannabis rollout
Municipalities have less than a month to say ‘yea or nay’
Municipalities are scrambling after news that the province expects them to make a decision on cannabis by Dec. 22. Blaine Pedersen, minister of growth, enterprise, and trade, announced Nov. 28 that municipalities must decide if they will allow marijuana sales by the December deadline. “It’s tight timelines and we sort of apologize for that, but
A cowboy’s guardian angels: the story behind rodeo protection workers
Rodeo clowns and bullfighters make a living out of getting chased down by bulls, but what entices people into the business?
Rodeo always has an element of unpredictability and danger and there’s nowhere that’s more evident that in bull riding. Typically the event kicks off with a sense of nervous anticipation, accompanied by pulse-quickening hard rock like AC/DC and an excited announcer asking spectators, “Are you ready for some bull riding?” The chute opens and everyone