Brandon is hosting the Manitoba version of the Canola Council of Canada’s CanoLAB, which comes to Manitoba for the first time Feb. 28. “CanoLAB is a truly unique learning experience,” says Dan Orchard, Canola Council of Canada (CCC) agronomy specialist for north-central Alberta. “You get a full day with an extensive list of professional instructors,
Yellow flowers in February at CanoLABs
Alberta rancher debuts Power Grazer
Want to try managed grazing techniques to boost grass productivity, but don’t want to spend a lot of time and money driving posts and stringing wires? Norm Ward, a custom grazer and inventor from Granum, Alta., has come up with a self-contained portable electric fencing system that makes dividing up quarter section-sized pastures fast and
Work with nature or pay the price, says ex-grain farmer
Holistic management instructor calls for adoption of farming methods that restore soil health and make farmers prosperous
Don’t talk to Blain Hjertaas about “sustainability.” The farmer and holistic management instructor from Redvers, Sask., can’t stand that word. “I hate the word ‘sustainable,’” Hjertaas told the recent Western Canada Holistic Management conference. “If we’re in the toilet bowl, and we keep sustaining it, we aren’t ever getting out.” Hjertaas’s presentation juxtaposed the declineManitoba Beef Producers hears calls for second Lake Manitoba outlet
Calls for a second outlet to improve the province’s ability to prevent Lake Manitoba from flooding shoreline properties were heard at the recent Manitoba Beef Producers annual general meeting. Jackie Jonasson, who ranches near Vogar, spoke in support of a resolution that was passed to lobby for keeping the lake’s level at 813 feet above
‘Doubt grenades’ lethal to beef industry’s fortunes
With everything from multimillion-dollar budgets and legions of fanatical supporters, animal activists have a lot of tools at their disposal for turning the public off of beef. But by far the most potent weapon in their arsenal of clandestine YouTube videos and Twitter tweets is what Ryder Lee calls the “doubt grenade.” Instead of hurling
New MBP president looks to tighten the budgetary cinch
The newly minted president of the Manitoba Beef Producers sees a number of challenges facing the province’s cattle industry in the coming year. Trevor Atchison, a rancher from Pipestone and longtime director, was chosen to replace outgoing president Ray Armbruster at the group’s annual general meeting last week. Chief among his concerns going forward is
Skepticism greets push for innovation
Government wants to tap into emerging markets, meet demand for healthy products, and encourage environmental and energy sustainability, but some regions want water pipes
The federal and provincial governments are making innovation a central plank in their agricultural spending, but some would rather see the funds spent on more mundane necessities of farm and rural life — like water. The revamped Growing Forward 2 program will see Ottawa and the province invest $176 million in strategic innovation programs over fiveSoybean root rot pathogen breaks the rules
For every rule there’s an exception. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers have discovered a devastating soybean pathogen has developed a means of breaking Mendel’s laws, which sets out the rules on how genetic characteristics are passed on via inheritance. The discovery could lead to better control of soybean root rot disease, a major problem worldwide,
Seized horses to go on the block
Officials hope 10 Morgan-Appaloosa-cross horses seized by provincial animal welfare officers from an unattended pasture in the Langruth area will soon have a new home. “They are going to auction mart and I’m trying to line up a bunch of people to buy them,” said Richard Callander, a councillor in the RM of Lakeview. “If
Reeve slams province for not taking flood threat seriously
Sifton Reeve Rick Plaisier wants the premier to light a fire under his officials and deal with the threat posed by increased drainage in Saskatchewan
Fearing a repeat of 2011’s unprecedented flooding in the not-too-distant future, reeves representing southwestern Manitoba municipalities are demanding a meeting with Premier Greg Selinger to find out what is being done to prevent it. “What are they doing about water coming in from Saskatchewan?” asked Rick Plaisier, reeve of the RM of Sifton. “Are theyCyber-Savvy Farmer
