Smaller, independently operated production, slaughter and marketing channels paying off in higher prices and increased consumer confidence
Some Manitoba ranchers aren’t losing any sleep over the problems faced by the XL Foods beef recall. That’s because their beef is certified organic, and marketed through channels that operate totally independent of the big players. “I think we are definitely starting to see demand perk up, not that it wasn’t hot already,” said AllanBad news for XL Foods is good news for organic beef
Tough conditions for Canadian, provincial plowing matches
Neither heat, nor snow, nor rock-hard ground kept enthusiasts from competing in the provincial and national championships
A full week of plowing competitions wrapped up last Saturday, with entries from as far away as Ontario and New Brunswick doing their best to turn perfect furrows. Weather conditions on the field owned by the Bob Mazer family ranged from broiling hot sun, to light snow, strong winds, and rain. However there was oneCorn seed might be tight next spring
Rising corn acres and severe drought in the Midwestern United States may crimp supplies of popular corn seed varieties for the coming year. “It’s really short,” said Ron Rabe, a Dekalb agronomist, who gave a brief talk on corn production in Manitoba at a recent WADO field tour. Derek Erb, who farms near Oak Bluff
Ample heat, subsoil moisture helps sunflowers soar
National Sunflower Association of Canada looking at possible introduction of bird-repellent products used south of the border
It was a great summer to be a sunflower. “Yields are coming really good this year,” said Denis Touzin of Keystone Grain. “They like heat, and we had the heat.” With an unusually dry fall making a pre-Thanksgiving harvest possible for the first time in years, early reports are pegging yields at 2,500 to 3,200Help with harvest, then see the sights in the land Down Under
Finished high school? Craving travel and adventure? Being a “farmaroo” in Australia is one way for farm kids to trade their farming skills and work ethic for an extended trip Down Under. “It’s a new way for young people to work, learn, and see Australia,” said Carling Henderson, who worked for Manitoba Agriculture, Food and
Another record shattered as Manitoba soybean acreage soars
It’s no surprise why: Low production costs, high prices, improved varieties and availability of crop insurance is making “beans” a big money-maker
Manitoba farmers planted more soybeans in 2012 than ever before — but the record won’t last long. “If things go as planned, with a good spring and the seed supplies are there, I think reaching the million mark won’t be too difficult next year,” said Dennis Lange, a farm production adviser based in Altona. ThisProducers cash out before calf market nosedives
With his calculator at the ready beside him, Pipestone-area rancher Bob Forder watched as the first lot of “good solid” black calves at Heartland Livestock Services’ first fall pre-sort sale came through the ring. When the bidding stopped at $1.725 per pound for the lot averaging 533 lbs, a fellow in the row in front of him turned
Building a herd for the real world
An Peischel aimed high when she began breeding goats back in 1985. “My goals were to produce the highest-quality breeding stock that I could sell to producers and sleep at night, and also to hang the best carcass on the rail off of native vegetation,” the University of Tennessee extension agent said at the recent
No till doesn’t mean “never till,” says adviser
It may seem like heresy, but shallow plowing once every seven years could help rather than hurt soil quality
It’s still possible to catch a glimpse of a moldboard plow now and then on the Prairies. Usually, they can be seen rusting away peacefully in the bushes near an abandoned farm yard, or taking one last ride on the back of a scrap metal truck. That’s where the older plows belong, said Pat Lynch,Food for the Future Community garden project ends productive season with a feast
With the harvest picked, children and adult volunteers in the Food for the Future community garden project gathered at a local church to plan their next move —and enjoy a feast of garden-fresh produce. Some of the 10 new gardeners who had already emptied their plates were darting outside to play in the crisp fall
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
