The market for organic forage seed is currently undersupplied and offers large and growing demand over the next few years. It’s such a good business, said Laura Telford, a MAFRI organic specialist, that even people who hate organic can’t resist its allure. In preparation for her presentation on marketing opportunities at the Portage Food Development
Organic forage seed a hot market
Green manures fit the forage seed bill
For organic farmers, the first step in putting in any crop involves manure, either brown or green. Animal manures offer a wide range of benefits from basic plant nutrients to micronutrients, as well as a cascading benefit derived from its microbial content. However, that kind of manure is often available only in limited quantities, is
“Socialist” seed money program behind North Dakota boom
North Dakota development agency has many successes and says even innovative failures can pay dividends
When right-leaning Americans want to make a point about the perils of government involvement in the economy, they often level the accusing finger at socialist Canuckistan. But in North Dakota — which is enjoying an agriculture and oil boom despite serious economic malaise elsewhere in the union — there are two wildly successful “socialist entities.”Lake Manitoba ranchers fear another year of losses
The flood waters have receded, but residents along the shore of Lake Manitoba are still dealing with the damage they caused. Flooded fields, clogged drains, downed fences, and cattail-filled pastures where now only seagulls graze are common sights. Langruth-area farmer Jonas Johnson and his wife Lydia live in a 94-year-old house about half a
Professor says more must be done to prevent repeat of Lake Manitoba flood damage
Scott Forbes estimates flood damage at $2 billion and says most of it could have been prevented if there had been better drainage
Like the problem child in the family, Lake Winnipeg gets all the attention over its phosphorus problems, while its well-behaved smaller sister to the west tends to be ignored. Or at least that was the case for Lake Manitoba until last year, said Scott Forbes, a professor of biology at the University of Winnipeg, whoOrganic grain growers: Turning to “speed dating” to meet buyers
Growing organic crops can be tough. Finding reliable buyers even tougher. A recent matchmaking event was aimed at helping the two sides of the organic supply-and-demand equation meet in the hopes that the industry might go forth, be fruitful, and multiply. “It’s speed dating,” said Laura Telford, an organic business development specialist with Manitoba
Organic forage seed growers: Working with Mother Nature to keepbugs and weeds in hand
Growers manage fertility and soil health with less tractor hours by growing perennial forage seed crops
Growing organic forage seed takes a different mindset. Larry Pollock, who has been farming organically since the 1990s on 600 acres north of Brandon, was part of a panel of experienced growers offering insights at a recent workshop hosted by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. He sows 100 to 150 acres of alfalfa underNew CCA president to focus on processing, foreign trade efforts
For the first time in decades, a Manitoba rancher has risen to the top job of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Cow-calf producer Martin Unrau, a CCA vice-president, was recently acclaimed as president and will replace Alberta’s Travis Toews. Along with wife Roxie, son Garett, and a part-time employee, Unrau runs 500 head on Bar 88
Wet on top, dry down below
Notoriously wet country looks to better grazing management to solve chronic water infiltration problems
Saskatchewan grazier Neil Dennis figures five centuries of continuous grazing has more to do with the drought affecting the British Isles than a lack of rainfall. “When you get 70 inches of rain, and the water table is dropping, there’s sure something wrong,” said Dennis, who just returned from a U.K. tour where he hadQuick-cooking barley puts a modern spin on an ancient grain
Manitoba-made, value-added, hulless barley food product offers ease of preparation, convenience and nutritional benefits
Everybody has to eat. On dinner plates around the world, there are three main types of starches: rice, potatoes and pasta. Now, after years of product development, Marvin Nakonechny, the CEO of Edmonton-based Progressive Foods, has an ambitious plan to add his company’s new, fast-cooking hulless barley product to that list. “I just want aCyber-Savvy Farmer
