Streamlined operations and paperwork put Manitoba’s only homegrown organic certifying body back on the road to financial health
Manitoba’s own organic certification body is well on its way back to financial health. The Organic Producers of Manitoba, founded in 2005, was hit by a cash crunch as organic’s boom years ground to a halt, said president Edward Lelond. “We were anticipating growth before it happened, and then we hit the recession of 2008,”OPAM trims costs to be more competitive
Unpaid taxes a “management decision,” says Shape Foods part owner
On the City of Brandon’s tax arrears list, last updated Feb. 21, there were more than 100 properties listed as being behind on their property taxes — including $266,000 owed by Shape Foods. Jim Downey, a former Manitoba cabinet minister, who along with three other investors bought the flax-crushing and -bottling plant for $5.1 million
CFIA lays charges over cattle shipments to U.S.
Three cattle operations and a local veterinarian have been charged for allegedly failing to accurately record the ages of cattle shipped to the United States. Lisa Gauthier, a spokesperson for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said in an email that the charges under the Health of Animals Act and regulations were approved by prosecutors following
Strong prices boost sheep herd 5.7 per cent
The latest numbers released by Statistics Canada show that cattle, hog and sheep numbers in Manitoba have begun to recover after years of shrinking. Heifer retention up The province’s cattle herd was pegged at 1.165 million head, up 0.4 per cent from 1.16 million at the same time in 2011. Hogs seen stable Andrew Dickson,
Cull breeding sow grant subject of court filing
The Canadian Pork Council is seeking almost $1 million after a hog operation that received Cull Breeding Sow Program (CBSP) funding was put back into operation by new owners. A statement of claim, filed Feb. 7 in a Brandon court, names Westoba Credit Union, Crocus Country Pork, and BDO Dunwoody Ltd. All parties were given
Overdrying canola can be a costly mistake
Air can dry grain, or it can make it wetter. That’s because grain automatically reaches equilibrium with the ambient relative humidity as it is drawn into the bin via fans. Theoretically, this fact could be used to boost profits by adding tonnage via moisture content until the grain reaches the optimum nine to 10 per
Don’t put wet canola in bags, ag researcher advises
Grain bags have a lot of attractive features for farmers. But are they good for storing canola? The answer is both yes and no, says Digvir Jayas, a University of Manitoba professor. “They market these bags as sealed, air tight, but our research shows that they are not as air tight as the companies would
Open valves on pivot in January cause major damage
Vandals who opened a valve on an irrigation pivot in January have left a Carberry-area potato farmer with a major repair bill — and an unwanted skating rink. Paul Adriaansen, who operates Spud Hill Farms, said that judging by the meter, the pump ran for about 1,000 hours starting on Jan. 20 before he noticed that
Pork Council files claim over sow-cull funds
The Canadian Pork Council is seeking almost $1 million after a hog operation that received federal Cull Breeding Swine Program (CBSP) funding was allegedly put back into operation by new owners. A statement of claim, filed Feb. 7 in a Brandon, Man. court, names Westoba Credit Union, Crocus Country Pork and BDO Dunwoody Ltd. All
Trucking front and centre in talks on new beef code
What’s the most commonly raised topic in the letters that land on federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz’s desk? If you guessed the Canadian Wheat Board, you’d be wrong. “Animal transport is the issue that he gets the most letters on from constituents,” said Canadian Cattlemen’s Association vice-president Martin Unrau at a recent town hall meeting.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
