Century farms are rare enough, but family-owned rural retailers that have managed to survive — and even thrive — in the era of big-box megastores are even harder to find. Pringle’s Men’s Wear, one of three retailers awarded the province’s new Century Recognition Business Awards, has managed to buck the trend. About a decade ago,
Boissevain men’s wear store still going strong after a century in business
Service and honesty are the keys to success for one of rural Manitoba’s few remaining family-owned and -operated retail clothing stores
‘Multipreneur’ combines passion for stuffed animals with fitness
Sometimes the common thread in ‘multipreneurship’ is you, says panellists at Take the Leap conference
A taxidermist who also owns and operates a ladies’ fitness club? No, it’s not a B-movie plot. It’s how Dauphin entrepreneur Patrick Furkalo makes his living. “It’s a natural fit,” said Furkalo, who spoke in a panel discussion at the recent Take the Leap entrepreneurship conference organized by the provincial government. “I’m passionate about taxidermy
Sustainable farming strategy mimics savanna ecosystem
Farmer and author Mark Shepard conducted a workshop in Manitoba last month
Garden of Eden-style farming combines strategic water management, perennial fruit and nut crops, along with multi-species grazing
Forget “food forests” and the latest genetically engineered crops. The key to feeding a soaring global population lies in mimicking the most photosynthetically productive natural system on Earth – the savanna, says American farmer and author Mark Shepard. Unlike a forest, where the canopy shuts out sunlight, a savanna complex is composed of multiple layersTyson pulls plug on Canadian-fed cattle
The move may tip the balance towards more feeder cattle moving south
Meat-packing giant Tyson Foods’ announcement last week that it will stop buying fed cattle direct from Canadian feedlots is already having an impact on slaughter cattle prices. “On certain classes of cattle, I’ll bet you it’s 10 cents a pound,” said Doug Richardson, a cattle buyer from Moosomin who ships cattle south. But Rick Wright,
Calf prices push higher as fall run finally gets underway
Another year of favourable prices expected for cow-calf operations, but U.S. labelling law remains a problem
After weeks of warm, wet weather that kept pastures green well into October and swaths lying in the field, a flood of calves is set to hit the market. “The fall run is here now. It took a little time to get started,” said Robyn Hill, manager of Heartland Livestock Services in Virden. Volumes inLivestock transport certification goes national
The Canadian Livestock Transport (CLT) Certification Program is now up and running coast to coast. Formerly known as the Certified Livestock Transport training program, it was originally developed in May 2007 through Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) in association with its sister animal care associations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, said Geraldine Auston, project co-ordinator
Riding Mountain ranchers face new threat
Ranchers south of Riding Mountain National Park fear a new headache is on the way — increased predator attacks from coyotes and wolves. Efforts aimed at preventing bovine tuberculosis in wildlife from spreading to their cattle herds have slashed the elk population, and now a special whitetail deer season for two zones bordering the west
Tips and tricks for predator hunting
Ranchers and shepherds who are handy with a varmint rifle may find that the key to coyote control is just a “mournful” call away. Rob Lamont, an avid coyote hunter from Brandon, offered a few tips and insights into the fine art of luring predators within shooting range with a call. First, find a site
‘Who’s your trapper?’ asks MTA director
Urban foodies are being encouraged to get to know their farmer in order to forge direct links with their food supply. But to avoid feeding coyotes instead of customers, ranchers and shepherds should get to know their local trapper, said Neil Brandstrom, a Manitoba Trappers Association director from Eriksdale. “We need you to talk to
Rancher finds success feeding cattle on mixed-grass prairie
Twice-over grazing system designed by Critical Wildlife Habitat Program combined with top genetics produces fall calves just shy of 1,000 pounds
To many, native pastures are just a place to keep the cows during the summer. But with a little management and good genetics, Gerry Bertholet’s calves are packing on the pounds from mixed-grass prairie that would put many tame pastures to shame. Since Bertholet started working with Manitoba’s Critical Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) using aCyber-Savvy Farmer
