Areas across Manitoba may be hard up for hay and feed, but those watching the market say there’s good supply available for purchase and prices have yet to rise significantly. Ads for new-crop and carryover forage are plentiful, said John MacGregor, forage expert with the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association, and prices have been fairly
Hay prices, supply steady for now
FEED | Producers in some parts of the province will be buying hay this winter
Carbon exemption bill nearing close of Senate deliberations
Farm groups hoped to see Bill C-234 made law in time for harvest
A bill to exempt propane and natural gas from the carbon price when used for grain drying and barn heating was nearing the end of its winding road through the Senate after an Oct. 5 meeting. Thursday morning the Senate’s committee on agriculture and forestry heard final witnesses speak on Bill C-234, which would amend
Organic sector launches national action plan
Industry groups lobby for place in federal departments
National organic groups want to get a bigger space at the table when it comes to federal policies and the work of departments like Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The goal is part of a proposed national organic action plan launched in September. Organic industry groups say their products are gaining popularity among consumers and government
Organic grain price discovery hub launches
Platform will provide vital stats, buyer directory to a data-starved sector
The often data-starved Prairie organic sector has launched a new price-discovery and marketing tool for farmers. “Organic grain producers in Canada have few resources to help them navigate the local and international marketplace,” said Marie-Eve Levert, director of business development for the new Organic Grain Hub, in a Sept. 21 news release. “There is a
AMM puts heat on infrastructure as next week’s election looms
Municipal funding should be higher on the priority list, association says
Municipal leaders say all parties appear ready to provide steady funding for municipalities, but aren’t giving infrastructure enough airtime as the provincial election draws near. “We need to see more,” said Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett in a Sept. 20 news release. “Building and maintaining core infrastructure – from water and wastewater to broadband – is a
Potatoes see big benefits from water stewardship project
Farmers studied the benefits of in-field and field edge projects for themselves and the community
Improved water stewardship on potato fields in the Lake Winnipeg basin could provide a surprising amount of community benefits, a recent project showed. “Those numbers were way bigger than I would ever expect,” said farmer Chad Berry. Berry, who owns Under the Hill Farms near Cypress River, was one of four farms (covering 34,000 acres)
Wheat Growers take new shot at federal fertilizer policy
The federal government wants a 30 per cent reduction in emissions from fertilizer, but says it is voluntary
The Wheat Growers association says claims that the federal government is threatening to force a 30 per cent reduction in nitrogen fertilizer use, published in a newsletter aimed at consumers, was meant to prove a point. “We aren’t really exaggerating,” said Wheat Growers president Gunter Jochum. “I felt they were not exaggerating because of the government’s track record.” Why
Electoral candidates take on ag issues
Ag Issues at the Polls: From property tax to rural health care, here’s what candidates from Manitoba’s major political parties have to say
Agriculture representatives from four of Manitoba’s political parties traded promises and verbal jabs over the education property tax, rural health care and water policy when they met at a Sept. 12 election forum. The Winnipeg event was organized by the Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters. Candidates answered questions provided by Manitoba ag groups and had
Ag groups say redundant tax returns a burden
Groups are lobbying to have farmers permanently exempt from UHT filing by next tax season
Farmers have been forced to file tax returns on underused housing despite knowing they’ll be exempt from paying, says KAP. “The additional administrative and financial burden that is being placed on farmers does not seem like it is in the best interest of farmers or the government given the redundancy of this return for the many farmers,” said a
Keep an eye out for field trash when harvesting potatoes
Potato producers asked to clear non-tuber objects prior to harvest
One of Manitoba’s major potato processors is asking producers to ensure their soil surface is clear before bringing in spuds this year. Scott Graham, J.R. Simplot’s raw agronomy manager, urged producers to watch for foreign objects in their fields and among potatoes. The issue of foreign objects arriving at the plant was brought up during
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
