[UPDATED: June 27, 2022] Farmers near Fisher Branch found fields and roads under water after the area got more than seven inches of rain on Tuesday, June 21. “It’s definitely what you’d call a flash flood,” said Jamal Abas, whose family farms north of Fisher Branch at Hodgson. Environment Canada data shows 187 mm (over
Flash flooding hits Fisher Branch farms
Floods, seeding deadlines bring an end to seeding in many fields
How scientific minds changed toward perennial grains
Early boosters were voices on the fringe: Today, perennial crops are sought by researchers worldwide — including Manitoba
In the early days of kernza — a perennial grain crop related to wheat — plant breeders at The Land Institute in Kansas couldn’t get a government grant to save their lives. “We got very nice compliments on our writing of the grant proposals and harsh criticism on the value of actually doing the work,”
Health Canada decision worries organic growers
Potential for contamination will increase if gene-edited crops become widespread, say organic organizations
Organic producers are concerned that a Health Canada decision deeming most gene-edited crops safe will disrupt their farms and markets. “It will have a significant effect on our sector,” said Marla Carlson, executive director of SaskOrganics. In May, Health Canada released a decision which said that gene-edited plants and food from those plants would not
Animal welfare on social media: speak up or shut up?
Transparency not optional for livestock, meat industry – but wisdom required
Farmers are a small group, so standing up for each other is necessary when it comes to online attacks — even those as fraught as animal welfare concerns. However, responding requires wisdom, says one animal welfare expert. “Don’t argue for the sake of arguing but try to find a proper channel and respond to those
Crusted soil hampers canola emergence
Short supplies of canola seed causing issues for some reseeding farmers
Some farmers are seeding canola all over again as crusting kept the crop from emerging the first time. “It was so fun the first time we’re going to do it again,” wrote Crystal City farmer Landon Friesen on Twitter. Crusting after heavy rain led to him re-seeding 1,000 acres of canola, he told the Co-operator.
Maedi visna: The hidden sheep disease
What you can’t see can still be hurting your flock
A fatal disease cost Manitoba sheep farmer Carleen Doerksen about half her flock, but she says few farmers even know the condition exists. Doerksen, who farms near Boissevain, Man., had noticed that some of her ewes couldn’t keep up when moving from pasture to pasture. They couldn’t get enough air, winding up exhausted by the
Health Canada decision adds fuel to gene editing debate
Proponents say gene editing will allow faster innovation. Opponents say it’s potentially dangerous and may undermine trust
A recent Health Canada decision deemed gene-edited plants safe for the Canadian food supply — and the decision wasn’t without controversy. This spring, Health Canada ruled on new guidance for its Novel Food Regulations, after lengthy consultations. Why it matters: Removing gene-edited plants from the more highly regulated class of “novel foods,” under a set
Eroded topsoil points to need for better ‘armour’
Programs supporting cover crops have spread in popularity, and organizers say they’ve found plenty of interest from farmers, despite learning still being done
Regenerative agriculturalists have a visually evocative word for ground cover: soil armour. It means crop residue or living plants that hold the soil together and protect it from erosion. The soil could’ve used some armour this spring, according to one first-hand account. “I’ve never seen so much displaced soil,” said Elie-area farmer Justin Girard, referencing
Water management: What’s the plan?
A full-fledged water management strategy has been in the works for over a year
As Manitobans ride a pendulum swing from too little to too much water, they await the province’s promised comprehensive water strategy — the first update to the plan since the early 2000s. The volatile weather has made plain why it’s needed. “We’re seeing an increase in variability,” said Dimple Roy, director of water management with
Farmers’ market food voucher program loses funding
Community groups say food currency has health and social benefits for food-insecure families
Community groups are concerned that a program that put fresh local food on the tables of food-insecure households may not be able to run this year due to lack of financial support. “It was an amazing program,” said Kayla Chafe, outreach co-ordinator at South Winnipeg Family Information Centre, which participated in 2021. The Manitoba Community
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