A series of long-term studies in southern Ontario are showing the value of cover crops and boosting soil organic matter. When combining data across experiments and research stations, University of Guelph soil scientist Laura Van Eerd said they consistently saw higher corn and soybean yields correlate to higher soil organic matter. Van Eerd spoke during a webinar hosted
Long-term Ontario studies showing value of cover crops
Boosting organic matter in soils proved to boost profit margins and reduce yield variation year to year
Perennial grass buffer strips a water conservation tool
A New Mexico researcher shared lessons on farming in low-water conditions with Manitoba organic farmers
Perennial grass buffer strips in New Mexico fields have been shown to conserve water and block wind, and they may be useful to Manitoba organic farmers. Sangamesh (Sangu) Angadi, a professor of crop stress physiology at New Mexico State University, presented some of his research on growing in water-limited conditions to members of the Manitoba
MacDon VP remembered for generous, fun-loving spirit
Gary MacDonald died on October 14 after an extended battle with brain disease
Many of Gene Fraser’s recollections of his cousin and MacDon boss Gary MacDonald involve good-natured mischief. There was the time where they were holed up at 3 a.m. in a conference hospitality suite with friends. One of the other men propped his bare feet up on a chair and dropped off to sleep. “We should
Upcoming ‘Young Farmers’ event to tackle communication
Manitoba’s Andre and Katie Steppler to be honoured at the virtual event
There’s always opportunity for farmers to share their story, say Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) organizers, and their upcoming online conference will tackle just how to do that. The virtual conference, which runs Dec. 1 to Dec. 3 begins with a virtual “tech check” discussion. On Dec. 2, Crystal Mackay will lead a forum titled
Slain farmer was joyous, energetic, caring, practical
At 73, Judy Swain was proud to be a farmer and was planning for future innovation, say friends and colleagues
Judy Swain will be remembered for her energy, joy, practicality and care for her land, animals and friends, say fellow farmers and board members from Direct Farm Manitoba. “There’s not very many remarkable people like that left in the world,” said Danielle Mondor, a board member with the organization, which represents small-scale farmers and farmers’
Getting their ducks in a row — of winter wheat
Coalition hopes a new winter wheat ecolabel will boost the grain’s profile and market share
A new Habitat-friendly winter wheat ecolabel program aims to boost the profile of winter wheat as the crop provides crucial habitat for a declining species of duck — the northern pintail. “(Northern pintail) ducks that nest in winter wheat are 24 times more successful than those that choose to nest in spring-sown cereals,” said Karli
Souris rancher takes on massive water-retention project
Sean Murphy’s farm was ‘defensively drained’ in the 1970s. Fifty-some years later, he’s damming it back up
A Souris-area rancher is turning a chunk of his land back into a marsh after fifty-some years, in a record-breaking project for Ducks Unlimited. “It should be holding water,” said Sean Murphy of the land — currently bone dry and shorn for hay after a summer of drought. Murphy runs cattle on about 2,500 acres
Ag leaders say Bibeau reappointment means continuity in portfolio
Strong advocate on risk management, markets, and the environment needed, groups say
Manitoba ag organizations say they’re looking for support in business risk management, environmental stewardship and market access from freshly reappointed federal Ag Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. “We are definitely pleased to see that she’s reappointed. We can really continue where we left off,” said Carson Callum, general manager for Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP). Particularly because federal
Filling the tool box on mental health and support
Co-operator reporter Geralyn Wichers takes the ‘Talk, Ask, Listen’ workshop
The three most effective ways of reducing cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, are: exercise, having an ‘ugly cry,’ and eating carbs. Guess which one I like best? This was my “I wish you hadn’t said that” moment of the “Talk, Ask, Listen,” mental health workshop that KAP hosted alongside the Do More Agriculture Foundation on
Light year for soybean, pulse diseases
Unsurprisingly, pests and drought have been the year’s big problems
Dry conditions did have one silver lining for pulse producers — root rot, aphanomyces and other moisture-driven diseases weren’t prominent this year. But what infection there was showed that it’s a problem that’s simply receded, not disappeared. “Disease got pushed down the totem pole a little bit,” said Cassandra Tkachuk, production specialist with Manitoba Pulse
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
