When the pandemic shut down Victoria’s tourist industry, B.C. farmer Bryce Rashleigh lost the bulk of his hay customers: carriage horses that carted tourists around the coastal city. This summer, as Prairie cattle producers languished in drought, Rashleigh — who farms in Saanichton on Vancouver Island — was near broke and “swimming in round bales.”
Hay West (and East) ride again
A triad of programs are continuing a longtime legacy of farmers aiding farmers
Manitoba Agriculture aims for quick turnaround on AgriRecovery aid
MARD staff answer producers’ questions on AgriRecovery drought aid programs
Turnaround time on drought aid was on producers’ minds as they questioned Manitoba Agriculture staff during a webinar on September 14. “Most farmers won’t have the money just sitting around without borrowing it,” a participant said in a question read out by MARD staff. MARD, Keystone Agricultural Producers, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association and Manitoba Beef Producers
Flax facility near Carman to close
The plant didn’t provide much revenue for growers but it cleaned up nuisance flax straw
A Manitoba farmer fears the impending closure of a flax straw-processing facility near Carman may mean a decline in provincial flax acres. “I’m sure it will decrease the acres,” said Jack Hodgson, a delegate on the Manitoba Crop Alliance’s flax committee and a Roland-area farmer. “It’s just one more kick against growing flax when there
Soil testing even more crucial after drought year
A poor crop year means nutrients may be left in the soil. An accurate reading of what’s there can help farmers reduce costs and manage nutrients better
After a drought year, soil testing is more crucial than ever — and farmers may like the results they get. “In the driest areas with the poorest yields, we’re hearing of very high levels of nitrogen remaining,” said John Heard, soil fertility specialist with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development. “I have never been so curious
U.S.-Canada study makes recommendations for Souris River Basin
A 32-year-old agreement with the U.S. is working well but a few tweaks could improve flooding and water supply issues
An international joint commission will recommend several changes to how the Souris River Basin is managed. The International Souris River Study Board finished its public consultation on its report on the basin on September 7. The board studied a 1989 treaty between the United States and Canada on how they will manage the basin, which
Rolling down the road for history and healing
Rain curbed this year’s parade of classic tractors but the Mennonite Heritage Village and Eden Foundation will still see $28,000 from this year’s Steinbach Tractor Trek
For two classic tractor owners, Steinbach’s Tractor Trek brings together history, hobbies and helping. “I enjoy driving my tractor and seeing the people enjoy sitting on the side of the road and watching that, or coming to the museum,” said Henry Doerksen who was on this year’s organizing committee for the event. “It’s just the
South-central municipalities, cities fighting to keep water flowing
WORRIES | Struggling dairy farmers not out of water yet, but are being careful, digging new wells, says Dairy Farmers of Manitoba
The water co-op that supplies some water to houses, hospitals, businesses and farms in Morden, Winkler, Altona, Carman and many other south-central communities has been forced to install temporary water intakes in the Red River after water levels fell too low to reliably reach its system. “For us, our life is turned right upside down
Manitoba farm groups happy with AgriRecovery program details
AID | $155 million in relief measures hits the biggest hurts, but how does it stack up against groups’ initial asks? KAP, Manitoba Beef Producers and Dairy Farmers of Manitoba said they were pleased with AgriRecovery drought relief measures announced August 31. “We thank both levels of government for recognizing the severity of the disaster and enacting
PHOTOS: Rodeo and rain stage a comeback
Grunthal hosted its first rodeo since the pandemic cancelled events in 2020
Two things that have been rare all summer returned to Grunthal in August: rodeo and rain. The small town in southeastern Manitoba usually hosts three rodeos per year — a spring rodeo, a fall rodeo during its Hanover Ag Fair, and a high school rodeo. All three were cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
JGL opens shop in Manitoba
Longtime buyer Rick Wright will head setup of a cattle-buying network
Manitoba cattle producers have a new, permanent big-name buyer in JGL Cattle, the company announced August 23. “It’s going to add more competition,” Rick Wright told the Co-operator. “More competition probably will relate in some areas to some higher prices.” JGL hired Wright, a fixture in the Manitoba beef market, to set up a marketing
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
