Late-August rains should boost soybean pod fill and raise hopes for late-season forage, say crop experts. “It’s going to have some very positive effects,” said John McGregor, extension specialist with the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA). “The guys are talking about seeing their pastures greening up a bit,” he added. Between August 16 and
Rain offers slight reprieve for forages, later crops
Now is a good time to think about rejuvenating forages or to plan around damaged pastures for next year: experts
Organic checkoff gets the green light
This is the first mandated organic checkoff in Canada, says MOA
The Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA) says its new checkoff levy on organic cereals, pulses and oilseeds will help fund organic-specific research and extension work. “It wasn’t felt that the research and development and marketing were actually benefiting organic grain farmers,” MOA project manager Karen Klassen told the Co-operator. “This is the first organic grain levy
‘Bringing in the sheaves’ a community effort
For the Foodgrains Bank growing project in Landmark, harvest means gathering together
It’s a hot, humid morning on a gravel road just outside Landmark. A gaggle of 30 or 40 dads, moms, young kids, teens and seniors clump together with lawn chairs and water bottles as eight combines whir to life. “Makes short work when you’ve got this many,” says Matt Plett, a committee member for the
Climate fund a step toward farm-government partnership: CFA
The fund, which opened for proposals August 12, will support farmers to adopt new best management practices
A federal On-Farm Climate Action Fund is a step towards a government that is willing to listen to and partner with farmers, says the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). “It’s a great start. It truly is. It’s something that we’ve been asking for, for a long time,” said Keith Currie, first vice-president of the CFA.
$155 million in feed, transportation and ongoing livestock aid announced
Plans for a herd rebuilding program are still in the works, province says
Manitoba livestock producers will have access to financial aid for feed costs, feed transport and animal transport costs, provincial agriculture minister Ralph Eichler announced the morning of August 31. “This investment is among the highest in the AgriRecovery assistance of our livestock and forage sectors in Manitoba history,” Eichler said. For those who have or
Waterhemp found in Stuartburn, La Broquerie
The invasive species can cause tremendous yield losses, particularly among row crops
Infestations of waterhemp have been found in the RMs of Stuartburn and La Broquerie in southeastern Manitoba, bringing the known infestations to 10. MARD reported the new infestations earlier this month and urged farmers to keep an eye out for the noxious plant. “If it’s not under control, this could be our No. 1 weed in a
Riverton-based potato chip company owner passing on business acumen
Faces of Ag: Alfred Lea recently signed a deal to distribute Tomahawk Chips Canada-wide but leaves time to help young people close to home
As his potato chip company takes off across Canada, Alfred Lea is encouraging young people to follow their own dreams and build businesses. “Don’t think they can’t do what they want,” he said. Kids need leadership and encouragement — and he aims to give it to them. Lea owns Native Canadian Chip Corporation, which is
Childcare deal holds promise for farm families: KAP
A bilateral deal with the federal government will bring $10-per-day care and 23,000 more spots to Manitoba, the province says
A new federal-provincial deal for childcare shows promise for rural and farming families, says KAP. “There’s a lot of good news all around,” said Graham Schellenberg, communications and government relations co-ordinator with Keystone Agricultural Producers. “In terms of rural families, there’s really a good impact here from what we see,” he added. On August 9,
East Coast farmers pledge to send hay aid
Over the past two decades, producers both east and west have rallied to send hay to drought-hammered farmers
East Coast farmers with an abundance of hay may soon be sending it to the drought-devastated West, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture announced August 12. “CFA is currently in the initial stages of facilitating a new Hay West program,” said CFA president Mary Robinson in a news release. “We have our staff as well as
Dairy farmers face emptying water wells
Feed and supplement costs, freight, new water sources gouging dairy margins
Some dairy farmers are concerned their wells will run dry as drought persists, says Dairy Farmers of Manitoba (DFM). Nineteen per cent of dairy farmers in a late-July DFM survey said they were worried about their water supply, said DFM chair David Wiens. “One of the comments was that the farm expects to run out
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
