A website that will pair landowners with livestock producers in search of grazing land, and a cost-shared consultant agronomy program are two projects the Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA) is taking on in a project called “Improving soil stewardship on Manitoba organic farms” funded by the Conservation Trust. “Organic farms are really well positioned to be
MOA soil health project to match livestock producers, landowners
Livestock integration, reduced tillage, perennials and cover crops to get a boost on organic farms with Conservation Trust funding
‘Field schools’ teach fibre enthusiasts textile skills
Most people completely disconnected from the origin of their clothing, says Ste. Genevieve sheep farmer
A Manitoba sheep farm is hosting field schools to teach fibre aficionados wool and textile production skills and to connect people with the sources of their clothing. “If we can look at how we are consuming clothes and textiles in the same way that we look at how we’re consuming food, I think we’ll realize we have a huge opportunity
Early-pandemic calls to localize supply chains unfounded
With a year's worth of data, three agriculture economists revisit early-pandemic predictions on the food supply chain
With a year's worth of data, three agriculture economists revisit early-pandemic predictions on the food supply chain
A year of data shows early-pandemic calls for radical changes to food systems and risk management programs were unfounded, say some economists. Particularly in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, food supply chains struggled to adapt to changing consumption patterns and processors shut down due to virus outbreaks. “Into that void of uncertainty came
Federal ag minister talks childcare with Manitoba farm women
The Liberal government pledged to fund Canada-wide childcare as part of its 2021 budget
The Liberal government pledged to fund Canada-wide childcare as part of its 2021 budget
Farm families need access to flexible childcare to allow women farmers to better balance their lives, the federal ag minister told media and a panel of Manitoba women in agriculture. “If we want Canadian agriculture to be more economically and environmentally sustainable, we must break down the barriers for hard-working women in the sector,” said
Provincial childcare report offers few fixes for farm families
Funding channels for the extended-hours care farm families need are already in place but need more dollars
A recent provincial report which recommends the province fix Manitoba’s childcare system through ‘market stewardship’ is just more of what got us into this mess, says one childcare expert. “In a way it’s just a new rhetorical package for an old reality,” said Susan Prentice, a childcare researcher from the University of Manitoba. The report’s
Racing an analogy for battery-powered tractors
Producing renewable electricity from farm biomass would be the ultimate closed loop
For an analogy on the advancement of battery-powered machinery, Dennis St. George turns to car racing. Formula E is an all-electric car racing league formally known as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Its first season began in 2014. Better battery technology will eventually find its way into farm equipment. Its cars bear great resemblance to
NDP leaders team up to push AgriStability changes
Provincial conservatives have delayed and acted in half-measures, says NDP leader Kinew
Prairie NDP leaders banded together to call on their provincial governments to stop wasting time and agree to the full suite of AgriStability changes the federal government has offered. They’ve seen Prairie conservative premiers “delay, delay, delay,” said Wab Kinew, leader of Manitoba’s opposition New Democratic Party. When they’ve acted “it was only a half
Bill 37 a step closer to law, despite municipal leaders’ concerns
Changes to planning laws sorely needed to keep Manitoba competitive, developers say
A law that will allow developers to go over municipalities’ heads if land-use applications are rejected is one step closer to reality after it passed the committee stage on April 19. Bill 37, the Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act, would give the Municipal Board (a provincially appointed tribunal) jurisdiction to hear
Farmer says Manitoba Hydro disregarded safety in placing new lines
If farmers choose to farm public road allowances, it’s their job to take safety precautions says Hydro
A Foxwarren-area farmer says Manitoba Hydro’s high-handed treatment has left his farm less safe and caused him to relinquish leased land he says is now too dangerous to work. “We as citizens need to be aware of Hydro and Hydro lines and avoid contact, but Hydro doesn’t seem to take any interest or responsibility to
Manitoba Hydro sees rise in farm accidents
KAP members told Hydro line height standards have not kept up with farm equipment sizes
Manitoba Hydro says in the last few years it’s seen a sharp rise in collisions between farm equipment and power infrastructure. “The outcome for these contacts can be tragic and severe,” said Cyril Patterson, Manitoba Hydro’s director for distribution, operations and maintenance for rural Manitoba. He and other Manitoba Hydro staff spoke during the Keystone
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