If you look closely at a Coen family photograph taken over 100 years ago, you’ll spot a well in the back corner of the picture. It’s hand-dug, about 20 feet deep — all it took to find drinkable water in 1914. Today, the farm’s wells are 180 feet deep. Takota Coen told his audience at
Beavers unlikely inspiration in drought mitigation
‘Biomimicry’ brought the Coen farm back from the edge of a water disaster
Choose certifications that are actually relevant, expert says
Food industry panellists lament the confusion food marketing has caused for consumers
Consumers are likely confused by the myriad food sustainability certifications out there, and it’s no wonder, said a panel of food industry experts. This may be made worse by poor or even dishonest communication from the food industry. “What does pasture-raised eggs or chicken mean?… what does grass fed mean when it comes to beef?
Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers saw funding rebound in 2020
High prices, more sales boosted checkoff dollars even as soybean acres dropped
Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers saw a sharp rebound in checkoff dollars in 2020 after a dismal 2019 — largely due to a late-year rally in prices. “There was a big spike in price,” said Daryl Domitruk, MPSG executive director. “Farmers sold a lot more in 2020, probably than they had been planning to, to
Manitoba home of moringa ‘miracle tree’ innovation
Face of Ag: Scientist Mulualem Kassa is realizing his dream of using Canadian research to build knowledge around neglected crops
A Manitoba scientist and entrepreneur is using Canadian science to explore a neglected African plant in hopes this will create a platform to explore more high-value, underused crops. “If we bring those resources in Africa which are neglected due to lack of knowledge, due to lack of research, if I can use the Canadian system… we can
Roland 4-H museum puts out call for help
The pandemic shut down fundraising and kept many guests away from the museum
The 4-H museum in Roland says $5,000 is all it needs to get back into the black after the pandemic cancelled most of its fundraising in 2020 and kept many guests away. The sum represents about half of the museum’s budget. The museum launched a pledge campaign via posters and social media to try to
Farmers concerned about transportation delays, input costs because of COVID-19
Preliminary CAHRC survey results show 26 per cent of farms saw workers take temporary leave for self-isolation, and 22 per cent take leave because of illness
Three-quarters of Manitoba farmers are concerned about transportation delays caused by the pandemic, according to preliminary survey results from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC). Jennifer Wright, senior HR adviser with CAHRC, shared initial survey data at the Keystone Agricultural Producers annual general meeting on January 26. CAHRC spoke to 448 farm operators across
KAP delegates ask for extended drivers’ licensing for foreign workers
Sam Connery-Nichol said no workers on her farm were able to get necessary road tests in 2020
Farmers who hire seasonal agricultural workers say staff should have their foreign drivers’ licences extended for the duration of their work permit in 2021. Pandemic disruptions to testing made it difficult to get Manitoba licences in 2020, which meant workers could not drive or move equipment between fields. “It was brutal. We did not get
Family puts heart and homegrown produce into pet food business
Faces of Ag: Roger and Theresa Giesbrecht put years of livestock nutritional knowledge into formulating dog kibble and treats
Poncho was a “neighbourhood combo” mutt with short legs and a long body. Legs churning, he’d come within inches of the three-wheeler tire time and time again as the grandkids puttered around the farmyard. Poncho is long in the “happy hunting grounds” but he lives on in every bag of kibble that bears his name.
Province underprepared for animal disease, says auditor general
Commodity groups support the audit’s recommendations
Producer groups say they support the auditor general’s recommendations that the province do more to prepare for an animal disease outbreak, but say government staff are working hard to help. “They’ve been highly engaged and they’ve given everything that they can,” said Jenelle Hamblin of the province’s chief veterinary officer and Manitoba Agriculture staff. “I
Former weed specialist back on the job
Battling weed resistance will be hard work, says Kim Brown-Livingston
Kim Brown-Livingston says she’s optimistic as she takes the role of provincial weed specialist. “We have a great future,” she said. “We’re going to continue on, and our farmers are doing a really good job of it now.” Brown-Livingston previously held the role of weed specialist from 1998 to 2013 before moving on to work
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