Revitalizing a stagnating Canadian dairy sector will take a shift away from farm gate thinking and increased focus on processing innovation, says a new report from Dalhousie University. “Production is not going to grow on its own. You need demand. You need stimulus. You need a sector to redefine consumer consumption. Farmers can’t do that. Processors can,”
Dairy policy needs supply chain focus: report
Growth and innovation in dairy will come from a focus on processors, not farmers, author says
Proposed law could spike hydro prices for farms, processors
Advocacy groups worry with reduced oversight, large electricity rate increases could become the norm
Proposed changes to reduce oversight of hydro rates could cost farmers and other industrial power users big time if not amended, advocacy groups say. “Industrial power users are extremely concerned about the timing and impact of the bill and the increasing likelihood that Manitoba Hydro and the minister may impose large, near-term rate increases,” wrote
Second Blumenort poultry plant worker dies of COVID-19
Over 50 workers at the Exceldor Co-operative facility have tested positive for the coronavirus
A second worker at Blumenort’s Exceldor poultry processing plant has died after contracting COVID-19, the union said Nov. 1. “We want to offer our sincerest condolences,” said UFCW Local 832 president Jeff Traeger in a statement. “When someone loses a family member or a close friend, it’s a start reminder about how devastating this virus
N2O study a call to action, say advocates
Farmers for Climate Solutions is calling on the federal government to incentivize reducing N2O emissions
Farmers and the federal government must work together to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O), says one advocacy group following the publication of a new study showing global increase in the gas. N2O can ‘gas off’ nitrogen fertilizer applied to fields. “There are many promising ways to reduce nitrogen fertilizer use that are
‘Accidental business people’ find niche in worm-made fertilizer
Faces of Ag: A veteran ‘worm farmer’ and his childhood friend set out to offer environmentally friendly fertilizer — years later, business is booming in unexpected ways
It began 35 years ago with a quarter-pound of worms sent in the mail from Kentucky. Mike Jacques bought them to help develop soil for his greenhouse and the Northern Sun Farm Co-op, a small, off-grid community near Sarto in southeastern Manitoba. The soil in the area was sandy and needed some organic input. Jacques
Manitoba Metis Federation says moose hunting ban ignores rights
A one-year extension of a moratorium on moose hunting in certain areas all about the moose: Pedersen
The Manitoba Metis Federation has indicated it’s prepared for a legal battle over members’ constitutional rights to hunt moose. “We are standing firm on our commitment to a balanced approach for Métis harvesters seeking moose meat to feed their families and elders, while limiting the number of animals taken,” said MMF president David Chartrand in
New night hunting law now in effect
Law proclaimed makes night hunting explicitly illegal
A law which explicitly makes night hunting illegal and which adds more regulations to its enforcement has been proclaimed. “This has been a priority for MWF and our members,” said Manitoba Wildlife Federation in a statement. “Together with all stakeholders and the government, we have made enormous strides.” As amended, the Wildlife Act reads, “No person shall hunt
Carman seniors use storytelling to connect despite COVID
Many seniors’ programs in rural communities have had to close while others have modified, leaving seniors with fewer options for socializing
COVID-19 isn’t Olive Foote’s first brush with a national crisis. She lived through the Great Depression. “It wasn’t my responsibility when I was eight or nine years old, but I was old enough to join my parents in their concern,” wrote Foote, who lives at Heritage Manor in Elm Creek. “We always made do with
Manitoba’s organic sector seeing slow but steady increase: report
Manitoba was the only Prairie province to see an increase in organic crop acres in 2019
Manitoba’s organic growers and processors posted a year of moderate increases in 2019, according to a new report from the Prairie Organic Development Fund. While Manitoba continues to be by far the smallest of the Prairie provinces in terms of organic acres, it was the only Prairie province to increase its organic acres last year with an addition of
COVID cases confirmed at Blumenort poultry processor
Plant processing as usual, but contingency plans in place say turkey, chicken producers
[UPDATED: Oct. 21, 2020] Twenty-seven workers at Blumenort’s Exceldor Co-operative poultry processing plant have tested positive for COVID-19 the company confirmed Oct. 21. The plant remains open and processing as usual. The company says there is no evidence of workplace transmission. *“As far as our operations are concerned, we do not foresee any major impact
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
