The Manitoba Pork Council is closely watching what is likely a precedent-setting decision from the Municipal Board. On July 27, hearings began in Winnipeg for the appeal of an application of Lilyfield Quarry Inc., which the RM of Rosser denied in late 2018. This followed several application attempts under more than one owner in a
Lesson of precedent-setting hearing: ‘Avoid at all costs’
A contentious appeal over a quashed quarry application shows early consultation is key, says Grant Melnychuk of Manitoba Pork
Strawberry business booms after slow start
COVID safety measures tricky but didn’t dampen demand
Strawberries were the new toilet paper this summer, says one grower. As in — people snapped them up so fast they were hard to come by. “Huge demand, not enough supply,” said Angie Cormier, who farms with husband Darren near La Salle. “Everyone has just seen an increase in customer flow.” The uptick in strawberry
Trade deals darken future, Manitoba dairy farmers say
The feds are in a bad habit of using dairy as a bargaining chip and slow to pay for damages
Market share lost to foreign imports may make dairy farming less viable for the next generation, says David Wiens, chair of Dairy Farmers of Manitoba (DFM). “It makes it more difficult to bring in the youngest generation when the industry has been starved in the way of growth,” Wiens told the Co-operator. The latest loss
“In this together” says Interlaker
Faces of Ag: Like many operations in the area, the Abas family farm began with the “homesteaders” act
The Abas farmhouse sits beside a branch of the Fisher River several miles north of the town of Fisher Branch. As pelicans cruise over the water, Gus the farm cat snoozes below a bench on the porch. Grapevines cling to a trellis, which bisects a large vegetable garden beside the house. Nearby, orange and yellow
Broadening network can ease hiring process
KAP and CAHR seminar suggests several places for farmers to post jobs and seek employees
With farm labour an ongoing issue, producers might consider moving outside their comfort zones when posting jobs. “Resources such as Manitoba Employment Centres, Métis and Indigenous hiring organizations, Immigrant Service Centres have always been available to employers in Manitoba,” Stephanie Cruikshanks told the Co-operator. “However, agriculture has underutilized these resources as tools.” Cruikshanks, an industry
Ontario headlines on COVID-19 don’t tell the Manitoba farmworker story
Farmers who employ foreign workers say they are unfairly tainted by comparisons to modern slavery
Two Manitoba farmers say the media has misrepresented the situation of international workers and the farmers who hire them. “All of us employers are trying really, really hard to keep these guys safe because we depend on them, and they depend on us,” said Sam Connery, who farms near Portage. “They depend on us for
Quarry battle raises fears over municipal autonomy
The residents of Lilyfield worry the province’s desire for cheap aggregate will supersede their desire for peace and quiet
It’s a sunflower field at the moment. Foot-high plants wave in the summer sun beneath “no trespassing” signs — a lot of signs for an ordinary farmer’s field. “Live watch security,” they say. Kitty-corner, Florence McCoy’s yard is quiet, but for singing birds and the odd car driving past. She’s lived on that yard since
Tiny tractor to train farmers on rollover prevention
The remote-controlled vehicle is a collaboration between KAP, the University of Manitoba and Red River College
A remote-controlled mini-tractor will train ag students and farmers on rollover prevention without putting them in harms’ way. The Mini Rollover Training Tractor (or “tippy tractor” as one collaborator called it) is a to-scale, electric, remote-controlled tractor which ag students and farmers can use to experiment and problem-solve in situations that might lead to tractor
Peer groups give context, relationships, accountability
KAP, Backswath Management plug peer groups for producers — especially ‘emerging’ farmers
Joining a producer peer group can provide key relationships, insight into farming issues and professional development, according to a webinar hosted by KAP and Backswath Management. “Peer groups can help you to create context for any one or any number of ‘what if this happens, what if that happens? What about this opportunity, what about
20-plus resources to help young farmers get started
It’s not an easy business to enter, but rebates, scholarships, peer groups and training programs are out there to smooth the transition
Some might say there’s never been a harder time to be a young farmer—near-exorbitant land prices, unpredictable weather, international trade conflict, and now a pandemic. Thea Green is program manager at Keystone Agriculture Producers and coordinates KAP’s young farmer wing. Here, she shares 20-plus financial, educational and developmental resources to make life easier for young
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
