Frost and cold weather are delaying hay land and pasture growth this spring — this while some producers with short feed stocks are looking to put cattle out early. On May 13, temperature lows across the province included -8.5 C at Brandon, -8.1 C in Steinbach, and -10.2 C in Dauphin, according to Environment Canada data. “Presently pastures are short and there isn’t
Cool weather slowing pasture growth
Overnight frosts likely didn’t hurt alfalfa stands
Keeping in the saddle
Faces of Ag: When Graham Curnew first volunteered with Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association, he didn’t know how to ride a horse
Graham Curnew didn’t intend to spend his life teaching kids with disabilities how to ride horses. He didn’t want to volunteer when his dad dragged him to an evening class with Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association. He didn’t even ride horses. The most exposure he’d had to riding was as a kid on a
Farmers’ market ‘coupon’ program adapts to new reality
The pilot program will provide community organizations with funds to buy Manitoba food
A pilot project to put locally grown food in the hands of low-income people is adapting to fit markets moving online. “The social aspect of our program, the coming together at a farmers’ market, was incredibly important to us,” said Justin Girard, Direct Farm Manitoba board member. “But in the midst of a pandemic that’s
When a ‘status quo’ food system won’t cut it
The Second World War radically changed the Canadian food system. What can it teach us about what’s to come?
Most Canadians probably never dreamed they’d spend so much time this year in line to get into Costco. As COVID-19 shut down society mid-March, grocery stores became different places. Signage told customers to buy only one pack of toilet paper, bag of rice or jug of milk — if they were even on shelves. Headlines
A rhubarb Q&A with Getty Stewart
How to make sure your rhubarb thrives, new ways to prepare it, and will I die if I eat the leaves?
Rhubarb is a staple of the Manitoba garden and beloved in pies, cobblers and muffins throughout the year. Though it thrives in our cool climate, it’s not native to our soil. Rhubarb is native to central Asia, according to an article from the University of Minnesota, where it was valued for its medicinal qualities. Marco
Foodgrains Bank bringing food aid to locked-down families
Manitoba growing projects preparing to plant as fundraising becomes crucial
Canadian Foodgrains Bank growing projects in Manitoba are preparing to plant as usual despite the complications of COVID-19. These fundraisers will be more crucial than ever, as a worldwide health crisis quickly is becoming a food crisis, the organization says. “The situation is very dire. Families can’t last more than a few more weeks like
Bothwell, Dairy Farmers turning excess milk into cheese donation
Dairy producers are advised to reduce production after drop in demand due to the COVID-19 crisis
After a drop in dairy demand, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and Bothwell Cheese are turning excess milk into thousands of kilograms of cheese for Winnipeg Harvest. “Everyone is under hardship,” said David Wiens, chair of the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba. “The need for food banks will only go up at this time.” DFM, Bothwell Cheese,
Prairie pest report says grasshopper risk low
This despite general upward trend in the populations across Manitoba and Saskatchewan
This year’s grasshopper threat remains light to very light across Manitoba, according to survey data released by the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network on April 27. The data is based on surveys done in 2019. These included nearly 3,200 grasshopper counts across the Prairie provinces between May 1 and August 31. Maps in the report show
Life is a rodeo
Rodeo cancellations have widespread effects on the towns that host them
Cancelling the Manitoba Stampede is a gut-punch to the small town of Morris, Manitoba — and this year, the hits just keep on coming. “It’s a very important part of our community identity,” says Morris Mayor Scott Crick. “It’s so beneficial for the community.” In a ‘normal’ year, calling off the town’s biggest event would
Video series busts hunger myths
The short, educational videos tell individual stories of food insecurity, and offer solutions
A new video series seeks to bust myths about Manitobans facing food insecurity while highlighting causes and solutions. “The release of these videos could not be timelier,” said Rob Moquin, executive director of Food Matters Manitoba in a news release. “Even before the current COVID-19 crisis, food insecurity among Manitoba’s families was on the rise,” he added.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
