The Canadian Federation of Agriculture took a different approach this month when it marked its annual ‘Food Freedom Day’ on February 9, just one day later than last year. Ordinarily, it’s a straightforward affair where they note that by this date, the average Canadian has earned enough to pay their food bill for the year.
Editor’s Take: A nuanced take on ‘Food Freedom’
Why is our weather more volatile?
A close look at the jet stream can explain our recent ups-and-downs
If you want to understand why the weather has become so volatile, you’ll need to look up — way up to the Arctic. Paul Bullock, a retired professor and agrometeorology specialist from the University of Manitoba told the CropConnect conference in Winnipeg that it all starts with polar sea ice. Climate change is causing the
Editor’s Take: Woe Canada
Canada faces many issues internationally that are going to determine the success or failure of its agri-food sector. Is enough being done to address them? That was the subject of a recent summit in Ottawa that John Greig attended on behalf of Glacier FarmMedia. One of the latest and most-hyped endeavours in the agriculture sector
Plant pulse crops for lower emissions
More pulses? Less nitrous oxide: Avoid the emissions problem altogether by growing more nitrogen-fixing crops
Mario Tenuta, a soil science professor at the University of Manitoba and research chair in 4R nutrient management, wants to see more nitrogen-fixing legumes in Prairie field crops. After all, one way to avoid nitrous oxide emissions is planting crops that need little or no commercial nitrogen. “When any form of nitrogen is added to
International interns no ag labour panacea
Bringing in experienced workers has pluses and minuses as a labour strategy
A farm kid from Germany, Sweden or Switzerland might be the answer to labour needs, but it’s neither simple nor straightforward to bring such a person to Canada to work on your farm. Experiences with international labour were among the topics at a Manitoba Ag Days panel discussion among farmers and immigration consultants. Chris Raupers farms northwest of Brandon near Cardale and
Editor’s Take: Apocalypse soon-ish?
It’s the job of the commentator to be a bit provocative and to make people think. Geopolitical economist Peter Zeihan, who gave a keynote address at last week’s Ag Days, certainly accomplished that. Pulling many threads together, from the war in Ukraine and Russia’s historic borders, past the sclerotic regime in Beijing incapable of adapting,
Editor’s Take: Coming together
It’s been an interesting few years. Since March of 2020, it seems in some ways like decades have passed. Perhaps that’s the way it goes when you’re forced to spend too much time alone at home, in your own company. But every now and then a milestone passes, and I realize the whole experience of
International ag interns no worker panacea
Bringing in experienced workers has pluses and minuses as a labour strategy
A farm kid from Germany, Sweden or Switzerland might be the answer to your labour needs, but it’s neither simple, nor straightforward to bring one into Canada to work on your farm. A panel discussion at Manitoba Ag Days highlighted some of the experiences farmers and immigration consultants have had accessing international labour. Chris Raupers
Editor’s Take: It’s a workers’ market out there
I want to buy some wheat. Hard red spring. I’m willing to pay $7 a bushel. Wait, you mean to tell me it’s worth $11.74 a bushel these days, according to the latest figures from the province? But I can’t afford that! It’s more than I want to pay! I’ll never turn a profit at
Editor’s Take: It’s about time
As a transplanted Saskatchewanian – now with a Manitoba tenure longer than my time in the ‘old country’ – I’ve adapted. I even cheer for the Bombers now, rather than the Riders. But there’s one difference I’ve never embraced. That’s the spring-forward, fall-back nonsense that is the twice-annual time change. I’ve always agreed with the
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
