Sow housing at the Ontario Swine Research Centre. Photo: Diana Martin

Real farm talk on switching to open sow housing

What actually worked for these Prairie pig farmers when it came time to swap out gestation stalls in their barns for group sow housing systems? What were the results?

What actually worked for these Prairie pig farmers when it came time to swap gestation stalls in their barns for group sow housing? What were the results?


Police pursued a stolen vehicle in Steinbach in January 2024. A police vehicle was rammed during the incident. Photo: RCMP

Protecting the farm from crime

From better lighting to cameras to reporting to police, here are some things farmers can do to reduce their crime risk

From better lighting to cameras to reporting to police, here are some things farmers can do to reduce their crime risk.



A hog barn in Manitoba. Photo: File

Get the best air in your hog barn

Farmers who pay more attention to ventilation, humidity, air pressure and temperature in the hog barn can get pigs gaining weight faster and keep them comfortable

Farmers who pay more attention to ventilation, humidity, air pressure and temperature in the hog barn can get pigs gaining weight faster and keep them comfortable

Photo: SimonSkafar, Christopher Thibaut/istock/getty images

Farmers left waiting on rural crime

RCMP say they’re working to curb rural crime on the Prairies, but response time realities and continued reports of incidents remain a frustration, and the building tension might lead to dangerous escalation

RCMP say they’re working to curb rural crime on the Prairies, but response time realities and continued reports of incidents remain a frustration for farmers and other residents.


using a drone to broadcast seed into a stubble field following harvest in late October when soil temperature is adequate. submitted by Jodie Horvath.

Dormant seeding forages for a leg up on weeds

Dormant seeding can free up time in early 2026 and give hay stands a head start against spring weeds; there are some techniques to give Manitoba farmers an edge

Dormant seeding a hay stand can free up time in early 2026 and give forage a head start against spring weeds; here are some techniques to give Manitoba farmers an edge.

"Three sisters" cropping, the traditional intercrop mix of corn, squash and beans, is highlighted during the Indigenous Farm and Food Festival in Batoche, Sask. in late September 2025.

When ag science meets ag culture

Reporter’s Notebook: With traditional agricultural practices of Indigenous peoples gaining scientific backing, a mindset shift may become more possible

Long overdue it may be, but the wider farming and ag science communities are now earnestly revisiting “ancient” techniques, rooted in the principle of maintaining natural balance, for use in contemporary gardening, cropping and livestock husbandry, Janelle Rudolph writes.