With the evolution of livestock management practice such as bale grazing over the winter, more feed is being stored in the field where it is highly vulnerable to wildlife. “With winter feeding being one of the larger costs of any cow-calf operation, we definitely don’t want to be sharing it with the wildlife,” said Elizabeth
Adding a third dimension to a wildlife barrier fence
While not quite as effective as a tall barrier fence, the 3D alternative is considerably cheaper
Task force meets with public about rural vet services
Rural Veterinary Task Force members say there have been a number of industry changes impacting service demands since the previous system review in 2008
The Rural Veterinary Task Force (RVTF) held public consultations in Dauphin, Brandon and Stonewall last week as a part of an overall review of the provincial service. Task force members include Dr. Paul Schneider, Merv Starzky, and Bertha Russell-Langan. They have met virtually every aspect of the rural veterinary services system, including practising veterinarians, veterinary
Wawanesa-area producer recognized for conservation accomplishments
Conservation district award winners have worked to preserve waterways through an off-site watering station and dam construction
Conservation is a consideration in all the decisions on Walter and Wendy Cullen’s farm beside the Souris River and along the Assiniboine delta aquifer. “Living next to the river has its challenges to say the least, but you have to work with what you’ve got and work with the land instead of fighting against it,”
Aquaculture could be big market for camelina
Fish-farming companies are looking for a crop-based alternative to fish meal from wild stocks
A recent discovery in the aquaculture industry may soon make camelina oil a highly sought alternative for fish feed. Currently half of the world’s seafood supply comes from farmed fish, but fish meal from wild stock is still part of the ration, putting a strain on the population. “The proportion of wild fish that is
Camelina: A viable complementary crop
Boasting a short growing season, minimal input costs and drought tolerance, camelina may be a decent complementary option for Manitoba producers
There are a couple of bugs to work out, but the agronomics look good, especially in rotation with soybeans. If the market potential can be realized, camelina may become a bigger part of the crop mix in Western Canada. “The interesting thing about camelina from an agronomic point of view is that it is a
Province to complete transfer of community pastures by next year
The provincial government announced plans to complete the transfer of community pastures to the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures by October 2016
Manitoba’s network of community pastures will be fully transferred out of federal control by October 2016. The Association of Manitoba Community Pastures (AMCP) is currently operating 14 of the province’s 23 community pastures and will take over the remaining nine in the coming year. “Community pastures are an important resource for new and established farmers
Task force examining rural vet services
The Rural Veterinary Task Force will be holding three public consultations in Dauphin, Brandon and Stonewall beginning on October 20
Manitobans will soon have the chance to weigh in on how the provincial network of veterinary services is performing as the Rural Veterinary Task Force (RVTF) launches its public consultations later this month. “These meetings are certainly open to anyone. We are hoping to hear from livestock producers, large farms, small farms as well as
Liberal and Green Party candidates attend Eat, Think, Vote event
Brandon-Souris candidates discussed the province’s succession crisis, the need for local processing and infrastructure investments
Eat, Think, Vote. That was the theme of several events across the country to get local candidates talking about food policy, including one for the Brandon-Souris riding here last week. It was hosted by Small Farms Manitoba in partnership with Sharing the Table Manitoba and Manitoba Alternative Food Research Alliance. Liberal candidate Jodi Wynman and
Attitudes toward food — bridging the rural-urban divide
A group of industry panellists says a lack of food literacy in urban centres and an overload of misguided information is furthering the gap between rural and urban residents
Farmers often remark that today’s consumer is two or three generations removed from the farm, but that works both ways — the farmer is two or three generations removed from the consumer. That makes for some misunderstanding when consumers are asking more about where their food comes from, said panellists at the recent annual meeting
Manitoba producers show support for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank
Manitoba’s rural communities stepped up to improve world food security — and had a blast doing it
The Killarney Growing Project put on an impressive display as community volunteers brought out 17 combines to take part in harvest efforts for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFB). “There were 17 combine operators, a few semi trucks, a grain cart, and it took just 58 minutes to harvest 148 acres,” said Betty Turner, project volunteer
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