Manitoba Chicken Producers is changing the guidelines for small-scale producers. It’s moving to an annual specialty quota program it says addresses the reality that the chicken market is becoming more specialized, and will give consumers access to Manitoba-grown birds. “At the end of the day what we want consumers in Manitoba to have access to
Small-scale chicken quota changes stir controversy
Manitoba Chicken Producers has launched a new annual specialty quota program in hopes of developing new markets for specialty poultry products in the province
Brandon’s Ag Ex adds two national cattle shows to event
Attendees at this year’s Manitoba Ag Ex will notice a lot more activity taking place, as the event has partnered with the Manitoba Rodeo Finals and two national cattle shows
Manitoba Ag Ex is on the grow. The former Manitoba Livestock Expo has added the Manitoba Finals Rodeo and partnered with two cattle shows to make it a bigger and better attraction, according to organizers. “This year we have worked with the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association and its equine partner groups and we have added
Province confirms the 10th case of PEDv
Ten cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea have been confirmed in Manitoba since May 26
The number of confirmed cases of on-farm porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) in Manitoba has officially entered the double digits and more are expected to arise over the next few months. “We are entering the season now where it is getting cooler and damper and those are the ideal conditions for this disease to spread.
A river runs through it
Cattle producers who have a river or creek running through their pasture land may want to check out the innovative fencing solution the Seine-Rat River Conservation District is testing
When agricultural land meets active waterways, conflict can arise. Producers may need to run fencing across the river to contain livestock, but river users want open channels. With an active portion of the Rat River winding through his pasture land, Manitoba cattle producer Peter Funk was all too familiar with this scenario. “When the water
Rumen management for best herd productivity
To achieve a healthy rumen and productive herd, experts say to focus on providing consistency in feed and nutrient intake
Making high-quality beef from forages requires an active and healthy rumen to break down those tough fibres, and you can foster these microbes that are the key to herd efficiency. One of the most important things to realize is that as you feed your cattle, you’re also feeding the rumen bacteria. Keeping the feed steady
Waterlogging stress can take a bite out of barley
Researchers at the Brandon Research and Development Centre are screening 341 two-row barley genotypes for their potential of coping with waterlogging stress
Don’t get barley’s feet cold and wet — you won’t like the results. A spate of recent wet years and the crop’s known dislike for these conditions has a research scientist from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada looking at excess moisture and the crop. “Barley is known to have cold feet and to be susceptible to
Young cattle producers wanted
Young producers are critical in the province’s goal of upping cattle numbers and the Young Cattlemen’s Council hopes to help meet that goal
The key to rebuilding Manitoba’s cattle herd is going to be rebuilding its cohort of young beef producers. Brett McRae, whose family’s Mar Mac Farms near Brandon features a 200-head purebred Angus and Simmental herd, also heads up the Young Cattlemen’s Council, a subsidiary of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. He hopes that organization can help
Dairy isn’t dead
The next generation of dairy farmers from across Western Canada recently came together to learn, network and compete
Sometimes growing up on a dairy farm can feel like a very lonely experience. Surrounded by beef operations and grain growers and faced with the reality of ever-shrinking numbers of dairies, the next generation of dairy farmers can start to feel like they have no peers. That’s why youth dairy events like the Western Canadian
‘World’s most popular’ horse breed struts its stuff
The Keystone Centre was filled with more than 700 Arabian horses during the Arabian Horse Association’s Canadian National event
The oldest and most popular horse breed in the world descended on Brandon for the Arabian Horse Association’s Canadian National event. Arabian horses go back at least 4,500 years, according to the archeological record, and remain the most popular type of horse on a global basis. “Throughout the world, Arabians are the biggest breed,” said
Testing soybeans in local conditions
Researchers at Syngenta’s Elm River research farm are looking at ways Manitoba producers can optimize production methods to get the best value out of their soybean acres
As more and more western Canadian producers introduce soybeans into their rotation, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered about how to best make them fit. Nobody is exactly sure how to best streamline production and determine ideal planting conditions, according to one seed specialist. “There are a lot of factorsCyber-Savvy Farmer
