With sporadic flooding this spring and grassfire season just around the corner, one reeve in Manitoba says at least they know they won’t be handling emergencies much longer without proper communications systems. Provincial officials say they are finalizing a request for proposals to replace Manitoba’s now obsolete FleetNet public safety emergency communications system. “We are
Province to upgrade emergency communications system
Unreliable FleetNet is 26 years old and at the end of its service life
Pollinator support program coming to Manitoba this summer
The North America-wide initiative between General Mills and the Xerces Society aims to establish 3,000 acres of pollinator habitat in Manitoba by 2021. The program will host demo workshops here this summer
Native bees play a crucial role in a healthy environment but they need our help. That’s the message an Agriculture Canada staffer had for farmers and other rural landowners meeting here earlier this month. Melanie Dubois is a senior riparian and biodiversity biologist, based at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Brandon Research and Development Centre, who
Provincial budget makes no cuts to municipal funding
More flexibility in how grant monies can be allocated welcomed, says AMM president
Municipal leaders are relieved there will be no direct cuts coming to local government funding in 2017, says the head of the province’s municipal lobby. Provincial funding for municipalities will remain at the same level in 2017 as it was last year, said Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) president Chris Goertzen shortly after hearing details
Province ‘optimistic’ vegetable processor will reopen
Receiver is working on a marketing package to pitch to potential new owners, says government spokesperson
The provincial government is hopeful a Manitoba vegetable processor may soon be back in business. Canadian Prairie Garden Puree Products (CPG) ceased operations March 22 when it was forced into receivership, resulting in layoffs at its Portage la Prairie plant and throwing into question the entire 2017 season for farmers supplying it. Last week a
Soybean cyst nematode likely already in Manitoba
A recent survey reveals soybean cyst nematode is in border counties such as Cavalier, Towner, Rollette and Renville
Crop advisers in North Dakota are keeping a watchful eye on the northward advance of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) — and so should Manitoba growers, said a cropping systems specialist. SCN, a round worm that parasitizes roots of soybean and can reduce yields anywhere from 15 to 30 per cent before ground symptoms are present,
On-farm water collection key to drainage management
Other farming practices such as enhancing soil health and better design and maintenance of surface drains can also help
Reducing run-off and improving soil health are the best path to address flooding and excess nutrients, according to a University of Manitoba expert on watershed management. These strategies include more collection of surface water before it leaves the farm and adoption of soil management practices that build soil structure and help water infiltrate, says David
Farmers hit hard by vegetable processor’s financial difficulties
Creditor amounts owed, equipment investments and seed purchases putting farmers in the red
Vegetable producers in Manitoba have been dealt a huge blow when a Portage la Prairie vegetable processor was forced into receivership late last month. News of Canadian Prairie Garden Puree Products’ (CPG) financial predicament was bad enough, but also comes at the worst possible time, said Garry Wiebe, who farms with his son north of
Get an early start on preventing late blight
There are many steps we can take now — including starting tomato seedlings from seed from reputable suppliers — that can help ward off another infection in 2017
Commercial potato growers, market gardeners and home gardeners were hit hard by late blight last year, but there are steps to take to avoid a repeat in 2017, say Manitoba Agriculture staff. The key is managing for the fungal disease before it becomes a serious problem. The precautions to take range from choosing tomato varieties
Poultry farmers win right to appeal MCP’s specialty quota program
Manitoba Farm Products Marketing Council agrees to hear concerns
The Manitoba Farm Products Marketing Council has agreed to hear an appeal by chicken producers who say they’ve been hurt financially by a new program affecting how specialty chicken is raised and processed. The appeal is being made by five producers who feel penalized by Manitoba Chicken Producers’ new annual specialty quota program. The chicken-marketing
St. Norbert market gets out of the rain
The popular venue will get a canopy for the summer as well as a year-round covered area
St. Norbert Farmers’ Market is going under cover this spring. The third and final phase of an ambitious site renovation at Manitoba’s largest farmers’ market is now nearly complete, with new canopies expected to be on the site in time for opening day, says executive director Marilyn Firth. St. Norbert announced nearly five years ago
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
