McCain recognizes top Manitoba growers

A&M Farm Ventures and S.B. Vegetable Growers took top honours at McCain Foods’ annual appreciation banquet last month. Tom, Lisa, John and Shawna Adriaansen of A&M Farm Ventures, near Carberry, accepted the 2018 Champion Grower award for Manitoba, the first time they’ve won the recognition. S.B. Vegetable Growers, from Portage la Prairie won Top Innovator

Denys Volkov.

Volkov takes the reins at AMM

The Association of Manitoba Municipalities has a new executive director as the new year begins, the organization said in a news release January 2. Denys Volkov replaces retiring director Joe Masi. Volkov, who joined AMM in 2011, has “extensive knowledge of municipal Manitoba,” the news release said, citing 14 years of professional experience in the


Snoman will be posting signs like this along trails as volunteer capacity and weather allow.

Signage to protect unharvested crops from snowmobiles

Snoman to post signs along routes where crops are still in fields

Snowmobilers are being encouraged to stay on trails and off fields to protect unharvested crops. “It was a difficult harvest for many producers in Manitoba,” said Yvonne Rideout, executive director of Snowmobilers of Manitoba (Snoman). “We want to make sure that riders are staying on designated trails, respecting private property and crops that have yet

Golden Rice grain compared to white rice grain in screenhouse of Golden Rice plants.

Philippines approves genetically modified rice

Critics say ‘Golden Rice’ hasn’t received adequate scrutiny on safety and nutrition

The Philippines has approved genetically modified “Golden Rice” for human consumption, but its approval may be premature, the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network said in a news release Dec. 20. The country hasn’t approved the crop for cultivation, but if it does, the grain could be the first genetically modified rice grown in the world, the


Manitoba government proclaims Watershed District Act

Manitoba government proclaims Watershed District Act

District members had expressed concern that act would be delayed, complicating plans

The act that reforms conservation districts along watershed lines was proclaimed Dec. 30, slightly ahead of schedule. “This new model of improved watershed management strategies will improve the quality of our water in lakes, wetlands, rivers and streams, an important step towards mitigating climate change locally and globally,” said Blaine Pedersen, minister of Agriculture and



Province introduces Crown land sales legislation

Province introduces Crown land sales legislation

Government says the goal is a streamlined and transparent system

The Manitoba government is introducing new legislation that would streamline and improve government oversight for Crown land sales. The announcement came in a Dec. 3 media release on behalf of Central Services Minister Reg Helwer. Helwer touted the Crown Land Dispositions Act as the path to a system that would be “… more efficient, effective

METOS to come to Canada

Glacier FarmMedia and Pessl Instruments team up to market the farm management suite

Farm management platform METOS is coming to Canada, Glacier FarmMedia and Austrian company Pessl Instruments announced December 11. The two companies announced a joint venture to create METOS Canada to market and support digital smart ag services. “We are focused on helping farmers find solutions to the challenges of managing inputs and allocating their human


University of Manitoba seeks Certificate of Merit nominations

The annual award is for agriculture diploma and degree holders

Do you know a University of Manitoba degree or diploma holder who’s distinguished themselves through leadership of agricultural organizations and outstanding service to the community at large? Then the U of M wants to hear from you. It’s seeking nominations for two certificates of merit, presented annually to a graduate of both programs. Nominations are

Federated Co-op eggs to bear EQA symbol

Federated Co-op eggs to bear EQA symbol

Federated Co-op is the latest organization to pick up Egg Farmers of Canada’s Egg Quality Assurance branding on some of its packaging. “We know Co-op customers care where their food comes from and how it’s produced,” said Ron Healey, vice-president of ag and consumer business at Federated Co-operatives Limited in an Oct. 29 news release.