1. Farmers grow frustrated: Some Canadian farmers, no closer to knowing when they’ll regain access to their biggest canola customer, are going from feelings of uncertainty and anxiety to anger and frustration. “We demand action,” Ian Steppler, who farms near Deerwood, Man., wrote on Facebook last week. The federal government and grain industry are committed
In Your Co-operator this Week: May 9
Espousing the benefits of hand separators
Our History: April 1898
The April issue of The Nor’-West Farmer and Miller carried this photo of the Macdonald Creamery at Portage la Prairie, along with an article on the benefits of hand separators. “The first and most pronounced way in which separators save money is by taking more butter fat out of the milk. It is estimated by
University researchers model photosynthesis
They say it’s an important window into this crucial biological process and how it affects crop yields
In the next two decades, crop yields need to increase dramatically to feed the growing global population. Wouldn’t it be incredibly useful if we had a crystal ball to show us what are the best strategies available to increase crop yields? A team of scientists have just developed exactly that: a dynamic model that predicts
PHOTOS: This Old Elevator: April 2019
The Manitoba Historical Society wants to gather information about all the grain elevators in Manitoba
In the 1950s, there were over 700 grain elevators in Manitoba. Today, there are fewer than 200. You can help to preserve the legacy of these disappearing “Prairie sentinels.” The Manitoba Historical Society (MHS) is gathering information about all elevators that ever stood in Manitoba, regardless of their present status. Collaborating with the Manitoba Co-operator it is supplying these
New and better auto insurance
Our History: April 1971
This ad in our April 22, 1971 issue told Manitobans that they would soon have a new auto-insurance program. The front-page headline that issue was about federal Bill C-176, which provided for the establishment of national marketing boards. It had opened an east-west split in the country, with eastern dairy and poultry farmers favouring the
It takes a village to stop weeds
Researchers say the community nature of the problem of invasive weeds hasn’t been adequately incorporated into control efforts
Invasive weeds are a problem that defies solution, and only seems to get worse. That’s because they’re a community problem that cross property boundaries, according to weed scientist Muthu Bagavathiannan, of Texas A&M. Finding a real solution will involve recognizing the nature of weeds as a community problem, and managing them accordingly, he and other
‘Big meaty’ prize turkeys
Our History: April 1960
Turkeys used to be grown on many farms in the province, and an ad like this one in our April 14, 1960 issue promoted the benefits of breeds such as the “Brown” Chinook Belt Bronze and the Menefee Hybrids. However, the news that month may have indicated there were too many producers in the business.
Fungus vs. fungus
Non-harmful native fungus could supplant ones that cause harmful toxins
It’s not good when a fungus contaminates crops. Safe native fungi, however, show promise in the fight against toxic fungal contamination. One such harmful fungus is Aspergillus flavus, which can infect several crops, including corn, other cereal crops and some legumes. Some varieties, or strains, of A. flavus produce aflatoxins. Aflatoxin contamination costs farmers billions
When buckwheat acres were abundant
Our History: April 1964
This ad from our April 7, 1983 issue reminds of a time when buckwheat was a more significant crop in Manitoba. There were 90,000 acres reported in the province that year, and there had been as many as 135,000 in 1979. However, only 5,465 acres were reported to crop insurance in 2017. Continental Grain, though
Study says excess phosphorus may reduce crop yields
Results suggest that excess levels can affect soil microbes
Excessive phosphorus fertilizer may do more harm than good for crop yields, say scientists at Penn State University. In a study published in Phytobiomes Journal, a team led by Terrence Bell and Jenny Kao-Kniffin found that soil treated with high amounts of phosphate can result in poorer plant performance and that it appears the soil