A global alliance of researchers has pioneered a new method to rapidly recruit disease-resistance genes from wild plants for transfer into domestic crops. The technique promises to revolutionize the development of disease-resistant varieties. The technique called AgRenSeq was developed by scientists at the John Innes Centre in Britain working with colleagues in Australia and the
Harvesting wild genes boosts resistance
A new method promises to make finding and using these genes much easier and faster
WestMan mixed farm is recipient of the 2018 Turtle Mountain Conservation District conservation award
G & B Farms spans more than 2,700 acres and includes a large livestock component
Gordon and Brenda Adams together with their two children Colin and Lacey manage G & B Farms, comprised of Black Angus cows, horses and chickens, and a land base of 2,720 acres spread between the Turtle Mountains, Whitewater Lake, Medora and Pipestone. At Pipestone there are 1,120 acres of native pasture, never broken, plus the
Wheat variety selections in 1898
Our History: January 1898
Manitoba farmers planning their wheat variety selection for 1898 could consult these results from the Indian Head Experimental Farm published in the January issue of The Nor-West Farmer. Two full pages of tables also had results for wheat seeding at different dates, rates and depths; on hoe drills versus press drills, and on the effect
Prairie strips pack big benefit
Carefully siting natural habitat on a farm can more than offset the small losses from setting land aside
Modern agriculture’s large monoculture fields grow a lot of grain. The outputs can be measured both in dollars paid in the market and also in non-market costs, known as externalities. Soil, nutrients, groundwater, pollinators, wildlife diversity, and habitat (among other things) can be lost when crop yields are maximized. Now it appears that prairie strips
Garland family recognized for environmental stewardship
Steven and Heather Welland wanted to return to their farming roots, but the price of land was prohibitive and there wasn’t much available to purchase where they used to live. That’s what prompted a move in 2013 from Bracebridge, Ontario, to Garland, Manitoba, after purchasing a 160-acre farm here. The couple, who has four children,
Drive away wireworms with Pandrinox
Our History: January 1960
Pandrinox seed treatment advertised in our January 1960 issues offered control of both insects and fungal diseases, and came with a “handy Pandri-meter” to measure the proper amount. The Jan. 28 issue reported the release of the one-man “Manitoba Margarine Inquiry Commission” headed by W.J. Waines, dean of arts and science at the University of
Researchers create algorithm to predict PEDv outbreaks
The high-tech approach already has an 80 per cent accuracy rate
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed an algorithm that could give pig producers advance notice of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) outbreaks. The proof-of-concept algorithm has potential for use in real-time prediction of other disease outbreaks in food animals. PEDv is a virus that causes high mortality rates in preweaned piglets. The virus
Third-generation Miami-area farm earns 2018 Pembina Valley Conservation District Award
The Steppler family farm includes three distinct enterprises — cropland, cattle and bees
A farm near Miami, Manitoba now in the hands of a third generation is the Pembina Valley Conservation District Award winner for 2018. Sandy and Ian Steppler, along with Ian’s three brothers Geoff, Adam and Andre together crop 3,500 acres, calve 500 head of purebred Charolais cattle and manage a large 1,200-hive apiary. The Stepplers
Manitoba Beef Producers celebrating 40th year
Annual meeting aims to celebrate the past and anticipate the future
The Manitoba Beef Producers are set to celebrate their 40th year. MBP’s 40th annual meeting is slated for February 7 and 8 at the Victoria Inn in Brandon, with the them ‘Proud past, promising future.’ “MBP’s AGM is a time for delegates to glean knowledge about topics and trends affecting the beef industry, to debate
PHOTOS: This Old Elevator: January 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