Hog producers are warned to be particularly vigilant about biosecurity practices this fall because the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) is more likely to survive in cold, wet weather. “We expect to see more cases in the fall,” said Mark Fynn, animal care specialist at the Manitoba Pork Council. Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) had
Cold, wet weather increases risk of PED virus
Vigilant biosecurity practices are important as seasons change
Agriculture enthusiasts descend on the town of Clearwater
Harvest Moon connects urban and rural folks through workshops, markets, concerts and more
After his father dies, a man leaves his family cattle farm to work on the oil rigs in Alberta. He works part time so he can return to tend to his pastures, bale hay and maintain his herd. This story is all too familiar for many Prairie ranchers, but this particular one is from Del
Study: Can Manitoba crops reverse prediabetes?
Manitoba researchers team with Mayo Clinic to see if some foods can delay or prevent diabetes
Manitoba-grown ingredients might reverse prediabetes, according to researchers behind a new study. The Manitoba Agri-Health Research Network (MaHRN), in partnership with Minnesota-based Step One Foods, leads the study, funded by Manitoba Jobs and the Economy. Research kicked off last week when clinical teams met for the first time to determine the criteria for participants, talk
Invasive Species Council declares war on weeds
New weed spotters’ workshops are designed to educate public and raise awareness
A small group met in the Pembina Valley Interpretive Centre August 20 to discuss how to engage the public in tracking a common enemy — weeds. The workshop was the first of what Julie Pelc, chair of the Invasive Species Council of Manitoba (ISCM), hopes will be many weed spotters’ workshops. “We really want to increase
Wool fibre production for dummies
How one manages the flock can make the difference between getting good fleece or getting ‘fleeced’
Randy Eros, a shepherd from just outside Winnipeg, jokingly blames his wife when explaining why they are in the sheep business. Eros and his wife began raising sheep more than 30 years ago — initially just for wool. “It’s my wife’s fault,” he told a workshop at the Manitoba Fibre Festival Sept. 6. “She’s a
Southwestern Manitoba — semi-arid to semi-fluid
Dedicated minimum- and zero-till farmers are now dragging out tillage equipment that’s been in store for years
When Ryan and Wade Flannery began working on the drilling rigs to supplement grain farming, they did not imagine that several years later they would be working for oil companies year round. “We (initially) went to the drilling rigs for something to do for the winter and now it’s turned into a full-time deal,” said
With harvest on hold, Dauphin farmers step into the past
The 16th annual Threshing Day harkens back to a time when everyone pitched in
Dauphin-area farmers found a soothing diversion from this year’s stressfully late and difficult harvest Aug. 30 — stepping back in time to when they could all pitch in. Usually on a Saturday at this time of year, Chris Dzisiak would be busily swathing canola and harvesting early wheat. But cloudy skies and soaking rains have
Telecom proposal mixed news in rural areas
Wireless frequencies now available to Internet users would be reallocated to cell phone use
Proposed changes to how telecommunications capacity is allocated could improve services for some rural Internet users, but be a step backward for those living on the outskirts of major population centres. Industry Canada is proposing to reclassify population centres of more than 30,000 people as “urban” and reallocate spectrum currently used only used for high-speed
Feed shortages could push flooded farmers to sell cattle
This year’s flood has created more uncertainty for Manitoba’s cattle sector
The stress of extended flooding losses followed by a harsh winter prompted Scott Kolomaya to make a tough decision in the spring. He sold three-quarters of his cattle herd. His hayfields were flooded in 2011 and had not yet been returned to production. After a long and bitter winter, he was running short of feed.
Canadian durum exports still the best, but more consistency needed
International durum buyers visiting the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) recently said they are seeing less consistency in their purchases from Canada since the end of single-desk marketing. “Sometimes we see peaks in proteins or test weight,” said Italian broker Miria Filomena Balletta in an interview. “Not just in the same cargo, but in the
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
