“If there was profitability in the industry, it wouldn’t be a problem bringing people into the industry.” – WAYNE EASTER, MP Gwen Donohoe wants to return to the family farm near The Pas after she finishes her University of Manitoba masters degree in soil science later this year. But people keep saying she shouldn’t. That’s
Bring Down Barriers For Young Farmers, Ag Committee Told
Quota Levy Issue Still Flummoxes Industry
“It’s the precedent issue that’s most alarming.” – PENNY KELLY, MEF Manitoba’s supply management producers are still in the dark about a new provincial levy on quota transfers, despite asking for an explanation. “We’re going to have to have some more discussions so we can better understand exactly where it’s coming from,” said David Wiens,
Dark French Fries And Salinity Go Hand In Hand
“It dictates that you just can’t grow potatoes in those soils.” – BLAIR GEISEL, GAIA CONSULTING You know there’s something wrong with a potato if the tip of a french fry turns dark when it hits the oil. It’s a phenomenon potato processors hate: a disorder called “sugar-end defect.” The sugar caramelizes, leaving the tip
Empty Hog Barns Tumbling Down
“They’re definitely going to feel it on the tax base.” – KARL KYNOCH, MPC It isn’t just the loss of hog producers that troubles Manitoba Pork Council chairman Karl Kynoch. It’s the loss of actual hog barns. Empty barns are being dismantled at an alarming rate across Manitoba, Kynoch said in his annual state-of-theindustry address
Lactose Intolerance May Be Exaggerated, Study Suggests
“Even individuals who are lactose intolerant can consume milk and milk products.” – DFC Alot of people who think they’re lactose intolerant may not be, which could be good news for the dairy industry. The true prevalence of lactose intolerance in the general population isn’t known because of insufficient data. But it’s probably lower than
Chicken Allocation Dispute Headed For Court
“This is a chance to get it clarified once and for all.” – MI KE DUNGATE, CFC Strained relationships between Canada’s chicken industry and its federal regulator moved closer to a legal airing this week. The federal attorney general was scheduled to file court documents April 29 for a case involving a judicial review of
Southeastern Producers Upset Over Disease Surveillance
Farmers who attended a public information meeting about anaplasmosis here last week complained government isn’t doing enough to prevent livestock diseases in southeastern Manitoba. The April 21 meeting was intended to inform producers about a local anaplasmosis outbreak and suggest ways to curtail its spread in cattle herds. But a discussion period after presentations by
Auditor General Criticizes AAFC Research Management
“There’s a component of science that has to remain to protect the public trust.” – GARY CORBETT, PIPS Canada’s federal agriculture scientists are getting old, their equipment is outdated and their research increasingly aimed at making money for big business rather than benefiting the public good. That’s how Gary Corbett interprets Auditor General Sheila Fraser’s
Métis Business Group Buys Teulon Goose Plant
ATeulon goose plant on the verge of shutting down a year ago will continue to operate under a new owner – the Métis Economic Development Organization (MEDO). A recently signed agreement with former owner Don Salkeld sees the Métis group assume ownership of Northern Goose Processing for a purchase price of roughly $3 million. The
Peak Calls Truce In Spud War
“This is in place right away. We’re not going to enforce anything else.” – LARRY MCINTOSH Trevor Schreimer figured something was up when he and other members of the Manitoba Potato Coalition met with Agriculture Minister Stan Struthers earlier this month to lobby against Peak of the Market’s new regulation governing small potato growers. “He
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
