“We know that we’re going to be dealing with tough economic times.” – STAN STRUTHERS Hopes for an environmental goods and services program for Manitoba farmers have been dampened by the current recession and a looming provincial deficit. The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program promoted by Keystone Agricultural Producers may have to wait until
Economic Downturn Threatens Future For ALUS
Recession Slows Cattle Industry Recovery
“Until we see economic recovery, it’s going to be a challenge.” – SCOTT MCKINNON, CANFAX Canada’s long-suffering cattle producers, still smarting after BSE, may have to wait a little longer to start making money again. Cow-calf producers could start to see profitable margins by late fall. Feedlot operators may, too, depending on feed costs, said
Growers Allege Discrimination
Barry Dutka was tired in 2003 when he sold the Selkirk potato farm that had been in his family for more than 70 years and retired as a director with Peak of the Market. But it wasn’t only a shortage of on-farm labour that prompted his departure from the industry. Dutka, 57, had had enough
Producers Demand Compensation Over Roundup Ready Alfalfa
“We’re putting the government on notice.” – LES JACOBSON, MFSA Manitoba forage seed producers say they will hold Ottawa accountable if the impending approval of Roundup Ready alfalfa hurts their industry. A resolut ion pas sed at the Manitoba Forage Seed Producers Association annual meeting vows growers will hold Ottawa “directly responsible for any economic
Report Urges New Approach To Water Management
“If you drain, you might be shooting yourself in the foot.” – HANK VENEMA, IISD Manitoba needs a new water policy, with watershed management as the cornerstone, to prepare for the coming impact of a changing global climate, a newly released report says. The strategy should emphasize conserving water on the land instead of draining
El Niño Rises, Winter To Get Milder
The current winter deep freeze on the Prairies could soon turn balmy because of El Nińo, according to a Canadian Wheat Board weather analyst. A rising El Nińo phenomenon – one of the strongest ever – could bring warmer winter weather to Western Canada, possibly followed by below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation in spring, said
Wheat Growers’ Group Formed To Protest CWB
“There was absolutely no reason to have faith in the wheat board.” – WALLY NELSON The way Wally Nelson tells it, it all began in early December 1969 when a farmer named John Wood came to his John Deere dealership to apologize for not being able to pay his bill. There’d been a decent crop
2010 a break-even year at best for hog producers
“As a profit overall for the year, I don’t think so.” – JOHN PREUN, MANITOBA PORK MARKETING CO-OP anitoba’s long-suffering hog farmers might finally get some financial relief from the marketplace this year but hopes for a full recovery remain a distant dream. Hog forward contracts for 2010 indicate prices above $140 per 100 kg
Corn Growers Cry Foul Over Crop Insurance
“They feel that they were misled.” – THERESA BERGSMA, MCGA Manitoba corn growers are accusing the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. of reneging on a promised price incentive to encourage producers to harvest late, damaged corn last fall. But the agency says there was no promise and the complaint is based on a misunderstanding. The Manitoba
Clubroot Keeps Its Distance In 2009
Manitoba canola growers can breathe a little easier with news that a new plant disease spreading in Alberta hasn’t made it to this province – yet. A field survey last summer found no signs of clubroot, a disease which attacks canola as well as vegetables, said Ingrid Kristjanson, a Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives