Other countries’ domestic and foreign policies are often at the root of food disasters What is it about Africa? With its tropical climate and rich soil, it should be able to feed its teeming millions many times over. Yet too often Africa becomes a metaphor for famine and hunger. In 1984-85 a horrified world responded
Starvation In An Age Of Plenty
Peak Of The Market To Regulate Small Potato Growers
“What drives me nuts is that now any potatoes I buy from independent farmers are illegal.” – ERIN CRAMPTON Manitoba’s vegetable-marketing board is planning new rules to regulate small growers who sell their produce at roadside stands and farmers’ markets. Peak of the Market hopes to have the regulations in effect by next spring. They
E-Mail Theft Strikes Manitoba Honey Producer
Charles Polcyn knew something was wrong when he started getting phone calls from people in different parts of the world. They were reacting to an e-mail message from him that neither he nor his family had sent. Someone had stolen Polcyn’s e-mail list and used it to send messages saying he was in trouble and
H1N1 Was In Pigs For Years: Study
“This lineage has been circulating under the radar for the better part of a decade.” – MICHAEL WOROBEY Ever since the H1N1 flu virus emerged earlier this year, pork producers have objected to its commonly used name: swine flu. Producers argue the virus is about people, not pigs, and the term is unfair to themselves
Farm Surveys Pretty Accurate, Statisticians Say
If you’re an agricultural analyst, statistics are your lifeblood. But where do statistics come from? Statistics come from raw data. Raw data comes from surveys. And surveys come from people talking to farmers. But what if farmers don’t tell the truth? Chances of that are small. And if producers do fudge the numbers, deliberately or
Hog Producers Remember Departing Premier For Bill 17
“I know my friends in the hog industry don’t agree with me.” – GARY DOER He reduced education taxes on farmland. He doubled agriculture spending during his 10 years in office. But many Manitoba farmers will remember Premier Gary Doer for one thing: Bill 17. The famous (or infamous) bill, passed exactly one year ago,
Province Accused Of Carbon Credit Grab
Manitoba farmers are being warned that the provincial government will seize carbon credits resulting from conservation practices conducted under environmental farm plans. An agronomists’ group called Farmers Edge Precision Consulting is encouraging producers to ask serious questions about carbon credits before signing on to the new Environmental Farm Action Program (EFAP). Farmers Edge says the
Hog Loan Guarantee Program Expected
Canada’s hog farmers will soon learn the terms of a federal loan guarantee program to help them through their worst financial crisis in recent memory. Ottawa will launch the program in late September or early October, according to government officials. The government will guarantee long-term loans to hog producers, up to a yet-to-be-determined point, to
Home Economics Heads Into Second Century At U Of M
“This is about everything you do.” – JANICE FILMON They say infant mortality rates began to fall in Manitoba after home economists began going out to rural communities to teach homemakers about sanitation and food safety. Agricultural extension centred mostly on farm management, growing crops and raising livestock when home economics first became a separate
Manitoba Faces Major Transport Loss
“It’s going to affect everybody.” – DOUG DOBROWOLSKI, AMM Ahigh-stakes showdown between Greyhound Canada and the Manitoba government continues amid threats by the carrier to shut down its bus service in the province completely. Provincial officials were scheduled to meet with Greyhound this week to discuss the company’s demands for a $15-million bailout to help
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
