Concrete floors are very hard on a cow’s hooves Milk producers wanting to treat lameness in dairy cows could consider an old-fashioned solution to a perennial problem: put the cows out on pasture. A University of British Columbia study has found that spending time on pasture, even for a short period, can significantly reduce lameness
Soft Pastures Soothe Bossy’s Sore Feet
Manitoba’s Small Fruit Crop Itching For Warm Weather
“If we got good heat, the plants would just explode.” – ANTHONY MINTENKO, MAFRI Manitoba’s small fruit growers appear to have dodged the late-spring frost, but now face the prospect of a delayed picking season. A cool, wet spring has put berry crops at least two weeks behind in their normal development. But that was
Sow Cull Raises Hog Shortage Spectre
As the hog industry continues its economic free fall and more producers leave the business, a worrisome question arises: will Western Canada have enough pigs for its pork-packing plants? The question would have been unthinkable a few years back when production was booming and the sky seemed the limit for the rapidly expanding pork industry.
Ottawa Considers Hog Options
The federal government may consider stretching the parameters of its farm safety net programs to help a hog industry in financial free fall, but industry hopes of a billion-dollar bailout package are fading. “They’ll stretch the programs as much as they can in terms of interpretation,” said Andrew Dickson, Manitoba Pork Council general manager. But
Farm To Fork Traceability Not In Demand: Grocery Official
“I don’t see it being asked for where it’s not required.” – DAVID WI LKES, CANADIAN COUNCIL OF GROCERY DISTRIBUTORS The need for full traceability systems to track food from the store back to the farm may not be as urgent as generally thought, according to a retail food industry official. Consumers are certainly concerned
Burning Suggested As A Weed Control Method
“It won’t be 100 per cent effective but it will obviously reduce the number of weed seeds.” – GARY MARTENS A new study has cast a fresh light on the method of controlling weeds through burning – not the plants themselves but the seeds they leave behind. “Fire is capable of sharply reducing the probability
Groups Oppose Biotech Wheat
Groups from Canada, the United States and Australia issued a June 1 statement rejecting genetically engineered wheat in response to a pitch by industry lobbyists for commercial development of biotech wheat. “We restate our definitive opposition to GE wheat and our commitment to stopping the commercialization of GE traits in our wheat crops,” said the
Agri-Retailers Seek Federal Aid For Security Measures
“We cannot, nor should not have to, pay the entire bill to secure crop inputs.” – DAVID MACKAY, CAAR Canada’s farm supply dealers have renewed their call for federal assistance in upgrading agriretail sites to meet new and incoming security protocols. Agri-retailers want Ottawa to cover half of the estimated $100 million cost of implementing
Manitoba Trails The Pack In Net Farm Income
Large increases in fertilizer and fuel costs are being blamed for a sharp drop in Manitoba farmers’ net income last year. Manitoba’s net cash farm income dropped to $725 million in 2008 – down 8.6 per cent from 2007.Netcash income is the difference between total farm cash receipts, including payments, and total operating expenses after
Producers To Get Help Age Verifying Cattle
Manitoba cattle producers will get help from their own association in age verifying calves to make sure Alberta feedlots will buy them. The Manitoba Cattle Producers Association will hire a full-time field representative to travel the province and help producers age verify their cattle. “It’s responsible for a cattle producer’s association to help producers reach
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