“Little pots of money for various things.” – DOUG DOBROWOLSKI, AMM Manitoba’s latest provincial budget contains a smattering of initiatives useful to farmers but little new spending on agriculture programs themselves. The government plans to spend $225.7 million on agriculture in 2009-10, a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous year. Spending on risk management,
Not Much New For Agriculture In 2009 Provincial Budget
Winter Manure Spreading To End For Small Hog Farms
“They’re going out of their way to push the small guys out of business.” – ANDREW DICKSON, MPC A complete ban on spreading livestock manure on fields during the winter in Manitoba will take effect four years from now. The Manitoba government has proposed a regulation to ban winter spreading on all farms by 2013,
Dairy Cows Belch, Farmers Cash In
“This is the gold standard model.” – CEDRIC MACLEOD Canada’s milk producers will soon have a new tool to reduce the carbon footprint of their dairy farms and perhaps make money in the process. A computer package developed in Atlantic Canada allows dairy farmers to calculate greenhouse gas emissions from their operations and estimate ways
Farmers Prepared For Flooding
“I would say 98 per cent of the people are prepared for the flood.” – DAVE WALDNER The Flood of the Century seriously disrupted Dave Waldner’s hog operation. But if it happens again, he’s ready. The ring dike around his farm east of Rosenort has been raised two feet above 1997 flood levels. Municipal water
Hog Farmers Seek Emergency Government Aid
“What’s worse? Having no industry or having countervail?” – JURGEN PREUGSCHAS, CPC ACanadian Pork Council meeting April 2 will propose an emergency government aid program as hog farmers enter the third year of their worst economic crisis in memory. The CPC safety net committee will look for new ways to help beleaguered pork producers because
Eliminate Unprofitable Farmers, Report Recommends
A new report proposes a radical and drastic solution to Canada’s chronic farm income problems: get rid of unprofitable farmers. The report by the Canada West Foundation recommends “an orderly retreat from the industry” by farmers who depend on government subsidies and off-farm jobs to stay in operation. The Calgary-based public policy think-tank says agriculture
Bridging The Disconnect Between Farm And City
“I think it’s important to state things that are valuable.” – BRIAN OLESON, U OF M There was the usual praise from the dignitaries assembled at the base of the grand staircase in the Manitoba legislature. Agriculture is a pillar of the Manitoba economy. Agri-food processing produces over $3 billion in goods and services annually.
Downer Animals Can No Longer Go To Slaughter
Recent changes to provincial legislation make it illegal to transport “downer” animals to slaughter plants in Manitoba. Bill 2 (The Animal Care Amendment Act) now only allows downers to be transported to veterinary clinics. The bill recently passed public hearings by the Manitoba Legislature Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food. It defines a downed animal
Coalition To Step Up Anti-Confinement Activity
“They don’t really understand what the welfare picture is in Canada.” – SHANYN SILINSKI, MFAC Acoalition of Canadian animal welfare organizations plans to increase pressure on government and the agricultural industry to ban confinement systems for farm animals. The seven-member group met in Winnipeg this past weekend to plan strategy for a national campaign against
Egg Wars A Thing Of The Past, Producers Told
When Harold Froese became Manitoba’s representative on the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency’s board of directors, the national egg system seemed about to implode. Bitter arguments between provinces over quota allocations and industrial egg programs threatened to tear the agency apart. What a difference a few years make. Since 2001, there has been “unprecedented peace” in
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