Turkey producers are calling on the federal government to back up its stated support of supply management by putting money on the table. “It seems that with every trade deal our industry is undermined to a greater extent, regardless of the platitudes of support expressed by our government of the day,” said Bill Uruski, chairman
Turkey producers still waiting on promised federal compensation
Trade deals ruffle the feathers of turkey producers who say government commitment falls short
New turkey market mechanisms needed
Surplus turkey stocks continue to cause problems for producers despite improvements
Manitoba turkey producers are looking to their national counterparts to help find a solution to the current overstock of storage turkeys in the country. While the stock of surplus birds was lower this January than last, several factors continue to hamper the flow of turkey through processors and into the market. Bill Uruski, chairman of
Oat prices to stay put over next 24 months
Manitoba and oats go together like beta glucan and heart health
Manitoba farmers could be poised to capitalize on a growing global demand for oats — if Canada gains access to the Chinese market. Speaking to producers at CropConnect in Winnipeg last week, market analyst Randy Strychar said that changing consumption patterns at home and abroad are presenting new opportunities for Prairie oat growers, particularly those
Non-partisan approach needed to trade
Canada and the U.S. need freer trade, not protectionism, according to the architect of NAFTA
The North American Free Trade Agreement might be bigger than Donald Trump, but that’s no guarantee it will survive his presidency intact. Speaking to producers at CropConnect in Winnipeg last week, noted conservative thinker David Frum gave his thoughts on the fate of the trade deal, which most consider to be essential to agriculture. A
U.S. won’t recapture TPP opportunity in coming years
Canada’s beef and pork producers are poised to benefit from the resurrected Trans-Pacific Partnership
Canada’s entry into a resurrected Trans-Pacific Partnership bodes well for the province and for the country, say those in the know. Speaking at Keystone Agricultural Producers annual general meeting in Winnipeg last week, Manitoba’s Minister of Agriculture Ralph Eichler, said the pork industry will be the biggest winner under the new deal, which was rechristened
Who you gonna call?
EMS closures and inconsistent signage have some producers worried
Manitoba farmers are concerned medical assistance won’t be there when they need it most. Last summer, the province’s Progressive Conservative government announced it would close 23 emergency medical service (or EMS) stations. Now, producers are calling on the government to provide more information about how emergency services will be provided once those stations are shuttered.
Farmers mull commodity group merger’s risks and benefits
Vote on proposed merger to take place in early 2019
Five Manitoba commodity groups were at St. Jean Farm Days last week, seeking input on a proposed amalgamation plan. At the event Myron Krahn told producers that “we’re here because we want farmers’ feedback, we want ideas from farmers… we’re looking for as much feedback as we can get, positive or negative, it doesn’t matter.”
Model stomach arrives at U of M
Stomach simulation to assist scientists with digestion evaluation
Can you stomach it? Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada sure hope so, but just to be sure, they’re going to put it to the test. An artificial stomach has been installed at the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals at the University of Manitoba. “It’s a system that’s based on the physiology of
Fungi and tillage don’t mix well
Short-term gain will lead to long-term pain when it comes to tillage
Tillage might result in some sort-term gains, but soil scientist Jay Fuhrer warns that the practice causes long-term damage to healthy soil’s best friend — fungi. “One of the big components in there is the fungi, the fungi and its hyphae,” said Fuhrer, a conservationist with the United States Department of Agriculture. “What breaks up
Cover crops ‘essential’ to in-field grazing
Confined livestock do little to help build soil health
Got cows? On your cropland? Jay Fuhrer certainly hopes so. The soil health specialist believes cropland and large ruminants are a natural fit. He advocates turning animals out of the barn and onto the land whenever possible. “Soils, plants and animals evolved together,” he told producers gathered in Winnipeg for the annual Dairy Farmers of
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
