For years Darwin Tatel used Canadian wheat at the San Miguel Mill in Batangas, Philippines, but then something changed. “We stopped using CWRS awhile back when we encountered some problems in terms of quality,” said the head miller, who was in Winnipeg to take part in a technical exchange program at the Canadian International Grains
Cigi coaxes Philippines back into the fold
Cigi is wooing Filipino millers after a period of poor gluten strength and low protein drove them to American wheat suppliers
Cattle play role in bird habitat
Bird populations have declined on the Canadian Prairies as grassland areas have shrunk rapidly
As a rancher, Kristine Tapley’s passions are split between the large ruminants she raises and the land that sustains them — sort of. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but I’m less interested in the cattle and more interested in using cattle as a tool to protect and maintain grasslands, because I think there are so
PEDv outbreak remains localized
No new cases of PEDv have been found in Manitoba, but possibility of future outbreaks can’t be ruled out
While the origin of recent porcine epidemic diarrhea outbreaks has not been identified, Manitoba’s chief veterinarian has determined the strain is not unique to Manitoba. “What we do know is that all three barns have the same strain of PEDv and that the strain is not one that is unique to Manitoba, it’s been found
Pork pain management rules begin July 1
All castration and tail docking will require pain management, a change the industry says it’s ready for
Another component of the updated Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs is about to come into effect, with the deadline to begin use of anesthetic and analgesics when castrating or docking tails set for July 1. While nearly all hog farmers are prepared for the new pain control requirements, a recent
Beekeepers on front line of tick invasion
Both rural and urban Manitobans should keep a wary eye out for the blacklegged tick as its territory expands
If Kateryn Rochon is a little bit weary by mid-afternoon, it’s no wonder. It’s field season for the University of Manitoba entomologist, who has embarked on a joint mission with the Manitoba Beekeepers Association to better understand tick-borne diseases. That means getting up at the crack of dawn to check traps set the night before,
No cuts to agriculture in provincial budget
Eliminating school taxes from farmland may be a tall order given projected deficit
Awidely reported funding reduction for agriculture in the province’s newly released budget is not what it seems, according to Keystone Agricultural Producers. While $1 million less is being allotted to agriculture in 2016 than in 2015, president Dan Mazier said the reduced allocation has to do with lower payouts being made by farm insurance programs.
Three new PEDv cases confirmed on Manitoba farms
Despite industry concerns, a program allowing hog trucks and trailers to be disinfected in Canada rather than the U.S. has come to an end
The news of new PEDv cases is extremely unwelcome, but not entirely unexpected. After nearly 16 months of being in the clear, three new cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea have been confirmed in Manitoba. “We’re very disappointed this has happened,” said Andrew Dickson, general manager of the Manitoba Pork Council. “We’ve sent a note out
Mites could play role in variable bee losses
Honeybee losses are all over the map in Manitoba this year, as experts eye the impact of the varroa mite
While the numbers are still preliminary it appears one word will likely characterize winter loss for Manitoba beekeepers this spring — variability. “The one thing I can probably say without having any hard numbers, just from preliminary reporting, is that we’re going to have a lot of variability in winter loss this year,” said Rheal
Edible bean acres down but yields have increased
When planting edible beans, keep a close eye on volunteer soybeans
When it comes to crop rotations, putting distance between soybeans and edible beans is serious business. Speaking as part of Manitoba Agriculture’s CropTalk Eastman webinar last week, development specialist Dennis Lange said soybeans can still appear as prevalent volunteers years after they were last grown in a particular field. “What we’ve been finding is that
Beehives to go high tech
A so-called smart beehive could change how apiarists manage their colonies and treat mites
We have smart phones, smart cars and even smart fridges. Now, Allan Campbell is preparing to launch the smart beehive. “We are still in the prototype phase, but we hope to have the first ones out this summer. So far it hasn’t left the lab yet,” said the co-owner of Durston Honey Farms and president
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
