Manitoba’s egg and poultry producers are on high alert as avian influenza spreads to neighbouring jurisdictions. More than 75,000 birds have already been euthanized at two farms in Ontario and farms in the American Midwest have seen more than seven million birds destroyed this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Now cases have
Avian flu on Manitoba’s doorstep
The best line of defence is at the farm gate and barn door
Manitoba Pork Council veteran takes over as chair
Issues of trade, capacity and welfare will continue to be dealt with under new MPC chairperson
After more than a decade, there is a new face at the helm of the Manitoba Pork Council. George Matheson was chosen as the council’s new chairperson by the organization’s board of directors following its annual general meeting in Winnipeg last week. “We have a great group this year, with three new members… and that’s
New hog barns for Manitoba?
The rules haven’t changed but…
After years of being locked in a standoff, producers and the Manitoba government are inching closer to consensus on how to go about renewing the province’s aging pig production capacity. Producers attending the Manitoba Pork Council annual meeting last week were told a “special pilot protocol” would result in the resumption of new barn construction
Interest in drainage expected to grow
As the province’s newest water management association pulls away from the dock, new members are invited on board
The fledgling Manitoba Agricultural Water Management Association (MAWMA) is looking for members, particularly farmers and landowners as well as others with a interest in water management. Formed in late 2012 with a focus on the tile drainage industry, the organization’s board of directors includes three producer members, representing potato, grain and speciality crop growers at
Shorter winter favours honeybees
Some high overwintering losses may be attributed to inexperience and not the winter weather
While it’s too early to know for certain, this year’s shorter winter has all the hallmarks of overwintering success for Manitoba beekeepers. “I would expect good overwintering success,” said Allan Campbell, president of the Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association, adding that winter is a key factor for Prairie apiarists. “The winter conditions, I expect that to make
Canola emergence low at best of times
The longer it takes canola seed to germinate, the more susceptible it is to disease
Plant now or wait for warmer soils? That is the question canola growers are asking. With wildly fluctuating temperatures, and a record-breaking warm spell in March, some producers are asking, how soon is too soon? The Canola Council of Canada advises producers to consider a number of factors before pulling out the planter. “This is
Get Fresh food event attracts new faces to local producers
Businesses and schools looking to buy local can face many challenges, including not knowing who can supply them with what they need
Wondering who can supply you with local berries in January? Or maybe you’re looking for pasture-raised pork for your home economics class? Or perhaps you’re looking for someone who needs local oats year round? Thanks to Get Fresh, a networking event hosted by Food Matters Manitoba, producers and purchasers are now better able to answer
Glyphosate: Advice to producers remains the same
Without the introduction of herbicide-resistant canola, yields would likely be much lower than they are today
The Canola Council of Canada isn’t suggesting producers make any changes following a move by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to label glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic.” Glyphosate, the primary active ingredient in Roundup, along with malathion and diazinon received the designation due to “limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and sufficient evidence
High hopes for a new type of Prairie inland fisheries
Consumers are looking for sustainably raised seafood, putting the Prairie provinces in a position to capitalize on cheaper land and pristine water
At times, Rudy and Leslie Reimer have felt like they’ve been swimming against the current. But surveying the tanks at Watersong Farm’s newly built trout observation room, Rudy Reimer said that the five years they’ve spent developing and redeveloping their self-contained fish farm have been worth it. “There is a lot of potential here —
Foodies and food developers to have new space available
Made-in-Manitoba food producers have another commercial kitchen option in Winnipeg
What do you get when you mix local food, a historic building and 7,000 pounds of brand-spanking-new equipment? Answer: the Kitchen Sync. Surveying freshly delivered ranges, ovens and other implements, owner Sheila Bennett explains that “first and foremost, Kitchen Sync is a professional licensed kitchen rental.” But its aim is to provide a creative development
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
