Early forecasts may indicate spring flooding is unlikely in Manitoba this year, but for producers, high water is still front and centre as they cope with consecutive wet years and limited risk management tools. In response, a task force has now been struck by the province to examine how climate-related risks like flooding can be
Task force has one year to finish review
As weather events continue to produce multi-year effects, stakeholders are being invited to help suggest ways to improve insurance programs
Farmer seeks clarity on Bipole III
It may be close to the 11th hour for farmers faced with Bipole III expropriations, but some still believe negotiation is an option
Farmers along the established route for the new Bipole III transmission line are asking Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn to advocate on their behalf. While the massive high-voltage transmission project wasn’t included in Kostyshyn’s prepared remarks at Ag Days last week, it was raised following a speech Jan. 21. “We’re just
Mazier to helm KAP
Keystone Agricultural Producers will continue to press government for better farm polices under its new leadership
Keystone Agricultural Producers are about to face a little bit of Justice as they welcome Dan Mazier to the role of president. The long-time KAP board member and former vice-president farms in the Westman region — close to the tiny community of Justice — and was acclaimed at the organization’s annual general meeting in Winnipeg
Land values may have peaked
Land prices could fall, but the only thing that really matters is if you can afford to make payments on what you’ve already bought
For years land prices and rents have only been doing one thing — climbing. But with the drop in commodity prices and changing markets, it seems that prices may have peaked. “I think we’re at the top of the cycle,” said Merle Good, a former tax specialist from Alberta Agriculture, and a speaker at Ag
AgriInsurance rates drop
Rates are dropping by an average of 11 per cent
Farmers are accustomed to seeing commodity prices rise and fall, while operating costs rarely go anywhere but up. However, Manitoba farmers learned last week the cost of insuring their 2015 crops under AgriInsurance will drop by an average of 11 per cent — all because the effects of the 1988 drought have faded from memory
Will it or won’t it? Producers discuss Roundup Ready alfalfa
Customer preferences should count when assessing new technology
It’s become a perennial issue for forage seed growers. Will or won’t Roundup Ready alfalfa be released in Canada? The question loomed large at the Manitoba Forage Seed Association’s annual conference in Winnipeg last week, where the issue was raised no less than four times. “We basically feel that there isn’t a need for it,
Field trials continue on grass seed growth regulator
Work is underway to expand the availability of Syngenta’s Parlay
It’s been years in the making, but the Manitoba Forage Seed Association is one step closer to expanding the label of a much-requested plant growth regulator. “We’ve done small-plot work up until now, and this coming season we’re still going to be doing small-plot work, but also we are looking to do some field-scale trials,”
There’s life in that there dirt
Farmers need to be aware of the vast world beneath their feet — healthy plants depend on it
It just might be that the most important living beings on any farm aren’t found in the barn — but in the soil. Bacteria, mycorrhiza, fungi, nematodes and even earthworms are key to understanding and promoting plant growth, University of Manitoba soil scientist Mario Tenuta told the Manitoba Forage Seed Association’s annual conference in Winnipeg
Investors lulled by high prices
Ending stocks of corn are likely to begin to drop downwards next year
They’re phrases that have gotten a lot of use over the last few months. Analysts and experts are increasingly describing changes in commodity prices for wheat and corn as a “paradigm shift” or the arrival of a “new price paradigm.” But Chuck Penner, founder of LeftField Commodity Research said producers should be cognizant that high
Good stubble and lots of snow key for winter wheat
It’s better to be good than lucky when it comes to ensuring adequate protection for your winter wheat crop
The importance of sowing winter wheat into stubble is underscored in a winter like this one that saw less snow before the cold temperatures arrived, MAFRD extension officials told farmers attending St. Jean Farm Days. “We’ve gotten away with murder in a lot of years when we haven’t had really good stubble conditions, so then
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
