When Ian Grossart harvests alfalfa on his farm in southwestern Manitoba, he knows where most of the nutrients he’s just removed are going to end up — back on his land. “With the cattle we compost all of our own manure, so that becomes a big part of our fertility program,” he said. “And because
Conservation and livestock can be a good mix
While intensive livestock production can cause waste and nutrients to pile up, mixed farms are better able to recycle nutrients
Hazy disaster aid outlook for flooded farmers
There are ongoing discussions, but no action for producers still seeking compensation for 2012 flooding
Contrary to reports last week, governments have not ruled out additional assistance through AgriRecovery for flooded Prairie farmers, an official with Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz’s office said Monday. However, it’s not officially on the table either — at least not yet. The minister’s office was busy trying to clarify reports emerging from a July 18
New outlets could begin operating prior to completion
Farmers and residents around Lake Manitoba say flood mitigation is needed immediately and the province says it’s on its way
Construction of a second Lake Manitoba outlet to ease flooding for landowners around the lake could begin in less than two years, Manitoba’s minister of emergency measures said last week. “If we see things move ahead fairly smoothly, you could see construction as early as 2016,” said Steve Ashton, who is also Manitoba’s minister of
Drying time can be reduced
With wet weather wreaking havoc in many parts of the province, some producers are cutting their forage when the weather lets them, not when it’s optimal quality
Farmers use a variety of methods to determine when alfalfa is ready for the first cut of the year, but this season a lot of those methods went straight out the window. “So how many of you are just cutting when it’s dry enough to get on the field?” Dan Undersander, an extension and forage
Pork council stung by province’s stance on hog barn expansion
The Manitoba Pork Council is shocked and disappointed by Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh’s stance on hog barn expansion
The Manitoba government is playing politics when it comes to hog barns, says the Manitoba Pork Council. Reacting to a letter from Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh and published in the Manitoba Co-operator, council chairman Karl Kynoch said he was extremely disappointed by the minister’s position on hog barn expansion and alternative manure-handling
Lingering effects of flood waters not covered by compensation
Repeated flooding along the Portage Diversion has some producers wondering how they will keep their businesses afloat
For farmers along the Portage Diversion it’s déjà vu all over again — again. “This is three times in four years for us — a person doesn’t have fun when that kind of flooding is going on,” said Kevin Yuill, who has land on both sides of the diversion channel, which begins just west of
Conservation not a hippie delusion
Small-scale farmers can implement conservation agriculture and improve soil health in developing areas, often by using a mix of science and local knowledge
The damaging effects of tillage on soils is well documented on Europe and North American soils. So why is that approach still being exported to developing nations, proponents of conservation agriculture asked the recent World Conference on Conservation Agriculture. “We’re taking that paradigm to developing countries, so one has to ask, what is actually going
Manitoba arthropod populations expanding
Although rare in Manitoba, bovine anaplasmosis can be spread by wood ticks
They only have eight tiny legs, but ticks are on the move in Manitoba and across the Prairies. “They’re moving north for sure,” said entomologist Kateryn Rochon, noting the arthropods travel with their hosts, including deer, birds, rabbits and other animals. The University of Manitoba professor is tracking the movement of the American dog tick
Biotech has role in conservation
No need to be technology averse when it comes to conservation agriculture and improving soil health
Biotechnology can be used to improve soil health but that’s not necessarily happening the way it is being used today, the keynote speaker at the World Congress on Conservation Agriculture said. David Montgomery, author of Dirt, The Erosion of Civilizations and a professor of geomorphology at the University of Washington told the conference biotechnology does
Conservation agriculture gaining ground
But breaking through tradition is difficult
It’s common to rebel against your parents, except it seems, when deciding how best to farm. “Never underestimate tradition,” Jodi DeJong-Hughes told those gathered in Winnipeg for the sixth World Congress on Conservation Agriculture last week. The Minnesota-based extension educator and tillage specialist said there is one thing she hears more often than not when
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
