Canada’s minister of agriculture says concessions in non-supply-managed commodities will not be offered up to U.S. negotiators as a way to ensure the security of Canada’s dairy industry during the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. “I’ve never heard that said except in the media,” said Minister Lawrence MacAulay, following an announcement at
Dairy issue to be contentious
As the first round of NAFTA talks wraps up, government reaffirms commitment to supply management
VIDEO: Growing North
KAP heads to northern Manitoba to hear from producers
Four communities, six flights and two days. Follow Keystone Agricultural Producers as they tour the organization’s northern districts and learn about production challenges and successes beyond Manitoba’s boreal forest. From excess moisture and transportation issues, to emerging opportunities in forestry and surface water management, the province’s northern farms are breaking new ground.
Wheat City food survey wraps
Public education and access to food is top of mind as Brandon moves towards establishing food council
The City of Brandon could be one step closer to establishing a food policy council. Food Matters Manitoba wrapped up a public survey last week, asking residents for their thoughts on how a council could be organized. The results will be passed on to the city’s Poverty Committee in the coming weeks. “The idea with
Peony for your thoughts?
Food-for-art exchange aims to change how people think about food and poetry
Ariel Gordon has a proposal for you. The Winnipeg-based poet and urban edibles aficionado is offering to write an original poem in exchange for food as part of her Poetry Barter Project, which is in its second season. Last summer she bartered for dandelions, lilacs, rhubarb, nasturtiums, hyssop, deer sausage, grape leaves, zucchini flowers, cherries,
Fairly average year for cutworms, flea beetles
Cutworms may be taking a bite out of your canola, but with proper planning they won’t eat into yields
Cutworms and flea beetles continue to affect some canola fields in the province, but experts say that while cutworm damage may be marginally lower this year than last, beetle damage may have scuttled ahead of previous years. Still, the margins are slim at best. “I think every year is a flea beetle and cutworm year,”
Searching for high ground
Flooded out once again this spring, an RM of Kelsey rancher is seeking clarity in muddy waters
Tim Berscheid is calling on the province to step in and put an end to water management practices that he says have flooded his ranch. “The provincial government licenses, regulates, operates. I mean they can try and ditch it off to the municipality, but it’s their jurisdiction,” said Berscheid, who farms in the Rural Municipality
U of M receives connectivity boost
The Internet of things is set to make new inroads in agriculture
The University of Manitoba will receive $500,000 from the newly merged telecom giant Bell MTS to fund a program aimed at developing an “Internet of things” in the agriculture and agri-food sector. Bell Canada CEO George Cole made the announcement in Winnipeg last week, during a Chamber of Commerce luncheon, highlighting the company’s contribution to
Funding available to collaborative projects
Government aims to push agriculture to industry value of $75 billion by the year 2025
The federal government has announced it will spend $950 million on what it’s calling an “Innovation Superclusters Initiative” to advance sectors like infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and agriculture. While Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains made the announcement near Ottawa last week, Finance Minister Bill Morneau was at the University of Manitoba to “highlight”
Education taxes to be looked at under review
A review of Manitoba’s education system could change how schools are funded, but details are scant
For years, farmers have called on the province to change how public schools are funded and to remove education tax from farmland. Now, it appears a funding overhaul could finally be on the table. After being questioned by NDP MLA Wab Kinew during a supply committee meeting last week, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart
Goat yoga makes Manitoba debut
Yoga moves out of the studio and into the farmyard as enthusiasts flock to goat yoga
Move over Vancouver and look out New York, goat yoga is taking Anola by storm — but there is a Manitoba twist to the growing fitness trend. “It’s goat yoga, but it’s also more than that,” said Tara McKean, owner of 10 Acre Woods near Anola, which recently added yoga sessions to its roster. “It’s
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
