Manitoba dairy producers are pushing ahead on a national initiative to distinguish Canadian milk products as being among the best in the world. The new initiative, called proAction, will encompass the Canadian Quality Milk program, as well as issues related to animal care, biosecurity, traceability, and environmental sustainability. It will also allow for concrete measurement
ProAction aimed at quantifying quality
Piles of paperwork won’t be the result of a new program that tracks dairy practices and biosecurity, as efficiencies are sought
Producer price per dozen dips as feed costs shrink
Falling grain prices have cut feed costs and so egg farmers will get a nickel less — but none of the big grocery chains will say if the savings will be passed on
For the first time in years, the price Manitoba egg farmers receive for their products is going down. Following a year of bumper grain crops, feed costs have declined — resulting in a five-cent reduction in the producer price of eggs in Manitoba. “The cost of production is updated as input costs change, it couldForeign worker hiring headache?
Farm labour shortages continue to be a problem across Canada and especially on the Prairies where oil dollars lure workers away from farms
Bill Martin’s phone has been ringing off the hook. The vice-president of Saskatoon-based Farmers of North America got 30 calls in the first two days after his organization launched a new initiative last month to streamline the process of getting temporary foreign workers. “Members started calling in immediately after receiving notifications,” said Martin. “The feeling
Producers given graphic warning of threat of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea
Transportation presents pork producers with significant challenge when it comes to keeping Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea from crossing the border
Photos of skeletal, feces-strewn piglets flash across a large screen during a recent pork producer meeting, graphically illustrating the devastating effects of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED). “We want people to see this and know how serious it is,” council chairman Karl Kynoch told the audience at the William Glesby Centre. “Everything you can do toNew forage insurance to take effect in 2014
Interlake ranchers attending the Manitoba Beef Producers district meeting here became the first in the province to get details on a new suite of forage insurance programs offered under AgriInsurance in 2014. “I have to say I am thrilled,” said MBP general manager, Cam Dahl. “I really do think the forage insurance program that was
A new name and a new direction
MAFRI is now MAFRD
Manitoba’s agriculture minister sets a course for economic development and value-added products in rural areas
For the third time since taking office in 1999, Manitoba’s New Democrats have changed the name of the provincial department responsible for agriculture. During a mid-October cabinet shuffle, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives became Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (MAFRD). “Rural development goes hand in hand with agriculture… so we’re refocusing on the
Dairy farmers cheesed off at new trade deal with European Union
The provincial and federal governments say lifting European tariffs of Canadian cheese will open doors, but Manitoba’s dairy farmers disagree
Local cheese makers are still struggling to assess the impacts of Canada’s newly minted trade deal with the European Union, but they know one thing for sure — grocery store shelf space is already at a premium when it comes to fine cheeses, and things are about to get even tighter. “Any time you add
Pilot program aims to nail down conversion costs
Squeezing a new design into an old barn takes careful planning, but the Prairie Swine Centre hopes to give producers a head start by developing information to guide the process
A new pilot project aims to give Prairie hog producers a better handle on the cost of converting existing sow barns to open-housing systems. “People will need to have more access to the different sow housing options that are out there, and at the moment that’s quite difficult for any producer to understand,” said HelenPork producers optimistic trade deal will bring higher returns
Although pork producers are still waiting to hear the details of the Canada-EU trade agreement, optimism is running high
It was a long time coming, but the Manitoba Pork Council says the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union will grow new opportunities for the industry. “We’re really happy that they did finally get an agreement, we’re looking forward now to them getting it ratified and finding out what all the
Government grants available to farmers and processors for food safety initiatives
Producers can get cost-sharing grants for storage, sanitation, biosecurity, plant and animal health, and animal welfare, as well as surveillance and emergency preparedness systems
Awide-reaching food safety program has been launched in Manitoba as part of Growing Forward 2. The $2-million program, called Growing Assurance — Food Safety, will provide cost-share grants of up to $25,000 to producers and processors. “This is about ensuring food safety from farm to fork,” Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said at a pressCyber-Savvy Farmer
