Hundreds of pumpkin enthusiasts rolled into the small community of Roland last weekend for the town’s Pumpkin Fair, culminating in the annual giant-pumpkin weigh-off. Although Henry Banman’s entry fell short of his 2011 record — 1,379.8 lbs. — he took home the championship with a pumpkin weighing 1,111.5 lbs. It’s the sixth time he’s won
IN PICTURES: The Roland Pumpkin Fair
Gardens and green lunches shine a light on two rural schools
Two rural schools nominated for a Food Matters Manitoba’s Golden Carrot Award help kids learn about food, while keeping things fun and delicious
There is a new food fad catching on among young students in the community of Pinawa. Chives. “I never would have guessed it, but yes, chives — they love chives, every time I turn around out there they’re munching away,” said Darcia Light, principal of F.W. Gilbert Elementary, where an innovative garden program has earned
Canola crop makes its 2015 target ahead of schedule
Ideal conditions in much of the country has led to a bumper canola crop and pushed the Canola Council of Canada past its 2015 goal years ahead of schedule
Canola industry officials were celebrating a milestone last week as harvest reports put this year’s production over 15 million tonnes two years ahead of their 2015 target. Early predictions point to a record-breaking canola and wheat harvests across the country this fall, including in Manitoba. But the weather will need to hold out to getPrice discovery hindered by U.S. shutdown
With millions of commodities crossing the border daily, Canadian farm commodity groups are watching closely as U.S. legislators duke it out in a budgetary standoff. “We export in one day $13 million in crops from Canada to the U.S.,” said J.P. Gervais, the chief agricultural economist for Farm Credit Canada, in an interview. Combine that
Egg producers to phase out conventional bird cages
The idea of progressive animal welfare has come home to roost with the Manitoba Egg Farmers (MEF) and the Winnipeg Humane Society says that’s something worth crowing about. MEF, which represents nearly 170 egg and pullet producers, has banned the installation of any new conventional cages after Dec. 31, 2014. “I think this is the
Rainy days may advance disease in sunflower crop
Manitoba’s sunflower producers are hoping to see more of their crop’s namesake, as wet weather hinders harvest preparations in some areas of the province. “It’s been pretty good other than this weather we’ve got right now — we had rain here the other day, and again today, so we’re just waiting ’til we can get
Red River Apiarists abuzz with activity as association celebrates 50 years
When the Red River Apiarists’ Association held its inaugural meeting in 1963, beehives were as likely to be found coiffed onto members’ heads as they were to be found in farmyards. But over the last 50 years, more has changed for the association than hairstyles. New regulations, changes to pesticide use and concerns over declining
Origins of coexistence plan for GM alfalfa remain hazy
The Canadian coexistence plan was released just as evidence emerged in the U.S. that the coexistence plan there is breaking down
Manitoba’s alfalfa growers are concerned contamination by GM varieties would kill off export opportunities
A “coexistence plan” for genetically modified and conventional alfalfa in Eastern Canada is drawing criticism from farm groups in Manitoba, after being released by the Canadian Seed Trade Association earlier this month. To prevent contamination of conventional hay by GM alfalfa, the plan advises producers to eradicate all living and dead GM alfalfa plants when
Co-op members opt for an off-the-grid, simpler existence
Lifestyles shed consumerism to embrace "minimalist" attitude
Red wiggler worms are trying to make a break for it from the clump of compost in Mitch McGuire’s hands. But, ahem, it’s not your usual compost. “We deal with our human manure in a very user-friendly way — we don’t have septic systems, we compost everything,” explained McGuire, tour guide at Northern Sun Farm
Big dreams, big dollars lead to big trouble
All Waskada investors wanted to do was save their town
How a community’s bid to revive its fortunes attracted a pile of taxpayers’ money and a whole lot of grief
He has no employees, no products, and no factory. But every day Keith Hannah walks into a small office building across from Innes’ Garage in Waskada, hoping to salvage some part of his dream — creating a Peak of the Market-style business for health foods in the province’s smallest incorporated municipality. “I’m trying to getCyber-Savvy Farmer
