Shoal Lakes farmers say they weren’t allowed to examine or make a copy of their assessment and pressured to take it or leave it
The paperwork is spread across the kitchen of the new home Brian McCulley purchased after flooding forced him off his land near the shore of West Shoal Lake — including a scorned buyout offer from the province. “It wasn’t fair market value and I didn’t consider what was on that piece of paper to be
Shoal Lake: Flooded landowners slam province’s buyout tactics
Beekeeping, goat milking and soap making are high-demand skills for modern homesteaders
They may be packing up mini-vans and trucks, not covered wagons, but a new wave of homesteaders is striking out in search of a nearly lost way of life
Turn down the narrow lane leading to Nourished Roots Farm on most days and you’ll find nothing more than a quiet stretch of gravel. But earlier this month, the Interlake farm just south of Fraserwood hosted 350 people seeking to escape the consumer trappings of modern life during Manitoba’s first-ever DIY Homesteader Festival. “I’m goingPork producers urged to speak out against proposed animal care code
Karl Kynoch says imposing a deadline for open sow housing could push some small producers out of business in 2024
Hog producers need to speak out against proposed sow housing regulations being recommended by the National Farm Animal Care Council, says the chair of the Manitoba Pork Council. Converting a stall system to open housing — a key recommendation of the proposed animal care code for pigs — would cost producers $500 to $1,000 perEmergency outlet to become permanent
Two permanent outlet channels will be built at a cost of $250 million to lower water levels on Lake Manitoba and prevent a repeat of the severe flooding seen in 2011. “We’re going to do all the studies, get the ball rolling on this in a way that we can bring this into play so
New pig care code brings change
The much anticipated draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs released by the National Farm Animal Care Council signals change is coming to the industry’s use of sow gestation stalls and other herd management practices such as castration. “In well-managed and -designed housing systems, it is possible to achieve equal or
Manitoba honeybees hit hard over winter
With the Canadian border closed to U.S. honeybee imports, Manitoba honey producers are relying on overseas shipments to rebuild hives
Manitoba’s beekeepers are feeling the sting of high winter losses, coupled with the pain and expense of overseas bee imports. Early reports indicate average bee loss across the province is above the 30 per cent mark, with some apiarists losing as many as 80 per cent of their hives. “We don’t have a lot ofFlood mitigation pledged on Lake Manitoba
The Manitoba government has committed $250 million to the building of two permanent outlet channels to prevent future flooding on Lake Manitoba. Premier Greg Selinger made the announcement in Winnipeg on Wednesday, indicating construction could begin within three years. “We’re going to do all the studies, get the ball rolling on this,” said Selinger. “It’s
New ad campaign promotes vegan lifestyle
An animal rights group that made headlines last year with an undercover video of a Manitoba hog barn is now urging Canadians to think of farm animals as pets and stop eating meat. “Pigs, cows, and chickens are remarkable beings just like the animals we shower with affection and consider family,” said Stephane Perrais, director
Harvest Moon expands food initiative
Local buying clubs take the burden of direct marketing off the shoulders of small farm operators
The six-year-old initiative connects consumers and farmers through buying clubs and pickup sites. Customers place and pay for the orders online and later pickup their order at a site set up by the buying club in that area. Last year, there were four sites in Winnipeg and one in Starbuck. But organizers are now adding
Hay short after long winter, dry summer
Demand for Canadian hay south of the border has Manitoba farmers searching farther afield in order to feed their cattle this spring
A late spring and growing demand for cattle feed has depleted hay stocks across the province, leaving many beef producers paying more and travelling farther to find what they need. “We normally buy our hay locally, just 10 or 15 miles from home. But this year we’ve had to bring it in 250 miles fromCyber-Savvy Farmer
