A decade ago, there were just 5,000 hives in the entire nation, but now honey production and demand for beekeeping training is soaring
Only a few years ago beekeeping wasn’t even recognized by the Philippine Department of Agriculture. Now it’s having trouble keeping up with demand for training. The change is partly due to the efforts of a group of Manitoba apiarists who have been visiting the Philippines in recent winters, while also inviting beekeepers from the SouthManitobans boosting Filipino honey sector
Snacking skunks: Pests causing major problems for beekeepers
Province is seeking an emergency-use registration for strychnine, as skunks continue to target honeybees
Not everyone prefers honey. Some critters go straight for the honeybees, and that’s causing major headaches for beekeepers. Skunks have the process of luring and eating adult bees down to a science, said David Ostermann, a pollination apiarist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. “The skunks will actually go to the front of theMinor to moderate flood risk for province this spring
April showers could bring more than May flowers in Manitoba this spring, as a heavy snowpack elevates the potential risk of spring flooding in some areas
Manitoba’s flood forecasters say there is a risk of minor to moderate flooding in some areas of the province this spring, including along the Red River, the Souris and Assiniboine rivers, as well as in the Interlake region. Although the actual 2013 flood forecast is still some weeks away, Manitoba’s minister of infrastructure and transportationDemand and prices are positive for peas — but seed is in short supply
There’s good money to be made in peas these days but producers such as Jason Hodsen are struggling to find sufficient supplies of seed
A small green and yellow pea crop in 2012 and increased demand is pushing old-crop prices to new heights this spring, while limiting the amount of available seed. “There is a potential for a very strong market for the next few years,” Jackie Kress, senior grain manager for Legumex Walker, said at the recent WildRitz is uncomfortable paying for same flood twice
The federal government says it is uncomfortable paying for the same flood twice, following calls for 2012 flood compensation in the Lake Manitoba region. Speaking to Harry Siemens for the blog Siemens Says, federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said, “this is the second claim for the same flood, there was not a second flood, it’s
Food manufacturers could soon be paying more for oats
The elimination of European oat tariffs could present new opportunities for North American oat growers
Without a rebound of the equine oat market, oat growers could see the crop slide into special crops territory and lose its spot on the Chicago Board of Trade. Losing the CBOT oat contract is a development that would cost producers and processors dearly, according to Randy Strychar of Ag Commodity Research, who spoke aboutAbove-normal runoff expected in Saskatchewan
A higher, denser snowpack doesn’t guarantee spring flooding, but throw in some rain, or a quick melt, and there could be trouble
A higher snowpack across the central Prairies and northern United States will likely result in above-normal run-off this spring, but experts say flooding is not inevitable. “The spring run-off is impacted by a variety of factors like moisture conditions in the fall, snow accumulation in the winter, as well as the rate of melt andNo answer on when producers might receive flood compensation for 2012
The federal government needs to pay up before the provincial government can offer more compensation to those still suffering damages from the 2011 flood, says Manitoba Finance Minister Stan Struthers. Speaking to more than 200 farmers, cottage owners, First Nations representatives and politicians during a crowded meeting at the centennial-era Meadow-Lea Hall north of Marquette,
Hairy vetch opens up opportunities
Hairy vetch has long suffered snickers and quizzical looks at the very mention of its name, but new research shows the legume has potential in Manitoba. Scott Chalmers, a diversification technician with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, told producers at the annual Special Crops Symposium in Winnipeg that plant is a possible cover crop
Goss’s wilt continues to spread
Goss’s wilt can be tackled through good management practices, but it may take genetic resistance to subdue the disease
It’s been four years since Goss’s wilt made its first appearance in Manitoba corn crops, and the disease shows no signs of abating. “It seems to have spread to most of the grain corn-growing regions of Manitoba,” said Holly Derksen, who spoke about the problem at a recent Special Crops Symposium in Winnipeg. Derksen, aCyber-Savvy Farmer
