An west-central Manitoba hog producer is said to have turned down assistance from the provincial agriculture ministry in the lead-up to the eventual euthanizing of 1,300 young hogs. "We had discussed options with this producer about other steps he could have taken," Dr. Wayne Lees, Manitoba’s chief veterinarian, said of the situation at the farm
Province offered aid before pigs shot at Manitoba barn
MAFRI offered assistance
An Austin-area hog producer turned down assistance from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) in the lead up to the eventual euthanization of 1,300 young hogs. “We had discussed options with this producer about other steps he could have taken,” said Dr. Wayne Lees, Manitoba’s chief veterinarian. “We offered assistance.” But that offer of
Cosmetic pesticide ban coming to Manitoba
Consultations on a possible cosmetic pesticide ban have now wrapped up, but one farm group is wondering if they will have any impact. Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh suggested a ban could come into effect next year, following a press conference just prior to the October deadline for submissions held by Cosmetic Pesticide
Puratone, Big Sky in receivership
Industry observers are worried processors could soon be scrambling for hogs as two of Canada’s largest producers tipped over the financial ledge last week and governments refused to ride to the rescue. “Obviously the challenge that we currently face is producers are exiting the business,” Jason Manness, director of procurement at Maple Leaf Foods said
Dirt ain’t cheap any longer as prices for cropland soar in Manitoba
It’s not just producers — companies, syndicates, or even offshore investors all want to own Manitoba soil
Farmland values are continuing to rise in Manitoba, as people and corporations seek out fertile ground for investment in a fragile economy. “People don’t know what to do with money and that’s part of the problem,” said Grant Tweed, a Century 21 realtor specializing in farmland. With low interest rates and unstable markets, Tweed saidFeds boost development of plant-based plastic and straw paper
Manitoba’s Composites Innovation Centre is one step closer to putting plant-based plastic alternatives into daily life, after receiving a federal grant of $860,000. The centre will use the funding to further research and develop plant-fibre mats — like those used in the automotive industry — and develop a system of classifying fibre quality and availability.
Solutions being sought
Manitoba has lost five per cent of its sow herd in the last two months as producers continue to downsize in the face of rising feed costs, a senior industry official says. “We all understand and agree there is a problem,” said Rick Bergmann, vice-chair of the Manitoba and Canadian Pork councils. “Now we are
Man. workers’ shooting of pigs in ‘distress’ questioned
Manitoba provincial workers took a full day to shoot 1,300 hogs in a barn that is now under investigation for inhumane treatment of its animals, according to a former employee who claims to have witnessed the event. The weanlings were shot using 22-calibre rifles and some were shot "three or four times" before dying, said
Staples Canada picks up straw-based paper
Manitoba farmers could see a lucrative new market for straw emerge, as the province moves closer to becoming the site of North America’s first pulp and paper mill using straw. Prairie Pulp + Paper Inc. launched a new printer paper containing 80 per cent straw this summer, and if the product is a hit with
Hundreds of weanling hogs euthanized at W. Man. farm
Provincial officials are investigating a suspected case of animal abuse after 1,300 piglets found in a state of "severe distress" were euthanized at a hog production facility in west-central Manitoba late last week. The provincial chief veterinarian’s office (CVO) responded to a call reporting the inappropriate treatment of hogs on the farm Aug. 24, a
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