Producers urged to take part in Growing Forward consultations

The province of Manitoba is asking farmers and farm organizations for input into Growing Forward II, which is currently being negotiated with the federal government. “The more input Manitoba industry stakeholders provide through the consultations, the more influence they will have on the future content and direction of the next generation of Growing Forward programs,”

Processors fear added costs with meat inspection

A pending change to meat inspection in the province is raising concerns. The current agreement between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the province officially expires June 15, although the CFIA has agreed to continue to oversee inspections until the end of 2013 when the province will take over. (The change doesn’t affect federally registered


BEES: Strong colonies this spring

Last summer was a honey of a year for Manitoba beekeepers, but strong colonies this spring could mean bee swarms will be an issue this summer. “Generally the colonies came through the winter better than normal,” said provincial apiarist, Rhéal Lafrenière. “More colonies survived, with less mortality and many beekeepers are reporting good, strong colonies

Bioblending a path to growth

A Manitoba short line railway has been nationally 
recognized for its innovative solution to blending biodiesel

Central Manitoba Railway (CEMR) didn’t plan to get into biofuel blending — until it saw a good business opportunity headed the wrong way down the tracks. “The railway is a mature business and we’re a short line with 120 miles of track, so where do we grow our business?” said CEMR’s assistant general manager, Sean


A stone’s throw away: International students come to the Interlake

Young agriculturalists travel across the ocean and half a 
continent to gain first-hand farm experience

Debra Gilson makes cookies on a kitchen counter in her busy home, while three smiling young adults gather around the table, one shouting “Grandma” when her mother-in-law Rlee Gilson walks into the house. If it wasn’t for the distinctly foreign accents, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was just one big farm family, but in

Dairy farmers ready for tightened SCC levels

Canadian dairy farmers will have to meet new standards for somatic cell counts (SCCs) beginning this summer, but they appear to be ahead of the curve. Effective Aug. 1, regulatory limits for producers will be lowered to 399,000 per millilitre from 499,000 per millilitre. However, "the change is not going to affect most dairy producers,"


Dairy discussions continue

Dairy farmers are looking at quota harmonization across western provinces as a way to improve efficiency. Henry Holtmann, chairman of the Western Milk Pool’s (WMP) quota harmonization committee, said the process of making recommendations is moving forward as representatives from the four provinces work to build trust and mutual understanding. “I think we will move

New regulations aimed at preventing well contamination

Wells will need to be protected from flooding as province looks to update half-century-old well water regulations

The provincial government is overhauling Manitoba’s groundwater regulations to better protect aquifers and groundwater. Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh made the announcement last week, the first major review of the legislation in 50 years. “I think Manitobans sometimes don’t recognize that there are well over a quarter-million people in the province who rely


New dairy website

Dairy Farmers of Manitoba (DFM) is continuing to encourage its producers to tell their stories in order to defend supply management from its critics. “We should get out there ourselves and talk about it, because it can’t always be government or (DFM) that is doing everything,” farmer Raymond Palsson said following a producer meeting in

New regulations match EU

Canadian dairy farmers will have to meet new standards for somatic cell counts beginning this summer. Effective August 1, regulatory limits for producers will be lowered to 399,000 per millilitre from 499,000 per millilitre. But industry representatives said farmers are ahead of the curve and prepared for the change. “The change is not going to