New research aims to debunk the idea that young people want to leave the family farm and move to the city. Annette Desmarais of the University of Manitoba is one of nine researchers involved in the study, which will look at barriers young farmers face in multiple countries, including Canada, India, China and Indonesia. Titled,
Youth want to stay on farm
The project will look at how new farmers make it work as they enter the business
Heavy reliance on inputs diverts cash
Nitrogen use can’t keep increasing if greenhouse gas emissions are to fall
There is no way around it, according to Darrin Qualman, reducing carbon emissions will require a hard look at the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Speaking via Skype at the regional conference of the National Farmers Union (NFU) in Portage la Prairie last week, Qualman said the role of agricultural inputs can’t be ignored when it
Coop cleanout proves nearly fatal
Even a small chicken coop can hide big dangers as organic matter breaks down
It was when the clucking and scratching of the chickens started to sound like a beautiful serenade that Rick Kurbis knew something was seriously wrong. “I’d been in the chicken coop for about half an hour cleaning and then I heard what sounded like the chickens singing, or more accurately it sounded like their clucking
Canada’s supply management model for world: MacAulay
A new, national dairy ingredient strategy has yet to be implemented, but that hasn’t stopped southern farmers from fretting
If American dairy producers are upset with new ingredient strategies north of the border, Canada’s federal government hasn’t heard about it — at least not through official channels. Speaking at a conference in Winnipeg last week, Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food minister said he isn’t aware of protectionist concerns coming out of the U.S. and that
Diversity of opinions OK
If you want to reach urban audiences, ditch the email and pick up the phone
Whether you’re in the house, the combine or the barn, it’s something that rarely leaves your side — your phone. But while farmers are using their devices for everything from surfing the Internet, to purchasing fertilizer and checking weather forecasts, producers, farm organizations and commodity groups are overlooking the basics of communication when it comes
Pig pats promote productivity
The less fearful of humans a swine herd is, the higher its productivity will be
It turns out one bad human can spoil the bunch — at least when it comes to pigs. Speaking to producers and pork industry representatives at the annual swine seminar in Winnipeg earlier this month, Grahame Coleman told those gathered that pigs can’t always distinguish between people, particularly if they are dressed in similar garb
Mergers could make room for small players
Mergers are carefully considered, but agencies lack teeth when it comes to enforcing conditions
An erosion of both resources and clout limits the ability of governments to protect farmers from the effects of market concentration, a U.S. farm leader told farmers attending the recent Keystone Agricultural Producers meeting. “Enforcement is a big problem and a growing problem,” said Roger Johnson, president of the American National Farmers Union. “In the
KAP calls for CGC surplus to fund producer insurance
With the idea of returning the Canadian Grain Commission’s surplus to producers off the table, KAP members eye possibility of insurance program
After much debate, Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) will investigate the possibility of using the Canadian Grain Commission’s $100-million surplus to establish an insurance program for producers. Members passed a resolution at the organization’s annual general meeting in Winnipeg last week, asking KAP to meet with the commission and examine the possibility of replacing the current
Gay Lea opens doors to Manitoba producers
Manitoba producer named to Gay Lea Foods board as co-operative expands into Manitoba
Manitoba dairy farmers are now able to join the Ontario-based Gay Lea Foods Co-operative. The decision was formally made at the co-op’s annual general meeting in Mississauga last week, but has been expected since Gay Lea Foods announced it was partnering with Vitalus Nutrition to expand milk-processing capacity in Manitoba last October. A refurbishment of
Carbon pricing focus of KAP resolutions
Carbon pricing continues to generate debate as Canada moves closer to climate change deadline
Carbon pricing is coming, but Manitoba producers are still trying to suss out exactly what that will mean for their farms. At Keystone Agricultural Producers’ annual general meeting in Winnipeg last week, three resolutions were put forward on the issue, including one asking for clarification on the organization’s position on the carbon pricing. That resolution
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
