Country Crossroads & Farming Articles

Farm business coach Elaine Froese credits the lessons and skills attained in 4-H for her career choices.

A head to clearer thinking

4-H Canada has chosen Manitoba farm business coach Elaine Froese to receive the first 4-H Canada Distinguished Alumni Award

By Lorraine Stevenson January 23, 2019

People often ask Elaine Froese when she first began public speaking. Her reply is always ‘when I was nine.’ That’s when the Boissevain-based farm business coach, today giving lively talks to audiences all across North America, started 4-H — with the Dugald 4-H Club. And like many who recall that first speech given somewhere in

Other, Our History

Wheat Board and ‘Crow’ in the headlines

Our History: January 1982

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff January 23, 2019

The wheat board and the Crow rate dominated the front page of our Jan. 28, 1982 issues. The Western Agricultural Conference of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture passed a resolution calling for the CWB’s Producer Advisory Committee to be replaced by a producer-elected board of directors, to which the CWB would be directly responsible. The

Australian researchers have discovered a new barley compound.

Did you know?, News

New barley polysaccharide identified

A new barley compound could have a myriad of uses and even agronomic benefits

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff January 22, 2019

Australian researchers have discovered a new complex carbohydrate in barley, the first polysaccharide of its kind found in more than 30 years. Polysaccharides are a carbohydrate whose molecules consist of a number of sugar molecules bonded together. The material has the potential to be used for many applications in food, medicine and cosmetics. The research

Other, Recipe Swap

Beware of health scams

Miracle weight loss measures have no long-term success

By Julie Garden-Robinson January 18, 2019

Hi, this is your grandson,” the caller said to a friend of mine. “Oh, is this my grandson Sam?” she asked. “Yeah, yeah, this is Sam!” he responded. “Well, I don’t have a grandson named Sam,” she told the caller before hanging up. My friend is one clever woman. “We had someone call and say

Jasmine polyanthus is a vine that must be trained onto some kind of support.

Country Crossroads, Other

Jasmine is a high-maintenance plant but really worth the effort

When the perfume of the scented flowers fills the room you’ll be glad you gave it all that TLC

By Albert Parsons January 18, 2019

Many flowering houseplants don’t bloom much during the winter, so finding one that does is a great discovery, even if the plant is rather high maintenance. Jasmine is one such plant. The type most commonly used as a houseplant is Jasmine polyanthus — a perennial vine. Plants that have buds are usually available in garden

Slugs and snails pose a risk to pets. Ask about lungworm in your area.

Country Crossroads, Other

How to protect your pets from lungworms

They can live in the lungs and airways of dogs and cats causing serious problems

By Canadian Animal Health Institute January 16, 2019

Part of a complete pet health strategy includes protecting pets from the parasites in your area, and treating and preventing intestinal worms and heartworm is part of regular care. With changes in climate, wildlife ranges and travel patterns, we can see new parasites show up that haven’t been a concern for pets in the past. Lungworms are some

Other, Our History

Discount long-distance after dark

Our History: January 1972

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff January 16, 2019

This ad in our January 13, 1972 issue urged readers to take advantage of lower long-distance rates on evenings and Sundays. While we couldn’t find statistics on local Manitoba calls, a three-minute Winnipeg-to-Montreal call cost $2.75 in 1970, which is $18 today. Farmers would have a bit more money for phone calls after an announcement

cartoon image of a family seated at a table

Other, The Jacksons

A toast to the New Year, same as the old year

The Jacksons from the January 10, 2019 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator

By Rollin Penner January 14, 2019

“I think we should just be honest with ourselves.” Andrew Jackson set his beer down on the arm of his Adirondack chair and looked around at the people gathered in the sunroom of the Jackson house. Grant and Karen Toews sat across the room from him on the old loveseat, their backs to the windows

The amount of silver on the leaves will depend on how much light the plant gets.

Country Crossroads

‘Silver Queen’ is often called Chinese evergreen

Foliage of rich-green leaves with silver patches is main attraction of this easy-care plant

By Albert Parsons January 11, 2019

Last month I wrote about houseplants with metal in their name, such as copper, iron, or aluminum. Here’s one with silver in its name — Aglaonema “Silver Queen.” Aglaonema plants are often referred to as Chinese evergreens since they originated in Asia. There are dozens of cultivars but my favourite is “Silver Queen” which has

A few small lifestyle changes, over time, can add up to weight loss and a healthier lifestyle.

Recipe Swap

Behaviour changes can help you lose weight

Don’t ‘go on a diet,’ instead make some healthy lifestyle choices that can add up

By Julie Garden-Robinson January 11, 2019

Most of us have known someone who has been on a weight-loss diet, and perhaps the person lost a considerable amount of weight. Maybe you are pondering weight loss as a goal in the coming weeks or months. We hear weight-loss promotions all around us, especially as we begin a new year. In fact, the

Daily Network News

U.S. grains: Soybeans hit six-week low as Brazilian harvest looms; corn, wheat sag

U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures end lower, hogs mostly lower

CFIA adds controls for imports of Spanish feed ingredients after African swine fever outbreak