Country Crossroads & Farming Articles

cartoon image of a family seated at a table

How about them Jets

The Jacksons from the March 15, 2018 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator

By Rollin Penner March 16, 2018

Andrew Jackson looked up from the newspaper he was reading and set his coffee cup down on the kitchen table beside his breakfast plate. Rose remained engrossed in the Scrabble game she was playing on her iPad. “How about those Jets.” Andrew leaned back in his chair. “What about ’em?” Rose didn’t look up. “They

Country Crossroads, Other

Set an example for the younger generation during Ag Safety Week

Canada’s agricultural population is now made up of more farmers over age 70 than under 35

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 14, 2018

With an average age of 53.8 years, Manitoba has the second-youngest population of farm operators in Canada. That means this month’s Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is a way to set an example for the next generation, says Manitoba’s minister of agriculture. “Everyone in our farming community, and especially our young farmers, has the opportunity to

Our History

Commission markets first hogs via teletype

Our History: March 1965

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 14, 2018

This photo on the front page of our March 4, 1965 issue showed Jack Spigelman (l), president of the Winnipeg Beef Company and Canada Department of Agriculture livestock grader John Tropak with the first lot of hogs to be marketed through the Manitoba Hog Commission’s new teletype system. The Winnipeg Beef Company bought the hogs

Amy Bonchuk of AJB Livestock won the President’s Classic Bull Jackpot Gelbvieh Champion at the Canadian Western Agribition.

Beef cattle, Country Crossroads, Local news

Rossburn producer breaking ground in cattle industry

Drawing on farm background woman is carving niche for herself as purebred producer

By Darrell Nesbitt March 13, 2018

Ever since she was a young girl growing up on the family farm at Solsgirth, Amy Bonchuk has made a name for herself. Whether showing cattle as part of a 4-H beef project or at an elite show, or more recently making a presentation at Manitoba Ag-Ex’s Taste of Beef event this past year, Bonchuk

An aerial image of the research study area in southwestern Kansas.

Did you know?, News

Cellulosic biofuels best bet for climate concerns

They’re lower impact than other options and can even sequester carbon rather than produce it

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 12, 2018

A new study from Colorado State University is breathing new life into the concept of biofuels produced from switchgrass instead of grain crops. The team says the non-edible native grass which grows in many locations throughout North America could be a better alternative than corn and other cereal and oilseed crops when it comes to

Canned foods can be better than fresh at times, depending on what’s  happened to the fresh product between field and fork.

Recipe Swap

Canned, fresh, frozen and dried are all good options

All have similar nutritional values and none are a poor choice

By Julie Garden-Robinson March 9, 2018

What’s for dinner, Mom?” one of my daughters asked on a weekend evening. I was in the middle of a house project and I hadn’t even thought about dinner. Then I heard the click of our dogs’ nails on our wood floor as they trotted around nervously. I glanced at the clock and saw it

Other, The Jacksons

Cats are the answer. Now what was the question?

The Jacksons from the March 1, 2018 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator

By Rollin Penner March 7, 2018

Here’s what I don’t understand,” Grant Toews was saying, as Andrew Jackson pulled a chair up to the window table at the café and sat down. Grant paused to greet Andrew with a nod, as did Bob Billings and Harold Schlamp, who were already seated at the table. “Good morning gentlemen,” said Andrew. “Don’t let

Finding workers for short-season employment in rural areas isn’t easy.

Country Crossroads, Local news

Making it work — or not

Direct Farm Manitoba speaker says farm owners need to look further afield —  to provincial job centres and settlement agencies — to find the staffers they need

By Lorraine Stevenson March 7, 2018

The labour shortage in agriculture affects all types of farms and enterprises with short-season, high-labour needs definitely feel the pinch of it. Pam and John Griffin need to hire people every summer to take off their strawberry harvest on their five-acre Glenboro-area Good Earth Garden and Berries farm. But not many want the job. “I’m

Our History

NWMP puts out the call for recruits

Our History: March 1890

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 7, 2018

If farming wasn’t working out for you and you needed a new career, your experience with horses would help you reply to this advertisement in the March 1890 issue of the Nor’-West Farmer and Miller. The Northwest Mounted Police wanted able-bodied men “of thoroughly sound constitution” between 22 and 45 for a five-year term of

Wheat stripe rust, seen here, and oat crown rust, are the subjects of a joint U.S.-Australia study.

Cereals, Did you know?, News

Winning the race against rust

The latest technology has scientists poised for a breakthrough  on this tough crop disease

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 5, 2018

With its ever-evolving virulence, rust is a disease of major global concern for farmers. Now a group of scientists says cutting-edge genome sequencing technology could provide a better path forward than the traditional approaches using fungicides. The scientists, from U.S. and Australian government agencies and universities, recently released the results in mBio, a journal from

Daily Network News

U.S. livestock: CME cattle tick lower in thin pre-holiday trade

U.S. grains: Wheat extends gains on short covering, war risk

Prairie forecast: Plenty more chances for snow over Holidays

Country Crossroads