Country Crossroads & Farming Articles

Farmers will have to produce more food to feed a growing population, but maybe not as much more as many think.

Food demand predictions could be inaccurate

Lots of people say food demand will double by 2050 — but some researchers say the numbers don’t add up

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 6, 2017

The widely held view that food production needs to double by 2050 to feed a growing world population may be inaccurate. In a study published in the journal Bioscience, researchers from Penn State’s agriculture college have challenged that view, saying the required increase may be as high as 70 per cent — or as low

A 35,000-bushel grain elevator in Grandview, seen here in 1969, was built around 1920 by United Grain Growers. An annex built during the Second World War was used for nearly 40 years. In 1953, a new 70,000-bushel elevator was built beside the older elevator, replacing a flour shed and coal bins at the site. A 125,000-bushel cribbed annex was built beside the new elevator in 1961 and, 10 years later, the older elevator was repaired and converted to an annex. The wartime annex was demolished in 1981 and later the old elevator annex. The remaining structure closed on July 1, 2000 and was demolished in late November 2000. Grandview’s last elevator, built in 1950 by Manitoba Pool, was demolished in November 2009.

Country Crossroads, Local news

PHOTOS: This Old Elevator: February 2017

The Manitoba Historical Society wants to gather information about all the grain elevators in Manitoba

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 3, 2017

In the 1950s, there were over 700 grain elevators in Manitoba. Today, there are fewer than 200. You can help to preserve the legacy of these disappearing “Prairie sentinels.” The Manitoba Historical Society (MHS) is gathering information about all elevators that ever stood in Manitoba, regardless of their present status. Collaborating with the Manitoba Co-operator

Richly-coloured berries often make for a healthy eating choice.

Recipe Swap

Superfoods aren’t superheroes

Trendy foods are no cure-all or replacement for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle 

By Getty Stewart March 3, 2017

Every year, popular magazines and trend watchers release lists of must-eat “superfoods” that will boost our health and overall well-being. The idea sounds appealing — eat this food and you’ll feel great and improve your health. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy — superfoods are not the superheroes they’re made out to be. The concept of

Our History

Better yields with Manor Buckwheat

Our History: March 1984

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 2, 2017

Buckwheat was still a significant crop in Manitoba in the 1970s and 1980s, exceeding 100,000 acres some years, and SeCan was promoting the Manor variety in our Mar. 1, 1984 issue. However, acreage has declined to the point where it is no longer reported by Statistics Canada. In that issue, we reported that the U.S.

Rick Gamble, mayor of Dunnottar, has been a tireless advocate for the health of Lake Winnipeg.

Country Crossroads, Local news

Commitment to a cleaner lake and greener living earns community recognition

Dunnottar has made outstanding efforts to protect Lake Winnipeg, say officials with  East Interlake Conservation District

By Lorraine Stevenson March 1, 2017

Dunnottar has a tree-lined pathway, curbside recycling and makes the yard waste it composts available to local residents to use in this lakeside village’s large number of community gardens. It does water conservation education too. Someday the local government hopes to heat its municipal office with solar panels. But it’s how this small village of

Rice flour may be contributing to higher levels of toxic metals  in gluten-free diets.

Did you know?, News

Gluten-free diet may increase risk of toxic metal exposure

A new study finds wheat substitutes can bioaccumulate things  like arsenic and mercury

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff February 27, 2017

Turns out those gluten-free eaters may be chowing down some unintended consequences. A new study from the University of Illinois has found consuming a gluten-free diet may increase exposure to arsenic and mercury — toxic metals that can lead to cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurological effects, according to a report in the journal Epidemiology. Gluten-free

cartoon image of a family seated at a table

The Jacksons

Winnipeg restaurants on ice

The Jacksons from the February 23, 2017 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator

By Rollin Penner February 24, 2017

If you had asked me a week ago,” the stranger was saying as Andrew Jackson pulled up a chair and seated himself at his usual table in the café, “I would have told you flat out that the worst possible place in the City of Winnipeg to put a restaurant would be the middle of

Canned foods are picked and packaged at their peak and a lot of the preparation has been done for you.

Recipe Swap

Cook quickly with canned foods

Canned fruits and vegetables can help us meet our nutrition requirements

By Julie Garden-Robinson February 24, 2017

Back when I was in college, my roommates and I relied on canned food and other staples such as rice and pasta for quick, economical meals. We mixed in some fresh meat, fruits and vegetables, too, of course. Preparing canned food was faster, though. One of my roommates was famous for her “mono-meals,” or one-item

Country Crossroads

Annual hockey game becoming a tradition

The rivalry continues for its fifth year between a female team from MacGregor and Baker Hutterite Colony

By Donna Gamache February 24, 2017

The town of MacGregor is becoming known for its celebrations during Louis Riel weekend. A variety of activities takes place, including a pancake breakfast, a bannock bake, and several sports: two-person curling; minor hockey and senior hockey; cross-country skiing, with equipment available; and, this year, a short demonstration by the Carberry Syncro Skating Team. One

Our History

How good is your seed cleaning equipment?

Our History: February 1963

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff February 23, 2017

Seed growers could write Simon-Day in Winnipeg for information on the cleaner and disc separator advertised in our Feb. 23, 1963 issue. At the Manitoba Swine Breeders Association in Brandon, members heard of a new provincial program to encourage them to set up high-standard herds from which growers could select quality animals. Also meeting in

Daily Network News

Canadian aquaculture should be classed as agriculture, industry groups say

CBOT Weekly: April supply and demand report a ‘nothing burger’

Canada blocks meats, dairy from Greece over foot-and-mouth disease