Plan for the worst, hope for the best, advises ag lawyer

When fires, cattle or herbicides jump fences, the property owner is usually “strictly liable” for whatever escapes his or her property

In the opinion of the courts, cattle belong on pasture, not on the road. So how does a rancher protect himself from legal liability issues when moving a herd from one part of his property to another via public roads? The key is having a program to minimize exposure to legal liability in case a

Explore Manitoba’s parks off-season

If you’re one of those who can’t manage a holiday during the busy summer and fall seasons, don’t be afraid to take off-season drives or holidays around our province. Hotels usually have plenty of space available and may even offer special off-season deals; it’s often possible to make last-minute bookings. You can watch the forecast


Farmer complains about oil spills

The provincial government is turning a blind eye to southwestern Manitoba oil-drilling companies dumping saltwater and oil in municipal ditches, a Cromer-area farmer says. Carlyle Jorgensen, who farms near Cromer, told the Keystone Agricultural Producers meeting here last week the government is fearful of discouraging oil well development in the province. “From December (2011) until

Communications breakdown added to emergency

Volunteer firefighters racing to reach fire-threatened Vita last week passed hundreds of vehicles headed the other direction and wondered what they were headed into, said veteran firefighter Alain Nadeau. “I’ve been doing this for 33 years and this was the scariest I’ve seen,” said the weary La Broquerie fire chief on Friday after an exhausting



Pastures vary widely amid topsy-turvy spring

While the east side battles forest fires, the normally dry southwestern 
pastures are poised for lush growth

Pasture conditions around the province this spring seem to be a mixed bag of sorts, ranging from lush to bone dry. In a topsy-turvy turn of events, the southwest, where drought is the rule rather than the exception, ample rains have set the stage for good pasture conditions, said Jane Thornton, a pasture and rangeland

Firefighters responding to more diverse calls than ever before

It was the kind of heavy-handed knock on the door no one wants to hear, that told Donna Stewart a forest fire was closing in on her home. “I was terrified,” said the 65-year-old retiree, one of more than a dozen people evacuated after fire threatened the community of Badger this May. “By the time

Farm community rallies around one of its own

Manitoba’s rural community is rallying around a Ste. Rose farm family who lost their home to a fire April 28 while they were in Winnipeg receiving leukemia treatments for their critically ill toddler. Friends say Rob and Erin Brunel have been overwhelmed by outpouring of support. Brunel is well known for his activities in farm


Dry, windy weather fans grass fires

April was a wild, windy and hot month across the province — and some of the heat wasn’t from sunshine. Volunteer fire departments have been busy dousing grassfires that have raced out of control, claiming one life and several properties. Despite the weekend rains, all rural residents, including farmers, are being urged to avoid lighting

Briefs May 3, 2012

Grass fire fatality An out-of-control grass fire claimed the life of a 78-year-old Portage la Prairie-area man April 26. RCMP say the victim was attempting to control a grass fire that had spread to a shed on his property. Firefighters brought in to contain the blaze located the deceased inside the shed. RCMP say there