“Straw hats and old dirty hankies, Mopping a face like a shoe, Thanks for the meal here’s a song that is real, From a kid from the city to you.” These words serve as the verse to Murray McLauchlan’s, “The Farmers Song.” Released in 1972, the song is a snapshot of the changing place of 
Are you one of those who has recently taken up watching birds, or feeding or photographing them? With most Manitobans staying close to home, these have become new hobbies for many. With the arrival of spring, there are different birds to watch for, new requirements in bird feeding and maybe some changes in how you 
Blair and Lois McRae of Mar Mac Farms are the recipients of the Manitoba Simmental Association’s 2020 A.0. Henuset Ambassador Award. It’s meant to recognize those who “… have unselfishly given of their time to help establish the Simmental industry in Manitoba.” The McRae family has been in the Simmental business near Brandon for the
Floyd McTavish, like many volunteers, is part of the glue that holds his community together. “Volunteers are a treasure; Floyd’s quiet commitment to service has indeed made our community richer, in ways that words cannot possibly describe,” said Liz Finch, a Foxwarren resident. Finch nominated McTavish for Prairie View municipality’s 2020 Volunteer Citizen of the
Soil scientist Stephen Crittenden with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada offered a presentation earlier this year on soil health. As producers are likely to face more and new extremes that challenge their crops, identifying management practices that complement the soil and water in their respective growing regions will be essential. It’s a better understanding that has
You may not always see beneficial insects in your field, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t providing you with an important pest control service. Dr. Alejandro Costamagna, associate professor of entomology at the University of Manitoba, spoke earlier this year about how all insects are not created equal and how some insects are a very
Are cover crops something you’re interested in but aren’t quite sure where to begin? Earlier this year, Yvonne Lawley with the University of Manitoba aimed to answer that question for producers in a presentation that looked at the types of cover crops that grow well in Manitoba, how setting a goal can improve the success
Manitoba Co-operator editor Gord Gilmour speaks with agronomist Ken Gross of Ducks Unlimited Canada about winter wheat crops in Manitoba and what he looks for when assessing plants to determine if they’re off to a healthy start.
“Well geez, you should let your name stand,” seems like the common origin of many successful careers in agriculture organizational work. Fellow farmers recognize leadership qualities and exert a little pressure to fill a director’s chair. East Selkirk farmer Brian Chorney is, by all accounts, not one to boast. But in this case, it seems
A Manitoba scientist and entrepreneur is using Canadian science to explore a neglected African plant in hopes this will create a platform to explore more high-value, underused crops. “If we bring those resources in Africa which are neglected due to lack of knowledge, due to lack of research, if I can use the Canadian system… we can
Poncho was a “neighbourhood combo” mutt with short legs and a long body. Legs churning, he’d come within inches of the three-wheeler tire time and time again as the grandkids puttered around the farmyard. Poncho is long in the “happy hunting grounds” but he lives on in every bag of kibble that bears his name.
Teresa Vallotton of FarmFemmes is aiming to pique the interest of kids for future careers in agricultural technology. Vallotten’s “AI in a Day” coding camp sessions recently held at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon gave kids a quick introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) and allowed them to play around with aspects of the technology. Here,
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Canadian grain farmers will soon have a “first-ever” grain production code of practices, following an announcement by the federal agriculture minister at Crop Connect 2020 in Winnipeg. Marie-Claude Bibeau said the federal government will be providing $800,000 in funding for the program, intended to document the practices for trading partners and consumers. It will demonstrate
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February 11 is Canada’s Agriculture Day, intended to showcase all the amazing things happening in our industry. It’s a time to create a closer connection between consumers, our food and the people who produce it. Sharing what you love about Canadian agriculture can be as simple as posting a photo. For me, a social media
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Freelance photographer Sandy Black is the quintessential shutterbug, and his keen eyes behind the lens this week at Manitoba Ag Days were in full swing. Here, Sandy shares a few of his photos with the Manitoba Co-operator that captured some of the sights at the show. Photos: Sandy Black
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Solar energy remains a largely untapped resource in southwestern Manitoba, and few incentives exist to boost public interest, says one contractor. Manitoba has become a “very difficult place to sell and install solar,” Daniel Lacovetsky said during Manitoba Sustainable Energy Association’s (ManSEA) virtual conference on March 23. Lacovetsky and business partner Jacob Kettner own Powertec
April 12, 2021The Manitoba government has taken several runs at improving child care in the province, but fragmented and stymied approaches have thus far left many families in the lurch. If rural families feel particularly pinched, they’re probably right. University of Manitoba researcher Susan Prentice said in rural and northern Manitoba, there is one childcare spot for
April 8, 2021Glacier FarmMedia – Last October, AGCO’s Fendt brand announced that its engineers were still working on the e100 concept electric tractor it debuted in 2017. It’s apparently a promising design making measurable progress toward possible future commercialization. “The current development status of the Fendt e100 Vario compact tractor is encouraging and promises high efficiency with
April 6, 2021It’s time to up our efforts in the battle against wild pigs, according to a leading voice in the field. Ryan Brook of the University of Saskatchewan has spent years studying the rise of the invasive species in Western Canada, and has also spent years raising the alarm. He has watched as sounders — the
March 31, 2021May I see that toy?” I requested, pointing to a painted wooden doll in the glass case behind the cash register. “Of course,” Tina Alvetina, the clerk smiled, unlocking and sliding open the door. “It’s a matryoshka,” she added, lifting out the nesting dolls. “Can you repeat that please?” I asked. “Matryoshka. It’s Russian, I believe. I’m originally from the
March 31, 2021Ruthless cutting of waste in all its forms has long allowed farmers — from 1600s Japan to reconstruction-era Alabama — to make a living on tiny plots of land. It’s how today’s small-scale farmers can do the same, says farmer and author Ben Hartman. “Turning waste into useful channels should be the slogan of every
March 31, 2021
With roots going back to 1925, each weekly issue of the Manitoba Co-operator contains production, marketing and policy news selected for relevance to crops and livestock producers in Manitoba.
