Phosphorus recovery can complement source reduction

Phosphorus recovery can complement source reduction

Globally, it's estimated that one-third of all phosphorous applied is lost to water due to erosion, leaching and run-off

A Manitoba engineer says phosphorus (P) recovery methods can be an important addition to the province’s phosphorus management strategies. Francesco Zurzolo, an engineer specializing in nutrient management and reduction with Dillon Consulting, says Manitoba is dealing with eutrophication and destruction of important ecosystems due to P buildup. Zurzolo spoke at the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association’s

Ray Loewen and Annie Doerksen carry a donation into a former furniture store being used as a depot for household goods for Syrian refugees who will settle in Altona.

Small towns with a big heart

In a spirit of giving that extends far beyond the season, rural Manitoba is rolling out the welcome mat for refugees

As the Daas family makes their way down the escalator at Winnipeg’s James Richardson International Airport, you’d be forgiven for thinking that rock stars or a reality TV clan had entered the building. Television crews jockey with kids holding handmade signs, while well-wishers and volunteers push in to hand bouquets of flowers and gifts to


VIDEO: Resettling refugee families in rural Manitoba

VIDEO: Resettling refugee families in rural Manitoba

Rural communities in many parts of the Prairies have joined the effort to alleviate the plight of refugees escaping war-torn Syria. Small Manitoba towns such as Altona, Winkler and Morden are doing their part to make room by welcoming seven Syrian families – a total of 45 people – into their communities. The area has a

Literature review for research on manured, tile-drained land being sought

Literature review for research on manured, tile-drained land being sought

Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative Inc. wants to see what scientists 
have already discovered and consider how it might fit under Manitoba conditions

Tile-drained fields can remove surplus subsurface moisture improving crop-growing conditions, but there’s also a risk after manure is applied that nutrients and pathogens could leave the field in that water. The Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative Inc. (MLMMI) wants to find out what scientists already know about mitigating nutrient losses in fields with controlled tile


Energy strategy could help rural Manitoba

Energy strategy could help rural Manitoba

Rather than being a solution to provide lower costs and prices, the Hydro monopoly has become a barrier to innovation

Manitoba’s energy strategy is inconsistent with current and future sustainable and renewable energy priorities. Overreliance on hydro-electric power from the Nelson River is no longer competitive, and is steadily increasing huge debts to be borne by future taxpayers/hydro customers. In particular, provincial policy and existing legislation does not encourage local rural solutions. A fresh review

Harry Stoddart, a sixth-generation Ontario producer presented at the Manitoba Conservation District Association’s 40th annual conference held in Brandon on December 8.

Farming with a focus on restoration

An experienced Ontario producer says implementing a holistic management plan would be a benefit

As many in the industry strive for sustainability, an experienced Ontario farmer wants to go one step further to build a farming system that does better than perpetuate itself. “The term ‘sustainability’ has really come to mean less damaging than the alternative, rather than truly improving or repairing,” said Harry Stoddart, during a presentation at


VIDEO: Eight-wheel drive tractor “Big Roy” begins restoration at Versatile

VIDEO: Eight-wheel drive tractor “Big Roy” begins restoration at Versatile

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Winnipeg-based Versatile brought its model 1080 prototype eight-wheel drive tractor, dubbed Big Roy, home for a makeover. Although it’s now officially owned by an agricultural museum, the tractor will play an as-yet unspecified role in Versatile’s celebrations through public appearances arranged by the brand this coming season. Age

Sixteen-year-old Laura Didyk of 
St. Francois Xavier was a Manitoba delegate to the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in October.

World Food Prize experience an eye-opener for Manitoba teen

The conference gives youth an opportunity to dream big about their future in agriculture

Public speaking before an unfamiliar audience can be scary enough, never mind having a bunch of distinguished international scientists in the audience. But 16-year-old Laura Didyk was undaunted making a speech while attending the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa this past October. “It was a little nerve-racking,” says the Grade


More Manitoba farmers are growing certified seed, says Eric McLean, the outgoing president of the Manitoba Seed Growers Association. For the third consecutive year Manitoba topped the nation with the highest number of acres of pedigreed seed.

Manitoba tops in pedigreed seed

It boasts the highest acreage in Canada

It’s a three-peat for Manitoba seed growers. For the third year in a row, the province has grown the most pedigreed seed of any province in Canada — 380,131 acres in 2015, up 22 per cent from 2014. It’s quite likely a Manitoba record too, said Jennifer Seward, secretary-manager of the Manitoba Seed Growers’ Association

After a decade of experimentation with equipment and processes, cattail harvesting is poised to move beyond the pilot project stage.

Cattail harvesting shows promise to aid province’s water woes

The cattail-harvesting project taking place at Pelly’s Lake sees progress in extracting overloaded nutrients and processing 
the biomass crop

Ten years after a research team first considered harvesting cattails in Manitoba, one of the lead researchers remains as enthusiastic as ever about its environmental and economic potential. “Essentially, we have been working on this for the past 10 years. When we set out it was a small project looking at how cattails and reeds