Local news & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Galbraith leaving, Lepp joining, Manitoba Canola Growers Association

The long-time MCGA employee says more time on the farm is in her future

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff July 26, 2019

A key member of the Manitoba Canola Growers Association is ‘retiring’ to pay more attention to the family farm. Roberta Galbraith has been the organization’s grower engagement and extension manager for the past eight years. “In that time she has been a leader in developing and creating learning opportunities and actives for Canola farmers in

Field peas have made acreage inroads this season.

Crops, Local news

Field peas elbow in on canola acres

Price aren’t expected to be great but dry conditions made the pulse crop a Plan B

By Marlo Glass July 26, 2019

Statistics Canada’s latest report says field peas have taken some canola acres this year. Approximately 4.3 million total acres will be dedicated to field peas, StatsCan said, marking a 300,000-acre increase from estimates earlier in the year, and up from the 3.6 million acres seeded in 2018. Market participants expect that yellow peas will account

Chris Wararuk surveys one of Farmery’s hops yards, near Neepawa.

Farmit Manitoba, Local news

Local content scarce in local brews

University of Manitoba study shows brewers want to buy local but the supply chains don't exist

By Geralyn Wichers July 26, 2019

After 11 years in the business, Wells is still more than happy to yak about beer and what he’s got brewing — like the Pilsner made with Saskatchewan craft-malted barley he has in process. “So far it’s tasting awesome,” he said. Rosthern, Saskatchewan, is the closest Wells can get to local craft malt right now.

A chuckwagon racer at the Manitoba Stampede.

Local news

Manitoba Stampede takes heat from protestors

In the wake of horse deaths at the Calgary Stampede, animal rights advocates organized to question the ethics of the rodeo event

By Geralyn Wichers July 25, 2019

The Manitoba Stampede faced protests, both at the front gate and online, following six animal deaths at the Calgary Stampede. Video also circulated online of clean up following the death of a heifer during a team penning competition on Saturday. Activist organization Manitoba Animal Save shared the video, which shows a tractor hauling away a

Attendees at the Crop Diagnostic School earlier in July pore over an oat crop at the Ian N. Morrisson Research Farm in Carman.

Cereals, Local news

A thorn in the side of oat growers

Common buckthorn is a haven for crown rust spores over the winter and an easy source of infection if the farmer opts for a susceptible oat variety

By Alexis Stockford July 24, 2019

Oat growers may want to gauge the distance to the nearest woody stream bed the next time they choose a variety. That’s one of the messages sent out during this year’s Crop Diagnostic School in Carman in the first two weeks of July. Why it matters: Manitoba’s most popular oat varieties have either been downgraded

Regenerative agriculture uses grazing to improve forage yield, soil organic matter and even habitat in some cases.

Forages, Local news

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association backs up regenerative ag

The movement is now an official cause for MFGA

By Alexis Stockford July 23, 2019

The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association is officially endorsing regenerative agriculture. “MFGA’s interests in regenerative agriculture lie squarely in producing high-quality food while improving the natural ecosystem,” the position reads. “Regenerative agriculture” involves farm practices aimed at improving the landscape, soil health and biodiversity. Grazing is a key part of the system, including rotational or

JoAnne Buth looks back at a carer of change as she enters retirement.

Faces of ag, Farmit Manitoba, Local news, Other

JoAnne Buth: a life in agriculture

Cigi’s newly retired CEO didn’t have a plan, but walked through new doors as they opened

By Allan Dawson July 23, 2019

JoAnne Buth is an expert in removing mosquito ovaries. Her favourite insect is the weevil. She’s one of the newest members of the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame. And if you keep reading you’ll learn lots more about the recently retired CEO of Cigi — the Canadian International Grains Institute — and her auspicious agricultural

Canola shipments to China have been under scrutiny for years Buth said.

Farmit Manitoba, Local news, Other

Buth unsurprised by China’s Canadian canola ban

As canola council president she helped keep the border open in 2009 but suspected China would eventually try to ‘control things’

By Allan Dawson July 23, 2019

China’s ban on Canadian canola seed is something JoAnne Buth, a former president of the Canola Council of Canada, has been expecting since 2009. “In September 2009 we managed to negotiate with the Chinese to keep the border open on this whole issue,” Buth said in an interview May 22 as she prepared to retire

Packaged chicken legs in store refrigerator.

Local news, Other

Work to begin on Winnipeg food strategy

Food Matters Manitoba has been contracted to begin work on the food plan

By Geralyn Wichers July 22, 2019

Work is slated to begin on Winnipeg’s first food strategy with Food Matters Manitoba heading the effort. “Food Matters Manitoba has an excellent track record of deliver- ing programs and services in the community, and have been an essential partner in getting the Winnipeg Food Council off the ground,” said St. Vital councillor Brian Mayes,

KAP president Bill Campbell, who farms near Minto, says crop producers are thankful for the rain. Cattle producers continue to struggle with the fallout from prolonged drought.

Crops, Local news

Rainfall prevents drought disaster

Now it’s up to timely rains to finish the job this season

By Allan Dawson July 22, 2019

It was probably at least a billion-dollar rain. To the delight of many farmers, much of agro-Manitoba received badly needed precipitation between 1 a.m. July 8 and 7 a.m. July 10 Manitoba Agriculture’s weather stations show. (See map below) While last week’s rains came too late to prevent yield loss in some fields, it stopped

Daily Network News

U.S. grains: Soy hits 17-month high, corn to four-month top as trade braces for U.S. data

Federal budget shows remaining disconnect between agriculture, policymakers, panelists say

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures continue downward