firefighters putting out a grass fire

High winds and fire an extremely dangerous combo, say fire officials

A ban on burning is now in effect across eastern and central Manitoba

A deadly combination of wind and runaway grass fires claimed the life of one man and destroyed multiple properties across southern Manitoba last week as rural firefighters scrambled from one incident to the next. High winds April 13, 14 and 15 also blackened the skies with soil blowing off of unplanted fields, a sombre reminder

Peter Manness

Farm management consultant stresses importance of past performance

Financial experts recommend ensuring 50 per cent of your upcoming year’s expenses 
are available as cash or cash equivalent

Understanding your farm’s historical performance is critical in developing a viable financial management plan, according to Peter Manness, farm management consultant with Meyers Norris Penny. Manness recently spoke to a group of producers at the Farm Outlook 2015 hosted by the Dauphin Agriculture Society about financial management in difficult times. “There are a lot of


installing drainage in a field

Interest in drainage expected to grow

As the province’s newest water management association pulls away from the dock, new members are invited on board

The fledgling Manitoba Agricultural Water Management Association (MAWMA) is looking for members, particularly farmers and landowners as well as others with a interest in water management. Formed in late 2012 with a focus on the tile drainage industry, the organization’s board of directors includes three producer members, representing potato, grain and speciality crop growers at

Assiniboine Community College’s Len Evans Centre

ACC and Mazergroup partner to offer New Holland technician program

The newly initialled technician program will be held at ACC’s Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology and will complement the existing agricultural equipment technician apprenticeship program

Brandon’s Assiniboine Community College announced a new partnership with agriculture equipment giant, Mazergroup, to bring new skills training for technicians of New Holland equipment. “Training and education that meets the unique needs of our partners in industry are critical to the success of the college,” said ACC president, Mark Frison. “This program not only benefits


soybean plant

Bringing soybeans in from the cold

A Brandon research scientist is studying the effects of cool temperatures during the Manitoba growing season

A Brandon research scientist is studying how cold temperatures during the growing season can put a chill on soybean production. Ramona Mohr, who works at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Brandon Research Centre, says it starts with a “chilling effect” at planting. Mohr presented preliminary results from her studies at North Star Genetics’ annual soybean

chef preparing food

Manitoba Culinary Institute hosts Black Box Challenge

The Manitoba Canola Growers Association and Manitoba Pork offer up scholarship funds 
in a student-based culinary competition

Students at the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts employed their homegrown ingredients as they faced off in a Black Box Challenge to earn scholarship funds and bragging rights last week. Assiniboine Community College hosted its annual Black Box Culinary Competition on April 9-10, sponsored by Manitoba Pork and the Manitoba Canola Growers Association. Competing students



overhead view of the city of Brandon

Study reveals downtown Brandon is a ‘food desert’

Brandon food study reveals some have 
a long trip to grocery stores

Forty minutes in a car can take you from one town to the next in Westman, but that’s as long as some Brandonites spend riding the bus one way to go for groceries in the city. Lack of access to grocery stores is highlighted in a new report, called the Brandon Community Food Assessment, released


man with tray of cinnamon buns

Get Fresh food event attracts new faces to local producers

Businesses and schools looking to buy local can face many challenges, including not knowing who can supply them with what they need

Wondering who can supply you with local berries in January? Or maybe you’re looking for pasture-raised pork for your home economics class? Or perhaps you’re looking for someone who needs local oats year round? Thanks to Get Fresh, a networking event hosted by Food Matters Manitoba, producers and purchasers are now better able to answer

woman with bowl of purée

Purée producer a finalist for prestigious prize

Supporters can vote for Kelly Beaulieu, founder of Canadian Prairie Garden Puree Products Inc., who was chosen as as a finalist for a food product award in 
California earlier this winter

Manitoba’s Kelly Beaulieu, founder and chief operating officer of Canadian Prairie Garden Puree Products Inc., has been nominated for a prestigious 2015 Nexty Award. Beaulieu became a finalist after her line of vegetable, fruit and legume purées was chosen out of more than 3,000 exhibitors attending the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim California in