Cattle producers in Manitoba are welcoming the addition of more locations that qualify for the livestock tax deferral program.

RMs added to national livestock tax deferral

Producers from 17 new RMs may be in line for some tax relief if they are forced to cull this fall

Another 17 municipalities will be eligible for the federal government’s livestock tax deferral program (see list at bottom). Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada had released an initial list of eligible municipalities in September, citing the dry, challenging growing conditions that cut many forage yields in half. That list was expanded Nov. 1 to include western municipalities


Manitoba is experiencing growing interest in hog barn construction. 

Pork industry chalking up wins

While poor prices have grabbed the headlines the long-term trends are more positive

The Manitoba Pork Council is quietly celebrating a string of low-key wins during its fall producer meetings. From falling numbers of PED cases to a modest barn-building boom and new trade deals that will stabilize and expand markets, long-term trends look positive, the group says. Why it matters: The industry needs to stay focused on

Cassidy Elder (l to r), Fawn Jackson, Erin Jackson, Heidi Nicholls, Tomina Jackson and Ella Marzoff pose after winning the 2018 Ag Ex Little Lady Classic.

Sister-led team brings success at At Ex 2018

The Jackson sisters led High Bluff Stock Farm’s all-female showing team to success at Ag Ex in Brandon this year

The stall belonging to High Bluff Stock Farm in Inglis appeared like many others at Brandon’s Ag Ex last month. It was nestled midway through the Charolais barn, marked overhead signs announcing the farm’s name and a display at the mouth of the aisle, and now adorned with a banner marking the farm’s success in


Hay claims shoot past 2017 levels

Hay claims shoot past 2017 levels

The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation is processing 975 claims, up from 533 last year and 500 in 2016

Forage claims have risen abruptly in 2017, according to Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation. The agency has reported 975 forage insurance claims this year, up from 533 last year and higher than any year since at least 2015. David Koroscil, MASC manager of claim services, says the agency has paid out about $4.2 million so far,

Minto farmer David Rourke told KAP’s advisory council meeting Nov. 12 he’s reluctant to support one of the two royalty options being proposed when there could be a third option. Rourke said the publicly funding cereal variety development system has served farmers well and said he’s skeptical about how much more value the private sector can deliver.

KAP has no position on proposed seed royalty options yet

Delegates raise concerns about higher seed costs ahead of the first consultation meeting in Winnipeg Friday

The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is still working out its position on a proposal for seed companies to collect more royalties from farmers on cereal seed, which proponents say will aid farmers by encouraging more variety development. Meanwhile, the first of the federal government’s four consultation meetings on the proposal is being held at the


Unfriendly Manitoba: No sale on used grain dryers to Keystone province

Manitoba may be one of the hardest provinces to set up a used grain dryer in and critics say the interpretation of rules is the problem

A tough harvest meant plenty of demand for used grain dryers in Manitoba this fall, but A.R.K. New-Tech Ltd. wasn’t selling. At least, it wasn’t selling in Manitoba. Adrien Caillier, president of the Manitou company, says they have stepped back from selling used grain dryers in their home province, although they are more than happy

No Canadian certification for grain dryers

Both Manitoba and Saskatchewan face the same manufacturing challenges, according to Lorne Neault, an energy management consultant with EMW Industrial Ltd., based in the Interlake. The Saskatchewan company he works for sets up grain dryers throughout Western Canada, including Manitoba. “Typically most of the dryer manufacturers are U.S., they sell dryers to whoever requests them,


Livestock integration will likely feature heavily when the MFGA regenerative agriculture conference comes to Brandon 
November 27-28.

Regenerative agriculture gets ready for the spotlight in Brandon

The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association is gearing up for its regenerative agriculture conference later this month

An upcoming conference in Brandon will examine how to build up land, rather than just harvesting from it. The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association is preparing for its first-ever regenerative agriculture conference Nov. 27 and 28, with the theme “Adapting to Today’s Food and Farming World.” MFGA says it’s hoping a lineup of producer testimony

Field tour attendees dig into the soil structure at Borderland Agriculture during a summer field tour. Brooks and Jen White will represent Manitoba at Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers National Event next month.

Winnipeg to welcome rising stars of agriculture

Brooks and Jen White are getting ready to represent Manitoba at Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers national event in Winnipeg later this month

The nation’s Outstanding Young Farmers will go head to head in Winnipeg next month. Seven stand-out farm families between the ages of 18 and 39 will make an appearance at Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer’s National Event at the end of November, hosted this year by the Manitoba region. Representatives from each western province, Ontario, Quebec