RCMP officers approach a truck on a farm property.

Rural crime jump has beef producers calling for more police

Beef producers are calling for more police presence after a noted uptick in crime

Beef producers in south-central Manitoba want more police presence in response to rising rural crime. The issue spawned a resolution during the Baldur meeting of the Manitoba Beef Producers. Members at the regular district meeting Oct. 30 overwhelmingly supported a call for more police resources in rural areas. Why it matters: Residents from Somerset to

TD Bank Group signs on as ALUS sponsor

New Acre Project aims to boost acres under the pay-for-benefits plan

TD Bank Group has signed on as a major sponsor for ALUS Canada’s “New Acre Project,” to spur investments in ‘naturalization’ projects across the country. “Nature is one of the most powerful tools we have to help communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change,” Nicole Vadori, TD’s head of environment, said. “By


The Manitoba Food History Project “food truck” has travelled to Steinbach, Altona, St. Norbert and Dauphin, allowing the researchers to conduct interviews and cook food with people all over the province.

Manitoba Food History Project ‘trucks along’

A Winnipeg-based food history project delves into how cultural forces shaped food production in the province

In Winnipeg there’s this tradition of burgers called the ‘fat boy.’ The staple of drive-in restaurants, they’re fairly ordinary beef burgers with lettuce, tomato and a thick pickle spear, except they have a chili sauce that isn’t found much elsewhere. These burgers are also often served in Greek Canadian restaurants. To some residents of Winnipeg,

Plant breeder and researcher Doug Cattani was recently recognized by the province 
for innovation in sustainability.

Kernza plant breeder recognized

Faces of Ag: Doug Cattani has spent his career working on perennial grasses

And to think, he could have been an accountant. Plant breeder and researcher Doug Cattani received provincial recognition in October for his work in developing perennial grains. Since 2010, Cattani has worked with Kernza, the trade name for organically produced intermediate wheatgrass, which is being developed for grain production. As a perennial grain, Kernza causes


An elevator at Solsgirth was built in 1961 by National Grain. Sold to Cargill Grain in 1975, the elevator and its annexes were destroyed by fire on December 16, 1981, shortly after undergoing an extensive renovation costing some $750,000. It was replaced by a new composite-style elevator constructed in mid-1982. Traded to Manitoba Pool in June 1995, the elevator was closed by Agricore United in 2002. It is now used for private grain storage.

PHOTOS: This Old Elevator: October 2019

In the 1950s, there were over 700 grain elevators in Manitoba. Today, there are fewer than 200. You can help to preserve the legacy of these disappearing “Prairie sentinels.” The Manitoba Historical Society (MHS) is gathering information about all elevators that ever stood in Manitoba, regardless of their present status. Collaborating with the Manitoba Co-operator it is supplying these

“Water does not follow political or administrative boundaries.” – Rochelle Squires.

Manitoba’s conservation districts to be revamped

Plans to realign districts along watershed lines have been in discussion for years

A rearranging of Manitoba’s conservation districts into ‘watershed districts’ should streamline management and bring the districts more into line with their original intent. “Water does not follow political or administrative boundaries,” said Rochelle Squires, then minister of sustainable development, in a news release Oct. 11. “These proposed changes support our made-in-Manitoba climate and green plan


“… too often the agriculture community was having to deal with two or more different departments and now it becomes a one-stop shop for the ag community.” – Blaine Pedersen, Agriculture and Resource Development minister.

New title and new faces as Pallister changes up cabinet

Blaine Pedersen takes point on an expanded Agriculture Department

Agriculture is in the hands of a new minister after a provincial cabinet shuffle Oct. 23. Blaine Pedersen will head up the newly expanded Department of Agriculture and Resource Development, the province said, taking over from previous agriculture minister Ralph Eichler. Eichler, meanwhile, has been appointed minister of economic development and training. The new department

Public urged to call ahead for land access

The province will be asking hunters to inform leaseholders before going onto leased Crown lands

Former Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler wants more courtesy when the public accesses leased Crown lands this hunting season. The province will be partnering with the beef industry on an awareness campaign, he said. “It’s a major issue for beef producers but, as a government, that land belongs to all Manitobans, so legally I can’t


The Arborg growing project harvested 75 acres of wheat on September 9 with six combines and one swather. The project yielded 4,175 bushels, raising just over $25,000, said a spokesperson from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Foodgrains Bank fundraising fields still waiting for harvest

Other growing projects saw excellent yields, which may even out donations

Several Canadian Foodgrains Bank growing projects are struggling to get their crops in, said Manitoba representative Gordon Janzen on Oct. 22. “Its been a tough harvest season and we feel for all those farmers who haven’t been able to complete harvest yet,” said Janzen. At the time, the Foodgrains Bank had seven projects with around

First Crown land auction dates announced

First Crown land auction dates announced

Auctions will be conducted in late November and early December

The Manitoba government has announced the first dates for upcoming agricultural Crown land lease auctions, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen announced Oct. 25. The auctions represent the first time leases have been awarded outside the points system that prevailed for decades. The changes have been very unpopular with many leaseholders, who say the