Manitoba agriculture minister, Ralph Eichler.

Lower premiums for crop insurance in 2018

The unpopular pre-harvest deductible on corn and soybeans is gone, 
there’s coverage for novel crops and hail coverage options have been raised

Insuring soybeans in Manitoba will be a lot cheaper this year, with premiums dropping an average of 17 per cent. That’s the biggest move in an across-the-board premium drop that sees an average reduction on all crops of seven per cent, Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler said while speaking at Ag Days here Jan. 16. Other

The hockey ice at Brandon’s Keystone Centre was replaced with ag company booths during the 2018 Manitoba Ag Days Jan. 16-18.

Ag Days holds the course on exhibitor numbers

This year’s Ag Days lines up with previous years in terms of size

It wasn’t a milestone anniversary year for Manitoba Ag Days, but the 2018 show matched numbers from last year’s 40th anniversary expansion. Last year, the show added both footage and exhibitor slots after opening up the over-19,000-square-foot Brandon Curling Club for booths. This year, the show once again topped 540,000 square feet and over 800


VIDEO: Challenges and rewards in Manitoba’s bison industry

VIDEO: Challenges and rewards in Manitoba’s bison industry

Two of Manitoba's bison producers see hurdles for their industry, but also a bright future

Take the road less travelled in some parts of rural Manitoba and you may see an iconic animal on the other side of the fence. There’s a good number of bison on the Prairies and Manitoba’s bison producers are hard at work meeting the demand of consumer appetites, but it won’t come without its own

VIDEO: A 3D view of the grain inside your bin

VIDEO: A 3D view of the grain inside your bin

Inventors' Showcase entrant at Manitoba Ag Days showcased serious technology to help spot spoilage before it occurs

Have you ever been sitting at home wondering what’s going on with the moisture content inside your grain bin? Well, wonder no more. Using spectral imaging technology – similar to that of an MRI or CT scan – GrainViz creates a 3D moisture map of the grain inside your bin that you can view via


The Association of Manitoba Muncipalities says there’s plenty of public support for its call for a share of cannabis tax dollars.

Poll lines up Manitobans with AMM on cannabis

How much should municipalities get when it comes time to divvy out tax revenue on pot? 
A recent poll from the AMM suggests at least half

The Association of Manitoba Municipalities says a new poll shows Manitobans support local governments getting their piece of the cannabis tax pie. The Probe Research poll, done on behalf of the AMM, reported that about 33 per cent of 1,000 replies thought municipalities should get half the tax revenue, while 59 per cent indicated local

VIDEO: Full Bin Alarm wins Farm Safety Feature at Manitoba Ag Days

VIDEO: Full Bin Alarm wins Farm Safety Feature at Manitoba Ag Days

Invention lets producers on the ground know when their bin is full

Sound the alarm! You no longer need to climb to the top of your grain bin to find out when it’s full. That’s the idea behind Never Spill Spout’s Full Bin Alarm, the Farm Safety product winner at this year’s Manitoba Ag Days. The system uses a sensor inside of an auger spout to alert


VIDEO: CropPro Consulting wins Best New Product at Ag Days

VIDEO: CropPro Consulting wins Best New Product at Ag Days

System collects electrical conductivity data for variable rate seed, fertilizer program

Best New Product at Manitoba Ag Days was awarded to CropPro Consulting on Jan. 17, 2018, for SWAT MAPS and SWATBOX, its variable rate seed and fertilizer service. SWAT MAPS collects data based on soil, water, and topography data and SWATBOX collects soil electrical conductivity data while seeding or tilling. In this video, Derek Rude

Ray Bittner of Manitoba Agriculture makes the case for silage during Ag Days 2018.

Farmers don’t need to feel like they’re choking down silage cost: Ag Days speaker

Silage becomes more palatable for producers if you look beyond simple cost per acre, Manitoba Agriculture’s Ray Bittner told the Ag Days audience Jan. 17

It’s time to add a little fermentation to your feed plan. That’s the message Manitoba Agriculture’s Ray Bittner had for his Ag Days audience. The livestock specialist centred his talk around maximized silage value. Silage is old hat for producers in the Interlake, but its expense, and the fact that it often requires a custom


Volunteers prepare lunch at the annual St. Jean Farm Days.

Farmers mull commodity group merger’s risks and benefits

Vote on proposed merger to take place in early 2019

Five Manitoba commodity groups were at St. Jean Farm Days last week, seeking input on a proposed amalgamation plan. At the event Myron Krahn told producers that “we’re here because we want farmers’ feedback, we want ideas from farmers… we’re looking for as much feedback as we can get, positive or negative, it doesn’t matter.”

The Manitoba Hydro head office in downtown Winnipeg. Electricity rates are set to rise, with many consequences for rural Manitoba.

Manitoba Hydro hikes worry RMs

Municipal leaders say proposed 7.9 per cent rate hikes will put a serious crimp in operating budgets

Manitobans can expect fewer services and paying higher user fees for recreational facilities if electricity rates rise. That’s the message Association of Manitoba Municipalities president Chris Goertzen had for the Public Utilities Board earlier this month. Read more: Carbon tax revenue use options pitched at AMM The rate hikes being proposed will make it difficult for