The view from the marsh at Cypress River Millennium Park.

PHOTOS: Fall colours impress on road trip route

A drive in south-central Manitoba highlights the autumn leaves in all their glory

The treed landscapes of Manitoba are arguably at their most spectacular this time of year, and it’s prime time for a driving tour while leaves are at their best. With autumn winds ready to wreak havoc with the foliage, this can sometimes be a short window of opportunity. Tips for the road Plan your drive

“…farmers were unfortunately caught up in this. The federal government has been clear it was never their intention to, you know, penalize farmers in this way.” – Dave Carey, Canadian Canola Growers Association.

Ag groups say redundant tax returns a burden

Groups are lobbying to have farmers permanently exempt from UHT filing by next tax season

Farmers have been forced to file tax returns on underused housing despite knowing they’ll be exempt from paying, says KAP. “The additional administrative and financial burden that is being placed on farmers does not seem like it is in the best interest of farmers or the government given the redundancy of this return for the many farmers,” said a


Potatoes can grow around foreign objects, causing a food safety risk.

Keep an eye out for field trash when harvesting potatoes

Potato producers asked to clear non-tuber objects prior to harvest

One of Manitoba’s major potato processors is asking producers to ensure their soil surface is clear before bringing in spuds this year. Scott Graham, J.R. Simplot’s raw agronomy manager, urged producers to watch for foreign objects in their fields and among potatoes. The issue of foreign objects arriving at the plant was brought up during

photo: artistgndphotography/istock/getty images

Training on tap to fill farm labour gaps between ag and tech

The ‘agri-programmer’ may be on its way

Say there’s trouble with the automated GIS and mapping features on the tractor, but you can’t find a tech with enough knowledge to offer help. It’s a simple example of the kind of employment gaps that keep farmers up at night, and that prevent their adoption of new technology, said the manager of an “upskilling”


(Dave Bedard photo)

NFU report adjusts sequestration, fuel emissions numbers

Uncertainty about absolute numbers isn’t the same as uncertainty about trends: author

Canadian agriculture is sequestering more carbon than originally thought, but it’s also burning more diesel fuel, according to a new report from the National Farmers Union. In August, the NFU released the third edition of its Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada report. It reflected updated information from the latest national inventory that the federal government released this year. Why it matters:

China snaps up Australian barley after tariffs lifted

China snaps up Australian barley after tariffs lifted

Australian barley is starting to move toward China again after three years of tariffs

China has bought approximately 600,000 tonnes of Australian barley since Beijing lifted punishing duties on the grain in August, traders said. The numbers underline strong pent-up demand for the grain from the Asian nation, the same traders noted. China ended anti-dumping tariffs on Australian barley on Aug. 5, roughly three years after the 80.5 per


Among other opportunities, the mentorship program will bring participants to federal lobby days in Ottawa.

New mentorship program targets young grain farmers

Wheat grower group looks to inject youth into its board with new program

The Wheat Growers Association is looking for young farmers who want to know more about agricultural policy objectives. “This is a great opportunity for young farmers to learn the effects different policies like transportation, trade, and environment have on their farm,” said Kaitlyn Kitzan, the Calgary-based association’s treasurer and director for Saskatchewan. Why it matters:

Fire claims a combine in Saskatchewan during harvest in 2017.

Tinder-dry harvest elevates fire risk

Dry conditions and hot weather could elevate the chance of a costly combine fire

Field conditions and an early harvest have elevated the risk of combine fires. “Certainly the risk is great this year because of the dry conditions,” said Keystone Agricultural Producers farm safety consultant Morag Marjerison. “Across Canada, there have already been some combine fires this year. So it’s definitely something that they should be considering.” Why


A Brandt manufacturing facility in Moose Jaw, Sask.

Brandt adds to New Zealand holdings

Deal brings North Island construction, forestry and ag equipment market under one umbrella

Saskatchewan equipment firm Brandt Group of Companies has added another arm to its international reach. The Regina-based manufacturer of grain handling and tillage equipment and John Deere distributor said Aug. 31 that it had acquired New Zealand equipment company Wairarapa Machinery Services Ltd. The acquired company is 100 kilometres northeast of the country’s capital, Wellington. The dealership will

(Left to right) Western Grains Research Foundation chair Laura Reiter, Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and WGRF executive director Wayne Thompson.

Second agronomy cluster to receive funding

The Integrated Crop Agronomy Cluster will be publicly backed for another five years

The Integrated Crop Agronomy Cluster will receive more than $7.6 million for its second phase. Funding, which comes from sources including the Western Grains Research Foundation, the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership and industry partners, will cover a five-year period between April 2023 and March 2028. Why it matters: Projects will tackle everyday agronomic problems faced


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